bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrete Coupling and Synchronization in the Insulin Release in the Mathematical Model of theβCells
Authors: Ontañón-García L. J. , Campos-Cantón E.
Published: February 2013

The synchronization phenomenon that occurs in the Langerhans islets among pancreaticβcells is an interesting topic because these cells are responsible for the release of insulin in the blood stream. The aim of this work is to generate in-phase bursting electrical activity (BEA) inβcells with different behaviors such as active, inactive, and continuous spiking cells based on mathematical models using a discrete time coupling. The approach considers two steps, the former is a mechanism on how to forceβcells to switch from silent phase to active, the latter is based on how to deal with in phase synchronization between activeβcells. The coupling signal is triggered in discrete events caused by the crossing of a threshold of an activeβcell which is given or defined by a Poincaré plane. The coupling on the inactive cells is applied to the state in which are the concentrations of agents which regulate the BEA. Based on numerical simulations, synchronization in the insulin release is obtained fromβcells with different behaviors.
Improvement of Liquid Fructose-Induced Adipose Tissue Insulin Resistance by Ginger Treatment in Rats Is Associated with Suppression of Adipose Macrophage-Related Proinflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Wang Jianwei , Gao Huanqing , Ke Dazhi , Zuo Guowei , Yang Yifan , Yamahara Johji , Li Yuhao
Published: February 2013

Adipose tissue insulin resistance (Adipo-IR) results in excessive release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue, which plays a key role in the development of “lipotoxicity.” Therefore, amelioration of Adipo-IR may benefit the treatment of other metabolic abnormalities. Here we found that treatment with the alcoholic extract of ginger (50 mg/kg/day, by oral gavage) for five weeks attenuated liquid fructose-induced hyperinsulinemia and an increase in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in rats. More importantly, ginger reversed the increases in the Adipo-IR index and plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test assessment. Adipose gene/protein expression profiles revealed that ginger treatment suppressed CD68 and F4/80, two important macrophage accumulation markers. Consistently, the macrophage-associated cytokines tissue necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 were also downregulated. In contrast, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, but not IRS-2, was upregulated. Moreover, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 and its receptor chemokine (C-C motif) receptor-2 were also suppressed. Thus these results suggest that amelioration of fructose-induced Adipo-IR by ginger treatment in rats is associated with suppression of adipose macrophage-related proinflammatory cytokines.
Inhibition of NF-κB by Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin Suppresses Invasion and Synergistically Potentiates Temozolomide and γ-Radiation Cytotoxicity in Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Brassesco M. S. , Roberto G. M. , Morales A. G. , Oliveira J. C. , Delsin L. E. A. , Pezuk J. A. , Valera E. T. , Carlotti C. G. , Rego E. M. , de Oliveira H. F. , Scrideli C. A. , Umezawa K. , Tone L. G.
Published: February 2013

Despite advances in neurosurgery and aggressive treatment with temozolomide (TMZ) and radiation, the overall survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) remains poor. Vast evidence has indicated that the nuclear factor NF-κB is constitutively activated in cancer cells, playing key roles in growth and survival. Recently, Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ) has shown to be a selective NF-κB inhibitor with antiproliferative properties in GBM. In the present study, the ability of DHMEQ to surmount tumor's invasive nature and therapy resistance were further explored. Corroborating results showed that DHMEQ impaired cell growth in dose- and time-dependent manners with G2/M arrest when compared with control. Clonogenicity was also significantly diminished with increased apoptosis, though necrotic cell death was also observed at comparable levels. Notably, migration and invasion were inhibited accordingly with lowered expression of invasion-related genes. Moreover, concurrent combination with TMZ synergistically inhibited cell growth in all cell lines, as determined by proliferation and caspase-3 activation assays, though in those that express O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, the synergistic effects were schedule dependent. Pretreatment with DHMEQ equally sensitized cells to ionizing radiation. Taken together, our results strengthen the potential usefulness of DHMEQ in future therapeutic strategies for tumors that do not respond to conventional approaches.
Molecular Pathways: Tumor-Derived Microvesicles and Their Interactions with Immune CellsIn Vivo
Authors: Pucci Ferdinando , Pittet Mikael J.
Published: February 2013

