bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adapted Excerpt from Hope Against Hope: Three Schools, One City, and America's Struggle to Educate its Children
Authors: Carr Sarah
Published: November 2014

In this amended excerpt from Hope Against Hope, educational reform in post-Katrina New Orleans is considered from a journalistic perspective in presenting the story of Geraldlynn Stewart as she and her family navigate the new school system. In providing voices of lived experiences of Stewart as well as other individuals within this new system, the author seeks to complicate theory- and data-driven analyses of the city's controversial changes in schooling as well as stereotypes that exist about the predominantly low-income families attending the city's public schools.
The New Iconography of the Global City: Displacement and the Residues of Culture in Chicago
Authors: McCarthy Cameron , Sanya Brenda Nyandiko
Published: November 2014

In this article, the authors situate race within the context of a discussion of globalization, neoliberalism and the class conquest of the city, focusing attention particularly on how developments associated with these dynamic processes present us with new philosophical and practical challenges to addressing the topic of racial antagonism within the school and the university in the new century. Specifically, the article is formulated against the backdrop of important changes in social, economic and cultural dynamics taking place on a global scale – dynamics which have as profound implications for racial affiliation and ‘its’ cultural and social uses in the new century as ‘they’ have for the organization of knowledge in schooling and in the university.
Healthcare Reform Proposal and the Behavior of Pharmaceutical Companies: The Role of Political Costs
Authors: Hao Maggie , Nwaeze Emeka T.
Published: November 2014

SYNOPSIS

This study examines whether drug makers took political and earnings management actions in response to the 2008 presidential campaign, which proposed major healthcare reforms. Specifically, we draw from the political cost theory and examine whether the level of political spending and the behavior of abnormal accruals and discretionary expense items in 2008 are consistent with a strategy by the drug makers to avert or reduce the adverse effect of any such reforms. A supplementary analysis considers whether the firms differ in their responses to the proposed reforms as a function of their exposure to the expected wave of patent expirations and preexisting market conditions. In particular, we examine a subset of pharmaceutical firms with elevated exposure to patent expirations or with severe market valuation problems and test the proposition that such firms will be less inclined to manage earnings downward for fear of a greater stock market penalty. We document above average increases in political spending and abnormal decreases in discretionary accruals for the drug firms in 2008; however, the subset of firms with elevated exposure to the patent expirations or with underperforming stocks had significantly smaller income-decreasing accruals during the same period. These latter results demonstrate the increased sensitivity of the subsets of firms to the capital market costs associated with managing earnings downward.

Data Availability: Data are available from sources identified in the paper.
The Current State and Future of the Audit Profession
Authors: Lombardi Danielle R. , Bloch Rebecca , Vasarhelyi Miklos A.
Published: November 2014

Audited financial statements are intended to be timely and useful in decision making. To remain a valuable and relevant service, auditing must find a way to evolve. This paper summarizes a recent study (“The Future of Audit,” Lombardi, Bloch, and Vasarhelyi [2014]), which conducts an interactive forecasting method to gain expert consensus on the current state of the auditing profession and on how the profession will evolve over the next decade. Expert consensus emerging from the study includes increasing automation of audit procedures, more predictive financial statements, continuous auditing, and maintaining a global outlook on audit transactions.

Data Availability: Please contact the corresponding author for data.
Radiographic, ultrasonographic, and anatomic assessment of femoral trochlea morphology in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
Authors: Miles James E. , Westrup Ulrik , Svalastoga Eiliv L. , Eriksen Thomas
Published: November 2014

Objective—To compare repeatability and equivalency of measures of femoral trochlea depth and trochlear angle in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) determined by use of radiography, ultrasonography, and digital photography of cadaver limbs.

Sample—24 pelvic limbs from 12 red fox cadavers.

Procedures—Cranioproximal-craniodistal oblique (skyline) and lateromedial radiographic views of the stifle joint and ultrasonographic images at 5 locations along the femoral trochlea were used in the study. Spacing of the 5 locations was determined on the basis of patellar position with the stifle joint at various caudal angles ranging from 96° to maximal extension (approx 170°). Ultrasonographic measurements were compared with those obtained at matched locations on photographs of anatomic preparations. Trochlear depth was assessed with all 3 image formats, and trochlear angle (measured between the trochlear ridges and sulcus) was assessed on radiographs and ultrasonographic images. Patellar thickness was measured on radiographs. Values obtained were compared by means of ANOVA, modified Bland-Altman plots, and repeatability testing.

Results—Depth measurement repeatability was considered good for all modalities. Small but significant differences between mean ultrasonographic trochlear depth and anatomic (photographic) measurements were found at 3 locations; 95% limits of agreement for paired anatomic and ultrasonographic measurements were wide. The ratio of trochlear depth to radiographic patellar thickness was approximately 30% for all modalities. Trochlear angle measurements were more variable than trochlear depth measurements, especially in the distal aspect of the trochlea.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Paired anatomic and ultrasonographic measurements did not appear equivalent in this study, possibly attributable to imprecise probe location, which could limit quantitative use of ultrasonography in assessing proximal trochlear depth in a clinical setting.
Anti-inflammatory effects of retinoids and carotenoid derivatives on caspase-3–dependent apoptosis and efferocytosis of bovine neutrophils
Authors: Duquette Stephanie C. , Fischer Carrie D. , Feener Troy D. , Muench Gregory P. , Morck Douglas W. , Barreda Daniel R. , Nickerson James G. , Buret Andre G.
Published: November 2014

Objective—To evaluate immunomodulatory properties of all-trans retinoic acid and a fully oxidized β-carotene dietary product in calves with Mannheimia haemolytica–induced pneumonia.

