Search results for: Marie Shella De Robles
Commenced in January 2007
Frequency: Monthly
Edition: International
Paper Count: 235

Search results for: Marie Shella De Robles

235 Transperineal Repair Is Ideal for the Management of Rectocele with Faecal Incontinence

Authors: Tia Morosin, Marie Shella De Robles

Abstract:

Rectocele may be associated with symptoms of both obstructed defecation and faecal incontinence. Currently, numerous operative techniques exist to treat patients with rectocele; however, no single technique has emerged as the optimal approach in patients with post-partum faecal incontinence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome in a consecutive series of patients who underwent transperineal repair of rectocele for patients presenting with faecal incontinence as the predominant symptom. Twenty-three consecutive patients from April 2000 to July 2015 with symptomatic rectocele underwent transperineal repair by a single surgeon. All patients had a history of vaginal delivery, with or without evidence of associated anal sphincter injury at the time. The median age of the cohort was 53 years (range 21 to 90 years). The median operating time and length of hospital stay were 2 hours and 7 days, respectively. Two patients developed urinary retention post-operatively, which required temporary bladder catheterization. One patient had wound dehiscence, which was managed by absorbent dressing applied by the patient and her carer. There was no operative mortality. In all patients with rectocele, there was a concomitant anal sphincter disruption. All patients had satisfactory improvement with regard to faecal incontinence on follow-up. This study suggests this method provides excellent anatomic and physiologic results with minimal morbidity. However, because none of the patients gained full continence postoperatively, pelvic floor rehabilitation might be also needed to achieve better sphincter function in patients with incontinence.

Keywords: anal sphincter defect, faecal incontinence, rectocele, transperineal repair

Procedia PDF Downloads 127
234 Manifestation of Hybridity in Marie Jones’s "Stones in His Pockets"

Authors: Mahsa Mahjoub Laleh, Nasser Dasht Peyma

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This paper explores Marie Jones’s Stones in His Pockets in the light of the postcolonial notion of hybridity. The play is a tragicomedy about a small village in Ireland where many of the locales are extras in a Hollywood film. The actions of the play revolve around a local teenager named Sean who has been vilipended by a famous film star. The Sean character commits suicide by drowning himself with stones in his pockets. This paper explored how the attempts to gain cultural identity is manifested in Marie Jones’s play and how authority causes a change in the culture and destiny of people. Apparently, the play demonstrates that the political, economic and social realities directly affect people’s destiny and identity.

Keywords: cultural identity, hybridity, identity, postcolonial

Procedia PDF Downloads 445
233 Cultural Heritage, Manga, and Film: Japanese Tourism at Petit Trianon, Versailles

Authors: Denise C. I. Maior-Barron

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This conference presentation proposes to discuss the Japanese tourist perception of Marie Antoinette, at the heritage site which represents the home par excellence of the last Queen of France: Petit Trianon, Versailles. The underpinning analysis has a two-fold aim of firstly identifying the elements that contributed at the said perception and secondly of placing this in the wider context of tabi (travel) culture. The contribution of the presentation lies in its relevance to the analysis of postmodern trends of Japanese travel culture in relation to the consumption of European cultural heritage, through an insight into Japanese contemporary perception of heritage sites and their associated historical figures subject to controversy. Based upon the author’s doctoral studies field research at Petit Trianon - survey led in situ between 2010-2012, applied with the questionnaire method on a total of 307 respondents out of which 53 Japanese nationals - the media sources that were revealed to have had a direct influence on these nationals’ perception of Marie Antoinette, were Riyoko Ikeda’s shōjo manga La Rose de Versailles (1972) and Sofia Coppola’s film Marie-Antoinette (2006). The interpretation of the survey results through an assessment of visitor discourse determined the research methodology to be qualitative as opposed to quantitative, thus what confirmed the empirical hypothesis of the survey was a pattern of perception instead of percentages. Consequently, the interpretation focused on the answers to the questions relating to the image of Marie Antoinette in relation to historical knowledge, cultural background and last but not least media influences.

