bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and analysis of Xiamen North Railway Station
Authors: Li Ting , Xu Min , Xiong Sen
Published: July 2016

Xiamen North Railway Station integrates the structural form with the Chinese traditional Minnan architecture style, namely, one-way purline. It’s the first time in the world to combine the mega steel reinforced concrete tower column, large-span steel truss and curved box-section PC beam together to form an innovative mega hybrid frame structure as lateral and vertical force resisting system. This structural style satisfies the requirements of architectural profile and functions. The tower columns and the mega steel trusses are connected by steel plates and prestressed tendons, which successfully solves the problem of the connections between the large-span steel trusses and their supports.

Xiamen North Railway Station is the world’s first structure using the innovative space grid roof consisting of bi-directional unequal height intersection trusses with spans of 132m×220m. An innovative steel cylinder joint was designed and adopted to match the features of the innovative space grid structure.
Tour Total – High-Rise Landmark for EUROPACITY Berlin
Authors: Pekoll Oskar-H. , Lippert Marion
Published: July 2016

The tower for the new German headquarters of the French oil company TOTAL is located in Berlin and by now it has received numerous architectural awards due to its extraordinary appearance. The object was planning an energetically optimized building of high energy efficiency and a sophisticated design that was cost-optimized, the later was to be realized against tight deadlines, which resulted in innovative constructional design details being developed, amongst others due to the speedy construction work.
Static and Dynamic Experimental Analysis of An Immersion Joint
Authors: Xiao Wenhao , Yong YUAN , Taerwe Luc , Yu Haitao
Published: July 2016

As the weakest part of an immersed tunnel, the immersion joint is the key element in research in this field. Relatively large deformations and internal forces may be induced in the immersion joint subjected to various loading types. Based on a real project, the shear mechanical behaviour is investigated by large scale model test. To explore the performance of the immersion joint, compression-shear loads are applied on a tunnel segment in a specific test set-up. For the applied loading schemes, different levels of axial force, corresponding to the water depth of the joint, are considered as well as varying amplitudes of the shear force. Based on these results, both the static and dynamic shear stiffness of an immersion joint were analysed. The results of the test indicate that the static shear stiffness of the joint increases linearly with the axial force and the same trend is found for the dynamic one. Moreover, the dynamic stiffness is larger than the static one.
Bringing Bulgarian Residential Buildings to Global Sustainability Requirements
Authors: Traykova Marina , Rangelova Fantina
Published: July 2016

The residential building fund of Bulgaria is relatively young. About 30% is under age 30, almost half is under 40, and only 4% of fund is inherited from before 1919.

At present the Global development requires a sustainable growth. In order to respond to the key challenges outlined above, a European strategy has been defined for the next decade - develop or strengthen appropriate programs for repair, maintenance and renovation projects with ambitious sustainability targets.

The paper presents detailed analysis of residential buildings in Bulgaria, their type and structural conditions; principles of sustainable development; the general aspect of National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) of Bulgaria, the National Programme for renovation of the residential buildings in Republic of Bulgaria and different kind of possibilities to bring the existing residential buildings in Bulgaria to the Global /European/ requirements for structural sustainability.
Expected Utility Theory for the Optimization of Bridge Management
Authors: Cappello Carlo , Zandonini Riccardo , Zonta Daniele
Published: July 2016

Decisions concerning bridge management often rely on experience, engineering judgement and heuristics. In this contribution, with the aid of a real-life case study, we show how a bridge management strategy can be optimized scientifically by applying expected utility theory, a framework already used in econometrics and medicine in order to identify optimal actions in agreement with a risk profile. We show how the engineering decision problem is modelled and how expected utility theory is implemented in order to obtain a set of decision rules that enables the decision maker to identify the optimal action based on structural reliability and costs. The results show that the implementation of expected utility theory in ordinary civil engineering problems is feasible and provides results based on the risk profile taken into account during the calibration of the model.
Enhanced Levels of Development to Aid Project Delivery
Authors: Carrato Peter , Wilson David
Published: July 2016

David WILSON Virtual Project Delivery Bechtel Corporation Reston, VA, USA djwilson@bechtel.com
David Wilson received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah and his ME in Engineering Management from Washington State University. He has nearly 20 years of project delivery experience.

The concept of Level Of Development (LOD) for Building Information Models (BIM) is well developed in many countries including the United States and the United Kingdom. Current LOD attributes focus on the architectural and engineering attributes of the modelled objects, such as material grade, finish, colour, weight, power consumption, etc.

