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The paper represents a numerical and experimental investigation of a 2DOF piezoelectric positioning platform that can provide unlimited displacement in the plane. The platform consists of three piezoelectric bimorph plates that are located around the triangle-shaped supporting structure by an angle of 120 degrees. Spherical alumina contacts are glued at the bottom surface of each bimorph plate. The platform is an active part of the system and can move on the hard surface in an unlimited displacement range. The platform's operation principle is based on the excitation of the first bending mode of piezoelectric bimorph plates. Two thin connecting beams are placed at nodal lines of the bimorph plate's vibration and are used for plate clamping to the supporting triangle structure. The direction of the platform motion is controlled by corresponding excitation regimes of the piezoelectric bimorph plates. Linear movement of the platform is achieved when the harmonic signal is applied to the single bimorph plate. The remaining two plates operate as passive supports in this case. Moreover, in order to obtain the nonlinear trajectory of the platform motion, the bimorph plates are excited using harmonic electric signals with different amplitudes. A numerical investigation of the 2-DOF platform was performed, and it was found out that the suitable vibration mode of the bimorph plates occurs at 23.54 kHz. Harmonic response analysis showed that the maximum displacement amplitude of the contact reached 561.12 μm in the Z direction while an excitation signal of 210 Vp-p was applied. Prototype 2-DOF piezoelectric platform was made, and an experimental study was performed. Impedance–frequency measurements showed that the operating frequency of the platform is at 23.15 kHz. The maximum linear velocity of 44.45 mm/s was obtained while load of 55.68g N and applied and electrical signal of 210 Vp-p was used. [...]

The paper represents numerical and experimental investigation of 5 – DOF piezoelectric robot which is able to provide two types of motions during operation in different modes i.e. planar and rotary motion modes. Therefore, while the rotary motion mode is active the robot is able to generate rotation of spherical rotor in three directions. Otherwise, if the planar motion mode is active the robot is able to generate unlimited displacement range motion in plane while rotary motion of spherical rotor is not generated. The planar displacement range is limited only by desired operation surface. The design of the robot is simple and is based on piezoelectric ring and passive layer made from stainless steel. The planar or rotary motion can be excited by one or two harmonic excitation signals which should be applied to appropriate electrodes which are formed on top surface of the ring. The operation principle of the robot is based on two vibration modes i.e. radial and bending modes of piezoelectric ring. Numerical and experimental investigations showed that proposed design of the robot is suitable to generate two types of motion and showed that motion modes does not interacts with and does not have influence to accuracy of motions.

About CADRE:\ud Among many communities in the EU and beyond, disasters pose significant concerns and challenges. The importance of tackling disaster risk is highlighted in all three of the major global agreements that were finalised in 2015: Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030, Climate Change (COP21), and the Sustainable Development Goals.\ud The Sendai Framework, endorsed by 187 UN states in 2015, recognises that disaster risk reduction practices need to be multi-hazard and multisectoral, inclusive and accessible in order to be efficient and effective.\ud The construction industry and associated built environment professions are a vital component of this capacity. The scale, size and impact of the built environment cannot be ignored. It generates about 9% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the European Union and provides 18 million direct jobs. As a major consumer of services and intermediate products such as raw materials, chemicals or electrical equipment, construction impacts many other economic sectors.\ud The vital role of the built environment in serving human endeavours means that when elements of it are damaged or destroyed, the ability of society to function – economically and socially – is severely disrupted. Those responsible for the built environment have a vital role to play in developing societal resilience to disasters.\ud An EU funded project entitled CADRE (Collaborative Action towards Disaster Resilience Education), which was launched in 2013,set out to identify mechanisms to mainstream disaster resilience in the construction process.\ud This report examines the past and present impact of disasters and current trends that are driving disaster risk. It considers the vital role of built environment professionals in contributing to the aims of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-30. In supporting this goal, the report documents some of the key knowledge gaps that must be addressed by education programmes for construction professionals and sets out a series of recommendations to make this happen.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the advantage of a combinatory methodology presented in this study. The paper suggests that the comparison with results of previously developed methods is in high agreement.Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduces a combined compromise decision-making algorithm with the aid of some aggregation strategies. The authors have considered a distance measure, which originates from grey relational coefficient and targets to enhance the flexibility of the results. Hence, the weight of the alternatives is placed in the decision-making process with three equations. In the final stage, an aggregated multiplication rule is employed to release the ranking of the alternatives and end the decision process.FindingsThe authors described a real case of choosing logistics and transportation companies in France from a supply chain project. Some comparisons such as sensitivity analysis approach and comparing to other studies and methods provided to validate the performance of the proposed algorithm.Originality/valueThe algorithm has a unique structure among MCDM methods which is presented for the first time in this paper.

Logistic provider selection is Multi-Criteria Decision-Making problem.Selection of the best alternative depends on opinion of the group stakeholders.Criteria values are determined in linguistic terms and real use of DSS presented.Basis of the developed DSS is the second most popular MCDM method TOPSIS-F.The investigation carried out under a European Commission project. PurposeThe paper proposes a decision support system for selecting logistics providers based on the quality function deployment (QFD) and the technique for order preference by the similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) for agricultural supply chain in France. The research provides a platform for group decision making to facilitate decision process and check the consistency of the outcomes. MethodologyThe proposed model looks at the decision problem from two points of view considering both technical and customer perspectives. The main customer criteria are confidence in a safe and durable product, emission of pollutants and hazardous materials, social responsibility, etc. The main technical factors are financial stability, quality, delivery condition, services, etc. based on the literature review. The second stage in the adopted methodology is the combination of quality function deployment and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution to effectively analyze the decision problem. In final section we structure a group decision system called GRoUp System (GRUS) which has been developed by Institut de Recherche en Informatique de Toulouse (IRIT) in the Toulouse University. ResultsThis paper designs a group decision making system to interface decision makers and customer values in order to aid agricultural partners and investors in the selection of third party logistic providers. Moreover, we have figured out a decision support system under fuzzy linguistic variables is able to assist agricultural parties in uncertain situations. This integrated and efficient decision support system enhances quality and reliability of the decision making. Novelty/OriginalityThe novelty of this paper is reflected by several items. The integration of group multi-criteria decision tools enables decision makers to obtain a comprehensive understanding of customer needs and technical requirements of the logistic process. In addition, this investigation is carried out under a European commission project called Risk and Uncertain Conditions for Agriculture Production Systems (RUC-APS) which models risk reduction and elimination from the agricultural supply chain. Ultimately, we have implemented the decision support tool to select the best logistic provider among France logistics and transportation companies.

