bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers Limiting Access to Quality Higher Education in the Context of the USE: Family and School as Constraining Factors
Authors: Prakhov Ilya
Published: June 2015

Despite massification of higher education in Russia and standardized entry examinations, candidates may still encounter some obstacles while trying to enter a university. Access to higher education can be limited at different levels: personal (lack of competencies required to enter a specific university), family (social and cultural status of p arents), or institutional (the schooling system). Being affected by these factors, a candidate might only qualify for a non-selective university offering curricula of lower quality. This paper uses the data provided by the Monitoring of Education Markets and Organizations and by the ranking assessing the quality of admission to higher education institutions to evaluate the factors affecting the choice of university based on the level of its selectivity. It appears that opting for a selective higher education institution not only depends on the USE (Unified State Exam) points obtained by the candidate (the major criterion of admission in the Russian Federation) but is also determined by the factors that are not directly associated with the candidate’s skills: father’s education, financial standing of the family, its cultural capital, school characteristics (type of school, specialization in the class), and the amount of financial investments in test preparation courses. All together, these factors challenge the equality of opportunities for candidates and the accessibility of quality higher education for students from low-income families.
Where Can we Expect a Respite from and Be Immune to the Surfeit of Technology? (In-Depth Study of William Gibson’s Neuromancer)
Authors: Abootalebi Hassan
Published: June 2015

The present paper intends to explore Gibson’s Neuromancer (1984) with a critical eye on the changes and influences technology has effected in contemporary societies, to elucidate how and in which ways these impacts have brought about changes in both individuals’ roles and attitudes, and to investigate the different realms influenced by technology. Hence, in the introduction section, some terms associated with Neuromncer will be first defined and expounded, and then in the discussion, the focus of the current research will be on the above-mentioned work in order to shed light on the main concerns of the book. At the end, a conclusion based upon the points discussed in the preceding sections will be drawn in order to help readers of Gibson’s appreciate the significance of his work in portraying the ramifications of advanced technology in years to come.
Expecting Godot not to Come!
Authors: Momeni Javad
Published: June 2015

Beckett, as a typical modern author, adopts a position between subjectivity and objectivity, and in the gap between these two, by focusing on the latter on one hand, represents an image of Lukacs's realistic view and on the other hand, by scrutinizing more precisely, offers a profile of the existentialist view. Beckett's presence itself in this gap inevitably entails a critical representation of both realms. His characters, in confrontation with modern subjectivization, seek refuge to the fragmented reified objectivity leading to desubjectivization, which is in line with Beckett's characters' anxiety and angst of thinking about their existential how-ness. Meanwhile, their denying the past is synonymous with negating Dasein's temporality features, and this ends in the dissolution of their most primary existential feature, projection. The concomitance of these features eventuates in the appearance of characters such as Vladimir and Estragon who evade thinking like a modern subject, that is, a kind of thinking which revolves around a transcendental signified.
Digital Documentation: Using digital technologies to promote language assessment for the 21st century
Authors: Pellerin Martine
Published: June 2015

The article describes how the use of digital technologies such as iPod and iPad contributes to the gathering of tangible evidence of students’ learning, and promotes the emergence of a new means of formative assessment that supports language teaching and learning for the 21st century. In particular, the use of such technologies by Early French Immersion learners promotes digital documentation (audio and video recording) of language learning across the curriculum, to help make the learning and thinking process more visible to teachers and students. The process of revisiting the digital documentation constitutes a new means of formative assessment that informs both the teaching and the learning. Moreover, the use of digital technologies allows students to become active participants in their own learning and assessment process. Finally, the article examines the role of oral language in the digital documentation and revision process and how this enhances the assessment of students’ learning in the 21st century language classroom.
Online pedagogy: Development of the communicative skills in Russian online courses
Authors: Kozlova Iryna
Published: June 2015

This study on online language pedagogy takes a sociocultural approach toexamine how tasks designed for synchronous multimodal web-conferencingenvironment (MWCE) encourage students’ development of communicativeskills and how students initiate control over their own learning.The data from the archived synchronous class sessions of the secondsemesterhigh-school Russian as a foreign language course taught completelyonline were analyzed using Conversation Analysis. The data showsthat a problem-solving component built in the task design seems to be apowerful tool as it invites peer collaboration on solving linguistic problems,urges students to take control of their own learning and offers opportunitiesfor participation in instructional conversations with the instructor.The study also shows that multimodal environment allows studentsat different developmental levels and with different learning stylesto participate in the co-construction of the task via the communicationchannel of their preference.
Mobile speech recognition software: A tool for teaching second language pronunciation
Authors: Liakin Denis , Cardoso Walcir , Liakina Natallia
Published: June 2015

This study examines the impact of the pedagogical use of mobile automatic speech recognition software (ASR) on the acquisition of the French vowel /y/ in production and perception. The participants were 42 beginner French students with no previous training in French phonetics and exposure to speech recognition software. They were divided into three experimental groups: (1) the ASR Group used an ASR application installed on their mobile devices to complete weekly pronunciation activities, with immediate written visual (textual) feedback provided by the software; (2) the Non-ASR Group completed the same weekly pronunciation activities in individual weekly sessions with a teacher, who provided immediate oral feedback using recast and repetitions; finally, (3) the Control Group participated in weekly individual meetings “to practice their conversation skills” with a teacher, who provided no pronunciation feedback. Following a pre-test/post-test design, our findings indicate that the ASR Group outperformed the other groups in French /y/ production, but not in perception.
The Impact of Cognitive Education Training on Teachers’ Cognitive Performance
Authors: Kozulin Alex
Published: June 2015

