bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing Cultural Fronts in East and West Germany
Authors: Brockmann Stephen
Published: June 2016

This paper examines the development of German postwar culture in the eastern and western zones as a function of the felt need to use culture in the denazification of Germany. The Kulturbund (Cultural Federation for the Democratic Renewal of Germany), founded by the exile writer Johannes R. Becher in 1945, was the primary institutional expression of this concern, which was widespread among the four occupying powers and German anti-Nazis. At the same time, however, there was a strong feeling in the postwar period that traditional German culture itself needed to be called into question and transformed because of its previous failure to prevent the triumph of Nazism. The paper explores the initial antifascist consensus, characterized by broad cooperation among the occupying powers and relative cultural conservatism, and the way that this consensus began to break down in 1947 under the pressures of the emerging Cold War. This breakdown led to increasing emphasis, after 1947, on the need to transform culture itself, and to growing criticism of traditional cultural conservatism. This emphasis was particularly strong in the western parts of Germany and differentiated the west from the east. It received institutional expression in the creation of the Congress for Cultural Freedom in 1950.
Customer Relationship Management and Recent Developments
Authors: Siu Noel
Published: July 2016

In the past two decades, the notion of “customer relationship management” (CRM) has been widely discussed and researched.[...]
Reviews on the Japanese Patent Applications Regarding Nickel/Metal Hydride Batteries
Authors: Ouchi Taihei , Young Kwo-Hsiung , Moghe Dhanashree
Published: June 2016

The Japanese Patent Applications filed on the topic of nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) batteries have been reviewed. Patent applications filed by the top nine battery manufacturers (Matsushita, Sanyo, Hitachi Maxell, Yuasa, Toshiba, FDK, Furukawa, Japan Storage, and Shin-kobe), five component suppliers (Tanaka, Mitsui, Santoku, Japan Metals & Chemicals Co. (JMC), and Shin-Etsu), and three research institutes (Industrial Research Institute (ISI), Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and Toyota R & D) were chosen as the main subjects for this review, based on their production volume and contribution to the field. By reviewing these patent applications, we can have a clear picture of the technology development in the Japanese battery industry. These patent applications also provide insights, know-how, and future directions for engineers and scientists working in the rechargeable battery field.
Clean Grain Boundary Found in C14/Body-Center-Cubic Multi-Phase Metal Hydride Alloys
Authors: Shen Hao-Ting , Young Kwo-Hsiung , Meng Tiejun , Bendersky Leonid
Published: June 2016

The grain boundaries of three Laves phase-related body-center-cubic (bcc) solid-solution, metal hydride (MH) alloys with different phase abundances were closely examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and more importantly, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques. By using EBSD, we were able to identify the alignment of the crystallographic orientations of the three major phases in the alloys (C14, bcc, and B2 structures). This finding confirms the presence of crystallographically sharp interfaces between neighboring phases, which is a basic assumption for synergetic effects in a multi-phase MH system.
Putting Children’s Sleep Problems to Bed: Using Behavior Change Theory to Increase the Success of Children’s Sleep Education Programs and Contribute to Healthy Development
Authors: Blunden Sarah , Benveniste Tessa , Thompson Kirrilly
Published: July 2016

Sleep is critical for the healthy development of children, yet most children simply don’t get enough. Whilst school based sleep education programs have been developed for parents and their children, they have had mixed success. We consider how existing school-based sleep education programs can be improved by applying a broader model to behaviour change theory. We find that the mixed success of school-based sleep education programs may be due to a plausible but misleading assumption that simply increasing information about the importance of sleep and the risks of insufficient and/or inefficient sleep, will necessarily result in improved sleep behaviours. We identify the potential benefits of using a more inclusive behavior change theory in the development of sleep education programs with a particular need for theories that incorporate the multiple biological, environmental and social impacts on children’s sleep. Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological model is presented to illustrate how one such inclusive behavior change theory could significantly improve the success of sleep education programs and ultimately support the healthy development of children.
Electronic and Optical Properties of Dislocations in Silicon
Authors: Reiche Manfred , Kittler Martin
Published: June 2016

Dislocations exhibit a number of exceptional electronic properties resulting in a significant increase of the drain current of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) if defined numbers of these defects are placed in the channel. Measurements on individual dislocations in Si refer to a supermetallic conductivity. A model of the electronic structure of dislocations is proposed based on experimental measurements and tight binding simulations. It is shown that the high strain level on the dislocation core—exceeding 10% or more—causes locally dramatic changes of the band structure and results in the formation of a quantum well along the dislocation line. This explains experimental findings (two-dimensional electron gas and single-electron transitions). The energy quantization within the quantum well is most important for supermetallic conductivity.
Health Service Utilization and Poor Health Reporting in Asthma Patients
Authors: Behr Joshua , Diaz Rafael , Akpinar-Elci Muge
Published: June 2016

