bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Long should the MISR Record Be when Evaluating Aerosol Optical Depth Climatology in Climate Models?
Authors: Lee Huikyo , Garay Michael J. , Kalashnikova Olga V. , Yu Yan , Gibson Peter B.
Published: August 2018

This study used the nearly continuous 17-year observation record from the Multi- angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Terra Earth Observing System satellite to determine which temporal subsets are long enough to define statistically stable speciated aerosol optical depth (AOD) climatologies (i.e., AOD by particle types) for purposes of climate model evaluation. A random subsampling of seasonally averaged total and speciated AOD retrievals was performed to quantitatively assess the statistical stability in the climatology, represented by the minimum record length required for the standard deviation of the subsampled mean AODs to be less than a certain threshold. Our results indicate that the multi-year mean speciated AOD from MISR is stable on a global scale; however, there is substantial regional variability in the assessed stability. This implies that in some regions, even 17 years may not provide a long enough sample to define regional mean total and speciated AOD climatologies. We further investigated the agreement between the statistical stability of total AOD retrievals from MISR and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), also on the NASA Terra satellite. The difference in the minimum record lengths between MISR and MODIS climatologies of total AOD is less than three years for most of the globe, with the exception of certain regions. Finally, we compared the seasonal cycles in the MISR total and speciated AODs with those simulated by three global chemistry transport models in the regions of climatologically stable speciated AODs. We found that only one model reproduced the observed seasonal cycles of the total and non-absorbing AODs over East China, but the seasonal cycles in total and dust AODs in all models are similar to those from MISR in Western Africa. This work provides a new method for considering the statistical stability of satellite-derived climatologies and illustrates the value of MISR’s speciated AOD data record for evaluating aerosols in global models.
Temporal Means and Variability of Arctic Sea Ice Melt and Freeze Season Climate Indicators Using a Satellite Climate Data Record
Authors: Peng Ge , Steele Michael , Bliss Angela C. , Meier Walter N. , Dickinson Suzanne
Published: August 2018

Information on the timing of Arctic snow and ice melt onset, sea ice opening, retreat, advance, and closing, can be beneficial to a variety of stakeholders. Sea ice modelers can use information on the evolution of the ice cover through the rest of the summer to improve their seasonal sea ice forecasts. The length of the open water season (as derived from retreat/advance dates) is important for human activities and for wildlife. Long-term averages and variability of these dates as climate indicators are beneficial to business strategic planning and climate monitoring. In this study, basic characteristics of temporal means and variability of Arctic sea ice climate indicators derived from a satellite-based climate data record from March 1979 to February 2017 melt and freeze seasons are described. Our results show that, over the Arctic region, anomalies of snow and ice melt onset, ice opening and retreat dates are getting earlier in the year at a rate of more than 5 days per decade, while that of ice advance and closing dates are getting later at a rate of more than 5 days per decade. These significant trends resulted in significant upward trends for anomalies of inner and outer ice-free periods at a rate of nearly 12 days per decade. Small but significant downward trends of seasonal ice loss and gain period anomalies were also observed at a rate of −1.48 and −0.53 days per decade, respectively. Our analyses also demonstrated that the means of these indicators and their trends are sensitive to valid data masks and regional averaging methods.
Design and Evaluation of a MEMS Magnetic Field Sensor-Based Respiratory Monitoring and Training System for Radiotherapy
Authors: Oh Yoonjin , Jung Young-Jin , Choi Sang Hyoun , Kim Dong Wook
Published: August 2018

The patient’s respiratory pattern and reproducibility are important factors affecting the accuracy of radiotherapy for lung cancer or liver cancer cases. Therefore, respiration training is required to induce respiration regularity before radiotherapy. However, the need for specialized personnel, space, and time-consuming training represent limitations. To solve these problems, we have developed a respiratory monitoring and training system based on a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) magnetic sensor. This system consists of a small attaching magnet, a sensor, and a breathing pattern output device. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the signal measurement in the developed system based on the various respiratory cycles, the amplitudes, and the position angles of the magnet and the sensor. The system can provide a more accurate breathing signal graph with lower measurement error and higher spatial resolution than conventional sensor methods by using additional magnet. In addition, it is possible the patient to monitor and train breathing himself by making it easy to carry and use without restriction of time and space.
Automatic Classification of Gait Impairments Using a Markerless 2D Video-Based System
Authors: Verlekar Tanmay T. , Soares Luís D. , Correia Paulo L.
Published: August 2018

Systemic disorders affecting an individual can cause gait impairments. Successful acquisition and evaluation of features representing such impairments make it possible to estimate the severity of those disorders, which is important information for monitoring patients’ health evolution. However, current state-of-the-art systems perform the acquisition and evaluation of these features in specially equipped laboratories, typically limiting the periodicity of evaluations. With the objective of making health monitoring easier and more accessible, this paper presents a system that performs automatic detection and classification of gait impairments, based on the acquisition and evaluation of biomechanical gait features using a single 2D video camera. The system relies on two different types of features to perform classification: (i) feet-related features, such as step length, step length symmetry, fraction of foot flat during stance phase, normalized step count, speed; and (ii) body-related features, such as the amount of movement while walking, center of gravity shifts and torso orientation. The proposed system uses a support vector machine to decide whether the observed gait is normal or if it belongs to one of three different impaired gait groups. Results show that the proposed system outperforms existing markerless 2D video-based systems, with a classification accuracy of 98.8%.
Damage Identification of Large Generator Stator Insulation Based on PZT Sensor Systems and Hybrid Features of Lamb Waves
Authors: Li Ruihua , Li Hao , Hu Bo
Published: August 2018

