bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of spinal osteotomies on spinal cord tension and dural buckling: a cadaveric study
Authors: Safain Mina G. , Burke Shane M. , Riesenburger Ron I. , Zerris Vasilios , Hwang Steven W.
Published: April 2015

OBJECT

The standard surgical release of a tethered cord may result in recurrent scar formation and occasionally be associated with retethering. The application of spinal shortening procedures to this challenging problem potentially can reduce tension on the retethered spinal cord while minimizing the difficulties inherent in traditional lumbosacral detethering revision. Although spinal shortening procedures have proven clinical benefit in patients with a recurrent tethered cord, it is unclear how much shortening is required to achieve adequate reduction in spinal cord tension or what impact these osteotomies have on dural buckling.

METHODS

The authors calculated mean values from 4 human cadavers to evaluate the effect of 3 different spinal shortening procedures—Smith-Petersen osteotomy (SPO), pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO), and vertebral column resection (VCR)—on spinal cord tension and dural buckling. Three cadavers were dedicated to the measurement of spinal cord tension, and 3 other cadavers were devoted to myelography to measure dural buckling parameters.

RESULTS

The SPO was associated with a maximal decrease in spinal cord tension of 16.1% from baseline and no dural buckling with any degree of closure. The PSO led to a mean maximal decrease in spinal cord tension of 63.1% from baseline at 12 mm of closure and demonstrated a direct linear relationship between dural buckling and increasing osteotomy closure. Finally, VCR closure correlated with a mean maximal decrease in spinal cord tension of 87.2% from baseline at 10 mm of closure and also showed a direct linear relationship between dural buckling and increases in osteotomy closure.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cadaveric experiment, the SPO did not lead to appreciable tension reduction, while a substantial response was seen with both the PSO and VCR. The rate of tension reduction may be steeper for the VCR than the PSO. Adequate tension relief while minimizing dural buckling may be optimal with 12–16 mm of posterior osteotomy closure based on this cadaveric experiment.
Cleavage of Carbofuran and Carbofuran-Derivatives in Micellar Aggregates
Authors: Morales J. , Moldes O.A. , Cid A. , Astray G. , Mejuto J.C.
Published: April 2015

In recent years, the stability of carbamate pesticides have been studied by our research group in a wide range of biomimetic microheterogeneous media such as micelles or reverse micelles. These microheterogeneous media included different surfactant species and, hence, different self-assembled structures. In particular, basic hydrolysis of carbofuran and its derivatives have been analysed in the presence of anionic, cationic, non-ionic and reverse micelles. The results obtained from these physicochemical and kinetic studies, as well as a consistent comparison of them, are now summarised.
Catalytic Performance of SAPO-34 Catalysts of Different Crystal Sizes in Methanol-to-Olefins Reactions: Effects of Synthetic Parameters
Authors: Askari Sima , Halladj Rouein , Askari Roya , Bosari Sahand Saberi
Published: April 2015

The catalytic performance of SAPO-34 catalysts which were synthesised hydrothermally under different conditions was investigated in methanol-to-olefins reactions. The significance of template, silicon sources and crystallisation time on catalytic performance, and deactivation of SAPO-34 catalysts, were studied. High methanol conversion and yield of light olefins were obtained over the nano-sized catalyst synthesised with tetraethylammonium hydroxide as template source and tetraethyl orthosilicate as silica source with a crystallisation time of 24 h, owing to its higher crystallinity and smaller crystal size. The SAPO-34 catalysts with larger sizes of crystals deactivate rapidly, while smaller crystals retain their activity for a longer time.
Cucurbit [7] Uril Host–Guest Complexation of Nereistoxin Investigated by Competitive Binding of Palmatine Fluorescent Probe
Authors: Zhang Chen-Xuan , Jing Xu , Du Li-Ming , Liu Hai-Long , Li Jun , Zhao Shu-Guang , Fu Yun-Long
Published: April 2015

The inclusion complex formation of nereistoxin (NTX) with cucurbit[7] uril (CB[7]) in aqueous solution was investigated by competitive binding of palmatine (PAL) fluorescent probe. The CB[7]–PAL complex exhibited high fluorescence in aqueous solution, which was quenched in the presence of NTX. This is due to the extrusion of PAL from the CB[7] cavity into the aqueous phase by NTX. The association constants ( K) for the inclusion complexation of the host and guest were determined. The encapsulation of NTX and PAL as they compete for occupancy of the CB[7] cavity was studied using absorption, spectrofluorimetry, 1H NMR, and molecular modelling calculations.
Density Functional Theoretical Study on the Mechanism of Adsorption of 2-Chlorophenol from Water Using γ-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Magham A. Heshmati Jannat , Morsali A. , Es'haghi Z. , Beyramabadi S. A. , Chegini H.
Published: April 2015

Using density functional theory, the mechanism of adsorption of 2-chlorophenol from water in the presence of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles was investigated. Fe2O3 nanoparticles were modelled using Fe6(OH)18(H2O)6 ring clusters. 2-chlorophenol can coordinate to the γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles via its own OH or Cl groups. The process produces two intermediates which will be converted into final products through two pathways (Cl pathway and OH pathway). The activation energy and activation Gibbs free energy of the two pathways have been calculated and compared with each other. It was found that the OH pathway is under thermodynamic control and the C1 pathway is under kinetic control. All of the calculations were performed using a hybrid density functional method (B3LYP) in the solution phase (PCM model).
A Theoretical Study on the Functionalisation Process of C18NB Fullerene Through its Open [5,5] Cycloaddition with 4-Pyridine Nitrile Oxide
Authors: Siadati Seyyed Amir , Alinezhad Miaad
Published: April 2015

