bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Segmentation and Shape Analysis of Macrophages Using Anglegram Analysis
Authors: Solís-Lemus José , Stramer Brian , Slabaugh Greg , Reyes-Aldasoro Constantino
Published: December 2017

Cell migration is crucial in many processes of development and maintenance of multicellular organisms and it can also be related to disease, e.g., Cancer metastasis, when cells migrate to organs different to where they originate. A precise analysis of the cell shapes in biological studies could lead to insights about migration. However, in some cases, the interaction and overlap of cells can complicate the detection and interpretation of their shapes. This paper describes an algorithm to segment and analyse the shape of macrophages in fluorescent microscopy image sequences, and compares the segmentation of overlapping cells through different algorithms. A novel 2D matrix with multiscale angle variation, called the anglegram, based on the angles between points of the boundary of an object, is used for this purpose. The anglegram is used to find junctions of cells and applied in two different applications: (i) segmentation of overlapping cells and for non-overlapping cells; (ii) detection of the “corners” or pointy edges in the shapes. The functionalities of the anglegram were tested and validated with synthetic data and on fluorescently labelled macrophages observed on embryos of Drosophila melanogaster. The information that can be extracted from the anglegram shows a good promise for shape determination and analysis, whether this involves overlapping or non-overlapping objects.
Texture Based Quality Analysis of Simulated Synthetic Ultrasound Images Using Local Binary Patterns
Authors: Singh Prerna , Mukundan Ramakrishnan , De Ryke Rex
Published: December 2017

Speckle noise reduction is an important area of research in the field of ultrasound image processing. Several algorithms for speckle noise characterization and analysis have been recently proposed in the area. Synthetic ultrasound images can play a key role in noise evaluation methods as they can be used to generate a variety of speckle noise models under different interpolation and sampling schemes, and can also provide valuable ground truth data for estimating the accuracy of the chosen methods. However, not much work has been done in the area of modeling synthetic ultrasound images, and in simulating speckle noise generation to get images that are as close as possible to real ultrasound images. An important aspect of simulated synthetic ultrasound images is the requirement for extensive quality assessment for ensuring that they have the texture characteristics and gray-tone features of real images. This paper presents texture feature analysis of synthetic ultrasound images using local binary patterns (LBP) and demonstrates the usefulness of a set of LBP features for image quality assessment. Experimental results presented in the paper clearly show how these features could provide an accurate quality metric that correlates very well with subjective evaluations performed by clinical experts.
The CWI Pathway: Regulation of the Transcriptional Adaptive Response to Cell Wall Stress in Yeast
Authors: Sanz Ana , García Raúl , Rodríguez-Peña José , Arroyo Javier
Published: December 2017

Fungi are surrounded by an essential structure, the cell wall, which not only confers cell shape but also protects cells from environmental stress. As a consequence, yeast cells growing under cell wall damage conditions elicit rescue mechanisms to provide maintenance of cellular integrity and fungal survival. Through transcriptional reprogramming, yeast modulate the expression of genes important for cell wall biogenesis and remodeling, metabolism and energy generation, morphogenesis, signal transduction and stress. The yeast cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway, which is very well conserved in other fungi, is the key pathway for the regulation of this adaptive response. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the yeast transcriptional program elicited to counterbalance cell wall stress situations, the role of the CWI pathway in the regulation of this program and the importance of the transcriptional input received by other pathways. Modulation of this adaptive response through the CWI pathway by positive and negative transcriptional feedbacks is also discussed. Since all these regulatory mechanisms are well conserved in pathogenic fungi, improving our knowledge about them will have an impact in the developing of new antifungal therapies.
The Burr X Pareto Distribution: Properties, Applications and VaR Estimation
Authors: Korkmaz Mustafa , Altun Emrah , Yousof Haitham , Afify Ahmed , Nadarajah Saralees
Published: December 2017

In this paper, a new three-parameter Pareto distribution is introduced and studied. We discuss various mathematical and statistical properties of the new model. Some estimation methods of the model parameters are performed. Moreover, the peaks-over-threshold method is used to estimate Value-at-Risk (VaR) by means of the proposed distribution. We compare the distribution with a few other models to show its versatility in modelling data with heavy tails. VaR estimation with the Burr X Pareto distribution is presented using time series data, and the new model could be considered as an alternative VaR model against the generalized Pareto model for financial institutions.
Introducing the Special Issue: Clausal and Nominal Complements in Monolingual and Bilingual Grammars
Authors: Shim Ji , Ihsane Tabea , Parafita Couto M.
Published: December 2017

To introduce this Special Issue entitled Clausal and Nominal Complements in Monolingual and Bilingual Grammars, we begin by explaining what originally motivated this Special Issue [...]
The Effects of Code-Switching and Lexical Stress on Vowel Quality and Duration of Heritage Speakers of Spanish
Authors: Elias Vanessa , McKinnon Sean , Milla-Muñoz Ángel
Published: December 2017

