bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BeiDou Inter-Satellite-Type Bias Evaluation and Calibration for Mixed Receiver Attitude Determination
Authors: Nadarajah Nandakumaran , Teunissen Peter , Raziq Noor
Published: July 2013

The Chinese BeiDou system (BDS), having different types of satellites, is an important addition to the ever growing system of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). It consists of Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites, Inclined Geosynchronous Satellite Orbit (IGSO) satellites and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites. This paper investigates the receiver-dependent bias between these satellite types, for which we coined the name “inter-satellite-type bias” (ISTB), and its impact on mixed receiver attitude determination. Assuming different receiver types may have different delays/biases for different satellite types, we model the differential ISTBs among three BeiDou satellite types and investigate their existence and their impact on mixed receiver attitude determination. Our analyses using the real data sets from Curtin’s GNSS array consisting of different types of BeiDou enabled receivers and series of zero-baseline experiments with BeiDou-enabled receivers reveal the existence of non-zero ISTBs between different BeiDou satellite types. We then analyse the impact of these biases on BeiDou-only attitude determination using the constrained (C-)LAMBDA method, which exploits the knowledge of baseline length. Results demonstrate that these biases could seriously affect the integer ambiguity resolution for attitude determination using mixed receiver types and that a priori correction of these biases will dramatically improve the success rate.
Fixed-Base Comb with Window-Non-Adjacent Form (NAF) Method for Scalar Multiplication
Authors: Seo Hwajeong , Kim Hyunjin , Park Taehwan , Lee Yeoncheol , Liu Zhe , Kim Howon
Published: July 2013

Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is one of the most promising public-key techniques in terms of short key size and various crypto protocols. For this reason, many studies on the implementation of ECC on resource-constrained devices within a practical execution time have been conducted. To this end, we must focus on scalar multiplication, which is the most expensive operation in ECC. A number of studies have proposed pre-computation and advanced scalar multiplication using a non-adjacent form (NAF) representation, and more sophisticated approaches have employed a width-w NAF representation and a modified pre-computation table. In this paper, we propose a new pre-computation method in which zero occurrences are much more frequent than in previous methods. This method can be applied to ordinary group scalar multiplication, but it requires large pre-computation table, so we combined the previous method with ours for practical purposes. This novel structure establishes a new feature that adjusts speed performance and table size finely, so we can customize the pre-computation table for our own purposes. Finally, we can establish a customized look-up table for embedded microprocessors.
An In-situ Real-Time Optical Fiber Sensor Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance for Monitoring the Growth of TiO2 Thin Films
Authors: Tsao Yu-Chia , Tsai Woo-Hu , Shih Wen-Ching , Wu Mu-Shiang
Published: July 2013

An optical fiber sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is proposed for monitoring the thickness of deposited nano-thin films. A side-polished multimode SPR optical fiber sensor with an 850 nm-LD is used as the transducing element for real-time monitoring of the deposited TiO2 thin films. The SPR optical fiber sensor was installed in the TiO2 sputtering system in order to measure the thickness of the deposited sample during TiO2 deposition. The SPR response declined in real-time in relation to the growth of the thickness of the TiO2 thin film. Our results show the same trend of the SPR response in real-time and in spectra taken before and after deposition. The SPR transmitted intensity changes by approximately 18.76% corresponding to 50 nm of deposited TiO2 thin film. We have shown that optical fiber sensors utilizing SPR have the potential for real-time monitoring of the SPR technology of nanometer film thickness. The compact size of the SPR fiber sensor enables it to be positioned inside the deposition chamber, and it could thus measure the film thickness directly in real-time. This technology also has potential application for monitoring the deposition of other materials. Moreover, in-situ real-time SPR optical fiber sensor technology is in inexpensive, disposable technique that has anti-interference properties, and the potential to enable on-line monitoring and monitoring of organic coatings.
Further In-vitro Characterization of an Implantable Biosensor for Ethanol Monitoring in the Brain
Authors: Secchi Ottavio , Zinellu Manuel , Spissu Ylenia , Pirisinu Marco , Bazzu Gianfranco , Migheli Rossana , Desole Maria , O'Neill Robert , Serra Pier , Rocchitta Gaia
Published: July 2013

Ethyl alcohol may be considered one of the most widespread central nervous system (CNS) depressants in Western countries. Because of its toxicological and neurobiological implications, the detection of ethanol in brain extracellular fluid (ECF) is of great importance. In a previous study, we described the development and characterization of an implantable biosensor successfully used for the real-time detection of ethanol in the brain of freely-moving rats. The implanted biosensor, integrated in a low-cost telemetry system, was demonstrated to be a reliable device for the short-time monitoring of exogenous ethanol in brain ECF. In this paper we describe a further in-vitro characterization of the above-mentioned biosensor in terms of oxygen, pH and temperature dependence in order to complete its validation. With the aim of enhancing ethanol biosensor performance, different enzyme loadings were investigated in terms of apparent ethanol Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters, viz. IMAX, KM and linear region slope, as well as ascorbic acid interference shielding. The responses of biosensors were studied over a period of 28 days. The overall findings of the present study confirm the original biosensor configuration to be the best of those investigated for in-vivo applications up to one week after implantation.
Temperature-Insensitive Bend Sensor Using Entirely Centered Erbium Doping in the Fiber Core
Authors: Ahmad Harith , Zulkifli Mohd , Muhammad Farah , Samangun Julian , Abdul-Rashid Hairul , Harun Sulaiman
Published: July 2013