C20 nanofullerene and its derivatives, as the smallest carbon cages, are amongthe most important compounds in the field of nanoscience. As a result, it is very important to find a procedure to functionalise these precious compounds to exploit their numerous benefits. So, in this study, the process was investigated of adding a functional group to one of the C20 fullerene derivatives, via its open [5,5] cycloaddition reaction with 4-pyridine nitrile oxide. This showed that the open [5,5] cycloaddition reaction between 4-pyridine nitrile oxide and C18NB fullerene takes place with sufficient speed that would need no catalyst.

According to the calculations, a highly asynchronous concerted mechanism operates in this reaction. It seems that oxygen–boron interaction causes the mechanism to be asynchronous. All calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory.
Green and One-Pot Electrochemical Synthesis of New Benzofurans Based on an ECC Mechanism
Authors: Rajabi Maryam , Radmannia Sepideh , Ameri Mohsen , Asghari Alireza , Bakherad Mohammad
Published: April 2015

The electrochemical oxidation of quinizarine has been studied in the presence of methyl cyanoacetate and ethyl cyanoacetate acting as a nucleophile in acetate buffer solution mixed with ethanol (30/70 v/v) using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry methods. The results revealed that anthracene-1,4,9,10-tetraone derived from the electro-oxidation of quinizarin participates in 1,4-Michael addition reactions with cyanoacetate derivatives. The adducts formed convert to the corresponding benzofuran derivatives through an ECC (Electrochemical, Chemical, Chemical reaction) mechanism. In the present study, benzofuran derivatives were synthesised in good yields using controlled potential electro-oxidation at three graphite electrode in an undivided cell under mild conditions.
Diels–Alder Reactions of α-Cyano α,β-Unsaturated Ketones with 2-Methyl-1,3-Butadiene: DFT Study of Mechanism, Reactivity and Regioselectivity
Authors: Nouri Azita , Zahedi Ehsan , Jafari Fateme Joneydi , Nouri Arezu
Published: April 2015

The mechanism, reactivity and regioselectivity of Diels–Alder cycloaddition reactions of 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene with four dienophiles, ( E)-2-benzylidene-3-oxobutanenitrile, ( E)-2-(furan-2-ylmethylene)-3-oxopentanenitrile, ( E)-2-benzylidene-4,4-dimethyl-3-oxopentanenitrile, and (E)-2-benzoyl-3-(furan-2-yl) acrylonitrile, have been studied by means of several theoretical approaches. The regioselectivity of these reactions has been confirmed by their activation energies, the Gazquez–Mendez rule, Houk's rule and global descriptors of the products. All the studied reactions have normal electron demand character and a polar nature. All calculations were done at the DFT-B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory.
A Malignant Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? A Cardiothoracic Surgeon's Perspective and Remedial Implications
Authors: Nathanson Michael
Published: April 2015

A debate persists whether the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be resolved through substantive and ‘painful’ compromises or that the foundational parametres of the conflict apriori deny a resolution. The nationalist Zionist agenda of mass Jewish settlement in Palestine inevitably clashed with Palestinian nationalist sentiments. Both nationalist movements saw the conflict as mutually exclusive. European imperialist designs and US political considerations at home only cemented the intractability of the conflict. As such, the conflict is akin to a human malignant process that is allowed to progress unchecked and compromises its host because those who were and are responsible to eradicate it have committed malpractice.
Monoliths in Bioprocess Technology
Authors: Rajamanickam Vignesh , Herwig Christoph , Spadiut Oliver
Published: April 2015

Monolithic columns are a special type of chromatography column, which can be used for the purification of different biomolecules. They have become popular due to their high mass transfer properties and short purification times. Several articles have already discussed monolith manufacturing, as well as monolith characteristics. In contrast, this review focuses on the applied aspect of monoliths and discusses the most relevant biomolecules that can be successfully purified by them. We describe success stories for viruses, nucleic acids and proteins and compare them to conventional purification methods. Furthermore, the advantages of monolithic columns over particle-based resins, as well as the limitations of monoliths are discussed. With a compilation of commercially available monolithic columns, this review aims at serving as a ‘yellow pages’ for bioprocess engineers who face the challenge of purifying a certain biomolecule using monoliths.
Multi-State Quantum Dissipative Dynamics in Sub-Ohmic Environment: The Strong Coupling Regime
Authors: Magazzù Luca , Valenti Davide , Carollo Angelo , Spagnolo Bernardo
Published: April 2015

We study the dissipative quantum dynamics and the asymptotic behavior of a particle in a bistable potential interacting with a sub-Ohmic broadband environment. The reduced dynamics, in the intermediate to strong dissipation regime, is obtained beyond the two-level system approximation by using a real-time path integral approach. We find a crossover dynamic regime with damped intra-well oscillations and incoherent tunneling and a completely incoherent regime at strong damping. Moreover, a nonmonotonic behavior of the left/right well population difference is found as a function of the damping strength.
Toward Isolation of Salient Features in Stable Boundary Layer Wind Fields that Influence Loads on Wind Turbines
Authors: Park Jinkyoo , Manuel Lance , Basu Sukanta
Published: April 2015