The quantity of research on Heritage Speakers (HS) of Spanish phonetics has increased over the last decade, including studies on the possible effect of code-switching on Spanish phonetics. Following this line of research, the present study investigates the role of code-switching and lexical stress on Spanish HS vowel production, specifically if the introduction of English reduces the vowel quality and duration of Spanish vowels after a code-switch. Eleven Spanish HSs participated in a controlled narration task in which they were asked to read aloud texts that code-switched between English and Spanish and one text that only contained Spanish. PRAAT was used to segment the vowels and the F1 and F2 values, along with duration, were extracted. The results show that both code-switching and lexical stress significantly affect Spanish HS vowels. Code-switching and vowels in unstressed position were more centralized than the vowels in the monolingual Spanish session and vowels in stressed position, respectively; unstressed vowels were also shorter in duration than stressed vowels. These results show that the introduction of English—a language in which vowel quality and duration change between unstressed and stressed syllables—via code-switching significantly affects Spanish HS vowels, subsequently providing evidence for transient interference.
Calcium-Dependent Interaction Occurs between Slow Skeletal Myosin Binding Protein C and Calmodulin
Authors: Springer Tzvia , Johns Christian , Cable Jana , Lin Brian , Sadayappan Sakthivel , Finley Natosha
Published: December 2017

Myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) is a multi-domain protein that participates in the regulation of muscle contraction through dynamic interactions with actin and myosin. Three primary isoforms of MyBP-C exist: cardiac (cMyBP-C), fast skeletal (fsMyBP-C), and slow skeletal (ssMyBP-C). The N-terminal region of cMyBP-C contains the M-motif, a three-helix bundle that binds Ca2+-loaded calmodulin (CaM), but less is known about N-terminal ssMyBP-C and fsMyBP-C. Here, we characterized the conformation of a recombinant N-terminal fragment of ssMyBP-C (ssC1C2) using differential scanning fluorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular modeling. Our studies revealed that ssC1C2 has altered thermal stability in the presence and absence of CaM. We observed that site-specific interaction between CaM and the M-motif of ssC1C2 occurs in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Molecular modeling supported that the M-motif of ssC1C2 likely adopts a three-helix bundle fold comparable to cMyBP-C. Our study provides evidence that ssMyBP-C has overlapping structural determinants, in common with the cardiac isoform, which are important in controlling protein–protein interactions. We shed light on the differential molecular regulation of contractility that exists between skeletal and cardiac muscle.
The α → ω Transformation in Titanium-Cobalt Alloys under High-Pressure Torsion
Authors: Kilmametov Askar , Ivanisenko Yulia , Straumal Boris , Gornakova Alena , Mazilkin Andrey , Hahn Horst
Published: December 2017

The pressure influence on the α → ω transformation in Ti–Co alloys has been studied during high pressure torsion (HPT). The α → ω allotropic transformation takes place at high pressures in titanium, zirconium and hafnium as well as in their alloys. The transition pressure, the ability of high pressure ω-phase to retain after pressure release, and the pressure interval where α and ω phases coexist depend on the conditions of high-pressure treatment. During HPT in Bridgeman anvils, the high pressure is combined with shear strain. The presence of shear strain as well as Co addition to Ti decreases the onset of the α → ω transition from 10.5 GPa (under quasi-hydrostatic conditions) to about 3.5 GPa. The portion of ω-phase after HPT at 7 GPa increases in the following sequence: pure Ti → Ti–2 wt % Co → Ti–4 wt % Co → Ti–4 wt % Fe.
Magnetic Investigations of Steel Degradation Using a Magnetic Hysteresis Scaling Technique
Authors: Kobayashi Satoru , Miura Kodai , Narita Yuki , Takahashi Seiki
Published: December 2017

We report the results of magnetic measurements on austenitic stainless steels and duplex stainless steels using a magnetic hysteresis scaling technique. Unlike saturation hysteresis loops, this scaling technique, which uses a set of minor hysteresis loops, can be used in low measurement fields. We show that there is a universal scaling power law between minor-loop parameters, which is independent from the level of deformation. The behavior of a coefficient deduced from the scaling law was explained from the viewpoint of the morphology of a ferromagnetic phase.
Over a Decade of recA and tly Gene Sequence Typing of the Skin Bacterium Propionibacterium acnes: What Have We Learnt?
Authors: McDowell Andrew
Published: December 2017

The Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium Propionibacterium acnes forms part of the normal microbiota on human skin and mucosal surfaces. While normally associated with skin health, P. acnes is also an opportunistic pathogen linked with a range of human infections and clinical conditions. Over the last decade, our knowledge of the intraspecies phylogenetics and taxonomy of this bacterium has increased tremendously due to the introduction of DNA typing schemes based on single and multiple gene loci, as well as whole genomes. Furthermore, this work has led to the identification of specific lineages associated with skin health and human disease. In this review we will look back at the introduction of DNA sequence typing of P. acnes based on recA and tly loci, and then describe how these methods provided a basic understanding of the population genetic structure of the bacterium, and even helped characterize the grapevine-associated lineage of P. acnes, known as P. acnes type Zappe, which appears to have undergone a host switch from humans-to-plants. Particular limitations of recA and tly sequence typing will also be presented, as well as a detailed discussion of more recent, higher resolution, DNA-based methods to type P. acnes and investigate its evolutionary history in greater detail.
Cytotoxicity of the Defensive Secretion from the Medicinal Insect Blaps rynchopetera
Authors: Xiao Huai , Dong Jian-Wei , Zhou Di-Jiao , Wu Xiu-Mei , Luo Jian-Rong , Zhang Cheng-Gui , Guo Na-Na , Li Yue , Cai Le , Ding Zhong-Tao
Published: December 2017

