bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resilience and Community in the Age of World-System Collapse
Authors: Kuecker Glen David , Hall Thomas D.
Published: March 2011

In this essay we explore how humans might face systemic collapse and/or entry into a dark age through forms of community resilience. We also note that nature, types of communities, and degrees of resilience differ in core, peripheral, and semiperipheral areas of the contemporary world-system. Core or global north or first world communities have all but disintegrated due to neoliberal policies. However, communities in peripheral and semiperipheral areas are more emergent, and more resilient. These areas are most likely to have or to creatively develop strategies to overcome global collapse. We further argue that social scientists need to develop new definitions of community that go beyond contemporary conceptualizations.
Refusing to Bow to King Coal: Tales of Our Energy Future and Mountaintop Removal in Appalachian Coal Country
Authors: Scheberle Denise
Published: March 2011

Michael Shnayerson. Coal River: How a Few Brave Americans Took on a Powerful Company—and the Federal Government—to Save the Land They Love. New York: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2008.

Jeff Goodell. Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2007.

Silas House and Jason Howard. Something’s Rising: Appalachians Fighting Mountaintop Removal. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2009.
How Humans Have Shaped European Nature
Authors: Berglund Björn E.
Published: March 2011

Urban Emanuelsson. The Rural Landscapes of Europe: How Man has Shaped European Nature. Stockholm, Sweden: The Swedish Research Council Formas, 2009, www.formas.se.
An Overview of Concept Hyponymy in Persian: From Cognitive Perspective
Authors: Gharagozloo Neda
Published: March 2011

In this paper the author is concerned with the role of cognitive and mental abilities of humans in the formation of hyponymy sense relation at the level of words of Persian language, additionally the importance of the role of developed image schemas in accordance with hyponymy, and also the function of some cognitive and analytical factors in the formation of these image schemas such as construal, consists of perspective (focus point and reference point), profile and scanning are so important to the author. The starting point is the study of the way of the formation of developed image schemas related to hyponymy sense relation. The author's fundamental claim is that the mentioned cognitive and analytical factors have a significant role in the formation of three developed image schemas related to hyponymy, and the mentioned schemas are given different names and they are shown through various figures as well. Next the theory of layered schemas (LST) is provided by analyzing some Persian simple structures including hyponymy. Moreover, we move towards a cognitive inter-lexical semantics in this paper by applying the proposed theory of the author (LST) on Persian linguistic data. For this purpose one example of Persian including hyponymy is analyzed on the basis of (LST). As the last step, the different stages of the formation of hyponymy sense relation between the words of Persian are shown through some cognitive figures to add a kind of consistency and support to the author's proposed program in this paper.Keywords: hyponymy; developed image schemas; cognitive inter-lexical semantics; layered schemas theoryDOI: 10.3329/dujl.v2i4.6897Dhaka University Journal of Linguistics Vol.2(4) August 2009 pp.1-18
A contrastive analysis of English and Bangla phonemics
Authors: Barman Binoy
Published: March 2011

Contrastive phonemics is the field of study in which different phonemic systems are laid side by side to find out similarities and dissimilarities between the phonemes of the languages concerned. Every language has its own phonemic system, which holds unique as well as common features. A language shares some phonemes with other languages, but no two languages have the same phonemic inventory. This article makes a contrastive analysis of the phonemic systems of English and Bangla. The aspects of similarities as well as dissimilarities between the two have been explored in detail. It brings into focus the inventory of phonemes of the two languages along with relevant phonetic and phonological characteristics. The vowel and consonant phonemes of the two languages have been compared with sufficient examples, making it clear where and how they are identical and different. Key words: contrastive; Bangla; English; phonemicsDOI: 10.3329/dujl.v2i4.6898Dhaka University Journal of Linguistics Vol.2(4) August 2009 pp.19-42
Causative Constructions in Kok-Borok
Authors: Hasan Md Kamrul
Published: March 2011

Kok-Borok is the native language of the Borok people in the Indian state of Tripura and its neighbouring areas of Bangladesh. The aim of the present study is to capture the typological analysis of causative constructions of Kok-Borok, a language which belongs to the Bodo sub-group of the Tibeto-Burman language family. Our study shows that the most remarkable aspect of the causative constructions in Kok-borok is that in double causatives, the causative rI 'give' has been reduplicated in order to express 'to make somebody to do by employing a third party', which shows the language Kok-Borok's unique features if we compare this language with the other South-Asian Tibeto-Burman languages. The findings of mixed causatives show that both periphrastic and morphological devices have been employed in Kok-Borok to convey the meaning of causative constructions. Key Words: Causatives; Lexical; Morphological or Periphrastic Causatives; Kok-Borok.DOI: 10.3329/dujl.v2i4.6902Dhaka University Journal of Linguistics Vol.2(4) August 2009 pp.115-137
Monitoring the 'Monitor': A Critique of Krashen's Five Hypotheses
Authors: Zafar Manmay
Published: March 2011