Cognitive education is usually considered in terms of its impact on students’ problem-solving skills and their acquisition of disciplinary knowledge. Little is known about the impact of cognitive training on the cognitive skills of teachers themselves. In this pilot study, 80 South African high school teachers participated in the cognitive education (Instrumental Enrichment) course and then implemented the principles of cognitive teaching/learning in their classroom instruction. Teachers’ problem-solving skills were evaluated before the start and after 9 months of training and implementation. Significant changes were observed in teachers’ problem-solving performance. Teachers with better mastery of cognitive education program also demonstrated better cognitive task performance on the posttest. Teachers with weaker pretraining cognitive performance made greater relative gains than teachers with stronger initial performance. Recommendations are made regarding the use of Instrumental Enrichment as a tool of cognitive enhancement for teachers.
Effects of Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Patients with Open Fracture of the Extremities
Authors: Chang Yaping , Kennedy Sean Alexander , Bhandari Mohit , Lopes Luciane Cruz , Bergamaschi Cristiane de Cássia , Carolina de Oliveira e Silva Maria , Bhatnagar Neera , Mousavi S. Mohsen , Khurshid Saqib , Petrisor Brad , Ren Melody , Sodhi Sukhmani K. , Mirza Reza Donald , Guyatt Gordon H.
Published: June 2015

Background:

The purpose of the present study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the use of alternative antibiotic regimens—including (A) antibiotic prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis, (B) longer versus shorter duration of antibiotic prophylaxis, and (C) alternative drugs—for patients with open fracture of the extremities.

Methods:

Data sources included CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Cochrane database of systematic reviews from 1965 to December 2013. All randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with open fracture of the extremities were eligible.

Results:

We identified 329 potentially eligible articles, of which seventeen proved to be eligible. In four randomized controlled trials involving 472 patients, we found a significantly lower infection rate in patients receiving antibiotic prophylaxis compared with those not receiving antibiotic prophylaxis (risk ratio = 0.37 [95% confidence interval, 0.21 to 0.66]; absolute risk reduction = 9.6% [95% confidence interval, 5.2% to 12.1%]). In three studies involving 1104 patients, we found no difference in the infection rate when a longer duration of antibiotics (three to five days) was compared with a shorter duration (one day) (risk ratio = 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.69 to 1.37). Confidence in the estimates for both questions was low to moderate. Individual comparisons of alternative drugs yielded estimates warranting only low to very low confidence.

Conclusions:

Results of randomized controlled trials performed to date provide evidence that antibiotic prophylaxis reduces subsequent infection and that courses as short as one day are as effective as courses of three to five days, although the evidence warrants only low to moderate confidence. Given current practice, a large, multicenter, low risk of bias, randomized controlled trial enrolling representative populations and addressing the duration of antibiotics may be the next optimum step in investigation.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Psychosocial Predictors of Female College Students' Motivational Responses: A Prospective Analysis
Authors: Gu Xiangli , Zhang Tao , Smith Kayla
Published: June 2015

According to social cognitive theory, group cohesion and self-efficacy have been identified as important environmental and individual elements in students' physical activity. This study examined the correlations among group cohesion, exercise self-efficacy, perceived interest, and physical activity among 143 female college students ( M age = 21.2yr., SD = 4.2) enrolled in aerobics dance classes. Participants were recruited by researchers at the beginning of the semester. In the 6th wk., students completed a questionnaire measuring group cohesion construct. At the end of the 13th wk., a survey on self-efficacy, perceived interest, and physical activity measures was completed by the students. Multiple regression analyses indicated both exercise self-efficacy and task cohesion explained significant variance in students' physical activity; also, Individual Attraction to the Group-Task (ATG-T) accounted for 9.6% of the variance in exercise self-efficacy. The results suggest that enhancing group cohesiveness may promote competence beliefs, which could motivate students' participation in group activity programs.
Combined use of diffusion tensor tractography and multifused contrast-enhanced FIESTA for predicting facial and cochlear nerve positions in relation to vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Yoshino Masanori , Kin Taichi , Ito Akihiro , Saito Toki , Nakagawa Daichi , Ino Kenji , Kamada Kyousuke , Mori Harushi , Kunimatsu Akira , Nakatomi Hirofumi , Oyama Hiroshi , Saito Nobuhito
Published: June 2015

OBJECT

The authors assessed whether the combined use of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) and contrast-enhanced (CE) fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) could improve the accuracy of predicting the courses of the facial and cochlear nerves before surgery.

