bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Factor Profile in Parkinson’s Disease Subtype with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Authors: Jacobs Marie L. , Dauvilliers Yves , St. Louis Erik K. , McCarter Stuart J. , Romenets Silvia Rios , Pelletier Amélie , Cherif Mahmoud , Gagnon Jean-François , Postuma Ronald B.
Published: April 2016

Background: Numerous large-scale studies have found diverse risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD), including caffeine non-use, non-smoking, head injury, pesticide exposure, and family history. These studies assessed risk factors for PD overall; however, PD is a heterogeneous condition. One of the strongest identifiers of prognosis and disease subtype is the co-occurrence of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD).

In previous studies, idiopathic RBD was associated with a different risk factor profile from PD and dementia with Lewy bodies, suggesting that the PD-RBD subtype may also have a different risk factor profile.

Objective: To define risk factors for PD in patients with or without associated RBD.

Methods: In a questionnaire, we assessed risk factors for PD, including demographic, medical, environmental, and lifestyle variables of 189 PD patients with or without associated polysomnography-confirmed RBD. The risk profile of patients with vs. without RBD was assessed with logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, and disease duration.

Results: PD-RBD patients were more likely to have been a welder (OR = 3.11 (1.05–9.223), and to have been regular smokers (OR = 1.96 (1.04–3.68)). There were no differences in use of caffeine or alcohol, other occupations, pesticide exposure, rural living, or well water use. Patients with RBD had a higher prevalence of the combined family history of both dementia and parkinsonism (13.3% vs. 5.5% , OR = 3.28 (1.07–10.0).

Conclusion: The RBD-specific subtype of PD may also have a different risk factor profile.
Better outcome in pulpotomy on primary molar with Biodentine
Authors: Sultana Asma , Karim Fahd AA , Sheikh Md Abdul Hannan , Wahiduzzaman Mohammad , Alam Md Shamsul , Hossain Mahabubul
Published: April 2016

Aim: The primary objective of any pulp therapy is to maintain the integrity and health of a tooth and its supporting tissue as well as to maintain arch length and space maintenance. The aim of this case is to a probate and popularizes the technique of vital pulpotomy in primary teeth with biodentin.Update Dent. Coll. j: 2015; 5 (2): 57-62
College News 5(2)
Authors: Chowdhury Tazdik G
Published: April 2016

Abstract not availableUpdate Dent. Coll. j: 2015; 5 (2): 63-64
Real-Time Compensation for Thermal Errors of the Milling Machine
Authors: Chen Tsung-Chia , Chang Chia-Jung , Hung Jui-Pin , Lee Rong-Mao , Wang Cheng-Chi
Published: April 2016

This paper is focused on developing a compensation module for reducing the thermal errors of a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine. The thermal induced displacement variations of machine tools are a vital problem that causes positioning errors to be over than 65%. To achieve a high accuracy of machine tools, it is important to find the effective methods for reducing the thermal errors. To this end, this study first used 14 temperature sensors to examine the real temperature fields around the machine, from which four points with high sensitivity to temperature rise were selected as the major locations for creating the representative thermal model. With the model, the compensation system for controlling the displacement variation was developed. The proposed model has been applied to the milling machine. Current results show that the displacement variations on the x- and y-axes and the position error at the tool center were controlled within 20 µm when the compensation system was activated. The feasibility of the compensation system was successfully demonstrated in application on the milling operation.
Open Data and Beyond
Authors: Welle Donker Frederika , Van Loenen Bastiaan , Bregt Arnold
Published: April 2016

In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of releasing public sector information as open data. Governments worldwide see the potential benefits of opening up their data. The potential benefits are more transparency, increased governmental efficiency and effectiveness, and external benefits, including societal and economic benefits. The private sector also recognizes potential benefits of making their datasets available as open data. One such company is Liander, an energy network administrator in the Netherlands. Liander views open data as a contributing factor to energy conservation. However, to date there has been little research done into the actual effects of open data. This research has developed a monitoring framework to assess the effects of open data, and has applied the framework to Liander’s small-scale energy consumption dataset.
EMT Involved in Migration of Stem/Progenitor Cells for Pituitary Development and Regeneration
Authors: Yoshida Saishu , Kato Takako , Kato Yukio
Published: April 2016

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell migration are important processes in embryonic development of many tissues as well as oncogenesis. The pituitary gland is a master endocrine tissue and recent studies indicate that Sox2-expressing stem/progenitor cells actively migrate and develop this tissue during embryogenesis. Notably, although migration activity of stem/progenitor cells in the postnatal period seems to be reduced compared to that in the embryonic period, it is hypothesized that stem/progenitor cells in the adult pituitary re-migrate from their microenvironment niche to contribute to the regeneration system. Therefore, elucidation of EMT in the pituitary stem/progenitor cells will promote understanding of pituitary development and regeneration, as well as diseases such as pituitary adenoma. In this review, so as to gain more insights into the mechanisms of pituitary development and regeneration, we summarize the EMT in the pituitary by focusing on the migration of pituitary stem/progenitor cells during both embryonic and postnatal organogenesis.
Review of Active IR Thermography for Detection and Characterization of Defects in Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Milovanović Bojan , Banjad Pečur Ivana
Published: April 2016

