bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women
Authors: Jubaida Nishat , Kawsar Narjis Maliha , Elora Nahid , Rahimgir Md , Shapla Nahid Reaz , ALMuid SMA
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Women with asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy are more likely to deliver premature or low birth weight babies and having a 20  40 percent increased risk of developing pyelonephritis during pregnancy compared with women without bacteriuria. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is a microbiological diagnosis based on urine culture from persons without signs or symptoms of urinary tract infection. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women and also to determine the relationship between the asymptomatic bacteriuria and pyuria to isolate the causative pathogens and to find out the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates. Methods: A total of 540 urine specimen were collected from 540 asymptomatic pregnant women for urinary tract infection, over a period 2 years from January 2011 to December 2012 at Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Hospital, Pilkhana, Dhaka. All specimens were processed using standard microbiological procedures. All the subjects were evaluated for bacteriuria. Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 10.2% . Pyuria was found in 15.9% of cases. Escherichia coli (80%) was the commonest causative agent of asymptomatic bacteriuria followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus (14.5%) and Pseudomonas spp.(5.5%). Nitrofurantoin was found to be highly sensitive to most of the isolates. 64 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 9, No 2 (December) 2013 Conclusion: Screening for bacteriuria in pregnancy and proper treatment of diagnosed cases must be considered as an essential part of antenatal care in our country. To prevent complications of asymptomatic bacteriuria, all pregnant women should be screened at the first antenatal visit. A negative test for pyuria is not a reliable indicator of the absence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v9i2.21830 Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.9(2) 2013
Role of antibiotic in bronchiolitis management
Authors: Akhtar Khaleda , Chowdhury Rehana Begum , Rahman Md Tauhidur
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Bronchiolitis is the most common illness among the patients attending the outpatient departments of CMH. It is predominantly a viral disease affecting the infants and young children. Though Antibiotic has little role, pediatricians frequently use them during bronchiolitis management. Very few randomized control trials without antibiotics in the management of bronchiolitis have so far been done. Objectives: To evaluate the outcome of bronchiolitis with or without antibiotics in a hospital setting. Methods: This prospective randomized control study was done in CMH Savar, during six months from October 2012 to March 2013. All the children below two years admitted in CMH Savar with first attack of Clinical Bronchiolitis were our study population. Exclusion criteria were: (i) atopic condition, (ii) congenital heart disease and/or (iii) known immunodeficiency. Study cases were randomly assigned into one of the two groups, AB group (Erythromycin/Amoxycilin) and NAB group (No Antibiotic).The NAB group was considered as control group. Supportive treatment was given according to the national guideline for management of bronchiolitis. Presenting symptoms and signs were followed-up twice daily while hospitalized and 7 days after discharge to determine the progress of disease. 70 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 9, No 2 (December) 2013 Outcome was determined by the progress of the variables in the structured follow-up format. Permission of commanding officer CMH Savar and verbal consent of the parents were taken before the study. Results: Fifty-four cases who could be followed up till after seven days of discharge were finally included in the study. Among them about half (25/54) received oral or intravenous antibiotic while rest (29/54) received only supportive therapy but no antibiotic (NAB group). Most of the cases were below six months of age. Male were about double of the female (37:17). The presenting features were cough, wheeze, fever and feeding difficulty. Clinical features of both groups progressed similarly in both the groups. With the given treatment 24 (96%) cases from AB group and 27 (93%) cases from NAB group improved and were discharged safely. 01 from AB and 02 from NAB group deteriorated and were then treated with broad spectrum antibiotics. There was no death. Mean hospital stay of AB group (5.6 days) was little longer than NAB group (4.2 days) and 16% (4/25) of them had respiratory symptoms at seven days follow up, but the difference of outcome between the two groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Antibiotics have no role in acute bronchiolitis management. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v9i2.21833 Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.9(2) 2013
Virtual autopsy: a new trend in forensic investigation
Authors: Ahmad Mushtaq , Rahman Farial Naima
Published: February 2015

Introduction: The modern high-resolution imaging has been used as a well described aid in the setting of post-mortem investigations. In developed countries Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are now being evaluated as complementary means for cause-of-death determination. Objective: This paper explores the implication of virtual autopsy from ethical and technical point of view. Methods: Published literature with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were extensively reviewed through use of general and Meta search engines to elucidate the applications and implications of virtual autopsy. Discussion: Virtual autopsy introduces a new era in autopsy examination. It utilizes the technological innovation of modern imaging system to obtain high quality 3 Dimensional images of the body in multiple plains without mutilation of the human body. The Virtual Autopsy can be applied in a broad number of forensic situations, such as thanatological investigations; carbonized and putrefied body identifications; mass disaster cases; age estimation; anthropological examinations and skin lesion analyses, determining cause of death determination; decedent gender, identification in 001 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 9, No 2 (December) 2013 difficult forensic cases; body length and Individual decedent feature identification; identifying distinct foreign bodies  retained bullets, blades, etc.; identification of injuries and forensic reconstructions  three dimensional reconstructions, bullet tract identification; education and clinical performance improvement process; and research. Conclusion: Due to its minimal invasive procedure, virtual autopsy is very much acceptable to the society. In USA and European countries virtual autopsy is likely to replace conventional autopsies in future. We can also utilize this modern technology to upgrade the century old investigation system in our country. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v9i2.21848 Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.9(2) 2013
A Physical Hybrid Artificial Neural Network for Short Term Forecasting of PV Plant Power Output
Authors: Dolara Alberto , Grimaccia Francesco , Leva Sonia , Mussetta Marco , Ogliari Emanuele
Published: February 2015

