bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) in the Treatment of Recurrent Missed Abortion
Authors: Begum Mosammat Rashida , Ehsan Mariya , Ehsan Nazia , Amin Iftekhar , Sharmin Farhana , Chowdhury Ashik Ahmed , Khan Farzana , Santa Mosammat Shahina Begum
Published: November 2016

Objective (s): The aim of this study was to explore the outcome of treatment of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in recurrent missed abortion cases.Method: This prospective observational study was done between January 2005 and July 2014 in Infertility Care and Research Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Two hundred and ten (210) patients who were able to give clear history of missed abortion, who had no endocrine and hypertensive disorders and who conceived spontaneously or after fertility treatment were the target population for this study. After positive pregnancy test all patients started taking oral progesterone (Dydrogesterone 10 mg bd), folic acid and aspirin 75 mg daily. Patients were advised to come for ultrasonography at 6 weeks of pregnancy. After confirming intrauterine viable pregnancy by ultrasonography we started injection enoxaparin (LMWH) 40 mg sc daily to all patients and continued till 34 completed weeks. The primary end point was the live birth rate and secondary end points were the side effects, late pregnancy complications and neonatal outcome in the study population.Results: One hundred and nine (52.39%) patients had antiphospholipid syndrome. Among them antiphospholipid subgroup antibody found in 40.37% cases, ACLA found in 27.52% cases, LA found in 18.34% cases and both ACLA and LA found in 13.77% cases. Antinuclear antibody was positive in 10% cases. No abnormality was identified in 38.09% cases. Pregnancy continued successfully in 96.66% cases. There were no maternal and foetal complications. Except failed cases there was no need to discontinue the treatment.Conclusion: This observational study dealt only with recurrent missed abortion and found satisfactory outcome with low dose heparin therapy. Large, well-designed randomized trials are needed to establish the heparin therapy in recurrent missed abortion.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(2) : 94-101
Pregnancy with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) : A Case Report
Authors: Parveen Tabassum , Begum Firoza , Akhter Nahreen
Published: November 2016

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) resulting from failure of expression of anchoring protein glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI), is an uncommon acquired hemolytic anemia manifested by hemoglobinuria, abdominal pain, smooth muscle dystonia, fatigue and thrombosis. Pregnancy with PNH is rare, and studies showed an increased risk of foetomaternal complications even death due to worsening cytopenias and consequent thrombosis. Here we reported a case of PNH in pregnancy. Mrs. Nasima, aged 25 years, para: 0+0, was diagnosed as a case of PNH by flowcytometry analysis on granulocytes about 1 year 3months back. Her pregnancy was no planned and she was not on antenatal care but took consultation from haematologist time to time. Her Hb level was 7-8gm/dl throughout pregnancy and needed repeated blood transfusion for anaemia. She was referred from a nearby clinic at 37 weeks of pregnancy with PROM and labour pain to the Foetomaternal medicine wing of Obs & Gynae department of BSMMU. On admission she was mildly icteric. She was treated with steroid as per consultation of haematologist. Due to failure of progress of labour emergency caesarean section was done under spinal anesthesia and a low birth weight female baby of 1.6 kg was delivered. One unit of blood transfusion was given post operatively.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(2) : 111-115
Abstracts Vol.29(2)
Authors: Chowdhury Saleha Begum
Published: November 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(2) : 123-125
Microfluidic Fabrication Solutions for Tailor-Designed Fiber Suspensions
Authors: Berthet Helene , Du Roure Olivia , Lindner Anke
Published: November 2016

Fibers are widely used in different industrial processes, for example in paper manufacturing or lost circulation problems in the oil industry. Recently, interest towards the use of fibers at the microscale has grown, driven by research in bio-medical applications or drug delivery systems. Microfluidic systems are not only directly relevant for lab-on-chip applications, but have also proven to be good model systems to tackle fundamental questions about the flow of fiber suspensions. It has therefore become necessary to provide fiber-like particles with an excellent control of their properties. We present here two complementary in situ methods to fabricate controlled micro-fibers allowing for an embedded fabrication and flow-on-a-chip platform. The first one, based on a photo-lithography principle, can be used to make isolated fibers and dilute fiber suspensions at specific locations of interest inside a microchannel. The self-assembly property of super-paramagnetic colloids is the principle of the second fabrication method, which enables the fabrication of concentrated suspensions of more flexible fibers. We propose a flow gallery with several examples of fiber flow illustrating the two methods’ capabilities and a range of recent laminar flow results.
Augmented Nonlinear Controller for Maximum Power-Point Tracking with Artificial Neural Network in Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Ma Suliang , Chen Mingxuan , Wu Jianwen , Huo Wenlei , Huang Lian
Published: November 2016