This paper describes a proposed enhancement to expand LODs to include 1) procurement, the purchasing of material and equipment, as well as 2) construction planning and execution activities. Examples of the proposed Procurement and Construction LODs from level 100 to level 400 are given.
Variation Across Hispanic Immigrant Generations in Parent Social Capital, College-Aligned Actions, and Four-Year College Enrollment
Authors: Ryan Sarah , Ream Robert K.
Published: July 2016

Not beginning college at a four-year institution has been demonstrated as one key obstacle to equitable rates of bachelor’s degree attainment among Hispanic individuals in the United States. Drawing on nationally representative longitudinal data and social capital theory, this research investigates the process of four-year college enrollment among different immigrant generations of Hispanic adolescents. Of particular interest is how parents of Hispanic youth use resources embedded in their social networks to promote their children’s engagement in college-aligned actions and whether this process varies according to student immigrant generation status. Results suggest that regardless of immigrant generation, Hispanic students who take instrumental steps during high school that are aligned with admission to college have a greater probability of initially enrolling in a four-year institution. Importantly, however, the influence of different forms of parent social capital during the process of four-year college enrollment varies markedly according to student immigrant generation.
Reinforcing Deficit, Journeying Toward Equity
Authors: Ishimaru Ann M. , Torres Kathryn E. , Salvador Jessica E. , Lott Joe , Williams Dawn M. Cameron , Tran Christine
Published: July 2016

Families are key actors in efforts to improve student learning and outcomes, but conventional engagement efforts often disregard the cultural and social resources of nondominant families. Individuals who serve as cultural brokers play critical, though complex, roles bridging between schools and families. Using an equitable collaboration lens with boundary-spanning theory, this comparative case study examined how individuals enacted cultural brokering within three organizational contexts. Our findings suggest a predominance of cultural brokering consistent with programmatic goals to socialize nondominant families into school-centric norms and agendas. However, formal leadership and boundary-spanning ambiguity enabled more collective, relational, or reciprocal cultural brokering. These dynamics suggest potential stepping stones and organizational conditions for moving toward more equitable forms of family-school collaboration and systemic transformation.
Protective effect of Kombucha tea on brain damage induced by transient cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rat
Authors: Kabiri Najmeh , Setorki Mahbubeh
Published: July 2016

The aim of study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of Kombucha on cerebral damage induced by ischemia in rats (n=99). Cerebral infarct volume in the ischemic rats received Kombucha solution showed no significance alteration. However, the permeability of blood-brain barrier significantly decreased in both ischemic rats received 15 mg/kg Kombucha tea and Sham group. In addition, brain water content in the ischemic groups treated with Kombucha solution was significantly higher than the Sham group, although right hemispheres in all of the treated groups illustrated higher brain water content than the left ones. Brain anti-oxidant capacity elevated in the ischemic rats treated with Kombucha and in the Sham group. Brain and plasma malondialdehyde concentrations significantly decreased in both of the ischemic groups injected with Kombucha. The findings suggest that Kombucha tea could be useful for the prevention of cerebral damage.

Video Clip

Induction of brain ischemia: 5 min 19 sec
Adaptive Wavelet Threshold Denoising Method for Machinery Sound Based on Improved Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Xu Jing , Wang Zhongbin , Tan Chao , Si Lei , Zhang Lin , Liu Xinhua
Published: July 2016

As the sound signal of a machine contains abundant information and is easy to measure, acoustic-based monitoring or diagnosis systems exhibit obvious superiority, especially in some extreme conditions. However, the sound directly collected from industrial field is always polluted. In order to eliminate noise components from machinery sound, a wavelet threshold denoising method optimized by an improved fruit fly optimization algorithm (WTD-IFOA) is proposed in this paper. The sound is firstly decomposed by wavelet transform (WT) to obtain coefficients of each level. As the wavelet threshold functions proposed by Donoho were discontinuous, many modified functions with continuous first and second order derivative were presented to realize adaptively denoising. However, the function-based denoising process is time-consuming and it is difficult to find optimal thresholds. To overcome these problems, fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA) was introduced to the process. Moreover, to avoid falling into local extremes, an improved fly distance range obeying normal distribution was proposed on the basis of original FOA. Then, sound signal of a motor was recorded in a soundproof laboratory, and Gauss white noise was added into the signal. The simulation results illustrated the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed approach by a comprehensive comparison among five typical methods. Finally, an industrial application on a shearer in coal mining working face was performed to demonstrate the practical effect.
Analysis of Polarizability Measurements Made with Atom Interferometry
Authors: Gregoire Maxwell , Brooks Nathan , Trubko Raisa , Cronin Alexander
Published: July 2016

We present revised measurements of the static electric dipole polarizabilities of K, Rb, and Cs based on atom interferometer experiments presented in [Phys. Rev. A 2015, 92, 052513] but now re-analyzed with new calibrations for the magnitude and geometry of the applied electric ﬁeld gradient. The resulting polarizability values did not change, but the uncertainties were signiﬁcantly reduced. Then, we interpret several measurements of alkali metal atomic polarizabilities in terms of atomic oscillator strengths fik, Einstein coefﬁcients Aik, state lifetimes τk, transition dipole matrix elements Dik, line strengths Sik, and van der Waals C6 coefﬁcients. Finally, we combine atom interferometer measurements of polarizabilities with independent measurements of lifetimes and C6 values in order to quantify the residual contribution to polarizability due to all atomic transitions other than the principal ns-npJ transitions for alkali metal atoms.
A SMAP Supervised Classification of Landsat Images for Urban Sprawl Evaluation
Authors: Di Palma Flavia , Amato Federico , Nolè Gabriele , Martellozzo Federico , Murgante Beniamino
Published: July 2016

