bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetes Mellitus and the risk of Primary open angle glaucoma
Authors: Lavaju P , Shah S , Sharma S , Maskey R
Published: June 2017

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the risk factors for Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Inclusion of DM as a risk factor for POAG is controversial. The objectives of the study were to investigate whether Type II (T2) DM is a risk factor for POAG and to determine central corneal thickness (CCT) in the subjects with T2DM and to examine the relationship between T2DM and intraocular pressure (IOP).Materials and methods: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted including 189 subjects of age > 40 years. In Group I, 113 patients diagnosed with T2DM and Group II, age and sex matched 76 subjects with POAG without DM was included. Detailed ocular examination, IOP, CCT and funduscopy evaluation was done. Results: Most of the patients were more than 60 years of age with mean age 58 ± 11 years. Male: female ratio was 1:1. POAG was seen in 27.4% of patients with T2DM. Mean IOP in T2DM was 14.67± 2.63mmHg and in non diabetic, 17.25±4.47 mmHg (p <0.00). In group I, mean CCT was 538.83± 22.7μm and in group II, 531.26 ± 20.9μm (p-0.126). There was no association between CCT and glaucoma (p=0.072, 95% CI: -0.76 –17.46). The study could not elicit an association of T2DM with glaucoma. Duration of T2DM did not affect an association between T2DM and glaucoma (p-0.757). Random blood sugar (p<0.001) and oral hypoglycemic drugs (p=0.030) showed an association with glaucoma. Conclusion: The study failed to show an association between T2DM and primary open angle glaucoma and CCT though an association seen with IOP. A larger prospective comparative study may be help in understanding this association.
Unilateral lattice corneal dystrophy in a young female: A unique case report
Authors: Raj Anuradha , Dhasmana Renu , Bahadur Harsh
Published: June 2017

Background: Unilateral lattice corneal dystrophy is a rare entity. Objective: To highlight the evidence of unilateral lattice corneal dystrophy in a young female. Case: A young 28 years old female presented to the outpatient department of Ophthalmology with slowly progressive diminution of vision in left eye for one month. On ophthalmological examination best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 and 20/40 with refractive error of plano and -0.75D Cyl @30 for right and left eye respectively. Ocular examination of right eye was unremarkable. On slit lamp examination, left eye showed multiple radial lattice lines in branching spider like pattern in the temporal cornea with pupillary margin involvement. The lattice pattern was confined to anterior to midstroma of the cornea with intact epithelium and unremarkable endothelium. The lesions did not involve the limbus. These lattice lines were prominent on retroillumination. In temporal quadrant near pupillary margin a small radial nebulomacular corneal opacity was seen without any corneal vascularisation or edema. The anterior chamber was deep and quiet. Corneal sensations were markedly reduced. Intraocular pressure was 10 and 12mmHg for right and left eye respectively with noncontact tonometry. Fundus examination was unremarkable. Family history and systemic history was negative. Optical coherence tomography(OCT) showed hyperreflective material in midstoma confirmed the diagnosis of unilateral lattice corneal dystrophy(LCD) with an apparently healthy fellow eye.
Synthesis, characterisation, optical properties and theoretical calculations of a new fluorescent heterocyclic system: 3H-benzo[a]pyrazolo[3,4-j]acridine
Authors: Alipoor Hamideh , Pordel Mehdi , Morsali Ali
Published: June 2017

Four new fluorescent dyes derived from the 3 H-benzo[ a]pyrazolo[3,4- j]acridine system were synthesised and fully characterised by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass and analytical data. These new fluorophores were prepared from the reaction of 1-alkyl-5-nitro-1 H-indazoles with 1-naphthylacetonitrile via nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen, in high yields. The optical properties of the dyes were also investigated and the results revealed that, in some cases, they have higher quantum yields compared with well-known fluorescent dyes such as fluorescein. Solvent effects on the fluorescence characteristics of the four compounds indicated that the emission wavelength is red-shifted with increasing solvent polarity. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP hybrid functional and the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set provided the optimised geometries and relevant frontier orbitals of the compounds. Calculated electronic absorption spectra were also obtained using the time-dependent density functional theory method.
Parameterization of Evapotranspiration Estimation for Two Typical East Asian Crops
Authors: Zhao Peng , Lüers Johannes
Published: June 2017

Estimation of evapotranspiration plays an important role in understanding the water cycle on the earth, especially the water budget in agricultural ecosystems. The parameterization approach of the Penman-Monteith-Katerji-Perrier (PM-KP) model, accounting for the influence of meteorological variables and aerodynamic resistance on surface resistance, was proposed in the literature, but it has not been applied to Asian croplands, and its error and sensitivity have not been reported yet. In this study, the estimation of evapotranspiration on half-hourly scale was carried out for two typical East Asian cropland research sites, and evaluated by using eddy-covariance measurements corrected with the energy-balance-closure concept. Sensitivity coefficients as well as systematic bias and random errors of the PM-KP approach were used to evaluate the model performance. Different distributions of the calibration coefficients between different crops were reported for the first time, indicating that the calibration of this model was more stable for the rice field than for the potato field. The commonly-used parameterization approach suggested by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was used as reference and was site-specifically optimized. The results suggest that the PM-KP approach would be a better alternative than the PM-FAO approach for estimating evapotranspiration for the flooded rice field, and an acceptable alternative for rain-fed croplands when the soil is well watered and the air is humid during the summer monsoon.
A Mind–Body Approach to Pediatric Pain Management
Authors: Brown Melanie , Rojas Enrique , Gouda Suzanne
Published: June 2017