The management and treatment of adult asthma has been associated with utilization of health services. Objectives: First, to investigate the likelihood of health service utilization, including primary care, emergency department, and hospital stays, among persons diagnosed with an asthma condition relative to those that do not have an asthma condition. Second, to examine the likelihood of poor physical health among asthma respondents relative to those that do not have an asthma condition. Third, to demonstrate that these relationships vary with frequency of utilization. Fourth, to discuss the magnitude of differences in frequent utilization between asthma and non-asthma respondents. Data Source: Data is derived from a random, stratified sampling of Hampton Roads adults, 18 years and older (n = 1678). Study Design: Study participants are interviewed to identify asthma diagnosis, access to primary care, frequency of emergency department utilization, hospital admissions, and days of poor physical health. Odds-ratios establish relationships with the covariates on the outcome variable. Findings: Those with asthma are found more likely (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.05–2.15) to report poor physical health relative to non-asthma study participants. Further, asthma respondents are found more likely (OR 4.23, 95% CI 1.56–11.69) to frequently utilize primary care that may be associated with the management of the condition and are also more likely to utilize treatment services, such as the emergency department (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.32–2.65) and hospitalization (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.39–3.50), associated with acute and episodic care. Further, it is a novel finding that these likelihoods increase with frequency of utilization for emergency department visits and hospital stays. Conclusion: Continuity in care and better management of the diseases may result in less demand for emergency department services and hospitalization. Health care systems need to recognize that asthma patients are increasingly more likely to be characterized as frequent utilizers of both primary and emergency department care as the threshold for what constitutes frequent utilization increases. Investments in prevention and better management of the chronic condition may result in less demand for acute care services, especially among high frequency utilizers.
Phase Transitions of Isotropic to Anisotropic Biocompatible Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems Overcoming Insoluble Benznidazole Loading
Authors: Streck Letícia , Sarmento Víctor , Machado Paula , Farias Kleber , Fernandes-Pedrosa Matheus , Da Silva-Júnior Arnóbio
Published: June 2016

Previous studies reported low benznidazole (BNZ) loading in conventional emulsions due to the weak interaction of the drug with the most common oils used to produce foods or pharmaceuticals. In this study, we focused on how the type of surfactant, surfactant-to-oil ratio w/w (SOR) and oil-to-water ratio w/w (OWR) change the phase behavior of different lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS) produced by emulsion phase inversion. The surfactant mixture composed of soy phosphatidylcholine and sodium oleate (1:7, w/w, hydrophilic lipophilic balance = 16) stabilized medium chain triglyceride in water. Ten formulations with the clear aspect or less turbid dispersions (five with the SOR ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 and five with the OWR from 0.06 to 0.4) were selected from the phase behavior diagram to assess structural features and drug-loading capacity. The rise in the SOR induced the formation of distinct lipid-based drug delivery systems (nanoemulsions and liquid crystal lamellar type) that were identified using rheological measurements and cross-polarized light microscopy images. Clear dispersions of small and narrow droplet-sized liquid-like nanoemulsions, Newtonian flow-type, were produced at SOR from 0.5 to 1.5 and OWR from 0.12 to 0.4, while clear liquid or gel-like liquid crystals were produced at SOR from 1.5 to 2.5. The BNZ loading was improved according to the composition and type of LBDDS produced, suggesting possible drug location among surfactant layers. The cell viability assays proved the biocompatibility for all of the prepared nanoemulsions at SOR less than 1.5 and liquid crystals at SOR less than 2.5, demonstrating their promising features for the oral or parenteral colloidal delivery systems containing benznidazole for Chagas disease treatment.
Novel NSAID-Derived Drugs for the Potential Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Cacciatore Ivana , Marinelli Lisa , Fornasari Erika , Cerasa Laura , Eusepi Piera , Türkez Hasan , Pomilio Cristina , Reale Marcella , D’Angelo Chiara , Costantini Erica , Di Stefano Antonio
Published: June 2016

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been suggested for the potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Prolonged use of NSAIDs, however, produces gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. To overcome this serious limitation, the aim of this study was to develop novel NSAID-derived drug conjugates (Anti-inflammatory-Lipoyl derivatives, AL4–9) that preserve the beneficial effects of NSAIDS without causing GI problems. As such, we conjugated selected well-known NSAIDs, such as (S)-naproxen and (R)-flurbiprofen, with (R)-α-lipoic acid (LA) through alkylene diamine linkers. The selection of the antioxidant LA was based on the proposed role of oxidative stress in the development and/or progression of AD. Our exploratory studies revealed that AL7 containing the diaminoethylene linker between (R)-flurbiprofen and LA had the most favorable chemical and in vitro enzymatic stability profiles among the synthesized compounds. Upon pretreatment, this compound exhibited excellent antioxidant activity in phorbol 12-miristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated U937 cells (lymphoblast lung from human) and Aβ(25–35)-treated THP-1 cells (leukemic monocytes). Furthermore, AL7 also modulated the expression of COX-2, IL-1β and TNF-α in these cell lines, suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. Taken together, AL7 has emerged as a potential lead worthy of further characterization and testing in suitable in vivo models of AD.
The Effect and Action Mechanisms of Oligochitosan on Control of Stem Dry Rot of Zanthoxylum bungeanum
Authors: Li Peiqin , Cao Zhimin , Wu Zhou , Wang Xing , Li Xiuhong
Published: June 2016

