bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kaempferol and Chrysin Synergies to Improve Septic Mice Survival
Authors: Harasstani Omar , Tham Chau , Israf Daud
Published: January 2017

Previously, we reported the role of synergy between two flavonoids—namely, chrysin and kaempferol—in inhibiting the secretion of a few major proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of this combination on a murine model of polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Severe sepsis was induced in male ICR mice (n = 7) via the CLP procedure. The effects of chrysin and kaempferol combination treatment on septic mice were investigated using a 7-day survival study. The levels of key proinflammatory mediators and markers—such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), TNF-α, and NO—in the sera samples of the septic mice were determined via ELISA and fluorescence determination at different time point intervals post-CLP challenge. Liver tissue samples from septic mice were harvested to measure myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels using a spectrophotometer. Moreover, intraperitoneal fluid (IPF) bacterial clearance and total leukocyte count were also assessed to detect any antibacterial effects exerted by chrysin and kaempferol, individually and in combination. Kaempferol treatment improved the survival rate of CLP-challenged mice by up to 16%. During this treatment, kaempferol expressed antibacterial, antiapoptotic and antioxidant activities through the attenuation of bacterial forming units, AST and NO levels, and increased polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) count in the IPF. On the other hand, the chrysin treatment significantly reduced serum TNF-α levels. However, it failed to significantly improve the survival rate of the CLP-challenged mice. Subsequently, the kaempferol/chrysin combination treatment significantly improved the overall 7-day survival rate by 2-fold—up to 29%. Kaempferol and chrysin revealed some synergistic effects by acting individually upon multiple pathophysiological factors involved during sepsis. Although the kaempferol/chrysin combination did not exhibit significant antibacterial effects, it did exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which translate to significant improvement in the survival rate of septic animals. These findings suggest the potential application of this combination treatment as a beneficial adjuvant supplement strategy in sepsis control.
Lectin Digestibility and Stability of Elderberry Antioxidants to Heat Treatment In Vitro
Authors: Jiménez Pilar , Cabrero Patricia , Cordoba-Diaz Damian , Cordoba-Diaz Manuel , Garrosa Manuel , Girbés Tomás
Published: January 2017

Elderberry contains healthy low molecular weight nutraceuticals and lectins which are sequence-related to the elderberry allergen Sam n1. Some of these lectins are type II ribosome-inactivating proteins. The sensitivity of native lectins present in elderberry fruits and bark to the proteolysis triggered by in vitro simulated gastric and duodenal fluids has been investigated. It was found that these lectins are refractory to proteolysis. Nonetheless, incubation for 5–10 min in a boiling water bath completely sensitized them to the hydrolytic enzymes in vitro. Under these conditions neither total Folin-Ciocalteau’s reagent reactive compounds, total anthocyanins and the mixture of cyanidin-3-glucoside plus cyanidin-3-sambubioside, nor antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities were affected by more than 10% for incubations of up to 20 min. Therefore, short-time heat treatment reduces potential allergy-related risks deriving from elderberry consumption without seriously affecting its properties as an antioxidant and free-radical scavenging food.
Effect of Film-Forming Alginate/Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complex on the Storage Quality of Pork
Authors: Kulig Dominika , Zimoch-Korzycka Anna , Król Żaneta , Oziembłowski Maciej , Jarmoluk Andrzej
Published: January 2017

Meat is one of the most challenging food products in the context of maintaining quality and safety. The aim of this work was to improve the quality of raw/cooked meat by coating it with sodium alginate (A), chitosan (C), and sodium alginate-chitosan polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) hydrosols. Antioxidant properties of A, C, and PEC hydrosols were determined. Subsequently, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), sensory quality of raw/cooked pork coated with experimental hydrosols, and antimicrobial efficiency of those hydrosols on the surface microbiota were analysed. Application analyses of hydrosol were performed during 0, 7, and 14 days of refrigerated storage in MAP (modified atmosphere packaging). Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and (2,2-diphenyll-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) analysis confirmed the antioxidant properties of A, C, and PEC. Sample C (1.0%) was characterized by the highest DPPH value (174.67 μM Trolox/mL) of all variants. PEC samples consisted of A 0.3%/C 1.0% and A 0.6%/C 1.0% were characterized by the greatest FRAP value (~7.21 μM Fe2+/mL) of all variants. TAC losses caused by thermal treatment of meat were reduced by 45% by coating meat with experimental hydrosols. Application of PEC on the meat surface resulted in reducing the total number of micro-organisms, psychrotrophs, and lactic acid bacteria by about 61%, and yeast and molds by about 45% compared to control after a two-week storage.
Antibacterial Activity of Neat Chitosan Powder and Flakes
Authors: Ardila Nury , Daigle France , Heuzey Marie-Claude , Ajji Abdellah
Published: January 2017