Blaps rynchopetera Fairmaire has long been used as a folk medicine by the Yi and Bai ethnic groups in China to treat fever, cough, gastritis, boils, and tumors. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of the defensive secretion (TDS) of B. rynchopetera against AGS Caco-2, HepG2 U251 and Bel-7402 was tested, and the results revealed that TDS had potent cytotoxicity against testing cells with IC50 values of 45.8, 17.4, 53.6, 98.4 and 23.4 μg/mL, respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was employed to clarify the cytotoxic constituents in TDS of B. rynchopetera and five volatile compounds, including 2-ethyl-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione (3, 31.00%), 1-tridecene (5, 28.02%), 2-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione (2, 22.86%), hydroquinone (4, 1.33%), and p-benzoquinone (1, 1.01%), were identified. Chemical constituent investigation on TDS further supported the presence of 5 above compounds. A cytotoxic assay indicated that compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the testing cell lines, implying that benzoquinones and hydroquinone played important roles in the cytotoxicity of TDS of B. rynchopetera. TDS is a cytotoxic natural material and further studies investigating mechanisms and inhibitory activities on other cell lines is warranted.
WATERSHED ROAD NETWORK ANALYSIS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FIRE FIGHTING MANAGEMENT
Authors: MOSTAFA Mohsen , SHATAEE JOUIBARY Shaban , LOTFALIAN Majid , SADODDIN Amir
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study is fire hazard zoning the Chehel-Chay watershed and analysis of road network in order to fire-fighting management. Using effective factors on fire occurrence, the fire hazard map of the study area produced by support vector machine algorithm and then was divided into four hazard classes. The road length and type were investigated in the each fire hazard classes. The results showed that most of occurred fires are located in the close distances of roads and forest areas. The results showed that road types and land cover are important in fire occurrences and suppression. In high dangerous zone, the roads pass through forestlands, but in low dangerous zone, the roads are passing from farmlands. The roads do not cover the half of area and do not pass at two third of high hazard class zones. Therefore, appreciate road network planning is necessary according to fire-fighting management.
EFFECT OF STRESS PATH, SIZE AND SHAPE ON THE OPTIMUM PARAMETERS OF A BRITTLE-DUCTILE CONCRETE MODEL
Authors: LABIBZADEH Mojtaba , HAMIDI Reza
Published: December 2017

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the stress path, size and shape of the specimen, on the optimum values of the plastic input parameters of Concrete Damaged Plasticity-CDP- model of the ABAQUS software. This study concentrates on eccentricity, dilatation angle and viscosity input parameters. To finding optimum values of the mentioned parameters, an objective function which estimates the error of the model predictions was defined and tried to minimize. For evaluating the effect of the stress path on this optimization procedure, four different standard tests were simulated by the ABAQUS software: uniaxial compression, dual compression, dual-border cut specimen and three-point bending tests. For studying the effect of the size of the specimen, the three-point bending test, with three different sizes of the beam were modeled in the ABAQUS software. Furthermore, for investigating the effect of the specimen shape on the input parameters, a notched disk in a tensile stress field was modeled. Obtained results demonstrated that the path of the stress can influence significantly on the optimum values of the input parameters, while it was revealed that the CDP model can automatically take into account the size and shape effects in the simulation.
MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ANCIENT PORTUGUESE RIVETED BRIDGES STEELS
Authors: RAPOSO Patrícia , CORREIA José , LESIUK Grzegorz , VALENTE Isabel , DE JESUS Abílio , CALÇADA Rui
Published: December 2017

In repairing and retrofitting processes of ancient riveted steel bridges is crucial to assess the structural state of old metals to guaranty structural safety. Metals under long-time operations (mild, rimmed low carbon steels <0.1% C, puddle irons) and cyclic loading present a tendency for degradation processes. The case-studies of this work are five metallic bridges existing in Portugal (Luiz I, Eiffel, Fao, Pinhao and Trezoi). This work presents the study of some characteristics of materials extracted from the five case-studies, such as: monotonic tensile strength, chemical composition, microstructures, hardness, notch toughness and fatigue crack propagation. In terms of monotonic tensile tests, the materials from Luiz I, Eiffel and Fao bridges are similar to puddle steel and the materials from Pinhao and Trezoi bridges are similar to mild steel. In terms of toughness only the material from the Pinhao bridge exhibits acceptable toughness properties, considering current design requirements. The materials from the other bridges exhibit relatively low toughness properties. The fatigue crack propagation data from the old Portuguese riveted steel bridges were correlated using the Paris’s law and the possibility for a design crack growth rate was discussed.
IDENTIFICATION OF CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE COMPANIES / KŪRYBIŠKŲ IR INOVATYVIŲ BENDROVIŲ IDENTIFIKAVIMAS
Authors: FORMÁNEK Ivo , KRAJČÍK Vladimír
Published: December 2017