In this report, the effects of two oligochitosans, i.e., oligochitosan A (OCHA) and oligochitosan B (OCHB), on control of dry rot of Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Z. bungeanum) caused by Fusarium sambucinum (F. sambucinum) were evaluated. First, both oligochitosans show desirable ability to decrease the infection of F. sambucinum. Second, the oligochitosans strongly inhibit the radial colony and submerged biomass growth of F. sambucinum. Lastly, these oligochitosans are capable of increasing the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) significantly, as well as enhancing the content of total phenolics in Z. bungeanum stems. These findings indicate that the protective effects of OCHA and OCHB on Z. bungeanum stems against dry rot may be associated with the direct fungitoxic function against pathogen and the elicitation of biochemical defensive responses in Z. bungeanum stems. The outcome of this report suggests that oligochitosans may serve as a promising natural fungicide to substitute, at least partially, for synthetic fungicides in the disease management of Z. bungeanum.
In Situ AFM Imaging of Microstructural Changes Associated with The Spin Transition in [Fe(Htrz)2(Trz)](Bf4) Nanoparticles
Authors: Manrique-Juárez María , Suleimanov Iurii , Hernández Edna , Salmon Lionel , Molnár Gábor , Bousseksou Azzedine
Published: June 2016

Topographic images of [Fe(Htrz)2(trz)](BF4) nanoparticles were acquired across the first-order spin transition using variable-temperature atomic force microscopy (AFM) in amplitude modulation mode. These studies revealed a complex morphology of the particles consisting of aggregates of small nanocrystals, which expand, separate and re-aggregate due to the mechanical stress during the spin-state switching events. Both reversible (prompt or slow recovery) and irreversible effects (fatigue) on the particle morphology were evidenced and correlated with the spin crossover properties.
Effects of Stress Relaxation Aging with Electrical Pulses on Microstructures and Properties of 2219 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Tan Jingsheng , Zhan Lihua , Zhang Jiao , Yang Zhan , Ma Ziyao
Published: July 2016

To realize the high-efficiency and high-performance manufacture of complex high-web panels, this paper introduced electric pulse current (EPC) into the stress relaxation aging forming process of 2219 aluminum alloy and systematically studied the effects of EPC, stress, and aging time upon the microstructure and properties of 2219 aluminum alloy. It is discovered that: (a) EPC greatly enhanced the mechanical properties after stress relaxation aging and reduced the sensitivity of the yield strength for the initial stress under the aging system of 165 °C/11 h; (b) compared with general aging, stress relaxation aging instead delayed the aging process of 2219 aluminum alloy and greatly increased the peak strength value; (c) EPC accelerated the aging precipitation behavior of 2219 aluminum alloy and reduced transgranular and grain-boundary energy difference, thus leading to a more diffused distribution of the transgranular precipitated phase and the absence of a significant precipitation-free zone (PFZ) and grain-boundary stable phase in the grain boundary, further improving the mechanical properties of the alloy.
Fourier Spectral Methods for Some Linear Stochastic Space-Fractional Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Liu Yanmei , Khan Monzorul , Yan Yubin
Published: July 2016

Fourier spectral methods for solving some linear stochastic space-fractional partial differential equations perturbed by space-time white noises in the one-dimensional case are introduced and analysed. The space-fractional derivative is defined by using the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Laplacian subject to some boundary conditions. We approximate the space-time white noise by using piecewise constant functions and obtain the approximated stochastic space-fractional partial differential equations. The approximated stochastic space-fractional partial differential equations are then solved by using Fourier spectral methods. Error estimates in the L 2 -norm are obtained, and numerical examples are given.
Advanced Nanobiomaterials: Vaccines, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Torres-Sangiao Eva , Holban Alina , Gestal Monica
Published: July 2016

The use of nanoparticles has contributed to many advances due to their important properties such as, size, shape or biocompatibility. The use of nanotechnology in medicine has great potential, especially in medical microbiology. Promising data show the possibility of shaping immune responses and fighting severe infections using synthetic materials. Different studies have suggested that the addition of synthetic nanoparticles in vaccines and immunotherapy will have a great impact on public health. On the other hand, antibiotic resistance is one of the major concerns worldwide; a recent report of the World Health Organization (WHO) states that antibiotic resistance could cause 300 million deaths by 2050. Nanomedicine offers an innovative tool for combating the high rates of resistance that we are fighting nowadays, by the development of both alternative therapeutic and prophylaxis approaches and also novel diagnosis methods. Early detection of infectious diseases is the key to a successful treatment and the new developed applications based on nanotechnology offer an increased sensibility and efficiency of the diagnosis. The aim of this review is to reveal and discuss the main advances made on the science of nanomaterials for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Highlighting innovative approaches utilized to: (i) increasing the efficiency of vaccines; (ii) obtaining shuttle systems that require lower antibiotic concentrations; (iii) developing coating devices that inhibit microbial colonization and biofilm formation.
Doping-Promoted Solar Water Oxidation on Hematite Photoanodes
Authors: Zhang Yuchao , Ji Hongwei , Ma Wanhong , Chen Chuncheng , Song Wenjing , Zhao Jincai
Published: July 2016

As one of the most promising materials for solar water oxidation, hematite has attracted intense research interest for four decades. Despite their desirable optical band gap, stability and other attractive features, there are great challenges for the implementation of hematite-based photoelectrochemical cells. In particular, the extremely low electron mobility leads to severe energy loss by electron hole recombination. Elemental doping, i.e., replacing lattice iron with foreign atoms, has been shown to be a practical solution. Here we review the significant progresses in metal and non-metal element doping-promoted hematite solar water oxidation, focusing on the role of dopants in adjusting carrier density, charge collection efficiency and surface water oxidation kinetics. The advantages and salient features of the different doping categories are compared and discussed.
18α-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Induces Apoptosis of HL-60 Human Leukemia Cells through Caspases- and Mitochondria-Dependent Signaling Pathways
Authors: Huang Yi-Chang , Kuo Chao-Lin , Lu Kung-Wen , Lin Jen-Jyh , Yang Jiun-Long , Wu Rick , Wu Ping-Ping , Chung Jing-Gung
Published: July 2016