The negative impacts of land take on natural components and economic resources affect planning choices and territorial policies. The importance of land take monitoring, in Italy, has been only recently considered, but despite this awareness, in the great part of the country, effective monitoring and containment measures have not been started, yet. This research proposes a methodology to map and monitor land use changes. To this end, a time series from 1985–2010, based on the multi-temporal Landsat data Thematic Mapper (TM), has been analyzed in the Vulture Alto-Bradano area, a mountain zone of the Basilicata region (Southern Italy). Results confirm a double potentiality of using these data: on the one hand, the use of multi-temporal Landsat data allows going very back in time, producing accurate datasets that provide a phenomenon trend over time; on the other hand, these data can be considered a first experience of open data in the field of spatial information. The proposed methodology provides agencies, local authorities and practitioners with a valuable tool to implement monitoring actions. This represents the first step to pursue territorial governance methods based on sustainability, limiting the land take.
Effect of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles on the Degradability of Random Poly(butylene terephthalate-co-aliphatic dicarboxylate)s Having a High Content of Terephthalic Units
Authors: Heidarzadeh Nina , Rafizadeh Mehdi , Taromi Faramarz , Del Valle Luís , Franco Lourdes , Puiggalí Jordi
Published: July 2016

Copolyesters derived from 1,4-butanediol and constituted also of aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylate units in a molar ratio of 3:7 were synthesized by a two-step polycondensation procedure. Succinic, adipic, and sebacic acids were specifically selected as the aliphatic component whereas terephthalic acid was chosen as the aromatic moiety. The second synthesis step was a thermal transesterification between the corresponding homopolymers, always attaining a random distribution as verified by NMR spectroscopy. Hybrid polymer composites containing 2.5 wt % of hydroxyapatite (HAp) were also prepared by in situ polymerization. Hydroxyl groups on the nanoparticle surface allowed the grafting of polymer chains in such a way that composites were mostly insoluble in the typical solvents of the parent copolyesters. HAp had some influence on crystallization from the melt, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. HAp also improved the biocompatibility of samples due to the presence of Ca2+ cations and the damping effect of phosphate groups. Interestingly, HAp resulted in a significant increase in the hydrophilicity of samples, which considerably affected both enzymatic and hydrolytic degradability. Slight differences were also found in the function of the dicarboxylic component, as the lowest degradation rates was found for the sample constituted of the most hydrophobic sebacic acid units.
Estimation of Continuous Urban Sky View Factor from Landsat Data Using Shadow Detection
Authors: Hodul Matus , Knudby Anders , Ho Hung
Published: July 2016

Sky View Factor (SVF, a dimensionless value between 0 and 1 representing obstructed and unobstructed sky, respectively) has an important influence on urban energy balance, and is a key contributor to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect experienced by heavily built up regions. Continuous urban SVF maps used in modeling the spatial distribution of UHI can be derived analytically using Lidar data; however, Lidar data are costly to obtain and often lack complete coverage of large cities or metropolitan areas. This study develops and validates a method for estimating continuous urban SVF from globally available Landsat TM data, based on the presence of shadows cast by SVF-reducing urban features. SVF and per-pixel shadow proportion (SP) were first calculated for synthetic grid cities to confirm a logarithmic relationship between the two properties; then Lidar data from four US cities were used to determine an empirical regression relating SP to SVF. Spectral Mixture Analysis was then used to estimate per-pixel SP in a Landsat 5 TM image covering the Greater Vancouver Area, Canada, and the empirical regression was used to calculate SVF from per-pixel SP. The accuracy of the resulting SVF map was validated using independent Lidar-derived SVF data (R2 = 0.78; RMSE = 0.056).
A Spatially Explicit, Multi-Criteria Decision Support Model for Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting Habitat Suitability: A Remote Sensing-Based Approach
Authors: Dunkin Lauren , Reif Molly , Altman Safra , Swannack Todd
Published: July 2016

Nesting habitat for the federally endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) were designated as critical in 2014 for beaches along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Nesting suitability is routinely determined based on site specific information. Given the expansive geographic location of the designated critical C. caretta nesting habitat and the highly dynamic coastal environment, understanding nesting suitability on a regional scale is essential for monitoring the changing status of the coast as a result of hydrodynamic forces and maintenance efforts. The increasing spatial resolution and temporal frequency of remote sensing data offers the opportunity to study this dynamic environment on a regional scale. Remote sensing data were used as input into the spatially-explicit, multi-criteria decision support model to determine nesting habitat suitability. Results from the study indicate that the morphological parameters used as input into the model are well suited to provide a regional level approach with the results from the optimized model having sensitivity and detection prevalence values greater than 80% and the detection rate being greater than 70%. The approach can be implemented in various geographic locations to better communicate priorities and evaluate management strategies as a result of changes to the dynamic coastal environment.
Sustainable Design Operations in the Supply Chain: Non-Proﬁt Manufacturer vs. For-Proﬁt Manufacturer
Authors: Li Qingying , Shen Bin
Published: July 2016