Active thermography methods enable structural investigations of reinforced concrete elements taking into account many different testing problems. The goal of this review is to provide an overview on the state-of-the-art regarding the use of active infrared thermography (IRT) for detection and characterization of defects in reinforced concrete. The paper will provide the physical background, equipment being used, as well as post-processing methods that are used to analyse sequences of thermograms. This work also presents the fields of applicability of IRT with a focus on the aspects related to reinforced concrete structures, as well as the advantages, limitations and potential sources of errors of IRT employment. Additionally previous non-destructive testing (NDT) studies that employed thermography techniques with natural excitation are briefly presented. A review of the future trends of thermal imaging are also included in this work. It can be concluded that while IRT is a useful tool for the characterisation of defects in the building sector, there is great prospect for the development of more advanced, effective and accurate approaches that will employ a combination of thermography approaches.
Kids Sell: Celebrity Kids’ Right to Privacy
Authors: Hong Seong
Published: April 2016

The lives of celebrities are often spotlighted in the media because of their newsworthiness; however, many celebrities argue that their right to privacy is often infringed upon. Concerns about celebrity privacy are not limited to the celebrities themselves and often expand to their children. As a result of their popularity, public interest has pushed paparazzi and journalists to pursue trivial and private details about the lives of both celebrities and their children. This paper investigates conflicting areas where the right to privacy and the right to know collide when dealing with the children of celebrities. In general, the courts have been unsympathetic to celebrity privacy claims, noting their newsworthiness and self-promoted characteristic. Unless the press violates news-gathering ethics or torts, the courts will often rule in favor of the media. However, the story becomes quite different when related to an infringement on the privacy of celebrities’ children. This paper argues that all children have a right to protect their privacy regardless of their parents’ social status. Children of celebrities should not be exempt to principles of privacy just because their parents are a celebrity. Furthermore, they should not be exposed by the media without the voluntary consent of their legal patrons. That is, the right of the media to publish and the newsworthiness of children of celebrities must be restrictedly acknowledged.
Minimally Intrusive Optical Micro-Strain Sensing in Bulk Elastomer Using Embedded Fabry-Pérot Etalon
Authors: Paek Jungwook , Li Qiang , Cho In , Kim Jaeyoun
Published: April 2016

A variety of strain sensors have been developed to measure internal deformations of elastomeric structures. Strain sensors measuring extremely small mechanical strain, however, have not yet been reported due mainly to the inherently intrusive integration of the sensor with the test structure. In this work, we report the development of a minimally intrusive, highly sensitive mechanical strain transducer realized by monolithically embedding a Fabry-Pérot (FP) etalon into a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) block test structure. Due to the extreme sensitivity of the FP resonance condition to the thickness of the spacer layer between the two reflectors, the limit of detection in the mechanical deformation can be as low as ~110 nm with a 632.8 nm laser used as the probing light. The compatibility of PDMS with additive fabrication turned out to be the most crucial enabling factor in the realization of the FP etalon-based strain transducer.
Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Production in BV2 Microglial Cells by Triterpenes from Tetrapanax papyriferus
Authors: Cho Namki , Moon Eun , Kim Hyun , Hong Jaewoo , Beutler John , Sung Sang
Published: April 2016

It is well known that activated microglia produce nitric oxide (NO), which has an important role in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. In the course of searching for novel therapeutic agents from medicinal plants against neuroinflammatory diseases, the methanolic extract of Tetrapanax papyriferus was found to have significant NO inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia cells. Nine oleanane-type triterpenes, including two new compounds, epipapyriogenin C-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6) and 11-O-butylpapyrioside LIIc (9), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Tetrapanax papyriferus. The structures of these compounds were elucidated with 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS data. Among these Δ11,13 oleanane-type triterpenes, compound 3 showed significant NO inhibitory activity in BV-2 cells, reducing the LPS-induced expression of COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. Compounds 7 and 9 also showed NO inhibitory activities among the Δ12 oleanane-type triterpene saponins. These results show that oleanane-type triterpenes isolated from T. papyriferus could be a potential natural resource of NO inhibitors used in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
New Efficient Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones Catalyzed by Benzotriazolium-Based Ionic Liquids under Solvent-Free Conditions
Authors: Liu Zhiqing , Ma Rong , Cao Dawei , Liu Chenjiang
Published: April 2016

An efficient synthesis of novel 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones (DHPMs) and their derivatives, using Brønsted acidic ionic liquid [C2O2BBTA][TFA] as a catalyst, from the condensation of aryl aldehyde, β-ketoester and urea was described. Reactions proceeded smoothly for 40 min under solvent-free conditions and gave the desirable products with good to excellent yields (up to 99%). The catalyst could be easily recycled and reused with similar eﬃcacies for at least six cycles.
Formation of Peptide Bound Pyrraline in the Maillard Model Systems with Different Lys-Containing Dipeptides and Tripeptides
Authors: Liang Zhili , Li Lin , Qi Haiping , Wan Liting , Cai Panfu , Xu Zhenbo , Li Bing
Published: April 2016

