bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shadow Removal for Greyscale Video Sequences
Authors: Kryjak Tomasz
Published: April 2013

The paper presents a shadow detection and elimination algorithm designed for greyscale video sequences. The paper proposes: an automatic method for determining the binarization threshold on the basis of the object edge analysis, division of areas identified as potential shadow using a rectangular grid, analyzing the similarities between the current frame and the background model performed in areas and analyzing the potential shadows areas position relative to the position of areas identified as a true object. The algorithm was designed to eliminate shadows casted by people in video surveillance sequences. The obtained results show the usefulness of the proposed solution.
New Algorithm for Modeling of Bronchial Trees
Authors: Pluta Kacper , Janaszewski Marcin , Postolski Michał
Published: April 2013

The article presents new conception of 3D model of human bronchial tubes, which represents bronchial tubes extracted from CT images of the chest. The new algorithm which generates new model is an extension of the algorithm (basic algorithm) proposed by Hiroko Kitaoka, Ryuji Takaki and Bela Suki. The basic model has been extended by geometric deformations of branches and noise which occur in bronchial trees extracted from CT images. The article presents comparison of results obtained with the use of the new algorithm and the basic one. Moreover, the discussion of usefulness of generated new models for testing of algorithms for quantitative analysis of bronchial tubes based on CT images is also included.
Matlab and Parallel Computing
Authors: Szymczyk Magdalena , Szymczyk Piotr
Published: April 2013

The MATLAB is a technical computing language used in a variety of fields, such as control systems, image and signal processing, visualization, financial process simulations in an easy-to-use environment. MATLAB offers "toolboxes" which are specialized libraries for variety scientific domains, and a simplified interface to high-performance libraries (LAPACK, BLAS, FFTW too). Now MATLAB is enriched by the possibility of parallel computing with the Parallel Computing ToolboxTM and MATLAB Distributed Computing ServerTM. In this article we present some of the key features of MATLAB parallel applications focused on using GPU processors for image processing.
Comparison of Methods for Determining the Thermal Conductivity in Induction Heated Industrial Rotating Calenders
Authors: Urbanek Piotr , Kucharski Jacek , Frączyk Andrzej
Published: April 2013

In many technical applications it is necessary to know thermal diffusity and heat conduction in solids, liquids and gaseous. In case of solid bodies the experimental determination of those properties requires use of special laboratory stands which provides the appropriate initial and boundary conditions necessary to solve invert problems. In the paper two methods of determine thermal property of metals has been presented and discussed. First method is based on classical optimization methods and the second one by artificial neural network, which is trained with data from numerical model of investigated body. Both method were tested on real laboratory model.
Diagnostic System of Gravitational Solid Flow Based on Weight and Accelerometer Signal Analysis Using Wireless Data Transmission Technology
Authors: Chaniecki Zbigniew , Grudzień Krzysztof , Jaworski Tomasz , Rybak Grzegorz , Romanowski Andrzej , Sankowski Dominik
Published: April 2013

The paper presents results of the scale-up silo flow investigation in based on accelerometer signal analysis and Wi-Fi transmission, performed in distributed laboratory environment. Prepared, by the authors, a set of 8 accelerometers allows to measure a three-dimensional acceleration vector. The accelerometers were located outside silo, on its perimeter. The accelerometers signal changes allowed to analyze dynamic behavior of solid (vibrations/pulsations) at silo wall during discharging process. These dynamic effects are caused by stick-slip friction between the wall and the granular material. Information about the material pulsations and vibrations is crucial for monitoring the interaction between silo construction and particle during flow. Additionally such spatial position of accelerometers sensor allowed to collect information about nonsymmetrical flow inside silo.
Application of GPU Parallel Computing for Acceleration of Finite Element Method Based 3D Reconstruction Algorithms in Electrical Capacitance Tomography
Authors: Kapusta Paweł , Majchrowicz Michał , Sankowski Dominik , Banasiak Robert
Published: April 2013

With the increasing complexity and scale of industrial processes their visualization is becoming increasingly important. Especially popular are non-invasive methods, which do not interfere directly with the process. One of them is the 3D Electrical Capacitance Tomography. It possesses however a serious flaw - in order to obtain a fast and accurate visualization requires application of computationally intensive algorithms. Especially non-linear reconstruction using Finite Element Method is a multistage, complex numerical task, requiring many linear algebra transformations on very large data sets. Such process, using traditional CPUs can take, depending on the used meshes, up to several hours. Consequently it is necessary to develop new solutions utilizing GPGPU (General Purpose Computations on Graphics Processing Units) techniques to accelerate the reconstruction algorithm. With the developed hybrid parallel computing architecture, based on sparse matrices, it is possible to perform tomographic calculations much faster using GPU and CPU simultaneously, both with Nvidia CUDA and OpenCL.
Computer-Assisted Classification of Products According to Etim Standard
Authors: Tokarski Marcin , Nowak Grzegorz , Draus Cezary
Published: April 2013