This study investigates the antibacterial activity of neat chitosan powder and flakes against three different bacterial species, Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua and Staphylococcus aureus, which are frequent causes of food spoilage. The effect of chitosan concentration and purity, as well as the influence of temperature, ionic strength (salt) and impact of a solid physical support in the medium are examined. Results show that the antibacterial activity of neat chitosan: (i) requires partial solubilisation; (ii) can be promoted by environmental factors such as adequate temperature range, ionic strength and the presence of a solid physical support that may facilitate the attachment of bacteria; (iii) depends on bacterial species, with a sensitivity order of E. coli > L. innocua > S. aureus; and (iv) increases with chitosan concentration, up to a critical point above which this effect decreases. The latter may be due to remaining proteins in chitosan acting as nutrients for bacteria therefore limiting its antibacterial activity. These results on the direct use of chitosan powder and flakes as potential antimicrobial agents for food protection at pH values lower than the chitosan pKa (6.2–6.7) are promising.
Marine Oil Supplements for Arthritis Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Senftleber Ninna , Nielsen Sabrina , Andersen Jens , Bliddal Henning , Tarp Simon , Lauritzen Lotte , Furst Daniel , Suarez-Almazor Maria , Lyddiatt Anne , Christensen Robin
Published: January 2017

Arthritis patients often take fish oil supplements to alleviate symptoms, but limited evidence exists regarding their efficacy. The objective was to evaluate whether marine oil supplements reduce pain and/or improve other clinical outcomes in patients with arthritis. Six databases were searched systematically (24 February 2015). We included randomized trials of oral supplements of all marine oils compared with a control in arthritis patients. The internal validity was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and heterogeneity was explored using restricted maximum of likelihood (REML)-based meta-regression analysis. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to rate the overall quality of the evidence. Forty-two trials were included; 30 trials reported complete data on pain. The standardized mean difference (SMD) suggested a favorable effect (−0.24; 95% confidence interval, CI, −0.42 to −0.07; heterogeneity, I2 = 63%. A significant effect was found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (22 trials; −0.21; 95% CI, −0.42 to −0.004) and other or mixed diagnoses (3 trials; −0.63; 95% CI, −1.20 to −0.06), but not in osteoarthritis patients (5 trials; −0.17; 95% CI, −0.57–0.24). The evidence for using marine oil to alleviate pain in arthritis patients was overall of low quality, but of moderate quality in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Electrodeposition of Mn-Co/Polypyrrole Nanocomposites: An Electrochemical and In Situ Soft-X-ray Microspectroscopic Investigation
Authors: Bozzini Benedetto , Bocchetta Patrizia , Kourousias George , Gianoncelli Alessandra
Published: January 2017

Understanding the lateral variations in the elemental and chemical state of constituents induced by electrochemical reactions at nanoscales is crucial for the advancement of electrochemical materials science. This requires in situ studies to provide observables that contribute to both modeling beyond the phenomenological level and exactly transducing the functionally relevant quantities. A range of X-ray coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) approaches have recently been proposed for imaging beyond the diffraction limit with potentially dramatic improvements in time resolution with chemical sensitivity. In this paper, we report a selection of ptychography results obtained in situ during the electrodeposition of a metal–polymer nanocomposite. Our selection includes dynamic imaging during electrochemically driven growth complemented with absorption and phase spectroscopy with high lateral resolution. We demonstrate the onset of morphological instability feature formation and correlate the chemical state of Mn with the local growth rate controlled by the current density distribution resulting from morphological evolution.
America’s “Peculiar Children”: Authority and Christian Nationalism at Antebellum West Point
Authors: Graziano Michael
Published: January 2017

This essay examines how the United States Military Academy at West Point developed an explicitly “federal” Christianity to help train the antebellum officers of the United States Army. It begins by examining how the Episcopal Church was quietly “established” at West Point, and how the church allied with the federal government and US Army to encourage a potent Christian nationalism that collapsed the sovereignty of the United States into the sovereignty of God. The case of West Point illustrates how federal officials, Army leaders, and Academy administrators understood religion as a central component of national security.
The Effects of Largest Claim and Excess of Loss Reinsurance on a Company’s Ruin Time and Valuation
Authors: Fan Yuguang , Griffin Philip , Maller Ross , Szimayer Alexander , Wang Tiandong
Published: January 2017