Photovoltaic (PV) systems have non-linear characteristics that generate maximum power at one particular operating point. Environmental factors such as irradiance and temperature variations greatly affect the maximum power point (MPP). Diverse offline and online techniques have been introduced for tracking the MPP. Here, to track the MPP, an augmented-state feedback linearized (AFL) non-linear controller combined with an artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed. This approach linearizes the non-linear characteristics in PV systems and DC/DC converters, for tracking and optimizing the PV system operation. It also reduces the dependency of the designed controller on linearized models, to provide global stability. A complete model of the PV system is simulated. The existing maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) and DC/DC boost-converter controller techniques are compared with the proposed ANN method. Two case studies, which simulate realistic circumstances, are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method. The AFL with ANN controller can provide good dynamic operation, faster convergence speed, and fewer operating-point oscillations around the MPP. It also tracks the global maxima under different conditions, especially irradiance-mutating situations, more effectively than the conventional methods. Detailed mathematical models and a control approach for a three-phase grid-connected intelligent hybrid system are proposed using MATLAB/Simulink.
A Hybrid Modular Multilevel Converter with Partial Embedded Energy Storage
Authors: Konstantinou Georgios , Pou Josep , Pagano Daniel , Ceballos Salvador
Published: November 2016

Modular and cascaded multilevel converters provide a functional solution for the integration of energy storage systems (ESSs). This paper develops a hybrid multilevel converter based on the modular multilevel converter (MMC) that can be functionally extended with partial embedded ESS as a fraction of the overall converter power rating. The configuration, which can operate as a typical DC-AC converter, enables multi-directional power flow between the DC- and AC-side of the converter, as well as the embedded energy storage elements. The use of a three-phase flying-capacitor submodule eliminates the second-order harmonic oscillations present in modular cascaded multilevel converters. Current, voltage and power control are discussed in the paper while simulation results illustrate the operation of the hybrid MMC as a DC-AC converter in a typical inverter application and the additional functions and control of the embedded ESS.
Tidal Disruption of Milky Way Satellites with Shallow Dark Matter Density Profiles
Authors: Łokas Ewa
Published: November 2016

Dwarf galaxies of the Local Group provide unique possibilities to test current theories of structure formation. Their number and properties have put the broadly accepted cold dark matter model into question, posing a few problems. These problems now seem close to resolution due to the improved treatment of baryonic processes in dwarf galaxy simulations which now predict cored rather than cuspy dark matter profiles in isolated dwarfs with important consequences for their subsequent environmental evolution. Using N-body simulations, we study the evolution of a disky dwarf galaxy with such a shallow dark matter profile on a typical orbit around the Milky Way. The dwarf survives the first pericenter passage but is disrupted after the second due to tidal forces from the host. We discuss the evolution of the dwarf’s properties in time prior to and at the time of disruption. We demonstrate that the dissolution occurs on a rather short timescale as the dwarf expands from a spheroid into a stream with non-zero mean radial velocity. We point out that the properties of the dwarf at the time of disruption may be difficult to distinguish from bound configurations, such as tidally induced bars, both in terms of surface density and line-of-sight kinematics.
Stroke and Falls—Clash of the Two Titans in Geriatrics
Authors: Tan Kit , Tan Maw
Published: November 2016

Both stroke and falls are common conditions affecting the older adult. Despite stroke being considered a well-established major risk factor for falls, there remains no evidence for effective prevention strategies for falls specifically for stroke survivors. Previous observational studies evaluating falls risk factors in stroke have mainly been uncontrolled and found similar risk factors for stroke populations compared to general older populations. Specific risk factors, however, are likely to play a greater role in stroke survivors including unilateral weakness, hemisensory or visual neglect, impaired coordination, visual field defects, perceptual difficulties and cognitive issues. In addition, individuals with stroke are also more likely to have other associated risk factors for falls including diabetes, falls risk increasing drugs, atrial fibrillation, and other cardiovascular risk factors. While anticoagulation is associated with increased risk of intracranial bleeding after a fall, the risk of suffering a further stroke due to atrial fibrillation outweigh the risk of bleeding from a recurrent fall. Similarly, while blood pressure lowering medications may be linked to orthostatic hypotension which in turn increases the risk of falls, the benefit of good blood pressure control in terms of secondary stroke prevention outweighs the risk of falls. Until better evidence is available, the suggested management approach should then be based on local resources, and published evidence for fall prevention. Multicomponent exercise and individually tailored multifactorial interventions should still be considered as published evidence evaluating the above have included stroke patients in their study population.
Burkholderia contaminans Colonization from Contaminated Liquid Docusate (Colace) in a Immunocompetent Adult with Legionnaire’s Disease: Infection Control Implications and the Potential Role of Candida pellucosa
Authors: Cunha Burke , Gian John , Dieguez Bertamaria , Santos-Cruz Elsa , Matassa Daniela , Gerson Steve , Daniels Pat , Rosales Carlos , Silletti Rodger
Published: November 2016