Peptide-bound advanced glycation end-products (peptide-bound AGEs) can be formed when peptides are heated with reducing saccharides. Pyrraline is the one of most commonly studied AGEs in foods, but the relative importance of the precursor peptide structure is uncertain. In the present study, model systems were prepared by heating peptides with glucose from 60 °C to 220 °C for up to 65 min, and the amounts of peptide-bound pyrraline formed were monitored to evaluate the effect of the neighboring amino acids on the peptide-bound pyrraline formation. The physico-chemical properties were introduced to explore the quantitative structure-reactivity relationships between physicochemical properties and peptide bound formation. 3-DG content in dipeptide-glucose model system was higher than that in the corresponding tripeptide-glucose model systems. Dipeptides produced higher amounts of peptide-bound pyrraline than the corresponding tripeptides. The peptide-bound pyrraline and 3-DG production were influenced by the physico-chemical properties of the side chain of amino acids adjacent to Lys in the following order: Lys-Leu/glucose > Lys-Ile/glucose > Lys-Val/ glucose > Lys-Thr/glucose > Lys-Ser/glucose > Lys-Ala/ glucose > Lys-Gly/glucose; Lys-Leu-Gly/glucose > Lys-Ile-Gly/glucose > Lys-Val-Gly/glucose > Lys-Thr-Gly/glucose > Lys-Ser-Gly/glucose > Lys-Ala-Gly/glucose > Lys-Gly-Gly/glucose. For the side chain of amino acids adjacent to Lys in dipeptides, residue volume, polarizability, molecular volume and localized electrical effect were positively related to the yield of peptide bound pyrraline, while hydrophobicity and pKb were negatively related to the yield of peptide bound pyrraline. In terms of side chain of amino acid adjacent to Lys in tripeptides, a similar result was observed, except hydrophobicity was positively related to the yield of peptide bound pyrraline.
Synthesis of Lithium Metal Oxide Nanoparticles by Induction Thermal Plasmas
Authors: Tanaka Manabu , Kageyama Takuya , Sone Hirotaka , Yoshida Shuhei , Okamoto Daisuke , Watanabe Takayuki
Published: April 2016

Lithium metal oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by induction thermal plasma. Four different systems—Li–Mn, Li–Cr, Li–Co, and Li–Ni—were compared to understand formation mechanism of Li–Me oxide nanoparticles in thermal plasma process. Analyses of X-ray diffractometry and electron microscopy showed that Li–Me oxide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized in Li–Mn, Li–Cr, and Li–Co systems. Spinel structured LiMn2O4 with truncated octahedral shape was formed. Layer structured LiCrO2 or LiCoO2 nanoparticles with polyhedral shapes were also synthesized in Li–Cr or Li–Co systems. By contrast, Li–Ni oxide nanoparticles were not synthesized in the Li–Ni system. Nucleation temperatures of each metal in the considered system were evaluated. The relationship between the nucleation temperature and melting and boiling points suggests that the melting points of metal oxides have a strong influence on the formation of lithium metal oxide nanoparticles. A lower melting temperature leads to a longer reaction time, resulting in a higher fraction of the lithium metal oxide nanoparticles in the prepared nanoparticles.
Synergistic Antibacterial Effects of Nanoparticles Encapsulated with Scutellaria baicalensis and Pure Chlorhexidine on Oral Bacterial Biofilms
Authors: Leung Ken , Seneviratne Chaminda , Li Xuan , Leung Ping , Lau Clara , Wong Chi-Hin , Pang Ka , Wong Chun , Wat Elaine , Jin Lijian
Published: April 2016

Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our recent study shows potent antibacterial effects of nanoparticle-encapsulated chlorhexidine (Nano-CHX). Herein, we explored the synergistic effects of the nanoparticle-encapsulated SB (Nano-SB) and Nano-CHX on oral bacterial biofilms. Loading efficiency of Nano-SB was determined by thermogravimetric analysis, and its releasing profile was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatographyusing baicalin (a flavonoid compound of SB) as the marker. The mucosal diffusion assay on Nano-SB was undertaken in a porcine model. The antibacterial effects of the mixed nanoparticles (Nano-MIX) of Nano-SB and Nano-CHX at 9:1 (w/w) ratio were analyzed in both planktonic and biofilm modes of representative oral bacteria. The Nano-MIX was effective on the mono-species biofilms of Streptococcus (S.) mutans, S. sobrinus, Fusobacterium (F.) nucleatum, and Aggregatibacter (A.) actinomycetemcomitans (MIC 50 μg/mL) at 24 h, and exhibited an enhanced effect against the multi-species biofilms such as S. mutans, F. nucleatum, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and Porphyromonas (P.) gingivalis (MIC 12.5 μg/mL) at 24 h that was supported by the findings of both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM). This study shows enhanced synergistic antibacterial effects of the Nano-MIX on common oral bacterial biofilms, which could be potentially developed as a novel antimicrobial agent for clinical oral/periodontal care.
A Thixotropic Polyglycerol Sebacate-Based Supramolecular Hydrogel as an Injectable Drug Delivery Matrix
Authors: Ye Hongye , Owh Cally , Jiang Shan , Ng Cavin , Wirawan Daniel , Loh Xian
Published: April 2016

