bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Framework of Risk in Global IT Projects and Mitigation Strategies from Service-Oriented Architecture
Authors: Lee One-Ki (Daniel) , Blake Roger , Baby Deepa Varghese
Published: June 2016

Global Information Technology (IT) projects span multiple locations that are typically employing different practices, adhering to different standards, and using different technologies – at the same time operating in highly diverse cultures. Differences such as these are prevalent factors that increase risk on global IT projects. Further, they are prone to changing continuously over the course of a project, with the consequence that risk becomes highly unpredictable and dynamic. This chapter proposes a framework to characterize risks within the people-process-technology-external elements of a global IT project. The framework gives particular consideration to risks that arise from interactions of multiplicities within and between those elements (i.e. dynamic risks). The principles of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) are adopted to propose specific strategies for mitigation of these dynamic risks. Two case studies further illustrate how those strategies can mitigate the risks.
Cost Performance Estimation in Construction Projects Using Fuzzy Time Series
Authors: Salari Mostafa , Yousefi Nooshin , Asgary Mohhmad Mahdi
Published: June 2016

In this chapter, the authors develop a model to estimate future performance of construction projects. For the purpose of estimation, fuzzy times series models are used as an effective approach in estimation process. Furthermore, linguistic terms are applied to interpret the fuzzy-based results. The proposed model can assist project managers to develop their knowledge concerning the future aspects of project cost performance. It also provides the early warning of weak upcoming performance of project and extends the feasible time for corrective actions. Eventually, a small example has been provided to illustrate how the new model can be implemented in reality.
EcoGrid
Authors: Mehta Hemant Kumar
Published: June 2016

This chapter presents a toolkit for evaluation of resource management algorithms developed for Grid computing. This simulator named as EcoGrid and it is devised to support large number of resource or computing nodes and processes. Generally, grid simulators represent each resource using a thread that occupies large amount of space on the thread stack in main memory. However, EcoGrid models each node by an object instead of a thread. Memory space used by an object is much smaller than a thread, thus EcoGrid is highly scalable as compared to state-of-the-art simulators. EcoGrid is dynamically configurable and works with real as well as synthetic workloads. The simulator is bundled with a synthetic load generator that generates the workload using appropriate statistical distributions.
The Relationship between Information Technology Governance and Information Technology Performance in Taiwanese Financial Enterprises
Authors: Shaw Ruey-Shiang , Cheng Che-Pin , Fu Ta-Yu , Tsai Chia-Wen , Yen Dong-Cheng
Published: June 2016

More and more enterprises regard Information Technology (IT) as their most valuable property and make full use of IT to maximize the performance of their business operations. As a result, enterprises are attaching more importance to coordinating their IT strategy and enterprise strategy in order to get the most from their IT investment. For the sake of better IT performance and long-term development, firms must adopt a complete strategy for IT governance. In Taiwan, most financial enterprises have not considered IT governance to be a necessity, and those which are implementing IT governance have difficulty explaining, systemically, how it affects IT performance. Based on the five dimensions of IT governance, this study uses the balanced scorecard to measure IT performance and discusses the influence of effective governance on IT performance. The results show that the five dimensions of IT governance (strategic alignment, value delivery, risk management, resource management, and performance measurement) are all positively correlated with IT performance. The results of this study can help Taiwan's financial enterprises set the proper course for IT governance and more clearly understand how it serves to improve IT performance.
The Basis for Masonry Analysis with UDEC and 3DEC
Authors: Lemos José V.
Published: June 2016

The “distinct element method” was proposed by Peter Cundall in 1971 for the analysis of rock slopes by means of rigid block or circular particle models. This method led to the UDEC and 3DEC codes, presently in wide use in rock engineering. Their application to masonry structures started in the 90's, as researchers found that they were also excellent tools to approach the highly nonlinear behavior of masonry, in particular the collapse processes of stone block structures under static or seismic loads. This chapter reviews the essential assumptions of UDEC and 3DEC, relating them to other methods and codes, and stressing the features that make them suitable for masonry analysis. Rigid and deformable blocks, contact mechanics, contact detection, and solution algorithms are examined. Key issues in the modelling of masonry are addressed, including: irregular block models; determination of collapse loads; large displacement analysis; computational efficiency issues in dynamic analysis. Practical examples taken from the published literature illustrate these issues.
An E-Commerce Customer Service Robot Based on Intention Recognition Model
Authors: Peng Minjing , Qin Yanwei , Tang Chenxin , Deng Xiangming
Published: June 2016

There are three defects for providing human-labor customer services in e-commerce operations: high costs of human labors, staff turnover, and lack of service quality assurance. Breakthroughs made in artificial intelligence, natural language processing and related fields make it possible to replace human labors with online artificial intelligent robots to provide the e-commerce customer service, which indicates the online robots are the future of e-commerce customer services. However, most of the current robots are designed to reply with knowledge matching the key words in question sentences from the database, rarely involving in research on customer intentions that are key factors influencing user experience and online sales. In this research, an intention recognizing model was proposed to obtain intentions of e-commerce consumers by computing the strengths of candidate intention nodes in the intention graph, which was used to describe relations between different goods that could be the intentional targets of e-commerce consumers. The proposed robot was constructed based on the intention recognizing model to identify intentions of consumers and use the located knowledge combined with the AIML based sentence composition template to produce the response sentences for consumers. At last, the proposed robot was evaluated using F3 and ROUGE metrics by comparing with a keyword matching robot. And the evaluation results proved the validity of the proposed robot.
Autoantibody-Mediated Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis in Rasgrp1-Deficient Mice
Authors: Ferretti Andrew , Fortwendel Jarrod R. , Gebb Sarah A. , Barrington Robert A.
Published: June 2016