The article presents the classification software according to the international product description standard ETIM. The software has been designed for Polish manufacturers or wholesalers who want to implement this standard in their companies. Classification is done in Polish language, on the basis of information contained in the company’s product files. Application features several mechanisms to facilitate the creation of product description, like suggestion of the appropriate class or automatic recognition of values of the required parameters. With this application, the tedious and time consuming job of classification becomes easier and can be done much quicker.
Passive Auto-Focus Algorithm for Correcting Image Distortions Caused by Gas Flow in High-Temperature Measurements of Surface Phenomena
Authors: Strzecha Krzysztof , Koszmider Tomasz , Zarębski Damian , Łobodziński Wojciech
Published: April 2013

In this paper, a case-study of the auto-focus algorithm for correcting image distortions caused by gas flow in high-temperature measurements of surface phenomena is presented. This article shows results of proposed algorithm and methods for increasing its accuracy.
Crisp and Fuzzy Classifiers in the Two-Phase Gas-Liquid Flow Diagnostics
Authors: Fiderek Paweł , Jaworski Tomasz , Banasiak Robert , Kucharski Jacek
Published: April 2013

The following paper presents results of common clustering algorithms use, both crisp and fuzzy, for flow pattern recognition of two-phase gas-liquid flows observed in horizontal pipeline. Obtained results of HCM, FCM, and kNN clustering algorithms were presented in a form of confusion matrix and compared via its prediction performance.
Effect of Zinc Sulfate on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Corn (Zea Mays) in Drought Stress
Authors: Vazin F.
Published: April 2013

In hot and arid regions, drought stress is considered as one of the main reasons for yield reduction. To study the effect of drought stress and zinc spray on the yield and yield components of corn, an experiment was carried out during the crop seasons of 2010 and 2011 on Research Farm, Islamic Azad University of Gonabad as a split factorial within randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots with irrigation factor and four levels were considered: A) full irrigation, B) stopping irrigation at pollination step, and C) stopping irrigation at the seed filling and four levels of zinc sulfate including 0 and 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% spraying (tassel initiation and grain filling) were as the subplots. The drought stress reduced the thousand kernels weight (TKW) in seed filling stage and the number of seeds per ear in tasseling stage about 11% and 27% less than the one of control treatment, respectively. Zinc increased the thousand kernels weight from 27.3 to 31.3 grams and induced an increase in the number of seeds per ear from 710 to 770. The results obtained within the present research showed that zinc spray has fairly improved the effects caused by drought stress.
The Dynamics of Cell Division in Some Local Potato Varieties Cultivated in Vitro on Micropropagation Medium
Authors: Ciobanu Iustina Brînduşa , Constantinovici Dana , Creţu L.
Published: April 2013

This study was performed to reveal the changes in cell division, as a result of the prolonged period of subculture on micropropagation medium, of five local varieties of Solanum tuberosum L. maintained on in vitro collection at Suceava Genebank, Romania. For this purpose it was used the Murashige-Skoog medium (MS- 1962) with addition of 40 g/l sucrose, and 6 mg/l daminozide. The effect of prolonged period of subculture up to two and 12 months was expressed as mitotic index and frequency of cells with abnormal division. Mitotic index ranged from 20.1 to 22.1% after 12 days, between 15.5 - 17.7% after two months and between 17.7 - 19.2% after 12 months of subculture. The results obtained showed that the frequency of aberrant cells increased with the preservation time on the in vitro cultures and their accumulation rate depended on the genotype. Were identified interphases with micronuclei, metaphases with retarded chromosomes, ana-telophases with chromosomal bridges, retarded chromosomes and chromosomal fragments, but their percentage was low in all the genotypes.
Effect of Nitrogen on Growth and Yield of Sorghum Forage (Sorghum Bicolor ( L.) Moench Cv.) under Three Cuttings System
Authors: Afzal M. , Ahmad A. , Ahmad Au.H.
Published: April 2013

A field experiment was conducted on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv.) under three cutting system to determine the effect of nitrogen on growth and yield at University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan, during the season 2010-2011. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), using three replications. There were four levels of nitrogen 0, 50, 75 and 100 kg N/acre in the form of urea. The growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves, leaf area is determined periodically. First reading taken after 20 days of sowing while second and third was taken after 15 days of first cutting. Yield parameter like plant population, fresh and dry weight was determined in three cuttings. Results showed that increasing nitrogen dose increased all growth attributes. Results revealed for first, second and third cuttings showed significant differences at all growth attributes. Thus, the maximum plant height was observed in N4 (100 kg N/acre), having plant height 193.92, 195.24 and 192.79 cm in first, second and third cutting, respectively, which was followed by the treatment N3 (75 kg N/acre), having 179.70 cm in first cutting, while second and third cutting have same plant height 168.62 cm. The exception was the plant population showed non significant behavior in second and third cutting while number of leaves per plant in second cutting only and protein % in third cutting showed non significant difference with nitrogen application.
Gis-Aided Analysis of Vineyards Damaged by Winter Frosts. Case Study: Cotnari Vineyard (Romania)
Authors: Irimia L. , Patriche C.V. , Quénol H.
Published: April 2013