The main purpose of this work is to lead an assessment of the day ahead forecasting activity of the power production by photovoltaic plants. Forecasting methods can play a fundamental role in solving problems related to renewable energy source (RES) integration in smart grids. Here a new hybrid method called Physical Hybrid Artificial Neural Network (PHANN) based on an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and PV plant clear sky curves is proposed and compared with a standard ANN method. Furthermore, the accuracy of the two methods has been analyzed in order to better understand the intrinsic errors caused by the PHANN and to evaluate its potential in energy forecasting applications.
Hot Water Pretreatment of Boreal Aspen Woodchips in a Pilot Scale Digester
Authors: Yan Jipeng , Liu Shijie
Published: February 2015

Hot water extraction of aspen woodchips was treated at about 160 °C for 2 h with a liquor-to-solid ratio of 4.76:1 in a 1.84 m3 batch reactor with external liquor circulation. Both five-carbon and six-carbon sugars are obtained in the extraction liquor. Xylose and xylooligomers are the main five-carbon sugar in the hot water extract, which reached a maximum concentration of 0.016 mol/L, and 0.018 mol/L, respectively. Minor monosaccharides including galactose, mannose, rhamnose, glucose, and arabinose are also obtained during the hot water extraction. Rhamnose is the main six-carbon sugar in the extraction liquor, which has a maximum concentration of 0.0042 mol/L. The variations of acetyl groups and formic acid are investigated due to their catalytic effect on the extraction reactions. Zeroth-order kinetics models are found to be adequate in describing the dissolved solids, acids, xylose, and xylooligomers.
Norcembranoidal Diterpenes from the Cultured-Type Octocoral Sinularia numerosa
Authors: Chen Wu-Fu , Yin Chen-Ting , Cheng Ching-Hsiao , Lu Mei-Chin , Fang Lee-Shing , Wang Wei-Hsien , Wen Zhi-Hong , Chen Jih-Jung , Wu Yang-Chang , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: February 2015

A known norcembranoidal diterpene, 5-episinuleptolide (1), along with a new analogue, 4α-hydroxy-5-episinuleptolide (2), were isolated from a cultured-type soft coral Sinularia numerosa. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the data with those of the related metabolites. Cytotoxicity of metabolites 1 and 2 against a panel of tumor cells is also described. Compound 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity toward CCRF-CEM cells with an IC50 value 4.21 μg/mL. Preliminary SAR (structure activity relationship) information was obtained from these two compounds.
Reduction of Oxidative Stress Attenuates Lipoapoptosis Exacerbated by Hypoxia in Human Hepatocytes
Authors: Hwang Sang , Yu Su , Lee Jeong-Hoon , Kim Hwi , Kim Yoon
Published: February 2015

Chronic intermittent hypoxia, a characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is associated with the progression of simple hepatic steatosis to necroinflammatory hepatitis. We determined whether inhibition of a hypoxia-induced signaling pathway could attenuate hypoxia-exacerbated lipoapoptosis in human hepatocytes. The human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) was used in this study. Palmitic acid (PA)-treated groups were used for two environmental conditions: Hypoxia (1% O2) and normoxia (20% O2). Following the treatment, the cell viability was determined by the 3,4-(5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium salt (MTS) assay, and the mechanism of lipoapoptosis was evaluated by Western blotting. Hypoxia exacerbated the suppression of hepatocyte growth induced by palmitic acid via activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways as a result of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stresses. Ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, a scavenger of reactive oxygen species, attenuated the hypoxia-exacerbated lipoapoptosis in hepatocytes, whereas glycerol, which reduces ER stress, did not. This may have been because inhibition of oxidative stress decreases the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, such as caspase 9 and cytochrome c. These results suggested that modulation of apoptotic signaling pathways activated by oxidative stress can aid in identifying novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with OSA. Further in vivo studies are necessary to understand the pathophysiologic mechanism of NASH with OSA and to prove the therapeutic effect of the modulation of the signaling pathways.
Predicted Trans-Acting siRNAs in the Human Brain
Authors: Liu Xiaoshuang , Zhang Guangxin , Zhang Changqing , Wang Jin
Published: February 2015