University of Entrepreneurship and Law in Czech Republic has long time been dedicated to the research which relate to the identification of creative and innovative companies. These companies are characterized by a creative and innovative approach to their own companies and their products. The paper presents among others authors’ experience which they have come within the research project of “Model of Creative and Innovative Organizations and Its Verification in Conditions of the Moravian-Silesian Region”. An integral part of the research project was also a questionnaire for data collection and an analytical tool for the data analysis. This project was realized in 2014 and it followed up the several earlier research works concerning the identification of creative and also innovative companies in the Moravian-Silesian Region. Currently, the authors have been still improving the methods of identification of creative and innovative companies. The paper submits some of our practical experience.
First Detection of Interstellar S2H
Authors: Fuente Asunción , Goicoechea Javier R. , Pety Jérôme , Le Gal Romane , Martín-Doménech Rafael , Gratier Pierre , Guzmán Viviana , Roueff Evelyne , Loison Jean Christophe , Muñoz Caro Guillermo M. , Wakelam Valentine , Gerin Maryvonne , Riviere-Marichalar Pablo , Vidal Thomas
Published: December 2017

We present the first detection of gas-phase S2H in the Horsehead, a moderately UV-irradiated nebula. This confirms the presence of doubly sulfuretted species in the interstellar medium and opens a new challenge for sulfur chemistry. The observed S2H abundance is ∼5 × 10−11, only a factor of 4–6 lower than that of the widespread H2S molecule. H2S and S2H are efficiently formed on the UV-irradiated icy grain mantles. We performed ice irradiation experiments to determine the H2S and S2H photodesorption yields. The obtained values are ∼1.2 × 10−3 and <1 × 10−5 molecules per incident photon for H2S and S2H, respectively. Our upper limit to the S2H photodesorption yield suggests that photodesorption is not a competitive mechanism to release the S2H molecules to the gas phase. Other desorption mechanisms such as chemical desorption, cosmic-ray desorption, and grain shattering can increase the gaseous S2H abundance to some extent. Alternatively, S2H can be formed via gas-phase reactions involving gaseous H2S and the abundant ions S+ and SH+. The detection of S2H in this nebula therefore could be the result of the coexistence of an active grain-surface chemistry and gaseous photochemistry.
ALMA Detection of Interstellar Methoxymethanol (CH3OCH2OH)
Authors: McGuire Brett A. , Shingledecker Christopher N. , Willis Eric R. , Burkhardt Andrew M. , El-Abd Samer , Motiyenko Roman A. , Brogan Crystal L. , Hunter Todd R. , Margulès Laurent , Guillemin Jean-Claude , Garrod Robin T. , Herbst Eric , Remijan Anthony J.
Published: December 2017

We report the detection of interstellar methoxymethanol (CH3OCH2OH) in Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Bands 6 and 7 toward the MM1 core in the high-mass star-forming region NGC 6334I at ∼0.″1–1″ spatial resolution. A column density of 4(2) × 1018 cm−2 at T
ex = 200 K is derived toward MM1, ∼34 times less abundant than methanol (CH3OH), and significantly higher than predicted by astrochemical models. Probable formation and destruction pathways are discussed, primarily through the reaction of the CH3OH photodissociation products, the methoxy (CH3O) and hydroxymethyl (CH2OH) radicals. Finally, we comment on the implications of these mechanisms on gas-phase versus grain-surface routes operative in the region, and the possibility of electron-induced dissociation of CH3OH rather than photodissociation.
Sur un couvercle de Lékanis à figures rouges du musée archéologique de Naples : attribution et nouvelle interprétation iconographique
Authors: Le Bars‑Tosi Florence
Published: December 2017

Réputé attique, le couvercle de lékanis conservé au Musée archéologique de Naples (H 2635) se rattache en réalité à la production des premiers ateliers à figures rouges de Métaponte. L’analyse d’archives inédites a permis de replacer la découverte de ce couvercle à Locres en 1813, dans une zone proche d’un des principaux sanctuaires. L’iconographie, jusqu’ici incomprise, peut alors s’expliquer en référence aux cultes principaux de la cité. Cet exemple inédit et particulièrement riche permet de comprendre le passage entre la phase d’importation de céramique attique et le début des productions italiotes à figures rouges. Il montre également comment, en réunissant un faisceau de preuves, de nouvelles informations sur la provenance peuvent éclairer une iconographie restée jusque‑là obscure.
Entrer en résistance comme en convalescence pour gagner sa part d’éternité
Authors: Delapalme Flore
Published: December 2017

La tentation fut grande pour Jung sa vie durant de passer de l’autre côté des choses, fasciné qu’il était par leur dimension d’éternité, et d’y rester. La résistance acharnée pour s’engager dans la vie sur terre a débuté quand, à dix ans, « une initiative incompréhensible » lui fait sculpter un petit bonhomme en bois. Ce minuscule objet d’art, image et produit de son génie personnel, opposé à la tentation de rejoindre l’Éternité avant l’heure, contenait le secret d’une destinée à accomplir, sa part d’éternité à révéler et réaliser dans la vie de tous les jours. Chacun a en soi un génie particulier, attenant à sa part d’éternité, attendant d’être mis à jour et de révéler le secret de sa composition et notre destinée. Une façon de mettre la main sur cet ensemble est d’entrer régulièrement en convalescence pour piocher dans ce qui appartient en propre, jusqu’à en exprimer l’âme.
À propos d’Opicino de Canestris et d’un séminaire inconnu de C.G. Jung
Authors: Alizon Jean-François
Published: December 2017