International audience; The purpose of this study is to examine the intensity of technology and knowledge transfer to the selected Baltic countries through foreign direct investment. The intensity of technology and knowledge transfer across the Baltic countries varies widely, with Estonia showing the leading position in the Baltic region. The amount of foreign direct investment in three countries is linked with the level of technology and knowledge transfer. It is indicated that during the Financial Crisis in 2008, the extent of foreign direct ownership changed in all three countries and later recovered. In the aftermath of this disruption, countries recovered their stock Foreign direct investment attraction rates and almost reached their 2004 level. Latvia has achieved a 50 per cent increase among Baltic countries, benefiting from it. Foreign direct investment and technology transfer increased through effective strategies and policies. In contrast, Estonia maintains a sustained stock foreign direct investment and has moderately lower margins than in other Baltic countries. Among countries, Estonia is the dominant stock FDI absorber in the Baltic region and have made significant contributions in the region.

The present paper provides an overview of serviceability specifications given by the fib Model Code 2010 (MC2010 [1]). First the reasons of crack control and deflection control are discussed, then specific design rules are provided. Simple rules as well as detailed models are also presented. Numerical examples are also provided in order to help application of the design recommendations for crack control (reinforced and prestressed concrete elements) and for deflection control (reinforced and prestressed concrete elements), respectively. Simple rules mean indirect control of cracking or deflections without calculations. Indirect crack control may include limitation of stresses and selection of maximum bar diameter or maximum bar spacing. Indirect deflection control normally means limitation of the span to depth ratio. Detailed models are based on physical and mathematical approaches of cracking and deflections. The design crack width is expressed as the multiple of maximum bond transfer length multiplied by the mean strain between cracks. Deflection analysis can be provided by integration of curvatures or using a simplified or a refined method. Vibrations and numerical modelling of cracking are also briefly discussed. Crack width limits, tension stiffening, span-depth ratio

We present a detailed mechanical and thermal analysis of a stand-alone nanospacecraft that performs asteroid flybys in the main asteroid belt (2.75 AU) and one Earth flyby at the end of the mission to return the gathered data. A fleet of such nanospacecraft ( 10 kg) has been proposed as part of the Multi-Asteroid Touring mission concept, a nearly propellantless mission where the electric solar wind sail (E-sail) is used for primary propulsion. The fleet makes flybys of thus far poorly characterised asteroid populations in the main belt and downlinks scientific data during the returning Earth flyby. The spacecraft size is close to a three-unit cubesat with a mass of less than 6 kg. The spacecraft is designed for a 3.2-year round trip. A 20-km-long E-sail tether is used. A remote unit is attached to the tether’s tip and stowed inside the spacecraft before the E-sail commissioning. The remote unit is slightly smaller than a one-unit cubesat with a mass of approximately 750 g. With an electrospray thruster, it provides angular momentum during tether deployment and spin-rate management while operating the E-sail. The selection of materials and configurations is optimised for thermal environment as well as to minimise the mass budget. This paper analyses the main spacecraft and remote-unit architectures along with deployment and operation strategies from a structural point of view, and thermal analysis for both bodies.

International audience; We recently discovered a [Fe-S]-containing protein with in vivo thiouracil desulfidase activity called TudS. We report here the crystal structure of TudS, refined at 1.5 Å resolution, which harbors a [4Fe-4S] cluster, bound by three cysteines only. Incubation of TudS crystals with 4-thiouracil trapped the cluster with a hydrosulfide ligand bound to the fourth non-protein-bonded iron, as established by the sulfur anomalous signal. This indicates that a [4Fe-5S] state of the cluster is a catalytic intermediate in the desulfuration reaction. Structural data and site-directed mutagenesis indicate that a water molecule is located next to the hydrosulfide ligand and to two catalytically important residues, Ser101 and Glu45. This information together with modeling studies allow us to propose a mechanism for the unprecedented nonredox enzymatic desulfuration of thiouracil, in which a [4Fe-4S] cluster binds and activates the sulfur atom of the substrate.

International audience; This paper presents energy opportunities, particular areas of high potential and reflections on energy challenges in Egypt by the year 2040. Energy foresight significantly contributes in the effective review and formulation of national energy policies and strategies. In this work, 350 experts participated in real-time Delphi survey and responded to a set of structured and cross-linked questionnaires that aim to assess and provide future dimension to the energy sector in Egypt. Priorities are presented across 14 energy cluster-areas with 180 identified topics. The two-round Delphi study with an iterative process was performed to determine and measure the expectations of the different stakeholders with specific emphasis on the prospects of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The designed cross-linkages between survey components allowed the systematic pooling and convergence of knowledge in addition to the technical insights and different perspectives. About 50% of Egypt's energy demand was foresighted to be met by renewable energies around 2030. The results showed that all types of energy would not only provide economic and environmental benefits but also improve living standards. This work demonstrates that involving large diversity of expertise and different stakeholders, comprising heterogeneous groups, in foresight studies would potentiate the forecasting power, reduce the polarization effect, and enhance the reliability of the foresight exercise.