METHODS

The population was composed of 22 patients with vestibular schwannoma in whom both the facial and cochlear nerves could be identified during surgery. According to DTT, depicted fibers running from the internal auditory canal to the brainstem were judged to represent the facial or vestibulocochlear nerve. With regard to imaging, the authors investigated multifused CE-FIESTA scans, in which all 3D vessel models were shown simultaneously, from various angles. The low-intensity areas running along the tumor from brainstem to the internal auditory canal were judged to represent the facial or vestibulocochlear nerve.

RESULTS

For all 22 patients, the rate of fibers depicted by DTT coinciding with the facial nerve was 13.6% (3/22), and that of fibers depicted by DTT coinciding with the cochlear nerve was 63.6% (14/22). The rate of candidates for nerves predicted by multifused CE-FIESTA coinciding with the facial nerve was 59.1% (13/22), and that of candidates for nerves predicted by multifused CE-FIESTA coinciding with the cochlear nerve was 4.5% (1/22). The rate of candidates for nerves predicted by combined DTT and multifused CE-FIESTA coinciding with the facial nerve was 63.6% (14/22), and that of candidates for nerves predicted by combined DTT and multifused CE-FIESTA coinciding with the cochlear nerve was 63.6% (14/22). The rate of candidates predicted by DTT coinciding with both facial and cochlear nerves was 0.0% (0/22), that of candidates predicted by multifused CE-FIESTA coinciding with both facial and cochlear nerves was 4.5% (1/22), and that of candidates predicted by combined DTT and multifused CE-FIESTA coinciding with both the facial and cochlear nerves was 45.5% (10/22).

CONCLUSIONS

By using a combination of DTT and multifused CE-FIESTA, the authors were able to increase the number of vestibular schwannoma patients for whom predicted results corresponded with the courses of both the facial and cochlear nerves, a result that has been considered difficult to achieve by use of a single modality only. Although the 3D image including these prediction results helped with comprehension of the 3D operative anatomy, the reliability of prediction remains to be established.
Corrigendum: Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of first-line chemotherapy for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation
Authors: Brown T , Pilkington G , Bagust A , Boland A , Oyee J , Tudur Smith C , Blundell M , Lai M , Martin Saborido C , Greenhalgh J , Dundar Y , Dickson R
Published: June 2015

Table 96 has been removed as it includes incorrect hazard ratios caused by a reversal of the hazard ratio calculations. However, this does not impact on any of the clinical or economic results reported.
Measurement of Uniformity and Multiple Head Registration (MHR)/Centre of Rotation (COR) of a Newly Installed Hybrid SPECT/CT At INMAS, Mymensingh
Authors: Uddin Md Fakhar , Islam SM Moinul , Khan M Nasim , Chakraborty Ratan Kumar , Rima Shakila Zaman , Ara Rawshan , Nahar Nazmun , Khatun Rajada
Published: June 2015

The main quality controls of hybrid SPECT/CT are Uniformity and Multiple Head Registration (MHR)/Centre of rotation (COR). Uniformity corrects and verifies cameras response to uniform distribution of radionuclides on the detector surface. MHR/COR not only observes mechanical errors but also quantitatively corrects the errors due to movement of patients and detectors onthe SPECT images. The aim of the study is to establish baseline values thatcan be used as reference for future quality assurance and to verify the manufacturers specification. Both intrinsic and extrinsic Uniformity were measured by using 18?Ci 99mTc point source and 35mCi 99mTc flood source respectively. For MHR/COR measurements, MHR Phantom containing five approximately equal strength (1 mCi99mTc of each) point sourceswere used. The values were found to be in correlation with manufacturers specification. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjnm.v17i1.22494 Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 17(1): 67-74, January 2014
Ectopic thyroid gland- presentation at childhood, adolescent and adult life
Authors: Chowdhury Md Sunny Anam , Mokaddema Mohshi Um , Naushin Tanzina , Salekin Simoon , Fahmi Ali Nabeel , Begum Fatima , Sultana Sadia
Published: June 2015

Ectopic thyroid is a rare entity that can appear at any age with different presentations. In this study we are reporting four cases of ectopic thyroid gland at different ages; two cases at childhood, one at adolescent and one at adult life. Among the two children, one having ectopic thyroid at the level of hyoid bone, presented with anterior neck swelling with no other symptom and another one having a lingual ectopic thyroid presented with features of hypothyroidism and obstructive features. The cases of adolescent and adult age are very rare cases of dual ectopic thyroid and ectopic thyroid tissue coexisting with normal thyroid gland respectively. Both of them presented with anterior neck swelling, with additional complaints of dysphagia and foreign body sensation by the adolescent patient. All the cases, ectopic thyroids were detected by Ultrasonogram and confirmed by radionuclide (99mTc) thyroid scan. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjnm.v17i1.22503 Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 17(1): 116-124, January 2014
Calcium channels blocked activity: Providing the basis for medicinal use of Abies pindrow in diarrhea and bronchitis
Authors: Mushtaq Sohaib , Chaudhry Mueen Ahmad , Rahman Hafiz Muhammad Abdul
Published: June 2015

Abies pindrow is widely used in traditional practice for the treatment of diarrhea and bronchitis and the present study was designed to validate its folkloric uses. The crude extract of A. pindrow inhibit spontaneously contracting (1-10 mg/mL) and high K+ (80 mM)-induced pre-contracted rabbit jejun-um (3 mg/mL) in concentration dependent manner. A rightward shift in Ca+2 concentration response curves was seen in the presence of crude extract (0.1-0.3), similar to verapamil. In isolated tracheal tissue, A. pindrow inhibited, high K+ and carbachol (1 µM)-induced contractions, at 3 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL respectively, similar to that caused by verapamil. These results indicate the presence of calcium channels blocked activity in crude extract of A. pindrow, which provide sound basis for medicinal uses of A. pindrow in diarrhea and bronchitis.   

