bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Diversity of Biotechnology Centres in Germany
Authors: Dorocki Sławomir
Published: June 2014

Biotechnology is considered one of the key advanced technology sectors of the future. Its development is conditional on basic research in technologically advanced research institutes and appropriately qualified human resources. The optimum environment stimulating the development of biotechnology is that of production centres having joint industrial and R&D operations.

The growth of this sector in Germany began later than in the USA or other West European countries. But, thanks to the regional policy pursued by the state stimulating the development of biotechnology clusters, in a period of fifteen years or so, Germany has become the global leader. This paper presents the process of developing biotechnology centres in Germany as well as their spatial distribution, accompanied by their short description.
Ukrainian Post-Communist Transformation: Causes, Consequences and Threats
Authors: Kuczabski Aleksander , Michalski Tomasz
Published: June 2014

The post-communist transformation of Ukraine differs significantly from that of other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. First of all, Ukraine’s transition from totalitarianism to democracy has been long and still remains uncompleted. The process of the democratic transformation in Ukraine is non-linear and can be described by frequent changes in transformation phases. The ultimate result of the country’s transformation determines to a considerable extent the geopolitical stability in entire Central and Eastern Europe.
The Lisbon Treaty and the British Press: A Corpus-based Contrastive Analysis of Evaluation Resources
Authors: Nasti Chiara , Venuti Marco
Published: June 2014

This paper is based on the results of an earlier research which has proved that metaphors can be employed by the British press to construe the event of the Lisbon treaty ratification and might be a useful linguistic tool to explore different attitudes towards that event (Nasti 2010). On the premises that metaphors are connected to evaluation as they are manifestations of the writer’s or speaker’s intentions, the present paper will investigate those evaluative resources that have been found to co-occur with the metaphors previously analyzed in order to explore how the British press uses these resources to construe the event of ratification and to what extent it presents a similar description or attributes similar roles to the European leaders. This paper is divided into six sections. The first section provides a general overview of the main stages towards the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. The second, after giving a definition of evaluation, briefly describes the results of the previous research. The third part provides information on data collection and the theoretical background. The fourth and the fifth sections deal with the analysis of the evaluative lexis. The conclusions indicate that metaphors and evaluation are both used to create a coherent text and image of the ratification issue.
On Transmitting Expressiveness in Belarusian-English Poetic Translation
Authors: Sakalova Yuliya
Published: June 2014

The present article deals with various lexical, grammatical, stylistic problems encountered by translators while transmitting aspects of expressiveness of the original text (on the example of Belarusian-English poetic translation). The focus of attention is on basic transformation types, which are illustrated by the original and colourful examples. The author of the article considers not only purely linguistic aspects of translation, but also relevant pragmatic adaptation.
Exploring the Local Grammar of Evaluation: The Case of Adjectival Patterns in American and Italian Judicial Discourse
Authors: Pontrandolfo Gianluca , Goźdź-Roszkowski Stanisław
Published: June 2014

Based on a 2-million word bilingual comparable corpus of American and Italian judgments, this paper tests the applicability of a local grammar to study evaluative phraseology in judicial discourse in English and Italian. In particular, the study compares the use of two patterns: v-link + ADJ + that pattern / copula + ADJ + che and v-link + ADJ + to-infinitive pattern / copula + ADJ + verbo all’infinito in the disciplinary genre of criminal judgments delivered by the US Supreme Court and the Italian Corte Suprema di Cassazione. It is argued that these two patterns represent a viable and efficient diagnostic tool for retrieving instances of evaluative language and they represent an ideal starting point and a relevant unit of analysis for a cross-language analysis of evaluation in domainrestricted specialised discourse. Further, the findings provided shed light on important interactions occurring among major interactants involved in the judicial discourse.
Composition results for strongly summing and dominated multilinear operators
Authors: Popa Dumitru
Published: June 2014

In this paper we prove some composition results for strongly summing and dominated operators. As an application we give necessary and sufficient conditions for a multilinear tensor product of multilinear operators to be strongly summing or dominated. Moreover, we show the failure of some possible n-linear versions of Grothendieck’s composition theorem in the case n ≥ 2 and give a new example of a 1-dominated, hence strongly 1-summing bilinear operator which is not weakly compact.
Three solutions to discrete anisotropic problems with two parameters
Authors: Galewski Marek , Kowalski Piotr
Published: June 2014

In this note we derive a type of a three critical point theorem which we further apply to investigate the multiplicity of solutions to discrete anisotropic problems with two parameters.
Ground states for asymptotically periodic Schrödinger-Poisson systems with critical growth
Authors: Zhang Hui , Xu Junxiang , Zhang Fubao , Du Miao
Published: June 2014

For a class of asymptotically periodic Schrödinger-Poisson systems with critical growth, the existence of ground states is established. The proof is based on the method of Nehari manifold and concentration compactness principle.
Darwin curves and galaxy arms
Authors: He Jin
Published: June 2014

