bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Substructure Stiffness on Performance of Steel Integral Abutment Bridges under Thermal Loads
Authors: Albhaisi Suhail , Nassif Hani , Hwang Eui-Seung
Published: February 2013

This paper presents a study that investigated the effect of substructure stiffness on the performance of short- and medium-length steel integral abutment bridges (IABs) built on clay under thermal load effects. Various parameters, such as pile size and orientation, pile type, and foundation soil stiffness, were considered in the study. Detailed, three-dimensional (3-D), finite element (FE) models were developed to capture the behavior of IABs. Field measurements from a IAB were used to validate the 3-D FE model developed with LUSAS software. With the use of validated models, a parametric study was carried out to study the effect of these parameters on the performance of IABs under thermal loading with AASHTO load and resistance factor design temperature ranges. The study showed that the substructure stiffness had a significant effect on the stress level induced by thermal loads in various components of the substructure and superstructure. The results also showed significant variations in displacement and stress between interior and exterior locations in relatively wide IABs. The study showed that prestressed concrete piles could form a viable alternative to steel H-piles for short-span bridges. The stress level from thermal loading in the various components of the bridge could be reduced significantly if the top part of the pile were placed in an enclosure filled with crushed stone or loose sand.
Concrete Roadside Barrier Anchorage Details for 5-in., Cast-in-Place Decks on Prestressed Beams
Authors: Arrington Dusty R. , Holt John M. , Bligh Roger P.
Published: February 2013

The Texas Department of Transportation commonly builds bridge spans with adjacently framed, prestressed box beams and slab beams and makes them composite with a 5-in.-thick, concrete, cast-in-place deck (CIPD). The presence of a cast-in-place, concrete overlay allows use of more favorable empirical, live-load distribution equations, which results in more efficient bridge spans. This 5-in.-thick CIPD offers limited depth for anchorage of rail reinforcement. AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Design Bridge Design Specifications has a limiting hook development length of 6 in. for a No. 4 rail anchorage. With a 5-in. deck thickness and a 6-in. minimum required development length, the rail anchorage reinforcement must be cast in the pretensioned beams to meet specification requirements for rail anchorage strength. This need has made it difficult to ensure adequate development of the rail anchorage reinforcement. The objective of the study reported here, therefore, was to develop barrier anchorage details that would meet the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) evaluation criteria, minimize damage to the concrete barrier profile and CIPD, and prevent delamination of the CIPD from the precast beams, which was witnessed in a research project performed at Texas Transportation Institute. The anchorage modifications were evaluated successfully under the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware Test 3–11 and were considered suitable for roadways with traffic conditions appropriate for Testing Level 3 safety hardware.
Discrete Shear Connection for a Portable Composite Bridge
Authors: Bowser Matthew , Walbridge Scott , West Jeffrey
Published: February 2013

To enable a portable composite bridge, a shear connection between steel plate girders and precast concrete deck panels, which would allow these two components to be fastened and unfastened, proposed. In the system, points of shear connection would be spaced at 3 m on center along the length of the girder. Finite element analysis was employed to compare the performance of the proposed composite system to a conventional composite girder with ductile shear studs. A nonlinear analysis was performed, and the proposed composite system was seen to demonstrate a response comparable to that of a composite girder with conventional shear studs. The model was verified for its capability to capture the possible effects of flange buckling, web buckling, and lateral torsional buckling of the steel plate girder. It was then confirmed that these failure modes did not influence the performance of the proposed portable composite bridge system for the investigated bridge configuration. A parametric study also was performed: the effects of shear connection stiffness and spacing on the behavior of the composite girder were investigated. In general, the investigated variations of these parameters had a significant influence on the girder stiffness but only a limited impact on the ultimate strength.
Evaluation of Cracks in a Spliced, Prestressed Concrete I-Girder Bridge
Authors: Huang Dongzhou , Arnold Scott , Hu Bo
Published: February 2013

The purpose of the investigation reported in this paper was to identify the main causes of cracking that occurred in the Cross Florida Barge Canal Bridge, a three-span, continuous, spliced I-girder bridge that comprises spans of 77.7–86.9–77.7 m (255–285–225 ft) located in Citrus County, Florida. This paper briefly describes the bridge and the cracking. It then presents analytical models. Analytical results showed that the maximum vertical tensile force within a girder end zone from longitudinal prestressing strands was nearly 8% of the total prestressing force. The force was significantly higher than that prescribed by AASHTO specifications to determine the quantity of vertical reinforcement required at the ends of pretensioned members. Finally, the paper discusses some recommendations for end zone detailing. The results could help bridge designers provide better bridge detailing and further mitigate cracking in prestressed, spliced I-girders.
Probabilistic Evaluation to Improve Design of Impact–Echo Sources
Authors: Schoefs Franck , Abraham Odile
Published: February 2013

