bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soluble Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (sEGFRs) in Cancer: Biological Aspects and Clinical Relevance
Authors: Maramotti Sally , Paci Massimiliano , Manzotti Gloria , Rapicetta Cristian , Gugnoni Mila , Galeone Carla , Cesario Alfredo , Lococo Filippo
Published: April 2016

The identification of molecules that can reliably detect the presence of a tumor or predict its behavior is one of the biggest challenges of research in cancer biology. Biological fluids are intriguing mediums, containing many molecules that express the individual health status and, accordingly, may be useful in establishing the potential risk of cancer, defining differential diagnosis and prognosis, predicting the response to treatment, and monitoring the disease progression. The existence of circulating soluble growth factor receptors (sGFRs) deriving from their membrane counterparts has stimulated the interest of researchers to investigate the use of such molecules as potential cancer biomarkers. But what are the origins of circulating sGFRs? Are they naturally occurring molecules or tumor-derived products? Among these, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a cell-surface molecule significantly involved in cancer development and progression; it can be processed into biological active soluble isoforms (sEGFR). We have carried out an extensive review of the currently available literature on the sEGFRs and their mechanisms of regulation and biological function, with the intent to clarify the role of these molecules in cancer (and other pathological conditions) and, on the basis of the retrieved evidences, speculate about their potential use in the clinical setting.
Of Tracts, Rings, Nodes, Cusps, Sinuses, and Arrhythmias—A Comment on Szili-Torok et al.’s Paper Entitled “The ‘Dead-End Tract’ and Its Role in Arrhythmogenesis”. J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2016, 3, 11
Authors: Anderson Robert , Spicer Diane , Mori Shumpei
Published: April 2016

In the review, now published as part of the special issue devoted to the development of the conduction tissues, de Vries and his colleagues discuss the potential role of the so-called “dead-end tract” as a substrate for arrhythmogenesis [1].[...]
Inequalities in Nutrition between Cambodian Women over the Last 15 Years (2000–2014)
Authors: Greffeuille Valérie , Sophonneary Prak , Laillou Arnaud , Gauthier Ludovic , Hong Rathmony , Hong Rathavuth , Poirot Etienne , Dijkhuizen Marjoleine , Wieringa Frank , Berger Jacques
Published: April 2016

This study aimed to describe the trends over four nationally representative Demographic Health Surveys (2000, 2005, 2010, and 2014) of the nutritional status of women of reproductive age in Cambodia and to assess the main factors of inequality with regards to nutrition. The prevalence of undernutrition and over-nutrition evolved in opposite trends from 2000 to 2014, with a significant decrease in underweight and a significant increase in overweight women. This results in a shift, with overweight prevalence in women being higher than underweight for the first time in 2014. Anemia was constantly high and still affected 45% of women in 2014. Multivariate analysis showed that age, wealth index, maternal education, number of children, year of survey, and anemia were contributing factors for being underweight. Being overweight was positively related to increase in age, wealth index, number of children, and year of survey; and negatively related to anemia and increase in education level. The risk of anemia was higher in the poorest households and for less-educated women and women living in rural areas. Consequently, policies should target the most vulnerable women, especially the youngest, and support integrated interventions in the health, social, and agriculture sectors to reduce inequalities in nutrition between women.
Impact of Sub-Inhibitory Concentrations of Amoxicillin on Streptococcus suis Capsule Gene Expression and Inflammatory Potential
Authors: Haas Bruno , Grenier Daniel
Published: April 2016

Streptococcus suis is an important swine pathogen and emerging zoonotic agent worldwide causing meningitis, endocarditis, arthritis and septicemia. Among the 29 serotypes identified to date, serotype 2 is mostly isolated from diseased pigs. Although several virulence mechanisms have been characterized in S. suis, the pathogenesis of S. suis infections remains only partially understood. This study focuses on the response of S. suis P1/7 to sub-inhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin. First, capsule expression was monitored by qRT-PCR when S. suis was cultivated in the presence of amoxicillin. Then, the pro-inflammatory potential of S. suis P1/7 culture supernatants or whole cells conditioned with amoxicillin was evaluated by monitoring the activation of the NF-κB pathway in monocytes and quantifying pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted by macrophages. It was found that amoxicillin decreased capsule expression in S. suis. Moreover, conditioning the bacterium with sub-inhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin caused an increased activation of the NF-κB pathway in monocytes following exposure to bacterial culture supernatants and to a lesser extent to whole bacterial cells. This was associated with an increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (CXCL8, IL-6, IL-1β) by macrophages. This study identified a new mechanism by which S. suis may increase its inflammatory potential in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin, a cell wall-active antibiotic, thus challenging its use for preventive treatments or as growth factor.
Turning Waste into Value: Nanosized Natural Plant Materials of Solanum incanum L. and Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir with Promising Antimicrobial Activities
Authors: Griffin Sharoon , Tittikpina Nassifatou , Al-marby Adel , Alkhayer Reem , Denezhkin Polina , Witek Karolina , Gbogbo Koffi , Batawila Komlan , Duval Raphaël , Nasim Muhammad , Awadh-Ali Nasser , Kirsch Gilbert , Chaimbault Patrick , Schäfer Karl-Herbert , Keck Cornelia , Handzlik Jadwiga , Jacob Claus
Published: April 2016