Large generators are the principal pieces of equipment in power systems, and their operation reliability critically depends on the stator insulation. Damages in stator insulation will gradually lead to the failure and breakdown of generator. Due to the advantages of Lamb waves in Structural health monitoring (SHM), in this study, a distributed piezoelectric (PZT) sensor system and hybrid features of the Lamb waves are introduced to identify stator insulation damage of large generator. A hierarchical probability damage-imaging (PDI) algorithm is proposed to tackle the material inhomogeneity and anisotropy of the stator insulation. The proposed method includes three steps: global detection using correlation coefficients, local detection using Time of flight (ToF) along with the amplitude of damage-scattered Lamb wave, and final images fusion. Wavelet Transform was used to extract the ToF of Lamb wave in terms of the time-frequency domain. Finite Element Modeling (FEM) simulation and experimental work were carried out to identify four typical stator insulation damages for validation, including inner void, inner delamination, puncture, and crack. Results show that the proposed method can precisely identify the location of stator insulation damage, and the reconstruction image can be used to identify the size of stator insulation damage.
Fabrication of Multimode-Single Mode Polymer Fiber Tweezers for Single Cell Trapping and Identification with Improved Performance
Authors: Rodrigues Sandra M. , Paiva Joana S. , Ribeiro Rita S. R. , Soppera Olivier , Cunha João P. S. , Jorge Pedro A. S.
Published: August 2018

Optical fiber tweezers have been gaining prominence in several applications in Biology and Medicine. Due to their outstanding focusing abilities, they are able to trap and manipulate microparticles, including cells, needing any physical contact and with a low degree of invasiveness to the trapped cell. Recently, we proposed a fiber tweezer configuration based on a polymeric micro-lens on the top of a single mode fiber, obtained by a self-guided photopolymerization process. This configuration is able to both trap and identify the target through the analysis of short-term portions of the back-scattered signal. In this paper, we propose a variant of this fabrication method, capable of producing more robust fiber tips, which produce stronger trapping effects on targets by as much as two to ten fold. These novel lenses maintain the capability of distinguish the different classes of trapped particles based on the back-scattered signal. This novel fabrication method consists in the introduction of a multi mode fiber section on the tip of a single mode (SM) fiber. A detailed description of how relevant fabrication parameters such as the length of the multi mode section and the photopolymerization laser power can be tuned for different purposes (e.g., microparticles trapping only, simultaneous trapping and sensing) is also provided, based on both experimental and theoretical evidences.
ECG-RNG: A Random Number Generator Based on ECG Signals and Suitable for Securing Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Camara Carmen , Peris-Lopez Pedro , Martín Honorio , Aldalaien Mu’awya
Published: August 2018

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are a promising technology with applications in many areas such as environment monitoring, agriculture, the military field or health-care, to name but a few. Unfortunately, the wireless connectivity of the sensors opens doors to many security threats, and therefore, cryptographic solutions must be included on-board these devices and preferably in their design phase. In this vein, Random Number Generators (RNGs) play a critical role in security solutions such as authentication protocols or key-generation algorithms. In this article is proposed an avant-garde proposal based on the cardiac signal generator we carry with us (our heart), which can be recorded with medical or even low-cost sensors with wireless connectivity. In particular, for the extraction of random bits, a multi-level decomposition has been performed by wavelet analysis. The proposal has been tested with one of the largest and most publicly available datasets of electrocardiogram signals (202 subjects and 24 h of recording time). Regarding the assessment, the proposed True Random Number Generator (TRNG) has been tested with the most demanding batteries of statistical tests (ENT, DIEHARDERand NIST), and this has been completed with a bias, distinctiveness and performance analysis. From the analysis conducted, it can be concluded that the output stream of our proposed TRNG behaves as a random variable and is suitable for securing WSNs.
Research on a Seepage Monitoring Model of a High Core Rockfill Dam Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Cheng Xiang , Li Qingquan , Zhou Zhiwei , Luo Zhixiang , Liu Ming , Liu Lu
Published: August 2018

The seepage of a rockfill dam with a high core wall is an important and difficult issue in the safety monitoring of a core rockfill dam, something about which managers are immensely concerned. Seepage of a high core rockfill dam is mainly affected by factors such as water level, rainfall, temperature, filling height, and aging. The traditional research method is to establish a multiple linear regression model to analyze the influence factors of seepage. However, the multicollinearity between these factors affects parameter estimation, and random errors in the data cause the regression model to fail to be established. This paper starts with data collected by an osmometer, uses the 3δ criterion to process the outliers in the sample data, uses the R language to perform principal component analysis on the processed data to eliminate the multicollinearity of the factors, and finally uses multiple linear regression to model and analyze the data. Taking the Nuozhadu high core rockfill dam as an example, the influencing factors of seepage in the construction period and the impoundment period were studied and the seepage was then forecasted. This method provides guidance for further studies of the same type of dam seepage monitoring model.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Object Tracking by Correlation Filter with Adaptive Appearance Model
Authors: Xue Xizhe , Li Ying , Shen Qiang
Published: August 2018