International audience; In the realms of Climate change impact, economic and population growth, and pollution, Water security, and sustainable development are paramount, for addressing the food-water-energy nexus and mitigating the impact of the cited drawbacks. The presented paper in the first part, emphasizes water security and sustainable development notions. In 2015 s the 2030 agenda were approved by 193 members of the United Nation, it consists of 17 goals (SDG) for environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic development, peace, justice, good governance, and partnership. The 6th target of SDG is dedicated to clean water and sanitation since it is considered as one of the central focuses of Sustainable Development Goals. The second part is focused on Moroccan's water management plans. This latter elaborate a legal framework for water use, the law n° 36-15 that comprises the protection of human health through the regulation of exploitation, and provision of sanction. The green Morocco Plan (PMV) which aims first to develop modern agriculture aligned with the world global market requirement, and second to eliminate poverty by helping smallholder farming. The 140 dam's that Morocco counts provide strong support to economic growth. However, under the actual uncontrollable changing rate, Morocco is still threatened by low "water security", the access of drinkable water and sanitation services are improved but not totally covered, Moreover, the climate change

The changing global situation due to the outbreaks of COVID-19 is causing a crisis, not only in terms of healthcare but also in economic terms. Companies are faced with hasty decisions to avoid financial problems or even bankruptcy. Both in theory and practice, there are often more negative than positive effects of the coronavirus outbreak on transport sector business, but this topic has not yet been sufficiently explored due to the novelty of the situation and the divergent opinions of authors on some matters. The most significant impact is emphasised in the case of air transport, and the least studied area is road transport activity, which in Lithuania comprises the largest share of all modes of transport. It is observed that transport companies experience a decline in profitability indicators during the first wave of COVID-19. In the course of the investigation, the expert survey identified the most affected profitability and liquidity indicators of road transport companies. Relative financial indicators and a study of the financial results of coronavirus-related quarantine carried out using paired correlation analysis showed that there is an unequal connection between the number of days of quarantine in Lithuania and the relative financial indicators of road transport companies. Therefore, the crisis caused by COVID-19 is likely to have a positive or negative impact on the financial performance of a company, depending on the company’s activity. However, in some cases, there may be no impact at all. The monitoring of the constantly changing coronavirus crisis and the corresponding economic situation is an important immediate and continuous participation in the monitoring and control of the financial situation of companies. Keywords: coronavirus, COVID-19, financial indicators, transport sector; road transport companies, economic crisis.

International audience; Sustainable management for green competitiveness has been mentioned in the lasting researches based on various theories as to the transition theory, social responsibility theory (CSR), sustainable supply chain management theory (SSCM), the theory of planned behavior, and the contingency theory. Our purpose is to know which management theory is the most reliable in defining the intersection of management theories, sustainability, and green competitiveness. Therefore, a new interpretation must be parallel to cover all sustainability aspects: people, economics, and the environment. PRISMA-SCR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews) methodology was used to develop a greater understanding of relevant terminology core concepts, and key items to report for scoping reviews.

International audience; A major challenge for humanity in the twenty-first century is to combine energy with respect for the environment. During the Rio Earth Summit (2012) the issue of sustainable development was clearly demonstrated. One of the major battles this century for the planet's survival is to include energy efficiency as an international policy priority in order to achieve a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, we have presented the current state and outlook of energy efficiency in the transport, residential and industrial sectors, as well as its policy for each sector in Morocco. New strategies implemented by the government for sustainable development were reviewed and discussed. Through these strategies, the shift to energy efficiency is at the forefront of national policy implications for energy security and a low-carbon economy.

International audience; COVID-19 is described in a clinical case involving a patient who proposed the hypothesis that Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-interacting nutrients may help to prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms. Capsules of broccoli seeds containing glucoraphanin were being taken before the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection and were continued daily for over a month after the first COVID-19 symptoms. They were found to reduce many of the symptoms rapidly and for a duration of 6-12 h by repeated dosing. When the patient was stable but still suffering from cough and nasal obstruction when not taking the broccoli capsules, a double-blind induced cough challenge confirmed the speed of onset of the capsules (less than 10 min). A second clinical case with lower broccoli doses carried out during the cytokine storm confirmed the clinical benefits already observed. A third clinical case showed similar effects at the onset of symptoms. In the first clinical trial, we used a dose of under 600 μmol per day of glucoraphanin. However, such a high dose may induce pharmacologic effects that require careful examination before the performance of any study. It is likely that the fast onset of action is mediated through the TRPA1 channel. These experimental clinical cases represent a proof-of-concept confirming the hypothesis that Nrf2-interacting nutrients are effective in COVID-19. However, this cannot be used in practice before the availability of further safety data, and confirmation is necessary through proper trials on efficacy and safety.

Disertacijoje nagrinėjami būdingi šilumos akumuliacinės talpos veikimo režimai, susiformuojantys nedidelės galios kogeneracinėje jėgainėje, tiriamas šiluminės stratifikacijos susidarymas tokioje talpoje ir atliekamas jos modeliavimas. Pagrindinis disertacijos tikslas – ištirti nedidelės galios kogeneracinės jėgainės šilumos akumuliacinės talpos veikimo režimų ypatumus, sudaryti algoritmą, padedantį parinkti tokios talpos tūrį ir pateikti modelį, leidžiantį nustatyti šiluminę stratifikaciją akumuliacinėje talpoje bet kuriuo jos veikimo metu. The dissertation investigates typical operation modes of the heat storage tank in the small-scale cogeneration (CHP) plant, analyses formation of thermal stratifi-cation in such storage tank and presents the simulation of the stratification. The main aim of the dissertation is to investigate peculiarities of operation modes of heat storage tank in small-scale CHP plant, develop an algorithm allowing to choose the storage tank volume and present a model allowing determination of thermal stratification in the storage tank at any time of its operation.