Thermal regime of Cotnari vineyard, Iaşi County, Romania, was surveyed between 2011-2012 using 10 Tinytag temperature loggers TK-4014, spread in 10 different lands of the vineyard. Research is developed in the framework of the international project TERVICLIM (France), by means of was created a global network of analyses points of vineyard climate, spread in 13 countries from both hemispheres of the globe, at different latitudes. The data recorded by temperature loggers in Cotnari vineyard shows that in 2011-2012 winter, the minimum temperatures dropped to -28.6ºC, with differences of up to 7.1ºC between the coldest and the mildest lands of the vineyard. Spatial distribution of the most harmful frost (12 February 2012) shows that more than 80% from the vineyard area was exposed to temperatures lower than -24ºC, 17% to harmful temperatures between -21..- 24ºC and 3% to temperatures between -18..- 21ºC, less damaging to vines. As consequences, the damages in the vine plantations varied from less significant negative consequences for vines in the mildest location, up to massive losses of winter buds, damages of annual branches and frozen vines in the coldest land of the vineyard. Analytical data of winter buds losses spatial distribution shows that at - 28.6ºC (absolute minimum temperature for the vineyard), 0.46% (7.29 ha) of vine plantations were exposed to vines losses, 3.81% of plantations to losses of annual branches, 62.49% from vine plantations to winter buds losses exceeding 40%, difficult to compensate by pruning, 13.5% to losses of winter buds exceeding 60%, requiring reestablishing the vegetative potential of vines. The only vine plantations protected by harmful frosts were those located at over 175 m altitude, in the highest lands of the vineyards.
Immunosuppressive Action of Deoxynivalenol of Thymus in Chickens
Authors: Solcan Carmen , Cotea C. , Solcan Gh.
Published: April 2013

Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) is a type B-trichothecene, naturally occurring contaminants of animal feed, being implicated in several mycotoxicoses in farm livestock. This mycotoxin occurs predominantly in grains such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, and maize, and less often in rice, sorghum, and triticale. Deoxynivalenol is potent nefrotoxic, hepatotoxic and immunosuppressant. High doses of trichothecenes promote rapid onset of leukocyte apoptosis (programmed cell death), which is manifested as immunosuppression. The study aimed to prove the immunosuppressant action of deoxynivalenol in chickens experimentally treated each day, from the 7th day of life, using 5,4 mg/kg b.w in E group for 28 days (since 35 days of life). Histopathology studies of thymus were made on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days of experiment. In E group small lesions of thymus were observed even after 7th day of poisoning but intense lesions, hydropic degeneration, necrotic foci and moderate lymphoid depletion was observed after the 14th and 21st day of poisoning. After 28th day a marked proliferation of stromal cells in the reticulum network, in medulla zone, presence of mucous cells, small mucous cysts and haemorages were observed.
Neurosurgical injuries resulting from the 2011 tornados in Alabama: the experience at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center
Authors: Miller Joseph H. , Zywicke Holly A. , Fleming James B. , Griessenauer Christoph J. , Whisenhunt Thomas R. , Okor Mamerhi O. , Harrigan Mark R. , Pritchard Patrick R. , Hadley Mark N.
Published: April 2013

Object

The April 27, 2011, tornados that affected the southeastern US resulted in 248 deaths in the state of Alabama. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medical Center, the largest Level I trauma center in the state, triaged and treated a large number of individuals who suffered traumatic injuries during these events, including those requiring neurosurgical assessment and treatment.

Methods

A retrospective review of all adult patients triaged at UAB Medical Center during the April 27, 2011, tornados was conducted. Those patients who were diagnosed with and treated for neurosurgical injuries were included in this cohort.

Results

The Division of Neurosurgery at UAB Medical Center received 37 consultations in the 36 hours following the tornado disaster. An additional patient presented 6 days later, having suffered a lumbar spine fracture that ultimately required operative intervention. Twenty-seven patients (73%) suffered injuries as a direct result of the tornados. Twenty-three (85%) of these 27 patients experienced spine and spinal cord injuries. Four patients (15%) suffered intracranial injuries and 2 patients (7%) suffered combined intracranial and spinal injuries. The spinal fractures that were evaluated and treated were predominantly thoracic (43.5%) and lumbar (43.5%). The neurosurgery service performed 14 spinal fusions, 1 ventriculostomy, 2 halo placements, 1 diagnostic angiogram, 1 endovascular embolectomy, and 1 wound debridement and lavage. Twenty-two patients (81.5%) were neurologically intact at discharge and all but 4 had 1 year of follow-up. Three patients had persistent deficits from spinal cord injuries and there was 1 death in a patient with multisystem injuries in whom no procedures were performed. Two patients experienced postoperative complications in the form of 1 wound infection and 1 stroke.

Conclusions

The April 27, 2011, tornados in Alabama produced significant neurosurgical injuries that primarily involved the spine. There were a disproportionate number of patients with thoracolumbar fractures, a finding possibly due to the county medical examiner's postmortem findings that demonstrated a high prevalence of fatal cervical spine and traumatic brain injuries. The UAB experience can be used to aid other institutions in preparing for the appropriate allotment of resources in the event of a similar natural disaster.
Organ Transplantation in Bangladesh - Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Ali Mohammad
Published: April 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/imcj.v6i1.14709Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2012; 6(1): i-ii
Comparison of Three Mycobacterial DNA Extraction Methods from Extrapulmonary Samples for PCR Assay
Authors: Shadia Khandaker , Anwar Shaheda , Banu Sayera , Saleh Ahmed Abu , Miah Md Ruhul Amin
Published: April 2013

