bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The River Systems in Small Catchments in the Context of the Horton’s and Schumm’s Laws – Implication for Hydrological Modelling. The Case Study of the Polish Carpathians
Authors: Bryndal Tomasz
Published: April 2015

In ungauged catchments, flood hydrographs are usually simulated/reconstructed by simple rainfall-runoff and routing models. Horton’s and Schumm’s ratios serve as the input data for many of these models. In this paper, more than 800 Carpathian catchments (up to 35.2 km2 in area) were investigated in context of the “Horton’s and Schumm’s laws”. Results reveal that the “law of stream number” and “law of stream areas” are fulfilled in almost all catchments. The mean that values of the bifurcation ratio (RB) and the area ratio (RA) reach 3.8 and 4.8, respectively, and are thus comparable to values reported in other regions of the world. However, the “law of stream lengths” is not fulfilled in more than half of the catchments, which is not consistent with many theoretical studies reported in the literature. Only 383 (48%) catchments fulfill the “law of stream length”, with the mean value of the length ratio (RL)=2.3. There was no relationship found between the geological/geomorphological settings that influence river system development and the spatial distribution of catchments where the “law of stream length” was or was not was fulfilled. A similar conclusion was reached for the spatial distribution of the RB, RL, and RA ratios. These results confirmed that the use of Horton’s and Schumm’s ratios for the evaluation of the influence of geological/geomorphological settings on the river system development is limited. Among the lumped hydrological models, those requiring the RB, RL, and RA ratios have been extensively studied over last decades. This study suggests that the application of these models may be limited in small catchment areas; therefore, more attention should be placed on the development of hydrological models where the RB, RL, and RA ratios are not necessary.
Assessments of Modal Split in Long-distance Passenger Transport
Authors: Chmelík Jakub
Published: April 2015

The goal of this paper is to present basic alternative assessments of the division of transport work (or also “modal split”) of main transport modes. For this, an example of selected long-distance connections between centres in Czechia, including an identification of major underlying factors, shall be exploited. The paper examines the competitiveness of rail transport in its relation to bus and individual automobile transport, and relations with a potential of rail transport are primarily selected. A logit model is applied within the selected set of relations. It is entered in particular by indicators of time (time of a ride, frequency of public transport lines) and finances (actual transport costs) through a financial expression of generalised costs. The purpose of the paper is to verify the selected procedure on the relations transport modes of which are similar, and to highlight the alternatives of a comprehensive assessment of the modal split of main transport modes in Czechia. In the conclusion, the gained results are used to outline further alternative prospects of the topic under observation.
Incidence and Outcomes of Symptomatic Neonatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Grunt Sebastian , Mazenauer Lea , Buerki Sarah E. , Boltshauser Eugen , Mori Andrea Capone , Datta Alexandre N. , Fluss Joël , Mercati Danielle , Keller Elmar , Maier Oliver , Poloni Claudia , Ramelli Gian-Paolo , Schmitt-Mechelke Thomas , Steinlin Maja
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Neonatal arterial ischemic stroke (NAIS) is associated with considerable lifetime burdens such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and cognitive impairment. Prospective epidemiologic studies that include outcome assessments are scarce. This study aimed to provide information on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, infarct characteristics, associated clinical variables, treatment strategies, and outcomes of NAIS in a prospective, population-based cohort of Swiss children.

METHODS:

This prospective study evaluated the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, vascular territories, associated clinical variables, and treatment of all full-term neonates diagnosed with NAIS and born in Switzerland between 2000 and 2010. Follow-up was performed 2 years (mean 23.3 months, SD 4.3 months) after birth.

RESULTS:

One hundred neonates (67 boys) had a diagnosis of NAIS. The NAIS incidence in Switzerland during this time was 13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 11–17) per 100 000 live births. Seizures were the most common symptom (95%). Eighty-one percent had unilateral (80% left-sided) and 19% had bilateral lesions. Risk factors included maternal risk conditions (32%), birth complications (68%), and neonatal comorbidities (54%). Antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapy use was low (17%). No serious side effects were reported. Two years after birth, 39% were diagnosed with cerebral palsy and 31% had delayed mental performance.

CONCLUSIONS:

NAIS in Switzerland shows a similar incidence as other population-based studies. About one-third of patients developed cerebral palsy or showed delayed mental performance 2 years after birth, and children with normal mental performance may still develop deficits later in life.
Successful Pulmonary Embolectomy of a Saddle Pulmonary Thromboembolism in a Preterm Neonate
Authors: Kalaniti Kaarthigeyan , Lo Rito Mauro , Hickey Edward J. , Sivarajan V. Ben
Published: April 2015

Symptomatic pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is rare in neonates, and the diagnosis is often made only postmortem. The true incidence is probably underestimated because of its varying presentations, ranging from mild respiratory distress to acute right-heart failure and cardiovascular collapse. We report a sudden cardiorespiratory collapse on day 10 of life in a preterm neonate who was subsequently diagnosed as having a saddle pulmonary embolus. The patient underwent an emergency surgical embolectomy as a salvage procedure. Considering the potentially lethal complications of PTE, neonatologists and pediatricians should maintain a high degree of suspicion in infants with sudden inexplicable deterioration in cardiorespiratory status. Surgical removal of the thrombus is an invasive procedure and potentially carries a high mortality rate. Two term neonatal survivors of surgical intervention have been reported in the medical literature so far. However, we believe that this is the first documented preterm neonatal survivor after surgical intervention for a massive saddle PTE.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Antibiotic Use
Authors: Schulman Joseph , Dimand Robert J. , Lee Henry C. , Duenas Grace V. , Bennett Mihoko V. , Gould Jeffrey B.
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Treatment of suspected infection is a mainstay of the daily work in the NICU. We hypothesized that NICU antibiotic prescribing practice variation correlates with rates of proven infection, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), mortality, inborn admission, and with NICU surgical volume and average length of stay.