In this dissertation is analysed the transfer of artificial radionuclides (137Cs and 90Sr) from soil to tree. The main goal of this work – to estimate specific activi-ties of 137Cs and 90Sr in selected trees, investigate the peculiarities of these ra-dionuclides distribution in trees, suggest the methodology for estimation of the transfer of radionuclides from soil to tree in tree wood by chemical analog in soil under the tree crown, and to do the forecast of transfer of radionuclides in sys-tem “soil–tree” by the most relevant models. The main tasks solved in this dissertation are following: to do the radiomet-ric, radiochemical and biological affections researches of selected pines, evalu-ate the specific activity and concentration in collected samples of investigated radionuclides and their chemical analogs, apperciate the transfer of 137Cs and 90Sr from soil to tree and analyse peculiarities of this process by soil radioactive pollution and plants growing peculiarities; to modelling the spread of 137Cs and 90Sr distribution in system “soil–plant”, the accumulation of these radionuclides in tree and internal doses. This dissertation consists of introduction, five chapters, the main conclusion and recommendation, bibliography and list of author publications. In the introduction it is discussed the investigated problem, actualities of work, object of research, scientific novelty and practical significant of this dis-sertation, protective hypotheses. Additionally it is... [to full text] Disertacijoje nagrinėjama dirbtinės kilmės radionuklidų (137Cs ir 90Sr) per-naša iš dirvožemio į medį. Pagrindinis šio darbo uždavinys – nustatyti 137Cs ir 90Sr savituosius aktyvumus tyrimui parinktuose medžiuose bei įvertinti šių ra-dionuklidų pasiskirstymo juose ypatumus, pasiūlyti metodiką radionuklido per-našos iš dirvožemio į medį vertinimui pagal radionuklido cheminį analogą dir-vožemyje po medžio laja, atlikti radionuklido pernašos iš dirvožemio į medį prognozę, parinkus tinkamiausius modelius. Šiame darbe sprendžiami tokie pagrindiniai uždaviniai: atlikti medžių sandų radiometrinius, radiocheminius ir pušų biologinio pažeistumo tyrimus; įvertinti tiriamųjų radionuklidų ir jų stabiliųjų cheminių analogų savituosius aktyvumus bandiniuose; įvertinti 137Cs ir 90Sr pernašos iš dirvožemio į medžius ir pasiskirs-tymo juose ypatumus, atsižvelgiant į dirvožemio radioaktyviąją užtaršą ir augalo vystymosi ypatumus; modeliuoti 137Cs ir 90Sr migracijos sistemoje „dirvožemis–medis“ sklaidą, įvertinti radionuklidų sukauptą augale kiekį, modeliuoti augalo patiriamą vidinę apšvitą. Disertaciją sudaro įvadas, penki skyriai, bendrosios išvados, rekomendaci-jos, naudotos literatūros ir autorės publikacijų sąrašai. Įvadiniame skyriuje aptariama tiriamoji problema, darbo aktualumas, apra-šomas tyrimų objektas, darbo mokslinis naujumas, darbo rezultatų praktinė reikšmė, ginamieji teiginiai. Pristatomos disertacijos tema autorės paskelbtos publikacijos, pranešimai, disertacijos struktūra... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is today used as an alternative to surgery for the excision of cancer lesions. This study aimed to investigate the oxidative and cytotoxic effects the cells undergo during irreversible electroporation using IRE protocols. To do so, we used IRE-inducing pulsed electric fields (PEFs) (eight pulses of 0.1 ms duration and 2&ndash, 4 kV/cm intensity) and compared their effects to those of PEFs of intensities below the electroporation threshold (eight pulses, 0.1 ms, 0.2&ndash, 0.4 kV/cm) and the PEFs involving elongated pulses (eight pulses, 10 ms, 0.2&ndash, 0.4 kV/cm). Next, to follow the morphology of the melanoma cell membranes after treatment with the PEFs, we analyzed the permeability and integrity of their membranes and analyzed the radical oxygen species (ROS) bursts and the membrane lipids&rsquo, oxidation. Our data showed that IRE-induced high cytotoxic effect is associated both with irreversible cell membrane disruption and ROS-associated oxidation, which is occurrent also in the low electric field range. It was shown that the viability of melanoma cells characterized by similar ROS content and lipid membrane oxidation after PEF treatment depends on the integrity of the membrane system. Namely, when the effects of the PEF on the membrane are reversible, aside from the high level of ROS and membrane oxidation, the cell does not undergo cell death.

International audience; The purpose of the paper is to analyze the vulnerabilities of Critical Energy Infrastructures' systems in the event of cyber-attack. The global tendency of cyber-attacks puts Critical Energy Infrastructures on one of the first places for targets. Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) has become an increasingly relevant topic in the global industrial environment, as the consequences of cyber-attacks toward ICS can result in physical disruption and loss of human lives. The analysis presented in the paper will take into consideration three different case scenarios of cyber-attacks to Critical Energy Infrastructures, and will evaluate the outcomes and the tactics used by the organizations' response and recovery.

International audience; The progresses made in terms of cybersecurity in these past years have been huge, and the implementation of newer strategies has brought interesting results all over the globe. However, the full implementation of cybersecurity presents a challenge to a lot of countries, especially if considered the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), which is still one of the areas with the most gaps in terms of cybersecurity. In this article, the first five countries by cybersecurity level according to the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2018, in order UK, USA, France, Estonia and Lithuania, will be evaluated for their solutions in terms of Critical Infrastructure Protection. The results will show the effective accuracy of the index and will shed light on the various approaches to Critical Infrastructure Protection.

International audience; The purpose of the paper is to compare various types of management models that regulate the response to cyber threats to Critical Infrastructures. The development of an effective management model that regulates the response to cyber-attack against Critical Infrastructure is an important issue in security management. Many frameworks attempt to regulate the response that has to be done to recover and eradicate possible threats, but still, there is not a universal appliable model for all Critical Infrastructures. The paper will offer a comparison of various frameworks in an attempt of evaluating the features that a hypothetical model for response to Cyber Incidents to Critical Infrastructures. The focus is on Critical Energy Infrastructure, as their damage directly means damage to other critical infrastructures, given their extreme interconnectivity. After the analysis of five frameworks of responses to Cyber Incidents, an evaluation will be provided, along with a recommendation.

International audience; Regional Development is linked to Sustainability, and also, Development is linked to Security, both nationally and globally. The expanded view of Security has opened the discussion of new technologies introduced non-traditional threats that become vulnerable to regional security and thereby to regional development. Five broad types of situations or premises that constitute a security in which threats overlap and interact, those new threats warrant new security paradigms that traditional international relations ignored so far. The purpose of this research is to analyze and study the impact of these new threats to security and how they affect regional development. Protection to the digital ecosystem and critical infrastructure from threats could be by implementing the security program of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), however, awareness, preparedness, and resilience of societies with the international community are as key preconditions of further secure and sustainable economic development and general well-being. Case studies of new technologies that threaten global societies economically and socially.

