bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Quality Gaps in TB Screening in South Africa Using Standardised Patient Analysis
Authors: Christian Carmen , Gerdtham Ulf-G. , Hompashe Dumisani , Smith Anja , Burger Ronelle
Published: April 2018

This is the first multi-district Standardised Patient (SP) study in South Africa. It measures the quality of TB screening at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. We hypothesise that TB screening protocols and best practices are poorly adhered to at the PHC level. The SP method allows researchers to observe how healthcare providers identify, test and advise presumptive TB patients, and whether this aligns with clinical protocols and best practice. The study was conducted at PHC facilities in two provinces and 143 interactions at 39 facilities were analysed. Only 43% of interactions resulted in SPs receiving a TB sputum test and being offered an HIV test. TB sputum tests were conducted routinely (84%) while HIV tests were offered less frequently (47%). Nurses frequently neglected to ask SPs whether their household contacts had confirmed TB (54%). Antibiotics were prescribed without taking temperatures in 8% of cases. The importance of returning to the facility to receive TB test results was only explained in 28%. The SP method has highlighted gaps in clinical practice, signalling missed opportunities. Early detection of sub-optimal TB care is instrumental in decreasing TB-related morbidity and mortality. The findings provide the rationale for further quality improvement work in TB management.
Domain-Specific Adult Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire (ASBQ) and the GPAQ Single-Item Question: A Reliability and Validity Study in an Asian Population
Authors: Chu Anne , Ng Sheryl , Koh David , Müller-Riemenschneider Falk
Published: April 2018

This study examined the validity and reliability of a domain-specific Adult Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire (ASBQ) and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) single-item sitting question using self- and interviewer-administered modes of administration against the triaxial ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer. The ASBQ and the GPAQ were administered twice, seven days apart. Participants were asked to put on the waist-worn accelerometer for seven days. Convergent validity was assessed using Spearman’s rho, mean absolute error (MAE), and Bland-Altman analysis (n = 78). Reliability was assessed using the Spearman’s rho and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (n = 84). Participants were adults aged 20–65 years and identifying as Chinese, Malay, or Indian. Only the self-administered GPAQ was significantly correlated with accelerometry-based measures (rho: 0.46), but not the interviewer-administered version (rho: 0.12). MAE for GPAQ was 207.5–218.3 min/day in relation to the accelerometer and for ASBQ was 154.7–174.6 min/day. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated large limits of agreement between questionnaire and accelerometry-based measures. While the self-administered GPAQ demonstrated a moderate correlation with accelerometry, the mean bias and the limits of agreement were large. The GPAQ (rho: 0.68–0.79; ICC: 0.68–0.78) and the ASBQ (rho: 0.53–0.64; ICC: 0.66–0.74) showed moderate-to-good reliability for total sedentary time using either self- or interviewer-administration. Future research should incorporate accelerometers to generate useful sedentary behaviour measures.
Triclosan Lacks (Anti-)Estrogenic Effects in Zebrafish Cells but Modulates Estrogen Response in Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: Serra Hélène , Brion François , Porcher Jean-Marc , Budzinski Hélène , Aït-Aïssa Selim
Published: April 2018

Triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial agent widely found in the aquatic environment, is suspected to act as an endocrine disrupting compound, however mechanistic information is lacking in regards to aquatic species. This study assessed the ability of TCS to interfere with estrogen receptor (ER) transcriptional activity, in zebrafish-specific in vitro and in vivo reporter gene assays. We report that TCS exhibits a lack of either agonistic or antagonistic effects on a panel of ER-expressing zebrafish (ZELH-zfERα and -zfERβ) and human (MELN) cell lines. At the organism level, TCS at concentrations of up to 0.3 µM had no effect on ER-regulated brain aromatase gene expression in transgenic cyp19a1b-GFP zebrafish embryos. At a concentration of 1 µM, TCS interfered with the E2 response in an ambivalent manner by potentializing a low E2 response (0.625 nM), but decreasing a high E2 response (10 nM). Altogether, our study suggests that while modulation of ER-regulated genes by TCS may occur in zebrafish, it does so irrespective of a direct binding and activation of zfERs.
A Hybrid Information Mining Approach for Knowledge Discovery in Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Authors: Pasanisi Stefania , Paiano Roberto
Published: April 2018

The healthcare ambit is usually perceived as “information rich” yet “knowledge poor”. Nowadays, an unprecedented effort is underway to increase the use of business intelligence techniques to solve this problem. Heart disease (HD) is a major cause of mortality in modern society. This paper analyzes the risk factors that have been identified in cardiovascular disease (CVD) surveillance systems. The Heart Care study identifies attributes related to CVD risk (gender, age, smoking habit, etc.) and other dependent variables that include a specific form of CVD (diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, etc.). In this paper, we combine Clustering, Association Rules, and Neural Networks for the assessment of heart-event-related risk factors, targeting the reduction of CVD risk. With the use of the K-means algorithm, significant groups of patients are found. Then, the Apriori algorithm is applied in order to understand the kinds of relations between the attributes within the dataset, first looking within the whole dataset and then refining the results through the subsets defined by the clusters. Finally, both results allow us to better define patients’ characteristics in order to make predictions about CVD risk with a Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network. The results obtained with the hybrid information mining approach indicate that it is an effective strategy for knowledge discovery concerning chronic diseases, particularly for CVD risk.
Landscape and Urban Governance: Participatory Planning of the Public Realm in Saida, Lebanon
Authors: Makhzoumi Jala , Al-Sabbagh Salwa
Published: April 2018