Endogenous small non-coding RNAs play pivotal roles in regulating gene expression in eukaryotes. Many studies have investigated the function and molecular mechanism of microRNAs in the development and disease of various organisms via mRNA repression of protein-coding genes. Recent findings indicate microRNAs might trigger the generation of trans-acting small interfering RNAs (ta-siRNAs). The interaction among different types of small RNA molecules reveals an even more complicated and elaborate pattern of RNA regulation during gene expression than previously thought. We developed a method for mining ta-siRNA sequences and evaluated the performance of our novel method using data from Arabidopsis thaliana. Additionally, using small RNA and degradome data for the human brain, we identified 155 small RNAs that satisfied ta-siRNA characteristics. The DRAXIN and ATCAY genes, which are preferentially expressed in the human brain, were predicted to be the targets of 12 potential ta-siRNAs.
USP Marion: A Few Prisoners Summon the Courage to Speak
Authors: Richards Stephen
Published: February 2015

USP Marion is the first supermax federal penitentiary. Marionization refers to the experimental control program used at this prison. The prisoners speaking in this article suffered many years of solitary confinement. This research brief discusses some of what they experienced in their own words. These are the recollections of a few Marion prisoners that have summoned the courage to speak out and share their darkest memories.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Carbocyclic Analogues of Pachastrissamine
Authors: Kwon Yongseok , Song Jayoung , Bae Hoon , Kim Woo-Jung , Lee Joo-Youn , Han Geun-Hee , Lee Sang , Kim Sanghee
Published: February 2015

A series of carbocyclic analogues of naturally-occurring marine sphingolipid pachastrissamine were prepared and biologically evaluated. The analogues were efficiently synthesized via a tandem enyne/diene-ene metathesis reaction as a key step. We found that the analogue 4b exhibited comparable cytotoxicity and more potent inhibitory activity against sphingosine kinases, compared to pachastrissamine. Molecular modeling studies were conducted to provide more detailed insight into the binding mode of 4b in sphingosine kinase. In our docking model, pachastrissamine and 4b were able to effectively bind to the binding pocket of sphingosine kinase 1 as co-crystalized sphingosine. However, 4b showed a hydrophobic interaction with Phe192, which suggests that it contributes to its increased inhibitory activity against sphingosine kinase 1.
A Study of the Geo-Herbalism of Evodiae Fructus Based on a Flow-Injection Mass Spectrometric Fingerprinting Method Combined with Chemometrics
Authors: Zhao Yang , Zhou Xin , Zhao Yun-Ling , Gong Xiao-Jian , Zhao Chao
Published: February 2015

A flow-injection mass spectrometric (FIMS) fingerprinting method in combination with principal component analysis (PCA) was used to study the geo-herbalism of Evodiae Fructus (EF) samples. Twenty four EF samples from different regions in China were collected and analyzed. The PCA scores plot showed that the samples from Guizhou Province were scattered in different groups, however, most of the samples from other provinces were basically scattered in the same group. Nine characteristic compounds responsible for the classification of the samples were tentatively characterized. These nine compounds might help differentiating EF samples from different regions.
Influence of Chronobiology on the Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Uptake into the Brain
Authors: Kreuter Jörg
Published: February 2015

Little attention so-far has been paid to the influence of chronobiology on the processes of nanoparticle uptake and transport into the brain, even though this transport appears to be chronobiologically controlled to a significant degree. Nanoparticles with specific surface properties enable the transport across the blood–brain barrier of many drugs that normally cannot cross this barrier. A clear dependence of the central antinociceptive (analgesic) effects of a nanoparticle-bound model drug, i.e., the hexapeptide dalargin, on the time of day was observable after intravenous injection in mice. In addition to the strongly enhanced antinociceptive effect due to the binding to the nanoparticles, the minima and maxima of the pain reaction with the nanoparticle-bound drug were shifted by almost half a day compared to the normal circadian nociception: The maximum in the pain reaction after i.v. injection of the nanoparticle-bound dalargin occurred during the later rest phase of the animals whereas the normal pain reaction and that of a dalargin solution was highest during the active phase of the mice in the night. This important shift could be caused by an enhanced endo- and exocytotic particulates transport activity of the brain capillary endothelial cells or within the brain during the rest phase.
Amperometric Enzyme Sensor to Check the Total Antioxidant Capacity of Several Mixed Berries. Comparison with Two Other Spectrophotometric and Fluorimetric Methods
Authors: Tomassetti Mauro , Serone Maruschka , Angeloni Riccardo , Campanella Luigi , Mazzone Elisa
Published: February 2015