Cancer is not merely a cell-intrinsic genetic disease but also the result of complex cell-extrinsic interactions with host components, including immune cells. For example, effector T lymphocytes and natural killer cells are thought to participate in an immunosurveillance process, which eliminates neoplastic cells, whereas regulatory T lymphocytes and some myeloid cells, including macrophages, can create a milieu that prevents antitumor activity, supports tumor growth, and reduces survival of the host. Increasing evidence supports the notion that carcinoma cells communicate with immune cells directly, both within and away from the tumor stroma, and that this process fosters suppression of immunosurveillance and promotes tumor outgrowth. An important mode of communication between carcinoma cells and immune cells may involve tumor-derived microvesicles (tMV), also known as exosomes, ectosomes, or microparticles. These microvesicles carry lipids, proteins, mRNAs and microRNAs and travel short or long distances to deliver undegraded and undiluted material to other cells. Here, we consider the capacity of tMVs to control tumor-associated immune responses and highlight the known and unknown actions of tMVs in vivo. We also discuss why microvesicles may play a role in cancer diagnostics and prognostics and how they could be harnessed for anticancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 19(10); 2598–604. ©2013 AACR.
Milatuzumab–SN-38 Conjugates for the Treatment of CD74+ Cancers
Authors: Govindan Serengulam V. , Cardillo Thomas M. , Sharkey Robert M. , Tat Fatma , Gold David V. , Goldenberg David M.
Published: February 2013

CD74 is an attractive target for antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), because it internalizes and recycles after antibody binding. CD74 mostly is associated with hematologic tumors but is expressed also in solid cancers. Therefore, ADCs of the humanized anti-CD74 antibody, milatuzumab, were examined for the therapy of CD74-expressing solid tumors. Milatuzumab–doxorubicin and two milatuzumab–SN-38 conjugates with cleavable linkers, differing in their stability in serum and how they release SN-38 in the lysosome, were prepared. CD74 expression was determined by flow cytometry and immunohistology. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo therapeutic studies were conducted in the human cancer cell lines A-375 (melanoma), HuH-7 and Hep-G2 (hepatoma), Capan-1 (pancreatic), NCI-N87 (gastric), and Raji Burkitt lymphoma. The milatuzumab–SN-38 ADC was compared with SN-38 ADCs prepared with anti-Trop-2 and anti-CEACAM6 antibodies in xenografts expressing their target antigens. Milatuzumab–doxorubicin was most effective in the lymphoma model, whereas in A-375 and Capan-1 solid tumors, only milatuzumab–SN-38 showed a therapeutic benefit. Despite much lower surface expression of CD74 than Trop-2 or CEACAM6, milatuzumab–SN-38 had similar efficacy in Capan-1 as anti-Trop-2–SN-38, but in NCI-N87, anti-CEACAM6 and anti-Trop-2 conjugates were superior. Studies in two hepatoma lines at a single dose level showed significant benefit over saline controls but not against an irrelevant immunoglobulin G conjugate. CD74 is a suitable target for ADCs in some solid tumor xenografts, with efficacy largely influenced by uniformity of CD74 expression and with SN-38 conjugates providing the best therapeutic responses; SN-38 conjugates were preferable in solid cancers, whereas doxorubicin ADC was better in lymphoma tested. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(6); 968–78. ©2013 AACR.
Hydrogen Peroxide Promotes Aging-Related Platelet Hyperactivation and Thrombosis
Authors: Dayal Sanjana , Wilson Katina M. , Motto David G. , Miller Francis J. , Chauhan Anil K. , Lentz Steven R.
Published: February 2013

Background—

The incidence of thrombotic events increases during aging, but the mechanisms are not well understood. To investigate the prothrombotic role of oxidative stress during aging, we tested the hypothesis that aged mice overexpressing the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase-1 (Gpx1) are protected from experimental thrombosis.