Keywords: cultural heritage, manga, film, tabi

Procedia PDF Downloads 437
232 Fuzzy Nail Cream Formula Treatment with Basic Iranian Traditional Medicine

Authors: Elahe Najafizade, Ahmad Mohammad Alkhateeb, Seyed Ali Hossein Zahraei, Iman Dianat

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Introduction: Hangnails are short, torn, down parts of the skin surrounding the nails. At times they are very painful. The usual treatment advised is cutting the excess skin with clippers or scissors. To provide instant relief to the patients, we describe a simpler and more effective way to use surgical glue to paste them back into their original position. Method: The cream should not be on the heat; it is on the bain-marie. To achieve the desired emulsifier, 1 gram of borax was mixed in 10 grams of distilled water in a bain-marie until it melted, then stirred oserin, beeswax, and oil in the bain-marie until it melted. After that, 32 grams of distilled water was added little by little. We add and stir and gradually add the borax dissolved in 10 grams of distilled water. The bowl of cream was placed in a bowl of cold water and stirred until the cream was smooth. After that, we add gasoline, alcohol, or methylparaben preservatives. It should be noted that this amount of ingredients is enough for a 350-gram can (when we prepare the cream, we also add the extract). Result: The patient was a 40-year-old female with a hangnail problem that had been used several different creams and Vaseline, but the treatment was not useful, but after this cream was applied for treatment; the hangnail started to cure within one week, and complete treatment achieved after two weeks. Conclusion: Traditional methods with modification without using chemical substances somehow work better and safer, so research programs on them will be useful for less risky treatment procedures.

Keywords: nail, cream, formula, traditional medicine

Procedia PDF Downloads 113
231 Mechanical Cortical Bone Characterization with the Finite Element Method Based Inverse Method

Authors: Djamel Remache, Marie Semaan, Cécile Baron, Martine Pithioux, Patrick Chabrand, Jean-Marie Rossi, Jean-Louis Milan

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Cortical bone is a complex multi-scale structure. Even though several works have contributed significantly to understanding its mechanical behavior, this behavior remains poorly understood. Nanoindentation testing is one of the primary testing techniques for the mechanical characterization of bone at small scales. The purpose of this study was to provide new nanoindentation data of cortical bovine bone in different directions and at different bone microstructures (osteonal, interstitial and laminar bone), and then to identify anisotropic properties of samples with FEM (finite element method) based inverse method. Experimentally and numerical results were compared. Experimental and numerical results were compared. The results compared were in good agreement.

Keywords: mechanical behavior of bone, nanoindentation, finite element analysis, inverse optimization approach

Procedia PDF Downloads 336
230 CMT4G: Rare Form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease in Slovak Roma Patient

Authors: Dana Gabriková, Martin Mistrík, Jarmila Bernasovská, Iveta Tóthová, Jana Kisková

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The Roma (Gypsies) is a transnational minority with a high degree of consanguineous marriages. Similar to other genetically isolated founder populations, the Roma harbor a number of unique or rare genetic disorders. This paper discusses about a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease – type 4G (CMT4G), also called Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy type Russe, an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutation private to Roma characterized by abnormally increased density of non-myelinated axons. CMT4G was originally found in Bulgarian Roma and in 2009 two putative causative mutations in the HK1 gene were identified. Since then, several cases were reported in Roma families mainly from Bulgaria and Spain. Here we present a Slovak Roma family in which CMT4G was diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination and genetic testing. This case is a further proof of the role of the HK1 gene in pathogenesis of the disease. It confirms that mutation in the HK1 gene is a common cause of autosomal recessive CMT disease in Roma and should be considered as a common part of a diagnostic procedure.

Keywords: gypsies, HK1, HSMN-Russe, rare disease

Procedia PDF Downloads 388
229 The Effect of Cognitively-Induced Self-Construal and Direct Behavioral Mimicry on Prosocial Behavior

Authors: Czar Matthew Gerard Dayday, Danielle Marie Estrera, Philippe Jefferson Galban, Gabrielle Marie Heredia

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The study aimed to examine the effects of self-construal and direct mimicry on prosocial behavior. The study made use of a 2 (Self-construal: independent or interdependent) x 2 (Mimicry: mimicry or non-mimicry) between subjects factorial design where effects of self-construal was cognitively-induced through a story with varying pronouns (We, Us, Ourselves vs. Me, I, Myself), and prosocial behavior was measured with the amount of money donated to a fabricated advocacy. The research was conducted with a convenience sampling comprised of 88 undergraduate students (58 Females, 33 Males) aged 16 to 26 years olds from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Results from the experiment show that both factors do not have significant main effects on prosocial behavior. Additionally, their interaction also does not have a significant effect to prosocial behavior with No Mimicry x Independent ranking highest in amount of money donated and Mimicry x Interdependent ranking lowest. These results can be attributed to multiple factors, which include the collectivist orientation and sense of kapwa of Filipinos, a role reversal in the methodology and the lack of Chameleon Effect, and a weak priming of self-construal with respect to self-relatedness.