The political shift in Lebanon since the 1990s towards market-led development has encouraged the incremental appropriation of public spaces and state lands, and their conversion into gated, monitored enclaves that serve a privileged few. The process disregards the role of the urban public realm and undermines its potential as an inclusive space and enabling platform for urban governance. This article advocates a participatory approach to urban development, one that engages local stakeholders, institutions, and the public at large as active partners working towards sustainable urban futures. We draw on a case study in Saida, Lebanon, to illustrate participatory planning methods and demonstrate the role of landscape architects in enabling community-led development that is place responsive and sensitive to local narratives of heritage and identity. The project’s participatory methodology and landscape architecture’s expansive framing, the paper argues, democratizes the planning process and contributes to urban governance that empowers local authorities and local stakeholders in the face of privatization and market-led development.
Microfluidic Line-Free Mass Sensor Based on an Antibody-Modified Mechanical Resonator
Authors: Yamaguchi Masaki
Published: April 2018

This research proposes a mass sensor based on mechanical resonance that is free from power supply lines (line-free) and incorporates both microfluidic mechanisms and label-free techniques to improve its sensitivity and reusability. The microfluidic line-free mass sensor comprises a disk-shaped mechanical resonator, a separate piezoelectric element used to excite vibrations in the resonator, and a microfluidic mechanism. Electrical power is used to actuate the piezoelectric element, leaving the resonator free from power lines. The microfluidic mechanism allows for rapid, repeat washings to remove impurities from a sample. The microfluidic line-free mass sensor is designed as a label-free sensor to enable high-throughput by modifying and dissociating an antibody on the resonator. The resonator was fabricated by photolithography and the diameter and thickness were 4 mm and 0.5 mm, respectively. The line-free mass sensor enabled a high Q-factor and resonance frequency of 7748 MHz and 1.402 MHz, respectively, to be achieved even in liquids, facilitating the analysis of human salivary cortisol. The line-free mass sensor could be used for repeated measurements with the microfluidic mechanism, and the resonator could be fully washed out. It was concluded that the microfluidic line-free mass sensor was suitable to analyze the concentration of a salivary hormone, cortisol, in human saliva samples, and that it provided high-throughput suitable for point-of-care testing.
On Developing Field-Effect-Tunable Nanofluidic Ion Diodes with Bipolar, Induced-Charge Electrokinetics
Authors: Tao Ye , Liu Weiyu , Ren Yukun , Hu Yansu , Li Guang , Ma Guoyun , Wu Qisheng
Published: April 2018

We introduce herein the induced-charge electrokinetic phenomenon to nanometer fluidic systems; the design of the nanofluidic ion diode for field-effect ionic current control of the nanometer dimension is developed by enhancing internal ion concentration polarization through electrochemical transport of inhomogeneous inducing-counterions resulting from double gate terminals mounted on top of a thin dielectric layer, which covers the nanochannel connected to microfluidic reservoirs on both sides. A mathematical model based on the fully-coupled Poisson-Nernst-Plank-Navier-Stokes equations is developed to study the feasibility of this structural configuration causing effective ionic current rectification. The effect of various physiochemical and geometrical parameters, such as the native surface charge density on the nanochannel sidewalls, the number of gate electrodes (GE), the gate voltage magnitude, and the solution conductivity, permittivity, and thickness of the dielectric coating, as well as the size and position of the GE pair of opposite gate polarity, on the resulted rectification performance of the presented nanoscale ionic device is numerically analyzed by using a commercial software package, COMSOL Multiphysics (version 5.2). Three types of electrohydrodynamic flow, including electroosmosis of 1st kind, induced-charge electroosmosis, and electroosmosis of 2nd kind that were originated by the Coulomb force within three distinct charge layers coexist in the micro/nanofluidic hybrid network and are shown to simultaneously influence the output current flux in a complex manner. The rectification factor of a contrast between the ‘on’ and ‘off’ working states can even exceed one thousand-fold in the case of choosing a suitable combination of several key parameters. Our demonstration of field-effect-tunable nanofluidic ion diodes of double external gate electrodes proves invaluable for the construction of a flexible electrokinetic platform for ionic current control and may help transform the field of smart, on-chip, integrated circuits.
Improving the Total Organic Carbon Estimation of the Eagle Ford Shale with Density Logs by Considering the Effect of Pyrite
Authors: Jiang Shuxian , Mokhtari Mehdi , Borrok David , Lee Jim
Published: April 2018