In the natural world, there exists one kind of structure which is beyond the scope of human laboratorial experiment. It is the structure of galaxies which is usually composed of billions of stars. Spiral galaxies are flat disk-shaped. There are two types of spiral galaxies. The spiral galaxies with some bar-shaped pattern are called barred spirals, and the ones without the pattern are called ordinary spirals. Longer-wavelength galaxy images (infrared, for example) show that ordinary spiral galaxies are basically an axi-symmetric disk that is called exponential disk. For a planar distribution of matter, Jin He defined Darwin curves in the plane as such that the ratio of the matter densities at both sides of the curve is constant along the curve. Therefore, the arms of ordinary spiral galaxies are Darwin curves. Now an important question is that: Are the arms of barred spiral galaxies the Darwin curves too? Fortunately, Jin He designed a piece of Galaxy Anatomy graphic software. With the software, not only can people simulate the stellar density distribution of barred spiral galaxies but also can draw the Darwin curves of the simulated galaxy structure. This paper shows partial evidence that the arms of galaxy NGC 3275, 4548 and 5921 follow Darwin curves.
Scalar particles mass spectrum and localization on FRW branes embedded in a 5D de Sitter bulk
Authors: Dariescu Marina-Aura , Dariescu Ciprian
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we study the scalar fields evolving on a FRW brane embedded in a five-dimensional de Sitter bulk. The scale function and the warp factor, solutions of the Einstein equations, are employed in the five-dimensional Gordon equation describing the massive scalar field, whose wave function depends on the cosmic time and on the extra-dimension. We point out the existence of bounded states and find a minimum value of the effective four-dimensional mass. For the test (scalar) field envelope along the extra-dimension, we derive the corresponding Schrödinger-like equation which is formally that for the Pöschl-Teller potential. Accordingly, we have obtained the quantization law for the mass parameter of the tested scalar field.
Analysis of the fluctuations of a laser beam due to thermal turbulence
Authors: Ndlovu Sphumelele , Chetty Naven
Published: June 2014

A laser beam propagating in air and passing through a point diffraction interferometer (PDI) produces stable interferograms that can be used to extract wavefront data such as major atmospheric characteristics: turbulence strength, inner scale and outer scale of the refractive index. These parameters need to be taken into consideration when developing defense laser weapons since they can be affected by thermal fluctuations that are due to the changes in temperature in close proximity to the propagating beam and results in phase shifts that can be used to calculate the temperature which causes wavefront perturbations on a propagating beam.
Improvement of enzyme carbon paste-based biosensor using carbon nanotubes for determination of water-soluble analogue of vitamin E
Authors: Sýs Milan , Metelka Radovan , Mikysek Tomáš , Vytřas Karel
Published: June 2014

The catalytic oxidation of a synthetic water-soluble analogue of vitamin E (α-tocopherol, Trolox) by tyrosinase enzyme in the presence of molecular oxygen was studied using electrochemical techniques. This specific enzymatic reaction was exploited for the preparation of a biosensor based on the amperometric reduction of the electroactive product (α-tocoquinone) formed. An electroactive surface of the transducers used was covered with a thin conductive layer of Nafion containing tyrosinase. Significant progress in sensitivity towards polyphenolic compounds such as Trolox was achieved at CPE with carbon nanotubes immobilised on its surface (CPE/CNTs) as electric transducers. The biosensor so developed can be used for the direct determination of total phenolic content (TPC). This important nutrition value can be expressed as the mass equivalent of Trolox, i.e. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), which could be used as an alternative to the evaluations currently used based on spectrophotometric methods such as total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) or 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl spectrometric assay (DPPH). The effects of the enzyme amount in the Nafion layer (3.0 μg), the influence of the nanoparticles present, the optimal pH value suitable for enzymatic activity (7.0), and the kinetics of enzymatic and electrochemical reactions were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The determination of optimal conditions for amperometry in batch configuration (working potential, speed of stirring, volume of sample, calibration curve, etc.) was not a target of this electrochemical study.
Comparative Study of Phasing, Atmospheric Skip Entry, and Simple Plane Change Maneuvers
Authors: Bettinger Robert A. , Black Jonathan T.
Published: June 2014

A suite of maneuvers comprising planar phasing, out-of-plane skip entry, and simple plane changes is simulated for a notional transatmospheric, lifting reentry vehicle with lift-to-drag ratio of six. By comparing the relative performance of each maneuver by overflying geographically diverse sample ground targets, it is demonstrated that skip entry maneuvers require a total [Formula: see text] less than [Formula: see text]. For select targets and a single initial reference orbit, simulation results demonstrate a significant savings in [Formula: see text] expenditure for skip entry compared with the simple plane change alternative. Overall, the simulated skip entry maneuvers consistently provide responsive mission execution in terms of ground target time of arrival, with maximum deceleration and stagnation heat flux less than [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively.
Responsive Theater Maneuvers via Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Showalter Daniel J. , Black Jonathan T.
Published: June 2014