 
In vitro inhibitory potential of methanolic extract of Celosia argentea var. cristata on tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes
Authors: Saqib Fatima , Janbaz Khalid Hussain , Sherwani Maryam Khan
Published: June 2015

In the current study, methanol extract of Celosia argentea var. cristata was tested for its inhibitory potential against tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes at the concentration of 0.5 mM by ELISA microtiter plate assays. A significant tyrosinase inhibitory activity (63.6%), acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (80.3%) and butyrylcholinesterse inhibitory activity (68.24%) was shown by crude methanolic extract of C. argentea var. cristata with respective IC50 values of 268.5 ± 0.2 µg/mL, 73.6 ± 0.1 µg/mL and 132.8 ± 0.9 µg/mL. The result of this study reveals the use of C. argentea var. cristata in skin hyperpigmentation, Parkinson’s disease and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIA FROM KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS AFFECTED CATTLE WITH THEIR PATHOGENICITY AND IN VITRO ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY
Authors: Rahamatunnabi M , Ali MR , Islam MA , Hossain MT
Published: June 2015

Isolation and characterization with antibiotic sensitivity of the bacteria in the eye swab of 34 keratoconjunctivitis affected cattle were carried out on the basis of their morphology, staining, cultural and biochemical properties during the period from October 1999 to March 2000. Staphylococcus spp. (76.5%), Streptococcus spp. (38.2%), E. coli (52.9%), Bacillus spp. (70.6%), unidentified Gram positive cocci (5.9%) and unidentified Gram negative rods (20.6%) were identified as a single or mixed infection. Pathogenicity study of these isolated organisms showed conjunctivitis associated with Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Bacillus spp. and E. coli in experimentally inoculated mice whereas unidentified Gram positive cocci did not show any conjunctivitis in mice. The mixed intraocular inoculation of these isolated bacteria produced severe keratoconjunctivitis within 24 hours both in mice and calves. Results of antibiotic sensitivity test showed that all types of bacterial isolates were found highly sensitive to oxytetracyclin (80-100%) and chloramphenicol (70-100%). Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Bacillus spp. were moderately susceptible to streptomycin (69.56%), trisulfa (60%) and trisulfa (80%) respectively. It may be concluded that among the tested antibiotics, oxytetracyclin may have the preference in clinical therapy of keratoconjunctivitis in cattle caused by bacteria in Bangladesh.
Respiratory health problems among the ceramic workers in Dhaka
Authors: Alim Md Abdul , Biswas Manaj Kumar , Biswas Gonopati , Hossain Md Alamgir , Ahmad Sk Akhter
Published: June 2015

Ceramic factory workers are potentially at risk to develop occupational respiratory diseases due to chronic inhalation of dust particles generated in the ceramic factory. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to assess the respiratory and other health problems among the workers of Mirpur Ceramic Works Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period of April to June, 2011. Among 200 participants, 132 (66%) were males and 68 (34%) were females. Less than one-third of the workers were habituated to use personal protective equipments (PPE), while more than two-third were not habituated. Nearly half (45.5%) of the workers were suffering from at least one respiratory problem and of them 86.8% (P = 0.001) had problems after joining the factory. Of the respiratory sufferers 27% had chronic bronchitis, 20% bronchial asthma, 1% pulmonary tuberculosis, and 0.5% had silicosis. A significant numbers (60.5%) of workers were suffering from other health problems along with or without respiratory problems, in terms of musculoskeletal pain, back pain, headache, dermatitis, anaemia and fever. The prevalence of respiratory problems was significantly higher among non-users of PPE than PPE users (P = 0.006), and it was found to be higher with the increased of job duration. The study showed the notable higher prevalence of respiratory problems among the workers exposed to ceramic dust, although the other potential environmental confounding factors could not be ruled out in the analysis. Obligatory use of PPE by all workers and health education to increase awareness among the workers might have role to reduce the prevalence.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2014;9(1): 19-23
New cholesterol management guideline 2013: a review
Authors: Fattah Sk Abdul , Saha Aloke Kumar , Alam Md Towhid , Ali Md Yusuf
Published: June 2015

Management of high blood cholesterol is the key point for the treatment and prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD). Till 2013, Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) report was the guideline for the physician for blood cholesterol management. The main feature of this guideline was to achieve a particular target cholesterol level by lifestyle modification, dietary changes and lipid-lowering drugs. But the recently released American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines shifted attention to Statin use at high-, moderate- or low-intensity instead of chasing a cholesterol goal. This article reviews the main features of this new guideline comparing to the previous one, where appropriate.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2014;9(1): 42-45
Primary tuberculosis of tonsils: a case report
Authors: Islam Md Rafiqul , Sanjowal Lipika , Islam Md Shahriar , Afrin Anika
Published: June 2015

