bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protectionism within disclosure regulation: evidence from national transparency and GAAP choices
Authors: Gélinas Patrice , Baillargeon Lisa
Published: January 2017

The arguments used thus far in the literature to justify disclosure regulation are that it increases global economic efficiency and that it redistributes wealth among investors. In this paper, we depart from this view and propose that disclosure regulation may also be used by national authorities as a protectionist mechanism to indirectly charge for access to national scarce resources and thereby extract economic rents from resources-needy entities. This increases national welfare, but is inefficient globally. We find empirical support for our proposition through a cross-sectional analysis of financial reporting standards of 62 countries. Results suggest that national objectives in implementing disclosure regulation represent a major obstacle for the global convergence of accounting standards and that disclosure regulation’s purpose may not be limited to solving the separation of ownership and control dilemma.
Executive compensation and investor clientele
Authors: Li Feifei , Subrahmanyam Avanidhar
Published: January 2017

We provide a setting where due to a lack of sophistication, possibly arising from high opportunity costs of learning about accounting conventions and financial markets, nave (unsophisticated) investors are unable to decipher true executive compensation accurately. Expected compensation is therefore higher when such investors form a more significant clientele in the market for a firm’s stock. Our model further suggests that increased information asymmetry between informed and uninformed traders may deter the entry of uninformed investors and keep executive compensation in check. Technologies that lower the cost of trading facilitate entry of relatively unsophisticated investors and raise expected compensation. In general, such compensation can be reduced through requirements that increase disclosure transparency. Empirical tests provide support to the key implication of the model that indirect executive compensation is higher in stocks with higher liquidity, which are likely to have greater unsophisticated investor participation.
Disclosure of executive remuneration in listed public utility companies
Authors: Franzoni Simona
Published: January 2017

This paper aims to examine disclosure about listed companies’ executive remuneration, investigating particularly the rules and recommendations adopted in industrialized countries (European countries: France; German; Italy; Spain; United Kingdom; and non-European countries: Canada; Japan; Russia; United States) and to verify if effective communication behaviours adopted in Italy and in foreign countries by listed public utility companies match cognitive and evaluation stakeholders’ expectations and rules and existing specific recommendations. Disclosure of the remuneration is necessary to offer each stakeholder to understand if the amount of compensation paid and its composition is adequate to avoid potential excesses that could compromise the process of value generation by the enterprise. This is an important topic, considering also potential conflicts between form, structure and level of executive directors’ remuneration (fixed and variable elements, stock options, total estimated value of non-cash benefits, remuneration paid to directors in connection with the termination of his activities during that financial year, etc.) and corporate performance optimization in the long term.
Corporate board, ownership structure and the involuntary delisted firms
Authors: Chien Chu-Yang , Parng Yuh-Jiuan , Lu Chen-Wei
Published: January 2017

The Financial Supervisory Commission in Taiwan has advocated the importance of corporate governance for several years. The purpose of this study is to act in concern with the policy through the test of the relationship between the corporate governance mechanism, especially Board of Directors’ composition and ownership structure, and the involuntary delisted firms. The study extracts 58 involuntary delisted firms from Taiwan Securities Exchange (TSE) during 1997 to 2007 and matches with 112 similar control firms. The results from probit regression suggest that Board of Directors (BOD) with more number of outside independent directors, larger board size, lower ratio of shares pledged to the total shares, higher seats over control right, and lower control right over right for cash flow may reduce the likelihood of delisting. The study could become monitoring indices for internal examination system, the warning signals for investors, and the reference for the policy makers
Ownership structure and corporate governance code: The case of family business enterprises in Germany
Authors: Weissenberger-Eibl Marion , Spieth Patrick
Published: January 2017

Ownership of corporations in Germany is today highly concentrated in the hands of families and other companies. Theses ‘insider’ systems often result in core conflict tends to be between controlling shareholders and sometimes between strong stakeholders and weak minority shareholders. The aim of this paper is to research the characteristics of ownership and control in family business and point out the role of Family Business Governance in securing an appropriate control of the owning families. The authors give suggestions how to implement the German Governance Code recommendations in family businesses.
The antecedents of foreign joint venture formation in transition economies – a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Rice John , Martin Nigel
Published: January 2017

This research can be broadly characterised as considering the reasons a firm from a developed nation would seek to invest in a transition economy. Where research has been undertaken into the determinants of investment from the recipient point of view, it has tended to investigate the decision in terms of national systems (Bevan and Estrin, 2000; Resmini, 2000) rather than in terms of the characteristics of those individual firms that receive the investment (Campos & Kinoshita, 2002; Janicki & Wunnava, 2004).
The decrease in diversification and corporate governance: evidence from Japanese firms
Authors: Aoki Hidetaka
Published: January 2017