This article discusses Krashen's Monitor Model and the attendant five hypotheses. Since its 1977 publication, Krashen, through a series of revisions, have tried to explain the way learners acquire a second language. This article closely looks at his basic premises and the criticism they have generated to better understand both the Monitor Model and its various lacunae and biases.Key words: Affective Filter; Krashen; Language Acquisition Device (LAD); Monitor Model; Second Language Acquisition (SLA).DOI: 10.3329/dujl.v2i4.6903Dhaka University Journal of Linguistics Vol.2(4) August 2009 pp.139-146
Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Language: an Introduction
Authors: Ashaduzaman Muhammad
Published: March 2011

The reputation of Ludwig Wittgenstein, one of the most influential philosophers of the nineteenth century is based on his studies of analytical philosophy, especially the philosophical study of logic, language, mathematics and metaphysics. His contribution to the philosophy of language is considerable. He stated his concepts and ideas in his two revolutionary books: 'Tractatus Logico Philosophicus' and 'Philosophical investigations' where he discussed the picture theory, notion of name, logical atomism, etc. among others. This article briefly describes the life of Wittgenstein, his work and his influence on our thinking. Key words: Picture theory of language; language game; Private; Public; Proposition; Metaphysics; NamesDOI: 10.3329/dujl.v2i4.6904Dhaka University Journal of Linguistics Vol.2(4) August 2009 pp.147-159
A New Process: A New Lexical Evolution
Authors: Mostafa Massrura
Published: March 2011

This paper attempts to describe the word formation process known as 'conversion' and a specific lexeme impact which is converted from noun to verb basically by American native speakers or news reports. But many people think that this process is to nouns and exploit them as verbs and many of such usages as impact are really disdainful. My purpose is to provide actual examples of impact taken from American newspapers and give reasons behind the functional shift of impact. As newspapers use the most standard language of time, this paper tries to show how the verb impact has established its transitive use in American Standard English, having gained more semantically emphatic force than its synonymous verb effect. Key words: word formation; American Standard English; news paperDOI: 10.3329/dujl.v2i4.6905Dhaka University Journal of Linguistics Vol.2(4) August 2009 pp.161-172
The phonological analysis of Tea workers' language of Sylhet
Authors: Karim Md Asraful
Published: March 2011

The means of communication among the workers of the tea estates in greater Sylhet, locally called 'Deshoali' Bhasha, has a lexicon that contains, among others, words of Hindi and Bengali origin. The present article includes some unfinished reflections on some aspects of the lexicon of this dialect and phonological analysis of  'Deshoali' Bhasha. Key words: Deshoali bhasha; aspect; analyzed; phonology; paradigms.DOI: 10.3329/dujl.v2i4.6906Dhaka University Journal of Linguistics Vol.2(4) August 2009 pp.173-184
Acquisition of Wh-movement in L2 Learning: A Cross-linguistic Analysis
Authors: Rahman Syed Shahrier
Published: March 2011

Cross-linguistically different human languages bear different patterns of whconstructions. This evokes a common quarry: what happens when L2 learners of whconstruction are exposed to a language that allows distinct type of wh-patterns (whmovement or wh-in-situ either) from their L1? Will they show the equal competency like other L2 learners of wh-questions who experience the same type in their L1? In this paper, we take English L2 learners in our concern and argue that despite of having a common platform of UG, L2 learners of English with wh-in-situ L1 background generally face more difficulties than other L2 learners who experience wh-movement in their L1. We shall try to figure out a proposal for a gradient way to acquire wh-movement by saying that English L2 learners who have strong wh-movement features in their L1 perform better than L2 learners with wh-in-situ background who bear some kind of movement properties in their L1. In the same way, this weaker group shows better performance than the English L2 learners who do not experience any sort of whmovement in their L1. We shall use empirical evidence from different secondary sources to test this hypothesis and finally we shall try to sketch out our results. Key Words: Wh-movement; L2 Learning; Cross-linguistic; EnglishDOI: 10.3329/dujl.v2i4.6907Dhaka University Journal of Linguistics Vol.2(4) August 2009 pp.185-199
Gastrointestinal Mucosal Protection
Authors: Siddiqui AM
Published: March 2011

DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7263JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.1-2
Knowledge of Reproductive Health Social Awareness
Authors: Haque DM
Published: March 2011

DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7264JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.3-4
Low Dose Aspirin and Mucoprotective Effects of Omeprazole and Ranitidine
Authors: Hossain MD , Hossain R , Rahman M , Chowdhury DKP
Published: March 2011

Omeprazole and ranitidine are widely used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and in association of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) to prevent the mucosal injury of gastrointestinal tract. In the light of above, the study was undertaken to assess the superiority of omeprazole over ranitidine in the protection of mucosal injury caused by low dose aspirin. This is a prospective and comparative study carried out among the people taking low dose aspirin along with either omeprazole or ranitidine at gastroenterology centre of a military hospital over a period of 52 weeks. Respondents were recruited consequently and data were collected on specific data collection sheet with relevant clinical information and endoscopic findings. In ranitidine group 16 patients (40%) were found to have mucosal injury where as 05 patients (12.5%) in the omeprazole group were found to have gastroduodenal mucosal injury. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). Omeprazole has superior mucoprotective effect over ranitidine in patients taking low dose aspirin. Key words: Low dose aspirin; omeprazole; ranitidine; mucoprotection. DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7265JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.5-8
Mothers' Knowledge about the Reproductive Health Needs of their Adolescent Girls
Authors: Zaman B , Shampa RM , Rahman MA
Published: March 2011