Neutral boundary layer (NBL) flow fields, commonly used in turbine load studies and design, are generated using spectral procedures in stochastic simulation. For large utility-scale turbines, stable boundary layer (SBL) flow fields are of great interest because they are often accompanied by enhanced wind shear, wind veer, and even low-level jets (LLJs). The generation of SBL flow fields, in contrast to simpler stochastic simulation for NBL, requires computational fluid dynamics (CFD) procedures to capture the physics and noted characteristics—such as shear and veer—that are distinct from those seen in NBL flows. At present, large-eddy simulation (LES) is the most efficient CFD procedure for SBL flow field generation and related wind turbine loads studies. Design standards, such as from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), provide guidance albeit with simplifying assumptions (one such deals with assuming constant variance of turbulence over the rotor) and recommend standard target turbulence power spectra and coherence functions to allow NBL flow field simulation. In contrast, a systematic SBL flow field simulation procedure has not been offered for design or for site assessment. It is instructive to compare LES-generated SBL flow fields with stochastic NBL flow fields and associated loads which we evaluate for a 5-MW turbine; in doing so, we seek to isolate distinguishing characteristics of wind shear, wind veer, and turbulence variation over the rotor plane in the alternative flow fields and in the turbine loads. Because of known differences in NBL-stochastic and SBL-LES wind fields but an industry preference for simpler stochastic simulation in design practice, this study investigates if one can reproduce stable atmospheric conditions using stochastic approaches with appropriate corrections for shear, veer, turbulence, etc. We find that such simple tuning cannot consistently match turbine target SBL load statistics, even though this is possible in some cases. As such, when there is a need to consider different stability regimes encountered by a wind turbine, easy solutions do not exist and large-eddy simulation at least for the stable boundary layer is needed.
Effect of the Characters of Chitosans Used and Regeneration Conditions on the Yield and Physicochemical Characteristics of Regenerated Products
Authors: Hsu Chu , Chen Szu , Chen Wei , Tsai Min , Chen Rong
Published: April 2015

The objective of this study was to explore the effect of the character of chitosans used, and the regeneration conditions employed on, the yield and physicochemical characteristics of regenerated products. Different concentrations of acetic acid were used to dissolve chitosans of 61.7% and 94.9% degree of deacetylation (DD), and weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 176 and 97 kDa, respectively; they were then precipitated with an 8 N NaOH solution, followed by washing and neutral and freeze drying to get the regenerated products. Yields of regenerated products and their physicochemical properties, such as ash content, bulk density, Mw, polydispersity index (PDI), DD, and crystallinity were measured. A higher concentration of acetic acid used resulted in a higher yield. The purity of the regenerated product increased significantly, whereas the bulk density and crystallinity decreased significantly after regeneration. The regeneration process showed its merits of narrowing down the PDI of regenerated products. The DD and structure of chitosan was changed insignificantly after the regeneration process.
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Reduces Neonatal Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Long-Lasting Neurobehavioral Deficits and Dopaminergic Neuronal Injury in Adult Rats
Authors: Pang Yi , Tien Lu-Tai , Zhu Hobart , Shen Juying , Wright Camilla , Jones Tembra , Mamoon Samir , Bhatt Abhay , Cai Zhengwei , Fan Lir-Wan
Published: April 2015

Our previous study showed that a single lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment to neonatal rats could induce a long-lasting neuroinflammatory response and dopaminergic system injury late in life. This is evidenced by a sustained activation of microglia and elevated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels, as well as reduced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the substantia nigra (SN) of P70 rat brain. The object of the current study was to test whether co-administration of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) protects against LPS-induced neurological dysfunction later in life. LPS (1 mg/kg) with or without IL-1ra (0.1 mg/kg), or sterile saline was injected intracerebrally into postnatal day 5 (P5) Sprague-Dawley male rat pups. Motor behavioral tests were carried out from P7 to P70 with subsequent examination of brain injury. Our results showed that neonatal administration of IL-1ra significantly attenuated LPS-induced motor behavioral deficits, loss of TH immunoreactive neurons, as well as microglia activation in the SN of P70 rats. These data suggest that IL-1β may play a pivotal role in mediating a chronic neuroinflammation status by a single LPS exposure in early postnatal life, and blockading IL-1β might be a novel approach to protect the dopaminergic system against perinatal infection/inflammation exposure.
Pathological Bases for a Robust Application of Cancer Molecular Classification
Authors: Diaz-Cano Salvador
Published: April 2015

Any robust classification system depends on its purpose and must refer to accepted standards, its strength relying on predictive values and a careful consideration of known factors that can affect its reliability. In this context, a molecular classification of human cancer must refer to the current gold standard (histological classification) and try to improve it with key prognosticators for metastatic potential, staging and grading. Although organ-specific examples have been published based on proteomics, transcriptomics and genomics evaluations, the most popular approach uses gene expression analysis as a direct correlate of cellular differentiation, which represents the key feature of the histological classification. RNA is a labile molecule that varies significantly according with the preservation protocol, its transcription reflect the adaptation of the tumor cells to the microenvironment, it can be passed through mechanisms of intercellular transference of genetic information (exosomes), and it is exposed to epigenetic modifications. More robust classifications should be based on stable molecules, at the genetic level represented by DNA to improve reliability, and its analysis must deal with the concept of intratumoral heterogeneity, which is at the origin of tumor progression and is the byproduct of the selection process during the clonal expansion and progression of neoplasms. The simultaneous analysis of multiple DNA targets and next generation sequencing offer the best practical approach for an analytical genomic classification of tumors.
The Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Thirty-Five Year Experience Assuring Newborn Screening Laboratory Quality
Authors: De Jesús Víctor , Mei Joanne , Cordovado Suzanne , Cuthbert Carla
Published: April 2015