The aim of the study reported in this paper was to provide rational aid tools to quantify the performance of nondestructive testing (NDT) tools. This study focused on the quantification of the performance of impact–echo sources (steel balls of varied diameters), applied with a new, con-tactless robot, for duct void detection and thickness measurements in a reinforced concrete wall. Because of uncertainties during the testing, the data were analyzed in a probabilistic context, with the knowledge that on-site inspections were affected by uncertainties. The αδ method was used in this regard, where the probabilities of detection and false alarm rates were used to build receiver operating characteristic curves. The methodology was applied to data measured on the same wall with two steel ball diameters: 0.16 and 0.125 m. The quantity analyzed here was the impact–echo method (resonance) frequency. This methodology could be extended to other parameters of the impact–echo setup as well as to other NDT methods.
Implementation of Structural Health Monitoring for Movable Bridges
Authors: Gokce Hasan B. , Gul Mustafa , Catbas F. Necati
Published: February 2013

This paper discusses how the current practice of bridge inspection and assessment can be complemented with long-term structural health monitoring (SHM) data within a bridge asset management framework. A brief discussion of asset management is presented with data used in current practice and complementary data from SHM. To use any data in a timely and effective manner requires an information management system that considers all constituents, from bridge owners to decision makers to users. Thus a multilayered bridge information system that considers multiple end users and includes a broad range of data sources is presented. After discussion of the proposed system, the paper presents long-term SHM data and inspection and maintenance data from a movable bridge in Florida. Dynamic data from long-term monitoring were analyzed with time and frequency domain methods as well as statistical methods, which were feasible with large amounts of data. The results of the analysis showed that certain anomalies at critical components of the bridge (e.g., span-lock and gearbox mechanisms) were captured. It was also shown that the issues identified with SHM data were related to the operation and maintenance of the bridge, as described in its maintenance logs. Integration of monitoring systems with routine maintenance applications could be expected to provide timely and effective bridge management.
Fluid Jackets
Authors: Katona Michael G.
Published: February 2013

To surround the circumference of plain concrete pipes with fluid jackets is a revolutionary concept that can result in maximum burial depths and live load capacities more than twice those of conventional, steel-reinforced concrete pipes. Moreover, the enhanced capacities are achievable with less than one-half the usual amount of concrete and with zero steel reinforcement. Alternatively, fluid jacketed concrete pipes may be designed with the same structural capacity as conventional reinforced concrete pipes but with a project cost savings that results from a 50% weight reduction per foot of pipe. These claims are supported by the analysis presented in this paper, which is a necessary first step before experimental validation can occur. Engineered plastic jackets encapsulate fluid (water) in a watertight configuration that encircles the buried concrete pipe. The encapsulated fluid transforms nonuniform soil pressure to uniform hydrostatic pressure around the pipe periphery. Consequently, the concrete pipe experiences hoop compression only, without the bending deformation and concrete cracking inherent in conventionally installed, reinforced concrete pipe. The fluid jacket concept has not been published in open literature. This paper illustrates the physics of the concept and presents the most promising configuration and materials determined through structural analysis studies with the CANDE-2007 computer program. Fluid jacket designs are proposed in this paper as a first step to bring this revolutionary idea to fruition. Next steps include laboratory testing, field testing, and modeling refinement.
Performance of Steel Fiber–Reinforced Concrete Pipes
Authors: Abolmaali A. , Mikhaylova A. , Wilson A. , Lundy J.
Published: February 2013

This study presents the production and full-scale testing of steel fiber–reinforced concrete pipes (SFRCP) for the first time in the United States. Four reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) production sites in various geographical regions of the United States were selected for their diversity in production methods, and pipes with different fiber dosages were produced. The production sites selected were among the major RCP production facilities, whose equipment to manufacture pipes varied. The specific mix design for each production site was kept the same as that used for conventional RCPs to minimize the change in production culture. Pipes with diameters that ranged from 15 in. (400 mm) to 48 in. (1,200 mm) were produced with different fiber dosages. The SFRCP and control RCP specimens were instrumented and subjected to ASTM C497 three-edge-bearing, full-scale tests. The failure modes, strength, stiffness, and crack widths of the SFRCPs and RCPs were compared and reported.
Safety Effects of Icy-Curve Warning Systems
Authors: Ye Zhirui , Veneziano David , Turnbull Ian
Published: February 2013

