bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative Permeability Characterization for Water-Alternating-Gas Injection in Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Shahverdi H.. , Sohrabi M..
Published: November 2015

Large quantities of oil usually remain in oil reservoirs after conventional waterfloods. A significant part of this remaining oil can still be economically recovered by water-alternating-gas (WAG) injection. WAG injection involves drainage and imbibition processes taking place sequentially; therefore, the numerical simulation of the WAG process requires reliable knowledge of three-phase relative permeability (kr) accounting for cyclic-hysteresis effects.

In this study, the results of a series of unsteady-state two-phase displacements and WAG coreflood experiments were used to investigate the behavior of three-phase kr and hysteresis effects in the WAG process. The experiments were performed on two different cores with different characteristics and wettability conditions.

An in-house coreflood simulator was developed to obtain three-phase relative permeability values directly from unsteady-state WAG experiments by history matching the measured recovery and differential-pressure profiles. The results show that three-phase gas relative permeability is reduced in consecutive gas-injection cycles and consequently the gas mobility and injectivity drop significantly with successive gas injections during the WAG process, under different rock conditions. The trend of hysteresis in the relative permeabilty of gas (krg) partly contradicts the existing hysteresis models available in the literature. The three-phase water relative permeability (krw) of the water-wet (WW) core does not exhibit considerable hysteresis effect during different water injections, whereas the mixed-wet (MW) core shows slight cyclic hysteresis. This may indicate a slight increase of the water injectivity in the subsequent water injections in the WAG process under MW conditions. Insignificant hysteresis is observed in the oil relative permeability (kro) during different gas-injection cycles for both WW and MW rocks. However, a considerable cyclic-hysteresis effect in kro is observed during water-injection cycles of WAG, which is attributed to the reduction of the residual oil saturation (ROS) during successive water injections. The kro of the WW core exhibits much-more cyclic-hysteresis effect than that of the MW core. No models currently exist in reservoir simulators that can capture the observed cyclic-hysteresis effect in oil relative permeability for the WAG process.

Investigation of relative permeability data obtained from these displacement tests at different rock conditions revealed that there is a significant discrepancy between two-phase and three-phase relative permeability of all fluids. This highlights that not only the three-phase relative permeability of the intermediate phase (oil), but also the three-phase kr of the wetting phase (water) and nonwetting phase (gas) are functions of two independent saturations.
Case Study: Completion-Design Optimization for Barnett Oil-Producing Area
Authors: Holderby Eric , Dahl Jeff , Spaid John , Dusterhoft Ron , Adams Ian
Published: November 2015

Throughout the past several years, economic and technological advancements in the North American shale market with respect to drilling and hydraulic-fracturing operations have helped create a “typical” operating scheme for producing from the multiple shale-formation reservoirs currently being exploited. This typical scheme focuses on operational efficiency and cost reduction to drive profitability in these markets. Although operational efficiency and effective cost control have led to more-profitable operations in these shale reservoirs, the unknowns regarding the subsurface of these highly complex formations can often create situations of operating without sufficient information to optimally design drilling-and-completions strategies to produce larger volumes of hydrocarbon from the reservoir.

Opposed to conventional operations, the amount of basin and asset knowledge being collected and developed in most of these shale plays is much lower, and thus can result in poor development decisions, leading to less than optimum economic performance. Focus on subsurface knowledge as well as collaboration between the various aspects of developing an asset is essential to helping discover and produce more oil and gas from these complex reservoir systems.

This paper examines a case study of three wells in Wise County, Texas, in the Barnett shale, where a collaborative subsurface insight investigation and a drilling-and-completions optimization process were used to illustrate the production benefit achieved through improved reservoir understanding. Within this process, an asset Earth model was created with the collected information from wireline logging, logging while drilling, core testing, mechanical rock and fluid properties, formation mineralogy, and wellbore-image logging. In addition, for the completions-design strategy, microseismic measurement and image-log fracture matching and complex-fracture modeling software tools were used to define and model the growth of the stimulated fracture network during hydraulic-fracturing completions.

This paper presents an overview of “typical” previous completions and subsurface information collected before implementation of the new process in comparison to changes made to the drilling-and-completions designs used on three wells, as well as an overview of the types of information collected to supply the Earth model. Examples of the fracture matching and complex-fracture modeling for the wells help illustrate the design and optimization of hydraulic-fracturing treatments in a complex shale reservoir. Finally, a production-results comparison is presented to illustrate a significant increase to production of hydrocarbon through better reservoir understanding and drilling-and-completion designs.
Identification and Fine Mapping of a Soybean Seed Protein QTL from PI 407788A on Chromosome 15
Authors: Kim Myungsik , Schultz Sarah , Nelson Randall L. , Diers Brian W.
Published: November 2015

