bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competitive Advantages of Earlier Onset of Foraging in Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Lubertazzi David , Cole Blaine J , Wiernasz Diane C
Published: January 2013

ABSTBACT

Colonies of the western harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Cresson) with greater genetic diversity begin foraging earlier, forage for longer durations, and collect more food than those with less genetic diversity. In this study we tested whether earlier onset of foraging improved the foraging success of colonies at baits placed midway between neighbors. Colonies that began foraging earlier in the morning were more likely to be the first to discover the food and to monopolize the food source. Colony size was also important with larger nests monopolizing significantly more baits than smaller nests. These results show that early foraging by colonies can provide an intraspecific foraging advantage at a clumped food resource. This advantage adds more evidence to a growing body of work showing how polyandry, genetic diversity, and colony-level performance are interrelated in P. occidentalis colonies.
TiO2-nanoparticles-impregnated photocatalytic macroporous carbon films by spin coating
Authors: Mondal Kunal , Kumar Jitendra , Sharma Ashutosh
Published: January 2013

Macroporous TiO2/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and TiO2/carbon hybrid films are fabricated directly by spin coating. Macroporosity is promoted under the conditions favoring the growth of instabilities and dewetting of the spin-coated films such as lower film thicknesses, higher evaporation rates and lower molecular weights (viscosity). The synthesis of the hybrid film is achieved by a two-step process. First, TiO2 powder mixed with PAN in N, N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) solvent is cast as a thin film on a silicon wafer by spin coating. Second, heat treatment at 900°C produces pure rutile TiO2 nanocrystals and concurrently pyrolyzes PAN to a porous glassy carbon matrix. The resultant TiO2/carbon hybrid porous films exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity as shown for the degradation of Rhodamine B dye in aqueous medium.
High population variability and source–sink dynamics in a solitary bee species
Authors: Franzén Markus , Nilsson Sven G.
Published: January 2013

Although solitary bees are considered to play key roles in ecosystem functions, surprisingly few studies have explored their population dynamics. We investigated the population dynamics of a rare, declining, solitary bee (Andrena humilis) in a landscape of 80 km2 in southern Sweden from 2003 to 2011. Only one population was persistent throughout all years studied; most likely this population supplied the surrounding landscape with 11 smaller, temporary local populations. Despite stable pollen availability, the size of the persistent population fluctuated dramatically in a two‐year cycle over the nine years, with 490–1230 nests in odd‐numbered years and 21–48 nests in even‐numbered years. These fluctuations were not significantly related to climatic variables or pollen availability. Nineteen colonization and 14 extinction events were recorded. Occupancy decreased with distance from the persistent population and increased with increasing resource (pollen) availability. There were significant positive correlations between the size of the persistent population and patch occupancy and colonization. Colonizations were generally more common in patches closer to the persistent population, whereas extinctions were independent of distance from the persistent population. Our results highlight the complex population dynamics that exist for this solitary bee species, which could be due to source–sink dynamics, a prolonged diapause, or can represent a bet‐hedging strategy to avoid natural enemies and survive in small habitat patches. If large fluctuations in solitary bee populations prove to be widespread, it will have important implications for interpreting ecological relationships, bee conservation, and pollination.
Landscape‐scale eco‐evolutionary dynamics: Selection by seed predators and fire determine a major reproductive strategy
Authors: Talluto Lauren , Benkman Craig W.
Published: January 2013

Recent work in model systems has demonstrated significant effects of rapid evolutionary change on ecological processes (eco‐evolutionary dynamics). Fewer studies have addressed whether eco‐evolutionary dynamics structure natural ecosystems. We investigated variation in the frequency of serotiny in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), a widespread species in which postfire seedling density and ecosystem structure are largely determined by serotiny. Serotiny, the retention of mature seeds in cones in a canopy seed bank, is thought to be an adaptation for stand‐replacing fire, but less attention has been paid to the potential selective effects of seed predation on serotiny. We hypothesized that spatial variation in percentage serotiny in lodgepole pine forests results from an eco‐evolutionary dynamic where the local level of serotiny depends on the relative strengths of conflicting directional selection from fire (favoring serotiny) and seed predation (favoring cones that open at maturity). We measured percentage serotiny, the abundance of American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus; the primary pre‐dispersal seed predator of lodgepole pine), and several measures of forest structure in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Fire frequency strongly predicted the frequency of serotiny, a pattern that is well‐supported in the literature. At sites with high fire frequency (return intervals of ∼135–185 years) where fire favors increased serotiny, squirrel abundance was negatively associated with serotiny, suggesting that selection from predation can overwhelm selection from fire when squirrels are abundant. At sites with low fire frequency (return intervals of ∼280–310 years), serotiny was nearly universally uncommon (<10%). Finally, forest structure strongly predicted squirrel density independently of serotiny, and serotiny provided no additional explanatory power, suggesting that the correlation is caused by selection against serotiny exerted by squirrels, rather than squirrels responding to variation in percentage serotiny.
Differential Responses to Chilling in Stylosanthes guianensis (Aublet) Sw. and Its Mutants
Authors: Lu Shaoyun , Wang Xianghui , Guo Zhenfei
Published: January 2013

