bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Data Mining Approach for Risk Assessment in Car Insurance
Authors: Kašćelan Ljiljana , Kašćelan Vladimir , Novović-Burić Milijana
Published: January 2015

This paper has proposed a data mining approach for risk assessment in car insurance. Standard methods imply classification of policies to great number of tariff classes and assessment of risk on basis of them. With application of data mining techniques, it is possible to get functional dependencies between the level of risk and risk factors as well as better results in predictions. On the case study data it has been proved that data mining techniques can, with better accuracy than the standard methods, predict claim sizes and occurrence of claims, and this represents the basis for calculation of net risk premium and risk classification. This paper, also, discusses advantages of data mining methods compared to standard methods for risk assessment in car insurance, as well as the specificities of the obtained results due to small insurance market, such is the one in Montenegro.
A Comparison of Simultaneous Confidence Intervals to Identify Handwritten Digits
Authors: Clements Nicolle
Published: January 2015

This paper evaluates the use of several known simultaneous confidence interval methods for the automated recognition of handwritten digits from data in a well-known handwriting database. Contained in this database are handwritten digits, 0 through 9, that were obtained from 42,000 participants' writing samples. The objective of the analyses is to utilize statistical testing procedures that can be easily automated by a computer to recognize which digit was written by a subject. The methodologies discussed in this paper are designed to be sensitive to Type I errors and will control an overall measure of these errors, called the Familywise Error Rate. The procedures were constructed based off of a training portion of the data set, then applied and validated on the remaining testing portion of the data.
The Role of Social Influence and Prior Experience on Citizens' Intention to Continuing to Use E-Government Systems
Authors: Alruwaie Mubarak
Published: January 2015

The increasing use of the Internet over recent years has forced governments and individuals to utilise Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in the form of electronic government (e-government). However, the success of e-government delivery is dependent on usage generally but also on growing concerns about perceived social influence and prior experience of e-government service usage; this is in order to ensure better utilisation of ICT investments by retaining current users. Few studies have investigated the influences of perceived social influence and prior experience on personal factors, such as self-efficacy, personal outcome expectation and satisfaction, towards intention to the continual use of e-government systems. To fill this gap, the present research develops a conceptual framework by associating it with citizens' prior experience. A conceptual framework of six constructs is developed by integrating Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT). Theoretically, the present study extends the roles of pre-adoption and post-adoption by offering a self-regulating process through self-efficacy as a physical ability. Further, the study reveals the importance of social influence and prior experience as well as personal outcome expectation and satisfaction as cognitive factors that represent personal goal assessments.
Voltage Stability Analysis of a Distributed Network Incorporating Wind Power Resource
Authors: Juma Denis , Monchusi Bessie , Munda Josiah , Jimoh Adisa
Published: January 2015

This paper investigates the impacts of a wind farm connected at Harterbeespoort substation in South Africa on voltage stability of the power network. The site wind speed was determined and analyzed for viability. A comparison is made between the use of Doubly-Fed Induction Generators and Self-excited Induction Generators driven by the wind turbines. The resulting P-V and Q-V curves from load flow studies are presented and analyzed. The models for this study were implemented in DigSILENT PowerFactory.
Analysis of Economic Order Quantity Model for Perishable Items Whose Deterioration Starts After Some Fixed Time
Authors: Sarbjit Singh
Published: January 2015

This paper deals with an optimal replenishment policy for the items having deterministic demand and whose deterioration starts after some fixed time. In earlier studies, it had been assumed that the deterioration of items starts immediately after the procurement, but it's not necessary in most of the cases. For instance, food grains will not start deteriorating immediately after procurement; most of the industrial products also start deteriorating only after some fixed time. Thus, this study removes this unrealistic assumption and considers items whose deterioration starts after some fixed time. The impact of deterioration on cost and how it will impact cycle time has been illustrated in this study. Complete analysis of the proposed model has been done with both optimizing and numerical techniques.
Foreign Trade in Russia
Authors: Erokhin Vasily
Published: January 2015

Until recently only one of the largest economies – Russia was not among the WTO members. Russia's accession into the WTO drew out hidden structural problems of national economy, low competitiveness of domestic producers, dependence on fossil-fuel exports, and regional disparities. The paper aims at overview of the existing distortions of Russia's foreign trade and their potential threats to sustainable economic development and national economic security in view of the running trade liberalization. Regional implementations of trade liberalization are investigated on the case of the Stavropol Krai, one of the southern regions of Russia with an average level of economic development. The Gravity model is implemented to analyze trade activities of the region; the Boundary Effect Model is utilized to evaluate the effects of trade liberalization on separate industries. Simulation allowed distributing regional commodities on their competitiveness depending on export quota and boundary effect, and accessing aftermaths of export expansion and import substitution.
Macroeconomic and Institutional Determinants of the Irrigation System and their Impact on Development and Economic Sustainability of the Agricultural Sector in MSEC
Authors: Khaled Rachida , Hammas Lamine
Published: January 2015