Pain is a significant public health problem that affects all populations and has significant financial, physical and psychological impact. Opioid medications, once the mainstay of pain therapy across the spectrum, can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) guidelines recommend that non-opioid pain medications are preferred for chronic pain outside of certain indications (cancer, palliative and end of life care). Mindfulness, hypnosis, acupuncture and yoga are four examples of mind–body techniques that are often used in the adult population for pain and symptom management. In addition to providing significant pain relief, several studies have reported reduced use of opioid medications when mind–body therapies are implemented. Mind–body medicine is another approach that can be used in children with both acute and chronic pain to improve pain management and quality of life.
Goldstone and Higgs Hydrodynamics in the BCS–BEC Crossover
Authors: Salasnich Luca
Published: June 2017

We discuss the derivation of a low-energy effective field theory of phase (Goldstone) and amplitude (Higgs) modes of the pairing field from a microscopic theory of attractive fermions. The coupled equations for Goldstone and Higgs fields are critically analyzed in the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS)-to-Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) crossover—both in three spatial dimensions and in two spatial dimensions. The crucial role of pair fluctuations is investigated, and the beyond-mean-field Gaussian theory of the BCS–BEC crossover is compared with available experimental data of the two-dimensional ultracold Fermi superfluid.
Predicting Dynamic Coastal Delta Change in Response to Sea-Level Rise
Authors: Van De Lageweg Wietse , Slangen Aimée
Published: June 2017

The world’s largest deltas are densely populated, of significant economic importance and among the most valuable coastal ecosystems. Projected twenty-first century sea-level rise (SLR) poses a threat to these low-lying coastal environments with inhabitants, resources and ecology becoming increasingly vulnerable to flooding. Large spatial differences exist in the parameters shaping the world’s deltas with respect to river discharge, tides and waves, substrate and sediment cohesion, sea-level rise, and human engineering. Here, we use a numerical flow and transport model to: (1) quantify the capability of different types of deltas to dynamically respond to SLR; and (2) evaluate the resultant coastal impact by assessing delta flooding, shoreline recession and coastal habitat changes. We show three different delta forcing experiments representative of many natural deltas: (1) river flow only; (2) river flow and waves; and (3) river flow and tides. We find that delta submergence, shoreline recession and changes in habitat are not dependent on the applied combination of river flow, waves and tides but are rather controlled by SLR. This implies that regional differences in SLR determine delta coastal impacts globally, potentially mitigated by sediment composition and ecosystem buffering. This process-based approach of modelling future deltaic change provides the first set of quantitative predictions of dynamic morphologic change for inclusion in Climate and Earth System Models while also informing local management of deltaic areas across the globe.
Crude Fucoidan Extracts Impair Angiogenesis in Models Relevant for Bone Regeneration and Osteosarcoma via Reduction of VEGF and SDF-1
Authors: Wang Fanlu , Schmidt Harald , Pavleska Dijana , Wermann Thees , Seekamp Andreas , Fuchs Sabine
Published: June 2017

The marine origin polysaccharide fucoidan combines multiple biological activities. As demonstrated by various studies in vitro and in vivo, fucoidans show anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties, although the detailed molecular action remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of crude fucoidan extracts, on the formation of vascular structures in co-culture models relevant for bone vascularization during bone repair and for vascularization processes in osteosarcoma. The co-cultures consisted of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, respectively the osteosarcoma cell line MG63, and human blood derived outgrowth endothelial cells (OEC). The concentration dependent effects on the metabolic activity on endothelial cells and osteoblast cells were first assessed using monocultures of OEC, MSC and MG63 suggesting a concentration of 100 µg/mL as a suitable concentration for further experiments. In co-cultures fucoidan significantly reduced angiogenesis in MSC/OEC but also in MG63/OEC co-cultures suggesting a potential application of fucoidan to lower the vascularization in bone tumors such as osteosarcoma. This was associated with a decrease in VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and SDF-1 (stromal derived factor-1) on the protein level, both related to the control of angiogenesis and furthermore discussed as crucial factors in osteosarcoma progression and metastasis. In terms of bone formation, fucoidan slightly lowered on the calcification process in MSC monocultures and MSC/OEC co-cultures. In summary, these data suggest the suitability of lower fucoidan doses to limit angiogenesis for instance in osteosarcoma.
Spirulina Protects against Hepatic Inflammation in Aging: An Effect Related to the Modulation of the Gut Microbiota?
Authors: Neyrinck Audrey , Taminiau Bernard , Walgrave Hannah , Daube Georges , Cani Patrice , Bindels Laure , Delzenne Nathalie
Published: June 2017

