bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Residual Stresses and Fatigue Behavior of High Strength Structural Steels with Fillet Welded Longitudinal Stiffeners
Authors: Hensel J. , Nitschke-Pagel Th. , Dilger K. , Schoenborn S.
Published: March 2014

Residual stresses may affect the behavior of welded steels under fatigue loading. However, for the design of welded structures the level and distribution of residual stresses from welding are often not known so that tensile residual stresses in the order of the yield strength are conservatively assumed. Stress relief annealing is generally suspected to enhance the fatigue strength. The results presented here focus on the influence of residual stresses and thermal stress relief on the fatigue strength of longitudinal stiffeners made of a mild steel S355NL and a high-strength steel S960QL. The initial residual stress conditions were measured using X-ray and neutron diffraction. In order to characterize the influence of residual stresses on the fatigue strength, specimens were tested in the as-welded condition and after a stress-relieving heat treatment. Fatigue testing was conducted under constant amplitude loading with a stress ratio of R = −1 using samples with high and low stress concentration. It was shown that the annealing process influenced not only the welding residual stresses but also the welding distortion. It was found that welding distortion can be increased by thermal stress relief which again affects the fatigue strength.
Estimation of discharge from Langtang River basin, Rasuwa, Nepal, using a glacio-hydrological model
Authors: Pradhananga Niraj S. , Kayastha Rijan B. , Bhattarai Bikas C. , Adhikari Tirtha R. , Pradhan Suresh C. , Devkota Lochan P. , Shrestha Arun B. , Mool Pradeep K.
Published: March 2014

This paper provides the results of semi-distributed positive degree-day (PDD) modelling for a glacierized river basin in Nepal. The main objective is to estimate the present and future discharge from the glacierized Langtang River basin using a PDD model (PDDM). The PDDM is calibrated for the period 1993–98 and is validated for the period 1999–2006 with Nash–Sutcliffe values of 0.85 and 0.80, respectively. Furthermore, the projected precipitation and temperature data from 2010 to 2050 are obtained from the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Norway, for the representative concentration pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) scenario. The Weather Research and Forecasting regional climate model is used to downscale the data from the Norwegian Earth System Model general circulation model. Projected discharge shows no significant trend, but in the future during the pre-monsoon period, discharge will be high and the peak discharge will be in July whereas it is in August at present. The contribution of snow and ice melt from glaciers and snowmelt from rocks and vegetation will decrease in the future: in 2040–50 it will be just 50% of the total discharge. The PDDM is sensitive to monthly average temperature, as a 2°C temperature increase will increase the discharge by 31.9%. Changes in glacier area are less sensitive, as glacier area decreases of 25% and 50% result in a change in the total discharge of –5.7% and –11.4%, respectively.
Performance Evaluation of a Solar Adsorption Refrigeration System with a Wing Type Compound Parabolic Concentrator
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Akisawa Atsushi , Ueda Yuki
Published: March 2014

Simulation study of a solar adsorption refrigeration system using a wing type compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is presented. The system consists of the wing type collector set at optimum angles, adsorption bed, a condenser and a refrigerator. The wing type collector captures the solar energy efficiently in the morning and afternoon and provides the effective temperature for a longer period of time compared to that achieved by a linear collector. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the system behavior, the effect of wing length, and to compare the performance of the systems with wing type and linear CPCs. A detailed dynamic simulation model was developed based on mass and energy balance equations. The simulation results show that the system performance with wing type CPC increases by up to 6% in the summer and up to 2% in the winter, compared to the performance with a linear CPC having same collector length. The ice production also increases up to 13% in the summer with the wing type CPC. This shows that the wing type CPC is helpful to increase the performance of the system compared to the linear CPC with the same collector length and without the need for tracking.
Social Disparities in Children’s Respiratory Health in El Paso, Texas
Authors: Grineski Sara , Collins Timothy , Chavez-Payan Paola , Jimenez Anthony , Clark-Reyna Stephanie , Gaines Marie , Kim Young-an
Published: March 2014

The objectives of this study were to assess prevalence of children’s respiratory health conditions and to measure and describe social disparities in children’s respiratory problems and access to health resources for asthma/wheezing management. Data were collected through a cross-sectional, observational mail survey of all primary caretakers of 4th and 5th grade children in El Paso Independent School District (El Paso, TX, USA). 6295 primary caretakers received surveys at their home address and 1904 surveys were completed and returned for a 30% response rate. El Paso children have high rates of asthma (17%) and allergies (51%). In terms of social disparities, children that are male, not poor, obese, Hispanic, born in El Paso, have a US-born caretaker, and have a caretaker who has lower levels Spanish proficiency have increased odds of respiratory problems. Among children with asthma and wheezing, disparities exist in access to care; those that are poor, with a Spanish-speaking caretaker, or with a foreign-born caretaker had increased odds of seeking care in urgent care center, emergency rooms and hospitals. Results have scholarly and practical implications for broader trends in terms of increasing prevalence of respiratory health problems across multiple scales (from El Paso to the US context to worldwide) and health disparities experienced within the rapidly growing US Hispanic population.
An Environmental and Economic Evaluation of Pyrolysis for Energy Generation in Taiwan with Endogenous Land Greenhouse Gases Emissions
Authors: Kung Chih-Chun , McCarl Bruce , Chen Chi-Chung
Published: March 2014