A fiber based bend sensor using a uniquely designed Bend-Sensitive Erbium Doped Fiber (BSEDF) is proposed and demonstrated. The BSEDF has two core regions, namely an undoped outer region with a diameter of about 9.38 μm encompassing a doped, inner core region with a diameter of 4.00 μm. The doped core region has about 400 ppm of an Er2O3 dopant. Pumping the BSEDF with a conventional 980 nm laser diode gives an Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) spectrum spanning from 1,510 nm to over 1,560 nm at the output power level of about −58 dBm. The ASE spectrum has a peak power of −52 dBm at a central wavelength of 1,533 nm when not spooled. Spooling the BSEDF with diameters of 10 cm to 2 cm yields decreasing peak powers from −57.0 dBm to −61.8 dBm, while the central wavelength remains unchanged. The output is highly stable over time, with a low temperature sensitivity of around ~0.005 dBm/°C, thus allowing for the development of a highly stable sensor system based in the change of the peak power alone.
Correction: Ferreira, P.M., et al. A Neural Network Based Intelligent Predictive Sensor for Cloudiness, Solar Radiation and Air Temperature. Sensors 2012, 12, 15750–15777
Authors: Ferreira Pedro , Gomes João , Martins Igor , Ruano António
Published: July 2013

The authors would like to correct the acknowledgements of this article [1] as follows: [...]
Biofuels and Sustainable Transport: A Conceptual Discussion
Authors: Holden Erling , Gilpin Geoffrey
Published: July 2013

Strategies for sustainably using biofuels must be thoroughly assessed at several levels. First, the use of biofuels must comply with sustainable development’s main dimensions. Second, the use of biofuels must comply with sustainable transport’s main dimensions. Third, gains from using biofuels strategies must compare favorably to gains from other sustainable transport strategies, such as altering transport patterns and reducing transport volume. Fourth, the gains must compare favorably to gains from improving conventional fossil-fuel-based advanced vehicles. Fifth, the gains must compare favorably to gains from using other alternative fuels. Sixth, the gains from using one generation of biofuels (e.g., first generation) must compare favorably to gains from using others (e.g., second through fourth generations). Performing scientifically sound and fair comparisons demands reliable theoretical perspectives and a well-established methodological basis. Industrial ecology theory and life cycle assessment methodology, respectively, are well-suited for these tasks.
Short Toxin-like Proteins Attack the Defense Line of Innate Immunity
Authors: Tirosh Yitshak , Ofer Dan , Eliyahu Tsiona , Linial Michal
Published: July 2013

ClanTox (classifier of animal toxins) was developed for identifying toxin-like candidates from complete proteomes. Searching mammalian proteomes for short toxin-like proteins (coined TOLIPs) revealed a number of overlooked secreted short proteins with an abundance of cysteines throughout their sequences. We applied bioinformatics and data-mining methods to infer the function of several top predicted candidates. We focused on cysteine-rich peptides that adopt the fold of the three-finger proteins (TFPs). We identified a cluster of duplicated genes that share a structural similarity with elapid neurotoxins, such as α-bungarotoxin. In the murine proteome, there are about 60 such proteins that belong to the Ly6/uPAR family. These proteins are secreted or anchored to the cell membrane. Ly6/uPAR proteins are associated with a rich repertoire of functions, including binding to receptors and adhesion. Ly6/uPAR proteins modulate cell signaling in the context of brain functions and cells of the innate immune system. We postulate that TOLIPs, as modulators of cell signaling, may be associated with pathologies and cellular imbalance. We show that proteins of the Ly6/uPAR family are associated with cancer diagnosis and malfunction of the immune system.
Location Tests for Biomarker Studies: A Comparison Using Simulations for the Two-sample Case
Authors: Scheinhardt M. O. , Ziegler A.
Published: July 2013

Background: Gene, protein, or metabolite expression levels are often non-normally distributed, heavy tailed and contain outliers. Standard statistical approaches may fail as location tests in this situation.

Objectives: In three Monte-Carlo simulation studies, we aimed at comparing the type I error levels and empirical power of standard location tests and three adaptive tests [O’Gorman, Can J Stat 1997; 25: 269 –279; Keselman et al., Brit J Math Stat Psychol 2007; 60: 267– 293; Szymczak et al., Stat Med 2013; 32: 524 – 537] for a wide range of distributions.

Methods: We simulated two-sample scena -rios using the g-and-k-distribution family to systematically vary tail length and skewness with identical and varying variability between groups.

Results: All tests kept the type I error level when groups did not vary in their variability. The standard non-parametric U-test per -formed well in all simulated scenarios. It was outperformed by the two non-parametric adaptive methods in case of heavy tails or large skewness. Most tests did not keep the type I error level for skewed data in the case of heterogeneous variances.