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is grown primarily as a source of protein and oil. The objectives of this study were to identify soybean seed protein quantitative trait loci (QTL) from the high protein line PI 407788A and to fine map an important QTL for protein on chromosome (chr) 15. The mapping was done in a population of inbred lines developed with one backcross (BC1) using Williams 82 as a recurrent parent and the high protein source PI 407788A as a donor parent. The population was evaluated with genetic markers and for seed protein and oil concentrations in three Illinois locations in 2005 and 2006. The location of the major protein QTL on chr 15 was fine mapped by evaluating six families of lines segregating for sections of the QTL interval in Illinois during 2008. Genetic marker analysis of the BC1 population revealed the locations of significant protein and oil QTL on chr 20 and 15 within regions where QTL for these traits were previously mapped. Fine mapping of the chr 15 QTL placed it in a 535 kb interval between BARCSOYSSR_15_0161 and BARCSOYSSR_15_0194 based on the Glyma.Wm82.a2 assembly. This fine mapping information will be useful in marker‐assisted selection and efforts to clone the QTL.
Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter Inhibitors: Effects on Renal and Intestinal Glucose Transport
Authors: Mudaliar Sunder , Polidori David , Zambrowicz Brian , Henry Robert R.
Published: November 2015

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease with disabling micro- and macrovascular complications that lead to excessive morbidity and premature mortality. It affects hundreds of millions of people and imposes an undue economic burden on populations across the world. Although insulin resistance and insulin secretory defects play a major role in the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia, several other metabolic defects contribute to the initiation/worsening of the diabetic state. Prominent among these is increased renal glucose reabsorption, which is maladaptive in patients with diabetes. Instead of an increase in renal glucose excretion, which could ameliorate hyperglycemia, there is an increase in renal glucose reabsorption, which helps sustain hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. The sodium–glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 2 inhibitors are novel antidiabetes agents that inhibit renal glucose reabsorption and promote glucosuria, thereby leading to reductions in plasma glucose concentrations. In this article, we review the long journey from the discovery of the glucosuric agent phlorizin in the bark of the apple tree through the animal and human studies that led to the development of the current generation of SGLT2 inhibitors.
“Delayed Villous Maturation” in Placental Reporting: Concordance among Consultant Pediatric Pathologists at a Single Specialist Center
Authors: Al-Adnani Mudher , Marnerides Andreas , George Simi , Nasir Alia , Weber Martin A.
Published: November 2015

Delayed villous maturation (DVM) has been associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome, including stillbirth, in the late third trimester, but there are limited published data. Moreover, it is recognized that the assessment of villous maturation is subjective and hampered by both intraobserver and interobserver variability. This audit aims to assess concordance in the reporting of DVM among pediatric pathologists at a single specialist center to improve reproducibility of this potentially important diagnosis. This is a retrospective review of singleton placentas from pregnancies at 35 weeks gestation or greater submitted for histopathologic examination between June 2013 and December 2013. Placental slides were reviewed independently by 4 pediatric pathologists, blinded to the original report, apart from gestational age; villous maturation was assessed as appropriate, accelerated, or delayed for the stated gestational age. A total of 464 placental histopathology reports were reviewed, of which 164 were greater than 35 weeks gestation; of those, 42 (26%) were originally reported as DVM. Following the audit slide review, 38 cases (23%) were assessed to show DVM by at least 1 pathologist. Consensus, with at least 3 pathologists agreeing to a diagnosis of DVM, was achieved in only 14 cases (9% of all cases reviewed; 37% of all cases called DVM). However, the proportion of overall agreement between 2 of the pathologists was 0.92. Concordance for DVM is poor among pathologists and subject to much interobserver variability. Consistency may be improved by consensus histologic review of all the placentas in which the diagnosis of DVM is being considered and stringent application of the published diagnostic criteria.
Hell and the Problem of Eternal Evil
Authors: Spiegel James S.
Published: November 2015

Among the three major views of hell, the traditional view stands alone in affirming eternal conscious torment of the damned. This outcome may or may not be proportionate to the moral crimes human beings commit during their earthly sojourns. But even if there is no justice problem with the view, there remains a serious problem of another sort, for the view implies that evil exists eternally, in the form of unending suffering and moral evil. Just how this moral evil is to be construed depends on the particular form of traditionalism considered. I discuss the two approaches available to the traditionalist—the models of infinite earthly sin and of continuing sin—and show how each account implies the existence of eternal moral evil. The traditionalist, therefore, faces the problem of reconciling belief in God with the fact that a major aspect of reality remains forever unredeemed and in rebellion against God. Failing this, the traditionalist should abandon her view in favour of an alternative perspective to provide a coherent fit with belief in a perfectly good God.
Laboratory-Measured Dynamic Modulus and Predicted Performance of Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Cooper Samuel B. , Mohammad Louay N. , Elseifi Mostafa A. , Raghavendra Amar
Published: November 2015

