bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tau Pathology is PresentIn Vivoand DevelopsIn Vitroin Sensory Neurons from Human P301S Tau Transgenic Mice: A System for Screening Drugs against Tauopathies
Authors: Mellone Manuela , Kestoras Dimitra , Andrews Melissa R. , Dassie Elisa , Crowther R. Anthony , Stokin Gorazd B. , Tinsley Jon , Horne Graeme , Goedert Michel , Tolkovsky Aviva M. , Spillantini Maria Grazia
Published: November 2013

Intracellular tau aggregates are the neuropathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and cases of frontotemporal dementia, but the link between these aggregates and neurodegeneration remains unclear. Neuronal models recapitulating the main features of tau pathology are necessary to investigate the molecular mechanisms of tau malfunction, but current models show little and inconsistent spontaneous tau aggregation. We show that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in transgenic mice expressing human P301S tau (P301S-htau) develop tau pathology similar to that found in brain and spinal cord and a significant reduction in mechanosensation occurs before detectable fibrillar tau formation. DRG neuronal cultures established from adult P301S-htau mice at different ages retained the pattern of aberrant tau foundin vivo. Moreover, htau became progressively hyperphosphorylated over 2 monthsin vitrobeginning with nonsymptomatic neurons, while hyperphosphorylated P301S-htau-positive neurons from 5-month-old mice cultured for 2 months died preferentially. P301S-htau-positive neurons grew aberrant axons, including spheroids, typically found in human tauopathies. Neurons cultured at advanced stages of tau pathology showed a 60% decrease in the fraction of moving mitochondria. SEG28019, a novel O-GlcNAcase inhibitor, reduced steady-state pSer396/pSer404 phosphorylation over 7 weeks in a significant proportion of DRG neurons showing for the first time the possible beneficial effect of prolonged dosing of O-GlcNAcase inhibitorin vitro. Our system is unique in that fibrillar tau forms without external manipulation and provides an important new tool for understanding the mechanisms of tau dysfunction and for screening of compounds for treatment of tauopathies.
Meditation als Lebens- und Erfahrungsform
Authors: Renger Almut-Barbara , Wulf Christoph
Published: November 2013

Meditation nimmt als Erfahrungs- und Lebensform in vielen Kulturen einen wichtigen Raum ein. Sie ist eine Möglichkeit der Menschen, sich zur Transzendenz und Natur, zur Kultur und zu sich selbst zu verhalten. Wie sehr Formen meditativen Lebens geschätzt und wie intensiv sie praktiziert werden, ist von Kultur zu Kultur unterschiedlich. Das Spektrum meditativer Praktiken ist weit gespannt (Engel 1995; Nicol 2000; Tworuschka 2000; Mipham 2005). Es umfasst: religiöse Praktiken mit vorgeschriebenen Regeln und Praktiken mit eher offenem Charakter; traditionelle Heilpraktiken und Übungen im Rahmen therapeutischer Arbeit; den Umgang mit Literatur, Musik und Kunst; Erfahrungen in Bildung und Lebensalltag. Nicht immer ist es leicht zu entscheiden, ob es sinnvoll ist, bestimmte Praktiken als meditativ zu bezeichnen oder nicht. Die Wahl der Bezeichnung hängt weitgehend davon ab, ob ein eher enger oder ein weiter Begriff von Meditation vertreten wird. Im ersten Fall sind viele Praktiken auszuschließen und begrifflich anders zu fassen. Im zweiten Fall liegt der Akzent darauf, dass viele unterschiedliche Formen der Meditation Gemeinsamkeiten haben. In diesem Fall geht man eher von einer unitas multiplex der Meditation aus (Wulf 2013a), in deren Rahmen es zwar viele Formen, in deren Zentrum es aber etwas Gemeinsames gibt - etwas, das sich allerdings im Fall der Meditation begrifflich oft nur schwer fassen lässt. In sechs Annäherungen, in die auch einige Beispiele eingearbeitet sind, wollen wir, unter Anschluss an einen weiten Begriff von Meditation, deutlich machen, dass Meditation eine anthropologische Lebens- und Erfahrungsform ist, deren Praxis weiterer Aufmerksamkeit und Erforschung bedarf.
Zen als heilsame Lebenspraxis
Authors: Gottwald Peter
Published: November 2013

Von der Vielfalt der Meditationsformen ausgehend werden methodologische Überlegungen zur Forschung in diesem Bereich vorgestellt. Eine „Anwendung“ der Meditation im Feld des ärztlichen Handelns wird unter Berufung auf Karl Jaspers’ „Stufen ärztlicher Tätigkeit“ ausgeschlossen. Nach einer kurzen Darstellung der Zentradition und -praxis wird die Lehre Jean Gebsers von der gegenwärtigen Möglichkeit eines Integralen Bewusstseins als westliche Aktualisierung der Lehren der Zenmeister eingeführt. Die Reaktionen westlicher Traditionen auf das Vordringen des Zen in den Westen werden anhand theologischer, philosophischer und psychologischer Beispiele vorgestellt. Eine persönliche und positive Stellungnahme zu der neuen Möglichkeit eines am Zen orientierten Übungsweges zu einer heilsamen Lebenspraxis schließt den Beitrag ab.
Carbon costing for mixed-use greywater recycling systems
Authors: Zadeh Sara M. , Hunt Dexter V. L. , Lombardi D. Rachel , Rogers Christopher D. F.
Published: November 2013