This research investigates the performance of the particle swarm optimization algorithm in the solution of responsive theater maneuvers, introduced here for the first time. The responsive theater maneuver is designed to alter a spacecraft’s arrival position as it overflies a hazardous geographic region, while still meeting sensor range constraints. The maneuver places the satellite on an exclusion ellipse centered at the spacecraft’s expected arrival position at the expected time of entry into the hazardous region. A global particle swarm optimization algorithm is shown to generate optimal solutions for the single-pass responsive theater maneuver scenario in shorter time frames than local particle swarm variants, a genetic algorithm, and a parameter search. The global particle swarm algorithm is then shown to generate consistent performance in the solution of single-, double-, and triple-pass responsive theater maneuver scenarios for various size exclusion ellipses.
Minimal Clinically Important Difference of the Functional Gait Assessment in Older Adults
Authors: Beninato Marianne , Fernandes Arlene , Plummer Laura S.
Published: June 2014

Background

The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is commonly used to measure walking balance. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has yet to be determined for the FGA.

Objective

The purposes of this study were to determine: (1) the MCID in the FGA for older community-dwelling adults relative to patients' and physical therapists' estimates of change and (2) the extent of agreement between patients' and physical therapists' estimates of change.

Design

This study was a prospective case series.

Methods

Patients and physical therapists rated the amount of change in balance while walking after an episode of physical therapy for balance retraining on a 15-point global rating of change (GROC) scale. Weighted kappa statistics were calculated to express agreement between patients' and physical therapists' GROC ratings. Functional Gait Assessment change scores were plotted on receiver operating characteristic curves. A cutoff of +3 on the GROC was the criterion used for important change. The optimal FGA change cutoff score for MCID was determined, and sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), and likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated.

Results

One hundred thirty-five community-dwelling older adults (average age=78.8 years) and 14 physical therapists participated. There was poor agreement between the patients' and therapists' ratings of change (weighted kappa=.163). The estimated MCID value for the FGA using physical therapists' ratings of change as an anchor was 4 points (SN=0.66, SP=0.84, LR+=4.07, LR−=0.40). No accurate value for the FGA MCID could be determined based on the patients' ratings of change.

Limitations

The small sample size was a limitation.

Conclusion

Poor agreement between therapists' and patients' ratings indicate the need for further communication relative to patient goals. The 4-point MCID value for the FGA can be used for goal setting, tracking patient progress, and program evaluation.
Use of a customized 3D “basket” to create a solitary split-thickness cranial graft from numerous split fragments in an infant
Authors: Sandler Adam L. , Tepper Oren M. , Goodrich James T. , Nasser Rani , Biswas Arundhati , Abbott Rick
Published: June 2014

While autologous split calvaria remains the preferred material for use in pediatric cranioplasty, it may be difficult to split the bone neatly into two distinct pieces, especially in infants and young children. In this paper, the authors present a technique in which numerous split pieces of bone can be readily joined together and conformed to the shape of the specific defect using a customized template and 3D trellis-like basket.
Modelling Proteasome and Proteasome Regulator Activities
Authors: Liepe Juliane , Holzhütter Herman-Georg , Kloetzel Peter , Stumpf Michael , Mishto Michele
Published: June 2014

Proteasomes are key proteases involved in a variety of processes ranging from the clearance of damaged proteins to the presentation of antigens to CD8+ T-lymphocytes. Which cleavage sites are used within the target proteins and how fast these proteins are degraded have a profound impact on immune system function and many cellular metabolic processes. The regulation of proteasome activity involves different mechanisms, such as the substitution of the catalytic subunits, the binding of regulatory complexes to proteasome gates and the proteasome conformational modifications triggered by the target protein itself. Mathematical models are invaluable in the analysis; and potentially allow us to predict the complex interactions of proteasome regulatory mechanisms and the final outcomes of the protein degradation rate and MHC class I epitope generation. The pioneering attempts that have been made to mathematically model proteasome activity, cleavage preference variation and their modification by one of the regulatory mechanisms are reviewed here.
Orientation and Temperature Dependence of Piezoelectric Properties for Sillenite-Type Bi12TiO20 and Bi12SiO20 Single Crystals
Authors: Shen Chuanying , Zhang Huaijin , Zhang Yuanyuan , Xu Honghao , Yu Haohai , Wang Jiyang , Zhang Shujun
Published: June 2014

The full matrix of electro-elastic constants of sillenite-type crystals Bi12TiO20 (BTO) and Bi12SiO20 (BSO) were determined by the resonance method, with d14 and k14 being on the order of 40–48 pC/N and 31%–36%, respectively. In addition, double-rotated orientation dependence of d33 was investigated, with the maximum values of 25–28 pC/N being achieved in ZXtl45°/54°-cut samples. The electrical resistivity of BSO was found to be two orders higher than that of BTO, being on the order of 7 × 105 Ω cm at 500 °C. The temperature dependence of dielectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated. BSO exhibited a high thermal stability in the temperature range of 25–500 °C, while BTO showed a variation of ~3% in the range of 25–350 °C. The high values of d14 and k14, together with the good thermal stability, make BTO and BSO crystals potential candidates for electromechanical applications in medium temperature range.
Building Resilience against Climate Effects—A Novel Framework to Facilitate Climate Readiness in Public Health Agencies
Authors: Marinucci Gino , Luber George , Uejio Christopher , Saha Shubhayu , Hess Jeremy
Published: June 2014