The dynamic modulus testing of asphalt mixtures is typically conducted by using a specimen 100 mm in diameter and 150 mm tall loaded along its primary axis (axial mode). This specimen orientation can present problems when as-built pavement layers, which are seldom constructed in 150-mm lifts, are evaluated. For this issue to be addressed, dynamic modulus testing in the indirect tension (IDT) loading mode was proposed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of loading mode (axial versus IDT) on the measured dynamic modulus and the effects of the measured difference on pavement performance prediction. For the achievement of these objectives, Superpave® mixtures were collected from Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin and were evaluated for the effects of loading mode. Results of the experimental program showed that statistical differences exist between IDT and uniaxial dynamic modulus values measured at different temperatures and frequencies. When the precision of the dynamic modulus test was considered, differences attributable to the loading mode (IDT versus axial) were observed for measurements conducted at all temperatures, with the dynamic moduli measured in the axial loading mode being stiffer than the dynamic moduli measured in the IDT loading mode. Results also showed that performance prediction was significantly affected by the loading mode. Predicted rutting and fatigue cracking in the asphalt layer were the most influenced distresses. Correlation factors were developed to correlate one set of dynamic moduli to the moduli measured in a different loading mode.
Flow Number Test and Assessment of AASHTO TP 79-13 Rutting Criteria
Authors: Rodezno Maria Carolina , West Randy , Taylor Adam
Published: November 2015

The flow number (FN) test was recommended in NCHRP Project 9-19 as a simple performance test for rutting evaluation of asphalt mixtures. The test showed good correlation with rutting performance of mixtures from WesTrack, MnROAD, and FHWA's accelerated loading facility. Despite this fact, no standard protocol was recommended for temperature and required stress level. Subsequent NCHRP studies allowed the development of a provisional standard. AASHTO TP 79-13 includes test parameters for stress and temperature, specimen conditioning, and minimum FN criteria that were established for hot-mix asphalt (HMA) and for warm-mix asphalt (WMA) on the basis of traffic level. In NCHRP Project 9-47A, the rutting potential of WMA mixtures was compared with that of HMA mixtures by using the FN test and the rutting criteria included in the AASHTO TP 79-13 were also evaluated. The analysis included results of samples produced by using field and lab mixtures. Thirteen mixes using 10 WMA technologies and eight corresponding HMA mixes were included. The FN test results for plant-produced WMA mixes were found to be statistically lower than those for corresponding HMA mixes in more than two-thirds of the comparisons. The study also found that the FN criteria recommended for both HMA and WMA seemed appropriate for evaluating plant-produced mixes. Another finding from the study was that FN results from lab-produced WMA mixtures were consistently lower than FN values from field mixtures; this result suggests that adjustments to the specimen conditioning requirements should be considered.
Testing and Modeling of Fine Aggregate Matrix and Its Relationship to Asphalt Concrete Mix
Authors: Gudipudi Padmini , Underwood B. Shane
Published: November 2015

The study of the fundamental properties of asphalt concrete (AC) can be used to improve and maximize the performance potential of these materials. In this paper, the fundamental approach is examined by coupling its essential hypothesis to an investigation of AC across multiple length scales. Asphalt and aggregate materials from the state of Arizona were used to prepare fine aggregate matrix (FAM) and AC samples. Laboratory tests on these materials were conducted to investigate the modulus and damage characteristics for two binder types. A comparison of mechanical response across length scales is not new, and the unique element of this study is testing both materials in the axial direction (tension–compression) for both modulus and fatigue. A strong relationship between these two materials was observed; this relationship suggests that tests on FAM samples can provide much needed insight in understanding the behavior of AC for various conditions. The study also investigated upscaling of the FAM properties to those of the AC mixture through a homogenized continua approach. Multiple upscale models were evaluated in this upscaling process, but the chosen method produced the best overall match to experimental data. The findings from this modeling effort were also used to upscale the behaviors of FAM to identify the fatigue characteristics of AC mixtures and evaluate the long-term performance of the material.
Top-Down Fatigue Cracking in High-Temperature Environments
Authors: Archilla Adrián Ricardo
Published: November 2015

Top-down fatigue cracking (TDFC) is now recognized as a common type of distress occurring in all types of environments on heavy-duty hotmix asphalt (HMA) pavements, but TDFC modeling is still limited in current state-of-the-practice tools. Despite significant recent advances in TDFC modeling, for regions with high-temperature seasons an extreme high-temperature profile with depth is a potentially important factor that deserves further consideration. This paper explores the potential of temperature gradients caused by high pavement surface temperatures to induce TDFC. Although, for the Hawaii environment, the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) always predicts that the HMA modulus decreases with depth after some aging of the pavement, the study results indicate that for some plausible high-temperature profiles the HMA modulus increases with depth even when frequencies are computed with the MEPDG procedure. This increase results in the greatest tensile strains, maximum shear strains, and estimated damage occurring near the top of the HMA layer at the edge of the load. The apparent inconsistency is attributed to the coarse modeling of temperatures within a season in the MEPDG; this coarse modeling may result in such high-temperature profiles not being modeled. A modification of the MEPDG procedure to refine the modeling of environmental effects at high temperatures (e.g., including the 95th and 98th pavement temperature percentiles) is recommended. This modification would allow better modeling of TDFC with the traditional approach.
Children’s Perspectives of Play and Learning for Educational Practice
Authors: Theobald Maryanne , Danby Susan , Einarsdóttir Jóhanna , Bourne Jane , Jones Desley , Ross Sharon , Knaggs Helen , Carter-Jones Claire
Published: November 2015