Urbanisation in the twenty-first century is accompanied by higher water demands per unit area of available space. The ability of water providers to meet these demands long term will require sustainable innovations in terms of water supply. Previous research by the authors has shown that urban mixed-use systems that share greywater (GW) between high-rise domestic dwellings (where GW production exceeds non-potable demands) and high-rise offices (where non-potable demands exceed GW production) could overcome these difficulties. This paper explores the carbon costs (embodied and operational) of such an urban arrangement by investigating the influence of membrane bioreactors (MBRs), constructed wetlands (CWs), building heights, floor plate areas and cross-connection distances. Five water supply scenarios are considered: scenario 1 (conventional mains treated offsite); scenarios 2a and 2b (individual GW treatment via CW/MBR); scenarios 3a and 3b (shared GW treatment via CW/MBR). Over a 15-year period it is shown that shared CW treatment had the lowest carbon dioxide emissions, saving up to 11% compared with conventional mains, whereas a shared MBR increased carbon dioxide emissions by up to 27%. Furthermore, most carbon dioxide savings occur when the ratio (height or floor area) of office building to residential building is 2:3.
Biodegradation of Bisphenol-A in aerobic membrane bioreactor sludge
Authors: Seyhi Brahima , Drogui Patrick , Buelna Gerardo , Blais Jean François
Published: November 2013

Bisphenol-A (BPA) biodegradation was studied in a membrane bioreactor under aerobic conditions. The effects of the initial BPA concentration and initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration on BPA biodegradation were investigated. The degradation process followed a first-order kinetic (more than 98% of BPA was removed) with a kinetic rate constant of 1.134 h−1 using an initial BPA concentration of 1.0 mg L−1. The kinetic rate constant decreased to 0.611 h−1 when the initial BPA concentration increased to 5.0 mg L−1. The initial COD concentration (400 and 2,000 mg L−1) did not affect the biodegradation kinetic of BPA.
Purification of inkjet ink from water using liquid phase, electric discharge polymerization and cellulosic membrane filtration
Authors: Jordan Alexander T. , Hsieh Jeffery S. , Lee Daniel T.
Published: November 2013

A method to separate inkjet ink from water was developed using a liquid phase, electric discharge process. The liquid phase, electric discharge process with filtration or sedimentation was shown to remove 97% of inkjet ink from solutions containing between 0.1–0.8 g/L and was consistent over a range of treatment conditions. Additionally, particle size analysis of treated allyl alcohol and treated propanol confirmed the electric discharge treatment has a polymerization mechanism, and small molecule analysis of treated methanol using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy confirmed the mechanism was free radical initiated polymerization.
Removal of As from groundwater by in situ bioprecipitation and zero-valent iron
Authors: Tkaczynska A.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in situ bioprecipitation (ISBP) and zero-valent iron (ZVI) for removal of arsenic from groundwater. Batch experiments were set up to test the metal/oxyanion removal efficiency using the processes induced by ZVI, by ISBP and by combining both technologies. For the construction of microcosms in anaerobic condition, aquifer material was mixed with synthetic groundwater in serum bottles. Solutions that contained commercial iron (powder, filings), iron from foundry (chips) and lactate with the carbon concentration of 0.02% (w/v) were amended. After 57 days the pH increased to 7.9 in the microcosm with lactate + iron chips. In the microcosms amended with lactate + commercial iron (powder and filings), pH was between 6.9 and 7.5 The highest decrease in sulfate concentrations was observed in the microcosm supplied with lactate (from 1,976 to 630 mg/L), and with lactate + iron filings (from 1,985 to 1,280 mg/L). The results showed that ISBP and ZVI can be efficient in the removal of As from groundwater; however, it strongly depends on the type and particle size of ZVI. The most effective was commercial ZVI. The highest decrease in As concentration was observed in the microcosm supplied with ethanol and iron powder (from 4,832 to 131 μg/L).
Influenza vaccine and learning in C57BL mice with an acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Kosanovic Dejana , Stojkovic Aleksandra , Maslovaric Irina , Vukov Natasa , Jovanova-Nesic Katica
Published: November 2013

Literature data suggest possible link between influenza vaccination and development of autoimmune processes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of influenza vaccination on spatial learning in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE was induced in eight-week-old C57BL/6J female mice by subcutaneous immunization (MOG35–55 in complete Freund’s adjuvant) and Pertussis vaccine injected intraperitoneally. Mice were vaccinated with influenza vaccine three days before MOG immunization. The hippocampal-dependent spatial learning test, Morris Water Maze test (MWM), was performed before and after EAE induction. Significant difference (P < 0.05) in the time for completing the Morris Water Maze task was found between mice with mild clinical signs of EAE when compared to other mice. However no significant difference was observed between mice with EAE and mice with EAE that were vaccinated with influenza vaccine. Hippocampal tissue lesions in EAE mice are in correlation with memory impairment. Study shows no influence of influenza vaccine on progression of clinical signs of EAE, spatial learning and memory impairment.
Cross-Asset Resource Allocation Framework for Achieving Performance Sustainability
Authors: Dehghani Mohammad Saied , Giustozzi Filippo , Flintsch Gerardo W. , Crispino Maurizio
Published: November 2013