This paper provides new evidence in order to explain the role of irrigation in improving the productivity and sustainability agricultural sector, using data from eight countries of the South-East region Mediterranean during the period 2000-2011. By using panel data, the authors find that irrigation affects agricultural productivity and improve the economic sustainability of the sector through its macroeconomic factors such as surface irrigation, labor in the agricultural sector and the amount of water used in the agricultural sector, and through these institutional factors such as spending on research and development, bilateral assistance and education level. Improving productivity causes the achievement of the economic sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Grid Computing
Authors: Dumitru Ileana
Published: January 2015

To calculate the potential impact of grid on the enterprise, one just needs to look back a decade or so ago. Those who remember how LANs developed in company years before the Web was born can easily get a picture of how Grid Computing in corporations may change in the years to come. In the early days of the Internet, there was a strong opposition to linking computers together in a network. Ultimately, however, the Internet has become a ubiquitous tool, and many experts predict the same outcome for Grid Computing on the enterprise. There are still concerns to consider and obstacles to be overcome, but the momentum behind corporate Grid Computing is quickly gathering pace. The integration of Grid Computing technologies into enterprise computing systems can provide a much richer range of possibilities. This integration should provide enhanced capabilities and interoperability to meet current virtual organization demands.
Diversity and Mechanisms in Swarm Intelligence
Authors: Yang Xin-She
Published: January 2015

Swarm intelligence based algorithms such as particle swarm optimization have become popular in the last two decades. Various new algorithms such as cuckoo search and bat algorithm also show promising efficiency. In all these algorithms, it is essential to maintain the balance of exploration and exploitation by controlling directly and indirectly the diversity of the population. Different algorithms may use different mechanisms to control such diversity. In this review paper, the author reviews and analyzes the roles of diversity and relevant mechanisms in swarm intelligence. The author also discuss parameter tuning and parameter control. In addition, the author highlights some key open questions in swarm intelligence.
An Improved PSO with Small-World Topology and Comprehensive Learning
Authors: Liu Yanmin , Niu Ben
Published: January 2015

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a heuristic global optimization method based on swarm intelligence, and has been proven to be a powerful competitor to other intelligent algorithms. However, PSO may easily get trapped in a local optimum when solving complex multimodal problems. To improve PSO's performance, in this paper the authors propose an improved PSO based on small world network and comprehensive learning strategy (SCPSO for short), in which the learning exemplar of each particle includes three parts: the global best particle (gbest), personal best particle (pbest), and the pbest of its neighborhood. Additionally, a random position around a particle is used to increase its probability to jump to a promising region. These strategies enable the diversity of the swarm to discourage premature convergence. By testing on five benchmark functions, SCPSO is proved to have better performance than PSO and its variants. SCPSO is then used to determine the optimal parameters involved in the Van-Genuchten model. The experimental results demonstrate the good performance of SCPSO compared with other methods.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use and Endurance During Running in Male Long-Distance Runners
Authors: Da Silva Eduardo , Pinto Ronei S. , Cadore Eduardo L. , Kruel Luiz F.
Published: January 2015

Context:

The effect of ibuprofen on pain tolerance during exercise is controversial, and its effects on endurance performance have been poorly investigated.

Objective:

To investigate the effect of prophylactic administration of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen on the time until the self-report of fatigue (tlim) in runners with exercise-induced muscle damage.

Design:

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting:

Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants:

Twenty healthy male long-distance runners (age = 18.8 ± 0.4 years, maximal oxygen consumption = 55.5 ± 5.9 mL·kg−1·min−1).

Intervention(s):

Participants were assigned to 2 groups (ibuprofen group = 10, placebo group = 10) to perform tlim trials (speed corresponded to their previously determined secondventilatory thresholds) 48 hours before and 48 hours after the induction of a lower limb muscle-damage protocol (isokinetic dynamometry). One hour before the second tlim trial, the ibuprofen group received 1.2 g ibuprofen, and the placebo group received lactose orally.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Time until self-reported fatigue, heart rate, respiratory quotient, oxygen consumption, and perceived exertion were recorded during each tlim test.

Results:

Both groups reported increases in muscle pain in the knee extensors and flexors 48 hours after the muscle-damage protocol. We observed a reduction in the endurance performance of both groups (P < .01) but no difference between groups (P = .55).

Conclusions:

Ibuprofen did not reduce the effect of muscle damage and pain on performance. Prophylactic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not have an ergogenic effect on running performance after exercise-induced muscle damage in male long-distance runners.
Persistent Neuromuscular and Corticomotor Quadriceps Asymmetry After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Kuenze Christopher M. , Hertel Jay , Weltman Arthur , Diduch David , Saliba Susan A. , Hart Joseph M.
Published: January 2015

Context:

Return to activity in the presence of quadriceps dysfunction may predispose individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) to long-term joint degeneration. Asymmetry may manifest during movement and result in altered knee-joint–loading patterns; however, the underlying neurophysiologic mechanisms remain unclear.

Objective:

To compare limb symmetry of quadriceps neuromuscular function between participants with ACLR and participants serving as healthy controls.

Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Setting:

Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants:

A total of 22 individuals with ACLR (12 men, 10 women) and 24 individuals serving as healthy controls (12 men, 12 women).