With the increasing availability of low-cost, commercially available unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), visual tracking using UAVs has become more and more important due to its many new applications, including automatic navigation, obstacle avoidance, traffic monitoring, search and rescue, etc. However, real-world aerial tracking poses many challenges due to platform motion and image instability, such as aspect ratio change, viewpoint change, fast motion, scale variation and so on. In this paper, an efficient object tracking method for UAV videos is proposed to tackle these challenges. We construct the fused features to capture the gradient information and color characteristics simultaneously. Furthermore, cellular automata is introduced to update the appearance template of target accurately and sparsely. In particular, a high confidence model updating strategy is developed according to the stability function. Systematic comparative evaluations performed on the popular UAV123 dataset show the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Characterization of the Fat Channel for Intra-Body Communication at R-Band Frequencies
Authors: Asan Noor Badariah , Hassan Emadeldeen , Velander Jacob , Mohd Shah Syaiful Redzwan , Noreland Daniel , Blokhuis Taco J. , Wadbro Eddie , Berggren Martin , Voigt Thiemo , Augustine Robin
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we investigate the use of fat tissue as a communication channel between in-body, implanted devices at R-band frequencies (1.7–2.6 GHz). The proposed fat channel is based on an anatomical model of the human body. We propose a novel probe that is optimized to efficiently radiate the R-band frequencies into the fat tissue. We use our probe to evaluate the path loss of the fat channel by studying the channel transmission coefficient over the R-band frequencies. We conduct extensive simulation studies and validate our results by experimentation on phantom and ex-vivo porcine tissue, with good agreement between simulations and experiments. We demonstrate a performance comparison between the fat channel and similar waveguide structures. Our characterization of the fat channel reveals propagation path loss of ∼0.7 dB and ∼1.9 dB per cm for phantom and ex-vivo porcine tissue, respectively. These results demonstrate that fat tissue can be used as a communication channel for high data rate intra-body networks.
An Extended Kalman Filter and Back Propagation Neural Network Algorithm Positioning Method Based on Anti-lock Brake Sensor and Global Navigation Satellite System Information
Authors: Hu Jie , Wu Zhongli , Qin Xiongzhen , Geng Huangzheng , Gao Zhangbin
Published: August 2018

Telematics box (T-Box) chip-level Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver modules usually suffer from GNSS information failure or noise in urban environments. In order to resolve this issue, this paper presents a real-time positioning method for Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) algorithms based on Antilock Brake System (ABS) sensor and GNSS information. Experiments were performed using an assembly in the vehicle with a T-Box. The T-Box firstly use automotive kinematical Pre-EKF to fuse the four wheel speed, yaw rate and steering wheel angle data from the ABS sensor to obtain a more accurate vehicle speed and heading angle velocity. In order to reduce the noise of the GNSS information, After-EKF fusion vehicle speed, heading angle velocity and GNSS data were used and low-noise positioning data were obtained. The heading angle speed error is extracted as target and part of low-noise positioning data were used as input for training a BPNN model. When the positioning is invalid, the well-trained BPNN corrected heading angle velocity output and vehicle speed add the synthesized relative displacement to the previous absolute position to realize a new position. With the data of high-precision real-time kinematic differential positioning equipment as the reference, the use of the dual EKF can reduce the noise range of GNSS information and concentrate good-positioning signals of the road within 5 m (i.e. the positioning status is valid). When the GNSS information was shielded (making the positioning status invalid), and the previous data was regarded as a training sample, it is found that the vehicle achieved 15 minutes position without GNSS information on the recycling line. The results indicated this new position method can reduce the vehicle positioning noise when GNSS information is valid and determine the position during long periods of invalid GNSS information.
Analysis of Environmental Factors’ Impact on Donkeys’ Colostrum Quality
Authors: Marchis Zamfir , Odagiu Antonia , Coroian Aurelia , Oroian Ioan , Mirza Manuela , Burduhos Petru
Published: August 2018

Colostrum is a natural product, issued by both mammals and humans in the first week of lactation. Among different species, donkey colostrum is considered to have, in addition to a valuable composition in nutrients and immune factors, an outstanding similitude with human colostrum. In this context, and taking into account the scarcity of available data concerning the interaction between climate factors and colostrum quality, a trial was conducted aiming to identify the possible influence of environmental factors on donkey colostrum nutritional traits. A stock of 175 jennies from 7 farms located in Cluj and Sălaj Counties was analyzed over a 7-day postpartum period. During the experimental period, the daily temperature, humidity, and wind velocity data were collected. Strong positive correlations are reported between the studied colostrum nutritional traits (fat, protein and lactose). Testing the impact of some environmental parameters upon nutritional content of donkey colostrum indicated three factors that have an influence on the nutritional quality of donkey milk colostrum, labelled as: colostrum nutritional traits, environmental air traits and some colostrum nutritional traits, and climatic traits and some colostrum nutritional traits.
Retailer–Consumer Sustainable Business Environment: How Consumers’ Perceived Benefits Are Translated by the Addition of New Retail Channels
Authors: Zhu Jing , Goraya Muhammad Awais Shakir , Cai Yu
Published: August 2018