Resource allocation across multiple assets in transportation systems has gained significant attention over the past few years. In this context, a framework was proposed to help decision makers estimate the optimal resource allocation across multiple assets considering functional, structural, and environmental performance indicators. Carbon dioxide equivalent emissions were considered in the calculations, along with condition measures to evaluate the optimal budget allotment scenario that will lead to structural and functional integrity and environmental sustainability. The application of the framework was demonstrated in a case study with pavement and bridge assets. Results showed that the framework could be used as a supporting tool for decision makers and transportation agencies to estimate the optimal budget to invest on each asset. Also, the impact of different parameters on resource allocation policy was evaluated with a sensitivity analysis. Findings showed that the initial condition of assets and the priority (weights) assigned to each indicator (functional, structural, and environmental) could change the optimal resource allocation scenarios. The relative size of the assets was also found to have had a notable impact on the optimal budget share. Finally, the need for agencies to consider their own data inputs is discussed and recommendations for future research are given.
Chip Seal Adhesion Performance with Modified Binder in Cold Climates
Authors: Aktaş Bekir , Karaşahin Mustafa
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate chip seal performance with neat and polymer-modified asphalt cement. These chip seals were fabricated with various aggregate combinations to emphasize aggregate retention in cold climates with the accelerated chip seal simulation device. Three aggregate types at low temperatures were used to compare the aggregate retention performances of neat versus modified asphalt cement. A major finding of this research was that polymer modification of neat asphalt cement improved aggregate retention performance. In addition, results showed that a decrease in temperature causes increasing aggregate loss.
Joint Resealing Project at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington
Authors: Lynch Larry N. , Chehovits James G. , Luders David G. , Belangie Michael
Published: November 2013

In 1989, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and Crafco, Inc., initiated a research effort to develop improved materials and processes for sealing joints in portland cement concrete pavements. Objectives were to develop specifications for improved hot-applied, jet fuel–resistant (JFR) and non–jet fuel–resistant (non-JFR) sealants and to determine the impact of installation configuration on field performance. The laboratory phase identified desired sealant properties, evaluated sealants for those properties, and developed sealants with improved low-temperature and aging properties. The field phase was installed in June 1991 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, to determine performance of developed sealants compared with standard sealants and to determine whether performance could be improved by changing installation geometry. Thirteen sealants were installed. The field study documented installation and evaluations at 6 and 12 months. After study completion, the installations were monitored several additional times. Detailed papers were prepared after 5 and 10 years. At 10 years, some sealants had greater than a 10-year life. In 2011, the installations reached 20 years of age. The JFR sections had been replaced, and non-JFR sections were still intact and were evaluated in April 2012. Results of the 21-year evaluation are presented. One silicone sealant and the improved non-JFR sealant achieved a 21-year life. Results also show that the flush-fill installation geometry increased life of the hot-applied asphalt sealants by more than 50% compared with the standard recessed configuration and should be considered for joint sealant installations.
Development of On-Line Monitoring Systems for High Temperature Components in Power Plants
Authors: Zhang Hongcai , Jia Jiuhong , Wang Ning , Hu Xiaoyin , Tu Shan-Tung , Zhou Shaoping , Wang Zhengdong
Published: November 2013

To accurately detect deformation and extend the component life beyond the original design limits, structural safety monitoring techniques have attracted considerable attention in the power and process industries for decades. In this paper an on-line monitoring system for high temperature pipes in a power plant is developed. The extension-based sensing devices are amounted on straight pipes, T-Joints and elbows of a main steam pipeline. During on-site monitoring for more than two years, most of the sensors worked reliably and steadily. However, the direct strain gauge could not work for long periods because of the high temperature environment. Moreover, it is found that the installation and connection of the extensometers can have a significant influence on the measurement results. The on-line monitoring system has a good alarming function which is demonstrated by detecting a steam leakage of the header.
Germán Puig, Ricardo Vigón et Henri Langlois, pionniers de la Cinemateca de Cuba
Authors: Vincenot Emmanuel
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT- This article explores the concrete conditions of the creation and disappearance of the first Cinemateca de Cuba and tries to bring to the fore the essential part played by two purposely forgotten figures of the history of Cuban cinema : Germán Puig and Ricardo Vigón. It also underlines the decisive help given to them by Henri Langlois and reveals the existence, just after the 1959 Revolution, of a project of an audiovisual centre in La Habana, which was supported at the time by the French authorities.
Claves
Authors: Roumette Monique
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT- Presentation of a serie of four documentary films directed by Atahualpa Lichy and produced by the french Foreign Affairs Ministry between 1980 and 1984 for a diffusion through the french cultural centers in South America.