Summarization: Family business growth is crucial not only for the long-term sustainability of this type of firm but also for economic growth as a whole. However, family businesses face internal and external obstacles that hamper their healthy, sustainable growth. Analyses of family business growth are critical to overcoming these barriers. By combining fuzzy cognitive mapping techniques and the system dynamics approach, this study sought to create an analysis model that allows for a more holistic perspective on determinants of family business growth, their cause-and-effect relationships, and thus their long-term behavior. The model developed is a complete, transparent, and realistic tool that enables decision makers to make better and more informed decisions. This study was grounded in the insights provided by a panel of experts in family business, who shared their knowledge and experience over the course of two group sessions. The results of the static and dynamic analyses carried out were validated by the head of department and a board member of the Southern Business Support Center of Portugal’s Institute for the Support of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Innovation (IAPMEI). This research’s contributions are also discussed, and suggestions are made for future research. Presented on: Annals of Operations Research

International audience

In this research we have evaluated the binding kinetics between an immobilized receptor and several genetically engineered ligands, differing by molecular mass or by the number of binding sites available for the binding to the receptor. Genetically engineered protein (GCSF-Receptor), which contains some antibody parts (Fc domain) and at some extent is similar to antibody because also has two binding sites that selectively bind another protein – glycoprotein granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), which was immobilized on a thin gold layer in order to design an immunosensor sensitive to GCSF. Three structurally different GCSF-based proteins were genetically-engineered and evaluated as ligands, which selectively bind to immobilized GCSF-Receptor: (i) GCSF monomer (mGCSF), (ii) GCSF-homodimer consisting of two via polypeptide Lα-based linker ‘fused’ GCSF molecules ((GCSF)2Lα) and (iii) GCSF-heterodimer (SCF-Lα-GCSF), which is based on a native GCSF molecule ‘fused’ via Lα-based linker with another protein – a soluble part of stem cell factor (SCF). SCF, unlike GCSF, does not contain any site suitable for GCSF-Receptor binding. The ligands differ by: (i) molecular mass – (GCSF)2Lα and SCF-Lα-GCSF F are two times heavier than mGCS, (ii) number of binding sites – mGCSF and SCF-Lα-GCSF have one binding site, while (GCSF)2Lα has two. The binding kinetics of mGCSF, (GCSF)2Lα, and SCF-Lα-GCSF with immobilized GCSF-Receptor was investigated using total internal reflection ellipsometry. The interaction kinetics of the mGCSF and SCF-Lα-GCSF are both well described using a standard Langmuir kinetics model. However, receptor-ligand association and dissociation rates in the case of SCF-Lα-GCSF ligand are about 10 times lower than that of mGCSF. The association rate of (GCSF)2Lα is about half of that of the mGCSF, which can be explained by the smaller diffusion coefficient of the larger molecule. Moreover, unlike SCF-Lα-GCSF, the (GCSF)2Lα adsorption kinetics cannot be adequately described by the standard Langmuir kinetics model and surface regeneration (induced by ‘washing’) experiments illustrate that (GCSF)2Lα, unlike the mGCSF and SCF-Lα-GCSF, is irreversibly bound to the surface modified by immobilized GCSF-Receptors. Therefore, to describe binding kinetics in the case of (GCSF)2Lα we have applied advanced kinetic model based on three protein association stages (three-stage kinetics model) in which (GCSF)2Lα forms several different intermediate complexes with GCSF-Receptor. This model precisely describes the time-varying surface concentration of (GCSF)2Lα bound to surface modified by immobilized GCSF-Receptors. In addition to the bioanalytical-aspects possible improvement of GCSF-based drugs is discussed.

International audience; In the context of globalization and transformations, the knowledge potential management is an effective tool for increasing the effectiveness of organizations. The aim of the research is to study the procedural approach to the organization knowledge potential management, to distinguish the main knowledge management processes and to present suggestions on how to improve the knowledge management process model. The organization's knowledge potential in this study is defined, as the organization's resources and market opportunities, generating its knowledge potential, complexity and effective management of which create prerequisites for meeting the changing individual user needs, creating reciprocal value, uniqueness and leadership in the global marketplace. The conceptual knowledge management process model has been improved, based on the research. The first step in the model is the choice of a knowledge strategy, covering aspects of the formation and selection of strategic decision-making in knowledge potential management. The choice of an appropriate knowledge strategy brings to its implementation through a process of knowledge management cycle, consisting of knowledge acquisition, sharing, development, preservation and application of it. The knowledge management process model is completed with an evaluation of the knowledge strategy implementation.

International audience; Electroporation is influenced by the features of the targeted cell membranes, e.g., the cholesterol content and the surface tension of the membrane. The latter is eventually affected by the organization of actin fibers. Atorvastatin is a statin known to influence both the cholesterol content and the organization of actin. This work analyzes the effects of the latter on the efficacy of electroporation of cancer cells. In addition, herein, electroporation was combined with calcium chloride (CaEP) to assess as well the effects of the statin on the efficacy of electrochemotherapy. Cholesterol-rich cell lines MDA-MB231, DU 145, and A375 underwent (1) 48 h preincubation or (2) direct treatment with 50 nM atorvastatin. We studied the impact of the statin on cholesterol and actin fiber organization and analyzed the cells’ membrane permeability. The viability of cells subjected to PEF (pulsed electric field) treatments and CaEP with 5 mM CaCl2 was examined. Finally, to assess the safety of the therapy, we analyzed the N-and E-cadherin localization using confocal laser microscopy. The results of our investigation revealed that depending on the cell line, atorvastatin preincubation decreases the total cholesterol in the steroidogenic cells and induces reorganization of actin nearby the cell membrane. Under low voltage PEFs, actin reorganization is responsible for the increase in the electroporation threshold. However, when subject to high voltage PEF, the lipid composition of the cell membrane becomes the regulatory factor. Namely, preincubation with atorvastatin reduces the cytotoxic effect of low voltage pulses and enhances the cytotoxicity and cellular changes induced by high voltage pulses. The study confirms that the surface tension regulates of membrane permeability under low voltage PEF treatment. Accordingly, to reduce the unfavorable effects of preincubation with atorvastatin, electroporation of steroidogenic cells should be performed at high voltage and combined with a calcium supply.