We have developed a “self-healing” polyglycerol sebacate—polyethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate (PGS-PEGMEMA)/α-Cyclodextrin (αCD) hydrogel which could be sheared into a liquid during injection and has the potential to quickly “heal” itself back into gel post-injection. This hydrogel was shown to be biocompatible and biodegradable and therefore appropriate for use in vivo. Furthermore, the storage and loss moduli of the hydrogels could be tuned (by varying the concentration of αCD) between a fraction of a kPa to a few 100 kPa, a range that coincides with the moduli of cells and human soft tissues. This property would allow for this hydrogel to be used in vivo with maximal mechanical compatibility with human soft tissues. In vitro experiments showed that the hydrogel demonstrated a linear mass erosion profile and a biphasic drug (doxorubicin) release profile: Phase I was primarily driven by diffusion and Phase II was driven by hydrogel erosion. The diffusion mechanism was modeled with the First Order equation and the erosion mechanism with the Hopfenberg equation. This established fitting model could be used to predict releases with other drugs and estimate the composition of the hydrogel required to achieve a desired release rate.
The Impact of Religiosity on Tax Compliance among Turkish Self-Employed Taxpayers
Authors: Benk Serkan , Budak Tamer , Yüzbaşı Bahadır , Mohdali Raihana
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study is to explore the impact between religiosity and voluntary tax compliance and enforced tax compliance for self-employed taxpayers in Turkey, where Islam is the predominant religion. A questionnaire survey was administrated to 375 male and 28 female self-employed taxpayers. In this paper, two dimensions of religiosity, namely interpersonal and intrapersonal religiosity, were studied. Factor analysis and ordinary least squares regression methods were used for data analyses. The results of the study illustrate that general religiosity has a statistically positive impact on both voluntary and enforced tax compliance. When we consider the dimensions of religiosity, only intrapersonal religiosity appears to be a significant contributor only to voluntary tax compliance. Nevertheless, interpersonal religiosity has no significant statistical effect on both voluntary and enforced tax compliance. This is one of the pioneer studies of its kind, and investigates the relationship between religiosity and tax compliance from the perspective of developing countries, particularly, Turkey.
A Pinching Strategy for Fabrics Using Wiping Deformation
Authors: Shibata Mizuho , Hirai Shinichi
Published: April 2016

This paper discusses a strategy by which a robotic hand can use the physical properties of a fabric to pinch the fabric. Pinching may be accomplished by using a wiping motion, during which the movement and deformation of a deformable object occur simultaneously. The wiping motion differs from the displacement of a deformable object. During the wiping motion, there is contact, but no relative movement, between the manipulator and the object, whereas, during displacement, there is both contact and relative movement between the object and the floor. This paper first describes wiping motion and distinguishes wiping slide from wiping deformation by displacement of the internal points of an object. Wiping motion is also shown to be an extended scheme of pushing and sliding of rigid objects. Our strategy for pinching a fabric is accomplished with a combination of wiping deformation and residual deformation of the fabric under unloaded conditions. Using this strategy, a single-armed robotic hand can pinch both surfaces of the fabric without handover motion.
Classification of Complex Urban Fringe Land Cover Using Evidential Reasoning Based on Fuzzy Rough Set: A Case Study of Wuhan City
Authors: Yang Yetao , Wang Yi , Wu Ke , Yu Xin
Published: April 2016

Urban fringe is the transition zone fine grained with urban and non-urban land cover types. The complex landscape mosaic in this area challenges the land cover classification based on the remote-sensing data. Spectral signatures are not efficient to discriminate all pixels into classes. To improve the recognition and handle the uncertainty, this paper provides a novel integrated approach, based on a fuzzy rough set and evidential reasoning (FRSER), for land cover classification in an urban fringe area. The approach is implemented on Landsat Operation Land Imager data covering the urban fringe area of Wuhan city, China. A fuzzy rough set is first used to define a decision table from multispectral imagery and ground reference data. Then the fuzzy rough information system is interpreted using the Dempster–Shafer theory, based on an evidential reasoning system. A final land cover classification with uncertainty is achieved by evidential reasoning. The results are compared with the traditional maximum likelihood classifier (MLC) and some rough set-based classifiers including classical rough set classifier (RS), fuzzy rough set classifier (FRS), and variable precision fuzzy rough set classifier (VPFRS). The better overall accuracy, user’s and producer’s accuracies, and the kappa coefficient, in comparison with the other classifiers, suggest that the proposed approach can effectively discriminate land cover types in urban fringe areas with high inter-class similarities and intra-class heterogeneity. It is also capable of handling the uncertainty in data processing, and the final land cover map comes with a degree of uncertainty. The proposed approach that can efficiently integrate the merits of both the fuzzy rough set and DS theory provides an efficient method for urban fringe land cover classification.
An Online System for Nowcasting Satellite Derived Temperatures for Urban Areas
Authors: Keramitsoglou Iphigenia , Kiranoudis Chris , Sismanidis Panagiotis , Zakšek Klemen
Published: April 2016