Animals—Twenty-five 6- to 10-week-old male Holstein calves for experimental inoculations and three 8- to 30-week-old Angus heifers for blood donations.

Procedures—In vitro, neutrophils and monocyte-derived macrophages isolated from blood of healthy Angus heifers were treated with all-trans retinoic acid (1μM) or fully oxidized β-carotene (8.3 μg/mL) for various times and assessed for markers of cellular death, antimicrobial function, and production of proinflammatory leukotriene B4. Following 28 days of dietary supplementation with fully oxidized β-carotene, Holstein calves were experimentally inoculated with M haemolytica. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected at 3 and 24 hours after challenge inoculation and analyzed for markers of apoptosis.

Results—In vitro, all-trans retinoic acid and fully oxidized β-carotene induced cell-selective, caspase-3–dependent apoptosis in neutrophils, which subsequently enhanced efferocytosis in macrophages. Conversely, neither treatment altered phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate–induced oxidative burst, phagocytosis of nonopsonized zymosan (complement or antibody independent), or M haemolytica–induced leukotriene B4 production in bovine neutrophils. In vivo, fully oxidized β-carotene enhanced leukocyte apoptosis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as subsequent efferocytosis by macrophages without altering numbers of circulating leukocytes.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Neutrophil apoptosis and subsequent efferocytosis by macrophages are key mechanisms in the resolution of inflammation. Findings for the present study indicated that all-trans retinoic acid and fully oxidized β-carotene could be novel nutraceutical strategies that may confer anti-inflammatory benefits for cattle with respiratory tract disease.
Effect of ambient temperature on viral replication and serum antibody titers following administration of a commercial intranasal modified-live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis-parainfluenza-3 virus vaccine to beef cattle housed in high– and moderate–ambient temperature environments
Authors: Grissett Gretchen P. , White Brad J. , Anderson David E. , Larson Robert E. , Miesner Matt D.
Published: November 2014

Objective—To evaluate the effect of ambient temperature on viral replication and serum antibody titers following administration of an intranasal modified-live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR)-parainfluenza-3 (PI3) virus vaccine to beef calves housed in high– (> 32°C) and moderate– (21°C) ambient temperature environments.

Animals—28 calves (mean weight, 206.8 kg).

Procedures—Calves were randomly allocated to 4 treatment groups (housed outdoors during high ambient temperature with [HAT; n = 10] or without [HAC; 4] vaccination or housed indoors in a moderate ambient temperature with [MAT; 10] or without [MAC; 4] vaccination). Rectal and nasal mucosal temperatures were recorded every 2 hours from 8 AM to 8 PM on days 0 (vaccination) and 1. Nasal swab specimens were obtained on days 0 through 7 for virus isolation. Serum samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 28 for determination of antibody titers.

Results—Mean rectal temperature did not differ among the treatment groups. Mean nasal temperature for the HAT group was significantly higher than that for the MAT group at 6, 24, 30, 32, and 38 hours after vaccination. Viable IBR virus was isolated from all vaccinated calves on days 1 through 6. Two weeks after vaccination, vaccinated calves had anti-IBR antibody titers that were significantly greater than those for unvaccinated calves. Mean anti-IBR antibody titers did not differ significantly between the HAT and MAT groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that, following vaccination with an intranasal modified-live IBR-PI3 virus vaccine, IBR viral replication and serum antibody titers did not differ significantly between calves housed in high– and moderate–ambient temperature environments.
Coronary atherosclerosis in medico-legal autopsy cases
Authors: Prasad VN , Jha A , Adhikari RC , Sayami G , Shrestha PK , Shrestha HG
Published: November 2014

Background: Coronary atherosclerosis is the major cause of death worldwide. Lifestyle and habits are the major contributory factor in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. Materials and Methods: This is an autopsy-based study in which 45 autopsy cases were randomly selected for study. Proximal one third of all three epicardial coronary arteries (LAD, LCX and RCA) were dissected out for study and serial sections were made and stained with H&E method and under the light microscope. Atherosclerosis was graded according to American heart association classification. The risk factors (cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol consumption, age, sex) were also correlated with the grade of atherosclerosis. Results: Seventy-Eight percent of American Heart Association classification grade V lesions were seen in > 70 yrs of age. Almost all cases of > 70 yrs of age had American Heart Association classification grade > IV lesions. Out of all grade IV lesions, 88.9% was seen in male while only 11.1% in female. Similarly out of all grade V lesions, 77.8% was seen in male while 22.2% in female. LAD showed maximum involvement by higher grade lesion, followed by LCX and RCA. American Heart Association classification grade > IV in LAD, LCX and RCA was seen in 25(55.6%), 5(11.1%), and 3(6.7%) cases respectively. Conclusion: Higher grade lesion occurs in advancing age. Various cardiovascular risk factors were significantly associated with higher grade of lesions. The multiple risk factors had a synergistic effect on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v4i8.11492 Journal of Pathology of Nepal; Vol.4,No8(2014) 607-611
Evaluation of EDTA induced pseudothrombocytopenia and the effect of alternative anticoagulants
Authors: Shrestha A , Karki S
Published: November 2014