This paper analyzes the effects of firm performance and governance factors on the decrease in diversification of Japanese firms in the 1990s. We focus on the cases of the decrease in diversification, because many previous studies proved that diversification caused firm value discount. Adjusting an excessive unrelated diversification would be an important topic, because the problems of low synergy between business units, inefficiency in management and so on were more serious in this type of diversification. The findings of this study are as follows. In the first half of the 1990s, immediately after the collapse of bubble economy, lower firm performance and main bank relationship encouraged firms to decrease the level of diversification of their businesses. On the other hand, in the latter half of the 1990s when the decrease in diversification itself was activated, higher performing non-manufacturing firms and manufacturing firms with lower profitability but facing higher growth in their main business tried to decrease diversification in order to strengthen the competitiveness in main businesses. Also, this kind of decrease in diversification was supported by the governance characteristics such as insider majority smaller boards of directors and the pressure from capital market.
Ownership and control in Germany: do cross-shareholdings reflect bank control on large companies?
Authors: Onetti Alberto , Pisoni Alessia
Published: January 2017

This paper aims to analyse the relationships (equity and non-equity) between German banks and German firms, which are the peculiarities of the German institutional system of corporate governance. Scholars agree on the fact that cross shareholdings among banks, insurance companies and institutional firms (Charkham 1994, Baums 1993), combined with long term shareholdings (Gerschenkron 1989), and close relationships and interlocking between board members of different companies (Tilly 1969, Hopt and Prigge 1998), are the main features of bank-firms relationships in Germany. Specifically the main purpose of the paper is to demonstrate, for the panel of German companies investigated, that bank-firm relationship relies not only on patrimonial linkages but also on personal relationships. In the light of the sweeping changes that this model has undergone since the late 1990s, an empirical study has been carried out regarding relationships (patrimonial and personal) among the first 100 German companies with the highest turnover and the 6 main German financial institutions, showing the evolving trend along a period of 8 years and comparing the collected data with previous research. Therefore, in order to try to measure the extent of the banks role in Corporate Governance and to evaluate in a deeper sense the effective influence they have on the industry management, we carried out two different analyses. The first, takes into consideration the equity relationships between banks/insurances and the German industrial firms, the second analyses the number of seats held by the same banks in the correspondent supervisory board. In particular, in our opinion, the analysis of the composition of the supervisory boards can help to outline the personal relationships above mentioned. Therefore is understood, that we consider the presence of bank’s representatives in others than banks’ supervisory boards as signal of banks’ opportunity to exert power and influence
Legal institutions and timeliness of earnings
Authors: Chu Eric Liluan , Wu Woody
Published: January 2017

This study examines systematic differences in relations between the timeliness of earnings as measured by the price-leading-earnings effects and country-specific legal institutional factors. We use a sample of firm-level observations during the period from1989 to1999 in 22 East Asian and Western European countries that exhibit different levels of legal institutional features, and find evidence of earnings lacking timeliness. We hypothesize that the informativeness of prices about future earnings increases with better legal institutions, namely disclosure quality, investor protection and legal enforcement. Our results are consistent with these predictions. Furthermore, multiple regression results show that each of the three country-specific legal institutional features is an important determinant of the timeliness of earnings and adds the incremental contribution above and beyond the others.
Ownership structure, board composition and investment performance
Authors: Eklund Johan , Palmberg Johanna , Wiberg Daniel
Published: January 2017

This paper explores the relation between ownership structure, board composition and firm performance among Swedish listed firms. The descriptive statistics show that Swedish board of directors has become more diversified in terms of gender. The analysis shows that board size has a significant negative effect on investment performance. Gender diversity has a small but negative effect on investment performance, and the same holds for CEO being on the board. When incorporating all the explanatory variables into the same equation the negative effect of larger boards dilutes the effect of gender diversity and having the CEO on the board.
External monitoring, managerial ownership and firm performance in Malaysian capital market: a GMM based panel data approach
Authors: Ahmed Huson Joher Ali , Wadud IKM Mokhtarul
Published: January 2017

This study re-examines whether the structure of share ownership by both directors and institutional ownership provides explanation for firm performances. These relationships are modelled and estimated using GMM based dynamic panel data over a period from 1997 to 2001 with a sample of 100 CI components companies listed on Main Board of Malaysia. The findings provide strong evidence of simultaneity between firm performance and managerial ownership. Although an insignificant relationship between firm performance and institutional ownership is observed, the institutional holdings provide strong substitute for managerial ownership with a strong negative relationship between managerial ownership and institutional ownership. This is in line with the managerial incentive hypothesis, which suggests that manager’s share in the firm’s ownership leads to better performance and the monitoring substitute hypothesis, which suggests that managerial ownership could be effectively replaced by institutional ownership.
Approach to corporate governance and supporting shareholders’ interests
Authors: Pérez Carrillo Elena F.
Published: January 2017

Shareholders interests play a relevant role in corporate governance. Notwithstanding the different legal regimes across the globe, there is a trend towards converging mechanisms protect shareholders through disclosure and other instruments. Simplification of voting process and procedures to ease the taking into account of shareholder preferences are matters still to be resolved.
Inhibition of Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide Receptor Signaling in Adipose Tissue Reduces Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis in High-Fat Diet–Fed Mice
Authors: Joo Erina , Harada Norio , Yamane Shunsuke , Fukushima Toru , Taura Daisuke , Iwasaki Kanako , Sankoda Akiko , Shibue Kimitaka , Harada Takanari , Suzuki Kazuyo , Hamasaki Akihiro , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: January 2017