Conclusions: The standard U-test was a powerful and robust location test for most of the simulated scenarios except for very heavy tailed or heavy skewed data, and it is thus to be recommended except for these cases. The non-parametric adaptive tests were powerful for both normal and non-normal distributions under sample variance homogeneity. But when sample variances differed, they did not keep the type I error level. The parametric adaptive test lacks power for skewed and heavy tailed distributions.
Developing and Trialling an Independent, Scalable and Repeatable IT-benchmarking Procedure for Healthcare Organisations
Authors: Hübner U. , Liebe J. D.
Published: July 2013

Background: Continuous improvements of IT-performance in healthcare organisations require actionable performance indicators, regularly conducted, independent measurements and meaningful and scalable reference groups. Existing IT-benchmarking initiatives have focussed on the development of reliable and valid indicators, but less on the questions about how to implement an environment for conducting easily repeatable and scalable IT-benchmarks.

Objectives: This study aims at developing and trialling a procedure that meets the afore-mentioned requirements.

Methods: We chose a well established, regularly conducted (inter-) national IT-survey of healthcare organisations (IT-Report Health-care) as the environment and offered the participants of the 2011 survey (CIOs of hospitals) to enter a benchmark. The 61 structural and functional performance indicators cov -ered among others the implementation status and integration of IT-systems and functions, global user satisfaction and the resources of the IT-department. Healthcare organisations were grouped by size and ownership. The benchmark results were made available electronically and feedback on the use of these results was requested after several months.

Results: Fifty-nine hospitals participated in the benchmarking. Reference groups consisted of up to 141 members depending on the number of beds (size) and the ownership (public vs. private). A total of 122 charts showing single indicator frequency views were sent to each participant. The evaluation showed that 94.1% of the CIOs who participated in the evaluation considered this benchmarking beneficial and reported that they would enter again. Based on the feedback of the participants we developed two additional views that provide a more consolidated picture.

Conclusion: The results demonstrate that establishing an independent, easily repeatable and scalable IT-benchmarking procedure is possible and was deemed desirable. Based on these encouraging results a new benchmarking round which includes process indicators is currently conducted.
Current Status of Islet Encapsulation
Authors: Robles Lourdes , Storrs Rick , Lamb Morgan , Alexander Michael , Lakey Jonathan R. T.
Published: July 2013

Cell encapsulation is a method of encasing cells in a semipermeable matrix that provides a permeable gradient for the passage of oxygen and nutrients, but effectively blocks immune-regulating cells from reaching the graft, preventing rejection. This concept has been described as early as the 1930s, but it has exhibited substantial achievements over the last decade. Several advances in encapsulation engineering, chemical purification, applications, and cell viability promise to make this a revolutionary technology. Several obstacles still need to be overcome before this process becomes a reality, including developing a reliable source of islets or insulin-producing cells, determining the ideal biomaterial to promote graft function, reducing the host response to the encapsulation device, and ultimately a streamlined, scaled-up process for industry to be able to efficiently and safely produce encapsulated cells for clinical use. This article provides a comprehensive review of cell encapsulation of islets for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, including a historical perspective, current research findings, and future studies.
Survival and Differentiation of Adenovirus-Generated Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Transplanted into the Rat Striatum
Authors: Fink Kyle D. , Rossignol Julien , Lu Ming , Lévêque Xavier , Hulse Travis D. , Crane Andrew T. , Nerriere-Daguin Veronique , Wyse Robert D. , Starski Phillip A. , Schloop Matthew T. , Dues Dylan J. , Witte Steve J. , Song Cheng , Vallier Ludovic , Nguyen Tuan H. , Naveilhan Philippe , Anegon Ignacio , Lescaudron Laurent , Dunbar Gary L.
Published: July 2013

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer certain advantages over embryonic stem cells in cell replacement therapy for a variety of neurological disorders. However, reliable procedures, whereby transplanted iPSCs can survive and differentiate into functional neurons, without forming tumors, have yet to be devised. Currently, retroviral or lentiviral reprogramming methods are often used to reprogram somatic cells. Although the use of these viruses has proven to be effective, formation of tumors often results following in vivo transplantation, possibly due to the integration of the reprogramming genes. The goal of the current study was to develop a new approach, using an adenovirus for reprogramming cells, characterize the iPSCs in vitro, and test their safety, survivability, and ability to differentiate into region-appropriate neurons following transplantation into the rat brain. To this end, iPSCs were derived from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and tail-tip fibroblasts using a single cassette lentivirus or a combination of adenoviruses. The reprogramming efficiency and levels of pluripotency were compared using immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our data indicate that adenovirus-generated iPSCs from tail-tip fibroblasts are as efficient as the method we used for lentiviral reprogramming. All generated iPSCs were also capable of differentiating into neuronal-like cells in vitro. To test the in vivo survivability and the ability to differentiate into region-specific neurons in the absence of tumor formation, 400,000 of the iPSCs derived from tail-tip fibroblasts that were transfected with the adenovirus pair were transplanted into the striatum of adult, immune-competent rats. We observed that these iPSCs produced region-specific neuronal phenotypes, in the absence of tumor formation, at 90 days posttransplantation. These results suggest that adenovirus-generated iPSCs may provide a safe and viable means for neuronal replacement therapies.
Mitochondrial DNA haplotype distribution patterns inPinus ponderosa(Pinaceae): Range‐wide evolutionary history and implications for conservation
Authors: Potter Kevin M. , Hipkins Valerie D. , Mahalovich Mary F. , Means Robert E.
Published: July 2013

•Premise of the study:Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosaDouglas ex P. Lawson & C. Lawson) exhibits complicated patterns of morphological and genetic variation across its range in western North America. This study aims to clarifyP. ponderosaevolutionary history and phylogeography using a highly polymorphic mitochondrial DNA marker, with results offering insights into how geographical and climatological processes drove the modern evolutionary structure of tree species in the region.