Aging predisposes to hepatic dysfunction and inflammation that can contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Spirulina, a cyanobacterium used as a food additive or food supplement, has been shown to impact immune function. We have tested the potential hepatoprotective effect of a Spirulina in aged mice and to determine whether these effects can be related to a modulation of the gut microbiota. Old mice have been fed a standard diet supplemented with or without 5% Spirulina for six weeks. Among several changes of gut microbiota composition, an increase in Roseburia and Lactobacillus proportions occurs upon Spirulina treatment. Interestingly, parameters related to the innate immunity are upregulated in the small intestine of Spirulina-treated mice. Furthermore, the supplementation with Spirulina reduces several hepatic inflammatory and oxidative stress markers that are upregulated in old mice versus young mice. We conclude that the oral administration of a Spirulina is able to modulate the gut microbiota and to activate the immune system in the gut, a mechanism that may be involved in the improvement of the hepatic inflammation in aged mice. Those data open the way to new therapeutic tools in the management of immune alterations in aging, based on gut microbe-host interactions.
Morphology Development and Mechanical Properties Variation during Cold-Drawing of Polyethylene-Clay Nanocomposite Fibers
Authors: Coppola Bartolomeo , Scarfato Paola , Incarnato Loredana , Di Maio Luciano
Published: June 2017

In this work, the influence of composition and cold-drawing on nano- and micro-scale morphology and tensile mechanical properties of PE/organoclay nanocomposite fibers was investigated. Nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding in a twin-screw extruder, using a maleic anhydride grafted linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE–g–MA) and an organomodified montmorillonite (Dellite 67G) at three different loadings (3, 5 and 10 wt %). Fibers were produced by a single-screw extruder and drawn at five draw ratios (DRs): 7.25, 10, 13.5, 16 and 19. All nanocomposites, characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and FT-IR techniques, showed an intercalated/exfoliated morphology. The study evidenced that the nanoclay presence significantly increases both elastic modulus (up to +115% for fibers containing 10 wt % of D67G) and drawability of as-spun nanocomposite fibers. Moreover, at fixed nanocomposite composition, the cold-drawing process increases fibers elastic modulus and tensile strength at increasing DRs. However, at high DRs, “face-to-edge” rearrangement phenomena of clay layers (i.e., clay layers tend to rotate and touch each other) arise in fibers at high nanoclay loadings. Finally, nanocomposite fibers show a lower diameter reduction during drawing, with respect to the plain system, and surface feature of adjustable roughness by controlling the composition and the drawing conditions.
On the Application of Image Processing Methods for Bubble Recognition to the Study of Subcooled Flow Boiling of Water in Rectangular Channels
Authors: Paz Concepción , Conde Marcos , Porteiro Jacobo , Concheiro Miguel
Published: June 2017

This work introduces the use of machine vision in the massive bubble recognition process, which supports the validation of boiling models involving bubble dynamics, as well as nucleation frequency, active site density and size of the bubbles. The two algorithms presented are meant to be run employing quite standard images of the bubbling process, recorded in general-purpose boiling facilities. The recognition routines are easily adaptable to other facilities if a minimum number of precautions are taken in the setup and in the treatment of the information. Both the side and front projections of subcooled flow-boiling phenomenon over a plain plate are covered. Once all of the intended bubbles have been located in space and time, the proper post-process of the recorded data become capable of tracking each of the recognized bubbles, sketching their trajectories and size evolution, locating the nucleation sites, computing their diameters, and so on. After validating the algorithm’s output against the human eye and data from other researchers, machine vision systems have been demonstrated to be a very valuable option to successfully perform the recognition process, even though the optical analysis of bubbles has not been set as the main goal of the experimental facility.
Comparative Studies in Tick-Borne Diseases in Animals and Humans
Authors: Munderloh Ulrike
Published: June 2017

In temperate zones of the earth, ticks are the most important arthropod vectors of zoonotic pathogens affecting humans and domestic animals.[...]
Transparency, Geomorphology and Mixing Regime Explain Variability in Trends in Lake Temperature and Stratification across Northeastern North America (1975–2014)
Authors: Richardson David , Melles Stephanie , Pilla Rachel , Hetherington Amy , Knoll Lesley , Williamson Craig , Kraemer Benjamin , Jackson James , Long Elizabeth , Moore Karen , Rudstam Lars , Rusak James , Saros Jasmine , Sharma Sapna , Strock Kristin , Weathers Kathleen , Wigdahl-Perry Courtney
Published: June 2017

Lake surface water temperatures are warming worldwide, raising concerns about the future integrity of valuable lake ecosystem services. In contrast to surface water temperatures, we know far less about what is happening to water temperature beneath the surface, where most organisms live. Moreover, we know little about which characteristics make lakes more or less sensitive to climate change and other environmental stressors. We examined changes in lake thermal structure for 231 lakes across northeastern North America (NENA), a region with an exceptionally high density of lakes. We determined how lake thermal structure has changed in recent decades (1975–2012) and assessed which lake characteristics are related to changes in lake thermal structure. In general, NENA lakes had increasing near-surface temperatures and thermal stratification strength. On average, changes in deepwater temperatures for the 231 lakes were not significantly different than zero, but individually, half of the lakes experienced warming and half cooling deepwater temperature through time. More transparent lakes (Secchi transparency >5 m) tended to have higher near-surface warming and greater increases in strength of thermal stratification than less transparent lakes. Whole-lake warming was greatest in polymictic lakes, where frequent summer mixing distributed heat throughout the water column. Lakes often function as important sentinels of climate change, but lake characteristics within and across regions modify the magnitude of the signal with important implications for lake biology, ecology and chemistry.
Evaluation of Groundwater Remediation Technologies Based on Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Approaches
Authors: Wang Hao , Cai Yanpeng , Tan Qian , Zeng Yong
Published: June 2017