Sensitivity of the molecular diagnostic tests of extrapulmonary tuberculosis largely depends upon the efficiency of DNA extraction methods. The objective of our study was to compare three methods of extracting DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for testing by polymerase chain reaction. All three methods; heating, heating with sonication and addition of lysis buffer with heating and sonication were implicated on 20 extrapulmonary samples. PCR positivity was 2 (10%), 4 (20%) and 7 (35%) in the samples extracted by heating, heat+sonication and heat+sonication+lysis buffer method respectively. Of the extraction methods evaluated, maximum PCR positive results were achieved by combined heat, sonication and lysis buffer method which can be applied in routine clinical practice. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/imcj.v6i1.14711 Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2012; 6(1): 9-11
A Complex Case of Haemoglobin E Disease with Immune Thrombocytopenia and Combined Iron, Folate and Vit B12 Deficiency
Authors: Islam Md Sirazul , Dipta Tashmim Farhana , Sultana Gazi Sharmin
Published: April 2013

This is a case report of a 13 years old indigenous Garo girl who presented with purpuric spots and ecchymotic patches all over the body with menorrhagia, mild jaundice, severe anaemia, marked thrombocytopenia, moderate neutrophil leucocytosis and reticulocytosis. Investigations revealed this as a complex case of Haemoglobin E disease with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and combined iron, folate and vitamin B12 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/imcj.v6i1.14723 Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2012; 6(1): 31-33
Continuity of Business Plans for Animal Disease Outbreaks: Using a Logic Model Approach to Protect Animal Health, Public Health, and Our Food Supply
Authors: Moore Kiana , Allen Heather
Published: April 2013

Foreign animal diseases can have a devastating impact on the American economy and agriculture system, while significantly disrupting the food supply chain, and affecting animal health and public health. Continuity of business during an animal disease outbreak aims to mitigate these agriculture-related losses by facilitating normal business operations through the managed movement of non-infected animals and non-contaminated animal products. During a foreign animal disease outbreak, there are competing objectives of trying to control and contain the outbreak while allowing non-infected premises to continue normal business operations to the greatest extent possible. Using a logic model approach, this article discusses the importance of continuity of business planning during an animal disease outbreak, providing a detailed and transparent theoretical framework for continuity of business planning for animal agriculture stakeholders. The logic model provides a basis for continuity of business planning, which is rapidly gaining focus and interest in the animal emergency management community. This unique logic model offers a framework for effective planning and subsequent evaluation of continuity of business plans and processes, by identifying explicit stakeholders, inputs, and activities, alongside the desired outputs and outcomes of such planning.
Specific Gravity of Hybrid Poplars in the North-Central Region, USA: Within-Tree Variability and Site × Genotype Effects
Authors: Headlee William , Jr. Ronald , Hall Richard , Bauer Edmund , Bender Bradford , Birr Bruce , Miller Raymond , Randall Jesse , Wiese Adam
Published: April 2013

Specific gravity is an important consideration for traditional uses of hybrid poplars for pulp and solid wood products, as well as for biofuels and bioenergy production. While specific gravity has been shown to be under strong genetic control and subject to within-tree variability, the role of genotype × environment interactions is poorly understood. Most specific gravity reports are for a limited number of locations, resulting in a lack of information about the interactions between clones and sites over a wide range of climate and soil conditions. The objective of the current study was to characterize the effects of bole position, site, clone, and site × clone interactions for twelve hybrid poplar genotypes grown in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, USA. Observed specific gravities ranged from 0.267 to 0.495 (mean = 0.352 ± 0.001 for 612 samples taken from 204 trees), with bole position and site × clone interactions having significant effects on specific gravity. Further investigation of the site × clone interactions indicated that environmental conditions related to water stress were key predictors of specific gravity. These data are important for informing genotypic selection and silvicultural management decisions associated with growing hybrid poplars.
Unusual Glycosaminoglycans from a Deep Sea Hydrothermal Bacterium Improve Fibrillar Collagen Structuring and Fibroblast Activities in Engineered Connective Tissues
Authors: Senni Karim , Gueniche Farida , Changotade Sylvie , Septier Dominique , Sinquin Corinne , Ratiskol Jacqueline , Lutomski Didier , Godeau Gaston , Guezennec Jean , Colliec-Jouault Sylvia
Published: April 2013

Biopolymers produced by marine organisms can offer useful tools for regenerative medicine. Particularly, HE800 exopolysaccharide (HE800 EPS) secreted by a deep-sea hydrothermal bacterium displays an interesting glycosaminoglycan-like feature resembling hyaluronan. Previous studies demonstrated its effectiveness to enhance in vivo bone regeneration and to support osteoblastic cell metabolism in culture. Thus, in order to assess the usefulness of this high-molecular weight polymer in tissue engineering and tissue repair, in vitro reconstructed connective tissues containing HE800 EPS were performed. We showed that this polysaccharide promotes both collagen structuring and extracellular matrix settle by dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, from the native HE800 EPS, a low-molecular weight sulfated derivative (HE800 DROS) displaying chemical analogy with heparan-sulfate, was designed. Thus, it was demonstrated that HE800 DROS mimics some properties of heparan-sulfate, such as promotion of fibroblast proliferation and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion. Therefore, we suggest that the HE800EPS family can be considered as an innovative biotechnological source of glycosaminoglycan-like compounds useful to design biomaterials and drugs for tissue engineering and repair.
Theoretical Analysis on the Kinetic Isotope Effects of Bimolecular Nucleophilic Substitution (SN2) Reactions and Their Temperature Dependence
Authors: Tsai Wan-Chen , Hu Wei-Ping
Published: April 2013