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) directly induces energy accumulation in adipose tissue in vitro. However, the importance of the direct effect of GIPR signaling on adipose tissue in vivo remains unclear. In the current study, we generated adipose tissue–specific GIPR knockout (GIPRadipo−/−) mice and investigated the direct actions of GIP in adipose tissue. Under high-fat diet (HFD)-fed conditions, GIPRadipo−/− mice had significantly lower body weight and lean body mass compared with those in floxed GIPR (GIPRfl/fl) mice, although the fat volume was not significantly different between the two groups. Interestingly, insulin resistance, liver weight, and hepatic steatosis were reduced in HFD-fed GIPRadipo−/− mice. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a proinflammatory cytokine that induces insulin resistance, were reduced in HFD-fed GIPRadipo−/− mice compared with those in HFD-fed GIPRfl/fl mice. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) signaling is located downstream of the IL-6 receptor and is associated with insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. Expression levels of SOCS3 mRNA were significantly lower in adipose and liver tissues of HFD-fed GIPRadipo−/− mice compared with those of HFD-fed GIPRfl/fl mice. Thus, GIPR signaling in adipose tissue plays a critical role in HFD-induced insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in vivo, which may involve IL-6 signaling.
Bariatric Surgery Enhances Splanchnic Vascular Responses in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Honka Henri , Koffert Jukka , Kauhanen Saila , Teuho Jarmo , Hurme Saija , Mari Andrea , Lindqvist Andreas , Wierup Nils , Groop Leif , Nuutila Pirjo
Published: January 2017

Bariatric surgery results in notable weight loss and alleviates hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to characterize the vascular effects of a mixed meal and infusion of exogenous glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in the splanchnic region in 10 obese patients with T2D before and after bariatric surgery and in 10 lean control subjects. The experiments were carried out on two separate days. Pancreatic and intestinal blood flow (BF) were measured at baseline, 20 min, and 50 min with 15O-water by using positron emission tomography and MRI. Before surgery, pancreatic and intestinal BF responses to a mixed meal did not differ between obese and lean control subjects. Compared with presurgery, the mixed meal induced a greater increase in plasma glucose, insulin, and GIP concentrations after surgery, which was accompanied by a marked augmentation of pancreatic and intestinal BF responses. GIP infusion decreased pancreatic but increased small intestinal BF similarly in all groups both before and after surgery. Taken together, these results demonstrate that bariatric surgery leads to enhanced splanchnic vascular responses as a likely consequence of rapid glucose appearance and GIP hypersecretion.
Combination Therapy With Exenatide Plus Pioglitazone Versus Basal/Bolus Insulin in Patients With Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes on Sulfonylurea Plus Metformin: The Qatar Study
Authors: Abdul-Ghani Muhammad , Migahid Osama , Megahed Ayman , Adams John , Triplitt Curtis , DeFronzo Ralph A. , Zirie Mahmoud , Jayyousi Amin
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

The Qatar Study was designed to examine the efficacy of combination therapy with exenatide plus pioglitazone versus basal/bolus insulin in patients with long-standing poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on metformin plus a sulfonylurea.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study randomized 231 patients with poorly controlled (HbA1c >7.5%, 58 mmol/mol) T2DM on a sulfonylurea plus metformin to receive 1) pioglitazone plus weekly exenatide (combination therapy) or 2) basal plus prandial insulin (insulin therapy) to maintain HbA1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol).

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 12 months, combination therapy caused a robust decrease in HbA1c from 10.0 ± 0.6% (86 ± 5.2 mmol/mol) at baseline to 6.1 ± 0.1% (43 ± 0.7 mmol/mol) compared with 7.1 ± 0.1% (54 ± 0.8 mmol/mol) in subjects receiving insulin therapy. Combination therapy was effective in lowering the HbA1c independent of sex, ethnicity, BMI, or baseline HbA1c. Subjects in the insulin therapy group experienced significantly greater weight gain and a threefold higher rate of hypoglycemia than patients in the combination therapy group.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination exenatide/pioglitazone therapy is a very effective and safe therapeutic option in patients with long-standing poorly controlled T2DM on metformin plus a sulfonylurea.
Looking After the Drainage: Health, Marketing, and the Turkish Bath in Bernard Shaw’sMisalliance
Authors: Wixson Christopher
Published: January 2017

Bernard Shaw often inveighed against the infusion of an entrepreneurial ethos into health care and expounded at length about the detrimental effects of the profit motive in medicine. The booming late-Victorian proprietary-cure industry was especially irksome, its wares relentlessly advertised with virtually no oversight or regulation. Created in the wake of a sensational public government inquiry into mass marketing, Shaw’s comedy Misalliance dovetails its critique of middle-class pretension with an assault on the commodification of health. The unusual portable Turkish bath unit that occupies the centre of its stage picture resonates provocatively against the backdrop of the advent of modern British marketing and Edwardian anxiety over national fitness, and for the playwright it is an object of both critique and emulation.
Lignin Content and Resistance to Sclerotinia minor in Peanut
Authors: Bennett R.S. , Hatfield R.D. , Payton M.E. , Chamberlin K.D.
Published: January 2017