Taiwan suffers from energy insecurity and the threat of potential damage from global climate changes. Finding ways to alleviate these forces is the key to Taiwan’s future social and economic development. This study examines the economic and environmental impacts when ethanol, conventional electricity and pyrolysis-based electricity are available alternatives. Biochar, as one of the most important by-product from pyrolysis, has the potential to provide significant environmental benefits. Therefore, alternative uses of biochar are also examined in this study. In addition, because planting energy crops would change the current land use pattern, resulting in significant land greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, this important factor is also incorporated. Results show that bioenergy production can satisfy part of Taiwan’s energy demand, but net GHG emissions offset declines if ethanol is chosen. Moreover, at high GHG price conventional electricity and ethanol will be driven out and pyrolysis will be a dominant technology. Fast pyrolysis dominates when ethanol and GHG prices are low, but slow pyrolysis is dominant at high GHG price, especially when land GHG emissions are endogenously incorporated. The results indicate that when land GHG emission is incorporated, up to 3.8 billion kWh electricity can be produced from fast pyrolysis, while up to 2.2 million tons of CO2 equivalent can be offset if slow pyrolysis is applied.
Detection of Borreliae in Archived Sera from Patients with Clinically Suspect Lyme Disease
Authors: Lee Sin , Vigliotti Jessica , Vigliotti Veronica , Jones William , Shearer David
Published: March 2014

The diagnoses of Lyme disease based on clinical manifestations, serological findings and detection of infectious agents often contradict each other. We tested 52 blind-coded serum samples, including 20 pre-treatment and 12 post-treatment sera from clinically suspect Lyme disease patients, for the presence of residual Lyme disease infectious agents, using nested PCR amplification of a signature segment of the borrelial 16S ribosomal RNA gene for detection and direct DNA sequencing of the PCR amplicon for molecular validation. These archived sera were split from the samples drawn for the 2-tier serology tests performed by a CDC-approved laboratory, and are used as reference materials for evaluating new diagnostic reagents. Of the 12 post-treatment serum samples, we found DNA evidence of a novel borrelia of uncertain significance in one, which was also positive for the 2-tier serology test. The rest of the post-treatment sera and all 20 control sera were PCR-negative. Of the 20 pre-treatment sera from clinically suspect early Lyme disease patients, we found Borrelia miyamotoi in one which was 2-tier serology-negative, and a Borrelia burgdorferi in two—one negative and one positive for 2-tier serology. We conclude that a sensitive and reliable DNA-based test is needed to support the diagnosis of Lyme disease and Lyme disease-like borreliosis.
The Effect of Physical and Chemical Cues on Hepatocellular Function and Morphology
Authors: Abdellatef Shimaa , Ohi Akihiko , Nabatame Toshihide , Taniguchi Akiyoshi
Published: March 2014

Physical topographical features and/or chemical stimuli to the extracellular matrix (ECM) provide essential cues that manipulate cell functions. From the physical point of view, contoured nanostructures are very important for cell behavior in general, and for cellular functions. From the chemical point of view, ECM proteins containing an RGD sequence are known to alter cell functions. In this study, the influence of integrated physical and chemical cues on a liver cell line (HepG2) was investigated. To mimic the physical cues provided by the ECM, amorphous TiO2 nanogratings with specific dimensional and geometrical characteristics (nanogratings 90 nm wide and 150 nm apart) were fabricated. To mimic the chemical cues provided by the ECM, the TiO2 inorganic film was modified by immobilization of the RGD motif. The hepatic cell line morphological and functional changes induced by simultaneously combining these diversified cues were investigated, including cellular alignment and the expression of different functional proteins. The combination of nanopatterns and surface modification with RGD induced cellular alignment and expression of functional proteins, indicating that physical and chemical cues are important factors for optimizing hepatocyte function.
The Pro-Apoptotic Role of the Regulatory Feedback Loop between miR-124 and PKM1/HNF4α in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Sun Yan , Zhao Xiaoping , Luo Man , Zhou Yuhong , Ren Weiying , Wu Kefen , Li Xi , Shen Jiping , Hu Yu
Published: March 2014