METHODS:

In a retrospective cohort study of 52 061 infants in 127 NICUs across California during 2013, we compared sample means and explored linear and nonparametric correlations, stratified by NICU level of care and lowest/highest antibiotic use rate quartiles.

RESULTS:

Overall antibiotic use varied 40-fold, from 2.4% to 97.1% of patient-days; median = 24.5%. At all levels of care, it was independent of proven infection, NEC, surgical volume, or mortality. Fifty percent of intermediate level NICUs were in the highest antibiotic use quartile, yet most of these units reported infection rates of zero. Regional NICUs in the highest antibiotic quartile reported inborn admission rate 218% higher (0.24 vs 0.11, P = .03), and length of stay 35% longer (90.2 days vs 66.9 days, P = .03) than regional NICUs in the lowest quartile.

CONCLUSIONS:

Forty-fold variation in NICU antibiotic prescribing practice across 127 NICUs with similar burdens of proven infection, NEC, surgical volume, and mortality indicates that a considerable portion of antibiotic use lacks clear warrant; in some NICUs, antibiotics are overused. Additional study is needed to establish appropriate use ranges and elucidate the determinants and directionality of relationships between antibiotic and other resource use.
A simulation study for defects in sub-15 nm line-space using directed self-assembly
Authors: Kanai Hideki , Kodera Katsuyoshi , Seino Yuriko , Sato Hironobu , Kasahara Yusuke , Kobayashi Katsutoshi , Miyagi Ken , Minegishi Shinya , Kihara Naoko , Kawamonzen Yoshiaki , Fujiwara Tomoharu , Hirayanagi Noriyuki , Tobana Toshikatsu , Azuma Tsukasa
Published: April 2015

A specific type of buried defect in lamellar phase diblock copolymer was studied by experiments and simulations using self-consistent field theory (SCFT). The defects had 3-dimensional structures and created hexagonally arranged holes. They existed not only on the substrate with the guide structures but in fingerprints. The simulation results suggested that one of the causes of the defects is mismatch of the surface affinity of the neutral layer.
Detailed Cleft Measurements: A Comparison between Isolated Cleft Palates and Cleft Palates Associated with Cleft Lips
Authors: Lambert Anthony , Piché Marilou , Leclerc Jacques E.
Published: April 2015

Objective

To determine whether there are differences in the anatomical cleft measurements between patients with isolated cleft palate (CP) with or without Pierre Robin sequence (PR) and those with cleft lip and palate (CLP).

Design

Prospective case series.

Setting

Tertiary care university-based medical center.

Patients

From 1993 to 2012, CP and CLP patients were prospectively enrolled in a database.

Main Outcome Measures

Several anatomical cleft parameters were recorded with precise measurements at the time of palatoplasty under general anesthesia.

Results

One hundred twenty-five patients were included in our study: 50 patients in the CP without PR group, 87 patients in the CP with or without PR (CPPR) group, and 38 patients in the CLP group. Patients in the CLP group had increased values for the following parameters compared to patients with CP and patients with CPPR: nasopharyngeal depth ( P = .02 and P = .01, respectively); cleft width at posterior hard palate border ( P < .001 and P < .001); width of the dental arch ( P < .001 and P < .001); and total cleft length ( P < 01 and P < .001). For cleft width at the soft palate level, there was a significant difference between the CP and CLP groups ( P = .005). We found no statistically significant differences between the groups (CLP versus CP and CPPR, respectively) for the length of the soft palate ( P = .74, P = .21) or for the length of the hard palate ( P = .19, P = .08).

Conclusion

There are significant differences in cleft and palate measurements between CLP and CP patients that may be useful to predict the occurrence of velopharyngeal insufficiency or other complications.
Status of Horizontal Drilling in the Permian Basin
Authors: Vanorsdale C. R. , Vogel R. E.
Published: April 2015

Horizontal drilling in the Permian Basin has gained momentum within the last two years. This level of activity will be at least maintained if not increased over the next few years due to advances in technology as well as advances in our ability to interpret technological data. Operators realize that the success of horizontal drilling is in part due to reservoir characterization prior to drilling and the subsequent application of techniques designed to achieve particular completion goals. This paper reviews the screening criteria and rationale behind horizontal drilling in the Permian Basin of west Texas and southeast New Mexico, provides an overview of the drilling design process and the most commonly applied procedures, and presents up-to-date drilling statistics. Additionally, a survey of the Permian Basin operators provides insight into drilling strategy and completion practices and results. Several case studies highlight these practices, the pre-drill strategies, and the post-drill lessons.
Hexa(methoxymethyl)melamine: An Emerging Contaminant in German Rivers
Authors: Dsikowitzky Larissa , Schwarzbauer Jan
Published: April 2015