Methods and Results—

Susceptibility to carotid artery thrombosis was first examined in wild-type C57BL/6J mice. After photochemical injury of the carotid artery, the time to stable occlusion was significantly shorter in 12- and 18-month-old mice compared with 4-month-old mice (
P
<0.01). Unlike wild-type mice, transgenic mice overexpressing Gpx1 (Gpx1 Tg) did not exhibit shortened times to occlusion of the carotid artery at 12 or 18 months of age. Wild-type mice also exhibited increased susceptibility to venous thrombosis after inferior vena cava ligation at 12 or 18 months of age (
P
<0.05 versus 4 months of age). Gpx1 Tg mice were protected from this aging-related enhanced susceptibility to venous thrombosis. Age-dependent platelet hyperactivation, evidenced by increased hydrogen peroxide, fibrinogen binding, and activation of fibrinogen receptor αIIbβ3, was observed in thrombin-activated platelets from wild-type but not Gpx1 Tg mice (
P
<0.05). Enhanced platelet activation responses in aged mice were also prevented by polyethylene glycol–catalase or apocynin, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. Aged mice displayed increased intraplatelet expression of p47
phox
and superoxide dismutase-1, suggesting a mechanistic pathway for increased hydrogen peroxide generation.

Conclusions—

Our findings demonstrate that hydrogen peroxide is a key mediator of platelet hyperactivity and enhanced thrombotic susceptibility in aged mice.
Networking the host immune response in Plasmodium vivax malaria
Authors: Mendonça Vitor RR , Queiroz Artur TL , Lopes Fabrício M , Andrade Bruno B , Barral-Netto Manoel
Published: February 2013

Background

Plasmodium vivaxmalaria clinical outcomes are a consequence of the interaction of multiple parasite, environmental and host factors. The host molecular and genetic determinants driving susceptibility to disease severity in this infection are largely unknown. Here, a network analysis of large-scale data from a significant number of individuals with different clinical presentations ofP. vivaxmalaria was performed in an attempt to identify patterns of association between various candidate biomarkers and the clinical outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 530 individuals from the Brazilian Amazon, includingP. vivax-infected individuals who developed different clinical outcomes (148 asymptomatic malaria, 187 symptomatic malaria, 13 severe non-lethal malaria, and six severe lethal malaria) as well as 176 non-infected controls, was performed. Plasma levels of liver transaminases, bilirubins, creatinine, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1, haem oxygenase (HO)-1 and a panel composed by multiple cytokines and chemokines were measured and compared between the different clinical groups using network analysis.

Results

Non-infected individuals displayed several statistically significant interactions in the networks, including associations between the levels of IL-10 and IL-4 with the chemokine CXCL9. Individuals with asymptomatic malaria displayed multiple significant interactions involving IL-4. Subjects with mild or severe non-lethal malaria displayed substantial loss of interactions in the networks and TNF had significant associations more frequently with other parameters. Cases of lethalP. vivaxmalaria infection were associated with significant interactions between TNF ALT, HO-1 and SOD-1.

Conclusions

The findings imply that clinical immunity toP. vivaxmalaria is associated with multiple significant interactions in the network, mostly involving IL-4, while lethality is linked to a systematic reduction of complexity of these interactions and to an increase in connections between markers linked to haemolysis-induced damage.
Periodic solution of a quasilinear parabolic equation with nonlocal terms and Neumann boundary conditions
Authors: Hameed Raad Awad , Wu Boying , Sun Jiebao
Published: February 2013

In this article, we study the periodic solution of a quasilinear parabolic equation with nonlocal terms and Neumann boundary conditions. By using the theory of Leray-Schauder degree, we obtain the existence of a nontrivial nonnegative time periodic solution.
Book reviews
Authors: Penier Izabella , Sosnowska Monika , Skalska Tamara
Published: February 2013

Richard Gott, Britain’s Empire: Resistance, Repression and Revolt, London & New York: Verso, 2011, pp. 568, ISBN: 9781844677382