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Normalized knee-extension maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque (Nm/kg), quadriceps central activation ratio (CAR) (%), quadriceps motor-neuron–pool excitability (Hoffmann reflex to motor wave ratio), and quadriceps active motor threshold (AMT) (% 2.0 T) were measured bilaterally and used to calculate limb symmetry indices for comparison between groups. We used analyses of variance to compare quadriceps Hoffmann reflex to motor wave ratio, normalized knee-extension MVIC torque, quadriceps CAR, and quadriceps AMT between groups and limbs.

Results:

The ACLR group exhibited greater asymmetry in knee-extension MVIC torque (ACLR group = 0.85 ± 0.21, healthy group = 0.97 ± 0.14; t44 = 2.26, P = .03), quadriceps CAR (ACLR group = 0.94 ± 0.11, healthy group = 1.00 ± 0.08; t44 = 2.22, P = .04), and quadriceps AMT (ACLR group = 1.13 ± 0.18, healthy group = 1.02 ± 0.11; t34 = −2.46, P = .04) than the healthy control group.

Conclusions:

Asymmetries in measures of quadriceps function and cortical excitability were present in patients with ACLR. Asymmetry in quadriceps strength, activation, and cortical excitability persisted in individuals with ACLR beyond return to recreational activity. Measuring the magnitude of asymmetry after ACLR represents an important step in understanding long-term reductions in self-reported function and increased rate of subsequent joint injury in otherwise healthy, active individuals after ACLR.
Indicator mineral signatures of the Halfmile Lake Zn-Pb-Cu volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick: Part 1 - bedrock data
Authors: Budulan G , McClenaghan M B , Layton-Matthews D , Crabtree D , Pyne M , McClenaghan S
Published: January 2015

Till and bedrock sampling was conducted during the summer of 2007 around the Halfmile Lake Zn-Pb-Cu volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, northern New Brunswick, as part of the Geological Survey of Canada's Targeted Geoscience Initiative-3
(TGI-3). The overall purpose of this study was to document the indicator minerals and their compositions in till and bedrock that are characteristic of a volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposit. Data are reported in two parts: Part 1 includes the bedrock indicator minerals, and Part 2 the till
indicator minerals. The potential indicator minerals identified in mineralized bedrock samples from the Halfmile Lake deposit included chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrite, ferro- and nonferromagnetic pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, magnetite, gold, goethite, and beudantite. These minerals showed
distinct characteristics either in their abundances or chemical compositions that make them viable indicator minerals. Many of these minerals are susceptible to degradation under surface weathering conditions and glacial transport, and these processes would inhibit the deposition and/or preservation
of these minerals in surface till. Other trace sulphides and oxides that were identified are not abundant enough, too fine-grained, or too common.
DSIM3D: software to perform unconstrained 3D inversion of magnetic data
Authors: Pilkington M , Bardossy Z
Published: January 2015

DSIM3D provides a rapid, unconstrained 3D inversion of gridded magnetic data. It is a Geosoft GX implementation of an inversion approach (Pilkington, 2009) that produces a 3D susceptibility distribution from observed magnetic anomaly data. The GX accepts gridded
magnetic data as input and produces a subsurface 3D distribution of magnetic susceptibilities due to an equally spaced array of dipoles. Input parameters include the depth of the model, the distance from the observation plane to the model, the maximum allowable number of iterations, an RMS error
limit to terminate iterations, options for grid preconditioning, the initial model susceptibilities, the data noise level, the ambient magnetic field, and the magnetization inclination and declination. The output is a Geosoft voxel model.
Inhibition of Nodulation and Nitrogen Nutrition of Leguminous Crops by Selected Heavy Metals
Authors: Haddad Samir A. , Tabatabai M. Ali , Abdel-Moneim Abdel-Moneim A. , Loynachan Thomas E.
Published: January 2015

This work studied the effects, under greenhouse conditions, of six heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb) on three leguminous crops representing food, feed, and forage crops commonly grown in Egypt. Metal concentrations ranged from 0 to as high as 4.8 mmol kg−1 soil. Results showed that all three plant parameters measured (dry matter yield, nodulation, and N uptake) decreased significantly with increasing heavy-metal concentrations. Plots of the natural log of each parameter against metal concentration were linear within the ranges studies. From the slopes of these regression lines, the concentration of each heavy metal required to achieve 50% reduction ( R50) of each parameter was calculated. In general, the lowest metal concentrations for R50 were for Cd2+ and Pb2+ and the highest were for Cr3+ and Cu2+. Heavy-metal additions to soils should be closely monitored because they can negatively affect nodulation and N nutrition of leguminous crops.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Review
Authors: Houston Brian A. , Stevens Gerin R.
Published: January 2015

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a global disease with cases reported in all continents, affecting people of both genders and of various racial and ethnic origins. Widely accepted as a monogenic disease caused by a mutation in 1 of 13 or more sarcomeric genes, HCM can present catastrophically with sudden cardiac death (SCD) or ventricular arrhythmias or insidiously with symptoms of heart failure. Given the velocity of progress in both the fields of heart failure and HCM, we present a review of the approach to patients with HCM, with particular attention to those with HCM and the clinical syndrome of heart failure.
The Role of Pelvic Packing for Hemodynamically Unstable Pelvic Ring Injuries
Authors: Lustenberger Thomas , Wutzler Sebastian , Störmann Philipp , Marzi Ingo
Published: January 2015