Introduction: Adolescent is an important segment of life while a child undergoes biological transformation.Objective: The study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge of mothers about reproductive health needs of their adolescent girls. Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on the mothers having adolescent girls. Data was collected by face to face interview with a semi structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS. The knowledge of mothers was assessed by Likert scale.Place of study: The study was conducted at 5 schools of Dhaka city on 118 respondents over a period of four months.Results: It was revealed from the findings that among 118 mothers the mean age of respondents were 40.71 years with standard deviation ± 3.707 years. Majority (70%) of respondents were undergraduate qualified and rest were post graduats. Among the respondents, 64% of mothers did not want to provide information on reproductive health to their daughters. Seventy two percent of the respondents had average knowledge about puberty. Among the respondents, 47% had average knowledge regarding adolescent reproductive health problems and 77% of respondents had average knowledge about safe motherhood. Regarding the complication of unsafe abortion, 73% had average knowledge and 70% had average knowledge about consequence of early pregnancy. Fifty seven percent of the respondents had good knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Sixty one percent of the respondents had good knowledge regarding the high risk behaviour of the adolescents. Significant statistical association was found between knowledge and education, knowledge and occupation, and knowledge and source of information of reproductive health (p<0.05).Conclusion: The study findings may be helpful for baseline information and would be beneficial to the policymakers and programme planners to sophisticate further strategy to increase mothers' knowledge about the reproductive health needs of their adolescent girls.Key words: Knowledge; adolescent; reproductive health needs DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7266JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.9-12
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Study on Clinical Phenomenology
Authors: Rahman MH , Kamal AHMKM
Published: March 2011

This observational study was conducted at two Military Hospitals (CMH) of Bangladesh over a period of two years. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical phenomenology of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was used to identify and group OCD symptoms and rate symptom severity. The age of the patients ranged from 16-45 years.Out of 40 cases 18 were male. Positive family history of OCD (p=0.258) was observed in 11.11% of male and 27.27% of female patients. Mean duration of the illness was 3.25±2.76 years. The obsession of dirt and contamination was in 55% of the patients. Majority of the patients (70%) manifested obsessional thoughts. Mean time spent on obsession was 5.18±2.40 hours per day. Half of the patients spent 3-8 hours on obsessions. Concomitant compulsions were observed in 90% of the patients. Cleaning/washing compulsions were present in 55% of the patients. Forty five percent patients spent 3-8 hours on compulsions per day with a mean of 4.32±2.29 hours. Co-morbid psychiatric disorder was reported in 80% of the patients. This study reveals that patients with OCD suffer over a long period of time, spend a lot of time on their obsessions and compulsions imparing their social and occupational functioning and majority of them also suffer from co-morbid psychiatric disorders. Y-BOCS is helpful in documenting the phenomenology of OCD.Key words: Obsessive compulsive disorder; phenomenology DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7267JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.13-16
How does Histopathology Correlate with Clinical and Operative Findings in Abdominal Hysterectomy?
Authors: Khan R , Sultana H
Published: March 2011

Many a times the clinical and per operative diagnosis does not correlate with histopathological diagnosis. Aim of this study was to compare the clinical, peroperative and histopathological findings of different cases of fibroid uterus, dysfunctional uterine bleeding and chronic cervicitis which needed abdominal hysterectomy. In this prospective study 100 cases of abdominal hysterectomy were done over a period of two years. Among them 38% cases were of leiomyoma uterus and 20%, 18%, 12%, 7% and 5% were of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, chronic cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, benign ovarian tumours and endometriosis (external and adenomyosis) respectively. Cases studied on the basis of history, clinical examination and per operative findings. Specimens were sent for histopathology and reports were analyzed. It was thus co-related with the clinical presentation and per operative findings. Among 100 cases, 38 cases were of myoma diagnosed clinically but histopathological findings of 8 patients were different (adenomyosis in 6 cases and normal finding in 2 cases). Among 20 cases of clinically diagnosed dysfunctional uterine bleeding, 6 cases were found to have myoma and adenomyosis on histopathological examination.Key words: Histopathology findings; hysterectomy; diagnosis DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7268JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.17-20
Influence of Preoperative Fasting Time on Maternal and Neonatal Blood Glucose Level in Elective Caesarean Section under Subarachnoid Block
Authors: Tauhid-Ul-Mulk M , Rahman SMF , Ali NP , Haque M , Chaudhary MRA
Published: March 2011

