bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Integrated Hardware and Software System "PRIZNAK-10M" for Measuring Power-Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields in Electric Networks
Authors: Kurbatsky Victor
Published: January 2011

Application of Integrated Hardware and Software System "PRIZNAK-10M" for Measuring Power-Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields in Electric Networks

One of the urgent problems in modern power industry is to provide safety of man staying in the affected area of electric and magnetic fields generated by operating electric facilities. The paper presents integrated hardware and software system "PRIZNAK-10M", intended for measurement of power-frequency electric and magnetic fields in electric networks. Integrated hardware and software system put into practice the methods of measurements, met the regulatory documents effected in electric networks of Russia. The recommendations have been developed to provide the man safely at the facilities studied.
Practical Design Guidelines of qZSI Based Step-Up DC/DC Converter
Authors: Zakis Janis , Vinnikov Dmitri , Roasto Indrek , Jalakas Tanel
Published: January 2011

Practical Design Guidelines of qZSI Based Step-Up DC/DC Converter

This paper presents some design guidelines for a new voltage fed step-up DC/DC isolated converter. The most significant advantage of proposed converter is voltage buck-boost operation on single stage. The most promising application for proposed converter is in the field of distributed power generation e.g. fuel cells or photovoltaic.

The most sensitive issues - such as power losses caused by high currents in the input side of converter and high transient overvoltages across the inverter bridge caused by stray inductances were discussed and solved. The proposals and recommendations to overcome these issues are given in the paper. The Selection and design guidelines of converter elements are proposed and explained.

The prototype of proposed converter was built and experimentally tested. Some results are presented and evaluated.
Switch-Off Behaviour of 6.5 kV IGBT Modules in Two-Level Voltage Source Inverter
Authors: Blinov Andrei , Jalakas Tanel , Vinnikov Dmitri , Janson Kuno
Published: January 2011

Switch-Off Behaviour of 6.5 kV IGBT Modules in Two-Level Voltage Source Inverter

This paper presents an analysis of the switch-off process of 6.5 kV/200 A IGBT modules in a two-level half-bridge voltage source inverter. During experiments, it was stated that real switching process is far from ideal switch-off since parasitic inductance and capacitance in the circuit cause voltage spikes and high frequency oscillations during transition processes. Operation states of the inverter are described and analyzed. Experimental and simulation results are compared, the main transients are analyzed and mathematically expressed and possible problems and solutions are discussed.
Active Rectifier for Uninterruptable Power Supply
Authors: Stepanov Andrew , Bogdans Valdis , Suskis Pavel , Galkin Ilya
Published: January 2011

Active Rectifier for Uninterruptable Power Supply

The paper contains analysis of power factor correction circuits that is made in the context of elaboration of uninterruptable power supply system. Various correctors have been estimated analytically, by means of simulation and experimentally. The most significant attention has been paid to the efficiency of the analyzed converters and their compatibility with modular approach to development of power converters.
The Single-phase AC Regulator on Base of Bidirectional IGBT Switches
Authors: Cimanis Vladimirs , Hramcovs Vladimirs , Rankis Ivars
Published: January 2011

The Single-phase AC Regulator on Base of Bidirectional IGBT Switches

In the work one of the methods for regulation of sinus shape AC voltage for middle-power loads with activeinductive character is observed. Such a regulator keeping output voltage of sinus shape must be fast-reacting and work in closed-loop system. It's shown, that for providing such features Buck and Boost pulse regulators can be applied. The only difference from DC pulse converters is that electronic switches in the system must be with bidirectional conductivity. For this reason an IGBT transistors can be applied with implemented in structure reverse diodes and if such two transistors are connected in series and with contrary conductivity then at activating both one of them will be in on-state. Realization of AC regulators with such switches is described in the work. Results of computer modeling also are given. Output voltage ripples are investigated on subject of their range and efficiency of filtering equipment on LC base. Such regulators can be applied for instance in electrical transport self supply systems.
Need to Take Firm Action
Authors: Thanju Jeevan P
Published: January 2011

Not available.DOI: 10.3126/hn.v6i0.4185Hydro Nepal Vol 6, January 2010 Uploaded Date: 23 January 2011
Electricity Crisis (Load Shedding) in Nepal, Its Manifestations and Ramifications
Authors: Shrestha Ratna Sansar
Published: January 2011

Nepal is in the grip of electricity crisis. The electricity crisis of this millennium began in 2006. Nepal saw the last electricity crisis of the last millennium in 1999 and with the commissioning of Khimti Hydroelectric Project in 2000, there was no load shedding until 2005. Earlier, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) used to attribute load shedding to "no water in rivers." Since the last wet season, however, Nepal has suffered from load shedding even while struggling with "food" problem. With no electricity for 16 hours a day, the last dry season was the worst so far. Nepal's macro economy is suffering heavily due to this phenomenon. It is anomalous, however, that even at the time of load shedding the NEA has been spilling energy due to mismatch of system as well as transmission congestion. The NEA has promised respite from the problem in next five years, but the facts and figures do not corroborate the claim. The government of Nepal’s (GoN) defective vision and short sighted policy is at the root of the problem, one that can be mitigated by setting the vision right and making the policy more forward looking and based on the principle of self-reliance.Key words: Electricity crisis; Load shedding; NEA; IPPs; Adverse impact; Anomaly; Respite; GoN Policy; Tariff; NepalDOI: 10.3126/hn.v6i0.4187Hydro Nepal Vol 6, January 2010 Page : 7-17 Uploaded Date: 23 January, 2011
Domestic Rainwater Harvesting as a Water Supply Option in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ariyananda Tanuja
Published: January 2011