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) deployed an icy-curve warning system (ICWS) on a 5-mi section of SR-36 in Lassen County, California, over Fredonyer Pass. This section of roadway had a history as a high-crash location, with multiple fatal crashes. The vast majority of these accidents occurred when the pavement was icy, despite static signage that Caltrans had installed to increase motorist awareness. This study presents the results of research that investigated safety effects of the ICWS. An observational before–after study method with the empirical Bayes technique was used to determine the effects of ICWS on crash frequencies. The results showed that the ICWS reduced annual crashes by 18%. Moreover, analysis of ice-related accidents during winters found that the ICWS had reduced crash severities on this roadway section. On the basis of these results, a benefit analysis revealed that the ICWS provided an estimated monetary benefit of $1.7 million per winter season to motorists through reduced crashes. The study results are anticipated to contribute to a better understanding of safety effects of ice (or icy-curve) warning systems and increase the knowledge base of weather-specific treatments and their associated effects.
Development of Web-Based Parent Support Program to Improve Quantity, Quality, and Diversity of Teens’ Home-Based Practice Driving
Authors: Mirman Jessica H. , Lee Yi-Ching , Kay Joseph , Durbin Dennis R. , Winston Flaura K.
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a web-based program, the teen driving plan (TDP), for the parents of teen drivers and the results of a process evaluation to determine whether this intervention can be used as intended for the target population. The TDP is designed to promote parents’ facilitation of their teens’ home-based practice driving to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of teens’ practice. The core functionality of the program centers on encouraging parents to plan and log practice drives. Use of these online tools encourages parents to watch short video tutorials that provide guidance on how to structure practice drives. Results of the mixed-methods process evaluation (n = 16 families) suggest that the TDP was viewed favorably by families and can be used by parents of learner teen drivers to plan and log practice drives. Families were followed over a 6-week period, and data were collected on the TDP use, participants’ practice driving, participants’ reactions to using the program, and their suggestions for improving the TDP. Multiple research methods were used, including user-tracking software, online surveys, focus groups and interviews, and a technical assistance log. Participants provided helpful feedback about website design and functionality. Overall, the results indicate that the TDP is a promising new intervention worthy of further development and research.
Supernetwork Approach for Modeling Traveler Response to Park-and-Ride
Authors: Liao Feixiong , Arentze Theo , Timmermans Harry
Published: February 2013

Park-and-ride has been identified by transport planners as a key element of any sustainability package to promote multimodal trips, improve air quality, and alleviate congestion in urban areas. This paper presents a supernetwork approach that can assess traveler response to park-and-ride in an integrated fashion. The supernetwork is constructed to include all the choices of each traveler's activity program in terms of individual preferences and, thus, is capable of representing the traveler's action space. The choices of park-and-ride facilities are embedded into the full activity and trip chains. Within this framework, the trade-off between the use of private vehicles and public transport and the trade-off between car-and-ride and bike-and-ride can both be captured. In addition, sensitivity analysis of the design of services or facilities is possible. A series of scenario studies is presented to demonstrate that the proposed supernetwork approach can be applied as a systemic analytical tool to examine traveler response to park-and-ride at a high level of detail.
Do Automobility Cohorts Exist in Urban Travel?
Authors: Sun Yilin , Waygood E. Owen D. , Huang Zhiyi
Published: February 2013

This paper uses the results of household travel surveys from the Osaka metropolitan area in Japan from 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000 to explore how automobility progression was influenced by the characteristics of automobility cohorts, the age of individuals, the time period, and the residential area. In this paper, three measures are used to examine automobility: household car ownership, automobile modal share, and auto travel time. An age–period–cohort–residential area model is also developed to describe which effects significantly explain automobility characteristics. The results of a statistical analysis offer ample evidence that automobility cohorts do exist and, along with residential area and age, have a great impact on household car ownership and auto use.
Analysis of Elderly Travel Patterns in Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea, through Sequence Alignment and Motif Search
Authors: Noh Shi Hak , Joh Chang-Hyeon
Published: February 2013

This paper analyzes travel behavior of the elderly in Seoul, South Korea, and focuses on pedestrian travel. A sequence alignment method is used, together with an analysis of the mean travel characteristics. The analysis results illustrate several important findings. First, as an overall characteristic, elderly people's mode of travel is primarily pedestrian for every category of trip purpose. Most activities are conducted locally; more distant travel is generally reserved for medical purposes and family visits. Second, factors that discourage the elderly from traveling include older age, living alone, a high level of physical disability, a low level of education, long distances from home to the nearest public transit, having paid work, and an inability to drive. Finally, regarding the sequential characteristics of travel, the motifs (the multidimensional subsequences common to travel patterns) can be distinguished between elderly subpopulations in terms of the variables of disability, occupation, living expenses, day of travel, distance to the nearest bus stop, who the individual lives with, ability to drive, neighborhood, and age. On average, most trips are chained to a trip for leisure at home and are made on foot within a limited spatial range; the motifs appear with different frequencies in different elderly subpopulations.
Joint Household-Level Analysis of Individuals’ Work Arrangement Choices
Authors: Khan Mubassira , Paleti Rajesh , Bhat Chandra R. , Pendyala Ram M.
Published: February 2013

This paper presents a comprehensive, multidimensional, multivariate binary probit model that can simultaneously represent multiple aspects of individuals’ work arrangement decisions while accounting for interactions between household members in individual employment-related choices. The model is estimated on the basis of a survey sample drawn from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, from which a rich set of accessibility measures is available to account for built environment influences on work-related decisions. Model results show that a host of demographic, socioeconomic, built environment, and attitudinal variables influence individual choices regarding work arrangements; more importantly, the model shows that there is much employment-related interaction among household members. The model can be used to predict the employment choices of individuals within larger microsimulation models of activity-travel demand.
Modeling the Effect of Land Use on Activity Spaces
Authors: Harding Christopher , Patterson Zachary , Miranda-Moreno Luis F. , Zahabi Seyed Amir H.
Published: February 2013