Lignin has been shown to be an important component for plant defense in several pathosystems, but the relationship between peanut stem lignin content and resistance in the field to Sclerotinia blight has not been investigated. Stem lignin was quantified from twenty runner, six virginia, and ten spanish genotypes grown in the greenhouse using the acetyl bromide method. Significant differences in lignin content were found within the runner and spanish entries, but not among the virginia genotypes. Disease data collected in the field over two to three years were used to test correlations between lignin content and Sclerotinia blight resistance for a subset of the runner and virginia entries. No significant correlations were found. Within the runner entries, the highest and lowest stem lignin content was found in entries with the most disease resistance. These results indicate that preformed stem lignin content is not a reliable predictor for resistance to Sclerotinia blight in peanut. In addition, commercial peanut cultivars appear to vary considerably in lignin content, and the genotypes with lower levels of stem lignin may be useful to producers who can use peanut haulm for animal feed. Southwest Runner, a cultivar with high resistance to Sclerotinia blight, had the lowest stem lignin content of the 36 peanut lines tested.
Predicting Air Quality at First Ingress into Vehicles Visiting the International Space Station
Authors: Romoser Amelia A. , Scully Robert R. , Limero Thomas F. , De Vera Vanessa , Cheng Patti F. , Hand Jennifer J. , James John T. , Ryder Valerie E.
Published: January 2017

INTRODUCTION: NASA regularly performs ground-based offgas tests (OGTs), which allow prediction of accumulated volatile pollutant concentrations at first entry on orbit, on whole modules and vehicles scheduled to connect to the International Space Station (ISS). These data guide
crew safety operations and allow for estimation of ISS air revitalization systems impact from additional pollutant load. Since volatiles released from vehicle, module, and payload materials can affect crew health and performance, prediction of first ingress air quality is important.METHODS:
To assess whether toxicological risk is typically over or underpredicted, OGT and first ingress samples from 10 vehicles and modules were compared. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The rate of pollutant accumulation was extrapolated over
time. Ratios of analytical values and Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations were used to predict total toxicity values (T-values) at first entry. Results were also compared by compound.RESULTS: Frequently overpredicted was 2-butanone (9/10), whereas propanal (6/10) and ethanol
(8/10) were typically underpredicted, but T-values were not substantially affected. Ingress sample collection delay (estimated by octafluoropropane introduced from ISS atmosphere) and T-value prediction accuracy correlated well (R2 = 0.9008), highlighting the importance of immediate
air sample collection and accounting for ISS air dilution.DISCUSSION: Importantly, T-value predictions were conservative 70% of the time. Results also suggest that T-values can be normalized to octafluoropropane levels to adjust for ISS air dilution at first ingress. Finally, OGT
and ingress sampling has allowed small leaks in vehicle fluid systems to be recognized and addressed.Romoser AA, Scully RR, Limero TF, De Vera V, Cheng PF, Hand JJ, James JT, Ryder VE. Predicting air quality at first ingress into vehicles visiting the International Space Station. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(2):104–113.
General Aviation Pilots Over 70 Years Old
Authors: Vuorio Alpo , Asmayawati Saryani , Budowle Bruce , Griffiths Robin , Strandberg Timo , Kuoppala Jaana , Sajantila Antti
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND: Currently it is not unusual for general aviation pilots in the United States to continue to fly beyond the age of 70, even into their 80s and 90s. Pilots have regular examinations according to protocols which do not specify special or additional requirements for pilots
over 70 yr of age. Additionally, the third class medical reforms passed by the U.S. Senate on 15 July 2016 could potentially result in even less stringent medical certification requirements for general aviation pilots.METHODS: Accident rates, medical parameters, autopsy findings,
and toxicological findings from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) general aviation (GA) accident database were analyzed to assess potential risk factors with accident outcomes.RESULTS: During 2003–2012, there were 114 (113 men, 1 woman) general aviation
fatal accidents involving pilots ages 70 to 92 yr. A combination of 3 or more drugs were found in 13 (13%) of deceased pilots. The most frequent drugs were first generation antihistamines and antidepressants represented the next highest proportion of possible performance-affecting medications.CONCLUSION:
This study indicates that there are critical medical factors that may contribute to fatal accidents among elderly pilots. Polypharmacy use should be taken into consideration, especially during periodic health examinations and fatal aviation investigations involving elderly pilots.Vuorio
A, Asmayawati S, Budowle B, Griffiths R, Strandberg T, Kuoppala J, Sajantila A. General aviation pilots over 70 years old. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(2):142–145.
Decelerations of Parachute Opening Shock in Skydivers
Authors: Gladh Kristofer , Lo Martire Riccardo , Äng Björn O. , Lindholm Peter , Nilsson Jenny , Westman Anton
Published: January 2017