Newborn screening is the largest genetic testing effort in the United States and is considered one of the ten great public health achievements during the first 10 years of the 21st century. For over 35 years, the Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Program (NSQAP) at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has helped NBS laboratories ensure that their testing does not delay diagnosis, minimizes false-positive reports, and sustains high-quality testing performance. It is a multi-component program that provides comprehensive quality assurance services for dried blood spot testing. The NSQAP, the Biochemical Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (BMSL), the Molecular Quality Improvement Program (MQIP) and the Newborn Screening Translation Research Initiative (NSTRI), aid screening laboratories achieve technical proficiency and maintain confidence in their performance while processing large volumes of specimens daily. The accuracy of screening tests could be the difference between life and death for many babies; in other instances, identifying newborns with a disorder means that they can be treated and thus avoid life-long disability or severe cognitive impairment. Thousands of newborns and their families have benefited from reliable and accurate testing that has been accomplished by a network of screening laboratories and the NSQAP, BMSL, MQIP and NSTRI.
Landcover Change, Land Surface Temperature, Surface Albedo and Topography in the Plateau Region of North-Central Nigeria
Authors: Odunuga Shakirudeen , Badru Gbolahan
Published: April 2015

This study assessed the change in some environmental parameters in the Plateau region of North-Central Nigeria (Barakinladi, Jos, and Kafachan environs) using the nexus of landcover change, land surface temperature, surface albedo, and topography. The study employed both remote sensing and statistical techniques for the period between 1986 and 2014 to analyze the dynamics between and within these environmental variables. In Barakinladi, the built up landcover change is highest (increasing from 39.53% to 47.59% between 1986 and 2014); LST ranges from 19.09 °C to 38.59 °C in 1986 and from 22.68 °C and 41.68 °C in 2014; and the albedo ranges between 0.014 and 0.154 in 1986 and 0.017 and 0.248 in 2014. In Jos, the built-up landcover occupied 34.26% in 1986 and 36.67% in 2014; LST values range between 20.83 °C and 41.33 °C in 1986 and between 21.61 °C and 42.64 °C in 2014; and the albedo ranges between 0.003 and 0.211 in 1986 and 0.15 and 0.237 in 2014. In Kafachan area, the built up landcover occupied 32.95% in 1986 and 39.01% in 2014. Urbanization and agricultural activities, including animal grazing, were responsible for the gradual loss in vegetation and increasing average LST and albedo. The results also revealed that changing landcover and topography have a relationship with surface albedo and land surface temperature, thereby impacting significantly on ecosystem services delivered by the natural system.
Chilean Prosopis Mesocarp Flour: Phenolic Profiling and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Schmeda-Hirschmann Guillermo , Quispe Cristina , Soriano Maria , Theoduloz Cristina , Jiménez-Aspée Felipe , Pérez Maria , Cuello Ana , Isla Maria
Published: April 2015

In South America, the mesocarp flour of Prosopis species plays a prominent role as a food resource in arid areas. The aim of this work was the characterization of the phenolic antioxidants occurring in the pod mesocarp flour of Chilean Prosopis. Samples were collected in the Copiapo, Huasco and Elqui valleys from the north of Chile. The samples of P. chilensis flour exhibited a total phenolic content ranging between 0.82–2.57 g gallic acid equivalents/100 g fresh flour weight. The highest antioxidant activity, measured by the DPPH assay, was observed for samples from the Huasco valley. HPLC-MS/MS analysis allowed the tentative identification of eight anthocyanins and 13 phenolic compounds including flavonol glycosides, C-glycosyl flavones and ellagic acid derivatives. The antioxidant activity and the phenolic composition in the flour suggest that this ancient South American resource may have potential as a functional food.
Landscapes of Research: Perceptions of Open Access (OA) Publishing in the Arts and Humanities
Authors: Gross Julia , Ryan John
Published: April 2015

It is widely known now that scholarly communication is in crisis, resting on an academic publishing model that is unsustainable. One response to this crisis has been the emergence of Open Access (OA) publishing, bringing scholarly literature out from behind a paywall and making it freely available to anyone online. Many research and academic libraries are facilitating the change to OA by establishing institutional repositories, supporting OA policies, and hosting OA journals. In addition, research funding bodies, such as the Australian Research Council (ARC), are mandating that all published grant research outputs be made available in OA, unless legal and contractual obligations prevent this. Despite these broader changes, not all scholars are aware of the new publishing environment. In particular, the rate of adoption of OA models in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) has historically been lower than Science, Technology and Medicine (STM) disciplines. Nevertheless, some local and international OA exemplars exist in HSS. At Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia, the faculty-administered environmental humanities journal, Landscapes, was migrated to the institutional open access repository in 2013. Subsequently, researchers in the Faculty of Education and Arts were surveyed regarding their knowledge, understandings, and perceptions of OA publishing. The survey was also designed to elicit the barriers to OA publishing perceived or experienced by HSS researchers. This article will present the findings of our small faculty-based OA survey, with particular attention to HSS academics (and within this subject group, particular attention to the arts and humanities), their perceptions of OA, and the impediments they encounter. We argue that OA publishing will continue to transform scholarship within the arts and humanities, especially through the role of institutional repositories. The “library-as-publisher” role offers the potential to transform academic and university-specific publishing activities. However, the ongoing training of university researchers and personnel is required to bring into balance their understandings of OA publisher and the demands of the broader Australian and international research environment.
A Multi-User Game-Theoretical Multipath Routing Protocol to Send Video-Warning Messages over Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Mezher Ahmad , Igartua Mónica , De la Cruz Llopis Luis , Segarra Esteve , Tripp-Barba Carolina , Urquiza-Aguiar Luis , Forné Jordi , Gargallo Emilio
Published: April 2015