Historically, research that has analyzed the effect of land use on travel demand has concentrated on a few key indicators, notably, mode choice, vehicle miles traveled, and number of trips. This literature has focused primarily on the effects of individual land use variables; for example, what is the effect of land use mix or population density on mode choice? It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that the isolated impact of particular measures of land use on individual and household transportation behavior is small, but when these measures are dealt with by using a clustered approach, their combined influence becomes less ambiguous in direction and greater in magnitude. This paper contributes to the transportation and land use literature by examining the effect of clusters of land use indicators on activity spaces, an emerging but traditionally ignored indicator of transportation behavior. Regression analysis results point to a significant relationship between large and dispersed activity spaces, low levels of population and employment density, and low levels of public transit accessibility and land use mix.
Impact of Metropolitan-Level Built Environment on Travel Behavior
Authors: Nasri Arefeh , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2013

There has been growing recognition of the significant impact that land use patterns have on travel behavior; changes in built environment patterns could potentially be considered as a long-term solution in changing people's travel behavior, especially their vehicle miles traveled (VMT). However, the existing literature has mainly focused on local and neighborhood characteristics of the built environment, and little is known about the unique or relative influence of the metropolitan-level built environment. In this empirical analysis, an extensive database is used for six major metropolitan areas in the United States to employ a multilevel mixed-effect model that highlights the impact of built environment characteristics on travel behavior at different scales. The findings show that changes in built environment measures, not only at local and neighborhood levels but also at larger metropolitan and regional levels, could be influential in changing people's travel behavior. Specifically, the promotion of a compact, mixed-use built environment with a well-connected street network could help to reduce VMT and thus provide better solutions to transportation-related issues such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and high energy consumption.
Dynamics of Automobile Ownership under Rapid Growth
Authors: Zegras P. Christopher , Hannan Veronica Adelle
Published: February 2013

Little research has focused on how the factors that influence travel behavior change in rapidly developing and increasingly motorized cities. This paper examines household motor vehicle ownership and focuses on potential variations in the preferences revealed through vehicle choice models estimated for Santiago, Chile, in 1991 and 2001 and includes measures of relative location, subway proximity, residential density, and land use mix. The results indicate that preferences changed between 1991 and 2001 and suggest that as incomes rise and vehicle ownership becomes increasingly affordable, the apparent influence of demographic, land use, and other contextual variables changes. The results vary across land use and locational variables; most notably, the relationship between vehicle ownership and land use mix appears to weaken over time, whereas the effect of the distance to the central business district strengthens, and the effect of residential density varies in the apparent direction of change, depending on the vehicle ownership category. By 2001, proximity to the subway had an apparent effect on the household decision to own three or more vehicles. This research shows that although income and motorization rates rapidly increased in Santiago, certain elements of the built environment influenced household vehicle ownership, and these influences changed over time. Future research should focus on potential market segments, such as suburban versus urban; aim to control for self-selection regarding land use and locational characteristics; and better understand the implications for travel forecasting.
Abstracts Vol.25(1)
Authors: Chowdhury Saleha Begum
Published: February 2013

Not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjog.v25i1.13732 Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2010; Vol. 25(1) : 41-43
Abstracts Vol.25(2)
Authors: Chowdhury TA
Published: February 2013

Not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjog.v25i2.13748 Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2010; Vol. 25(2) : 90-91
Society News Vol.25(2)
Authors: Begum Nasima
Published: February 2013

Not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjog.v25i2.13749 Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2010; Vol. 25(2) : 92-93
Light-Intensity-Induced Characterization of Elastic Constants and d33 Piezoelectric Coefficient of PLZT Single Fiber Based Transducers
Authors: Kozielski Lucjan , Erhart Jiri , Clemens Frank
Published: February 2013

Enhanced functionality of electro-optic devices by implementing piezoelectric micro fibers into their construction is proposed. Lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics are known to exhibit high light transparency, desirable electro-optic properties and fast response. In this study PLZT fibers with a diameter of around 300 microns were produced by a thermoplastic processing method and their light-induced impedance and piezoelectric coefficient were investigated at relatively low light intensity (below 50 mW/cm2). The authors experimentally proved higher performance of light controlled microfiber transducers in comparison to their bulk form. The advantage of the high surface area to volume ratio is shown to be an excellent technique to design high quality light sensors by using fibrous materials. The UV absorption induced change in elastic constants of 3% and 4% for the piezoelectric coefficient d33.
Polyploidization inHeuchera cylindrica(Saxifragaceae) did not result in a shift in climatic requirements
Authors: Godsoe William , Larson Megan A. , Glennon Kelsey L. , Segraves Kari A.
Published: February 2013

•Premise of the study:Polyploidization is a key factor involved in the diversification of plants. Although polyploids are commonly found, there remains controversy on the mechanisms that lead to their successful establishment. One major problem that has been identified is that newly formed polyploids lack mates of the appropriate ploidy level and may experience severely reduced fertility due to nonproductive intercytotype crosses. Niche differentiation has been proposed as a primary mechanism that can alleviate this reproductive disadvantage and facilitate polyploid establishment. Here we test whether the establishment of tetraploid cytotypes ofHeuchera cylindrica(Saxifragaceae) is consistent with climatic niche differentiation.