Numerous plants are known to exhibit considerable biological activities in the fields of medicine and agriculture, yet access to their active ingredients is often complicated, cumbersome and expensive. As a consequence, many plants harbouring potential drugs or green phyto-protectants go largely unnoticed, especially in poorer countries which, at the same time, are in desperate need of antimicrobial agents. As in the case of plants such as the Jericho tomato, Solanum incanum, and the common African tree Pterocarpus erinaceus, nanosizing of original plant materials may provide an interesting alternative to extensive extraction and isolation procedures. Indeed, it is straightforward to obtain considerable amounts of such common, often weed-like plants, and to mill the dried material to more or less uniform particles of microscopic and nanoscopic size. These particles exhibit activity against Steinernema feltiae or Escherichia coli, which is comparable to the ones seen for processed extracts of the same, respective plants. As S. feltiae is used as a model nematode indicative of possible phyto-protective uses in the agricultural arena, these findings also showcase the potential of nanosizing of crude “waste” plant materials for specific practical applications, especially—but not exclusively—in developing countries lacking a more sophisticated industrial infrastructure.
Bio-Based Resin Reinforced with Flax Fiber as Thermorheologically Complex Materials
Authors: Amiri Ali , Yu Arvin , Webster Dean , Ulven Chad
Published: April 2016

With the increase in structural applications of bio-based composites, the study of long-term creep behavior of these materials turns into a significant issue. Because of their bond type and structure, natural fibers and thermoset resins exhibit nonlinear viscoelastic behavior. Time-temperature superposition (TTS) provides a useful tool to overcome the challenge of the long time required to perform the tests. The TTS principle assumes that the effect of temperature and time are equivalent when considering the creep behavior, therefore creep tests performed at elevated temperatures may be converted to tests performed at longer times. In this study, flax fiber composites were processed with a novel liquid molding methacrylated epoxidized sucrose soyate (MESS) resin. Frequency scans of flax/MESS composites were obtained at different temperatures and storage modulus and loss modulus were recorded and the application of horizontal and vertical shift factors to these viscoelastic functions were studied. In addition, short-term strain creep at different temperatures was measured and curves were shifted with solely horizontal, and with both horizontal and vertical shift factors. The resulting master curves were compared with a 24-h creep test and two extrapolated creep models. The findings revealed that use of both horizontal and vertical shift factors will result in a smoother master curves for loss modulus and storage modulus, while use of only horizontal shift factors for creep data provides acceptable creep strain master curves. Based on the findings of this study, flax/MESS composites can be considered as thermorheologically complex materials.
Estimating Stand Volume and Above-Ground Biomass of Urban Forests Using LiDAR
Authors: Giannico Vincenzo , Lafortezza Raffaele , John Ranjeet , Sanesi Giovanni , Pesola Lucia , Chen Jiquan
Published: April 2016

Assessing forest stand conditions in urban and peri-urban areas is essential to support ecosystem service planning and management, as most of the ecosystem services provided are a consequence of forest stand characteristics. However, collecting data for assessing forest stand conditions is time consuming and labor intensive. A plausible approach for addressing this issue is to establish a relationship between in situ measurements of stand characteristics and data from airborne laser scanning (LiDAR). In this study we assessed forest stand volume and above-ground biomass (AGB) in a broadleaved urban forest, using a combination of LiDAR-derived metrics, which takes the form of a forest allometric model. We tested various methods for extracting proxies of basal area (BA) and mean stand height (H) from the LiDAR point-cloud distribution and evaluated the performance of different models in estimating forest stand volume and AGB. The best predictors for both models were the scale parameters of the Weibull distribution of all returns (except the first) (proxy of BA) and the 95th percentile of the distribution of all first returns (proxy of H). The R2 were 0.81 (p < 0.01) for the stand volume model and 0.77 (p < 0.01) for the AGB model with a RMSE of 23.66 m3·ha−1 (23.3%) and 19.59 Mg·ha−1 (23.9%), respectively. We found that a combination of two LiDAR-derived variables (i.e., proxy of BA and proxy of H), which take the form of a forest allometric model, can be used to estimate stand volume and above-ground biomass in broadleaved urban forest areas. Our results can be compared to other studies conducted using LiDAR in broadleaved forests with similar methods.
Automatic Geometric Processing for Very High Resolution Optical Satellite Data Based on Vector Roads and Orthophotos
Authors: Pehani Peter , Čotar Klemen , Marsetič Aleš , Zaletelj Janez , Oštir Krištof
Published: April 2016