The prevention of accidents is one of the most important goals of ad hoc networks in smart cities. When an accident happens, dynamic sensors (e.g., citizens with smart phones or tablets, smart vehicles and buses, etc.) could shoot a video clip of the accident and send it through the ad hoc network. With a video message, the level of seriousness of the accident could be much better evaluated by the authorities (e.g., health care units, police and ambulance drivers) rather than with just a simple text message. Besides, other citizens would be rapidly aware of the incident. In this way, smart dynamic sensors could participate in reporting a situation in the city using the ad hoc network so it would be possible to have a quick reaction warning citizens and emergency units. The deployment of an efficient routing protocol to manage video-warning messages in mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) has important benefits by allowing a fast warning of the incident, which potentially can save lives. To contribute with this goal, we propose a multipath routing protocol to provide video-warning messages in MANETs using a novel game-theoretical approach. As a base for our work, we start from our previous work, where a 2-players game-theoretical routing protocol was proposed to provide video-streaming services over MANETs. In this article, we further generalize the analysis made for a general number of N players in the MANET. Simulations have been carried out to show the benefits of our proposal, taking into account the mobility of the nodes and the presence of interfering traffic. Finally, we also have tested our approach in a vehicular ad hoc network as an incipient start point to develop a novel proposal specifically designed for VANETs.
Application of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Sensors Contactless NDT of Concrete Structures
Authors: Ham Suyun , Popovics John
Published: April 2015

The utility of micro-electro-mechanical sensors (MEMS) for application in air-coupled (contactless or noncontact) sensing to concrete nondestructive testing (NDT) is studied in this paper. The fundamental operation and characteristics of MEMS are first described. Then application of MEMS sensors toward established concrete test methods, including vibration resonance, impact-echo, ultrasonic surface wave, and multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW), is demonstrated. In each test application, the performance of MEMS is compared with conventional contactless and contact sensing technology. Favorable performance of the MEMS sensors demonstrates the potential of the technology for applied contactless NDT efforts. Objective: To illustrate the utility of air-coupled MEMS sensors for concrete NDT, as compared with conventional sensor technology.
Basic Characteristics of a Macroscopic Measure for Detecting Abnormal Changes in a Multiagent System
Authors: Kinoshita Tetsuo
Published: April 2015

Multiagent application systems must deal with various changes in both the system and the system environment at runtime. Generally, such changes have undesirable negative effects on the system. To manage and control the system, it is important to observe and detect negative effects using an appropriate observation function of the system’s behavior. This paper focuses on the design of this function and proposes a new macroscopic measure with which to observe behavioral characteristics of a runtime multiagent system. The proposed measure is designed as the variance of fluctuation of a macroscopic activity factor of the whole system, based on theoretical analysis of the macroscopic behavioral model of a multiagent system. Experiments are conducted to investigate basic characteristics of the proposed measure, using a test bed system. The results of experiments show that the proposed measure reacts quickly and increases drastically in response to abnormal changes in the system. Hence, the proposed measure is considered a measure that can be used to detect undesirable changes in a multiagent system.
Consumer Acceptance of Eco-Labeled Fish: A Mexican Case Study
Authors: Pérez-Ramírez Mónica , Almendarez-Hernández Marco , Avilés-Polanco Gerzaín , Beltrán-Morales Luis
Published: April 2015

Fish eco-labeling is a market-based incentive program for sustainable fisheries. This paper examines consumers’ acceptance of eco-labeled fish by using data from a pilot study conducted in a coastal area of northwestern Mexico. An ordered probit model was applied, using 364 observations. The results show that most respondents favor the idea of eco-labeled fish as a sustainable option and know that this is a costlier option. Income level, consumers’ occupation and frequency of fish consumption are factors taken into account in the buying decision. Price was not a statistically significant factor affecting purchase decision. The study suggests that employed consumers with knowledge of labels may prioritize their demand for eco-labeled fish. Thus, providing a clear definition of sustainability that increases consumer awareness might be a promising strategy in developing the market for eco-labeled fish. The results and their implications could be employed as an element for future development of consumer policies related to fish sustainability.
Active Tectonics Revealed by River Profiles along the Puqu Fault
Authors: Lu Ping , Shang Yu
Published: April 2015