Pyrite is a common mineral with a higher density than most other minerals in the Eagle Ford Shale formation. Hence, if pyrite is not considered in the total organic carbon (TOC) estimation, based on density logs, it may lead to errors. In order to improve the accuracy of the TOC estimation, we propose an updated TOC estimation method that incorporates the concentration of pyrite and organic porosity. More than 15 m of Eagle Ford Shale samples were analyzed using Rock-Eval pyrolysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). TOC, elemental concentration, and mineralogical data were analyzed for a better understanding of the relationship between the concentration of TOC and pyrite content in the Eagle Ford formation. An updated petrophysical model—including parameters such as organic pores, solid organic matter, inorganic pores, pyrite, and inorganic rock matrix without pyrite—was built using the sample data from the Eagle Ford. The model was compared with Schmoker’s model and validated with the Eagle Ford field data. The results showed that the updated model had a lower root mean square error (RMSE) than Schmoker’s model. Therefore, it could be used in the future estimation of TOC in pyrite-rich formations.
New and Old Genes Associated with Primary and Established Responses to Paclitaxel Treatment in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Świerczewska Monika , Klejewski Andrzej , Brązert Maciej , Kaźmierczak Dominika , Iżycki Dariusz , Nowicki Michał , Zabel Maciej , Januchowski Radosław
Published: April 2018

Development of drug resistance is the main reason for low chemotherapy effectiveness in treating ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel (PAC) is a chemotherapeutic drug used in the treatment of this cancer. We analysed the development of PAC resistance in two ovarian cancer cell lines. Exposure of drug-sensitive cell lines (A2780 and W1) to PAC was used to determine the primary response. An established response was determined in PAC-resistant sublines of the A2780 and W1 cell lines. qRT-PCR was performed to measure the expression levels of specific genes. We observed decreased expression of the PCDH9, NSBP1, MCTP1 and SEMA3A genes in the PAC-resistant cell lines. Short-term exposure to PAC led to increased expression of the MDR1 and BCRP genes in the A2780 and W1 cell lines. In the A2780 cell line, we also observed increased expression of the C4orf18 gene and decreased expression of the PCDH9 and SEMA3A genes after PAC treatment. In the W1 cell line, short-term treatment with PAC upregulated the expression of the ALDH1A1 gene, a marker of Cancer stem cells (CSCs). Our results suggest that downregulation of the PCDH9, NSBP1, MCTP1 and SEMA3A genes and upregulation of the MDR1, BCRP, C4orf18 and ALDH1A1 genes may be related to PAC resistance.
Identification by Molecular Docking of Homoisoflavones from Leopoldia comosa as Ligands of Estrogen Receptors
Authors: Grande Fedora , Rizzuti Bruno , Occhiuzzi Maria A. , Ioele Giuseppina , Casacchia Teresa , Gelmini Fabrizio , Guzzi Rita , Garofalo Antonio , Statti Giancarlo
Published: April 2018

The physiological responses to estrogen hormones are mediated within specific tissues by at least two distinct receptors, ERα and ERβ. Several natural and synthetic molecules show activity by interacting with these proteins. In particular, a number of vegetal compounds known as phytoestrogens shows estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity. The majority of these compounds belongs to the isoflavones family and the most representative one, genistein, shows anti-proliferative effects on various hormone-sensitive cancer cells, including breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. In this work we describe the identification of structurally related homoisoflavones isolated from Leopoldia comosa (L.) Parl. (L. comosa), a perennial bulbous plant, potentially useful as hormonal substitutes or complements in cancer treatments. Two of these compounds have been selected as potential ligands of estrogen receptors (ERs) and the interaction with both isoforms of estrogen receptors have been investigated through molecular docking on their crystallographic structures. The results provide evidence of the binding of these compounds to the target receptors and their interactions with key residues of the active sites of the two proteins, and thus they could represent suitable leads for the development of novel tools for the dissection of ER signaling and the development of new pharmacological treatments in hormone-sensitive cancers.
Adsorption Removal of Multiple Dyes Using Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles from an Escherichia coli Strain Overexpressed Selenite Reductase CsrF
Authors: Xia Xian , Zhou Zijie , Wu Shijuan , Wang Dan , Zheng Shixue , Wang Gejiao
Published: April 2018

Selenite reductase CsrF overexpressed Escherichia coli was used as a microbial factory to produce Se(0) nanoparticles (Bio-SeNPs). The Bio-SeNPs were characterized by transmission electronic microscopy, element mapping, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrographs, Zeta-potential, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The results indicated that Bio-SeNPs are irregular spheres with diameters from 60 to105 nm and mainly consist of Se(0), proteins and lipids. Furthermore, it exhibited maximum adsorption capacity for anionic dye (congo red) at acidic pH and cationic dyes (safranine T and methylene blue) at alkaline pH. To gain more insight, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms and adsorption thermodynamics studies were carried out. These results showed that the adsorption capacities of congo red, safranine T and methylene blue were 1577.7, 1911.0 and 1792.2 mg/g, respectively. These adsorption processes were spontaneous and primarily physical reactions. In addition, Bio-SeNPs can be effectively reused by 200 mmol/L NaCl. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of adsorption removal dyes by Bio-SeNPs. The adsorption capacities of Bio-SeNPs for congo red, safranine T and methylene blue were 6.8%, 25.2% and 49.0% higher than that for traditional bio-based materials, respectively.
Postnatal Growth Disadvantage of the Small for Gestational Age Preterm Twins
Authors: Morag Iris , Stern Levkovitz Orly , Siman-Tov Maya , Frisch Mor , Pinhas-Hamiel Orit , Strauss Tzipi
Published: April 2018