Play as a learning practice increasingly is under challenge as a valued component of early childhood education. Views held in parallel include confirmation of the place of play in early childhood education and, at the same time, a denigration of the role of play in favor for more teacher-structured and formal activities. As a consequence, pedagogical approaches towards play, the curriculum activities that constitute play, and the appropriateness of play in educational settings, have come under scrutiny in recent years. In this context, this study investigates children’s perspectives of play and how they understand the role of play and learning in their everyday activities. This article reports on an Australian study where teacher-researchers investigated child-led insights into what counts as play in their everyday classroom activities. Children (aged 3–4 years) described play as an activity that involved their active participation in “doing” something, being with peers, and having agency and ownership of ideas. Children did not always characterize their activities as “play”, and not all activities in the preschool program were described as play. The article highlights that play and learning are complex concepts that may be easily dismissed as separate, when rather they are deeply intertwined. The findings of this study generate opportunities for educators and academics to consider what counts as “play” for children, and to prompt further consideration of the role of play as an antidote to adult centric views of play.
Narrow Bandwidth Top-Emitting OLEDs Designed for Rhodamine 6G Excitation in Biological Sensing Applications
Authors: Jahnel Matthias , Beyer Beatrice , Thomschke Michael , Fehse Karsten , Krujatz Felix , Leo Karl
Published: November 2015

Organic light emitting diodes (OLED) are promising candidates offering in optical sensor applications to detect different gas compositions and excitable optical marker groups in chemical and biological processes. They enable attractive solutions for monitoring the gas phase composition of e.g., dissolved molecular oxygen (O2) species in bio reactors or excitation of fluorescent markers. In this work, we investigate different OLED devices for biomedical applications to excite the fluorescent dye rhodamine 6G (R6G). The OLED devices are built in top emission geometry comprising a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) acting as optical mirror. The OLED is optimized to provide a very narrow emission characteristic to excite the R6G at 530 nm wavelength and enabling the possibility to minimize the optical crosstalk between the OLED electroluminescence and the fluorescence of R6G. The DBR includes a thin film encapsulation and enables the narrowing of the spectral emission band depending on the number of DBR pairs. The comparison between optical simulation data and experimental results exhibits good agreement and proves process stability.
Dynamic Modeling of the Solar Field in Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants
Authors: Barcia Lourdes , Peón Menéndez Rogelio , Martínez Esteban Juan , José Prieto Miguel , Martín Ramos Juan , De Cos Juez F. , Nevado Reviriego Antonio
Published: November 2015

Parabolic trough solar power plants use a thermal fluid to transfer thermal energy from solar radiation to a water-steam Rankine cycle in order to drive a turbine that, coupled to an electrical generator, produces electricity. These plants have a heat transfer fluid (HTF) system with the necessary elements to transform solar radiation into heat and to transfer that thermal energy to the water-steam exchangers. In order to get the best possible performance in the Rankine cycle and, hence, in the thermal plant, it is necessary that the thermal fluid reach its maximum temperature when leaving the solar field (SF). Also, it is mandatory that the thermal fluid does not exceed the maximum operating temperature of the HTF, above which it degrades. It must be noted that the optimal temperature of the thermal fluid is difficult to obtain, since solar radiation can change abruptly from one moment to another. The aim of this document is to provide a model of an HTF system that can be used to optimize the control of the temperature of the fluid without interfering with the normal operation of the plant. The results obtained with this model will be contrasted with those obtained in a real plant.
Overview of Modelling and Advanced Control Strategies for Wind Turbine Systems
Authors: Simani Silvio
Published: November 2015

The motivation for this paper comes from a real need to have an overview of the challenges of modelling and control for very demanding systems, such as wind turbine systems, which require reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety over power conversion efficiency. These issues have begun to stimulate research and development in the wide control community particularly for these installations that need a high degree of “sustainability”. Note that this represents a key point for offshore wind turbines, since they are characterised by expensive and/or safety critical maintenance work. In this case, a clear conflict exists between ensuring a high degree of availability and reducing maintenance times, which affect the final energy cost. On the other hand, wind turbines have highly nonlinear dynamics, with a stochastic and uncontrollable driving force as input in the form of wind speed, thus representing an interesting challenge also from the modelling point of view. Suitable control methods can provide a sustainable optimisation of the energy conversion efficiency over wider than normally expected working conditions. Moreover, a proper mathematical description of the wind turbine system should be able to capture the complete behaviour of the process under monitoring, thus providing an important impact on the control design itself. In this way, the control scheme could guarantee prescribed performance, whilst also giving a degree of “tolerance” to possible deviation of characteristic properties or system parameters from standard conditions, if properly included in the wind turbine model itself. The most important developments in advanced controllers for wind turbines are also briefly referenced, and open problems in the areas of modelling of wind turbines are finally outlined.
Investigation of Supported Pd-Based Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Performance, Durability and Methanol Tolerance
Authors: Lo Vecchio Carmelo , Alegre Cinthia , Sebastián David , Stassi Alessandro , Aricò Antonino , Baglio Vincenzo
Published: November 2015

