bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crisscross Optimization Algorithm and Monte Carlo Simulation for Solving Optimal Distributed Generation Allocation Problem
Authors: Peng Xiangang , Lin Lixiang , Zheng Weiqin , Liu Yi
Published: December 2015

Distributed generation (DG) systems are integral parts in future distribution networks. In this paper, a novel approach integrating crisscross optimization algorithm and Monte Carlo simulation (CSO-MCS) is implemented to solve the optimal DG allocation (ODGA) problem. The feature of applying CSO to address the ODGA problem lies in three interacting operators, namely horizontal crossover, vertical crossover and competitive operator. The horizontal crossover can search new solutions in a hypercube space with a larger probability while in the periphery of each hypercube with a decreasing probability. The vertical crossover can effectively facilitate those stagnant dimensions of a population to escape from premature convergence. The competitive operator allows the crisscross search to always maintain in a historical best position to quicken the converge rate. It is the combination of the double search strategies and competitive mechanism that enables CSO significant advantage in convergence speed and accuracy. Moreover, to deal with system uncertainties such as the output power of wind turbine and photovoltaic generators, an MCS-based method is adopted to solve the probabilistic power flow. The effectiveness of the CSO-MCS method is validated on the typical 33-bus and 69-bus test system, and results substantiate the suitability of CSO-MCS for multi-objective ODGA problem.
Applying Resilience Concepts in Forest Management: A Retrospective Simulation Approach
Authors: Dymond Caren , Spittlehouse David , Tedder Sinclair , Hopkins Katherine , McCallion Katharine , Sandland James
Published: December 2015

Increasing the resilience of ecological and sociological systems has been proposed as an option to adapt to changing future climatic conditions. However, few studies test the applicability of those strategies to forest management. This paper uses a real forest health incident to assess the ability of forest management strategies to affect ecological and economic resilience of the forest. Two landscape scale strategies are compared to business as usual management for their ability to increase resilience to a climate-change induced mountain pine beetle outbreak in the Kamloops Timber Supply Area, British Columbia, Canada for the period 1980 to 2060. Proactive management to reduce high risk species while maintaining or increasing diversity through reforestation was found to be more resilient in terms of the metrics: post-disturbance growing stock, improved volume and stability of timber flow, and net revenue. However, landscape-scale indicators of diversity were little affected by management. Our results were robust to uncertainty in tree growth rates and timber value and show that adapting to climate change through improving the resilience of forested landscapes is an economically viable option.
GIS and Remote Sensing Use in the Exploration of Lyme Disease Epidemiology
Authors: Ozdenerol Esra
Published: December 2015

Given the relatively recent recognition of Lyme disease (LD) by CDC in 1990 as a nationally notifiable infectious condition, the rise of reported human cases every year argues for a better understanding of its geographic scope. The aim of this inquiry was to explore research conducted on spatiotemporal patterns of Lyme disease in order to identify strategies for implementing vector and reservoir-targeted interventions. The focus of this review is on the use of GIS-based methods to study populations of the reservoir hosts, vectors and humans in addition to the spatiotemporal interactions between these populations. New GIS-based studies are monitoring occurrence at the macro-level, and helping pinpoint areas of occurrence at the micro-level, where spread within populations of reservoir hosts, clusters of infected ticks and tick to human transmission may be better understood.
Relationship Between Job Burnout and Neuroendocrine Indicators in Soldiers in the Xinjiang Arid Desert: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tao Ning , Zhang Jianjiang , Song Zhixin , Tang Jinhua , Liu Jiwen
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between job burnout and neuroendocrine indicators in soldiers living in a harsh environment. Three hundred soldiers stationed in the arid desert and 600 in an urban area were recruited. They filled in the Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire. One hundred soldiers were randomly selected from each group to measure their levels of noradrenaline, serotonin, heat shock protein (HSP)-70, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and serum cortisol. Job burnout was more common in soldiers from urban areas than those from rural areas. Job burnout was significantly higher among soldiers stationed in the arid desert than those in urban areas. For soldiers in the arid desert, the levels of HSP-70, serum cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone were significantly higher than in soldiers in urban areas. Correlation analyses showed that the degree of job burnout was weakly negatively correlated with the level of HSP-70. Being an only child, HSP-70 levels, cortisol levels, and ACTH levels were independently associated with job burnout in soldiers stationed in the arid desert. A higher level of job burnout in soldiers stationed in arid desert and a corresponding change in neuroendocrine indicators indicated a correlation between occupational stress and neurotransmitters.
Characterization of Morphological and Cellular Events Underlying Oral Regeneration in the Sea Anemone, Nematostella vectensis
Authors: Amiel Aldine , Johnston Hereroa , Nedoncelle Karine , Warner Jacob , Ferreira Solène , Röttinger Eric
Published: December 2015