Stylosanthes guianensis (Aublet) Sw., an important forage legume in tropical and subtropical regions, is sensitive to chilling stress. To understand its physiological mechanism of chilling resistance, physiological responses to chilling in antioxidants and photosynthesis in three γ‐ray‐irradiated chilling‐resistant mutants and the parent cultivar CIAT184 were analyzed and compared. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase and contents of ascorbic acid and glutathione increased in all plants within 4 d after chilling treatment at 6°C, followed by a gradual decrease. Chilling decreased the net photosynthetic rate, the maximum photochemical efficiency, quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry, photochemical quenching efficient, and excitation energy allocated to PSII photochemistry, while higher levels were maintained in the mutants than in CIAT184. Thermal energy dissipation increased during chilling and showed no difference between the mutants and CIAT184. Chilling resulted in an increase in the excess of energy excitation (Ex), but the mutants had lower levels of Ex than CIAT184. The results suggest that the higher levels of the antioxidant defense system induced by low temperature in the mutants may improve protection of photosynthesis against chilling‐induced oxidative damage and increase chilling resistance.
Spontaneous CSF Collection in the Cervical Spine may Cause Neurological Deficit and Intra-cranial Hypotension
Authors: Zakaria Rasheed , Wilby Martin , Fletcher Nicholas A
Published: January 2013

Objective:

a case is described of a spontaneously occurring cerebrospinal fluid collection in the ventral cervical spine which caused radiculopathy and spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

Case:

a sixty eight year old Caucasian man presented with a 2 year history of proximal upper limb weakness with a his-tory of trivial cervical trauma many years previously.

Methods:

the patient was investigated with blood tests for causes of peripheral neuropathy, nerve conduction and electro-myography studies, lumbar puncture and MRI of the brain and spine with contrast.

Results:

a cerebrospinal fluid collection was identified in the ventral cervical spinal cord causing mass effect associated with cord atrophy and there were signs of spontaneous intracranial hypotension on the MRI brain including subdural cere-brospinal fluid collections, meningeal enhancement and slumped posterior fossa.

Conclusions:

this is the first description of a spontaneous spinal fluid collection causing direct compression and cord sig-nal change, manifest as a motor deficit, with intracranial signs of spontaneous hypotension. Spinal imaging is recom-mended in cases of spontaneous intracranial hypotension and cerebrospinal fluid collections in the spine may rarely be a cause of radiculopathy in such cases.
Influence of the setting activators on the physical mechanical properties of phosphoanhydrite
Authors: Leskevicienė Violeta , Nizevicienė Dalia
Published: January 2013

Phosphoanhydrite was obtained by processing dihydrate phosphogypsum generated
during phosphoric acid production at Joint Stock Company (JSC) Lifosa
(Lithuania). The influence on the properties of phosphoanhydrite of the
treament process? parameters was determined, including the conditions of
phosphogypsum neutralisation in the lime suspension; temperature and duration
of calcination of neutralized phosphogypsum to phosphoanhydrite; fineness of
ground anhydrite; selection of additives activating the hydration of
anhydrite and their amounts. Upon adding activators of anhydrite hydration,
K2SO4 or Na2SO4, the data of XRD and IR spectral analysis show that the
specimens after 1 day of phosphoanhydrite hydration with additives contain
complex salts - syngenite upon using K2SO4 additive and glauberite in the
case of Na2SO4 additive. These additives act as crystallization centers and
accelerate hydration. It has been determined that the specimens of
phosphoanhydrite calcined at a temperature of 900 ? C with 2 % K2SO4 additive
have the best physical and mechanical properties. Already after 1 day of
hardening the specimens acquired a compressive strength of 21.18 MPa, and
after 28 days of hardening they had a compressive strength of 58.5 MPa (dry
specimens).
Microstructure evolution and phase transition in La/Mn doped barium titanate ceramics
Authors: Paunovic Vesna , Mitic Vojislav , Pavlovic Vladimir , Miljkovic Miroslav , Zivkovic Ljiljana
Published: January 2013

La/Mn codoped BaTiO3 with different La2O3 content, ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 at% La, was investigated regarding their microstructural and dielectric characteristics. The content of 0.05 at% Mn was constant in all investigated samples. The samples were sintered at 1320?C and 1350?C for two hours. Microstructural studies were done using SEM and EDS analysis. The fine-grained microstructure was obtained even for low content of La. The appearance of secondary abnormal grains with serrated features along grain boundaries was observed in 1.0 at% La-BaTiO3 sintered at 1350?C. Nearly flat permittivity-temperature response was obtained in specimens with 2.0 and 5.0 at% La. Using the modified Curie-Weiss law a critical exponent ? and C' were calculated. The obtained values of ? pointed out the diffuse phase transformation in heavily doped BaTiO3 and great departure from the Curie-Weiss law for low doped ceramics.
Preparation and characterization of Fe-doped TiO2 powders for solar light response and photocatalytic applications
Authors: Ganesh Ibram , Kumar Polkampally , Gupta Abhishek , Sekhar Panakati , Radha Kalathur , Padmanabham Gadhe , Sundararajan Govindan
Published: January 2013