Sustainable design aims to reduce the negative impacts either on people (e.g., create healthy) or on planet (e.g., minimize waste). In other words, sustainable design is the philosophy thattendstoimprovedesignperformancebyincorporatinghealthandsafetyattributes(forpeople), and environmental attributes (for planet) into products. In this paper, we develop an analytical model to examine the sustainable design operations in a supply chain which consists of one retailer and one manufacturer. The manufacturer designs the products by investigating sustainable design efforts, such that the products can better coordinate human needs. Motivated by the real industry practice, we consider two business modes for the manufacturer: a nonproﬁt organization (i.e., a demand quantity seeker) or a commercial ﬁrm (i.e., a proﬁt seeker). We obtain the optimal operational decisions in both the decentralized case and the centralized case, and we also compare the results. Managerial insights are derived, and the efﬁciency of the sustainable design is also discussed.
Power Spectral Deviation-Based Voice Activity Detection Incorporating Teager Energy for Speech Enhancement
Authors: Kim Sang-Kyun , Kang Sang-Ick , Park Young-Jin , Lee Sanghyuk , Lee Sangmin
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we propose a robust voice activity detection (VAD) algorithm to effectively distinguish speech from non-speech in various noisy environments. The proposed VAD utilizes power spectral deviation (PSD), using Teager energy (TE) to provide a better representation of the PSD, resulting in improved decision performance for speech segments. In addition, the TE-based likelihood ratio and speech absence probability are derived in each frame to modify the PSD for further VAD. We evaluate the performance of the proposed VAD algorithm by objective testing in various environments and obtain better results that those attained by of the conventional methods.
Comparison of Beneficial Effects of Acupuncture at PC6, LU7 & Non-acupuncture Points on Cardiac Cell Function in Myocardial Ischemia (MI) Rats by Testing Protein Expression of L-type Calcium Channel Protein and its Related Protein
Authors: Liu Longtao , Wang Songzi , Fu Changgeng , Shu Shi , Fu Martin , Li Jing , Deng Xue , Sun Jianduan , Chen Wenna , Ren Lu
Published: July 2016

The mechanism of why electro-acupuncture (EA) at PC6 improves the heart function was investigated by studying how the L-type cardiac voltage-dependent calcium channel in myocardial ischemia (MI) is regulated. Cavaα1c, Cavβ and Cavaα2-δ1
are main component proteins of L-type calcium channel; CaM and Calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) are Ca2+ channel associated proteins. In this experiment, MI was induced by injection of isoproterenol (ISO) in rats and electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded before and after every injection,
and protein expressions of Cavaα1c, Cavβ, Cavaα2-δ1, CaM and CaMKII were higher [The protein expression increased 43.39%, 54.85%, 47.08%, 48.29% and 50.36% respectively] than the control rats significantly (p<0.05). After MI
induction, the MI rats were divided into three groups, including PC6 (Neiguan-point), LU7 (Lieque-point) and Non-acupuncture-point group, which were acupunctured once a day for 7 days respectively. After EA at PC6, the protein expressions showed obvious decrease [EA at PC6: the protein expressions
of Cavaα1c, Cavβ, Cavaα2-δ1, CaM and CaMKII decreased 26.36%, 27.58%, 25.21%, 27.21% and 26.61% respectively.] and they are all lower than MI rats significantly (p<0.05). After EA at LU7 and Non-acupuncture-point, the protein
expressions showed no significant changes. The effect of EA at PC6 was significantly better than LU7 and Non-acupuncture-point (p<0.05). PC6 is an acupoint of the pericardium meridian, and the pericardium meridian, which corresponds to opioid system according to Li P's research,
can affect the cardio-vascular function directly. LU7 is located on the lung meridian; it cannot affect the heart function directly although the lung is related to the heart in blood circulation function so PC6 showed the target treating effect of meridian specificity on regulating the L-type
calcium channel in MI.
The Enigmatic Fallopian Tube: A More Common Cause of Catheter Malfunction than Previously Recognized
Authors: Gudsoorkar Prakash S. , Penner Todd , Jassal S. Vanita , Bargman Joanne M.
Published: July 2016

Successful performance of peritoneal dialysis (PD) depends on a properly functioning PD catheter. Catheter malfunction remains a significant cause of technique failure, especially early in the course of therapy. Common causes of catheter malfunction include catheter displacement, omental or bowel wrapping, and fibrin clots. Less commonly, various intraperitoneal structures have been reported to lead to obstruction, including appendices epiploicae of sigmoid colon and the fallopian tube. Peritoneal dialysis catheter blockage due to fimbriae of the fallopian tube is being recognized as an important cause of catheter malfunction in females due to the increasing availability of diagnostic laparoscopy. We report 5 episodes of catheter malfunction in 4 patients on PD from a single center as a result of obstruction by the fallopian tube.
Diagnosing Tuberculous Peritonitis Early in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis: Use of Xpert MTB/RIF Assay
Authors: Edwards Sarah , Glynn Patricia , David Miruna D. , Kamesh Lavanya
Published: July 2016

Diagnosing tuberculous peritonitis can be challenging, with mycobacterial culture potentially taking weeks for a positive result. This report describes 2 cases where a prompt diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis was made employing the Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Cepheid Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA).
A NEW POPULATION OF COMPTON-THICK AGNs IDENTIFIED USING THE SPECTRAL CURVATURE ABOVE 10 keV
Authors: Koss Michael J. , Assef R. , Baloković M. , Stern D. , Gandhi P. , Lamperti I. , Alexander D. M. , Ballantyne D. R. , Bauer F. E. , Berney S. , Brandt W. N. , Comastri A. , Gehrels N. , Harrison F. A. , Lansbury G. , Markwardt C. , Ricci C. , Rivers E. , Schawinski K. , Trakhtenbrot B. , Treister E. , Urry C. Megan
Published: July 2016