Objective: B. contaminans was cultured from respiratory secretions and liquid docusate (Colace) in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patient with community-acquired Legionnaire’s disease but not from another bottle given to the patient. Unexpectedly, C. pelliculosa was cultured from two bottles, but not the B. contaminans bottle or respiratory secretions. Methods: B. cepacia, later identified as B. contaminans, was cultured from a bottle of liquid docusate (Colace) dispensed to a non-cystic fibrosis patient. His respiratory secretions were colonized with B. contaminans. Results: Eradication of B. contaminans colonization in the patient’s respiratory secretions was attempted. With levofloxacin, B. contaminans developed multidrug resistance (MDR). Subsequent TMP-SMX therapy did not result in further MDR. Nine other ICU patients were given docusate from the same lot, but there were no other B. contaminans isolates. Conclusion: B. contaminans colonization of respiratory secretion may be difficult to eliminate. The significance of C. pelliculosa cultured from liquid docusate (Colace) remains to be elucidated. In this case, it appeared that B. contaminans may have inhibited the growth of C. pelliculosa in the same bottle. Others should be alerted to the possibility that C. pelliculosa may be present in B. contaminans–contaminated lots of liquid docusate (Colace).
Characterization and Schwann Cell Seeding of up to 15.0 cm Long Spider Silk Nerve Conduits for Reconstruction of Peripheral Nerve Defects
Authors: Kornfeld Tim , Vogt Peter , Bucan Vesna , Peck Claas-Tido , Reimers Kerstin , Radtke Christine
Published: November 2016

Nerve reconstruction of extended nerve defect injuries still remains challenging with respect to therapeutic options. The gold standard in nerve surgery is the autologous nerve graft. Due to the limitation of adequate donor nerves, surgical alternatives are needed. Nerve grafts made out of either natural or artificial materials represent this alternative. Several biomaterials are being explored and preclinical and clinical applications are ongoing. Unfortunately, nerve conduits with successful enhancement of axonal regeneration for nerve defects measuring over 4.0 cm are sparse and no conduits are available for nerve defects extending to 10.0 cm. In this study, spider silk nerve conduits seeded with Schwann cells were investigated for in vitro regeneration on defects measuring 4.0 cm, 10.0 cm and 15.0 cm in length. Schwann cells (SCs) were isolated, cultured and purified. Cell purity was determined by immunofluorescence. Nerve grafts were constructed out of spider silk from Nephila edulis and decellularized ovine vessels. Finally, spider silk implants were seeded with purified Schwann cells. Cell attachment was observed within the first hour. After 7 and 21 days of culture, immunofluorescence for viability and determination of Schwann cell proliferation and migration throughout the conduits was performed. Analyses revealed that SCs maintained viable (>95%) throughout the conduits independent of construct length. SC proliferation on the spider silk was determined from day 7 to day 21 with a proliferation index of 49.42% arithmetically averaged over all conduits. This indicates that spider silk nerve conduits represent a favorable environment for SC attachment, proliferation and distribution over a distance of least 15.0 cm in vitro. Thus spider silk nerve implants are a highly adequate biomaterial for nerve reconstruction.
1,4-Dihydro-4-(nitromethyl)-2-phenyl-1-tosylquinoline-3-carbaldehyde
Authors: Ko Kwang , Kim Sung-Gon
Published: November 2016

An aza-Michael/Michael cascade reaction of 2-((E)-2-nitrovinyl)-N-tosylbenzenamine with 3-phenylpropiolaldehyde catalyzed by pyrrolidine has produced a new compound, 1,4-dihydro-4-(nitromethyl)-2-phenyl-1-tosylquinoline-3-carbaldehyde. The structure of the newly synthesized compound was determined using 1H, 13C-NMR, IR, and mass spectral data.
Simple One-Pot Syntheses and Characterizations of Free Fluoride- and Bifluoride-Containing Polymers Soluble in Non-Aqueous Solvents
Authors: Steinle Dominik , Friedrich Laura , Bevilacqua Nico , Von Hauff Elizabeth , Gschwind Fabienne
Published: November 2016

One of the problems that arise with bifluoride- or fluoride-containing compounds is their poor solubility in non-aqueous solvents. We report herein a facile one-pot synthesis and the chemical analysis of fluoride/bifluoride-containing polymers, which are soluble in MeCN. Different polymers, such as Polyvinylacetate or Polyethylene imine and saccharides, such as maltodextrin, were complexed with ammonium (bi)fluoride using hydrogen bonds to form the desired (bi)fluoride-containing compounds. The newly formed hydrogen bonding (bi)fluoride-doped polymer matrices were analyzed using infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction. The promising materials also underwent impedance spectroscopy, conductivity measurements and preliminary tests as electrolytes for room temperature fluoride ion batteries along with an analysis of their performance.
Excited-State Dynamics of Melamine and Its Lysine Derivative Investigated by Femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Yuyuan , Beckstead Ashley , Hu Yuesong , Piao Xijun , Bong Dennis , Kohler Bern
Published: November 2016

Melamine may have been an important prebiotic information carrier, but its excited-state dynamics, which determine its stability under UV radiation, have never been characterized. The ability of melamine to withstand the strong UV radiation present on the surface of the early Earth is likely to have affected its abundance in the primordial soup. Here, we studied the excited-state dynamics of melamine (a proto-nucleobase) and its lysine derivative (a proto-nucleoside) using the transient absorption technique with a UV pump, and UV and infrared probe pulses. For melamine, the excited-state population decays by internal conversion with a lifetime of 13 ps without coupling significantly to any photochemical channels. The excited-state lifetime of the lysine derivative is slightly longer (18 ps), but the dominant deactivation pathway is otherwise the same as for melamine. In both cases, the vast majority of excited molecules return to the electronic ground state on the aforementioned time scales, but a minor population is trapped in a long-lived triplet state.
Using Ground Targets to Validate S-NPP VIIRS Day-Night Band Calibration
Authors: Chen Xuexia , Wu Aisheng , Xiong Xiaoxiong , Lei Ning , Wang Zhipeng , Chiang Kwofu
Published: November 2016