Climate change is anticipated to have several adverse health impacts. Managing these risks to public health requires an iterative approach. As with many risk management strategies related to climate change, using modeling to project impacts, engaging a wide range of stakeholders, and regularly updating models and risk management plans with new information—hallmarks of adaptive management—are considered central tenets of effective public health adaptation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a framework, entitled Building Resilience Against Climate Effects, or BRACE, to facilitate this process for public health agencies. Its five steps are laid out here. Following the steps laid out in BRACE will enable an agency to use the best available science to project likely climate change health impacts in a given jurisdiction and prioritize interventions. Adopting BRACE will also reinforce public health’s established commitment to evidence-based practice and institutional learning, both of which will be central to successfully engaging the significant new challenges that climate change presents.
Prevalence of Self-Reported Shaking and Smothering and Their Associations with Co-Sleeping among 4-Month-Old Infants in Japan
Authors: Yamada Fujiko , Fujiwara Takeo
Published: June 2014

Few studies have investigated the prevalence of shaking and smothering and whether they are associated with co-sleeping. In Japan, co-sleeping is common during infancy and early childhood. This study investigates the prevalence of shaking and smothering and their associations with co-sleeping among 4-month-old infants in Japan. A questionnaire was administered to mothers who participated in a 4-month health checkup program in Kamagaya City in Japan (n = 1307; valid response rate, 82%). The questionnaire investigated the frequency of self-reported shaking and smothering during the past one month, co-sleeping status, and living arrangements with grandparents, in addition to traditional risk factors such as stress due to crying. Associations between co-sleeping and self-reported shaking or smothering were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of self-reported shaking and smothering at least one time during the past one month was 3.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.4%–4.3%) and 2.4% (95% CI, 1.5%–3.2%), respectively. Co-sleeping was marginally associated with the amount of crying and not associated with stress due to crying. Further, co-sleeping was not associated with either self-reported shaking or smothering, although stress due to crying showed strong association with shaking and smothering. Co-sleeping was not a risk factor for shaking and smothering.
Mobile Health in Maternal and Newborn Care: Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Premji Shahirose
Published: June 2014

Whether mHealth improves maternal and newborn health outcomes remains uncertain as the response is perhaps not true or false but lies somewhere in between when considering unintended harmful consequences. Fuzzy logic, a mathematical approach to computing, extends the traditional binary “true or false” (one or zero) to exemplify this notion of partial truths that lies between completely true and false. The commentary explores health, socio-ecological and environmental consequences–positive, neutral or negative. Of particular significance is the negative influence of mHealth on maternal care-behaviors, which can increase stress reactivity and vulnerability to stress-induced illness across the lifespan of the child and establish pathways for intergenerational transmission of behaviors. A mHealth “fingerprinting” approach is essential to monitor psychosocial, economic, cultural, environmental and physical impact of mHealth intervention and make evidence-informed decision(s) about use of mHealth in maternal and newborn care.
Genetic Variations of TAP1 Gene Exon 3 Affects Gene Expression and Escherichia coli F18 Resistance in Piglets
Authors: Zhao Qiaohui , Liu Ying , Dong Wenhua , Zhu Shiping , Huo Yongjiu , Wu Shenglong , Bao Wenbin
Published: June 2014

Firstly, our research group identified Sutai pigs’ phenotypes that exhibited extreme resistance and susceptibility to the Escherichia coli F18 respectively, and then eight ETEC (Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli) F18-resistant piglets and eight ETEC F18-sensitive piglets were selected. Then, the TAP1 (Transporter associated with antigen processing) mRNA relative expression levels were analyzed in 11 tissues of the resistant and susceptible phenotypes. Simultaneously, we detected the genetic variations in exon 3 of the TAP1 gene and evaluated the TAP1 mRNA expression levels among the different genotype pigs to study the effects of the genetic variation on gene expression, and the E. coli F18 resistance. The results revealed higher expression levels in the resistant genotypes than that in the susceptible genotypes in 11 tissues, with significant differences in the spleen, lymph node, lung, thymus, duodenum and jejunum. Furthermore, a G729A mutation was identified in the TAP1 gene exon 3, and this mutation deviates from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p < 0.01). The TAP1 mRNA levels in GG genotype were significantly higher than that in the other two genotypes, with significant differences in the liver, lung, kidney, thymus, lymph node, duodenum and jejunum tissues. We speculated that high expression of the TAP1 gene might confer resistance against the E. coli F18, the G729A mutation had a significant effect on the mRNA expression, and individuals with the GG genotype possessed a stronger ability to resist the E. coli F18 infection.
Preliminary Screening of Potential Control Products against Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Cuthbertson Andrew , Collins Debbie , Blackburn Lisa , Audsley Neil , Bell Howard
Published: June 2014