Next generation cathode catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) must have high catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a lower cost than benchmark Pt catalysts, and high stability and high tolerance to permeated methanol. In this study, palladium catalysts supported on titanium suboxides (Pd/TinO2n–1) were prepared by the sulphite complex route. The aim was to improve methanol tolerance and lower the cost associated with the noble metal while enhancing the stability through the use of titanium-based support; 30% Pd/Ketjenblack (Pd/KB) and 30% Pd/Vulcan (Pd/Vul) were also synthesized for comparison, using the same methodology. The catalysts were ex-situ characterized by physico-chemical analysis and investigated for the ORR to evaluate their activity, stability, and methanol tolerance properties. The Pd/KB catalyst showed the highest activity towards the ORR in perchloric acid solution. All Pd-based catalysts showed suitable tolerance to methanol poisoning, leading to higher ORR activity than a benchmark Pt/C catalyst in the presence of low methanol concentration. Among them, the Pd/TinO2n–1 catalyst showed a very promising stability compared to carbon-supported Pd samples in an accelerated degradation test of 1000 potential cycles. These results indicate good perspectives for the application of Pd/TinO2n–1 catalysts in DMFC cathodes.
Synthesis and Fungicidal Activities of (Z/E)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienamide and Its 6,7-Epoxy Analogues
Authors: Yang Mingyan , Dong Hongbo , Jiang Jiazhen , Wang Mingan
Published: November 2015

In order to find new lead compounds with high fungicidal activity, (Z/E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienoic acids were synthesized via selective two-step oxidation using the commercially available geraniol/nerol as raw materials. Twenty-eight different (Z/E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienamide derivatives were prepared by reactions of (Z/E)-carboxylic acid with various aromatic and aliphatic amines, followed by oxidation of peroxyacetic acid to afford their 6,7-epoxy analogues. All of the compounds were characterized by HR-ESI-MS and 1H-NMR spectral data. The preliminary bioassays showed that some of these compounds exhibited good fungicidal activities against Rhizoctonia solani (R. solani) at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. For example, 5C, 5I and 6b had 94.0%, 93.4% and 91.5% inhibition rates against R. solani, respectively. Compound 5f displayed EC50 values of 4.3 and 9.7 µM against Fusahum graminearum and R. Solani, respectively.
Recent Advance on Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles-Based Controlled Release System: Intelligent Switches Open up New Horizon
Authors: Sun Ruijuan , Wang Wenqian , Wen Yongqiang , Zhang Xueji
Published: November 2015

Mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based intelligent transport systems have attracted many researchers’ attention due to the characteristics of uniform pore and particle size distribution, good biocompatibility, high surface area, and versatile functionalization, which have led to their widespread application in diverse areas. In the past two decades, many kinds of smart controlled release systems were prepared with the development of brilliant nano-switches. This article reviews and discusses the advantages of MSN-based controlled release systems. Meanwhile, the switching mechanisms based on different types of stimulus response are systematically analyzed and summarized. Additionally, the application fields of these devices are further discussed. Obviously, the recent evolution of smart nano-switches promoted the upgrading of the controlled release system from the simple “separated” switch to the reversible, multifunctional, complicated logical switches and selective switches. Especially the free-blockage switches, which are based on hydrophobic/hydrophilic conversion, have been proposed and designed in the last two years. The prospects and directions of this research field are also briefly addressed, which could be better used to promote the further development of this field to meet the needs of mankind.
The Family-Home Nutrition Environment and Dietary Intake in Rural Children
Authors: Jackson Jennifer , Smit Ellen , Manore Melinda , John Deborah , Gunter Katherine
Published: November 2015

Obesity and food insecurity rates are higher among rural compared to non-rural populations. Little is known, however, about how family-home environments influence childhood obesity-related behaviors, particularly in rural settings. This study examined associations between the family-home nutrition (FN) environment, food insecurity, and dietary intake (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, protein foods, and added sugars) in rural elementary school-age children (grades K-5/6; n = 102). Parents/caregivers completed surveys on FN, food insecurity, and the Block Kids Food Screener (BKFS). Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was calculated from measured height and weight. Approximately 33% of children were classified as overweight/obese and 28% of families were at-risk for food insecurity. Multivariable linear regression analyses examined associations between dietary intakes with FN and food insecurity. More favorable FN scores were associated with lower added sugar intake (B = −1.38, p = 0.04) and higher vegetable (B = 0.15, p < 0.001), fruit (B = 0.71, p = 0.01), and dairy (B = 0.31, p < 0.001) intakes. No significant associations were found between food insecurity and dietary intake. Given the association between higher FN scores and more favorable dietary intake, promoting healthy FN environments among rural children is warranted.
Finnish Mothers’ Assessments of the Harmfulness of Childcare at Home on Occupational Careers: A Comparison of Twelve European Countries
Authors: Weckström Sirpa
Published: November 2015