In response to the increasing need for fast satellite image processing SPACE-SI developed STORM—a fully automatic image processing chain that performs all processing steps from the input optical images to web-delivered map-ready products for various sensors. This paper focuses on the automatic geometric corrections module and its adaptation to very high resolution (VHR) multispectral images. In the automatic ground control points (GCPs) extraction sub-module a two-step algorithm that utilizes vector roads as a reference layer and delivers GCPs for high resolution RapidEye images with near pixel accuracy was initially implemented. Super-fine positioning of individual GCPs onto an aerial orthophoto was introduced for VHR images. The enhanced algorithm is capable of achieving accuracy of approximately 1.5 pixels on WorldView-2 data. In the case of RapidEye images the accuracies of the physical sensor model reach sub-pixel values at independent check points. When compared to the reference national aerial orthophoto the accuracies of WorldView-2 orthoimages automatically produced with the rational function model reach near-pixel values. On a heterogeneous set of 41 RapidEye images the rate of automatic processing reached 97.6%. Image processing times remained under one hour for standard-size images of both sensor types.
Searching for Social Sustainability: The Case of the Shrinking City of Heerlen, The Netherlands
Authors: Ročak Maja , Hospers Gert-Jan , Reverda Nol
Published: April 2016

Shrinkage is a relevant phenomenon for many cities and this trend is predicted to continue in the future. Although urban shrinkage is well recognized in academic discourse, little research has been undertaken on its social aspects. This paper explores the concept of social capital in the context of urban shrinkage and elaborates on how it contributes to social sustainability in shrinking cities. After defining the concepts, we identify resources, empowerment, and participation as key indicators of social capital in the context of urban shrinkage. The paper analyzes these indicators in the shrinking, old industrial city of Heerlen, the Netherlands, based on 24 in-depth interviews with citizens, policy-makers, and entrepreneurs, as well as secondary data. The findings reveal the prominence of three interrelated issues: the importance of local culture, subjective experiences of shrinkage, and a lack of trust between citizens and politicians. We conclude that social capital can facilitate social sustainability in the context of urban shrinkage. However, trust and empowerment are not guaranteed in a shrinking context. In shrinking cities more investments should be made to foster cooperation between civil society and politics and the development of mutual trust.
Produisons du conflit, il restera toujours de l'acceptation. Tensions et concertations autour des chartes des parcs nationaux français. (Lets create some conflict, there will still be acceptance. Tensions and concertations around French national parks)
Authors: Laslaz Lionel
Published: April 2016

This paper deals with the evolution of the French National Parks since the Law of 2006 on protected areas, and focuses on the making of their charter. It considers the National Parks in the Alps (Vanoise, Ecrins, Mercantour), because they are the most advanced ones in this process. The charters are sparking some conflicts, whose goals, precedents and territorial effects are diverse. How can those conflicts turn into a tool for exchanges, or help various stakeholders to discuss together ? How do they constitute moments of alliances or tensions, depending on times ? How do they product devices and strategies that are prone to create territories ? How do they contibute to build attempts for people to arrange together and to gain in social acceptance, within those moments of re-negociation ?
Montrer “l’invisible intérieur du corps” : Entre médiation et spectacularisation
Authors: Di Crosta Marida
Published: April 2016

Les récits audiovisuels de voyage et d’aventure à l’intérieur du corps humain constituent des objets particulièrement adéquats à l’exploration des liens entre science, technique et production narrative. Lorsque l’objet de la médiation scientifique est notre «invisible intérieur » , en effet, les interactions entre stratégie narrative, systèmes de représentation et enjeux pédagogiques apparaissent aussi nombreuses qu’imbriquées. Pour mieux les comprendre, nous analyserons deux expériences de récits distinctes basées sur les procédés de l’immersion et de la miniaturisation : Le Voyage fantastique (1966), le célèbre film de Richard Fleischer, et Body Wars (1989), l’une des attractions majeures du parc de loisirs d’epcot. L’étude des spécificités de chaque objet, dans le traitement des relations entre médiation et spectacularisation ainsi que dans les effets produits sur le public, par la re-médiation du film de cinéma en simulateur de mouvement permet de les rapprocher de certains dispositifs d’exposition récents traitants de sujets scientifiques et techniques.

Titre : Montrer “ l’invisible intérieur du corps” : Entre médiation et spectacularisation.
Identification of Performance Indicators across a Network of Clinical Cancer Programs
Authors: Khare S.R. , Batist G. , Bartlett G.
Published: April 2016