The first recording of Drosophila suzukii in the UK occurred in the south of England during August 2012. Since then sticky traps have continued to record the presence of individuals. Several products (both chemical and biological) were investigated for their efficacy against different life-stages of the pest. Both direct and indirect exposure to control products was assessed. Spinosad, chlorantraniliprole and the experimental product, TA2674, showed excellent potential as control agents when used as either a pre- or post-dipping treatment for blueberries with mortalities of 100%, 93% and 98% mortality, respectively, being achieved following pre-treatment. Direct spray application of all products tested had limited impact upon adult flies. Highest mortality (68%) was achieved following direct application of TA2674. Entomopathogenic agents (nematodes and fungi) tested appeared to reduce fly population development (ranges of 34–44% mortality obtained) but would seem unable to eradicate outbreaks. The potential of the tested products to control D. suzukii is discussed.
Influence of Aggregate Coated with Modified Sulfur on the Properties of Cement Concrete
Authors: Lee Swoo-Heon , Hong Ki-Nam , Park Jae-Kyu , Ko Jung
Published: June 2014

This paper proposes the mixing design of concrete having modified sulfur-coated aggregate (MSCA) to enhance the durability of Portland cement concrete. The mechanical properties and durability of the proposed MSCA concrete were evaluated experimentally. Melting-modified sulfur was mixed with aggregate in order to coat the aggregate surface at a speed of 20 rpm for 120 s. The MSCA with modified sulfur corresponding to 5% of the cement weight did not significantly affect the flexural strength in a prism concrete beam specimen, regardless of the water-cement ratio (W/C). However, a dosage of more than 7.5% decreased the flexural strength. On the other hand, the MSCA considerably improved the resistance to the sulfuric acid and the freezing-thawing, regardless of the sulfur dosage in the MSCA. The coating modified sulfur of 5% dosage consequently led to good results for the mechanical properties and durability of MSCA concrete.
Molar-Based Targeted Metabolic Profiling of Cyanobacterial Strains with Potential for Biological Production
Authors: Dempo Yudai , Ohta Erika , Nakayama Yasumune , Bamba Takeshi , Fukusaki Eiichiro
Published: June 2014

Recently, cyanobacteria have become one of the most attractive hosts for biochemical production due to its high proliferative ability and ease of genetic manipulation. Several researches aimed at biological production using modified cyanobacteria have been reported previously. However, to improve the yield of bioproducts, a thorough understanding of the intercellular metabolism of cyanobacteria is necessary. Metabolic profiling techniques have proven to be powerful tools for monitoring cellular metabolism of various organisms and can be applied to elucidate the details of cyanobacterial metabolism. In this study, we constructed a metabolic profiling method for cyanobacteria using 13C-labeled cell extracts as internal standards. Using this method, absolute concentrations of 84 metabolites were successfully determined in three cyanobacterial strains which are commonly used as background strains for metabolic engineering. By comparing the differences in basic metabolic potentials of the three cyanobacterial strains, we found a well-correlated relationship between intracellular energy state and growth in cyanobacteria. By integrating our results with the previously reported biological production pathways in cyanobacteria, we found putative limiting step of carbon flux. The information obtained from this study will not only help gain insights in cyanobacterial physiology but also serve as a foundation for future metabolic engineering studies using cyanobacteria.
Chemoorganotrophic Bioleaching of Olivine for Nickel Recovery
Authors: Chiang Yi , Santos Rafael , Van Audenaerde Aldo , Monballiu Annick , Van Gerven Tom , Meesschaert Boudewijn
Published: June 2014

Bioleaching of olivine, a natural nickel-containing magnesium-iron-silicate, was conducted by applying chemoorganotrophic bacteria and fungi. The tested fungus, Aspergillus niger, leached substantially more nickel from olivine than the tested bacterium, Paenibacillus mucilaginosus. Aspergillus niger also outperformed two other fungal species: Humicola grisae and Penicillium chrysogenum. Contrary to traditional acid leaching, the microorganisms leached nickel preferentially over magnesium and iron. An average selectivity factor of 2.2 was achieved for nickel compared to iron. The impact of ultrasonic conditioning on bioleaching was also tested, and it was found to substantially increase nickel extraction by A. niger. This is credited to an enhancement in the fungal growth rate, to the promotion of particle degradation, and to the detachment of the stagnant biofilm around the particles. Furthermore, ultrasonic conditioning enhanced the selectivity of A. niger for nickel over iron to a value of 3.5. Pre-carbonating the olivine mineral, to enhance mineral liberation and change metal speciation, was also attempted, but did not result in improvement as a consequence of the mild pH of chemoorganotrophic bioleaching.
Inhalable PEGylated Phospholipid Nanocarriers and PEGylated Therapeutics for Respiratory Delivery as Aerosolized Colloidal Dispersions and Dry Powder Inhalers
Authors: Muralidharan Priya , Mallory Evan , Malapit Monica , Hayes Don , Mansour Heidi
Published: June 2014