Petroleum is an essential resource for the development of society and its production is huge. There is a great risk of leakage of oil during production, refining, and transportation. After entering the environment, the oil pollutants will be a great threat to the environment and may endanger human health. Therefore, it is very important to remediate oil pollution in the subsurface. However, it is necessary to choose the appropriate remediation technology. In this paper, 18 technologies are evaluated through constructing a parameter matrix with each technology and seven performance indicators, and a comprehensive analysis model is presented. In this model, four MCDA methods are used. They are SWA (Simple Weighted Addition Method), WP (Weighted Product Method), CGT (Cooperative Game Theory), and TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution). Mean ranking and Borda ranking methods are used to integrate the results of SWA, WP, CGT, and TOPSIS. Then two selection priorities of each method (mean ranking and Borda ranking) are obtained. The model is proposed to help decide the best choice of remediation technologies. It can effectively reduce contingency, subjectivity, one-sidedness of the traditional methods and provide scientific reference for effective decision-making.
The role of contraindications in prescribing anticoagulants to patients with atrial fibrillation: a cross-sectional analysis of primary care data in the UK
Authors: Adderley Nicola , Ryan Ronan , Marshall Tom
Published: June 2017

Background

Underuse of anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation (AF) is an international problem, which has often been attributed to the presence of contraindications to treatment. No studies have assessed the influence of contraindications on anticoagulant prescribing in the UK.

Aim

To determine the influence of contraindications on anticoagulant prescribing in patients with AF in the UK.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional analysis of primary care data from 645 general practices contributing to The Health Improvement Network, a large UK database of electronic primary care records.

Method

Twelve sequential cross-sectional analyses were carried out from 2004 to 2015. Patients with a diagnosis of AF aged ≥35 years and registered for at least 1 year were included. Outcome measure was prescription of anticoagulant medication.

Results

Over the 12 study years, the proportion of eligible patients with AF with contraindications who were prescribed anticoagulants increased from 40.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 38.3 to 41.9) to 67.2% (95% CI = 65.6 to 68.8), and the proportion of those without contraindications prescribed anticoagulants increased from 42.1% (95% CI = 41.6 to 42.6) to 67.7% (95% CI = 67.2 to 68.1). In patients with a recent history of major bleeding or aneurysm, prescribing rates increased from 44.3% (95% CI = 42.2 to 46.5) and 34.8% (95% CI = 29.4 to 40.6) in 2004 to 71.7% (95% CI = 69.9 to 73.5) and 63.2% (95% CI = 58.3 to 67.8) in 2015, respectively, comparable with rates in patients without contraindications.

Conclusion

The presence or absence of recorded contraindications has little influence on the decision to prescribe anticoagulants for the prevention of stroke in patients with AF. The study analysis suggests that, nationally, 38 000 patients with AF with contraindications are treated with anticoagulants. This has implications for patient safety.
Near-Earth Object Orbit Linking with the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
Authors: Vereš Peter , Chesley Steven R.
Published: June 2017

We have conducted a detailed simulation of the ability of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) to link near-Earth and main belt asteroid detections into orbits. The key elements of the study were a high-fidelity detection model and the presence of false detections in the form of both statistical noise and difference image artifacts. We employed the Moving Object Processing System (MOPS) to generate tracklets, tracks, and orbits with a realistic detection density for one month of the LSST survey. The main goals of the study were to understand whether (a) the linking of near-Earth objects (NEOs) into orbits can succeed in a realistic survey, (b) the number of false tracks and orbits will be manageable, and (c) the accuracy of linked orbits would be sufficient for automated processing of discoveries and attributions. We found that the overall density of asteroids was more than 5000 per LSST field near opposition on the ecliptic, plus up to 3000 false detections per field in good seeing. We achieved 93.6% NEO linking efficiency for

H
<
22

on tracks composed of tracklets from at least three distinct nights within a 12 day interval. The derived NEO catalog was comprised of 96% correct linkages. Less than 0.1% of orbits included false detections, and the remainder of false linkages stemmed from main belt confusion, which was an artifact of the short time span of the simulation. The MOPS linking efficiency can be improved by refined attribution of detections to known objects and by improved tuning of the internal kd-tree linking algorithms.
Fundamental and Harmonic Oscillations in Neighboring Coronal Loops
Authors: Li Hongbo , Liu Yu , Tam Kuan Vai
Published: June 2017