Different amounts of Fe-doped TiO2 (with 0.1 to 10 wt.% Fe) powders were
prepared at temperatures in the range of 400 and 800?C following a
conventional co-precipitation technique and were thoroughly characterized by
means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR),
Fourier-transform Raman (FT-Raman), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS),
BET surface area, zeta potential and flat band potential measurements.
Photocatalytic ability of Fe-doped TiO2 powders was evaluated by means of
methylene blue (MB) degradation experiments conducted under the irradiation
of simulated solar light. Characterization results suggested that as a dopant
Fe stabilized TiO2 in the form of anatase phase, reduced its band gap energy
and adjusted its flat band potentials in such a way that these powders can be
employed for photoelectrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen in
photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. The 0.1 wt.% Fe-doped TiO2 exhibited
highest activity in the photocatalytic degradation of MB. The kinetic studies
revealed that the MB degradation reaction follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood
first order reaction rate.
Ageing of low-firing prehistoric ceramics in hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Zemenová Petra , Klouzková Alexandra , Kohoutková Martina
Published: January 2013

Remains of a prehistoric ceramic object, a moon-shaped idol from the Bronze
Age found in archaeological site Zdiby near Prague in the Czech Republic,
were studied especially in terms of the firing temperature. Archaeological
ceramics was usually fired at temperatures below 1000?C. It contained
unstable non-crystalline products, residua after calcination of clay
components of a ceramic material. These products as metakaolinite can undergo
a reverse rehydration to a structure close to kaolinite. The aim of this work
was to prove whether the identified kaolinite in archaeological ceramics is a
product of rehydration. The model compound containing high amount of
kaolinite was prepared in order to follow its changes during calcination and
hydrothermal treatment. Archaeological ceramics and the model compound were
treated by hydrothermal ageing and studied by XRF, XRD and IR analyses. It
was proved that the presence of kaolinite in the border-parts of the
archaeological object was not a product of rehydration, but that it
originated from the raw materials.
Preparation of glass-ceramic materials from granitic rocks waste
Authors: Khater Gamal
Published: January 2013

Crystallisation of glasses based on the diopside-anorthite eutectic system,
containing increased amount (10- 50 wt.%) of wollastonite based on granite
quarries waste, was investigated for the preparation of cheap technical
glass-ceramic materials. Granite quarries waste consisted of about 52 wt.% of
the batch constituents depending on composition. The granite quarries waste
composition was sometimes modified by adding other ingredients such as
dolomite, limestone and Al2O3. Batches were melted and then cast into glass,
which was then subjected to heat-treatment to induce crystallisation. The
resulting glass-ceramic materials (heat-treated at 1000?C for 3 h) were
mainly composed of diopside, anorthite, wollastonite and mullite. With
increasing temperature (to 1050?C for 3h), diopside and anorthite
transformed into akermanite and mullite. It has been found that increasing
the content of the diopside-anorthite eutectic in the batch constituents,
resulted in increased bulk crystallisation. Samples were characterised by
different techniques including differential thermal analysis, polarizing
microscope, X-ray diffraction and indentation microhardness testing. The
obtained glassceramic materials possess very high hardness, indicating high
abrasion resistance, making them suitable for many applications under
aggressive mechanical conditions.
Impact of dental implant insertion method on the peri-implant bone tissue: Experimental study
Authors: Stamatovic Novak , Matic Smiljana , Tatic Zoran , Petkovic-Curcin Aleksandra , Vojvodic Danilo , Rakic Mia
Published: January 2013

Background/Aim. The function of dental implants depends on their stability in
bone tissue over extended period of time, i.e. on osseointegration. The
process through which osseointegration is achieved depends on several
factors, surgical insertion method being one of them. The aim of this study
was to histopathologically compare the impact of the surgical method of
implant insertion on the peri-implant bone tissue. Methods. The experiment
was performed on 9 dogs. Eight weeks following the extraction of lower
premolars implants were inserted using the one-stage method on the right
mandibular side and two-stage method on the left side. Three months after
implantation the animals were sacrificed. Three distinct regions of bone
tissue were histopathologically analyzed, the results were scored and
compared. Results. In the specimens of one-stage implants increased amount of
collagen fibers was found in 5 specimens where tissue necrosis was also
observed. Only moderate osteoblastic activity was found in 3 sections. The
analysis of bone-to-implant contact region revealed statistically
significantly better results regarding the amount of collagen tissue fibers
for the implants inserted in the two-stage method (Wa = 59 < 66,5, ? = 0.05),
but necrosis was found in all specimens, and no osteoblastic activity.
Histopathological analysis of bone-implant interface of one-stage implants
revealed increased amount of collagen fibers in all specimens, moderate
osteoblastic activity and neovascularization in 2 specimens. No inflammation
was observed. The analysis of two-stage implants revealed a marked increase
of collagen fibers in 5 specimens, inflammation and bone necrosis were found
in only one specimen. There were no statistically significant differences
between the two methods regarding bone-implant interface region.
Histopathological analysis of bone tissue adjacent to the one-stage implant
revealed moderate increase of collagen tissue in only 1 specimen, moderate
increase of osteoblasts and osteocytes in 3 specimens. No necrotic tissue was
found. The analyzed specimens of bone adjacent to two-stage implants revealed
a moderate increase in the number of osteocytes in 3 and a marked increase in
6 specimens respectively. This difference was statistically significant (Wb =
106.5 > 105, ? = 0.05). No necrosis and osteoblastic activity were observed.
Conclusion. Better results were achieved by the two-stage method in
bone-to-implant contact region regarding the amount of collagen tissue, while
the results were identical regarding the osteoblastic activity and bone
tissue necrosis. There was no difference between the methods in the
bone-implant interface region. In the bone tissue adjacent to the implant the
results were identical regarding the amount of collagen tissue, osteoblastic
reaction and bone tissue necrosis, while better results were achieved by the
two-stage method regarding the number of osteocytes.
Predicting Clinical Outcomes and Response to Thrombolysis in Acute Stroke Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Nikneshan Davar , Raptis Roula , Pongmoragot Jitphapa , Zhou Limei , Johnston S. Claiborne , Saposnik Gustavo ,   on behalf of the Investigators of the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network (RCSN) and the Stroke Outcomes Research Canada (SORCan) Working Group
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE

Few tools are available to evaluate clinical outcomes and response to thrombolysis (tPA) in stroke patients with diabetes. We explored how the iScore (www.sorcan.ca/iscore), a validated risk score, predicts clinical outcomes in stroke patients with and without diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We applied the iScore to stroke patients presenting to stroke centers participating in the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network. Main outcomes included favorable outcome, defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0–2 at discharge, and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) after tPA.

RESULTS

Among 12,686 patients with an acute ischemic stroke, 3,228 (25.5%) had diabetes. Among patients receiving tPA (n = 1,689), those with diabetes had a lower rate of a favorable outcome compared with their counterparts (24.3 vs. 31.1%; RR 0.90 [95% CI 0.82–0.98]). The risk of ICH was not significantly different in patients with or without diabetes (for any type 12.6 vs. 12.5%, RR 1.01 [0.72–1.40]; for symptomatic ICH 7.5 vs. 6.8%, RR 1.11 [0.70–1.72]). The regression analysis revealed a decline in the probability of a favorable outcome after tPA with increments in the iScore (P value for iScore × tPA interaction <0.001). There was no difference in the response to tPA predicted by the iScore between stroke patients with and without diabetes (P value = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Stroke patients with diabetes have poorer outcomes compared with patients without diabetes, which is not explained by ICH. The iScore similarly predicts response to tPA between stroke patients with and without diabetes.
The Feasibility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron Emission Tomography Uptake as a Prognostic Factor for Paranasal Sinus Malignancy
Authors: Seol Jeong-Hun , Kim Jinna , Lee Jong-Doo , Lee Jeung-Gweon , Yoon Joo-Heon , Kim Chang-Hoon
Published: January 2013

Background

There is a correlation between 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and the level of intracellular metabolic tumor activity, which in turn may be associated with active proliferation, invasion, and prognosis as well as distant metastases in head and neck cancer. This study was designed to assess whether tumor uptake of FDG positron emission tomography (PET) expressed as the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) can be used to predict survival in subjects with paranasal sinus malignancy.

Methods

We enrolled 42 consecutive subjects with a histological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in paranasal sinus malignancy, into a retrospective institutional imaging trial. Thirty-eight subjects (90.5%) underwent a baseline FDG-PET scan before curative treatment and were eligible for analysis.

Results

A total of 38 subjects with paranasal sinus malignancy undergoing PET/computed tomography imaging in the initial stages were assessed separately for a potential correlation between SUVmax and T staging, histological grading, and overall survival. Log-rank testing revealed a significant correlation between overall survival and histological grading (p = 0.046); and there was some correlation between SUVmax and histological grading, but not significantly different. The receiver operation characteristic curve was identified for cutoff value of SUVmax as a prognostic factor. We compared the low tumor of the SUVmax group with the high tumor of the SUVmax group divided by the cutoff value of SUVmax. We did find a significant correlation between SUVmax and disease control and mortality (p = 0.003, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In our study, we concluded that subjects with higher tumor FDG uptakes should be considered for a more aggressive disease.
Questioning Canadian Criminal Incidence Rates: A Re-analysis of the 2004 Canadian Victimization Survey
Authors: Nazaretian Zavin , Merolla David M.
Published: January 2013

This article re-analyses official 2004 criminal incidence rates in Canada. Currently, official incidence rates are calculated using a technique known as capping, meaning that any respondent can represent a maximum of three incidents per crime type, regardless of how many incidents the individual reports. Given that research on other victimization surveys has cast doubt on the practice of capping, this research assesses the effects of capping in the Canadian Victimization Survey. Findings illustrate that there is significant cause to question the way in which official incidence rates are calculated. Specifically, this research shows that violent crime increases by 87% and household crime increases by 36% when all reported incidents are included. This pattern not only underscores the importance of understanding how incidence rates are produced but also suggests that capping may ignore genuine incidents because individuals who are victims of violent crimes are the most likely to be repeatedly victimized. These findings indicate numerous rates should be published, and more research needs to be conducted to understand recall in victimization surveys and determine the most accurate methods for incidence rate estimation.
ANIMALS ACCURS’D: FERAE NATURAE AND THE LAW OF PROPERTY IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY NORTH AMERICA
Authors: Tomlins Christopher
Published: January 2013