In the current era, consumers are living in a multi-channel shopping environment. Retailers are expanding their business channels to get the most out of their ongoing multi-channel businesses and to create a sustainable shopping environment for consumers. The extant literature is quite elaborative about the impact of new online channels on retailers, but a very limited part of the said literature discusses the impact of adding both new online/offline channels to the retailers’ existing business channels and the perceived benefits they create for consumers. This paper makes the comparison of multi-channel additions and their impacts on consumer benefits in creating a sustainable retailer–consumer business environment. This dimension of research is quite new regarding the subject of multi-channel shopping. In this paper, a simulated experimental design is adopted to analyze the impact of the multi-channel structure with a mix of different product types (experience and search) and the perceived benefit to consumers (perceived variety, perceived convenience, and perceived risk). The results show that, compared to the newly added offline channels, newly added online channels can make consumers more aware of the overall variety, increase perceived convenience, and reduce perceived risk. However, for retailers selling search products, the newly added online channel does not create any significant difference to the consumers’ overall perceived variety of the retailers.
Analysis of Spatial-Temporal Characteristics of the PM2.5 Concentrations in Weifang City, China
Authors: Li Yixiao , Dai Zhaoxin , Liu Xianlin
Published: August 2018

Air pollution, which accompanies industrial progression and urbanization, has become an urgent issue to address in contemporary society. As a result, our understanding and continued study of the spatial-temporal characteristics of a major pollutant, defined as 2.5-micron or less particulate matter (PM2.5), as well as the development of related approaches to improve the environment, has become vital. This paper studies the characteristics of yearly, quarterly, monthly, daily, and hourly PM2.5 concentrations, and discusses the influencing factors based on the hourly data of nationally controlled and provincially controlled monitoring stations, from 2012 to 2016, in Weifang City. The main conclusion of this study is that the annual PM2.5 concentrations reached a peak in 2013. With efficient aid from the government, this value has decreased annually and has high spatial characteristics in the northwest and low spatial characteristics in the southeast. Second, the seasonal and monthly PM2.5 concentrations form a U-shaped trend, meaning that the concentration is high in the summer and low in the winter. These trends are highly relevant to the factors of plantation, humidity, temperature, and precipitation. Third, within a week, higher PM2.5 concentrations appear on Mondays and Saturdays, whereas the lowest concentration occurs on Wednesdays. It can be inferred that PM2.5 concentrations tend to be highly dependent on human activities and living habits. Lastly, there are hourly discrepancies within the peaks and troughs depending on the month, and the overall daytime PM2.5 concentrations and reductive rates are higher in the daytime than in the nighttime.
Impacts of Socio-Psychological Factors on Actual Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Dryland and Water Stressed Areas
Authors: Zeweld Woldegebrial , Van Huylenbroeck Guido , Tesfay Girmay , Azadi Hossein , Speelman Stijn
Published: August 2018

Despite the presence of several studies on technology adoption, there are limited empirical studies on how socio-psychological factors affect the adoption of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this paper investigates how socio-psychological factors-such as social capital, information, attitudes, efficacy, and aversion-affect smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry systems, organic compost, and crop rotation with legumes. Cross-sectional data are collected from 350 randomly selected farm households using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. A multivariate probit model is used to investigate factors that influence the probability of adopting these practices. The ordered probit model is also applied to identify and analyze the determinants of the number (intensity) of land management practices adopted. The findings indicate that nearly half of the farmers have adopted these land management practices to improve soil fertility, enhance water retention capacity, and increase productivity. It is also found that attitudes, information, education, group membership, relational capital, risk attitudes, and labor supply significantly affect the probability of adopting these agricultural practices. The estimates of the ordered probit model also indicate that extension services, risk attitudes, group membership, relational capital, education and labor supply are major determinants of the number of land management practices used. However, financial resources, biophysical factors and some demographic factors are found to have an insignificant effect on sustainable agriculture adoption. This implies that when it is necessary to promote sustainable land management practices and to stimulate smallholder farmers to adopt such practices in isolation or combination, specific strategies should be designed to improve awareness, build positive attitudes, reduce risk aversion, strengthen formal organizations, and empower endogenous groups (or informal institutions).
Comparative Modelling and Artificial Neural Network Inspired Prediction of Waste Generation Rates of Hospitality Industry: The Case of North Cyprus
Authors: Azarmi Soolmaz L. , Oladipo Akeem Adeyemi , Vaziri Roozbeh , Alipour Habib
Published: August 2018