In patients with severe pelvic fractures, exsanguinating hemorrhage represents the major cause of death within the first 24 hours. Recently, multiple management algorithms have been proposed; however, the optimal treatment modalities, in particular, in the hemodynamically unstable patient with pelvic fracture are still a matter of debate. Mechanical pelvic stabilization by pelvic binder, anterior external fixator, and/or pelvic C-clamp constitutes the first treatment option in the hemodynamically unstable patient with pelvic fractures. The mechanically stabilized pelvic ring provides the basis for pelvic packing through a minimal extraperitoneal approach, which effectively controls venous bleeding and bleeding from the fractured bony surface. Patients with persistent hypotension and/or transfusion requirements should undergo angiography and selective embolization for definitive arterial control if necessary. This review article describes the current trend in the initial management of patients with pelvic fractures and hemodynamic instability, and focuses on the role of pelvic packing.
PTR-QMS versus PTR-TOF comparison in a region with oil and natural gas extraction industry in the Uintah Basin in 2013
Authors: Warneke C. , Veres P. , Murphy S. M. , Soltis J. , Field R. A. , Graus M. G. , Koss A. , Li S.-M. , Li R. , Yuan B. , Roberts J. M. , de Gouw J. A.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Here we compare volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements using a standard proton-transfer-reaction quadrupole mass spectrometer (PTR-QMS) with a new proton-transfer-reaction time of flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF) during the Uintah Basin Winter Ozone Study 2013 (UBWOS2013) field experiment in an oil and gas field in the Uintah Basin, Utah. The PTR-QMS uses a quadrupole, which is a mass filter that lets one mass to charge ratio pass at a time, whereas the PTR-TOF uses a time of flight mass spectrometer, which takes full mass spectra with typical 0.1 s–1 min integrated acquisition times. The sensitivity of the PTR-QMS in units of counts per ppbv (parts per billion by volume) is about a factor of 10–35 times larger than the PTR-TOF, when only one VOC is measured. The sensitivity of the PTR-TOF is mass dependent because of the mass discrimination caused by the sampling duty cycle in the orthogonal-acceleration region of the TOF. For example, the PTR-QMS on mass 33 (methanol) is 35 times more sensitive than the PTR-TOF and for masses above 120 amu less than 10 times more. If more than 10–35 compounds are measured with PTR-QMS, the sampling time per ion decreases and the PTR-TOF has higher signals per unit measuring time for most masses. For UBWOS2013 the PTR-QMS measured 34 masses in 37 s and on that timescale the PTR-TOF is more sensitive for all masses. The high mass resolution of the TOF allows for the measurements of compounds that cannot be separately detected with the PTR-QMS, such as oxidation products from alkanes and cycloalkanes emitted by oil and gas extraction. PTR-TOF masses do not have to be preselected, allowing for identification of unanticipated compounds. The measured mixing ratios of the two instruments agreed very well (R2 ≥ 0.92 and within 20%) for all compounds and masses monitored with the PTR-QMS.
Efficient photochemical generation of peroxycarboxylic nitric anhydrides with ultraviolet light emitting diodes
Authors: Rider N. D. , Taha Y. M. , Odame-Ankrah C. A. , Huo J. A. , Tokarek T. W. , Cairns E. , Moussa S. G. , Liggio J. , Osthoff H. D.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Photochemical sources of peroxycarboxylic nitric anhydrides (PANs) are utilized in many atmospheric measurement techniques for calibration or to deliver an internal standard. Conventionally, such sources rely on phosphor-coated low-pressure mercury (Hg) lamps to generate the UV light necessary to photo-dissociate a dialkyl ketone (usually acetone) in the presence of a calibrated amount of nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen (O2). In this manuscript, a photochemical PAN source in which the Hg lamp has been replaced by arrays of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) is described. The output of the UV-LED source was analyzed by gas chromatography (PAN-GC) and thermal dissociation cavity ring-down spectroscopy (TD-CRDS). Using acetone, diethyl ketone (DIEK), diisopropyl ketone (DIPK), or di-n-propyl ketone (DNPK), respectively, the source produces peroxyacetic (PAN), peroxypropionic (PPN), peroxyisobutanoic (PiBN), or peroxy-n-butanoic nitric anhydride (PnBN) from NO in high yield (> 90%). Box model simulations with a subset of the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) were carried out to rationalize products yields and to identify side products. The use of UV-LED arrays offers many advantages over conventional Hg lamp setups, including greater light output over a narrower wavelength range, lower power consumption, and minimal generation of heat.
Tropospheric nitrogen dioxide column retrieval from ground-based zenith-sky DOAS observations
Authors: Tack F. , Hendrick F. , Goutail F. , Fayt C. , Merlaud A. , Pinardi G. , Hermans C. , Pommereau J.-P. , Van Roozendael M.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. We present an algorithm for retrieving tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) vertical column densities (VCDs) from ground-based zenith-sky (ZS) measurements of scattered sunlight. The method is based on a four-step approach consisting of (1) the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) analysis of ZS radiance spectra using a fixed reference spectrum corresponding to low NO2 absorption, (2) the determination of the residual amount in the reference spectrum using a Langley-plot-type method, (3) the removal of the stratospheric content from the daytime total measured slant column based on stratospheric VCDs measured at sunrise and sunset, and simulation of the rapid NO2 diurnal variation, (4) the retrieval of tropospheric VCDs by dividing the resulting tropospheric slant columns by appropriate air mass factors (AMFs). These steps are fully characterized and recommendations are given for each of them. The retrieval algorithm is applied on a ZS dataset acquired with a Multi-AXis (MAX-) DOAS instrument during the Cabauw (51.97° N, 4.93° E, sea level) Intercomparison campaign for Nitrogen Dioxide measuring Instruments (CINDI) held from the 10 June to the 21 July 2009 in the Netherlands. A median value of 7.9 × 1015 molec cm−2 is found for the retrieved tropospheric NO2 VCDs, with maxima up to 6.0 × 1016 molec cm−2. The error budget assessment indicates that the overall error σTVCD on the column values is less than 28%. In case of low tropospheric contribution, σTVCD is estimated to be around 39% and is dominated by uncertainties in the determination of the residual amount in the reference spectrum. For strong tropospheric pollution events, σTVCD drops to approximately 22% with the largest uncertainties on the determination of the stratospheric NO2 abundance and tropospheric AMFs. The tropospheric VCD amounts derived from ZS observations are compared to VCDs retrieved from off-axis and direct-sun measurements of the same MAX-DOAS instrument as well as to data from a co-located Système d'Analyse par Observations Zénithales (SAOZ) spectrometer. The retrieved tropospheric VCDs are in good agreement with the different datasets with correlation coefficients and slopes close to or larger than 0.9. The potential of the presented ZS retrieval algorithm is further demonstrated by its successful application on a 2 year dataset, acquired at the NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change) station Observatoire de Haute Provence (OHP; Southern France).
Using high-resolution phosphorus data to investigate mitigation measures in headwater river catchments
Authors: Campbell J. M. , Jordan P. , Arnscheidt J.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. This study reports the use of high-resolution water quality monitoring to assess the influence of changes in land use management on total phosphorus (TP) transfers in two 5 km2 agricultural sub-catchments. Specifically, the work investigates the issue of agricultural soil P management and subsequent diffuse transfers at high river flows over a 5-year timescale. The work also investigates the phenomenon of low flow P pollution from septic tank systems (STSs) and mitigation efforts – a key concern for catchment management. Results showed an inconsistent response to soil P management over 5 years with one catchment showing a convergence to optimum P concentrations and the other an overall increase. Both catchments indicated an overall increase in P concentration in defined high flow ranges. Low flow P concentration showed little change or higher P concentrations in defined low flow ranges despite replacement of defective systems and this is possibly due to a number of confounding reasons including increased housing densities due to new-builds. The work indicates fractured responses to catchment management advice and mitigation and that the short to medium term may be an insufficient time to expect the full implementation of policies (here defined as convergence to optimum soil P concentration and mitigation of STSs) and also to gauge their effectiveness.
Evolving flood patterns in a Mediterranean region (1301–2012) and climatic factors – the case of Catalonia
Authors: Barrera-Escoda A. , Llasat M. C.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Data on flood occurrence and flood impacts for the last seven centuries in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula have been analysed in order to characterise long-term trends, anomalous periods and their relationship with different climatic factors such as precipitation, general circulation and solar activity. Catastrophic floods (those that produce complete or partial destruction of infrastructure close to the river, and major damages in the overflowed area, including some zones away from the channels) do not present a statistically significant trend, whereas extraordinary floods (the channel is overflowed and some punctual severe damages can be produced in the infrastructures placed in the rivercourse or near it, but usually damages are slight) have seen a significant rise, especially from 1850 on, and were responsible for the total increase in flooding in the region. This rise can be mainly attributed to small coastal catchments, which have experienced a marked increase in developed land and population, resulting in changes in land use and greater vulnerability. Changes in precipitation alone cannot explain the variation in flood patterns, although a certain increase was shown in late summer–early autumn, when extraordinary floods are most frequently recorded. The relationship between the North Atlantic circulation and floods is not as strong, due to the important role of mesoscale factors in heavy precipitation in the northwest of the Mediterranean region. However, it can explain the variance to some extent, mainly in relation to the catastrophic floods experienced during the autumn. Solar activity has some impact on changes in catastrophic floods, with cycles related to the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and the Gleissberg solar cycle. In addition, anomalous periods of high flood frequency in autumn generally occurred during periods of increased solar activity. The physical influence of the latter in general circulation patterns, the high troposphere and the stratosphere, has been analysed in order to ascertain its role in causing floods.
Precipitation variability within an urban monitoring network via microcanonical cascade generators
Authors: Licznar P. , De Michele C. , Adamowski W.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Understanding the variability of precipitation at small scales is fundamental in urban hydrology. Here we consider the case study of Warsaw, Poland, characterized by a precipitation-monitoring network of 25 gauges and microcanonical cascade models as the instrument of investigation. We address the following issues partially investigated in literature: (1) the calibration of microcanonical cascade model generators in conditions of short time series (i.e., 2.5–5 years), (2) the identification of the probability distribution of breakdown coefficients (BDCs) through ranking criteria and (3) the variability among the gauges of the monitoring network of the empirical distribution of BDCs. In particular, (1) we introduce an overlapping moving window algorithm to determine the histogram of BDCs and compare it with the classic non-overlapping moving window algorithm; (2) we compare the 2N–B distribution, a mixed distribution composed of two normal (N) and one beta (B), with the classic B distribution to represent the BDCs using the Akaike information criterion; and (3) we use the cluster analysis to identify patterns of BDC histograms among gauges and timescales. The scarce representation of the BDCs at large timescales, due to the short period of observation (~ 2.5 years), is solved through the overlapping moving window algorithm. BDC histograms are described by a 2N–B distribution. A clear evolution of this distribution is observed, in all gauges, from 2N–B for small timescales, N–B for intermediate timescales and B distribution for large timescales. The performance of the microcanonical cascades is evaluated for the considered gauges. Synthetic time series are analyzed with respect to the intermittency and the variability of intensity and compared to observed series. BDC histograms for each timescale are compared with the 25 gauges in Warsaw and with other gauges located in Poland and Germany.
The association between the transfer of emergency department admitted patients to inpatient hallways and outcomes of oncology patients
Authors: Lim Charles , C. Cheung Matthew , E. Trudeau Maureen , R. Imrie Kevin , De Mendonca Ben , Singh Simron
Published: January 2015