We compare two types of reinsurance: excess of loss (EOL) and largest claim reinsurance (LCR), each of which transfers the payment of part, or all, of one or more large claims from the primary insurance company (the cedant) to a reinsurer. The primary insurer’s point of view is documented in terms of assessment of risk and payment of reinsurance premium. A utility indifference rationale based on the expected future dividend stream is used to value the company with and without reinsurance. Assuming the classical compound Poisson risk model with choices of claim size distributions (classified as heavy, medium and light-tailed cases), simulations are used to illustrate the impact of the EOL and LCR treaties on the company’s ruin probability, ruin time and value as determined by the dividend discounting model. We find that LCR is at least as effective as EOL in averting ruin in comparable finite time horizon settings. In instances where the ruin probability for LCR is smaller than for EOL, the dividend discount model shows that the cedant is able to pay a larger portion of the dividend for LCR reinsurance than for EOL while still maintaining company value. Both methods reduce risk considerably as compared with no reinsurance, in a variety of situations, as measured by the standard deviation of the company value. A further interesting finding is that heaviness of tails alone is not necessarily the decisive factor in the possible ruin of a company; small and moderate sized claims can also play a significant role in this.
Evaluation of Landsat-Based METRIC Modeling to Provide High-Spatial Resolution Evapotranspiration Estimates for Amazonian Forests
Authors: Numata Izaya , Khand Kul , Kjaersgaard Jeppe , Cochrane Mark , Silva Sonaira
Published: January 2017

While forest evapotranspiration (ET) dynamics in the Amazon have been studied both as point estimates using flux towers, as well as spatially coarse surfaces using satellite data, higher resolution (e.g., 30 m resolution) ET estimates are necessary to address finer spatial variability associated with forest biophysical characteristics and their changes by natural and human impacts. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of the Landsat-based METRIC (Mapping Evapotranspiration at high Resolution with Internalized Calibration) model to estimate high-resolution (30 m) forest ET by comparing to flux tower ET (FT ET) data collected over seasonally dry tropical forests in Rondônia, the southwestern region of the Amazon. Analyses were conducted at daily, monthly and seasonal scales for the dry seasons (June–September for Rondônia) of 2000–2002. Overall daily ET comparison between FT ET and METRIC ET across the study site showed r2 = 0.67 with RMSE = 0.81 mm. For seasonal ET comparison, METRIC-derived ET estimates showed an agreement with FT ET measurements during the dry season of r2 >0.70 and %MAE <15%. We also discuss some challenges and potential applications of METRIC for Amazonian forests.
Under-Coupling Whispering Gallery Mode Resonator Applied to Resonant Micro-Optic Gyroscope
Authors: Qian Kun , Tang Jun , Guo Hao , Liu Wenyao , Liu Jun , Xue Chenyang , Zheng Yongqiu , Zhang Chengfei
Published: January 2017

As an important sensing element, the whispering gallery mode resonator (WGMR) parameters seriously affect the resonant micro-optic gyroscope (RMOG) performance. This work proposes an under-coupling resonator to improve the resonator’s Q value and to optimize the coupling coefficient to maximize the RMOG’s sensitivity. GeO2-doped silica waveguide-type resonators with different coupling coefficients were simulated, designed, fabricated and tested. An under-coupling ring resonator with a quality factor of 10 million is reported. The RMOG system was built based on this resonator and the scale factor was tested on a uniaxial high-precision rotating platform. Experimental results show that this resonator could improve the RMOG sensitivity by five times.
Iodine Absorption Cells Purity Testing
Authors: Hrabina Jan , Zucco Massimo , Philippe Charles , Pham Tuan , Holá Miroslava , Acef Ouali , Lazar Josef , Číp Ondřej
Published: January 2017

This article deals with the evaluation of the chemical purity of iodine-filled absorption cells and the optical frequency references used for the frequency locking of laser standards. We summarize the recent trends and progress in absorption cell technology and we focus on methods for iodine cell purity testing. We compare two independent experimental systems based on the laser-induced fluorescence method, showing an improvement of measurement uncertainty by introducing a compensation system reducing unwanted influences. We show the advantages of this technique, which is relatively simple and does not require extensive hardware equipment. As an alternative to the traditionally used methods we propose an approach of hyperfine transitions’ spectral linewidth measurement. The key characteristic of this method is demonstrated on a set of testing iodine cells. The relationship between laser-induced fluorescence and transition linewidth methods will be presented as well as a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed technique (in comparison with traditional measurement approaches).
Changing Community Variations in Perceptions and Activeness in Response to the Spruce Bark Beetle Outbreak in Alaska
Authors: Qin Hua , Flint Courtney
Published: January 2017

Local sociocultural processes including community perceptions and actions represent the most visible social impacts of various economic and environmental changes. Comparative community analysis has been used to examine diverse community perspectives on a variety of socioeconomic and environmental issues. However, as the temporal dimension of community processes remains understudied, relatively little is known regarding how such community variations change over time. This study draws on longitudinal survey data from six communities on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska to explore temporal shifts in community differences in perceptions and activeness in response to forest disturbance associated with an extensive spruce bark beetle outbreak. The surveys were implemented in two phases over a 4-year study period. Results show that while community perceptions on the bark beetle condition waned and coalesced in some ways, significant differences remained or emerged with respect to other facets of local reactions. These shifting variances in community dimensions of the beetle disturbance were related to community positions along the beetle outbreak timeline and general community socioeconomic and biophysical situations (community context). The analysis also revealed community differences and contexts held an even more important role in predicting local responses to beetles in the re-survey. Taken together, findings from this research contribute a better understanding of the persistence and change in community variability as well as the continuity of community contextual effects.
Changing Structure and Sustainable Development for China’s Hog Sector
Authors: Zhang Xiaoheng , Chu Feng , Yu Xiaohua , Zhou Yingheng , Tian Xu , Geng Xianhui , Yang Jinyang
Published: January 2017