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung syndrome caused by the accumulation of surfactants in the alveoli. The most prevalent clinical form of PAP is autoimmune PAP (aPAP) whereby IgG autoantibodies neutralize GM-CSF. GM-CSF is a pleiotropic cytokine that promotes the differentiation, survival, and activation of alveolar macrophages, the cells responsible for surfactant degradation. IgG-mediated neutralization of GM-CSF thereby inhibits alveolar macrophage homeostasis and function, leading to surfactant accumulation and innate immunodeficiency. Importantly, there are no rodent models for this disease; therefore, underlying immune mechanisms regulating GM-CSF–specific IgG in aPAP are not well understood. In this article, we identify that autoimmune-prone Rasgrp1-deficient mice develop aPAP: 1) Rasgrp1-deficient mice exhibit reduced pulmonary compliance and lung histopathology characteristic of PAP; 2) alveolar macrophages from Rasgrp1-deficient mice are enlarged and exhibit reduced surfactant degradation; 3) the concentration of GM-CSF–specific IgG is elevated in both serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from Rasgrp1-deficient mice; 4) GM-CSF–specific IgG is capable of neutralizing GM-CSF bioactivity; and 5) Rasgrp1-deficient mice also lacking CD275/ICOSL, a molecule necessary for conventional T cell–dependent Ab production, have reduced GM-CSF–specific autoantibody and do not develop PAP. Collectively, these studies reveal that Rasgrp1-deficient mice, to our knowledge, represent the first rodent model for aPAP.
The prevalence of HIV in the sudden, unexplained and unexpected death population at the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory
Authors: Morris Neil K. , Du Toit-Prinsloo Lorraine , Webber Lynne , Saayman Gert
Published: June 2016

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of HIV in the sudden, unexplained and unexpected (SUU) death population admitted to the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory.Methods: This study was conducted at the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory. Blood samples were obtained from decedents who died suddenly and/or unexpectedly, during autopsy, by a forensic pathologist. Sample collection continued until 100 valid samples were analysed for HIV antibodies. The data collected included demographic details and case-related information.Results and Conclusion: SUU deaths accounted for 14% of all cases admitted to the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory. The HIV prevalence in the SUU deaths was 43%, which is 17% higher than the general mortuary population in Pretoria ( p = 0.0045). The majority of these deaths were due to respiratory disease processes, with 12 cases having HIV/TB co-infection.Keywords: Sudden; Unexplained and unexpected death; Post mortem; HIV; Mortuary; Pretoria; South Africa
The end of the line? A case of drug resistance to third-line antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Rossouw Theresa M. , Hitchcock Sonia , Botes Mariëtte
Published: June 2016

HIV drug resistance has been described in all antiretroviral drug classes and threatens the long-term success of HIV treatment. Here, we describe the first reported case of acquired resistance to the integrase strand transfer inhibitors in South Africa. This case illustrates the dilemma of treatment in the context of inadequate adherence and poor psychosocial support and highlights the potential risk of transmission of multidrug-resistant virus. Keywords: HIV drug resistance; third line
Advanced MRI Techniques in the Evaluation of Complex Cystic Breast Lesions
Authors: Popli Manju Bala , Gupta Pranav , Arse Devraj , Kumar Pawan , Kaur Prabhjot
Published: June 2016

Objective

The purpose of this research work was to evaluate complex cystic breast lesions by advanced MRI techniques and correlating imaging with histologic findings.

Methods and Materials

In a cross-sectional design from September 2013 to August 2015, 50 patients having sonographically detected complex cystic lesions of the breast were included in the study. Morphological characteristics were assessed. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI along with diffusion-weighted imaging and MR spectroscopy were used to further classify lesions into benign and malignant categories. All the findings were correlated with histopathology.

Results

Of the 50 complex cystic lesions, 32 proved to be benign and 18 were malignant on histopathology. MRI features of heterogeneous enhancement on CE-MRI (13/18), Type III kinetic curve (13/18), reduced apparent diffusion coefficient (18/18), and tall choline peak (17/18) were strong predictors of malignancy. Thirteen of the 18 lesions showed a combination of Type III curve, reduced apparent diffusion coefficient value, and tall choline peak.