Reghina Dascal, Ed., Episodes from the History of Undoing. The Heritage of Female Subversiveness, Newcasle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2012, ISBN: 1-4438-3611-7

Marta Wiszniowska-Majchrzyk, Studies in 20th Century Literary/Cultural Britain, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Kardynała Wszyńskiego, 2011, pp. 440, ISBN 978-83-7072-707-9

Man, Chicks are Just Different (Baby są jakieś inne) dir. Marek Koterski, Poland, 2011, 90 min.
The relationship between quality of self-monitoring and glycemic control in romanian children with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Timar Bogdan , Șerban Viorel , Lăcătușu Alina , Barna Laura , Fiera Florentina , Vlad Adrian
Published: February 2013

Objectives: Optimal glycemic control is mandatory in diabetic children andadolescents for the prevention of diabetes complications, but it is difficult to beobtained due to a series of factors, including the limited availability of blood glucoseself-monitoring tests. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationshipbetween the number of daily self-monitoring tests and quality of glycemic control.Material and method: We enrolled 783 individuals previously diagnosed with Type 1Diabetes Mellitus and investigated the significance of differences in HbA1c valuesbetween groups with distinct number of blood glucose measurements at home foreach age group. Results: We found significant improvements of glycemic controlwith the increase in the number of daily tests, with some particularities among thegroups. Conclusions: Among other intrinsic and external factors, blood glucose selfmonitoringhas an important role in obtaining a good glycemic control.
Risk factors for prediabetes in overweight and obese pre-teens and adolescents
Authors: Dumbrava Larisa , Popa Amorin , Brink Stuart
Published: February 2013

We looked for easy-to-use and predictable tools for identifying early risk ofprediabetes (PD) and preventing the natural course to diabetes in overweight andobese pre-teens and adolescents. In 89 children (9-18 years) family history, bodymass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), acanthosis nigricans, blood pressure(BP), lipids, HbA1c, fasting glucose and oral glucose tolerance test were determined.We found 69 (77.5%) obese (BMI≥95th percentile) and 20 (22.5%) overweightchildren (BMI 85th-95th percentiles); thirty-six (41.4%) had PD; two had type 2diabetes mellitus; two had metabolic syndrome. PD was associated with obesity (RR5.1), HbA1c>5.5% (RR 2.5), acanthosis nigricans (RR=1.9), malegender (RR = 1.9), total cholesterol ≥170 mg/dL (RR=1.8), high BP (RR=1.7), urbanarea (RR = 1.6). BMI, WC, HbA1c and acanthosis nigricans are the majorpredictors for PD in this population. All blood values are both easy to measure andto accept by children, using finger prick method.
The Influence of Weight Loss on Arterial Stiffness in Obese and Overweight Subjects
Authors: Elian Viviana , Panaite Cristian , Cheta Dan , Serafinceanu Cristian
Published: February 2013

Objectives: The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and obesity are among the provencauses of vascular dysfunction. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) wasdeveloped as a method to assess arterial stiffness. The aim of the study was toestablish the influence of weight loss on arterial stiffness parameters. Material and Methods: 135 subjects completed a 6 months standardized life style interventionstudy. Average initial weight was 96.63kg with a BMI of 34.34kg/m2. CAVI and theankle-brachial index (ABI) were measured and body composition was assessed.Some biochemical markers were also determined. Results: The average weightdecreased to 84.61kg, with fat mass loss of 9.6 kg. Mean CAVI decreased from7.92±1.28 to 7.21±1.08. The decrease in CAVI correlates with the total weight andfat loss rather than the speed of weight loss. Conclusions: Our results show thatweight loss can influence arterial stiffness, mainly by decreasing fat tissue mass.
Dynamics of Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels During Treatment with Testosterone Undecanoate in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Dănciulescu Miulescu Rucsandra , Dănoiu Suzana , Margină Denisa , Păun Sorin , Poiană Cătălina
Published: February 2013