The aim of this research was to test the correctness of response of a superoxide dismutase amperometric biosensor used for the purpose of measuring and ranking the total antioxidant capacity of several systematically analysed mixed berries. Several methods are described in the literature for determining antioxidant capacity, each culminating in the construction of an antioxidant capacity scale and each using its own unit of measurement. It was therefore endeavoured to correlate and compare the results obtained using the present amperometric biosensor method with those resulting from two other different methods for determining the total antioxidant capacity selected from among those more frequently cited in the literature. The purpose was to establish a methodological approach consisting in the simultaneous application of different methods that it would be possible to use to obtain an accurate estimation of the total antioxidant capacity of different mixed berries and the food products containing them. Testing was therefore extended to also cover jams, yoghurts and juices containing mixed berries.
Plasmonic Structure Integrated Single-Photon Detector Configurations to Improve Absorptance and Polarization Contrast
Authors: Csete Mária , Szekeres Gábor , Szenes András , Szalai Anikó , Szabó Gábor
Published: February 2015

Configurations capable of maximizing both the absorption component of system detection efficiency and the achievable polarization contrast were determined for 1550 nm polarized light illumination of different plasmonic structure integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) consisting of p = 264 nm and P = 792 nm periodic niobium nitride (NbN) patterns on silica substrate. Global effective NbN absorptance maxima appear in case of p/s-polarized light illumination in S/P-orientation (γ = 90°/0° azimuthal angle) and the highest polarization contrast is attained in S-orientation of all devices. Common nanophotonical origin of absorptance enhancement is collective resonance on nanocavity gratings with different profiles, which is promoted by coupling between localized modes in quarter-wavelength metal-insulator-metal nanocavities and laterally synchronized Brewster-Zenneck-type surface waves in integrated SNSPDs possessing a three-quarter-wavelength-scaled periodicity. The spectral sensitivity and dispersion characteristics reveal that device design specific optimal configurations exist.
DESIGN OF DETERMINISTIC MODEL OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION BETWEEN NEURONAL CELLS
Authors: Hliatsevich Maryna A. , Bulai Pavel M. , Pitlik Taras N. , Denisov Andrey A. , Cherenkevich Sergey N.
Published: February 2015

Mathematical model describing signal transduction between neurons has been presented using the system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The Cauchy problem for the given system has been solved numerically and system parameters were adjusted to match the results of experimental measurements of extracellular postsynaptic potentials in rat hippocampus slices. While fitting model to the experimental data some values of synaptic parameters have been determined.
TYPES AND MULTIPLICITY OF SOLUTIONS TO STURM–LIOUVILLE BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM
Authors: Dobkevich Maria , Sadyrbaev Felix
Published: February 2015

We consider the second-order nonlinear boundary value problems (BVPs) with Sturm–Liouville boundary conditions. We define types of solutions and show that if there exist solutions of different types then there exist intermediate solutions also.
SOLVING NUMERICALLY THE STATIC MAXWELL EQUATIONS IN AN AXISYMMETRIC SINGULAR GEOMETRY
Authors: Assous Franck , Raichik Irina
Published: February 2015

We propose a new numerical method to compute the singular solution of the Maxwell equations in axisymmetric domains, as for example in non convex polygonal domains. As geometrical singularities are mainly related to the space dependent part of the model, we focus on the static field computation. We then introduce a new approach, that consists in decomposing the domain into two or more subdomains, and to derive an ad hoc variational formulation in each subdomain. The interface conditions are then imposed with a method deduced from a Nitsche method coupled with a specific “exchange” approach. An advantage of this domain decomposition method is that it does not require neither overlapping nor iteration process. Another advantage is that no particular mesh refinement is needed near the geometrical singularities. Numerical examples will be shown.
A new species of Margaromantis Piza, 1982 (Insecta: Mantodea) from Brazil
Authors: Menezes Eliomar , Bravo Freddy
Published: February 2015

A second species of the Neotropical mantid genus Margaromantis Piza, 1982, Margaromantis nigrolineata sp. n. is described from Bahia, Brazil. This new species can be recognized by the presence of a transverse black strip between compound eyes in the vertex; fore femora exhibiting black calluses on the inner face; lacking yellowish strips over the transverse veins on the metathoracic wings; left dorsal phallomere with rectangular ventral lamina, elongated and grooved lateral process, and a flattened, but not twisted apical process that is upwardly recurved.
Les idéologies de l'écologisme
Authors: Guha Ramachandra , Flipo Fabrice
Published: February 2015

Ce texte est un extrait du rapport rendu 1 par Ramachandra Guha et Madhav Gadgil pour l’ unrisd , en 1992. Il reste pertinent au sens où la classification proposée et les exemples donnés restent largement représentatifs de ce qu’il en est de ce que l’on peut appeler le « mouvement écologiste » en Inde aujourd’hui, dénomination qui peut prêter à discussion. On constate aussi que les catégories proposées, sans recouper exactement les divisions proposées dans le cas des mouvements français, ne leur sont pas non plus totalement étrangères.
L'ambedkarisme : abolir la société de castes depuis les marges ?
Authors: Jaoul Nicolas
Published: February 2015