This study was undertaken to forecast the waste generation rates of the accommodation sector in North Cyprus. Three predictor models, multiple linear regression (MLR), artificial neural networks (ANNs) and central composite design (CCD), were applied to predict the waste generation rate during the lean and peak seasons. ANN showed highest prediction performance, specifically, lowest values of the standard error of prediction (SEP = 2.153), mean absolute error (MAE = 1.378) and highest R2 value (0.998) confirmed the accuracy of the model. The analysed waste was categorised into recyclable, general waste and food residue. The authors estimated the total waste generated during the lean season at 2010.5 kg/day, in which large hotels accounted for the largest fraction (66.7%), followed by medium-sized hotels (19.4%) and guesthouses (2.6%). During the peak season, about 49.6% increases in waste generation rates were obtained. Interestingly, 45% of the waste was generated by British tourists, while the least waste was generated by African tourists (7.5%). The ANN predicted that small and large hotels would produce 5.45 and 22.24 tons of waste by the year 2020, respectively. The findings herein are promising and useful in establishing a sustainable waste management system.
Multilevel Modeling of Rural Livelihood Strategies from Peasant to Village Level in Henan Province, China
Authors: Zhang Le , Liao Chuanqing , Zhang Huan , Hua Xiaobo
Published: August 2018

With the rapid development of China’s economy, Chinese peasants now have a growing number of livelihood choices. Rural livelihood strategies are primarily a matter of choice, while the characteristics of the household and village may affect the decision-making process. However, until now, there has been a lack of empirical studies that have been carried out for the identification of the multi-level determinants of rural livelihood strategies. To fill this gap, this paper applies multi-level modeling approach to model rural livelihood strategies in Henan Province, China. The results show that rural livelihood strategies have insignificant between-group variability at the household level, and significant between-group variability at the village level, with the variance at the peasant level accounting for the largest proportion of the total variance. Younger peasants who are male and have a higher education level are more likely to engage in only off-farm work, while peasants with the opposite characteristics are more likely to engage in only on-farm work. Pluriactive peasants integrate the characteristics of the other two groups, and generally live closer to urban areas than the others. In order to reduce rural income inequality and sustain agricultural production, the Chinese government should design effective policies to make farming an appealing livelihood choice, particularly for the young generation.
The Effects of Natural Disasters on Social Trust: Evidence from South Korea
Authors: Kang Sung Hoon , Skidmore Mark
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we examine whether disasters affect social trust levels using South Korean panel data from 2014–2016. We also investigate whether the effects of disasters on social trust differ depending on the type of disaster. We consider four types of disasters: typhoons, heavy rain, heavy snow and strong winds and waves. Our findings show that although all of these disasters influence the level of generalized social trust, each type has separate impacts. In our findings, there is a statistically significant positive relationship between cumulative damage costs per capita and social trust levels for heavy rain, heavy snow and strong winds and waves but we find the opposite result for typhoons. In the disaster recovery process, it is possible for social trust to be strengthened and weakened at the same time. Social trust can develop when victims such as neighbors and firefighters interact with others. Conversely, when a local government responds slowly to a disaster, dissatisfaction and discontent toward it can increase and this could weaken social trust. Moreover, disaster-affected individuals may be more competitive over limited resources, resulting in conflicts among them. Thus, we argue that the net effects of disasters on social trust levels can differ based on the speed of government responses to disasters and on active support for the victims from people such as neighbors.
Neural Relation Classification Using Selective Attention and Symmetrical Directional Instances
Authors: Tan Zhen , Li Bo , Huang Peixin , Ge Bin , Xiao Weidong
Published: August 2018

Relation classification (RC) is an important task in information extraction from unstructured text. Recently, several neural methods based on various network architectures have been adopted for the task of RC. Among them, convolution neural network (CNN)-based models stand out due to their simple structure, low model complexity and “good” performance. Nevertheless, there are still at least two limitations associated with existing CNN-based RC models. First, when handling samples with long distances between entities, they fail to extract effective features, even obtaining disturbing ones from the clauses, which results in decreased accuracy. Second, existing RC models tend to produce inconsistent results when fed with forward and backward instances of an identical sample. Therefore, we present a novel CNN-based sentence encoder with selective attention by leveraging the shortest dependency paths, and devise a classification framework using symmetrical directional—forward and backward—instances via information fusion. Comprehensive experiments verify the superior performance of the proposed RC model over mainstream competitors without additional artificial features.
Phoneutria nigriventer Spider Toxin PnTx2-1 (δ-Ctenitoxin-Pn1a) Is a Modulator of Sodium Channel Gating
Authors: Peigneur Steve , Paiva Ana Luiza B. , Cordeiro Marta N. , Borges Márcia H. , Diniz Marcelo R. V. , De Lima Maria Elena , Tytgat Jan
Published: August 2018