Opicino de Canestris était clerc à la cour papale d’Avignon au début du XIV e siècle. À la suite d’un épisode psychotique survenu à l’âge de 38 ans, il a dessiné sur de grands parchemins des figures impressionnantes, remplies d’annotations. Le séminaire que Jung a consacré à ce clerc à Eranos en 1943 a été découvert tout récemment. Jung y démontre, par une rapide analyse des images, que le clerc était schizophrène, clivé entre les exigences de son état et ses pulsions. Or la lecture attentive des textes d’Opicino et de ses rêves semble montrer qu’il a pu surmonter son complexe mère, se confronter avec son ombre, et retrouver lentement une forme d’équilibre grâce à la puissance du processus symbolique, qui consiste selon Jung « à vivre dans l’image et à vivre l’image ». L’article comprend aussi un résumé du séminaire de Jung, qui propose une réflexion originale sur l’origine de la conscience moderne à partir du thème des cultes solaires.
Le commun peut-il tenir dans un porc ? Conflits ordinaires autour de la propriété des biens des âmes en Espagne au XVIII e siècle
Authors: Glesener Thomas
Published: December 2017

Le « porc des âmes » est une pratique répandue dans toute l’Europe méridionale d’Ancien Régime qui consiste à nourrir collectivement un porc avant de le mettre en loterie pour appliquer son produit à des messes en la mémoire des morts. Les études ethnographiques qui ont été menées à partir des survivances contemporaines de ce phénomène ont placé celui-ci du côté des croyances religieuses, des rites communautaires et du syncrétisme entre religion populaire et christianisme. À partir d’un petit nombre de procès conservés dans les archives de la Navarre espagnole, cet article prétend prendre le contre-pied de cette lecture en cherchant à mettre en valeur la dimension politique de cette pratique. Il apparaît que la question de la propriété du porc, en tant que bien consacré aux âmes et donc réputé inaliénable, se trouve au cœur de conflits opposant les curés de paroisse aux magistratures locales. Loin d’être une pratique irénique, le porc des âmes cristallise un rapport de force entre des acteurs locaux qui cherchent à construire leur autorité sur la communauté en démontrant leur légitimité à administrer les biens destinés aux défunts. En étudiant les revendications de propriété des différents acteurs, cet article analyse les modalités selon lesquelles, dans les communautés rurales d’Ancien Régime, les notions de « public », de « sacré » et de « commun » ont pu entrer en concurrence. Selon le statut assigné au porc, ce sont des conceptions différentes de la localité, de son territoire et de l’appartenance à la communauté qui se confrontent.
Les ambivalences du commun : le politique entre la communauté nationale et la communauté locale (diocèse de Nantes, 1790-1792)
Authors: Cohen Déborah
Published: December 2017

Le terme de « politique » est un label qui est aussi un enjeu des luttes : les épisodes de la Révolution française, et en particulier celui de l’insurrection vendéenne ont été, plus que d’autres peut-être, les objets d’une telle lutte ; les uns faisant des Vendéens les parangons de la contre-révolution politique, les autres ne voyant dans leur mouvement qu’une résistance de brutes primitives et locales. Par une approche ethno-historique qui observe de près les acteurs en amont des moments les plus intenses du conflit, l’article montre que ces labellisations apparemment contradictoires ne sont possibles que parce qu’elles ont un même enjeu en partage, celui des formes du vivre en commun. C’est l’ambivalence de ce commun qui permet de l’exprimer sous des modalités affrontées et incompatibles – spécifiques et universalisantes dans un cas, indigènes ou populaires et locales dans l’autre. Ces dernières formes pourront par ailleurs connaître des trajectoires de spécification, témoignant paradoxalement de la victoire conceptuelle des révolutionnaires et de leur définition du politique.
La aceptación pública de las aplicaciones de las Pilas de Combustible de Hidrógeno en Europa
Authors: Oltra Christian , Dütschke Elisabeth , Sala Roser , Schneider Uta , Upham Paul
Published: December 2017

Cada vez hay más conciencia entre los responsables políticos y la industria de que la “aceptación social” es un tema clave en el despliegue de tecnologías e infraestructuras energéticas de baja emisión de carbono en Europa. El desarrollo de las tecnologías de pilas de combustible de hidrógeno (HFC) implica aplicaciones a pequeña escala en el sector residencial y del transporte, así como infraestructuras de gran escala, cuya incorporación socio-técnica estará influenciada por el público y las partes interesadas. Investigaciones anteriores sobre la aceptación pública han trabajado sobre las percepciones públicas de las HFC en países específicos. Aquí presentamos datos de encuesta a escala multinacional, utilizando un enfoque socio-psicológico multivariado. Nos centramos particularmente en las diferencias entre países en cuanto al autoconocimiento y familiaridad, la actitud global y el apoyo en relación con las aplicaciones de HFC móviles y residenciales. Nuestros datos muestran que menos de la mitad de la población en los siete países son conscientes de la existencia de tecnologías de hidrógeno y pilas de combustible en el contexto de la producción de energía. El nivel de familiaridad con ambas aplicaciones es bajo, y menos del 10% de los encuestados se consideran familiarizados con estas aplicaciones. En general, los encuestados de los siete países tienen una actitud inicial positiva hacia las tecnologías HFC y es probable que acepten y apoyen la adopción de pilas de combustible residenciales y HFCEVs. Las siete poblaciones estudiadas son similares en sus actitudes hacia las tecnologías de HFC, pero hay pequeñas diferencias en la conciencia y aceptación de las aplicaciones de HFC entre países. Finalmente encontramos que el efecto positivo y negativo, los beneficios percibidos, la preferencia por las tecnologías alternativas, la confianza y la edad tienen una correlación significativa con la aceptación de las aplicaciones de HFC. Consideramos las implicaciones de estas diferencias para la aceptación pública de las HFC.
El arraigo local en proyectos energéticos comunitarios. Una perspectiva de emprendimiento social
Authors: Vancea Mihaela , Becker Sören , Kunze Conrad
Published: December 2017