In this study, we examined early growth characteristics among small-for-gestational-age (SGA) preterm twins compared to their appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) counterparts. A retrospective study evaluated all consecutive twins born between 2008 and 2015 at a tertiary referral center whose gestational age ranged from 30.0 to 34.86 weeks. Included were twins in which one twin was AGA and the other SGA at birth. Changes of ≥2, 1–1.99, and 0–0.99 in z-score between births and 36 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) were respectively defined as severe, moderate, and mild postnatal growth failure (PNGF) in weight or head circumference (HC). Early neonatal morbidities were documented. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to determine conditions associated with PNGF and its severity. Out of 666 sets of twins, 83 met the inclusion criteria. Weight PNGF was similar and mild among the SGA and the AGA groups (0.9 ± 0.46 vs. 0.96 ± 0.44 z-score, respectively, p = 0.24). At 36 weeks PMA, a significantly larger proportion of SGAs were below −2 z-scores in weight (84.3%) compared to birth (31.3%) or to the AGAs (8.4%). In both groups, weight PNGF correlated with the time needed to regain birth weight. HC PNGF was mild among both groups, yet significantly more prominent among the AGAs (0.39 ± 0.72 z-score) vs. SGAs (0.75 ± 0.65 z-score, p = 0.001). We suggest that among preterm SGA infants, the absolute z-score should be used to assess the severity of weight PNGF. Individual nutritional strategies to decrease time to regain birth weight may mitigate severe malnutrition among SGAs.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Antenatal and Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review
Authors: Aghajafari Fariba , Letourneau Nicole , Mahinpey Newsha , Cosic Nela , Giesbrecht Gerald
Published: April 2018

Vitamin D has been implicated in antenatal depression (AD) and postpartum depression (PPD) in many studies; however, results have been inconsistent due to the complexity of this association. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Maternity and Infant Care databases for literature addressing associations between vitamin D and AD and PPD. Two independent authors reviewed titles and abstracts of the search results and selected studies for full review. Data were extracted, and a quality rating was done using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) on the selected studies. A total of 239 studies were identified; 14 were included in the review. The quality assessment of the included studies ranged from moderate to high. Of the studies on PPD, five of nine (55%) showed a significant association between vitamin D and PPD. Five of seven (71%) studies on AD showed a significant association with vitamin D status. As the included studies used different effect estimates and statistical analyses to report the association, it was not possible to transform the existing data into one single effect measure to employ meta-analytic techniques. While results of this systematic review vary, they indicate a significant association between vitamin D status and AD and PD.
Dietary Intakes of Minerals, Essential and Toxic Trace Elements for Adults from Eragrostis tef L.: A Nutritional Assessment
Authors: Koubová Eva , Sumczynski Daniela , Šenkárová Lenka , Orsavová Jana , Fišera Miroslav
Published: April 2018

This study analysed the contents of thirty-six mineral and trace elements in teff (Eragrostis tef L.) grains. What is more, dietary intakes were calculated. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to assess mineral and trace element contents. Consequently, the appropriate Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or adequate intake (AI), and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) or provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) values for adults were determined according to the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) and Institute of Medicine (IOM) regulations. Teff is a significant contributor to RDAs and AIs for females in the following order: Mn > Cu > Zn ≥ Mg > Fe ≥ P and Ca. For males, teff contributes in the order, Mn > Cu > Fe > Zn ≥ P ≥ Mg > and Ca. The concentration of arsenic (65.9 µg/kg) in brown teff originating in Bolivia exceeded the average acceptable value set by Reg. No. 1881 of 6–50 µg/kg in cereals consumed in the EU. The PTWIs or PTMIs for Al, Cd, Sn and Hg were all under 7%, which is below the limits of toxic element intake related to the body weight of 65 kg for adult females and 80 kg for males, set by the FAO/WHO. Teff grains can be recommended as a valuable and safe source of minerals and trace elements.
On Central Branch/Reinsurance Risk Networks: Exact Results and Heuristics
Authors: Avram Florin , Loke Sooie-Hoe
Published: April 2018

Modeling the interactions between a reinsurer and several insurers, or between a central management branch (CB) and several subsidiary business branches, or between a coalition and its members, are fascinating problems, which suggest many interesting questions. Beyond two dimensions, one cannot expect exact answers. Occasionally, reductions to one dimension or heuristic simplifications yield explicit approximations, which may be useful for getting qualitative insights. In this paper, we study two such problems: the ruin problem for a two-dimensional CB network under a new mathematical model, and the problem of valuation of two-dimensional CB networks by optimal dividends. A common thread between these two problems is that the one dimensional reduction exploits the concept of invariant cones. Perhaps the most important contribution of the paper is the questions it raises; for that reason, we have found it useful to complement the particular examples solved by providing one possible formalization of the concept of a multi-dimensional risk network, which seems to us an appropriate umbrella for the kind of questions raised here.
A WFS-SVM Model for Soil Salinity Mapping in Keriya Oasis, Northwestern China Using Polarimetric Decomposition and Fully PolSAR Data
Authors: Nurmemet Ilyas , Sagan Vasit , Ding Jian-Li , Halik Ümüt , Abliz Abdulla , Yakup Zaytungul
Published: April 2018