Supply shortages and competitive disadvantages are the main problems faced by China’s hog sector. The non-essential import of pork products, triggered by competitive disadvantages, poses great challenges to hog farms. Structural changes are an important policy concern in China and elsewhere. Previous literature has ignored whether the ongoing structural changes from backyard to large farms can contribute to sustainable development. This study adopts the micro-level data of hog farms collected from Jiangsu Province, and uses a two-step metafrontier model and a primal system approach. The empirical results reveal that the ongoing structural changes are capable of boosting the growth in output in China’s hog sector, since the stronger increase in comparable technical efficiency compensates for the inappropriate technology. Furthermore, the ongoing structural changes are also beneficial in the reduction of production costs and in improving competitiveness in China’s hog sector. The decline in technical and allocative inefficiency costs, particularly for technical inefficiency costs, contributes to the cost advantage with the increasing farm size.
Impact of Water Scarcity on the Fenhe River Basin and Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Shao Weiwei , Cai Jingya , Liu Jiahong , Luan Qinghua , Mao Xiaomin , Yang Guiyu , Wang Jianhua , Zhang Haixing , Zhang Jun
Published: January 2017

This study produced a drought map for the Fenhe River basin covering the period from 150 BC to 2012 using regional historical drought records. Based on meteorological and hydrological features, the characteristics and causes of water scarcity in the Fenhe River basin were examined, along with their impact on the national economy and ecological environment. The effects of water scarcity in the basin on the national economy were determined from agricultural, industrial, and domestic perspectives. The impact on aquatic ecosystems was ascertained through an evolution trend analysis of surface water systems, including rivers, wetlands, and slope ecosystems, and subterranean water systems, including groundwater and karst springs. As a result of these analyses, strategies are presented for coping with water scarcity in this basin, including engineering countermeasures, such as the construction of a water network in Shanxi, and the non-engineering approach of groundwater resource preservation. These comprehensive coping strategies are proposed with the aim of assisting the prevention and control of water scarcity in the arid and semi-arid areas of China.
Comparative inflorescence development in selected Andean Santalales
Authors: Suaza‐Gaviria Vanessa , González Favio , Pabón‐Mora Natalia
Published: January 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Loranthaceae, Santalaceae, and Viscaceae are the most diversified hemiparasitic families of Santalales in the Andes. Their partial inflorescences (PIs) vary from solitary flowers, or dichasia in most Santalales, to congested floral groups along articles in most Viscaceae. The atypical articled inflorescences in Phoradendreae (Viscaceae), a phylogenetic novelty restricted to this tribe, have been variously described as racemes, spikes, fascicles, or as intercalary inflorescences, but no developmental studies have been performed to compare them with the construction of PIs across Santalales.

METHODS:

We used standard light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to record the inflorescence development in members of Phoradendreae (Viscaceae) in comparison to those in species of Aetanthus, Gaiadendron, Oryctanthus, Passovia, and Peristethium (Loranthaceae) and Antidaphne (Santalaceae).

KEY RESULTS:

Morphological and developmental comparisons as well as optimization onto a phylogenetic framework indicate that individual inflorescences in Santalales are indeterminate and are formed by axillary cymose PIs. The latter correspond to dichasia, either simple, compound, or variously reduced by abortion of lateral flowers, abortion of the terminal flower, or loss of bracteoles.

CONCLUSIONS:

Dichasia are plesiomorphic in Santalales. These results favor the interpretation that inflorescences in Phoradendreae are formed by the fusion of serial dichasia (=floral rows) with the main inflorescence axis via syndesmy. We compared this interpretation with the competing one based on the co‐occurrence of collateral and serial floral buds.
EXPLODING SATELLITES—THE TIDAL DEBRIS OF THE ULTRA-FAINT DWARF GALAXY HERCULES
Authors: Küpper Andreas H. W. , Johnston Kathryn V. , Mieske Steffen , Collins Michelle L. M. , Tollerud Erik J.
Published: January 2017

The ultra-faint satellite galaxy Hercules has a strongly elongated and irregular morphology with detections of tidal features up to 1.3 deg (3 kpc) from its center. This suggests that Hercules may be dissolving under the Milky Way’s gravitational influence, and hence could be a tidal stream in formation rather than a bound, dark-matter-dominated satellite. Using Bayesian inference in combination with N-body simulations, we show that Hercules has to be on a very eccentric orbit (