Conclusions

Advanced MRI techniques like dynamic imaging, diffusion-weighted sequences, and MR spectroscopy provide a high level of diagnostic confidence in the characterization of complex cystic breast lesion, thus allowing early diagnosis and significantly reducing patient morbidity and mortality. From our study, lesions showing heterogeneous contrast enhancement, Type III kinetic curve, diffusion restriction, and tall choline peak were significantly associated with malignant complex cystic lesions of the breast.
Meta-Analysis on Optimised Parameters for Energy Harvesting Thermoelectric Generators in the Human Body
Authors: Mays Emily , Barakat Stephanie , Huynh Anna , Munro Josephine
Published: June 2016

Small-scale energy harvesting thermoelectric generators could replace bulky batteries completely when in conjunction with a supercapacitor for biomedical devices. Organic material is cost efficient, flexible and easily processed but has poor thermoelectric properties. Recent studies have investigated the combination of inorganic and organic materials for thermoelectric materials in an attempt to improve the figure of merit, Seebeck coefficient and power factor. This meta-study examines the most effective ratio of PEDOT: PSS to Bi2Te3 thermoelectric material by analysing the Seebeck coefficient, electrical and thermal conductivity, the power factor and figure of merit for varying weight-for-weight percentage of PEDOT: PSS material. This paper also assesses the viability of hybrid thermoelectric materials with a focus on the synthesis process. The parameter of the thermal gradient found in the human body was used; approximated to 32-37°C from the human body to the ambient temperature of ~300 K. It was found that the peak in electrical conductivity was between 90%―96% PEDOT: PSS material. From this the optimal ratio of PEDOT: PSS to Bi2Te3 is between 90%―96% PEDOT: PSS material since the Seebeck coefficient decrease with increase organic percentage smoothly. Overall, this study suggests the use of an organic: inorganic hybrid TEG, coupled with a supercapacitor, is a commercially viable device for a variety of implantable biomedical devices.
Regional and local variations in atmospheric aerosols using ground-based sun photometry during DRAGON in 2012
Authors: Sano Itaru , Mukai Sonoyo , Nakata Makiko , Holben Brent N.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The amount of long-range transboundary (LRT) aerosols over Japan is increasing due to growing anthropogenic emissions from the east Eurasian continent. This work investigates LRT aerosols based on a Distributed Regional Aerosol Gridded Observation Networks (DRAGON). We constructed DRAGON-Japan and -Osaka in spring of 2012. The former network covers almost all of Japan in order to obtain the contribution of LRT aerosols over Japanese islands. It was determined from the DRAGON-Japan campaign that the values of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) decrease from west to east during an aerosol episode. In fact, the highest AOT was recorded at Fukue Island in the western end of the network, and the value was much higher than that of urban areas. The latter network (DRAGON-Osaka) was set as a dense instrument network in the megalopolis of Osaka, with a population of 12 million, to better understand local emissions as well as the influence of LRT on urban areas. AOT was further measured with a mobile sun photometer attached to a car. This transect information showed that aerosol concentrations rapidly changed in time and space together when most of the Osaka area was covered with moderate LRT aerosols. The combined use of the dense instrument network (DRAGON-Osaka) and high frequency measurements provides the motion of aerosol advection, which coincides with the wind vector around the layer between 700 and 850 hPa as provided by the reanalysis data of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).
A two-dimensional Stockwell transform for gravity wave analysis of AIRS measurements
Authors: Hindley Neil P. , Smith Nathan D. , Wright Corwin J. , Rees D. Andrew S. , Mitchell Nicholas J.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Gravity waves (GWs) play a crucial role in the dynamics of the earth's atmosphere. These waves couple lower, middle and upper atmospheric layers by transporting and depositing energy and momentum from their sources to great heights. The accurate parameterisation of GW momentum flux is of key importance to general circulation models but requires accurate measurement of GW properties, which has proved challenging. For more than a decade, the nadir-viewing Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) aboard NASA's Aqua satellite has made global, two-dimensional (2-D) measurements of stratospheric radiances in which GWs can be detected. However, one problem with current one-dimensional methods for GW analysis of these data is that they can introduce significant unwanted biases. Here, we present a new analysis method that resolves this problem. Our method uses a 2-D Stockwell transform (2DST) to measure GW amplitudes, horizontal wavelengths and directions of propagation using both the along-track and cross-track dimensions simultaneously. We first test our new method and demonstrate that it can accurately measure GW properties in a specified wave field. We then show that by using a new elliptical spectral window in the 2DST, in place of the traditional Gaussian, we can dramatically improve the recovery of wave amplitude over the standard approach. We then use our improved method to measure GW properties and momentum fluxes in AIRS measurements over two regions known to be intense hotspots of GW activity: (i) the Drake Passage/Antarctic Peninsula and (ii) the isolated mountainous island of South Georgia. The significance of our new 2DST method is that it provides more accurate, unbiased and better localised measurements of key GW properties compared to most current methods. The added flexibility offered by the scaling parameter and our new spectral window presented here extend the usefulness of our 2DST method to other areas of geophysical data analysis and beyond.
STREET-SCENE TREE SEGMENTATION FROM MOBILE LASER SCANNING DATA
Authors: Guan H. , Cao S. , Yu Y. , Li J. , Liu N. , Chen P. , Li Y.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Our work addresses the problem of extracting trees from mobile laser scanning data. The work is a two step-wise strategy, including terrain point removal and tree segmentation. First, a voxel-based upward growing filtering is proposed to remove terrain points from the mobile laser scanning data. Then, a tree segmentation is presented to extract individual trees via a Euclidean distance clustering approach and Voxel-based Normalized Cut (VNCut) segmentation approach. A road section data acquired by a RIEGL VMX-450 system are selected for evaluating the proposed tree segmentation method. Qualitative analysis shows that our algorithm achieves a good performance.
A MIN-CUT BASED FILTER FOR AIRBORNE LIDAR DATA
Authors: Ural Serkan , Shan Jie
Published: June 2016