Ambedkar 1 , auteur principal de la Constitution indienne et leader historique du mouvement dalit , fut aussi le théoricien radical de l’abolition de la caste, opposé au conservatisme de Gandhi. Nicolas Jaoul présente ici les résistances rencontrées par sa pensée et souligne l’importance des luttes des dalits pour sortir leur grand homme de l’oubli, ainsi que les paradoxes de la ghettoisation de ce mouvement.
La lutte révolutionnaire des maoïstes continue en Inde
Authors: Shah Alpa , Ouardi Samira , Gaudillière Jean-Paul , Tawa Lama Stéphanie
Published: February 2015

Alpa Shah fait partie des rares chercheurs qui ont observé, de près et sur la durée, le mouvement maoïste qui fait rage au centre de l’Inde. Elle offre ici une vision à la fois panoramique et engagée de ce mouvement et de la contre-offensive que lui oppose l’État indien.
Droit d'auteur et création dans l'environnement numérique
Authors: Maurel Lionel
Published: February 2015

L’avènement d’Internet aurait dû permettre de mettre dans les mains du plus grand nombre des moyens de création et de publication sans précédent. Mais à cause des tensions autour du respect du droit d’auteur sur Internet, on constate au contraire un effritement graduel des droits culturels des individus, ainsi qu’une dégradation de la condition des auteurs. Pour exprimer le plein potentiel d’émancipation porté par le numérique, il importe de reconfigurer le droit d’auteur dans le sens d’un meilleur équilibre, ainsi que d’aborder de front les questions de financement de la création dans un contexte nouveau d’abondance des auteurs.
Surveillance électronique et contrôle de la délinquance
Authors: Allaria Camille
Published: February 2015

La technologie numérique s’accompagne d’une reconfiguration de l’espace social, et notamment du champ judiciaire. Le bracelet électronique sera ainsi l’un des outils privilégiés de la nouvelle stratégie pénale définie par la réforme du 10 juin 2014 adoptée à l’initiative du ministère de Christiane Taubira. Cette réforme prévoit en effet de développer fortement les aménagements de peine via la création d’une nouvelle sanction baptisée « contrainte pénale », « peine en milieu ouvert qui vise à proposer aux magistrats une alternative à l’incarcération ». Camille Allaria, qui a conduit une enquête auprès de plusieurs porteurs de bracelet, nous propose d’éclaircir la nature de cet instrument bien particulier.
Expansion des technologies de l'information et de la communication : vers l'abîme ?
Authors: Flipo Fabrice
Published: February 2015

Le discours dominant tend à faire des technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) une solution à la catastrophe écologique vers laquelle nous nous dirigeons. Mais le déferlement technologique a un impact matériel gigantesque et croissant. L’auteur propose de regarder les grandes tendances à l’œuvre, de mesurer la face cachée du numérique, et ouvre un espace critique que même les tenants de l’écologie ont, pour le moment, oublié d’investir.
L'aire du numérique
Authors: Auray Nicolas , Cottin-Marx Simon , Ouardi Samira
Published: February 2015

À partir du parcours de trois hacktivistes de la Quadrature du Net, cet itinéraire offre un tour d’horizon des luttes actuelles autour du numérique. Des radios libres à Internet, une même histoire se dégage : elle est faite de partages, de liberté d’expression, de biens communs, mais aussi d’une multitude d’organisations, d’initiatives, de luttes. Alors que le Web est de plus en plus l’objet d’attaques de la part des États ou des entreprises privées, Mouvements propose un tour d’horizon de l’ère du numérique avec trois militants de la neutralité du Net.
Potentialités et limites de la simulation multi-agents : une introduction
Authors: Manzo Gianluca
Published: February 2015

Cet article a un objectif général, permettre au lecteur un survol des principaux thèmes théoriques et méthodologiques traversant les recherches relatives à, et fondées sur, la simulation multi-agents. Il a également un objectif spécifique : aider le lecteur à mieux comprendre les contributions qui constituent le numéro thématique que la Revue française de sociologie a voulu consacrer à cette méthode. Pour ce faire, il aborde les points suivants : 1) l’originalité de la simulation multi-agents ; 2) le type d’explication que cette méthode permet de mettre en œuvre ; 3) le substrat informatique de la méthode ; 4) ses potentialités pour traiter le problème de l’agrégation ; 5) le rapport que l’on peut établir entre une simulation multi-agents et les données empiriques ; 6) les points critiques de la méthode.
The Agent-Based Modeling Approach through Some Foundational Monographs
Authors: Squazzoni Flaminio
Published: February 2015