We present a new metric that uses the spectral curvature (SC) above 10 keV to identify Compton-thick active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in low-quality Swift/Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) X-ray data. Using NuSTAR, we observe nine high SC-selected AGNs. We find that high-sensitivity spectra show that the majority are Compton-thick (78% or 7/9) and the remaining two are nearly Compton-thick (N
H ≃ (5–8) × 1023 cm−2 ). We find that the SC
BAT
and SC
NuSTAR
measurements are consistent, suggesting that this technique can be applied to future telescopes. We tested the SC method on well-known Compton-thick AGNs and found that it is much more effective than broadband ratios (e.g., 100% using SC versus 20% using 8–24 keV/3–8 keV). Our results suggest that using the >10 keV emission may be the only way to identify this population since only two sources show Compton-thick levels of excess in the Balmer decrement corrected [O iii] to observed X-ray emission ratio (

) and WISE colors do not identify most of them as AGNs. Based on this small sample, we find that a higher fraction of these AGNs are in the final merger stage (<10 kpc) than typical BAT AGNs. Additionally, these nine obscured AGNs have, on average, ≈4× higher accretion rates than other BAT-detected AGNs (

compared to

). The robustness of SC at identifying Compton-thick AGNs implies that a higher fraction of nearby AGNs may be Compton-thick (≈22%) and the sum of black hole growth in Compton-thick AGNs (Eddington ratio times population percentage) is nearly as large as mildly obscured and unobscured AGNs.
THE STAR FORMATION RATE EFFICIENCY OF NEUTRAL ATOMIC-DOMINATED HYDROGEN GAS IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF STAR-FORMING GALAXIES FROM z ∼ 1 TO z ∼ 3
Authors: Rafelski Marc , Gardner Jonathan P. , Fumagalli Michele , Neeleman Marcel , Teplitz Harry I. , Grogin Norman , Koekemoer Anton M. , Scarlata Claudia
Published: July 2016

Current observational evidence suggests that the star formation rate (SFR) efficiency of neutral atomic hydrogen gas measured in damped Lyα systems (DLAs) at

is more than 10 times lower than predicted by the Kennicutt–Schmidt (KS) relation. To understand the origin of this deficit, and to investigate possible evolution with redshift and galaxy properties, we measure the SFR efficiency of atomic gas at

1,

2, and

around star-forming galaxies. We use new robust photometric redshifts in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field to create galaxy stacks in these three redshift bins, and measure the SFR efficiency by combining DLA absorber statistics with the observed rest-frame UV emission in the galaxies’ outskirts. We find that the SFR efficiency of H i gas at

is ∼1%–3% of that predicted by the KS relation. Contrary to simulations and models that predict a reduced SFR efficiency with decreasing metallicity and thus with increasing redshift, we find no significant evolution in the SFR efficiency with redshift. Our analysis instead suggests that the reduced SFR efficiency is driven by the low molecular content of this atomic-dominated phase, with metallicity playing a secondary effect in regulating the conversion between atomic and molecular gas. This interpretation is supported by the similarity between the observed SFR efficiency and that observed in local atomic-dominated gas, such as in the outskirts of local spiral galaxies and local dwarf galaxies.
EVOLUTIONARY TRACKS OF THE CLIMATE OF EARTH-LIKE PLANETS AROUND DIFFERENT MASS STARS
Authors: Kadoya S. , Tajika E.
Published: July 2016

The climatic evolution of the Earth depends strongly on the evolution of the insolation from the Sun and the amount of the greenhouse gasses, especially CO2 in the atmosphere. Here, we investigate the evolution of the climate of hypothetical Earths around stars whose masses are different from the solar mass with a luminosity evolution model of the stars, a mantle degassing model coupled with a parameterized convection model of the planetary interiors, and an energy balance climate model of the planetary surface. In the habitable zone (HZ), the climate of the planets is initially warm or hot, depending on the orbital semimajor axes. We found that, in the inner HZ, the climate of the planets becomes hotter with time owing to the increase in the luminosity of the central stars, while, in the outer HZ, it becomes colder and eventually globally ice-covered owing to the decrease in the CO2 degassing rate of the planets. The orbital condition for maintaining the warm climate similar to the present Earth becomes very limited, and more interestingly, the planet orbiting in the outer HZ becomes globally ice-covered after a certain critical age (∼3 Gyr for the hypothetical Earth with standard parameters), irrespective of the mass of the central star. This is because the critical age depends on the evolution of the planets and planetary factors, rather than on the stellar mass. The habitability of the Earth-like planet is shown to be limited with age even though it is orbiting within the HZ.
Trois questions autour de l’impact à court terme des variations du prix du pétrole sur la croissance française
Authors: Heyer Éric , Hubert Paul
Published: July 2016