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) is an adverse environmental effect of urbanization that increases the energy demand of cities and impacts human health. The study of this effect for monitoring and mitigation purposes is crucial, but it is hampered by the lack of high spatiotemporal temperature data. This article presents the work undertaken for the implementation of an operational real-time module for monitoring 2 m air temperature (TA) at a spatial resolution of 1 km based on the Meteosat Second Generation—Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (MSG-SEVIRI). This new module has been developed in the context of an operational system for monitoring the urban thermal environment. The initial evaluation of TA products against meteorological in situ data from 15 cities in Europe and North Africa yields that its accuracy in terms of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is 2.3 °C and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (Rho) is 0.95. The temperature information made available at and around cities can facilitate the assessment of the UHIs in real time but also the timely generation of relevant higher value products and services for energy demand and human health studies. The service is available at http://snf-652558.vm.okeanos.grnet.gr/treasure/portal/info.html.
Development of a Microforce Sensor and Its Array Platform for Robotic Cell Microinjection Force Measurement
Authors: Xie Yu , Zhou Yunlei , Lin Yuzi , Wang Lingyun , Xi Wenming
Published: April 2016

Robot-assisted cell microinjection, which is precise and can enable a high throughput, is attracting interest from researchers. Conventional probe-type cell microforce sensors have some real-time injection force measurement limitations, which prevent their integration in a cell microinjection robot. In this paper, a novel supported-beam based cell micro-force sensor with a piezoelectric polyvinylidine fluoride film used as the sensing element is described, which was designed to solve the real-time force-sensing problem during a robotic microinjection manipulation, and theoretical mechanical and electrical models of the sensor function are derived. Furthermore, an array based cell-holding device with a trapezoidal microstructure is micro-fabricated, which serves to improve the force sensing speed and cell manipulation rates. Tests confirmed that the sensor showed good repeatability and a linearity of 1.82%. Finally, robot-assisted zebrafish embryo microinjection experiments were conducted. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of the sensor working with the robotic cell manipulation system. Moreover, the sensing structure, theoretical model, and fabrication method established in this study are not scale dependent. Smaller cells, e.g., mouse oocytes, could also be manipulated with this approach.
The Governance of Multi-Use Platforms at Sea for Energy Production and Aquaculture: Challenges for Policy Makers in European Seas
Authors: Stuiver Marian , Soma Katrine , Koundouri Phoebe , Van den Burg Sander , Gerritsen Alwin , Harkamp Thorbjørn , Dalsgaard Niels , Zagonari Fabio , Guanche Raul , Schouten Jan-Joost , Hommes Saskia , Giannouli Amerissa , Söderqvist Tore , Rosen Lars , Garção Rita , Norrman Jenny , Röckmann Christine , De Bel Mark , Zanuttigh Barbara , Petersen Ole , Møhlenberg Flemming
Published: April 2016

European seas are encountering an upsurge in competing marine activities and infrastructures. Traditional exploitation such as fisheries, tourism, transportation, and oil production are accompanied by new sustainable economic activities such as offshore windfarms, aquaculture, and tidal and wave energy. One proposed solution to overcome possible competing claims at sea lies in combining these economic activities as part of Multi-Use Platforms at Sea (MUPS). MUPS can be understood as areas at sea, designated for a combination of activities, either completely integrated in a platform or in shared marine space. MUPS can potentially benefit from each other in terms of infrastructure, maintenance, etc. Developing MUPS in the marine environment demands adequate governance. In this article, we investigate four European sites to find out how governance arrangements may facilitate or complicate MUPs. In particular, we apply a framework specifying policy, economic, social, technical, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) factors to explore governance arrangements in four case study sites in different sea basins around Europe (the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the Baltic Sea). The article concludes with policy recommendations on a governance regime for facilitating the development of MUPS in the future.
International and Domestic Sustainable Forest Management Policies: Distributive Effects on Power among State Agencies in Bangladesh
Authors: Giessen Lukas , Sarker Pradip , Rahman Md
Published: April 2016

The last two decades of forest policy discussions have been dominated by calls for sustainable management of forest resources. Consequently, multiple international and domestic policies, supporting sustainable forest management (SFM), have evolved in numerous jurisdictions. Policies in developing countries often rely on foreign donors’ projects, which supplement domestic SFM policy. These policies assign various policy tasks to specific public bureaucracies, who then compete for these very tasks, as well as the related staff and budgets. Therefore, project and policy task assignment greatly influences bureaucratic power. This article analyzes the distributive effects of SFM policy on power (in terms of coercion, incentives and dominant information) among relevant domestic and foreign donor bureaucracies in Bangladesh. Concepts from power theory, bureaucratic politics theory, and concepts of policy and policy process were combined to analyze 121 Bangladeshi SFM policies from 1992–2013, which assign a total of 1012 policy tasks to specific public bureaucracies. Using qualitative content analysis, inferences about power were assigned to specific competing bureaucracies by the totality of SFM policies made. Results identify domestic and foreign bureaucracies whose power distribution benefit most from the SFM policies viz. their competitors. It is concluded that bureaucracies gaining the most power set the limits and directions in designing, implementing and evaluating various elements of any national SFM policies.
How to Move China toward a Green-Energy Economy: From a Sector Perspective
Authors: Dong Jie-fang , Wang Qiang , Deng Chun , Wang Xing-min , Zhang Xiao-lei
Published: April 2016

