bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Orally Active Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Cyclohexyl-N-Acylhydrazone Derivatives
Authors: Silva Tiago Fernandes , Bispo Júnior Walfrido , Alexandre-Moreira Magna Suzana , Costa Fanny Nascimento , Monteiro Carlos , Furlan Ferreira Fabio , Barroso Regina Cely Rodrigues , Noël François , Sudo Roberto Takashi , Zapata-Sudo Gisele , Lima Lídia Moreira , Barreiro Eliezer
Published: February 2015

The N-acylhydrazone (NAH) moiety is considered a privileged structure, being present in many compounds with diverse pharmacological activities. Among the activities attributed to NAH derivatives anti-inflammatory and analgesic ones are recurrent. As part of a research program aiming at the design of new analgesic and anti-inflammatory lead-candidates, a series of cyclohexyl-N-acylhydrazones 10–26 were structurally designed from molecular modification on the prototype LASSBio-294, representing a new class of cycloalkyl analogues. Compounds 10–26 and their conformationally restricted analogue 9 were synthetized and evaluated as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents in classical pharmacologic protocols. The cyclohexyl-N-acylhydrazones 10–26 and the cyclohexenyl analogue 9 showed great anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic activities, but compound 13 stood out as a new prototype to treat acute and chronic painful states due to its important analgesic activity in a neuropathic pain model.
Altered Fetal Skeletal Muscle Nutrient Metabolism Following an Adverse In Utero Environment and the Modulation of Later Life Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Dunlop Kristyn , Cedrone Megan , Staples James , Regnault Timothy
Published: February 2015

The importance of the in utero environment as a contributor to later life metabolic disease has been demonstrated in both human and animal studies. In this review, we consider how disruption of normal fetal growth may impact skeletal muscle metabolic development, ultimately leading to insulin resistance and decreased insulin sensitivity, a key precursor to later life metabolic disease. In cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) associated with hypoxia, where the fetus fails to reach its full growth potential, low birth weight (LBW) is often the outcome, and early in postnatal life, LBW individuals display modifications in the insulin-signaling pathway, a critical precursor to insulin resistance. In this review, we will present literature detailing the classical development of insulin resistance in IUGR, but also discuss how this impaired development, when challenged with a postnatal Western diet, may potentially contribute to the development of later life insulin resistance. Considering the important role of the skeletal muscle in insulin resistance pathogenesis, understanding the in utero programmed origins of skeletal muscle deficiencies in insulin sensitivity and how they may interact with an adverse postnatal environment, is an important step in highlighting potential therapeutic options for LBW offspring born of pregnancies characterized by placental insufficiency.
Novel Approaches to Improve the Intrinsic Microbiological Safety of Powdered Infant Milk Formula
Authors: Kent Robert , Fitzgerald Gerald , Hill Colin , Stanton Catherine , Ross R.
Published: February 2015

Human milk is recognised as the best form of nutrition for infants. However; in instances where breast-feeding is not possible, unsuitable or inadequate, infant milk formulae are used as breast milk substitutes. These formulae are designed to provide infants with optimum nutrition for normal growth and development and are available in either powdered or liquid forms. Powdered infant formula is widely used for convenience and economic reasons. However; current manufacturing processes are not capable of producing a sterile powdered infant formula. Due to their immature immune systems and permeable gastro-intestinal tracts, infants can be more susceptible to infection via foodborne pathogenic bacteria than other age-groups. Consumption of powdered infant formula contaminated by pathogenic microbes can be a cause of serious illness. In this review paper, we discuss the current manufacturing practices present in the infant formula industry, the pathogens of greatest concern, Cronobacter and Salmonella and methods of improving the intrinsic safety of powdered infant formula via the addition of antimicrobials such as: bioactive peptides; organic acids; probiotics and prebiotics.
Objectivisation In Simplified Quantum Brownian Motion Models
Authors: Tuziemski Jan , Korbicz Jarek
Published: February 2015

The birth of objective properties from the subjective quantum world has been one of the key questions in the quantum-to-classical transition. Based on recent results in the field, we study it in a quantum mechanical model of a boson-boson interaction—quantum Brownian motion. Using various simplifications, we prove a formation for thermal environments of, so called, spectrum broadcast structures, responsible for perceived objectivity. In the quantum measurement limit we prove that this structure is always formed, providing the characteristic timescales. Including self-Hamiltonians of the environment, we show the exponential scaling of the effect with the size of the environment. Finally, in the full model we numerically study the influence of squeezing in the initial state of the environment, showing broader regions of formation than for non-squeezed thermal states.
A Markov-Switching Vector Autoregressive Stochastic Wind Generator for Multiple Spatial and Temporal Scales
Authors: Hering Amanda , Kazor Karen , Kleiber William
Published: February 2015