This essay comments on the three substantive articles comprising the University of Toronto Law Journal’s symposium on ferae naturae and the law of property. It argues that the articles collectively represent a reconsideration of the influential thesis developed by Robert Ellickson in Order without Law, that when members of any community resolve disputes arising in the course of some shared activity they are prone to do so in ways that avoid the costs that law imposes on the process of settlement because ‘coordination to mutual advantage without supervision by the state’ works better than order with it. Rather than confirming law’s unimportance, this essay argues, the articles collectively demonstrate the importance of law. The essay recognizes, however, that some of the ways in which the importance of law is demonstrated are distinct from the measures of importance originally considered by Ellickson. Following their lead, the essay considers additional criteria by which we might assess the significance of the law of property in wild animals – not least whether that law has taken the animals themselves into consideration.
THE LAW OF CAPTURE, NEWFOUNDLAND-STYLE
Authors: Ziff Bruce
Published: January 2013

The rules governing the ownership of wild animals are of ancient origin. In essence, title is based on first occupancy. However, the rights acquired by occupancy are qualified: where the animal escapes, title is lost. As a corollary, the killing of the animal renders title absolute. These principles have been applied in a variety of contexts. However, the law governing capture within the Newfoundland seal fishery seems to have veered off on a different course. This article explores the Newfoundland jurisprudence on the ‘law of capture’ as manifested in a cluster of decisions rendered by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland in the latter part of the nineteenth century. The principles articulated in these cases are inconsistent inter se. The guiding doctrines were seemingly in transition and contested. This article seeks to discern why these disputes emerged – and the governing principles called into question – long after the commencement of the seal hunt itself. Moreover, the differing judicial approaches reflect the penchant of the Newfoundland judiciary to adopt unique legal doctrines in response to the special needs of the colony. The malleability of the legal concept of ‘possession’ aided that judicial activism. These themes will be explored.
Transcriptional Regulation of the Mitochondrial Citrate and Carnitine/Acylcarnitine Transporters: Two Genes Involved in Fatty Acid Biosynthesis and β-oxidation
Authors: Iacobazzi Vito , Infantino Vittoria , Palmieri Ferdinando
Published: January 2013

Transcriptional regulation of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism is considered the major long-term regulatory mechanism controlling lipid homeostasis. By means of this mechanism, transcription factors, nutrients, hormones and epigenetics control not only fatty acid metabolism, but also many metabolic pathways and cellular functions at the molecular level. The regulation of the expression of many genes at the level of their transcription has already been analyzed. This review focuses on the transcriptional control of two genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and oxidation: the citrate carrier (CIC) and the carnitine/ acylcarnitine/carrier (CAC), which are members of the mitochondrial carrier gene family, SLC25. The contribution of tissue-specific and less tissue-specific transcription factors in activating or repressing CIC and CAC gene expression is discussed. The interaction with drugs of some transcription factors, such as PPAR and FOXA1, and how this interaction can be an attractive therapeutic approach, has also been evaluated. Moreover, the mechanism by which the expression of the CIC and CAC genes is modulated by coordinated responses to hormonal and nutritional changes and to epigenetics is highlighted.
Production of Pharmaceutical Proteins in Solanaceae Food Crops
Authors: Rigano Maria , De Guzman Giorgio , Walmsley Amanda , Frusciante Luigi , Barone Amalia
Published: January 2013

The benefits of increased safety and cost-effectiveness make vegetable crops appropriate systems for the production and delivery of pharmaceutical proteins. In particular, Solanaceae edible crops could be inexpensive biofactories for oral vaccines and other pharmaceutical proteins that can be ingested as minimally processed extracts or as partially purified products. The field of crop plant biotechnology is advancing rapidly due to novel developments in genetic and genomic tools being made available today for the scientific community. In this review, we briefly summarize data now available regarding genomic resources for the Solanaceae family. In addition, we describe novel strategies developed for the expression of foreign proteins in vegetable crops and the utilization of these techniques to manufacture pharmaceutical proteins.
Monovalent Ions and Water Dipoles in Contact with Dipolar Zwitterionic Lipid Headgroups-Theory and MD Simulations
Authors: Velikonja Aljaž , Perutkova Šarka , Gongadze Ekaterina , Kramar Peter , Polak Andraž , Maček-Lebar Alenka , Iglič Aleš
Published: January 2013

The lipid bilayer is a basic building block of biological membranes and can be pictured as a barrier separating two compartments filled with electrolyte solution. Artificial planar lipid bilayers are therefore commonly used as model systems to study the physical and electrical properties of the cell membranes in contact with electrolyte solution. Among them the glycerol-based polar phospholipids which have dipolar, but electrically neutral head groups, are most frequently used in formation of artificial lipid bilayers. In this work the electrical properties of the lipid layer composed of zwitterionic lipids with non-zero dipole moments are studied theoretically. In the model, the zwitterionic lipid bilayer is assumed to be in contact with aqueous solution of monovalent salt ions. The orientational ordering of water, resulting in spatial variation of permittivity, is explicitly taken into account. It is shown that due to saturation effect in orientational ordering of water dipoles the relative permittivity in the zwitterionic headgroup region is decreased, while the corresponding electric potential becomes strongly negative. Some of the predictions of the presented mean-field theoretical consideration are critically evaluated using the results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation.
Asperolide A, a Marine-Derived Tetranorditerpenoid, Induces G2/M Arrest in Human NCI-H460 Lung Carcinoma Cells, Is Mediated by p53-p21 Stabilization and Modulated by Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lv Cuiting , Sun Wenxia , Sun Haofen , Wei Shanjian , Chen Ruohua , Wang Bingui , Huang Caiguo
Published: January 2013