The Puqu Fault is situated in Southern Tibet. It is influenced by the eastward extrusion of Northern Tibet and carries the clockwise rotation followed by the southward extrusion. Thus, the Puqu Fault is bounded by the principal dynamic zones and the tectonic evolution remains active alongside. This study intends to understand the tectonic activity in the Puqu Fault Region from the river profiles obtained from the remotely sensed satellite imagery. A medium resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM, 20 m) was generated from an Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) stereo pair of images and the stream network in this region was extracted from this DEM. The indices of slope and drainage area were subsequently calculated from this ASTER DEM. Based on the stream power law, the area-slope plots of the streams were delineated to derive the indices of channel concavity and steepness, which are closely related to tectonic activity. The results show the active tectonics varying significantly along the Puqu Fault, although the potential influence of glaciations may exist. These results are expected to be useful for a better understanding of tectonic evolution in Southeastern Tibet.
Fabrication of high-resolution nanostructures of complex geometry by the single-spot nanolithography method
Authors: Samardak Alexander , Anisimova Margarita , Samardak Aleksei , Ognev Alexey
Published: April 2015

The paper presents a method for the high-resolution production of polymer nanopatterns with controllable geometrical parameters by means of a single-spot electron-beam lithography technique. The essence of the method entails the overexposure of a positive-tone resist, spin-coated onto a substrate where nanoscale spots are exposed to an electron beam with a dose greater than 0.1 pC per dot. A single-spot enables the fabrication of a nanoring, while a chain of spots placed at distance of 5–30 nm from each other allows the production of a polymer pattern of complex geometry of sub-10 nm resolution. We demonstrate that in addition to the naturally oxidized silicon substrates, gold-coated substrates can also successfully be used for the single-spot nanopattering technique. An explanation of the results related to the resist overexposure was demonstrated using Monte Carlo simulations. Our nanofabrication method significantly accelerates (up to 10 times) the fabrication rate as compared to conventional lithography on positive-tone resist. This technique can be potentially employed in the electronics industry for the production of nanoprinted lithography molds, etching masks, nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, NEMS and MEMS devices.
REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT GENERATION POTENTIAL OF THE TURKISH LABOR MARKET: AN INTER-SECTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: GÜNDÜZ Umut , KAYA Tolga
Published: April 2015

Contractionary effects of the current global crisis are not homogenous among sectors. Moreover, sectoral employment multipliers and high regional unemployment differentials unequally transfer these effects into labor market. The purpose of this study is to explore the inter-sectoral sensitivities of regional labor markets in Turkey to changes in the final demand. To do this, we decompose the labor demand by sectors and by regions using input-output methodology. Own employment generation effects and regional employment multipliers of each sector are calculated. Overall findings constitute an employment generation map of Turkey. One of the major findings is the strength of the mutual relationship between agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The biggest spillover effect is created by manufacturing upon mostly agriculture, trade and transportation. Agriculture, social services and trade are the most sensitive sectors to changes in the final demand. At regional level; trade, social services and manufacturing are the most influential sectors on Istanbul. Besides, agriculture, social services and construction sectors have the highest employment generation potentials in South Eastern Anatolia.
Simplification from Twice-Daily to Once-Daily Darunavir/Ritonavir in a Randomized Trial among HIV-Infected Persons with HIV-1 RNA Suppression on Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Huhn Gregory D , Sigman Andrew , Livak Britt
Published: April 2015

Background

DRIVESHAFT is a randomized, open-label, 48-week clinical trial that examined virological outcomes and safety of antiretroviral simplification among virologically suppressed, treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients switching from darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) twice-daily-based regimens to a once-daily DRV/r component.

Methods

HIV-infected adults with a stable antiretroviral regimen including DRV/r 600/100 mg twice daily plus a minimum of two other antiretrovirals, <2 historical DRV-associated mutations and HIV RNA<40 copies/ml for at least 12 weeks prior to entry were eligible. Participants were randomized 1:1 to switch DRV/r to 800/100 mg once daily or maintain their current regimen. The primary end point was HIV-1 RNA<40 copies/ml at week 48 using the Snapshot algorithm.

Results

Demographics and baseline characteristics were similar between arms. Virological suppression was greater in the DRV/r once-daily ( n=30) versus twice-daily ( n=30) arm at week 48 (90.0% versus 83.3%; 95% CI: -11.5, 24.8). Three subjects discontinued the once-daily arm, with four discontinuations and one virological failure in the twice-daily arm. No discontinuations were related to adverse events. Reduction in LDL was significantly greater in the once-daily arm at week 24 (-8.0 mg/dl versus 3.3 mg/dl; P=0.04). There was a trend towards suboptimal adherence <90% to antiretrovirals among subjects taking twice-daily versus once-daily DRV/r by week 48 (12.0% versus 0.0%; P=0.06).