Hexa(methoxymethyl)melamine (HMMM)‐containing resins are used in the production of coatings and plastics for cans, coils, and automobiles. A previous study demonstrated that this compound was associated with acute toxic effects on daphnia. This study presents the first compiled data on the occurrence of HMMM as an emerging contaminant in German rivers. The compound occurred in 60 of 117 water samples from three river systems, with concentrations ranging between <10 and 880 ng/L. Based on water concentrations and river flow on the day of sampling, the loads of HMMM were calculated for two rivers. The spatial distribution patterns of the loads showed large variations and did not follow clear trends along the stream course. These variations were attributed to effective removal processes, leading to sudden load decreases within short flow distances. The data suggest that HMMM could be discharged to the investigated rivers with wastewaters from the automotive industry and related branches.
Toward Universal Half‐Saturation Coefficients: Describing Extant KS as a Function of Diffusion
Authors: Shaw Andrew , Takacs Imre , Pagilla Krishna , Riffat Rumana , DeClippeleir Haydee , Wilson Christopher , Murthy Sudhir
Published: April 2015

Observed (extant) KS is not a constant and it is strongly influenced by diffusion. This paper argues that diffusion can be used to describe bacterial kinetic effects that are sometimes attributed to “K‐strategists” and, in fact, the physics of the system is the dominant mechanism affecting the apparent (extant) KS—not intrinsic biological characteristics—in real water resource recovery facility systems. Four different biological processes have been modeled using the “porter‐diffusion” model that was originally developed by Pasciak and Gavis (1974) for aquatic systems. The results demonstrate that diffusion is the dominant mechanism affecting KS in all four biological processes. Therefore, the authors argue that for treatment processes in which substrate concentrations are low, it is important to consider shifting to variable extant KS values or explicitly modeling the effects of diffusion.
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals in Calgary's Wastewater and Related Surface Water
Authors: Chen M. , Cooper V.I. , Deng J. , Amatya P.L. , Ambrus D. , Dong S. , Stalker N. , Nadeau‐Bonilla C. , Patel J.
Published: April 2015

The influents/effluents from Calgary's water resource recovery facilities and the surface water were analyzed for pharmaceuticals in the present study. The median concentrations in the effluents for the 15 targeted pharmaceuticals were within the range of 0.006 to 3.32 ppb. Although the wastewater treatment facilities were not designed to remove pharmaceuticals, this study indicates that the wastewater treatment processes are effective in removing some of the pharmaceuticals from the aqueous phase. The removal rate estimated can be 99.5% for caffeine, whereas little or no removal was observed for carbamazepine. Biodegradation, chemical degradation, and sorption could be some of the mechanisms responsible for the removal of pharmaceuticals. The drug residues in downstream surface water could be associated with incomplete removal of pharmaceuticals during the treatment process and may lead to concerns in terms of potential impacts on the aquatic ecosystem. However, this study does not indicate any immediate risks to the downstream aquatic environment.
Effect of dust deposition on the performance of photovoltaic modules in Taxila, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Hafiz , Zafar Muhammad , Bashir Muhammad , Nasir Muhammad , Ali Muzaffar , Siddiqui Aysha
Published: April 2015

The air borne dust deposited on the surface of photovoltaic module influence the transmittance of solar radiations from the photovoltaic modules glazing surface. This experimental work aimed to investigate the effect of dust deposited on the surface of two different types of photovoltaic modules (monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon). Two modules of each type were used and one module from each pair was left exposed to natural atmosphere for three months of winter in Taxila, Pakistan. Systematic series of measurements were conducted for the time period of three months corresponding to the different dust densities. The difference between the output parameters of clean and dirty modules provided the information of percentage loss at different dust densities. The dust density deposited on the modules surface was 0.9867 mg/cm2 at the end of the study. The results showed that dust deposition has strong impact on the performance of photovoltaic modules. The monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules showed about 20% and 16% decrease of average output power, respectively, compared to the clean modules of same type. It was found that the reduction of module efficiency (?clean ? ?dirtv) in case of monocrystalline and polycrystalline module was 3.55% and 3.01%, respectively. Moreover the loss of output power and module efficiency in monocrystalline module was more compared to the polycrystalline module.
Deformation behaviour of micro-milled cp-titanium specimens under tensile loading
Authors: Godard Claudia , Bohley Martin , Aurich Jan C. , Kerscher Eberhard
Published: April 2015

The functionality of components can be improved by surface modifications such as micro-milling. The micro-milled structures (notches) can cause changes in the mechanical properties of the components. To be able to predict or prevent component failure, the influence of these micro-milled notches on the deformation behaviour of commercially pure titanium under tensile loading is investigated. Quasistatic tensile tests show that the tensile strength is increased by deeper notches and the fracture elongation of the specimens decreases. Metallographic analyses and nanoindentation tests of systematically interrupted tensile tests at different strain rates show the development of the plastic deformation and the inhomogeneous deformation behaviour of the material.
Indigenizing “civil society” in Serbia What local fund-raising reveals about class and trust
Authors: Mikuš Marek
Published: April 2015