It is generally believed that long periods of childcare at home deteriorate mothers’ occupational careers. This study examined mothers’ experiences regarding negative career consequences of full-time care of children at home, and of part-time work due to childcare. The focus was on Finland, a country that provides all mothers a financially compensated, longer-term childcare leave linked with unrestricted access to day care services. Experiences of Finnish mothers were compared with experiences of mothers in 11 other European countries. The data were based on European Social Survey (ESS) round 2, conducted in 2004 and 2005. In all of the studied countries, the majority of mothers assessed that taking care of children at home had not harmed their occupational careers. There was, however, a clear cross-country variation. Perceived career consequences for both types of care at home were least common in Finland. In most of the investigated countries, longer times spent with children at home increased the probability to perceive negative career consequences. In Finland, the difference was relatively small. Thus, as long as the focus is on mothers’ perceptions, the longer-term childcare leave does not seem to markedly deteriorate Finnish mothers’ careers.
Results of a Saxitoxin Proficiency Test Including Characterization of Reference Material and Stability Studies
Authors: Harju Kirsi , Rapinoja Marja-Leena , Avondet Marc-André , Arnold Werner , Schär Martin , Luginbühl Werner , Kremp Anke , Suikkanen Sanna , Kankaanpää Harri , Burrell Stephen , Söderström Martin , Vanninen Paula
Published: November 2015

A saxitoxin (STX) proficiency test (PT) was organized as part of the Establishment of Quality Assurance for the Detection of Biological Toxins of Potential Bioterrorism Risk (EQuATox) project. The aim of this PT was to provide an evaluation of existing methods and the European laboratories’ capabilities for the analysis of STX and some of its analogues in real samples. Homogenized mussel material and algal cell materials containing paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins were produced as reference sample matrices. The reference material was characterized using various analytical methods. Acidified algal extract samples at two concentration levels were prepared from a bulk culture of PSP toxins producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii. The homogeneity and stability of the prepared PT samples were studied and found to be fit-for-purpose. Thereafter, eight STX PT samples were sent to ten participating laboratories from eight countries. The PT offered the participating laboratories the possibility to assess their performance regarding the qualitative and quantitative detection of PSP toxins. Various techniques such as official Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods, immunoassays, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were used for sample analyses.
Recommended Mass Spectrometry-Based Strategies to Identify Ricin-Containing Samples
Authors: Kalb Suzanne , Schieltz David , Becher François , Astot Crister , Fredriksson Sten-Åke , Barr John
Published: November 2015

Ricin is a protein toxin produced by the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) together with a related protein known as R. communis agglutinin (RCA120). Mass spectrometric (MS) assays have the capacity to unambiguously identify ricin and to detect ricin’s activity in samples with complex matrices. These qualitative and quantitative assays enable detection and differentiation of ricin from the less toxic RCA120 through determination of the amino acid sequence of the protein in question, and active ricin can be monitored by MS as the release of adenine from the depurination of a nucleic acid substrate. In this work, we describe the application of MS-based methods to detect, differentiate and quantify ricin and RCA120 in nine blinded samples supplied as part of the EQuATox proficiency test. Overall, MS-based assays successfully identified all samples containing ricin or RCA120 with the exception of the sample spiked with the lowest concentration (0.414 ng/mL). In fact, mass spectrometry was the most successful method for differentiation of ricin and RCA120 based on amino acid determination. Mass spectrometric methods were also successful at ranking the functional activities of the samples, successfully yielding semi-quantitative results. These results indicate that MS-based assays are excellent techniques to detect, differentiate, and quantify ricin and RCA120 in complex matrices.
Multiple Poliovirus Proteins Repress Cytoplasmic RNA Granules
Authors: Dougherty Jonathan , Tsai Wei-Chih , Lloyd Richard
Published: November 2015

We have previously shown that poliovirus (PV) infection induces stress granule (SG) formation early in infection and then inhibits the formation of SG and disperses processing bodies (PBs) by the mid-phase of infection. Loss of SG was linked to cleavage of G3BP1 by viral 3C proteinase (3Cpro), however dispersal of PBs was not strongly linked to cleavage of specific factors by viral proteinases, suggesting other viral proteins may play roles in inhibition of SG or PB formation. Here we have screened all viral proteins for roles in inducing or inhibiting the formation of RNA granules by creating fusions with mCherry and expressing them individually in cells. Expression of viral proteins separately revealed that the capsid region P1, 2Apro, 3A, 3Cpro, the protease precursor 3CD and 3D polymerase all affect RNA granules to varying extents, whereas 2BC does not. 2Apro, which cleaves eIF4GI, induced SGs as expected, and entered novel foci containing the SG nucleating protein G3BP1. Of the two forms of G3BP, only G3BP1 is cleaved by a virus proteinase, 3Cpro, whereas G3BP2 is not cleaved by 3Cpro or 2Apro. Surprisingly, 3CD, which contains proteinase activity, differentially repressed PBs but not SGs. Further, both 2Apro and 3Cpro expression dispersed PBs, however molecular targets were different since PB dispersal due to 2Apro and heat shock protein (Hsp)90 inhibition but not 3Cpro, could be rescued by application of oxidative stress to cells. The data indicate that PV repression of SGs and PBs is multifactorial, though protease function is dominant.
Co-solvation effect on the binding mode of the α-mangostin/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex
Authors: Rungnim Chompoonut , Phunpee Sarunya , Kunaseth Manaschai , Namuangruk Supawadee , Rungsardthong Kanin , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada , Ruktanonchai Uracha
Published: November 2015