Conclusions

Switching from twice-daily to once-daily DRV/r in virologically suppressed patients maintains viro-logical control, with greater reduction in LDL cholesterol by 24 weeks. This study provides pilot data that could be used to design a non-inferiority study to definitively answer the question of whether switching from twice-daily to once-daily DRV/r maintains viral suppression. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01423812.
La monnaie à Sparte
Authors: Christien Jacqueline
Published: April 2015

Les travaux de S. Grunauer avaient fixé un cadre général pour les monnaies de Sparte. Cependant, dès la parution du livre, il apparaissait que, pour les premiers temps, il y avait des anomalies qu’il fallait revoir. Cet article tente de cerner de plus près, à l’aide des travaux plus récents des numismates, comme à la lumière de mes propres recherches en Laconie et sur Sparte hellénistique, les possibilités d’une plus grande historicité de la production de monnaies lacédémoniennes. Certaines doivent être rendues à la période 146/48, étrangement absente dans le classement de S. Grunauer, d’autres (les tétradrachmes à tête d’adolescent) réexaminées et réattribuées, l’ensemble rattaché aux évolutions historiques. C’est le but de cet article.
Les kryptoi spartiates
Authors: Couvenhes Jean-Christophe
Published: April 2015

La question de la cryptie spartiate est ancienne. Elle a déjà fait l’objet de nombreuses études. Les savants se sont dirigés dans deux directions : une approche militaire où la cryptie est un élément de la défense du territoire et une approche anthropologique où la cryptie est un rite initiatique. À contre-courant de la deuxième approche, l’article propose de revisiter la première approche. Il s’agit de s’intéresser aux kryptoi plus qu’à la cryptie. L’examen des sources ainsi qu’un détour par les kryptoi athéniens permettent, nous semble-t-il, de « déritualiser » la cryptie pour davantage la « militariser ». L’institution pourrait avoir été crée après la perte du territoire messénien en 369.
Les conséquences de l’urbanisation hellénistique sur la description de Sparte par Pausanias le périégète
Authors: Della Santa Mario
Published: April 2015

Il n’est pas possible de restituer les parcours de Pausanias à travers Sparte en partant du texte sans points de repère archéologiques. En revanche, une lecture du texte du Périégète attentive et libérée de tout préjugé peut nous conduire à une identification précise des monuments. L’auteur donne quelques conclusions auxquelles on peut arriver en reconnaissant la structure du texte, la méthode de travail de Pausanias, les changements survenus pendants les siècles.
Anaplèrôsis et agôgè au temps des rois Agis IV (244-241) et Cléomène III (235-222)
Authors: Hoffmann Geneviève
Published: April 2015

Agôgè ou « discipline » n’est pas un terme technique pour désigner le système éducatif spartiate ou paideia . Selon une tradition reproduite par Plutarque dans sa Vie de Cléomène (11, 4), il est à lier avec le système éducatif créé par Sphairos le Borysthénien pour les neoi . Les rois Agis et Cléomène ont eu à composer avec les autorités de leur cité et la menace de stasis . Ils voulurent augmenter le corps civique par une anaplèrôsis . Dans un contexte difficile, l’ agôgè est un moyen de former les neoi et d’intégrer les nouveaux citoyens dans le même «  Spartan way of life  ». C’est une garantie donnée par les rois Agis et Cléomène pour prouver qu’ils respectent la politeia de Lycurgue. Ils ne sont pas des tyrans.
Les carrières de Laconie : essai de synthèse
Authors: Christien Jacqueline
Published: April 2015

Si le Magne est un bloc de marbre (mais aussi de poros ) sur l’eau – et il en reste à découvrir car les pierres de couleur et aussi de luxe ont focalisé l’attention –, il existe bien d’autres carrières en Laconie. Le cap Malée et Cythère ont d’immenses carrières de poros , le fond du golfe aussi a des traces d’exploitation. Tout cela a connu sans doute une exploitation intensive à partir de l’arrivée des Romains, mais tous les indices montrent que les exploitations étaient souvent bien plus anciennes. Cependant ces carrières fournissaient surtout les navires qui passaient d’un bassin de la Méditerranée à l’autre. Pour Sparte et la Laconie intérieure on a d’autres carrières, moins géantes (sauf celles ouvertes par les Romains au nord de la carrière de l’Amyclaion, et le poros de l’Eurotas), de marbres gris généralement, et surtout présentes dans le Parnon. Tout au nord, une carrière près des sources du Tanos est le pendant de la carrière arcadienne de Doliana et a pu fournir du marbre blanc. Ces carrières-là sont d’usage interne, contrairement à celles de la côte. Nous avons essayé de voir s’il était possible de mettre ces éléments en relation avec ce que l’on a comme éléments historiques.
Introduction
Authors: Saliou Catherine
Published: April 2015

L’ouvrage ici présenté est issu d’une journée d’études consacrée à la mesure et à ses usages par la Société Française d’Archéologie Classique. La mesure est un fait social et un objet historique dont l’étude relève de l’histoire des savoirs et des techniques, de l’histoire économique, mais aussi de l’histoire institutionnelle et politique, car pour être opératoires, les mesures doivent être communes à des groupes, aux différentes échelles des sociétés ou des territoires. L’étude de la mesure et de ses usages dans l’Antiquité ne peut se passer de la documentation archéologique.
Étalons et tables de mesure à Délos hellénistique : évolutions et ruptures
Authors: Chankowski Véronique , Hasenohr Claire
Published: April 2015

L’étude se focalise sur l’analyse des sources qui, à Délos, permettent de mettre en évidence des changements métrologiques significatifs. À travers l’étude des dénominations de mesures dans les sources épigraphiques (comptes des hiéropes et IG II 2  1013) mais aussi grâce à l’apport des sources numismatiques et à l’analyse d’un groupe de sèkômata , plusieurs évolutions métrologiques apparaissent, depuis l’époque archaïque jusqu’au I er s. av. n. è. Elles reflètent les dominations successives des grandes puissances qui s’exercent sur l’île de Délos, et montrent le caractère représentatif de la documentation délienne pour une étude des phénomènes économiques à l’échelle de la Méditerranée orientale.
Documenting, measuring and integrating sekomata : An example from Naxos
Authors: Cioffi Carla
Published: April 2015