Cnidarians, the extant sister group to bilateria, are well known for their impressive regenerative capacity. The sea anemone Nematostella vectensis is a well-established system for the study of development and evolution that is receiving increased attention for its regenerative capacity. Nematostella is able to regrow missing body parts within five to six days after its bisection, yet studies describing the morphological, cellular, and molecular events underlying this process are sparse and very heterogeneous in their experimental approaches. In this study, we lay down the basic framework to study oral regeneration in Nematostella vectensis. Using various imaging and staining techniques we characterize in detail the morphological, cellular, and global molecular events that define specific landmarks of this process. Furthermore, we describe in vivo assays to evaluate wound healing success and the initiation of pharynx reformation. Using our described landmarks for regeneration and in vivo assays, we analyze the effects of perturbing either transcription or cellular proliferation on the regenerative process. Interestingly, neither one of these experimental perturbations has major effects on wound closure, although they slightly delay or partially block it. We further show that while the inhibition of transcription blocks regeneration in a very early step, inhibiting cellular proliferation only affects later events such as pharynx reformation and tentacle elongation.
Moving to the Double-Blind Review System
Authors: De Boeck Paul
Published: December 2015

The Journal of Intelligence presently has a single-blind peer review system, unlike most other journals in the social sciences, where the double-blind peer review prevails. The choice between the two systems is not easy. Both systems have pros and cons, and a double-blind review can in fact be a single-blind review, depending on whether or not the authors can be identified after all. [...]
Effects of the ABCB1 (1199G > A) Polymorphism on Steroid Sex Hormone-Induced P-Glycoprotein Expression, ATPase Activity, and Hormone Efflux
Authors: Peng Rui , Zhang Hong , Zhang Ying , Wei Dan-Yun
Published: December 2015

This study examined how the 1199G > A polymorphism in the ABCB1 gene encoding P-glycoprotein (P-gp) affects the protein’s expression, ATPase activity, and ability to pump female steroid sex hormones out of LLC-PK1 cells. The ABCB1 (1199G) or ABCB1 (1199A) allele was transfected into cells, which were incubated for 48 h with various hormone concentrations, then analyzed by Western blotting to examine expression of P-gp protein and by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to examine expression of mRNA. Cells were also compared in terms of their transepithelial permeability to steroid sex hormones in the presence and absence of the specific P-gp inhibitor GF120918. P-gp ATPase activity induced by steroid sex hormones was also assayed. Estriol and ethynyl estradiol up-regulated levels of ABCB1 mRNA in a concentration-dependent manner, with ABCB1 (1199A) mRNA showing greater up-regulation than ABCB1 (1199G) mRNA. Estrone, estriol, and ethynyl estradiol were substrates of both types of P-gp in transepithelial permeability assays, and the ABCB1 (1199A) protein showed a significantly higher net efflux ratio for estrone (13.4 vs. 7.4, p < 0.005), estriol (5.6 vs. 3.3, p < 0.05), and ethynyl estradiol (12.7 vs. 5.3, p < 0.005). Induction of P-gp ATPase activity by ethynyl estradiol and progesterone increased with increasing hormone concentration, and the magnitude of stimulation was greater for ABCB1 (1199A) P-gp than for ABCB1 (1199G) P-gp. These results indicate that the ABCB1 (1199G > A) polymorphism influences steroid sex hormone-induced expression and function of P-gp, which may help to explain inter-patient differences in P-gp-mediated chemotherapy resistance in vivo.
Synthesis and Characterization of 4-Benzyloxybenzaldehyde-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Containing Sulphur and Nitrogen Donor Atoms) and Its Cd(II) Complex
Authors: Suvarapu Lakshmi , Baek Sung-Ok
Published: December 2015

A chelating agent, 4-benzyloxybenzaldehyde-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (BBMTSC), containing sulphur and nitrogen donor atoms was synthesized and applied as a ligand for the chelation of Cd(II). Both the BBMTSC and its Cd(II) complex were characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis absorption spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mass spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of both BBMTSC and its Cd(II) complex. XRD revealed the polycrystalline nature of the synthesized compounds. BBMTSC exhibited a flake-like micro-rod morphology, whereas the Cd(II) complex had a flower-like nanorod structure.
Isoeugenin, a Novel Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor Isolated from the Rhizomes of Imperata cylindrica
Authors: An Hyo-Jin , Nugroho Agung , Song Byong-Min , Park Hee-Juhn
Published: December 2015

Phytochemical studies on the constituents of the rhizomes of Imperata cylindrica (Gramineae) were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We also aimed to search for any biologically active substance capable of inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) formation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophage 264.7 cells, by testing four compounds isolated from this plant. Four compounds, including a new chromone, isoeugenin, along with ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and caffeic acid were isolated and identified by NMR spectroscopy. The structure of isoeugenin was determined as 7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methylchromone by the 2D-NMR technique. Among the four compounds, isoeugenin has the lowest IC50 value on the inhibition of NO production in LPS-activated macrophage RAW264.7 cells (IC50, 9.33 μg/mL). In addition, isoeugenin significantly suppressed the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and proinflammatory cytokines mRNA levels. Taken together, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of isoeugenin is associated with the down-regulation of iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW264.7 cells. Accordingly, our results suggest that the new chromone isoegenin should be considered a potential treatment for inflammatory disease.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficiency of New Polymers Comprised by Covalently Attached and/or Electrostatically Bound Bacteriostatic Species, Based on Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Authors: Kougia Efstathia , Tselepi Maria , Vasilopoulos Gavriil , Lainioti Georgia , Koromilas Nikos , Druvari Denisa , Bokias Georgios , Vantarakis Apostolos , Kallitsis Joannis
Published: December 2015