In this study we investigate the molecular mechanisms of caspases and mitochondria in the extrinsic and intrinsic signal apoptosis pathways in human leukemia HL-60 cells after in vitro exposure to 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid (18α-GA). Cells were exposed to 18α-GA at various concentrations for various time periods and were harvested for flow cytometry total viable cell and apoptotic cell death measurements. Cells treated with 18α-GA significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 100 μM at 48 h. The cell growth inhibition resulted in induction of apoptosis and decreased the mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) and increased caspase-8, -9 and -3 activities. Furthermore, cytochrome c and AIF were released from mitochondria, as shown by western blotting and confirmed by confocal laser microscopy. Western blotting showed that 18α-GA increased the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax and Bid and decreased the anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, furthermore, results also showed that 18α-GA increased Fas and Fas-L which are associated with surface death receptor in HL-60 cells. Based on those observations, the present study supports the hypothesis that 18α-GA-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells involves the activation of the both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways.
Parameter Estimation of a Ground Moving Target Using Image Sharpness Optimization
Authors: Yu Jing , Li Yaan
Published: June 2016

Motion parameter estimation of a ground moving target is an important issue in synthetic aperture radar ground moving target indication (SAR-GMTI) which has significant applications for civilian and military. The SAR image of a moving target may be displaced and defocused due to the radial and along-track velocity components, respectively. The sharpness cost function presents a measure of the degree of focus of the image. In this work, a new ground moving target parameter estimation algorithm based on the sharpness optimization criterion is proposed. The relationships between the quadratic phase errors and the target’s velocity components are derived. Using two-dimensional searching of the sharpness cost function, we can obtain the velocity components of the target and the focused target image simultaneously. The proposed moving target parameter estimation method and image sharpness metrics are analyzed in detail. Finally, numerical results illustrate the effective and superior velocity estimation performance of the proposed method when compared to existing algorithms.
A Novel Pre-Processing Technique for Original Feature Matrix of Electronic Nose Based on Supervised Locality Preserving Projections
Authors: Jia Pengfei , Huang Tailai , Wang Li , Duan Shukai , Yan Jia , Wang Lidan
Published: June 2016

An electronic nose (E-nose) consisting of 14 metal oxide gas sensors and one electronic chemical gas sensor has been constructed to identify four different classes of wound infection. However, the classification results of the E-nose are not ideal if the original feature matrix containing the maximum steady-state response value of sensors is processed by the classifier directly, so a novel pre-processing technique based on supervised locality preserving projections (SLPP) is proposed in this paper to process the original feature matrix before it is put into the classifier to improve the performance of the E-nose. SLPP is good at finding and keeping the nonlinear structure of data; furthermore, it can provide an explicit mapping expression which is unreachable by the traditional manifold learning methods. Additionally, some effective optimization methods are found by us to optimize the parameters of SLPP and the classifier. Experimental results prove that the classification accuracy of support vector machine (SVM combined with the data pre-processed by SLPP outperforms other considered methods. All results make it clear that SLPP has a better performance in processing the original feature matrix of the E-nose.
Design of Diaphragm and Coil for Stable Performance of an Eddy Current Type Pressure Sensor
Authors: Lee Hyo , Lee Gil , Kim Hwa , Ahn Jung
Published: July 2016

The aim of this work was to develop an eddy current type pressure sensor and investigate its fundamental characteristics affected by the mechanical and electrical design parameters of sensor. The sensor has two key components, i.e., diaphragm and coil. On the condition that the outer diameter of sensor is 10 mm, two key parts should be designed so as to keep a good linearity and sensitivity. Experiments showed that aluminum is the best target material for eddy current detection. A round-grooved diaphragm is suggested in order to measure more precisely its deflection caused by applied pressures. The design parameters of a round-grooved diaphragm can be selected depending on the measuring requirements. A developed pressure sensor with diaphragm of t = 0.2 mm and w = 1.05 mm was verified to measure pressure up to 10 MPa with very good linearity and errors of less than 0.16%.
BICEP2/KECK ARRAY. VII. MATRIX BASED E/B SEPARATION APPLIED TO BICEP2 AND THE KECK ARRAY
Authors: Ade P. A. R. , Ahmed Z. , Aikin R. W. , Alexander K. D. , Barkats D. , Benton S. J. , Bischoff C. A. , Bock J. J. , Bowens-Rubin R. , Brevik J. A. , Buder I. , Bullock E. , Buza V. , Connors J. , Crill B. P. , Duband L. , Dvorkin C. , Filippini J. P. , Fliescher S. , Grayson J. , Halpern M. , Harrison S. , Hildebrandt S. R. , Hilton G. C. , Hui H. , Irwin K. D. , Kang J. , Karkare K. S. , Karpel E. , Kaufman J. P. , Keating B. G. , Kefeli S. , Kernasovskiy S. A. , Kovac J. M. , Kuo C. L. , Leitch E. M. , Lueker M. , Megerian K. G. , Namikawa T. , Netterfield C. B. , Nguyen H. T. , O’Brient R. , IV R. W. Ogburn , Orlando A. , Pryke C. , Richter S. , Schwarz R. , Sheehy C. D. , Staniszewski Z. K. , Steinbach B. , Sudiwala R. V. , Teply G. P. , Thompson K. L. , Tolan J. E. , Tucker C. , Turner A. D. , Vieregg A. G. , Weber A. C. , Wiebe D. V. , Willmert J. , Wong C. L. , Wu W. L. K. , Yoon K. W. ,   (Keck Array And Bicep2 Collaborations)
Published: June 2016

