bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apprentissage et culture d'entreprise dans les PME : une analyse explorative intersectorielle
Authors: Minguzzi Antonio , Passaro Renato
Published: May 2014

Le développement des processus d’apprentissage est un phénomène influencé par IInteraction systémique de facteurs de différentes natures. Parmi les variables critiques du processus d'apprentissage au sein des PME se dégage notamment le rôle de l’entrepreneur et de sa culture qui peut devenir le volant ou, au contraire, le frein des processus d’évolution stimulés par les relations que l’entreprise entretient avec son milieu économique de référence par le biais de différents canaux relationnels. La thèse soutenue dans cet article est que les processus d’apprentissage des PME sont influencés par la typologie des relations que ces dernières établissent avec leur milieu économique de référence. Notre objectif est de vérifier le caractère significatif de deux différents canaux relationnels des PME (apprentissage par la proximité du marché et par l’exportation) à travers l’analyse des caractéristiques de la culture d’entreprise dans les différents secteurs examinés.

À cet effet, une analyse explorative a été menée à partir d’un échantillon de 104 PME italiennes appartenant à des secteurs « matures ». On a analysé dans le détail cinq groupes de variables représentatives à la fois de la dimension interne (entrepreneur, entreprise) et de la dimension externe à l’entreprise (intensité des processus d’exportation, concentration territoriale, marchés de débouchés intermédiaires ou finaux) dans le but de souligner les particularités du processus d’apprentissage de la PME. Les données ont été élaborées grâce à des méthodes statistiques multivariées (analyse en composantes principales et analyse des groupes) qui permettent d’interpréter les effets systématiques engendrés par l’interaction de variables de nature différente. Les résultats de l’élaboration ont confirmé le « rôle critique » que revêt la figure de l’entrepreneur pour le développement du processus d’apprentissage et la « non-planification », étapes du développement de ce processus dans les PME. Quant aux caractéristiques des canaux d’apprentissage analysés, il est apparu que les processus d’apprentissage sont plus influencés par le contact direct que l’entreprise entretient avec le marché final que par sa présence sur les marchés étrangers.
Comparaison et explications des stratégies des PMI françaises et allemandes
Authors: Levet Jean-Louis , Paturel Robert
Published: May 2014

La France et l’Allemagne sont deux pays européens disposant d’un puissant tissu économique de PME. L’article se propose de rapprocher cette catégorie d’entreprises des deux pays afin de fournir quelques réflexions concernant la refonte de la relation performances des PMI et tissu industriel national. Après quelques précisions méthodologiques, une analyse des comportements stratégiques et des modes de gestion des entreprises industrielles françaises et allemandes de taille moyenne est réalisée afin d’en faire ressortir les dissemblances et les similitudes. Une tentative d’explication des causes structurelles des écarts de performances entre les entreprises françaises et allemandes est ensuite proposée. En conclusion est mise en relief l’idée pour les deux pays, et surtout pour la France, de réarticuler la relation entre les performances des firmes et la compétitivité du système productif national.
Les travaux publiés dans la Revue internationale PME depuis sa fondation : caractéristiques et tendances
Authors: Cossette Pierre
Published: May 2014

Cette étude vise à mettre en relief les caractéristiques et tendances des 112 articles et 29 notes de recherche publiés dans la Revue internationale PME depuis sa fondation en 1988. L’analyse a porté sur les huit aspects suivants : les auteurs, leurs institutions d’attachement et les pays où elles sont situées; les catégories des travaux publiés (articles et notes) ; les types (empirique, conceptuel, méthodologique et épistémologique) auxquels ils peuvent être associés; les échantillons étudiés; les techniques de collecte des données utilisées; les techniques d’analyse des données employées; les références francophones consignées en bibliographie ; et, finalement, les disciplines (économique, stratégie, finance, etc.) auxquelles les travaux peuvent être rattachés. Les résultats sont discutés et quelques voies de recherche sont envisagées.
Évaluation de la performance et maîtrise du risque des entreprises industrielles françaises
Authors: Paranque Bernard , Rivaud-Danset Dorothée , Salais Robert
Published: May 2014

Pour un prêteur, l’appréciation qualitative des actifs d’une entreprise est une étape cruciale dans la prise de décision d’accorder ou non du financement. L’objet de cet article est de montrer que la difficulté de l’évaluation, source de rationnement des capitaux, vient de la diversité croissante des produits, des marchés et, par voie de conséquence, des actifs requis. Les méthodes généralement mobilisées ne nous permettent pas d’appréhender cette pluralité des situations économiques et financières. Les travaux empiriques menés reposent sur une classification ascendante hiérarchique réalisée sur un échantillon de PME françaises pour lesquelles on dispose d’informations quantitatives et qualitatives. Nous montrons qu’il y a plusieurs manières d’être rentable pour une entreprise, sans qu’il existe pour autant de critères autorisant à les hiérarchiser a priori. Les classes d’entreprises s’opposent par le marché auquel s’adresse le produit (générique ou dédié) et par /’organisation (actifs spécifiques ou standard). En revanche, la structure du capital et la rentabilité diffèrent peu d’une classe d’entreprises à l’autre. L’homogénéité obsen/ée au passif traduirait la difficulté des prêteurs à identifier les entreprises selon leur qualité, c’est-à-dire leur capacité à mettre en œuvre un « système d’action » que nous définissons comme un choix de produits et d’organisation qui soit cohérent et donc rentable. L 'article conclut à la nécessité d’une lecture de la performance qui reconnaisse cette diversité des systèmes d’action et valorise la cohérence de l’entreprise tant à l’interne qu’avec son environnement. Cette approche permet d’améliorer les capacités de prévision, et donc de gestion, du risque de crédit.
Les valeurs du dirigeant et la croissance de la PME
Authors: Ivanaj Véra , Géhin Sybil
Published: May 2014

Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude portant sur les valeurs du dirigeant et la stratégie de croissance de la PME. L’échantillon est issu de 500 entreprises de 100 à 200 salariés dans le secteur de la plasturgie en France (1993). Les données recueillies sont issues des réponses à un questionnaire envoyé par voie postale (taux de réponse 8,5 %). Les résultats obtenus confirment la relation entre les valeurs et la stratégie de croissance et dressent les différents profils de valeurs. Ainsi, les dirigeants qui présentent un ensemble d’attitudes traduisant des sentiments de confiance globale semblent plus disposés à la croissance que les dirigeants centrés sur la sécurité et la protection. La croissance semble liée à un ensemble de valeurs relatives à l’affirmation de soi plutôt qu’à la croyance en Dieu, au sentiment d’accomplissement personnel plutôt qu’à l’intérêt propre du travail, à un climat de détente dans le milieu familial plutôt qu’à une éducation stricte, à une approche ouverte des autres plutôt qu’à la méfiance et à une attitude positive envers l’avenir plutôt qu’à la prudence.
Performance industrielle et contribution des sous-traitants nationaux : analyse du secteur aérospatial canadien dans le contexte nord-américain
Authors: Bourgault Mario
Published: May 2014

L’industrie aérospatiale présente des défis importants pour les PME impliquées à titre de sous-traitants. La prédominance des facteurs technologiques et de la concurrence internationale impose le développement d’une gamme élargie de compétences. Cet article présente les résultats d’une recherche empirique visant à identifier ces compétences. Les données sont tirées d’une enquête réalisée auprès de 273 petites et moyennes entreprises localisées sur le territoire nord-américain (Canada et États-Unis) et impliquées dans ce secteur. Les résultats montrent des écarts importants entre les firmes des deux pays, en particulier chez les firmes de taille moyenne. Les PME canadiennes s’écartent peu du profil de sous-traitant traditionnel alors que les firmes américaines affichent un comportement nettement plus proactif, autant sur le plan organisationnel que technologique. Étant donné le succès récent de plusieurs donneurs d’ordres canadiens sur les marchés étrangers, les résultats de cette étude soulèvent de nombreuses interrogations quant à la capacité des firmes sous-traitantes à contribuer à ce succès.
Pour une approche ethnométhodologique de la PME
Authors: Plane Jean-Michel
Published: May 2014

Cet article est consacré à la discussion de problèmes épistémologiques et méthodologiques posés par l’observation des pratiques de gestion au sein de PME. Dans cette perspective, les questions du contexte particulier d'intervention en PME, de la neutralité des intervenants en gestion et de l’inévitable dialectique immersion- distanciation vis-à-vis des objets étudiés sont discutées. L’objectif de l’article est de tenter de montrer l’intérêt théorique et surtout méthodologique d’une approche ethnométhodologique de la PME.
La gestion des ressources humaines des entreprises fournisseurs-partenaires : l'impact de la politique d'achat d'un grand groupe donneur d'ordres
Authors: Laval Florence
Published: May 2014

Cette recherche est une étude descriptive et empirique de l’impact de la politique d’achat du groupe industriel Ford sur la GRH des entreprises fournisseurs-partenaires.

En référence aux modèles théoriques proposés par H. Mahé de Boislandelle pour l’étude de la contingence en GRH, cette recherche vise à analyser l’intégration de la fonction sociale dans une relation d’impartition.

Une enquête a été réalisée auprès d’un échantillon de producteurs de biens intermédiaires, achetés localement par les usines Ford et à l’échelon européen.

Il apparaît que le degré de partenariat influence la GRH des entreprises fournisseurs-partenaires, qui revêt de ce fait trois configurations distinctes. Le contenu de ces mix sociaux identifiés respectivement comme une perception contraignante de la GRH, une vision stratégique de cette fonction et une politique sociale stimulée parles exigences en matière d’assurance qualité du donneur d’ordres, est spécifique en termes de pratiques de gestion et d’effets sur l’organisation.
Implantation d'un programme de formation en entrepreneuriat et ressources interorganisationnelles régionales : le cas du Québec
Authors: Béchard Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2014

Cet article s’intéresse à la nature et aux rôles des ressources communautaires qui appuient les programmes de formation en entrepreneuriat offerts en contexte scolaire. À partir d’une analyse en profondeur du processus d’implantation d’un programme de formation en entrepreneuriat dans 16 commissions scolaires du Québec, l’auteur met au jour, d’une part, les 10 étapes du processus d’implantation du programme et, d’autre part, les 13 catégories d’organisations qui soutiennent la formation étudiée. Ces résultats permettent la construction d’une mesure de la valeur des interactions socio-organisationnelles (VISO) pour mieux saisir le degré d’ouverture de l’école vers son milieu quand il est question de formation en entrepreneuriat L’article se termine par un débat sur l’utilité d’un tel indicateur.
Redécouvertes du Trichostema dichotomum Linnaeus (Lamiaceae) au Québec, en Montérégie
Authors: Sabourin André , Bélair Caroline
Published: May 2014

Trichostema dichotomumLinnaeus n’avait pas été observé au Québec depuis 1952, à la suite d’une récolte faite à la baie Missisquoi. En 2011, l’espèce a été redécouverte sur 3 sites de la localité de Cazaville, dans la municipalité de Saint-Anicet (MRC Le Haut-Saint-Laurent). En 2013, elle a aussi été localisée sur 2 autres sites de Cazaville et 1 site de Saint-Chrysostome, dans la même MRC. Nous présentons les caractéristiques morphologiques de cette plante, son aire de répartition en Amérique du Nord, ses habitats, les plantes compagnes et autres données concernant ses mentions québécoises. Nous ajoutons quelques notes sur l’importance de la conservation des habitats, surtout à Cazaville.
Découverte de l’épithèque de Brunelle au Québec, une libellule secrète
Authors: Charest Pierrette , Savard Michel
Published: May 2014