Timely monitoring and mapping of salt-affected areas are essential for the prevention of land degradation and sustainable soil management in arid and semi-arid regions. The main objective of this study was to develop Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) polarimetry techniques for improved soil salinity mapping in the Keriya Oasis in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang), China, where salinized soil appears to be a major threat to local agricultural productivity. Multiple polarimetric target decomposition, optimal feature subset selection (wrapper feature selector, WFS), and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms were used for optimal soil salinization classification using quad-polarized PALSAR-2 data. A threefold exercise was conducted. First, 16 polarimetric decomposition methods were implemented and a wide range of polarimetric parameters and SAR discriminators were derived in order to mine hidden information in PolSAR data. Second, the optimal polarimetric feature subset that constitutes 19 polarimetric elements was selected adopting the WFS approach; optimum classification parameters were identified, and the optimal SVM classification model was obtained by employing a cross-validation method. Third, the WFS-SVM classification model was constructed, optimized, and implemented based on the optimal match of polarimetric features and optimum classification parameters. Soils with different salinization degrees (i.e., highly, moderately and slightly salinized soils) were extracted. Finally, classification results were compared with the Wishart supervised classification and conventional SVM classification to examine the performance of the proposed method for salinity mapping. Detailed field investigations and ground data were used for the validation of the adopted methods. The overall accuracy and kappa coefficient of the proposed WFS-SVM model were 87.57% and 0.85, respectively that were much higher than those obtained by the Wishart supervised classification with values of 73.87% and 0.68, as well as those of the commonly applied SVM classification of 83.61% and 0.80. Accuracy of different salinized soil mapping was also enhanced with the proposed methodology. The results showed that the proposed method outperformed the Wishart and SVM classification, and demonstrated the advantages offered by the WFS-SVM classification and potentials of PolSAR data in the monitoring soil salinization.
Pure FPGA Implementation of an HOG Based Real-Time Pedestrian Detection System
Authors: Luo Jian , Lin Chang
Published: April 2018

In this study, we propose a real-time pedestrian detection system using a FPGA with a digital image sensor. Comparing with some prior works, the proposed implementation realizes both the histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) and the trained support vector machine (SVM) classification on a FPGA. Moreover, the implementation does not use any external memory or processors to assist the implementation. Although the implementation implements both the HOG algorithm and the SVM classification in hardware without using any external memory modules and processors, the proposed implementation’s resource utilization of the FPGA is lower than most of the prior art. The main reasons resulting in the lower resource usage are: (1) simplification in the Getting Bin sub-module; (2) distributed writing and two shift registers in the Cell Histogram Generation sub-module; (3) reuse of each sum of the cell histogram in the Block Histogram Normalization sub-module; and (4) regarding a window of the SVM classification as 105 blocks of the SVM classification. Moreover, compared to Dalal and Triggs’s pure software HOG implementation, the proposed implementation‘s average detection rate is just about 4.05% less, but can achieve a much higher frame rate.
Discrimination of Temperature and Strain in Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis Using a Multicore Optical Fiber
Authors: Zaghloul Mohamed , Wang Mohan , Milione Giovanni , Li Ming-Jun , Li Shenping , Huang Yue-Kai , Wang Ting , Chen Kevin
Published: April 2018

Brillouin optical time domain analysis is the sensing of temperature and strain changes along an optical fiber by measuring the frequency shift changes of Brillouin backscattering. Because frequency shift changes are a linear combination of temperature and strain changes, their discrimination is a challenge. Here, a multicore optical fiber that has two cores is fabricated. The differences between the cores’ temperature and strain coefficients are such that temperature (strain) changes can be discriminated with error amplification factors of 4.57 °C/MHz (69.11 μ ϵ /MHz), which is 2.63 (3.67) times lower than previously demonstrated. As proof of principle, using the multicore optical fiber and a commercial Brillouin optical time domain analyzer, the temperature (strain) changes of a thermally expanding metal cylinder are discriminated with an error of 0.24% (3.7%).
Probability Analysis of the Water Table and Driving Factors Using a Multidimensional Copula Function
Authors: You Qiying , Liu Yan , Liu Zhao
Published: April 2018

The relationship between the water table and driving factors is a reliable theoretical reference for the reasonable planning of surface water resources and the water table. Previous research has neglected the distribution and probabilities of the water table. However, this paper analyzes the relationship between the water table and driving factors from a statistical perspective by correcting the variables and introducing the Kernel Distribution Estimation and the Copula Function. The average data of the buried depth of the phreatic water, annual irrigation volume of the surface water, and precipitation in the Jinghui Irrigation District in China from 1977 to 2013 were adopted. We precisely obtained the two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) Joint Distribution Function of each driving factor and the marginal distribution of the water table, calculate the conditional probability in different ranges, and exactly predict the design value of surface water irrigation giving set conditions. Eventually, we emphasize the importance of probability analysis and prediction in groundwater planning.
Improvement of Two Evapotranspiration Estimation Models Using a Linear Spectral Mixture Model over a Small Agricultural Watershed
Authors: Li Gen , Jing Yuanshu , Wu Yihua , Zhang Fangmin
Published: April 2018