Introduction: Pre-operative fasting period is poorly monitored in developing countries though it may lead to critical consequences especially in the parturient women and their neonates.Objective: In this prospective randomized study, conducted over a period of six months, influences of pre-operative fasting time on maternal and neonatal blood glucose level in elective caesarean section under sub-arachnoid block was observed.Methods: Three equally sized (n=20) groups with different pre-operative fasting period (Group A: 4 hours, Group B: 6 hours and Group C: 7.9±1.15 hours) were taken into consideration. Maternal blood glucose level was measured on day before operation (as baseline), on day of surgery before starting infusion and just after baby delivery. Neonatal umbilical cord blood glucose just after delivery was also measured by strip method.Results: Baseline blood glucose level of group C mother was 5.41±0.43 mmol/L, whereas glucose level before starting infusion and just after deliver was 4.46±0.45 mmol/L and 4.60±0.39 mmol/L respectively. In group A and group B, these changes were not significant (p>0.05). There was marked reduction in maternal blood glucose level in group C (p<0.001). Neonatal blood glucose level was reduced in all three groups as compared to placental circulation concept (70-80% of placental flow). No mother or neonate showed critical hypoglycaemia (in mother <4.0 mmol/L and in neonate <2.5 mmol/L). Highly significant inverse correlation was observed between maternal fasting time and blood glucose before starting infusion (r= 0.706, p <0.001), and maternal blood glucose and neonatal cord blood glucose level (r= -0.937, p <0.001).Conclusion: Though, no significant correlation could be detected between maternal fasting time and neonatal blood glucose level (r= -0.196, p >0.05) neonatal blood glucose level was reduced in group C.Key words: Pre-operative fasting time; caesarean section; sub-arachnoid block; neonatal cord blood glucose DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7269JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.21-24
Effectivity of Injection Sclerotherapy on Early Haemorrhoids Reported to Surgical Outpatient Department
Authors: Bhuiya MFA , Rahman S , Ali A
Published: March 2011

This prospective study was carried out at a Military Hospital over a period of 10 months. Total 96 cases of first degree and early second degree haemorrhoid cases treated by injection sclerotherapy were included in this study. Among them, first degree haemorrhoids were 60% cases and early second degree haemorrhoids were 40% cases. The highest number of patients was in 3rd and 4th decade (81%). After adequate bowel preparation, under proctoscopy three positions of haemorrhoids were identified. By a Gabrial syringe 5% phenol in olive oil (3-5 ml) was injected in the submucosa of the pedicle of each haemorrhoid. The patients were followed up monthly for six months. All the patients were presented with painless per rectal bleeding. Constipation was present in 89% cases. Satisfactory result was observed in 60% cases and out of them 40 cases were having first degree haemorrhoids and rest of the cases were having early second degree haemorrhoids. Second dose of injection was required in 38 cases and third dose of injection was required in 32 cases. Out of 38 patients who received second dose of injection, only 6 patients had satisfactory outcome and almost all but one patient who received third dose of injection showed unsatisfactory result. Reported method is easy, convenient, cheap and effectively practicable at outdoor level.Key words: Haemorrhoid; sclerotherapy; satisfactory outcome DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7270JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.25-27
Hanging as a Method of Suicide: Retrospective Analysis of Postmortem Cases
Authors: Ahmad M , Hossain MZ
Published: March 2011

This retrospective study was conducted on 145 postmortem cases of hanging victims at government medical college morgue over a period of two years. The objective of this study was to find out the pattern of hanging cases as a proper method of suicide and to evaluate the present situation of hanging in this capital city. Out of 145 cases, 41% were male and 51% were married. One hundred and one victims hanged themselves at night, while 44 at day time. In 72 victims, stomachs were found empty. Most (97%) of the bodies were recovered from inside the living rooms. Ninety seven percent had complete suspension. One hundred and forty two (98%) cases had ligature mark in neck. Thirty nine cases had fracture of hyoid bones, 27 cases had fracture of thyroid cartilages. Most of the victims (45%) were from the age group 20- 30 years. Dopatta (orna) was the commonest (35%) ligature material. Quarrel among husband and wife was the commonest (31%) cause of suicidal hanging. Hanging was observed as a frequently used method of suicide in Bangladesh. Key words: Hanging, suicide; post mortem DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7273JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.37-39
Acute Myocardial Infarction due to Hypersensitivity to Antitubercular Therapy
Authors: Mostafi M , Hasan ATMT , Alim MA , Chakraborty B
Published: March 2011

DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7275JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.44-45
Building Space Heating with a Solar-Assisted Heat Pump Using Roof-Integrated Solar Collectors
Authors: Yang Zhiyong , Wang Yiping , Zhu Li
Published: March 2011

A solar assisted heat pump (SAHP) system was designed by using a roof-integrated solar collector as the evaporator, and then it was demonstrated to provide space heating for a villa in Tianjin, China. A building energy simulation tool was used to predict the space heating load and a three dimensional theoretical model was established to analyze the heat collection performance of the solar roof collector. A floor radiant heating unit was used to decrease the energy demand. The measurement results during the winter test period show that the system can provide a comfortable living space in winter, when the room temperature averaged 18.9 °C. The average COP of the heat pump system is 2.97 and with a maximum around 4.16.
Power-Performance Tradeoffs in Wide Dynamic Range Image Sensors with Multiple Reset Approach
Authors: Spivak Arthur , Teman Adam , Belenky Alex , Yadid-Pecht Orly , Fish Alexander
Published: March 2011