Background: Cancer quality indicators have previously been described for a single tumour site or a single treatment modality, or according to distinct data sources. Our objective was to identify cancer quality indicators across all treatment modalities specific to breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer. Methods: Candidate indicators for each tumour site were extracted from the relevant literature and rated in a modified Delphi approach by multidisciplinary groups of expert clinicians from 3 clinical cancer programs. All rating rounds were conducted by e-mail, except for one that was conducted as a face-to-face expert panel meeting, thus modifying the original Delphi technique. Four high-level indicators were chosen for immediate data collection. A list of confounding variables was also constructed in a separate literature review. Results: A total of 156 candidate indicators were identified for breast cancer, 68 for colorectal cancer, 40 for lung cancer, and 43 for prostate cancer. Iterative rounds of ratings led to a final list of 20 evidence- and consensus-based indicators each for colorectal and lung cancer, and 19 each for breast and prostate cancer. Approximately 30 clinicians participated in the selection of the breast, lung, and prostate indicators; approximately 50 clinicians participated in the selection of the colorectal indicators. Conclusions: The modified Delphi approach that incorporates an in-person meeting of expert clinicians is an effective and efficient method for performance indicator selection and offers the added benefit of optimal clinician engagement. The finalized indicator lists for each tumour site, together with salient confounding variables, can be directly adopted (or adapted) for deployment within a performance improvement program.
MicroRNA Expression Profiling of Sputum for the Detection of Early and Locally Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Prospective Case–Control Study
Authors: Razzak R. , Bédard E.L.R. , Kim J.O. , Gazala S. , Guo L. , Ghosh S. , Joy A. , Nijjar T. , Wong E. , Roa W.H.
Published: April 2016

Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with very poor overall survival because 70% of patients present with locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. MicroRNAS (miRNAS) are a class of short, noncoding RNA molecules whose presence in samples of biologic fluids such as sputum has demonstrated promise as a potential means of detecting NSCLC. We investigated the stage-specific NSCLC detection potential of an efficient panel of 3 miRNAS (MIR-21, MIR-210, MIR-372) using a single sputum sample. Methods: A single spontaneously expectorated sputum sample was prospectively collected from 21 early NSCLC (≤stage II) patients, 22 advanced NSCLC (≥stage III) patients, and 10 control subjects. MiRNA expression profiles were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and were analyzed by unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis. Results: Mean tumour size (±95% confidence interval) in the early and advanced NSCLC patients was 3.3 cm ± 0.9 cm and 4.8 cm ± 0.7 cm respectively. Adenocarcinoma constituted 61.9% of the early and 45.5% of the advanced NSCLC cases respectively. In comparing the early NSCLC group with the control group, the miRNA panel yielded a diagnostic sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 90.0%. For the advanced NSCLC group, the miRNA panel detected NSCLC with a sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 100% respectively. Conclusions: A sputum MIR-21, MIR-210, and MIR-372 expression profile might provide a sensitive and highly specific means for detecting NSCLC. Sputum miRNA analysis demonstrates promise as a potential complementary screening tool.
Hematogones: A Sensitive Prognostic Factor for Chinese Adult Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Li L. , Fu R. , Zhang T. , Xie X. , Liu J. , Tao J. , Song J. , Liu H. , Zhang W. , Lu W. , Shao Z.
Published: April 2016

Background: Hematogones (HGS) are normal B-lymphocyte precursors that increase in some hematologic diseases. Many studies indicate that HGS might be a favourable prognostic factor. We thus considered it important to determine whether HGS are also a prognostic factor for Chinese adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and whether the HG-positive and HG-negative groups show any serologic or phenotypic differences. Methods: Chinese adult AML patients (n = 177) who were all initially HG-negative underwent standard chemotherapy and were thereafter divided into HG-positive and HG-negative groups according to HGlevels in bone marrow during their first remission. Results: The follow-up study confirmed that survival duration (both leukemia-free and overall) was significantly greater in the HG-positive group than in the HG-negative group and was accompanied by a lower relapse rate. A retrospective study of patient characteristics at the time of first diagnosis revealed some differences between the HG-positive and the HG-negative groups, including elevations in white blood cells, lactate dehydrogenase, and β2-microglobulin in the HG-negative group. Retrospective phenotypic analysis revealed a significantly lower proportion of abnormal chromosome karyotype and CD34 expression in HG-positive patients. Finally, we evaluated whether additional intensive chemotherapy after standard chemotherapy could further increase HGS. Conclusions: The present work verified the validity of HGS as a prognostic factor for Chinese adult patients with AML. Compared with HG-negative patients, HG-positive patients not only experienced longer survival and a lower relapse rate, but they also had some serologic and phenotypic characteristics that are all considered indicators of better outcome. Additional intensive chemotherapy could further increase the level of HGS, which might imply better clinical results.
Response to: Second-Line Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer with Wild-Type EGFR Status. What Is the Best Approach?
Authors: Anh Ma Kim , Kasymjanova Goulnar , Cohen Victor , Agulnik Jason
Published: April 2016

We thank Drs. Ibrahim Elghissassi, Saber Boutayeb, Hanane Inrhaoun, Hind Mrabti, and Hassan Errihani for their comments on our paper [...]
Gold-catalyzed direct alkynylation of tryptophan in peptides using TIPS-EBX
Authors: Tolnai Gergely L , Brand Jonathan P , Waser Jerome
Published: April 2016