) within the Milky Way in this scenario. On such an orbit, Hercules “explodes” as a consequence of the last tidal shock at pericenter 0.5 Gyr ago. It is currently decelerating toward the apocenter of its orbit with a velocity of V = 157 km s−1—of which 99% is directed radially outwards. Due to differential orbital plane precession caused by the non-spherical nature of the Galactic potential, its debris fans out nearly perpendicular to its orbit. This explains why Hercules has an elongated shape without showing a distance gradient along its main body: it is in fact a stream that is significantly broader than it is long. In other words, it is moving perpendicular to its apparent major axis. In this scenario, there is a spike in the radial velocity profile created by the dominant debris component that formed through the last pericenter passage. This is similar to kinematic substructure that is observed in the real Hercules. Modeling a satellite on such a highly eccentric orbit is strongly dependent on the form of the Galactic potential. We therefore propose that detailed kinematic investigation of Hercules and other exploding satellite candidates can yield strong constraints on the potential of the Milky Way.
Les libraires parisiens au xix e siècle
Authors: Rebolledo-Dhuin Viera
Published: January 2017

Cet article interroge la manière dont, au xix     siècle, les libraires s’approprient l’espace parisien, à l’heure de profondes mutations. Quels sont les enjeux des déplacements ou de l’enracinement des commerçants, au sein de la capitale et parfois en dehors, en termes de dynamiques commerciales et de stratifications socio‑professionnelles et aussi de trajectoires et de relations d’interdépendance. L’étude du livre apparaît comme un observatoire privilégié des transformations socio‑urbaines du xix     siècle.
Les conflits d’usage et de voisinage de l’espace. Bilan d’un programme de recherche pluridisciplinaire
Authors: Torre André , Kirat Thierry , Melot Romain , Vu Pham Hai
Published: January 2017

On a souvent le sentiment diffus d’une montée de la conflictualité liée aux usages de l’espace, laissant à penser que ces conflits occupent un rôle important dans la société française et qu’ils viennent s’immiscer dans les processus de développement en marquant une opposition déclarée à certains projets décidés par l’État, des entreprises ou des particuliers. Différentes explications sont alors avancées, parmi lesquelles la judiciarisation de la société, l’implication et le niveau d’information croissant des populations, l’égoïsme de certains groupes de riverains, la complexité croissante des actes techniques ou le manque d’espace dans certaines zones particulières du territoire comme le périurbain. Cet article a pour objectif de faire un bilan sur l’état de la conflictualité liée aux usages de l’espace en France.
Les déterminants de l’intention entrepreneuriale des étudiants, quels enseignements pour l’université marocaine ?
Authors: Bachiri Mustapha
Published: January 2017

Au cours des dernières décennies, l’entrepreneuriat est devenu un phénomène économique et social important, un sujet de recherche ainsi qu’un domaine d’éducation et d’enseignement. Bien que l’entrepreneuriat ne soit pas un concept nouveau, il a regagné de l’importance notamment au niveau de la recherche scientifique. L’entrepreneuriat est considéré comme un vecteur d’innovation et d’efficacité économique mais également comme un puissant créateur d’emplois. Parallèlement à l’évolution du champ de l’entrepreneuriat, on constate un intérêt croissant pour le développement de programmes de formation pour encourager et favoriser l’entrepreneuriat au niveau des universités. Le défi reste de trouver un consensus autour du contenu à enseigner ainsi que du type d’apprentissage permettant d’orienter le comportement des étudiants. Plusieurs études empiriques indiquent que l’ éducation peut favoriser l’entrepreneuriat. Pourtant, l’impact des programmes de formation à l’entrepreneuriat sur les compétences entrepreneuriales et sur les valeurs entrepreneuriales reste largement inexploré. Dans la présente étude, nous nous sommes appuyés sur la théorie du comportement planifié pour évaluer l’impact des programmes de formation en entrepreneuriat sur les intentions entrepreneuriales des étudiants de l’université marocaine, en particulier l’université de Rabat (Université Mohamed V de Rabat).
L’importance de la solidarité au sein des réseaux de vente au détail : le cas du commerce coopératif et associé à dominante alimentaire
Authors: Cassou Fabrice , Cliquet Gérard , Perrigot Rozenn
Published: January 2017

La solidarité, au sein des réseaux de commerce coopératif et associé, consiste à défendre les intérêts à la fois de la coopérative et des coopérateurs. Cette notion a fait l’objet d’une étude qualitative. Le processus de la solidarité comprend six composantes : économique, juridique, politique, technique, managériale et financière. La solidarité renforce l’ interdépendance entre les coopérateurs et améliore la performance collective.
De l’élitisme méritocratique à l’élitisme médiocratique : Une élite peut en cacher une autre
Authors: Paillat Sylvie
Published: January 2017