Domestic rainwater harvesting has been revived in Sri Lanka since 1995 with the Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Since then, through the efforts of the Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum (LRWHF, an NGO set up to pro-mote rainwater harvesting for domestic need), the technology and the concept has been spread to other parts of the country. At present there are over 31,000 domestic rainwater systems in the country. Rainwater harvesting has been successfully legalized in Sri Lanka.  Key words: Rainwater harvesting; Water quality; Sri Lanka; Technology; PolicyDOI: 10.3126/hn.v6i0.4189  Hydro Nepal Vol 6, January 2010 Page : 27-30 Uploaded Date: 24 January, 2011
CFD Analysis on Pumps Working as Turbines
Authors: Nautiyal Himanshu , Kumar Varun , Thakur Anoop
Published: January 2011

Reverse running centrifugal pumps are  an effective source of reducing the equipment cost in small hydropower plants. The manufacturers do not provide any information on the performance and fow characteristics when pumps are operated in turbine mode. Lack of Pump as Turbine (PAT) performance data is a signifcant barrier to the wider use of PAT. Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a recent attempt for predicting the performance of PAT. CFD analysis is an effective design tool for predicting the performance of reverse running operation of centrifugal pumps. But some deviationsstill exist in experimental and CFD results of reverse operation of pumps. Future works in the feld of computational analysis can further improve the prediction of pumps in reverse operation. Key words:  Pump as Turbine (PAT); Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD); PumpDOI: 10.3126/hn.v6i0.4191   Hydro Nepal Vol 6, January 2010 Page : 35-37 Uploaded Date:24 January, 2011
Interview with Mr. Deepak Bohra Honorable Minister, Ministry of Forest & Soil Conservation, Government of Nepal
Authors: Thanju Jeewan P
Published: January 2011

Not available. InterviewDOI: 10.3126/hn.v6i0.4199Hydro Nepal Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Vol. 6, January 2010 Page: 78-80 Uploaded Date:  24 January, 2011
Progress in Nanotechnology Based Approaches to Enhance the Potential of Chemopreventive Agents
Authors: Muqbil Irfana , Masood Ashiq , Sarkar Fazlul H. , Mohammad Ramzi M. , Azmi Asfar S.
Published: January 2011

Cancer chemoprevention is defined as the use of natural agents to suppress, reverse or prevent the carcinogenic process from turning into aggressive cancer. Over the last two decades, multiple natural dietary compounds with diverse chemical structures such flavonoids, tannins, curcumins and polyphenols have been proposed as chemopreventive agents. These agents have proven excellent anticancer potential in the laboratory setting, however, the observed effects in vitro do not translate in clinic where they fail to live up to their expectations. Among the various reasons for this discrepancy include inefficient systemic delivery and robust bioavailability. To overcome this barrier, researchers have focused towards coupling these agents with nano based encapsulation technology that in principle will enhance bioavailability and ultimately benefit clinical outcome. The last decade has witnessed rapid advancement in the development of nanochemopreventive technology with emergence of many nano encapsulated formulations of different dietary anticancer agents. This review summarizes the most up-to-date knowledge on the studies performed in nanochemoprevention, their proposed use in the clinic and future directions in which this field is heading. As the knowledge of the dynamics of nano encapsulation evolves, it is expected that researchers will bring forward newer and far more superior nanochemopreventive agents that may become standard drugs for different cancers.
Metabolic Disorder, Inflammation, and Deregulated Molecular Pathways Converging in Pancreatic Cancer Development: Implications for New Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Motoo Yoshiharu , Shimasaki Takeo , Ishigaki Yasuhito , Nakajima Hideo , Kawakami Kazuyuki , Minamoto Toshinari
Published: January 2011

Pancreatic cancer develops and progresses through complex, cumulative biological processes involving metabolic disorder, local inflammation, and deregulated molecular pathways. The resulting tumor aggressiveness hampers surgical intervention and renders pancreatic cancer resistant to standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Based on these pathologic properties, several therapeutic strategies are being developed to reverse refractory pancreatic cancer. Here, we outline molecular targeting therapies, which are primarily directed against growth factor receptor-type tyrosine kinases deregulated in tumors, but have failed to improve the survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) is a member of a serine/threonine protein kinase family that plays a critical role in various cellular pathways. GSK3β has also emerged as a mediator of pathological states, including glucose intolerance, inflammation, and various cancers (e.g., pancreatic cancer). We review recent studies that demonstrate the anti-tumor effects of GSK3β inhibition alone or in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. GSK3β inhibition may exert indirect anti-tumor actions in pancreatic cancer by modulating metabolic disorder and inflammation.
Entropy Production during Asymptotically Safe Inflation
Authors: Bonanno Alfio , Reuter Martin
Published: January 2011