Factors affecting the kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) of the gas-phase SN2 reactions and their temperature dependence have been analyzed using the ion-molecule collision theory and the transition state theory (TST). The quantum-mechanical tunneling effects were also considered using the canonical variational theory with small curvature tunneling (CVT/SCT). We have benchmarked a few ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) methods for their performance in predicting the deuterium KIEs against eleven experimental values. The results showed that the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ method gave the most accurate prediction overall. The slight inverse deuterium KIEs usually observed for the gas-phase SN2 reactions at room temperature were due to the balance of the normal rotational contribution and the significant inverse vibrational contribution. Since the vibrational contribution is a sensitive function of temperature while the rotation contribution is temperature independent, the KIEs are thus also temperature dependent. For SN2 reactions with appreciable barrier heights, the tunneling effects were predicted to contribute significantly both to the rate constants and to the carbon-13, and carbon-14 KIEs, which suggested important carbon atom tunneling at and below room temperature.
A Very Low Power MAC (VLPM) Protocol for Wireless Body Area Networks
Authors: Ullah Niamat , Khan Pervez , Kwak Kyung Sup
Published: April 2013

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) consist of a limited number of battery operated nodes that are used to monitor the vital signs of a patient over long periods of time without restricting the patient’s movements. They are an easy and fast way to diagnose the patient’s status and to consult the doctor. Device as well as network lifetime are among the most important factors in a WBAN. Prolonging the lifetime of the WBAN strongly depends on controlling the energy consumption of sensor nodes. To achieve energy efficiency, low duty cycle MAC protocols are used, but for medical applications, especially in the case of pacemakers where data have time-limited relevance, these protocols increase latency which is highly undesirable and leads to system instability. In this paper, we propose a low power MAC protocol (VLPM) based on existing wakeup radio approaches which reduce energy consumption as well as improving the response time of a node. We categorize the traffic into uplink and downlink traffic. The nodes are equipped with both a low power wake-up transmitter and receiver. The low power wake-up receiver monitors the activity on channel all the time with a very low power and keeps the MCU (Micro Controller Unit) along with main radio in sleep mode. When a node [BN or BNC (BAN Coordinator)] wants to communicate with another node, it uses the low-power radio to send a wakeup packet, which will prompt the receiver to power up its primary radio to listen for the message that follows shortly. The wake-up packet contains the desired node’s ID along with some other information to let the targeted node to wake-up and take part in communication and let all other nodes to go to sleep mode quickly. The VLPM protocol is proposed for applications having low traffic conditions. For high traffic rates, optimization is needed. Analytical results show that the proposed protocol outperforms both synchronized and unsynchronized MAC protocols like T-MAC, SCP-MAC, B-MAC and X-MAC in terms of energy consumption and response time.
Public Values and Community Energy: Lessons from the US and UK
Authors: Hoffman Steven , Fudge Shane , Pawlisch Lissa , High-Pippert Angela , Peters Michael , Haskard Joel
Published: April 2013

This paper examines some of the normative aspects of “community energy” programmes—defined here as decentralized forms of energy production and distributed energy technologies where production decisions are made as close as possible to sources of consumption. Such projects might also display a degree of separation from the formal political process. The development of a community energy system often generates a great deal of debate about both the degree of public support for such programmes and the values around which programmes ought to be organized. Community energy programmes also raise important issues regarding the energy choice problem, including questions of process, that is, by whom a project is developed and the influence of both community and exogenous actors, as well as certain outcome issues regarding the spatial and social distribution of energy. The case studies, drawn from community energy programmes in both the United States and the United Kingdom, allow for a careful examination of all of these factors, considering in particular the complex interplay and juxtaposition between the ideas of “public value” and “public values”.
Hyperhidrosis: Anatomy, Pathophysiology and Treatment with Emphasis on the Role of Botulinum Toxins
Authors: Lakraj Amanda-Amrita , Moghimi Narges , Jabbari Bahman
Published: April 2013

Clinical features, anatomy and physiology of hyperhidrosis are presented with a review of the world literature on treatment. Level of drug efficacy is defined according to the guidelines of the American Academy of Neurology. Topical agents (glycopyrrolate and methylsulfate) are evidence level B (probably effective). Oral agents (oxybutynin and methantheline bromide) are also level B. In a total of 831 patients, 1 class I and 2 class II blinded studies showed level B efficacy of OnabotulinumtoxinA (A/Ona), while 1 class I and 1 class II study also demonstrated level B efficacy of AbobotulinumtoxinA (A/Abo) in axillary hyperhidrosis (AH), collectively depicting Level A evidence (established) for botulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A). In a comparator study, A/Ona and A/Inco toxins demonstrated comparable efficacy in AH. For IncobotulinumtoxinA (A/Inco) no placebo controlled studies exist; thus, efficacy is Level C (possibly effective) based solely on the aforementioned class II comparator study. For RimabotulinumtoxinB (B/Rima), one class III study has suggested Level U efficacy (insufficient data). In palmar hyperhidrosis (PH), there are 3 class II studies for A/Ona and 2 for A/Abo (individually and collectively level B for BoNT-A) and no blinded study for A/Inco (level U). For B/Rima the level of evidence is C (possibly effective) based on 1 class II study. Botulinum toxins (BoNT) provide a long lasting effect of 3–9 months after one injection session. Studies on BoNT-A iontophoresis are emerging (2 class II studies; level B); however, data on duration and frequency of application is inconsistent.
Small Ruminant Lentiviruses: Genetic Variability, Tropism and Diagnosis
Authors: Ramírez Hugo , Reina Ramsés , Amorena Beatriz , Andrés Damián , Martínez Humberto
Published: April 2013