Background: Artifactual Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which there is falsely lowered platelet in patients who have thrombocytopenia but the absence of petechiae or echymoses. Pseudothrombocytopenia is also an artifactual thrombocytopenia caused by anticoagulant dependent agglutinins. The aim of this study was to compare the platelet count in pseudothrombocytopenia in EDTA anticoagulated samples and other alternative anticoagulants.Materials and methods: This study was performed in the department of hemotology hematology, Institute of medicine. All cases during study period were evaluated by EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood samples but criteria for selecting pseudothrombocytopenia patients was unexpectedly low platelet counts with clumping/aggregate on peripheral blood smear. Additional samples were collected in sodium citrate and heparin for examined.Results: A total of 50 patients aged between 18 to 90 years were found to have pseudothrombocytopenia. Platelet counts in samples anticoagulated with EDTA ranged from 20x109/l to 149x109/l and samples from same patients anticoagulated with citrate ranged from 41x109 /l to 312x109 /l and heparin showed platelet count ranging from 29x10 9 /l to 210x109 /l. The mean platelet count in EDTA- anticoagulated blood of individuals with pseudothrombocytopenia was 104x109/l whereas the mean platelet count in citrate and heparin-anticoagulated samples was 151x109/land123x109/l respectively. Platelet counts decreased dramatically in the EDTA samples in contrast to the samples anticoagulated with citrate or heparin post four hours of collection.Conclusion: Peripheral blood smears should be examined for platelet clumping/aggregates in cases with low platelet count not correlating with clinical presentation or in isolated thrombocytopenia flagged in hematology analyser. Alternative anticoagulants should be used for correct estimation of platelet count.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v4i8.11498 Journal of Pathology of Nepal; Vol.4,No. 8 (2014) 626-629
Correlation of FNAC and histopathology in diagnosis of salivary gland lesions
Authors: Koirala S , Sayami G , Pant AD
Published: November 2014

Background: Value of fine needle aspiration cytology in preoperative diagnosis of salivary gland lumps has been established in various studies. This study aims to calculate sensitivity, specificity accuracy of FNAC, correlate FNAC findings with histopathology and find out reasons for common diagnostic pitfalls in FNAC.Materials and methods: This study was performed in 67 patients that presented with salivary gland lumps at Department of pathology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal from January 2009 to June 2010. FNAC was performed and was correlated with histopathological diagnosis to judge the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNAC.Results: Out of 36 cases there was cyto-histological correlation in 28 cases. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent lesion in this study. Parotid gland was the most common site affected by salivary gland lesions. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for non-neoplastic lesions was 100%, 89.28%, 91.67%, for benign neoplasms was 100%, 86.95%, 91.67% and for malignant neoplasms was 57.14%, 100%, 83.33% respectively.Conclusion: FNAC is a useful tool in preoperative diagnosis of salivary gland lesions and can be crucial for the management of the patient. Aspiration and reporting of salivary gland lesions demands a competent pathologist who considers all the possible diagnostic pitfalls in mind.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v4i8.11593 Journal of Pathology of Nepal; Vol.4,No. 8 (2014) 654-657
A study on mast cell variation in neoplastic and non neoplastic disease of uterine cervix
Authors: Mainali N , Sihna AK , Upadhyaya P , Upreti D
Published: November 2014

Background: Mast cells are heterogeneous group of immune cells involved in multiple biological events. The significance of mast cells in uterine tumor surveillance has been studied with conflicting results. The presence of mast cell in tumor has been described as evidence of a host immunologic anti tumor response and if they are abundant the prognosis is good. However in other studies, with the help of different granules of mast cell, it is said to be very closely related with angiogenesis and tumor invasion. The study aims to analyze the histomorphologic changes with special reference to mast cells in different neoplastic and non neoplastic disease of uterine cervix, and also the relationship of the mast cell population with degree of anaplasia and mitotic figures.Materials and methods: Cervical biopsies received in the department of Pathology for HPE were stained with H& E stain and toludine blue for the identification of mast cellResult: Out of a total of 100 cases, 82 were non neoplastic cases with the mean mast cell count of 83.73 and mean age of patient being 44.30 year. Eighteen neoplastic cases were included which had mean mast cell count of 13.5 and mean age of 49.5 year.Conclusion: Mast cell was found to be highest in non Neoplastic lesion with increase count in polypoidal cervicitis. There was a statistical significance variation between mast cell count in neoplastic and non Neoplastic disease of the cervix. However,role of age in mast cell count was least significant.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v4i8.11594 Journal of Pathology of Nepal; Vol.4,No. 8 (2014) 658-662
Lupus nephritis: Update on aetiopathogenesis and controversies in classification
Authors: Pant AD
Published: November 2014