A linear polarization field on the sphere can be uniquely decomposed into an E-mode and a B-mode component. These two components are analytically defined in terms of spin-2 spherical harmonics. Maps that contain filtered modes on a partial sky can also be decomposed into E-mode and B-mode components. However, the lack of full sky information prevents orthogonally separating these components using spherical harmonics. In this paper, we present a technique for decomposing an incomplete map into E and B-mode components using E and B eigenmodes of the pixel covariance in the observed map. This method is found to orthogonally define E and B in the presence of both partial sky coverage and spatial filtering. This method has been applied to the Bicep2 and the Keck Array maps and results in reducing E to B leakage from ΛCDM E-modes to a level corresponding to a tensor-to-scalar ratio of

.
RADIATION-DRIVEN OUTFLOWS FROM AND RADIATIVE SUPPORT IN DUSTY TORI OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI
Authors: Chan Chi-Ho , Krolik Julian H.
Published: June 2016

Substantial evidence points to dusty, geometrically thick tori obscuring the central engines of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), but so far no mechanism satisfactorily explains why cool dust in the torus remains in a puffy geometry. Near-Eddington infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) luminosities coupled with high dust opacities at these frequencies suggest that radiation pressure on dust can play a significant role in shaping the torus. To explore the possible effects of radiation pressure, we perform three-dimensional radiative hydrodynamics simulations of an initially smooth torus. Our code solves the hydrodynamics equations, the time-dependent multi–angle group IR radiative transfer (RT) equation, and the time-independent UV RT equation. We find a highly dynamic situation. IR radiation is anisotropic, leaving primarily through the central hole. The torus inner surface exhibits a break in axisymmetry under the influence of radiation and differential rotation; clumping follows. In addition, UV radiation pressure on dust launches a strong wind along the inner surface; when scaled to realistic AGN parameters, this outflow travels at

and carries

M
⊙ yr−1, where M,

, and

are the mass, UV luminosity, and Eddington luminosity of the central object respectively.
A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ACCURACY OF THE DIGITIZED MAGNITUDES OF PHOTOMETRIC PLATES ON THE TIMESCALE OF DECADES WITH AN APPLICATION TO THE CENTURY-LONG LIGHT CURVE OF KIC 8462852
Authors: Hippke Michael , Angerhausen Daniel , Lund Michael B. , Pepper Joshua , Stassun Keivan G.
Published: June 2016

We present a statistical analysis of the accuracy of the digitized magnitudes of photometric plates on the timescale of decades. In our examination of archival Johnson B photometry from the Harvard DASCH archive, we find a median rms scatter of light curves of the order of 0.15 mag over the range B ∼ 9–17 for all calibrations. Slight underlying systematics (trends or flux discontinuities) are on a level of ≲0.2 mag per century (1889–1990) for the majority of constant stars. These historic data can be unambiguously used for processes that happen on scales of magnitudes, and need to be carefully examined in cases approaching the noise floor. The characterization of these limits in photometric stability may guide future studies in their use of plate archives. We explain these limitations for the example case of KIC 8462852, which has been claimed to dim by 0.16 mag per century, and show that this trend cannot be considered as significant.
BROADBAND OBSERVATIONS OF HIGH REDSHIFT BLAZARS
Authors: Paliya Vaidehi S. , Parker M. L. , Fabian A. C. , Stalin C. S.
Published: June 2016

We present a multi-wavelength study of four high redshift blazars, S5 0014+81 (z = 3.37), CGRaBS J0225+1846 (z = 2.69), BZQ J1430+4205 (z = 4.72), and 3FGL J1656.2−3303 (z = 2.40) using quasi-simultaneous data from the Swift, Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) and the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) and also archival XMM-Newton observations. Other than 3FGL J1656.2−3303, none of the sources were known as γ-ray emitters, and our analysis of ∼7.5 yr of LAT data reveals the first time detection of statistically significant γ-ray emission from CGRaBS J0225+1846. We generate the broadband spectral energy distributions (SED) of all the objects, centering at the epoch of NuSTAR observations and reproduce them using a one-zone leptonic emission model. The optical−UV emission in all the objects can be explained by radiation from the accretion disk, whereas the X-ray to γ-ray windows of the SEDs are found to be dominated by inverse Compton scattering off the broad line region photons. All of them host black holes that are billions of solar masses. Comparing the accretion disk luminosity and the jet power of these sources with a large sample of blazars, we find them to occupy a high disk luminosity–jet power regime. We also investigate the X-ray spectral properties of the sources in detail with a major focus on studying the causes of soft X-ray deficit, a feature generally seen in high redshift radio-loud quasars. We summarize that this feature could be explained based on the intrinsic curvature in the jet emission rather than being due to the external effects predicted in earlier studies, such as host galaxy and/or warm absorption.
FORMATION OF THE PENUMBRA AND START OF THE EVERSHED FLOW
Authors: Murabito M. , Romano P. , Guglielmino S. L. , Zuccarello F. , Solanki S. K.
Published: June 2016