The selective functionalization of peptides containing only natural amino acids is important for the modification of biomolecules. In particular, the installation of an alkyne as a useful handle for bioconjugation is highly attractive, but the use of a carbon linker is usually required. Herein, we report the gold-catalyzed direct alkynylation of tryptophan in peptides using the hypervalent iodine reagent TIPS-EBX (1-[(triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl]-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one). The reaction proceeded in 50–78% yield under mild conditions and could be applied to peptides containing other nucleophilic and aromatic amino acids, such as serine, phenylalanine or tyrosine.
LOW-METALLICITY YOUNG CLUSTERS IN THE OUTER GALAXY. II. SH 2-208
Authors: Yasui Chikako , Kobayashi Naoto , Saito Masao , Izumi Natsuko
Published: April 2016

We obtained deep near-infrared images of Sh 2-208, one of the lowest-metallicity H ii regions in the Galaxy, [O/H] = −0.8 dex. We detected a young cluster in the center of the H ii region with a limiting magnitude of K = 18.0 mag (10σ), which corresponds to a mass detection limit of ∼0.2 M
⊙. This enables the comparison of star-forming properties under low metallicity with those of the solar neighborhood. We identified 89 cluster members. From the fitting of the K-band luminosity function (KLF), the age and distance of the cluster are estimated to be ∼0.5 Myr and ∼4 kpc, respectively. The estimated young age is consistent with the detection of strong CO emission in the cluster region and the estimated large extinction of cluster members (A

V
 ∼ 4–25 mag). The observed KLF suggests that the underlying initial mass function (IMF) of the low-metallicity cluster is not significantly different from canonical IMFs in the solar neighborhood in terms of both high-mass slope and IMF peak (characteristic mass). Despite the very young age, the disk fraction of the cluster is estimated at only 27% ± 6%, which is significantly lower than those in the solar metallicity. Those results are similar to Sh 2-207, which is another star-forming region close to Sh 2-208 with a separation of 12 pc, suggesting that their star-forming activities in low-metallicity environments are essentially identical to those in the solar neighborhood, except for the disk dispersal timescale. From large-scale mid-infrared images, we suggest that sequential star formation is taking place in Sh 2-207, Sh 2-208, and the surrounding region, triggered by an expanding bubble with a ∼30 pc radius.
A NEW STATISTICAL PERSPECTIVE TO THE COSMIC VOID DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Pycke J-R , Russell E.
Published: April 2016

In this study, we obtain the size distribution of voids as a three-parameter redshift-independent log-normal void probability function (VPF) directly from the Cosmic Void Catalog (CVC). Although many statistical models of void distributions are based on the counts in randomly placed cells, the log-normal VPF that we obtain here is independent of the shape of the voids due to the parameter-free void finder of the CVC. We use three void populations drawn from the CVC generated by the Halo Occupation Distribution (HOD) Mocks, which are tuned to three mock SDSS samples to investigate the void distribution statistically and to investigate the effects of the environments on the size distribution. As a result, it is shown that void size distributions obtained from the HOD Mock samples are satisfied by the three-parameter log-normal distribution. In addition, we find that there may be a relation between the hierarchical formation, skewness, and kurtosis of the log-normal distribution for each catalog. We also show that the shape of the three-parameter distribution from the samples is strikingly similar to the galaxy log-normal mass distribution obtained from numerical studies. This similarity between void size and galaxy mass distributions may possibly indicate evidence of nonlinear mechanisms affecting both voids and galaxies, such as large-scale accretion and tidal effects. Considering the fact that in this study, all voids are generated by galaxy mocks and show hierarchical structures in different levels, it may be possible that the same nonlinear mechanisms of mass distribution affect the void size distribution.
La croissance : une solution de sortie de crise ?
Authors: Rousseau Sandrine
Published: April 2016

Le modèle de croissance à l’aune duquel nous décidons l’ensemble de nos politiques publiques visant à relancer la croissance est un modèle obsolète, fondé sur le mode de développement des années d’après guerre et nommées les Trente Glorieuses. Plus adapté aujourd’hui, le PIB Produit Intérieur Brut, contribue même à nous fournir un mauvais diagnostic de la situation et conduit in fine à des prises de décision qui accroissent plus quelle ne règlent les problèmes structurels auxquels nous sommes confrontés. Comment des lors mieux comprendre ce qui doit croître et ce qui ne doit plus croître, tel est l’objet de cet article.
La mort des sols agricoles
Authors: Bourguignon Lydia , Bourguignon Claude
Published: April 2016

L’agriculture est devenue une activité mortifère suite à l’introduction, après la Seconde guerre mondiale, des produits de l’industrie militaire : nitrate, pesticides, barbelés et matériel lourd. Ces produits et ces engins violent les lois du sol et entraînent sa destruction d’abord biologique puis chimique et enfin physique, c’est-à-dire son érosion. Pour sortir de cette dimension mortifère, il faut réintroduire de la science en agronomie afin de développer une agriculture respectueuse des lois de la vie du sol et capable de produire une alimentation à haute valeur nutritive.
Quelques scénarios géomonétaires
Authors: Marazzi Christian
Published: April 2016