La récolte d’exuvies de libellules en 2012 et 2013, sur les berges des rivières Batiscan et Trenche en Mauricie, a mené à la découverte de l’épithèque de Brunelle (Neurocordulia michaeli) au Québec. Cette espèce méconnue, récemment décrite par Brunelle (2000), affiche une distribution plus nordique que celle de l’épithèque de Provancher (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis). Ces 2 espèces, plus répandues dans la zone tempérée que ne le laissent croire les mentions québécoises, peuvent cohabiter dans le même cours d’eau au piémont des Laurentides. Lors d’un inventaire d’adultes, ces épithèques peuvent carrément passer inaperçues en raison de leurs moeurs secrètes et crépusculaires. Une clé de détermination des espèces de l’est du Canada est fournie.
Le rôle des icebergs dans la mise en place des méga-blocs de la batture argileuse à Saint-Fabien-sur-Mer
Authors: Dionne Jean-Claude
Published: May 2014

La vaste batture argileuse de la baie de Saint-Fabien, en bordure du parc national du Bic, est en grande partie couverte de cailloux erratiques de nature, de forme et de taille variées. Un relevé effectué en 2010 et 2011 a permis d’identifier et de mesurer 2 442 blocs de taille métrique pesant entre 1 et 440 tonnes, soit 54,7 % d’erratiques ignés et métamorphiques provenant du Bouclier laurentidien, d’âge précambrien, et 45,3 % de blocs sédimentaires provenant des formations appalachiennes d’âge cambro-ordovicien. Dans l’ensemble de la batture, les éléments précambriens sont plus petits que les appalachiens. Dans la catégorie de masse comprise entre 1 et 3 tonnes, il y a respectivement 45,1 % et 27,2 % de l’effectif total constitué de blocs précambriens et appalachiens; dans celle de 3 à 10 tonnes, les pourcentages respectifs sont de 8,6 et 11,8 alors que ceux d’une masse supérieure à 10 tonnes totalisent 1 % et 6,3 %. Les 2 plus gros erratiques précambriens pèsent 63 et 69 tonnes, alors que les 2 plus gros appalachiens atteignent 206 et 440 tonnes. La plupart des méga-blocs reposent à la surface de la batture argileuse; les autres sont, à divers degrés, enfouis dans l’argile fossilifère de la Mer de Goldthwait datée localement à plus de 10 ka. Compte tenu de ces caractéristiques, les méga-blocs précambriens et appalachiens furent d’abord déplacés par les glaciers au Wisconsinien vers la vallée du Saint-Laurent avant d’être transportés et délestés dans la mer postglaciaire par des icebergs issus des fronts glaciaires alors situés en bordure des rives nord et sud de l’estuaire. En raison de l’abondance des méga-blocs sur la rive sud de l’estuaire maritime, la Mer de Goldthwait, durant la déglaciation (13,5 à 9,5 ka), devait être infestée d’icebergs. Leur rôle sédimentologique, en particulier en ce qui concerne les débris clastiques grossiers, mérite certainement d’être souligné d’une façon explicite.
L’invasion de l’écrevisse à taches rouges au lac Brome, en Montérégie
Authors: Desroches Jean-François , Gagnon Louis-Philippe , Picard Isabelle
Published: May 2014

Lors d’inventaires réalisés en 2011 et en 2013 au lac Brome, en Montérégie, dans le sud du Québec, la seule espèce d’écrevisses recensée fut l’écrevisse à taches rouges (Orconectes rusticus). Elle y était très abondante et répartie dans l’ensemble du lac. Cette espèce, reconnue envahissante et nuisible aux écrevisses indigènes, pourrait se répandre en aval pour coloniser d’autres cours d’eau et lacs, de même que le fleuve Saint-Laurent.
MODELOS MATEMÁTICOS PARA AJUSTE DA CURVA DE LACTAÇÃO DE VACAS HOLANDESAS CRIADAS NO OESTE DE SANTA CATARINA Mathematical models to adjust the lactation curve of holstein cows raised in the Western region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
Authors: Lazzari Marinês , De Almeida Dornelles Mariana , Everling Dionéia Magda , Santana Pacheco Paulo , Viégas Julio , Nogara Rorato Paulo Roberto , Miranda Prestes Alan , Giacomelli Lucas , Bresolin Tiago , Pivetta Cristian Gilberto
Published: May 2014

Identificar entre as diversas funções matemáticas citadas na literatura, a que melhor descreve a curva de lactaçãode vacas leiteiras oriundas de rebanhos do oeste de Santa Catarina. Utilizaram-se 1.284 controles leiteiros de129 vacas da raça Holandesa. Os parâmetros dos modelos foram estimados por meio de regressão não linearpelo procedimento NLIN (SAS System), utilizando-se o método de Gauss-Newton. Os critérios para a escolha domelhor modelo foram: o quadrado médio do resíduo (QMR); o desvio médio absoluto (DMA); o coeficiente dedeterminação (R2); o índice de melhor ajuste; a avaliação visual comparada entre as curvas estimada e observadae o gráfico de distribuição dos resíduos. O modelo de Wood (1967) foi o mais satisfatório para descrever a curvade lactação das vacas, apresentando R2 de 0,95, DMA de 0,56, QMR de 27,57, menor índice (4,86), menores amplitudesdos resíduos (entre 0,5 e -0,5 litros) e curva estimada mais condizente com a observada.
EPIDEMIOLOGIA DA IMUNODEFICIÊNCIA VIRAL, LEUCEMIA VIRAL E PERITONITE INFECCIOSA EM FELINOS PROCEDENTES DE UM HOSPITAL VETERINÁRIO	Epidemiology of viral immunodeficiency, viral leukemia and infectious peritonitis in cats from a veterinary hospital
Authors: Langanke dos Santos Denise , Lucas Ronaldo , Anete Lallo Maria
Published: May 2014