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) cause a multisystemic chronic disease affecting animal production and welfare. SRLV infections are spread across the world with the exception of Iceland. Success in controlling SRLV spread depends largely on the use of appropriate diagnostic tools, but the existence of a high genetic/antigenic variability among these viruses, the fluctuant levels of antibody against them and the low viral loads found in infected individuals hamper the diagnostic efficacy. SRLV have a marked in vivo tropism towards the monocyte/macrophage lineage and attempts have been made to identify the genome regions involved in tropism, with two main candidates, the LTR and env gene, since LTR contains primer binding sites for viral replication and the env-encoded protein (SU ENV), which mediates the binding of the virus to the host’s cell and has hypervariable regions to escape the humoral immune response. Once inside the host cell, innate immunity may interfere with SRLV replication, but the virus develops counteraction mechanisms to escape, multiply and survive, creating a quasi-species and undergoing compartmentalization events. So far, the mechanisms of organ tropism involved in the development of different disease forms (neurological, arthritic, pulmonary and mammary) are unknown, but different alternatives are proposed. This is an overview of the current state of knowledge on SRLV genetic variability and its implications in tropism as well as in the development of alternative diagnostic assays.
Phylogeny and origins of holoparasitism in Orobanchaceae
Authors: McNeal Joel R. , Bennett Jonathan R. , Wolfe Andrea D , Mathews Sarah
Published: April 2013

• Premise: Orobanchaceae are a family of angiosperms that range from fully autotrophic and free‐living to completely heterotrophic and dependent on their hosts (holoparasites). Most of the ca. 2060 species are hemiparasites that photosynthesize throughout all or part of their life cycles. Certain family members are ecologically important due to direct impacts on community biomass and diversity, plant–herbivore interactions, and nutrient cycling. Other members are among the most economically damaging weeds in the world. Multiple trophic transitions within this family make it ideal for studying molecular evolutionary and physiological changes that accompany the evolution of parasitism.

• Methods: To establish a phylogenetic framework for such work, we substantially increased taxonomic sampling at loci for which a significant amount of data already existed (nuclear ITS and PHYA, plastid matK and rps2) and added data from the low‐copy nuclear locus, PHYB.

• Key results: The data provide strong support for relationships among six major clades and for the position of Brandisia hancei Hook. f. The positions of Boschniakia himalaica Hook. f. & Thomson, Centranthera cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr., Mannagettaea hummelii Harry Sm., and Pterygiella nigrescens Oliv. are confirmed or suggested for the first time.

• Conclusions: There is a single origin of parasitism, and from within the hemiparasites, holoparasitism has originated three times. Moving from the base to the tips of the Orobanchaceae tree, the successive major splits within the parasitic clade are: Cymbarieae + the rest; Orobancheae + the rest; Brandisia + the rest; Rhinantheae + the rest; and Pedicularideae + Buchnereae.
Expeditious, mechanochemical synthesis of BODIPY dyes
Authors: Jameson Laramie P , Dzyuba Sergei V
Published: April 2013

BODIPY dyes have been synthesized under solvent-free or essentially solvent-free conditions, within about 5 minutes in an open-to-air setup by using a pestle and mortar, with yields that are comparable to those obtained via traditional routes that typically require reaction times of several hours to days.
Utilizing the σ-complex stability for quantifying reactivity in nucleophilic substitution of aromatic fluorides
Authors: Liljenberg Magnus , Brinck Tore , Rein Tobias , Svensson Mats
Published: April 2013

A computational approach using density functional theory to compute the energies of the possible σ-complex reaction intermediates, the “σ-complex approach”, has been shown to be very useful in predicting regioselectivity, in electrophilic as well as nucleophilic aromatic substitution. In this article we give a short overview of the background for these investigations and the general requirements for predictive reactivity models for the pharmaceutical industry. We also present new results regarding the reaction rates and regioselectivities in nucleophilic substitution of fluorinated aromatics. They were rationalized by investigating linear correlations between experimental rate constants (k) from the literature with a theoretical quantity, which we call the sigma stability (SS). The SS is the energy change associated with formation of the intermediate σ-complex by attachment of the nucleophile to the aromatic ring. The correlations, which include both neutral (NH3) and anionic (MeO−) nucleophiles are quite satisfactory (r = 0.93 to r = 0.99), and SS is thus useful for quantifying both global (substrate) and local (positional) reactivity in SNAr reactions of fluorinated aromatic substrates. A mechanistic analysis shows that the geometric structure of the σ-complex resembles the rate-limiting transition state and that this provides a rationale for the observed correlations between the SS and the reaction rate.
Une étude empirique du lissage des bénéfices dans les entreprises canadiennes
Authors: Breton Gaétan , Chenail Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2013