Accumulating evidence indicates that miRNA regulatory circuits play important roles in tumorigenesis. We previously reported that miR-124 is correlated with prognosis of colorectal cancer due to PKM-dependent regulation of glycolysis. However, the mechanism by which miR-124 regulates apoptosis in colorectal cancer remains largely elusive. Here, we show that miR-124 induced significant apoptosis in a panel of colorectal cancer cell lines. The mitochondrial apoptosis pathway was activated by miR-124. Furthermore, the pro-apoptotic role of miR-124 was dependent on the status of PKM1/2 level. PKM1 was required for miR-124-induced apoptosis. Via direct protein-protein interaction, PKM1 promoted HNF4α binding to the promoter region of miR-124 and transcribing miR-124. Moreover, HNF4α or PKM1 had a more dramatic effect on colorectal cancer cell apoptosis in the presence of miR-124. However, inhibition of miR-124 blocked cell apoptosis induced by HNF4α or PKM1. These data indicate that miR-124 not only alters the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism but also stimulates cancer cell apoptosis. In addition, the positive feedback loop between miR-124 and PKM1/HNF4α plays an important role in colorectal cancer cell apoptosis; it suggests that disrupting this regulatory circuit might be a potential therapeutic tool for colorectal cancer treatment.
Formation of Nanocones on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite by Oxygen Plasma
Authors: Vesel Alenka , Eleršič Kristina , Modic Martina , Junkar Ita , Mozetič Miran
Published: March 2014

Improvement in hemocompatibility of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) by formation of nanostructured surface by oxygen plasma treatment is reported. We have showed that by appropriate fine tuning of plasma and discharge parameters we are able to create nanostructured surface which is densely covered with nanocones. The size of the nanocones strongly depended on treatment time. The optimal results in terms of material hemocompatibility were obtained after treatment with oxygen plasma for 15 s, when both the nanotopography and wettability were the most favorable, since marked reduction in adhesion and activation of platelets was observed on this surface. At prolonged treatment times, the rich surface topography was lost and thus also its antithrombogenic properties. Chemical composition of the surface was always more or less the same, regardless of its morphology and height of the nanocones. Namely, on all plasma treated samples, only a few atomic percent of oxygen was found, meaning that plasma caused mostly etching, leading to changes in the surface morphology. This indicates that the main preventing mechanism against platelets adhesion was the right surface morphology.
Antioxidant Activity of Co-Products from Guava, Mango and Barbados Cherry Produced in the Brazilian Northeast
Authors: Araújo Kassandra , Magnani Marciane , Nascimento Jaqueline , Souza Alline , Epaminondas Poliana , Souza Antônia , Queiroz Neide , Souza Antonio
Published: March 2014

Co-products from the juice processing of guava (CG), mango (CM) and barbados cherry (CB) were investigated with a view to their exploitation as a potential source of natural antioxidants. The ethanolic extracts were analyzed for total extractable phenolic content (TEP), DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA-DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and antioxidant activity in relation to the β-carotene/ linoleic acid system. The TEP levels in the CG, CM and CB extracts were (24.15 ± 1.59), (44.18 ± 1.73) and (49.21 ± 3.70) mg GAE/g extract, respectively. The CM extract showed higher DPPH, FRAP and antioxidant activity in the β-carotene/linoleic acid system. The data revealed a positive linear correlation between TEP, RSA-DPPH and FRAP (r2 = 0.85 − 0.98); however, the β-carotene/linoleic acid system (r2 = 0.01 − 0.26) shows low correlation with the TEP levels and other assessment systems. The results suggest that co-products generated from the juice processing of the studied fruit have promising use as a natural source of antioxidants.
A Finger-Shaped Tactile Sensor for Fabric Surfaces Evaluation by 2-Dimensional Active Sliding Touch
Authors: Hu Haihua , Han Yezhen , Song Aiguo , Chen Shanguang , Wang Chunhui , Wang Zheng
Published: March 2014

Sliding tactile perception is a basic function for human beings to determine the mechanical properties of object surfaces and recognize materials. Imitating this process, this paper proposes a novel finger-shaped tactile sensor based on a thin piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film for surface texture measurement. A parallelogram mechanism is designed to ensure that the sensor applies a constant contact force perpendicular to the object surface, and a 2-dimensional movable mechanical structure is utilized to generate the relative motion at a certain speed between the sensor and the object surface. By controlling the 2-dimensional motion of the finger-shaped sensor along the object surface, small height/depth variation of surface texture changes the output charge of PVDF film then surface texture can be measured. In this paper, the finger-shaped tactile sensor is used to evaluate and classify five different kinds of linen. Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) is utilized to get original attribute data of surface in the frequency domain, and principal component analysis (PCA) is used to compress the attribute data and extract feature information. Finally, low dimensional features are classified by Support Vector Machine (SVM). The experimental results show that this finger-shaped tactile sensor is effective and high accurate for discriminating the five textures.
Exposure Time Optimization for Highly Dynamic Star Trackers
Authors: Wei Xinguo , Tan Wei , Li Jian , Zhang Guangjun
Published: March 2014