Objective: A protocol was implemented to ease Emergency Department (ED) crowding by moving suitable admitted patients into inpatient hallway beds (HALL) or off-service beds (OFF) when beds on an admitting service’s designated ward (ON) were not available. This study assessed the impact of hallway and off-service oncology admissions on ED patient flow, quality of care and patient satisfaction.Methods: Retrospective and prospective data were collected on patients admitted to the medical oncology service from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2011. Data on clinician assessments and time performance measures were collected. Satisfaction surveys were prospectively administered to all patients. Results: Two hundred and ninty-seven patients (117 HALL, 90 OFF, 90 ON) were included in this study. There were no significant differences between groups for frequency of physician assessments, physical exam maneuvers at initial physician visit, time to complete vital signs or time to medication administration. The median (IQR) time spent admitted in the ED prior to departure from the ED was significantly longer for HALL patients (5.53 hrs [1.59-13.03 hrs]) compared to OFF patients (2.00 hrs [0.37-3.69 hrs]) and ON patients (2.18 hrs [0.15-5.57 hrs]) (p < .01). Similarly, the median (IQR) total ED length of stay was significantly longer for HALL patients (13.82 hrs [7.43-20.72 hrs]) compared to OFF patients (7.18 hrs [5.72-11.42 hrs]) and ON patients (9.34 hrs [5.43-14.06 hrs]) (p < .01). HALL patients gave significantly lower overall satisfaction scores with mean (SD) satisfaction scores for HALL, OFF and ON patients being 3.58 (1.20), 4.23 (0.58) and 4.29 (0.69) respectively (p < .01). Among HALL patients, 58% were not comfortable being transferred into the hallway and 4% discharged themselves against medical advice. Conclusions: The protocol for transferring ED admitted patients to inpatient hallway beds did not reduce ED length of stay for oncology patients. The timeliness and frequency of clinical assessments were not compromised; however, patient satisfaction was decreased.
Diversify Water Supplies with Potable Reuse
Authors: Whitler John
Published: January 2015