Keywords: behavior, mimicry, prosocial, self-construal

Procedia PDF Downloads 278
228 Labor Productivity in the Construction Industry: Factors Influencing the Spanish Construction Labor Productivity

Authors: G. Robles, A. Stifi, José L. Ponz-Tienda, S. Gentes

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This research paper aims to identify, analyze and rank factors affecting labor productivity in Spain with respect to their relative importance. Using a selected set of 35 factors, a structured questionnaire survey was utilized as the method to collect data from companies. Target population is comprised by a random representative sample of practitioners related with the Spanish construction industry. Findings reveal the top five ranked factors are as follows: (1) shortage or late supply of materials; (2) clarity of the drawings and project documents; (3) clear and daily task assignment; (4) tools or equipment shortages; (5) level of skill and experience of laborers. Additionally, this research also pretends to provide simple and comprehensive recommendations so that they could be implemented by construction managers for an effective management of construction labor forces.

Keywords: construction management, factors, improvement, labor productivity, lean construction

Procedia PDF Downloads 292
227 Effects of Carbon Black/Graphite Ratio for Electrical Conduction and Frictional Resistance of Nanocomposite Sol-Gel Coatings

Authors: Julien Acquadro, Sophie Noel, Frédéric Houze, Philippe Teste, Pascal Chretien, Clément Genet, Edouard Breniaux, Marie-Joël Menu, Florence Ansart, Marie Gressier

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This paper presents the study results of the electrical and tribological properties of nanocomposite hybrid sol-gel coatings developed for industrial applications on electrical connector housings. The electrical properties of coatings are provided by conductive fillers. The coatings presented in this study are formulated with different types of conductive carbon fillers, in this case carbon black and graphite particles. The coatings are deposited on a high-phosphorous nickel substrate by a dip-coating process. The authors have investigated the effects of the carbon black/graphite ratio on the coating's electrical and tribological properties. Electrical characterizations with a 4-probe method and AFM measurements as well as tribological tests by micro-friction shed light on the role of the black carbon/graphite ratio on the final properties of the sol-gel nanocomposite coatings. This study shows that the amount of carbon black mainly drives the coatings' electrical conduction property, while graphite's lubrication properties bring interest to reduce the values of friction coefficients (at a contact pressure of 800 MPa). In the industrial field of electrical connectors, such coatings aim at replacing cadmium and chromium (VI) protection, as recommended by REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment) regulations (Annex XVII of REACH).

Keywords: carbon conductive fillers, electrical conduction, sol-gel coatings, tribology

Procedia PDF Downloads 91
226 Ecosystem Services Assessment for Urban Nature-Based Solutions Implemented in the Public Space: Case Study of Alhambra Square in Bogotá, Colombia

Authors: Diego Sánchez, Sandra M. Aguilar, José F. Gómez, Gustavo Montaño, Laura P. Otero, Carlos V. Rey, José A. Martínez, Juliana Robles, Jorge E. Burgos, Juan S. López

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Bogota is making efforts towards urban resilience through Nature-based Solutions (NbS) incorporation in public projects as a climate change resilience strategy. The urban renovation project on the Alhambra square includes Green Infrastructure (GI), like Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and Urban Trees (UT), as ecosystem services (ES) boosters. This study analyzes 3 scenarios: (1) the initial situation without NbS, (2) the expected situation including NbS in the design and (3) the projection of the second one after 30 years, calculating the ecosystem services, the stormwater management benefits provided by SUDS and the cultural services. The obtained results contribute to the understanding of the urban NbS benefits in public spaces, providing valuable information to foster investment in sustainable projects and encouraging policy makers to integrate NbS in urban planning.

Keywords: ecosystem services, nature-based solutions, stormwater management, sustainable urban drainage systems

Procedia PDF Downloads 158
225 ANDASA: A Web Environment for Artistic and Cultural Data Representation

Authors: Carole Salis, Marie F. Wilson, Fabrizio Murgia, Cristian Lai, Franco Atzori, Giulia M. Orrù

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ANDASA is a knowledge management platform for the capitalization of knowledge and cultural assets for the artistic and cultural sectors. It was built based on the priorities expressed by the participating artists. Through mapping artistic activities and specificities, it enables to highlight various aspects of the artistic research and production. Such instrument will contribute to create networks and partnerships, as it enables to evidentiate who does what, in what field, using which methodology. The platform is accessible to network participants and to the general public.