The films stand as a critical review of the latin-american cinema through a confrontation of the film makers and their films. Reciprocical influence between this cinema and the european culture.
Restoration of INK4a/ARF Gene Inhibits Cell Growth and Cooperates With Imatinib Mesylate in Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Leukemias
Authors: Bai Yuansong , Lu Zhenxia , Lin Yumei , Sun Butong , Wang Shibao , Wang Guanjun
Published: November 2013

VSV-G-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors expressing p16INK4a or p14ARF were used to infect at high-efficiency Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive leukemia cell lines lacking endogenous transcripts. Restoration of p16INK4a accumulated cells in the G0/G1
phase of cell cycle and restoration of p14ARF induced their apoptosis, followed by significant growth inhibition. Transduction of primary blast cells from chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis (CML-BC) and Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with p16INK4a
or p14ARF virus also resulted in cell growth inhibition and/or apoptosis with a patient-to-patient variation, whereas clonal growth and differentiation of cord blood progenitor cells were not affected by enforced expression of INK4a/ARF. Furthermore, upon viral transduction at low
multiplicity of infection, INK4a/ARF potentiated the effect of imatinib mesylate on Ph-positive leukemia cell lines in an additive but not synergistic manner. These results suggest that INK4a/ARF protein-mimetic agents may be promising options for Ph-positive leukemias in combination with imatinib mesylate.
In Vitro Characterization of Stem Cell-Like Properties of Drug-Resistant Colon Cancer Subline
Authors: Yang Dong , Wang Haijuan , Zhang Jinlong , Li Chunxiao , Lu Zhong , Liu Jin , Lin Chen , Li Guixin , Qian Haili
Published: November 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the stem cell-like properties of drug-resistant colon cancer cells. Oxaliplatin was used to induce the drug-resistant subline of HCT116p53+/+ cell line. The stem cell-like characteristics of the drug-resistant subline were assayed
for the proliferation capacity, cell cycle, adhesion, invasion, multiple drug resistance, and clone sphere formation capacity. The expression of ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette superfamily G member 2) and “stemness” indicators SOX2 (SRY-related HMG box-containing transcription factor-2)
and OCT4 (octamer-binding transcription factor 4) was determined by Western blot. We established the HCT116p53+/+-oxaliplatin subline (HCT116p53+/+OXA), which was resistant to oxaliplatin with a resistance index (RI) of 3.03 ± 0.14. The HCT116p53+/+OXA
was also resistant to Taxol, showing lower proliferation, higher adhesion and invasion ability, greater proportion of G0/G1 phase, and higher sphere-forming capacity than its parental cells. SOX2, OCT4, and ABCG2 were expressed at higher levels in drug-resistant cells
than in their parental cells. We verified that the HCT116p53+/+OXA was enriched with cancer stem cell properties and provided an ideal cell model for drug-resistance study.
Triol-promoted activation of C–F bonds: Amination of benzylic fluorides under highly concentrated conditions mediated by 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane
Authors: Champagne Pier Alexandre , Saint-Martin Alexandre , Drouin Mélina , Paquin Jean-François
Published: November 2013

Activation of the C–F bond of benzylic fluorides was achieved using 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane (2) as a hydrogen bond-donating agent. Investigations demonstrated that hydrogen bond-donating solvents are promoting the activation and hydrogen bond-accepting ones are hindering it. However, the reaction is best run under highly concentrated conditions, where solvents cannot interfere with the interaction between the organofluorine compound and the triol. Various benzylic fluorides react with secondary amines or anilines to form benzylic amines in good yields.
Empowering media citizenship through educommunication
Authors: Gozálvez-Pérez Vicent , Contreras-Pulido Paloma
Published: November 2013

This article analyses the different meanings of the citizenship concept (political, legal, social, economic, ecological and intercultural) in order to justify the current media citizenship concept, which is particularly useful and valid for media education. The ultimate goal is to rebuild the social, ethical and political dimension of educommunication on a practical and philosophical foundation. With this in mind, we have analysed two very powerful and current ap proaches, the ethics of dialogue and ability, mainly because of their links to communication and their contribution to the human development concept, which is on the media education agendas of international organizations such as UNESCO or the European Commission. From the philosophical foundation proposed, the criteria for evaluating and reconstructing the practical dimension of educommunication are: civic participation, freedom as development and critical autonomy, which are also considered goals of the educational systems in pluralistic and democratic societies, especially from a model of deliberate and participatory democracy. The paper concludes with a positive evaluation of interdisciplinary approach in the study of media education, an educational project that is crucial for the revival of civil society and the empowerment of citizens in the current communicative context.

En el presente artículo se analiza el concepto de ciudadanía en sus diferentes significaciones (ciudadanía política, jurídica, social, económica, ecológica e intercultural), con el fin de justificar la actualidad del concepto de ciudadanía mediática, sobre todo por su validez en el ámbito de la educomunicación. El objetivo último es reconstruir la dimensión social, ética y política de la educomunicación a partir de un fundamento filosófico práctico. En esta tarea de fundamentación, cabe apelar a dos enfoques muy potentes en la actualidad como son la ética dialógica y el enfoque de las capacidades, por su vinculación con el ámbito comunicativo y por su contribución a la noción del desarrollo humano, presente en los programas de educación mediática de organismos internacionales como la UNESCO o la Comisión Europea. A partir de la fundamentación filosófica ofrecida, los criterios para evaluar y reconstruir la dimensión práctica de la educomunicación son la participación cívica, la libertad como desarrollo y la autonomía crítica, consideradas asimismo como fines de los sistemas educativos en sociedades plurales y democráticas, sobre todo desde un modelo deliberativo y participativo de democracia. Tras esta argumentación, el artículo concluye a favor de la interdisciplinariedad en el estudio de la educación mediática, un proyecto educativo que es crucial para la reactivación de la sociedad civil y el empoderamiento de la ciudadanía en el actual contexto comunicativo.
Fermat-weber location problem solving by the hyperbolic smoothing approach
Authors: Xavier Vinicius, L. , França Felipe, M. G. , Xavier Adilson, E. , Lima Priscila, M. V.
Published: November 2013