•Methods:We amplified the mtDNAnad1second intron minisatellite region for 3,100 trees representing 104 populations, and sequenced all length variants. We estimated population‐level haplotypic diversity and determined diversity partitioning among varieties, races and populations. After aligning sequences of minisatellite repeat motifs, we evaluated evolutionary relationships among haplotypes.

•Key results:The geographical structuring of the 10 haplotypes corresponded with division between Pacific and Rocky Mountain varieties. Pacific haplotypes clustered with high bootstrap support, and appear to have descended from Rocky Mountain haplotypes. A greater proportion of diversity was partitioned between Rocky Mountain races than between Pacific races. Areas of highest haplotypic diversity were the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, northwestern California, and southern Nevada.

•Conclusions: Pinus ponderosahaplotype distribution patterns suggest a complex phylogeographic history not revealed by other genetic and morphological data, or by the sparse paleoecological record. The results appear consistent with long‐term divergence between the Pacific and Rocky Mountain varieties, along with more recent divergences not well‐associated with race. Pleistocene refugia may have existed in areas of high haplotypic diversity, as well as the Great Basin, Southwestern United States/northern Mexico, and the High Plains.
A simple, enaminone-based approach to some bicyclic pyridazinium tetrafluoroborates
Authors: Josefík František , Svobodová Markéta , Bertolasi Valerio , Šimůnek Petr
Published: July 2013

Easily obtainable cyclic enaminones (piperidin-2-ylidenealkanones) can be transformed into substituted bicyclic pyridazinium tetrafluoroborates upon treatment with corresponding diazonium salts. The transformation can be performed either in a one-pot way or in a two-step process with the isolation of single azo-coupled enaminone as the intermediate. The former method is superior. Under the optimized conditions, a number of pyridazinium salts substituted with both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents was easily synthesized. A mechanism of the formation of the pyridazinium salts is suggested. A partial drawback is the possibility of the formation of a mixture of products when using a different diazonium salt in each step due to a reversibility of the azo coupling. This can be suppressed by using a more reactive diazonium salt before a less reactive one.
Reduction in Impulse Noise-Induced Permanent Threshold Shift with Intracochlear Application of an NADPH Oxidase Inhibitor
Authors: Bielefeld Eric C.
Published: July 2013

Background:Toxic levels of reactive oxygen species are key contributors to the lesion of dead outer hair cells (OHCs) seen in the cochlea after noise exposure. The current study follows previous work in which paraquat was used to demonstrate that NADPH oxidase is active in the
cochlea and can contribute to cochlear reactive oxygen species formation and hair cell loss.Purpose:The current study was undertaken to test whether pharmacological blockade of NADPH oxidase in the cochlea would lead to reduced noise-induced hearing loss and OHC death.Study Sample:A
total of 18 chinchillas (36 ears) were assessed in the study.Intervention:AEBSF (4-[2-aminoethyl]benzenesulfonyl fluoride), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase activation, was dissolved in distilled water and delivered into the cochlea via diffusion across the round window membrane. The contralateral
ears received distilled water as a vehicle control. Following treatment, chinchillas were exposed to one of two noises: a 4 kHz octave band noise at 106 dB SPL for 6 hr or an impulse noise that consisted of 75 pairs of 155 dB pSPL impulses.Data Collection and Analysis:Pre‐ and
post‐noise exposure, thresholds of the auditory brainstem response at 2‐8 kHz were measured. Postmortem OHC counts were conducted at the conclusion of the study. Two- and three-factor ANOVAs were used for statistical analysis of the OHC losses and ABR threshold shifts induced
by the noise exposures.Results:Permanent threshold shift from the impulse noise was reduced in the ears treated with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor, but no differences were found in the groups exposed to the continuous noise. OHC losses were not statistically different between the treated
and untreated ears for either noise exposure.Conclusions:The results suggest that NADPH oxidase-mediated superoxide has a role in cochlear damage from impulse noise, and pharmacologic inhibition of NADPH oxidase can reduce cochlear susceptibility to noise damage. The lack of protection
from the longer-duration continuous noise can be attributed to a number of possibilities related to dose level and delivery schedule.
Evaluation of a New Powerful Bone-Anchored Hearing System: A Comparison Study
Authors: Bosman Arjan J. , Snik Ad F.M. , Hol Myrthe K.S. , Mylanus Emmanuel A.M.
Published: July 2013