In the present work a detailed study of new bacteriostatic copolymers with quaternized ammonium groups introduced in the polymer chain through covalent attachment or electrostatic interaction, was performed. Different copolymers have been considered since beside the active species, the hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature of the co-monomer was also evaluated in the case of covalently attached bacteriostatic groups, aiming at achieving permanent antibacterial activity. Homopolymers with quaternized ammonium/phosphonium groups were also tested for comparison reasons. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized polymers after 3 and 24 h of exposure at 4 and 22 °C was investigated on cultures of Gram-negative (P. aeruginosa, E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus, E. faecalis) bacteria. It was found that the combination of the hydrophilic monomer acrylic acid (AA), at low contents, with the covalently attached bacteriostatic group vinyl benzyl dimethylhexadecylammonium chloride (VBCHAM) in the copolymer P(AA-co-VBCHAM88), resulted in a high bacteriostatic activity against P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis (6 log reduction in certain cases). Moreover, the combination of covalently attached VBCHAM units with electrostatically bound cetyltrimethylammonium 4-styrene sulfonate (SSAmC16) units in the P(SSAmC16-co-VBCHAMx) copolymers led to efficient antimicrobial materials, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, where a log reduction between 4.9 and 6.2 was verified. These materials remain remarkably efficient even when they are incorporated in polysulfone membranes.
Dietary Nitrates, Nitrites, and Nitrosamines Intake and the Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Song Peng , Wu Lei , Guan Wenxian
Published: December 2015

The potential associations between dietary consumption of nitrates, nitrites, and nitrosamines and gastric cancer risk have been investigated by several studies, but yielded inconclusive results. We conducted a meta-analysis to provide a quantitative assessment of their relationships. Relevant articles were identified by a systematic literature searching of PubMed and Embase databases prior to August 2015. Random-effects models were employed to pool the relative risks. A total of 22 articles consisting of 49 studies—19 studies for nitrates, 19 studies for nitrites, and 11 studies for N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)—were included. The summary relative risk of stomach cancer for the highest categories, compared with the lowest, was 0.80 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69–0.93) for dietary nitrates intake, 1.31 (95% CI, 1.13–1.52) for nitrites, and 1.34 (95% CI, 1.02–1.76) for NDMA (p for heterogeneity was 0.015, 0.013 and <0.001, respectively). The study type was found as the main source of heterogeneity for nitrates and nitrites. The heterogeneity for NDMA could not be eliminated completely through stratified analysis. Although significant associations were all observed in case-control studies, the cohort studies still showed a slight trend. The dose-response analysis indicated similar results as well. High nitrates intake was associated with a weak but statistically significant reduced risk of gastric cancer. Whereas increased consumption of nitrites and NDMA seemed to be risk factors for cancer. Due to the lack of uniformity for exposure assessment across studies, further prospective researches are warranted to verify these findings.
Maternal Low Quality Protein Diet Alters Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations of Weaning Rats
Authors: Kabasakal Cetin Arzu , Dasgin Halil , Gülec Atila , Onbasilar İlyas , Akyol Asli
Published: December 2015

Several studies have indicated the influence of a maternal low protein diet on the fetus. However, the effect of a maternal low quality protein diet on fetal growth and development is largely unknown. Wistar rats (11 weeks old) were mated and maintained on either a chow diet with 20% casein (n = 6) as the control group (C), or a low quality protein diet with 20% wheat gluten (n = 7) as the experimental group (WG) through gestation and lactation. Maternal body weights were similar in both groups throughout the study. Birth weights were not influenced by maternal diet and offspring body weights during lactation were similar between the groups. Offspring’s plasma amino acid profiles showed that plasma methionine, glutamine and lysine were significantly lower and aspartic acid, ornithine and glycine-proline were significantly higher in the WG. Plant based protein comprises an important part of protein intake in developing countries. It is well-known that these diets can be inadequate in terms of essential amino acids. The current study shows differential effects of a maternal low quality protein diet on the offspring’s plasma amino acids. Future studies will examine further aspects of the influence of maternal low quality protein diets on fetal growth and development.
Microbial Metalloproteomics
Authors: Hagedoorn Peter-Leon
Published: December 2015

Metalloproteomics is a rapidly developing field of science that involves the comprehensive analysis of all metal-containing or metal-binding proteins in a biological sample. The purpose of this review is to offer a comprehensive overview of the research involving approaches that can be categorized as inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-MS based methods, X-ray absorption/fluorescence, radionuclide based methods and bioinformatics. Important discoveries in microbial proteomics will be reviewed, as well as the outlook to new emerging approaches and research areas.
Automatic Labelling and Selection of Training Samples for High-Resolution Remote Sensing Image Classification over Urban Areas
Authors: Huang Xin , Weng Chunlei , Lu Qikai , Feng Tiantian , Zhang Liangpei
Published: December 2015

