bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zones de défection temporaire. Refigurations de Bartleby et de des Esseintes dans quelques romans contemporains
Authors: Huppe Justine , Claisse Frédéric
Published: November 2016

Inquiets de l’instrumentalisation du récit et de la fiction à des fins mercantiles ou stratégiques, de nombreux écrivains et observateurs s’interrogent aujourd’hui : quels pouvoirs reste-t-il à la littérature, quand la logique capitaliste s’est appropriée ses outils et semble toujours en avance sur ses potentialités critiques ? Pour reprendre la terminologie d’Albert Hirschman, si les modalités de contestation (voice) semblent épuisées, qu’en est-il des possibilités de défection (exit), dans un monde en réseau qui se nourrit précisément de l’injonction permanente à la liberté et l’autonomie ? Déplaçant cette question sur le terrain romanesque, notre contribution s’intéresse à la volonté de retrait de quelques personnages contemporains (geeks, artistes reclus, militants autonomes, ermites des mondes virtuels, etc.), comparés à des figures littéraires emblématiques de la défection au xixe siècle (des Esseintes, Bartleby, Oblomov, Emma Bovary), de manière à mesurer les changements qui ont affecté l’espace même de possibilités de fuite, et leurs conséquences pour des formes de résistance en littérature.
De la fable au roman. Deux aspects du conte dans Un bon petit diable (1865) de la Comtesse de Ségur et Mémoires de porc-épic (2006) d’Alain Mabanckou
Authors: Sagna Moussa
Published: November 2016

Le présent article se veut une recherche sur le véritable destinataire du conte dans un contexte mondial marqué par des crises. Ce genre, jadis fortement lié à la formation des jeunes, est de plus en plus exploité par des lecteurs plus avisés et plus adultes. En partant d’Un bon petit diable (1865) de Comtesse de Ségur et des Mémoires de porc-épic (2006) d’Alain Mabanckou, dans une perspective comparative, nous ambitionnons de revenir sur l’esthétique du conte en prenant en considération deux époques et deux milieux différents afin de mieux comprendre l’attrait d’un genre dont le but était à l’origine pédagogique.
Les contre-écritures de Maine de Biran (1766-1824) et de Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)
Authors: Bâcle Benjamin
Published: November 2016

Dans un monde désenchanté où aucun « lecteur universel » n’attend que nous produisions quoi que ce soit, et où toute validation ne peut être que circonscrite et conditionnelle, il peut être de plus en plus difficile de se convaincre qu’écrire compte. Une conscience aigüe de ce que le climat intellectuel et culturel tournait à un utilitarisme mettant l’accent sur la gratification immédiate, il y a quelque deux siècles de cela, a amené Maine de Biran et Samuel Taylor Coleridge à écrire, en marge de leurs publications plus ou moins bien pensées et reçues, contre le public, au sein de leurs Journal et Notebooks respectifs. Ces écrits, le lieu d’une exploration du moi supposée ne jamais passer le seuil de l’édition, étaient ainsi le lieu d’une résistance à la logique implacable de la recherche de reconnaissance, recherche d’autant plus douloureuse qu’elle était, pour Biran et Coleridge, vouée à demeurer insatiable. Jean-Paul Sartre avance cependant que ce genre de résistance au lectorat, particulièrement dans le contexte du dix-neuvième siècle bourgeois, ne pouvait guère qu’être ineffective, dans la mesure où elle ne se départait jamais vraiment, même dans l’absence et l’obscurité, de la psychologisation et de l’esthétisme vain. Avec Paul Ricœur néanmoins, il est possible de répondre à Sartre que toute résistance compte, précisément puisque nous sommes tous compromis, et ce dès le début et pour toujours.
Digital Technologies as a Change Agent in Problem-Based Activities
Authors: Holmgren Robert
Published: November 2016

This study deals with how problem-based activities were affected when digital technologies were integrated with PBL (Problem-Based Learning) in Swedish firefighter training. Based on socio-cultural perspectives on learning and a comparative distance-campus approach, the instructor and student roles and PBL activities were explored. Interviews with instructors and students from the two study modes were carried out at the beginning and end of the two-year training program. The results showed that, compared to the campus-based PBL, the problem-solving processes in the online PBL activities were characterized by greater individual responsibility, more authentic tasks and a clearer focus on literacy. Furthermore, the instructor's role as a teaching subject expert changed in favor of a tutoring approach, and the distance students developed a more self-directed learning approach compared to the campus students. The follow-up study in the latter part of the training program showed that the extended technology integration resulted in phases of both dissemination and normalization. The introduction of online PBL affected both the teaching design and educational discussions throughout the program. However, the prevailing teaching culture and the pedagogical and technological shortcomings of instructors unused to distance teaching resulted in a gradual normalization of the online PBL.
In One Voice
Authors: Drago-Severson Eleanor , Maslin-Ostrowski Patricia , Hoffman Alexander M.
Published: November 2016