Le lissage des bénéfices est une question qui, sans jamais connaître de vogue marquée, n’a cessé, depuis près de 30 ans, d’intéresser les chercheurs en comptabilité. Le lissage trouve sa motivation dans la croyance que les investisseurs préfèrent les entreprises qui montrent des profits stables et une croissance continue. Notre étude reprend la méthodologie mise au point par Imhoff et Eckel pour vérifier la présence de lissage des bénéfices dans les sociétés canadiennes. Les résultats semblent soutenir l’hypothèse de la généralisation du lissage des bénéfices par les entreprises canadiennes. Ils démontrent également que les entreprises de certains secteurs industriels ont une plus grande propension à lisser leurs bénéfices. En revanche, nos résultats n’appuient pas l’hypothèse d’une différence de comportement entre les entreprises des secteurs centraux et périphériques telle qu’elle est posée par Belkaoui et Picur.
Stratégie et projets d'investissements : pour un pilotage par processus
Authors: Demeestère René , Mottis Nicolas
Published: April 2013

Le déploiement de la stratégie dans une entreprise et la gestion de ses multiples projets d’investissements élémentaires ont rarement été explicitement conciliés aussi bien dans la littérature qu’en pratique. L’objectif de cet article est donc de progresser sur leur articulation en proposant de caler la rencontre stratégie/projets au niveau des processus de l’entreprise. Une méthode fondée sur l’analyse de processus et un cas de mise en œuvre de ce type d’idées dans une grande banque sont développés.
Pratiques comptables et associations entre marchands aux xvie et xviie siècles : une étude en Midi toulousain
Authors: Lacombe-Saboly Michèle
Published: April 2013

Pour exercer leur négoce, des marchands des xvi e et xvii e siècles mettaient en commun leurs activités ou leurs ressources soit en formant des sociétés soit en ayant recours au mandat. Quel rôle joue alors la comptabilité dans les rapports entre ces marchands ? L’étude de quelques sources d’archives de la région toulousaine éclaire ce rôle en se fondant sur le type de technique comptable utilisé et sur les dispositions relatives aux comptes prévues dans les actes de sociétés.
La gestion stratégique des résultats : Le modèle anglo-saxon convient-il au contexte suisse ?
Authors: Cormier Denis , Magnan Michel , Morard Bernard
Published: April 2013

La gestion stratégique des résultats peut se définir comme une intervention de la part de la direction d’une firme dans le processus de présentation de l’information financière en vue d’obtenir un gain au détriment d’autres parties. Dès lors, la direction d’une entreprise tentera tout aussi bien d’augmenter le bénéfice que de le diminuer, la décision étant fonction des contrats implicites ou explicites auxquels la firme et sa direction sont parties prenantes. Trois objectifs spécifiques peuvent amener une direction d’entreprise à gérer stratégiquement ses résultats : (1) la minimisation des coûts politiques, (2) la minimisation des coûts de financement et (3) la maximisation de la richesse du dirigeant. Parmi les contextes étudiés nous retrouvons des cas d’enquêtes d’organismes de réglementation, des cas de firmes en difficultés financières et des tentatives de prises de contrôle. Dans cet article, nous présentons un modèle de gestion des résultats construit à partir d’un échantillon de sociétés suisses. De façon générale, nos résultats confortent les hypothèses avancées dans la littérature.
Gestion du bénéfice à la suite d'une crise environnementale un test de l'hypothèse des coûts politiques
Authors: Labelle Réal , Thibault Marc
Published: April 2013

Les entreprises confrontées à une crise environnementale gèrent-elles leur résultat de façon à limiter les coûts politiques qu’elles peuvent subir ? Cette étude porte sur dix crises environnementales majeures. Nous utilisons un modèle de gestion du bénéfice comptable semblable à ceux de Jones 1991, Cahan 1992 et DeAngelo et al. 1994 pour effectuer, sur une base longitudinale et en coupe transversale, un test empirique de l’hypothèse des coûts politiques où la taille est remplacée par l’avènement d’une crise environnementale. Les signes des coefficients de toutes les variables de notre modèle de régression sont conformes à ceux anticipés selon la théorie et significatifs sauf pour l’indicateur de l’avènement d’une crise environnementale.
Contrôle et performance des co-entreprises à l'étranger : analyse de trente-cinq « joint-ventures » ayant un parent français
Authors: Robledo Christian
Published: April 2013

Cet article soulève le problème de la relation entre le contrôle et la performance des « joint-ventures » internationales. Après avoir noté la spécificité du contrôle dans les co-entreprises, l’article présente les résultats d’une enquête menée auprès de trente-cinq co-entreprises à l’étranger ayant un parent français. Il montre que les « joint-ventures » jouissent d’une autonomie relativement faible, autant sur le plan stratégique qu’opérationnel. Le contrôle repose sur des systèmes managériaux (reporting, contrôle budgétaire) et contractuels (licence, contrat de gestion, contrat d’approvisionnement, etc.). Les résultats montrent aussi que les mécanismes bureaucratiques de contrôle restent très présents et que la performance semble être liée à l’exercice d’un contrôle intense.
L'enseignement de la comptabilité internationale en Europe
Authors: Stolowy Hervé , Tenenhaus Michel
Published: April 2013