L’article analyse quelques monographies fondamentales qui mettent en évidence la pertinence de la simulation multi-agents pour l’analyse sociologique. Ces ouvrages ont été sélectionnés au sein de travaux qui portent sur la coopération, les dynamiques sociales et les normes. Ils montrent l’importance de modéliser les comportements complexes des acteurs et leurs interactions pour comprendre les régularités sociales ainsi que les raisons pour lesquelles la modélisation et l’abstraction sont importantes pour l’analyse sociologique. La modélisation multi-agents peut nous aider à produire des théories des phénomènes sociaux plus cohérentes et vérifiables et nous permet de mieux organiser les théories avant de les tester et en vue de les répliquer. Enfin, dans l’esprit d’une approche collaborative, cet article argumente en faveur du besoin de liens plus étroits entre les approches expérimentales et la sociologie.
Rêve désagréable cette nuit
Authors: Person Xavier
Published: February 2015

Résumé Première fugue
Retour des ruines
Authors: Scott Diane
Published: February 2015

Résumé Voyeurisme
Haute Corse
Authors: Leca Béatrice
Published: February 2015

Résumé Trilogie insulaire
Relogement vs « évacuation »
Authors: Schulmann Lola
Published: February 2015

Résumé Les bidonvilles en France, d’hier à aujourd’hui
Quelle bête êtes-vous ?
Authors: Easterman-Ulmann Rachel
Published: February 2015

Résumé La bête humaine
Dans Oncle Boonmee , il n'y a pas d'animaux
Authors: Burger Léna , Farjat Juliette
Published: February 2015

Résumé Sur le film d’Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Machine Learning Approaches to Automated Medical Decision Support Systems
Authors: Pombo Nuno , Garcia Nuno , Bousson Kouamana , Felizardo Virginie
Published: February 2015

This chapter provides an overview of the Machine Learning (ML) concepts in the clinical field which data may be collected, either by Health Care Professionals (HCP) or patients. These data may include activities and medication reminders, objective measurement of physiological parameters, feedback based on observed patterns, questionnaires and scores that require computational processes that give rise to useful information capable of supporting clinical decision making. The chapter describes ML in terms of learning concepts emphasizing the following approaches: supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, and reinforcement learning. The principles of concept classification are explained and the mathematical concepts of several methodologies are presented, such as neural networks and support vector machine among other techniques. Finally, a case study based on a radial basis function neural network aiming at the estimation of ECG waveform is presented. The proposed method reveals its suitability to support HCP on clinical decisions and practices.
Robust Fuzzy Digital PID Controller Design
Authors: Pires Danúbia Soares , Serra Ginalber Luiz de Oliveira
Published: February 2015

A robust fuzzy digital PID control methodology based on gain and phase margins specifications is proposed. A mathematical formulation based on gain and phase margins specifications, the Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model of the process to be controlled, the structure of the digital PID controller, and the time delay uncertain system are developed. A multiobjective genetic strategy is defined to tune the fuzzy digital PID controller parameters, so the gain and phase margins specified to the fuzzy control system are found. An analysis of necessary and sufficient conditions for fuzzy digital PID controller design with robust stability, with the proposal of the two theorems, is presented. Experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed methodology in this chapter, applying a platform control in real time of a thermic process through tracking the reference and the gain and phase margins keeping closed the specified ones.
New Neural Buildings Stereo Matching Method Applied to Very High Resolution Ikonos Images
Authors: Zigh E.
Published: February 2015

The author introduces a new neural stereo matching method using very high resolution IKONOS images. They do not have the parameters of the images acquisition system or other technological resources like digital elevation model, Lidar, or Laser data. These images contain dense urban scenes including various kinds of roads, cars, vegetation, and builds. The author is interested by buildings; they have different shapes, positions, and intensity levels or colours, so they make a lot of “false matches.” To solve this issue, the authors extracts regions of buildings at first; after that, she proposes a neural stereo matching method. A neural field is chosen due to its good management of imprecision and uncertainty relatives to real problems in general and to this one in particular. To show the effectiveness of a proposed method, the chapter contains at first details about encountered problems, and secondly, it explains the stereo matching process, its different kinds, and a chosen approach; thirdly, it gives obtained results using panchromatic and colour images.
Fuzzy Integral-Based Kernel Regression Ensemble and Its Application
Authors: He Yulin , Liu James N. K. , Hu Yanxing , Wang Xizhao
Published: February 2015

Similar to ensemble learning for classification, regression ensemble also tries to improve the prediction accuracy through combining several “weak” estimators that are usually high-variance and thus unstable. In this chapter, the authors propose a new scheme of fusing the weak Priestley-Chao Kernel Estimators (PCKEs) based on Choquet fuzzy integral, which differs from all the existing models of regressor fusion. The new scheme uses Choquet fuzzy integral to fuse several target outputs from different PCKEs, in which the optimal bandwidths are obtained with cross-validation criteria. The key of applying fuzzy integral to PCKE fusion is the determination of fuzzy measure. Considering the advantage of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm on convergence rate, the authors use three different PSO algorithms (i.e., Standard PSO [SPSO], Gaussian PSO [GPSO], and GPSO with Gaussian Jump [GPSOGJ]) to determine the general and ? fuzzy measures. The experimental results on the standard testing functions and practical Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) datasets show that the new paradigm for regression ensemble based on fuzzy integral is more accurate and stable in comparison with any individual PCKE and the Basic Ensemble Method (BEM). This demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed regression ensemble model.
A Memetic Algorithm for the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Limited Stocks
Authors: Li Shi , Zheng Yahong
Published: February 2015