Despite recent efforts to record wind at finer spatial and temporal scales, stochastic realizations of wind are still important for many purposes and particularly for wind energy grid integration and reliability studies. Most instances of wind generation in the literature focus on simulating only wind speed, or power, or only the wind vector at a particular location and sampling frequency. In this work, we introduce a Markov-switching vector autoregressive (MSVAR) model, and we demonstrate its flexibility in simulating wind vectors for 10-min, hourly and daily time series and for individual, locally-averaged and regionally-averaged time series. In addition, we demonstrate how the model can be used to simulate wind vectors at multiple locations simultaneously for an hourly time step. The parameter estimation and simulation algorithm are presented along with a validation of the important statistical properties of each simulation scenario. We find the MSVAR to be very flexible in characterizing a wide range of properties in the wind vector, and we conclude with a discussion of extensions of this model and modeling choices that may be investigated for further improvements.
Development of an Effective Docking System for Modular Mobile Self-Reconfigurable Robots Using Extended Kalman Filter and Particle Filter
Authors: Won Peter , Biglarbegian Mohammad , Melek William
Published: February 2015

This paper presents an autonomous docking system with novel integrated algorithms for mobile self-reconfigurable robots equipped with inexpensive sensors. A novel docking algorithm was developed to determine the initial distance and orientation of the two modules, and sensor models were established through experiments. Both Extended Kalman filter (EKF) and particle filter (PF) were deployed to fuse the measurements from IR and encoders and provide accurate estimates of orientation and distance. Simulation experiments were carried out first and then real experiments were conducted to verify the feasibility and good performance of the proposed docking algorithm and system. The proposed system provides a robust and reliable docking solution using low cost sensors.
An Accurate Link Correlation Estimator for Improving Wireless Protocol Performance
Authors: Zhao Zhiwei , Xu Xianghua , Dong Wei , Bu Jiajun
Published: February 2015

Wireless link correlation has shown significant impact on the performance of various sensor network protocols. Many works have been devoted to exploiting link correlation for protocol improvements. However, the effectiveness of these designs heavily relies on the accuracy of link correlation measurement. In this paper, we investigate state-of-the-art link correlation measurement and analyze the limitations of existing works. We then propose a novel lightweight and accurate link correlation estimation (LACE) approach based on the reasoning of link correlation formation. LACE combines both long-term and short-term link behaviors for link correlation estimation. We implement LACE as a stand-alone interface in TinyOS and incorporate it into both routing and flooding protocols. Simulation and testbed results show that LACE: (1) achieves more accurate and lightweight link correlation measurements than the state-of-the-art work; and (2) greatly improves the performance of protocols exploiting link correlation.
Illumination-Invariant and Deformation-Tolerant Inner Knuckle Print Recognition Using Portable Devices
Authors: Xu Xuemiao , Jin Qiang , Zhou Le , Qin Jing , Wong Tien-Tsin , Han Guoqiang
Published: February 2015

We propose a novel biometric recognition method that identifies the inner knuckle print (IKP). It is robust enough to confront uncontrolled lighting conditions, pose variations and low imaging quality. Such robustness is crucial for its application on portable devices equipped with consumer-level cameras. We achieve this robustness by two means. First, we propose a novel feature extraction scheme that highlights the salient structure and suppresses incorrect and/or unwanted features. The extracted IKP features retain simple geometry and morphology and reduce the interference of illumination. Second, to counteract the deformation induced by different hand orientations, we propose a novel structure-context descriptor based on local statistics. To our best knowledge, we are the first to simultaneously consider the illumination invariance and deformation tolerance for appearance-based low-resolution hand biometrics. Settings in previous works are more restrictive. They made strong assumptions either about the illumination condition or the restrictive hand orientation. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in terms of recognition accuracy, especially under uncontrolled lighting conditions and the flexible hand orientation requirement.
Symmetry of “Twins”
Authors: Nikolić Vladan , Radović Ljiljana , Marković Biserka
Published: February 2015

The idea of construction of twin buildings is as old as architecture itself, and yet there is hardly any study emphasizing their specificity. Most frequently there are two objects or elements in an architectural composition of “twins” in which there may be various symmetry relations, mostly bilateral symmetries. The classification of “twins” symmetry in this paper is based on the existence of bilateral symmetry, in terms of the perception of an observer. The classification includes both, 2D and 3D perception analyses. We start analyzing a pair of twin buildings with projection of the architectural composition elements in 2D picture plane (plane of the composition) and we distinguish four 2D keyframe cases based on the relation between the bilateral symmetry of the twin composition and the bilateral symmetry of each element. In 3D perception for each 2D keyframe case there are two sub-variants, with and without a symmetry plane parallel to the picture plane. The bilateral symmetry is dominant if the corresponding symmetry plane is orthogonal to the picture plane. The essence of the complete classification is relation between the bilateral (dominant) symmetry of the architectural composition and the bilateral symmetry of each element of that composition.
Morbillivirus Infections: An Introduction
Authors: De Vries Rory , Duprex W. , De Swart Rik
Published: February 2015