International audience; International branch campus is a rather new phenomenon in higher education and it is often questioned if it is an effective tool for HEI competitiveness because of its high risks and extremely high costs. In order for higher education institution managers to be able to use an international branch campus (IBC) as a tool for competitiveness, indicators of IBC having the strongest influence on the competitiveness of HEI must be indicated. In order to determine the main key performance indicators semi structured interviews were executed with the top managers of international branch campuses globally and the gathered data was analysed and coded using the computer assisted qualitative data analysis (CAQDAS) with Nvivo software. Six most important key performance indicators of IBCs have been identified and the FARE (Factor Relationship) method was used in order to determine the weights of the latter criteria. A system of indicators has been developed to assess the impact of HEI international development on the university's competitiveness and a relationship between the key performance indicators of the IBCs and the university's competitiveness has been revealed.

International audience; The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of oil prices on the stock market of G7 countries. Oil prices not only affect the economy of a country but also the country's stock market. The stock market affects the stock valuation or, to put in another way, the company's stock value. The stock value is associated with the discounted sum of predictable future cash flows and these flows may be distressed by macroeconomic variables including oil prices fluctuations. This study has researched the impact of oil prices' fluctuation on countries included G7, i.e.. For the analysis, the most recent data is collected. In this study, the real stock return has considered as a depended variable or predict variable, while oil prices, industrial production, and short-term interest rate are as independent, or predictor variables. The study is quantitative in nature. All data was collected from OECD website with the exception of oil prices, which were taken from oil intelligence report. The model, which has been used in the study is based on Arbitrage pricing theory-APT model, where financial assets are associated with macroeconomic variables. The results showed that Industrial production is positively associated with a real stock return in the case of Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France, while the short-term interest rate is negatively connected with a real stock return in the case of Canada, the United Kingdom, and United States of America. Oil prices have an insignificant effect on real stock markets of all considered countries. The authors provide an economic interpretation of the obtained results.

The possibility to reduce the effect of optical aberrations has been proposed in several publications on classical ghost imaging. The two-armed ghost-imaging systems make use of spatially incoherent illumination and point-by-point scanned intensity-correlation measurements in the arms. In this work, we introduce a novel ghostlike imaging method that uses a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and is based on optical-field interference instead of intensity correlations. The method allows us to obtain sharp images of microscopic objects even in the presence of severe aberrations that completely destroy the intensity-based image. Furthermore, pure phase objects can be imaged with micrometer-scale resolution in the presence of strong aberrations, which has not been demonstrated previously with a correlation-based imaging technique. In the setup, we use a light-emitting diode source and an ordinary camera as the only light detector. The imaging approach that we put forward in this work may find significant applications in advanced optical microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and a variety of interferometric sensors and detectors.

International audience; By examining social marketing this articles has featured a step-by step approach for residential behavioural change towards sustainable energy transition. Specifically, this article considers the value-based approach instead of rational information campaigns for behavioural change of energy users. The proposed framework is based on environmental values and designed to transform the selected destructive behaviour into a sustainable one. The framework consist of five steps: (1) selecting the behaviour, (2) user orientation, (3) exchange, (4) marketing mix: elements of intervention, (5) measuring behaviour change. As behavioural change is the final goal of any energy efficiency campaign, it becomes also a starting point and an objective of the rest of the activities in the framework. Second, we suggest using the user orientation concept that divides the society into three groups based on their attitude towards environmental issues, i.e. environmentalist, the environmentally concerned and the disinterested. In the third step we apply the exchange theory; whereas in the step of 'marketing mix' a conceptual combination of six elements for energy transition is reasoned: proposition, cost, communication, communities and partnership. Finally, the fifth step stresses on the measurement of the behavioural change that enables energy transition. The proposed step-by step framework is based on theory and builded on current practice in a field that is analysed in the article.

International audience; In this study, the authors have investigated the determination of the most suitable legal form for the development of the cluster management activities. In each particular case the developers of the cluster have to assess the objectives of the cluster, the principal aspects of the mutual partnership, the risks that could be provoked, and in accordance with the derived decisions. The choice of the cluster legal activity form depends on the objectives and on the branch in which the cluster is operating, on the number of the cluster participants, on the type of the activities of the cluster, on the openness or closeness to new members, type of the contributions of the partners and the other factors. The most reliable solution regarding the choice of the model of the functioning and management of the cluster has to be derived as well legal regulation of the legal form of the activity discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of two models of the cluster formation discussed. During experimental evaluation, the significance of criteria was determined and the expert evaluation on legal form for the 245 development of clusters activities was performed. Foundation and management of the clusters are determined firstly by the fact that in one case a new established legal person performs the functions of the cluster coordinator while in another case one of the cluster participants performs the functions and partners legal cooperation determined by Agreement on Partnership. Article analyses the multi-criteria decisions-making to establish the cluster with the certain type of juridical form of legal person or to develop cluster management activities by the Partnership Agreement. The recommendations presented by application of MCDM calculus methods with aspect of percentage.

International audience; In this paper, we consider the online uniform machine scheduling problem on m processors when speed s i = 1 for i = k+1, ..., m and s i = s, s > 1, for i = 1, ..., k. The objective is to minimize makespan. We propose a parametric scheme with the worst-case performance 2.618 when 1 < s ≤ 2, and with the asymptotic worst-case performance 1 2 (1+s+ √ 5 − 2s + s 2) for all s > 1 when the ratio m/k tends to infinity.

International audience; The World Economic Crisis has increased such processes as poverty, discrimination and war. As a consequence, many people from Africa, Middle East and Asia started to immigrate to Europe. There were over one million unauthorized immigrants entering Europe in 2015. However, not all countries want and can accept refugees. A long-time frame for assessing asylum applications or frequent rejections encourages refugees to migrate illegally by intruding freight transport units to cross the border of their chosen European country. The intrusion of illegal immigrants into road freight units to cross borders without being noticed has caused a great deal of damage to the international freight transportation companies. This article presents results of the study aimed at investigation of peculiarities of illegal immigrant's intrusions into road freight transport units moving along the corridor France – United Kingdom.