The Asymptotic Safety scenario predicts that the deep ultraviolet of Quantum Einstein Gravity is governed by a nontrivial renormalization group fixed point. Analyzing its implications for cosmology using renormalization group improved Einstein equations, we find that it can give rise to a phase of inflationary expansion in the early Universe. Inflation is a pure quantum effect here and requires no inflaton field. It is driven by the cosmological constant and ends automatically when the renormalization group evolution has reduced the vacuum energy to the level of the matter energy density. The quantum gravity effects also provide a natural mechanism for the generation of entropy. It could easily account for the entire entropy of the present Universe in the massless sector.
An Integrated Approach for Assessing Aquatic Ecological Carrying Capacity: A Case Study of Wujin District in the Tai Lake Basin, China
Authors: Zeng Chen , Liu Yaolin , Liu Yanfang , Hu Jiameng , Bai Xiaogang , Yang Xiaoyu
Published: January 2011

Aquatic ecological carrying capacity is an effective method for analyzing sustainable development in regional water management. In this paper, an integrated approach is employed for assessing the aquatic ecological carrying capacity of Wujin District in the Tai Lake Basin, China. An indicator system is established considering social and economic development as well as ecological resilience perspectives. While calculating the ecological index, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is extracted from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) time-series images, followed by spatial and temporal analysis of vegetation cover. Finally, multi-index assessment of aquatic ecological carrying capacity is carried out for the period 2000 to 2008, including both static and dynamic variables. The results reveal that aquatic ecological carrying capacity presents a slight upward trend in the past decade and the intensity of human activities still exceeded the aquatic ecological carrying capacity in 2008. In terms of human activities, population has decreased, GDP has quadrupled, and fertilizer application and industrial wastewater discharge have declined greatly in the past decade. The indicators representing aquatic ecosystem conditions have the lowest scores, which are primarily attributed to the water eutrophication problem. Yet the terrestrial ecosystem is assessed to be in better condition since topographic backgrounds and landscape diversity are at higher levels. Based on the work carried out, it is suggested that pollutant emission be controlled to improve water quality and agricultural development around Ge Lake (the largest lake in Wujin District) be reduced.
Effectiveness of Chitosan against Mature Biofilms Formed by Food Related Bacteria
Authors: Orgaz Belen , Lobete Maria M. , Puga Carmen H. , San Jose Carmen
Published: January 2011

Chitosan has proven antimicrobial properties against planktonic cell growth. Little is known, however, about its effects on already established biofilms. Oriented for application in food industry disinfection, the effectiveness of both medium molecular weight (MMW) chitosan and its enzymatically hydrolyzed product was tested against mature biofilms of four pathogenic strains, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica, and a food spoilage species, Pseudomonas fluorescens. Unexpectedly, log reductions were in some cases higher for biofilm than for planktonic cells. One hour exposure to MMW chitosan (1% w/v) caused a 6 log viable cell reduction on L. monocytogenes monospecies mature biofilms and reduced significantly (3–5 log reductions) the attached population of the other organisms tested, except S. aureus. Pronase-treated chitosan was more effective than MMW chitosan on all tested microorganisms, also with the exception of S. aureus, offering best results (8 log units) against the attached cells of B. cereus. These treatments open a new possibility to fight against mature biofilms in the food industry.
Biological Information—Definitions from a Biological Perspective
Authors: Biro Jan Charles
Published: January 2011

The objective of this paper is to analyze the properties of information in general and to define biological information in particular.
Cell-Based Fabrication of Organic/Inorganic Composite Gel Material
Authors: Matsumoto Takuya , Mizuno Ami , Kashiwagi Miki , Yoshida Shin-suke , Sasaki Jun-ichi , Nakano Takayoshi
Published: January 2011

Biomaterials containing components similar to the native biological tissue would have benefits as an implantable scaffold material. To obtain such biomimetic materials, cells may be great contributors because of their crucial roles in synthetic organics. In addition, the synthesized organics—especially those derived from osteogenic differentiated cells—become a place where mineral crystals nucleate and grow even in vitro. Therefore to fabricate an organic/inorganic composite material, which is similar to the biological osteoid tissue, bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were cultured in a 3D fibrin gel in this study. BMSCs secreted bone-related proteins that enhanced the biomineralization within the gel when the cells were cultured with an osteogenic differentiation medium. The compositions of both synthesized matrices and precipitated minerals in the obtained materials altered depending on the cell culture period. The mineral obtained in the 3D gel showed low crystalline hydroxyapatite. The composite materials also showed excellent osteoconductivity with new bone formation when implanted in mice tibiae. Thus, we demonstrated the contributions of cells for fabricating implantable organic/inorganic composite gel materials and a method for controlling the material composition in the gel. This cell-based material fabrication method would be a novel method to fabricate organic/inorganic composite biomimetic materials for bone tissue engineering.
Sulfated Polysaccharides in Marine Sponges: Extraction Methods and Anti-HIV Activity
Authors: Esteves Ana I. S. , Nicolai Marisa , Humanes Madalena , Goncalves Joao
Published: January 2011