With China’s rapid economic growth, energy-related CO2 emissions have experienced a dramatic increase. Quantification of energy-related CO2 emissions that occur in China is of serious concern for the policy makers to make efficient environmental policies without damaging the economic growth. Examining 33 productive sectors in China, this paper combined the extended “Kaya identity” and “IPAT model” with the Log-Mean Divisia Index Method (LMDI) to analyze the contribution of various factors driving of energy-related CO2 emissions in China during 1995–2009. Empirical results show that the main obstacle that hinders China’s transition to a green energy economy is the economic structure characterized by high carbon emissions. In contrast, the increased proportion of renewable energy sources (RES) and the improvement of energy efficiency play a more important role in reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, the power sector has a pivotal position in CO2 emissions reduction, primarily because of the expansion of electricity consumption. These findings suggest that policies and measures should be considered for various industrial sectors to maximize the energy efficiency potential. In addition, optimizing the industrial structure is more urgent than adjusting the energy structure for China.
Optimal Partner Combination for Joint Distribution Alliance using Integrated Fuzzy EW-AHP and TOPSIS for Online Shopping
Authors: He Yandong , Wang Xu , Lin Yun , Zhou Fuli
Published: April 2016

With the globalization of online shopping, deterioration of the ecological environment and the increasing pressure of urban transportation, a novel logistics service mode—joint distribution (JD)—was developed. Selecting the optimal partner combination is important to ensure the joint distribution alliance (JDA) is sustainable and stable, taking into consideration conflicting criteria. In this paper, we present an integrated fuzzy entropy weight, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy EW-AHP) and fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach to select the optimal partner combination of JDA. A three-phase approach is proposed. In the first phase, we identify partner combination evaluation criteria using an economy-society-environment-flexibility (ESEF) framework from a perspective that considers sustainability. In the second phase, the criteria weights and criteria combination performance of different partner combinations were calculated by using an integrated fuzzy EW-AHP approach considering the objective and subjective factors of experts. In the third phase, the JDA partner combinations are ranked by employing fuzzy TOPSIS approach. The sensitivity analysis is considered for the optimal partner combination. Taking JDA in Chongqing for example, the results indicate the alternative partner combination 3 (PC3) is always ranked first no matter how the criteria weights change. It is effective and robust to apply the integrated fuzzy EW-AHP and TOPSIS approach to the partner selection of JDA.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship in SMEs: A Business Performance Perspective
Authors: Soto-Acosta Pedro , Cismaru Diana-Maria , Vătămănescu Elena-Mădălina , Ciochină Raluca
Published: April 2016

Assuming that sustainable entrepreneurship leads to business performance, the present paper intends to investigate the standpoints of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) entrepreneurs on different facets. The emphasis is laid on the entrepreneurs’ approaches towards people, planet and profit and on their prioritization within business dynamics. The aforementioned dimensions are deemed important factors engendering business performance in terms of turnover, customer attraction and retention and market share. With a view to testing the advanced hypotheses, we employed a quantitative perspective relying on a questionnaire-based survey. As the results posited, the proposed model accounts for almost 50 percent of variance in business performance, whereas sustainable entrepreneurship approaches towards the people and profit dimensions have a significant positive influence on business performance.
Sustainability and Competitiveness of Agriculture in Mountain Areas: A Willingness to Pay (WTP) Approach
Authors: Mazzocchi Chiara , Sali Guido
Published: April 2016

One of the most evident elements of the agricultural crisis is farm abandonment in many marginal rural areas, such as mountains. Some traits of mountain agriculture such as remoteness, low productivity, extreme weather and small farm size, can limit the adaptation and the competitiveness of this branch. The analysis aims to assess the consumers’ Willingness to Pay (WTP) for permanence of the upland farms and mountain pastures, by a Contingent Valuation analysis. The main results are that a WTP for the redevelopment of the pastures exists and that the personal characteristics of the sample are more influential than the opinions of the individuals on WTP. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that consumers seem to prefer an agricultural orientation of the upland farms rather than a touristic one. In the conclusion section, some policy guidelines are proposed.
Three Scales of Acephalous Organization
Authors: MacGill Victor
Published: April 2016

Dominance-based hierarchies have been taken for granted as the way we structure our organizations, but they are a part of a paradigm that has put our whole existence in peril. There is an urgent need to explore alternative paradigms that take us away from dystopic futures towards preferred, life enhancing paradigms based on wellbeing. One of the alternative ways of organizing ourselves that avoids much of the structural violence of existing organizations is the acephalous group (operating without any structured, ongoing leadership). Decision making becomes distributed, transitory and self-selecting. Such groups are not always appropriate and have their strengths and weaknesses, but they can be a more effective, humane way of organizing ourselves and can open windows to new ways of being. Acephalous groups operate at many different scales and adapt their structure accordingly. For this reason, a comparison of small, medium and large-scale acephalous groups reveals some of the dynamics involved in acephalous functioning and provides a useful overview of these emergent forms of organization and foreshadows the role they may play in future.
Groundwater Data Management by Water Service Providers in Peri-Urban Areas of Lusaka
Authors: Nussbaumer David , Sutton Ian , Parker Alison
Published: April 2016