International audience; The 'experience' economy, characterizes by the growing needs for cultural identity and social empowerment, and aided by technologies of knowledge generation, information processing and communication of symbols, further reinforce this. The creative industries involve the concretization of an image, through whatever medium for some form of economic return. However, the nature of experience goods makes demand pattern unpredictable and production process difficult to control. The uncertainty of demand for the creative product, pose managerial and organizational challenges. The structure and staffing of creative projects are often temporary, as are capital investment. Success is dependent on the composition of projects teams with individuals and groups working in a highly interactive and adaptive fashioning of the product: Despite this fact, a great deal of research conducted in the area of group dynamics suggests that groups are often much less creative and productive than they are usually assumed. The important question of how to manage creative teams to achieve a high productivity with limited resources and time arises in innovation management both from the theoretical and practical points of view. There is still no clarity which factors affecting productivity of teamwork are more important than others. The study was aimed at the identification most important factors for the productivity of teamwork. The survey of 113 student creative teams in 8 counties (Lithuania, Poland, Canada, China, France, Italy, Russia, and Denmark) was performed. Based of the findings the hierarchy of the significance of the factors influencing the productivity of teamwork is established and described in the article.

International audience; With the development of innovative technologies for smart cities, sharing economy and collaborative practices, sharing and collaboration have become a major issue in urban transport. However, a common view about such concepts is still missing. The issue proposes a forum to present the latest development in the field and also to address the main challenging topics of research regarding collaborative urban transport. The Special Issue on Collaboration and Urban Transport includes 18 papers and is divided into two sections (papers No. 1–9 and No. 10–17 respectively, paper No. 18 – summarizing review paper). The first section is dealing with the research questions directly related to collaboration while the second section refers to jobs dealing with urban transport; the links to collaborations are indirect but have a potential.

International audience; The article takes place in the research area of the ongoing European project 'Cluster Development Med' (Horizon 2020) regarding the innovation and technology in the sustainable development field. Authors suggest a model, which allows to identify the most successful clusters and make comparisons between and within them. The analysis defines where they perform a positive or negative trend in the area examined. The model embraces three dimensions of cluster activity, so called, "Resources, Activities, Processes". They have been determined on the work of the Lithuanian association "Knowledge Economy Forum" , called "Cluster Analysis". Data for practical evaluation purposes were obtained through two stage process. First, an interview on site with the coordinators of the Lithuanian clusters for data collection was done through a questionnaire survey, developed in collaboration with the Science and Innovation Agency of the Lithuanian Government. Secondly, the data have been aggregated by applying one of multi-criteria methods, specifically, Simple Additive Weighting method. Finally, the multi-criteria analysis results were used to estimate the efficiency of the clusters. The results were compared through suggested benchmarking. Suggested model can be used for evaluation of performance of different clusters.

Unique scientific project unifying scientitsts of present modern countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Russia was carried out in the first half of the 19th century. Results obtained for the mentioned period were very accurate especialy considering the size of the project and instruments used for the measurements. Network of triangulation of 2820 km lenght running from Danube mouth till Arctic Ocean also called Struve Geodetic Arc was built and measured in 1816-1852. That was the longest and most accurate measured meridian arc in 19th century which measurements data were used during the century for computing and improving parameters of the Earth elipsoid. Geodetic points of Struve Geodetic Arc were listed to the World Heritage List in 2005. Three points located in Meskonys, Paliepiukai and Gireisiai were commemorated in Lithuania. The Coordinating Committee of Struve Geodetic Arc was created for colaboration, spreading information for wider public, exchange of the best practice for preservation of Struve Geodetic Arc points. Practice, experience and problems related to the World Heritage List objects preservation are presented and analyzed in this publication. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/enviro.2017.248

The research aims to assess the relationships between the crash rates and road consistency. Design consistency assessment is a tool employed by designers to improve road safety. The case study involved a rural two-lane two-way road in Southern Italy that is located on a flat terrain without spiral transition curves between tangent segments and circular curves. Road alignment consistency was examined in two steps: a) by adopting Standards in force in Italy based on the design speed profile; b) by plotting operating speed profile to determine the area bounded by the speed profile and the average weighted speed, and the standard deviation of operating speeds for each geometric segment. Operating speed prediction model that returns the 85th percentile of the speed distribution of the only cars under free flow conditions, good weather conditions, and lighting was adopted. A negative exponential function was performed to predict the global consistency of a road as a whole. Finally crash rate prediction model was calibrated and it confirmed that as design consistency increased, the crash rates decrease significantly. The consistency model can be used during the geometric design process or during the evaluation process for two-lane rural highways.

Tricyclic wyosine derivatives are found at position 37 of eukaryotic and archaeal tRNAPhe. In Archaea, the intermediate imG-14 is targeted by three different enzymes that catalyze the formation of yW-86, imG, and imG2. We have suggested previously that a peculiar methyltransferase (aTrm5a/Taw22) likely catalyzes two distinct reactions: N1-methylation of guanosine to yield m1G; and C7-methylation of imG-14 to yield imG2. Here we show that the recombinant aTrm5a/Taw22-like enzymes from both Pyrococcus abyssi and Nanoarchaeum equitans indeed possess such dual specificity. We also show that substitutions of individual conservative amino acids of P. abyssi Taw22 (P260N, E173A, and R174A) have a differential effect on the formation of m1G/imG2, while replacement of R134, F165, E213, and P262 with alanine abolishes the formation of both derivatives of G37. We further demonstrate that aTrm5a-type enzyme SSO2439 from Sulfolobus solfataricus, which has no N1-methyltransferase activity, exhibits C7-methyltransferase activity, thereby producing imG2 from imG-14. We thus suggest renaming such aTrm5a methyltransferases as Taw21 to distinguish between monofunctional and bifunctional aTrm5a enzymes.

International audience; The purpose of this paper is to assess the main aspects of the Lithuanian manufacturing industries in the global context. Two approaches are prevailing in the scientific studies analyzing structural changes of economy. The first seeks to identify statistically certain change in economic structure using three-sector hypothesis. The second approach focuses on in-depth structural analysis of the particular sector over time. This study supports the second approach and examines the structural changes in the manufacturing industry of developed and developing countries and draw the Lithuanian picture on the basis of 2000-2009. To this end, two economics tools, namely, the structural changes indicators and Finger-Kreinin dissimilarity index are applied for this purpose. The main findings related to the manufacturing sector's structural tendencies of the Lithuanian economy in the context of developed and developing countries. First of all, the manufacturing industry is looked from the point of view of three economies, such as developed, developing countries and Lithuania's. The author highlights the main trends of manufacturing industry in global context. After further in-depth analysis of the Lithuanian manufacturing structural changes in the context of developed and developing countries has been carried out and new evidence on manufacturing distribution profiles has been provided, concluding remarks have been made. The insights from this study could be useful guide to the Lithuanian manufacturing industry for the need to promote sustainable development in the global context.