This article reconsiders established anthropological knowledge about postsocialist “civil society” through an analysis of recent efforts of Serbian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to reduce their dependence on foreign donors and develop “local fund-raising” from individuals and businesses. These initiatives had to address widespread suspicion toward NGOs, which confirms earlier findings about their donor-driven origins and the class divide between them and the surrounding society. Nevertheless, the article shows that the fund-raising activists strove to overcome suspicion and indigenize civil society. While anthropologists tend to portray NGO workers as a transnationalized elite, they are more adequately described as a middle-class faction currently subject to a process of precarization. The article also shows how the NGO workers' strategies to overcome suspicion, drawing variously on the global models of rational philanthropy, populist modes of self-presentation, or pre-existing ties to new donors, obscured or reduced the relevance of the class divide.
Which community for cooperatives?
Authors: Rakopoulos Theodoros
Published: April 2015

The literature on cooperatives often conceptualizes cooperativism as an organized effort to embrace community participation. Through the analysis of agrarian cooperatives in Sicily that were formally established to counter the Mafia and by ethnographically exploring the notion of community for cooperativism, this article aims to problematize this idea of cooperatives as “community economics”. It proposes an anthropological approach that critically analyzes divisions of labor and the internal factions' divergent concepts of “community”. In Sicily, workers in “anti-Mafia” co-ops recognize a sense of community and “way of life” in Mafia-influenced mobilizations outside the cooperative environment, contrary to the co-op administrators' legalistic views of community. The article illuminates how the fact that often co-op members draw on different ideas of community can lead to contradictions and tensions, especially as there are different social realities underlying those ideas.
The Effect of Process Parameters on Twin Wire Arc Spray Pattern Shape
Authors: Horner Allison , Hall Aaron , McCloskey James
Published: April 2015

A design of experiments approach was used to describe process parameter—spray pattern relationships in the Twin Wire Arc process using zinc feed stock in a TAFA 8835 (Praxair, Concord, NH, USA) spray torch. Specifically, the effects of arc current, primary atomizing gas pressure, and secondary atomizing gas pressure on spray pattern size, spray pattern flatness, spray pattern eccentricity, and coating deposition rate were investigated. Process relationships were investigated with the intent of maximizing or minimizing each coating property. It was determined that spray pattern area was most affected by primary gas pressure and secondary gas pressure. Pattern eccentricity was most affected by secondary gas pressure. Pattern flatness was most affected by primary gas pressure. Coating deposition rate was most affected by arc current.
Discriminating Irrigated and Rainfed Maize with Diurnal Fluorescence and Canopy Temperature Airborne Maps
Authors: Rossini Micol , Panigada Cinzia , Cilia Chiara , Meroni Michele , Busetto Lorenzo , Cogliati Sergio , Amaducci Stefano , Colombo Roberto
Published: April 2015

This study evaluates the potential of airborne remote sensing images to detect water stress in maize. Visible and near infrared CASI (Itres Research Ltd., Calgary, AL, Canada) and thermal AHS-160 (Sensytech Inc., Beverly, MA, USA) data were acquired at three different times during the day on a maize field (Zea mays L.) grown with three different irrigation treatments. An intensive field campaign was also conducted concurrently with image acquisition to measure leaf ecophysiological parameters and the leaf area index. The analysis of the field data showed that maize plants were experiencing moderate to severe water stress in rainfed plots and a weaker stress condition in the plots with a water deficit imposed between stem elongation and flowering. Vegetation indices including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) computed from the CASI images, sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (F760) and canopy temperature (Tc) showed different performances in describing the water stress during the day. During the morning overpass, NDVI was the index with the highest discriminant power due to the sensitivity of NDVI to maize canopy structure, affected by the water irrigation treatment. As the day progressed, processes related to heat dissipation through plant transpiration became more and more important and at midday Tc showed the best performances. Furthermore, Tc retrieved from the midday image was the only index able to distinguish all the three classes of water status. Finally, during the afternoon, PRI and F760 showed the best performances. These results demonstrate the feasibility to detect water stress using thermal and optical airborne data, pointing out the importance of careful planning of the airborne surveys as a function of the specific aims of the study.
Melanogenesis-Inducing Effect of Cirsimaritin through Increases in Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor and Tyrosinase Expression
Authors: Kim Hyo , Kim Il , Dong Yin , Lee Ik-Soo , Kim Jin , Kim Jong-Sang , Woo Je-Tae , Cha Byung-Yoon
Published: April 2015

The melanin-inducing properties of cirsimaritin were investigated in murine B16F10 cells. Cirsimaritin is an active flavone with methoxy groups, which is isolated from the branches of Lithocarpus dealbatus. Tyrosinase activity and melanin content in murine B16F10 melanoma cells were increased by cirsimaritin in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP) 1, TRP2 protein levels were enhanced after treatment with cirsimaritin for 48 h. Cirsimaritin also upregulated the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) after 24 h of treatment. Furthermore, cirsimaritin induced phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) in a dose-dependent manner after treatment for 15 min. The cirsimaritin-mediated increase of tyrosinase activity was significantly attenuated by H89, a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A inhibitor. These findings indicate that cirsimaritin stimulates melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by activation of CREB as well as upregulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression, which was activated by cAMP signaling. Finally, the melanogenic effect of cirsimaritin was confirmed in human epidermal melanocytes. These results support the putative application of cirsimaritin in ultraviolet photoprotection and hair coloration treatments.
Collagen Fibrils in Skin Orient in the Direction of Applied Uniaxial Load in Proportion to Stress while Exhibiting Differential Strains around Hair Follicles
Authors: Nesbitt Sterling , Scott Wentzell , Macione James , Kotha Shiva
Published: April 2015