The solution of the Fermat-Weber Location Problem, also known as the continuous p-median problem, is considered by using the Hyperbolic Smoothing approach. For the purpose of illustrating both the reliability and the efficiency of the method, a set of computational experiments was performed, making use of traditional test problems described in the literature.
Two new genera and five new species of Selachinematidae (Nematoda, Chromadorida) from the continental slope of New Zealand
Authors: Leduc Daniel
Published: November 2013

Two new genera and five new species of Selachinematidae are described from the New Zealand upper continental slope (350-1240 m depth). Synonchiella rotundicauda sp. nov. is characterised by cephalic setae 0.25 cbd long, mandibles each with two pairs of hooks and two wing-like projections laterally, eight cup-shaped pre-cloacal supplements and short rounded tail. Pseudocheironchus gen. nov. is similar to Cheironchus, but differs from the latter in having a cuticle without lateral differentiation, cephalic setae only slightly longer than the outer labial sensillae, and a posterior buccal cavity with three equal mandibles. Pseudocheironchus ingluviosus gen. et sp. nov. is characterised by mandibles with eight blunt teeth, multispiral amphideal fovea with five turns, and a short rounded tail. Males of this new species with 17-19 cup-shaped pre-cloacal supplements. Males of the genus Cobbionema are described for the first time; C. trigamma sp. nov. is characterised by four long cephalic setae and six smaller outer labial setae in one circle, six rhabdions surrounding the anterior buccal cavity, each with two pairs of pointed projections at their posterior extremities, posterior buccal cavity widening posteriorly, with three pairs of rhabdions fused posteriorly and widening anteriorly, males with two testes pointing anteriorly and with reflexed posterior testis, and no pre-cloacal supplements. Gammanema agglutinans sp. nov. is characterised by a short, stout body often covered in adhering mucus and detritus, cuticle with minute spines, leaf-shaped somatic setae with ducts, sexual dimorphism in the shape of the amphideal fovea (loop-shaped in males and spiral in females), posterior buccal cavity with three pairs of broad, column-shaped rhabdions fused anteriorly, intestine cells with orange-brown granules, and small tubular pre-cloacal supplements. Bendiella gen. nov. is most similar to Halichoanolaimus, but differs from the latter, and all other genera of the family Selachinematidae, in having a cuticle with lateral differentiation consisting of longitudinal rows of larger dots, and from all other genera of the Choniolaiminae in lacking pre-cloacal supplements. Bendiella thalassa gen. et sp. nov. is characterised by amphideal fovea with 5.25 turns, anterior buccal cavity with twelve rhabdions, each with a pair of pointed projections at posterior extremity, posterior buccal cavity with three Y-shaped pairs of slender rhabdions fused from two thirds of distance from anterior ends, and conico-cylindrical tail.
Integrated outsourcing transforms and increases R&D productivity
Authors: Levy Henry
Published: November 2013

Pharmaceutical companies are actively exploring new sourcing strategies to address the continuing decline in R&D productivity. Fragmented outsourcing has not sufficiently solved the problem, so leaders are moving toward an integrated sourcing model that blends control of the development pipeline with the economies of scalable outsourcing. While many pharmaceutical companies recognize the potential value of this approach, few are prepared to fully exploit it. Accenture has identified four criteria to help pharmaceutical companies successfully increase R&D productivity through integrated outsourcing. Making the necessary changes will not be easy, and individual companies will have to determine the appropriate roadmap they each need to use.Â  Â
Quaternary fans and colluvium as indicators of environmental change and landscape sensitivity
Authors: Thomas Michael F
Published: November 2013

Unconsolidated sediments in the humid tropics range from highly altered weathering products involved in minimum, low energy transport, to coarse fans and landslide deposits. But most can be regarded as colluvium and alluvium showing imprints of episodic sedimentation. These deposits may span the entire Cenozoic, but 14C dating has led to a focus on Late Quaternary sediments. Many studies have indicated concentration of activity between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the early Holocene ‘pluvial’, but recent use of Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating indicates episodic sedimentation throughout the Last Glacial Cycle in some landscapes. The low resolution of most OSL studies limits attempts to construct true event stratigraphies. But, despite this restriction, these sediments record the detailed history of landscape sensitivity to environmental change, and this history includes the effects of continuing weathering and pedogenesis. Bringing together studies of weathering, landscape sensitivity to environmental change, and source-to-sink models of sedimentation, provides a conceptual framework to understand earth surface systems within a Quaternary time frame.
Características e propriedades pozolânicas de arenitos opalinos da Serra de Itaqueri, SP
Authors: Montanheiro Tarcísio José , Yamamoto Jorge Kazuo , Kihara Yushiro
Published: November 2013