Ce travail évalue différentes caractéristiques de l’impact de l’évolution du prix du baril de pétrole sur l’activité économique en France. Nous montrons qu’il existe un décalage de cet impact sur le PIB, qui serait en moyenne, sur la période 1985-2015, de 4 trimestres. L’effet, à la baisse comme la hausse, n’est significatif que pour des variations des prix du pétrole supérieures à 1 écart-type. L’effet asymétrique est extrêmement faible : l’effet est identique dans le cas d’une hausse ou d’une baisse de ce dernier. Seule la vitesse de diffusion diffère (3 trimestres dans le cas d’une hausse contre 4 dans celui d’une baisse). Enfin, l’effet dépend de la phase du cycle conjoncturel : il est très largement supérieur lorsque l’économie se situe dans un état de croissance modérée (basse conjoncture). Les résultats de cette étude indiquent donc que l’effet du contre-choc pétrolier est à venir et devrait se faire sentir à partir du 1 er trimestre 2016.
L’impact du découplage des politiques monétaires de la BCE et de la Fed sur la zone euro et les pays émergents
Authors: Blot Christophe , Hubert Paul , Rifflart Christine
Published: July 2016

Alors que la Réserve fédérale a amorcé un cycle de hausse des taux en décembre 2015, la BCE a amplifié son programme d’assouplissement quantitatif en annonçant d’abord une extension de la durée du programme, puis une augmentation de sa taille et enfin un élargissement de la gamme d’actifs achetés. Il en résulte un découplage croissant de la politique monétaire entre les États-Unis et la zone euro. Ce découplage pourrait accentuer les effets du soutien qu’apporte la BCE par le canal du taux de change. Nous illustrons ce mécanisme en évaluant l’effet en zone euro des variations de taux d’intérêt anticipés et de taille du bilan sur le taux de change et le prix des cours boursiers. Les résultats suggèrent que l’effet taux est systématiquement significatif alors que l’effet par la taille du bilan serait moins important. En outre, après avoir alimenté la liquidité mondiale, la normalisation en cours de la politique monétaire américaine s’accompagne un recul des flux de capitaux des économies émergentes, provoquant ainsi de l’instabilité financière et fragilisant leur croissance. Nous estimons les effets de débordement de la politique monétaire de la Réserve fédérale et de la BCE sur les taux de change et les cours boursiers de ces pays. Nos résultats suggèrent que la sensibilité des économies émergentes aux politiques monétaires de la Réserve fédérale et de la BCE n’est pas homogène. Il ressort également que l’effet de signal de la politique monétaire pourrait être plus important pour sa transmission que les effets de réallocation de portefeuille.
Outcomes of Pediatric Cataract Surgery in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia
Authors: Mboni Chileshe , Gogate Parikshit M. , Phiri Ariel , Seneadza Asiwome , Ramson Prasidh , Manolakos-Tsehisi Halli , Musonda Lillian , Benjamin Larry , Øverland Lene
Published: July 2016

Purpose:

To study the outcomes of pediatric cataract surgeries in children operated on in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and the barriers to accessing surgery.

Methods:

All children who had congenital, developmental, and traumatic cataracts operated on by lens aspiration, primary posterior capsulotomy, and anterior vitrectomy with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation from 2012 to 2013 and followed up beyond 6 months were studied. Each child underwent a comprehensive preoperative evaluation. An active, assisted follow-up was done and parents were asked about reasons for delay between presentation and surgery.

Results:

One hundred two eyes of 70 children met the inclusion criteria of the study. Preoperatively, 76 of 77 (98.7%) eyes in the congenital and developmental cataract group had presenting visual acuity of worse than 6/60. This improved postoperatively, with 19 (29.7%) eyes having best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of better than 6/18, 23 (35.9%) having BCVA of 6/24 to 6/60, and 22 (34.4%) having BCVA of worse than 6/60. Older age (
P
= .005), better preoperative vision (
P
= .045) at presentation, unilaterality (
P
= .012), and delay between presentation and surgery (
P
= .004) were predictors of a better postoperative outcome. On multivariate analysis, only age was significant (
P
= .025). Distance and cost of travel and surgery were the causes of delay in presentation. In the patients with traumatic cataracts, 17 of 25 (68%) had BCVA of better than 6/18, 6 (24%) had BCVA between 6/24 and 6/60, and 2 (8%) had BCVA of worse than 6/60 at the 6-month follow-up. The most common causes of injury were being struck by sticks and stones (10 children, 25%).

Conclusions:

Visual outcomes after pediatric cataract surgery in Zambia were comparable and satisfactory. Cost of treatment was a barrier, but delay did not adversely affect outcome.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2016;53(5):311–317.]
Success Rates of Conventional Versus Endoscope-Assisted Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Children 12 Years and Younger
Authors: Galindo-Ferreiro Alicia , Akaishi Patricia , Cruz Augusto , Khandekar Rajiv , Dossari Saif , Dufaileej Mohammed , Galvez-Ruiz Alberto , Schellini Silvana
Published: July 2016

Purpose:

To compare the success rates for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) treated with conventional probing versus endoscope-assisted probing.

Methods:

A retrospective nonrandomized comparison of the success rates in children (0 to 12 years) with CNLDO who underwent conventional probing or endoscope-assisted probing. Success was defined as absence of tearing or negative fluorescein dye disappearance test. Stent was evaluated.