INTRODUCTION: High prevalence of neck pain among skydivers is related to parachute opening shock (POS) exposure, but few investigations of POS deceleration have been made. Existing data incorporate equipment movements, limiting its representability of skydiver deceleration. This
study aims to describe POS decelerations and compare human- with equipment-attached data.METHODS: Wearing two triaxial accelerometers placed on the skydiver (neck-sensor) and equipment (rig-sensor), 20 participants made 2 skydives each. Due to technical issues, data from 35 skydives
made by 19 participants were collected. Missing data were replaced using data substitution techniques. Acceleration axes were defined as posterior to anterior (+ax), lateral right (+ay), and caudal to cranial (+az).
Deceleration magnitude [amax (G)] and jerks (G · s−1) during POS were analyzed.RESULTS: Two distinct phases related to skydiver positioning and acceleration direction were observed: 1) the x-phase (characterized by −ax,
rotating the skydiver); and 2) the z-phase (characterized by +az, skydiver vertically oriented). Compared to the rig-sensor, the neck-sensor yielded lower amax (3.16 G vs. 6.96 G) and jerk (56.3 G · s−1 vs. 149.0 G ·
s−1) during the x-phase, and lower jerk (27.7 G · s−1 vs. 54.5 G · s−1) during the z-phase.DISCUSSION: The identified phases during POS should be considered in future neck pain preventive strategies. Accelerometer
data differed, suggesting human-placed accelerometry to be more valid for measuring human acceleration.Gladh K, Lo Martire R, Äng BO, Lindholm P, Nilsson J, Westman A. Decelerations of parachute opening shock in skydivers. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(2):121–127.
Reported Back Pain in Army Aircrew in Relation to Airframe, Gender, Age, and Experience
Authors: Kelley Amanda M. , MacDonnell Jason , Grigley Deahndra , Campbell John , Gaydos Steven J.
Published: January 2017

INTRODUCTION: Back pain has remained an issue of significance among aircraft crewmembers for decades, occurring in the majority of military helicopter pilots with potential deleterious effects on performance, safety, and operational readiness. This exploratory, correlational
survey study was designed to evaluate the presence of patterns and relationships that may require further examination to understand causal factors.METHODS: The study population consisted of U.S. Army aviation crewmembers. Subjects (467) completed an anonymous survey, including questions
regarding demographics, airframes, experience, pain history and severity, ergonomics, mitigation strategies, and duty limitations.RESULTS: Overall, 84.6% of participants reported back pain at some time during their flying career, with 77.8% reporting back pain in the last calendar
year. Age was found to significantly correlate with earlier time to pain during flight, higher pain rating after flight, and occurrence of grounding. A stepwise linear regression model was used to explore the relationships between age, flight hours, and years of aviation experience, demonstrating
age to be the significant variable accounting for the observed variance. Aircrew reported wear of combat-related survival equipment and poor lumbar support to be the most notable contributors.DISCUSSION: Back pain rates were consistent with previous studies. The relationship of
age to back pain in this study may highlight unique pathophysiological pathways that should be further investigated within an occupational context to better understand the etiologic role. Enhanced seated lumbar support and combat-related survival equipment remain relatively low-cost/high-yield
topics worthy of further investigation for exploiting efficient means to improve health, safety, and operational performance.Kelley AM, MacDonnell J, Grigley D, Campbell J, Gaydos SJ. Reported back pain in army aircrew in relation to airframe, gender, age, and experience. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(2):96–103.
William Tyndale: cinq ans de: bibliographie
Authors: Marc’hadour Germain
Published: January 2017

Le cincentenaire de la naissance de William Tyndale, principal antagoniste de More, donna lieu à un Congrés en 1994 et provoqua la naissance d’une Association qui publie, outre une revue trimestrielle, un volume annuel intitulé Reformation. L’heure est venue de glaner, dans ces périodiques, tout ce qui intéresse la personne de More, ses écrits, ou son univers. Cette moisson fournit l’occasion d’un paralléle entre More et le prêtre qu’il désigna comme “le capitaine des hérétiques anglais.”
L’Exhortatio ad stvdivm euangelicæ Lectionis: Érasme Paraphraste et son lecteur
Authors: Cottier Jean-François
Published: January 2017

L’ Exhortatio ad studium euangelicæ lectionis, dédicace au pieux lecteur mis en tête de la Paraphrase sur Matthieu (et ensuite du volume des Paraphrases), représente une sorte de synthése de l’enseignement exégétique d’Érasme qui par ses préfaces aux différentes paraphrases désire enseigner aussi les princes de ce monde. Sa volonté pastorale de faire connaître la philosophia Christi va donc de pair avec son travail critique sur les textes, et on peut analyser dans cette préface les rapports que l’humaniste entretenait avec son lecteur. Aprés avoir resitué rapidement les Paraphrases dans leur contexte historique et littéraire, on voudrait montrer le rôle que cette préface a pu jouer dans la réception de cet ouvrage, en analysant son contenu.
Erasmus University, Rotterdam, 15th July 1984
Authors: de Valk J. M. M.
Published: January 2017