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been extensively utilized as host molecules to enhance the solubility, stability and bioavailability of hydrophobic drug molecules through the formation of inclusion complexes. It was previously reported that the use of co-solvents in such studies may result in ternary (host:guest:co-solvent) complex formation. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of ethanol as a co-solvent on the inclusion complex formation between α-mangostin (α-MGS) and β-CD, using both experimental and theoretical studies. Experimental phase-solubility studies were carried out in order to assess complex formation, with the mechanism of association being probed using a mathematical model. It was found that α-MGS was poorly soluble at low ethanol concentrations (0–10% v/v), but higher concentrations (10–40% v/v) resulted in better α-MGS solubility at all β-CD concentrations studied (0–10 mM). From the equilibrium constant calculation, the inclusion complex is still a binary complex (1:1), even in the presence of ethanol. The results from our theoretical study confirm that the binding mode is binary complex and the presence of ethanol as co-solvent enhances the solubility of α-MGS with some effects on the binding affinity with β-CD, depending on the concentration employed.
Créer une frontière dans le postconflit : le cas du Nord-Kosovo et de Mitrovica
Authors: Cattaruzza Amaël , Dérens Jean-Arnault
Published: November 2015

Seize ans après le conflit, Mitrovica et le Kosovo se trouvent plongés dans une logique de partition durable, à l’instar de Nicosie et de Chypre. Dans la ville de Mitrovica/ Mitrovicë, la rivière Ibar sépare deux espaces que tout divise. Au Kosovo, une partition de facto est apparue dans l’immédiat postconflit entre le Nord, quasi intégralement peuplé de Serbes et tourné vers la Serbie, et le reste du pays majoritairement albanais, centré sur Pristina. Nous étudions ici le processus qui a amené à la création de cette frontière officieuse et inédite du territoire du Kosovo, en montrant le rôle joué par l’ensemble des acteurs du postconflit, Serbes, Albanais et internationaux.
Projets, arrangements et controverses sur la ligne de démarcation à Beyrouth
Authors: Farah Jihad
Published: November 2015

Les lignes de démarcation maintiennent une place structurante dans les représentations et donc la pratique et les stratégies des acteurs de villes postconflit. Dans cet article, à la lumière de plusieurs années d’observations in situ , nous proposons une analyse de projets urbains envisagés ou implantés depuis la guerre sur cette ligne. Nous y prêtons attention aux arrangements et controverses entre acteurs des différents projets. Cette lecture à partir de l’action nous a permis de remettre en question la conception monolithique de la ligne de démarcation comme espace « miroitant » la polarisation communautaire. Le panorama des projets, arrangements et controverses invite à être sensible aux temporalités et aux cadres de gouvernance existants pour saisir des dynamiques de territorialisation en construction à l’échelle métropolitaine. Les arrangements localisés autour d’éléments physiques et cognitifs semblent porter souvent leurs fruits. Reste qu’ils peuvent être assez fragiles et instables dans un contexte connaissant d’importants changements dynamiques comme celui de la reconstruction. Le communautarisme n’est qu’un levier parmi d’autres, mobilisé parfois par certains acteurs pour assurer des arrangements ou les briser. La ligne de démarcation n’est pas un espace qu’on peut transcender en l’oubliant ou le déniant. Elle est peut-être, comme le suggèrent certains, l’espace de la « guerre à venir », mais elle est certainement un espace laboratoire où on peut observer les dynamiques de la « ville à venir ».
Déplacés de guerre et dynamiques territoriales postconflit au Mozambique
Authors: Vivet Jeanne
Published: November 2015

Cet article analyse à plusieurs échelles des dynamiques territoriales postconflit liées à l’urbanisation accélérée du Mozambique et de sa capitale, Maputo, pendant la guerre civile (1976-1992) qui opposait la Renamo (Résistance nationale du Mozambique) au Frelimo (Front de libération du Mozambique). Les mobilités forcées transforment et recomposent les liens des hommes à leur territoire d’origine et à leur territoire de refuge et génèrent des dynamiques territoriales spécifiques. Des centaines de milliers de déplacés se sont installés dans ces villes « refuges », y construisant des maisons en matériaux précaires. Leur présence en ville a alors été tolérée, mais considérée comme temporaire. Malgré le souhait des autorités et de la communauté internationale que ces déplacés reviennent dans leurs zones d’origine, la majorité de ceux qui avaient trouvé refuge à Maputo s’y est installée durablement, produisant de nouveaux territoires dans des espaces délaissés de Maputo (zones inconstructibles ou inondables, décharges, etc.). Depuis la fin de la guerre, la libéralisation économique et l’ouverture aux capitaux étrangers, Maputo concentre les investissements étrangers dans un contexte de forte croissance économique. Les terrains urbanisés pendant la guerre, situés à proximité du bord de mer, sont devenus très attractifs pour les promoteurs immobiliers qui souhaitent développer de nouveaux quartiers à destination des élites. Les anciens déplacés redeviennent alors, dans ce nouveau contexte, des populations indésirables et se retrouvent relégués en périphérie.
Les tribulations du dispositif Désarmement, démobilisation et réinsertion des miliciens en Côte d’Ivoire (2003-2015)
Authors: Chelpi-den Hamer Magali
Published: November 2015