This article examines the views of graduate students who are aspiring or practicing school leaders and faculty from two university degree granting leadership preparation programs. Drawn from a larger mixed methods study, the authors focus here on survey results that show how these groups rated the effectiveness of 14 potential curricular dimensions drawn from traditional leadership content (e.g., budget/finance, legal compliance) and more recent (contemporary) additions to leadership curricula (e.g., reflective practice, adult learning and development, social-emotional capacity). Both traditional and contemporary areas received high ratings for effectiveness and importance to professional growth and development. Implications of this research point to the joint importance and feasibility of a more integrated approach to leadership education that includes contemporary and traditional dimensions. These finding may have important implications for other settings as well.
Learning Physical and Digital Conviviality through Practice Stories
Authors: Willis Peter
Published: November 2016

This is a study of how members of a collaborative group interested in promoting convivial civilisation in human physical and digital society took up exchanging practice stories – stories of doing something or seeing something done as examples of convivial backyard civilisation – in order tacitly to create an informal learning environment where practices of such a convivial backyard civilisation could seem normal, desirable and do-able. Practice story exchanges are an attempt to ‘tell the truth but tell it slant' as Emily Dickenson put it in the poem cited, to work tentatively and collaboratively avoiding too much direct confrontation and rigid debate. This paper talks of the work of creating conviviality to redress an over emphasis on logical rational productivity and seductive digital virtuality in society; of the nature and importance of informal learning and its links with practice story exchanges and how this is pursued in the work of the Australian Centre for Convivial Backyard Civilisation (ACCBC).
The Essence of Powerful Teaching
Authors: Brookfield Stephen
Published: November 2016

Empowering learners and using powerful techniques are prominent elements in the discourse of adult and vocational education. But what constitutes the elements of what might be considered as powerful teaching? This paper begins by examining the way educators talk about power and then proposes four elements that lie at the heart of powerful teaching; understanding how power dynamics intersect with adult educational approaches, supporting empowerment, helping learners understand how power works, and rendering teacher power transparent. The paper uses the work of Baptiste, Marcuse and Hooks to explore some of the problems involved in adult teachers attempting to work in the democratic manner endorsed by the adult education tradition. It concludes by acknowledging the practical and ontological contradictions of teachers trying to balance their prescriptive agendas with a learner-centered approach.
Showing a Human and Professional Face to the World
Authors: Munday Jennifer , Rowley Jennifer
Published: November 2016

The online learning space can appear to be cold and impersonal for Higher Education students. The aim of this chapter is to show the progress of a teaching and learning design using a “sense of self” model, which is being used in ePortfolio creation in two Higher Education institutions. This chapter demonstrates that an ePortfolio can be a tool for showcasing students' levels of achievement in regard to a “sense of self”. The authors intend that the positive results from the outcomes of the two pedagogic approaches to the ePortfolio process should encourage other users of ePortfolio to engage with flexible and creative approaches to the production of showcase and reflective ePortfolios with students at all phases of a degree program. Academics can positively affect the human connections between students and teachers, emerging professionals and the profession, by encouraging multi-faceted aspects within an ePortfolio as the interface between the online and the professional world.
Beginning the Process of Humanizing Online Learning
Authors: Reynaud Daniel , Reynaud Emanuela , Kilgour Peter
Published: November 2016

This chapter considers two autoethnographic case studies of two teachers as they report on their journey towards making online learning more authentic, personal and humanized. One teacher is a secondary school technology and applied science teacher, and the other, a tertiary history and literature lecturer. In both cases, an initial reticence and even fear transitions into a journey of discovery into the online format. The importance of technical support, pedagogical support and administrative enthusiasm are seen as vital to a healthy transition to an online learning environment that maximizes its technological advantages. A link is drawn between humanizing the transition for teachers and humanizing the experience for students.
Online Construction Management Education
Authors: Sher William , Williams Anthony , Gajendran Thayaparan
Published: November 2016

Construction management is a relatively new discipline, straddling civil engineering and architecture. Graduates are in high demand and the discipline attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds, including those from school, industry employees seeking to progress their careers as well as those wishing for a career change. Online education is attractive to these students as it provides them with the flexibility to marry their studies with their other responsibilities. However, their diverse backgrounds present challenges to those teaching them as many are unfamiliar with online education and some have not studied for extended periods. They need to be introduced into the university environment in general and the particular approach of the discipline in particular. At the University of Newcastle, the Bachelor of Construction Management is taught based on problem-based learning principles.
Taking a Hard Look at the Soft Skills of Online Course Design and Online Teaching in Higher Education
Authors: Gosselin Kevin P. , Northcote Maria , Wuensche Kristi D. , Stoddard Trudy
Published: November 2016