Abstract. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a routinely employed technology as a 3-D data collection technique for topographic mapping. Conventional workflows for analyzing LiDAR data require the ground to be determined prior to extracting other features of interest. Filtering the terrain points is one of the fundamental processes to acquire higher-level information from unstructured LiDAR point data. There are many ground-filtering algorithms in literature, spanning several broad categories regarding their strategies. Most of the earlier algorithms examine only the local characteristics of the points or grids, such as the slope, and elevation discontinuities. Since considering only the local properties restricts the filtering performance due to the complexity of the terrain and the features, some recent methods utilize global properties of the terrain as well. This paper presents a new ground filtering method, Min-cut Based Filtering (MBF), which takes both local and global properties of the points into account. MBF considers ground filtering as a labeling task. First, an energy function is designed on a graph, where LiDAR points are considered as the nodes on the graph that are connected to each other as well as to two auxiliary nodes representing ground and off-ground labels. The graph is constructed such that the data costs are assigned to the edges connecting the points to the auxiliary nodes, and the smoothness costs to the edges between points. Data and smoothness terms of the energy function are formulated using point elevations and approximate ground information. The data term conducts the likelihood of the points being ground or off-ground while the smoothness term enforces spatial coherence between neighboring points. The energy function is optimized by finding the minimum-cut on the graph via the alpha-expansion algorithm. The resulting graph-cut provides the labeling of the point cloud as ground and off-ground points. Evaluation of the proposed method on the ISPRS test dataset for ground filtering demonstrates that the results are comparable with most current existing methods. An overall average filtering accuracy for the 15 ISPRS test areas is 91.3%.
CONTINUOUS MAPPING OF TUNNEL WALLS IN A GNSS-DENIED ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Chapman Michael A. , Min Cao , Zhang Deijin
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The need for reliable systems for capturing precise detail in tunnels has increased as the number of tunnels (e.g., for cars and trucks, trains, subways, mining and other infrastructure) has increased and the age of these structures and, subsequent, deterioration has introduced structural degradations and eventual failures. Due to the hostile environments encountered in tunnels, mobile mapping systems are plagued with various problems such as loss of GNSS signals, drift of inertial measurements systems, low lighting conditions, dust and poor surface textures for feature identification and extraction. A tunnel mapping system using alternate sensors and algorithms that can deliver precise coordinates and feature attributes from surfaces along the entire tunnel path is presented. This system employs image bridging or visual odometry to estimate precise sensor positions and orientations. The fundamental concept is the use of image sequences to geometrically extend the control information in the absence of absolute positioning data sources. This is a non-trivial problem due to changes in scale, perceived resolution, image contrast and lack of salient features. The sensors employed include forward-looking high resolution digital frame cameras coupled with auxiliary light sources. In addition, a high frequency lidar system and a thermal imager are included to offer three dimensional point clouds of the tunnel walls along with thermal images for moisture detection. The mobile mapping system is equipped with an array of 16 cameras and light sources to capture the tunnel walls. Continuous images are produced using a semi-automated mosaicking process. Results of preliminary experimentation are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system for the generation of seamless precise tunnel maps.
AUTOMATIC TREE-CROWN DETECTION IN CHALLENGING SCENARIOS
Authors: Bulatov Dimitri , Wayand Isabell , Schilling Hendrik
Published: June 2016

Abstract. In this paper, a new procedure for individual tree detection and modeling is presented. The input of this procedure consists of a normalized digital surface model NDSM, and a possibly error-prone classification result. The procedure is modular so that the functionality, the advantages and the disadvantages for every single module will be explained. The most important technical contributions of the paper are: Employing watershed transformation combined with classification results, applying hotspots detectors for identifying treetops in groups of trees, and correcting NDSM by detecting and geometric reconstruction of small anomalies, such as earth walls. Two minor contributions are made up by a detailed literature research on available methods for individual tree detection and estimation of tree-crowns for clearly identified trees in order to reduce arbitrariness by assigning trees to one of the few types in the output model.
Technical note: Common characteristics of directional spreading–steepness joint distribution in freak wave events
Authors: Liu Shouhua , Li Yizhen , Yue Xinyang
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Seven freak wave incidents previously documented in the real ocean in combination with model hindcast simulations are used to study the variations associated with freak-wave-related parameters, such as wave steepness, directional spreading, and frequency bandwidth. Unlike the strong correlations between the freak wave parameters and freak waves' occurrence which were obtained in experimental and physical research, the correlations are not clear in the freak waves occurring in the real ocean. Wave directional spreading–steepness joint distribution is introduced and common visual features were found in the joint distribution when freak waves occur among seven “freakish” sea states. The visual features show that freak wave incidents occur when the steepness is large and directional spreading is small. Besides large steepness and small directional spreading, a long-duration, relatively rough sea state is also necessary for the freak wave generation. The joint distribution is more informative than any single statistical wave parameter. The continuous sea states of local large steepness and small directional spreading are supposed to generate freak waves, and two-dimensional distribution visualization is found to be a useful tool for freak waves' forecast. The common visual features of joint distributions supply an important cue for the theoretical and experimental research.
An Examination of Murder and Suicide in Guyana
Authors: Henry Paulette Andrea
Published: June 2016