Keywords: cultural promotion, knowledge representation, cultural maping, ICT

Procedia PDF Downloads 426
224 Interdisciplinary Expressive Artistic Activities within Prevention of Crisis Situations and Pathological Strains in Educational Facilities of Juvenile Detention Centres

Authors: Marie Bajnarová

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The core part of the research project is represented by taking a perspective on the role of an educator in Juvenile Institutional Centres. In accordance with the research questions, the research explores impact of the environment, situations, practices, attitudes, values and also experience of the respondents. Art activities minimize risky behaviours and contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They also help children and adolescents with conduct disorders develop positive social behaviour, psychosocial skills and cope with difficult life situations.

Keywords: Juvenile Detention Centres, drawing, conduct disorders, art therapy

Procedia PDF Downloads 284
223 X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Analyses of Candidate Materials for Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Authors: Marie Kudrnová, Jana Rejková

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The samples of supplied INCONEL 601, 617, 625, and HASTELLOY C-22 alloys and experimental nickel alloy MoNiCr were examined by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) before and after exposure. The experiment was performed in a mixture of LiCl-KCl salt (58.2-41.8 wt. %). The exposure conditions were 440°C, pressure 0.2 MPa, 500 hours in an inert argon atmosphere. The XPS analysis shows that a thin oxide layer composed of metal oxides such as NiO, Cr₂O₃, and Nb₂O₅ was formed. After sputtering the exposed surface with Ar ions, metals were also detected in the elemental state, indicating a very thin protective oxide layer with a thickness in units of up to tens of nanometers.

Keywords: XPS, MSR, nickel alloy, metal oxides

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222 Teacher-Child Interactions within Learning Contexts in Prekindergarten

Authors: Angélique Laurent, Marie-Josée Letarte, Jean-Pascal Lemelin, Marie-France Morin

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This study aims at exploring teacher-child interactions within learning contexts in public prekindergartens of the province of Québec (Canada). It is based on previous research showing that teacher-child interactions in preschools have direct and determining effects on the quality of early childhood education and could directly or indirectly influence child development. However, throughout a typical preschool day, children experience different learning contexts to promote their learning opportunities. Depending on these specific contexts, teacher-child interactions could vary, for example, between free play and shared book reading. Indeed, some studies have found that teacher-directed or child-directed contexts might lead to significant variations in teacher-child interactions. This study drew upon both the bioecological and the Teaching Through Interactions frameworks. It was conducted through a descriptive and correlational design. Fifteen teachers were recruited to participate in the study. At Time 1 in October, they completed a diary to report the learning contexts they proposed in their classroom during a typical week. At Time 2, seven months later (May), they were videotaped three times in the morning (two weeks’ time between each recording) during a typical morning class. The quality of teacher-child interactions was then coded with the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) through the contexts identified. This tool measures three main domains of interactions: emotional support, classroom organization, and instruction support, and10 dimensions scored on a scale from 1 (low quality) to 7 (high quality). Based on the teachers’ reports, five learning contexts were identified: 1) shared book reading, 2) free play, 3) morning meeting, 4) teacher-directed activity (such as craft), and 5) snack. Based on preliminary statistical analyses, little variation was observed within the learning contexts for each domain of the CLASS. However, the instructional support domain showed lower scores during specific learning contexts, specifically free play and teacher-directed activity. Practical implications for how preschool teachers could foster specific domains of interactions depending on learning contexts to enhance children’s social and academic development will be discussed.

Keywords: teacher practices, teacher-child interactions, preschool education, learning contexts, child development

Procedia PDF Downloads 108
221 Differentiation: A Risky Route To An Inclusive Reality

Authors: Marie C. Ryan

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The current paper seeks to reconsider differentiation in order to establish whether differentiation has succeeded in its benevolent aim to support individual needs through teaching adaptations or whether paradoxically our attention to differentiation has served to exclude and marginalise. This paper does not deny variation in learner needs and accepts that inclusion requires teachers to adapt and modify curricular content; rather it seeks to examine whether differentiation as it is conceptualised and implemented is fit for purpose when it comes to adapting teaching in view of learner differences. The paper will also explore an alternative approach to supporting learner differences through teaching modifications which may offer a safer path to an inclusive educational reality.