The writer discusses the reasons for the continued interest in Thomas More and draws the attention of the reader to More’s outstanding qualities, recognised in contemporary reports and documents. The qualities found in More prepared him for the final challenge he faced at his trial and execution.
Junshin Women’s College, Tokyo. 20th July 1986
Authors: Sawada Paul
Published: January 2017

The question posed by the author is: was Thomas More a utopian or a Realpolitiker? Both these ascriptions are defined with reference to More’s Utopia. Professor Sawada tries to reconstruct historically the intention of More the author of Utopia in contrast to the persona More and its interlocutor Raphaël, and concludes that More was a realist ‘man of law’ living in transcendent hope: a Christian gentleman with spes in caelis et pes in terries.
University of Cambridge, 30th June 1991
Authors: Brooke Christopher
Published: January 2017

Beginning with a comparison of the complexities shared by St Paul and St Thomas More, the writer goes on to explore dimensions of More's household at Chelsea. Christopher Brooke continues to consider the debate about More's loyalties to the medieval world and/or the new world of Christian humanism. More’s capacity to embrace both interests is for the author a point of commendation.
University College, London. 26th June 1983
Authors: Screech Michael
Published: January 2017

The author examines the paradox between madness and foolishness in early sixteenth century thought and in Biblical scholarship. He goes on to explore the seeming contradictions in the veneration of historical characters who adopted opposing views, particularly in the early 16th century.
Cooperative Multi-UAV Collision Avoidance Based on Distributed Dynamic Optimization and Causal Analysis
Authors: Lao Mingrui , Tang Jun
Published: January 2017

A critical requirement for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is the collision avoidance (CA) capability to meet safety and flexibility issues in an environment of increasing air traffic densities. This paper proposes two efficient algorithms: conflict detection (CD) algorithm and conflict resolution (CR) algorithm. These two algorithms are the key components of the cooperative multi-UAV CA system. The CD sub-module analyzes the spatial-temporal information of four dimensional (4D) trajectory to detect potential collisions. The CR sub-module calculates the minimum deviation of the planned trajectory by an objective function integrated with track adjustment, distance, and time costs, taking into account the vehicle performance, state and separation constraints. Additionally, we extend the CR sub-module with causal analysis to generate all possible solution states in order to select the optimal strategy for a multi-threat scenario, considering the potential interactions among neighboring UAVs with a global scope of a cluster. Quantitative simulation experiments are conducted to validate the feasibility and scalability of the proposed CA system, as well as to test its efficiency with variable parameters.
The Role of Overloading on the Reduction of Residual Stress by Cyclic Loading in Cold-Drawn Prestressing Steel Wires
Authors: Toribio Jesús , Lorenzo Miguel , Vergara Diego , Aguado Leticia
Published: January 2017

Prestressing steel wires are commonly used as reinforcement elements in structures bearing fatigue loads. These wires are obtained by a conforming process called cold drawing, where a progressive reduction of the wire diameter is produced, causing residual stress in the commercial wire. The aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of diverse in-service cyclic loading conditions (cyclic loading and cyclic loading with overload) on such a residual stress field. To achieve this goal, firstly, a numerical simulation of the wire drawing process of a commercial prestressing steel wire was carried out to reveal the residual stress state induced by the manufacture technique. Afterwards, a numerical simulation was performed of the in-service loading conditions of a prestressing steel wire in which the previously calculated residual stress state is included. The analysis of the obtained results shows a significant reduction of the residual stress state of about 50% for common in-service loadings and as high as 90% for certain cases undergoing overloads during cyclic loading. Therefore, an improvement of the mechanical performance of these structural components during their life in-service can be achieved.
Optoelectronic Properties and Structural Characterization of GaN Thick Films on Different Substrates through Pulsed Laser Deposition
Authors: Wang Wei-Kai , Huang Shih-Yung , Jiang Ming-Chien , Wuu Dong-Sing
Published: January 2017

Approximately 4-μm-thick GaN epitaxial films were directly grown onto a GaN/sapphire template, sapphire, Si(111), and Si(100) substrates by high-temperature pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The influence of the substrate type on the crystalline quality, surface morphology, microstructure, and stress states was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. Raman scattering spectral analysis showed a compressive film stress of −0.468 GPa for the GaN/sapphire template, whereas the GaN films on sapphire, Si(111), and Si(100) exhibited a tensile stress of 0.21, 0.177, and 0.081 GPa, respectively. Comparative analysis indicated the growth of very close to stress-free GaN on the Si(100) substrate due to the highly directional energetic precursor migration on the substrate’s surface and the release of stress in the nucleation of GaN films during growth by the high-temperature (1000 °C) operation of PLD. Moreover, TEM images revealed that no significant GaN meltback (Ga–Si) etching process was found in the GaN/Si sample surface. These results indicate that PLD has great potential for developing stress-free GaN templates on different substrates and using them for further application in optoelectronic devices.
Early Detection of Aspergillus parasiticus Infection in Maize Kernels Using Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging and Multivariate Data Analysis
Authors: Zhao Xin , Wang Wei , Chu Xuan , Li Chunyang , Kimuli Daniel
Published: January 2017