In this study, the observations from S-NPP VIIRS Day-Night band (DNB) and Moderate resolution bands (M bands) of Libya 4 and Dome C over the first four years of the mission are used to assess the DNB low gain calibration stability. The Sensor Data Records produced by NASA Land Product Evaluation and Algorithm Testing Element (PEATE) are acquired from nearly nadir overpasses for Libya 4 desert and Dome C snow surfaces. A kernel-driven bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) correction model is used for both Libya 4 and Dome C sites to correct the surface BRDF influence. At both sites, the simulated top-of-atmosphere (TOA) DNB reflectances based on SCIAMACHY spectral data are compared with Land PEATE TOA reflectances based on modulated Relative Spectral Response (RSR). In the Libya 4 site, the results indicate a decrease of 1.03% in Land PEATE TOA reflectance and a decrease of 1.01% in SCIAMACHY derived TOA reflectance over the period from April 2012 to January 2016. In the Dome C site, the decreases are 0.29% and 0.14%, respectively. The consistency between SCIAMACHY and Land PEATE data trends is good. The small difference between SCIAMACHY and Land PEATE derived TOA reflectances could be caused by changes in the surface targets, atmosphere status, and on-orbit calibration. The reflectances and radiances of Land PEATE DNB are also compared with matching M bands and the integral M bands based on M4, M5, and M7. The fitting trends of the DNB to integral M bands ratios indicate a 0.75% decrease at the Libya 4 site and a 1.89% decrease at the Dome C site. Part of the difference is due to an insufficient number of sampled bands available within the DNB wavelength range. The above results indicate that the Land PEATE VIIRS DNB product is accurate and stable. The methods used in this study can be used on other satellite instruments to provide quantitative assessments for calibration stability.
Uniformly Porous Nanocrystalline CaMgFe1.33Ti3O12 Ceramic Derived Electro-Ceramic Nanocomposite for Impedance Type Humidity Sensor
Authors: Tripathy Ashis , Pramanik Sumit , Manna Ayan , Shasmin Hanie , Radzi Zamri , Abu Osman Noor
Published: November 2016

Since humidity sensors have been widely used in many sectors, a suitable humidity sensing material with improved sensitivity, faster response and recovery times, better stability and low hysteresis is necessary to be developed. Here, we fabricate a uniformly porous humidity sensor using Ca, Ti substituted Mg ferrites with chemical formula of CaMgFe1.33Ti3O12 as humidity sensing materials by solid-sate step-sintering technique. This synthesis technique is useful to control the grain size with increased porosity to enhance the hydrophilic characteristics of the CaMgFe1.33Ti3O12 nanoceramic based sintered electro-ceramic nanocomposites. The highest porosity, lowest density and excellent surface-hydrophilicity properties were obtained at 1050 °C sintered ceramic. The performance of this impedance type humidity sensor was evaluated by electrical characterizations using alternating current (AC) in the 33%–95% relative humidity (RH) range at 25 °C. Compared with existing conventional resistive humidity sensors, the present sintered electro-ceramic nanocomposite based humidity sensor showed faster response time (20 s) and recovery time (40 s). This newly developed sensor showed extremely high sensitivity (%S) and small hysteresis of <3.4%. Long-term stability of the sensor had been determined by testing for 30 consecutive days. Therefore, the high performance sensing behavior of the present electro-ceramic nanocomposites would be suitable for a potential use in advanced humidity sensors.
A Routing Protocol for Multisink Wireless Sensor Networks in Underground Coalmine Tunnels
Authors: Xia Xu , Chen Zhigang , Liu Hui , Wang Huihui , Zeng Feng
Published: November 2016

Traditional underground coalmine monitoring systems are mainly based on the use of wired transmission. However, when cables are damaged during an accident, it is difficult to obtain relevant data on environmental parameters and the emergency situation underground. To address this problem, the use of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has been proposed. However, the shape of coalmine tunnels is not conducive to the deployment of WSNs as they are long and narrow. Therefore, issues with the network arise, such as extremely large energy consumption, very weak connectivity, long time delays, and a short lifetime. To solve these problems, in this study, a new routing protocol algorithm for multisink WSNs based on transmission power control is proposed. First, a transmission power control algorithm is used to negotiate the optimal communication radius and transmission power of each sink. Second, the non-uniform clustering idea is adopted to optimize the cluster head selection. Simulation results are subsequently compared to the Centroid of the Nodes in a Partition (CNP) strategy and show that the new algorithm delivers a good performance: power efficiency is increased by approximately 70%, connectivity is increased by approximately 15%, the cluster interference is diminished by approximately 50%, the network lifetime is increased by approximately 6%, and the delay is reduced with an increase in the number of sinks.
Vahid Online: Post-2009 Iran and the Politics of Citizen Media Convergence
Authors: Rahimi Babak
Published: November 2016