Keywords: inclusion, differentiation, special education, universal design for learning

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220 Syntheses in Polyol Medium of Inorganic Oxides with Various Smart Optical Properties

Authors: Shian Guan, Marie Bourdin, Isabelle Trenque, Younes Messaddeq, Thierry Cardinal, Nicolas Penin, Issam Mjejri, Aline Rougier, Etienne Duguet, Stephane Mornet, Manuel Gaudon

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At the interface of the studies performed by 3 Ph.D. students: Shian Guan (2017-2020), Marie Bourdin (2016-2019) and Isabelle Trenque (2012-2015), a single synthesis route: polyol-mediated process, was used with success for the preparation of different inorganic oxides. Both of these inorganic oxides were elaborated for their potential application as smart optical compounds. This synthesis route has allowed us to develop nanoparticles of zinc oxide, vanadium oxide or tungsten oxide. This route is with easy implementation, inexpensive and with large-scale production potentialities and leads to materials of high purity. The obtaining by this route of nanometric particles, however perfectly crystalline, has notably led to the possibility of doping these matrix materials with high doping ion concentrations (high solubility limits). Thus, Al3+ or Ga3+ doped-ZnO powder, with high doping rate in comparison with the literature, exhibits remarkable infrared absorption properties thanks to their high free carrier density. Note also that due to the narrow particle size distribution of the as-prepared nanometric doped-ZnO powder, the original correlation between crystallite size and unit-cell parameters have been established. Also, depending on the annealing atmosphere use to treat vanadium precursors, VO2, V2O3 or V2O5 oxides with thermochromic or electrochromic properties can be obtained without any impurity, despite the versatility of the oxidation state of vanadium. This is of more particular interest on vanadium dioxide, a relatively difficult-to-prepare oxide, whose first-order metal-insulator phase transition is widely explored in the literature for its thermochromic behavior (in smart windows with optimal thermal insulation). Finally, the reducing nature of the polyol solvents ensures the production of oxygen-deficient tungsten oxide, thus conferring to the nano-powders exotic colorimetric properties, as well as optimized photochromic and electrochromic behaviors.

Keywords: inorganic oxides, electrochromic, photochromic, thermochromic

Procedia PDF Downloads 221
219 Processing Mild versus Strong Violations in Music: A Pilot Study Using Event-Related Potentials

Authors: Marie-Eve Joret, Marijn Van Vliet, Flavio Camarrone, Marc M. Van Hulle

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Event-related potentials (ERPs) provide evidence that the human brain can process and understand music at a pre-attentive level. Music-specific ERPs include the Early Right Anterior Negativity (ERAN) and a late Negativity (N5). This study aims to further investigate this issue using two types of syntactic manipulations in music: mild violations, containing no out-of-key tones and strong violations, containing out-of-key tones. We will examine whether both manipulations will elicit the same ERPs.

Keywords: ERAN ERPs, Music, N5, P3, ERPs, Music, N5 component, P3 component

Procedia PDF Downloads 275
218 The European Union: Considering Its Alleged Endangerment

Authors: Jesús Ulloa

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The creation, rise, and consolidation of far right-wing, ultranationalist, and eurosceptic parties in Europe after the Second World War pose a real threat towards the disintegration of the European Union. Starting more than thirty years ago with Jean-Marie Le Pen's FN and Margaret Thatcher's policies, to Marine Le Pen's current FN and anti-immigration proposals along with Nigel Farage's UKIP and their intentions to leave the European Union, the progress of right-wing parties should be noted, taking into account that they may have very important differences within their postures but that they also reach common ground in certain areas. The actual disintegration of the EU would represent an enormous failure of the new liberal world order. Through this essay, the roots of this political parties will be analyzed and the conclusion of whether the disintegration may become a reality or if the principles of cooperation and unity will prevail will be answered.

Keywords: eurosceptic, ultarnationalist, right-wing, European Union

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217 The Effect of the Hemispheres of the Brain and the Tone of Voice on Persuasion

Authors: Rica Jell de Laza, Jose Alberto Fernandez, Andrea Marie Mendoza, Qristin Jeuel Regalado

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This study investigates whether participants experience different levels of persuasion depending on the hemisphere of the brain and the tone of voice. The experiment was performed on 96 volunteer undergraduate students taking an introductory course in psychology. The participants took part in a 2 x 3 (Hemisphere: left, right x Tone of Voice: positive, neutral, negative) Mixed Factorial Design to measure how much a person was persuaded. Results showed that the hemisphere of the brain and the tone of voice used did not significantly affect the results individually. Furthermore, there was no interaction effect. Therefore, the hemispheres of the brain and the tone of voice employed play insignificant roles in persuading a person.