François Rabelais raillait en son temps l’élitisme sorbonnard auquel il reprochait un pédantisme rhétorique peu propice à la diffusion du savoir. Mais on peut penser qu’à la Renaissance, l’élite intellectuelle était encore méritante et témoignait d’une élévation de l’esprit dans les fonctions qu’elle occupait, justifiant le sens premier du terme élite : celui qui est choisi parce qu’il est jugé le meilleur, du moins en son domaine. Qu’en est-il aujourd’hui, dans les champs intellectuel, artistique et politique ? Sous l’injonction d’un élitisme pour tous, n’est-ce pas la médiocrité qui l’emporte le plus souvent ? Peut-on en parler en évitant les séductions sophistiques ?
Élitisme et éducation : lecture critique des thèses de Bourdieu à l’aide de la pensée de Jürgen Habermas
Authors: Robichaud Arianne , Crevier Jean-Philippe
Published: January 2017

Élitisme et éducation sont, à bien des égards et depuis des siècles, étroitement liés dans les sociétés occidentales : des Sophistes qui vendaient leurs enseignements à ceux qui pouvaient se permettre de les payer jusqu’aux classes sociales privilégiées capables de débourser les frais scolaires onéreux des universités d’élite, l’histoire nous montre en effet que l’accès à l’éducation fut, de tout temps, majoritairement réservé à un groupe restreint d’individus. Toutefois, nous aurions dû voir apparaître, à partir des années 1950 et suivant la démocratisation scolaire de masse ayant accompagné l’après-guerre dans la vaste majorité des pays occidentaux, une forme d’essoufflement de ce lien étroit entre élites et éducation : ayant maintenant tous accès à l’éducation, les individus ou classes sociales privilégiés ne devraient donc plus être les seuls à se trouver sur les bancs d’école et réussir à augmenter leurs capitaux culturels et économiques par l’entremise de l’activité éducative. Mais qu’en est-il réellement de l’impact de cette démocratisation scolaire massive sur cette relation étroite entre élitisme et éducation ? Pouvons-nous réellement affirmer que l’éducation contemporaine, dans ses traits généraux et ses tendances majeures, s’est rendue indépendante des mécanismes et rouages politiques et sociaux aux fondements de l’élitisme ? Telles sont quelques-unes des questions auxquelles tente de répondre ce texte, s’appuyant sur une relecture critique des thèses de Pierre Bourdieu sur l’élitisme social et éducatif à l’aide de la Théorie de l’agir communicationnel (1987) de Jürgen Habermas.
Incomplete Retinal Vascularization After Ranibizumab Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Day Shelley , Rainey Annis M. , Harper Clio A.
Published: January 2017

A former 24-week-old premature infant was treated with intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) in one eye and conventional laser in the other eye for aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography performed at 149 weeks of age showed persistent avascularity of the temporal peripheral retina in the ranibizumab-treated eye. This case report confirms the need for long-term follow-up of patients treated with ranibizumab monotherapy.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2017;48:75–78.]
A Quantitative Analysis for the Correlation Between Corporate Financial and Social Performance
Authors: Salah Wafaa , Salama Mostafa Abdelhady
Published: January 2017

Recently, the corporate social performance (CSP) is not less important than the corporate financial performance (CFP). Debate still exists about the nature of the relationship between the CSP and CFP, whether it is a positive, negative or a neutral correlation. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports and CFP. The study uses the accounting-based and market-based quantitative measures to quantify the financial performance of seven organizations listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange in 2007-2014. Then uses the information retrieval technologies to quantify the contribution of each of the three dimensions of the corporate social responsibility report (environmental, social and economic). Finally, the correlation between these two sets of variables is viewed together in a model to detect the correlations between them. This model is applied on seven firms that generate social responsibility reports. The results show a positive correlation between the Earnings per share (market-based measure) and the economical dimension in the CSR report. On the other hand, total assets and property, plant and equipment (accounting-based measure) are positively correlated to the environmental and social dimensions of the CSR reports. While there is not any significant relationship between ROA, ROE, Operating income and corporate social responsibility. This study contributes to the literature by providing more clarification of the relationship between CFP and the isolated CSR activities in a developing country.
Developing and Implementing a Selection Model of Brand TV Commercial Script for a Real Estate Agency
Authors: Hsu Pi-Fang , Chueh Hung-Yu , Tsai Chia-Wen
Published: January 2017

When enterprises want to gain visibility in the short term, the fastest way is through the TV media, with a penetration rate of 90%, to reach as many consumers possible. To ensure the optimal allocation of the media budget, the content of an enterprise's TV commercial should be well-grounded in the principles of advertising effectiveness. This study develops a model to aid businesses' selection of TV commercial scripts and the model is divided into two parts using the example of a real estate agency. The first is to build suitable criteria to evaluate TV commercial script via an analysis of relevant literature and the Modified Delphi method; the relative weights of the criteria were then determined via Analytic Hierarchy process (AHP). The other part is to determine the optimum script for TV commercial using the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). The example of a famous real estate agency in Taiwan is used to show how TV commercial scripts can be selected using this model. The results address factors such as “Ease in Leading to Consumer Acceptance”, “Appearance of The Advertisement”, “Purpose of Community Message”, “Effects of The Advertisement”, and “Commercial Script Content Settings” that are the most vital criteria in sequence. How advertising appeals and gains consumer acceptance, how it renders consumers' needs, its effects, and the script's content that are the most vital criteria in the selection of brand TV commercial scripts. The proposed model helps the real estate agency to effectively select TV commercial scripts, making it highly applicable for both academia and commerce.
The Role of Social Media in International Advertising
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: January 2017