Le déclin américain n’est pas sûr puisque les États-Unis continuent d’attirer les investissements étrangers, mais la crise dure et beaucoup d’économies se contractent. Le FMI actuel est trop limité pour l’ampleur des relations internationales. Un nouveau FMI serait en gestation qui rétablirait la souveraineté économique des nations, mais qui risque de bloquer le développement du biocapitalisme, celui qui finance l’État-providence et l’endettement privé sur le marché mondial. Jusqu’à maintenant, la Chine donnait sa préférence au biocapitalisme américain, mais elle cherche à diversifier ses partenaires. Une vraie monnaie internationale serait nécessaire.
Le Front national face aux modes de scrutin : entre victoire sous conditions et influences sur le système partisan
Authors: Ehrhard Thomas
Published: April 2016

Les résultats électoraux du Front national depuis 2012 témoignent d’une dynamique électorale positive et interrogent : le fn peut-il l’emporter ? Son ascension électorale permet d’étudier, d’une part, les déterminants de sa victoire dans le système électoral de la V e  République et de questionner, d’autre part, le devenir du système partisan face à l’essor de ce parti.
Les dimensions internationales du Front national
Authors: Lebourg Nicolas
Published: April 2016

Si le Front national de Marine Le Pen a intensifié la dimension souverainiste de son positionnement, il n’en demeure pas moins un parti disposant d’un écosystème international. Le changement de génération entre les Le Pen n’a pas révolutionné la conception géopolitique du fn , d’autant que les théoriciens de l’extrême droite radicale ont laissé un legs varié de conceptions mobilisables. Néanmoins, l’orientation frontiste est dorénavant bien plus pro-russe, aspect qui se retrouve également dans les relations transnationales du fn où Moscou a remplacé Rome comme partenaire prioritaire. Enfin, le fn tente d’organiser l’extrême droite européenne à travers sa présence au Parlement européen, ce qui recouvre en outre des intérêts pratiques et financiers dans la course électorale nationale.
Border Markets: An Introduction
Authors: Walther Olivier
Published: April 2016

The objective of this issue of Articulo – Journal of Urban Research is to examine the characteristics of border markets in a comparative perspective. In this introductory paper, I first discuss what makes African border markets different from other markets, and examine several factors that explain their unequal economic development: the presence of a trade community, the combination of trading and productive activities, and the relative porosity of borders. In a second part, I examine how border markets on the U.S.-Mexico border must simultaneously guarantee the security of the state while favoring regional trade. The last part of the paper argues that more policy attention should be paid to border markets which, despite being at the margin of states, are a vital component of their economy. Fifty years after most West African states became independent and just as NAFTA turns 20, it is high time to challenge the conventional wisdom and put border markets at the center of trade policies.
Sarcasm and Irony as a Political Weapon
Authors: Knoblock Natalia
Published: April 2016

The chapter investigates the use of sarcasm and irony at the time of on-going political and social crisis in Ukraine. It analyzes examples collected on popular Russian and Ukrainian social networks in 2014 that stood out as especially creative, original, or successful in achieving their communicative goals. Ironic statements are usually characterized by pretence and by echoing (lexical, genre, and conceptual) and display the speaker's dissociative attitude to the opinions or evaluations expressed in the utterance. Sarcasm and irony present several benefits for those who employ it, such as increased memorability and creation of the self-image as a witty person knowledgeable about the current events. Sarcasm and irony are used both to mock and offend the opponents by exposing their viewpoints unworthy of an earnest response and to strengthen in-group bonding through expressing the shared opinions. Despite the fact that sarcasm and irony are indirect modes of communication, in many cases they appear to be more effective than straightforward messages.
Smart Cities in Spain – Policy, Sustainability, and the National Plan
Authors: Vaquero Martín García , Saiz-Alvarez José Manuel
Published: April 2016

According to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012, half of humanity lives in cities. The urban population has increased from 750 million people in 1950 to 3,600 million in 2011. It is estimated that by 2030 almost 60% of the population world will reside in urban areas. In Spain already does more than 80%. This will lead to significant growth in the coming years, and cities must be prepared to serve new services on a sustainable way: from meeting the needs of potable water or clean air transport will be a challenge of extraordinary magnitude and an opportunity for the industry. The Spanish National Plan for Smart Cities is a continuation of different initiatives proposing to do a set of new political measures that involve the mobilization of resources that will put special emphasis on sustainability.
Significance of Cultural Dimensions in Urban Planning Process for Sustainability of Pilgrimage Towns in India
Authors: Varma Anurag , Singhal Shaleen
Published: April 2016

This chapter raises the significance of integration of cultural attributes in the urban planning process for sustainability of pilgrimage towns. It identifies the spatial connotations of cultural practices, processes and events to review synergies between culture and urban planning. Two Indian pilgrimage towns of Vrindavan and Haridwar with congruent cultural context but diverse urban setting have been examined. Eight significant diverse attributes of both case studies are discussed for examining linkages of cultural dimensions with urban planning, and sustainability of indigenous urbanism of Indian pilgrimage towns. Recent policy initiatives in India envision an increasing inclusion of cultural and heritage aspects in urban development, but are constrained by paucity of empirical spatial research on Indian pilgrimage towns.
Understanding Fraudulent Activities through M-Commerce Transactions
Authors: Gupta Rajan , Muttoo Sunil Kumar , Pal Saibal Kumar
Published: April 2016