Recientemente, han surgido un número creciente de proyectos energéticos comunitarios, que reflejan diversas configuraciones socio-técnicas en el sector energético. Este artículo se basa en un estudio empírico que examina diferentes tipos de proyectos energéticos comunitarios como las cooperativas energéticas, las empresas de servicios públicos y otras iniciativas de orientación empresarial en toda la Unión Europea. Basado en un análisis en profundidad de tres estudios de caso, el artículo tiene como objetivo introducir una perspectiva de emprendimiento social cuando se discute la relación entre el arraigamiento local y los diferentes tipos de organización y propiedad en la energía comunitaria. Los resultados indican que los proyectos energéticos comunitarios pueden expandirse más allá de la escala local sin perder su forma colectiva y democrática de funcionamiento y propiedad. Además, los movimientos sociales pueden actuar como catalizadores de esta expansión más allá de lo local, en busca de una transformación social más amplia. El emprendimiento social puede proporcionar una lente analítica adecuada para evitar la “trampa local” al examinar diferentes formas de organización y propiedad en el sector de la energía renovable, mientras nos permite ahondar aún más en la cuestión de la expansión territorial de estos proyectos.
Usos, resistencias y aceptación de tecnologías energéticas emergentes en el hogar. El caso de la política de recambio de estufas en Temuco, Chile
Authors: Boso Àlex , Ariztía Tomás , Fonseca Francisca
Published: December 2017

En el marco de un creciente interés de la sociología del medioambiente y la energía por estudiar los procesos de transición hacia sistemas energéticos proambientales, este artículo presenta los principales hallazgos empíricos de un estudio de caso que aborda cualitativamente una política de recambio de estufas en la ciudad de Temuco, Chile. El artículo utiliza dos enfoques teóricos complementarios, la Multilevel Perspective (MLP) y la teoría de las prácticas sociales (TPS) para describir la existencia de mecanismos de bloqueo a los procesos de transición sostenible, tanto a nivel institucional como a nivel de las prácticas asociadas al uso de las estufas. El artículo se basa en 23 entrevistas semiestructuradas a actores clave del proceso de recambio y 23 ejercicios de observación participante orientados a describir las prácticas de calefacción de los hogares de Temuco. En base a esta evidencia, el artículo plantea la necesidad de abordar las transiciones energéticas proambientales articulando enfoques teóricos que permitan dar cuenta de las distintas escalas y actores que constituyen este tipo de procesos. Este enfoque puede facilitar una mayor sensibilidad a las distintas dificultades inherentes a los procesos de transición energética.
Energía huilliche. Experimentos en integración y disensos ontológicos en un parque eólico
Authors: Tironi Manuel , Sannazzaro Jorgelina
Published: December 2017

La isla de Chiloé, en el sur de Chile, fue el escenario de un proyecto sin precedentes: el desarrollo de un parque eólico donde la comunidad Huilliche, pueblo ancestral de la zona, sería propietaria del proyecto. Con el sostén del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, el proyecto buscaba apoyar la transición hacia una matriz eléctrica más limpia; pero sobre todo integrar de manera definitiva a los pueblos originarios en la sociedad chilena a través de su participación en empresas económicas de alto valor. Siguiendo la idea de la participación ciudadana como experimentación, en este artículo seguimos etnográficamente el proceso de gestación, desarrollo y posterior fracaso del proyecto. El caso, argumentamos, permite reflexionar sobre los riesgos de agresión cultural a los que están expuestos los experimentos participativos, pero también sobre su capacidad para abrir espacios productivos de especulación identitaria, ética y política. Acuñamos la figura de los “disensos ontológicos” para mostrar las ambivalencias de los experimentos participativos y para debatir sobre el futuro de la implicación de los pueblos originarios en el desarrollo eléctrico chileno.
The Use of an Online Adaptive Learning Platform as an Adjunct to Live Simulated Clinical Encounters
Authors: Tuttle Neil
Published: December 2017

Adaptive learning platforms that individualize each learner's experience according to their input have only recently become widely accessible. This chapter illustrates some of the potential of adaptive learning platforms and describes a case study where this emerging technology has been used with physiotherapy students in a simulated clinical setting. Aspects of patient care scenarios presented with an adaptive learning platform were interleaved with live simulated patient interactions. Evaluation of the projects and the benefits and challenges of using adaptive learning platforms in biomedical education are discussed.
Virtual Microscopy in Haematology and Histopathology Education
Authors: Gopalan Vinod , Santhakumar Abishek B. , Singh Indu
Published: December 2017