Keywords: dichotic listening, brain hemisphere, tone of voice, persuasion

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216 Investigating the Effect of Plant Root Exudates and of Saponin on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Solubilization in Brownfield Contaminated Soils

Authors: Marie Davin, Marie-Laure Fauconnier, Gilles Colinet

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In Wallonia, there are 6,000 estimated brownfields (rising to over 3.5 million in Europe) that require remediation. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of recalcitrant carcinogenic/mutagenic organic compounds of major concern as they accumulate in the environment and represent 17% of all encountered pollutants. As an alternative to environmentally aggressive, expensive and often disruptive soil remediation strategies, a lot of research has been directed to developing techniques targeting organic pollutants. The following experiment, based on the observation that PAHs soil content decreases in the presence of plants, aimed at improving our understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in phytoremediation. It focusses on plant root exudates and whether they improve PAHs solubilization, which would make them more available for bioremediation by soil microorganisms. The effect of saponin, a natural surfactant found in some plant roots such as members of the Fabaceae family, on PAHs solubilization was also investigated as part of the implementation of the experimental protocol. The experiments were conducted on soil collected from a brownfield in Saint-Ghislain (Belgium) and presenting weathered PAHs contamination. Samples of soil were extracted with different solutions containing either plant root exudates or commercial saponin. Extracted PAHs were determined in the different aqueous solutions using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Fluorimetric Detection (HPLC-FLD). Both root exudates of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and commercial saponin were tested in different concentrations. Distilled water was used as a control. First of all, results show that PAHs are more extracted using saponin solutions than distilled water and that the amounts generally rise with the saponin concentration. However, the amount of each extracted compound diminishes as its molecular weight rises. Also, it appears that passed a certain surfactant concentration, PAHs are less extracted. This suggests that saponin might be investigated as a washing agent in polluted soil remediation techniques, either for ex-situ or in-situ treatments, as an alternative to synthetic surfactants. On the other hand, preliminary results on experiments using plant root exudates also show differences in PAHs solubilization compared to the control solution. Further results will allow discussion as to whether or not there are differences according to the exudates provenance and concentrations.

Keywords: brownfield, Medicago sativa, phytoremediation, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, root exudates, saponin, solubilization, Trifolium pratense

Procedia PDF Downloads 253
215 Anthropomorphism and Its Impact on the Implementation and Perception of AI

Authors: Marie Oldfield

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Anthropomorphism is a technique used by humans to make sense of their surroundings. Anthropomorphism is a widely used technique used to influence consumers to purchase goods or services. These techniques can entice consumers into buying something to fulfill a gap or desire in their life, ranging from loneliness to the desire to be exclusive. By manipulating belief systems, consumer behaviour can be exploited. This paper examines a series of studies to show how anthropomorphism can be used as a basis for exploitation. The first set of studies in this paper examines how anthropomorphism is used in marketing and the effects on humans engaging with this technique. The second set of studies examines how humans can be potentially exploited by artificial agents. We then discuss the consequences of this type of activity within the context of dehumanisation. This research has found potential serious consequences for society and humanity, which indicate an urgent need for further research in this area.

Keywords: anthropomorphism, ethics, human-computer interaction, AI

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214 A Methodology for the Identification of Technological Gaps and the Measurement of the Level of Technological Acceptance in the Rural Sector in Colombia

Authors: Anyi Katherine Garzon Robles, Luis Carlos Gomez Florez

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Since the advent of the Internet, the use of Information Technologies (IT) has increased exponentially. The field of informatics and telecommunications has put on the table countless possibilities for the development of different socio-economic activities, promoting a change of social paradigm and the emergence of the so-called information and knowledge society. For more than a decade, the Colombian government has been working on the incorporation of IT into the public sector through an e-government strategy. However, to date, many technological gaps has not yet been identified in the country to our knowledge, especially in rural areas and far from large cities, where factors such as low investment and the expansion of the armed conflict have led to economic and technological stagnation. This paper presents the research results obtained from the execution of a research project, which was approach from a qualitative approach and a methodological design of a participatory action research type. This design consists of nine fundamental stages divided into four work cycles. For which different strategies for data collection and analysis were established. From which, a methodology was obtained for the identification of technological gaps and the measurement of the level of technological acceptance in the rural sector, based on the TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) model, as a previous activity to the development of IT solutions framed in the e-government strategy in Colombia. The result of this research work represents a contribution from academia for the improvement of the country's technological development and a guide for the proper planning of IT solutions aimed at promoting a close relationship between government and citizens.