Cette contribution propose une réflexion sur le dispositif postconflit en appui à la démilitarisation, mis en place en Côte d’Ivoire dans les années 2000, quand le pays était encore coupé en deux, et qui a été ravivé après la crise postélectorale de 2010- 2011. Il y a une certaine tendance à postuler que de tels dispositifs sont imposés « d’en haut » par la diplomatie internationale : le premier document mentionnant la question du DDR dans la crise ivoirienne et proposant une feuille de route a été l’accord de Linas-Marcoussis du 23 janvier 2003 qui réunissait, en France et sur initiative française, les principales parties au conflit. Pourtant, ce qui ressort de manière frappante du cas ivoirien lorsqu’on adopte une approche diachronique est que le modus operandi du processus de démilitarisation, son chronogramme et ses temps de blocage/ déblocage ont largement été décidés par les belligérants principaux, rendant caduc tout postulat de manipulation exclusive « du haut ». Cette contribution apporte ainsi un éclairage sur les tribulations du processus de démilitarisation ivoirien par une attention particulière aux différences éventuelles de traitement observées selon les catégories de combattants.
L’impact de la responsabilité sociale ( RSE ) sur la performance financière des entreprises ( PFE ) au Cameroun
Authors: Njaya Joseph Bruno
Published: November 2015

Le but de ce travail est de s’interroger sur la contribution de la Responsabilité Sociale des Entreprises à leur Performance Financière. Les données utilisées sont issues d’une enquête par questionnaire auprès des entreprises (106 observations) sélectionnées par choix raisonné. L’outil statistique est la régression multiple et la qualité de management est utilisée comme variable de contrôle. Une analyse en composantes principales nous a permis de montrer que la PFE est unidimensionnelle alors que la RSE a trois dimensions à savoir la Responsabilité Economico-Légale ( REL ), la Responsabilité Environnementale ( REV ) et la Responsabilité Ethiquo-Philanthropique ( REP ). L’étude permet d’observer l’influence positive de la RSE sur la PFE , dans tous les cas, adopter un comportement responsable n’implique pas un profit plus faible.
Vision des dirigeants et croissance des PME camerounaises de la microfinance : une étude de cas multiple
Authors: Wadoum Fofou Chamberlain , Kombou Lucien
Published: November 2015

Les PME à forte croissance attirent l’attention de nombreux chercheurs et intervenants auprès des PME . Pourtant, le fossé existe entre la réalité complexe du phénomène de croissance de PME et les approches mobilisées pour l’aborder. L’objectif de cet article est d’examiner la nature et l’influence de la vision des dirigeants sur la croissance de leurs PME . L’étude longitudinale de 9 PME de la micro finance camerounaise montre que les dirigeants qui ont une vision claire prennent des décisions de croissance de façon proactive, planifient les actions de mise en œuvre et de pilotage s’ils sont dans un environnement stable, et font des ajustements s’ils perçoivent des performances négatives. La vision s’avère être un concept flexible et d’usage pratique dans la compréhension de la croissance des entreprises.
Escuela Superior de Palos Verdes
Authors: Neutra Richard J. , Alexander Robert E. , Lewis Carrington H.
Published: November 2015

Antes de construir el complejo escolar «Palos Verdes» se comenzó por crear, en el terreno, dos grandes mesetas a niveles diferentes.
Sobre el inferior se organizaron: los campos de juegos, de deportes, un aparcamiento, el edificio para educación física y los destinados a tiendas y servicios.
Sobre la meseta superior, al oeste de la vía de acceso, se dispuso un aparcamiento y el edificio y campo para adiestramiento agrícola; al este, otro aparcamiento, el edificio dedicado a materias literarias, y el destinado a usos múltiples. Completan las instalaciones de la escuela una serie de bloques paralelos: la administración, la escuela de arte, las clases de trabajos manuales, las aulas de enseñanzas generales, y las de los cursos superiores.
Lo fascinante de este complejo escolar es la perfecta y magistral compenetración del arquitecto con el tema proyectado, y su mayor mérito, la sensación de cordialidad y armonía con el ambiente.
Edificio Van Leer. Holanda
Authors: Breuer Marcel
Published: November 2015

El complejo aloja las oficinas de una gran empresa industrial. El cuerpo central del edificio principal—en forma de H—tiene dos plantas: la baja comprende los servicios generales, aseos y vestuarios para empleados, almacenes, archivo, equipos mecánicos, etc., y sirve de calle y comunicación entre los niveles inferiores de las alas de oficinas y la cantina para empleados. La planta alta alberga el vestíbulo, utilizado también como sala de recepción, espera, exposición de los productos fabricados por las factorías de la empresa y parte de oficinas.
Las dos alas laterales—con plantas en forma de V—alojan, en sus dos niveles, las oficinas generales.
El planteamiento, acabado y detalles de este inmueble muestran la mano de un maestro, que ha realizado un trabajo perfecto, teniendo en cuenta el emplazamiento—Holanda—, el lugar y el cometido a que se destina el edificio.