A variety of solutions for widening the dynamic range (DR) of CMOS image sensors have been proposed throughout the years. These solutions can be categorized into different groups according to the principle used for DR widening. One of the methods, which is based on autonomous control over the integration time, was implemented by our group. We proposed the multiple resets algorithm, which was successfully implemented in three generations of WDR image sensors. While achieving the same goal of widening the DR of the sensor, each of the implemented imagers had a different architecture, and therefore presented different performance and power figures. This paper reviews designs of the aforementioned sensors and presents a comprehensive analysis of their power consumption. Power-performance tradeoffs are also discussed. Advantages and disadvantages of each sensor are presented.
Quantitative Mass Spectrometry for Bacterial Protein Toxins — A Sensitive, Specific, High-Throughput Tool for Detection and Diagnosis
Authors: Boyer Anne E. , Gallegos-Candela Maribel , Lins Renato C. , Kuklenyik Zsuzsanna , Woolfitt Adrian , Moura Hercules , Kalb Suzanne , Quinn Conrad P. , Barr John R.
Published: March 2011

Matrix-assisted laser-desorption time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) is a valuable high-throughput tool for peptide analysis. Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization (LC-ESI) tandem-MS provides sensitive and specific quantification of small molecules and peptides. The high analytic power of MS coupled with high-specificity substrates is ideally suited for detection and quantification of bacterial enzymatic activities. As specific examples of the MS applications in disease diagnosis and select agent detection, we describe recent advances in the analyses of two high profile protein toxin groups, the Bacillus anthracis toxins and the Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins. The two binary toxins produced by B. anthracis consist of protective antigen (PA) which combines with lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF), forming lethal toxin and edema toxin respectively. LF is a zinc-dependent endoprotease which hydrolyzes specific proteins involved in inflammation and immunity. EF is an adenylyl cyclase which converts ATP to cyclic-AMP. Toxin-specific enzyme activity for a strategically designed substrate, amplifies reaction products which are detected by MALDI-TOF-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS. Pre-concentration/purification with toxin specific monoclonal antibodies provides additional specificity. These combined technologies have achieved high specificity, ultrasensitive detection and quantification of the anthrax toxins. We also describe potential applications to diseases of high public health impact, including Clostridium difficile glucosylating toxins and the Bordetella pertussis adenylyl cyclase.
Investigating Spectrum of Biological Activity of 4- and 5-Chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[2-(arylamino)-1-alkyl-2-oxoethyl]benzamides
Authors: Imramovsky Ales , Pesko Matus , Kralova Katarina , Vejsova Marcela , Stolarikova Jirina , Vinsova Jarmila , Jampilek Josef
Published: March 2011

In this study, a series of twenty-two 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[2-(arylamino)-1-alkyl-2-oxoethyl]benzamides and ten 4-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[2-(arylamino)-1-alkyl-2-oxoethyl]benzamides is described. The compounds were analyzed using RP-HPLC to determine lipophilicity. Primary in vitro screening of the synthesized compounds was performed against mycobacterial, bacterial and fungal strains. They were also evaluated for their activity related to the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. The compounds showed biological activity comparable with or higher than the standards isoniazid, fluconazole, penicillin G or ciprofloxacin. For all the compounds, the relationships between the lipophilicity and the chemical structure of the studied compounds as well as their structure-activity relationships are discussed.
Bioflocculant Production by Virgibacillus sp. Rob Isolated from the Bottom Sediment of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Cosa Sekelwa , Mabinya Leonard V. , Olaniran Ademola O. , Okoh Omobola O. , Bernard Kim , Deyzel Shaun , Okoh Anthony I.
Published: March 2011

A bioflocculant-producing marine bacterium previously isolated from marine sediment of Algoa Bay was screened for flocculant production. Comparative analysis of 16S rDNA sequence identified the isolate to have 99% similarity to Virgibacillus sp. XQ-1 and it was deposited in the GenBank as Virgibacillus sp. Rob with accession number HQ537127. The bacterium produced biflocculants optimally in glucose (70.4%) and peptone (70.4%) as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen, alkaline pH (12) (74%); and the presence of Fe2+ (74%). Chemical analysis of the bioflocculant revealed it to be a polysaccharide.
Allobetulin and Its Derivatives: Synthesis and Biological Activity
Authors: Dehaen Wim , Mashentseva Anastassiya A. , Seitembetov Talgat S.
Published: March 2011

This review covers the chemistry of allobetulin analogs, including their formation by rearrangement from betulin derivatives, their further derivatisation, their fusion with heterocyclic rings, and any further rearrangements of allobetulin compounds including ring opening, ring contraction and ring expansion reactions. In the last part, the most important biological activities of allobetulin derivatives are listed. One hundred and fifteen references are cited and the relevant literature is covered, starting in 1922 up to the end of 2010.
Miniproteins as Phage Display-Scaffolds for Clinical Applications
Authors: Zoller Frederic , Haberkorn Uwe , Mier Walter
Published: March 2011