International audience; This is the editorial of the special issue of the HeteroPar 2014, APCIE 2014, and TASUS 2014 workshops

International audience; Nanolaminates are new class of promising nanomaterials with outstanding properties. Here we explored on the tuning of structural properties and the enhancement of electronic and optical properties of 1D PAN ZnO/Al2O3 nanolaminates designed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and electrospinning. The influence of ZnO/Al2O3 bilayer thicknesses on the fundamental properties of 1D PAN ZnO/Al2O3 nanolaminates has been investigated. Due to the quantum confinement effect, the shift of XPS peaks to higher energies has been observed. Work function of Al2O3 was mostly independent of the bilayers number, whereas the ZnO work function decreased with an increase of the bilayer number. Photoluminescence of the 1D PAN ZnO/Al2O3 nanolaminates corresponded to emission bands in ZnO nanolayers. Due to quantum confinement and surface band bending, no excitonic peaks were observed. The defect emission band was affected by the band bending and defect concentration. The enhanced photoluminescence of the 1D PAN ZnO/Al2O3 nanolaminates allows applications in optical (bio)sensing field

The uncoated side of dispersion-barrier-coated paperboards was exposed to positive and negative direct current corona treatments in order to confirm the occurrence of backside treatment and clarify its effects on the usability of the paperboard. The main component of the coating dispersions was hydroxypropylated potato starch and the effects of talc and styrene-butadiene latex additions on backside treatment were evaluated. Coatings with a high talc proportion showed excellent initial grease resistance, but corona-induced strikethroughs caused a drastic decrease in grease penetration time. The root-mean-square roughness measurements revealed moderate surface roughening at the backside, indicating thus backside treatment. The alterations in surface free energies and rapeseed oil contact angles confirmed the occurrence of backside treatment. The high polarization potential of latex played a key role in these observations. At the same time, the inertity of talc had a stabilizing effect but it did not prevent backside treatment completely. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results verified that backside treatment occurs also when the barrier-coated side of the substrate is treated with corona, indicating that a dispersion coating layer does not prevent this undesired phenomenon. Bearing in mind that expressing customized information or including personalized elements in food packages or disposable cups and plates is under great interest, it can be assumed the exposure of packaging materials to corona will become more common in the near future, and the need for optimizing bio-based packaging materials for such purposes is obvious.

The Directive 2008/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on Road Infrastructure Safety Management requires that the Member States shall establish and implement the network safety ranking. Safety performance of existing roads should be increased by targeting investments to the highest accident concentration sections and (or) to the road sections or crossings with the highest accident reduction potential. Road network safety management is applied within the road network in operation covering the selection of traffic safety improvement measures in optimal locations, evaluation of the safety effects and implementing the measures. The article describes the method for selecting and prioritising road sections which have higher than the average accident saving potential in each road category. When selecting road sections for treatment, a potential reduction of accident costs shall be taken into consideration. Road sections in each category are studied and classified by the factors related to road safety, such as the number of accidents, traffic flow and road characteristics. The article describes how the procedure of the road network safety ranking and the ranking of high accident concentration sections is implemented in Lithuania and propose further steps.

International audience; Shock absorbers allow the damping of suspension vibrations, by dissipating kinetic energy. This energy theoretically can be harvested; however, practical solutions are not easily obtainable. This paper is dedicated to analyzing and evaluating the vibration energy in a vehicle’s suspension that is generated by road excitations. Also, it estimates the possible amount of harvested energy required to diminish accelerations of the vehicle body, the driver, or the passenger center of mass. The control of damper is realized by optimizing the best damping coefficient for different road roughness. Analytical results, obtained from the proposed dynamic model of the car, were compared with experimental data, showing a good coherence between them. These results allow us to evaluate the amount of energy circulating within shock absorbers and give information about the amount of the possible harvested energy. There is a very good relationship between energy needed for control and gained energy.

The dissertation presents an approach to decreasing the risk of transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat transportation) by applying construction-related solutions. They consist in deploying safety barriers between transportation routes and vulnerable property built in the roadside territory. The attention is focussed on the hazmat transportation accidents known as boiling liquid expanding vapour explosions (BLEVEs). It is considered how to predict thermal and mechanical effects of BLEVEs on potential barriers or roadside property. It is suggested to interlink results of this prediction with the conventional structural response techniques used for estimating the susceptibility of safety barriers to the effects of BLEVEs. The dissertation consists of introduction, three chapters, conclusions, list of references and papers published by the author as well as four annexes. The first chapter presents a review and evaluation of the published work on the risk posed by the hazmat transportation. In addition, existing approaches to the design of safety barriers suitable to protect roadside property against fires and explosions on road and rail are discussed. In the second chapter, BLEVEs are recognised as relatively frequent and highly damaging accidents on road and rail. The attention is focussed on predicting two main effects by BLEVE: thermal radiation and projectile impact. Three computational procedures are proposed for assessing thermal and mechanical effects generated of BLEVEs. The first procedure was developed to predict the position of road tanker vessel sustaining a BLEVE with respect to a potential target. The second procedure deals with assessing the thermal radiation of a BLEVE fireball. The third procedure was developed for forecasting the impact of road tanker vessel fragments on roadside object or possible safety barrier. The third chapter formulates a series of proposals to the design of safety barriers aimed at protection of roadside objects against thermal and mechanical effects of BLEVEs on road and rail. The first proposal considers the sitting of barriers in the area of potential deployment. The second proposal deals with a design of a steel barrier intended for a protection of blast loading from a railway tanker BLEVE. The third proposal consists in recommendations of how to design a reinforced concrete barrier capable to sustain impact by fragments from a tanker vessel. All proposals have the form of preliminary, conceptual designs. The main statements of the dissertation were published in twelve scientific articles: four articles – in the Thomson ISI Web of Science register.