Objectives.Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most used and validated marker ofprostate cancer risk. The aim of this study was to assess PSA levels during treatmentwith testosteronum undecanoat in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Material and Methods. We evaluated 38 T2DM patients aged between 48 and 61 years withconfirmed hypogonadism. 1000 mg testosterone undecanoate was injectedintramuscular every 10 to 14 weeks. Total testosterone and PSA levels were assessedat baseline and after 6, 12, 24 months of treatment.Results.The average age was55.03 ± 2.40 years and 3 patients (7.89%) had a family history of prostate cancer.Treatment with testosterone undecanoate generated significant changes in serumtotal testosterone (482.29±50.78 ng/dl vs. 246.66±51.50 ng/dl, p < 0.001) but not inserum PSA levels (2.11±.0.49 ng/ml vs. 2.09±0.47 ng/ml, p - NS).Conclusion.Testosterone replacement therapy may normalize serum androgen levels but appearsto have little effect on PSA levels.
454 Pyrosequencing Analysis of Fungal Assemblages from Geographically Distant, Disparate Soils Reveals Spatial Patterning and a Core Mycobiome
Authors: Orgiazzi Alberto , Bianciotto Valeria , Bonfante Paola , Daghino Stefania , Ghignone Stefano , Lazzari Alexandra , Lumini Erica , Mello Antonietta , Napoli Chiara , Perotto Silvia , Vizzini Alfredo , Bagella Simonetta , Murat Claude , Girlanda Mariangela
Published: February 2013

Identifying a soil core microbiome is crucial to appreciate the established microbial consortium, which is not usually subjected to change and, hence, possibly resistant/resilient to disturbances and a varying soil context. Fungi are a major part of soil biodiversity, yet the mechanisms driving their large-scale ecological ranges and distribution are poorly understood. The degree of fungal community overlap among 16 soil samples from distinct ecosystems and distant geographic localities (truffle grounds, a Mediterranean agro-silvo-pastoral system, serpentine substrates and a contaminated industrial area) was assessed by examining the distribution of fungal ITS1 and ITS2 sequences in a dataset of 454 libraries. ITS1 and ITS2 sequences were assigned to 1,660 and 1,393 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs; as defined by 97% sequence similarity), respectively. Fungal beta-diversity was found to be spatially autocorrelated. At the level of individual OTUs, eight ITS1 and seven ITS2 OTUs were found in all soil sample groups. These ubiquitous taxa comprised generalist fungi with oligotrophic and chitinolytic abilities, suggesting that a stable core of fungi across the complex soil fungal assemblages is either endowed with the capacity of sustained development in the nutrient-poor soil conditions or with the ability to exploit organic resources (such as chitin) universally distributed in soils.
Autonomous Docking Based on Infrared System for Electric Vehicle Charging in Urban Areas
Authors: Pérez Joshué , Nashashibi Fawzi , Lefaudeux Benjamin , Resende Paulo , Pollard Evangeline
Published: February 2013

Electric vehicles are progressively introduced in urban areas, because of their ability to reduce air pollution, fuel consumption and noise nuisance. Nowadays, some big cities are launching the first electric car-sharing projects to clear traffic jams and enhance urban mobility, as an alternative to the classic public transportation systems. However, there are still some problems to be solved related to energy storage, electric charging and autonomy. In this paper, we present an autonomous docking system for electric vehicles recharging based on an embarked infrared camera performing infrared beacons detection installed in the infrastructure. A visual servoing system coupled with an automatic controller allows the vehicle to dock accurately to the recharging booth in a street parking area. The results show good behavior of the implemented system, which is currently deployed as a real prototype system in the city of Paris.
Increased susceptibility to drought‐induced mortality in Sequoia sempervirens (Cupressaceae) trees under Cenozoic atmospheric carbon dioxide starvation
Authors: Quirk Joe , McDowell Nate G. , Leake Jonathan R. , Hudson Patrick J. , Beerling David J.
Published: February 2013

• Premise of the study: Climate‐induced forest retreat has profound ecological and biogeochemical impacts, but the physiological mechanisms underlying past tree mortality are poorly understood, limiting prediction of vegetation shifts with climate variation. Climate, drought, fire, and grazing represent agents of tree mortality during the late Cenozoic, but the interaction between drought and declining atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO2]a) from high to near‐starvation levels ∼34 million years (Ma) ago has been overlooked. Here, this interaction frames our investigation of sapling mortality through the interdependence of hydraulic function, carbon limitation, and defense metabolism.