In addition to being remembered in what became known as the “Jonestown Massacre,” where more than 900 members of an American cult died in a mass suicide-murder under the direction of their leader in 1978, Guyana continues to receive global and local attention for the prevalence in suicide. The 2014 WHO report named Guyana as the country with the highest suicide rate per capita globally with recent suicide statistics showing 272 reports over a thirty-month period.
Recently, the incidence of murder suicide has gained a lot of media attention, and seems to be linked to “crimes of passion” or intimate partner conflict, with men very often being the perpetrators. Particularly, East Indian men and young men are more prone to commit suicide, Through the analysis of both police and media reports and other literature, this study uses mixed methodologies in analyzing the number of murder -suicide over the last five years, characteristics of the perpetrators inclusive of ethnicity, relationships between killers and victims and the method used in the deaths in Guyana. The study paves the way for more in-depth analysis of the phenomenon. Finally, the paper concludes with a presentation of its findings and possible recommendations.
The Strange Death of the Law Merchant - Part 2
Authors: McBain Graham
Published: June 2016

The Strange Death of the Law Merchant - Part 2
Qualité de l’eau du Saint-Laurent de 2000 à 2014 : paramètres classiques, pesticides et contaminants émergents
Authors: Giroux Isabelle , Hébert Serge , Berryman David
Published: June 2016

Selon l’indice de qualité bactériologique et physicochimique (IQBP5), l’eau du Saint-Laurent est de bonne qualité en amont de Montréal, mais elle se détériore en aval, dans le chenal de navigation et dans la masse d’eau au nord de celui-ci, à cause de la contamination bactériologique provenant des stations d’épuration de Montréal, Longueuil et Repentigny. Au sud du chenal, la qualité est bonne ou satisfaisante tout au long du corridor fluvial. Dans la région de Québec, toutes les stations d’échantillonnage présentent une eau de bonne qualité ou à la limite de cette classe. De 2000 à 2014, le pourcentage de stations de qualité mauvaise ou très mauvaise a diminué, mais la fréquence de dépassement des critères de qualité pour le phosphore et les coliformes fécaux n’a pas montré de tendance significative. De 4 à 33 pesticides ont été détectés dans les tributaires du Saint-Laurent, selon le tributaire, et 20 de ces produits ont été détectés dans le lac Saint-Pierre. Les concentrations de clothianidine, de thiaméthoxame et d’atrazine dans le lac ont parfois dépassé les critères de qualité de l’eau pour la protection des espèces aquatiques. Les contaminants d’intérêt émergent comme les nonylphénols éthoxylés, les PBDE, les composés perfluorés et les produits pharmaceutiques et de soins personnels sont également présents dans le Saint-Laurent. Les concentrations de PBDE dans le poisson dépassent les critères pour la protection du poisson lui-même et ceux concernant la faune terrestre piscivore. Les concentrations de nonylphénols éthoxylés ont diminué à la suite de mesures de contrôle gouvernementales instaurées durant les années 2000. Après 2 décennies d’amélioration, la qualité de l’eau du Saint-Laurent est restée relativement stable entre 2000 et 2014. Cependant, de nouveaux pesticides et des contaminants d’intérêt émergents ont été détectés et, pour plusieurs d’entre eux, les connaissances actuelles ne permettent pas de cerner leurs effets potentiels sur l’écosystème.
L’évaluation des impacts cumulés dans l’estuaire et le golfe du Saint-Laurent : vers une planification systémique de l’exploitation des ressources
Authors: Beauchesne David , Grant Cindy , Gravel Dominique , Archambault Philippe
Published: June 2016

L’intensification de l’empreinte humaine dans l’estuaire et le golfe du Saint-Laurent impose une planification systémique de l’exploitation des ressources marines. Une évaluation régionale des impacts cumulés dans le Saint-Laurent demeure pourtant encore attendue. Un nombre important d’activités (p. ex. transport maritime, pêche, aquaculture) caractérise l’exploitation humaine du Saint-Laurent. Ces activités imposent plusieurs stresseurs environnementaux (p. ex. destruction de l’habitat) affichant un chevauchement spatial croissant. Individuellement, ils peuvent affecter la structure et le fonctionnement des écosystèmes. Imposés simultanément, les stresseurs peuvent agir en synergie et entraîner des effets non linéaires imprévisibles. Ces effets demeurent largement incompris et conséquemment ignorés lors d’évaluations d’impacts environnementaux, qui demeurent orientées sur des espèces ou secteurs uniques et l’approbation de projets. Plusieurs défis relatifs aux impacts cumulés dans le Saint-Laurent doivent être relevés : 1) améliorer l’état des connaissances des impacts de multiples stresseurs sur les écosystèmes, 2) améliorer l’applicabilité des méthodes d’évaluation d’impacts cumulés, 3) identifier des indicateurs d’impacts cumulés, 4) créer un protocole de suivi environnemental et d’impacts humains, et de partage de données et 5) développer une capacité de gestion adaptative pour le Saint-Laurent. La planification systémique de l’utilisation des ressources naturelles au sein du Saint-Laurent nécessitera une vision intégrative de la structure et du fonctionnement des écosystèmes ainsi que des vecteurs de stress qui leur sont imposés. Une telle approche ne sera réalisable que lorsque nous aurons développé les infrastructures et les outils nécessaires à une gestion écosystémique du Saint-Laurent.
Nos pêcheries sont-elles « écoresponsables » ?
Authors: Brêthes Jean-Claude
Published: June 2016