Supervised classification is the commonly used method for extracting ground information from images. However, for supervised classification, the selection and labelling of training samples is an expensive and time-consuming task. Recently, automatic information indexes have achieved satisfactory results for indicating different land-cover classes, which makes it possible to develop an automatic method for labelling the training samples instead of manual interpretation. In this paper, we propose a method for the automatic selection and labelling of training samples for high-resolution image classification. In this way, the initial candidate training samples can be provided by the information indexes and open-source geographical information system (GIS) data, referring to the representative land-cover classes: buildings, roads, soil, water, shadow, and vegetation. Several operations are then applied to refine the initial samples, including removing overlaps, removing borders, and semantic constraints. The proposed sampling method is evaluated on a series of high-resolution remote sensing images over urban areas, and is compared to classification with manually labeled training samples. It is found that the proposed method is able to provide and label a large number of reliable samples, and can achieve satisfactory results for different classifiers. In addition, our experiments show that active learning can further enhance the classification performance, as active learning is used to choose the most informative samples from the automatically labeled samples.
Internalized Stigma and Psychological Well-Being in Gay Men and Lesbians in Italy and Belgium
Authors: Lorenzi Giorgia , Miscioscia Marina , Ronconi Lucia , Pasquali Caterina , Simonelli Alessandra
Published: December 2015

Several studies have shown that internalized homophobia is a risk factor for mental health illness in homosexual individuals, whereas the perception of social support is a protective factor for their psychological well-being. In line with those studies, the present research has investigated the levels of internalized homophobia, anxiety, depression and social support, among two groups of gay men and lesbian individuals living in two European countries (N = 194: 86 Italian and 108 Belgian), where legislations grant different civil rights to lesbian and gay individuals (LG). The main goal of this research has been to verify the possible differences between the two groups. Results showed some significant differences in terms of observed levels of internalized homophobia, which was higher in the Belgian gay men’s group compared to the Italian one. Furthermore, path analysis emphasized the role of social support as a potential factor of mediation between internalized homophobia and mental health.
Risk Assessment of Deoxynivalenol by Revisiting Its Bioavailability in Pig and Rat Models to Establish Which Is More Suitable
Authors: Saint-Cyr Manuel , Perrin-Guyomard Agnès , Manceau Jacqueline , Houée Paméla , Delmas Jean-Michel , Rolland Jean-Guy , Laurentie Michel
Published: December 2015

Due to its toxic properties, high stability, and prevalence, the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in the food chain is a major threat to food safety and therefore a health risk for both humans and animals. In this study, experiments were carried out with sows and female rats to examine the kinetics of DON after intravenous and oral administration at 100 µg/kg of body weight. After intravenous administration of DON in pigs, a two-compartment model with rapid initial distribution (0.030 ± 0.019 h) followed by a slower terminal elimination phase (1.53 ± 0.54 h) was fitted to the concentration profile of DON in pig plasma. In rats, a short elimination half-life (0.46 h) and a clearance of 2.59 L/h/kg were estimated by sparse sampling non-compartmental analysis. Following oral exposure, DON was rapidly absorbed and reached maximal plasma concentrations (Cmax) of 42.07 ± 8.48 and 10.44 ± 5.87 µg/L plasma after (tmax) 1.44 ± 0.52 and 0.17 h in pigs and rats, respectively. The mean bioavailability of DON was 70.5% ± 25.6% for pigs and 47.3% for rats. In the framework of DON risk assessment, these two animal models could be useful in an exposure scenario in two different ways because of their different bioavailability.
Computational Studies of Venom Peptides Targeting Potassium Channels
Authors: Chen Rong , Chung Shin-Ho
Published: December 2015

Small peptides isolated from the venom of animals are potential scaffolds for ion channel drug discovery. This review article mainly focuses on the computational studies that have advanced our understanding of how various toxins interfere with the function of K+ channels. We introduce the computational tools available for the study of toxin-channel interactions. We then discuss how these computational tools have been fruitfully applied to elucidate the mechanisms of action of a wide range of venom peptides from scorpions, spiders, and sea anemone.
Manipulation of Innate Immunity for Cancer Therapy in Dogs
Authors: Regan Daniel , Dow Steven
Published: December 2015

Over the last one to two decades, the field of cancer immunotherapy has rapidly progressed from early preclinical studies to a successful clinical reality and fourth major pillar of human cancer therapy. While current excitement in the field of immunotherapy is being driven by several major breakthroughs including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, these advances stem from a foundation of pivotal studies demonstrating the immune systems role in tumor control and eradication. The following will be a succinct review on veterinary cancer immunotherapy as it pertains to manipulation of the innate immune system to control tumor growth and metastasis. In addition, we will provide an update on recent progress in our understanding of the innate immune system in veterinary tumor immunology, and how these gains may lead to novel therapies for the treatment of cancer in companion animals.
Recherches sur les fortifications de Lille au Moyen Age
Authors: Blieck Gilles , Vanderstraeten Laurence
Published: December 2015

L'examen simultané des registres comptables de la ville (en particulier ceux des années 1411 à 1414) et de la documentation archéologique existante (constituée de 1925 à 1985) nous a permis de dégager les caractéristiques techniques des fortifications de Lille au Moyen Age, peu étudiées jusqu'à présent. Des renseignements inédits sont ainsi fournis par les comptes concernant la nature du rempart, mêlant levées de terre et murailles, les fossés, dont les eaux sont régularisées par des dodanes, les ouvrages avancés ou «bollewerqs», les matériaux utilisés et les ouvriers employés. Les conditions naturelles apparaissent comme déterminantes dans l'adoption de nouvelles solutions de défense et le maintien d'anciennes. Ces renseignements sont en partie confirmés par les diverses observations archéologiques énumérées, où sont notamment évoquées la porte de Fives et la tour Ysembart.
Dons et pots-de-vin, aspects de la sociabilité urbaine au bas Moyen Age. Le cas gantois pendant la période bourguignonne.
Authors: Boone Marc
Published: December 2015