Under highly dynamic conditions, the star-spots on the image sensor of a star tracker move across many pixels during the exposure time, which will reduce star detection sensitivity and increase star location errors. However, this kind of effect can be compensated well by setting an appropriate exposure time. This paper focuses on how exposure time affects the star tracker under highly dynamic conditions and how to determine the most appropriate exposure time for this case. Firstly, the effect of exposure time on star detection sensitivity is analyzed by establishing the dynamic star-spot imaging model. Then the star location error is deduced based on the error analysis of the sub-pixel centroiding algorithm. Combining these analyses, the effect of exposure time on attitude accuracy is finally determined. Some simulations are carried out to validate these effects, and the results show that there are different optimal exposure times for different angular velocities of a star tracker with a given configuration. In addition, the results of night sky experiments using a real star tracker agree with the simulation results. The summarized regularities in this paper should prove helpful in the system design and dynamic performance evaluation of the highly dynamic star trackers.
Surface Plasmon Resonance for Cell-Based Clinical Diagnosis
Authors: Yanase Yuhki , Hiragun Takaaki , Ishii Kaori , Kawaguchi Tomoko , Yanase Tetsuji , Kawai Mikio , Sakamoto Kenji , Hide Michihiro
Published: March 2014

Non-invasive real-time observations and the evaluation of living cell conditions and functions are increasingly demanded in life sciences. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors detect the refractive index (RI) changes on the surface of sensor chips in label-free and on a real-time basis. Using SPR sensors, we and other groups have developed techniques to evaluate living cells’ reactions in response to stimuli without any labeling in a real-time manner. The SPR imaging (SPRI) system for living cells may visualize single cell reactions and has the potential to expand application of SPR cell sensing for clinical diagnosis, such as multi-array cell diagnostic systems and detection of malignant cells among normal cells in combination with rapid cell isolation techniques.
Your Resilience is My Vulnerability: ‘Rules in Use’ in a Local Water Conflict
Authors: Sondershaus Frank , Moss Timothy
Published: March 2014

This paper uses an empirical analysis of a water conflict in the German state of Brandenburg to explore diverse constructions of vulnerability to water scarcity by local stakeholders. It demonstrates how, in the absence of effective formal institutions, these constructions are getting translated into conflictual resilience strategies practiced by these stakeholders, creating situations in which “your resilience is my vulnerability”. The novel contribution of the paper to resilience research is threefold. Firstly, it illustrates how the vulnerability and resilience of a socio-ecological system—such as small catchment—are socially constructed; that is, how they are not given but rather the product of stakeholders’ perceptions of threats and suitable responses to them. Secondly, the paper emphasizes the role of institutions—both formal and informal—in framing these vulnerability constructions and resilience strategies. Particular attention is paid to the importance of informal ‘rules in use’ emerging in the wake of (formal) ‘institutional voids’ and how they work against collective solutions. Thirdly, by choosing a small-scale, commonplace dispute to study vulnerability and resilience, the paper seeks to redress the imbalance of resilience research (and policy) on dramatic disaster events by revealing the relevance of everyday vulnerabilities, which may be less eye-catching but are far more widespread.
Exploring the Dynamic Mechanisms of Farmland Abandonment Based on a Spatially Explicit Economic Model for Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study in Jiangxi Province, China
Authors: Xie Hualin , Wang Peng , Yao Guanrong
Published: March 2014

Farmland abandonment has important impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem recovery, as well as food security and rural sustainable development. Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, farmland abandonment has become an increasingly important problem in many countries, particularly in China. To promote sustainable land-use management and environmental sustainability, it is important to understand the socioeconomic causes and spatial patterns of farmland abandonment. In this study, we explored the dynamic mechanisms of farmland abandonment in Jiangxi province of China using a spatially explicit economical model. The results show that the variables associated with the agricultural products yield are significantly correlated with farmland abandonment. The increasing opportunity cost of farming labor is the main factor in farmland abandonment in conjunction with a rural labor shortage due to rural-to-urban population migration and regional industrialization. Farmlands are more likely to be abandoned in areas located far from the villages and towns due to higher transportation costs. Additionally, farmers with more land but lower net income are more likely to abandon poor-quality farmland. Our results support the hypothesis that farmland abandonment takes place in locations in which the costs of cultivation are high and the potential crop yield is low. In addition, our study also demonstrates that a spatially explicit economic model is necessary to distinguish between the main driving forces of farmland abandonment. Policy implications are also provided for potential future policy decisions.
Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus in Honeybee Queens: Evaluating Susceptibility and Infection Routes
Authors: Amiri Esmaeil , Meixner Marina , Büchler Ralph , Kryger Per
Published: March 2014

Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) is known as a disease of worker honey bees. To investigate pathogenesis of the CBPV on the queen, the sole reproductive individual in a colony, we conducted experiments regarding the susceptibility of queens to CBPV. Results from susceptibility experiment showed a similar disease progress in the queens compared to worker bees after infection. Infected queens exhibit symptoms by Day 6 post infection and virus levels reach 1011 copies per head. In a transmission experiment we showed that social interactions may affect the disease progression. Queens with forced contact to symptomatic worker bees acquired an overt infection with up to 1011 virus copies per head in six days. In contrast, queens in contact with symptomatic worker bees, but with a chance to receive food from healthy bees outside the cage appeared healthy. The virus loads did not exceed 107 in the majority of these queens after nine days. Symptomatic worker bees may transmit sufficient active CBPV particles to the queen through trophallaxis, to cause an overt infection.
Unlocking higher harmonics in atomic force microscopy with gentle interactions
Authors: Santos Sergio , Barcons Victor , Font Josep , Verdaguer Albert
Published: March 2014