Technology changes its facet quicker than anything else. Every few years there is a revolution that changes the way we perceive technology and the way it impacts our lives. Mobile commerce industry has been swiftly bringing about an alteration in how we access the wireless network and marks a shift from personal computers to mobile devices. This chapter gives an outline of mobile commerce and will discuss about the various frauds prevalent on the internet and on mobiles specifically, and ways in which it can be curbed. The purpose of this chapter will be to make readers aware of the different types of fraudulent activities that can occur due to m-commerce transactions and their possible solutions will be elaborated at the end. The work will be beneficial for the students as well as researchers to form a basic background about m-commerce, various risks associated with it and their possible solutions.
Consumer Perception to Mobile Commerce
Authors: Kapoor Neeru
Published: April 2016

Consumers' perception and opinion about mobile commerce activities play a very important role in their success. Industry people should understand consumers' worries, fears and phobias Slow connections, privacy and threat of government regulation has played an important role in limiting the growth of mobile commerce. Lack of information about mobile commerce is also one of the biggest problems being faced by the industry people. Moreover, most consumers are not totally convinced about buying something from their mobile devices as they do not consider it a satisfactory experience. Sticking to the traditional ways of shopping is another major factor in the slow growth of mobile commerce. Mobile customers have raised expectations in terms of service, convenience, speed of delivery. The difficult tasks for m-commerce is to ensure consumers' trust by making them feel comfortable with wireless transactions. It is important to find solutions to their consumer problems and serve them better than the competitors and provide them with relevant incentives to keep them coming back again.
Present and Future of Mobile Commerce
Authors: Narang Barkha , Arora Jyoti Batra
Published: April 2016

Mobile Commerce is a term to describe any commercial activity on a mobile device, such as a mobile phone (iPhone, Android, Blackberry) or a tablet (iPad, Galaxy Tab, Surface). This includes all steps of the customer journey; reach, attract, choose, convert and retain. Hence mobile commerce is probably best described as shopping that takes advantage of unique properties of mobile devices. It is also called as m-commerce. Pervasive computing aims at availability and invisibility. On the one hand, pervasive computing can be defined as availability of software applications and information anywhere and anytime. On the other hand, pervasive computing also means that computers are hidden in numerous so-called information appliances that we use in our day-to-day lives Characteristics of pervasive computing applications have been identified as interaction transparency, context awareness, and automated capture of experiences.
Conflict and Its Different Dimensions
Authors: Gomes Marco Vieira , Novais Paulo
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the nature of conflict from a computer science perspective, throwing to light an up to date review of the evolution and state-of-the-art of the intersection of conflict with technology-assisted systems and tools. The objective is to design a document to organize existing literature, provide a baseline understanding in place of an agreed definition of conflict, depict relevant conflict aspects (dimensions), and made overall evaluation of a range of methods and techniques of conflict resolution. It was also explored the challenges that individuals face in using online technology for collaboration and conflict resolution and management purposes. Finally, is presented some preliminary work regarding the most suitable technologies to implement a technological framework for handling conflict in a digital environment.
Real-Time Detection of Pedestrians
Authors: Serrano-Cuerda Juan , Castillo José Carlos , López María T. , Fernández-Caballero Antonio
Published: April 2016

Real-time pedestrian detection is a key technology for video surveillance. A widespread approach for detecting pedestrians is the use of color information. In recent times, the use of thermal infrared cameras has revealed to be an excellent alternative that offers good results in people segmentation. Nonetheless, thermal infrared cameras are very sensitive to the overall heat detected at each image. Moreover, a great amount of infrared images has low spatial resolution and lower sensitivity than visible spectrum images due to the technological limitations of infrared cameras. This chapter introduces a comparison of three different algorithms for real-time and robust pedestrian detection in the infrared spectrum. The aim of the paper is to look for the best algorithms prepared to resolve the conflicts that arise in the detection process in image sequences. We propose to use simple rules as conflict resolution mechanism when the outputs of the three algorithms do not coincide.
Conflict Resolution with Agents in Smart Cities
Authors: Chamoso Pablo , De la Prieta Fernando , Pérez Javier Bajo , Rodríguez Juan Manuel Corchado
Published: April 2016

Today, there is a common trend to use tools and methodologies that allow the development of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) with capabilities of reorganization and adaptation to determine changes in their environments. This work presents an architecture based on different levels and whose key level is the one corresponding to the semi-open type of MAS, structured in such a way that it is able to solve conflicts. In addition, a case study is introduced with the objective of showing the possibilities on conflict resolution basis, where a specifically designed architecture is utilized for that purpose. In particular, the system is applied to the resolution of the conflict raised by the decision of the technology to be used in order to obtain or to measure information in smart cities.
Bore’s Surface Condition on Single Multifunctional Insert Tools Turning
Authors: Ciocan Ion , Grigorescu Mihai , Iliescu Dragoș
Published: April 2016