Accurately measuring regional evapotranspiration (ET) is of great significance for studying global climate change, regional hydrological cycles, and surface energy balance. However, estimating regional ET from mixed vegetation types is still challenging. In this study, the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) and the Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) models were applied to estimate surface ET in a small agricultural watershed. Landsat8 satellite images were used as input data to the single-source models. The two models were validated at single point and ecosystem scales. The results showed that both models overestimated ET observations in paddy fields and orange groves but underestimated them in dry farmland. The error was mainly caused by the heterogeneity of the mixed pixels. The linear spectral mixture model and a set of equations were introduced to reduce the simulation error. The revised results showed that the relative precision of SEBAL was improved by 9.87% and 10.06%, respectively. This research is expected to provide new ideas for future development of accurate remote-sensing ET estimations on heterogeneous surfaces.
La prostitution: analyse critique de différentes perspectives de recherche
Authors: Pryen Stéphanie
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this article is to present and discuss different perspectives which the social sciences have adopted to understand the phenomenon of prostitution. One approach has been to describe the legal and social context of this activity in today's France. The three following points consider three ways of constructing 'prostitution'. The first looks at the individual level, the prostitute, trying to define what his or her profit or mode of operation might be. The second tries to understand, more or less critically, what social function prostitution serves. The third takes a more comprehensive approach, seeing prostitution as a socially produced stigma, a special career or a particular social world.
Le rôle du contexte dans l’apprentissage de la lecture : étude expérimentale longitudinale
Authors: Ragano Serge
Published: April 2018

The effects of the context in the acquisition of literacy : an experimental longitudinal study.

This paper presents an experimental longitudinal study concerning the evolution of the effects of the context on beginning readers from the moment they start using phoneme-grapheme correspondences. The experiment consists in making first grade children read the same words three times a year. For each time there are three different situations with words in various contexts : the children must identify isolated words, read a group of unknown sentences and read text they already know. The results show that there are three stages in the acquisistion : the children first use both types of cues (context and word cues), then focus on word cues only, finally, when their reading ability is fluent, they go back to both types of cues.
L’entrée dans la phonétisation de l’écriture : le rôle des interactions sociales
Authors: Besse Jean-Marie , Montésinos-Gelet Isabelle , Rouzaire Monique , Veilleux-Sourd Nadia
Published: April 2018

De quelle manière s’y prend le jeune enfant pour progresser dans son travail de construction de l’écrit ? Nous avons tenté de nous approcher d’un type de situation de recherche où les locuteurs pourraient interagir : pour cela, une situation de communication graphique amène les enfants à se confronter à plusieurs des principes de notre écriture et à manifester leurs conceptualisations relatives à ces principes. Cette situation est testée sur le moment où le jeune enfant prend conscience des relations entre marques graphiques et unités sonores.
Le développement des conceptualisations sur l’écrit chez le jeune enfant
Authors: Besse Jean-Marie
Published: April 2018

For two decades scientific studies of first steps in writing have been renewed. Research in developpemental psychology has shown different levels in this psychogenesis. The author is aimed at providing a theoretical introduction to these questions and presenting the evolution of methodological approaches.
Apprendre à lire avec des livres de jeunesse ?
Authors: Fijalkow Jacques
Published: April 2018

In order to know how teachers use youth literacy books to teach reading in first grade, we use a questionnaire of 79 questions and 399 variables. Most of 1253 teachers that responded to this inquiry do not use youth literacy books to start their activities of reading but as a supplementary tool, and as such youth literacy books is the most frequently tool used by the teachers. Books are mainly read to children by their teachers. Exposure to books was studied through attendance to libraries in the school and in the classroom. Important differences appear from a classification of the teachers into three categories : traditional, medium, innovative.
Les prises de décisions : des modèles normatifs aux processus cognitifs
Authors: Cadet Bernard , Dracon Nadège
Published: April 2018

Dans de nombreux secteurs d’activité, les prises de décision marquent des moments de l’évolution des individus ou des systèmes. Par delà la diversité des situations, leur étude met en évidence l’existence de deux grands paradigmes : l’un formel et normatif, l’autre cognitif et procédural. Ces deux approches, sensiblement différentes, quant aux principes qui les fondent aux démarches qu’elles impliquent et aux rationalités qui les sous-tendent, sont l’objet d’un examen critique. La conclusion préconise de considérer qu’il s’agit là de modèles de prise de décision applicables à des champs différents.
La place des assistant-e-s de service social dans les processus de décision administratifs et politiques
Authors: Saint Martin Corinne
Published: April 2018

Cet article porte sur les modes de participation des Assistant(e) s de Service Social à la décision administrative ou politique dans le champ du social. Est ainsi interrogée cette position d’intermédiaire social qui les situe dans une fonction de relais, de "médiateur" dans l’organisation. S’appuyant sur diverses recherches menées auprès d’assistantes sociales de la région toulousaine (période 1987-1998), l’article s’attache plus précisément à évaluer la place et l’action de cet acteur professionnel dans le ou les processus décisionnel(s) existant(s), en tenant compte des évolutions contextuelles récentes. Située dans une perspective organisationnelle et compréhensive des pratiques, l’analyse développée ici montre que cette fonction "d’aide à la décision" qui donne lieu à des configurations variées de pratiques, procède essentiellement de l’utilisation d’un moyen stratégique d’action : le réseau.
La participation dans les décisions en éducation. Nouvelles formes raffinées d'un vieux phénomène bien connu
Authors: Sabirón Sierra Fernando , Arraiz Pérez Ana
Published: April 2018