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; a chronic autoimmune disease; is characterized by loss of tolerance against its own antigens and leads to production of autoantibodies and causes formation and deposition of immune complexes in different organs. Recent articles have been trying to unravel the mysteries of SLE. Different theories that have been proposed for the aetiopathogenesis of SLE are a)The circulating immune complex theory, b) The direct binding to endogenous renal antigens theory, and c) binding of antibody to antigens that were previously ‘planted’ into the kidney.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v4i8.11596 Journal of Pathology of Nepal; Vol.4,No. 8 (2014) 672-676
Histomorphological changes in gall bladder diseases and its association with helicobacter infection
Authors: K.C. Geetika , Talwar OP
Published: November 2014

Background: Gall bladder diseases can be an incidental finding and when symptomatic, present with signs and symptom of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. On histopathological examination however wide range of pathological changes are encountered including carcinoma. Several studies have been carried out to establish relationship of helicobacter infection with gallbladder diseases. This study tries to look at the frequency of risk factors, spectrum of histological changes and the relationship between different types of gallbladder diseases and helicobacter infection.Materials and Methods: Total of 500 gallbladder specimen received over the period of 24 months was included in the study. Bile culture and histopathological examination cholecystectomy were performed with routine hematoxylin and eosin stain and Giemsa stain.Results: Out of the 500 cases. Helicobacter was seen in 166(33%) of cases. Carcinoma was seen in 7 (1%) cases. Helcobacter infection was seen positive in 5/7 (71%) malignant cases which showed a statistically significant p value of 0.03.Conclusion: Cholecystitis is the most common gallbladder disease. All gallbladder carcinomas were incidental finding and were of lower grade and stage. Helicobacter infection was prevalent in variety of gallbladder pathology and had significant association with gallbladder carcinoma. However, definite relation between the helicobacter infection and gallbladder diseases cannot be concluded. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v4i8.11607 Journal of Pathology of Nepal; Vol.4,No.8 (2014) 617-622
Evaluation of mucin histochemistry in benign and malignant prostatic lesion and their correlationPSA level
Authors: Bastola S , Talwar OP
Published: November 2014

Background: The major causes of prostatic enlargement are nodular hyperplasia, prostatitis and neoplasm including prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm. Acidic mucin is absent in benign prostatic glands and is present in some prostatic adenocarcinomas. Mucin stain may be an adjunctive aid in the diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma. This study aims to find out role of acidic mucin in differentiating benign and malignant lesion together with the aid of PSA level.Materials and Methods: A study was done from August 2006 to August 2008. Serum PSA level was performed. Biopsy specimen were processed and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin as well as Alcian Blue and Periodic Acid Schiff. Data was coded and entered into SPSS v. 11 and Chi-square test and scatter plot was done to analyze the findings.Results: Out of 207 prostatic specimens studied, 78.3% showed BPH with or without prostatitis whereas 12% showed PIN and 8.7% malignancy. PSA density showed statistical significance with p= 0.02, in favor of malignancy. Alcian blue positivity was in 77.8% of malignant cases and 18.5 % in benign cases (p = 0.000003). Acid mucin was more in well differentiating tumours decreasing significantly in high grade malignancies. Combined diagnostic value of PSA>10 ng/ml and Alcian blue positivity showed increase in specificity to 96.8% for diagnosing a malignant lesion, with positive predictive value of 57.1%.Conclusion: PSA density can be used to identify and pick up malignant cases where intermediate levels of PSA values are common. Alcian blue stain can help in assessing the degree of differentiation in malignant cases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v4i8.11611 Journal of Pathology of Nepal; Vol.4,No8(2014) 612-616
Effect of isothermal quenching methods on impact toughness and wear resistance in high boron steel
Authors: Ma Yu , Liu Ying , Li Jun , Zhang Hui , Yang Hao
Published: November 2014

Isothermal quenching methods were applied to high boron steel for improving the impact toughness and wear resistance. The effect of different heat treatment processes on the microstructure and mechanical properties was studied. Each of the specimens was characterized using metallographic techniques, scanning electronic microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, toughness and hardness testing. The results indicate that the as-cast high boron steel consists of pearlite matrix and eutectic boride M
2B and Fe3(C, B) type distributing along grain boundaries. After isothermal quenching, the matrix of high boron steel is changed from pearlite to martensite and lower bainite. The impact toughness and wear resistance of high boron steel after isothermal quenching are better than that of high boron steel after water quenching.
The Lobe Fissure Tracking by the Modified Ant Colony Optimization Framework in CT Images
Authors: Chen Chii-Jen , Wang You-Wei , Shen Wei-Chih , Chen Chih-Yi , Fang Wen-Pinn
Published: November 2014