Interessa compreender a epidemiologia da imunodeficiência viral felina (FIV), leucemia viral felina (FeLV) eperitonite infecciosa felina (PIF). Para tanto, realizou-se estudo descritivo retrospectivo em gatos atendidospor um hospital universitário na cidade de São Paulo. Entre 4.357 atendimentos, foram confirmados 99 casos para uma das doenças infecciosas estudadas. Para o diagnóstico da infecção pelo FIV e FeLV, utilizou-se o teste imunoenzimático (ELISA). Consideraram-se positivos os gatos que apresentavam alterações observadas no exame clínico em pelo menos dois dos parâmetros considerados compatíveis com a doença, na eletroforese de proteínas e nos dados de necropsia. As prevalências de PIF, FIV e FeLV foram de 1,12%, 0,78% e 0,36%, respectivamente. As idades médias dos gatos acometidos pelas doenças infecciosas foram, respectivamente, 1,23 ± 1,07, 4,78 ± 4,53 e 8,04 ± 3,81 anos para os felinos com PIF, FeLV e FIV. Houve predisposição em fêmeas para FeLV (75%) e em machos para FIV (61,76%). As principais comorbidades encontradas foram estomatogengivite e infecções fúngicas sistêmicas nos felinos com FIV e linfomas e micoplasmose nos gatos com FeLV. Concluiu-se que as prevalências de FIV, FeLV e PIF foram baixas; a FIV teve maior prevalência em felinos machos e mais velhos; as fêmeas felinas com idade média de 5 anos tiveram maior prevalência de FeLV e a PIF foi a infecção mais prevalente em gatos jovens (cerca de 1 ano de idade); não houve predisposição por gênero ou raça.
MANEJO INTEGRADO DE PARASITOS COMO ALTERNATIVA SUSTENTÁVEL NA PRODUÇÃO DE PEQUENOS RUMINANTES	Integrated parasite management as a sustainable alternative for small ruminant production
Authors: Holtz Tirabassi Adriane , França Madeira Humberto Maciel , Ollhoff Rudiger Daniel , Santos Sotomaior Cristina
Published: May 2014

A ovinocaprinocultura representa uma atividade em ascensão no Brasil e no mundo. Um importante fator limitante na criação desses animais são as infecções causadas por nematódeos gastrointestinais, particularmente por Haemonchus contortus, considerado o parasita mais prevalente e patogênico. Entretanto, o controle parasitário realizado de forma inapropriada, com a utilização maciça de drogas anti-helmínticas, levou ao surgimento da resistência parasitária, atualmente reconhecida como o maior problema na criação de pequenos ruminantes. Soluções alternativas e complementares ao tratamento químico convencional têm sido propostas na busca de um controle mais sustentável, o chamado manejo integrando de parasitas (MIP). Mesmo sendo sua implantação e gerenciamento mais complexo, se comparado a métodos de tratamento exclusivamente químicos, mostra-se prático e efetivo. Levando-se em consideração que a erradicação parasitária é improvável, conviver com os parasitos, de maneira controlada e sustentável, parece ser o caminho mais adequado. Esta revisão discute algumas das ferramentas do MIP.
RESULTADOS DO USO ASSOCIADO DOS LAVADOS TRAQUEAL E BRONCOALVEOLAR NO DIAGNÓSTICO DAS DOENÇAS RESPIRATÓRIAS DOS CAVALOS	Results of the combined use of tracheal and bronchoalveolar lavages for the diagnosis of horses airway diseases
Authors: Dzyekanski Bruna , Pepicelli de Almeida Sandra Regina , Coati Rocha Daniel Carlos , Asinelli Macedo Lopes Anna Carolina , Turra Pimpão Cláudia , Villanova Junior José Ademar , Michelotto Júnior Pedro Vicente
Published: May 2014

As afecções do trato respiratório inferior constituem a segunda maior causa de atendimentos na clínica dos equinos, sendo a tosse uma manifestação comum. O presente estudo teve como objetivo mostrar a importância do uso concomitante dos lavados traqueal (LT) e broncoalveolar (LBA) na avaliação de cinco cavalos apresentando tosse espontânea, como auxílio para diagnóstico preciso, importante para a determinação do tratamento mais adequado. Cinco cavalos, entre quatro e dezesseis anos de idade, de diferentes raças e atividades, foram avaliados por meio de exame físico, endoscópico e avaliação citológica de LT e LBA. No LT, 80% dos cavalos avaliados apresentaram processo inflamatório, resultado que aumentou para 100% no LBA. Adicionalmente, a avaliação citológica do LBA auxiliou na diferenciação diagnóstica entre doença inflamatória (DIVA) e obstrução recorrente (ORVA), das vias aéreas. A utilização associada do LT e do LBA fortaleceu o diagnóstico das doenças inflamatórias das vias aéreas dos cavalos. Sugere-se a avaliação completa dos cavalos com doenças das vias aéreas, por meio de exame físico e associação das técnicas citológicas com o LT e LBA.
ACÚMULO DE BIOMASSA E CRESCIMENTO RADICULAR DA PALMA FORRAGEIRA EM DIFERENTES ÉPOCAS DE COLHEITA	Biomass accumulation and root growth of cactus pear in different harvest periods
Authors: Loiola Edvan Ricardo , Dantas Fernades Pedro , De Souza Carneiro Maria Socorro , Gonçalves Neder Diogo , Silva Araujo Jucilene , Pereira de Andrade Albericio , Teixeira Souto Filho Lenildo
Published: May 2014