Nanomedicine is making groundbreaking achievements in drug delivery. The versatility of nanoparticles has given rise to its use in respiratory delivery that includes inhalation aerosol delivery by the nasal route and the pulmonary route. Due to the unique features of the respiratory route, research in exploring the respiratory route for delivery of poorly absorbed and systemically unstable drugs has been increasing. The respiratory route has been successfully used for the delivery of macromolecules like proteins, peptides, and vaccines, and continues to be examined for use with small molecules, DNA, siRNA, and gene therapy. Phospholipid nanocarriers are an attractive drug delivery system for inhalation aerosol delivery in particular. Protecting these phospholipid nanocarriers from pulmonary immune system attack by surface modification by polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylation, enhancing mucopenetration by PEGylation, and sustaining drug release for controlled drug delivery are some of the advantages of PEGylated liposomal and proliposomal inhalation aerosol delivery. This review discusses the advantages of using PEGylated phospholipid nanocarriers and PEGylated therapeutics for respiratory delivery through the nasal and pulmonary routes as inhalation aerosols.
Magnetic Field Feature Extraction and Selection for Indoor Location Estimation
Authors: Galván-Tejada Carlos , García-Vázquez Juan , Brena Ramon
Published: June 2014

User indoor positioning has been under constant improvement especially with the availability of new sensors integrated into the modern mobile devices, which allows us to exploit not only infrastructures made for everyday use, such as WiFi, but also natural infrastructure, as is the case of natural magnetic field. In this paper we present an extension and improvement of our current indoor localization model based on the feature extraction of 46 magnetic field signal features. The extension adds a feature selection phase to our methodology, which is performed through Genetic Algorithm (GA) with the aim of optimizing the fitness of our current model. In addition, we present an evaluation of the final model in two different scenarios: home and office building. The results indicate that performing a feature selection process allows us to reduce the number of signal features of the model from 46 to 5 regardless the scenario and room location distribution. Further, we verified that reducing the number of features increases the probability of our estimator correctly detecting the user’s location (sensitivity) and its capacity to detect false positives (specificity) in both scenarios.
A Mobile Device System for Early Warning of ECG Anomalies
Authors: Szczepański Adam , Saeed Khalid
Published: June 2014

With the rapid increase in computational power of mobile devices the amount of ambient intelligence-based smart environment systems has increased greatly in recent years. A proposition of such a solution is described in this paper, namely real time monitoring of an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal during everyday activities for identification of life threatening situations. The paper, being both research and review, describes previous work of the authors, current state of the art in the context of the authors’ work and the proposed aforementioned system. Although parts of the solution were described in earlier publications of the authors, the whole concept is presented completely for the first time along with the prototype implementation on mobile device—a Windows 8 tablet with Modern UI. The system has three main purposes. The first goal is the detection of sudden rapid cardiac malfunctions and informing the people in the patient’s surroundings, family and friends and the nearest emergency station about the deteriorating health of the monitored person. The second goal is a monitoring of ECG signals under non-clinical conditions to detect anomalies that are typically not found during diagnostic tests. The third goal is to register and analyze repeatable, long-term disturbances in the regular signal and finding their patterns.
Vaccination against δ-Retroviruses: The Bovine Leukemia Virus Paradigm
Authors: Gutiérrez Gerónimo , Rodríguez Sabrina , De Brogniez Alix , Gillet Nicolas , Golime Ramarao , Burny Arsène , Jaworski Juan-Pablo , Alvarez Irene , Vagnoni Lucas , Trono Karina , Willems Luc
Published: June 2014

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) are closely related d-retroviruses that induce hematological diseases. HTLV-1 infects about 15 million people worldwide, mainly in subtropical areas. HTLV-1 induces a wide spectrum of diseases (e.g., HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis) and leukemia/lymphoma (adult T-cell leukemia). Bovine leukemia virus is a major pathogen of cattle, causing important economic losses due to a reduction in production, export limitations and lymphoma-associated death. In the absence of satisfactory treatment for these diseases and besides the prevention of transmission, the best option to reduce the prevalence of d-retroviruses is vaccination. Here, we provide an overview of the different vaccination strategies in the BLV model and outline key parameters required for vaccine efficacy.
Efficient Strategy to Generate a Vectored Duck Enteritis Virus Delivering Envelope of Duck Tembusu Virus
Authors: Zou Zhong , Liu Zhigang , Jin Meilin
Published: June 2014

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) is a recently emerging pathogenic flavivirus that has resulted in a huge economic loss in the duck industry. However, no vaccine is currently available to control this pathogen. Consequently, a practical strategy to construct a vaccine against this pathogen should be determined. In this study, duck enteritis virus (DEV) was examined as a candidate vaccine vector to deliver the envelope (E) of DTMUV. A modified mini-F vector was inserted into the SORF3 and US2 gene junctions of the attenuated DEV vaccine strain C-KCE genome to generate an infectious bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) of C-KCE (vBAC-C-KCE). The envelope (E) gene of DTMUV was inserted into the C-KCE genome through the mating-assisted genetically integrated cloning (MAGIC) strategy, resulting in the recombinant vector, pBAC-C-KCE-E. A bivalent vaccine C-KCE-E was generated by eliminating the BAC backbone. Immunofluorescence and western blot analysis results indicated that the E proteins were vigorously expressed in C-KCE-E-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs). Duck experiments demonstrated that the insertion of the E gene did not alter the protective efficacy of C-KCE. Moreover, C-KCE-E-immunized ducks induced neutralization antibodies against DTMUV. These results demonstrated, for the first time, that recombinant C-KCE-E can serve as a potential bivalent vaccine against DEV and DTMUV.
Respiratory Animal Models in the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Curths Christoph , Knauf Sascha , Kaup Franz-Josef
Published: June 2014