•Methods:We use a combination of field surveys, flow cytometry and species distribution models to: (1) examine the distribution of diploid and tetraploid cytotypes; and (2) determine whether tetraploidHeuchera cylindricaoccupy climates that differ from those of its diploid progenitors.

•Key results:The geographic distributions of diploid and tetraploid cytotypes are largely allopatric as an extensive survey of 636 plants from 43 locations failed to detect any populations with both cytotypes. Although diploids and tetraploids occur in different geographic areas, polyploidHeuchera cylindricaoccur almost exclusively in environments that are predicted to be suitable to diploid populations.

•Conclusions:Climatic niche differentiation does not explain the geographic distribution of tetraploidHeuchera cylindrica. We propose instead that tetraploid lineages were able to establish by taking advantage of glacial retreat and expanding into previously unoccupied sites.
Unifoliata‐Afila interactions in pea leaf morphogenesis
Authors: DeMason Darleen A. , Chetty Venkateswari , Barkawi Lana S. , Liu Xing , Cohen Jerry D.
Published: February 2013

• Premise of the study: Processes of leaf morphogenesis provide the basis for the great diversity of leaf form among higher plants. The common garden pea (Pisum sativum) offers a developmental model system for understanding how gene and hormone interactions impart a large array of mutant leaf phenotypes.

• Methods: To understand the role of auxin in AF and UNI gene function and their interaction, we compared the range of leaf phenotypes on afila (af) and unifoliata (uni) double mutants, examined the effects of these mutations on auxin levels, auxin transport, auxin response via DR5::GUS, and expression of auxin‐regulated genes.

• Key results: The adult leaves of af uni double mutants have leaflets and tendrils and typically possess two lateral pinna pairs and a terminal leaflet. The af mutants have higher auxin content, stronger auxin response, and higher expression of auxin responsive genes than wildtype. The uni mutant has reduced auxin content and transport, whereas the uni‐tac mutant has higher auxin content and transport and reduced auxin response compared to wildtype.

• Conclusions: Auxin concentration and response differences characterize the antagonistic relationship between AF and UNI in pea leaf development. The mechanism involves modulation of auxin mediated by one or both genes; UNI is expressed in and promotes high auxin levels, and AF suppresses auxin levels.
N-Heterocyclic carbene–palladium catalysts for the direct arylation of pyrrole derivatives with aryl chlorides
Authors: Özdemir Ismail , Gürbüz Nevin , Kaloğlu Nazan , Doğan Öznur , Kaloğlu Murat , Bruneau Christian , Doucet Henri
Published: February 2013

New Pd–NHC complexes have been synthesized and employed for palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of pyrrole derivatives by using electron-deficient aryl chlorides as coupling partners. The desired coupling products were obtained in moderate to good yields by using 1 mol % of these air-stable palladium complexes. This is an advantage compared to the procedures employing air-sensitive phosphines, which have been previously shown to promote the coupling of aryl chlorides with heteroarenes.
La démographie des communes belges de 1980 à 2010
Authors: Grimmeau Jean-Pierre , Decroly Jean-Michel , Wertz Isaline
Published: February 2013

Résumé Vingt ans après leur Courrier hebdomadaire consacré à la démographie des communes belges dans les années 1980, J.-P. Grimmeau et J.-M. Decroly, rejoints cette fois par I. Wertz, proposent une actualisation des diverses thématiques alors abordées. Cette nouvelle étude s’appuie sur les statistiques relatives à la seconde moitié des années 2000. Les auteurs soulignent l’ampleur des mutations démographiques qui ont marqué la Belgique durant le dernier quart de siècle : augmentation de l’immigration extérieure, évolution des valeurs relatives au couple et à la famille, émergence d’une nouvelle géographie démographique et rôle des villes dans la répartition de la population. L’analyse s’ouvre sur les grands traits démographiques du pays : densité de population, types d’espace, niveaux de revenu et taux de population étrangère. Les trois éléments-clés de la dynamique des populations sont ensuite abordés : mouvement migratoire, mouvement naturel (fécondité, mortalité, accroissement naturel) et accroissement total. Enfin, la répartition de la population est étudiée selon les quatre problématiques majeures : âge, sexe, état-civil et taille du ménage. L’exposé est appuyé par une cinquantaine de cartes, graphiques et tableaux inédits.
Relationship between exercise-induced systemic inflammatory like reaction and racing performance in endurance horses
Authors: Serteyn D. , Caudron I. , Lejeune J.-P. , Votion D. , Ceusters J. , Franck T. , Sandersen C.
Published: February 2013