La participation à la prise de décision dans les organisations scolaires est analysée dans une perspective fondée sur les tensions résultant de la triple nature de l’institution scolaire : "système", "monde de vie" et "organisation". En parallèle à l’utilisation de la participation comme stratégie de motivation afin d’accroître le sentiment de satisfaction personnel, et en conséquence, la productivité, sans augmentation des coûts, se défend la thèse que la "gestion participative", derrière l’apparence d’une démarche démocratique, se réduit à "une gestion de la participation" dont l’effet est de légitimer la recherche de l’efficience, de la compétitivité. En définitive, la notion de "qualité" des services sociaux (l’éducation dans ce cas) est ramenée aux critères de la demande économique du "marché".
Le statut des demandes sociales dans l’Aide à la Décision Politique
Authors: Bedin Véronique
Published: April 2018

Cet article vise à éclairer la nature complexe des relations existant entre demandes sociales, demande d’Aide à la Décision Politique et commande d’étude. La demande d’Aide à la Décision Politique portée par des responsables institutionnels, bien qu’elle soit le plus souvent formulée en termes consensuels, est en fait déterminée par les contradictions des demandes sociales émanant de l’hétérogénéité de la société civile. Analyser la demande d’étude implique par conséquent de mettre en oeuvre une méthodologie spécifique se proposant de dépasser l’inventaire des représentations, des intentions et des besoins déclarés pour atteindre le système concret des conditions, des pratiques et des relations objectives dans lesquelles se structurent décisions et actions.
Essence extraordinaire
Authors: Ferrasse Jean
Published: April 2018

À propos de sa participation impliquée dans des pratiques de changement social - expériences choisies sciemment aux deux bouts de sa vie universitaire - l’auteur tente de comprendre l’évolution de ses positions théoriques quant au déterminisme subjectif de la décision politique. Se dessine ainsi, à travers la forme - complaisante - d’un entretien du scripteur avec son double (l’Alter intime deWallon ou le socius de Janet), une approche inusitée du sujet de la décision dont l’essence n’est plus conçue comme propre à l’individu isolé (Hegel, Feuerbach), ni définie, dans sa réalité, comme l’ensemble des relations sociales (Marx, Engels), mais comme inhérente à certaines situations particulières localisées (Badiou, Lazarus), au sein desquelles une multiplicité fluide et indéfinie de gens bien réels rompent unanimement avec l’expérience ordinaire de l’objectivation d’autrui pour entrer en résonance autour d’une prescription commune.
L’intégration de la diversité des conduites en psychologie différentielle, un lien vers les "théories" de la complexité ?
Authors: Martin Franck , Morcillo Agnès
Published: April 2018

The status of the diversity of conducts puts problems in scientific psychology. The differential psychology, which processes this problematic, gives currently the average theoretical to formalize the necessary integration of the diversity inside models of development. This effort is apprehended in methodological and historical perspectives testifying epistemological changes realized before. That changes that we put in parallel with a epistemological crystallization around the notion of complexity.
L’approche systémique en sciences humaines : et les données dans tout ça ? Première partie : Aspects théoriques
Authors: Jeunier Benoît , Long John-Scott , Brandibas Gilles
Published: April 2018

Les recherches conduites en sciences humaines font de plus en plus référence à l’approche systémique. Depuis plus de cinquante ans maintenant, les chercheurs ne s’autorisent plus à ignorer les différents effets de contextes, les différences individuelles des sujets observés, etc. Néanmoins, beaucoup d’articles abordant les systèmes ne présentent que des résultats reposant sur les différences significatives entre diverses variables. Le texte qui suit constitue une première partie, plutôt théorique, de démarches analytiques envisageables. Il sera suivi d’une seconde contribution plus pragmatique reposant sur l’interprétation d’un exemple précis annoncé dans cet article.
La représentation sociale de la méthode "Di Bella"
Authors: Galli Ida , Fasanelli Roberto
Published: April 2018

Ce travail a pour objet l’étude de la composante attitude, du champ sémantique, du noyau central et des éléments périphériques de la représentation sociale de la "méthode Di Bella". L’échantillon utilisé, composé d’étudiants universitaires, a été subdivisé en trois sous-échantillons : 1) étudiants en Médecine, 2) étudiants en Sociologie, 3) étudiants en Lettres. On a appliqué la méthode des "libres associations" pour connaître les éléments structurants du noyau et de la périphérie de la représentation, pour étudier la composante champ de la représentation sociale et pour construire le différentiateur sémantique nécessaire à l’analyse de la composante attitude. Les données obtenues par les libres associations ont été traitées par une technique mise au point par Pierre Vergés (1992). Les données obtenues à partir du différentiateur sémantique ont été analysées par la méthode de Guy Le Bouedec (1995). Les résultats de l’analyse fournissent d’intéressants thèmes de discussions.
Les différences statutaires en actes : le cas des représentations professionnelles d'enseignants et d'inspecteurs à l'école élémentaire
Authors: Piaser Alain
Published: April 2018