We present observations of multimode (fundamental and harmonic) oscillations in a loop system, which appear to be simultaneously excited by a GOES C-class flare. Analysis of the periodic oscillations reveals that (1) the primary loop with a period of P

a
 ≈ 4 minutes and a secondary loop with two periods of P

a
 ≈ 4 minutes and P

b
 ≈ 2 minutes are detected simultaneously in closely spaced loop strands; (2) both oscillation components have their peak amplitudes near the loop apex, while in the second loop the low-frequency component P

a
dominates in a loop segment that is two times larger than the high-frequency component P

b
; (3) the harmonic mode P

b
shows the largest deviation from a sinusoidal loop shape at the loop apex. We conclude that multiple harmonic modes with different displacement profiles can be excited simultaneously even in closely spaced strands, similar to the overtones of a violin string.
ALMA Observations of Gas-rich Galaxies in z ∼ 1.6 Galaxy Clusters: Evidence for Higher Gas Fractions in High-density Environments
Authors: Noble A. G. , McDonald M. , Muzzin A. , Nantais J. , Rudnick G. , van Kampen E. , Webb T. M. A. , Wilson G. , Yee H. K. C. , Boone K. , Cooper M. C. , DeGroot A. , Delahaye A. , Demarco R. , Foltz R. , Hayden B. , Lidman C. , Manilla-Robles A. , Perlmutter S.
Published: June 2017

We present ALMA CO (2–1) detections in 11 gas-rich cluster galaxies at z ∼ 1.6, constituting the largest sample of molecular gas measurements in z > 1.5 clusters to date. The observations span three galaxy clusters, derived from the Spitzer Adaptation of the Red-sequence Cluster Survey. We augment the >5σ detections of the CO (2–1) fluxes with multi-band photometry, yielding stellar masses and infrared-derived star formation rates, to place some of the first constraints on molecular gas properties in z ∼ 1.6 cluster environments. We measure sizable gas reservoirs of 0.5–2 × 1011
M
☉ in these objects, with high gas fractions (f
gas) and long depletion timescales (τ), averaging 62% and 1.4 Gyr, respectively. We compare our cluster galaxies to the scaling relations of the coeval field, in the context of how gas fractions and depletion timescales vary with respect to the star-forming main sequence. We find that our cluster galaxies lie systematically off the field scaling relations at z = 1.6 toward enhanced gas fractions, at a level of ∼4σ, but have consistent depletion timescales. Exploiting CO detections in lower-redshift clusters from the literature, we investigate the evolution of the gas fraction in cluster galaxies, finding it to mimic the strong rise with redshift in the field. We emphasize the utility of detecting abundant gas-rich galaxies in high-redshift clusters, deeming them as crucial laboratories for future statistical studies.
First Results from the Lyman Alpha Galaxies in the Epoch of Reionization (LAGER) Survey: Cosmological Reionization at z ∼ 7
Authors: Zheng Zhen-Ya , Wang Junxian , Rhoads James , Infante Leopoldo , Malhotra Sangeeta , Hu Weida , Walker Alistair R. , Jiang Linhua , Jiang Chunyan , Hibon Pascale , Gonzalez Alicia , Kong Xu , Zheng XianZhong , Galaz Gaspar , Barrientos L. Felipe
Published: June 2017

We present the first results from the ongoing Lyman Alpha Galaxies in the Epoch of Reionization (LAGER) project, which is the largest narrowband survey for z ∼ 7 galaxies to date. Using a specially built narrowband filter NB964 for the superb large-area Dark Energy Camera (DECam) on the NOAO/CTIO 4 m Blanco telescope, LAGER has collected 34 hr NB964 narrowband imaging data in the 3 deg2 COSMOS field. We have identified 23 Lyα Emitter candidates at z = 6.9 in the central 2-deg2 region, where DECam and public COSMOS multi-band images exist. The resulting luminosity function (LF) can be described as a Schechter function modified by a significant excess at the bright end (four galaxies with L
Lyα
∼ 1043.4±0.2 erg s−1). The number density at L
Lyα
 ∼ 1043.4±0.2 erg s−1 is little changed from z = 6.6, while at fainter L
Lyα
it is substantially reduced. Overall, we see a fourfold reduction in Lyα luminosity density from z = 5.7 to z = 6.9. Combined with a more modest evolution of the continuum UV luminosity density, this suggests a factor of ∼3 suppression of Lyα by radiative transfer through the z ∼ 7 intergalactic medium (IGM). It indicates an IGM neutral fraction of x
H i
 ∼ 0.4–0.6 (assuming Lyα velocity offsets of 100–200 km s−1). The changing shape of the Lyα LF between z ≲ 6.6 and z = 6.9 supports the hypothesis of ionized bubbles in a patchy reionization at z ∼ 7.
Monstres sauvages ou hybrides psychopompes ?
Authors: Petit Thierry
Published: June 2017

Dans un ouvrage récent ( Monster in der frühgriechischen Kunst: Die Überwindung des Unfassbaren , 2015), Lorenz Winckler-Horaček étudie la figure des « monstres » dans l’art figuré de la Grèce à l’époque archaïque, spécialement à partir de la peinture de vases corinthienne, dont il prend en compte toute la production. Il entend démontrer que ces hybrides sont les symboles du « monde du “dehors” » ou monde animal. L’analyse échoue cependant à convaincre, pour plusieurs raisons qui sont successivement développées. En particulier, on regrettera que l’interprétation eschatologique, naguère défendue par plusieurs auteurs, ait été négligée.
À l’Est, rien que du nouveau
Authors: Baverez David
Published: June 2017