The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is one of important combinatorial problems, which holds a central place in logistics management. One of the most widely studied problems in the VRP family is the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem (MDVRP), where more than one depot is considered. In this chapter, the authors focus on a new extension of the MDVRP in which goods loaded by the vehicle are restricted due to limited stocks available at warehouses. More specifically, this extension consists in determining a least cost routing plan that can satisfy all the customs demands by delivering available stocks. Indeed, this problem is often encountered when goods are shortage in some warehouses. To deal with the problem efficiently, a memetic algorithm is proposed in this chapter. The authors study this approach on a set of modified benchmark instances and compare its performance to a pure genetic algorithm.
GPR and RVM-Based Predictions of Surface and Hole Quality in Drilling of AISI D2 Cold Work Tool Steel
Authors: Samui Pijush , Dalkilic H. Yildirim
Published: February 2015

This chapter examines the capability of Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) and Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) for prediction of surface and hole quality in drilling of AISI D2 cold work tool steel. This chapter uses GPR and RVM as regression techniques. The database contains information about cutting tool, feed rate, cutting speed, surface roughness, and roundness error. Cutting tool, feed rate, and cutting speed are considered inputs of GPR and RVM. The outputs of GPR and RVM are surface roughness and roundness error. In RVM, radial basis function is adopted as kernel function. GPR uses radial basis function as covariance function. The obtained variance can be used to determine uncertainty. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out. This chapter gives robust models based on RVM and GPR for prediction of surface and hole quality in drilling of AISI D2 cold work tool steel.
Early Warning System Framework Proposal Based on Structured Analytical Techniques, SNA, and Fuzzy Expert System for Different Industries
Authors: Klepac Goran , Kopal Robert , Mrsic Leo
Published: February 2015

Early warning systems are made with purpose to efficiently recognize deviant and potentially dangerous trends related to company business as early as possible and with significant relevance. There are numerous ways to set up early warning systems within company. Those solutions are often based on single data mining methods, and they rarely provide the holistic and qualitative approach needed in modern market uncertainty conditions. This chapter gives a novel concept for early warning system design within company, applicable in different industries. The core of the proposed framework is hybrid fuzzy expert system, which can contain a variety of data mining predictive models responsible for some specific areas in addition to traditional rule blocks. It can also include social network analysis metrics based on linguistic variables and incorporated within rule blocks. As part of this framework, SNA methods are also explained and introduced as a very powerful and unique tool to be used in modern early warning systems.
SMS Marketing
Authors: Takhar Amandeep , Chitakunye Pepukayi , Fields Ziska
Published: February 2015

This chapter seeks to extend current knowledge relating to innovative methods in marketing. The authors consider the significance of SMS marketing amongst Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within South Africa and aim to emphasise the various advantages of SMS marketing to SMEs within emerging economies. They look at how SMS marketing has emerged within the Western world and how it could be just as successful in emerging economies. Different factors are considered such as the background to SMS marketing, what SMS marketing entails, the trends of SMS marketing globally and more specifically within South Africa. The authors then discuss the emergent key themes of SMS marketing relating to its most beneficial characteristics such as cost efficiency, reach, and consumer perceptions. The findings offer significant insight into how SMEs can better understand consumer perceptions about SMS and in turn employ SMS marketing as a source of sustainable competitive advantage.
Towards Customer Knowledge Management (CKM)
Authors: Khasawneh Rawan , Alazzam Ameen
Published: February 2015

According to the knowledge-based perspective of the firm and as a result of the shift from industrial to knowledge revolution, knowledge is an important asset that can be used as a tool to achieve a firm's strategic goals in an effective way in order to achieve sustainability, competitive advantage, and other long-term benefits. On the other hand, the adoption of the “customer is the king/queen” strategy makes organizations focus on the task of gathering information about their customers that can be used in providing those customers with continuous improvements utilizing a special type of Knowledge Management (KM) strategy. This chapter explores customer knowledge management and its general concepts including knowledge and customer relationship management. It also reviews several models of customer knowledge management proposed in the literature. Conclusions and proposed future work are also discussed.
Measuring the Effects of Advertising Polysemy on Branding
Authors: Brown III Ulysses J. , Arora Anshu Saxena , Arora Amit
Published: February 2015