En se concentrant sur un exemple singulier, l’auteur de cet article propose une stratégie d’étude des tables de mesures ( sèkômata ou mensae ponderariae ). Un corpus de ces objets manque encore, malgré les travaux pionniers de chercheurs du XIX e s. et quelques études importantes. La méthode décrite consiste en un travail d’observation, de collecte de données et d’élaboration d’une documentation graphique, associé à une réflexion appuyée sur les sources écrites. Il devient ainsi possible, entre autres, de restituer des mesures fragmentaires ou manquantes et de se faire une idée plus complète de l’objet étudié.
Annoncer l’Évangile aujourd’hui
Authors: De Kesel Jozef
Published: April 2015

Mgr De Kesel, nouvel évêque auxiliaire de Malines-Bruxelles, cherche à préciser ici ce qu’est l’annonce de l’Évangile. Ce qui pose problème aujourd’hui, dans notre culture sécularisée, ce n’est pas la méthode de l’annonce : c’est bel et bien le contenu même de la foi. Pourquoi dès lors annoncer ? D’abord, parce que Dieu veut se faire connaître (approche théologique). Ensuite, parce qu’au cœur même de la modernité émancipée, surgit une question que notre culture soupçonne à peine : tout le sens de la vie se réduit-il au projet que l’homme se donne (approche anthropologique) ? Enfin, parce que l’Église, dans son identité discrète, est de soi annonce effective de la Bonne Nouvelle (approche ecclésiologique et pastorale).
Livre et révélation : le cas d’Isaïe
Authors: Janthial Dominique
Published: April 2015

La composition finale du livre d’Isaïe aurait-elle eu pour objectif de répondre au douloureux problème de la fidélité de YHWH aux promesses transmises à David par l’entremise du prophète Nathan (2 Sm 7) ? Cet arrière-fond de l’oracle de Nathan — ancré sur le lien unissant la maison royale et la maison de YHWH — constitue une manière de fil rouge grâce auquel le lecteur est conduit à travers les 66 chapitres du livre à se découvrir lui-même héritier des promesses. Le surcroît de sens ainsi mis en évidence dans la rédaction finale pose en retour la question du rôle des rédacteurs dans la révélation prophétique.
En apparaissant à la Vierge Marie, le Christ ressuscité a fondé son Église
Authors: Hennaux Jean-Marie
Published: April 2015

Cet article étudie, dans les Exercices spirituels d’Ignace de Loyola, les contemplations consacrées à la résurrection et à l’ascension du Christ telles qu’elles sont proposées par le saint dans le livret des « Mystères de la vie du Christ Notre-Seigneur » ( Ex. 299-312). Il s’efforce de montrer qu’aux yeux de l’auteur des Exercices , l’apparition du Christ à la Vierge Marie constitue l’acte premier et fondamental de la fondation de son Église par le Ressuscité.
Du sermon à l’homélie
Authors: Join-Lambert Arnaud
Published: April 2015

L’homélie occupe une place importante dans les célébrations liturgiques de l’Église catholique aujourd’hui. Cela n’a pourtant pas été toujours le cas. Son statut théologique et concret a considérablement varié au fil des siècles. La réforme liturgique du Concile Vatican II fut un retour aux sources, l’homélie devenant alors un acte liturgique à part entière. Les praenotanda des livres liturgiques se sont inscrits dans cette ligne. Suit une réflexion proprement théologique sur la nature de l’homélie découlant de la théologie conciliaire sur la Parole de Dieu. Une perspective serait de penser l’homélie comme un acte présidentiel prononcé in persona Christi capitis . Les profondes mutations de la société et de l’Église posent aujourd’hui de nouvelles questions sur la forme de l’homélie et ses implications pastorales.
L’Église de Belgique dans la tourmente pédophile. Quels lieux pour la justice ?
Authors: Dijon Xavier
Published: April 2015

L’Église de Belgique a été secouée, cette année 2010, à la fois par la révélation de faits de pédophilie commis par des membres du clergé et par une perquisition judiciaire spectaculaire dans le but de poursuivre ces faits en justice. Sans entrer dans le débat juridique sur la légalité des procédures mises en œuvre, l’article aborde deux questions : l’Église a-t-elle le droit d’organiser des lieux propres pour tenter de rendre justice aux victimes ? Un supérieur religieux est-il obligé de dénoncer aux autorités judiciaires son confrère fautif ?
Serge. L’espace et le temps dans le corps
Authors: Chahbazian Michèle
Published: April 2015

À partir d’un cas de bipolarité grave avec multiples tentatives de suicide et hospitalisations, nous pouvons montrer combien l’intégration de critères de temps et d’espace dans la psychothérapie permet une évolution favorable, dans un temps thérapeutique relativement court, selon les modalités de la thérapie relationnelle. Cette dernière, fondée sur la qualité relationnelle, intègre tant l’histoire du patient et ses échanges avec l’entourage comme dans une perspective systémique, que la psychopathologie profonde du patient. C’est l’intégration du corps et du temps dans le cheminement thérapeutique qui permet l’unification et le positionnement du patient dans son rapport au monde et conduit à la dissolution de l’impasse.