Objetivou-se avaliar o acúmulo de biomassa e o crescimento radicular da palma forrageira (Opuntia ficus indicaMill) em diferentes épocas de colheita. O delineamento estatístico foi inteiramente casualizado com dez tratamentos e três repetições por tratamento. Foi utilizada uma área de 12.100 m² com palma forrageira clone IPA 20. As avaliações procederam-se após 90 dias do estabelecimento da planta no campo, sendo que as demais avaliações foram feitas a cada 45 dias, realizando-as no 90º, 135º, 205º, 252º, 300º, 345º, 390º, 435º, 480º e 525º dias, correspondente aos tratamentos. Em cada período foi avaliado a parte aérea da planta e seu sistema radicular. No 345°dia após o plantio obteve biomassa verde de 2.079,3 g atingindo 1.118,3 g no 435º dia. No período de estiagem, a planta apresentou decréscimo no peso verde, perdendo aproximadamente 50% do seu peso. No 135º dia após o plantio, a raiz da palma atingiu 30 cm de profundidade. Nesse período a densidade radicular foi reduzindo com o aumento da profundidade do solo. De 0,075, 0,056 e 0,0017 mg/cm³ para 10, 20 e 30 cm de profundidade, respectivamente. Na época de colheita de 435 dias, encontrou-se densidade radicular de 0,44, 0,105, 0,065 e 0,048 mg/cm³ para 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm de profundidade, respectivamente. A biomassa seca da palma não se reduziu com o período de estiagem. A biomassa verde da parte aérea e o crescimento horizontal da raiz da palma são influenciados pela ocorrência de precipitação pluviométrica e variam ao longo do ano. A raiz da palma tem maior concentração próxima da planta, podendo atingir 40 cm de profundidade.
Freeway Incident Frequency Analysis Based on CART Method
Authors: Xu Xuecai , Šarić Željko , Kouhpanejade Ahmad
Published: May 2014

Classification and Regression Tree (CART), one of the most widely applied data mining techniques, is based on the classification and regression model produced by binary tree structure. Based on CART method, this paper establishes the relationship between freeway incident frequency and roadway characteristics, traffic variables and environmental factors. The results of CART method indicate that the impact of influencing factors (weather, weekday/weekend, traffic flow and roadway characteristics) of incident frequency is not consistent for different incident types during different time periods. By comparing with Negative Binomial Regression model, CART method is demonstrated to be a good alternative method for analyzing incident frequency. Then the discussion about the relationship between incident frequency and influencing factors is provided, and the future research orientation is pointed out.
Conceptual Model of Providing Traffic Navigation Services to Visually Impaired Persons
Authors: Periša Marko , Peraković Dragan , Šarić Slavko
Published: May 2014

In order to include people of reduced mobility in the traffic system it is necessary to provide accessibility and information of the users to all the facilities surrounding them. By analysing the currently available information and communication technologies a new conceptual model of providing navigation services to the visually impaired persons has been proposed. This model is based on Cloud Computing platform, and this research describes the method of navigating the users based on accurate and updated data. The users’ requirements have been analysed according to the needs of the movement of visually impaired persons along the traffic network. The information and communication solutions with the function of informing these groups of users have to provide accurate and updated data, which is made possible by the proposed model. This research was conducted on the most frequent routes in the city of Zagreb. With the review of model efficiency user’s sense of security is increased in the amount of 87%.
Lepini Mountains Carbonatic Ridge: try of springs recharge areas verification and water exchange quantification with Pontina Plain by use of a numerical model (Central Italy)
Authors: Teoli Pamela , Mazza Roberto , Cappelli Alessandro
Published: May 2014

The study area of this work is represented by the Lepini Mountains carbonatic ridge and by the Pontina Plain foothills area, on which in the past, within quantitative hydrogeological characterizations, models were developed for calculating the groundwater flow, but only referred to the ridge. The most recent studies (Teoli, 2012) have done their best, instead, to represent the underground water exchanges between the ridge and the Pontina Plain foothill area. The new model (developed using computer code MODFLOW 2005) has been implemented to simulate steady-state underground flow using equivalent porous media approach even for the ridge; attention has been particularly directed to the proper tectonic ridge schematic, which the authors had previously defined, together with others (Alimonti et al., 2010), on detailed structural-geological survey basis, integrated by hydrogeological analysis. So, it’s been possible to determine partitioning effects on groundwater flowpaths and on springs recharge areas extent, whose total average discharge is about 10m3/s. Model calibration main goal has been the recharge areas permeability definition, posing the correspondence of calculated flows with measured springs’ flows; as a consequence, it’s been possible to improve the model reliability (uncertainty reduction) quantifying the flow residuals’ standard deviation offset.
A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Effectiveness of Ultrasound Guidance Versus Nerve Stimulation for Lateral Popliteal‐Sciatic Nerve Blocks in Obese Patients
Authors: Lam Nicholas C. K. , Petersen Timothy R. , Gerstein Neal S. , Yen Tony , Starr Brian , Mariano Edward R.
Published: May 2014

Objectives

Ultrasound guidance may decrease the procedural time for many peripheral nerve blocks compared to nerve stimulation, but these studies have generally excluded obese patients. This single‐blinded randomized clinical trial was designed to compare procedural times and related outcomes for ultrasound‐ versus nerve stimulation‐guided lateral popliteal‐sciatic nerve blockade specifically in obese patients.