This chapter introduces the role of social media in international advertising, thus explaining the concept of social media; the overview of international advertising; the relationship between social media and international advertising; the significance of network capability describing the concept of network capability, the application of network capability, and the emerging research trends in network capability; the significance of image transferability describing the concept of image transferability, the application of image transferability, and the emerging research trends in image transferability; and the significance of personal extensibility describing the concept of personal extensibility, the application of personal extensibility, and the emerging research trends in personal extensibility. Social media has the opportunity to capitalize on network capability to bring people together, image transferability which enables marketers to build the brand with larger audiences than ever before, and personal extensibility which allows interactions and relationships in international advertising.
The Relationship between Fast Fashion and Luxury Brands
Authors: Amatulli Cesare , Mileti Antonio , Speciale Vincenzo , Guido Gianluigi
Published: January 2017

This chapter explores how the luxury sector has been affected by the fast fashion brands in the UK market. In particular, this chapter examines the effects of fast fashion activity on luxury brands and more specifically on how the marketing strategies of luxury brands have been drawn to the fast fashion model. Moreover, it analyzes how co-branding collaborations between luxury and fast fashion brands have positively affected consumer' perception of the luxury brands. The chapter is based on a theoretical review and two studies. Results provide insights for the international fashion business, showing how luxury fashion brands lean towards the fast fashion model and how co-branding collaborations between luxury and fast fashion brands are positive for luxury brands in terms of customer perception.
Leveraging Sport to Build City Brands
Authors: Knott Brendon , Hemmonsbey Janice
Published: January 2017

This chapter sets out strategic implications for emerging city brand stakeholders wishing to leverage sport. Sport is already acknowledged as having a significant impact for city brands, particularly through the hosting of sport events, as a means of creating global awareness, improved image and differentiation. However, there has been little examination of the contribution of sport more broadly and especially within an emerging African city context. This chapter identifies the major challenges facing city brands and proposes how sport may provide solutions. It reveals the findings of an empirical study that assessed the strategic value of sport to the Cape Town city brand. The qualitative study featured semi-structured, in-depth interviews (n=12), conducted with definitive stakeholders. The chapter identifies the contribution of sport as a competitive differentiator for a city brand. It further reveals the contribution of the different sport elements to this brand benefit, namely: sport events and facilities (that can be used to showcase a city brand); teams/ franchises and personalities (that act as brand ambassadors for a city and contribute to the city brand identity); and sponsors and sport brands (that can be viewed as brand partners as they play a crucial role of supporting and enabling sport through their investment).
Do Places Have a Personality?
Authors: Hanna Sonya , Rowley Jennifer
Published: January 2017

This chapter contributes to the understanding of the essence and representation of places by considering the personification of places and their relationship to the notion of place brand personality. More specifically, the chapter reviews the personification of places and its link to place representations in place marketing and branding. The theme of place brand personality is further developed and critiqued with reference to traditional theories associated with brand personality. A review of the existing body of theory and research on place brand personality demonstrates the need for further research into place and destination brand personality. The chapter culminates with proposals for further research in this area and suggestions for further embedding the notion of personality in place branding practice.
Country of Origin Effects
Authors: Clifton Nick
Published: January 2017

This chapter develops the concept of the county of origin effect, and explores how linkages between place and product may impact upon it. Country-of-origin research has tended to focus upon how geographical associations may assist the marketing of certain products (halo effects) and indeed protect brand images from negative place-based associations (shield effects). We seek to develop these ideas by investigating the existence of branding spillovers in the opposite direction i.e. from product to regional image. Thus we argue in favour of a more ‘holistic' view of country-of-origin effects. This is done using the illustrative case of Wales. The chapter then seeks to explore the resulting implications for city branding practitioners and policy-makers, and to speculate upon how the observed linkages between place and product can also lead to broader insights in terms of city branding in the international context. Finally how the findings presented might contribute to future research attempts on city branding is considered.
Advertising Deceit
Authors: Zgheib Philippe W.
Published: January 2017

Deceptive advertising denotes a producer's usage of mystifying, deceiving, or blatantly untrue statements when endorsing a product. There are several illegal methods for attempting to deceive consumers. This can be done through concealed fees or the usage of surcharges. Deceptive advertising can also take place when “going out of business sales” charge consumers more for products that had already been marked down. Advertising law identifies the manipulation of standards as dishonesty under customer law. Undefined terminology is also considered a violation under consumer law. Marketing deceit is a practice that can equate to a crime. Thus, a marketer should not get involved in deceiving their potential customers for this manipulation would lead to various harms: it erodes one's self-confidence and hinders the development of responsible advertising. Big companies make big mistakes, this is to say that trust associated with big companies holds severe uncertainties. This chapter explores advertising deceit.
Business Fabric and Place Branding
Authors: Speranza Philip , Prager Benjamen
Published: January 2017