Background:The recent introduction of digital hearing aid technology for bone-conduction devices employing percutaneous stimulation may be beneficial for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss and single sided deafness.Purpose:Performance of a recently released
sound processor for bone-anchored implants, the Ponto Pro Power from Oticon Medical (bone-conduction device 2 [BCD2]), was compared with that of the Baha Intenso from Cochlear (bone-conduction device 1 [BCD1]).Research Design:Direct comparison of the subject's own device (BCD1) with
the new device (BCD2) was examined in a nonrandomized design. Subjects were initially tested with BCD1. BCD2 was tested after a 4 wk acclimatization period.Study Sample:Eighteen subjects with mixed hearing loss and with at least 4 mo experience with BCD1 completed the study. Mean air-conduction
and bone-conduction thresholds averaged across the frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz were 73.9 and 34.2 dB HL, respectively.Data Collection and Analysis:Performance of the two devices was evaluated objectively by measuring aided free-field thresholds, speech perception in
quiet, and speech perception in noise. A subjective evaluation was carried out with the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) (Cox and Alexander, 1995) and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) questionnaire (Gatehouse and Noble, 2004). In addition, user experiences,
user satisfaction, and device preference were obtained via proprietary questionnaires. Statistical significance was established with analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) and paired t-statistics with Bonferroni correction.Results:Aided free-field thresholds and speech reception thresholds (SRTs)
in quiet were not statistically significantly different for either device (p > 0.05). In contrast, SRTs in noise were 2.0 dB lower (p < 0.001) for BCD2 than for BCD1. APHAB questionnaire scores on all subscales provided statistically significantly greater benefit (p
< 0.05) for BCD2 than for BCD1. Also, with the SSQ most items in the speech and sound quality domain were significantly more favorable (p < 0.05) for BCD2 than for BCD1. Finally, all subjects preferred BCD2 over BCD1 with 14 subjects reporting a strong preference and four subjects
an average preference for the digital signal processing provided by BCD2 over previous technology provided by BCD1.
L'équilibre des puissances au XXIe siècle
Authors: Nye Joseph S.
Published: July 2013

Comment s’exerce la puissance à l’ère de l’information mondialisée du XXI e siècle ? Aujourd’hui la manière dont on mesure l’équilibre des puissances est loin d’être claire, et encore moins la manière de développer des stratégies efficaces pour pouvoir survivre dans ce nouveau monde. Afin de répondre aux menaces et défis communs de notre planète, les nations vont devoir mettre en place des stratégies de soft et de hard power . Ainsi, toute entreprise de puissance menée par un État devra combiner à la fois les ressources du hard power telles que la coercition et l’argent et celles du soft power telles que la séduction et la persuasion en vue d’établir des stratégies de smart power.
Afrique, les trois piliers du développement : l'État, l'entreprise, la société civile
Authors: Niamien N’Goran Emmanuel
Published: July 2013

L’Afrique a longtemps été tenue à l’écart des affaires du monde. Aujourd’hui, pour tous les observateurs, le temps de l’Afrique est arrivé : ses ressources naturelles sont immenses, elle connaît un « boom » démographique qui lui permettra de multiplier sa population par deux d’ici 2050. Pour maîtriser son destin et connaître une croissance saine et durable, l’Afrique doit alors s’appuyer sur les trois piliers que sont l’État, l’entreprise et la société civile organisée. Seuls ces trois piliers pourront faire passer l’Afrique du statut de partenaire passif de la mondialisation à celui de partenaire actif.
Enjeux géopolitiques et géoéconomiques contemporains en Arctique
Authors: Lasserre Frédéric
Published: July 2013

Alors que s’accélèrent la manifestation des changements climatiques en Arctique, nombre d’analystes et de médias présentent la région comme soumise à de vives tensions provoquées par les enjeux de contrôle des routes maritimes, de prise de possession des espaces maritimes et des ressources naturelles. En réalité, si des différends opposent en effet les États de l’Arctique, ceux-ci demeurent limités. Les relations qu’ils entretiennent sont bien davantage marqués au coin d’une réelle coopération et les enjeux stratégiques suscitent peu de rivalités.
État-providence, géopolitique de la crise, souveraineté
Authors: Tibi Philippe
Published: July 2013

L’État providence est une création du capitalisme occidental. Chaque crise économique, depuis un siècle, a renforcé l’emprise et la légitimité de systèmes étendus de protection sociale. Le propre de la crise actuelle est au contraire d’en questionner les fondements. La crise européenne est en effet une crise de la dette souveraine. Face à une obligation de retour à l’équilibre des comptes publics, les réponses politiques ont été jusqu’à présent d’organiser une déflation salariale et/ou de réduire des dépenses sociales. Cette situation pose évidemment des questions de cohésion sociale dans chacun des pays concernés. Mais la crise de la dette porte également des conséquences géopolitiques considérables : d’abord parce qu’elle sape le paradigme de solidarité européenne ; ensuite parce qu’elle révèle que les créanciers émergents ne veulent plus financer un système d’État-providence dont leurs citoyens ne bénéficient pas. L’État-providence est à la fois un marqueur de civilisation et un enjeu de souveraineté en Europe. Sa préservation est impérative, mais elle réclame une confrontation hardie avec les réalités de la démographie, des technologies et des rapports de force géopolitiques. Cet article repose sur des idées discutées dans le cours de finance créé à l’École polytechnique avec le Professeur Alfred Galichon.
Xénophobie et stigmatisation en France – Enjeux pour les jeunes issus de l'immigration
Authors: Bordet Joëlle
Published: July 2013