Dans l’Atlantique canadien, comme dans le reste du monde, les pêcheries sont en crise. On peut se demander si notre pêche est responsable. Pour être qualifiée de « responsable », une pêcherie ne cible pas les espèces les plus menacées et n’opère pas dans des zones fragiles; elle peut être poursuivie indéfiniment dans le temps et elle prend en compte tout l’environnement et les impacts sur toutes les espèces. Une grille d’analyse des pêcheries est celle qui conduit à l’écocertification, telle que précisée par l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’Agriculture et l’Alimentation (FAO) et, dans son mode opérationnel, par leMarine Stewardship Council(MSC). Pour bénéficier d’une écocertification, une pêcherie doit satisfaire à 3 principes : que la ressource soit en bonne santé, bien suivie et bien gérée; que l’exploitation n’affecte pas de façon importante et irréversible les écosystèmes; et que la gestion soit claire, efficace et participative. Le processus est coûteux et incertain. Au Québec, le crabe des neiges du sud du golfe du Saint-Laurent, la crevette nordique et le homard ont été certifiés. Pour les autres espèces, ce serait sans doute plus difficile. Doit-on pour autant mettre nos poissons de côté ? Sans doute pas. Les pêcheries d’aujourd’hui ne sont plus celles d’il y a 20 ans. Les mentalités et les techniques ont évolué, les mécanismes de gestion aussi. Si rien n’est parfait, les progrès sont notables, et devraient être notés.
Ordered genome change of plant and animal body cells revealed by the genome profiling method
Authors: Diwan Deepti , Masubuchi Yuki , Furukawa Tatsuya , Nishigaki Koichi
Published: June 2016

In the past, it was widely thought that, although epigenetically different, the genome sequences of cells are basically the same in a single body. In retrospect, the genome‐uniformity idea may have been naïve, considering that DNA polymerases cannot be perfect. Here, a systemic, not sporadic, genome change was demonstrated in a single plant (Arabidopsis) and animal (zebrafish) body using genome DNAs taken in an ordered manner using the genome profiling method. This can be explained because mutations accumulate additively in progeny cells, and these results are critically significant for developmental and oncological research.
Dust charging and transport on airless planetary bodies
Authors: Wang X. , Schwan J. , Hsu H.‐W. , Grün E. , Horányi M.
Published: June 2016

We report on laboratory experiments to shed light on dust charging and transport that have been suggested to explain a variety of unusual phenomena on the surfaces of airless planetary bodies. We have recorded micron‐sized insulating dust particles jumping to several centimeters high with an initial speed of ~0.6 m/s under ultraviolet illumination or exposure to plasmas, resulting in an equivalent height of ~0.11 m on the lunar surface that is comparable to the height of the so‐called lunar horizon glow. Lofted large aggregates and surface mobilization are related to many space observations. We experimentally show that the emission and re‐absorption of photoelectron and/or secondary electron at the walls of microcavities formed between neighboring dust particles below the surface are responsible for generating unexpectedly large negative charges and intense particle‐particle repulsive forces to mobilize and lift off dust particles.
Tropical and extratropical‐origin storm wave types and their influence on the East Australian longshore sand transport system under a changing climate
Authors: Goodwin Ian D. , Mortlock Thomas R. , Browning Stuart
Published: June 2016

Tropical expansion is potentially an amplifier of coastal change in the subtropics, through directional wave climate shifts. The storm wave climate and directional wave power distribution along the Southeast Australian Shelf (SEAS) is investigated with respect to tropical extent. Forty years of storm wave observations from nine midshelf wave buoys are evaluated using synoptic storm wave typing. A robust latitudinal and along‐shelf gradient in storm wave types and wave propagation patterns exists. The tropical origin storms produce a shore‐normal propagation pattern along the SEAS, reduce the connectivity of coastal compartments through minor headland bypassing events or episodically reversing the net northward transport. In contrast, the extratropical origin storms produce a shore‐oblique propagation pattern from the Southern Tasman to the Coral Sea, and are an important control on the connectivity of regional longshore sand transport through episodic major headland bypassing events between compartments, and the maintenance of down‐drift coastlines in dynamic equilibrium. Future climate change projections indicate that the recent trend in the expansion of the latitudinal extent of the tropics in the south‐west Pacific region will continue throughout this century. The combined impacts of a projected 2.5° poleward shift on the storm wave climate is a significant reduction in net northward longshore sand transport and the efficiency of headland bypassing events. On the North and Central Coasts of New South Wales we project a ∼30% reduction in longshore sand transport for the dominant extratropical‐origin storm events, together with a ∼5% increase in reversed (net southward) longshore sand transport for tropical‐origin storm events.
Imbalanced atmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus depositions in China: Implications for nutrient limitation
Authors: Zhu Jianxing , Wang Qiufeng , He Nianpeng , Smith Melinda D. , Elser James J. , Du Jiaqiang , Yuan Guofu , Yu Guirui , Yu Qiang
Published: June 2016