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are small non-human primates (NHPs) that are often used for respiratory research. Translational animal models of various pulmonary diseases in marmosets have been developed in favor of models in old world monkeys (OWM, e.g., rhesus or cynomolgus monkeys). The marmoset has the size of a rat (350–450 g), is easier to handle, and the husbandry, care, and management of colonies is much easier compared to OWMs. In contrast to rodents, marmosets provide a high homology to humans, which become especially visible in lung architecture and branching pattern. Features of inflammatory (e.g., COPD) pulmonary diseases can be modeled in marmosets as well the species is used to study bacterial and viral infection. Models for human melioidosis, tuberculosis, anthrax, as well as infections with SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), influenza A virus and adenovirus are already established. Toxicological studies often use marmoset monkeys for the advantage of immunological identical twins that are produced by a Callitrichinae-specific placentation type, which ultimately causes blood chimerism. Relatively new approaches in gene therapy use marmosets for respiratory disease research. In this review we will give an overview of existing respiratory marmoset models and their impact on biomedical research.
Vorbericht über die Oberflächenbegehungen in den Provinzen Aydın und Muğla
Authors: Günel Sevinç
Published: June 2014

Archaeological Field Surveys in Aydın and Muğla, Western Anatolia and the Aegean Coast displayed similar cultural developments, due to their close connection. The main reason for this similarity seems to be the common topographical and climatic conditions of these regions. Starting from prehistoric periods, through ages, Western Anatolia had been related both to the Greek Islands and Peninsula via Aegean Sea and to the Central Anatolian Plateau via Gediz (Hermos) Valley and the Meander Rivers. However, the scholarship focusing on the place and importance of prehistoric cultures of Western Anatolia in the Anatolian and Aegean archaeology is extremely limited. The region has been known in terms of its cultural development because the number of the antique sites belonging to classical period is abundant. The recent systematic excavations in Izmir and its surrroundings unearthed new centers enlightening the earlier periods of the region. Certainly, a similar cultural development existed in the south of the Small Meander River. The lack of research regarding prehistoric times is more evident in the area south of the Small Meander, including the areas of the cities of Aydın and Muğla.

The first results of the project, "Archaeological Field Survey in Aydın and Muğla" in 2001 have revealed the existence of sites delivering finds belonging to prehistoric times. Obsidian and stone tools together with ceramic fragments found during the field survey proved the existence of Dressed Stone Industry in the Aydın region. This evidence has also helped to clarify the hitherto unknown chronology and relationship between Southern and Western Anatolia. This field survey reveals the existence of centers originally founded during the 4th millennium BC continued in the 3rd and 2nd milllennia BC. In this area, apart from mounds, acropolis and plain settlement units have been observed.

The following seasons of our archaeological field survey project will be organized with the expectation to identify the expansion of new centers within a large span of time. The archeological data obtained will be evaluated towards a better understanding of the cultural history and chronological development of Western Anatolia.
Benveniste : linguistique saussurienne et signification
Authors: Normand Claudine
Published: June 2014

Cet article se propose de poursuivre une recherche menée précédemment sur l'œuvre d'E. Benveniste prise comme un tout On développera ici les points suivants : dans ses principes et dans sa méthode ,E.B apparaît comme le fidèle continuateur de Saussure et, par là, son oeuvre fait clairement le lien entre les méthodes comparatiste et structurale. Cette filiation saussurienne est à saisir plus particulièrement dans le statut que ses analyses donnent à la signification ; cependant dans l'élaboration de sa théorie sémantique générale, qui articule les concepts de discours, énonciation et sémiologie, la façon dont il introduit la subjectivité et la référence nous semble Infléchir nettement la perspective saussurienne sur la langue, en direction d'une approche implicitement philosophique sur le langage et la question du sens.
Les principes méthodologiques d'Emile Benveniste dans Noms d'agent et noms d'action en indo-européen
Authors: Fruyt Michèle
Published: June 2014

Noms d'agent et noms d'action en indo-européen

(1 948) opens with the well-known preface where E. Benveniste presents a new theory and method for the study of suffixes and suffixal junction. The axiom or postulate he sets up asserts the existence of a bi-univocal relationship between the elements of the "signifiant and those of the "signifié" of suffixes. This extreme point of view, mathematically inspired, appears to us to be difficult to hold when confronted whith the reality of a natural language, and in particular with suffixes.

This postulate obliges him to equate the number of Junctions with the number of forms, sometimes Increasing and sometimes decreasing the number offunctions.