In the advertising research literature, polysemy is defined as different interpretations for the same advertising message. The multiple ad-interpretations can be attributable to complexities and diversities in culture and/or consumers' own demographics, perceptions, attitudes, lifestyles, values, behavior, and psychographics. We provide a bipolar and dichotomous perspective on advertising polysemy as positive and negative polysemy with research and practice examples from the print advertisements for alcoholic beverages and corporate social responsibility to explain the conditions that lead to the emergence of positive and negative polysemic contexts for the same message. Furthermore, the study explores how polysemy leads to better branding. The research investigates the concept of polysemy and the generation of idiosyncratic meanings, and examines the impact of advertising polysemy on consumer-based brand equity. The research proposes and measures the advertising polysemy and consumer-based brand equity conceptual framework supported by accommodation theory, consumer response theory, and theory of hierarchy of effects, leading to stronger ad-evoked feelings, ad and brand attitudes, and consumer-based brand equity.
Ambush Marketing
Authors: Liu Ran , Thwaites Des
Published: February 2015

The rapid growth in sponsorship throughout the world has been accompanied by a parallel growth in ambush marketing practice over the last two decades, particularly in the context of major sporting events. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the concept of ambush marketing, discuss the moral and ethical issues surrounding ambush practice, and provide solutions and recommendations in dealing with ambushing issues from the perspective of different parties. This chapter begins with an introduction of ambush marketing and explanation of how it has evolved over time. The different types of ambush marketing strategies are then identified, followed by an exploration of the effectiveness of ambush marketing and its influence on sponsorship activity. The main focus then turns to the moral and ethical debate on ambush marketing among events owners, sponsors, and ambushers. Finally, the future development of ambush marketing is discussed and suggestions are made in terms of how to cope with the ambushing issues in the future.
Modernism to Postmodernism
Authors: Shams S. M. Riad
Published: February 2015

Underlying the 4Ps marketing principle, and with the transdisciplinary input, Relationship Marketing (RM) has evolved as a fundamental concept to respond to the postmodern marketing management issues. A literature review has been conducted to recognize the rationality of the evolvement of RM and how RM responds to the postmodern marketing management issues to meet and exceed contemporary market needs. The findings reveal that RM utilizes the transdisciplinary mode-2 knowledge production (value proposition) approach, based on the value perception of the postmodern market to cope up with the contemporary and latent market trends, which should be substantiated by market competitiveness, cost effectiveness and social (including all associated stakeholders) acceptability. Such a transdisciplinary mode-2 value proposition of RM and its contribution to the postmodern marketing management appears as coherent across markets and industries.
The Intellectual Structure in Brands and Branding Research
Authors: He Jiaxun , Wang Cheng Lu
Published: February 2015

This chapter is based on a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the 30 most-cited articles (adjusting to the length of publication time) on brands and branding, retrieved from the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) database (1975-2008). Following the multidimensional scaling method and social network analysis, the results demonstrate five major subareas, which are characterized with different but interrelated intellectual structures. Among the selected core literature, a few theoretical or empirical articles play a key role in incubating or developing a research paradigm. Based on the analysis results, the authors observe that those five major domains and a relatively small number of seminal papers have important impacts on shaping the research paradigm with a lasting effect on future research directions. On the other hand, the authors argue that existing research on brands and branding has been dominantly focused on Western developed countries while brand management issues in emerging markets have been largely ignored and therefore deserve special attention in future research.
A Comprehensive Summary Review of Internet Advertising and Online Market Places that Provides Detailed Insights and Understanding On What Information Systems Discipline is About
Authors: Idemudia Efosa
Published: February 2015

To the best of our knowledge there has been no study that has published a literature review of Internet advertising, online market places, and social e-commerce in the Information System discipline journals. Publishing such articles relating to literature reviews of online market places and Internet advertising is extremely important and essential for the following reasons: (1) to provide insights and understanding to social media and online firms on strategies that can be implemented to improve Internet revenues and click-through rates, (2) provide a comprehensive analysis of some of the most influential studies in Internet advertising and social e-commerce, (3) present some of the benefits and limitations of prior studies in Internet advertising and social e-commerce, (4) encourage scholars and researchers in all disciplines to educate and enlighten college students on what Information systems consist of, and (5) present techniques to measure the effectiveness of Internet advertising and the vast monetary value of Internet advertising.
The Role of Sports Marketing in the Global Marketplace
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: February 2015

This chapter introduces the role of sports marketing in the global marketplace, thus explaining the understanding of the concept of sports marketing, internalization of sports, entrepreneurship in sports, branding in sports, sponsorship and sports, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sports, tourism and sports, regional development and sports, marketing and sports, and action sports. Practitioners in the sports management area need to take advantage of the international marketplace for both their business activities and marketing strategies. This chapter focuses on the various different practical and research avenues for international sports marketing. As the world continues to globalize, it is vital that more practical and research inquiry is focused on how to combine both the sport marketing and international business literature in order to establish a research agenda for future international researchers from around the world to focus on international sporting developments. Understanding the role of sports marketing in the global marketplace will significantly enhance the organizational performance and achieve business goals.