The extraction, fractionation and HIV-1 inhibition potential of polysaccharides extracted from three species of marine sponges, Erylus discophorus, Cliona celata and Stelletta sp., collected in the Northeastern Atlantic, is presented in this work. The anti-HIV activity of 23 polysaccharide pellets and three crude extracts was tested. Crude extracts prepared from Erylus discophorus specimens were all highly active against HIV-1 (90 to 95% inhibition). Cliona celata pellets showed low polysaccharide content (bellow 38.5%) and almost no anti-HIV activity (<10% inhibition). Stelletta sp. pellets, although quite rich in polysaccharide (up to 97.3%), showed only modest bioactivity (<36% HIV-1 inhibition). Erylus discophorus pellets were among the richest in terms of polysaccharide content (up to 98%) and the most active against HIV-1 (up to 95% inhibition). Chromatographic fractionation of the polysaccharide pellet obtained from a specimen of Erylus discophorus (B161) yielded only modestly active fractions. However, we could infer that the active molecule is most probably a high molecular weight sulfated polysaccharide (>2000 kDa), whose mechanism is possibly preventing viral attachment and entry (fusion inhibitor).
Peptide Phage Display as a Tool for Drug Discovery: Targeting Membrane Receptors
Authors: Molek Peter , Strukelj Borut , Bratkovic Tomaz
Published: January 2011

Ligands selected from phage-displayed random peptide libraries tend to be directed to biologically relevant sites on the surface of the target protein. Consequently, peptides derived from library screenings often modulate the target protein’s activity in vitro and in vivo and can be used as lead compounds in drug design and as alternatives to antibodies for target validation in both genomics and drug discovery. This review discusses the use of phage display to identify membrane receptor modulators with agonistic or antagonistic activities. Because isolating or producing recombinant membrane proteins for use as target molecules in library screening is often impossible, innovative selection strategies such as panning against whole cells or tissues, recombinant receptor ectodomains, or neutralizing antibodies to endogenous binding partners were devised. Prominent examples from a two-decade history of peptide phage display will be presented, focusing on the design of affinity selection experiments, methods for improving the initial hits, and applications of the identified peptides.
Recent Advances in the Application of Chiral Phosphine Ligands in Pd-Catalysed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation
Authors: Guerrero Rios Itzel , Rosas-Hernandez Alonso , Martin Erika
Published: January 2011

One of the most powerful approaches for the formation of simple and complex chiral molecules is the metal-catalysed asymmetric allylic alkylation. This reaction has been broadly studied with a great variety of substrates and nucleophiles under different reaction conditions and it has promoted the synthesis of new chiral ligands to be evaluated as asymmetric inductors. Although the mechanism as well as the active species equilibria are known, the performance of the catalytic system depends on the fine tuning of factors such as type of substrate, nucleophile nature, reaction medium, catalytic precursor and type of ligand used. Particularly interesting are chiral phosphines which have proved to be effective asymmetric inductors in several such reactions. The present review covers the application of phosphine-donor ligands in Pd-catalysed asymmetric allylic alkylation in the last decade.
From Farm to Rural Hostel: New Opportunities and Challenges Associated with Tourism Expansion in Daxi, a Village in Anji County, Zhejiang, China
Authors: Gutierrez Rodriguez Lucas , Ruiz Perez Manuel , Yang Xiaosheng , Geriletu
Published: January 2011

China has become one of the leading international tourism destinations, ranking third at a world level. A fast expanding domestic tourism offers new development opportunities to rural areas. Our results from Daxi Village of Anji County, a popular tourist destination in East China, show that farmers are seizing this opportunity that currently represents 27% of total household income. The better educated young generation is benefitting most, being particularly relevant for women that can develop off-farm activities around the family hostels (nongjiale) and tourist shops. Visitor’s general satisfaction is high, although there is some concern for environmental quality and overcrowding due to the very high number of tourists that come to the village. Our model suggests that tourism will keep growing at least for another decade, which will strain the area, posing potentially severe environmental problems and challenging the long term sustainability of the tourism development model.
The Discodermia calyx Toxin Calyculin A Enhances Cyclin D1 Phosphorylation and Degradation, and Arrests Cell Cycle Progression in Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Edelson Jessica R. , Brautigan David L.
Published: January 2011

Cyclin D1 is a key regulator of the cell cycle that is over expressed in more than half of breast cancer patients. The levels of cyclin D1 are controlled primarily through post-translational mechanisms and phosphorylation of cyclin D1 at T286 induces its proteasomal degradation. To date, no studies have explored the involvement of phosphatases in this process. Here we treated human breast cancer cells with the structurally distinct toxins calyculin A, okadaic acid, and cantharidin, which are known to inhibit Ser/Thr phosphatases of the PPP family. At low nanomolar concentrations calyculin A induced T286 phosphorylation and degradation of cyclin D1 via the proteosome in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Cyclin D1 degradation also was dose-dependently induced by okadaic acid and catharidin, implicating a negative regulatory role for type-2A phosphatases. These effects occurred without increasing phosphorylation of p70S6K, cyclin D3, or myosin light chain that were used as endogenous reporters of cellular PP2A and PP1 activity. A reverse phase phosphoprotein array analysis revealed increased phosphorylation of only 6 out of 33 Ser/Thr phosphosites, indicating selective inhibition of phosphatases by calyculin A. Calyculin A treatment induced cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. These findings suggest that a specific pool of type-2A phosphatase is inhibited by calyculin A leading to the degradation of cyclin D1 in human breast cancer cells. The results highlight the utility of toxins as pharmacological probes and points to the T286 cyclin D1 phosphatase inhibited by calyculin A as a possible target for chemotherapy to treat triple negative breast cancer.
Traditional and Popular Painting in Modern Java
Authors: Cohen M.I.
Published: January 2011