Os arenitos opalinos da Formação Itaqueri são qualificados como pozolana natural devido aos seus índices de atividade pozolânica (79 e 90%) estarem acima do limite (75%) estabelecido pela norma brasileira (ABNT, 1992a). Eles foram identificados na região de Itaqueri da Serra, Estado de São Paulo, em trabalhos rotineiros de prospecção estratégica. Os atributos intrínsecos dessas rochas foram identificados e, analisados, denotam uma associação mineralógica, litoestratigráfica e tectônica, que constituem importantes guias prospectivos da mineralização de opala na Bacia Sedimentar do Paraná. Além de discutir a classificação dos materiais pozolânicos quanto à origem e enfatizar a importância da Formação Itaqueri como metalotecto para depósitos pozolânicos, são examinados no contexto desse trabalho os procedimentos usuais de prospecção estratégica de pozolanas naturais, as técnicas analíticas que pré-qualificam e quantificam esses materiais e os difratogramas de raios X que exibem a neoformação de C-S-H em pastas de Ca (OH)2 e arenito opalino. As qualidades tecnológicas e, principalmente, os benefícios ambientais e econômicos do uso de pozolanas no cimento Portland com adição (elas reduzem a emissão de 440 Kg de CO2 por tonelada de calcário calcinado e agregam lucro financeiro da ordem de 20% no produto final) também são aqui analisados e comparados.
Innovations in Risk Management as Exemplified by the Polish Insurance Market
Authors: ÅšliwiÅ„ski Adam , Michalski Tomasz , KarmaÅ„ska Anna
Published: November 2013

The era of knowledge based economy, which the world is dynamically entering, reveals many new factors and necessities which a modern company needs to consider and cope with if it wishes to stay on in business. The innovativeness of business activity, in a broad meaning of the word, is an area of significant factors. Holistically, one may ask about the borders of innovation applied in business. Are they determined by: the actual needs of end consumers and as a consequence the needs of companies participating in the chain of value delivered to these customers or primarily the actual needs to earn on corporate investments on the customer value chain?This paper analyses the problem of management of innovation programmes and projects introduced by companies from the microeconomic perspective. Its main aim is to show a new approach to innovation cost management and the innovation activity of the insurance sector in Poland. The paper consists of two sections. The first one describes innovation cost management. Innovative companies should be supported by the insurance sector. They should also apply knowledge and appropriately analyse and allocate costs within the algorithms of behaviour compliant with the risk management. The second section analyses the Polish insurance sector with the Multivariate Statistical Analysis. The paper ends with the conclusions with regard to the insurance sector. The examination of the sector shows that the insurance market in Poland in the analysed period was not innovative and it did not create innovation supporting services (and it is where the insurance risk appears due to the financial aspects of innovation).
Access to justice: evaluating law, health and human rights programmes in Kenya
Authors: Gruskin Sofia , Safreed‐Harmon Kelly , Ezer Tamar , Gathumbi Anne , Cohen Jonathan , Kameri‐Mbote Patricia
Published: November 2013

Introduction

In Kenya, human rights violations have a marked impact on the health of people living with HIV. Integrating legal literacy and legal services into healthcare appears to be an effective strategy to empower vulnerable groups and address underlying determinants of health.

Methods

We carried out an evaluation to collect evidence about the impact of legal empowerment programmes on health and human rights. The evaluation focused on Open Society Foundation‐supported legal integration activities at four sites: the Academic Model of Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) facility, where the Legal Aid Centre of Eldoret (LACE) operates, in Eldoret; Kenyatta National Hospital's Gender‐based Violence Recovery Centre, which hosts the COVAW legal integration program; and Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) facilities in Mombasa and Naivasha. In consultation with the organizations implementing the programs, we designed a conceptual logic model grounded in human rights principles, identified relevant indicators and then coded structure, process and outcome indicators for the rights‐related principles they reflect. The evaluation included a resource assessment questionnaire, a review of program records and routine data, and semi‐structured interviews and focus group discussions with clients and service providers. Data were collected in May–August 2010 and April–June 2011.

Results

Clients showed a notable increase in practical knowledge and awareness about how to access legal aid and claim their rights, as well as an enhanced ability to communicate with healthcare providers and to improve their access to healthcare and justice. In turn, providers became more adept at identifying human rights violations and other legal difficulties, which enabled them to give clients basic information about their rights, refer them to legal aid and assist them in accessing needed support. Methodological challenges in evaluating such activities point to the need to strengthen rights‐oriented evaluation methods.

Conclusions

Legal empowerment programmes have the potential to promote accountability, reduce stigma and discrimination and contribute to altering unjust structures and systems. Given their apparent value as a health and human rights intervention, particularly for marginalized populations, further rigorous evaluations are called for to support the scale‐up of such programmes.
The Electoral Impact of Unexpected Inflation and Economic Growth
Authors: PALMER HARVEY D. , WHITTEN GUY D.
Published: July 2002

This article supports two theoretical changes to models of comparative economic voting. The first is that the distinction between expected and unexpected components of inflation and economic growth is important. We posit that voters are primarily concerned with unexpected inflation and unexpected growth since these changes have real income effects and serve as better indicators of government competence. Empirical analyses of data from nineteen industrialized nations in 1970–94 reveal stronger electoral effects for the unexpected components of inflation and growth than for their overall levels. The second innovation is the relaxation of the assumption of homoscedasticity, which led to the finding that the relationship between economic factors and incumbent vote has become more volatile over time and is less volatile when policy-making responsibility is more obscured.
ON-FARM TRIALS WITH FORAGE LEGUME–BARLEY COMPARED WITH FALLOW–BARLEY ROTATIONS AND CONTINUOUS BARLEY IN NORTH-WEST SYRIA
Authors: CHRISTIANSEN S. , BOUNEJMATE M. , BAHHADY F. , THOMSON E. , MAWLAWI B. , SINGH M.
Published: July 2002