Fungi infection in maize kernels is a major concern worldwide due to its toxic metabolites such as mycotoxins, thus it is necessary to develop appropriate techniques for early detection of fungi infection in maize kernels. Thirty-six sterilised maize kernels were inoculated each day with Aspergillus parasiticus from one to seven days, and then seven groups (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7) were determined based on the incubated time. Another 36 sterilised kernels without inoculation with fungi were taken as control (DC). Hyperspectral images of all kernels were acquired within spectral range of 921–2529 nm. Background, labels and bad pixels were removed using principal component analysis (PCA) and masking. Separability computation for discrimination of fungal contamination levels indicated that the model based on the data of the germ region of individual kernels performed more effectively than on that of the whole kernels. Moreover, samples with a two-day interval were separable. Thus, four groups, DC, D1–2 (the group consisted of D1 and D2), D3–4 (D3 and D4), and D5–7 (D5, D6, and D7), were defined for subsequent classification. Two separate sample sets were prepared to verify the influence on a classification model caused by germ orientation, that is, germ up and the mixture of germ up and down with 1:1. Two smooth preprocessing methods (Savitzky-Golay smoothing, moving average smoothing) and three scatter-correction methods (normalization, standard normal variate, and multiple scatter correction) were compared, according to the performance of the classification model built by support vector machines (SVM). The best model for kernels with germ up showed the promising results with accuracies of 97.92% and 91.67% for calibration and validation data set, respectively, while accuracies of the best model for samples of the mixed kernels were 95.83% and 84.38%. Moreover, five wavelengths (1145, 1408, 1935, 2103, and 2383 nm) were selected as the key wavelengths in the discrimination of fungal contamination levels. In general, near-infrared hyperspectral imaging can be used for early detection of fungal contamination in maize kernels.
The Personal Viewpoint on the Meaning of Tranquility Affects the Appraisal of the Urban Park Soundscape
Authors: Filipan Karlo , Boes Michiel , De Coensel Bert , Lavandier Catherine , Delaitre Pauline , Domitrović Hrvoje , Botteldooren Dick
Published: January 2017

Previous research has shown that tranquil areas in the city, such as urban parks, are usually perceived as positive and have a restorative effect on visitors. However, visitors could experience these spaces differently depending on the meaning they assign to the concept of tranquility. To investigate how individuals’ personal views on tranquility affect their perception of the sonic environment, a soundscape study was conducted in several city parks in Antwerp, Belgium. Mobile sound measurements were combined with a questionnaire survey amongst 660 park visitors. Within the survey, the participants’ viewpoint on tranquility was evaluated using their agreement with a set of previously established prototypical statements, categorizing them into one out of three main tranquility viewpoint groups: people that associate tranquility with silence, those that associate it with hearing natural sounds, or those that associate it with social relationships. Next to this, the sounds that participants had heard during their visit were noted, and their perception of the overall quality of the soundscape and the degree to which it matched their expectation were assessed. Results show that the park visitors who associate tranquility with natural sounds or to silence are more often found amongst those that report hearing mechanical sounds a lot. The same groups of visitors rate the overall quality of the sonic environment of the park more often bad to very bad. These findings suggest that park visitors pay attention more to the sounds they do not expect to hear, and that the higher their expectations about the soundscape, the more critical they become in their appraisal of the soundscape.
Evaluation of Interlaminar Stresses in Composite Laminates with a Bolt-Filled Hole Using a Linear Elastic Traction-Separation Description
Authors: Cao Yong , Feng Yunwen , Xue Xiaofeng , Wang Wenzhi , Bai Liang
Published: January 2017

Determination of the local interlaminar stress distribution in a laminate with a bolt-filled hole is helpful for optimal bolted joint design, due to the three-dimensional (3D) nature of the stress field near the bolt hole. A new interlaminar stress distribution phenomenon induced by the bolt-head and clamp-up load, which occurs in a filled-hole composite laminate, is investigated. In order to efficiently evaluate interlaminar stresses under the complex boundary condition, a calculation strategy that using zero-thickness cohesive interface element is presented and validated. The interface element is based on a linear elastic traction-separation description. It is found that the interlaminar stress concentrations occur at the hole edge, as well as the interior of the laminate near the periphery of the bolt head. In addition, the interlaminar stresses near the periphery of the bolt head increased with an increase in the clamp-up load, and the interlaminar normal and shear stresses are not at the same circular position. Therefore, the clamp-up load cannot improve the interlaminar stress distribution in the laminate near the periphery of the bolt head, although it can reduce the magnitude of the interlaminar shear stress at the hole edge. Thus, the interlaminar stress distribution phenomena may lead to delamination initiation in the laminate near the periphery of the bolt head, and should be considered in composite bolted joint design.
Lidar and Ceilometer Observations and Comparisons of Atmospheric Cloud Structure at Nagqu of Tibetan Plateau in 2014 Summer
Authors: Song Xiaoquan , Zhai Xiaochun , Liu Liping , Wu Songhua
Published: January 2017