Atmospheric wet nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) depositions are important sources of bioavailable N and P, and the input of N and P and their ratios significantly influences nutrient availability and balance in terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. Here we monitored atmospheric P depositions by measuring monthly dissolved P concentration in rainfall at 41 field stations in China. Average deposition fluxes of N and P were 13.69 ± 8.69 kg N ha−1 a−1 (our previous study) and 0.21 ± 0.17 kg P ha−1 a−1, respectively. Central and southern China had higher N and P deposition rates than northwest China, northeast China, Inner Mongolia, or Qinghai‐Tibet. Atmospheric N and P depositions showed strong seasonal patterns and were dependent upon seasonal precipitation. Fertilizer and energy consumption were significantly correlated with N deposition but less correlated with P deposition. The N:P ratios of atmospheric wet deposition (with the average of 77 ± 40, by mass) were negatively correlated with current soil N:P ratios in different ecological regions, suggesting that the imbalanced atmospheric N and P deposition will alter nutrient availability and strengthen P limitation, which may further influence the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems. The findings provide the assessments of both wet N and P deposition and their N:P ratio across China and indicate potential for strong impacts of atmospheric deposition on broad range of terrestrial ecosystems.
Measuring individual differences in responses to date‐rape vignettes using latent variable models
Authors: Tuliao Antover P. , Hoffman Lesa , McChargue Dennis E.
Published: June 2016

Vignette methodology can be a flexible and powerful way to examine individual differences in response to dangerous real‐life scenarios. However, most studies underutilize the usefulness of such methodology by analyzing only one outcome, which limits the ability to track event‐related changes (e.g., vacillation in risk perception). The current study was designed to illustrate the dynamic influence of risk perception on exit point from a date‐rape vignette. Our primary goal was to provide an illustrative example of how to use latent variable models for vignette methodology, including latent growth curve modeling with piecewise slopes, as well as latent variable measurement models. Through the combination of a step‐by‐step exposition in this text and corresponding model syntax available electronically, we detail an alternative statistical “blueprint” to enhance future violence research efforts using vignette methodology. Aggr. Behav. 43:60–73, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐Directed Learning and Not Choosing College: A Counterstory
Authors: Osborne Richard , Schwartz Joni
Published: June 2016

The chapter captures the tensions around the research and “common wisdom” that college is an imperative for all young Black males.
Adult Education and Spirituality: A “Liberatory Spaces” for Black Gay Men
Authors: Bryant Lawrence , Bowman Lorenzo , Paulette Isaac‐Savage E.
Published: June 2016

In this chapter the authors examine the role of spirituality in the lives of Black gay men.
The Brotherhood in Corporate America
Authors: Harris Cornileus Tonya
Published: June 2016

This chapter draws attention to the intersection of race and gender identities and their impact on the career development of Black men.
Swimming into the Open
Authors: Drayton Brendaly , Rosser‐Mims Dionne , Schwartz Joni , Guy Talmadge C.
Published: June 2016

This concluding chapter discusses the important contribution Black men's voices have made and can make to adult education theory and practice. Particular emphasis is placed on troubling the various factors that contribute to the silencing of those voices.
Rational and Facile Construction of 3D Annular Nanostructures with Tunable Layers by Exploiting the Diffraction and Interference of Light
Authors: Choe Jong‐Ho , Park Q‐Han , You Eun‐Ah
Published: June 2016

This paper reports a rational and facile approach to fabricating arrays of 3D annular nanostructures with tunable layers by utilizing the diffraction and interference of UV light. Based on discretized Fresnel bright spots and standing waves formed within a photoresist film, the structures with nanoscale features are realized using simple, conventional photolithography. The 3D annular nanostructures are produced in arrays of single‐, double‐, and triple‐layered ring structures with the height of single layer on a 100 nm scale. The structural formation process and features of the nanostructures are analyzed and explained through 3D modeling that integrates the effects of both UV exposure dose and chemical kinetics. The approach to generating 3D annular nanostructures with tunable layers and discrete heights can be adapted for various applications that require the 3D structures fabricated over a large area with high throughput.
Pyrite‐Based Bi‐Functional Layer for Long‐Term Stability and High‐Performance of Organo‐Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Koo Bonkee , Jung Heesuk , Park Minwoo , Kim Jae‐Yup , Son Hae Jung , Cho Jinhan , Ko Min Jae
Published: June 2016