Over a period of seven years farmers participated in trials in which common vetch (Vicia sativa (V)) or chickling (Lathyrus sativus (C)) replaced the fallow in a barley (Hordeum vulgare)–fallow rotation (F) or were introduced into continuous barley cropping (B) – giving a total of four rotations, B–F, B–B, B–V and B–C. Trials on 4 ha, 2 ha per phase of each rotation, were replicated on 6–8 farms. Some vetch and chickling crops were grazed in spring. Mean seven-year dry matter yields were 2.91 t ha−1 for B–F, 4.82 t for B–B, 5.02 t for B–C and 5.32 t for B–V; total crude protein outputs were twice as high from rotations including legumes; and the B–V rotation yielded most metabolizable energy. Realizing the benefit, farmers started to adopt vetch. In 1991 three farmers were growing vetch on 7 ha but by 1997 174 farmers in 15 villages were growing vetch on 420 ha. Forage legumes will not, however, become more widely grown until inexpensive and efficient mechanized methods of harvesting the mature crop are available in order to avoid the high cost of hand labour. Drought and cold tolerance, early maturation and high harvest index may also enhance farmers' interest in forage legumes.
SEMI-SELECTIVE MEDIUM FOR ISOLATION OF COLLETOTRICHUM GLOEOSPORIOIDES FROM SOIL
Authors: EKEFAN E. J. , SIMONS S. A. , NWANKITI A. O. , PETERS J. C.
Published: July 2002

Isolation of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (causal agent of yam anthracnose) from soil is difficult because of the presence of fast growing micro-organisms like Rhizoctonia spp., Rhizopus spp., Penicillium spp. and bacteria. Therefore, a semi-selective medium consisting of antimicrobial agents such as pencycuron 50 mg L−1, tolclofos-methyl 10 mg L−1, streptomycin sulphate 100 mg L−1, chloramphenicol 100 mg L−1 and chlortetracycline 100 mg L−1 was developed using potato dextrose agar as the basal medium. The procedure involved screening of candidate fungicides, developing a suitable combination of antimicrobial agents, assessing the proposed semi-selective medium and adjustment of pH of the medium to 5. The effectiveness of the medium is due to selective inhibition of micro-organisms by the antimicrobial agents and the development of distinct salmon-pink colonies of C. gloeosporioides.
Shortening the selection process for sugarcane
Authors: MAMET L. D. , DOMAINGUE R.
Published: July 2002

There is a need to shorten the selection process for sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids) in Mauritius in order to improve the efficiency of the varietal improvement programme. On average six to seven ratoon crops are grown in Mauritius and selection for ratooning ability is of major importance. The current selection cycle lasts around 15 years and ratooning ability is tested on five occasions. Data (estimates of sucrose content, cane and sugar yields) from the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute's selection trials planted in 1986–90, representing 85 trials (9680 genotypes) in Stage 3 (one-line stage) and 141 trials (2620 genotypes) in Stage 4 (two-line stage) were analysed. It was hypothesized that 1st ratoon (1R) data in Stage 3 and 2nd ratoon (2R) in Stage 4 were effectively redundant and that the cycle could be shortened by two years without loss of precision. Repeatability estimates, between plant cane (P) and the mean of P and 1R (P + 1R) in Stage 3, and between (P + 1R) and the mean of plant cane, 1st and 2nd ratoon (P + 1R + 2R) in Stage 4, were found to be positive and highly significant for all characters indicating that the extra ratoon data were unnecessary.

Present and proposed selection scenarios were studied further using differential-selection methodology. The coincidence indices (CI) obtained with the two scenarios were extremely high (63–82% in Stage 3 and 91–96% in Stage 4) again indicating that the additional ratoon data were not cost effective. Realized gains from selection in Stage 4 based on (P + 1R + 2R) as opposed to (P + 1R) were shown to be small or even negative. The results concur extremely well with published data from Australia and the USA. It was therefore recommended that the cycle be reduced by two years and that the resources be more usefully allocated to test genotypes over more sites and more replicates.
Developmental expression of the 412 retrotransposon in natural populations of D. melanogaster and D. simulans
Authors: BORIE N. , LOEVENBRUCK C. , BIEMONT C.
Published: July 2002

We analysed the pattern of expression of retrotransposon 412 through developmental stages in
various populations of Drosophila simulans and D. melanogaster differing in 412 copy number. We
found that the 412 expression pattern varied greatly between populations of both species,
indicating that such patterns were not entirely species-specific. In D. simulans, total transcripts
increased with number of 412 copies in the chromosomes when this number was low, and then
decreased for high copy numbers. D. melanogaster, which has a higher 412 copy number than D.
simulans, had overall a lower global 412 expression, but again showed variation in 412 expression
pattern between populations. These results suggest that in populations of D. simulans with low 412
copy number, the expression pattern of this element depends not only on copy number but also on
host cellular regulatory sequences near which the elements were inserted. In D. simulans
populations with high copy number overall transcription was on the contrary globally repressed, as
observed in D. melanogaster. A population from Canberra (Australia) which had a very high 412
copy number was found to be associated with very high expression of 412 over all developmental
stages, suggesting that the above 412 expression regulation processes are overcome in this
population sample. The analysis of hybrids between geographically distinct populations of D.
simulans showed that 412 expression was trans-regulated differently according to developmental
stages, implying complex interactions between the 412 element and stage-specific host genes.
SHORT PAPER P element excision in Drosophila is stimulated by

gamma-irradiation in transient embryonic assays
Authors: HANDLER ALFRED M. , GOMEZ SHEILACHU P.
Published: July 2002