Cet article, en référence à la problématique théorique relative au narcissisme des petites différences, vise à analyser les significations de la stigmatisation des jeunes issus de l’immigration en France, comment ils constituent une menace dans les représentations des autres jeunes et plus généralement de la société parce qu’ils deviennent difficiles à identifier dans une singularité. Nous nous intéressons alors à l’usage politique qu’il peut être fait par un parti comme le Front national en termes de propagande à des fins idéologiques et hégémoniques. Nous proposons, en conclusion, des pédagogies d’intervention favorisant les identifications permettant ainsi de transformer ce sentiment de la menace.
Les crimes d'honneur (de namus) : du narcissisme de vie au narcissisme de mort
Authors: Kayaalp Levent
Published: July 2013

Le concept de narcissisme des petites différences est un produit de la reconnaissance de la différence des sexes et est en lien direct avec l’angoisse de castration. De là il s’étend à toutes les relations pour détourner la destructivité en dehors de la communauté. Dans le contexte particulier des crimes d’honneur, le narcissisme des petites différences peut passer au service du narcissisme du mort pour préparer l’annihilation de l’objet et du sujet.
Injonction de soins et populisme pénal. La tension entre mêmeté et altérité pour l'agresseur sexuel et sa victime
Authors: Chevalier Christophe , Grihom Marie-José
Published: July 2013

L’injonction de soins est devenue une peine pour les agresseurs sexuels sous l’influence du populisme dit pénal. Nous proposons de situer le populisme sous l’angle des conceptions de l’individu moderne, au regard de l’identité victimaire dans un premier temps, pour l’éclairer ensuite par la lecture freudienne des phénomènes collectifs. Nous avançons l’hypothèse que l’agresseur sexuel incarne une pure différence et que la dynamique du processus qui le prend pour bouc émissaire entrave chez la victime, la tension entre mêmeté et altérité.
Facebook : de la communauté virtuelle à la haine
Authors: Gozlan Angélique
Published: July 2013

Les sites de partage, comme les réseaux sociaux, amènent à repenser les modes de relations dans le monde contemporain. Facebook est un des réseaux les plus appréciés par les jeunes qui s’y retrouvent après les cours. Il se crée des communautés virtuelles dans lesquelles il fait bon vivre, en apparence. Facebook nous apparaît comme un lieu d’indifférenciation dans lequel nous sommes tous amis. Pourtant, la haine fait retour dans une grande violence au moment du surgissement d’un signal qui tape à l’œil, image de l’altérité dans sa sexualité.
La lecture des émotions et le comportement violent cartographié dans le cerveau
Authors: Arreguy Marília Etienne
Published: July 2013

Cet article a pour objet d’interpréter les études neuroscientifiques qui mettent en lien les lésions et fonctions neurophysiologiques avec le comportement émotionnel violent, et d’établir des considérations sur l’impact de ces hypothèses dans divers champs d’études tels que celui de la justice criminelle, de l’éducation, ou d’autres encore. Les neuroscientifiques eux-mêmes confessent ne pas avoir de preuves suffisantes pour affirmer l’existence d’un lien direct entre le potentiel criminel et les fonctions discrètes du cerveau, ou encore pouvoir en faire un support de preuve dans les examens neuro-criminels des jugements des criminels. Il existe cependant une tendance actuelle à cartographier les cerveaux pour intervenir de manière précoce, dans le but de prévenir la violence. Cet article analyse alors avec précaution l’investissement en politique de « scannerisation » et d’intervention dans les cerveaux d’enfants et d’adolescents qui présentent un comportement déviant ou violent. Basé sur quelques équivoques historiques comme les stigmates sociaux établis par le lombrosionisme et la phrénologie, mais aussi sur les prémices de la psychanalyse et les contributions constructivistes, il critique l’appropriation immédiate des résultats neuroscientifiques en ce qui concerne les origines de la violence, et met au premier plan l’irréductibilité de l’apport linguistique, social et historique, en tant que sources potentielles de la formation et de la transformation de la subjectivité.
Parricide, infanticide : réalités, représentations et cycle paternel. Perspectives en notre époque de globalisation
Authors: Arènes Jacques
Published: July 2013

Le parricide constitue une réalité, statistiquement minoritaire, de la vie sociale, tout autant qu’une représentation qui a une valeur « performative » dans la mesure où elle est créatrice, en même temps qu’expression de l’opérateur culturel de paternité. L’auteur analyse les modifications de la représentation du parricide, dans notre période historique qu’il situe par rapport au cycle paternel proposé par Freud dans Totem et Tabou, et interroge l’émergence du fantasme culturel d’infanticide comme nouvelle figure contemporaine du mal absolu. Il analyse enfin comment, en notre époque de globalisation, la disqualification des pères issus de l’immigration serait alors le signe d’un rejet vis-à-vis de ces figures aujourd’hui inacceptables d’un type de paternité identifié à un moment plus « dur » du cycle paternel.
Effects of washing and drying applications on deoxynivalenol and zearalenone levels in wheat
Authors: Yener S. , Köksel H.
Published: July 2013