Matthew Isaac Cohen, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom Traditional and Popular Painting in Modern Java

Le mythe de Sungging Prabangkara interprète l'arrivée de la peinture figurative à Java en provenance de la Chine, du Japon et de l'Europe comme le retour des descendants d'un artiste javanais exilé et donc comme la restauration de la production javanaise passée telle que les monuments de la période classique en gardent la mémoire. La peinture dans le style du wayang fut florissante à Java durant la période islamique pré-moderne. Des artisans peignaient des marionnettes, des masques, des présentoirs d'armes, des bannières de tissu, des rouleaux et des manuscrits selon des techniques conventionnelles basées sur l'iconographie du théâtre d'ombres. Ces techniques furent également employées dans les peintures exécutées à l'envers sur des plaques de verre, lorsque le verre devint accessible, au XIXe siècle. Un nouveau paradigme artistique se fit jour à la même époque avec l'afflux d'artistes étrangers, de fournitures, de modèles et de possibilités d'exposer. La peinture naturaliste faisant usage de vues perspectives fut développée comme un sous-produit du théâtre populaire. Les tableaux vivants, les rideaux de scène et les vues panoramiques mettaient l'accent sur l'effet de trompe l'œil et l'illusion. La peinture académique bénéficia du désir des Orientalistes de documenter la tradition. Modernisme et traditionalisme demeurèrent inséparables tout au long du XXe siècle, et une grande partie de l'art indonésien contemporain reste aujourd'hui fondée sur la tradition.
Naissances et renaissance de la peinture sous verre à Java
Authors: Samuel Jérôme
Published: January 2011

Jérôme Samuel, Institut national des Langues et Civilisations orientales, Paris Naissances et renaissance de la peinture sous verre à Java

This paper deals with reverse glass painting as a Javanese popular art, mainly in Central Java and in the Cirebon area. First, the author examines the foreign roots of this art (China, Japan, Europe and the Middle East) and the conditions which facilitated its spread in Java during the first decades of the XX th century. He argues that Islam played a significant role, through a wide range of pious pictures, as well as the increasing accessibility of glass as a material for paintings. Reverse glass painting reached a peak during the 1930s, which coincides with the first significant scientific paper devoted to that popular art.

The second part of this paper focuses on recent developments of reverse glass painting. Since the late seventies, it seems to be out of favour in popular Java, but the antiquarians and the cultural establishment have shown some interest for it. Nowadays, reverse glass painting is still alive but it has lost most of its traditional features.
Raden Istigno Kartodidjojo (1921-1999). À la recherche d'un sublime (adiluhung) javanais
Authors: Labrousse Pierre
Published: January 2011

Pierre Labrousse, Institut national des Langues et Civilisation orientales, Paris

Raden Istigno Kartodidjojo (1921-1999). À la recherche d'un sublime (adïluhung) javanais

This Javanese painter, whose life (1921-1999) spanned the major part of the 20th century, has left a relatively small production. In his paintings, a profuse nature and overloaded background clearly point at Balinese influence, but the themes, elaborated in wayang style, are drawn from Javanese mythological tradition. Although it misleadingly looks like decorative art, and behind even the veiled animism stressed by the almost oppressive importance of nature, the scenes elected by the painter and interpreted in complex compositions have an immediate political significance that must be understood in the light of an ancestral philosophy.
Indonésie 2004. Le chevalier caché et la fin d'un monde
Authors: Raillon François
Published: January 2011

François Raillon, Centre national de la Recherche scientifique, Paris Indonésie 2004 : Le chevalier caché et la fin d'un monde

2004 was an intensive election year in Indonesia. After a complex general election held on April 5, a two-round presidential election witnessed the advent of general Yudhoyono as the new head of state. Elected by direct ballot for the first time in Indonesian history, the new president was a rather unexpected figure whose career had mostly unfurled during the former

regime of general Soeharto. His success in capturing the presidency may be attributed to the

people's high expectations after the protracted crisis that has affected Indonesia since

Soeharto' s fall. It was also due to Yudhoyono' s ability to appear as the "hidden knight", or a

heaven-sanctioned saviour according to Javanese folklore.

As Yudhoyono had hardly started his presidency, an earthshake and tsunami of unprecedented

magnitude hit the province of Aceh (and various countries of the Indian ocean), causing the

death of hundreds of thousands of Achinese.

The author analyses the impact of the formally democratic elections on the exercise of power

in Indonesia, and the way the local polity and society reacted to the end-of-the-year disaster.
Note on the Early History of the Maldives
Authors: Mohamed Naseema
Published: January 2011

Naseema Mohamed, National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research, Male' (Republic

of Maldives)

Note on the Early History of the Maldives

Cette note fait le point, dans un rapide survol, sur ce que l'on sait de l'histoire des Maldives avant leur islamisation au XIIe siècle.
Southeast Asia as Seen from Mughal India : Tahir Muhammad's 'Immaculate Garden' (ca. 1600)
Authors: Alam Muzaffar , Subrahmanyam Sanjay
Published: January 2011

Muzaffar Alam, University of Chicago & Sanjay Subrahmanyam, University of California

at Los Angeles

Southeast Asia as Seen from Mughal India : Tahir Muhammad's "Immaculate Garden " (ca.