Keywords: E-government, knowledge society, level of technological acceptance, technological gaps, technology acceptance model

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213 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, '4P’s': Breaking the Vicious Poverty Cycle

Authors: Bernadette F. De La Cruz, Susan Marie R. Dela Cruz, Georgia D. Demavibas

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Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P) is a conditional cash transfer program in the Philippines pay extremely poor household-beneficiaries in order to fulfill the country’s commitment to the number one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). 4P's send 10,235,256 school children aged 6-18 from a total of 4,353,597 registered households with an average of two to three children. We analyze this program in Iloilo, Philippines. We show that this program can be made efficient by selecting beneficiaries and calibrating transfer for a maximum breaking of intergenerational poverty cycle of hunger, health and achieve higher education.

Keywords: ESGP-PA, millennium development goals, house hold beneficiaries, cash transfer

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212 A Proof of the N. Davydov Theorem for Douglis Algebra Valued Functions

Authors: Jean-Marie Vilaire, Ricardo Abreu-Blaya, Juan Bory-Reyes

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The classical Beltrami system of elliptic equations generalizes the Cauchy Riemann equation in the complex plane and offers the possibility to consider homogeneous system with no terms of zero order. The theory of Douglis-valued functions, called Hyper-analytic functions, is special case of the above situation. In this note, we prove an analogue of the N. Davydov theorem in the framework of the theory of hyperanalytic functions. The used methodology contemplates characteristic methods of the hypercomplex analysis as well as the singular integral operators and elliptic systems of the partial differential equations theories.

Keywords: Beltrami equation, Douglis algebra-valued function, Hypercomplex Cauchy type integral, Sokhotski-Plemelj formulae

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211 Transdisciplinary Attitude in the Classroom: Producing Quality of Being

Authors: Marie-Laure Mimoun-Sorel

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Scholars concerned with the destiny of human species point out that our future will not only depend on progress made in technology and sciences but above all it will depend on human progress understood as quality of being. Teachers are significant force in developing a knowledgeable, creative, productive and democratic society. The values that underpin their profession are integrity, respect and responsibility. Therefore, being a teacher in the context of the 21st century requires embracing a Transdisciplinary Attitude which is about venturing within, between, across and beyond disciplines in order to bring forth quality of being in every learning process. In this article, the Transdisciplinary Attitude is defined and its benefits are shown through examples of Transdisciplinary inquiries in an Australian school. Finally, the conclusion invites to reflect on quality of teaching in regard to the development of individual autonomy, community participation and awareness of belonging to the human species.

Keywords: human progress, quality of being, quality of teaching, transdisciplinary attitude in education

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210 Use Cases Analysis of Free Space Optical Communication System

Authors: Kassem Saab, Fritzen Bart, Yves-Marie Seveque

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The deployment of Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC) systems requires the development of robust and reliable Optical Ground Stations (OGS) that can be easily installed and operated. To this end, the Engineering Department of Airbus Defence and Space is actively working on the development of innovative and compact OGS solutions that can be deployed in various environments and provide high-quality connectivity under different atmospheric conditions. This article presents an overview of our recent developments in this field, including an evaluation study of different use cases of the FSOC with respect to different atmospheric conditions. The goal is to provide OGS solutions that are both simple and highly effective, allowing for the deployment of high-speed communication networks in a wide range of scenarios.

Keywords: end to end optical communication, laser propagation, optical ground station, turbulence

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209 Structural Changes and Formation of Calcium Complexes in Corn Starch Processed by Nixtamalization

Authors: Arámbula-Villa Gerónimo, García-Lara Kenia Y., Figueroa-Cárdenas J. D., Pérez-Robles J. F., Jiménez-Sandoval S., Salazar-López R., Herrera-Corredor J. A.