A mesure que l'histoire sociale s'intéresse plus à l'étude des relations, l'exercice informel du pouvoir entre dans son champ de vision. La distribution de cadeaux et de faveurs pour rallier des individus et des groupes à un régime politique fait partie de ce système d'exercice du pouvoir. Ces pratiques étant connues en ce qui concerne les relations au bas moyen âge entre princes et dignitaires de cour d'une part et élites urbaines d'autre part, nous nous sommes penché ici sur ce phénomène à l'intérieur d'une ville, Gand. Durant la période considérée, Gand était la plus grande ville des Pays-Bas et incarnait le particularisme urbain. En moyenne 12 à 15% de ses dépenses administratives annuelles allaient à des cadeaux et vins- d'honneur. La recherche prosopographique nous a permis de déterminer à qui profitaient ces largesses : pour la plus grande part les bénéficiaires étaient les élites politiques et sociales locales, suivis dans une moindre mesure par les officiers subalternes et la piétaille de l'administration urbaine. Les présents remplissaient un rôle essentiel dans le maintien du régime des trois membres, bourgeoisie (poorterij), menus métiers et draperie (weverij), un régime politique urbain rendu possible par les compromis et la stabilité de l'ordre établi. A ce point que les tentatives du prince pour avoir prise sur le processus de décision politique à Gand au moyen des mêmes méthodes échouèrent totalement.
Les villes en Bretagne : 12, 40 ou 80 ?
Authors: Nières Claude
Published: December 2015

Déjà marquée à la fin du XVe siècle par un système urbain composé de petites villes, la Bretagne garde ce caractère essentiel pendant toute la période moderne, malgré l'essor de quelques cités. Douze villes atteignent ou dépassent les 6.000 habitants, toutes les autres (de 60 à 68) se situent au-dessous de ce seuil.

L'étude met en évidence le lien entre une hiérarchie fondée sur le nombre des habitants et celle liée au nombre et à la diversité des fonctions. Il montre l'importance pour les petites villes de posséder, de garder ou d'obtenir une pluralité de fonctions économiques, politiques et culturelles.

L'histoire urbaine de la Bretagne ne peut se comprendre sans celle de ses petites villes.
Plasma fluorination of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes: functionalization and thermal stability
Authors: Struzzi Claudia , Scardamaglia Mattia , Hemberg Axel , Petaccia Luca , Colomer Jean-François , Snyders Rony , Bittencourt Carla
Published: December 2015

Grafting of fluorine species on carbon nanostructures has attracted interest due to the effective modification of physical and chemical properties of the starting materials. Various techniques have been employed to achieve a controlled fluorination yield; however, the effect of contaminants is rarely discussed, although they are often present. In the present work, the fluorination of vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes was performed using plasma treatment in a magnetron sputtering chamber with fluorine diluted in an argon atmosphere with an Ar/F2 ratio of 95:5. The effect of heavily diluted fluorine in the precursor gas mixture is investigated by evaluating the modifications in the nanotube structure and the electronic properties upon plasma treatment. The existence of oxygen-based grafted species is associated with background oxygen species present in the plasma chamber in addition to fluorine. The thermal stability and desorption process of the fluorine species grafted on the carbon nanotubes during the fluorine plasma treatment were evaluated by combining different spectroscopic techniques.
Orthogonal chemical functionalization of patterned gold on silica surfaces
Authors: Palazon Francisco , Léonard Didier , Le Mogne Thierry , Zuttion Francesca , Chevalier Céline , Phaner-Goutorbe Magali , Souteyrand Éliane , Chevolot Yann , Cloarec Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2015

Single-step orthogonal chemical functionalization procedures have been developed with patterned gold on silica surfaces. Different combinations of a silane and a thiol were simultaneously deposited on a gold/silica heterogeneous substrate. The orthogonality of the functionalization (i.e., selective grafting of the thiol on the gold areas and the silane on the silica) was demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as well as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF–SIMS) mapping. The orthogonal functionalization was used to immobilize proteins onto gold nanostructures on a silica substrate, as demonstrated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). These results are especially promising in the development of future biosensors where the selective anchoring of target molecules onto nanostructured transducers (e.g., nanoplasmonic biosensors) is a major challenge.
Biocatalysis for the application of CO2 as a chemical feedstock
Authors: Alissandratos Apostolos , Easton Christopher J
Published: December 2015

Biocatalysts, capable of efficiently transforming CO2 into other more reduced forms of carbon, offer sustainable alternatives to current oxidative technologies that rely on diminishing natural fossil-fuel deposits. Enzymes that catalyse CO2 fixation steps in carbon assimilation pathways are promising catalysts for the sustainable transformation of this safe and renewable feedstock into central metabolites. These may be further converted into a wide range of fuels and commodity chemicals, through the multitude of known enzymatic reactions. The required reducing equivalents for the net carbon reductions may be drawn from solar energy, electricity or chemical oxidation, and delivered in vitro or through cellular mechanisms, while enzyme catalysis lowers the activation barriers of the CO2 transformations to make them more energy efficient. The development of technologies that treat CO2-transforming enzymes and other cellular components as modules that may be assembled into synthetic reaction circuits will facilitate the use of CO2 as a renewable chemical feedstock, greatly enabling a sustainable carbon bio-economy.
Quel contrôle de gestion pour les start-ups ?
Authors: Meyssonnier François
Published: December 2015