1600)

On a souvent cru que la xénologie n'existait pas en Inde moghole en tant que champ intellectuel, et que les Moghols ne montraient pas la moindre curiosité envers les autres pays de l'océan Indien. On a aussi voulu parfois contraster cette attitude des Moghols avec le cas ottoman, car, au XVIe siècle, les Ottomans ont manifestement essayé de développer un réseau maritime et politique qui allait jusqu'en Asie du Sud-Est. Cet essai est divisé en trois parties. Dans un premier temps, les auteurs revisitent les lieux communs sur les rapports entre les Ottomans et les pays de l'Asie du Sud-Est, notamment Aceh. La deuxième partie, le véritable cœur de l'essai, est construite autour d'un texte écrit vers 1600 par un intellectuel moghol, le Rauzat ut-Tâhirîn de Tahir Muhammad Sabzwari, œuvre encyclopédique mais contenant aussi une section fort intéressante consacrée aux pays voisins de l'Inde. On trouve dans ce texte des développements sur la situation politique et culturelle en Birmanie à la fin du XVIe siècle, ainsi qu'une vision assez originale du Sultanat d'Aceh juste avant l'époque d'Iskandar Muda (1607-1636). Enfin, les auteurs entreprennent la comparaison de la vision de Tahir Muhammad avec celle d'un texte plus célèbre, le Safîna-i Sulaimânî écrit par un certain Muhammad Rabi', qui faisait partie d'une ambassade saf avide envoyée à la cour du roi siamois Phra Narai, dans les années 1680.
La sériciculture à Sumatra Nord. De l'histoire à la légende de Job
Authors: Salmon C.
Published: January 2011

Claudine Salmon, Centre national de la Recherche scientifique, Paris La sériciculture à Sumatra Nord. De l'histoire à la légende de Job

The history of sericulture in Indonesia is poorly documented. Some hints are to be found in Chinese and European records, but to the best of our knowledge local sources are almost silent. The first allusion to silkworm raising appears in the Zhufan zhi "A Description of Barbarous People" (1225) for Java. If this activity was not very successful in Java, it developed rather well in North Sumatra where it was well rooted and, with ups and downs, lasted over five centuries. It has just came to an end in the late 1980s.

This paper is divided into three parts. The first attempts to reconstruct the history of this activity as it may be perceived in various travelogues. The second relates the fascinating legend of the origin of the silkworm, which was collected in Aceh at the beginning of the 20th century by a Dutch official. This legend, which links the worms that inhabited the sores of Ayyûb (the Job of the Bible) to the first silkworms, takes us far from China to the Middle- East and further westwards into Southern Europe. Finally, the paper reflects on the significance of this industry in the political and commercial context of North Sumatra in which Arabs, Persians and other Muslim merchants who came from India all took a part.
Camels, Seals and the Early Tin Coinage of Brunei
Authors: Teh Gallop Annabel
Published: January 2011

Annabel Teh Gallop, The British Library, London Camels, Seals and the Early Tin Coinage of Brunei

Parmi les collections de monnaies islamiques frappées en Asie du Sud-Est, l'une des plus intéressantes et des plus inhabituelles provient du sultanat de Brunei. Ces pièces, appelées pitis, ont circulé pendant une très longue période, depuis au moins la seconde moitié du XVIIe siècle jusqu'au milieu du XIXe. Beaucoup d'entre elles portent, sur une face, un grand quadrupède, alternativement décrit comme un chameau, un tigre, un âne, un éléphant, un taureau, un buffle, voire un chat, et sur l'autre face, une inscription en caractères arabes stylisés. Ces pièces ont été publiées et étudiées de nombreuses fois, et leurs motifs singuliers ont fait l'objet de théories diverses. Le présent article suggère que tous les quadrupèdes en question dérivent du prototype d'un chameau, qui pourrait, à son tour, avoir eu pour modèle la poignée en forme de chameau qui ornait probablement le sceau offert au souverain de Brunei par l'empereur Ming Yung-lo, en 1405. L'intérêt de cette hypothèse est qu'elle offre pour la première fois une explication plausible au fait qu'un chameau puisse figurer dans une position d'une telle signification symbolique sur les pièces de Brunei.
Upas, September and the Bugis at the Cape of Good Hope. The Context of a Slave's Letter
Authors: Koolhof Sirtjo , Ross Robert
Published: January 2011

Sirtjo Koolhof, KITLV/ Royal Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies &

Robert Ross, Leiden University

Upas, September and the Bugis at the Cape of Good Hope. The context of a Slave's Letter

Quelque temps avant août 1760, au Cap, l'esclave bugis Upas adressa un court message à un de ses congénères, September, qui le conserva dans un coffre, dans le barraquement pour esclaves où il logeait. La lettre était rédigée dans la langue des deux hommes, le bugis, et dans l'écriture qui lui est propre. Ils n'auraient pu deviner que cet innocent message allait, en quelque sorte, se muer en sentence de mort pour le destinataire et qu'il serait encore l'objet de débats deux siècles plus tard. September fut accusé d'être à la tête d'un complot d'esclaves (bugis), et la lettre trouvée dans son coffre fut présentée comme une preuve accablante. La lettre elle-même, pourtant, ne suggère rien de semblable. Cet article présente les interprétations successives de la lettre et en propose une nouvelle traduction.
La couche 625 de la rue Lamartine : un ensemble céramique de référence à Amiens (Somme) pour la période Flavienne
Authors: Chaidron Cyrille , Binet Eric
Published: January 2011