Research on morbillivirus infections has led to exciting developments in recent years. Global measles vaccination coverage has increased, resulting in a significant reduction in measles mortality. In 2011 rinderpest virus was declared globally eradicated – only the second virus to be eradicated by targeted vaccination. Identification of new cellular receptors and implementation of recombinant viruses expressing fluorescent proteins in a range of model systems have provided fundamental new insights into the pathogenesis of morbilliviruses, and their interactions with the host immune system. Nevertheless, both new and well-studied morbilliviruses are associated with significant disease in wildlife and domestic animals. This illustrates the need for robust surveillance and a strategic focus on barriers that restrict cross-species transmission. Recent and ongoing measles outbreaks also demonstrate that maintenance of high vaccination coverage for these highly infectious agents is critical. This introduction briefly summarizes the most important current research topics in this field.
M2e-Based Universal Influenza A Vaccines
Authors: Deng Lei , Cho Ki , Fiers Walter , Saelens Xavier
Published: February 2015

The successful isolation of a human influenza virus in 1933 was soon followed by the first attempts to develop an influenza vaccine. Nowadays, vaccination is still the most effective method to prevent human influenza disease. However, licensed influenza vaccines offer protection against antigenically matching viruses, and the composition of these vaccines needs to be updated nearly every year. Vaccines that target conserved epitopes of influenza viruses would in principle not require such updating and would probably have a considerable positive impact on global human health in case of a pandemic outbreak. The extracellular domain of Matrix 2 (M2e) protein is an evolutionarily conserved region in influenza A viruses and a promising epitope for designing a universal influenza vaccine. Here we review the seminal and recent studies that focused on M2e as a vaccine antigen. We address the mechanism of action and the clinical development of M2e-vaccines. Finally, we try to foresee how M2e-based vaccines could be implemented clinically in the future.
Comparison of Water Flows in Four European Lagoon Catchments under a Set of Future Climate Scenarios
Authors: Hesse Cornelia , Stefanova Anastassi , Krysanova Valentina
Published: February 2015

Climate change is supposed to remarkably affect the water resources of coastal lagoons as they are highly vulnerable to changes occurring at their catchment and/or ocean or sea boundaries. Probable impacts of projected climate changes on catchment hydrology and freshwater input were assessed using the eco-hydrological model SWIM (Soil and Water Integrated Model) for the drainage areas of four European lagoons: Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), Mar Menor (Spain), Tyligulskyi Liman (Ukraine) and Vistula Lagoon (Poland/Russia) under a set of 15 climate scenarios covering the time period until the year 2100. Climate change signals for all regions show continuously increasing trends in temperature, but various trends in precipitation. Precipitation is projected to decrease in two catchments on the Iberian Peninsula and increase in the Baltic region catchment, and does not show a clear trend in the catchment located near the Black Sea. The average projected changes in freshwater inputs reflect these changes in climate conditions, but often show variability between the scenarios, in future periods, and within the catchments. According to the individual degrees of water management influences in the four drainage basins, the climate sensitivity of river inflows is differently pronounced in each.
Serum C-Reactive Protein Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients with Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Zeng Y.C. , Wu R. , Xiao Y.P. , Chi F. , Xue M. , Zhang Z.Y. , Xing R. , Zhong W.Z. , Wang S.L. , Tian X. , Chen W. , Chen J.J. , Wu L.N.
Published: February 2015

Background: We aimed to evaluate the association of serum C-reactive protein (crp) with prognosis in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 79 patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (cT3–4N0–3M0) treated with chemoradiotherapy. Chemoradiotherapy consisted of external-beam radiotherapy to the nasopharynx (70–80 Gy), the lymph node–positive area (60–70 Gy), and the lymph node–negative area (50–60 Gy) combined with 3 cycles of various platinum-based regimens delivered at 3-week intervals. Elevated crp was defined as more than 8 mg/L. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and univariate and multivariate analyses (Cox proportional hazards model) were used to identify factors significantly associated with prognosis. Results: During the median follow-up of 3.9 years (range: 1–5.5 years), 23 patients died from nasopharyngeal cancer. The 5-year cancer-specific survival (css) rate was 62.90%. Before chemoradiotherapy, 18 patients had high serum crp; the css rate in that subgroup was significantly worse than the rate in the remaining patients (p = 0.0002). Multivariate analysis showed that crp was an independent prognostic indicator of css, with a hazard ratio of 3.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.22 to 7.55; p = 0.017). Among the 18 patients with elevated serum crp, 9 achieved normal serum crp after chemoradiotherapy, of whom 5 remained living with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis during follow-up. By contrast, the remaining 9 patients in whom serum crp did not normalize after chemoradiotherapy died within 4.2 years. Conclusions: Elevated serum crp before treatment predicts poor prognosis in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.
In situ scanning tunneling microscopy study of Ca-modified rutile TiO2(110) in bulk water
Authors: Serrano Giulia , Bonanni Beatrice , Kosmala Tomasz , Di Giovannantonio Marco , Diebold Ulrike , Wandelt Klaus , Goletti Claudio
Published: February 2015