Potable reuse is a strategy more water professionals are exploring as threats to water supply and water quality compel water utilities to seek new, reliable, and sustainable sources. With no national regulatory framework, water reuse is nevertheless happening today and on track to be implemented even more widely.
Treating Algal Blooms and Algal Toxins in Drinking Water
Authors: Cotruvo Joseph
Published: January 2015

Algae can be present in almost all surface water, triggering many concerns for drinking water professionals. Nutrient pollution can lead to algal blooms; taste‐and‐odor‐causing organisms; and, potentially, toxins.
The Social Roots of Contemporary Prejudice
Authors: Heylen Ben , Pauwels Lieven J.R.
Published: January 2015

Background: Evolutionary theory suggests prejudice may be a result of the evolution of human sociality. In this study, we investigate this claim by integrating theoretical insights of evolutionary theory with the well-established social psychological research on prejudice centering on Right Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) and Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) as the main predictors of prejudice.
Method: First, we developed two different signaling scales, probing respondents’ propensity to signal group commitment in a genuine or deceptive way. We administered a questionnaire consisting of the two signaling measures, RWA, SDO and prejudice measures to 1380 students. Analysis of the data was done using structural equation modeling.
Results: Our results indicate that genuine signaling of one’s commitment to the in-group is positively associated with RWA, and that deceptively signaling one’s commitment to the in-group is positively associated with SDO. Both RWA and SDO are positively related to prejudice.
Conclusion: Our study is the first to empirically reveal the pro-social roots of prejudice using classical measurement instruments. The findings give rise to a new array of research questions.
Witamowikok, « dire » le territoire atikamekw nehirowisiw aujourd’hui
Authors: Jérôme Laurent , Veilleux Vicky
Published: January 2015