We determined inhomogeneity of strains around discontinuities as well as changes in orientation of collagen fibrils under applied load in skin. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) images of collagen fibrils were obtained at different strain magnitudes. Changes in collagen orientation were analyzed using Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) while strain inhomogeneity was determined at different distances from hair follicles using Digital Image Correlation (DIC). A parameter, defined as the Collagen Orientation Index (COI), is introduced that accounts for the increasingly ellipsoidal nature of the FFT amplitude images upon loading. We show that the COI demonstrates two distinct mechanical regimes, one at low strains (0%, 2.5%, 5% strain) in which randomly oriented collagen fibrils align in the direction of applied deformation. In the second regime, beginning at 5% strain, collagen fibrils elongate in response to applied deformation. Furthermore, the COI is also found to be linearly correlated with the applied stress indicating that collagen fibrils orient to take the applied load. DIC results indicated that major principal strains were found to increase with increased load at all locations. In contrast, minimum principal strain was dependent on distance from hair follicles. These findings are significant because global and local changes in collagen deformations are expected to be changed by disease, and could affect stem cell populations surrounding hair follicles, including mesenchymal stem cells within the outer root sheath.
Chitin-Lignin Material as a Novel Matrix for Enzyme Immobilization
Authors: Zdarta Jakub , Klapiszewski Łukasz , Wysokowski Marcin , Norman Małgorzata , Kołodziejczak-Radzimska Agnieszka , Moszyński Dariusz , Ehrlich Hermann , Maciejewski Hieronim , Stelling Allison , Jesionowski Teofil
Published: April 2015

Innovative materials were made via the combination of chitin and lignin, and the immobilization of lipase from Aspergillus niger. Analysis by techniques including FTIR, XPS and 13C CP MAS NMR confirmed the effective immobilization of the enzyme on the surface of the composite support. The electrokinetic properties of the resulting systems were also determined. Results obtained from elemental analysis and by the Bradford method enabled the determination of optimum parameters for the immobilization process. Based on the hydrolysis reaction of para-nitrophenyl palmitate, a determination was made of the catalytic activity, thermal and pH stability, and reusability. The systems with immobilized enzymes were found to have a hydrolytic activity of 5.72 mU, and increased thermal and pH stability compared with the native lipase. The products were also shown to retain approximately 80% of their initial catalytic activity, even after 20 reaction cycles. The immobilization process, using a cheap, non-toxic matrix of natural origin, leads to systems with potential applications in wastewater remediation processes and in biosensors.
Glycodendrimers and Modified ELISAs: Tools to Elucidate Multivalent Interactions of Galectins 1 and 3
Authors: Wolfenden Mark , Cousin Jonathan , Nangia-Makker Pratima , Raz Avraham , Cloninger Mary
Published: April 2015

Multivalent protein-carbohydrate interactions that are mediated by sugar-binding proteins, i.e., lectins, have been implicated in a myriad of intercellular recognition processes associated with tumor progression such as galectin-mediated cancer cellular migration/metastatic processes. Here, using a modified ELISA, we show that glycodendrimers bearing mixtures of galactosides, lactosides, and N-acetylgalactosaminosides, galectin-3 ligands, multivalently affect galectin-3 functions. We further demonstrate that lactose functionalized glycodendrimers multivalently bind a different member of the galectin family, i.e., galectin-1. In a modified ELISA, galectin-3 recruitment by glycodendrimers was shown to directly depend on the ratio of low to high affinity ligands on the dendrimers, with lactose-functionalized dendrimers having the highest activity and also binding well to galectin-1. The results depicted here indicate that synthetic multivalent systems and upfront assay formats will improve the understanding of the multivalent function of galectins during multivalent protein carbohydrate recognition/interaction.
MicroRNA Silencing by DNA Methylation in Human Cancer: a Literature Analysis
Authors: Strmsek Ziga , Kunej Tanja
Published: April 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of target mRNAs. MicroRNA genes themselves are regulated through epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone modifications and/or DNA methylation of CpG islands. Aberrant CpG island methylation patterns are frequently associated with cancer and thus researching DNA methylation of miRNA genes is a topic of increased research interest. Large quantities of available data from various studies are fragmented and incomplete; therefore, integration was performed. Data from 150 articles revealed 180 miRNA genes shown to be regulated via DNA methylation in 36 cancer types. From the total of 2588 known mature miRNA 6.9% (180/2588) miRNAs have been shown to be epigenetically regulated by DNA methylation. 45.5% (82/180) of miRNA genes were shown to be methylated in at least two cancer types among them hsa-miR-34b, hsa-miR-34c and hsa-miR-34a were found to be silenced in 24, 21 and 17 cancer types, respectively. The other 54.4% (98/180) miRNA genes regulated by DNA methylation were found to be specific for a certain type of cancer and therefore represent specific biomarker potential. Because specific miRNAs have diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential, the systematically review of the field offers an overview of the field and facilitates experiment planning, generation of more targeted hypotheses and more efficient biomarker and target development.
Comparing the Dry Season In-Situ Leaf Area Index (LAI) Derived from High-Resolution RapidEye Imagery with MODIS LAI in a Namibian Savanna
Authors: Mayr Manuel , Samimi Cyrus
Published: April 2015