Endurance race induces a rise of serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and a systemic inflammatory like response characterised by an increase of neutrophil counts, plasma and muscle myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase (ELT) concentrations in horses. Horses performing the same standardised exercise test do not respond with the same magnitude of inflammatory reaction. The aim of the present study was to measure the total neutrophil count, the ratio neutrophil:lymphocyte, the MPO and ELT plasma concentrations and concomitant increases of serum CK activities in competing endurance horse and to relate these results to their race performance. Twenty one horses participating in a 120 km 4 star endurance race recruited on a voluntary basis finished the race with a mean speed ranging from 13.1 to 19.8 km/h. Blood was taken the day before the race and two hours after the race. Mean values of neutrophil counts, ratio neutrophil:lymphocyte, plasma MPO and ELT concentrations and serum CK activities after the race were significantly higher than the pre-race values. There was no correlation between neutrophil counts, MPO, ELT or CK and the mean speed of the horses during the race except for the ratio neutrophil:lymphocyte where a significant negative correlation was observed. These results showed that systemic responses induced by strenuous exercise such as an endurance race is not clearly related to performance but also to horse-related factors, such as intrinsic capacity or training.
A Conceptual Framework for Developing a Critical Thinking Self-Assessment Scale
Authors: Nair Girija G. , Stamler Lynnette Leeseberg
Published: February 2013

Nurses must be talented critical thinkers to cope with the challenges related to the ever-changing health care system, population trends, and extended role expectations. Several countries now recognize critical thinking skills (CTS) as an expected outcome of nursing education programs. Critical thinking has been defined in multiple ways by philosophers, critical thinking experts, and educators. Nursing experts conceptualize critical thinking as a process involving cognitive and affective domains of reasoning. Nurse educators are often challenged with teaching and measuring CTS because of their latent nature and the lack of a uniform definition of the concept. In this review of the critical thinking literature, we examine various definitions, identify a set of constructs that define critical thinking, and suggest a conceptual framework on which to base a self-assessment scale for measuring CTS.
Música, cotidianidad e identidades colectivas en el cine de Agnès Jaoui
Authors: Fraile Prieto Teresa
Published: February 2013

El cine de la directora y actriz francesa Agnès Jaoui hace un retrato de la burguesía contemporánea del contexto francés en un tono mordaz e irónico. Bajo la apariencia de comedias dramáticas, sus películas plantean narrativas corales que sacan a la luz la dificultad de las relaciones humanas, las hipocresías y las paradojas de la sociedad occidental, al tiempo que son una reflexión sobre los discursos identitarios de la Francia actual. Además, la biografía de Jaoui presenta una estrecha relación con la música que se ve plasmada en sus películas, convirtiéndose en un factor fundamental de la trama y en un medio expresivo de primer orden en sus producciones. Este artículo aborda el estudio de todos estos elementos constructivos y su relación con la realidad francesa en los largometrajes Le goût des autres (Para todos los gustos, 2000), Comme une image (Como una imagen, 2004), y Parlez-moi de la pluie (Háblame de la lluvia, 2008).
Cannibalism of Embryos and Larvae by Adult Woundfin in Intensive Culture: Application to Conservation Propagation
Authors: Wilcox Taylor M. , Webb Molly A.H.
Published: February 2013

Woundfin Plagopterus argentissimus are a small, endangered cyprinid native to the Colorado River basin. Woundfin occur only in the Virgin River in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, and habitat degradation and competition with invasive species threaten their survival. Three facilities raise woundfin in captivity for use in conservation propagation projects. A suspected limiting factor to pond culture production of woundfin is cannibalistic predation on embryos and larvae. We experimentally measured rates of predation on embryos and larvae by adult woundfin at the Bozeman Fish Technology Center in Montana. Predation was a significant source of mortality on both embryos (W  =  210, P < 0.001) and larvae (W  =  45, P  =  0.004). These rates of predation could translate into the loss of thousands of fish over the course of a spawning season at the conservation propagation facilities. We recommend removing embryos from spawning ponds and rearing them in separate tanks or ponds to reduce predation loss.
Terrestrial arthropod abundance and phenology in the Canadian Arctic: modelling resource availability for Arctic-nesting insectivorous birds
Authors: Bolduc Elise , Casajus Nicolas , Legagneux Pierre , McKinnon Laura , Gilchrist H. Grant , Leung Maria , Morrison R.I. Guy , Reid Don , Smith Paul A. , Buddle Christopher M. , Bêty Joël
Published: February 2013