Despite the rising technological interest in the use of calcium-modified TiO2 surfaces in biomedical implants, the Ca/TiO2 interface has not been studied in an aqueous environment. This investigation is the first report on the use of in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to study calcium-modified rutile TiO2(110) surfaces immersed in high purity water. The TiO2 surface was prepared under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) with repeated sputtering/annealing cycles. Low energy electron diffraction (LEED) analysis shows a pattern typical for the surface segregation of calcium, which is present as an impurity on the TiO2 bulk. In situ STM images of the surface in bulk water exhibit one-dimensional rows of segregated calcium regularly aligned with the [001] crystal direction. The in situ-characterized morphology and structure of this Ca-modified TiO2 surface are discussed and compared with UHV-STM results from the literature. Prolonged immersion (two days) in the liquid leads to degradation of the overlayer, resulting in a disordered surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, performed after immersion in water, confirms the presence of calcium.
Introduction. Illégalité et gouvernement des territoires. Rapports au droit et usages du droit dans la production, la gestion et la régulation des territoires
Authors: Maccaglia Fabrizio
Published: February 2015

Ce dossier traite de l’État et de la production des territoires à partir de la question de l’illégalité et des jeux de contournement. Le territoire n’est pas seulement le produit de pratiques et d’activités illégales, un ensemble de lieux où celles-ci se matérialisent et se donnent à voir ; le territoire est également une instance au travers de laquelle l’État et la société se construisent mutuellement via l’illégalité. Le territoire est notamment le lieu où les individus interprètent les discours des acteurs étatiques en fonction desquels ils ajustent leurs conduites, se représentent cet objet appelé État et mettent en mots leur rapport à l’État. Au-delà de l’analyse des pratiques ou de situations illégales dans l’espace, il s’agit de réfléchir à ce que ces pratiques et situations nous disent des règles en vigueur dans une société donnée et du fonctionnement de ses institutions. Il s’agit de mener, pour reprendre les mots de Jean-François Médard (1991), une « exploration empirique de l’expérience étatique ». Il ne s’agit pas d’analyser l’État mais son fonctionnement et le rapport que les individus entretiennent avec lui, pour observer les conditions de production des territoires et de leurs mécanismes de régulation.
Feux nocturnes d'Edirnekapı. Territoires de l'informel et évolutions des régulations urbaines à Istanbul
Authors: Dorso Franck
Published: February 2015

La muraille terrestre d’Istanbul compose un territoire identifié de l’informel, dans ses trois principaux registres : habitat, activités économiques, pratiques quotidiennes. Ces usages parviennent à se maintenir envers les discours et opérations sporadiques de « nettoyage », car ils remplissent un rôle régulateur à plusieurs niveaux : économique, urbain, social, psychologique et symbolique. Des compromis pratiques s’établissent entre les différents acteurs impliqués, usagers comme autorités, pour maintenir ces « soupapes » régulatrices de la vie urbaine et plus globalement sociale, reconnues comme utiles mais illégitimes. Une chronique des quinze dernières années de ce territoire permet de mettre en regard les stabilités et résiliences à l’œuvre avec des changements amenés dans ces processus par les pratiques récentes de régénération urbaine.
Le Quilombo , l'Église et la Loi. Conflits et arrangements autour de l'appropriation d'un espace de mémoires
Authors: Bautès Nicolas , Soares Gonçalves Rafael , da Costa Flávia Carolina
Published: February 2015

Cet article a pour ambition d’analyser les jeux sociaux et juridiques à l’œuvre autour d’un conflit territorial qui engage la reconnaissance et la création d’un espace associé à la mémoire de descendants d’esclaves noirs émancipés au cœur de la ville de Rio de Janeiro. Approchées comme autant de formes différentes d’illégalismes, les pratiques qui conduisent les acteurs engagés dans cette lutte juridique et politique permettent d’envisager les enjeux économiques et sociopolitiques inhérents à la requalification de la zone portuaire. De la revendication d’un espace mémoriel par une minorité d’habitants organisés autour d’une résistance contre les logiques actuelles d’un développement urbain néolibéral fondé sur la rhétorique culturelle et patrimoniale aux négociations, pressions et intimidations qui traversent l’ensemble des quartiers portuaires soumis à de profonds bouleversements structurels, il convient d’analyser les jeux informels, arrangements et pressions qui, traduits comme autant d’actes d’illégalismes, tendent à imprégner la sphère locale des pouvoirs et, faisant, à marquer les modes de gouvernement urbain.
Violence relationnelle : menace et absence de tiers
Authors: Payen de la Garanderie Jérôme
Published: February 2015