The Leaf Area Index (LAI) is one of the most frequently applied measures to characterize vegetation and its dynamics and functions with remote sensing. Satellite missions, such as NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) operationally produce global datasets of LAI. Due to their role as an input to large-scale modeling activities, evaluation and verification of such datasets are of high importance. In this context, savannas appear to be underrepresented with regards to their heterogeneous appearance (e.g., tree/grass-ratio, seasonality). Here, we aim to examine the LAI in a heterogeneous savanna ecosystem located in Namibia’s Owamboland during the dry season. Ground measurements of LAI are used to derive a high-resolution LAI model with RapidEye satellite data. This model is related to the corresponding MODIS LAI/FPAR (Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation) scene (MOD15A2) in order to evaluate its performance at the intended annual minimum during the dry season. Based on a field survey we first assessed vegetation patterns from species composition and elevation for 109 sites. Secondly, we measured in situ LAI to quantitatively estimate the available vegetation (mean = 0.28). Green LAI samples were then empirically modeled (LAImodel) with high resolution RapidEye imagery derived Difference Vegetation Index (DVI) using a linear regression (R2 = 0.71). As indicated by several measures of model performance, the comparison with MOD15A2 revealed moderate consistency mostly due to overestimation by the aggregated LAImodel. Model constraints aside, this study may point to important issues for MOD15A2 in savannas concerning the underlying MODIS Land Cover product (MCD12Q1) and a potential adjustment by means of the MODIS Burned Area product (MCD45A1).
Hydrodynamic and Inundation Modeling of China’s Largest Freshwater Lake Aided by Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Zhang Peng , Lu Jianzhong , Feng Lian , Chen Xiaoling , Zhang Li , Xiao Xiongwu , Liu Honggao
Published: April 2015

China’s largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake, is characterized by rapid changes in its inundation area and hydrodynamics, so in this study, a hydrodynamic model of Poyang Lake was established to simulate these long-term changes. Inundation information was extracted from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) remote sensing data and used to calibrate the wetting and drying parameter by assessing the accuracy of the simulated inundation area and its boundary. The bottom friction parameter was calibrated using current velocity measurements from Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP). The results show the model is capable of predicting the inundation area dynamic through cross-validation with remotely sensed inundation data, and can reproduce the seasonal dynamics of the water level, and water discharge through a comparison with hydrological data. Based on the model results, the characteristics of the current velocities of the lake in the wet season and the dry season of the lake were explored, and the potential effect of the current dynamic on water quality patterns was discussed. The model is a promising basic tool for prediction and management of the water resource and water quality of Poyang Lake.
Measuring the Contractile Response of Isolated Tissue Using an Image Sensor
Authors: Díaz-Martín David , Hernández-Jiménez José , Rodríguez-Valido Manuel , Borges Ricardo
Published: April 2015

Isometric or isotonic transducers have traditionally been used to study the contractile/relaxation effects of drugs on isolated tissues. However, these mechanical sensors are expensive and delicate, and they are associated with certain disadvantages when performing experiments in the laboratory. In this paper, a method that uses an image sensor to measure the contractile effect of drugs on blood vessel rings and other luminal organs is presented. The new method is based on an image-processing algorithm, and it provides a fast, easy and non-expensive way to analyze the effects of such drugs. In our tests, we have obtained dose-response curves from rat aorta rings that are equivalent to those achieved with classical mechanic sensors.
Can Plant Viruses Cross the Kingdom Border and Be Pathogenic to Humans?
Authors: Balique Fanny , Lecoq Hervé , Raoult Didier , Colson Philippe
Published: April 2015

Phytoviruses are highly prevalent in plants worldwide, including vegetables and fruits. Humans, and more generally animals, are exposed daily to these viruses, among which several are extremely stable. It is currently accepted that a strict separation exists between plant and vertebrate viruses regarding their host range and pathogenicity, and plant viruses are believed to infect only plants. Accordingly, plant viruses are not considered to present potential pathogenicity to humans and other vertebrates. Notwithstanding these beliefs, there are many examples where phytoviruses circulate and propagate in insect vectors. Several issues are raised here that question if plant viruses might further cross the kingdom barrier to cause diseases in humans. Indeed, there is close relatedness between some plant and animal viruses, and almost identical gene repertoires. Moreover, plant viruses can be detected in non-human mammals and humans samples, and there are evidence of immune responses to plant viruses in invertebrates, non-human vertebrates and humans, and of the entry of plant viruses or their genomes into non-human mammal cells and bodies after experimental exposure. Overall, the question raised here is unresolved, and several data prompt the additional extensive study of the interactions between phytoviruses and non-human mammals and humans, and the potential of these viruses to cause diseases in humans.
Quelle stratégie financière pour un accord climatique à Paris 2015 ?
Authors: de Perthuis Christian , Jouvet Pierre-André
Published: April 2015