Accusée de beaucoup de maux – polluée, corrompue, vieillissante, inégalitaire, inefficace, dictatoriale – par nombre de voix en Occident, si la Chine contemporaine n’est pas exempte de défauts et de handicaps, elle s’invente et se réinvente pourtant un nouveau modèle de société, un nouveau logiciel économique et un nouveau rôle sur l’échiquier mondial. Face à la future et incertaine Amérique de Trump, l’empire du Milieu accélère sa mutation et concocte un cocktail inédit à base d’ingrédients technologiques, économiques, financiers et sociétaux. Autant de raisons pour les Occidentaux de se débarrasser de leurs préjugés pour vraiment comprendre les mutations en cours et à venir de la Chine.
Géopolitique de la transition énergétique
Authors: Charlez Philippe
Published: June 2017

Si la 21 e Conférence sur le Climat de 2015 s’est terminée par un « accord cadre » approuvé à l’unanimité, l’accord est contraignant politiquement mais non juridiquement. Cette prise de conscience collective ne doit pas faire oublier que la transition énergétique se heurte à une hétérogénéité de situations historiques, économiques et géographiques et qu’elle ne repose pas sur le seul objectif environnemental mais aussi sur trois autres piliers : sociétal, politique et économique. Un prix élevé du baril signifie croissance pour les Russes mais stagnation ou récession pour les Européens. Quand l’économie américaine développe ses gaz de schiste et provoque l’effondrement du cours du charbon, ce dernier est absorbé par les pays européens les plus avancés en renouvelables au mépris de la réduction de leurs émissions. Les pays riches dont la croissance est en berne pourront-ils financer au nom du passé la future transition de pays émergents en pleine croissance ? De plus, si un ordre mondial de l’énergie s’avère chimérique, il est tout aussi naïf de croire en la loyauté des États nations. Aussi est-ce dans la construction de Confédérations régionales gérant de façon rationnelle leur destin énergétique que se trouve l’issue d’une transition réussie. À ce titre, la transition doit être traitée et ressentie comme une évolution volontaire et non comme une révolution subie.
Pathologies de l’espace public et agitation fasciste
Authors: Voirol Olivier
Published: June 2017

La présence de mouvements et partis de droite extrême dans la scène politique actuelle incite à revenir sur les recherches de la Théorie critique (de l’école de Francfort) sur l’agitation fasciste et les processus de communication. Les « pathologies de l’espace public » sont le fruit de contradictions objectives non résolues dans la modernité capitaliste. En asséchant l’espace public, son caractère politique et la raison pratique qui s’y déploie, l’agitation fasciste promeut à sa place une communauté fictive annulant tout sujet autonome et faisant de la culture un terreau acclamatif. Ceci permet de resituer l’étude des techniques d’information et de communication, comme des mass media et du journalisme, au sein d’un cadre conceptuel replaçant les activités communicationnelles dans le tissu social, économique et politique ; de là, différentes « leçons » sont tirées de ces recherches de la théorie critique pour analyser l’Internet des droites extrêmes.
Les régions belges face à la crise économique : une recentralisation à distance pour la Wallonie ?
Authors: Cole Alistair , de Visscher Christian
Published: June 2017

La Belgique vit à l’ère du fédéralisme depuis la réforme constitutionnelle de 1970. Ce long processus de fédéralisation résulte d’un « divorce rampant » entre communautés culturelles (française et flamande) et collectivités politiques régionales, auquel on a tenté de mettre fin en accordant à des entités fédérées (régions et communautés) une autonomie assez large dans la gestion des matières qui leur ont été concédées. L’image reçue est celle d’un processus de désagrégation territoriale en continu, fondé sur un processus de divergence, alternant des phases « dures » et « douces », sans réel contrepoids du pouvoir fédéral. Les régions et communautés mènent leurs propres politiques et se concertent peu. Même si les entités fédérées belges ont atteint un niveau élevé d’autonomie, dans le même temps leur marge de manœuvre en termes de choix de politiques publiques s’est singulièrement rétrécie en raison de la crise financière aigüe et du resserrement de la discipline budgétaire. L’avenir s’annonce plus difficile pour les entités de l’espace francophone, pour la Wallonie en particulier.
Investor Protection and Awareness as Essential Pillars of the Post-Crisis Supervisory and Regulatory Agenda—The Way Forward
Authors: Rombouts Annemie
Published: June 2017

La crise financière a ébranlé la confiance du public dans le système financier. Face au constat, entre autres, que des produits complexes aux risques cachés ont pu avoir un impact sur le portefeuille d’investisseurs de détail, le public a aujourd’hui encore du mal à croire que les intermédiaires financiers agiraient dans l’intérêt des investisseurs s’ils n’y voient pas également un intérêt immédiat propre. Le manque de confiance du public dans le système financier constitue une menace pour sa stabilité et son bon fonctionnement. Pour contribuer à restaurer cette confiance, la communauté des régulateurs a élaboré un corps de règles qui ont toutes pour objectif de mieux protéger les épargnants et investisseurs en agissant tant sur la qualité de la demande que sur celle de l’offre de produits d’investissement. Ce corps de règles pose de grands défis tant pour le secteur que pour les superviseurs financiers de l’Union européenne. La présente contribution en esquisse la logique, la nécessaire complémentarité et le potentiel d’évolution d’un point de vue régulatoire. Elle conclut que les mesures sont loin d’avoir atteint leur maturité et donc leur objectif et que la seule voie à emprunter est celle d’un renforcement des pressions mutuelles entre États membres en vue d’atteindre une plus grande convergence vers le haut et une plus grande effectivité du dispositif. Car la sécurité du marché intérieur pour les investisseurs dépend directement de la crédibilité de ses gardiens d’accès.
Les mèmes internet : dynamiques d’énonciations sur le réseau social chinois Sina Weibo
Authors: Renaud Clément
Published: June 2017