Turning is a utilized machining work. It is performed with a large types of tools adapted for required geometries. If starting from a full blank, a drilling operation is called in the beginning. In that case, the number of utilized tools increased. The use of a multifunctional tool for drilling followed by bore turning is an efficient solution. In this research, the case of single insert multifunctional tool is studied. The paper describes the quality of the surfaces obtained by using of this tool. The general idea is to verify the use of only one multifunctional tool for execution of all operations, from full drilling to finished surface. This was made by measuring the roughness Ra in three experiments with different materials: titanium, stainless steel and low carbon steel. Performed experiments lead to the idea of a recommended limit for feed speed to obtain a roughness Ra value below 0.8μm. This limit depends with the material type, but for some materials, it seems impossible to achieve this value!
The Ultrasonic Testing Methods for Special Braze Cladding
Authors: Petriceanu Constantin Stefan , Rontescu Corneliu , Gârleanu Gabriel
Published: April 2016

The present paper highlights the ultrasonic methods that can be used to detect the problems that can occur in special braze cladding. For this purpose, the sample production technology is described and the nonconformities that can arise during welding have been reviewed. The main nondestructive testing techniques are briefly presented motivating the chosen method for this study. Further, in the paper, the experimental procedure, materials and equipment used for welding are detailed. In the end, a comparison has been made between various parameters resulted from the nondestructive ultrasonic investigation. A validation for the presented method has been made through destructive examination by electron microscopy.
Ultrasound Methods for Evaluation the Quality of Welded Plastics
Authors: Petriceanu Constantin Stefan , Rontescu Corneliu , Nitoi Dan , Teodorescu Octav
Published: April 2016

The article presents the way that could be evaluated feasible nondestructively with ultrasounds the plastics pipe type materials. The necessity of this study was discussed considering multiple uses of plastics’ welded joints especially in demanding fields such as natural gas transportation arteries. The main objectives were: developing a theoretical reference model of ultrasonic wave propagation through material, i.e. changing the acoustic parameters, determining reflections’ amplitudes on grid interface and bottom samples and experimentally verify the feasibility of the theoretical model developed. The methodology used consisted in studying the propagation of ultrasound waves of different frequencies and amplifications, in normal incidence, to the surface of 12 samples welded plastic pipe type, using pulse-echo technique with the functioning transducer in mode transceiver. With the obtained results we aimed to identify the sample with the highest quality of the welded joint (complete fusion) by drawing the amplitudes variation in the weld area and its bottom. For the best quality sample it was studied the amplitudes variation reflected on the same areas, on the entire circumference of the pipe (from 10 to 10 degrees) in order to establish the limits where the acoustic response in amplitude can evolve in reality for the piece without defect.
Contribution of Wall Thickness and Corner Design for a Robust Design of Thermoplastic Products
Authors: Cotescu Ștefan
Published: April 2016

This paper presents relevant data for a robust design of thermoplastic products, as a support for optimization of product design. The study emphasis rules and recommendations related to wall thickness and corner design through which the developer could anticipate quality problems that might appear in the product’s lifetime, avoiding design features that might be difficult to be produced or produced with a cost that may not be feasible.
Study on Data Communication Management Methods for Distributed Intelligent Equipments in Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Savu Tom , Abaza Bogdan
Published: April 2016

For a comparative study of some data management methods when independent equipments have to communicate with a central server and discontinuities appear in the communication process, a simulation method was designed, software was developed and tests were run for different data recovery methods. Data recovery procedures were placed in different points of the equipment's activities sequence and the complexity of the simulation software was gradually increased till the stage in which multiple equipments were simulated and failures were taken into account for all system components (equipments, server and communication channel). Results were compared both for testing the simulator correctness and for appreciating the methods' effectiveness and future developments are mentioned.
Lean Solutions in Batch Manufacturing Process with Applicability in Bumpers Production
Authors: Terzea Elena Loredana , Barascu Antonia Cristina , Soare Iulian Razvan
Published: April 2016

Batch processes includes paint manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceutical industry, etc. The paper focuses on the process of paint manufacturing. The main contribution is the design of the current value stream mapping, very useful to understand the causes of waste and lead-time. This paper points out the necessity of applying lean methods within automotive industry, sector of bumpers painting and assembly, based on a real case-study.
Case Study Regarding Functional Design Based on Knowledge Databases Achievements
Authors: Dijmărescu Manuela Roxana
Published: April 2016

When dealing with a specific development issue, designers have at their disposal a wide range of skills and their implicit knowledge, enabling them to conceptualize the appropriate solution pertaining to the problem. In developing and applying these solutions, the efficiency of the designers is often dependent on their appropriate use of analysis and creativity skills, their experience, as well as the existing knowledge stored in the company or other accessible databases. This paper presents a case study on a containers transport mechanism in order to highlight the activities, used tools and the advantages considered for the functional design based on functional-constructive knowledge stored in databases as a main phase of a new advanced product design process.