Chest computed tomography (CT) is the most commonly used technique for the inspection of lung lesions. However, the lobe fissures in lung CT is still difficult to observe owing to its imaging structure. Therefore, in this paper, we aimed to develop an efficient tracking framework to extract the lobe fissures by the proposed modified ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm. We used the method of increasing the consistency of pheromone on lobe fissure to improve the accuracy of path tracking. In order to validate the proposed system, we had tested our method in a database from 15 lung patients. In the experiment, the quantitative assessment shows that the proposed ACO method achieved the average F-measures of 80.9% and 82.84% in left and right lungs, respectively. The experiments indicate our method results more satisfied performance, and can help investigators detect lung lesion for further examination.
Financial Dilemmas Associated with the Afforestation of Low-Productivity Farmland in Poland
Authors: Źróbek-Różańska Alina , Nowak Andrzej , Nowak Magdalena , Źróbek Sabina
Published: November 2014

In Poland, 82% of forests are State-owned, and only 17% of forests constitute private property. Each year, forests are converted to other land-use types, mainly for road construction. The afforestation rate on privately-owned low-productivity land is decreasing steadily. The owners and perpetual usufructuaries of this kind of land are eligible to government subsidies to cover establishment expenditures in whole or in part, provided that the afforestation scheme complies with the local zoning plan or an outline planning permission. The above creates a dilemma for farmers—is this a profitable option of managing low-productivity land? Owners of small farms particularly often face such dilemmas. Owners of small farms, which consist of low-yield agricultural land, can be regarded as investors operating on the real estate market, but those investors have features characteristic of agricultural producers. This study relied on the net present value (NPV) criterion, which is popularly used to assess the effectiveness of investments on the real estate market. A financial feasibility assessment performed with the use of such method in view of afforestation statistics and the 5% discount rate on the Polish forest market revealed the highest increase in net cumulative cash flows in the first five years, followed by a gradual decrease in successive years. The first negative cash flow was reported in year 20. NPV would remain negative because farmers would be charged with periodic maintenance expenditures until the stand reaches harvestable age at approximately 40 years. The longer the investment period, the lower the profits, even if discount rate is excluded. Investments of the type are difficult to terminate because forests younger than 20 years are difficult to sell at a price that covers growing outflows. Afforestation projects are also influenced by other economic and non-economic factors. The paper validates the research hypothesis that afforestation is a long-term investment that delivers benefits for future generations.
Changes in Income Structure in Frontier Villages and Implications for REDD+ Benefit Sharing
Authors: Kurashima Takayuki , Matsuura Toshiya , Miyamoto Asako , Sano Makoto , Tith Bora , Chann Sophal
Published: November 2014

A methodological characteristic of the REDD+ scheme is that it attempts to reduce deforestation by rewarding communities that change problematic land use practices. This has led to discussions on benefit sharing. This article focuses on incentives for alternative land use practices among village members living in frontier areas, especially in relation to support for sustainable land use and people’s livelihoods, and clarifies the issues that REDD+ projects are likely to face in this context. Although some documents regarding REDD+ projects have mentioned support to encourage such incentives, insufficient consideration has been given to the realities of the changes in frontier communities. REDD+ projects are unlikely to motivate members to embrace alternative land use practices if support or benefit sharing does not match members’ expectations. Here, we examine the changes in household (HH) income and structure, as well as in livelihood activities, experienced by Cambodian frontier villagers living at the site of a planned REDD+ project. During the nine years compared in this study, the frontier villages experienced broad and imbalanced changes in HH income owing to the rapid expansion of the cultivation of cash crops. Our results indicate that benefit sharing or support inevitably becomes more difficult and challenging in frontier areas than in areas where subsistence production systems still predominate, although such frontiers could, in theory, yield maximum returns with regard to forest carbon balance if the REDD+ projects addressed benefit sharing and support and came to fruition.
Expansion of Protected Areas under Climate Change: An Example of Mountainous Tree Species in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Wei-Chih , Lin Yu-Pin , Lien Wan-Yu , Wang Yung-Chieh , Lin Cheng-Tao , Chiou Chyi-Rong , Anthony Johnathen , Crossman Neville
Published: November 2014

Tree species in mountainous areas are expected to shift their distribution upward in elevation in response to climate change, calling for a potential redesign of existing protected areas. This study aims to predict whether or not the distributions of two high-mountain tree species, Abies (Abies kawakamii) and Tsuga (Tsuga chinensis var. formosana), will significantly shift upward due to temperature change, and whether current protected areas will be suitable for conserving these species. Future temperature change was projected for 15 different future scenarios produced from five global climate models. Shifts in Abies and Tsuga distributions were then predicted through the use of species distribution models (SDMs) which included occurrence data of Abies and Tsuga, as well as seasonal temperature, and elevation. The 25 km × 25 km downscaled General Circulation Model (GCMs) data for 2020–2039 produced by the Taiwan Climate Change Projection and Information Platform was adopted in this study. Habitat suitability in the study area was calculated using maximum entropy model under different climatic scenarios. A bootstrap method was applied to assess the parameter uncertainty of the maximum entropy model. In comparison to the baseline projection, we found that there are significant differences in suitable habitat distributions for Abies and Tsuga under seven of the 15 scenarios. The results suggest that mountainous ecosystems will be substantially impacted by climate change. We also found that the uncertainty originating from GCMs and the parameters of the SDM contribute most to the overall level of variability in species distributions. Finally, based on the uncertainty analysis and the shift in habitat suitability, we applied systematic conservation planning approaches to identify suitable areas to add to Taiwan’s protected area network.
1,7-Bis-(N,N-dialkylamino)perylene Bisimides: Facile Synthesis and Characterization as Near-Infrared Fluorescent Dyes
Authors: Chen Kew-Yu , Chang Che-Wei
Published: November 2014