Over the past few decades, substantial growth has occurred in online education in general, and this has been particularly true of the higher education sector. Most universities and post-secondary institutions now offer students the opportunity to enroll in online pre-tertiary, vocational, undergraduate and/or postgraduate courses. While some of these courses are successful for the learners who enroll in them, others have been found somewhat deficient, often criticized for their lack of humanization, interaction, communication and online presence. This chapter examines the role of the so-called soft skills of online course design and online teaching that are seen as vital for online educators who are responsible for the facilitation of high quality online learning. Along with a review of relevant literature about the soft skills of online teaching, the chapter presents three institutional case studies from which a set of practically-focused recommendations for promoting the design of humanized online learning environments has been developed.
Student Attitude and Online Learning
Authors: Bolton David
Published: November 2016

After defining “attitude” and reporting on the impact attitudes have in general, this chapter presents different instruments which have been used to measure students' attitude toward online education, and reports on studies which have used these instruments to assess attitudes toward online education. In addition, design factors affecting attitudes toward distance education were studied. The chapter presents research associated with different models which were used to study the impact of impact of design factors upon attitude, focusing upon learning environment research. More broadly, research associated with process and causal models was presented. These models examine a multitude of factors associated with student attitudes. The chapter concludes by discussing the importance of factoring in attitude when designing distance education courses.
Humanizing the Online Experience Through Effective Use and Analysis of Discussion Forums
Authors: Jones Hazel
Published: November 2016

Discussion forums are one of the main avenues for communication, interaction and engagement in the online learning environment, yet are often under-utilized or do not have the desired effect of promoting a sense of belonging and deep learning and collaborative learning for students. Limited use of discussion forums and/or lack of guidelines in how to engage, can leave students feeling isolated. Conversely, extensive use can result in students feeling overwhelmed. This chapter considers some key theories and frameworks for using discussion forums, and presents strategies that an academic can implement to promote effective use of their forums. It is through this effective use that students become part of a Community of Inquiry and valued as a person. Through consideration of hypothetical case studies, this chapter also offers practical ways in which staff can sift through the available data to evaluate and improve their teaching practice and the learning experience of students.
With the Likeness and Voice of Mentor
Authors: Starr-Glass David
Published: November 2016

Online distance learning environments are increasingly designed and facilitated using a Community of Inquiry framework, which promotes participant presence, encourages social interaction and exchange, and develops a sense of community. Communities of inquiry recognize the participation of real people, acknowledge their individuality, and engage them in a communal endeavor. However, sometimes communities of inquiry do not adequately meet the specific learning expectations and individual goals of participants. This chapter explores the author's quest to enhance a community of inquiry to make it more responsive to international students, skeptical about online distance learning and acutely focused on writing their undergraduate dissertations. The solution was to embed a one-on-one mentoring facility within the learning space thereby allowing students to receive personal guidance and support. The chapter considers Communities of Inquiry, social presence, and what is considered an innovative use of e-mentoring to support individuals within a broader learning community.
Cyber-Security Concerns with Cloud Computing
Authors: Yeboah-Boateng Ezer Osei
Published: November 2016

Information is modeled into virtual objects to create value for its owner. The value chain involves stakeholders with varied responsibilities in the cyber-market. Cloud computing emerged out of virtualization, distributed and grid computing, and has altered the value creation landscape, through strategic and sensitive information management. It offers services that use resources in a utility fashion. The flexible, cost-effective service models are opportunities for SMEs. Whilst using these tools for value-creation is imperative, a myriad of security concerns confront both providers and end-users. Vulnerabilities and threats are key concerns, so that value created is strategically aligned with corporate vision, appropriated and sustained. What is the extent of impact? Expert opinions were elicited of 4 C-level officers and 10 security operatives. Shared technology issues, malicious insiders and service hijacking are considered major threats. Also, an intuitive strategic model for Value-Creation Cloud-based Cyber-security is proposed as guidance in fostering IT-enabled initiatives.
Metaheuristic Optimization of Constrained Large Portfolios using Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Pai G. A. Vijayalakshmi , Michel Thierry
Published: November 2016

Classical Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) that has been attempted for the solution of complex constrained portfolio optimization problem in finance, despite its noteworthy track record, suffers from the perils of getting trapped in local optima yielding inferior solutions and unrealistic time estimates for diversification even in medium level portfolio sets. In this work the authors present the solution of the problem using a hybrid PSO strategy. The global best particle position arrived at by the hybrid PSO now acts as the initial point to the Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) algorithm which efficiently obtains the optimal solution for even large portfolio sets. The experimental results of the hybrid PSO-SQP model have been demonstrated over Bombay Stock Exchange, India (BSE200 index, Period: July 2001-July 2006) and Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan (Nikkei225 index, Period: March 2002-March 2007) data sets, and compared with those obtained by Evolutionary Strategy, which belongs to a different genre.
Scalable Differential Evolutionary Clustering Algorithm for Big Data Using Map-Reduce Paradigm
Authors: Benmounah Zakaria , Meshoul Souham , Batouche Mohamed
Published: November 2016