The occurrence of tuberculosis of the upper respiratory tract including oral cavity has become uncommon. Isolated tuberculosis in the absence of active pulmonary tuberculosis is very rare clinical entity. Here is a report of primary tuberculosis of tonsil, presented with complaints of sore throat.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2014;9(1): 58-59
Spenningsfeltet mellom “nytte” for bedriften og “frirom” for studenten - Et samarbeidsprosjekt mellom skole og arbeidsliv for gjensidig påvirkning og ønske om forandring
Authors: Schwencke Eva , Larsen Anne Karin
Published: June 2015

Samarbeid mellom høgskole og arbeidsliv, høgskolens tredje oppgave, (Brulin 1998) gir store utfordringer i forhold til hvordan gjennomføre ”løpende dialog” om innhold i studieprogrammer og undervisningsopplegg. Det er ikke lenger ensidig bestilling fra næringslivet, som NHO-lederen påpeker i sin kronikk i Aftenposten (Bernander 2010). Spenningsforholdet mellom ”nytte for bedriften” og ”lærings- og frirommet for studenten og medarbeideren” er en av de sentrale utfordringene for utdanningsinstitusjoner som ønsker å være relevante partnere for kompetanseutvikling i arbeids- og næringslivet (Nielsen 1996, Schwencke 2006a og 2006b, Eikeland 2008). Samtidig ser vi at samarbeidet påvirkes av fleksibilitet og kontinuerlige endringer i arbeidslivet utenfor bedriften (Nielsen m.fl. 2010). Organisasjonsforhold, arbeids- og læringsmiljø, de ansattes faglige utvikling og yrkesstolthet påvirkes av disse grunnleggende endringene i arbeidslivet og i samfunnet forøvrig. Endringene i samfunnet fører også til at nye krav stilles til læringsformer både i yrkesutdanningen og i arbeidslivet.
Yrkeslärarens frågandepraktik – kunskap och bedömning
Authors: Tsagalidis Helena
Published: June 2015

I artikeln kartläggs de frågor professionella yrkeslärare inom restaurang- och serveringsutbildning i gymnasieskolan ställde till sina elever i en autentisk undervisningssituation. Syftet var att klassificera och analysera frågorna med hjälp av frågetypologi, kunskapsformer och kunnandenivåer och dra slutsatser om relationer mellan frågande och bedömning. Empirin baseras på videofilmer i vilka undervisande yrkeslärare medverkar. Resultatet visar att yrkeslärarna främst ställde informationssökande frågor och därefter handlingsfrågor i syfte att dels kontrollera förmågan att genomföra uppgiften i enlighet med given tidplan, dels hur eleven lyckas med resultatet. Retroaktiva frågor ställdes mycket sällan även om de anses vara utvecklande för yrkeskunnande.
New Variants of Tomato Thymidine Kinase 1 Selected for Increased Sensitivity of E. coli KY895 towards Azidothymidine
Authors: Christiansen Louise , Egeblad Louise , Munch-Petersen Birgitte , Piškur Jure , Knecht Wolfgang
Published: June 2015

Nucleoside analogues (NA) are prodrugs that are phosphorylated by deoxyribonucleoside kinases (dNKs) as the first step towards a compound toxic to the cell. During the last 20 years, research around dNKs has gone into new organisms other than mammals and viruses. Newly discovered dNKs have been tested as enzymes for suicide gene therapy. The tomato thymidine kinase 1 (ToTK1) is a dNK that has been selected for its in vitro kinetic properties and then successfully been tested in vivo for the treatment of malignant glioma. We present the selection of two improved variants of ToTK1 generated by random protein engineering for suicide gene therapy with the NA azidothymidine (AZT).We describe their selection, recombinant production and a subsequent kinetic and biochemical characterization. Their improved performance in killing of E. coli KY895 is accompanied by an increase in specificity for the NA AZT over the natural substrate thymidine as well as a decrease in inhibition by dTTP, the end product of the nucleoside salvage pathway for thymidine. The understanding of the enzymatic properties improving the variants efficacy is instrumental to further develop dNKs for use in suicide gene therapy.
On the Detection of Fake Certificates via Attribute Correlation
Authors: Gu Xiaojing , Gu Xingsheng
Published: June 2015

Transport Layer Security (TLS) and its predecessor, SSL, are important cryptographic protocol suites on the Internet. They both implement public key certificates and rely on a group of trusted certificate authorities (i.e., CAs) for peer authentication. Unfortunately, the most recent research reveals that, if any one of the pre-trusted CAs is compromised, fake certificates can be issued to intercept the corresponding SSL/TLS connections. This security vulnerability leads to catastrophic impacts on SSL/TLS-based HTTPS, which is the underlying protocol to provide secure web services for e-commerce, e-mails, etc. To address this problem, we design an attribute dependency-based detection mechanism, called SSLight. SSLight can expose fake certificates by checking whether the certificates contain some attribute dependencies rarely occurring in legitimate samples. We conduct extensive experiments to evaluate SSLight and successfully confirm that SSLight can detect the vast majority of fake certificates issued from any trusted CAs if they are compromised. As a real-world example, we also implement SSLight as a Firefox add-on and examine its capability of exposing existent fake certificates from DigiNotar and Comodo, both of which have made a giant impact around the world.
The Fisher Information as a Neural Guiding Principle for Independent Component Analysis
Authors: Echeveste Rodrigo , Eckmann Samuel , Gros Claudius
Published: June 2015