In dynamic atomic force microscopy, nanoscale properties are encoded in the higher harmonics. Nevertheless, when gentle interactions and minimal invasiveness are required, these harmonics are typically undetectable. Here, we propose to externally drive an arbitrary number of exact higher harmonics above the noise level. In this way, multiple contrast channels that are sensitive to compositional variations are made accessible. Numerical integration of the equation of motion shows that the external introduction of exact harmonic frequencies does not compromise the fundamental frequency. Thermal fluctuations are also considered within the detection bandwidth of interest and discussed in terms of higher-harmonic phase contrast in the presence and absence of an external excitation of higher harmonics. Higher harmonic phase shifts further provide the means to directly decouple the true topography from that induced by compositional heterogeneity.
Experimental, Controversial, and Futuristic Treatments for Chronic Tinnitus
Authors: Folmer Robert L. , Theodoroff Sarah M. , Martin William Hal , Shi Yongbing
Published: March 2014

Background:Because chronic tinnitus is a condition that negatively impacts the quality of life of millions of people worldwide, a safe and effective treatment for tinnitus has been sought for millennia. However, effective treatments for tinnitus are greatly outnumbered by ineffective
strategies, medications, devices, and surgeries that continue to be developed and promoted for the condition.Purpose:This article describes and critiques experimental, controversial, and potential treatments for chronic tinnitus. The purpose of this review is to provide information
that should help patients and clinicians to select tinnitus treatment and management strategies most likely to be effective for each set of symptoms and circumstances.Research Design:PubMed and MEDLINE databases (National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of
Medicine) were searched for the term tinnitus in articles published from 1940 to 2012. Other historical documents and publications were also reviewed as needed for particular topics.Study Sample:Studies included in this review were selected to represent a sampling of treatment
methodologies that have been used for tinnitus.Data Collection and Analysis:Due to the heterogeneity of the studies reviewed, it was not appropriate to perform a meta-analysis. A selective review of the literature was conducted to summarize and critique published research results.Results:Most
invasive treatments for tinnitus should be avoided because (1) at best, there is scant evidence that any of these treatments is effective, and (2) the risk to patients for most invasive procedures is much greater than the risk posed by the tinnitus perception. Effective and noninvasive treatments
for tinnitus include acoustic therapy (which includes hearing aids and other types of environmental sound enrichment); cognitive-behavioral therapy; psychological counseling; hypnosis; biofeedback; and relaxation training. Over-the-counter or prescription medications may be used as needed
to facilitate sleep and to reduce anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsiveness.Conclusions:Patients and clinicians should be especially cautious when considering invasive (and potentially harmful) treatments for tinnitus, which is a non-life-threatening symptom. Unless well-designed
clinical trials verify that a tinnitus therapy demonstrates effectiveness above and beyond the placebo effect, consumers should be wary of medications, devices, or procedures promoted as a “cure.” Although a true cure for tinnitus has not yet been found, effective and noninvasive
tinnitus management strategies are available now. If progress is made to medically (or genetically) treat sensorineural hearing loss in humans, this breakthrough should also help to simultaneously reduce the perception of tinnitus for many patients.
La concentration de l'industrie de l'assurance en Allemagne
Authors: Borscheid Peter
Published: March 2014

Deux grandes vagues de concentration ont dominé le développement des compagnies d’assurances en Allemagne. La première est survenue pendant la période d’hyperinflation de 1919 à 1923 et la seconde durant la période de mondialisation intense des années 1990. Tandis que la première vague est la conséquence de l’insolvabilité de nombreuses compagnies d’assurances, la seconde est due à la libéralisation du marché unique européen et à la globalisation, et donc est dominée par les acteurs mondiaux. La seconde vague de fusions est donc transfrontières et est rendue possible par le boom des marchés boursiers dans les années 1990. A la différence de la première grande vague de fusions, elle a pour objectif de développer le secteur de la bancassurance.
De l'enfance en danger aux enfants dangereux : enjeux politiques de la refonte de l'ordonnance de 1945
Authors: Bourgoin Nicolas
Published: March 2014

Cet article se propose de montrer les enjeux politiques des multiples réformes de la justice pénale des mineurs. Ces remises en cause du modèle protectionniste ne répondent pas à une montée de la violence chez les jeunes mais à une évolution de nos sociétés vers un modèle libéral où chacun est tenu responsable de ses actes. Le déni des racines économiques et sociales de la délinquance des mineurs conduit les politiques à renoncer à l’effort éducatif qui est pourtant la seule politique efficace.
L'avocat d'enfants : un acteur inconnu de la protection de l'enfance
Authors: Attias Dominique
Published: March 2014