Abstract:

The nixtamalization process (thermal-alkaline method) improves the nutritional part of the corn grain. In this process, the using of Ca(OH)₂ is basic, although the chemical mechanisms between this alkali and the carbohydrates (starch), proteins, lipids, and fiber have not been fully identified. In this study, the native corn starch was taken as a model, and it was subjected to cooking with different concentrations of lime (nixtamalization process) and specific studies of FTIR and XRD were carried out to identify the formation of chemical compounds, and the physical, physicochemical, rheological (paste) and structural properties of material obtained were determined. The FTIR spectra showed the formation of calcium-starch complexes. The treatments with Ca(OH)₂ showed a band shift towards 1675 cm⁻¹ and a band in 1436 cm⁻¹ (COO⁻), indicating the oxidation of starch. Three bands were identified (1575, 1550, and 1540 cm⁻¹) characteristics of carboxylic acid salts for three types of coordinated structures: monodentate, pseudo-bridged, and bidentate. The XRD spectra of starch treated with Ca(OH)₂ showed a peak corresponding to CaCO₃ (29.40°). The oxidation of starch was favored with low concentrations of Ca(OH)₂, producing carboxyl and carbonyl groups and increasing the residual CaCO₃. The increased concentration of Ca(OH)₂ showed the formation of calcium carboxylates, with a decrease in relative crystallinity and residual CaCO₃. Samples with low concentrations of Ca(OH)₂ slowed the onset of gelatinization and increased the swelling of the granules and the peak viscosity. The higher concentrations of Ca(OH)₂ difficulted the water absorption and decreased the viscosity rate and peak viscosity. These results can be used to improve the quality characteristics of the dough and tortillas and to get better acceptance by consumers.

Keywords: maize starch, nixtamalization, gelatinization, calcium carboxylates

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208 Memetic Algorithm for Solving the One-To-One Shortest Path Problem

Authors: Omar Dib, Alexandre Caminada, Marie-Ange Manier

Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to introduce a novel approach to solve the one-to-one shortest path problem. A directed connected graph is assumed in which all edges’ weights are positive. Our method is based on a memetic algorithm in which we combine a genetic algorithm (GA) and a variable neighborhood search method (VNS). We compare our approximate method with two exact algorithms Dijkstra and Integer Programming (IP). We made experimentations using random generated, complete and real graph instances. In most case studies, numerical results show that our method outperforms exact methods with 5% average gap to the optimality. Our algorithm’s average speed is 20-times faster than Dijkstra and more than 1000-times compared to IP. The details of the experimental results are also discussed and presented in the paper.

Keywords: shortest path problem, Dijkstra’s algorithm, integer programming, memetic algorithm

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207 Analytical Similarity Assessment of Bevacizumab Biosimilar Candidate MB02 Using Multiple State-of-the-Art Assays

Authors: Marie-Elise Beydon, Daniel Sacristan, Isabel Ruppen

Abstract:

MB02 (Alymsys®) is a candidate biosimilar to bevacizumab, which was developed against the reference product (RP) Avastin® sourced from both the European Union (EU) and United States (US). MB02 has been extensively characterized comparatively to Avastin® at a physicochemical and biological level using sensitive orthogonal state-of-the-art analytical methods. MB02 has been demonstrated similar to the RP with regard to its primary and higher-order structure, post- and co-translational profiles such as glycosylation, charge, and size variants. Specific focus has been put on the characterization of Fab-related activities, such as binding to VEGF A 165, which directly reflect the bevacizumab mechanism of action. Fc-related functionality was also investigated, including binding to FcRn, which is indicative of antibodies' half-life. The data generated during the analytical similarity assessment demonstrate the high analytical similarity of MB02 to its RP.

Keywords: analytical similarity, bevacizumab, biosimilar, MB02

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206 A Case Report on the Multidisciplinary Approach on Rectal Adenocarcinoma in Pregnancy

Authors: Maria Cristina B. Cabanag, Elijinese Marie S. Culangen

Abstract:

Pregnancy is a period in a woman's life wherein the body may undergo different physiological changes. These changes can be attributed to the interplay of hormones in the body but can mask a more sinister type of disease such as malignancy on rare occasions. Colorectal cancer (CRC) in pregnancy is an epidemiologically rare disease worldwide. To our knowledge, no available studies were reported in the Philippines at the time of this writing, posing a dilemma for its appropriate diagnosis and management. Signs and symptoms of colorectal malignancy may camouflage a normal pregnancy and, when overlooked, impedes an appropriate approach. This case of a 38-year-old elderly primigravid who presented with hematochezia on her 25th week of gestation. She was diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma later in pregnancy which warranted a predicament regarding her appropriate care and management. This paper explores the repertoire of the different diagnostic and treatment approaches to colorectal cancer in the second trimester of pregnancy, with the least possible maternal and fetal hazards.

Keywords: cancer in pregnancy, chemotherapy in pregnancy, colorectal cancer, hematochezia in pregnancy

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