One of the remarkable results of the rapid advances in information technology is the production of tremendous amounts of data sets, so large or complex that available processing methods are inadequate, among these methods cluster analysis. Clustering becomes more challenging and complex. In this paper, the authors describe a highly scalable Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm based on map-reduce programming model. The traditional use of DE to deal with clustering of large sets of data is so time-consuming that it is not feasible. On the other hand, map-reduce is a programming model emerged lately to allow the design of parallel and distributed approaches. In this paper, four stages map-reduce differential evolution algorithm termed as DE-MRC is presented; each of these four phases is a map-reduce process and dedicated to a particular DE operation. DE-MRC has been tested on a real parallel platform of 128 computers connected with each other and more than 30 GB of data. Experimental results show the high scalability and robustness of DE-MRC.
A Dual PSO-Adaptive Mean Shift for Preprocessing Optimization on Degraded Document Images
Authors: Eutamene Aicha , Kholladi Mohamed Khireddine , Gaceb Djamel , Belhadef Hacene
Published: November 2016

In the two past decades, solving complex search and optimization problems with bioinspired metaheuristic algorithms has received considerable attention among researchers. In this paper, the image preprocessing is considered as an optimization problem and the PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization) algorithm was been chosen to solve it in order to select the best parameters. The document image preprocessing step is the basis of all other steps in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) system, such as binarization, segmentation, skew correction, layout extraction, textual zones detection and OCR. Without preprocessing, the presence of degradation in the image significantly reduces the performance of these steps. The authors' contribution focuses on the preprocessing of type: smoothing and filtering document images using a new Adaptive Mean Shift algorithm based on the integral image. The local adaptation to the image quality accelerates the conventional smoothing avoiding the preprocessing of homogeneous zones. The authors' goal is to show how PSO algorithm can improve the results quality and the choice of parameters in pre-processing's methods of document images. Comparative studies as well as tests over the existing dataset have been reported to confirm the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Towards Clinical and Operational Efficiency through Healthcare Process Analytics
Authors: Koufi Vassiliki , Malamateniou Flora , Vassilacopoulos George
Published: November 2016

In the rapidly changing healthcare industry, keeping up with new technologies and innovations has become less of a desire and more of a requirement. Currently, business intelligence and analytics technologies are becoming breakthrough business drivers. In the face of the demand for provision of high-quality healthcare in a cost-effective way, healthcare organizations are recognizing the strategic role that advanced analytics can play in optimizing their processes. The ability to use data analytics in real time in order to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare processes can lead to better financial and budgetary performance, deeper citizen/patient-centric relationships and significant improvement in the way health care is conceived and delivered. This paper presents a framework for optimizing healthcare processes by analyzing process-related data in order to ensure that processes meet the stated operational and performance objectives. The framework is built on top of a data infrastructure that integrates process-related data from various sources into a structured view, suitable for analytics and decision support. Emphasis is also placed on security and patient privacy during execution of the optimized healthcare processes.
Comparision Between Features of CbO based Algorithms for Generating Formal Concepts
Authors: Kodagoda Nuwan , Pulasinghe Koliya
Published: November 2016

Formal Concept Analysis provides the mathematical notations for representing concepts and concept hierarchies making use of order and lattice theory. This has now been used in numerous applications which include software engineering, linguistics, sociology, information sciences, information technology, genetics, biology and in engineering. The algorithms derived from Kustenskov's CbO were found to provide the most efficient means of computing formal concepts in several research papers. In this paper key enhancements to the original CbO algorithms are discussed in detail. The effects of these key features are presented in both isolation and combination. Eight different variations of the CbO algorithms highlighting the key features were compared in a level playing field by presenting them using the same notation and implementing them from the notation in the same way. The three main enhancements considered are the partial closure with incremental closure of intents, inherited canonicity test failures and using a combined depth first and breadth first search. The algorithms were implemented in an un-optimized way to focus on the comparison on the algorithms themselves and not on any efficiencies provided by optimizing code. The main contribution of this paper is the complete comparison of the three main enhancements used in recent variations of the CbO based algorithms. The main findings were that there is a significant performance improvement partial closure with incremental closure of intents is used in isolation. However, there is no significant performance improvement when the depth and breadth first search or the inherited canonicity test failure feature is used in isolation. The inherited canonicity test failure needs to be combined with the combined depth and breadth first feature to obtain a performance increase. Combining all the three enhancements brought the best performance.
Opposing Viewpoints on Youth Social Media Banning in the U.S. for the Combatance of Extremist Recruiting
Authors: West Lindsay A. , Martin Richard V. , Perkins Courtney , Quatel Jennifer M. , Macgregor-Skinner Gavin
Published: November 2016

Today, terrorist groups are recruiting, inspiring, and guiding global strategies not just by Internet operations, but through an organized, steady infusion of propaganda videos and call-to-action messages. Most worrisome: increasing evidence that the youth population represents a particularly susceptible cohort, being drawn into the ranks of terrorist organizations operating worldwide. In response, this article will address the pros and cons of social media banning, its effects on constitutional rights, and its effectiveness towards decreasing radicalization and recruitment. The research presented here aims to further the field of Homeland Security and to encourage debates on how to decrease terrorism and youth recruitment and whether banning social media would assist the Department of Homeland Security's mission. In conclusion, this article explores both sides of the spectrum while offering insight for scholars, organizations, and practitioners regarding the attainability of social media banning in the United States.
Economics of Cyber Security and the Way Forward
Authors: Al Balushi Taiseera , Ali Saqib , Rehman Osama
Published: November 2016