In this study, the effects of washing and drying procedures on deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) levels of a naturally contaminated wheat sample were investigated. Wheat grain was washed with water, chlorinated water, and sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide solutions for 1 and 2 min with a pressurised washing system. Washed wheat samples were dried by using three different procedures, i.e. oven drying at low temperatures, and microwave and infrared drying. Pressure washing of wheat grains with water followed by oven drying reduced mycotoxin levels with a minimum of 30.3% for DON and 21.1% for ZEA. Infrared and microwave drying of pressure washed grains caused further reductions in DON and ZEA concentrations up to 89.0%. Using chlorinated water, sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide solutions for 1 min reduced DON levels in the range of 37.3-91.2% and ZEA levels in the range of 31.6-83.6%. The results of this study indicated that pressure washing and microwave and infrared drying are promising methods for decontamination of wheat grains, even at high mycotoxin concentrations.
Association between high aflatoxin B1 levels and high viral load in HIV-positive people
Authors: Jolly P.E. , Inusah S. , Lu B. , Ellis W.O. , Nyarko A. , Phillips T.D. , Williams J.H.
Published: July 2013

Since both aflatoxin and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cause immune suppression, chronic exposure to aflatoxin in HIV-positive people could lead to higher levels of virus replication. This study was conducted to examine the association between aflatoxin B1 albumin adduct (AF-ALB) levels and HIV viral load. Antiretroviral naive HIV-positive people (314) with median CD4 count of 574 cells/μl blood (mean ± standard deviation = 630±277) were recruited in Kumasi, Ghana. Sociodemographic and health data, and blood samples were collected from participants. The plasma samples were tested for AF-ALB and HIV viral load. Univariate logistic regression analysis was conducted using viral load (high/low) as the outcome and AF-ALB quartiles as exposure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed between quartile AF-ALB, viral load and CD4 adjusting for sex, age, and year of HIV diagnosis. Both univariate and multivariable logistic regression showed that viral load increased as AF-ALB levels increased. By univariate analysis, high viral load was 2.3 times more likely among persons in the third AF-ALB quartile (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 4.51), and 2.9 times more likely among persons in the fourth AF-ALB quartile (CI: 1.41, 5.88), compared to persons in the first quartile. In the multivariable model, persons in the fourth AF-ALB quartile were about 2.6 times more likely to have high viral loads than persons in the first quartile (CI: 1.19-5.69). When AF-ALB and viral load were log transformed and linear regression analysis conducted, the univariate linear regression analysis showed that for each pg/mg increase in AF-ALB, viral load increased by approximately 1.6 copies/ml (P=0.0006). The association was marginally significant in the adjusted linear regression model (i.e. for each pg/mg increase in AF-ALB, the mean viral load increased by approximately 1.3 copies/ml, P=0.073). These data show strong and consistent increases in HIV viral load with increasing AF-ALB levels. Since the median and mean CD4 were greater than 500 cells for participants in each AF-ALB quartile, the results indicate that the immune modulating and virus transcription effects of aflatoxin may occur quite early in HIV infection, even while the CD4 count is still above 500, resulting in higher viral loads.
Fumonisin biomarkers in maize eaters and implications for human disease
Authors: van der Westhuizen L. , Shephard G.S. , Gelderblom W.C.A. , Torres O. , Riley R.T.
Published: July 2013

Maize is the predominant food source contaminated by fumonisins and this has particular health risks for communities consuming maize as a staple diet. The main biochemical effect of fumonisins is the inhibition of ceramide biosynthesis causing an increase in sphingoid bases and sphingoid base 1-phosphates and a depletion of the complex sphingolipids, thereby disrupting lipid metabolism and sphingolipid-mediated processes and signalling systems. Attempts to use the elevation of sphinganine as a human biomarker of fumonisin exposure have to date been unsuccessful. Consequently, recent research has focussed on developing a urinary exposure biomarker based on the measurement of the nonmetabolised toxin. In animals, fumonisins are poorly absorbed in the gut and are mostly excreted unmetabolised in faeces, with only a small percentage (0.25-2.0%) in urine. This appears to also be true in humans were fumonisin B1 (FB1) is detectable in urine soon after exposure, but in very small amounts relative to total intake. However, with modern sensitive and selective analytical methods such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, these low levels can be readily determined. The first study to show a positive correlation between consumption of maize and urinary FB1 was conducted in a Mexican population consuming tortillas as a staple food. Further validation of this relationship was achieved in a South African subsistence farming community with a positive correlation between urinary FB1 and fumonisin exposure, as assessed by food analysis and food intake data. The most recent developments are aimed at measuring multiple mycotoxin biomarkers in urine, including FB1. Current exposure studies in Guatemala are combining the urinary biomarker with measurement of sphinganine-1-phosphate in blood spots as a measure of biochemical effect. Thus, the urinary FB1 biomarker could contribute considerably in assessing the adverse health impact of fumonisin exposure.
A quality assessment of crude palm oil marketed in Bahia, Brazil
Authors: De Almeida D. T. , Nunes I. L. , Conde P. L. , Rosa R. P.S. , Rogério W. F. , Machado E. R.
Published: July 2013