We studied the variations of line of sight photospheric plasma flows during the formation phase of the penumbra around a pore in active region NOAA 11490. We used a high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution data set acquired by the Interferometric BIdimensional Spectrometer operating at the NSO/Dunn Solar Telescope as well as data taken by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite (SDO/HMI). Before the penumbra formed we observed a redshift of the spectral line in the inner part of the annular zone surrounding the pore as well as a blueshift of material associated with opposite magnetic polarity farther away from the pore. We found that the onset of the classical Evershed flow occurs on a very short timescale (1 to 3 hr) while the penumbra is forming. During the same time interval we found changes in the magnetic field inclination in the penumbra, with the vertical field actually changing sign near the penumbral edge, while the total magnetic field showed a significant increase, about 400 G. To explain these and other observations related to the formation of the penumbra and the onset of the Evershed flow we propose a scenario in which the penumbra is formed by magnetic flux dragged down from the canopy surrounding the initial pore. The Evershed flow starts when the sinking magnetic field dips below the solar surface and magnetoconvection sets in.
GRAVITATIONAL-WAVE CONSTRAINTS ON THE PROGENITORS OF FAST RADIO BURSTS
Authors: Callister Thomas , Kanner Jonah , Weinstein Alan
Published: July 2016

The nature of fast radio bursts (FRBs) remains enigmatic. Highly energetic radio pulses of millisecond duration, FRBs are observed with dispersion measures consistent with an extragalactic source. A variety of models have been proposed to explain their origin. One popular class of theorized FRB progenitor is the coalescence of compact binaries composed of neutron stars and/or black holes. Such coalescence events are strong gravitational-wave emitters. We demonstrate that measurements made by the LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave observatories can be leveraged to severely constrain the validity of FRB binary coalescence models. Existing measurements constrain the binary black hole rate to approximately 5% of the FRB rate, and results from Advanced LIGO’s O1 and O2 observing runs may place similarly strong constraints on the fraction of FRBs due to binary neutron star and neutron star–black hole progenitors.
Role of efflux pump inhibitor in decreasing antibiotic cross-resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a burn hospital in Iran
Authors: Talebi-Taher Mahshid , Majidpour َAli , Gholami Abbas , Rasouli-Kouhi Samira , Adabi Maryam
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Multidrug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa may be due to efflux pump overexpression. This study phenotypically examined the role of efflux pump inhibitors in decreasing antibiotic cross-resistance between beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides in P. aeruginosa isolates from burn patients in Iran. Methodology: A total of 91 phenotypically and genotypically confirmed P. aeruginosa samples were studied. Multidrug cross-resistance was determined using the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. The contribution of efflux pumps was determined by investigating MIC reduction assay to markers of beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides in the absence and presence of an efflux pump inhibitor. All the isolates were also tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of mexA, mexC, and mexE efflux genes. Results: Of the isolates, 81 (89%) and 83 (91.2%) were multidrug resistant according to the disk diffusion and MIC method, respectively. Cross-resistance was observed in 67 (73.6%) and 68 (74.7%) of isolates according to the disk diffusion and MIC method, respectively. In the presence of the efflux pump inhibitor, twofold or higher MIC reduction to imipenem, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin was observed in 59, 65, 55, and 60 isolates, respectively. Except for two isolates that were negative for mexC, all isolates were positive for mexA, mexC, and mexE genes simultaneously. Conclusion: Efflux pumps could cause different levels of resistance based on their expression in clinical isolates. Early detection of different efflux pumps in P. aeruginosa could allow the use of other antibiotics and efflux pump inhibitors in combination with antibiotic therapy.
Rivalité irano-saoudienne en Syrie après la conclusion de l’accord sur le nucléaire
Authors: Djalili Mohammad-Reza , Kellner Thierry
Published: June 2016

La rivalité qui oppose l’Iran et l’Arabie saoudite depuis la fondation de la République islamique en 1979 – à l’exception de quelques essais de rapprochement – a pris une nouvelle dimension à la suite des « printemps arabes ». Elle s’exprime à la fois dans la péninsule Arabique et au Proche-Orient où la Syrie occupe une place particulière. Riyad et Téhéran ont adopté des positions antagoniques sur ce dossier et se sont considérablement impliqués sur le théâtre syrien. Malgré quelques tentatives, ils ont été jusqu’ici incapables de surmonter la polarisation actuelle de leurs rapports, de nouer un dialogue et d’envisager leurs relations autrement que comme un jeu à somme nulle. Dans le contexte d’une situation qui reste, au printemps 2016, extrêmement mouvante, cette rivalité risque de renforcer les obstacles et de rendre les discussions et la recherche d’un compromis de sortie de crise en Syrie encore plus difficiles.
Tensions diplomatiques irano-arabes et pérennité de la présence des Iraniens à Dubaï
Authors: Moghadam Amin
Published: June 2016

Les tensions entre l’Iran et les pays arabes du golfe Persique posent la question de leur impact sur la présence des Iraniens aux Emirats Arabes Unis et notamment à Dubaï. La profondeur historique de cette présence, l’éventail large des activités engagées entre les deux pays et l’intérêt qu’elles représentent pour les secteurs étatiques et non-étatiques variés permettent aux acteurs impliqués un certain degré d’autonomie face aux tensions diplomatiques. Si ces dernières renforcent le sentiment de précarité chez les migrants iraniens à Dubaï dans leur vie quotidienne, elles sont aussi génératrices de nouvelles stratégies d’adaptation et de formes d’échanges. Enfin la question des Iraniens aux Emirats est un cas d’école qui nous renseigne sur les signes avant-coureurs de la politique diasporique de l’Etat iranien.
La guerre saoudienne contre le Hezbollah libanais. Répercussions locales d’une rivalité régionale
Authors: Daher Aurélie
Published: June 2016