Virtual microscopy is a method by which real-time microscopic illustrations get transmitted digitally via computer networks. There is increasing evidence to suggest that virtual microscopy combined with other didactic methods in teaching make significant improvements in student interaction and curiosity in histopathology and haematology teaching. The introduction of virtual microscopy has opened up a big arena in the field of e-learning in histopathology and haematology curriculum. Case studies prove the technological benefits of virtual microscopy in interacting off-campus students and educators. Recent technological advances have improved the use of virtual microscopy and enabled them to complement students learning in class room as well as for routine diagnostics. In this chapter, the authors discuss the significance, usefulness, and limitations of virtual microscopy in education. In addition, the chapter has provided several technical considerations to develop a friendly web-based virtual microscopy tool in teaching.
Electrochemical Techniques as a Tool for Catalysts' Characterization
Authors: Hernández-Romero Ricardo M. , Martínez Yris J.
Published: December 2017

Two recently developed electrochemical techniques are presented as tools for the characterization of solid surfaces with possible catalytic or electrocatalytic capacities. The techniques are the voltammetry of immobilized micro particles (VIMP) and the electrochemical scanning microscopy (SECM). The VIMP is a simple and economical technique that only requires basic electrochemical instrumentation. Higher sophistication is possible with relatively low investments for non-specialized laboratories. The SECM requires more investment and technical advice because it requires a somewhat sophisticated instrumentation not usually found in an electrochemical laboratory. However, associated costs are relatively low compared to other solid surface exploration techniques. The historical development, improvements over time, and some applications for surface characterization are presented for each technique. Finally, some cases of coupling with other techniques allowing the expansion of the capacities for the topographical and reactivity characterization of solid surfaces are briefly presented.
Analyzing Risk Management and Non-Performing Assets in Banks
Authors: Baber Hasnan
Published: December 2017

All financial institutions face risks to some degree. When talking about risk it must be analysed which conditions carries more risk than another. Thus, a bank must evaluate both the return and the risk implanted in the portfolio. Banks must measure the anticipated profit and assess the prudence of the various risks tallied to be sure that the result attains the stated goal of maximizing shareholder value. This study was conducted in HDFC bank in India. The study has used both primary and secondary data. The aim of the chapter was to inspect the different practices followed by the bank to different types of risks which a bank faces when credit is given and how these practices has assisted the bank to drop the consequence of the risk on the effectiveness and operations. The chapter also reveals the contemporary developments in the Non-Performing Asset levels of the bank and how bank has been successful in reducing the pace of NPAs to curtail the load of securitization.
Measuring the Different Facets of Diversity Using Quantitative Methods
Authors: Banerjee Gargi
Published: December 2017

The aim of this chapter is to provide quantitative techniques and guidance for analyzing different problems related to the measurement of diversity and inclusion practices present in organizations. The example of only one dimension of diversity; viz Gender diversity is given in this chapter. However, these Quantitative tools can be used to explore other facets of diversity as well. In this way, this chapter shall seek to provide a basic understanding of how to analyze and study the data collected for research on Diversity and Inclusion practices in organizations.
Driving Employee Engagement Through Data Analytics
Authors: Mohanty Saveeta
Published: December 2017

Employee engagement refers to a condition where the employees are fully engrossed in their work and are emotionally attached to their organization. An “engaged employee” is one who is fully involved in, and enthusiastic about their work, and thus will act in a way that furthers his/her organization's interests and productivity. There is a clear and mounting evidence that employee engagement keenly correlates to corporate performance in areas such as retention, productivity, customer service and loyalty. This timely treatment provides a comprehensive framework, language, and process that genuinely connects People Strategy with Business Strategy. Aimed at HR Professionals and People Managers, this chapter offers a complete, practical resource for understanding, measuring and building engagement with the use of data. Grounded in engagement theory and an understanding of psychology combined with practical tools, techniques and diagnostics this will help professionals make better and more informed decisions across the Engagement, Retention and People Satisfaction space.
Agile-Model-Based Sentiment Analysis From Social Media
Authors: Bhatia Tarandeep Kaur
Published: December 2017

To study state-of-the art associated to Twitter mining replica as well as prognostic analytic by means of Agile Software Engineering. To recognize sentiment analysis by means of agile knowledge. To obtain as well as analysis given repository for classifying sentiments into positive, negative and neutral emotions. Analysing of all the tweets obtained from the twitter keywords as positive, negative or neutral opinions and comparing all the keywords to judge which keyword is better, there is a requirement to improve from the conventional ways of sentiment analysis. This paper emphasizes on the implementation of an algorithm for automatic classification of text into positive, negative or neutral by fetching the live tweets from twitter server by using twitter API. Graphical representation of the sentiment for the purpose of comparison in the form of pie chart and bar graph. Scan the twitter and fetching the Live Tweets from Twitter server using Twitter4J Advance Java Interface and implementing the Stanford NLP Library (Natural Language Parsing) using Advance Java for classifying the tweets into positive, negative and neutral tweets.
Improvement of Railway Transportation System Using IoT Applications and Services
Authors: Kumar Sudesh , Raw Ram Shringar
Published: December 2017

In this chapter, the authors have introduced the use of Internet of Things (IoT) applications and services in Indian Railway Transportation System (IRTS). Railway transportation infrastructure is one of the most important factors for the development of any country. India is a developing country and we have a vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2020 using different technologies and tools. Therefore, we need to adopt smart and secure technology for advancement in each area especially in railway transportation for growth and betterment of the country. Further, authors has introduced Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network (VANET) concept for automatic railway gate controlling system to reduce number of accidents over railway premises and enhance the system components for the Indian railway transportation system to provide the comfort, security, safety and infotainment services to the passengers.
Diabetes Preventive Knowledge Management System for Recommending an Ice Cream to University Grads Based on Their Life Style and Eating Habits
Authors: Mulay Preeti , Joshi Rahul Raghvendra , Laddha Akash Rameshwar
Published: December 2017