La violence relationnelle fait suite à une menace et détermine un recours à l’agir qui court-circuite les processus de pensée. Cette violence issue de la relation plus que des sujets eux-mêmes se manifeste dans la communication par une dysharmonie dans l’alternance entre symétrie et complémentarité. L’absence d’un dialogue interne avec les figures d’attachement enferme les sujets dans la recherche impérieuse d’une posture complémentaire inavouée et réciproque, et ils vivent l’intimité comme idéalisée et menaçante dans les faits. Ce lien rigide et indéfectible réduit leur tête-à-tête à une confrontation sans fin. Cette collusion peut contaminer les enfants et les englober à leur tour dans le processus de violence. Le thérapeute de couple ou de famille doit s’inscrire en tant que tiers temporaire là où il fait défaut dans l’organisation psychique et relationnelle des sujets, et renouer un dialogue interne en famille là où les ascendants étaient absents ou intrusifs, afin de soulager les descendants des silences et peurs transmises qui rendent menaçants voire mortels, dans les cas graves, les processus d’autonomie.
La métaphore comme tiers et le tiers pesant en psychothérapie
Authors: Goldbeter-Merinfeld Édith
Published: February 2015

Les familles comportent en leur sein des tiers absents, soit parce qu’ils se sont fortement éloignés des leurs, soit parce qu’ils sont décédés. Certains d’entre eux restent cependant des tiers pesants. L’utilisation des sièges comme métaphore de leur absence, de leur place et de l’importance qu’elle revêt encore s’avère très riche. Cet article présente une réflexion sur l’essence et l’effet de cette métaphore en psychothérapie, et de là, explore la richesse des métaphores.
Du souvenir partagé à la mémoire implicite : une vision systémique d'une co-construction résiliente dans la constellation Alzheimer
Authors: Ribes Gérard , Darnaud Thierry
Published: February 2015

Dans cet article, nous montrerons l’importance du contexte au sein duquel la maladie d’Alzheimer émerge. En inscrivant le quotidien dans un décalage, elle propose à la personne âgée et à son entourage un ajustement des jeux relationnels qu’ils avaient l’habitude de nourrir pour pouvoir continuer à tricoter leurs liens. En rupture avec leurs souvenirs mais dans la poursuite de la construction de leurs mémoires implicites, la maladie d’Alzheimer peut être une réelle opportunité de résilience si les protagonistes laissent une ouverture à l’inattendu et au changement.
David, Paul Drach, à la recherche d'une harmonie religieuse
Authors: Landau Philippe-Efraïm
Published: February 2015

Sous la Restauration, l’Église recouvre son autorité d’autrefois alors que le judaïsme est reconnu par les autorités politiques et que les juifs poursuivent leur intégration annoncée par la Révolution française. Parmi eux, un individu se distingue. David Drach est le premier rabbin bachelier, polyglotte et gendre du grand rabbin du Consistoire central. Un bel avenir s’offre à lui mais le 29 mars 1823, il est converti en la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Pour l’Église, cette abjuration signifie une victoire spirituelle sur le judaïsme. Durant quarante ans, le néophyte Paul, Louis, Bernard Drach va se consacrer à l’étude comparative des deux religions. Justifiant son acte, il encourage ses anciens coreligionnaires à suivre son exemple. Bien avant les frères Ratisbonne, par une démarche savante et élitiste, il entreprend en solitaire une œuvre pour conduire les israélites à la vérité chrétienne. Dans ses nombreux travaux apologétiques, il tente ainsi de démontrer que le catholicisme serait l’aboutissement du judaïsme et le retour à la foi originelle des Hébreux. Ses ouvrages, dont De l’Harmonie entre l’Église et la Synagogue (1844), marquent durablement les esprits du XIX e siècle et influencent encore les exégètes. Sa démarche intellectuelle et personnelle interroge cependant les historiens. Fils de l’Émancipation, David ou Paul Drach fut-il en avance sur son siècle ou son destin exprimait-il les fragilités d’un judaïsme qui s’ouvrait à la modernité ?
Entre émancipation et conversion. Dilemmes juifs en Hongrie dans la première moitié du XIX e siècle
Authors: Konrád Miklós
Published: February 2015

Suite à un bref rappel de la situation des Juifs en Hongrie à l’ère du Vormärz, l’article expose les discours des contemporains – juifs et chrétiens – sur la conversion des juifs, présente les quelques informations statistiques disponibles au sujet du nombre et du profil social des Juifs convertis au cours de cette période, pour finalement dresser le portrait de quatre hommes, deux hommes d’affaires et deux intellectuels, convertis entre 1825 et 1848, en s’efforçant de montrer ce que les données statistiques sur le profil des convertis ne peuvent révéler : la complexité et la multiplicité simultanées des possibles motivations qui conduisirent les juifs de cette époque à abandonner la religion et la communauté juives.
Does a parasite infestation change the nutritional value of an insect? Varroa mites on honey bees as a model
Authors: Jonas-Levi A. , Benjamin O. , Martinez J.J. Itzhak
Published: February 2015