Here we first demonstrate that asperolide A, a very recently reported marine-derived tetranorditerpenoid, leads to the inhibition of NCI-H460 lung carcinoma cell proliferation by G2/M arrest with the activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling and p53-dependent p21 pathway. Treatment with 35 μM asperolide A (2 × IC50) resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of G2/M phase cells, about a 2.9-fold increase during 48 h. Immunoblot assays demonstrated time-dependent inhibition of G2/M regulatory proteins. Moreover, asperolide A significantly activated MAP kinases (ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAP kinase) by phosphorylation, and only the inhibition of ERK activation by PD98059 reversed downregulation of G2/M regulatory proteins CDC2, and suppressed upregulation of p21 and p-p53 levels. Transfection of cells with dominant-negative Ras (RasN17) mutant genes up-regulated asperolide A-induced the decrease of cyclin B1 and CDC2, suppressed Raf, ERK activity and p53-p21 expression, and at last, abolished G2/M arrest. This study indicates that asperolide A-induced G2/M arrest in human NCI-H460 lung carcinoma cells relys on the participation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in p53-p21 stabilization. An in vivo study with asperolide A illustrated a marked inhibition of tumor growth, and little toxcity compared to Cisplatin therapy. Overall, these findings provide potential effectiveness and a theoretical basis for the therapeutic use of asperolide A in the treatment of malignancies.
Antioxidant Capacity of Two Novel Bioactive Fe(III)-Cyclophane Complexes
Authors: Salazar-Medina Alex , Sugich-Miranda Rocío , Teran-Cabanillas Eli , Hernández Jesús , González-Aguilar Gustavo , Rudiño-Piñera Enrique , Sotelo-Mundo Rogerio , Velázquez-Contreras Enrique
Published: January 2013

The cyclophanes 2,9,25,32-tetraoxo-4,7,27,30-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10, 24,27,30,33-octaaza-17,40-dioxa[10.1.10.1]paracyclophane (PO) and 2,9,25,32-tetraoxo-4,7,27,30-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10,24,27,30,33-octaaza[10.1.10.1]paracyclophane (PC) were coordinated with iron to form cationic binuclear Fe(III) Fe2PO and Fe2PC complexes, respectively. Their antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase mimetic activity, as well as their toxicity toward peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated. Both Fe2PO and Fe2PC are interesting biomimetics with antioxidant capacity similar to that of ascorbic acid that prevent mortality in cultured PBMCs, with the potential to have bioactive and protective functions in disease animal models.
Remote Distinction of A Noxious Weed (Musk Thistle: CarduusNutans) Using Airborne Hyperspectral Imagery and the Support Vector Machine Classifier
Authors: Mirik Mustafa , Ansley R. James , Steddom Karl , Jones David , Rush Charles , Michels Gerald , Elliott Norman
Published: January 2013

Remote detection of non-native invasive plant species using geospatial imagery may significantly improve monitoring, planning and management practices by eliminating shortfalls, such as observer bias and accessibility involved in ground-based surveys. The use of remote sensing for accurate mapping invasion extent and pattern offers several advantages, including repeatability, large area coverage, complete instead of sub-sampled assessments and greater cost-effectiveness over ground-based methods. It is critical for locating, early mapping and controlling small infestations before they reach economically prohibitive or ecologically significant levels over larger land areas. This study was designed to explore the ability of hyperspectral imagery for mapping infestation of musk thistle (Carduus nutans) on a native grassland during the preflowering stage in mid-April and during the peak flowering stage in mid-June using the support vector machine classifier and to assess and compare the resulting mapping accuracy for these two distinctive phenological stages. Accuracy assessment revealed that the overall accuracies were 79% and 91% for the classified images at preflowering and peak flowering stages, respectively. These results indicate that repeated detection of the infestation extent, as well as infestation severity or intensity, of this noxious weed in a spatial and temporal context is possible using hyperspectral remote sensing imagery.
Quantitative pretreatment VOI analysis of liver metastases
Authors: Stellamans K. , Brugman E. , Mees G. , De Spiegeleer B. , D’Asseler Y. , Beels L. , Maes A. , Van de Wiele C.
Published: January 2013

Using quantitive VOI analysis, the percentage 99mTc-MAA uptake and SUVmax and mean values of liver metastases obtained prior to SIRT were related to treatment response using both a lesion-based and clinical dichotomous approach. Based on the VOI % of 99mTc-MAA activity, the estimated 90Y-microspheres activity/cc (MBq/cc) was calculated from the effective dose injected. Baseline VOI FDG PET SUVmean and max values and estimated MBq/cc values were related to treatment response using a lesionbased approach (% change in SUVmean ≥ 50%) and a clinical dichotomous approach. Fifteen treatment sessions were analyzed (13 patients). Using the lesion-based approach (12 treatment sessions) 40 lesions responded and 37 did not. SUVmax and mean values proved significantly different between non-responding and responding lesions; 18.6 (SD 10.8) versus 13.5 (SD 8.4 ) for SUVmax (p = 0.02) and 11.4 (SD 3.8) versus 6.3 (SD 4.5) for SUVmean (p = 0.002). Using the clinical dichotomous approach (15 treatment sessions / 11 responding), 91 lesions were analyzed; 57 responded. VOI volumes and estimated 90Y-loaded glass microspheres activity (MBq/cc) did not differ between responders and non responders; 24 cc (SD 27) versus 21 cc (SD 21 cc) (p = 0.4) and 1.95 MBq/cc (SD 1.1 MBq/cc) versus 1.90 MB/cc (SD 2.7 MBq/cc) (p = 0.92). On the contrary, SUVmax and mean values proved significantly different between responders and nonresponders; 23.7 (SD 9.8) versus 9.4 (SD 3.8 ) for SUVmax (p = 0.0001) and 13.1 (SD 8.1) versus 4.9 (SD 1.4) for SUVmean. Conclusion: These findings suggest that in patients presenting with high baseline SUVmax and mean values, the administration of higher activities or alternatively, other potentially more useful treatment options might be considered.
Insulin-Producing Cells from Adult Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Control Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Nude Mice
Authors: Gabr Mahmoud M. , Zakaria Mahmoud M. , Refaie Ayman F. , Ismail Amani M. , Abou-El-Mahasen Mona A. , Ashamallah Sylvia A. , Khater Sherry M. , El-Halawani Sawsan M. , Ibrahim Rana Y. , Uin Gan Shu , Kloc Malgorzata , Calne Roy Y. , Ghoneim Mohamed A.
Published: January 2013