The characteristics of the quality of crude palm oil (CPO) and crude palm olein (CPOL) produced in the states of Bahia and Pará were investigated. Twelve oil samples were analyzed; 2 (CPO) were from Pará (produced industrially), while the other 10 were from Bahia (3 CPOs and 3 CPOLs produced industrially, while 1 CPOL and 3 CPOs were traditionally processed). The chemical analyses included the determination of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), free fatty acids (FFA%), peroxide value (PV), induction time (IT), total carotenoids (TC) and total polar compounds (TPC). The major saturated fatty acids in these samples were palmitic (34.79-42.89 g 100 g–1) and stearic (4.49-5.84 g 100 g–1) acid, and the main unsaturated fatty acids were oleic (37.31-43.69 g 100 g–1) and linoleic (9.04- 12.74 g100 g–1) acid. All samples produced in Bahia exhibited higher FFA (6.77-13.49%) and TPC (13.71-19.50%) levels than permitted in the international quality standards, unlike the samples produced in Pará. TC, PV and IT ranged from 422.1 to 584.2 mg g–1, 1.32 to 3.7 meq O2 kg–1 oil and 1.72 to 4.66 h, respectively. PV, FFA and TPC were inversely correlated with TC and IT. The use of inappropriate oil extraction processes in Bahia is clearly becoming a food safety problem.
Effect of gamma radiation on the lipid profiles of soybean, peanut and sesame seed oils
Authors: Afify A. M.R. , Rashed M. M. , Ebtesam A. M. , El-Beltagi H. S.
Published: July 2013

Seeds of soybean, peanut, and sesame were exposed to various doses of gamma irradiation (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 7.5 kGy). Fatty acid and unsaponifiable profiles of the extracted oils were separated by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the ratios of unsaturated to saturated total fatty acids (TU/TS) and total hydrocarbons to sterols (TH/TSt) were significantly altered upon irradiation. These changes were clearly observed in the oil extracted from irradiated sesame seeds compared with the oils from irradiated peanuts and soybean. The major change in fatty acid composition was the decrease in the quantity of unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1 and C18:2) in all cases. In contrast, the sterol fractions such as cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol levels of irradiated seeds were generally lower than that of the un-irradiated seeds.
Effect of irrigation and pruning on the amount of minor compounds and fatty acids in the virgin olive oils of the variety Farga
Authors: Monteleone J. I. , Zuritz C. A. , Gascón A. D. , Morábito J. A.
Published: July 2013

The effect of different irrigation and pruning strategies on the amount of substances related to the oxidative stability of virgin olive oils of the variety Farga (polyphenols, chlorophylls, carotenoids and fatty acids), was analyzed. Four treatments were used: T100%SP (irrigation supplying 100% of the plants’ evaporative transpiration demand (Etc) during the entire cycle, without winter pruning); T50%SP (irrigation supplying 50% of the plants’ Etc from pit hardening to harvest, without winter pruning); T100%CP (irrigation supplying 100%, with pruning) and T50%CP (irrigation supplying 50%, with pruning). The plants’ hydric status was monitored through the stem hydric potential (SHP) at noon, and the soil moisture content and the photosynthetically active incident radiation within the tree branches were determined. The olive sampling was taken from pre-ripening to full maturity. The oil was extracted from the olives by grinding them in a laboratory screw type mill with thermo-kneading. The separation of solid and liquid phases was performed using a hand press and decanter to remove the oil. Chlorophylls and carotenoids (absorbance at 670 nm and 472 nm) and total polyphenols (at 725 nm), were determined by spectrophotometry on the mechanically extracted oil. Fatty acids were determined by capillary gas chromatography (CGC). Oil yield data show no statistical differences between deficit irrigation covering 50% of the ETc and the control treatment, both in plants with or without pruning. The contents of polyphenols, chlorophylls and carotenoids in the oils decrease with fruit ripening, regardless of the initial content and treatment. Deficit irrigation treatments (T 50%) have higher contents of polyphenols (except for pre-envero sampling), chlorophylls and carotenoids. There are no statistically significant differences between treatments with and without pruning.
L'utilisation du son dans les multimédias de langue
Authors: Bertin Jean-Claude
Published: July 2013

Les applications pédagogiques de la technologie multimédia font l’objet d’un nombre important de productions commerciales et de recherches. Le problème pour le praticien est de trouver son chemin parmi la masse des multimédias et de parvenir à en évaluer le potentiel didactique réel. Le propos de l’auteur est de procéder, en un premier temps, à une typologie des principales utilisations du son dans les multimédia de langue, puis de comparer les attentes de l’enseignant aux réalités avant de tracer, à partir des travaux qu’il mène actuellement, les perspectives qui semblent se dégager pour le proche avenir.
Can old dogs learn new tricks? An account of an experimental course using the Internet in the classroom
Authors: English Kathryn , Mc Donnell Tina , Carter-Thomas Shirley
Published: July 2013

L’article présente le compte rendu d’une expérience menée dans un cours d’anglais où le World Wide Web est la source du contenu de cours et le courrier électronique le moyen principal de communication. S’ensuit une situation où l’enseignant ne contrôle plus le contenu du cours. Sont examinées également de nouvelles procédures pour fixer les objectifs et évaluer les résultats.