Une étude de huit PME fondées sur la science permet d’identifier les spécificités du contrôle de gestion des start-ups. Dans les start-ups émergentes, le dirigeant n’utilise que des linéaments de contrôle de gestion essentiellement pour développer son approche cognitive du business model . Dans les start-ups en croissance, le contrôle de gestion a un rôle de garde-fou et les outils de pilotage de la performance sont utilisés essentiellement de façon interactive et pour la prévision. Les principaux outils du contrôle de gestion des start-ups sont identifiés : le tableau de trésorerie et le compte de résultat mensuel ; les tableaux de bord de production et commercial ; la comptabilité de gestion, le système budgétaire et le tableau de bord global de pilotage. On montre que leurs usages respectifs sont différents selon la nature et le stade de développement de la start-up.
L’expertise en évaluation socio-environnementale des entreprises : légitimation et mises à l’épreuve
Authors: Chelli Mohamed , Gendron Yves
Published: December 2015

Cet article vise à mieux comprendre le processus de légitimation de l’expertise en évaluation extra-financière. En nous appuyant sur le concept de légitimité, nous étudions les stratégies discursives déployées par les agences d’évaluation socio-environnementale des entreprises pour construire et faire reconnaître leur expertise en la matière. En plus de ces articulations stratégiques, nous explorons leur mise en œuvre et certains de leurs effets au sein du champ, particulièrement sur les entreprises évaluées et les autres acteurs du milieu de la responsabilité sociale des entreprises (RSE). L’analyse des données collectées fait état de diverses stratégies mobilisées au sein des agences d’évaluation pour légitimer leur revendication d’expertise. Les résultats indiquent également que les évaluations produites ont des effets normalisateurs, dans la mesure où, nous semble-t-il, elles participent à la formation d’entreprises et de parties prenantes ayant tendance à se conformer au discours des agences d’évaluation. Autrement dit, au sein des auditoires, on semble tenir pour acquis les capacités des agences à fournir des représentations relativement justes et cohérentes des réalités entrepreneuriales en matière de performance socio-environnementale. Ultimement, nous nous interrogeons sur les conditions de possibilité pouvant favoriser le développement d’un vent de conformisme au sein du champ.
Non-financial information: State of the art and research perspectives based on a bibliometric study
Authors: Erkens Michael , Paugam Luc , Stolowy Hervé
Published: December 2015

Cet article propose une étude bibliométrique de la littérature sur le thème de l’information non-financière (INF). Nous analysons 787 articles publiés dans 53 revues de 1973 à 2013. Plusieurs importantes questions relatives à l’état de l’art de la recherche académique sur l’INF sont examinées : comment l’INF est-elle définie par la littérature ? L’INF peut-elle être définie ? Quels sont les principaux sujets couverts par la recherche sur l’INF ? Quelles méthodes sont utilisées par les chercheurs ? La recherche est-elle spécifique à certains pays ? L’analyse montre que beaucoup d’articles ne définissent pas le concept d’INF mais se réfèrent à des concepts sous-jacents comme le capital social, environnemental, humain, ou la responsabilité sociale de l’entreprise (RSE). L’étude montre que la recherche en INF a atteint un certain degré de maturité à la fin des années 1990/début des années 2000. Plusieurs revues spécialisées, jouant désormais un rôle important, ont été créés pendant cette période. Par ailleurs, 10 thèmes de recherche sur l’INF sont répertoriés parmi lesquels la RSE semble être le plus souvent traité. Nous découvrons également que le volume des recherches sur l’audit de l’INF augmente alors que la recherche en comptabilité/contrôle de gestion sur le thème de l’INF reste limitée. La croissance de la recherche sur l’INF est alimentée principalement par des articles utilisant des méthodes sur données d’archives (approches quantitatives ou qualitatives) ainsi que des essais. Enfin, nous proposons des pistes pour des recherches futures.
Le Schéma Universel de Comptabilité de Paul Otlet (1901) : le tournant décimal
Authors: Ouriemmi Oussama
Published: December 2015

Contrairement à ce que l’on pourrait imaginer, le numérotage décimal dans l’enregistrement et le classement comptables ne trouve pas ses origines dans la comptabilité mais dans la bibliographie. Paul Otlet, juriste belge devenu bibliographe, publie en 1901 le premier plan comptable décimal sous le titre de Schéma Universel de Comptabilité. Il y propose une nouvelle technique de classement des comptes mais également une nouvelle problématisation de l’uniformisation comptable. Sur la base d’archives inédites, le présent article revient sur un plan comptable méconnu jusqu’ici par la littérature. Il identifie les origines de ce dernier dans les écrits du XIX e siècle de son auteur, explicite ses deux traits principaux, la décimalité et l’uniformité, et met en lumière sa réception immédiate dans trois pays européens.
Comparer des données de corpus : évidence, illusion ou construction ?
Authors: Gadet Françoise , Wachs Sandrine
Published: December 2015