Depuis trente ans, les Nehirowisiwok sont engagés dans un processus de revendication territoriale avec les gouvernements québécois et canadien. Cet article vise à documenter l’une des voies privilégiées de leur démarche de résistance, d’autodétermination et de reconnaissance de la souveraineté : celle du discours. La prise de parole est considérée comme un acte créatif à l’intérieur duquel s’exprime toute la capacité d’agir des Nehirowisiwok. Des récits récoltés lors de recherches de terrain réalisées depuis 2000 en territoire atikamekw nehirowisiw, ainsi que la production audiovisuelle atikamekw nehirowisiw du projet Wapikoni Mobile, constituent différentes sources permettant de relever les conceptions et les préoccupations des Nehirowisiwok d’aujourd’hui à l’égard de leur territoire. Avant de s’intéresser aux modalités d’appropriation des nouveaux médias par les autochtones, en particulier par les jeunes Nehirowisiwok, les auteurs ancrent d’abord leur propos dans des éléments de continuité de la tradition orale, pour ensuite valoriser le « dire » que des aînés témoins des transformations du territoire adressent aux nouvelles générations de Nehirowisiwok et aux non-autochtones.
L’occupation contemporaine du Nitaskinan par les Nehirowisiwok de Wemotaci
Authors: Wyatt Stephen , Chilton Yvon
Published: January 2015

Cet article explore les liens contemporains que les Nehirowisiwok entretiennent avec le Nitaskinan, leur territoire ancestral. Des entrevues avec une trentaine de membres de la communauté de Wemotaci ont révélé comment ils s’occupent du territoire en y pratiquant une grande diversité d’activités. Ces activités peuvent être regroupées selon trois thèmes principaux :kapeciwin, la vie au camp et sur le territoire,tipahiskan, les activités de gestion du territoire, etatoskewin, les prélèvements fauniques et végétatifs. Ensemble, ces activités permettent le maintien de la langue et des connaissances, ainsi que la continuation denehirowisi pimatisiwin, la mode de vie nehirowisiw. Cette étude démontre que l’occupation du Nitaskinan n’est pas simplement un fait historique, mais qu’elle est une pratique courante qui reste au coeur de la vie et de l’identité des Nehirowisiwok. En dépit des changements qui les entourent et d’une présence eurocanadienne toujours grandissante, les Nehirowisiwok de Wemotaci continuent à occuper et à s’occuper du Nitaskinan d’une manière à la fois traditionnelle et contemporaine.
Propriétés et territoires autochtones en Nouvelle-France
Authors: Morin Michel
Published: January 2015

Cet article est publié en deux parties. La première, parue dans notre dernier numéro (43, n

os

2-3), portait sur les débats concernant l’origine du contrôle territorial et sur la recon
naissance des territoires nationaux. La seconde
partie, qui apparaît dans le présent numéro, traite de la gestion des districts de chasse.

Dans le nord-est de l’Amérique du Nord, l’origine précolombienne des territoires familiaux autochtones a suscité une controverse chez les anthropologues, tout comme la possibilité que les Algonquiens aient élaboré par eux-mêmes des mesures de conservation des ressources fauniques. Pourtant, au début du xviie siècle, les Français n’ont aucune difficulté à reconnaître l’existence de territoires dont l’accès est contrôlé par des nations autochtones et qui constituent la propriété collective de l’une d’entre elles ; par conséquent, ses chefs en supervisent l’usage par ses membres. Avec le temps, les représentants du roi s’emploient à convaincre les peuples « frères » de s’accorder un droit mutuel de chasser sur leurs terres. Comme en Acadie, il existe en Nouvelle-France des « districts » de chasse bien délimités exploités sous la direction d’un chef de bande familiale. Les membres d’une autre bande ou les étrangers doivent obtenir la permission d’y chasser, quoique les incursions occasionnelles soient acceptées. À compter de 1660, des mesures de conservation sont observées dans la région des Grands Lacs et même dans celle du lac Champlain, mais au xviiie siècle, elles ne semblent pas connues sur la côte Nord ; cependant il paraît peu probable que les autochtones n’aient pas eu les connaissances suffisantes pour en élaborer eux-mêmes. Dans l’ensemble, leur conception du territoire semble d’origine autochtone plutôt que française. Elle repose sur l’existence de limites nationales et de districts bien définis, même si les observateurs français ne cherchent pas à décrire ceux-ci précisément.
Dette publique et croissance économique : investigation empirique pour la zone euro, l’Union européenne et les pays avancés
Authors: Ben Ltaief Leila
Published: January 2015

L’objet de cet article est d’étudier l’impact de la dette publique sur la croissance économique. Pour ce faire et afin d’éviter le problème d’hétérogénéité, un échantillon total de 35 pays (zone euro, Union européenne et pays avancés) est divisé en deux groupes, différenciés par leurs ratios d’endettement public en pourcentage du PIB. Nous testons cette problématique durant la période 2006-2013, marquée par la crise financière et celle de la dette souveraine. L’outil économétrique utilisé se base sur les estimations de la méthode des moments généralisés en panel dynamique, développée par Blundell et Bond (1998).