The impact of parasites on the nutritional value of their hosts may be an important issue that has to be studied in considering insects as future food and feed for humans and animals. The ectoparasiteVarroa mite (Varroa destructor) was chosen as an experimental model: it affects bee colonies and largely endangers the honey production. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) brood is largely used as human food in tropical regions and has a great potential to become a future source of proteins and other nutritional and health components, in particular because beekeeping is based on deep knowledge and well developed technologies in great parts of the world. The impact of infestation ofVarroa on the nutritive qualities of honey bee brood is barely known. We compared the main components of infested and parasite free pupae, harvested from the same colonies. We found thatVarroa mites decreased the mean fresh weight from 124±6.9 to 118±4.1 mg (mean ± standard deviation), elevated the intensity of one protein band (50.2 KDa) among nine and enhanced the superoxide dismutase activity from 9.5±0.3 to 14.6±0.2% but not catalase and peroxidase activity. The parasite did not change the dry weight percentage (19.5±1.9%), total lipid titration (16.9±2.3%), crude protein (57.2±6.1%) and cholesterol levels (6.7±1.3 mg/100 g fresh weight). The fatty acid composition and their proportions were not altered either, among them three very important unsaturated fatty acids (FAs): omega-3, omega-6 and oleic acid/omega-9. Long chained FAs were detected in small quantities, less than 1%. The total antioxidant activity remained the same as of not-infested pupae. In conclusion, the impact ofVarroa mites on the nutritional value of honey bee pupae could be considered as minor.
Bifurcation, Quasi-Periodicity, Chaos, and Co-Existence of Different Behaviors in the Controlled H-Bridge Inverter
Authors: Miladi Yosra , Feki Moez
Published: February 2015

This chapter deals with the analysis of the dynamic behavior of a controlled single-phase H-bridge inverter. The authors show that in addition to border collision bifurcation, when it is controlled with a time-delayed controller or with a dynamic controller that increases the system dimension, the H-bridge inverter can exhibit several other types of behaviors such as Neimark-Sacker bifurcation, quasi-periodicity, and coexistence of different periodic behaviors, as well as coexistence between periodic and chaotic behaviors. The proposed controllers are of different types. In addition to the Fixed-Point Induced Controller (FPIC), the authors also present the Time-Delayed Feedback Controller (TDFC) and the dynamic linear controller, such as the proportional-integral controller. The main issue of this chapter is to perform analysis within and beyond the stability region. Analytic calculation and numerical simulations are presented to confirm the obtained results.
Fuzzy Adaptive Controller for Uncertain Multivariable Nonlinear Systems with Both Sector Nonlinearities and Dead-Zones
Authors: Boulkroune Abdesselem
Published: February 2015

This chapter presents two fuzzy adaptive variable structure controllers for a class of uncertain multi-input multi-output nonlinear systems with actuator nonlinearities (i.e. with sector nonlinearities and dead-zones). The design of the first controller concerns systems with symmetric and positive definite control-gain matrix, while the design of the second one is extended to the case of non-symmetric control-gain matrix thanks to an appropriate matrix decomposition, namely the product of a symmetric positive-definite matrix, a diagonal matrix with diagonal entries +1 or -1, and a unity upper triangular matrix. An appropriate adaptive fuzzy-logic system is used to reasonably approximate the uncertain functions. A Lyapunov approach is adopted to derive the parameter adaptation laws and prove the stability of the closed-loop control system. Finally, some simulation results are carried out to show the effectiveness of the proposed controllers.
Facebook and Moodle as Classroom Extensions
Authors: Camas Nuria Pons Vilardell , Mengalli Neli Maria , Bueno Maysa Brum , Ribeiro Renata Aquino , Mandaji Monica
Published: February 2015

This chapter analyses how autonomy, collaboration, and cooperation are built in a class designed to use digital technologies for a teacher development syllabus. For the purpose of this chapter, data was collected using an empirical-qualitative approach through active observation in participative action, using a questionnaire and Moodle e-portfolio that addressed learning in several virtual tools including Facebook. The final analysis demonstrates that it is possible to understand the autonomous and collaborative teaching and learning process when online tools such as social networks are used, and it is also possible to determine students' participation through authorship. However, such acknowledgment requires that participants be prepared in terms of methodology, including teachers, and have the means to consider accepting new ways of teaching through the cooperation enabled by social networks and virtual learning environments.
A Distributed IDS for Industrial Control Systems
Authors: Cruz Tiago , Proença Jorge , Simões Paulo , Aubigny Matthieu , Ouedraogo Moussa , Graziano Antonio , Maglaras Leandros
Published: February 2015