Methods

With Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, patients with a body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2 who were scheduled for foot/ankle surgery and desiring a peripheral nerve block were offered enrollment. Study patients were randomly assigned to receive a lateral popliteal‐sciatic nerve block under either ultrasound or nerve stimulation guidance. The patient and assessor were blinded to group assignment. The primary outcome was procedural time in seconds. Secondary outcomes included number of needle redirections, procedure‐related pain, patient satisfaction with the block, success rate, sensory and motor onset times, block duration, and complication rates.

Results

Twenty‐four patients were enrolled and completed the study. All patients had successful nerve blocks. The mean procedural times (SD) were 577 (57) seconds under nerve stimulation and 206 (40) seconds with ultrasound guidance (P< .001; 95% confidence interval for difference, 329–412 seconds). Patients in the ultrasound group had fewer needle redirections and less procedure‐related pain, required less opioids, and were more satisfied with their block procedures. There were no statistically significant differences in other outcomes.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that, for obese patients undergoing lateral popliteal‐sciatic nerve blocks, ultrasound guidance reduces the procedural time and procedure‐related pain and increases patient satisfaction compared to nerve stimulation while providing similar block characteristics.
Fetal Skeletal Dysplasias
Authors: Nelson David B. , Dashe Jodi S. , McIntire Donald D. , Twickler Diane M.
Published: May 2014

Objectives

To assess the utility of biometric indices and amniotic fluid volume in identifying fetuses with lethal skeletal dysplasia.

Methods

A review of pregnancies with sonographic diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia between January 1997 and March 2012 from a single institution was conducted. Biometric indices and amniotic fluid volumes were reviewed from the initial targeted sonograms and all subsequent examinations. Outcomes were verified in all cases. Pregnancies that resulted in fetal or neonatal death were considered to have lethal dysplasia, and those with survival to hospital discharge were considered to have nonlethal dysplasia.

Results

Of 45 fetuses with suspected skeletal dysplasia, 27 (60%) survived to hospital discharge; 9 (20%) died in the immediate neonatal period; 2 (4%) resulted in stillbirth; and in 7 cases (16%), pregnancy termination was elected. Those with lethal dysplasia were more likely to have hydramnios on initial detection than those who survived to hospital discharge (83% versus 27%; P < .01). Pregnancies complicated by lethal skeletal dysplasia had a significantly lower femur length‐to‐abdominal circumference ratio and were more likely to have a ratio below 0.16 than those with neonatal survival (91% versus 11%; P < 0.01). The lowest femur length‐to‐abdominal circumference ratio and the proportion with a ratio below 0.16 at any point in gestation were significantly different between those with lethal and nonlethal dysplasia (P< .01). As fetal size increased with advancing gestation, the relationship of sonographic parameters (eg, femur length‐to‐abdominal circumference ratio) became more pronounced. There was no infant survival when hydramnios was encountered at any point during gestation in the setting of a femur length‐to‐abdominal circumference ratio below 0.16.

Conclusions

In our series, a femur length‐to‐abdominal circumference ratio below 0.16 in conjunction with hydramnios effectively identified fetuses with lethal skeletal dysplasia.
Effects of Low‐Intensity Ultrasound on Gramicidin D‐Induced Erythrocyte Edema
Authors: Lim Mi Hyun , Seo A. Rum , Kim Jiyoung , Min Byoung-Hyun , Baik Eun Joo , Park So Ra , Choi Byung Hyune
Published: May 2014

Objectives

To determine whether low‐intensity ultrasound (US) can reduce red blood cell (RBC) edema and, if so, whether the US activity is associated with aquaporin 1 (AQP‐1), a water channel in the cell membrane.

Methods

Red blood cell edema was induced by gramicidin D treatment at 40 ng/mL for 20 minutes and evaluated by a hematocrit assay. Low‐intensity continuous wave US at 1 MHz was applied to RBCs for the last 10 minutes of gramicidin D treatment. To determine whether US activity was associated with AQP‐1, RBCs were treated with 40 μM mercuric chloride (HgCl2), an AQP‐1 inhibitor, for 20 minutes at the time of gramicidin D treatment. Posttreatment morphologic changes in RBCs were observed by actin staining with phalloidin.

Results

Red blood cell edema increased significantly with gramicidin D at 20 (1.8%), 40 (6.7%), 60 (16.7%), and 80 (11.3%) ng/mL, reaching a peak at 60 ng/mL, compared to the control group (20 ng/mL, P = .019; 40, 60, and 80 ng/mL, P < .001). No significant RBC hemolysis was observed in any group. Edema induced by gramicidin D at 40 ng/mL was significantly reduced by US at 30 (3.4%; P = .003), 70 (4.4%; P = .001), and 100 (2.9%; P = .001) mW/cm2. Subsequent experiments showed that edema reduction by US ranged from 7% to 10%. Cotreatment with HgCl2 partially reversed the US effect and showed a significantly different level of edema compared to gramicidin D‐alone and US‐cotreated groups (P = .001). These results were confirmed by microscopic observation of RBC morphologic changes.