Les résultats obtenus au niveau de l’échantillon total et des pays très endettés plaident en faveur d’un effet négatif du fardeau élevé de la dette publique sur la croissance, au-delà des valeurs limites suggérées par le traité de Maastricht. Pour le groupe de pays qui maîtrise bien son ratio d’endettement, l’impact est au contraire positif, confirmant l’existence d’un effet d’incitation du déficit et de la dette publique à la croissance économique. La conclusion de ce travail est que la relation entre la dette publique et la croissance varie considérablement selon la période observée et le pays étudié. En plus, l’endettement public peut être considéré comme un outil légitime de politique économique qui permet de fabriquer la croissance, si elle est gérée avec prudence.
Políticas públicas de comunicação e cidadania digital
Authors: Geraldes Elen Cristine , Negrini Vanessa
Published: January 2015

Pesquisa do Comitê Gestor da Internet (CGI) no Brasil sobre o uso das tecnologias de infor-mação e comunicação (TIC) no país revela que o acesso à Internet e ao uso de computadores permanece desigual entre os diferentes extratos sociais e regiões brasileiras. Enquanto 98% da classe A e 80% da classe B possuem acesso à Internet, o percentual cai para 39% na classe C e 8% nas classes D e E. Nas áreas urbanas, a proporção de domicílios conectados é de 48%, enquanto nas rurais chega a 15%. Como, cada vez mais, as informações sobre o governo e o acesso a serviços ocorre por meio da rede, a inclusão digital se torna um desafio de primeira ordem para a comunicação pública, para que o exercício da cidadania seja pleno. O Estado precisa desenvolver políticas públicas de comunicação efetivas para diminuir essas diferenças, sob pena de se agravar ainda mais as desigualdades sociais já existentes. Neste artigo, realiza-se um cruzamento dos principais dados do estudo do CGI com levantamentos realizados por outras instituições de pesquisa sobre TIC, promovendo uma análise conceitual à luz das teorias de comunicação pública.
Abordagens conceituais sobre o cenário midiático contemporâneo: das Indústrias Culturais às Redes Digitais
Authors: Champangnatte Dostoiewski Mariatt de Oliveira , Cavalcanti Marcus Alexandre de Pádua
Published: January 2015

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise do heterogêneo cenário midiático contemporâneo a partir de abordagens conceituais que abrangem desde a discussão de práticas de meios de comunicação tradicionais, que fazem parte de indústrias culturais, à constituição e dinâmi-ca das redes digitais. Considera-se o cenário midiático contemporâneo como heterogêneo pela existência concomitante de práticas comunicacionais tradicionais, em que há a existência de um, ou poucos, emissores produzindo/distribuindo conteúdos para diversos receptores, em que essa relação é estanque. E pela existência de práticas horizontais, nas redes digitais, em que há a quebra da relação unidirecional emissor-receptor e todos podem ser agentes e interagir na produção/recepção de conteúdos em processos dinâmicos. As abor-dagens conceituais referem-se, principalmente, aos conceitos de indústria cultural e hege-monia, evidenciando a contemporaneidade desses para a análise de meios de comunicação tradicionais. E aos conceitos de rizoma e contra-hegemonia, para análise da constituição e funcionamento das redes digitais e das práticas possíveis de resistência às formas tradicio-nais de comunicação.
Fazendo faxina no Facebook: implicações do gerenciamento e comunicação com a Rede de Contatos para Dinâmicas de Autoapresentação
Authors: Polivanov Beatriz Bandrão
Published: January 2015

O trabalho tem como objetivo discutir, a partir de revisão da literatura e pesquisa empírica de cunho etnográfico, como atores sociais gerenciam suas redes de contatos no site de rede social Facebook e investigar quais as implicações desse processo para dinâmicas de autoapresentação. Para tal, utiliza-se o conceito de friendship performance proposto por Boyd e Ellison (2007), em diálogo com outros autores que se debruçam sobre questões relacionadas à sociabilidade e construção identitária nessas plataformas. Conclui-se que um dos aspectos que diferencia o Facebook de outros ambientes é o fato de que nele frequentemente fazem parte da rede de contatos de um ator pessoas com as quais convive em contextos sociais distintos, fazendo com que tenha que gerenciar suas amizades de modo autorreflexivo e constante.
Applying the cold plasma dispersion relation to whistler mode chorus waves: EMFISIS wave measurements from the Van Allen Probes
Authors: Hartley D. P. , Chen Y. , Kletzing C. A. , Denton M. H. , Kurth W. S.
Published: January 2015

Most theoretical wave models require the power in the wave magnetic field in order to determine the effect of chorus waves on radiation belt electrons. However, researchers typically use the cold plasma dispersion relation to approximate the magnetic wave power when only electric field data are available. In this study, the validity of using the cold plasma dispersion relation in this context is tested using Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) observations of both the electric and magnetic spectral intensities in the chorus wave band (0.1–0.9 fce). Results from this study indicate that the calculated wave intensity is least accurate during periods of enhanced wave activity. For observed wave intensities >10−3 nT2, using the cold plasma dispersion relation results in an underestimate of the wave intensity by a factor of 2 or greater 56% of the time over the full chorus wave band, 60% of the time for lower band chorus, and 59% of the time for upper band chorus. Hence, during active periods, empirical chorus wave models that are reliant on the cold plasma dispersion relation will underestimate chorus wave intensities to a significant degree, thus causing questionable calculation of wave‐particle resonance effects on MeV electrons.