L’enfant capable de discernement a désormais la possibilité d’être entendu et assisté dans toutes les procédures le concernant. Il reste pourtant du chemin à faire pour que ses droits soient véritablement efficients. L’avocat a toute sa place aux côtés d’un enfant, notamment lorsque celui-ci a affaire à la justice. Si sa présence est obligatoire au pénal, elle n’est pas assez fréquente en assistance éducative lorsque l’enfant est considéré en danger. L’avocat d’enfant a pourtant vocation à être son protecteur puisqu’il est garant des droits de l’enfant, qu’il le conseille et l’assiste, et est son porte-parole. Il tire sa légitimité de son indépendance et de ses compétences pluridisciplinaires.
Trans-faire en supervision...
Authors: Rouzel Joseph
Published: March 2014

Soutenir la position éducative prend, entre autres dispositifs institutionnels, la forme de la supervision d’équipe, pour favoriser la métabolisation des affects, trouver la distance efficiente dans la relation engagée, produire un savoir issu de l’expérience transférentielle. La fonction de superviseur vise avant tout un désencombrement, un démêlage du transfert qui se noue entre un usager (ici un jeune) et un professionnel. L’essence même du travail, qu’il soit social ou psychique, pour mener à bien les missions qui lui incombent, réside dans ce que Freud désigne sous le chef de « maniement du transfert ».
Naissance et premiers pas d'une équipe mobile de pédopsychiatrie pour les mineurs confiés à l'Aide sociale à l'enfance
Authors: Chandellier Laure
Published: March 2014

Projet inaugural de partenariat entre la pédopsychiatrie et l’ ase , l’équipe mobile est un dispositif pilote du pôle Paris centre-est conçu pour répondre au défaut d’accès aux soins des mineurs confiés à l’ ase de Paris. Son objectif est de proposer des consultations d’évaluation pédopsychiatrique en vue d’une orientation sur les réseaux de soins existants. La complexité des situations de ces jeunes, intriquant des problématiques sociales, éducatives et psychiatriques, impose une articulation étroite entre des partenaires issus de cultures différentes. Ce partenariat, en construction et très prometteur, est indispensable s’il veut répondre aux besoins d’une population aux vulnérabilités multiples et dont la prise en charge impose le développement de moyens spécifiques et croissants.
L'accompagnement du jeune majeur : un contrat qui soutient la sortie des dispositifs de protection de l'enfance
Authors: Petit-Gats Juliette , Guimard Nathalie
Published: March 2014

Depuis une dizaine d’années, les changements idéologiques dans le champ de la protection de l’enfance se traduisent par des lois, des modifications structurelles des institutions, des contraintes budgétaires mais également par de nouveaux regards sur la personne en situation d’assistance. Cet article interroge les répercussions de ces changements sur les pratiques des professionnels qui accompagnent des jeunes majeurs placés dans trois établissements de l’association Jean Cotxet et confiés à l’Aide sociale à l’enfance dans le cadre d’un Contrat jeune majeur.
Du don anonyme de gamètes à la fiction de l'identité
Authors: Benjelloun Mohamed Amine , Le Coz Pierre
Published: March 2014

La question de la levée de l’anonymat des donneurs de gamètes se trouve posée de façon aiguë en Europe, mais aussi en France. La tendance des différentes lois européennes est de rendre identifiables les donneurs. La philosophie, l’anthropologie, la littérature pointent certaines apories du don, de l’anonymat et de l’identité, méconnues tant par le législatif que par la médecine, et qu’il convient de réintroduire dans le débat.
Masochisme et difficultés d'apprentissage
Authors: Noble Alain
Published: March 2014

Les difficultés d’apprentissage de l’enfant engendrent chez les parents et les professionnels un sentiment d’impuissance associé à une culpabilité difficiles à gérer. Or, un certain nombre d’élèves entretiennent à travers ces difficultés une relation affective colorée par le masochisme. Les tentatives de dégagement de la culpabilité désignant l’enfant comme objet de soin ne font que resserrer la relation masochique qui signe l’incestuel. Cet enfermement représente un écueil des plus difficiles à résoudre car les élèves sont pris dans la répétition d’une relation semblable. Le travail en équipe pluriprofessionnelle est une réponse adaptée pour la repérer et éviter qu’elle ne se répète.
Une étude sur le développement mental des enfants de la rue à Kinshasa
Authors: Azia Dimbu Florentin
Published: March 2014

Depuis plus d’une vingtaine d’années, la République démocratique du Congo voit se multiplier les « enfants de la rue », enfants chassés ou fugueurs, en rupture avec leur milieu familial. Peu de travaux existent sur cette population singulière. L’auteur esquisse les bases d’une étude sur le développement mental et cognitif des enfants des rues et ses premiers résultats. En effet, le temps passé dans la rue n’a-t-il pas altéré leurs compétences ? Placés dans une situation d’apprentissage, sont-ils en mesure d’acquérir des connaissances ? Contrairement à ce que le sens commun nous aurait poussé à croire, les résultats de cette étude démontrent que leurs dures conditions de vie n’ont en rien affecté leur développement mental et leurs capacités cognitives.
Quand le bilinguisme entre dans la famille avec la naissance d'un enfant Langue des signes et français au quotidien
Authors: Dalle-Nazébi Sophie
Published: March 2014