Le rendez-vous Paris Climat 2015 constitue la date butoir pour poser les bases d'un accord universel. Un accord climatique ambitieux repose sur trois piliers : un engagement des gouvernements, un système indépendant de monitoring , de reporting et de vérification (MRV) et l'instauration d'une tarification internationale du carbone. Dans cet article, nous proposons une méthode mixant taxation et marchés de permis. Il s'agit dans un premier temps d'introduire un bonus-malus carbone international, avec une taxe de l'ordre de 7 $ par tonne de CO 2 , calculé à partir de l'écart pour un pays entre son niveau moyen d'émission par habitant et la moyenne mondiale. Cette tarification aurait le double objectif d'inciter les pays à faible émission par habitant à rejoindre le système commun de MRV et de faciliter le respect de la promesse d'opérer un transfert annuel de 100 Md$ à destination des pays les moins avancés. Dans un second temps, il faut constituer un marché transcontinental du carbone, à partir des systèmes d'échange de quotas de CO 2 en Europe, en Chine et aux États-Unis. Interconnecter ces différents marchés exige de mettre en place une gouvernance commune pour s'assurer que les grands émetteurs s'engagent bien sur des trajectoires compatibles avec l'objectif de limitation du réchauffement climatique à 2 °C. Classification JEL : F53, F59, H23, Q54.
Élargir le champ de l'analyse du risque de crédit
Authors: Buhr Bob
Published: April 2015

Les catégories de risques traditionnellement couvertes par la recherche crédit – risque opérationnel et risque financier – peuvent prendre en compte un grand nombre d'enjeux ESG (environnement, social et gouvernance). Toutefois, certains risques demeurent difficiles à évaluer dans ce cadre, en particulier parce que les catégories ESG elles-mêmes ne sont pas particulièrement efficaces (ni même significatives) en tant que catégories analytiques. Nous estimons qu'une meilleure analyse de ces risques peut être obtenue en classant ce que l'on appelle aujourd'hui les risques ESG en trois catégories de risques spécifiques : les risques opérationnels ou de gestion, les risques climatiques, en particulier les risques d'atténuation et d'adaptation, et les risques liés aux ressources naturelles. Cette dernière catégorie permet de prendre en considération l'épuisement des ressources naturelles, le risque de perte de subventions ainsi que certains risques géopolitiques, les risques associés aux ressources en eau constituant peut-être le meilleur exemple de risque lié aux ressources naturelles. Classification JEL : G21, M14, Q32, Q56.
Comment penser le temps de travail, quinze ans après les lois Aubry ?
Authors: Pépin Michel , de Virville Michel , Ferracci Pierre
Published: April 2015

Si la controverse sur les 35 heures resurgit à chaque élection, les entreprises et les partenaires sociaux répugnent à rouvrir le dossier, mais la rapidité des évolutions n’incite-t-elle pas à dépasser le débat pour ou contre les 35 heures ?
Du Midrash à Rashi et à l’exégèse narrative contemporaine : continuité de la lecture juive
Authors: Sonnet Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2015

Entre la tradition interprétative ancienne du Midrash et l’invention de la narratologie biblique contemporaine — que l’on doit, de manière particulière, à des exégètes juifs —, une continuité significative se laisse observer. Éveillés par la tradition midrashique à la lecture rapprochée de l’Écriture, les scholars juifs ont été par ailleurs préparés par l’exégèse médiévale de Rashi et de son école à resserrer cette enquête dans l’enceinte du contexte. L’éthique de la lecture ainsi développée a de quoi inspirer les approches chrétiennes.
« Effectuer en nous-mêmes le geste intérieur... »
Authors: Scheuer Jacques
Published: April 2015

Diplomate suisse, séduit tout d’abord par le « néo-traditionalisme » de René Guénon, Jacques-Albert Cuttat redécouvre ensuite la foi chrétienne et la tradition catholique. Il sera, à l’époque de Vatican II, un pionnier de la Rencontre des religions (1957) et d’une étude approfondie de la relation vivante entre Expérience chrétienne et spiritualité orientale (1967), surtout indienne. Sans aborder tous les thèmes riches et divers de ces publications, on s’attache ici à dégager sa démarche spirituelle ainsi que sa méthode de travail, au carrefour de la théologie chrétienne et de l’étude comparative des religions.
La querelle quiétiste et l’exil de Fénelon
Authors: Dole Abbé Georges
Published: April 2015

La publication d’un roman historique d’A.-S. Jacouty, consacré à la disgrâce de Fénelon, offre l’occasion d’un bref rappel de la querelle qui opposa Bossuet à l’Archevêque de Cambrai, sur les thèmes du « pur amour » et du quiétisme. Ces pages permettent de restaurer la grande figure de Fénelon et de faire ainsi ressortir les valeurs universalistes de sa doctrine qui en font l’actualité.
Aron Jean-Marie card. Lustiger, « apôtre et prophète » (Ep 3,5)
Authors: Guggenheim Antoine
Published: April 2015

Devenu chrétien par la foi et le baptême, Aron Jean Marie cardinal Lustiger est demeuré juif, « comme le demeuraient les Apôtres ». Sa vie consacrée à l’Évangile a ravivé dans l’Église de Vatican II, guidée par Jean-Paul II et Benoît XVI, la mémoire de la dialectique biblique des juifs et des païens. Les initiatives de tous ordres du cardinal Lustiger, de l’approfondissement de la formation des chrétiens à la nouvelle rencontre d’Israël et de l’Église, témoignent de la fécondité spirituelle de ce principe de discernement et d’action apostoliques.
La Bible et l’Europe : une patrie herméneutique
Authors: Sonnet Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2015