Groundwater management by water service providers in Lusaka, Zambia, includes borehole siting, drilling and on-going monitoring. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) and devolved Water Trust managers, in order to assess their needs and collect their suggestions to improve data management. The research found that both the Water Trusts and LWSC lacked the capacity to fully utilize hydrogeological information. Prior to the research, none of the ten Water Trusts collected water level data. Four have started to collect data recently and another four have plans to, and they would like to share this data more widely.
Anthropogenic-Induced Changes in the Mechanism of Drylands Ephemeral Stream Recharge, Western Saudi Arabia
Authors: Jadoon Khan , Al-Mashharawi Samir , Hanafy Sherif , Schuster Gerard , Missimer Thomas
Published: April 2016

Wadi aquifers in Saudi Arabia historically have been recharged primarily by channel loss (infiltration) during floods. Historically, seasonal groundwater levels fluctuated from land surface to about 3 m below the surface. Agricultural irrigation pumping has lowered the water table up to 35 m below the surface. The geology surrounding the fluvial system at Wadi Qidayd consists of pelitic Precambrian rocks that contribute sediments ranging in size from mud to boulders to the alluvium. Sediments within the wadi channel consist of fining upward, downstream-dipping beds, causing channel floodwaters to pass through several sediment sequences, including several mud layers, before it can reach the water table. Investigation of the wadi aquifer using field observation, geological characterization, water-level monitoring, geophysical profiles, and a hypothetical model suggests a critical water level has been reached that affects the recharge of the aquifer. The wetted front can no longer reach the water table due to the water uptake in the wetting process, downstream deflection by the clay layers, and re-emergence of water at the surface with subsequent direct and diffusive evaporative loss, and likely uptake by deep-rooted acacia trees. In many areas of the wadi system, recharge can now occur only along the channel perimeter via fractured rocks that are in direct horizontal hydraulic connection to the permeable beds above and below the water table.
Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - aculeates (Apoidea, Chrysidoidea and Vespoidea)
Authors: Else George , Bolton Barry , Broad Gavin
Published: April 2016

The checklist of British and Irish aculeate Hymenoptera (Apoidea, Chrysidoidea and Vespoidea) is revised. Species distribution is summarised for all species at the level of country (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Isle of Man).

The 601 native species represent an increase of 25 on the 1978 checklist, comprising mostly new discoveries. This increase is nearly balanced by the 23 species now presumed to be extinct in Britain and Ireland.
Les liens entre la performance médicale et la composition de la patientèle : Une étude économétrique sur les médecins d’Ile-de-France
Authors: Da Silva Nicolas , Fleury Laetitia , Batifoulier Philippe , Vanhille Jean-Louis , Bréchat Pierre-Henri
Published: April 2016

La convention médicale de 2011 a systématisé l’usage du paiement à la performance à travers la Rémunération sur Objectif de Santé Publique (ROSP). Il s’agit d’inciter financièrement le médecin à la fourniture d’une médecine de qualité et économe en s’appuyant sur des indicateurs chiffrés de résultats. Cet article propose une évaluation du ROSP à partir d’une analyse empirique pionnière en Ile-de-France. Nous testons particulièrement l’hypothèse selon laquelle la performance d’un médecin est en partie dépendante des caractéristiques de sa patientèle – la performance étant alors en partie indépendante de sa responsabilité. Dans cet esprit, nos résultats montrent que les médecins dont la patientèle est plus malade ont davantage de chance d’obtenir de meilleurs résultats. Les médecins avec une patientèle plus pauvre ont moins de chance d’obtenir de meilleurs résultats.
Les limites du protagonisme : une anthropologie politique de 1848
Authors: Traugott Mark , Boisson Hélène
Published: April 2016

L’application aux événements de 1848 du concept de protagonisme introduit par Burstin se heurte au cadre temporel bien plus réduit et aux résultats équivoques de la révolution de Février. Pas un seul de ses principaux acteurs ne correspond pleinement au modèle que Burstin a si judicieusement dégagé pour 1789, ce qui s’explique en partie par le fait que la Grande Révolution et les décennies de troubles sociaux qui s’ensuivent ont radicalement transformé la conscience politique des générations ultérieures de militants. L’auteur met brièvement en parallèle le concept de protagonisme et la notion de « répertoire de contestation », pour proposer une réflexion sur la manière dont l’expérience de 1789 a pu faire évoluer en profondeur et une fois pour toutes les conditions de l’action révolutionnaire.
Raphaël et la question du corps
Authors: Dejardin Monique
Published: April 2016

Résumé – L’adolescence est souvent une période difficile à traverser pour chaque enfant et pour ses parents qui ont oublié la leur, d’autant plus qu’elle n’est pas toujours « parlée » mais surtout agie. Raphaël a cumulé les handicaps a reconnu son père avant le début de sa prise en charge, lui qui ne parle pas vraiment. L’adolescence on réussit généralement à en sortir quand on est parvenu, en se cherchant, à intégrer la subjectivation.
Achat public et proximité géographique : une étude économétrique dans le contexte français
Authors: Mamavi Olivier , Nagati Haithem , Wehrle Frederick T. , Paché Gilles
Published: April 2016