Results:

A total of 270 patients with CNLDO comprised the study population. The mean age was 37 months in the conventional probing group and 48.5 months in the endoscope-assisted probing group. The subjective and objective success rates were 76.1% and 75.9%, respectively, in the conventional probing group and 95.7% and 95.7%, respectively, in the endoscope-assisted probing group. The success rates were higher for both methods in the endoscope-assisted probing group (
P
< .005). The success rate decreased in older children in the conventional probing group (100% < 6 months; 62.5% > 48 months) and remained stable in the endoscope-assisted probing group (100% < 6 months; 97% > 48 months). Stent did not improve success.

Conclusions:

Endoscope-assisted probing increased success in older children and children with bilateral obstruction.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2016;53(5):292–299.]
Orbital Imaging to Identify a “Lost” Lateral Rectus Muscle
Authors: Waite Christopher , Dai Shuan
Published: July 2016

A 36-year-old man presented with a large-angle esotropia and limited abduction of the right eye. A computed tomography scan of his orbits showed an absent lateral rectus muscle. At the time of surgery, a normal-appearing lateral rectus muscle was found. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed a present but atrophic lateral rectus muscle.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2016;53:e32–e34.]
De predicadoras, heroínas y malentendidos
Authors: Oviedo Pérez de Tudela Rocío
Published: July 2016

Algunas mujeres se adelantan a su tiempo, es el caso de la chilena María Luisa Bombal, o siglos atrás, de la monja mexicana sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, pionera en la defensa de los derechos de la mujer y su reconocimiento en la sociedad; pero también una adelantada al exigir su derecho a exponer opiniones propias en el complejo campo de la teología. Siglos después y desde parámetros muy distintos, Elena Poniatowska coincide con ella en reivindicar su independencia de reescritura y en el rescate de testimonios femeninos que son parte de la historia del México reciente.
Mujer y teología: la cuestión de la imagen de Dios
Authors: Castilla de Cortázar Blanca
Published: July 2016

La cuestión de la imagen de Dios, afirmada en el libro del Génesis, es un tema teológico con amplio recorrido, acerca del cual se ha avanzado en las últimas décadas, en relación con la teología de la mujer, tarea aún pendiente. En el presente trabajo, tras un breve iter en torno al progreso de esta cuestión, nos detendremos a analizar la novedosa propuesta de Karol Wojtyla en su obra magna: La teología del cuerpo, analizando su método, sus puntos de partida y sus principales consecuencias, para concluir señalando las tareas pendientes.
Bases epistemológicas del debate sobre el sexismo lingüístico
Authors: Márquez Guerrero María
Published: July 2016

En este trabajo analizamos los supuestos epistemológicos que subyacen a las diferentes posturas en torno del tema del sexismo lingüístico: la dicotomía lengua / habla; la independencia vs. condicionamiento de la lengua con respecto a la realidad; el principio de arbitrariedad, la confusión entre referencia y referente, etc. Defendemos la natural motivación del género en los sustantivos animados con referencia personal, y tratamos de mostrar que la vinculación entre género y “sexo” no implica la confusión de los planos de la lengua y la realidad, pues el “sexo”, que actúa como motivador, lo hace como taxema de la experiencia, sustancia semántica conformada lingüísticamente. Dada la afirmación de este vínculo, se comprende la espontánea creación de femeninos específicos, que es una tendencia estructural de nuestra lengua desde sus orígenes. Por otra parte, el uso abusivo del masculino “genérico”, utilizado en contextos específicos, de pertinencia, donde no es posible la neutralización, explica un uso sexista que oculta a la mujer naturalizando su ausencia.
Genèse d’une traduction
Authors: Lebrave Jean-Louis
Published: July 2016

À partir d’un exemple concret, celui d’Elmar Tophoven traducteur de La Jalousie d’Alain Robbe-Grillet, cet article explore quelques pistes pour construire une génétique de la traduction. En focalisant le regard sur les aspects les plus matériels du processus de traduction (compter, découper, étiqueter, annoter, souligner…), les nombreuses annotations portées par Tophoven sur l’exemplaire français du roman et le volume allemand correspondant permettent de reconstituer des stratégies d’appropriation du texte par le traducteur dont la pertinence va bien au-delà du cas singulier de la genèse du texte allemand de La Jalousie. Elles illustrent aussi la manière dont Tophoven met en pratique les grands principes de traduction qu’il a constamment défendus. On y voit à l’œuvre un processus de traduction « transparent » qui, attentif à ses traces et soucieux de garder la mémoire de son déroulement, enregistre ses trouvailles comme ses échecs, et nourrit un processus d’échange permanent entre traducteurs.
Assessment of Factors Affecting the Final Value of «Volume Loss» by TBM Tunneling
Authors: Skvortsov Alexey A. , Cherepetskaya Elena B.
Published: July 2016