Three symmetric alkylamino-substituted perylene bisimides with different n-alkyl chain lengths (n = 6, 12, or 18), 1,7-bis-(N,N-dialkylamino)perylene bisimides (1a–1c), were synthesized under mild condition and were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and high resolution mass spectroscopy. Their optical and electrochemical properties were measured using UV-Vis and emission spectroscopic techniques as well as cyclic voltammetry (CV). These compounds show deep green color in both solution and solid state, and are highly soluble in dichloromethane and even in nonpolar solvents such as hexane. The shapes of the absorption spectra of 1a–1c in the solution and solid state were found to be almost the same, indicating that the long alkyl chains could efficiently prevent intermolecular contact and aggregation. They show a unique charge transfer emission in the near-infrared region, of which the peak wavelengths exhibit strong solvatochromism. The dipole moments of the molecules have been estimated using the Lippert–Mataga equation, and upon excitation, they show larger dipole moment changes than that of 1,7-diaminoperylene bisimide (2). Moreover, all the dyes exhibit two irreversible one-electron oxidations and two quasi-reversible one-electron reductions in dichloromethane at modest potentials. Complementary density functional theory calculations performed on these chromophores are reported in order to rationalize their electronic structure and optical properties.
Exploring the Chemodiversity and Biological Activities of the Secondary Metabolites from the Marine Fungus Neosartorya pseudofischeri
Authors: Liang Wan-Ling , Le Xiu , Li Hou-Jin , Yang Xiang-Ling , Chen Jun-Xiong , Xu Jun , Liu Huan-Liang , Wang Lai-You , Wang Kun-Teng , Hu Kun-Chao , Yang De-Po , Lan Wen-Jian
Published: November 2014

The production of fungal metabolites can be remarkably influenced by various cultivation parameters. To explore the biosynthetic potentials of the marine fungus, Neosartorya pseudofischeri, which was isolated from the inner tissue of starfish Acanthaster planci, glycerol-peptone-yeast extract (GlyPY) and glucose-peptone-yeast extract (GluPY) media were used to culture this fungus. When cultured in GlyPY medium, this fungus produced two novel diketopiperazines, neosartins A and B (1 and 2), together with six biogenetically-related known diketopiperazines,1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2, 3-dimethyl-1,4-dioxopyrazino[1,2-a]indole (3), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methyl-3-methylen e-1,4-dioxopyrazino[1,2-a]indole (4), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1,3,4-trioxopyrazino[1,2-a] indole (5), 6-acetylbis(methylthio)gliotoxin (10), bisdethiobis(methylthio)gliotoxin (11), didehydrobisdethiobis(methylthio)gliotoxin (12) and N-methyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (6). However, a novel tetracyclic-fused alkaloid, neosartin C (14), a meroterpenoid, pyripyropene A (15), gliotoxin (7) and five known gliotoxin analogues, acetylgliotoxin (8), reduced gliotoxin (9), 6-acetylbis(methylthio)gliotoxin (10), bisdethiobis(methylthio) gliotoxin (11) and bis-N-norgliovictin (13), were obtained when grown in glucose-containing medium (GluPY medium). This is the first report of compounds 3, 4, 6, 9, 10 and 12 as naturally occurring. Their structures were determined mainly by MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The possible biosynthetic pathways of gliotoxin-related analogues and neosartin C were proposed. The antibacterial activity of compounds 2–14 and the cytotoxic activity of compounds 4, 5 and 7–13 were evaluated. Their structure-activity relationships are also preliminarily discussed.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of a Toxin-Producing Dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella and Its Non-Toxic Mutant
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zhang Shu-Fei , Lin Lin , Wang Da-Zhi
Published: November 2014

The dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria are two major kingdoms of life producing paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), a large group of neurotoxic alkaloids causing paralytic shellfish poisonings around the world. In contrast to the well elucidated PST biosynthetic genes in cyanobacteria, little is known about the dinoflagellates. This study compared transcriptome profiles of a toxin-producing dinoflagellate, Alexandrium catenella (ACHK-T), and its non-toxic mutant form (ACHK-NT) using RNA-seq. All clean reads were assembled de novo into a total of 113,674 unigenes, and 66,812 unigenes were annotated in the known databases. Out of them, 35 genes were found to express differentially between the two strains. The up-regulated genes in ACHK-NT were involved in photosynthesis, carbon fixation and amino acid metabolism processes, indicating that more carbon and energy were utilized for cell growth. Among the down-regulated genes, expression of a unigene assigned to the long isoform of sxtA, the initiator of toxin biosynthesis in cyanobacteria, was significantly depressed, suggesting that this long transcript of sxtA might be directly involved in toxin biosynthesis and its depression resulted in the loss of the ability to synthesize PSTs in ACHK-NT. In addition, 101 putative homologs of 12 cyanobacterial sxt genes were identified, and the sxtO and sxtZ genes were identified in dinoflagellates for the first time. The findings of this study should shed light on the biosynthesis of PSTs in the dinoflagellates.
A System for Traffic Violation Detection
Authors: Aliane Nourdine , Fernandez Javier , Mata Mario , Bemposta Sergio
Published: November 2014