Arctic arthropods are essential prey for many vertebrates, including birds, but arthropod populations and phenology are susceptible to climate change. The objective of this research was to model the relationship between seasonal changes in arthropod abundance and weather variables using data from a collaborative pan-Canadian (Southampton, Herschel, Bylot, and Ellesmere Islands) study on terrestrial arthropods. Arthropods were captured with passive traps that provided a combined measure of abundance and activity (a proxy for arthropod availability to foraging birds). We found that 70% of the deviance in daily arthropod availability was explained by three temperature covariates: mean daily temperature, thaw degree-day, and thaw degree-day2. Models had an adjustedR2of 0.29–0.95 with an average among sites and arthropod families of 0.67. This indicates a moderate to strong fit to the raw data. The models for arthropod families with synchronous emergence, such as Tipulidae (Diptera), had a better fit (average adjustedR2of 0.80) than less synchronous taxa, such as Araneae (R2= 0.60). Arthropod abundance was typically higher in wet than in mesic habitats. Our models will serve as tools for researchers who want to correlate insectivorous bird breeding data to arthropod availability in the Canadian Arctic.
Proteolysis of Complement Factors iC3b and C5 by the Serine Protease Prostate-Specific Antigen in Prostatic Fluid and Seminal Plasma
Authors: Manning Michael L. , Williams Simon A. , Jelinek Christine A. , Kostova Maya B. , Denmeade Samuel R.
Published: February 2013

Prostate-specific Ag (PSA) is a serine protease that is expressed exclusively by normal and malignant prostate epithelial cells. The continued high-level expression of PSA by the majority of men with both high- and low-grade prostate cancer throughout the course of disease progression, even in the androgen-ablated state, suggests that PSA has a role in the pathogenesis of disease. Current experimental and clinical evidence suggests that chronic inflammation, regardless of the cause, may predispose men to prostate cancer. The responsibility of the immune system in immune surveillance and eventually tumor progression is well appreciated but not completely understood. In this study, we used a mass spectrometry–based evaluation of prostatic fluid obtained from diseased prostates after removal by radical prostatectomy to identify potential immunoregulatory proteins. This analysis revealed the presence of Igs and the complement system proteins C3, factor B, and clusterin. Verification of these findings by Western blot confirmed the high-level expression of C3 in the prostatic fluid and the presence of a previously uncharacterized C-terminal C3 cleavage product. Biochemical analysis of this C3 cleavage fragment revealed a putative PSA cleavage site after tyrosine-1348. Purified PSA was able to cleave iC3b and the related complement protein C5. These results suggest a previously uncharacterized function of PSA as an immunoregulatory protease that could help to create an environment hospitable to malignancy through proteolysis of the complement system.
Paracaspase MALT1 Deficiency Protects Mice from Autoimmune-Mediated Demyelination
Authors: Mc Guire Conor , Wieghofer Peter , Elton Lynn , Muylaert David , Prinz Marco , Beyaert Rudi , van Loo Geert
Published: February 2013

The paracaspase MALT 1 is a major player in lymphocyte activation and proliferation. MALT1 mediates Ag-induced signaling to the transcription factor NF-κB by functioning both as a scaffold protein and cysteine protease. We studied the role of MALT1 in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis. MALT1-knockout mice did not develop any clinical symptoms of EAE. In addition, lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration into the spinal cord was absent in MALT1-knockout mice, as were demyelination and proinflammatory gene expression. Adoptive transfer experiments showed that MALT1 deficiency in splenocytes is sufficient for EAE resistance. Moreover, autoreactive T cell activation was severely impaired in MALT1-deficient T cells, suggesting the inability of MALT1-deficient effector T cells to induce demyelinating inflammation in the CNS. Finally, the MALT1 substrates A20 and CYLD were completely processed in wild-type T cells during EAE, which was partially impaired in MALT1-deficient T cells, suggesting a contribution of MALT1 proteolytic activity in T cell activation and EAE development. Together, our data indicate that MALT1 may be an interesting therapeutic target in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Eradication of Liver-Implanted Tumors by Semliki Forest Virus Expressing IL-12 Requires Efficient Long-Term Immune Responses
Authors: Quetglas Jose I. , Rodriguez-Madoz Juan R. , Bezunartea Jaione , Ruiz-Guillen Marta , Casales Erkuden , Medina-Echeverz Jose , Prieto Jesus , Berraondo Pedro , Hervas-Stubbs Sandra , Smerdou Cristian
Published: February 2013

Semliki Forest virus vectors expressing IL-12 (SFV–IL-12) were shown to induce potent antitumor responses against s.c. MC38 colon adenocarcinomas in immunocompetent mice. However, when MC38 tumors were implanted in liver, where colon tumors usually metastasize, SFV–IL-12 efficacy was significantly reduced. We reasoned that characterization of immune responses against intrahepatic tumors in responder and nonresponder animals could provide useful information for designing more potent antitumor strategies. Remarkably, SFV–IL-12 induced a high percentage of circulating tumor-specific CD8 T cells in all treated animals. Depletion studies showed that these cells were essential for SFV–IL-12 antitumor activity. However, in comparison with nonresponders, tumor-specific cells from responder mice acquired an effector-like phenotype significantly earlier, were recruited more efficiently to the liver, and, importantly, persisted for a longer period of time. All treated mice had high levels of functional specific CD8 T cells at 8 d posttreatment reflected by both in vivo killing and IFN-γ–production assays, but responder animals showed a more avid and persistent IFN-γ response. Interestingly, differences in immune responses between responders and nonresponders seemed to correlate with the immune status of the animals before treatment and were not due to the treatment itself. Mice that rejected tumors were protected against tumor rechallenge, indicating that sustained memory responses are required for an efficacious therapy. Interestingly, tumor-specific CD8 T cells of responder animals showed upregulation of IL-15Rα expression compared with nonresponders. These results suggest that SFV–IL-12 therapy could benefit from the use of strategies that could either upregulate IL-15Rα expression or activate this receptor.
The Drosophila Toll Pathway Controls but Does Not Clear Candida glabrata Infections
Authors: Quintin Jessica , Asmar Joelle , Matskevich Alexey A. , Lafarge Marie-Céline , Ferrandon Dominique
Published: February 2013