Initiatives carried by companies, institutes and governments to flourish and embellish the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among the public have led to its penetration into every walk of life. ICT enhances the efficiency of various systems, such as the organisation and transfer of data. However, with the digital and remote access features of ICT comes the motivation towards financial, political and military gains by rivals. Security threats and vulnerabilities in existing ICT systems have resulted in cyber-attacks that are usually followed by substantial financial losses. This study discusses the security in ICT from a business, economic and government perspective. The study makes an attempt to understand the seriousness of the security issues and highlights the consequences of security breech from an economic perspective. Based on the performed analysis, the factors behind these attacks are provided along with recommendations for better preparations against them.
A Novel Evolutionary Biclustering Approach using MapReduce(EBC-MR)
Authors: Rathipriya R.
Published: November 2016

A novel biclustering approach is proposed in this paper, which can be used to cluster data (like web data, gene expression data) into local pattern using MapReduce framework. The proposed biclustering approach extracts the highly coherent bicluster using a correlation measure called Average Correlation Value measure. Furthermore, MapReduce based genetic algorithm is firstly used to the biclustering of web data. This method can avoid local convergence in the optimization algorithms mostly. The MSWeb dataset and MSNBC web usage data set are used to test the performance of new MapReduce based Evolutionary biclustering algorithm. The experimental study is carried out for comparison of proposed algorithm with traditional genetic algorithm in biclustering. The results reveal that novel proposed approach preforms better than existing evolutionary biclustering approach.
The Impact of Salient Cultural Practices on the Outcome of IS Implementation
Authors: Abubakre Mumin , Coombs Crispin R. , Ravishankar M. N.
Published: November 2016

Some information system (IS) studies have adopted organisational culture (OC) theory to investigate IS implementations. The studies highlight that members will reach consensus or agreement in the use of an IS but also experience inevitable tensions and ambiguities in the utilization of the IS. However, literature related to IS implementation/OC has rarely examined the influence that the saliency of specific cultural practices may have on the success or failure of IS implementations. Using a case study approach, we adopted the “soft positivism” research philosophy to collect data, underpinned by Martin's (1992) integration and differentiation perspectives of OC to study the organisational implementation of an IS. These perspectives served as interpretive lenses through which to explain how members' salient behaviours towards an IS evolved during the implementation process. Our study augments the IS implementation/OC literature by demonstrating how salient cultural practices influence the outcome of IS implementation.
Iron-Gold Coated-LiMn2-XO4 Nanowire High Power Cathode System Probed by Spectroscopic and Microstructural Analysis
Authors: Ross Natasha , Hlongwa Ntuthuko Wonderboy , Ikpo Chinwe O. , Ndipingwi Miranda M. , Baker Priscilla Gloria Lorraine , Iwuoha Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu
Published: November 2016

The migration of lithium (Li) ions in electrode materials affects the rate performance of rechargeable Li ion batteries. Therefore, the application of LiMn2O4, whichis an appealing cathode material in high power systems, requires fast electron transfer kinetics which is possible through the use of nanostructured morphologies and conductive material. Nanowires offer the advantage of a large surface to volume ratio, efficient electron conducting pathways and facile strain relaxation. In this study, LiMn2O4 nanowires with cubic spinel structure were synthesized by using a α-MnO2 nanowire-template-based method. LiMn2O4 nanowires have diameters less than 10 nm and lengths of several micrometers. Fe-Au nanoparticles were synthesized and used as coating material to improve both the catalytic activities and stability of the LiMn2O4 nanowires. The Li[Fe0.02Au0.01]Mn1.97O4 nanowires with modified architecture effectively accommodates the structural transformation during Li+ ion charge and discharge. Hence, the Li[Fe0.02Au0.01]Mn1.97O4 nanowire cathode system shows outstanding stability and enhanced electrocatalytical properties. Microstructural analysis of Li[Fe0.02Au0.01]Mn1.97O4 linked its composition and processing to its properties and performance. High resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) of the nanomaterial showed good crystallinity which contributed towards good reversibility. XRD analysis revealed a pure cubic spinel structure without any impurities. Structural information provided by Raman and solid state spectroscopy further corroborated these findings. The improved rate and cycling performance is related to the conductive particles infused within the nanowires which make up the electrode.
Bimetallic Nanocomposites of Palladium (100) and Ruthenium for Electrooxidation of Ammonia
Authors: Matinise Nolubabalo , Mayedwa Noluthando , Ikpo Chinwe O. , Hlongwa Ntuthuko Wonderboy , Ndipingwi Miranda M. , Molefe Lerato , Dywili Nomxolisi , Yonkeu Anne Lutgarde Djoumessi , Waryo Tesfaye , Baker Priscilla Gloria Lorraine , Iwuoha Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu
Published: November 2016