This paper describes the framework and components of an experimental platform for an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) aimed at providing drivers with a feedback about traffic violations they have committed during their driving. The system is able to detect some specific traffic violations, record data associated to these faults in a local data-base, and also allow visualization of the spatial and temporal information of these traffic violations in a geographical map using the standard Google Earth tool. The test-bed is mainly composed of two parts: a computer vision subsystem for traffic sign detection and recognition which operates during both day and nighttime, and an event data recorder (EDR) for recording data related to some specific traffic violations. The paper covers firstly the description of the hardware architecture and then presents the policies used for handling traffic violations.
Euthanasia Assessment in Ebola Virus Infected Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Warren Travis , Trefry John , Marko Shannon , Chance Taylor , Wells Jay , Pratt William , Johnson Joshua , Mucker Eric , Norris Sarah , Chappell Mark , Dye John , Honko Anna
Published: November 2014

Multiple products are being developed for use against filoviral infections. Efficacy for these products will likely be demonstrated in nonhuman primate models of filoviral disease to satisfy licensure requirements under the Animal Rule, or to supplement human data. Typically, the endpoint for efficacy assessment will be survival following challenge; however, there exists no standardized approach for assessing the health or euthanasia criteria for filovirus-exposed nonhuman primates. Consideration of objective criteria is important to (a) ensure test subjects are euthanized without unnecessary distress; (b) enhance the likelihood that animals exhibiting mild or moderate signs of disease are not prematurely euthanized; (c) minimize the occurrence of spontaneous deaths and loss of end-stage samples; (d) enhance the reproducibility of experiments between different researchers; and (e) provide a defensible rationale for euthanasia decisions that withstands regulatory scrutiny. Historic records were compiled for 58 surviving and non-surviving monkeys exposed to Ebola virus at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. Clinical pathology parameters were statistically analyzed and those exhibiting predicative value for survival are reported. These findings may be useful for standardization of objective euthanasia assessments in rhesus monkeys exposed to Ebola virus and may serve as a useful approach for other standardization efforts.
Hepatitis B Virus HBx Protein Interactions with the Ubiquitin Proteasome System
Authors: Minor Marissa , Slagle Betty
Published: November 2014

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic hepatitis, and the latter is a major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV encodes a 17-kDa regulatory protein, HBx, which is required for virus replication. Although the precise contribution(s) of HBx to virus replication is unknown, many viruses target cellular pathways to create an environment favorable for virus replication. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is a major conserved cellular pathway that controls several critical processes in the cell by regulating the levels of proteins involved in cell cycle, DNA repair, innate immunity, and other processes. We summarize here the interactions of HBx with components of the UPS, including the CUL4 adaptor DDB1, the cullin regulatory complex CSN, and the 26S proteasome. Understanding how these protein interactions benefit virus replication remains a challenge due to limited models in which to study HBV replication. However, studies from other viral systems that similarly target the UPS provide insight into possible strategies used by HBV.
La Cour Carrée du Louvre, les tentatives des siècles pour maîtriser un espace urbain mal défini
Authors: Babelon Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2014

The Cour Carrée of the Louvre : a history of the attempts made to master this ill-defined urban space, by Jean-Pierre Babelon.

The current project for the « Grand Louvre » and the excavations begun a few weeks ago in search of the foundations of the château of Philippe Auguste offer a propitious moment to reexamine the history of the palace and the évolution of its function. The cour Carrée, heart of the old Louvre, has never been the subjects of a specialized study that takes account of the plans formulated by successive générations and régimes. In the Hght of unpublished documents (files on work under- taken and diverse projects) it appears that the nineteenth-century governments, from Napoléon I to Napoléon III, wanted to provide this vast space with appointments worthy of its architecture, but that each of thèse successive projects was ulti- mately aborted : a statue of the duke of Orléans under Louis-Philippe, formai gardens under the Second Republic, a statue of François I under the Second Empire. From a palace courtyard, the conception drifted progressively toward that of a public square, but without the final commitment of erecting in the centre a monument — statue or fountain — that would hâve given it a focal point. The last solution (compartments of lawn at the angles, grill-work, street lamps and benches) dated from 1852 ; it was the work of the architect Felix Duban. Its disappearance bequeathes to the présent génération a problem that has never really been resolved.
Préparer la naissance : une affaire de genre
Authors: Rollet- Echalier Catherine , Pelage Agnès , Paillet Anne , Brugeilles Carole , Brachet Sara , Samuel Olivia
Published: November 2014