An attempt is made to study the social network site, Vahid Online, pseudonym of a leading Iranian activist who has the largest social media followership online. Vahid Online is Iran’s leading distributor of information about social and political news about Iran, a source of information used by citizens and journalists. Similar to Twitter, Vahid Online posts, shares, and communicates news in short messages with hyperlinks, hashtags, or internet slang for multimedia purposes. In this networking media space, citizen journalism is assumed the civic responsibility of news and information dissemination with a perceived conception of internet as an agency of change. Vahid Online, I argue, is representative of an individuated networking activism in the new technology for information production. Technology, likewise, is imagined as a political agency and, in turn, citizenship is redefined through technology that carries the promise of change. It is also argued that Vahid Online’s conception of citizen journalism is directly born out of the Green Movement in 2009, a protest movement against the 2009 presidential elections with a self-image of networked citizenship with a relative reliance on a weak tie model of civic association. The notion of citizen journalism examined here is one of civic participatory activism in archiving the collection, reporting, and dissemination of news through the merging of diverse media technologies in an attempt to create and distribute the most impact spreading news. The paper finally offers a critical analysis and argues that Vahid Online is more about individuated network framing of a privileged politics through practice of new technology.
Environmental Efficiency of Chinese Open-Field Grape Production: An Evaluation Using Data Envelopment Analysis and Spatial Autocorrelation
Authors: Tian Dong , Zhao Fengtao , Mu Weisong , Kanianska Radoslava , Feng Jianying
Published: November 2016

Grape production is associated with some negative environmental externalities. However, they are not considered in the traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) efficiency assessment models and the research literature. Hence, the assessment results cannot correctly reflect the technical efficiency level of open-field grape production. We measured the environmental efficiency of China’s open-field grape production under the constraint of carbon emissions using the slacks-based measure (SBM) model, including the undesirable outputs. In addition, spatial relations of environmental efficiency in different open-field grape production areas in China were evaluated by adopting spatial econometric methods. The results indicate that the average environmental efficiency score of grape production in China is at a low level of 0.651. Overall, the average environmental efficiencies in southern, southwest, and northeast regions are lower than the average levels, which implies the imbalance in economic outputs, resource consumption, and environmental efficiency in open-field grape cultivation. Moreover, the spatial autocorrelation results show that the environmental efficiency of grape production has obvious continuity in neighboring regions and spatial correlation.
A Performance Measurement Tool Leading Wastewater Treatment Plants toward Economic Efficiency and Sustainability
Authors: Guerrini Andrea , Romano Giulia , Ferretti Simone , Fibbi Donatella , Daddi Daniele
Published: November 2016

Wastewater treatment is an important link in the water cycle that allows for water sanitation and reuse, facilitates energy generation, and allows for the recovery of products from waste. The scientific community has paid significant attention to wastewater treatment, especially from a technical point of view. Extensive literature is available on new technologies, processes, and materials to improve wastewater treatment. However, scant studies have been conducted in the management field focusing on the development of a performance measurement tool that supports plant managers. The current article addresses this literature gap, developing a reporting tool that integrates technical and cost measures and implements it in a large wastewater utility. The tool successfully identifies cause and effect linkages among key plant performance drivers and supports management in finding activities with poor performance and allows them to delay non-relevant measures of control.
Le contact Quaternaire-Miocène (marne de Bresse), au camp de Chanes, commune de Béligneux (Ain)
Authors: Vilain Robert , Mein Pierre , Truc Georges
Published: November 2016

La réalisation de l'autoroute Lyon-Genève a nécessité, à 25 km à l'ENE de Lyon, un emprunt de matériaux fluvio-glaciaires de la terrasse wiirmienne de 15-20 m constituant la plaine de La Valbonne. Ces travaux ont mis au jour, sous une épaisseur de 6 à 8 m d'alluvions, un affleurement de marnes bleues à lignites renfermant quelques gastéropodes et des dents de rongeurs du Miocène supérieur. Ces restes appartiennent aux faunes de climat chaud, retrouvées par ailleurs dans d'autres gisements caractéristiques du Miocène de la région : Sermenaz, Mollon, Ambérieu. Cette découverte permet de constater la présence d'une seule formation fluvio-glaciaire würmienne provenant du démantellement et du lavage de la moraine de fond. Elle montre également que le Miocène supérieur continental, bien connu sur toute la côtière de Dombes, est largement étendu dans la plaine de La Valbonne, sous une faible épaisseur d'alluvions quaternaires. L'étude des restes de rongeurs et de quelques gastéropodes, et les observations de terrain, permettent de préciser l'âge de cet affleurement, et d'apprécier l'extension de ces marnes bleues connues au NE et au S de ce lieu.
La «pierre du Midi» à Lyon et à Vienne à l'époque gallo-romaine : utilisation, chronologie et provenance
Authors: Philippe Michel , Savay-Guerraz Hugues
Published: November 2016