Miniproteins are currently developed as alternative, non-immunoglobin proteins for the generation of novel binding motifs. Miniproteins are rigid scaffolds that are stabilised by alpha-helices, beta-sheets and disulfide-constrained secondary structural elements. They are tolerant to multiple amino acid substitutions, which allow for the integration of a randomised affinity function into the stably folded framework. These properties classify miniprotein scaffolds as promising tools for lead structure generation using phage display technologies. Owing to their high enzymatic resistance and structural stability, miniproteins are ideal templates to display binding epitopes for medical applications in vivo. This review summarises the characteristics and the engineering of miniproteins as a novel class of scaffolds to generate of alternative binding agents using phage display screening. Moreover, recent developments for therapeutic and especially diagnostic applications of miniproteins are reviewed.
Starches, Sugars and Obesity
Authors: Aller Erik E. J. G. , Abete Itziar , Astrup Arne , Martinez J. Alfredo , Baak Marleen A. van
Published: March 2011

The rising prevalence of obesity, not only in adults but also in children and adolescents, is one of the most important public health problems in developed and developing countries. As one possible way to tackle obesity, a great interest has been stimulated in understanding the relationship between different types of dietary carbohydrate and appetite regulation, body weight and body composition. The present article reviews the conclusions from recent reviews and meta-analyses on the effects of different starches and sugars on body weight management and metabolic disturbances, and provides an update of the most recent studies on this topic. From the literature reviewed in this paper, potential beneficial effects of intake of starchy foods, especially those containing slowly-digestible and resistant starches, and potential detrimental effects of high intakes of fructose become apparent. This supports the intake of whole grains, legumes and vegetables, which contain more appropriate sources of carbohydrates associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, rather than foods rich in sugars, especially in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Functional Consequences of GPCR Heterodimerization: GPCRs as Allosteric Modulators
Authors: Haack Karla K.V. , McCarty Nael A.
Published: March 2011

G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of membrane proteins in the human genome, are the targets of approximately 25% of all marketed pharmaceuticals, and the focus of intensive research worldwide given that this superfamily of receptors is as varied in function as it is ubiquitously expressed among all cell types. Increasing evidence has shown that the classical two part model of GPCR signaling (one GPCR, one type of heterotrimeric G protein) is grossly oversimplified as many GPCRs can couple to more than one type of G protein, each subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein can activate different downstream effectors, and, surprisingly, other GPCRs can affect receptor behavior in G protein-independent ways. The concept of GPCR heterodimerization, or the physical association of two different types of GPCRs, presents an unexpected mechanism for GPCR regulation and function, and provides a novel target for pharmaceuticals. Here we present a synopsis of the functional consequences of GPCR heterodimerization in both in vitro and in vivo studies, focusing on the concept of GPCRs as allosteric modulators. Typically, an allosteric modulator is a ligand or molecule that alters a receptor’s innate functional properties, but here we propose that in the case of GPCR heterodimers, it is the physical coupling of two receptors that leads to changes in cognate receptor signaling.
Soft X-ray Laser Microscopy of Lipid Rafts towards GPCR-Based Drug Discovery Using Time-Resolved FRET Spectroscopy
Authors: Baba Motoyoshi , Kozasa Tohru , Hamakubo Takao , Kuroda Hiroto , Masuda Kazuyuki , Yoneya Shin , Kodama Tatsuhiko
Published: March 2011

Many signaling molecules involved in G protein-mediated signal transduction, which are present in the lipid rafts and believed to be controlled spatially and temporally, influence the potency and efficacy of neurotransmitter receptors and transporters. This has focus interest on lipid rafts and the notion that these microdomains acts as a kind of signaling platform and thus have an important role in the expression of membrane receptor-mediated signal transduction, cancer, immune responses, neurotransmission, viral infections and various other phenomena due to specific and efficient signaling according to extracellular stimuli. However, the real structure of lipid rafts has not been observed so far due to its small size and a lack of sufficiently sophisticated observation systems. A soft X-ray microscope using a coherent soft X-ray laser in the water window region (2.3–4.4 nm) should prove to be a most powerful tool to observe the dynamic structure of lipid rafts of several tens of nanometers in size in living cells. We have developed for the X-ray microscope a new compact soft X-ray laser using strongly induced plasma high harmonic resonance. We have also developed a time-resolved highly sensitive fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system and confirmed protein-protein interactions coupled with ligands. The simultaneous use of these new tools for observation of localization of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in rafts has become an important and optimum tool system to analyze the dynamics of signal transduction through rafts as signaling platform. New technology to visualize rafts is expected to lead to the understanding of those dynamics and innovative development of drug discovery that targets GPCRs localized in lipid rafts.
Reusable Polymer-Supported Terpyridine Palladium Complex for Suzuki-Miyaura, Mizoroki-Heck, Sonogashira, and Tsuji-Trost Reaction in Water
Authors: Suzuka Toshimasa , Kimura Kosuke , Nagamine Takuya
Published: March 2011