The influence of gamma-irradiation on P element excision

and excision-site repair mechanisms was

directly tested by embryonic somatic excision assays. Preblastoderm

P[ry+, Δ2–3](99B)

embryos, having a stable source of somatically active P

transposase, were irradiated previous to injection

with P excision indicator plasmids. Frequencies of precise or
nearly

precise P excision increased

with gamma-ray doses ranging from 0·5 to 3·5 Gy. Higher

doses resulted in frequencies close to

that in unirradiated embryos, though considerable embryonic lethality was

also evident at these

doses. A direct positive interaction between gamma-irradiation and P

element activity is concluded.
Mapping multiple linked quantitative trait loci in non-obese
diabetic mice using a stepwise regression strategy
Authors: CORDELL HEATHER J. , TODD JOHN A. , LATHROP G. MARK
Published: July 2002

A simple regression strategy for mapping multiple linked
quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in inbred
populations is proposed and applied to data from a non-obese diabetic (NOD)
mouse backcross.
The method involves adding and deleting markers from a linear model in
a stepwise manner,
allowing the association with a particular marker to be examined once
associations with other (in
particular neighbouring) markers have been taken into account. This approach
has the advantage
of using programs available in standard statistical packages while still
allowing adequate
separation of possible multiple linked effects. For the mouse backcross,

using these methods, at
least two and possibly three diabetogenic loci are detected on each of

chromosomes 1 and 3. Some
evidence for epistasis is seen between the loci on chromosome 1, with a
possible additional
epistatic interaction between the loci on chromosome 3. Congenic strain
analysis of the
chromosome regions in NOD diabetes suggests that although the true type
I error rate may be
larger than that suggested by the nominal P values, our
results nevertheless correspond well with
those disease loci and interactions detected using a congenic approach,
indicating that the
regression method may be a powerful strategy for the detection and characterization
of QTLs in
inbred populations.
The influence of environmentally induced heterogeneity on
age-specific genetic variance for mortality rates
Authors: PLETCHER SCOTT D. , CURTSINGER JAMES W.
Published: July 2002

Using parametric models that describe the increase in mortality rates with age, we demonstrate
that environmentally induced heterogeneity among genetically identical individuals is sufficient to
generate biased estimates of age-specific genetic variance. Although the magnitude of the bias may
change with age, one general trend emerges: the true genetic variance at the oldest ages is likely to
be dramatically underestimated. Our results are robust to different manifestations of heterogeneity
and suggest that such a bias is a general feature of these models. We note that age-dependent
estimates of genetic variance for characters that are correlated with mortality (either genetically or
environmentally) can be expected to be similarly affected. The results are independent of sample
size and suggest that the bias may be more widespread in the literature than is currently
appreciated. Our results are discussed with reference to existing data on mortality variance in
Drosophila melanogaster.
Krüppel homolog (Kr h) is a dosage-dependent modifier of
gene expression in Drosophila
Authors: BENEVOLENSKAYA ELIZAVETA V. , FROLOV MAXIM V. , BIRCHLER JAMES A.
Published: July 2002

A lethal mutation in the Krüppel homolog (Kr h) was isolated in screens of P-element insertion
mutations for modifiers of white gene expression. The mutation occurs in the 5′ untranslated
region of the Kr h gene and causes a lightening of the eye colour for several alleles of white due to
a decrease in white steady-state mRNA levels at pupal stages. Two related genes, scarlet and
brown, were significantly affected as well in early pupae. Genetic analysis of different white alleles
suggests that enhancer sequences are necessary for interaction with KR H. Thus, the Kr h gene is a
member of the dosage-dependent hierarchy effective upon white.
THE FEMALE CONSUMER AND THE POLITICS OF CONSUMPTION IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY BRITAIN
Authors: HILTON MATTHEW
Published: July 2002

This article traces the history of women's participation in consumer politics and the gendering of the consumer in twentieth-century Britain. It does so by focusing on two important moments in the official discussion of the consumer interest: the Consumers' Council of the First World War and the Molony Committee on Consumer Protection, 1959–1962. It argues that notions of consumer-citizenship have been varied and forever in flux and that the involvement of women in consumer issues within the state apparatus has always been at once both disputed and encouraged. Within this complex history, however, a number of discernible trends are apparent. In the first half of the twentieth century, consumer issues were articulated by women's organizations on the political left and the consumer was considered largely a working-class housewife within official consumer politics. By mid-century, an increasingly dominant view of the consumer was that of the middle-class housewife, and a host of socially conservative women's groups came to speak for the consumer. By the 1950s, while the definition of the consumer remained contested, it had increasingly become a gender-neutral category, as business groups defined consumer interests in government committees and an emerging affluent consumer movement inscribed consumerism with the values of a male professional class.