Symmmetrically oriented Pd (100) and its bimetallic Pd (100)Ru electrocatalysts were chemically synthesized and their conductive properties employed in the electrochemical oxidation of ammonia. Electrochemical data based on EIS, SWV and CV revealed that the Pt/Pd (100)Ru electrode showed a better conductivity and higher catalytic response towards the electrooxidation of ammonia compared to Pt/Pd (100) electrode. This was demonstrated by the EIS results where Pt/Pd (100)Ru gave a charge transfer resistance (Rct) of 48.64 Ω, high exchange current and lower time constant (5.2738 x 10-1A and 3.2802 x 10-7 s /rad) values while the Pt/Pd (100) had values of 173.2 Ω, 1.4811 x 10-1A and 4.8321 10-7 s /rad. The drastic drop in Rct highlights the superiority of the Pt/Pd (100)Ru over the Pt/Pd (100) and confirms that facile interfacial electron transfer processes occur on the Pt/Pd (100)Ru electrode during the electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation. Investigations through voltammetry revealed that the Pt/Pd (100)Ru had a higher peak current density and a shift in potential to more negative values at ≈ -0.2 V and ≈ -0.4 V. The EASA value of Pt/Pd (100)Ru was found to be 119.24 cm2 whereas Pt/Pd (100) had value of 75.07 cm2. The high electrochemically active surface area of Pd (100)Ru at 119.24 cm2 compared to the 75.07 cm2 for Pd (100) strengthened this observation in performance between the two catalysts for ammonia electrooxidation.
Application of a Bismuth-Silver Nanosensor for the Simultaneous Determination of Pt-Rh and Pd-Rh Complexes
Authors: van der Horst Charlton , Silwana Bongiwe , Iwuoha Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu , Somerset Vernon
Published: November 2016

The present work describes the development of an electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of Pd-Rh and Pt-Rh complexes using a bismuth-silver bimetallic nanofilm modified glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical sensor was prepared by drop-casting bismuth-silver bimetallic nanoparticles on to glassy carbon electrode surfaces. The HRTEM microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy results of the bismuth-silver nanoparticles were compared with other work in literature. The developed nanosensor exhibited a linear working range of 0.4 - 1.4 ng/L for Pd-Rh and 0.8-1.2 ng/L for Pt-Rh DMG complexes, respectively. Very low detection limits (S/N = 3) of 0.19 ng/L for Pd (II), 0.2 ng/L Pt (II) and 0.22 ng/L for Rh (III) were obtained and the sensor was successfully applied to environmental samples.
A Sensitive Reduced Graphene Oxide-Antimony Nanofilm Sensor for Simultaneous Determination of PGMs
Authors: Silwana Bongiwe , van der Horst Charlton , Iwuoha Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu , Somerset Vernon
Published: November 2016

Electrochemical kinetics of Platinum Group Metals was studied by cyclic voltammetry and the concentration of these metal ions was successfully detected by adsorptive differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry using a GCE/rGO-SbNPs sensor. The sensor constructed in this work consisted of a reduced graphene oxide film that was impregnated with antimony nanoparticles. The constructed nanosensor provided an excellent platform for the simultaneous determination of Pd (II), Pt (II) and Rh (III) metal ions. The analytical curve was linear in the concentration range from 0 - 0.40 ng L-1, and 0 - 0.56 ng L-1 for Pd (II)-Rh (III) and Pt (II)-Rh (III), respectively. The detection limits of Pd (II) and Rh (III) were found to be 0.46 ng L-1and 0.55 ng L-1, respectively while for Pt (II) and Rh (III) it was 0.52 ng L-1and 0.48 ng L-1, respectively. The relative standard deviation from 5 measurements for 0.4 ng L-1 Pd (II)-Rh (III) and Pt (II)-Rh (III) by using the GCE/rGO-SbNPs sensor was found to be 6.21% and 3.96%, respectively. Interferences by other metal ions were also studied.
Morphological abnormalities in cladocerans related to eutrophication of a tropical reservoir
Authors: De Melo Rômulo R.R. , Coelho Paula N. , Dos Santos-Wisniewski Maria J. , Wisniewski Célio , Magalhães Cristiana S.
Published: November 2016