À l’origine concept pseudo-scientifique peu convaincant, le mème a aujourd’hui trouvé un sens nouveau dans la culture populaire en décrivant les contenus souvent comiques qui se diffusent rapidement sur la Toile. En nous appuyant sur un jeu de données extrait du réseau social chinois Sina Weibo , nous visualisons les structures lexicales (sémantiques), sociales (conversationnelles) et spatiotemporelles des échanges autour de deux mèmes Internet choisis parmi un ensemble de résultats. Les figures produites présentent des structures formelles proches des formes traditionnelles du jeu de mots, procédant d’une énonciation plutôt spontanée de groupes parfois distants. Nous concluons en proposant que l’étude des mèmes Internet comme éléments culturels doit s’apparenter davantage à une étude folklorique ou rhétorique, plutôt qu’à la recherche d’une culture proprement numérique du langage.
Contextos cerámicos emirales del yacimiento de Carranque (Toledo)
Authors: García-Entero Virginia , Peña Cervantes Yolanda , Zarco Martínez Eva , Aranda González Raúl
Published: June 2017

Los trabajos de excavación arqueológica desarrollados en el yacimiento de Santa María de Abajo (Carranque, Toledo) entre 2009 y 2011, centrados en el espacio ocupado por el palacio tardorromano, nos han permitido conocer una larga secuencia ocupacional desarrollada entre época romana y los primeros años del siglo XX. En el presente trabajo presentamos el estudio de los contextos cerámicos asociados a los niveles emirales.
Producción de cerámicas griegas arcaicas en Huelva
Authors: González de Canales Cerisola Fernando , Llompart Gómez Jorge
Published: June 2017

A fines de la década de los 80 del siglo pasado fue diferenciado en Huelva un conjunto de cerámicas griegas arcaicas caracterizadas por una pasta de coloración verdosa amarillenta. La procedencia de estas cerámicas, desconocidas hasta la fecha en otros yacimientos, había permanecido sin determinar. El presente trabajo demuestra una producción in situ fundamentada en la exclusividad de la localización, las particularidades formales y decorativas de los tipos documentados, las anomalías malformativas de un ejemplar anfórico y, definitivamente, los resultados de los análisis de arcillas mediante difracción de rayos X y activación neutrónica. El primer método evidenció la formación durante la cocción de fases cristalinas compatibles con la composición de los materiales arcillosos ricos en carbonatos de los depósitos locales; el segundo, una estrecha similitud entre la composición química de las cerámicas y dichas arcillas locales. Un hallazgo particularmente llamativo lo constituye la detección de oro y plata en las pastas cerámicas. Las mismas determinaciones analíticas en dos muestras de otro grupo mal delimitado de cerámicas griegas arcaicas, caracterizadas por pastas de coloraciones variables entre anaranjadas, rojizas y amarillentas, engobes rojizos y escasa calidad, señalan que una parte de estas cerámicas, o quizás la mayoría, también fueron producidas localmente.
Les appelés de la guerre d’Algérie (1954-1962) dans les fonds de la division des témoignages oraux (DTO) du service historique de la Défense (SHD)
Authors: Choron Romain
Published: June 2017

Le service historique de la Défense est le fruit de la fusion, en 2005, des quatre services historiques des armées (Air, Terre, Marine, Gendarmerie). Ces services qui traitaient essentiellement les archives écrites possédaient également des cellules d’histoire orale créées à l’initiative de la hiérarchie militaire entre 1974 et la seconde moitié des années 1990. L’histoire et les enjeux de ces cellules d’histoire orale des services historiques des différentes armées ont fait l’objet de différentes études universitaires, notamment sous la direction de Florence Descamps. La cellule d’histoire orale du Service historique de l’armée de l’Air était la plus ancienne, la collecte de témoignages oraux ayant commencé dès 1974. L’ancienneté de cette pratique fait du ministère de la Défense un des plus gros producteurs et conservateurs de corpus oraux à caractère historique.
An Extension to the Delone and Mclean Information Systems Success Model and Validation in the Internet Banking Context
Authors: Jagannathan Veeraraghavan , Balasubramanian Senthilarasu , Natarajan Thamaraiselvan
Published: June 2017

The modern internet era opened a plethora of opportunities for doing business online. Internet banking (IB) is one such innovation which made greater strides from the humble beginnings in the mid 1990s. It is important for Bank practitioners to know what are the factors contributing to the success of new technology by customers to enable them better placed in the competitive segment. This study proposes an extension to the Delone and Mclean IS Success model to evaluate Information Systems(IS) success in the context of internet banking, with a security as a new dimension. Data collected from 312 respondents. The results found that security is a key factor for IB success. Furthermore, the study found that the dimension system quality has not had any substantial effect on IB user satisfaction, however, security and information quality if found to influence user satisfaction. Based on the findings, some implications for research and practice were prescribed, in addition to directions for future researchers of IS success in the IB context.
Noise Trader
Authors: Cheng Po-Keng
Published: June 2017