Conclusions

Low‐intensity US could reduce gramicidin D–induced RBC edema, and its effect appeared to at least partly involve regulation of AQP‐1 activity. These results suggest that low‐intensity US can be used as an alternative treatment to control edema and related disorders.
Assessment of Fatty Acid Beta Oxidation in Cells and Isolated Mitochondria
Authors: Rogers George W. , Nadanaciva Sashi , Swiss Rachel , Divakaruni Ajit S. , Will Yvonne
Published: May 2014

Fatty acid beta oxidation is a major pathway of energy metabolism and occurs primarily in mitochondria. Drug‐induced modulation of this pathway can cause adverse effects such as liver injury, or be beneficial for treating heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Hence, in vitro assays that are able to identify compounds that affect fatty acid oxidation are of value for toxicity assessments, as well as for efficacy assessments. Here, we describe two high‐throughput assays, one for assessing fatty acid oxidation in cells and the other for assessing fatty acid oxidation in isolated rat liver mitochondria. Both assays measure fatty acid‐driven oxygen consumption and can be used for rapid and robust screening of compounds that modulate fatty acid oxidation. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 60:25.3.1‐25.3.19. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Precessional forced extratropical North Pacific mode and associated atmospheric dynamics
Authors: Wang Yue , Zhao Ping , Jian Zhimin , Xiao Dong , Chen Junming
Published: May 2014

Using transient accelerated simulations of the Community Climate System Model version 3 and an Earth System Model of Intermediate Complexity as well as equilibrium experiments of the Community Earth System Model, we identified a response of the extratropical air‐ocean coupled system to the precessional insolation changes at orbital timescales and named this extratropical response pattern as the North Pacific mode (NPM). Corresponding to the increased/decreased boreal winter/summer insolation at 22 ka (relative to 10–8 ka), the NPM is characterized by a western warm‐eastern cold seesaw pattern of sea surface temperature (SST) over the extratropical North Pacific from November to April, a weakened winter Aleutian low and an anomalous anticyclonic circulation throughout the troposphere. This feature forms a barotropic warm‐ridge response of tropospheric temperature and geopotential height to the precessional insolation. At the surface, rainfall increases over East Asia and the Northwest Pacific, which indicates a weakened East Asian winter monsoon, while drier conditions appear over the Northeast Pacific and the western coasts of North America. Associated with a negative phase of NPM is a weaker warming over the equatorial Pacific during winter. The increased winter insolation at precessional band not only induces the in‐phase SST warming over the Northwest Pacific and the tropical Pacific, but also explains those extratropical atmospheric changes associated with NPM. The latter might be associated with the warm SST‐induced tropospheric downstream ridge response through transient eddy activities. Besides the vital role of air‐ocean interactions, the decreased summer insolation is also essential to the zonal SST seesaw of NPM at precessional band.
Unexpected Sink for Deepwater Horizon Oil May Influence Future Spill Response
Authors: Kinner Nancy E. , Belden Laura , Kinner Peter
Published: May 2014

A town hall meeting was organized by the Marine Oil Snow Sedimentation and Flocculent Accumulation (MOSSFA) inter‐consortia Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) working group and the Center for Spills in the Environment in conjunction with the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference. The meeting had the goal of evaluating sedimentation to the seafloor as a significant pathway and fate of oil after the Deepwater Horizon (DwH) well blowout in 2010. About 78,000 cubic meters of crude oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico from a depth of 1500 meters for 86 days, spreading over a large area. Natural and chemically enhanced dispersion, evaporation, dissolution, burning, surface skimming, and direct capture at the wellhead accounted for a significant proportion of the released oil, but the fate of at least 30% of the oil remains unknown. Scientists from different research consortia studying sediments and marine snow in the Gulf began to observe signs of increased sedimentation and hydrocarbon deposition. Sediment mass accumulation rates for the northern Gulf of Mexico increased sixfold to eightfold in 2010, directly following the DwH blowout.
Bedrock topography influences erosion rate
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: May 2014

Even small bumps in a river's bedrock can change how sediment grains erode bedrock, a new modeling study shows. Observations have indicated that bumpy bedrock erodes more quickly, but most previous models of bedrock erosion assumed approximately planar beds.
Effects of monsoon trough interannual variation on tropical cyclogenesis over the western North Pacific
Authors: Cao Xi , Li Tim , Peng Melinda , Chen Wen , Chen Guanghua
Published: May 2014

The western North Pacific monsoon trough (MT) exhibits marked interannual variation (IAV) associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation forcing. The role of MT IAV in tropical cyclone (TC) development was investigated using the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting model placed on a beta plane. It was found that MT IAV has a great influence on vortex development. In strong years, the MT provides more favorable environmental conditions—primarily through enhanced low‐level vorticity, convergence and midlevel moisture—for TC formation and vice versa in weak years. Sensitivity experiments that separated the dynamic and thermodynamic (moisture) factors from strong MT IAV showed that the thermodynamic impact associated with MT IAV is comparable to the dynamic impact.
Detecting transient signals in geodetic time series using sparse estimation techniques
Authors: Riel Bryan , Simons Mark , Agram Piyush , Zhan Zhongwhen
Published: May 2014

We present a new method for automatically detecting transient deformation signals from geodetic time series. We cast the detection problem as a least squares procedure where the design matrix corresponds to a highly overcomplete, nonorthogonal dictionary of displacement functions in time that resemble transient signals of various timescales. The addition of a sparsity‐inducing regularization term to the cost function limits the total number of dictionary elements needed to reconstruct the signal. Sparsity‐inducing regularization enhances interpretability of the resultant time‐dependent model by localizing the dominant timescales and onset times of the transient signals. Transient detection can then be performed using convex optimization software where detection sensitivity is dependent on the strength of the applied sparsity‐inducing regularization. To assess uncertainties associated with estimation of the dictionary coefficients, we compare solutions with those found through a Bayesian inference approach to sample the full model space for each dictionary element. In addition to providing uncertainty bounds on the coefficients and confirming the optimization results, Bayesian sampling reveals trade‐offs between dictionary elements that have nearly equal probability in modeling a transient signal. Thus, we can rigorously assess the probabilities of the occurrence of transient signals and their characteristic temporal evolution. The detection algorithm is applied on several synthetic time series and real observed GPS time series for the Cascadia region. For the latter data set, we incorporate a spatial weighting scheme that self‐adjusts to the local network density and filters for spatially coherent signals. The weighting allows for the automatic detection of repeating slow slip events.
Achieving One‐Step Surface Coating of Highly Hydrophilic Poly(Carboxybetaine Methacrylate) Polymers on Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Surfaces
Authors: Sundaram Harihara S. , Han Xia , Nowinski Ann K. , Brault Norman D. , Li Yuting , Ella‐Menye Jean‐Rene , Amoaka Kagya A. , Cook Keith E. , Marek Patrick , Senecal Kris , Jiang Shaoyi
Published: May 2014