Lifestyle and eating habits with the special focus on young university grads are considered to design and develop a Knowledge Management System (KMS). An appropriate ice cream is suggested via KMS to university grads, which keeps blood glucose level in control and acts as a diabetes preventive KMS. Designed KMS is based on effective Data Science (DS), Big Data techniques considering standalone and proposed distributed versions of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Monte Carlo AHP (MC-AHP), Goal Programming (GP), K-Means and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Clustering and Collaborative Filtering (CF). Incremental-learning gains and updates knowledge at each level of applied DS techniques. Developed KMS analyzed ice cream consumption pattern, lifestyle & health condition attributes of university students to promote a novel KM strategy in terms of ice cream recommendation and can give altogether novel trigger to health-conscious students. The confluence of health, students, ice creams and DS is achieved and discussed in this chapter.
Clinical features and prognostic significance of splenic involvement in sarcoidosis
Authors: Tetikkurt Cuneyt , Yanardag Halil , Pehlivan Metin , Bilir Muammer
Published: December 2017

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease characterized by noncasefied granulomas in various organs. Incidence of splenic disease is variable and is reported to occur in 6.7 to 77 percent of the patients. Firm data establishing the clinical features and the association of splenic involvement with prognosis in sarcoidosis is scant. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical features and the consequence of splenic involvement on the prognostic outcome of sarcoidosis patients. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory findings in 82 sarcoidosis patients. Forty-two patients with splenic involvement were compared to 48 sarcoidosis patients without splenic disease in regard to laboratory findings, endobronchial disease, extrapulmonary organ involvement, and prognosis. Lung biopsy sample was considered positive if it demonstrated noncaseating granulomas with negative fungal and mycobacterial cultures. Splenic sarcoidosis was identified by ultrasound or computed tomography and was designated as limited, diffuse or without splenic involvement. Extrapulmonary organ sarcoidosis was classified as extensive and limited. Endobronchial disease was categorized as limited or diffuse involvement. The most commonly comprised organ was lung in 95% of the cases followed by lymph nodes, skin, eye, spleen and liver in the order of frequency. Splenic disease was diffuse in 22 patients. Of these patients, 14 had extensive extrapulmonary organ involvement while 16 had diffuse endobronchial disease. There was no significant difference between the three groups for FEV1, FVC, TLC, DLCO/VA, serum and 24h urinary calcium levels. Serum ACE was higher in patients with diffuse splenic involvement (p<0.001). Incidence of persistent chronic disease was significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with diffuse splenic sarcoidosis. Extensive extrapulmonary organ involvement and diffuse endobronchial disease were more common (p<0.001) in this group. Extensive extrapulmonary organ involvement and diffuse endobronchial disease were more frequent in patients with diffuse splenic sarcoidosis. Patients with diffuse splenic granulomas had a worse prognosis than the patients without splenic involvement or patients with limited splenic disease. Diffuse splenic involvement emerges to be a significant risk factor for persistent chronic sarcoidosis. Extensive granuloma burden in an organ may be the decisive clinical marker for the prognostic outcome of sarcoidosis patients.Â
Direct Printed Metal Devices - The Next Level of Computer-aided Design and Computer-aided Manufacturing Applications in the Orthodontic Care
Authors: Graf Simon
Published: December 2017

As the whole world gets more digital, so do we. This article provides a basic know-how for the CAD/CAM-workflow for metallic orthodontic appliances. Demonstrating step-by-step how to design the appliance on a digital cast and laser-melting (3D metal printing) it, till the final result, without any physical models.
Utilisation de la spectroscopie par courants thermo-stimulés pour la mise en évidence de modifications biophysiques dans les muscles de veau traités par des anabolisants
Authors: Mouthon Gilbert , Lacabanne Colette , Lamure A. , Dandurand J.
Published: December 2017

Les auteurs utilisent la méthode de spectroscopie par courants thermostimulés pour étudier les caractéristiques d’un tissu musculaire (Pectoralis transversus) , issu de veaux témoins ou ayant été traités avec des anabolisants (zéranol et trenbolone en implants).

Les spectres obtenus sur les 20 échantillons témoins et traités (race Frisonne) montrent des différences significatives.

D’autres travaux sont actuellement en cours, afin de pouvoir utiliser ces observations dans la reconnaissance de viandes provenant d’animaux traités aux anabolisants, et identifier l'origine des modifications signalées par cette méthode.
Caractéristiques du sperme chez le taureau de race Borgou
Authors: N'Diaye Mama Adamou , Jondet Raymond , Adjovi Aristide , Bodjrenou Dossou Sylvain J.
Published: December 2017

Une étude préliminaire concernant les principales caractéristiques du sperme chez le taureau de race Borgou (Bénin) a permis d’obtenir les chiffres moyens suivants : volume de l’éjaculat 3,16 ml ; motilité de masse (échelle 0-5) 3,85 ; concentration en spermatozoïdes 0,761 X 109/ml ; nombre de spermatozoïdes, total 2,4 X 109, vivants 1,98 X 109. Un intervalle de 72 h entre les récoltes de sperme semble souhaitable, comparé à un intervalle de 48 h.