Spider venoms are complex mixtures of biologically active components with potentially interesting applications for drug discovery or for agricultural purposes. The spider Phoneutria nigriventer is responsible for a number of envenomations with sometimes severe clinical manifestations in humans. A more efficient treatment requires a comprehensive knowledge of the venom composition and of the action mechanism of the constituting components. PnTx2-1 (also called δ-ctenitoxin-Pn1a) is a 53-amino-acid-residue peptide isolated from the venom fraction PhTx2. Although PnTx2-1 is classified as a neurotoxin, its molecular target has remained unknown. This study describes the electrophysiological characterization of PnTx2-1 as a modulator of voltage-gated sodium channels. PnTx2-1 is investigated for its activity on seven mammalian NaV-channel isoforms, one insect NaV channel and one arachnid NaV channel. Furthermore, comparison of the activity of both PnTx2-1 and PnTx2-6 on NaV1.5 channels reveals that this family of Phoneutria toxins modulates the cardiac NaV channel in a bifunctional manner, resulting in an alteration of the inactivation process and a reduction of the sodium peak current.
Evidence for a Minimum Ellipticity in Millisecond Pulsars
Authors: Woan G. , Pitkin M. D. , Haskell B. , Jones D. I. , Lasky P. D.
Published: August 2018

Neutron stars spin down over time due to a number of energy-loss processes. We provide tantalizing population-based evidence that millisecond pulsars (MSPs) have a minimum ellipticity of ϵ ≈ 10−9 around their spin axis and that, consequently, some spin down mostly through gravitational-wave emission. We discuss the implications of such a minimum ellipticity in terms of the internal magnetic field strengths and nuclear matter composition of neutron stars and show it would result in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave detectors, or their upgrades, detecting gravitational waves from some known MSPs in the near future.
Bosniak Factor in Contemporary Jihadism
Authors: Dolejší Marek
Published: August 2018

The article analyzes activities and role of Bosniaks in contemporary Jihadist movement. Those activities are analyzed in three dimensions - domestic activities (local radical groups, recruitment, motivation or role of diaspora), activities on foreign battlefields (combat activities, propaganda or support activities) and return to homeland (violent activities, deradicalization or activities of state authorities). Analysis is focused on fighters from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and countries with significant Bosniak diaspora.
Life history of Parnips and the evolutionary origin of gall wasps
Authors: Ronquist Fredrik , Nylander Johan A. A. , Vårdal Hege , Nieves-Aldrey José Luis
Published: August 2018

By mechanisms that are still unknown, gall wasps (Cynipidae) induce plants to form complex galls, inside which their larvae develop. The family also includes inquilines (phytophagous forms that live inside the galls of other gall inducers) and possibly also parasitoids of gall inducers. The origin of cynipids is shrouded in mystery, but it has been clear for some time that a key group in making progress on this question is the ‘figitoid inquilines’. They are gall-associated relatives of cynipids, whose biology is poorly known. Here, we report the first detailed data on the life history of a figitoid inquiline, the genusParnips. Dissections of mature galls show thatParnipsnigripesis a parasitoid ofBarbotiniaoraniensis, a cynipid that induces single-chambered galls inside the seed capsules of annual poppies (PapaverrhoeasandP.dubium). Galls with pupae ofParnipsnigripesalways contain the remains of a terminal-instar larva ofB.oraniensis. The mandibles of the terminal-instar larva ofP.nigripesare small and equipped with a single sharp tooth, a shape that is characteristic of carnivorous larvae. The weight ofP.nigripespupae closely match that of the same sex ofB.oraniensispupae, indicating thatParnipsmakes efficient use of its host and suggesting that ovipositingParnipsfemales lay eggs that match the sex of the host larva. Dissection of young galls show that another species ofParnips, hitherto undescribed, spends its late larval life as an ectoparasitoid ofIraellahispanica, a cynipid that induces galls in flowers of annual poppies. These and other observations suggest thatParnipsshares the early endoparasitic-late ectoparasitic life history described for all other cynipoid parasitoids. Our findings imply that gall wasps evolved from parasitoids of gall insects. The original hosts could not have been cynipids but possibly chalcidoids, which appear to be the hosts of several extant figitoid inquilines. It is still unclear whether the gall inducers evolved rapidly from these ancestral parasitoids, or whether they were preceded by a long series of intermediate forms that were phytophagous inquilines.
Trissolcus hyalinipennis Rajmohana & Narendran (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae), a parasitoid of Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), emerges in North America
Authors: Ganjisaffar Fatemeh , Talamas Elijah J. , Bon Marie-Claude , Brown Brian V. , Gonzalez Lisa , Perring Thomas M.
Published: August 2018

TrissolcushyalinipennisRajmohana & Narendran is an Old World egg parasitoid ofBagradahilaris(Burmeister). Its potential as a classical biological control agent in the United States has been under evaluation in quarantine facilities since 2014. A survey of resident egg parasitoids using fresh sentinelB.hilariseggs in Riverside, California, revealed thatT.hyalinipennisis present in the wild. Four cards with parasitized eggs were recovered, from which one yielded a single liveT.hyalinipennisand two unidentified dead wasps (Scelionidae), and three yielded twenty liveTrissolcusbasalis(Wollaston) and one dead wasp. Subsequently, samples from Burbank, California, collected with a Malaise trap as part of the BioSCAN project, yielded five females ofT.hyalinipennis. It is presumed that the introduction ofT.hyalinipennisto this area was accidental. Surveys will be continued to evaluate the establishment ofT.hyalinipennisas well as the presence of other resident parasitoid species.
Description of mature larvae and ecological notes on Gasteruption Latreille (Hymenoptera, Evanioidea, Gasteruptiidae) parasitizing hymenopterans nesting in reed galls
Authors: Bogusch Petr , van Achterberg Cornelis , Šilhán Karel , Astapenková Alena , Heneberg Petr
Published: August 2018