Début mars 2016, l’Arabie saoudite, à la tête du Conseil de Coopération du Golfe, qualifie officiellement le Hezbollah libanais d’« organisation terroriste » – une première. Cette décision intervient dans le cadre de la dégradation sérieuse des relations entre le Royaume et l’Iran et la rupture des relations diplomatiques entre les deux pays deux mois plus tôt, à l’occasion de l’exécution par Riyad du cheikh Nimr Nimr, un opposant saoudien de confession chiite. Mais les effets de cette guerre saoudienne contre l’Iran par Hezbollah interposé n’affectent pas uniquement le grand rival régional de l’Arabie. Le Hezbollah n’est pas le seul acteur libanais pénalisé, la coalition du 14 Mars, pourtant pro-saoudienne, est elle aussi rappelée à l’ordre, incitée à agir contre son adversaire politique local – au risque de déstabiliser dangereusement le pays.
Le jeu de la France dans le Golfe : entre continuité et ruptures
Authors: Bauchard Denis
Published: June 2016

La France a acquis en quelques décennies une place politique, stratégique et économique majeure dans une zone qui était auparavant largement sous influence américaine et britannique. Mais cette place reste fragile. D’une part les Etats-Unis ne manquent pas d’arguments et de moyens pour préserver leurs intérêts. La « fâcherie » avec l’Arabie saoudite n’a pas modifié de façon significative l’étroitesse des liens, notamment militaires. La concurrence d’autres pays européens – la Grande Bretagne comme l’Allemagne ou l’Italie, très présentes sur ces marchés hautement solvables – est très vive dans les pays du Golfe, qu’il s’agisse des monarchies arabes ou de l’Iran dont le marché va s’ouvrir progressivement. De plus leur politique de diversification a contribué à faire venir d’autres acteurs, notamment du sous-continent indien ou d’extrême-orient, comme l’Inde, la Corée du sud, le Japon et plus encore la Chine.
The Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the 1970s
Authors: Castiglioni Claudia
Published: June 2016

L’article décrypte les principales caractéristiques de l’histoire des relations irano-saoudiennes. Une attention particulière est accordée au rôle que ces deux pays ont joué au sein de l’organisation des pays exportateurs de pétrole, les points communs et les différences dans leurs approches des pays importateurs et la nature de leurs relations avec les USA. Sur ce dernier point, l’article questionne la vision traditionnelle qui considère Téhéran et Riyad comme des pierres angulaires équivalentes de la politique des piliers jumeaux poursuivie par Washington dans les années 1970 qui s’appuyait sur les alliés les plus puissants pour la défense et la promotion des intérêts américains dans le golfe Persique. L’article se penche sur cette question au travers des éléments qui, hier comme aujourd’hui, sont au cœur de la relation entre Riyad et Téhéran: le pétrole et la quête de l’hégémonie régionale.
Au Mexique, des morts moins anonymes
Authors: Siari Naawa
Published: June 2016

Disputées pour leur enjeu stratégique dans le trafic de drogue, les routes mexicaines et centraméricaines sont très dangereuses pour les exilé·e·s. Meurtres et enlèvements sont loin d’y toucher uniquement les migrant·e·s, et le caractère massif des disparitions, dévoilé par le retentissement international du massacre d’Ayotzinapa, suscite une mobilisation croissante de la société civile. Dans ce contexte, les associations de défense des droits des migrant·e·s viennent d’obtenir la création d’une commission d’identification et d’un mécanisme transnational d’identification et de remise des corps.
Faire émerger la responsabilité des États
Authors: Heller Charles , Pezzani Lorenzo , Saint-Saëns Isabelle , Carrère Violaine
Published: June 2016

La mer constitue un défi : elle efface les traces de passages et de naufrages. Si bien que les circonstances des morts en mer de migrants sont rarement documentées et les responsabilités rarement établies. C’est pour documenter ces morts et les violations des droits des migrants qu’a été lancé le projet Forensic Oceanography en 2011 avec pour objectif d’utiliser les nouvelles technologies pour apporter des preuves tangibles de ces drames, nécessaires à la mise en cause des États et autres acteurs supranationaux. Charles Heller et Lorenzo Pezzani, initiateurs de ce projet, se sont saisis du cas du « Left-to-die boat ». Interview réalisée par Isabelle Saint-Saens.
Une évaluation ex ante des conséquences du Crédit d’impôt pour la compétitivité et l’emploi (CICE)
Authors: Hagneré Cyrille , Legendre François
Published: June 2016