In the project of the Third Tibetan Plateau Experiment of Atmospheric Science (TIPEX III), the intensive observation of cloud and precipitation in Nagqu was conducted from 1 July to 31 August 2014. The CL31 ceilometer and a WAter vapor, Cloud and Aerosol Lidar (WACAL) were deployed and focused on studying the cloud macroscopic characteristics and vertical distribution. The statistical result of CL31 ceilometer in continuous operation mode shows that the cloud occurrence is about 81% with a majority of simple one-layer cloud. The cloud base and top height are retrieved by improved differential zero-crossing method using lidar data. The results of cloud base height (CBH) are compared with CL31 ceilometer, showing a good consistency with each other, however, in some cases, the CL31 ceilometer overestimates the CBH and is also validated by synchronous radiosonde data. The time snippet comparisons of cloud property between CL31 ceilometer and lidar imply that the cloud properties have obvious diurnal variations with “U” shape distribution. The cloud development including the time-spatial distribution features also has distinct diurnal variations based on the lidar measurement. The detection range of lidar goes beyond the maximum height of CL31 ceilometer, offering substantial observations to the analysis of cirrus cloud radiation characteristics and formation mechanism.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Batteries in 2016
Authors:   Batteries Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Batteries would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016. [...]
The Impact of Wine Style and Sugar Addition in liqueur d’expedition (dosage) Solutions on Traditional Method Sparkling Wine Composition
Authors: Kemp Belinda , Hogan Casey , Xu Shufen , Dowling Lisa , Inglis Debbie
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wine style and cane sugar addition in the liqueur d’expedition (dosage) solution on volatile aroma compounds (VOCs) in traditional method sparkling wine. There were 24 bottles of each treatment produced. Treatments were sparkling wine zero dosage (ZD); NV sparkling wine + sugar (BS); unoaked still Chardonnay wine + sugar (UC); Pinot noir 2009 sparkling wine + sugar (PN); Niagara produced Brandy + sugar (B) and Icewine (IW). The control treatment in the sensory analysis was an oaked still Chardonnay wine + sugar (OC) because the zero-dosage wine was not suitable for a difference test that compared wines with sugar to one without. Standard wine chemical parameters were analysed before disgorging and after liqueur d’expedition was added and included; pH, titratable acidity (TA g/L), alcohol (v/v %), residual sugar (RS g/L), free and total SO2 and total phenolics (A.U.). Volatile aroma compounds (VOCs) analysed by Headspace Solid- Phase Micro-Extraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) included two alcohols, and six ethyl esters. ZD wines had the highest foam height and highest dissolved oxygen level. Sugar affected VOC concentrations in all treatments at five weeks post-disgorging, but by 15 weeks after liqueur d’expedition addition, the wine with added sugar had similar VOC concentrations to the ZD wines. The type of wines used in the dosage solutions had more influence on VOC concentrations than sugar addition.
Contributions of Letter-Speech Sound Learning and Visual Print Tuning to Reading Improvement: Evidence from Brain Potential and Dyslexia Training Studies
Authors: Fraga González Gorka , Žarić Gojko , Tijms Jurgen , Bonte Milene , Van der Molen Maurits
Published: January 2017

We use a neurocognitive perspective to discuss the contribution of learning letter-speech sound (L-SS) associations and visual specialization in the initial phases of reading in dyslexic children. We review findings from associative learning studies on related cognitive skills important for establishing and consolidating L-SS associations. Then we review brain potential studies, including our own, that yielded two markers associated with reading fluency. Here we show that the marker related to visual specialization (N170) predicts word and pseudoword reading fluency in children who received additional practice in the processing of morphological word structure. Conversely, L-SS integration (indexed by mismatch negativity (MMN)) may only remain important when direct orthography to semantic conversion is not possible, such as in pseudoword reading. In addition, the correlation between these two markers supports the notion that multisensory integration facilitates visual specialization. Finally, we review the role of implicit learning and executive functions in audiovisual learning in dyslexia. Implications for remedial research are discussed and suggestions for future studies are presented.
The Effect of Sr Addition in Cu- and Fe-Modified CeO2 and ZrO2 Soot Combustion Catalysts
Authors: Rico-Pérez Verónica , Aneggi Eleonora , Trovarelli Alessandro
Published: January 2017

This study investigates the activity of transition and alkaline-earth metal-doped catalysts supported on ceria or zirconia for the NOx-assisted oxidation of diesel particulate. A series of Cu- and Fe-impregnated catalysts over CeO2 and ZrO2 supports were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and characterized by BET, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) experiments while their catalytic activity was investigated in NOx-assisted reaction by means of temperature programmed oxidation experiments (TPO). Higher activity was achieved by copper modified catalysts; the addition of Sr positively affected the performance of the materials, suggesting a synergic effect between transition metals and alkaline-earth metal. The role of copper is correlated to the oxidation of NO to NO2, while strontium seems to be mainly involved in the storage of NOx species.