Preparing for childbirth : a gender affair

What if birth preparations included preparing the gendered socialisation of the baby to be ? This article looks at the early processes involved in producing babies as gendered beings, and how they might already be put in place before birth, during pregnancy. Most couples expecting a child do not mobilise to welcome a baby that is “ neuter” in terms of gender, but a little girl or a little boy. Two aspects of this gendered preparation for childbirth are examined : getting the future baby’s “ wardrobe” together, and preparing the place where he or she will sleep. This mobilisation also includes a gendered role distribution for the parents : in both cases, the mother’s involvement is more noticeable. The article is based on semistructured interviews conducted in 2011 and 2012 with women who have higher-education qualifications, before or just after the birth of their second child.
Repenser l’égalité femmes-hommes au prisme du refus de maternité
Authors: Debest Charlotte
Published: November 2014

Rethinking gender equality through the lens of refusal of maternity

This article discusses the role of childbearing and the consequences it may have on the process of gender-based work distribution (professional, domestic and parental), based on the discourse of women who have willingly decided not to have children. Having demonstrated how these women evoke the negative impact of maternity on their career, the author shows how discursive registers are used differently depending on the age of the survey respondent, to express the intricacies between a career choice and arriving at the decision not to have children. Then, relying on recent quantitative surveys and the discourse of childless women who were interviewed, the article shows that the reconciliation between work and family life is always a woman’s affair, both in theory and in practice. The third part of the article more specifically throws the light on the different forms of distancing of the naturalisation of supposed gender differences in aptitude and skills in the discourse of the women who were interviewed. The conclusion takes a critical look at public and family policies in favour of gender equality.
La résidence alternée ou le défi de la coparentalité
Authors: Neyrand Gérard
Published: November 2014

Apparues dans le grand bouleversement des années 1970, les pratiques de ce qui était encore la garde alternée ont d’emblée été présentées par leurs initiateurs comme l’expression d’une volonté d’égalisation des positions entre les sexes, qui posait la coparentalité après la séparation comme la transposition d’une répartition nouvelle des rôles et des tâches mise en oeuvre pendant la vie commune. L’équivalence du temps passé pour chaque parent auprès de ses enfants pouvait être lue comme l’expression d’un processus d’égalisation entre les sexes qui s’exprimait en parallèle dans l’investissement professionnel des femmes et familial des hommes. Les réticences et les critiques à l’égard d’une telle pratique, si elles sont généralement énoncées au nom de l’intérêt supérieur de l’enfant, n’en dévoilent pas moins la persistance d’une vision naturaliste qui prédisposerait les mères en toute circonstance à être les premières éducatrices de l’enfant. Conception défendue, au nom de l’intérêt du bébé, par un certain nombre de pédopsychiatres et acteurs de la petite enfance arc-boutés sur une vision traditionnelle des rôles, cette position se révèle également défendue par des féministes qui se veulent radicales au nom des risques, que porterait une telle pratique, de perpétuation d’une violence masculine sur les mères séparées... L’article accompagne le changement de regard, social et juridique, sur cette pratique progressivement mieux acceptée, mais qui se trouve prise dans des polémiques qui la dépassent, au nom même de l’analyse de la complexité des rapports sociaux de sexe.
Paternité au quotidien et résidence alternée
Authors: Céroux Benoît
Published: November 2014

Day-to-day fatherhood and alternating residence

Debates on alternating residence for children after marital separation have been going on for a long time, and were not closed by the inclusion of the concept in the law in 2002. Since then, several draft laws have been presented to the French National Assembly, up to that of April 2014 pertaining to parental authority and the interest of the child. This draft law removes the right of access and accommodation as well as the notion of principal residence, and instead indicates each of the parents’ homes as being the child’s residence, without necessarily implying alternating residence. Intended legislative developments and views in this respect again look at the question of how family relationships are arranged when a family is no longer living under the same roof, and in the final instance, at the question of what a family is. This article reiterates to what extent the sharing of everyday life has become a basic element in the practice of (co) parenting after marital separation. It then explores how fatherhood can be conducted on a daily basis without (exclusive) reference to the sharing of a residence with the child on a daily basis (or even half-time, as in the case of alternating residence).
« Ne pas avoir de -isme », un -isme pour un homme seul
Authors: Dutrait Noël
Published: November 2014

En 2000, Gao Xingjian obtient le prix Nobel de littérature pour son oeuvre théâtrale et romanesque, commencée en Chine au début des années 1980. Installé en France à partir de 1987, il écrit aussi des textes théoriques dans lesquels il propose non pas un grand principe (un -isme), mais au contraire l’absence de -isme ainsi qu’une littérature dite «froide » , c’est-à-dire libre de toute influence politique et même idéologique. Après l’obtention du prix Nobel, Gao Xingjian a dû faire face aux contradictions inhérentes à son statut d’homme célèbre et à sa condition d’individu faible et isolé, seul capable à ses yeux, de produire une littérature et un art en accord avec ses convictions. Cet article se propose d’aborder son oeuvre à travers la question de l’absence de -isme.