Cet article étudie la propriété de comparabilité , en montrant qu’elle est trop souvent prise comme une évidence. Il s’arrête à la relation entre recueil de (grands) corpus et travail de terrain, quant à ce que les différents gestes pratiques induisent comme questionnements sur la langue et sa variabilité. Après avoir rappelé les démarches adoptées par quelques grands corpus de français, il étudie la mise en placee d’un corpus récemment recueilli en région parisienne, Multicultural Paris French , pour finir par montrer quelles grandes questions de théorie sociolinguistique pourraient être ouvertes à partir de la comparabilité.
Présence/absence de particules d’amorce et de particules d’extension dans le discours rapporté : peut-on parler de variation ?
Authors: Guérin Emmanuelle , Moreno Anaïs
Published: December 2015

Cet article se propose d’aborder la variation linguistique en lien avec les enjeux de l’interaction (« proximité » entre les locuteurs). Il s’agit de montrer en quoi ce positionnement permet de prendre en compte certains phénomènes qui échappent à l’analyse si l’on ignore ce qui se joue entre les interactants, au-delà des considérations traditionnelles sur la variation. Si l’identité des locuteurs et la nature des enregistrements, qui donnent lieu aux catégories traditionnellement retenues, sont des données essentielles, la relation entre les locuteurs est tout aussi importante. Le degré de connivence incluant le partage de connaissances peut atténuer le caractère a priori formel d’un entretien. Nous illustrons ce point de vue en nous intéressant à une forme particulière du discours rapporté, observée dans le corpus MPF. L’étude des particules d’amorce et d’extension permet d’éclairer la nécessité d’élargir les paramètres à prendre en compte pour analyser les données récoltées.
Désordre et plaisir en mai 68
Authors: Fessaguet Dominique
Published: December 2015

Mai 1968 a été une période de désordres dans laquelle le plaisir a été au premier plan pour tous ceux qui ont écrit, lu, scandé des phrases lapidaires, incendiaires, poétiques, rêveuses. Cette promenade au cœur des mots de l’époque, tentera d’en trouver les origines, les espoirs avant de revenir à l’ordre de juin 1968.
L’ordre dans la fragmentation psychique de la schizophrénie
Authors: Spencer Consuelo
Published: December 2015

Une dimension d’ordre concernant la schizophrénie serait possible grâce à l’hypothèse selon laquelle cette pathologie correspondrait essentiellement à une « fuite de soi-même ». L’angoisse de se heurter à soi-même , ainsi que le fantasme « de ne pas savoir où se trouvent les parties de soi dispersées », se trouveraient au cœur de la maladie. Sur le plan clinique, ces phénomènes activeraient des tendances inconciliables chez le thérapeute, à savoir : une tentative de « fuite/guérison ».
« Mettre de l’ordre » et « faire autorité » dans les classifications en santé mentale ?
Authors: Fauville Benoist
Published: December 2015

« Faire autorité » en matière de psychopathologie est une thématique qui anime de nombreux débats à l’heure actuelle. La grille de lecture du clinicien est toujours porteuse d’un ordre explicite ou implicite, qui peut être le reflet direct du rapport d’une société à la « folie des hommes ». Ce rapport, parfois liberticide ou au contraire garant d’une émancipation de l’individu, nous oblige à une analyse rigoureuse des enjeux que comporte la pratique clinique. L’enjeu central n’est pas de se poser comme ennemi ou ami de la vérité mais d’analyser la façon dont cette vérité reste construction en évolution.
Lien langagier et socialité carcérale à l’épreuve de l’ordre et de la violence en prison
Authors: Léon Julien
Published: December 2015

L’auteur interroge ici la question de l’ordre en prison. Des négociations entre surveillants et détenus à l’objectivation imaginaire de l’ordre par l’entremise de l’uniforme, de l’adhésion à l’esprit de corps, et face au surgissement du désordre via les violences physiques et langagières, se tramerait l’enjeu du maintien d’une socialité carcérale avec l’ordre du langage comme médiateur du lien et chance d’une humanisation relationnelle combattant les effets désubjectivants du quotidien en prison.
Plants traditionally used for industrial and artisanal purposes in the Arribes del Duero (Spain)
Authors: González José Antonio , Amich Francisco
Published: December 2015

The present ethnobotanical study, performed between 2005 and 2009 at the Natural Park of the Arribes del Duero (Salamanca-Zamora, Spain), documents the traditional use for technological purposes of 68 vascular plants belonging to 33 families. We interviewed 80 people of different ages native to the zone (mean 72). For each plant species we provide the vernacular terms, the parts used, and the uses made of them (furniture, the elaboration of household utensils, plant fibres, etc.). The species most frequently cited were Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp., Q. pyrenaica Willd., Ulmus minor Mill. and Olea europaea L. The results of this study confirm the persistence of a rich traditional knowledge in Spanish rural communities; a type of knowledge that affords abundant data for improving and adapting modern production activities to a sustainable model of development, above all as regards the rational consumption of raw materials.
Análisis termodinámico del proceso de reducción de minerales lateríticos de níquel colombianos
Authors: Díaz Sandra C. , Garcés Adriana , Restrepo Oscar J. , Lara Misael A. , Camporredondo Jesús E.
Published: December 2015