Les fouilles occasionnées par la création d'un complexe immobilier rue Lamartine, à Amiens, ont laissé apparaître une importante densité d'occupations dans ce secteur de la ville antique. Préalablement à la construction d'une petite domus, datée vers les années 80 après J.-C, un niveau de remblai, résultant probablement du nettoyage de cours, a été mis en place pour niveler le terrain. Ce niveau correspond à la couche 625. Sa position stratigraphique, son importante homogénéité et son volume en font un ensemble de référence pour la chronologie amiénoise des années 70-80/90 après J.-C, correspondant aux règnes de Vespasien à Domitien, de la dynastie des Flaviens.
Les habitats laténiens, gallo-romains et médiévaux de Varesnes " Le Bois ddu Lombril " (Oise)
Authors: Pinard Estelle , Pissot Véronique , Thouvenot Sylvain , Yvinec Jean-Hervé
Published: January 2011

Bei der Grabung in Varesnes (Oise) konnten mehrere Siedlungsstrukturen (Latène D, 1. bis 3. Jh. n. Chr., 10. und 11. Jahrhundert) freigelegt werden. Diese Strukturen dienten sämtlich landwirtschaftlichen Aktivitäten. Die gallo-römischen und mittelalterlichen Siedlungen stehen in Verbindung mit der Rinderzucht. Diese Aktivität, die hier auch heute noch betrieben wird, konnte in dieser von Feuchtwiesen geprägten Gegend also seit der gallo-römischen Periode nachgewiesen werden.
Viral Clearance and Inflammatory Response Patterns in Adults Hospitalized for Pandemic 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) Virus Pneumonia
Authors: Lee Nelson , Chan Paul KS , Wong Chun Kwok , Wong Ka-Tak , Choi Kin-Wing , Joynt Gavin M , Lam Philip , Chan Martin CW , Wong Bonnie CK , Lui Grace CY , Sin Winnie WY , Wong Rity YK , Lam Wai-Yip , Yeung Apple CM , Leung Ting-Fan , So Hing-Yu , Yu Alex WY , Sung Joseph JY , Hui David SC
Published: January 2011

Background

Little is known about the virological and inflammatory responses of severe pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus pneumonia during antiviral treatment.

Methods

In a prospective observational study, we recruited consecutive adults hospitalized with confirmed pandemic 2009 H1N1 infection during a 16-week period. Nasopharyngeal aspirate and non-respiratory samples (blood, stool and urine) were collected at presentation, and serial nasopharyngeal flocked swabs (NPFS) and tracheal aspirates (TA) were collected after initiating oseltamivir treatment for quantitative viral RNA assay, using real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. Serial plasma samples were collected for cytokine/chemokine assay using cytometric bead array. Patients with severe pneumonia (lung infiltrates and hypoxaemia) were compared to those with milder illnesses.

Results

A total of 66 patients were studied (mean age 43 ±20 years); 28 (42%) developed severe pneumonia, of whom 10 (15%) required intubation. Severe pneumonia was associated with older age, dyspnoea, delayed presentation >2 days from onset, extrapulmonary virus detection (13–28%) and higher viral concentration despite late-presentation (multiple linear regression, β=0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.15–1.74; P=0.02). Patients with severe pneumonia exhibited slow viral clearance with oseltamivir treatment, particularly in the lower respiratory tract (median [interquartile range] durations of RNA positivity after antiviral initiation were NPFS 6.0 days [3.0–8.0], TA 11.0 days [7.8–14.3] versus milder illness group NPFS of 2.0 days [1.0–3.0] days; P<0.01). High viral load in lower respiratory tract despite upper-tract RNA negativity and viral rebound after stopping treatment were noted in some patients. H275Y mutation was absent. High plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, CXCL-8 (IL-8), CCL2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor-1 were observed, which correlated with the extent and progression of pneumonia in hospital.

Conclusions

In severe 2009 H1N1 pneumonia, viral clearance is slow with treatment, particularly in the lower respiratory tract. A more sustained antiviral regime appears warranted.
Evidence-Based Practices for the Prevention of Weight Loss in Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Dyck Mary J. , Schumacher Julie Raeder
Published: January 2011

Weight loss is common among nursing home residents. Food intake is often inadequate for elderly residents but is only one of several factors contributing to potential weight loss. Three common issues resulting in weight loss include starvation (or wasting), cachexia, and sarcopenia. Significant weight loss leads to increased mortality, increased morbidity, and decreased quality of life. The purpose of this article is to discuss the geriatric syndrome of weight loss in elderly nursing home residents and provide recommendations to decrease and prevent weight loss. A list of available evidence-based protocols related to weight loss issues is provided.
Electrophysiological Evaluation of Retinal Function in Children Receiving Vigabatrin Medication
Authors: Kjellström Ulrika , Andréasson Sten , Ponjavic Vesna
Published: January 2011

Purpose:

To evaluate retinal function in children taking vigabatrin and to explore the influence of age and dose parameters on the results of full-field electroretinography (ff-ERG).