Harvesting, expansion, and directed differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) could provide an autologous source of surrogate β-cells that would alleviate the limitations of availability and/or allogenic rejection following pancreatic or islet transplantation. Bone marrow cells were obtained from three adult type 2 diabetic volunteers and three nondiabetic donors. After 3 days in culture, adherent MSCs were expanded for two passages. At passage 3, differentiation was carried out in a three-staged procedure. Cells were cultured in a glucose-rich medium containing several activation and growth factors. Cells were evaluated in vitro by flow cytometry, immunolabeling, RT-PCR, and human insulin and c-peptide release in responses to increasing glucose concentrations. One thousand cell clusters were inserted under the renal capsule of diabetic nude mice followed by monitoring of their diabetic status. At the end of differentiation, ~5–10% of cells were immunofluorescent for insulin, c-peptide or glucagon; insulin, and c-peptide were coexpressed. Nanogold immunolabeling for electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of c-peptide in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Insulin-producing cells (IPCs) expressed transcription factors and genes of pancreatic hormones similar to those expressed by pancreatic islets. There was a stepwise increase in human insulin and c-peptide release by IPCs in response to increasing glucose concentrations. Transplantation of IPCs into nude diabetic mice resulted in control of their diabetic status for 3 months. The sera of IPC-transplanted mice contained human insulin and c-peptide but negligible levels of mouse insulin. When the IPC-bearing kidneys were removed, rapid return of diabetic state was noted. BM-MSCs from diabetic and nondiabetic human subjects could be differentiated without genetic manipulation to form IPCs that, when transplanted, could maintain euglycemia in diabetic mice for 3 months. Optimization of the culture conditions are required to improve the yield of IPCs and their functional performance.
Scaffold-Free Cell Pellet Transplantations can be Applied to Periodontal Regeneration
Authors: Guo Weihua , He Yong , Tang Xuepeng , Chen Gang , Shi Haigang , Gong Kun , Zhou Jing , Wen Lingying , Jin Yan
Published: January 2013

Cell transplantation has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for periodontitis, and the adoption of cell pellet offers advantages by secreting abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) and eliminating the adverse effect of cell carriers. This study aimed to fabricate scaffold-free periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) pellets (MUCPs) and to evaluate their regeneration potential. We constructed monolayer cell pellets (MCPs) by fabricating and culturing multilayered cell sheets (MUCS) and constructed MUCPs from the MUCS. Immunochemistry, scanning electron microscope, real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis showed higher levels of COL-I, COL-III, fibronectin, and laminin in the MUCPs. Furthermore, the massive increase in ECM secretion improved cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. Finally, upon transplantation into the omentum sac and periodon-tal defects, all the transplants formed regular aligned cementum/PDL-like complex, but the mineral deposit and fiber alignment were more obvious in the MUCPs than in the MCPs. Altogether, our results suggest that MUCPs may be a promising alternative to periodontal repair for future clinical application.
ON A SECOND-ORDER DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM WITH FRACTIONAL DERIVATIVES OF ORDER GREATER THAN ONE
Authors: Tatar Nasser-eddine
Published: January 2013

A second-order abstract problem with derivatives of non-integer order is investigated. The nonlinearity involves fractional derivatives between 1 and 2. Existence and uniqueness of mild and classical solutions are established in appropriate spaces. This work extends similar works with or without a derivative of first order and also a work of the present author, where the order of the derivatives were between 0 and 1.
A JOINT LIMIT THEOREM FOR PERIODIC HURWITZ ZETA-FUNCTIONS WITH ALGEBRAIC IRRATIONAL PARAMETERS
Authors: Genienė Danutė , Rimkevičienė Audronė
Published: January 2013