Cyber-threats are one of the most significant problems faced by modern Industrial Control Systems (ICS), such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, as the vulnerabilities of ICS technology become serious threats that can ultimately compromise human lives. This situation demands a domain-specific approach to cyber threat detection within ICS, which is one of the most important contributions of the CockpitCI FP7 project (http://CockpitCI.eu). Specifically, this paper will present the CockpitCI distributed Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for ICS, which provides its core cyber-detection and analysis capabilities, also including a description of its components, in terms of role, operation, integration, and remote management. Moreover, it will also introduce and describe new domain-specific solutions for ICS security such as the SCADA Honeypot and the Shadow Security Unit, which are part of the CockcpitCI IDS framework.
Balancing Product and Process Assurance for Evolving Security Systems
Authors: Raschke Wolfgang , Zilli Massimiliano , Baumgartner Philip , Loinig Johannes , Steger Christian , Kreiner Christian
Published: February 2015

At present, security-related engineering usually requires a big up-front design (BUFD) regarding security requirements and security design. In addition to the BUFD, at the end of the development, a security evaluation process can take up to several months. In today's volatile markets customers want to be able to influence the software design during the development process. Agile processes have proven to support these demands. Nevertheless, there is a clash between traditional security design and evaluation processes. In this paper, the authors propose an agile security evaluation method for the Common Criteria standard. This method is complemented by an implementation of a change detection analysis for model-based security requirements. This system facilitates the agile security evaluation process to a high degree. However, the application of the proposed evaluation method is limited by several constraints. The authors discuss these constraints and show how traditional certification schemes could be extended to better support modern industrial software development processes.
T Cell Expansion Is the Limiting Factor of Virus Control in Mice with Attenuated TCR Signaling: Implications for Human Immunodeficiency
Authors: Hillen Kristina M. , Gather Ruth , Enders Anselm , Pircher Hanspeter , Aichele Peter , Fisch Paul , Blumenthal Britta , Schamel Wolfgang W. , Straub Tobias , Goodnow Christopher C. , Ehl Stephan
Published: February 2015

Defining the minimal thresholds for effective antiviral T cell immunity is important for clinical decisions in immunodeficient patients. TCR signaling is critical for T cell development, activation, and effector functions. In this article, we analyzed which of these TCR-mediated processes is limiting for antiviral immunity in a mouse strain with reduced expression of SLP-76 (twp mice). Despite severe T cell activation defects in vitro, twp mice generated a normal proportion of antiviral effector T cells postinfection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Twp CD8+ T cells showed impaired polyfunctional cytokine production, whereas cytotoxicity as the crucial antiviral effector function for LCMV control was normal. The main limiting factor in the antiviral response of twp mice was impaired T cell proliferation and survival, leading to a 5- to 10-fold reduction of antiviral T cells at the peak of the immune response. This was still sufficient to control infection with the LCMV Armstrong strain, but the more rapidly replicating LCMV-WE induced T cell exhaustion and viral persistence. Thus, under conditions of impaired TCR signaling, reduced T cell expansion was the limiting factor in antiviral immunity. These findings have implications for understanding antiviral immunity in patients with T cell deficiencies.
IL2RA Genetic Variants Reduce IL-2–Dependent Responses and Aggravate Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Authors: Oliveira Pablo R. S. , Dessein Hélia , Romano Audrey , Cabantous Sandrine , de Brito Maria E. F. , Santoro Ferrucio , Pitta Maira G. R. , Pereira Valéria , Pontes-de-Carvalho Lain C. , Rodrigues Virmondes , Rafati Sima , Argiro Laurent , Dessein Alain J.
Published: February 2015

The outcome of Leishmania infections varies substantially, depending on the host and the parasite strain; infection may be asymptomatic or cause mild or severe skin ulcers (cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL]), limited or disseminated lesions, or lethal visceral disease. We previously reported an association between IL-2R mutations and susceptibility to visceral leishmaniasis in children infected with Leishmania donovani. In the present study, we evaluated the possible role of IL-2 signaling in human CL. We first showed that the transcripts of several genes of the IL-2 pathway were abundant in skin lesions caused by Leishmania braziliensis. We then carried out a genetic analysis, focusing on major genes of the IL-2 pathway. We used a family-based approach and found that polymorphisms of several genes appeared to be associated with CL in a Brazilian population. Moreover, two polymorphisms of the IL2RA gene were significantly and independently associated with CL. We confirmed this result in a second Brazilian sample (also exposed to L. braziliensis) and in Iranians infected with Leishmania tropica: IL2RA rs10905669 T (Pcombined = 6 × 10−7) and IL2RA rs706778 T (Pcombined = 2 × 10−9) were associated with greater susceptibility to lesion development. These alleles were also correlated with a poor IFN-γ response and poor FOXP3+ regulatory T cell activation. Thus, IL-2 plays a crucial role in protection against the cutaneous ulcers caused by Leishmania, and the IL-2 pathway is a potential target for strategies aiming to control Leishmania-related diseases.
Positional Identification ofRT1-B(HLA-DQ) as Susceptibility Locus for Autoimmune Arthritis
Authors: Haag Sabrina , Tuncel Jonatan , Thordardottir Soley , Mason Daniel E. , Yau Anthony C. Y. , Dobritzsch Doreen , Bäcklund Johan , Peters Eric C. , Holmdahl Rikard
Published: February 2015