S’il y a une patrie pour l’Europe, elle est herméneutique et elle se trouve liée à la capacité des Européens de se souvenir de toutes les « histoires » qui font son origine, dont celle de la Bible. L’intrigue biblique fondamentale — le rapport d’Israël et des Nations — traverse l’espace et le temps de l’Europe, et l’héritage biblique est profondément inscrit dans la conscience que l’Europe a d’elle-même. La culture européenne prolonge en effet une hiérarchisation éthique du réel à partir de la personne humaine, et dans l’autonomisation des sphères de la vie sociale, qui a son point de départ dans l’Ancien et le Nouveau Testaments.
« Ceci est mon corps ». Traversée de l’ecclésiologie eucharistique de Jean Zizioulas
Authors: Nègre Pascal
Published: April 2015

L’unité de l’Église est une unité de communion, et cette communion est eucharistique. Sur cette conviction des premiers siècles se déploie l’ecclésiologie de Jean Zizioulas. En contemplant l’événement de communion qu’est l’eucharistie, où la multitude qui a part au même pain est unifiée en un seul corps, le Métropolite trouve la clé de sa réflexion sur l’unité : aussi vrai que le corps du Christ, formé par l’Esprit Saint, ne peut être compris isolément, mais qu’il est toujours lié à la communauté de l’Église, de même l’un et le multiple sont mutuellement constitutifs dans la communion ecclésiale. Ceci est vrai au niveau de l’Église locale pour l’évêque (un) entouré de sa communauté (multiple), et cela est aussi nécessaire au niveau de l’Eglise universelle : dans la multiplicité des Églises locales, la figure d’un primat universel conditionne l’unité, la catholicité et l’identité du Corps du Christ.
L’engendrement à la vie divine par Marie selon Grignion de Montfort
Authors: Lemaire Marie-Gabrielle
Published: April 2015

Plus que quiconque sans doute, Grignion de Montfort a perçu l’importance centrale de la médiation maternelle de Marie dans le mystère de la Révélation. À travers sa dimension populaire, le langage montfortain est éminemment spéculatif dans la manière dont il tire toutes les conséquences théologiques de la Maternité divine de Marie. Jean-Paul II n’a pas craint, en citant Grignion de Montfort dont il a tant reçu, de valoriser le titre de Marie Médiatrice dans son encyclique Redemptoris Mater . Partant du Traité de la Vraie Dévotion , cet article propose des pistes nouvelles de réflexion sur le rôle médiateur de Marie dans le processus de notre divinisation.
La Bible, aujourd’hui encore ?
Authors: Radermakers Jean
Published: April 2015

Le prochain synode sur La parole de Dieu nous offre l’occasion de réfléchir sur l’actualité d’une lecture en église de la Bible intégrale. Aujourd’hui, comme aux premiers temps de l’Église, elle peut faire naître à la foi des groupes de personnes, croyantes ou non, qui écoutent ensemble le message du texte et se laissent façonner à son école. Cet itinéraire de lecture, rattaché à ce qu’on appelle « pastorale d’engendrement », est une méthode à la fois critique et ouverte où chacun intervient dans la vérité de son rapport à Dieu à travers le texte.
Pie XI, le Christ Roi et les totalitarismes
Authors: Desouche Marie-Thérèse
Published: April 2015

Entre les deux conflits européens du XX e siècle, celui de 1914-1918 et celui de 1939-1945, se situe le pontificat du pape Pie XI. Ce dernier répond par une christologie politique à la montée des nationalismes et au développement des totalitarismes dans cette période. La figure du Christ, Roi humilié dans sa passion et dans sa mort, interpelle l’usage du pouvoir par les puissants de son temps. Cet article s’attelle à découvrir ce fondement en face de chacune des dérives politiques de l’époque.
La réciprocité comme communion
Authors: Labbé Yves
Published: April 2015

Prolongeant une approche philosophique de la réciprocité du don, la présente étude appartient à la théologie chrétienne. Évoquant quelques textes pauliniens sur la réconciliation et la communion ainsi que les prémisses d’une ecclésiologie eucharistique (J.M. Tillard et J. Zizioulas), elle se laisse guider par une christologie trinitaire, sensible à l’interaction du Christ et de l’Esprit. Elle s’attache alors à montrer comment l’asymétrie du don ne contredit pas sa réciprocité : la communion dans l’Esprit passe par la réconciliation dans le Christ ; l’unité de communion de Dieu ne saurait exclure son unité d’origine. L’étude entend aussi montrer que la communion, forme accomplie de la réciprocité, n’en est pas la forme unique dans la vie des croyants. Ainsi, en cherchant à conduire d’un dissensus à un consensus, le dialogue insère la réciprocité dans la réalité de l’histoire de l’Église de Dieu.
Note sur l’intégrité physique des vierges consacrées
Authors: Hausman Noëlle
Published: April 2015

Faut-il, pour entrer dans l’ordre des vierges (voire, y rester), une intégrité physique certaine ? Augustin, Chrysostome et Pierre Damien orientant cette délicate question vers la foi en la résurrection de la chair. Car, demande le Traité sur la Toute-Puissance divine de ce dernier : « qu’y a-t-il que Dieu ne puisse produire par une création nouvelle ? ».