This paper briefly reviews the literature on the topics of noise traders in the financial market. We cover the no-trade theorem under complete and competitive markets in the 1980s, the noise trader approach to finance in the 1990s, and recent studies from several approaches related to noise traders, such as heterogeneous agent models, investor sentiment, retail investors, experimental analysis, and extrapolation. Understanding and tackling the issues resulted from noise traders would be essential for us to realize how financial and economic markets work.
Safeguarding of ATM
Authors: Srinivasan Srividhya , Krishnamoorthy Priya , Koteeswaran Raghuraman
Published: June 2017

Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is a kiosk that is being used widely for money transaction across the globe. Several banking sectors have showed interest in deploying ATM. The cash dispenser system manages the transaction services with less manual effort. When it comes to deploy an ATM, two methods are being under practice: Onsite ATM and Offsite ATM. Safeguarding cash kept inside the ATM is a challengeable one. Researchers suggested several built-in security measures to secure the money in ATM. Nevertheless, the burglars handle new techniques to loot the money. Some widely used looting methods include Card Skimming, Cash Trapping and Phishing etc. One amongst is the physical attack to it by using explosives and tools to break a standalone ATM at highways. So, it is time, to give intelligence for the ATM itself to react to the situation. Proposed is a system that implements the idea of making machine to identify the situation and performs the action accordingly. This mechanism is not only about giving intelligence to it, but also a cost effective one.
Moving Object Detection and Tracking Based on the Contour Extraction and Centroid Representation
Authors: M Naveenkumar , V. Sriharsha K. , A Vadivel
Published: June 2017

This chapter presents a novel approach for moving object detection and tracking based on the Contour Extraction and Centroid Representation (CECR). Firstly, two consecutive frames are read from the video and they are converted into gray scale. Next, the absolute difference is calculated between them and the result frame is converted into binary by applying gray threshold technique. The binary frame is segmented using contour extraction algorithm. The centroid representation is used for motion tracking. In the second stage of experiment, initially object is detected by using CECR and motion of each track is estimated by kalman filter. Experimental results show that the proposed method can robustly detect and track the moving object.
Swarm Intelligence for Multi-Objective Optimization in Engineering Design
Authors: Manne Janga Reddy
Published: June 2017

Most of the engineering design problems are intrinsically complex and difficult to solve, because of diverse solution search space, complex functions, continuous and discrete nature of decision variables, multiple objectives and hard constraints. Swarm intelligence (SI) algorithms are becoming popular in dealing with these kind of complexities. The SI algorithms being population based random search techniques, use heuristics inspired from nature to enable effective exploration of optimal solutions to complex engineering problems. The SI algorithms derived based on principles of co-operative group intelligence and collective behavior of self-organized systems. This chapter presents key principles of multi-optimization, and swarm optimization for solving multi-objective engineering design problems with illustration through few examples.
Trust and Decision Making in Turing's Imitation Game
Authors: Shah Huma , Warwick Kevin
Published: June 2017

Trust is an expected certainty in order to transact confidently. However, how accurate is our decision-making in human-machine interaction? In this chapter we present evidence from experimental conditions in which human interrogators used their judgement of what constitutes a satisfactory response trusting a hidden interlocutor was human when it was actually a machine. A simultaneous comparison Turing test is presented with conversation between a human judge and two hidden entities during Turing100 at Bletchley Park, UK. Results of post-test conversational analysis by the audience at Turing Education Day show more than 30% made the same identification errors as the Turing test judge. Trust is found to be misplaced in subjective certainty that could lead to susceptibility to deception in cyberspace.
A Disability-Aware Mentality to Information Systems Design and Development
Authors: Nganji Julius T.
Published: June 2017

With the proliferation of information technology devices also comes a massive increase in the number of information systems that are developed to meet the demands of users. By default, designers and developers of information systems tend to design for users without disabilities. The consequences for people with disabilities are enormous. This chapter aims to propose a disability-aware approach to information systems design that advocates that stakeholders consider the needs of people with disabilities throughout development. This aim is achieved by reviewing some of the difficulties encountered by people with disabilities when interacting with information systems, proposing a disability-aware approach and examining how this could be practically implemented through e-learning design. The recommendations from 48 students with disabilities from two universities in the United Kingdom and Canada are presented. The chapter also looks at possible future research for those interested in pursuing such approach.
How Visualisation and Interaction Can Optimize the Cognitive Processes Towards Big Data
Authors: Feraco Antonio , Erdt Marius
Published: June 2017

In recent decades, large amounts of data became essential parts of daily work and life such that the rise of Big Data movements was inevitable. However, is everybody able to see what the data really means? Is everybody able to extrapolate the right information from the jungle? Maybe yes, but most probably no if he or she is not an expert. In parallel, the spread of interactive devices, stationary and mobile, has the potential to improve and ease information retrieval processes. On top of both developments, Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and of Visualization have a great impact on the cognitive process to understand and interpret big data. In this respect, a new method for gathering data via easy to use interfaces and intuitive visualization is presented. This chapter also presents an example of how interaction with the new devices enhances the cognitive processes of memorizing the information.