Las lateritas niquelíferas colombianas son minerales utilizados para la extracción de níquel mediante procesos hidrometalúrgicos y pirometalúrgicos. En este trabajo se describe el comportamiento termodinámico de tres muestras de mineral laterítico colombiano, con contenidos de 1,42; 1,78 y 2,04% de níquel, respectivamente, cuando se someten a los procesos de calcinación y reducción. El mineral se caracterizó utilizando difracción de rayos X y fluorescencia de rayos X, poniendo de manifiesto la presencia de especies mineralógicas tales como nepouita (Ni3Si2O5(OH)4), goethita (Fe2O3.H2O), sílice (SiO2), antigorita (Mg3Si2O5(OH)4) y fosferita (Mg2SiO4). El análisis termodinámico se realizó utilizando el software HSC Chemistry for Windows 5.1, y el estudio se centró en la determinación cuantitativa de la evolución química de mezclas de estos minerales con cantidades variables de carbón en función de la temperatura. Los resultados obtenidos con el programa muestran, en el equilibrio, la posibilidad de reducción completa del níquel y un elevado porcentaje de reducción de los óxidos de hierro (hasta 99%) empleando relaciones C/O ≈1 a temperaturas cercanas a los 1100 °C.
Caring for Pediatric Patients’ Families at the Child’s End of Life
Authors: Mullen Jodi E. , Reynolds Melissa R. , Larson Jennifer S.
Published: December 2015

Nurses play an important role in supporting families who are faced with the critical illness and death of their child. Grieving families desire compassionate, sensitive care that respects their wishes and meets their needs. Families often wish to continue relationships and maintain lasting connections with hospital staff following their child’s death. A structured bereavement program that supports families both at the end of their child’s life and throughout their grief journey can meet this need.
Progression from Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Is Marked by a Higher Frequency of Th17 Cells in the Liver and an Increased Th17/Resting Regulatory T Cell Ratio in Peripheral Blood and in the Liver
Authors: Rau Monika , Schilling Anne-Kristin , Meertens Jan , Hering Ilona , Weiss Johannes , Jurowich Christian , Kudlich Theodor , Hermanns Heike M. , Bantel Heike , Beyersdorf Niklas , Geier Andreas
Published: December 2015

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is increasing in prevalence. It can be subdivided into nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Five to twenty percent of cases progress from NAFL to NASH. Increased hepatic Th17 cells and IL-17 expression were observed in NASH mice and patients, respectively. We analyzed CD4+ effector T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) from peripheral blood and livers of NAFL and NASH patients. A total of 51 NAFL patients, 30 NASH patients, 31 nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients (without histology), and 43 healthy controls were included. FACS analysis was performed on PBMCs and intrahepatic lymphocytes. Compared with healthy controls, a lower frequency of resting Tregs (rTregs; CD4+CD45RA+CD25++) and higher frequencies of IFN-γ+ and/or IL-4+ cells were detected among CD4+ T cells of peripheral blood in NASH, and to a lesser degree in NAFL. In hepatic tissue, NAFL to NASH progression was marked by an increase in IL-17+ cells among intrahepatic CD4+ T cells. To define immunological parameters in peripheral blood to distinguish NAFL from NASH, we calculated different ratios. Th17/rTreg and Th2/rTreg ratios were significantly increased in NASH versus NAFL. The relevance of our findings for NASH pathogenesis was highlighted by the normalization of all of the changes 1 y after bariatric surgery. In conclusion, our data indicate that NAFL patients show changes in their immune cell profile compared with healthy controls. NAFL to NASH progression is marked by an increased frequency of IL-17+ cells among intrahepatic CD4+ T cells and higher Th17/rTreg and Th2/rTreg ratios in peripheral blood.
Cardiovascular risk prediction in the real world. The discouraging evidences coming from literature
Authors: Mureddu Gian Francesco , Faggiano Pompilio , Rigo Fausto
Published: December 2015

Risk prediction plays a leading role in cardiovascular (CV) prevention. Thus, several risk charts have been developed in different Countries in the attempt to identify subjects at high risk who might benefit from more aggressive and early interventions. However despite the availability of several risk charts, they are underutilized in clinical practice. Indeed risk charts show main limitations: they estimate absolute, but not individual risk; their performance is affected by changes on the incidence of CV diseases; they do not take into account the duration of risk exposure, which is related to the progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, risk estimate might be less accurate in younger, in women, and in the elderly. Addition of novel risk markers have substantially failed to improve risk charts’ discrimination power. Imaging has recently gained relevance in CV risk stratification for its ability to detect subclinical atherosclerosis. Among imaging techniques coronary artery calcium score(CACS) emerged as the most powerful and independent predictor of CV events. Hence, a CACSbased screening strategy have been proposed in all asymptomatic middle-aged people. However since CACS it is still quite expensive and not-radiation free, it is not recommended by most scientific guidelines. Conversely, detecting subclinical organ damage (SOD) like LV hypertrophy, carotid plaque, renal failure, microalbuminuria or the metabolic syndrome in subjects at intermediate risk is pretty cost-effective yielding to reclassification of subjects into higher-risk strata. Thus, merging information coming from different tools (risk scores, biomarkers, and non-invasive imaging) individual risk might be better stratified saving costs. In the next future, an integrated, semi-automated, high-reproducible and inexpensive ultrasound approach could represent a key point to approach the individual risk.