A novel heterogeneous transition-metal catalyst comprising a polymer-supported terpyridine palladium(II) complex was prepared and found to promote the Suzuki-Miyaura, Mizoroki-Heck, Sonogashira, and Tsuji-Trost, reactions in water under aerobic conditions with a high to excellent yield. The catalyst was recovered by simple filtration and directly reused several times without loss of catalytic activity.
A High Temperature Capacitive Humidity Sensor Based on Mesoporous Silica
Authors: Wagner Thorsten , Krotzky Sören , Weiß Alexander , Sauerwald Tilman , Kohl Claus-Dieter , Roggenbuck Jan , Tiemann Michael
Published: March 2011

Capacitive sensors are the most commonly used devices for the detection of humidity because they are inexpensive and the detection mechanism is very specific for humidity. However, especially for industrial processes, there is a lack of dielectrics that are stable at high temperature (>200 °C) and under harsh conditions. We present a capacitive sensor based on mesoporous silica as the dielectric in a simple sensor design based on pressed silica pellets. Investigation of the structural stability of the porous silica under simulated operating conditions as well as the influence of the pellet production will be shown. Impedance measurements demonstrate the utility of the sensor at both low (90 °C) and high (up to 210 °C) operating temperatures.
State Derivation of a 12-Axis Gyroscope-Free Inertial Measurement Unit
Authors: Lu Jau-Ching , Lin Pei-Chun
Published: March 2011

The derivation of linear acceleration, angular acceleration, and angular velocity states from a 12-axis gyroscope-free inertial measurement unit that utilizes four 3-axis accelerometer measurements at four distinct locations is reported. Particularly, a new algorithm which derives the angular velocity from its quadratic form and derivative form based on the context-based interacting multiple model is demonstrated. The performance of the system was evaluated under arbitrary 3-dimensional motion.
Antiviral Effects of Interferon-β are Enhanced in the Absence of the Translational Suppressor 4E-BP1 in Myocarditis Induced by Coxsackievirus B3
Authors: Burke J Daniel , Sonenberg Nahum , Platanias Leonidas C , Fish Eleanor N
Published: March 2011

Background

Viral myocarditis is most frequently associated with infection by Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). Interferon (IFN)-β therapy has been studied and could reduce virally induced tissue damage and improve heart function.

Methods

In the present study we have investigated the role of translational suppression in the context of an IFN-α/β-mediated antiviral immune response to CVB3 infection. Specifically, we examined the effects of IFN-α/β treatment of CVB3-infected mouse embryonic fibroblast cells and splenocytes lacking eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein-1 (4E-BP1), a suppressor of 5′-capped mRNA translation. Extending these in vitro studies, we examined the effects of CVB3 infection and IFN-β treatment in 4E-BP1-/- mice.

Results

Our data show that 4E-BP1-/- cells are more sensitive to the antiviral effects of IFN-α4 and IFN-β treatment than 4E-BP1+/+ cells when infected with CVB3. Similarly, 4E-BP1-/- mice are more sensitive to treatment with IFN-β, exhibiting lower viral titres in heart tissue than 4E-BP1+/+ mice during the course of infection. Additionally, we demonstrate that treatment with IFN-β reduces inflammatory infiltrates into the hearts of infected mice.

Conclusions

These data identify 4E-BP1 as a novel drug target to augment responsiveness to IFN-β therapy in CVB3-induced myocarditis.
Mobilisation dans les campagnes toulousaines : conflit d'aménagement et tensions locales
Authors: Pistre Pierre
Published: March 2011

Résumé Au cours des années 2000, les campagnes toulousaines ont été le théâtre d’une mobilisation d’envergure contre un projet d’aéroport. Cet évènement est ici utilisé comme un prisme d’observation pertinent pour analyser les transformations démographiques et sociales en cours dans ces espaces ruraux mobilisés. Une attention particulière est accordée aux profils des opposants, collectifs et individuels, élus et associatifs. Si ce mouvement a initié des proximités et des formes de sociabilité originales, il révèle surtout la prégnance de fortes tensions et fractures locales, au sein d’espaces certes en reprise démographique mais où le vivre ensemble reste à construire.
Le syndrome pakistanais, ou la quête souvent irréaliste d'une coûteuse parité
Authors: Jaffrelot Christophe
Published: March 2011

Le Pakistan trouve son origine dans la quête de pouvoir d’une élite issue de l’aristocratie musulmane de l’Inde du Nord qui revendiqua après 1857 un statut paritaire avec la majorité hindoue. L’école d’Aligarh de Sir Syed a façonné une culture politique fondée à la fois sur un sentiment de vulnérabilité et un complexe de supériorité vis-à-vis des hindous, justiﬁant ce statut d’exception (dont un électorat séparé) par l’importance historique des musulmans de l’Inde. Ce répertoire se cristallise avec la théorie des deux nations de Jinnah qui débouchera sur la partition de 1947. Il est recyclé ensuite au plan national à travers le One Unit Scheme de 1955, un des ressorts du séparatisme bangladeshi. Depuis 1947, le Pakistan cherche toutefois surtout à rivaliser avec l’Inde en s’armant à prix d’or, en se donnant une profondeur stratégique en Afghanistan, en « saignant l’Inde » au Cachemire quitte à pactiser avec des groupes islamistes et en se dotant de l’arme atomique. Outre que cette démarche est coûteuse, elle aura été à l’origine de deux partitions et aura favorisé l’essor de mouvements islamistes susceptibles de se retourner contre l’État.
Government policy, banks' strategies and the financial crisis: Contagion through interconnectedness
Authors: O’Connor Aidan
Published: March 2011