In zooplankton communities, morphological changes in Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) may be resulting from water pollution by anthropogenic activities and/or natural events. The removal of vegetation cover, urbanization, agriculture and sewage release accelerate the eutrophication process in the aquatic environment. The present study seeks to demonstrate the occurrence of morphological abnormalities in cladocerans and relate the changes in the morphology and species composition to the physical and chemical parameters of the water. Samplings were made monthly in five stations on the Sapucaí River compartment of Furnas Reservoir, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from July 2013 to February 2014. The Furnas Reservoir has intense occupation of the surrounding areas by agriculture, urban and industrial activities and the installation of net cage fish cultures, which contribute to the water quality deterioration. Cladocerans samples were collected using a suction pump and plankton net (68 μm mesh size) and concentrated from a volume of 400 L. The measures of physical and chemical parameters of the water were obtained by a Horiba U-50 multi-sensor on the surface of water column and the density and morphology of Cladocera were made by microscopy. Twenty-three species of Cladocera were recorded with high organism densities of Chydoridae family species. Morphological abnormalities were observed in Daphnia gessneri, Ceriodaphnia silvestrii, Bosmina longirostris, Bosmina tubicen and Chydorus pubescens. The highest densities of C. pubescens with abnormalities were observed at sampling stations which had littoral characteristics and influences of sewage release. For C. pubescens, abnormalities were observed and classified into two types. The type 1 abnormality was considered an increase of length of intestine and size of its intestinal loop, whereas for type 2 was considered the occurrence of an intestine prolapse. The morphological abnormalities in cladocerans were described and compared to the ones described in the literature. From the results, it may observe that the abnormalities were probably resulting from continuous eutrophication process which has been occurring in the reservoir due to anthropogenic activities around the reservoir and a decrease in the water volume of the reservoir, caused by an unusual dry weather period in this region in the last years.
Contribution of extreme meteorological forcing to vertical mixing in a small, shallow subtropical lake
Authors: Kimura Nobuaki , Liu Wen-Cheng , Tsai Jeng-Wei , Chiu Chih-Yu , Kratz Timothy K. , Tai Akira
Published: November 2016

Studying mixing processes in a stratified lake is important for understanding the biological, chemical and physical processes occurring there. Statistical analyses were performed of data from a small, shallow, stratified lake in a subtropical alpine region (Yuan-Yang Lake in Taiwan) to determine the predominant physical factors in heavy-rainfall-induced mixing. This study focused on both vertical mixing in the entire water column and surface-layer mixing extending to the upper thermocline. The effects of meteorological driving forces, such as wind, heating/cooling and inflow on vertical mixing and surface layer mixing, were evaluated using the relationships between each driving force and the change in thermal stability between the pre-mixing and mixing periods. For surface layer mixing, a comparison between penetrative convection related to heating/cooling and wind-related friction velocity was conducted for each heavy rainfall event. A heat content parameter measuring thermal potential energy was introduced to further investigate inflow effects (e.g. effects of changes in discharge volume and temperature) on vertical mixing during heavy rainfall events. Results show that wind input affected vertical mixing more significantly than did other meteorological forcing factors during storm-dominant events. Indeed, wind energy input in the surface layer was more pronounced than was energy of heating/cooling for surface layer mixing. Furthermore, inflow effect was shown to be crucial during large scale and extreme weather events (i.e. lower air pressure events) in the vertical mixing process. Forcing by heating/cooling likely contributes less to mixing because it is likely less dynamic than the wind and inflow inputs with respect to internal response of the lake. In addition, a principal component analysis (PCA) modified by partial correlation was performed to verify the results quantitatively. The first and second components, which accounted for more than 90% of the total variance in the PCA, showed that the intensity of vertical mixing was affected primarily by wind-induced turbulence and inflow intrusion and was only weakly associated with the effect of net heat balance. Considering the interactions between chemical and physical processes, inflow intrusion may have an effect on dissolved oxygen concentration in the lake.
Distribution and structure of lotic macroinvertebrate communities and the influence of environmental factors in a tropical cloud forest, Cusuco National Park, Honduras
Authors: O'Callaghan Paul , Kelly-Quinn Mary
Published: November 2016

Neotropical cloud forests are a critically endangered ecosystem characterised by their unusual hydrological conditions which frequently make them important sources of clean potable water. To facilitate any meaningful research on cloud forest streams it is necessary to first describe the structure and composition of the local lotic aquatic communities and to establish which environmental factors structure them under natural conditions. The present study sampled the macroinvertebrate communities of rivers draining the montane cloud forests of Cucuso National Park in Honduras, where increasing anthropogenic pressures are threatening water quality. Using multivariate techniques a bottom-up approach was adopted to establish groups of similar sites and identify environmental factors driving the differences between these. Three site groupings emerged based largely on differences in taxon composition driven mainly by pH and altitude.
Elite Female Basketball Players' Body-Weight Neuromuscular Training and Performance on the Y-Balance Test
Authors: Benis Roberto , Bonato Matteo , Torre Antonio La
Published: November 2016

Context:

Neuromuscular training enhances unconscious motor responses by stimulating both the afferent signals and central mechanisms responsible for dynamic joint control. Dynamic joint-control training is a vital component of injury-prevention programs.

Objective:

To investigate the effects of body-weight neuromuscular training on Y-Balance Test (YBT) performance and postural control in female basketball players.

Design:

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting:

Basketball practice sessions.

Patients or Other Participants:

A total of 28 healthy elite female basketball players were randomly assigned to an experimental (n = 14) or a control group (n = 14).