Wasps of the genusGasteruptionare predator-inquilines of bees nesting in cavities in wood, stems, galls, and vertical soil surfaces. During studies of hymenopterans associated with reed galls caused by flies of the genusLiparawe recorded three species. We provide the evidence that a rare European speciesGasteruptionphragmiticolais a specialized predator-inquiline of an equally rare wetland beeHylaeuspectoralis.Gasteruptionnigrescensis a predator-inquiline of bees of the family Megachilidae, using the common beeHoplitisleucomelanaas the main host.Gasteruptionassectatoris a less specialized predator-inquiline of multiple groups of bees. The first two species,G.phragmiticolaandG.nigrescens, are usually present at well-preserved reed beds associated with meadows rich in flowering plants whileG.assectatordoes not prefer any specific habitat. Mature larvae ofGasteruptiontypically have a dorsoventrally flattened body and lateral lobes, small head with only slightly sclerotized mouthparts and tridentate mandibles. The larvae of these three species differ only slightly from one another, at most by the sclerotization of the mouthparts, colour, and position of setae on the head capsule and the shape of the mandible. As previous descriptions are insufficient, we provide first detailed descriptions with figures.
The empirical impacts of risk management on the enhancement of control mechanisms in organizational studies
Authors: Amedzro St-Hilaire Walter , De La Robertie Catherinne
Published: August 2018

L’article examine l’effet empirique du risque managérial sur l’optimisation des mécanismes de contrôle. Les conclusions de l’étude démontrent assez rigoureusement, une influence positive des déterminants du risque managérial sur l’optimisation des mécanismes de contrôle dans les sociétés d’état industrielles et commerciales. Les résultats mettent ainsi en évidence, entre autres, le fait que le suivi (veille stratégique) des conseils d’administration dynamise significativement l’influence du risque managérial sur l’efficacité des mécanismes de contrôle.
The effects of rhetorical ambiguity in advertising on comprehension and persuasion: moderating role of tolerance of ambiguity
Authors: Mzoughi Mohamed-Nabil , Chaieb Safa , Garrouch Karim
Published: August 2018

Ce travail étudie la relation entre les différents niveaux d’ambiguïté rhétorique et la persuasion publicitaire. Cette dernière est appréhendée via l’émotion, elle-même abordée à travers les réactions affectives déclenchées par l’annonce. Le modèle conceptuel intègre une variable médiatrice : la compréhension, ainsi qu’une variable modératrice : la tolérance à l’ambiguïté. L’investigation empirique comporte une analyse en composantes principales, une analyse factorielle confirmatoire et une analyse de la variance. Les logiciels AMOS 18 et SPSS 17 ont permis d’obtenir des résultats présentant de nombreux apports sur les plans théorique, méthodologique et managérial.
Les communautés de pratique en innovation dans les entreprises multinationales : le cas du Groupe SEB
Authors: Arzumanyan Lusine , Mayrhofer Ulrike
Published: August 2018

Les entreprises créent des communautés de pratique pour accélérer leurs processus d’innovation. Cet article a pour objectif d’améliorer notre connaissance des communautés de pratique. Les résultats de l’étude empirique, qui est fondée sur 63 entretiens semi-directifs menés au sein du Groupe SEB, mettent en exergue la dynamique ainsi que les bénéfices et limites des communautés de pratique en innovation.
L’impact du leadership « dysfonctionnel » sur les comportements contre-productifs des subordonnés : le cas des jeunes à faible capital scolaire
Authors: Dufour Lucas , Andiappan Meena
Published: August 2018

À travers une étude qualitative s’appuyant sur la population des jeunes à faible capital scolaire (JFCS), nous avons constaté que les subordonnés pouvaient adopter des comportements qualifiés de contre-productifs par leurs supérieurs hiérarchiques du fait d’un leadership « dysfonctionnel ». Un leadership est défini comme « dysfonctionnel » lorsqu’un supérieur hiérarchique par incompétence et/ou par manque d’intérêt blesse de manière non intentionnelle ses subordonnés. Ce leadership « dysfonctionnel » est susceptible de générer chez les subordonnés un manque d’autonomie, du stress ou une injustice perçue, qui peuvent entraîner l’adoption de comportements contre-productifs.
Responsabilité sociale et gestion des ressources humaines : une relation ambigüe
Authors: Ngok Evina Jean François
Published: August 2018