This paper covers design diagrams and algorithms for determining the strain state of soil mass in case of its underworking. When tunnels are constructed in restrained urban conditions peculiar to megapolises, there is an acute problem related to the assessment of their influence on the existing above-and underground facilities. The strains of buildings and structures that occur as a result of underground construction work may have an impact on the operation reliability of these facilities. Russian regulatory documents in the area of underground urban construction strictly govern the basic parameters of the subsidence trough, such as maximum vertical subsidence, curvature, inclination, etc., for most of the existing underworked structures. Such facilities include both buildings and structures of various purposes above ground and different types of utilities (roads and railways, pipelines, cable lines, etc.). The method described in the paper offers the use of an integral quantity of "volume loss" when tunneling is performed by tunnel-boring machines. The "volume loss" term shall be understood to mean the distance between tunnel lining and soil mass, which initially occurs due to the difference between rotor diameter and lining outside diameter. There are also a number of other technology factors affecting the increase of this parameter, and their quantitative assessment is given in this paper. The method proposed in this paper makes it possible to promptly assess the impact of tunneling operations on the existing underworked structures with account of basic influencing factors.
Environment Effects - Dust Pollution and Soil Protection
Authors: Svoboda Pavel , Kurth Helmut
Published: July 2016

Human activities have a considerable effect upon the development of all components of the natural environment. The activity of construction represents a considerable influence upon the environment, with its significance growing with the rate of urbanisation. The high concentration of people in cities and towns has resulted in this urban environment representing the living community for over 50 percent of the population. Construction based activities not only provide material conditions for an urban population, but also influence its social behaviour. As such, no civil engineering designs are able to ignore the influences or impacts which structures may have on the environment especially dust pollution and erosion of soil that is one of the principal resources of the biosphere. As a limited and irreplaceable natural resource it becomes the limiting factor of the development of society in case of its destruction or degradation. By being the living space of most plants it enables energy transformation in the framework of the ecosystem by way of the autothropic stratum represented by the green vegetation. Organic matter produced on the soil serves in numerous ways, whether directly or indirectly, the needs of man. Also the subsoil water runoff depends on soil properties. The loss of soil transforms the subsoil water runoff into surface water runoff with all negative consequences of such transformation.
New System of Ice Wall Strength Increase
Authors: Palankoev Ibragim
Published: July 2016

The weakening of the rock massive has been determined during boring of freezing tubes. It has been proved that the freezing column is disjoint from the massive by mud solution with strength 0,7-0,8 MPa, which fills out the drill hole Ø250mm. Were established lows of forming of the shear stress regions on the freezing pipe`s circuit. Were suggested adjunctive technological measures such as exhaust solution injection in the annular space, which reducing intensity of blasting loads on freezing pipe.
Scientific Principles for Shaping Underground Infrastructure of Megacities
Authors: Kartozia Boris A. , Korchak Andrey V.
Published: July 2016

The basic notion underlying urban underground development is that underground space is a non-renewable resource, therefore planning its use must be done in a sustainable, environmentally-responsible manner with due account taken of economic, functional, social, and legal aspects. This paper addresses issues related to the planning, siting, design, construction, operation and maintenance of underground structures in the city of Moscow. The mechanism of the interaction between an underground structure and the surrounding rock masses is described. It is shown that underground engineering can be significantly enhanced through the use of expert systems. The paper also discusses the need for changes to the legal framework for the use of urban underground space.
Basic Directions of Improving the Durability of the Sewage Collector Lining
Authors: Kulikova Elena
Published: July 2016

The main requirements for the sewage lining are waterproofing properties, mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, resistance to hydro-abrasive wear. Currently, neither in the literature nor in the practice of underground urban construction, there is no information about the quantitative parameters of the above requirements. This leads to uncertainty when creating new means of protection of concrete lining from the effects of external factors and aggressive media flowing through the collector tunnels. Currently, it is possible to control the characteristics of concrete (to increase its density and decrease porosity) through the introduction of additives (superplasticizers to reduce the water-cement ratio, microsilica) or coating of concrete surface materials, contributing to colmatation. It helps to increase the water resistance of concrete tunnel lining, its resistance to aggressive influences. However, this is not enough to prevent deterioration of concrete when exposed to aggressive environment. The article proposed the evaluation of the above requirements, which will solve the problem of increasing the durability of lining concrete sewers.
The Impact of Construction Activities on Vegetation
Authors: Pospíchal Vaclav , Kurth Helmut
Published: July 2016

The environmental effects of civil engineering activities can generally be divided into positive and negative. The construction process itself, however, with a few exceptions (e.g. possible consumption of waste materials) is typically characterised by the negative impacts. In practice, it is often not possible to avoid these negative impacts but only to minimise them. The necessity of protecting vegetation while conducting building activity springs from the effort to maintain all the positive functions of vegetation in the human life environment. A large leaf area, representing up to ten times the tree crown ground plan and its ability to catch dust particles on its surface, makes vegetation an important element in lowering the amount of dust in the air (a decrease of up to 70%).
Influence of Pipe Ramming on Stress State of Surrounding Soil and Nearby Tunnel Lining
Authors: Pankratenko Alexandr A. , Quang Huy Nguyen , Duyen Phong Nguyen , Samal Andrey S. , Begalinov Abdrahman B. , Amantolov Dikhan B.
Published: July 2016

ANNOTATIONThis article proposes an approach to the prediction of stress state and assessing the strength of a circular tunnel lining and the surrounding rock mass under construction near the production used by the micro-tunneling technology of pipe ramming. The basis of this method is an analytical solution of the corresponding plane problem of elasticity theory.