La langue des signes pratiquée en France (LSF) par des personnes sourdes implique des processus originaux de transmission. Dans l’écrasante majorité des cas, leurs parents ne sont pas eux-mêmes sourds et ne connaissent rien des langues visuelles. La « mixité » des familles est la norme des personnes sourdes. Faire le choix d’éduquer des enfants sourds dans une langue qu’on ne maîtrise pas encore suppose d’articuler l’espace familial à des réseaux de communication en LSF, mais aussi de mettre en place une gestion quotidienne et située du bilinguisme. Cette analyse repose sur une enquête ethnographique et une série d’entretiens menée en 1996, et renouvelée 15 ans plus tard, auprès de 20 familles. Étendu à la fratrie, ce terrain porte sur leur parcours d’initiation à la LSF ainsi que sur la répartition des rôles et la gestion du bilinguisme par ces familles. Partageant des moments de repas et des temps informels, puis observant des activités péri-scolaires, nous pouvons rendre compte des variations des pratiques linguistiques selon les contextes et d’enjeux plus identitaires concernant aussi bien les enfants sourds que leur fratrie entendante.
Adaptive Interactive Narrative Model to Teach Ethics
Authors: Hodhod Rania , Kudenko Daniel , Cairns Paul
Published: March 2014

Promoting ethical, responsible, and caring young people is a perennial aim of education. Efforts have been made to find ways of teaching other than traditional ones like games and role play. Narrative-based computer games are engaging learning platforms that allow collaboration of humans and computers in the creation of innovative experiences. In this paper, the authors examine the design of an adaptive, interactive narrative model that uses a student model to provide an individualized story-path and an individualized learning process. In this regard, the authors comprise strong learning objectives underpinned by effective story telling. The adaptive narrative model has been deployed in the educational game environment, AEINS, along with the use of the Socratic Method and pedagogical agents to support teaching in the ethics domain. Evaluation results indicate the usefulness of the design and provide evidence on the development of moral reasoning and the transfer of moral virtues to its users.
The Intellectual Capital Navigator as a Strategic Tool
Authors: Roos Göran
Published: March 2014

This chapter outlines a grounded and proven tool for evaluating the effectiveness with which firms deploy the resources at their disposal. The chapter draws on the resource-based view of the firm literature as well as the intellectual capital literature combined with systems theory and matrix algebra to develop a theoretical lens and a practical tool for the optimization of the effectiveness by which the firm deploys its resources. The resources covered in the chapter are both normal monetary and physical resources as well as relational, organisational, and human intellectual capital resources capturing both the tangible and intangible aspects of these resources. The chapter takes a step-by-step approach and illustrates each step as well as providing guidelines for how to interpret the results. The practicality and validity of the tools have been proven through applications in more than one thousand firms.
The Rise of “Environmental Sustainability Knowledge” in Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Ip-Soo-Ching Jean Marie , Zyngier Suzanne
Published: March 2014

This chapter articulates a conceptual framework to analyse the management of environmental sustainability knowledge in tourism that is underpinned by both the knowledge-based view of the firm (Grant, 1996; Spender, 1996) and the KM Life Cycle (Liebowitz & Beckman, 1998; Salisbury, 2012). This deliberate management of knowledge enables NTOs to build a knowledge-base about the natural environment and to use that knowledge for environmental sustainability, business sustainability, and local community education. Ten NTOs in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam were investigated to analyse their KM of environmental sustainability. In supporting the knowledge-based view and KM of environmental sustainability knowledge, a further conceptual framework is also advanced for the analysis of how Information Technology enables environmental sustainability knowledge to be created, captured, shared, and applied at NTOs among their staff, customers, and communities.
Knowledge Management Strategy as a Chance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Authors: Bencsik Andrea , Juhász Tímea
Published: March 2014

This chapter shows how SMEs can compete with multinational companies. This chapter was written on the basis of practical research results. In this research, Hungarian and Slovakian SMEs were investigated from the view of a knowledge-based economy. The question was how they can face future challenges. The researchers wanted to know how SMEs handle their chance which is hidden in their way of thinking about a knowledge strategy. As a result, these companies seem to be afraid, uncertain, and think their success is only luck or a current incident. They live a “fly by night” existence, and they do not feel the importance of development, of studying, of knowledge; they run after work and money. These enterprises feel that they have to survive, and to this, they need money and financial capital. Therefore, knowledge and studying fall behind.
Unlocking the “Base-of Pyramid” Readiness
Authors: Halim Hasliza Abdul , Ahmad Noor Hazlina , Ramayah T.
Published: March 2014