The underlying Benvenistian conception of suffixal function in this book can also be defined by the following caracteristics : 1°) only one function per suffix (corollary of the bi-univooal relationship) ; 2°) its semantic nature ; 3°)it is an abstract notion, to be found behind its variety of uses ; 4°) it is to be situated sometimes in a diachronie, sometimes in a synchonic perspective.
L'abréviation dans le discours d'entreprise : l'ésotérisme des sigles
Authors: Cusin-Berche Fabienne
Published: June 2014

A partir d'un corpus déplus de quatre cents sigles émis et utilisés à EDF, a été tenté le repérage des principes qui président à l'utilisation d'une unité lexicale de ce type, qui conditionnent son mode de réalisation orale, qui déterminent sa composition syntactico-graphique, et qui éclairent son comportement discursif .
Procédés linguistiques et acquisition non-formelle de termes télématiques
Authors: Reboul S
Published: June 2014

Cet article cherche à évaluer la compétence lexicale du grand public sur certains termes spécialisés, récemment lexicalisés : télématique et minitel. Les caractéristiques sémantiques recueillies permettent d'élaborer les stéréotypes présents chez des non-spécialistes.
Enseignement fonctionnel du français à des publics spécialisés : bibliographie sélective
Authors: Fattier Dominique
Published: June 2014

La mise en place de cursus spécialisés destinés à des publics spécifiques non scolaires a suscité une intense réflexion dans le domaine de la didactique des langues. Cette bibliographie vise à présenter une sélection des travaux de recherche marquants liés à ce que l'on appelle dans le contexte français l" 'approche fonctionnelle" et dans le contexte anglo-saxon "English for spécial purposes", le matériel bibliographique est réparti en quatre sections

- Méthodologie générale

- Identification, définition et analyse des besoins

- Instruments d'analyse et analyses pré-pédagogiques

- Comptes rendus d'élaboration de cours et d'expériences d'enseignement sur objectifs spécifiques
Lévi-Strauss aux prises avec la sémiotique ou Si le mythe est un métalangage
Authors: Jeandillou Jean-François
Published: June 2014

Mounin drastically criticizes the use of linguistic concepts by Lévi- Strauss. Sometimes ambiguous, often complex, the terminology of Lévi- Strauss is not, however, deprived of coherence. The semiotic representations of myth as "metalanguage", of mythem as "word of words", have been worked out without any consideration to the concept of connotation, theoretically more appropriate. But, far from "reasoning false on right figures", the ethnologist deliberately makes of these figures a paradoxical and fruitful use. When "lapsus lectionis" becomes a method...
Grammaire cognitive : le cas du génitif en grec moderne
Authors: Iakovaki Anastassia
Published: June 2014

In this paper, the genitive, one of the four cases in Modern Greek, is treated within the frame of cognitive linguistics and, more precisely, within the frame of Ron Langacker's Cognitive Grammar. On important distinction is made between the genitive as morpheme-affix (genitive- grammeme) and the genitive realized in a noun (genitive-composite structure). We are going to insist mostly on the semantic pole and to investigate the operations of these linguistic units on other components with which they are in a "valence relation". The genitive-grammeme "modifies" the nominative (prototypical instance) of the noun adding two more profiles ; the genitive-composite structure has a triple profile : the region designated, one substructure thematised and a relation. In its turn, the genitive-composite structure, in a syntactic relation with another unit, autonomous, operates on this one in such a way that it determines its categorization.
La "langue de bois" et quelques problèmes de communication
Authors: Slama-Cazacu Tatiana
Published: June 2014

The paper deals with the reflecting, in language, of a kind of "inertia" manifested in politics, economics, etc., in the context of one of the so- called "eastern countries", after 1990. We may speak of a stasis in the dynamics (a very rapid succession of events), or a dynamics intermingled with stereotypes, which are also reflected in language and communication. The inertia takes shape in old verbal stereotypes, in clichés of the ancient "langue de bois", (which does not cover exactly the same concept as the Orwellian "Newspeak", but for a brief explanation of the syntagm, this English term may give an initial insight) ; it is also represented by stereotyped verbal behaviours manifested however in new forms.. The study briefly underlines that the LB is not specific to the totalitarian regimes or to the communist ones and gives some examples in this concern. The central aim of the paper is however to analyze, from a psycholinguistic point of view, the causes that generate a LB, the "mechanisms" by which it is created, adopted, spread, and finally the effects it may have on communication. Lexical examples are offered, and also other forms of expression, such as subjunctive and future ("the foreseeing principles of activity), adjectives and all other forms by which what is positive ("in such a regime or ideology or financial systems, etc.) is enhanced. The "clichés" have a final effect of manipulation, by generating a "laziness" in thinking, a kind of a "masking" of what is unpleasant in reality. In the same rank of phenomena, advertizings - much in use in these postcommunist societies - use terms loaned even in the direct English form, thus contributing still more to the masking of reality, for those who do not understand these terms. The final effect is not only of blocking communication, but, as underlined above, of using an easy way of manipulating masses.