Organo‐lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received great attention because of their optimized optical and electrical properties for solar cell applications. Recently, a dramatic increase in the photovoltaic performance of PSCs with organic hole transport materials (HTMs) has been reported. However, as of now, future commercialization can be hampered because the stability of PSCs with organic HTM has not been guaranteed for long periods under conventional working conditions, including moist conditions. Furthermore, conventional organic HTMs are normally expensive because material synthesis and purification are complicated. It is herein reported, for the first time, octadecylamine‐capped pyrite nanoparticles (ODA‐FeS2 NPs) as a bi‐functional layer (charge extraction layer and moisture‐proof layer) for organo‐lead halide PSCs. FeS2 is a promising candidate for the HTM of PSCs because of its high conductivity and suitable energy levels for hole extraction. A bi‐functional layer based on ODA‐FeS2 NPs shows excellent hole transport ability and moisture‐proof performance. Through this approach, the best‐performing device with ODA‐FeS2 NPs‐based bi‐functional layer shows a power conversion efficiency of 12.6% and maintains stable photovoltaic performance in 50% relative humidity for 1000 h. As a result, this study has the potential to break through the barriers for the commercialization of PSCs.
Pyridinic‐Nitrogen‐Dominated Graphene Aerogels with Fe–N–C Coordination for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Cui Xiaoyang , Yang Shubin , Yan Xingxu , Leng Jiugou , Shuang Shuang , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Zhang Zhengjun
Published: June 2016

Here, pyridinic nitrogen dominated graphene aerogels with/without iron incorporation (Fe‐NG and NG) are prepared via a facile and effective process including freeze‐drying of chemically reduced graphene oxide with/without iron precursor and thermal treatment in NH3. A high doping level of nitrogen has been achieved (up to 12.2 at% for NG and 11.3 at% for Fe‐NG) with striking enrichment of pyridinic nitrogen (up to 90.4% of the total nitrogen content for NG, and 82.4% for Fe‐NG). It is found that the Fe‐NG catalysts display a more positive onset potential, higher current density, and better four‐electron selectivity for ORR than their counterpart without iron incorporation. The most active Fe‐NG exhibits outstanding ORR catalytic activity, high durability, and methanol tolerance ability that are comparable to or even superior to those of the commercial Pt/C catalyst at the same catalyst loading in alkaline environment. The excellent ORR performance can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of pyridinic N and Fe‐N
x
sites (where iron probably coordinates with pyridinic N) that serve as active centers for ORR. Our Fe‐NG can be developed into cost‐effective and durable catalysts as viable replacements of the expensive Pt‐based catalysts in practical fuel cell applications.
Biomimetic Superoleophobicity of Cotton Fabrics for Efficient Oil–Water Separation
Authors: Rana Masud , Chen Jun‐Teng , Yang Sudong , Ma Peng‐Cheng
Published: June 2016

Textile materials have gained much attention as membranes for oil–water separation. However, traditional membranes are suffered by either energy‐intensive preparation method or the fouling during the practical application. Motivated by the biomimetic surface of fish, this paper reports the modification of cotton fabrics using a single‐step hot alkali treatment, which creates roughened morphologies in micro‐ and nanoscale on fiber surface by removing noncellulosic compounds on sample and enhances the hydrophilicity of fabrics due to the introduction of numerous hydroxyl groups in the material. The developed fabrics show underwater superoleophobicity with oil contact angles more than 170°. When the textile is employed as a membrane for oil–water separation, water permeates quickly through the pores and capillary canal of fabrics, whereas oil is obstructed due to the inherent repellency with water. The cotton fabrics demonstrate high separation efficiency, excellent reusability, antifouling, and self‐cleaning properties in a single‐unit gravimetric filtration for various oil–water mixtures, thus making the material a promising and highly energy‐efficient candidate for the cleanup of oil spills.
Nanoscale Microstructure and Chemistry of Cu2ZnSnS4/CdS Interface in Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Fangyang , Yan Chang , Huang Jialiang , Sun Kaiwen , Zhou Fangzhou , Stride John A. , Green Martin A. , Hao Xiaojing
Published: June 2016

Sulfurization with various atmosphere and postheat treatments has been reported for earth abundant kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) preparation as cost‐effective material for next‐generation solar cells. A full understanding of the nanoscale microstructure and chemistry of CZTS/CdS interface obtained from these different fabrication routes is currently lacking, yet is critical to developing optimal processing routes for high‐performance kesterite solar cells. Here, the first detailed investigation of the interfacial microstructure and chemistry of CdS/Cu2ZnSnS4 heterojunctions is presented. For CZTS obtained from sulfurization in a sulfur‐only atmosphere where highly defective surfaces are present, air annealing followed by etching in the initial stage of chemical bath deposition (CBD) process can effectively eliminate interfacial defects and allow the epitaxial growth of CBD‐CdS, improving the minority lifetime, open circuit voltage (VOC), and fill factor (FF) of the devices, while blocking Cd diffusion and deteriorating short circuit current (Jsc). For CZTS from sulfurization in a combined sulfur and SnS atmosphere where CBD‐CdS can directly epitaxially grow on CZTS and Cd‐diffusion is clearly observed, associated devices show the longest lifetime and the highest efficiency of 8.76%. Epitaxial growth of CdS and Cd diffusion into CZTS are found to be two crucial features minimizing interfacial recombination and achieving high‐efficiency devices. This will not only enhance the understanding of the device structure and physics of kesterite based solar cells, but also provide an effective way for designing other chalcogenide heterojunction solar cells.