The Fisher information constitutes a natural measure for the sensitivity of a probability distribution with respect to a set of parameters. An implementation of the stationarity principle for synaptic learning in terms of the Fisher information results in a Hebbian self-limiting learning rule for synaptic plasticity. In the present work, we study the dependence of the solutions to this rule in terms of the moments of the input probability distribution and find a preference for non-Gaussian directions, making it a suitable candidate for independent component analysis (ICA). We confirm in a numerical experiment that a neuron trained under these rules is able to find the independent components in the non-linear bars problem. The specific form of the plasticity rule depends on the transfer function used, becoming a simple cubic polynomial of the membrane potential for the case of the rescaled error function. The cubic learning rule is also an excellent approximation for other transfer functions, as the standard sigmoidal, and can be used to show analytically that the proposed plasticity rules are selective for directions in the space of presynaptic neural activities characterized by a negative excess kurtosis.
The Combined Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure and Calcium Salts on the Stability, Solubility and Gel Formation of β-Lactoglobulin
Authors: Saalfeld Daniel , Riegel Ina , Kulozik Ulrich , Gebhardt Ronald
Published: June 2015

Stability, aggregation and gelation of β-Lactoglobulin are affected by high pressure and salts of the Hofmeister series. Little is known about their combined effects on structure formation processes of β-Lactoglobulin, mainly because many salts of the series are not suitable for use in food. Here, we investigate the effect of calcium salts on the strength of pressure-induced gels, inspired by the fact that high pressure and salts change the water structure in a similar way. We find that the larger the applied pressures, the higher the strength of the gels. In addition to pressure, there is a significant influence by the type of anions and the amount of added calcium salts. Gel strength increases in the order CaCl2 < Ca (NO3)2 < CaI2. This trend correlates with the position of the salts in the Hofmeister series. The results are explained by analogy with the thermal aggregate formation by taking reaction rates for unfolding and aggregation, as well as specific/non-specific salts effect into consideration.
From Pre-Clinical Studies to Clinical Trials: Generation of Novel Therapies for Pregnancy Complications
Authors: Cottrell Elizabeth , Sibley Colin
Published: June 2015

Complications of pregnancy represent a significant disease burden, with both immediate and lasting consequences for mother and baby. Two key pregnancy complications, fetal growth restriction (FGR) and preeclampsia (PE), together affect around 10%–15% of all pregnancies worldwide. Despite this high incidence, there are currently no therapies available to treat these pregnancy disorders. Early delivery remains the only intervention to reduce the risk of severe maternal complications and/or stillbirth of the baby; however early delivery itself is associated with increased risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. As such, there is a pressing need to develop new and effective treatments that can prevent or treat FGR and PE. Animal models have been essential in identifying and screening potential new therapies in this field. In this review, we address recent progress that has been made in developing therapeutic strategies for pregnancy disorders, some of which are now entering clinical trials.
Journal of Functional Biomaterials Best Paper Award 2015
Authors: Puoci Francesco
Published: June 2015

The Journal of Functional Biomaterials is instituting an annual award to recognize the outstanding papers related to materials for biomedical applications published in this journal. [...]
Continuous Polyol Synthesis of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using a Segmented Flow Tubular Reactor (SFTR)
Authors: Testino Andrea , Pilger Frank , Lucchini Mattia , Quinsaat Jose , Stähli Christoph , Bowen Paul
Published: June 2015