Ce travail propose une représentation simple des conséquences du Crédit d’impôt pour la compétitivité et l’emploi (CICE) en assimilant ce dernier à un dispositif de baisse du coût du travail s’adressant aux salaires inférieurs à 2,5 fois le Smic. Cette représentation distingue des effets de compétitivité, consécutifs à la baisse des coûts de production occasionnée par la diminution du coût du travail, et des effets de substitution, consécutifs aux variations des coûts relatifs des facteurs de production. Deux traits principaux singularisent cette étude. En premier lieu, l’impact est chiffré au niveau des 1 544 434 établissements à notre disposition dans les déclarations annuelles de données sociales en 2011. En second lieu, nous tenons compte des conséquences de la baisse du prix des consommations intermédiaires domestiques à la suite de la diminution des coûts de production dans les autres branches. En dépit du fait que le CICE n’est pas particulièrement ciblé sur les bas salaires, plus des quatre cinquièmes de l’impact favorable du CICE sur l’emploi auraient pour origine des effets de substitution. Par ce canal, de l’ordre de 220 000 emplois pourraient être créés ou sauvegardés. Le CICE, d’un autre côté, conduirait à créer ou à sauvegarder près de 41 000 emplois par le canal d’effets de compétitivité. Pour la main-d’œuvre la plus qualifiée, ces créations d’emploi compenseraient partiellement, au niveau agrégé, les pertes d’emploi liées aux effets de substitution. D’après cette modélisation, le CICE pourrait à terme créer (ou éviter la destruction) de près de 261 000 emplois (en équivalent temps plein).
Les prêts à remboursement contingent dans le supérieur : plus redistributifs que l’impôt ?
Authors: Allègre Guillaume , Timbeau Xavier
Published: June 2016

Cet article a pour objet d’analyser, par un exercice de microsimulation dynamique, les transferts induits par un financement d’une partie des coûts de l’enseignement supérieur par des systèmes de prêt à remboursement contingent (PARC) plutôt que par l’impôt sur le revenu des ménages (IR, CSG) ou par des droits d’inscription couplés à des prêts étudiants classiques. Le calcul de la progressivité du financement se fait dans une perspective de cycle de vie, c’est-à-dire qu’il s’appuie sur l’ensemble du revenu des individus pendant leur vie active et non pas seulement sur leur revenu courant. Le modèle de carrière salariale repose sur l’estimation de trois équations : une équation d’activité, une équation d’emploi pour les actifs et une équation de revenu salarial annuel pour les personnes en emploi. Par rapport à la littérature existante, nous prenons en compte la mise en commun des ressources au niveau familial. Côté financement, nous simulons un impôt sur le revenu proportionnel de type CSG, un impôt sur le revenu progressif et familialisé (IR), un système de PARC et un système de prêt étudiant ordinaire. Nous montrons que les systèmes de PARC ne sont pas plus progressifs en cycle de vie qu’un financement par l’impôt sur le revenu. Malgré tout, ces systèmes ont une progressivité relativement élevée : dans notre simulation, ils l’emportent sur un mix IR-CSG.
Redistribution opérée par « l’avantage HLM » et impact de potentielles réformes : l’apport de la microsimulation
Authors: Cazenave Marie-Cécile , Domingues Patrick , Vicard Augustin
Published: June 2016

Les locataires du parc social bénéficient d’une économie de loyer d’environ 40 % en moyenne en comparaison de ce qu’ils auraient à payer s’ils devaient se loger dans le parc privé dans des conditions de confort et de localisation équivalentes. Cette économie, souvent appelée « avantage HLM », n’est pas intégrée dans les modèles de microsimulation prélèvements-prestations, alors même que l’existence du parc social représente l’une des deux modalités majeures d’intervention des pouvoirs publics en direction des ménages locataires, avec les aides personnelles au logement. Nous proposons une méthode d’intégration de l’avantage HLM dans le modèle Ines. Elle permet d’abord de comparer la redistribution opérée par les aides personnelles au logement et l’avantage HLM, puis de simuler les impacts budgétaire et redistributif de deux réformes. La première fixe le loyer des locataires du parc social selon un taux d’effort unique permettant de maintenir la masse de loyers prélevée constante (16 % du revenu des ménages) ; la deuxième taxe l’avantage HLM à l’impôt sur le revenu, le supplément d’impôt ainsi engendré étant en grande partie acquitté par des ménages situés entre le 3 e et le 6 e décile de niveau de vie.
Nathalie Bondil : l’art pour comprendre le monde
Authors: Auger Claudine , Girard Martin
Published: June 2016

Bouillonnante d’énergie, généreuse et visionnaire, Nathalie Bondil va droit devant, ouvrant de nouvelles avenues aux côtés d’une équipe qui l’appuie avec enthousiasme. Assoiffée de projets et de connaissance, cette véritable chef d’expédition du MBAM crée des ponts et tisse des liens entre les disciplines et les communautés pour parvenir à une meilleure compréhension de ce qui nous entoure. « Parler de l’art, dit-elle, c’est parler du monde. »
Créez un avantage concurrentiel grâce aux partenariats environnementaux
Authors: Wassmer Ulrich , Pain Guillaume , Paquin Raymond L.
Published: June 2016

À mesure que les dirigeants se rendent compte du potentiel concurrentiel des questions environnementales, de plus en plus d’entreprises intègrent les enjeux du développement durable à leur stratégie. Pour ce faire, elles doivent souvent trouver des alliés. Comment faire pour que ces partenariats environnementaux portent les fruits espérés ?
Les « succès » des Canadiens : Identité ou marketing ?
Authors: Dupuis Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2016

Longtemps constitués d’une majorité de joueurs d’origine québécoise, les Canadiens de Montréal n’en comptent plus que trois de nos jours. Or, la clé du succès de cette équipe de hockey auprès du public a longtemps été son identité francophone. Avec une stratégie de marketing reposant en partie sur la réputation des Canadiens comme équipe gagnante et sur ses joueurs francophones légendaires, l’organisation ne risque-t-elle pas, à terme, de fragiliser sa popularité auprès du public ?