La «pierre du Midi» (calcaire biodétritique miocène) occupe une place de choix parmi les pierres de taille calcaires de Lyon et de Vienne antiques. L'histoire de l'exploitation de ce matériau déjà identifié dans quelques monuments lyonnais s'éclaire d'un jour nouveau grâce aux recherches entreprises depuis quelques années sur les matériaux des constructions antiques, en relation avec les fouilles urbaines récentes de Lyon, Vienne et Saint-Romain-en-Gal. Notre approche est à la fois archéologique et géologique : en dressant un inventaire aussi exhaustif que possible des constructions où fut mise en œuvre la «pierre du Midi», l'étude archéologique révèle les modalités de son utilisation et de sa chronologie de la fin du Ier siècle avant J.-C. au IIIe siècle après. L'étude géologique cherche à résoudre le problème de la provenance de ce matériau en se basant sur des critères paléontologiques et lithologiques. Plusieurs faciès lithologiques ont été utilisés, ce qui conduit à proposer plusieurs provenances possibles parmi toutes les carrières recensées le long de la vallée du Rhône. Les résultats de ce travail interdisciplinaire débouchent en outre sur des questions économiques et historiques : évolution de l'approvisionnement en matériaux de construction, aménagement des voies de communication, mise en valeur des ressources régionales liée aux rythmes du développement urbain antique...
Uleiota texana (Coleoptera Cucujidae), une espèce nouvelle du Texas
Authors: Dajoz Roger
Published: November 2016

Description de Uleiota texana n. sp., du Texas. Comparaison avec les deux autres espèces connues du genre en Amérique du Nord. Données sur la biologie. Signalisation de Catogenus rufus Fab. (Cucujidae) nouveau pour le Texas.
Coléoptères Histeridae récoltés au Maroc par S. Doguet, J.-M. Maldès et J.-F. Vayssières
Authors: Gomy Yves , Maldès Jean-Michel , Thérond J.
Published: November 2016

Les auteurs donnent la liste des captures d'Histeridae effectuées au cours d'un séjour au Maroc, les stations sont indiquées et la répartition de chaque espèce est donnée. Une introduction fait le point sur l'étude des Histeridae d'Afrique du Nord.
Contribution à l'étude systématique et écologique des Micromycètes parasites des plantes spontanées des Alpes françaises (Deuxième note)
Authors: Chevassut Guy
Published: November 2016

Nous mentionnons dans cette deuxième note 149 espèces dont 6 Péronosporales, 7 Ustilaginales, 73 Urédinales (dont 49 Puccinia), 19 Erysiphales, 8 autres Ascomycètes, 36 Champignons Imparfaits (dont 22 Hyphales et 16 Ramularia, 3 Mélanconiales et 11 Sphaeropsidales) ; avec des espèces rares à très rares et une espèce nouvelle pour la France.
Les Apions de l'Ardèche (Coleoptera Curculionidae Apioninae)
Authors: Ehret Jean-Marie
Published: November 2016

Catalogue commenté des Coléoptères Curculionides Apioninae de l'Ardèche.
Persistence of earnings and prediction of future cash flows: the role of timely recognition of bad news
Authors: Kordestani Gholamreza , Taqiporian Maryam , Biglari Vahid , Minaei Vahid
Published: November 2016

Timely recognition of losses and expenses compared to revenues and increased values precipitates future expenses to match with current revenues. Thus, timely recognition of losses acts to reduce the persistence of earnings. However, it is expected that a more timely recognition of negative cash flows, as bad news, increase the power of earnings for predicting future cash flows. This study investigates the effects of the timely recognition of bad news (loss) versus the good news on the decrease of the persistence of earnings, and the effect of negative cash flows on forecasting future cash flows. In this study, two pooling type models and a panel type model have been used to estimate the persistence of earnings and cash flows. Seventy eight firms that were listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange during the period 2003–2010 were duly reviewed. The results of this research proved that the timely recognition of loss does not affect the persistence and the power of earnings for the purpose of forecasting future cash flows. The findings imply that conservatism does not distort persistence of earnings.
LONG FADING MID-INFRARED EMISSION IN TRANSIENT CORONAL LINE EMITTERS: DUST ECHO OF A TIDAL DISRUPTION FLARE
Authors: Dou Liming , Wang Ting-gui , Jiang Ning , Yang Chenwei , Lyu Jianwei , Zhou Hongyan
Published: November 2016

The sporadic accretion following the tidal disruption of a star by a super-massive black hole (TDE) leads to a bright UV and soft X-ray flare in the galactic nucleus. The gas and dust surrounding the black hole responses to such a flare with an echo in emission lines and infrared emission. In this paper, we report the detection of long fading mid-IR emission lasting up to 14 years after the flare in four TDE candidates with transient coronal lines using the WISE public data release. We estimate that the reprocessed mid-IR luminosities are in the range between

and

erg s−1 and dust temperature in the range of 570–800 K when WISE first detected these sources three to five years after the flare. Both luminosity and dust temperature decrease with time. We interpret the mid-IR emission as the infrared echo of the tidal disruption flare. We estimate the UV luminosity at the peak flare to be 1 to 30 times 1044 erg s−1 and that for warm dust masses to be in the range of 0.05–1.3

within a few parsecs. Our results suggest that the mid-infrared echo is a general signature of TDE in the gas-rich environment.
Diel cycling and flux of HCO3− in a typical karst spring-fed stream of southwestern China
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Wang Jinliang , Yan Jun , Pei Jianguo
Published: November 2016