Over the last years a new type of tubular plug flow reactor, the segmented flow tubular reactor (SFTR), has proven its versatility and robustness through the water-based synthesis of precipitates as varied as CaCO3, BaTiO3, Mn(1−x)NixC2O4·2H2O, YBa oxalates, copper oxalate, ZnS, ZnO, iron oxides, and TiO2 produced with a high powder quality (phase composition, particle size, and shape) and high reproducibility. The SFTR has been developed to overcome the classical problems of powder production scale-up from batch processes, which are mainly linked with mass and heat transfer. Recently, the SFTR concept has been further developed and applied for the synthesis of metals, metal oxides, and salts in form of nano- or micro-particles in organic solvents. This has been done by increasing the working temperature and modifying the particle carrying solvent. In this paper we summarize the experimental results for four materials prepared according to the polyol synthesis route combined with the SFTR. CeO2, Ni, Ag, and Ca3(PO4)2 nanoparticles (NPs) can be obtained with a production rate of about 1–10 g per h. The production was carried out for several hours with constant product quality. These findings further corroborate the reliability and versatility of the SFTR for high throughput powder production.
SIG et zonage des risques volcaniques : application au volcan Merapi, Java, Indonésie (GIS and zonation of the volcanic hazards : application to Merapi volcano, Java, Indonesia)
Authors: Lavigne Franck
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Cet article présente une méthode d'évaluation et de zonage des risques volcaniques appuyée par un Système d'Informations Géographiques (SIG) topologique en mode vecteur. La méthode repose sur une triple démarche : une approche des menaces fondée sur quatre scénarios d'éruptions identifiées dans le passé au Merapi, une évaluation semi-quantitative des facteurs de vulnérabilité des populations et un constat d'endommagement, visant à estimer le coût des pertes matérielles directes. Etant multiscalaire, évolutif, opérationnel et didactique, le SIG MERAPI ouvre de larges horizons sur le plan de la recherche fondamentale et appliquée sur les risques volcaniques.
Les milieux séparés par la frontière franco-belge : recherche de complémentarités (The territories crossed by the franco-belgian border : looking for complementarities)
Authors: Hamez Grégory
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - A travers la recherche des complémentarités entre les milieux situés de part et d'autre de la frontière franco-belge, du littoral à Lille, cet article vise à évaluer la pertinence du terme « eurorégion ». Malgré de nombreux échanges entre les parties française et belge, la frontière reste un élément structurant de l'espace - et des mentalités.
La recomposition territoriale des zones frontalières en Pologne par la mise en place d'Eurorégions (Territorial recomposition of Borderlands in Poland through Euroregions)
Authors: Gaunard Marie-France
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - La coopération transfrontalière, encouragée par l'Union Européenne, concerne toutes les frontières de l'Europe. Ainsi, la Pologne voit ses frontières couvertes par ces nouveaux espaces de solidarité, appelés «Eurorégions». Ce processus, amorcé au début des années 90, prend de plus en plus d'ampleur. L'analyse des Eurorégions polonaises révélera les enjeux de cette politique de coopération transfrontalière, mais aussi ses limites et permettra d'apporter quelques réflexions sur leur avenir possible.
L'internationalisation des entreprises de distribution. Quelques observations au départ du cas européen (The internationalization of retailing. Some observations from european case)
Authors: Mérenne-Schoumaker Bernadette
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - To understand the internationalization of retailing, we must understand the internationalization of its entreprises. With this aim in view, one first case is chosen - Europa - and the processus is learned through the main questions of geography : what where ? which evolution ? who ? how ? why and why there and not elsewhere ? The lead of territory in the strategies and the choices of the firms is clearly showed ; this fact confirms the geographical relevance of the thema "Globalization of Retailing".
La pénétration étrangère dans le commerce français (Foreign penetration of french retailing market)
Authors: Soumagne Jean
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Encore secondaires dans la distribution française, les entreprises étrangères ont cependant accentué leur présence depuis les années 1970. Leurs succès proviennent soit de l'exportation de produits spécifiques et de méthodes nouvelles, soit au contraire d'une internationalisation des goûts et des techniques. Certaines firmes ont pris pied sur le marché très rapidement ; d'autres ont échoué.
Les distributeurs « mondialisés »... et les autres. La grande distribution alimentaire face aux territoires ruraux de Midi-Pyrénées ("Globalized" distributors... and others. Food retailing towards rural areas in "Midi-Pyrénées" region)
Authors: Pouzenc Michaël
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Le changement commercial dans les zones rurales de Midi-Pyrénées résulte en partie d'une mise en concurrence de différentes conceptions des systèmes de distribution. Pour se positionner les uns vis-à-vis des autres, les distributeurs jouent sur plusieurs logiques d'organisation de l'espace (compromis entre concentration et diffusion des magasins dans l'espace) et sur plusieurs modes de relation avec les territoires investis (compromis entre standardisation et intégration au milieu local).
Fragmentation et polarisation urbaine : le rôle des hypermarchés dans les restructurations territoriales de l'aire métropolitaine de Buenos Aires (Fragmentation and urban polarization : the role of hypermarkets in the territorial restructuring of the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires)
Authors: Capron Guénola
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Comme dans d'autres pays émergents, la modernisation commerciale en Argentine, dans les années 1980-1990, a été impulsée par les investissements étrangers dans la branche des hypermarchés. Cet article vise à mettre en valeur la concordance entre le développement de ces derniers, les restructurations territoriales en cours dans l'ensemble de l'aire métropolitaine de Buenos Aires, le renouveau des stratégies spatiales des acteurs de la distribution et le contexte économique et social dans lequel s'effectuent les recompositions de l'appareil commercial. Le déploiement des hypermarchés a ainsi favorisé d'une part un mouvement de polarisation urbaine dans la périphérie et d'autre part un processus de fragmentation territoriale.
Chômage et marginalité sociale : quelle vérité géographique ? (Unemployment and social marginality : what geographic truth ?)
Authors: Vye D.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - Unemployment rate is a necessary but not sufficient indicator expressing the spatial dimension of social and economic difficulties (precarious- ness, poverty, exclusion). By introducing an indicator turning on marginality global concept, we try to make keener the social reading of French space. Through a study on national and regional scales, we suggest a geography much closer to social realities and qualifying the traditional oppositions between Paris/Provinces, Town/Country or Littoral/Hinterland. In this way, the indicator of marginality contributes to the understanding of social disparities which punctuate the territory.
Marginalité sociale, Etat-Providence, action communautaire : l'exemple de Vancouver (Social marginality, the Welfare State, community action : the case of Vancouver)
Authors: Raoulx Benoît
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Cet article examine les relations entre l'espace urbain, les politiques sociales et la condition des populations marginalisées dans le quartier du Downtown Eastside à Vancouver, au Canada. La conjonction entre les dynamiques de l'espace urbain, les transformations des politiques sociales (le glissement vers un workfare) et les mutations des formes d'exclusion sociale (toxicomanie) renforcent la marginalisation d'une partie de la population. Pourtant, les populations en dehors de l'emploi développent des compétences, qui ne leur permettent toutefois pas de se présenter sur le marché du travail. L'action communautaire dans différents secteurs (logement, santé, développement économique) n'est pas en mesure aujourd'hui de répondre aux besoins en raison d'un manque de volonté politique pour résoudre ces questions.
Une réplique de l'Italie du Milieu à Taïwan : la région d'industrie diffuse de Taïchung-Taïnan (A copy of middle Italy in Taïwan)
Authors: Houssel Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Les riches plaines autour de Taïchung et de Taïnan ont connu une industrialisation diffuse endogène depuis 1970, qui en font un milieu intermédiaire entre les aires métropolitaines et les campagnes agricoles. Elles ont conservé une industrie à forte intensité de main-d'œuvre qui a progressé en qualité, en sous-traitance pour les donneurs d'ordres des Etats-Unis et de l'UE. Elle est passée de l'OEM à l'ODM system. Sur fond commun de confection et d'objets divers, on trouve des districts spécialisés, comme pour les cycles. Cette industrialisation sans rupture a maintenu une population très dense et favorisé la mise en place d'un réseau urbain hiérarchisé.
Transport et politique urbaine dans l'agglomération d'Alger (Transportation and urban policy in Algiers agglomeration)
Authors: Baouni Tahar , Hadjiedj Ali
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Les transports urbains algérois n'ont pas pu suivre le même rythme d'évolution que l'urbanisation, qui n'a cessé de proliférer sous le double effet de la densification et de l'extension. De ce fait, la politique urbaine d'Alger a été marquée depuis l'indépendance par une succession de plans d'urbanisme sans qu'aucun ne soit réellement appliqué. La planification des transports a été traitée de façon sectorielle, ce qui aboutit à des propositions non cohérentes avec celles menées dans d'autres secteurs (habitat, emploi, grands équipements, réserves foncières).
Essai de typologie des lacs alpins (Test of alpine lakes typology)
Authors: Rougier Henri
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Les lacs alpins sont nombreux et variés. Certains sont naturels, d'autres artificiels en arrière de puissants barrages de retenue. Tous les lacs ne s'identifient pas de la même manière à la montagne : certains sont en altitude, d'autres se trouvent beaucoup plus bas. On en trouve au cœur même de la montagne mais aussi au contact de celle-ci avec son avant-pays.