Sur la base d’une enquête effectuée auprès d’institutions européennes, la présente étude a pour objet de déterminer comment la comptabilité internationale est enseignée en Europe. Nous mettons en lumière le nombre de cours, les thèmes étudiés et les bibliographies recommandées. Une classification ascendante hiérarchique des syllabus reçus nous a permis de définir quatre groupes d’institutions correspondant chacun à une approche différente de l’enseignement de la comptabilité internationale. Les thèmes discriminants sont déterminés et peuvent contribuer à la définition d’une véritable « stratégie » d’élaboration d’un syllabus de cours. En outre, notre étude permet d’apporter des éléments de réflexion concernant deux questions actuellement débattues. Ainsi, bien qu’il existe des différences notables selon les pays étudiés, l’existence de cours spécifiques constitue la pratique (légèrement) dominante, par opposition à l’intégration de concepts internationaux dans des cours généraux. En outre, un nombre significatif d’institutions parviennent à concilier deux approches souvent opposées : la comparaison des pratiques nationales et les aspects multinationaux de la comptabilité.
La dimension humaine du contrôle de gestion : la recherche anglo-saxonne sur les aspects comportementaux de la gestion budgétaire
Authors: Naro Gérald
Published: April 2013

Il existe dans les pays anglo-saxons un programme de recherche structuré sur les dimensions comportementales et organisationnelles du contrôle de gestion qui a produit depuis le début des années 1950 une littérature riche et abondante. L’article propose une synthèse des publications portant plus particulièrement sur les aspects comportementaux du contrôle budgétaire, en soulignant leurs limites, en vue de susciter de nouvelles orientations de recherche.
De la représentation des immatériels en comptabilité
Authors: Lacroix Monique
Published: April 2013

Le mode d’élaboration d’un nombre comptable, image d’un immatériel, a été étudié à partir des logiques des normalisateurs et des entreprises, dans une perspective constructiviste. L’interprétation de la représentation originale des immatériels perçue par les acteurs repose sur une étude qualitative des réponses d’entreprises à un questionnaire du Conseil national de la comptabilité, et des réponses d’organismes de normalisation à une soumission de l’ International Accounting Standards Committee sur les actifs incorporels. La représentation des immatériels est approchée par les deux qualités fondamentales d’une information comptable, la fiabilité et la pertinence. L’étude montre que les pratiques comptables, bien que déterminées par la théorie comptable ou plus ou moins contingentes de la doctrine, restent des pratiques construites à la confluence des logiques d’acteurs.
Témoignage et histoire des comptables noirs américains : l'histoire de Theodora Rutherford
Authors: Hammond Theresa D. , Pesqueux Yvon
Published: April 2013

Cet article se réfère à la technique du « récit de vie » pour rendre compte de l’expérience des premiers experts-comptables afro-américains. Le « récit de vie » permet d’examiner ici comment le racisme a affecté la vie des Noirs qui désiraient devenir expert-comptable à une époque où les experts-comptables blancs n’acceptaient pas les Afro-Américains. Cet article comprend de larges extraits d’une interview de Theodora Rutherford, mettant en évidence, en même temps, un aspect de l’histoire de la comptabilité largement ignoré de la littérature.
Autoritarisme, politique symbolique et création musicale. Stratégies de légitimation symbolique dans le Mexique postrévolutionnaire et le Nigeria postcolonial
Authors: Velasco-Pufleau Luis
Published: April 2013

Les stratégies de légitimation symbolique visent à maintenir un certain ordre social grâce à l’imaginaire et aux rituels qui instaurent ou sacralisent des temporalités et des mémoires. Après avoir proposé une nouvelle définition du concept de politique symbolique, cet article étudie l’utilisation de la création musicale au sein des stratégies de légitimation symbolique de deux régimes autoritaires postcoloniaux : le régime mexicain postrévolutionnaire durant les années 1930 et le régime militaire nigérian dans les années 1970. La comparaison entre ces deux pays se révèle extrêmement riche pour comprendre de quelle façon les processus de construction nationale conditionnent les stratégies de légitimation symbolique des régimes.
Autoritarisme et stratégies de légitimation dans le golfe Persique à l'heure du « Printemps arabe »
Authors: Valeri Marc
Published: April 2013

Si la contestation populaire de l’ordre autoritaire qui a embrasé le monde arabe depuis la fin de l’année 2010 n’a pas épargné les monarchies du golfe Persique, ces dernières n’ont pas été amenées à entreprendre de changement politique d’envergure. Cet article analyse, dans une perspective comparée, les stratégies de légitimation non coercitives mises en œuvre par le Bahreïn (depuis l’arrivée au pouvoir du roi Hamad en 1999) et par le sultanat d’Oman pour consolider l’ordre politique en place. Une large place sera consacrée à l’éclairage que les événements du « Printemps arabe » apportent sur le fonctionnement interne de ces régimes et sur l’efficacité des stratégies de légitimation auxquelles il a été fait appel jusque-là.