L’analyse des relations d’échange entre entreprises, ou encore des relations inter-organisationnelles, donne lieu à une importante littérature depuis une trentaine d’années. La proximité qui peut exister entre client et fournisseur pour améliorer la performance de leur relation est largement abordée, notamment dans sa dimension organisationnelle mais aussi, plus récemment, dans sa dimension spatiale. Cet article s’intéresse au contexte particulier des achats publics en démontrant, à partir d’une étude économétrique conduite sur 565.557 transactions réalisées entre 6.182 donneurs d’ordres et 26.570 fournisseurs, que la proximité géographique des fournisseurs est devenue en France un élément clé de la gouvernance de certaines relations inter-organisationnelles sur les marchés publics.
Corps et spécificités des mécanismes de défense... de la famille obèse
Authors: Schwailbold Marie-Anne , Cuynet Patrice , Rosier Lise
Published: April 2016

Notre étude investigue l’obésité à l’adolescence en replaçant ce symptôme dans une dynamique familiale. À travers la présentation d’une vignette clinique, cet article apporte un éclairage sur les mécanismes de défense à l’œuvre dans ces familles, permettant ainsi de fournir des pistes de compréhension à la résistance au traitement ainsi qu’aux rechutes. Nous proposons, à travers la projection de l’image inconsciente du corps familial dans différents médiateurs tels que l’arbre généalogique libre ou « génographie projective » et le dessin de la maison de rêve ou « spatiographie projective », le décryptage de ces mécanismes de défense, utilisés par les familles à obésité. Ils témoignent d’un fantasme groupal inconscient de vampirisme mutuel entre les membres.
SNAM
Authors: Youssef Bassant , Midkiff Scott F. , Rizk Mohamed R. M.
Published: April 2016

Complex networks are characterized by having a scale-free power-law (PL) degree distribution, a small world phenomenon, a high average clustering coefficient, and the emergence of community structure. Most proposed models did not incorporate all of these statistical properties and neglected incorporating the heterogeneous nature of network nodes. Even proposed heterogeneous complex network models were not generalized for different complex networks. We define a novel aspect of node-heterogeneity which is the node connection standard heterogeneity. We introduce our novel model “settling node adaptive model” SNAM which reflects this new nodes' heterogeneous aspect. SNAM was successful in preserving PL degree distribution, small world phenomenon and high clustering coefficient of complex networks. A modified version of SNAM shows the emergence of community structure. We prove using mathematical analysis that networks generated using SNAM have a PL degree distribution.
New Imaging and Computational Technology as a Guide for Catheter Ablation of Incessant Tachyarrhythmias
Authors: Pappone Carlo , Garzillo Carmine , Santinelli Vincenzo , Crisà Simonetta
Published: April 2016

Computational technology in the era of catheter ablation (RFA) has made it possible to experience relief from incessant atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) by 3D electroanatomical mapping (EAM) systems. The Authors report the results of such technology in > 500 consecutive patients (57% males, mean age 56.9 years) with incessant refractory post-ablation left AT (mean cycle length 256 ms). Patients underwent electroanatomical-mapping systems, which combine electrophysiological and spatial information allowing accurate reconstruction of the whole atria with real-time activation sequence guiding RFA for continuous transmural linear lesions. Color-coded voltage and/or activation maps were successfully performed in all patients. Mapping distinguished clearly and rapidly between micro-macro-reentrant (>80%) and focal mechanisms. Acute success was obtained without major complications, with repeated procedures in about 5% of patients. EAM technology allows determining both mechanism and location of arrhythmia, ensuring successful elimination of complex arrhythmogenic substrates.
An Optimized Graph-Based Metagenomic Gene Classification Approach
Authors: Kamal Md Sarwar , Khan Mohammad Ibrahim , Dev Kaushik , Chowdhury Linkon , Dey Nilanjan
Published: April 2016

Biological interaction mainly depends on the interactions of various genes and genomes. To identify actual meaning of interactions we have to find out the facts and reasons for these interactions. Gene analysis allows to verify such environment. Gene annotation means to identify the exon regions in metagenomic samples. The de Bruijn graph plays significant role in gene prediction and next generation sequencing (NGS). Apart from that, Eular Path of de Bruijn graph introduced generalized gene annotation for translational and splicing signals, exon introns separation and coding regions. set of graph reduction rules have used to build a de Bruijn graph. Accurate solution for large scale sequencing, trims space complexity and generates optimal gene annotation have tested.
Classification of Surface Electromyogram Signals Acquired from the Forearm of a Healthy Volunteer
Authors: K. Uvanesh , Nayak Suraj Kumar , Champaty Biswajeet , Thakur Goutam , Mohapatra Biswajit , Tibarewala D. N. , Pal Kunal
Published: April 2016

Surface EMG (sEMG) signals from the palmaris longus, flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles were recorded using an in-house developed EMG signal acquisition system. The bandwidth of the acquisition system was 1500 Hz. The extracted sEMG signal was processed using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). The features of the extracted and the wavelet processed signals were determined and were used for probable classification using Artificial Neural Network (ANN). A classification efficiency of more than 90% was achieved using ANN classifiers. The results suggested that the sEMG may be successfully used for designing efficient control system.