Tous les lacs n'ont pas fait l'objet d'un aménagement de leurs rives et l'on en connaît beaucoup qui ont conservé leur état naturel. A partir de multiples critères de différenciation, le présent article s'efforce de proposer une typologie reposant sur de nombreux exemples pris dans la plupart des nations qui se partagent les Alpes.
Tourisme et aménagement des lacs en Mazurie. Problématiques et acteurs (Tourism and territorial planning in mazurian lakes area. Problematic and actors)
Authors: Gaunard Marie-France
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - The Mazurian area is one of the most touristic regions of Poland due to the richness of its natural patrimony that is constitued above all by lakes and forests. At the beginning of the 1950's, this natural richness beneficied environmental protection politics (creation of parcs and natural reserves). At the same time, this area became a very popular touristic region and was concerned by cheap recreativ equipments for a collectiv tourism according to the conception of tourism in socialist countries. Since the fall of the Wall of Berlin, the polish society and economy evolution and the opening to the West, tourism appears like a strong factor of local and regional development, above all in this poor border region. So today, Mazuria is in transformation. The analysis of this evolution will be done on the Great Lakes Region, situated in the heart of Mazury.
Microsatellite markers for the New Zealand endemic Myosotis pygmaea species group (Boraginaceae) amplify across species
Authors: Prebble Jessica M. , Tate Jennifer A. , Meudt Heidi M. , Symonds V. Vaughan
Published: June 2015

Premise of the study:

Microsatellite loci were developed as polymorphic markers for the New Zealand endemic Myosotis pygmaea species group (Boraginaceae) for use in species delimitation and population and conservation genetic studies.

Methods and Results:

Illumina MiSeq sequencing was performed on genomic DNA from seedlings of M. drucei. From trimmed paired‐end sequences >400 bp, 484 microsatellite loci were identified. Twelve of 48 microsatellite loci tested were found to be polymorphic and consistently scorable when screened on 53 individuals from four populations representing the geographic range of M. drucei. They also amplify in all other species in the M. pygmaea species group, i.e., M. antarctica, M. brevis, M. glauca, and M. pygmaea, as well as 18 other Myosotis species.

Conclusions:

These 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers establish an important resource for research and conservation of the M. pygmaea species group and potentially other Southern Hemisphere Myosotis.