Résumé : Le catalyseur de la crise financière qui a commencé en 2007 a été la chute de la valeur de l’immobilier résidentiel aux Etats-Unis faisant suite à une inflation significative. Cette chute touche un secteur auprès duquel les banques ont accru leurs engagements jusqu’à prêter à des clients fragiles, souvent à travers des intermédiaires non bancaires. Ces actifs financiers ont été distribués, titrisés et acquis par des investisseurs financiers et institutionnels dans de nombreux pays. Il est montré que les stratégies des banques ont été une réponse aux politiques nationales et à la demande des investisseurs mondiaux. Il y a eu un effet sur les marchés financiers, les économies et les institutions financières. En particulier, Northern Rock est une banque qui a du être nationalisée en raison d’un modèle de financement insoutenable. L’objet de cet article est de déterminer et d’évaluer les conditions, causes et catalyseur de la crise financière.
Dynamisme du capital-risque americain : l'IPO n'est plus la voie de sortie preferee
Authors: Lounes Malika
Published: March 2011

Résumé : Le but de cette étude est de tester l’existence d’une relation de dépendance entre le dynamisme du capital-risque américain et les deux principales opportunités de sorties qui s’offrent aux capital-risqueurs : l’introduction en bourse (IPO : Initial Public Offering) et la sortie par fusion-acquisition (M&A : Merger and Acquisition). Pour ce faire, nous utilisons des données trimestrielles pour les Etats-Unis issues de la base Thomson One Banker Private Equity couvrant la période 1970-2010. Deux approches empiriques sont utilisées, la première s’appuie sur le concept de cointégration et sur le modèle à correction d’erreur qui permet de spécifier une relation stable de long terme entre les investissements en capital-risque et le nombre d’opérations de M&A des entreprises soutenues par le capital-risque. La seconde s’appuie sur le concept de causalité au sens de Granger qui montre l’existence d’une causalité unidirectionnelle du nombre d’opérations de M&A vers le volume des investissements en capital-risque.
L'utilite sociale de la banque en question. Quelques reflexions pour l'apres-crise
Authors: Barbot Gildas
Published: March 2011

Résumé : Longtemps perçu comme un agent économique spécifique, dont la mission était de fluidifier les échanges, le rôle des banques est aujourd’hui mal compris du grand public, voire contesté. Par ses excès, le secteur bancaire n’a-t-il pas engendré la crise de 2007 ? Les cols blancs de la finance sont au cœur de multiples polémiques (salaires mirobolants, spéculation débridée,... ) Ce n’est pas tant le bien-fondé de ce sentiment qui nous intéresse que la remise en cause du pacte social entre les banquiers et la société et la question de la responsabilité sociétale des banques, qui en découle. Autant de questions dont l’enjeu ultime n’est rien moins que la restauration de la confiance entre la banque et les particuliers. Par delà les efforts de communication, la capacité du secteur bancaire à faire reconnaître sa légitimité constitue un préalable à la sortie de crise. Cette réflexion sur l’utilité sociale du secteur bancaire ouvre sur un débat plus vaste qui interroge les objectifs et les instruments de mesure de l’analyse économique.
Crise financiere et gouvernance des banques
Authors: Richard Bertrand , Masmoudi Inès
Published: March 2011

Résumé : La crise financière a provoqué, dans les conseils d’administration des banques, une prise de conscience d’un nouvel enjeu de gouvernance : Comment concilier l’intérêt immédiat des dirigeants et des opérateurs financiers avec l’intérêt à long terme de la banque et de ses actionnaires ? Comment rendre cohérent le devoir citoyen de la banque et son intérêt à profiter de toutes les distorsions de marché ? Comment maîtriser les risques engendrés par le développement d’activités financières de plus en plus complexes lorsque l’on est un administrateur non spécialiste ? Tel est l’objet de cet article qui plaide pour un engagement plus fort des conseils d’administration en analysant les conséquences et les exigences.
Phytate-degrading Pediococcus pentosaceus CFR R123 for application in functional foods
Authors: Raghavendra P. , Ushakumari S. , Halami P.
Published: March 2011

The present work looks at the role of phytate-degrading Pediococcus pentosaceus CFR R123 application in functional
foods to evaluate the fate of phytate and calcium solubility during fermentation. Under standard conditions, CFR
R123 grown in modified MRS containing sodium phytate CFR R123 showed 43% degradation of sodium phytate
in 15 minutes. Fermentation of malted finger millet seed coat (MFSC) and soya milk (SM) with CFR R123 for 12 h
resulted in 5.6-12% phytate degradation and a notable increase in calcium availability (125%) was observed. The
isolate CFR R123 was found to decrease the phytic acid levels resulting in increased levels of calcium during MFSC
and soya milk fermentation. This study introduces phytate-degrading P. pentosaceus CFR R123 that can be employed
as a starter culture as well as an ingredient of functional food to provide nutritive benefits to the consumer with a
natural phenomenon.