The pathogenicity of Candida glabrata to patients remains poorly understood for lack of convenient animal models to screen large numbers of mutants for altered virulence. In this study, we explore the minihost model Drosophila melanogaster from the dual perspective of host and pathogen. As in vertebrates, wild-type flies contain C. glabrata systemic infections yet are unable to kill the injected yeasts. As for other fungal infections in Drosophila, the Toll pathway restrains C. glabrata proliferation. Persistent C. glabrata yeasts in wild-type flies do not appear to be able to take shelter in hemocytes from the action of the Toll pathway, the effectors of which remain to be identified. Toll pathway mutant flies succumb to injected C. glabrata. In this immunosuppressed background, cellular defenses provide a residual level of protection. Although both the Gram-negative binding protein 3 pattern recognition receptor and the Persephone protease-dependent detection pathway are required for Toll pathway activation by C. glabrata, only GNBP3, and not psh mutants, are susceptible to the infection. Both Candida albicans and C. glabrata are restrained by the Toll pathway, yet the comparative study of phenoloxidase activation reveals a differential activity of the Toll pathway against these two fungal pathogens. Finally, we establish that the high-osmolarity glycerol pathway and yapsins are required for virulence of C. glabrata in this model. Unexpectedly, yapsins do not appear to be required to counteract the cellular immune response but are needed for the colonization of the wild-type host.
Rate of AIDS Progression Is Associated with Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Pigtail Macaques
Authors: Canary Lauren A. , Vinton Carol L. , Morcock David R. , Pierce Jordan B. , Estes Jacob D. , Brenchley Jason M. , Klatt Nichole R.
Published: February 2013

During HIV/SIV infection, mucosal immune system dysfunction and systemic immune activation are associated with progression to AIDS; however, it is unclear to what extent pre-existing gastrointestinal damage relates to disease progression postinfection. Pigtail macaques (PTM) are an excellent model in which to assess mucosal dysfunction in relation to HIV/SIV pathogenesis, as the majority of these animals have high levels of gastrointestinal damage, immune activation, and microbial translocation prior to infection, and rapidly progress to AIDS upon SIV infection. In this study, we characterized the mucosal immune environment prior to and throughout SIV infection in 13 uninfected PTM and 9 SIV-infected PTM, of which 3 were slow progressors. This small subset of slow progressors had limited innate immune activation in mucosal tissues in the periphery, which was associated with a more intact colonic epithelial barrier. Furthermore, we found that preinfection levels of microbial translocation, as measured by LPS-binding protein, in PTM correlated with the rate of progression to AIDS. These data suggest that pre-existing levels of microbial translocation and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction may influence the rate of HIV disease progression.
Ig-like Transcript 7, but Not Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Antigen 2 (Also Known as HM1.24, Tetherin, or CD317), Modulates Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Function in Primary Human Blood Leukocytes
Authors: Tavano Barbara , Galao Rui Pedro , Graham David R. , Neil Stuart J. D. , Aquino Veronica N. , Fuchs Dietmar , Boasso Adriano
Published: February 2013

The Ig-like transcript (ILT) 7 is a surface molecule selectively expressed by human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). ILT7 cross-linking suppresses pDC activation and type I IFN (IFN-I) secretion following TLR7/9 engagement. The bone marrow stromal cell Ag 2 (BST2, aka HM1.24, tetherin, or CD317) is expressed by different cell types upon exposure to IFN-I and is a natural ligand for ILT7. In this study, we show that ILT7 expression decreased spontaneously in pDCs upon in vitro culture, which correlates with pDC differentiation measured as increased side scatter properties and CCR7 expression. TLR7/9 ligands, as well as HIV, induced BST2 upregulation on all tested cell types except T cells, which required TCR stimulation to respond to TLR9L-induced IFN-I. IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, and TNF-α had only marginal effects on BST2 expression in blood leukocytes compared with TLR9L. Preincubation with ILT7 cross-linking Ab inhibited IFN-I production in PBMCs treated with TLR7/9L or HIV, whereas BST2 blockade did not affect IFN-I responses even when BST2 upregulation was further boosted with TCR agonists or immunoregulatory cytokines. Our data indicate that BST2-mediated ILT7 cross-linking may act as a homeostatic regulatory mechanism on immature circulating pDC, rather than a negative feedback for activated mature pDCs that have downregulated ILT7.