Dans le cadre général de la théorie des Représentations Sociales, les Représentations Professionnelles sont spécifiques à un groupe professionnel délimité : elles circulent auprès des membres d'une profession considérée et concernent les objets professionnels auxquels ils ont recours. L’opérationnalisation de la notion a été effectuée ici auprès de deux catégories de personnels de l’enseignement élémentaire public : des enseignants de l’école élémentaire et des inspecteurs de l’éducation nationale ont été interrogés par questionnaires à propos de leurs professions respectives et cet article rend compte d'une partie de cette recherche. Bien que les éléments avancés ne représentent qu’une brève partie de l’étude entreprise dans le domaine professionnel que nous avons choisi, ils permettent de voir que les représentations professionnelles constituent un marqueur particulier : l’examen de cette notion rapportée aux deux catégories d’acteurs retenus montre que le statut des uns et des autres est le premier critère différentiateur des prises de position relatives aux objets professionnels évoqués.
Un dispositif innovant de formation continue. Une expérience d'un groupe d'enseignantes dans le premier degré
Authors: Charrat Françoise
Published: April 2018

In a context of research-action-training, we studied for three years the effects of a device where a team of academics offers a limited group of female teachers a new teaching move. The question is to know whether individual practice is transformed, and what factors help. Experience shows that the large majority of female teachers concerned commit themselves to innovation, and allow themselves to transform individual practice. Within a 'proximal transformation zone', the plan offers cognitive and affective propping up in an area of speech, conflicts, and consensual decision-taking. The existence of the group restrains the risk of social break feared by a teacher commiting him/ her self to innovation. In such context, the teacher has been the thoughtful author of his/ her own practice.
Les prises de décision dans les groupes : exemple d'une action collective, un remembrement communal
Authors: Mias Christine
Published: April 2018

L'exemple d'un remembrement communal permet dans cet article de proposer une illustration de la théorie développée par Serge Moscovici et Willem Doise dans leur ouvrage "Dissensions et consensus". Cette lecture empirique de leurs propositions permet de réfléchir au lien existant entre représentations sociales (repères pour l'action) et implication sociale (sa transformation dans la confrontation de repères hétérogènes).
Les pratiques enseignantes : une visée, des regards
Authors: Bru Marc , Talbot Laurent
Published: April 2018

Le groupe GPE-CREFI, dirigé par Marc Bru, rassemble six Maîtres de Conférences dont les travaux de recherche convergent vers l’étude des pratiques enseignantes. Marc Bru, dans l’introduction de ce numéro, admet l’idée d’un pluralisme des modes d’approches, des méthodologies et des matériaux recueillis, et que la confrontation au sein d’une communauté de chercheurs est un moyen de progresser. Au sein de ce numéro des Dossiers des Sciences de l’Education, chaque chercheur du groupe aurait pu participer, de façon individuelle, au débat proposé par Marc Bru en construisant un article développant ses propres travaux, ses hypothèses, ses méthodologies. Un tel choix, ayant l’avantage de favoriser la visibilité de chaque individu, risquait fort de favoriser le glissement de la pluralité vers la cohabitation d’individualismes, donnant à lire une compilation d’écrits moins riche que les interactions d’un débat. D’autre part, la multiplication des contributions de l’équipe toulousaine aurait limité d’autant la place réservée aux chercheurs extérieurs, la nécessaire confrontation des diverses approches théoriques. L’équipe toulousaine a donc demandé à un animateur extérieur d’organiser un débat.
Réflexions sur l’effet-maître et l’étude des pratiques enseignantes
Authors: Bressoux Pascal
Published: April 2018

Il est présenté ici un ensemble de réflexions sur l’effet-maître et l’étude des pratiques enseignantes. Après avoir mis l’accent sur la nécessité de recherches empiriques, je montre comment on mesure l’effet-maître et quelle en est la conception sous-jacente : dans l’enseignement élémentaire, seul l’effet-classe est directement mesurable et l’effet-maître ne peut être qu’inféré après avoir défalqué les effets d’un certain nombre de facteurs "donnés" (caractéristiques globales de la classe, public d’élèves accueilli). Ainsi se dévoile une conception additive des effets où le danger de réification de l’efficacité est fortement présent. Je plaide au contraire pour une conception interactive de l’effet-maître qui met l’accent sur l’idée que l’efficacité ne peut être conçue comme une caractéristique des maîtres eux-mêmes, mais comme le résultat d’un processus d’interaction. Je mets ensuite l’accent sur la nécessité de modéliser les pratiques enseignantes : dans ce but, si les observations de pratiques sont indispensables pour leur description, je m’inscris en faux contre une pensée inductiviste qui laisserait croire qu’on peut remonter directement des observations à leurs principes. Ceux-ci ne peuvent être dégagés que par une modélisation de la pratique, qui fait donc intervenir des éléments théoriques posés a priori. Je présente enfin une recherche empirique qui propose une modélisation d’une pratique enseignante particulière : le jugement que les enseignants portent sur la valeur scolaire de leurs élèves.