We investigated the diel variations of the dissolved inorganic carbon, isotopic composition, and partial CO2 pressure from a karst spring (Guangcun Village, Guangxi, Southwest China) to the 1,350 m downstream profile of the stream. In addition, the carbon loss and CO2 exchange flux at the water-gas interface were also estimated. The results showed that the pH value and DO in the stream varied regularly on a daily basis with the temperature of stream water, suggesting that the photosynthesis of aquatic plants and algae is the controlling factor for the diel variations of the pH and DO. During the monitoring period, while the DIC (mainly in HCO3−) input (at spring) was relatively stable at about 4.46 mmol L−1, the concentrations of HCO3− and Ca2+ at downstream showed a diel cycle of daytime decrease and nighttime increase, with an amplitude of 22.4 %. We also found out that the CO2 degassing mainly occurred in the upper reach of the surface stream right after groundwater is exposed to the surface. The total CO2 exchange flux of the entire monitoring stream section was calculated to be 29.83 kg d−1, accounting for 17.8 % of the DIC loss, which means that approximately 4/5 of the loss was converted into organic carbon or calcite precipitation. Compared with the total carbon input at spring, this carbon loss only accounts for 6.5 % of the total carbon amount (1.4 % of which was converted into organic carbon and 1.1 % of which was degassed to the atmosphere), indicating that the DIC of karst groundwater in low order surface stream of Guancun is stable in general, with 1 % being lost to the atmosphere. This suggests that on a daily timescale, carbon loss in the form of CO2 of low order karst streams with lower gradient is much less pronounced.Key words: inorganic carbon cycle, spring-fed stream, aquatic vegetation photosynthesis, CO2 degassing, inorganic carbon flux, karst.
Foreword
Authors: Knez Martin , Zhang Cheng , Groves Chris
Published: November 2016

A special section of Acta Carsologica is dedicated to the successfully concluded 5-year-long global UNESCO IGCP Project No. 598.IGCP/SIDA 598 “Environmental Change and Sustainability in Karst Systems (2011−2015)” is the 5th karst-related IGCP project sponsored by UNESCO/IUGS and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). It is a successor to IGCP 299, IGCP 379, IGCP 448, and IGCP 513 projects. The project was proposed and co-led by Zhang Cheng (China), Chris Groves (USA), Martin Knez (Slovenia), Jiang Yongjun (China), Augusto Auler (Brazil), Bartolome Andreo-Navarro (Spain), and Yuan Daoxian (China). The main objectives of the project are to better estimate the carbon sink potential from carbonate rock dissolution on continents by improving the approaches; to reveal the responses of the hydrogeological behavior of karst aquifers and water resource processes under the influence of different weather and climate events; to improve assessments methods for groundwater vulnerability to contamination; to quantify the records of environmental change within karst water, sediments, and speleothems that provide information over various timescales.During the implementation of the project, more than 200 scientists from 40 countries were involved in the project’s annual meetings, symposia, and field excursions. In line with the four objectives of the project, the new developments of IGCP/SIDA 598 were published in the journal Episodes in 2015 as the project’s final report.
Integration, Innovation, and Intimidation?
Authors: Quinn Brid C.
Published: November 2016

Local governments find themselves dependent on co-operation, not only with other levels of government but also with a range of non-governmental actors. New actors, drawn from the private sector, civil society, and technocratic élites, have become involved in the governing process and interdependencies have grown. Various approaches have been implemented to link the third sector and government, and various conceptualizations and analyses have emerged. This chapter explores strategies to involve the third sector in local government in Ireland. Ireland makes for an interesting case since it depicts an example of a state-designed system for formally integrating the third sector in the reformed structures of local governance. It provides insights about the theory and practice of subnational governance and generates transferable knowledge about the impact of nationally directed strategies to integrate the third sector with government. It also offers suggestions for further research on such linkages.
A Comparison of Resource Equalization Processes for Subnational Rural Governance and Development
Authors: Jackson Tony , Nel Etienne , Connelly Sean
Published: November 2016

This chapter examines issues of resource equalization for subnational rural governance and development in case studies of England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The aim is to consider the extent to which each case study has provided the pre-requisites for adopting the “new rural paradigm” identified by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for governance and development of rural communities. Neither federal nor unitary forms of governance in the case studies satisfactorily meet these requirements. The only case study that approaches the paradigm is Scotland, where recent devolution of governance has strengthened long-standing adherence to territorial-based regional development policies.
Political-Administrative Interface at the Local Sphere of Government with Particular Reference to South Africa
Authors: Reddy Purshottama Sivanarain
Published: November 2016