The potential of the Base-Of Pyramid (BOP) community cannot be realized without an entrepreneurial orientation – an orientation that aims to create market and promote innovation. In line with the notion of the world is searching for avenues for profitable growth and innovation, converting the BOP into active entrepreneurs will foster innovations in business models (Simanis & Milstein, 2012). Realizing this situation, the Malaysian government stated the ambition of becoming a developed nation by the year 2020, and thus, the government has to accelerate their transition into an innovation-based economy. Poverty eradication has become the most important issue in Malaysia. In fact, Malaysia has embarked on many poverty eradication programmes, evidenced by the sharp decline in the incidence of poverty from 52.4% in 1970 to 12.4% in 1992 and further decreased to 3.8% in 2009 (Tenth Malaysia Plan, 2011). Under the Government Transformation Program (GTP), Malaysian government has established Rural Transformation Program (RTP) to reduce the extreme hardcore poor household to zero and also to halve the number of the BOP community. In this manner, Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) was introduced to optimize the potential of rural areas as the generator and growth of new economy. Although Malaysia has done remarkably well, there are challenges to serve this segment in which they need specific interventions to increase attention to eliminate inequalities between rich and poor. Hence, this chapter unlocks and explores the BOP community readiness to venture into business development.
Exploring the Components of Intellectual Capital in Electrical and Electronics SMEs in Pakistan
Authors: Khalique Muhammad , Shaari Jamal Abdul Nassir bin , Abu Mansor Shazali
Published: March 2014

This chapter identifies the existence of the major components of intellectual capital in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the electrical and electronics manufacturing sector in Pakistan. This study has been designed with the aim of selecting 6 major components of intellectual capital, namely human capital, customer capital, structural capital, social capital, technological capital, and spiritual capital. A structured questionnaire was utilized to conduct a survey of 247 respondents from 106 SMEs to identify the existence of these components of intellectual capital. This study confirms the existence of the major components of intellectual capital in SMEs operating in electrical and electronics manufacturing sector in Pakistan. The findings of this study provide valuable insights on the generalizability of the components of intellectual capital in a novel research setting in Pakistani. The findings of the study allow SMEs practitioners a better understanding about the existence of the components of intellectual capital on which they ought to focus their management efforts in order to take competitive advantage. This study is among only a few to investigate the existence of the components of intellectual capital in Pakistani SMEs and the first to SMEs operating in the electrical and electronics manufacturing sector.
Forecasting Rice Production in West Bengal State in India
Authors: Chaudhuri Arindam
Published: March 2014

Forecasting rice production is a challenging problem in agricultural statistics. The inherent difficulty lies in demand and supply affected by many uncertain factors viz. economic policies, agricultural factors, credit measures, foreign trade etc. which interact in a complex manner. Since last few decades, Statistical techniques are used for developing predictive models to estimate required parameters. Determination of nature of rice production time series data is difficult, expensive, time consuming and involves tedious tests. In this paper, we use Interval Type Fuzzy Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ITnARIMA), Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and Modified Regularized Least Squares Fuzzy Support Vector Regression (MRLSFSVR) for prediction of Productivity Index percent (PI %) of rice production time series data and compare it with traditional Statistical tool of Multiple Regression. The accuracies of ITnARIMA and ANFIS techniques are evaluated as relatively similar. It is found that ANFIS exhibits high performance than ITnARIMA, MRLSFSVR and Multiple Regression for predicting PI %. The performance comparison shows that Computational Intelligence paradigm is a promising tool for minimizing uncertainties in rice production data. Further Computational Intelligence techniques also minimize potential inconsistency of correlations.
Workplace Incivility and Conflict Management Styles
Authors: Reio Thomas G. , Trudel Jeannie
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the relations among conflict management styles and target and instigator incivility and job performance, organizational commitment, and turnover intent. Data from 270 employees suggested that experiencing and instigating uncivil behavior occurred frequently. Using an integrative conflict management style was positively associated with job performance and organizational commitment and negatively with turnover intent. Dominate conflict management style was negatively associated with organizational commitment and positively with turnover intent. Both types of incivility were negatively associated with job performance and organizational commitment, and positively with turnover intent. Target incivility was the most powerful predictor in the hierarchical regression models.
Preventing Alzheimer’s Wandering
Authors: Paiva Sara , Peleja Rui , Cunha Jorge , Abreu Carlos
Published: March 2014

With increased life expectancy, the incidence of age-related cognitive impairments, faced by the elderly and older generations, is growing. Among the population with cognitive impairments, those that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease are the most common. The Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic degenerative brain disorder that is characterised by a failure of memory and, in some instances, by disorders in language, perception and planning. As a consequence of the progressive damages imposed by the illness, patients will increasingly seek and need assistance. This paper presents a tool to aid the development and managing of caregiving communities, comprising immediate family members, relatives, neighbours and healthcare professionals, to assist patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Such communities could have a strong impact on the quality of care provided to the patients. At the same time, it is hoped that involving communities will significantly improve the quality of life of Alzheimer's patients and their families while reducing the costs related to the care provided.