In the paper, a joint limit theorem for weakly convergent probability measures in ℂ r for periodic Hurwitz zeta-functions with algebraic irrational parameters satisfying certain independence conditions is obtained.
Gestion des résultats comptables et structure de l'actionnariat : le cas français
Authors: Mard Yves , Marsat Sylvain
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’objectif de notre recherche est d’étudier le lien entre la structure de l’actionnariat et la gestion des résultats des sociétés françaises. L’étude est conduite sur un échantillon de sociétés cotées de l’indice SBF 250 sur la période 2004-2008. La concentration de l’actionnariat, mesurée par le pourcentage de capital détenu par le premier actionnaire, est associée négativement avec la gestion des résultats jusqu’à un certain seuil de détention, puis positivement au-delà de ce seuil (relation curvilinéaire). Par ailleurs, la part détenue par le deuxième actionnaire est associée négativement avec la gestion des résultats. Concernant la nature de l’actionnariat, les analyses montrent que le poids des actionnaires familiaux et industriels limite l’intensité de la gestion des résultats. Ce résultat pourrait s’expliquer par l’horizon de placement à long terme de ces acteurs, qui n’incite pas les dirigeants à ce type de gestion.
Le processus global d'audit : source de développement d'une gouvernance cognitive ?
Authors: Bertin Élisabeth , Godowski Christophe
Published: January 2013

Résumé Cette contribution défend la thèse qu’une forte interaction entre les trois acteurs du processus global d’audit permettrait une production de connaissances de plus grande qualité à destination des administrateurs de l’entreprise. Ce volume d’informations pourrait alors constituer un socle de discussion dans les lieux de décision, pour inciter l’entreprise à saisir les opportunités d’investissement les plus pertinentes. Le processus global d’audit ne pourra être source de développement d’une gouvernance cognitive, que s’il existe un système de relations formalisées entre comité d’audit, audit interne et audit externe. Afin de caractériser les modes d’interaction, nous avons mené une enquête inspirée de la méthode Delphi, en constituant un groupe d’experts français, composé à parité par les acteurs du processus global d’audit. Notre étude exploratoire montre que le comité d’audit n’assume pas pleinement le rôle de coordinateur et d’animateur du processus global d’audit, qu’il devrait jouer. De surcroît, les relations entre auditeurs internes et auditeurs externes relèvent plus d’une consultation non systématique que d’une coopération. La mobilisation de la théorie dynamique de l’action collective (Hatchuel 1994) pour expliquer la faible intensité des interactions nous conduit à constater que les conditions ne sont pas réunies, dans le contexte français, pour produire une information commune et utile aux administrateurs, et que le système de relations bloque la révision du modèle d’interaction. La transposition de la 8 e Directive Européenne en droit français est susceptible d’améliorer les relations, en dotant le comité d’audit d’un pouvoir institutionnel et d’une certaine légitimité. Néanmoins, des questions, susceptibles d’entraîner un nouveau dysfonctionnement de l’action collective, demeurent en suspens.
Quand les femmes ne cèdent plus... L'accès des femmes kanak à la formation continue
Authors: Testenoire Armelle
Published: January 2013

Résumé Cet article a pour objet d’analyser le processus de subjectivation impulsé par une politique de discrimination positive en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Il est centré sur les parcours de femmes kanak de plus de 30 ans qui sont engagées dans des formations au métier de conductrice d’engin minier. La politique de formation continue crée des conditions matérielles qui permettent aux femmes de prendre conscience que les rapports de domination ne sont pas inéluctables. Elles s’appuient sur leurs rêves d’enfance pour oser postuler à des formations qui subvertissent la division sexuelle du travail à laquelle elles ont jusqu’alors été assujetties. Dans un second temps, l’activité de travail, parce qu’elle est socialement valorisée, entraîne une transformation du rapport à soi et aux autres dans l’action.
Les rabat-joie féministes (et autres sujets obstinés)
Authors: Ahmed Sara , Bonis Oristelle
Published: January 2013

Résumé Interrogeant la figure de la « féministe rabat-joie », cet article propose d’en explorer la négativité, aussi bien que la capacité d’agir dont elle est la promesse. Il s’agit ainsi, en repositionnant la pensée féministe comme critique de l’injonction au bonheur, de comprendre le sujet féministe en tant que sujet obstiné. L’obstination féministe est alors appréhendée comme le socle incertain d’une politique collective traduisant les émotions individuelles, la douleur ou la colère ressentie face aux injustices. Au-delà, la figure du sujet obstiné permet de saisir la façon dont, au sein des espaces féministes, les femmes noires ont pu être réduites à leur colère et désignées comme cause des divisions engendrées par le racisme. La position de sujet obstiné constituerait ainsi autant un lieu de tensions que de revendications politiques.
Citoyenneté, ethnicité et dialecticité du pouvoir dans les relations de genre
Authors: Casa-Nova Maria José , Le Doaré Hélène
Published: January 2013

Résumé Cet article se propose de discuter et de problématiser la façon dont se manifestent, sur un plan général et particulier, les relations de genre dans une communauté tsigane vivant dans un quartier hlm de la périphérie de Porto, au Nord du Portugal. L’analyse des données recueillies, selon une approche ethnologique, au cours de deux années de travail de terrain, permet de dévoiler les rapports de pouvoir entre les sexes et l’exercice sexué de la citoyenneté qui se vivent dans des contextes socio-géographico-culturels spécifiques : celui de la famille et celui de la communauté. Dans chacun de ces contextes, les relations de genre intègrent une subordination subordonnante et une domination subordonnée . L’analyse les saisit non seulement à travers des déterminants structurels, mais aussi à travers l’agir et les subjectivités des divers sujets-acteurs en présence qui s’affrontent dans leur double statut de citoyens et citoyennes d’un État et de membres d’une communauté relevant d’un groupe socioculturel donné.