The ongoing political-administrative dichotomy discourse, which is steeped in public administration history, manifests in uncertainty about how the relationship between politicians and administrative officials should be structured. South Africa was democratized in 1994 and local government has subsequently undergone a fundamental socio-political transformation. “World class” local government legislation, with an entrenched constitutional development mandate, was introduced; however, the large numbers of public protests bear ample testimony to major challenges in basic service delivery. A critical issue impacting negatively on the functionality of the post-1994 local government dispensation is the political-administrative interface. The National Development Plan has mapped out a socio-economic vision to 2030, with stabilization of the political-administrative interface a priority. Consequently, the political-administrative interface has to be critically reviewed relative to the quality of local democracy, impact on efficient and effective service delivery, and good local governance.
Politics-Administration Relations and the Effect on Local Governance and Development
Authors: Rahman Muhammad Sayadur
Published: November 2016

This study explores the politico-bureaucratic dynamics within the local government of Bangladesh, focusing on the policy role while explaining the governance role of politicians and bureaucrats. Particular emphasis is placed on the politics-bureaucracy relationship and its impact on local governance and development, given that the nature of this relationship and the appropriate role of political leaders and administrators have been the subject of considerable debate. During the last two decades of democratic governance in Bangladesh, politicians have been the dominant forces in governance due to their role in aggregating interests and values; however, bureaucrats are similarly influential, given their role as initiators and implementers of policies. The bureaucracy has emerged as a dominant institution in both local and central governments. The bureaucracy is directly or indirectly involved in partisan politics, which negatively impacts local governance and development.
Infrastructure Governance at Sub-National Level
Authors: Buyana Kareem , Lwasa Shuaib
Published: November 2016

Although infrastructure-dependent services are increasingly provided through subnationalised forms of authority, the current discourse largely focuses on financing challenges at national to regional scales. This macro outlook of infrastructure governance assumes that, once central government agencies have drawn partnerships with intergovernmental counterparts, followed by financing to subnational agencies, municipal authorities will be in a position to implement projects that respond to the differing needs of urban residents. This obscures the multi-layered nature of infrastructure governance at municipal level intercepted by gender differences in end-user needs across urban sectors. The chapter presents the challenges faced by Kampala city in Uganda, in the context of not only formalized infrastructure governance, but also non-statist forms of authority and informal practices that give center stage to the agency of men relative to women in altering local service provision dynamics to the benefit of their needs and expectations.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Niewiadomski Robert , Anderson Dennis
Published: November 2016

Our inventions defined the work we engaged in for centuries; created new industries and employment opportunities around them. They, however, had often unforeseen consequences that affected the way we lived, interacted with each other, and redefined our societal rules. The established narration portrays the impact of major technological leaps in civilization on employment as temporary disruptions: Many finds themselves without employment taken away from them by efficient, laborsaving inventions, but, in the long run, through gradual adaptations, improved education and gaining higher qualifications, everyone benefits. In this chapter, the authors explore the impact of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) in relations to the labor market. The authors argue that this rather optimistic, even naïve scenario, collapses while confronted with the exponential growth of AI; in particular, with the potential arrival of syneoids – robotic forms of “strong AI” possessing, or even exceeding, the full range of human cognitive abilities.
Enhancing Learning with Wearable Technologies In and Out of Educational Settings
Authors: Demir Elif Buğra Kuzu , Demir Kadir
Published: November 2016

The rapid developments in mobile and wireless technology have led to the emergence of different design approaches that respond to user requirements. Among recent emerging technologies, wearable technology appears to be a growing field. Wearable technologies are defined as intelligent devices with a variety of sensors in order to monitor physical movement, which are lightweight, easy to carry, bendable. These devices can be tracked and linked constantly through applications while users are maintaining their daily routines and actions. Due to these features, the use of wearable technology offers many educational opportunities in teaching-learning environments, such as student engagement, contextual learning, recording & sharing, evaluation & feedback, administrative functions and so forth… Besides the educational affordances, there are also some ethical issues. Wearables have major concerns related to privacy, accuracy, intellectual property and accessibility.
Learning with Social Media
Authors: Toloza Eduardo Adrián , Laaser Wolfram Lothar
Published: November 2016

The main purpose was to investigate the selection patterns and uses made of the web tools in both formal and non-formal education by the students. The authors found that many of them use devices and applications as ‘simple remote control' - discarding all the available possibilities for learning. The criteria for selecting the respective application in many cases are arbitrary, or just a response to advertising or the usage made by their friends. The applications of Web 2.0, in turn, provide ample opportunities (often for free) for being successfully incorporated into learning activities. To benefit from the use of social media for learning purposes, it is important to know students' preferences and the way in which they handle the media used in their private as well as in their academic environment. It is important for the university that the usage of technologies is not drifting too far away from those which students use outside the walls of the campus.
Linking Virtual and Real-life Environments
Authors: Moser Stephanie
Published: November 2016

Emerging digital technologies offer various opportunities for ubiquitous and flexible learning, independent from time and location. Especially the proliferation of portable devices such as smartphones or tablets has increased the potential for ubiquitous learning environments in recent years. As a consequence, ubiquitous learning has become a buzzword in the literature on educational technology. However, the ways in which features are interrelated are not always clear. The purpose of this paper is to provide a more profound insight into this matter. The present chapter describes ubiquitous learning as a form of self-regulated learning and differentiates it from other popular forms of technology-based education such as mobile learning. Additionally, opportunities for meaningful ubiquitous learning environments are characterized. Based on a review of recent research, recommendations for the educational use of ubiquitous technologies are provided.