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with amino acid variants in multiple MHC molecules. The association to MHC class II (MHC-II) has been studied in several animal models of RA. In most cases these models depend on T cells restricted to a single immunodominant peptide of the immunizing Ag, which does not resemble the autoreactive T cells in RA. An exception is pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) in the rat where polyclonal T cells induce chronic arthritis after being primed against endogenous Ags. In this study, we used a mixed genetic and functional approach to show that RT1-Ba and RT1-Bb (RT1-B locus), the rat orthologs of HLA-DQA and HLA-DQB, determine the onset and severity of PIA. We isolated a 0.2-Mb interval within the MHC-II locus of three MHC-congenic strains, of which two were protected from severe PIA. Comparison of sequence and expression variation, as well as in vivo blocking of RT1-B and RT1-D (HLA-DR), showed that arthritis in these strains is regulated by coding polymorphisms in the RT1-B genes. Motif prediction based on MHC-II eluted peptides and structural homology modeling suggested that variants in the RT1-B P1 pocket, which likely affect the editing capacity by RT1-DM, are important for the development of PIA.
Development of an Infants' Sleep Health Program Using a Video for SIDS Prevention Education and Measurement of the Program's Effects.
Authors: Jang Sook , Kim Il Ok
Published: February 2015

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to develop an infant sleep health education program using a video for SIDS prevention education and to measure the effects of the program.METHODS: The infant sleep health education program consisted of presentations and motor images. The formation of educational material was directed by the systematic design of instruction. Participants in this study were 59 primiparous women from postpartum care centers. The instruments used in this study were criterion referenced test items for knowledge about infant sleep health and confidence inventory. Experimental group I was given the treatment of infant sleep health education program.Experimental group II was given the program using a video reinforcement after 2 weeks. On the other hand, control group was given no treatment.RESULTS: There was a significant increase in knowledge and confidence in the performance of mother's roles of both experimental group I and experimental group II over the control group. No significant difference was founds for knowledge and confidence in the performance of mother's roles between experimental group I and II.CONCLUSION: The results indicate that this program is a very effective intervention for better sleep health in infants by helping the mothers increase confidence in their role performance.
Health-Related Quality of Life in the Early Childhood of Premature Children.
Authors: Lim Eun Hee , Ju Hyeon Ok
Published: February 2015

PURPOSE: In this study, a comparison was done of the extent of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for preterm and fullterm children during early childhood, and factors affecting HRQoL in the early childhood of premature children were analyzed.METHODS: Eighty mothers of children born prematurely and 83 mothers of children born at fullterm listed on two Internet cafes were sampled for this study. The major instrument used for the study was the TNO-AZL Preschool Quality Of Life (TAPQOL) questionnaire.RESULTS: Total score for HRQoL in the premature group was 80.5 (+/-9.9) and for the full term group, 85.0 (+/-8.3), on a 100-point scale. A comparison of the premature group and full term group showed that the domains which scored relatively lower with respect to HRQoL included the stomach, motor function, anxiety, liveliness and communication. Among the factors that have an impact on HRQoL were 'length of stay in neonatal intensive care unit (> or =7 days)' and 'birth weight (<1,000 gm)'. The explanation power of the model was 17%, which was statistically significant.CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that a differentiated premature infant follow-up program for children who are hospitalized over 7 days in NICU or weighed under 1,000 g at birth is urgently needed.
Future of Bone Repair
Authors: Somaiya Rachana , Kaur Ginpreet
Published: February 2015

Bone can suffer from various conditions such as fractures and diseases such as osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta and tumors. Osteoporosis globally causes >8.9 million fractures each year. Current epidemiological data relevant to this and other diseases urge us to focus critically on promising and efficacious treatments for bone injury. Because of the limitations of conventional treatments for bone fracture, such as limited quantity for autograft, there is a demand to investigate better alternatives for bone healing. The main aim of this review is to highlight repair of bone injury, particularly focusing on several new research methods studied in preclinical trials and in vitro. New research methods such as low-level laser therapy, mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy, nanomaterials, biodegradable hydrogels, extracellular matrix-mimetic materials, and controlled delivery of growth factors from polymer scaffolds look promising for bone healing, and further clinical studies are suggested that use them in routine bone repair treatment in the near future.
The ‘developmentalism’ debate in Brazil: some economic and political issues
Authors: Amado Adriana Moreira , Rollemberg Mollo Maria de Lourdes
Published: February 2015

This article analyses different approaches to ‘developmentalism,’ emphasizing their theoretical origins and identifying their different economic policy implications. Based on the theoretical and empirical characteristics of different growth regimes in Brazil (that is, export-led, demand-led, debt-led, profit-led, and wage-led), the paper recommends that Brazil adopt a ‘social developmentalist’ growth strategy.