Methods:

The ff-ERGs from 14 children receiving vigabatrin were compared with ff-ERGs from healthy controls. Treated children were further grouped according to age (pre-school = 12–71 months; older = 72–228 months). Parameters of drug dosage were compared.

Results:

Treated children showed rod and cone dysfunction reflected by reduced b-wave amplitudes for the isolated rod response, the combined rod-cone response, and the 30-Hz flicker response. The a-wave amplitude and implicit time for the combined rod-cone response, reflecting photoreceptor function, were also altered. Further evaluation of age groups revealed similar findings in the pre-school group but not in the older group. Alterations in ff-ERG were seen in 57% of the treated children. Pre-school children had received significantly higher daily drug doses with start of medication at younger age. No differences were found concerning cumulative doses or duration of medication.

Conclusion:

Alterations in ff-ERG are as frequent in children as in adults and the results indicate that exposure to high daily doses of vigabatrin may be associated with increased risk of retinal dysfunction, including photoreceptor damage, not previously shown in children. Thus, recommendations of careful follow-up for children receiving vigabatrin are supported.
Neural Circuit Involved in Idiopathic Infantile Nystagmus Syndrome Based on fMRI
Authors: Leguire Lawrence E. , Kashou Nasser H. , Fogt Nick , Smith Mark A. , Lewis Jennifer R. , Kulwin Robert , Rogers Gary L.
Published: January 2011

Purpose:

To identify the neural circuitry of idiopathic infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS), characterized by an early onset alternating series of slow and rapid eye movements that can manifest in different waveforms and genetic lines. The neural circuitry of INS is currently unknown.

Methods:

A novel functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) method, referred to as the null zone fMRI technique, was used to identify the neural circuitry for INS. In the null zone fMRI technique, a gaze position with minimal nystagmus within the null zone was linked to the fMRI “off” condition and a gaze position with robust nystagmus outside of the null zone was linked to the fMRI “on” condition. Eye movements were monitored with an fMRI compatible eye tracker and observed in real time to ensure subject compliance in “on” and “off” states. Subjects with INS (n = 4) included three family members (a mother and two daughters) with presumed autosomal dominant INS, as well as age- and gender-matched normal controls (n = 3).

Results:

Three of four subjects with INS demonstrated significant increased activation of the declive of the cerebellum, whereas no normal subjects under identical conditions showed activation of the declive of the cerebellum. Both groups showed significant activation in the occipital lobe (Brodmann areas 17, 18, 19, and cuneus).

Conclusion:

A novel fMRI method demonstrated that the declive of the cerebellum is actively involved in INS. These are the first results to identify the cerebellum, and specifically the declive, as a possible site involved in the ocular motor dysfunction known as INS.
Vitamin D and Depression
Authors: Howland Robert H.
Published: January 2011

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient proven to be important for bone health. It has other physiological functions, and there are plausible reasons for investigating vitamin D in depressive disorders. Some cross-sectional clinical and epidemiologic studies, but not all studies, have found that low levels of vitamin D are significantly associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms or with a depression diagnosis. However, cross-sectional studies cannot establish causality, and the methodology of these studies has been criticized. Due to the poor quality of the treatment studies, the effectiveness of vitamin D for depression cannot be adequately assessed. Current evidence does not definitively demonstrate that vitamin D deficiency is a cause of or risk for developing depression or that vitamin D is an effective therapy for depression.
Family and Friends to the Rescue: Experiences of Rural Older Adults with Heart Failure
Authors: Weierbach Florence M. , Glick Doris F. , Lyder Courtney H.
Published: January 2011

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of rural community-dwelling older adults with heart failure who required assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs). The context of the study was a rural area in a southern U.S. state. Twenty older adults with ADL/IADL needs living in the rural area were recruited during hospitalization and interviewed in their homes after discharge. The semi-structured interview focused on ADLs/IADLs and community resources. This qualitative descriptive study used hermeneutic methods for analysis. Four themes were identified: Accepting Limitations, Disappointments and Unmet Expectations, Figure It Out, and Complex Connections. The findings indicate that despite the older adults’ medical conditions, they were able to set up complex arrangements, which allowed them to remain in their homes. Understanding the help older adults require after discharge will assist nurses in developing programs that are available, accessible, and acceptable to older adults who live in rural areas.
Archaeometric investigation and evaluation of the decay of ceramic materials from the church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Pavia, Italy
Authors: Setti M. , Lanfranchi A. , Cultrone G. , Marinoni L.
Published: January 2011

We performed an archaeometric study of the ceramic materials from the façade of the church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Pavia (Italy). We obtained useful information about the firing temperatures, the provenance of raw materials and the type of oven used. The ceramics used in the façade are mineralogically rich in quartz, feldspar and phyllosilicates, and newly formed calcium silicate phases were detected in some samples. Microtextural observations revealed the presence of incipient reaction rims, phyllosilicate sintering and partial vitrification of the matrix. Ceramics show high porosity (32 to 45%) and pore sizes of between 0.4 and 1.3 µm. Our study of the different types of decay collected on the façade of the church (green and black patinas and efflorescences) revealed the presence of gypsum, whewellite, thenardite and moolooite.