Intervention(s):

Before their regular practice sessions, the experimental group warmed up with body-weight neuromuscular exercises and the control group with standard tactical-technical exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Anterior-, posteromedial-, and posterolateral-reach and composite YBT scores were measured before and after 8 weeks of training.

Results:

Improvement over baseline scores was noted in the posteromedial (right = 86.5 ± 4.5 cm versus 89.6 ± 2.2 cm, +3.5%, P = .049; left = 85.5 ± 4.3 cm versus 90.2 ± 2.7 cm, +5.5%, P = .038)- and posterolateral (right = 90.7 ± 3.6 cm versus 94.0 ± 2.7 cm, +3.6%, P = .016; left = 90.9 ± 3.5 cm versus 94.2 ± 2.6 cm, +3.6%, P = .011)-reach directions and in the composite YBT scores (right = 88.6% ± 3.2% versus 94.0% ± 1.8%, +5.4%, P = .0004; left = 89.2% ± 3.2% versus 94.5% ± 3.0%, +5.8%, P = .001) of the experimental group. No differences in anterior reach were detected in either group. Differences were noted in postintervention scores for posteromedial reach (right = 89.6 ± 2.2 cm versus 84.3 ± 4.4 cm, +4.1%, P = .005; left = 94.2 ± 2.6 cm versus 84.8 ± 4.4 cm, +10%, P = .003) and composite scores (right = 94.0% ± 1.8% versus 87.3% ± 2.0%, +7.1%, P = .003; left = 94.8% ± 3.0% versus 87.9% ± 3.4%, +7.3%, P < .0001) between the experimental and control groups.

Conclusions:

Body-weight neuromuscular training improved postural control and lower limb stability in female basketball players as assessed with the YBT. Incorporating neuromuscular training into the workout routines for basketball players may enhance joint awareness and reduce the risk of lower extremity injury.
A comparison of seismicity to the crustal deformation predicted by a glacial isostatic adjustment model in northern Canada and western Greenland
Authors: James T S , Schamehorn T D
Published: November 2016

The horizontal crustal strain-rates induced by glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) in northern Canada and western Greenland region are compared to the spatial pattern of seismicity to determine whether earthquakes occur where GIA-predicted crustal strain-rates are
high. For the comparison, an updated seismicity catalogue was created from the 2010 version of the NRCan Seismic Hazard Earthquake Epicentre File (SHEEF2010) catalogue and the Greenland Ice Sheet Monitoring Network (GLISN) catalogue of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). Crustal
motion rates were computed using the Innu/Laur16 ice-sheet history and the VM5a viscosity profile. This GIA model optimizes the fit to relative sea-level and vertical crustal motion measurements around Hudson Bay and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA). A region in Baffin Bay where predicted GIA
strain-rates are high also features historically high seismicity, including the 1933 M 7.4 and the 1934 and 1945 M 6.5 earthquakes. Elsewhere, agreement is not strong, with zones of seismicity occurring where predicted horizontal crustal strain-rates are small and large crustal strain-rates
occurring where earthquake occurrence is muted. Further investigations could include calculation of crustal stress-rates so that failure criteria may be assessed for Baffin Bay events.
Report on 2015 field activities and collection of ground thermal and active layer data in the Mackenzie Corridor, Northwest Territories
Authors: Smith S L , Chartrand J , Duchesne C , Ednie M
Published: November 2016

This report presents a summary of field activities conducted in 2015 in the Mackenzie corridor, Northwest Territories (NWT). Air temperature, ground thermal and active layer data acquired from permafrost monitoring sites visited in 2015 throughout the corridor
are provided in graphical and tabular format. Ground temperature records for the 2007-2015 period are also presented and indicate that permafrost is currently warmer at the majority of sites than the baseline established during the International Polar Year (2007-09). The data presented provide
essential baseline information that can be utilized by stakeholders and others for various purposes such as land management activities, regulatory processes and design of northern infrastructure. This report will be distributed to community organizations and stakeholders in the study region to
provide an update on field activities.
Basic processing in cardiovascular MRI: Tips and tricks
Authors: Durand Miranda
Published: November 2016

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has gained popularity in the past few years as a reliable, comprehensive assessment tool for the evaluation of patients with congenital and acquired heart disease. However, the overwhelming amount of data generated by CMR makes it difficult to know where to start and what to report. To ensure consistency and reproducibility of CMR reporting, the Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) Board of Trustees Task Force on Standardised Post Processing has published guidelines to standardise CMR imaging and post processing. The present article aims to provide a pictorial review of these guidelines as well as a framework to basic processing that encompasses: left ventricular function and mass assessment; right ventricular function assessment; atrial size measurements; flow analysis; and T2* analysis and aortic measurements. Cardiac MRI is a robust and rapidly developing field that has significantly advanced the management of cardiac patients. It is important that accuracy and consistency be maintained to ensure that we gain and maintain clinicians’ confidence in the use of this modality.