In some downtown locations entrepreneurship is flourishing. While current geospatial analysis including planning scaled Geospatial Information Systems provide zip code or census trade information, the street-scale dimension of business fabric goes unmeasured. The research presented in this chapter investigate use of a new geospatial methodology to formulate, collect data and analyze and visualize business, architectural and entrepreneurial data at the resolution of individual street addresses. On-site data was collected at street address for downtown business areas in Barcelona, Spain, Portland and Eugene, Oregon, and Jersey City, New Jersey. The finding reveal new understanding of both methodologies to compute and communicate understandings of business fabric and also initial affirmations of geospatial relationship between business activities and benefits of nearby urban design amenities such as open space, third-space and affordability.
New Approaches to Regional Branding through Green Production and Utilization of Existing Natural Advantages
Authors: Trukhachev Alexander
Published: January 2017

The chapter aims at the identification of existing natural, environmental, and rural resources that have worked together to promote the individual brand of Stavropol Region as a producer of green agricultural commodities and food, as well as a resort area, attractive by its unique environmental conditions. The perspectives of the development of green production are accessed in order to exploit existing regional resources in the long term, encourage local/regional producers and stimulate their economies, which is vital to quality of life in the countryside and a balanced development of rural and urban areas. Special attention is paid to the elaboration of possible ways to increase effectiveness of natural management as an approach to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of rural economies whilst at the same time opening up alternative employment opportunities for rural people.
Changing Culture through Active Learning
Authors: Estis Julie M.
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the need for change from passive instructional approaches to active learning strategies and to provide theoretical frameworks, information, and tools to guide a next-generation leader in the process of changing the organizational culture through active learning. An overview of active learning, cooperative learning, and collaborative learning will be presented. Several specific forms of active learning will be explored in detail: Case-Based Learning (CBL), Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and Team-Based Learning (TBL). The overlapping characteristics among the approaches will be presented, along with the distinctive features of each approach. Assets and limitations will be discussed, along with specific examples and techniques. Outcomes from research on active learning strategies will be summarized. Considerations for determining active learning strategies that are the best fit for particular learners, instructors, and content areas will be examined.
Teacher Collaborative Inquiry and Democracy in Schools
Authors: Stein Kristy Cooper , Kim Taeyeon
Published: January 2017

This chapter presents possibilities and challenges of teacher collaborative inquiry from the perspective of democratic leadership. Under the pressure of complexity in today's education, building democratic communities is an important strategy for helping leaders and teachers solve problems and create change. Given this, teacher collaborative inquiry can be a useful intervention for democratic school improvement. By examining this premise theoretically with the concept of Woods' (2005) democratic leadership, the authors explore possibilities for how teacher collaborative inquiry could foster democracy. To link the theories to reality, the authors present two case studies of teacher collaborative inquiry groups in one high school, which reveal challenges that school leaders will need to consider when enacting inquiry for democratic purposes. The chapter closes with practical recommendations for diverse leaders seeking guidance for creating democracy in the pursuit of organizational change.
21st Century Educational Leadership
Authors: Leonard Edward E.
Published: January 2017

The future awaits and is a virtual unknown except for what can be predicted based on what is now known and speculation about potential changes based on that knowledge. This chapter puts forth predictions about major issues educational leaders may face as the 21st century unfolds. Those issues include: the rapidly burgeoning and ever expanding inclusion of technology in education and modern life; balancing the demands of various educational constituencies, the imperatives concomitant with managing soft interpersonal skills; dealing with diversity and plurality; giving credence to equity and social justice; developing and incorporating new modes of instruction and instructional delivery; defining and incorporating new basic skills; globalization of knowledge, communication and education; and managing change. The 21st century will be about educating individuals and the world as a whole. Educational leaders who grasp that concept and act on it will succeed.
Understanding the Core of Psychological Trauma
Authors: de Soir Erik , Kleber Rolf
Published: January 2017

This chapter examines the usefulness of the conceptualization of trauma in contemporary French theory for a better understanding of the core of organizational trauma. Starting with a short historical background, it investigates the contribution from contemporary French authors to current knowledge on psychotraumatology. The current position of the most influential contemporary French authors is that stress and trauma do not necessarily fit into the same concept. The French clinical description of psychological trauma is based on the concept of frozen fright in the face of death (effroi de la mort) and the repetition syndrome (syndrome de répétition). This may have implications for the analysis of what constitutes an organizational trauma since these clinically relevant but largely unknown theories shed another light on the currently used concepts in mainstream literature. The aim of this chapter is also to bridge conceptual gaps, understanding critical differences in clinical practice and offering a more integrative view of psychological trauma.