It is highly desirable to develop a universal nonfouling coating via a simple one‐step dip‐coating method. Developing such a universal coating method for a hydrophilic polymer onto a variety of surfaces with hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties is very challenging. This work demonstrates a versatile and simple method to attach zwitterionic poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) (PCB), one of the most hydrophilic polymers, onto both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces to render them nonfouling. This is achieved by the coating of a catechol chain end carboxybetaine methacrylate polymer (DOPA‐PCB) assisted by dopamine. The coating process was carried out in water. Water miscible solvents such as methanol and tetrahydrofuran (THF) are added to the coatings if surface wettability is an issue, as for certain hydrophobic surfaces. This versatile coating method was applied to several types of surfaces such as polypropylene (PP), polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS), Teflon, polystyrene (PS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and also on metal oxides such as silicon dioxide.
Investigation of Charge Transfer Kinetics of Polyaniline Supercapacitor Electrodes by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy
Authors: Sumboja Afriyanti , Tefashe Ushula Mengesha , Wittstock Gunther , Lee Pooi See
Published: May 2014

Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) is introduced as a promising technique to probe localized interfacial kinetics at the interface of electrolyte/supercapacitor electrode based on polyaniline (PANI) by measuring approach curves from which heterogeneous charge transfer rate constants (k
eff) are extracted. The values correlate with the effectiveness of the electrode material for supercapacitor application. Specifically, measurements on PANI films of different thicknesses show that potential‐dependent rate constants are observed only for PANI films of up to 5 μm thickness. In addition to the thickness of PANI, k
eff is also found to be affected by the applied potential and surface morphology of PANI electrodes. These findings correlate with the macroscopic electrochemical performance of PANI electrodes which shows enhanced specific charge storage ability when their thickness is below 5 μm. Under these conditions, they deliver a specific capacitance of 486 F g−1 and a rate capability of 89%. The observed correlation between microscopic kinetic data determined by SECM and macroscopic device characteristics provides rational guidelines for the optimization of the physical and structural properties of high performance supercapacitor electrodes.
Modeling for primary radical desorption in miniemulsion polymerization initiated by oil‐soluble initiator
Authors: Shang Yue , Shan Guorong , Pan Pengju
Published: May 2014

Primary radical (PR) desorption in the miniemulsion polymerization initiated by oil‐soluble initiator was investigated. Both the aqueous phase inhibition experiments and the theoretical predictions, which combined the two film theory and aqueous phase mass balance, were performed to evaluate the PR desorption process quantitatively. The theoretical predictions agreed well with the experiment results. It was found that the organic phase diffusion, particle size, surfactant layer, aqueous phase resistance, and different initiator type affected the PR desorption. The desorption rate of PR was faster than its reaction rate at the early stage of polymerization, while the former decreased to a comparable level as the latter at the high conversion. PR was prone to desorb in the polymerization and the desorption of PR played a critical role in the miniemulsion polymerization initiated by oil‐soluble initiator. It is concluded that the PR desorption–reabsorption is a process to generate effective radicals in the miniemulsion polymerization initiated by oil‐soluble initiator. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3276–3285, 2014
Ecological factors predictive of wild spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth) foraging decisions in Yasuní, Ecuador
Authors: Suarez Scott A.
Published: May 2014

Because fruiting trees are uncommon in tropical forests, frugivorous primates experience selective pressure to incorporate knowledge of where to find feeding trees, what to expect when they arrive there, and when they can return after depleting a tree. I investigated these abilities in wild spider monkeys (Ateles belzebuth) in Yasuní, Ecuador, by analyzing the characteristics of feeding trees that drive foraging decisions. Foraging data were derived from four 2‐week follows of focal adult females, conducted between May and December 1999, during which I measured and mapped all trees in which the focal subject fed, feeding bout duration, and the number of conspecifics feeding simultaneously with the focal. Taking into account the order in which feeding trees were visited across each follow, I analyzed each foraging decision from the second week of a follow, treating all previously visited trees as options for visits. I scored each option tree in terms of nine ecological variables, including the distance from the decision to each location tree, DBH, recent feeding time and mean feeding times for the focal and other monkeys present, and the interval in hours between the foraging decision and the most recent visit to each option tree. I then examined the predictive strength of the model using logistic regression analysis, comparing characteristics of selected trees to those not selected. The overall model successfully predicted trees selected by focal monkeys (r2 = 0.27). Monkeys preferentially moved to nearby, large canopy trees, in which previous feeding success was high, and which were visited after an interval of 3.5 days. Interval mattered most for medium and large trees, but did not predict selection for trees <10 cm DBH. Despite the large home range and large numbers of trees, Yasuní spider monkeys appeared to integrate spatial, value, and temporal information when deciding where to feed. Am. J. Primatol. 76:1185–1195, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.