La politique de gestion des ressources humaines dans les entreprises évolue avec le contexte et est influencée par les logiques de responsabilité sociale. L’objectif poursuivi à travers cet article est de montrer que la logique de responsabilité sociale adoptée par le dirigeant influence significativement la politique de gestion des ressources humaines de son entreprise. L’étude porte sur une enquête effectuée auprès de 122 petites et moyennes entreprises. Les principaux résultats montrent que la prise en compte des aspects sociaux et sociétaux a une influence sur la politique de recrutement des PME camerounaises.
L’opportunité entrepreneuriale au cœur d’un processus de réflexion et d’action
Authors: Degeorge Jean-Michel , Fayolle Alain , Randerson Kathleen
Published: August 2018

Parmi les interrogations qui persistent sur l’opportunité entrepreneuriale (Shane, 2012 ; Venkataraman et al., 2012 ; Alvarez et al., 2013), certaines concernent le style cognitif de l’entrepreneur (Cardon et al., 2009) et son processus de décision (Sarasvathy, 2001). L’identification d’une opportunité est souvent associée à un style cognitif analytique alors même qu’un individu peut par ailleurs être guidé par son intuition et un processus de décision effectual afin de construire une opportunité. Avec une étude qualitative auprès de neuf entreprises, nous étudions le lien éventuel entre le processus de formation de l’opportunité (identification ou construction), le style cognitif de l’entrepreneur (intuitif ou analytique) et le processus de décision mis en œuvre (causal ou effectual). Nos résultats montrent que la relation n’est pas systématique et que l’industrie et la position de l’entreprise sur le secteur d’activité sont déterminantes.
Perception de la menace concurrentielle dans les PME Béninoises
Authors: Sogbossi Bocco Bertrand , Houessou James
Published: August 2018

Cette recherche analyse la manière dont les managers perçoivent la menace concurrentielle dans les PME. En s’appuyant sur les travaux de Laval et al. (2005) et sur les résultats de Ben Lakhrech et Roehrich (2006), l’étude a mis en évidence quatre variables explicatives de la menace concurrentielle perçue dans les PME. Les données examinées révèlent que les dirigeants de PME béninoises du secteur agroalimentaire s’accordent sur la prise en compte de la menace concurrentielle dans leur mode gestion, avec un fort accent pour l’intérêt et la capacité du concurrent à engager des actions dommageables contre leur entreprise.
RETRACTED: Influence of the Left-Behind Experience on Self-Efficacy of College Students
Authors: Yang Zhihui , Cai Liming , Luo Chenling , Wang Ning , Lin Jingqiu , Bi Xiaojun , Zhang Lili
Published: August 2018

This article has been retracted at the request of Mona Shattell, PhD, RN, FAAN, Editor,
Journal of Psychosocial
Nursing and Mental Health Services.

I would like to formally request that the article entitled, “Influence of the Left-Behind Experience on Self-Efficacy
of College Students,” (posted for Online Advanced Release, August 22, 2018, doi:10.3928/02793695-20180815-02) be
retracted. The integrity of the measure used has been compromised.

Mona Shattell, PhD, RN, FAAN
Recherches sur l’embryon et les cellules souches embryonnaires : les citoyens sont-ils passés à côté des véritables enjeux ?
Authors: Bourdaire-Mignot Camille , Gründler Tatiana
Published: August 2018

Interdite purement et simplement dans les premières lois bioéthiques de 1994, la recherche sur l’embryon a fait l’objet d’évolutions juridiques importantes depuis : elle est passée d’un régime d’interdiction – avec dérogations – à partir de 2004, à un régime d’autorisation – strictement encadré – en 20131. Les États généraux de 2018 fournissent l’occasion de rediscuter la pertinence de telles recherches, dévoilant que l’embryon demeure un sujet extrêmement sensible qui soulève en outre des questions supposant de bonnes connaissances techniques pour être sérieusement débattues. Il n’est dès lors pas certain que ce moment de démocratie ait permis, malgré une participation relativement significative de la population, d’appréhender les potentialités médicales de ces recherches et les enjeux éthiques qui s’y rattachent.
Examens génétiques et médecine génomique : pour le maintien du cadre juridique existant
Authors: Bourdaire-Mignot Camille , Gründler Tatiana
Published: August 2018

États généraux de la bioéthique (rapport de synthèse du Comité consultatif national d’éthique) : quatrième billet
Understanding the Liver-Stage Biology of Malaria Parasites: Insights to Enable and Accelerate the Development of a Highly Efficacious Vaccine
Authors: Mo Annie X. , McGugan Glen
Published: August 2018

In August 2017, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases convened a meeting, entitled “Understanding the Liver-Stage Biology of Malaria Parasites to Enable and Accelerate the Development of a Highly Efficacious Vaccine,” to discuss the needs and strategies to develop a highly efficacious, whole organism–based vaccine targeting the liver stage of malaria parasites. It was concluded that attenuated sporozoite platforms have proven to be promising approaches, and that late-arresting sporozoites could potentially offer greater vaccine performance than early-arresting sporozoites against malaria. New knowledge and emerging technologies have made the development of late-arresting sporozoites feasible. Highly integrated approaches involving liver-stage research, “omics” studies, and cutting-edge genetic editing technologies, combined with in vitro culture systems or unique animal models, are needed to accelerate the discovery of candidates for a late-arresting, genetically attenuated parasite vaccine.