• Methods: We recreated a changing Cenozoic [CO2]a regime by growing Sequoia sempervirens trees within climate‐controlled growth chambers at 1500, 500, or 200 ppm [CO2]a, capturing the decline toward minimum concentrations from 34 Ma. After 7 months, we imposed drought conditions and measured key physiological components linking carbon utilization, hydraulics, and defense metabolism as hypothesized interdependent mechanisms of tree mortality.

• Key results: Catastrophic failure of hydraulic conductivity, carbohydrate starvation, and tree death occurred at 200 ppm, but not 500 or 1500 ppm [CO2]a. Furthermore, declining [CO2]a reduced investment in carbon‐rich foliar defense compounds that would diminish resistance to biotic attack, likely exacerbating mortality.

• Conclusions: Low‐[CO2]a‐driven tree mortality under drought is consistent with Pleistocene pollen records charting repeated Californian Sequoia forest contraction during glacial periods (180–200 ppm [CO2]a) and may even have contributed to forest retreat as grasslands expanded on multiple continents under low [CO2]a over the past 10 Ma. In this way, geologic intervals of low [CO2]a coupled with drought could impose a demographic bottleneck in tree recruitment, driving vegetation shifts through forest mortality.
Le régime des mandats dans l'administration wallonne
Authors: Petit Jean Maxime
Published: February 2013

Résumé Depuis 2003, la Région wallonne a instauré un système de mandats pour les hauts fonctionnaires de son administration. Cette mesure vise à rendre plus transparentes les procédures de sélection et de promotion des agents, afin de dépolitiser la fonction publique wallonne. Elle doit également permettre d’améliorer la communication des ministres avec leurs administrations, d’évaluer l’action publique et d’accroître l’attractivité des emplois publics. Chacun des gouvernements wallons successifs ayant tenu à y apposer sa marque, le système a déjà connu deux importantes réformes : l’une en août 2006 et l’autre en septembre 2012. Bien que cette matière soit située hors du champ de compétences du Parlement wallon, l’opposition a suivi de près ce processus par le jeu des questions et interpellations. Maxime Petit Jean analyse les divers aspects du régime de mandats : son élaboration, son contenu et ses diverses évolutions. Il met ainsi en perspective les principaux éléments de la récente réforme : conditions d’accès à la fonction, formation requise, procédures d’évaluation… Son étude aborde également les trois grandes réformes qui ont marqué l’administration wallonne durant cette dernière décennie : l’adoption du Code de la fonction publique en 2003, la création du SPW en 2008 et la fondation de l’École d’administration publique en 2012.
Une division internationale du travail diplomatique
Authors: Pouponneau Florent
Published: February 2013

Résumé Cet article analyse la politique étrangère française articulée entre 2002 et 2006 autour du problème du nucléaire iranien. Pour les dirigeants français, cette action est l’occasion de donner à voir leur capacité de « compter » dans la régulation des affaires internationales. Cependant, la démonstration, attentive à l’évolution des conduites à l’égard des États-Unis, pointe l’apprentissage pratique par les acteurs des limites de leur espace de jeu. L’hypothèse d’une différenciation des tâches dans l’espace international des relations diplomatiques et politiques permet d’expliquer ce décalage entre les intentions des acteurs et les résultats auxquels ils parviennent. Elle permet aussi de fournir un moyen de cerner empiriquement les effets de contrainte propres au système international.
The Impetus and Catalytic Role of Green ICT for Business Benefit
Authors: Sherringham Keith
Published: February 2013

The monetized catalyst and impetus for the adoption of Green ICT by business are explored in this paper. For a business to significantly reduce its environmental footprint through the use of Green ICT, a strategic transformation of business is required. Such a transformation includes changes to business models, a redefinition of business processes, a realignment of information exchange, and integration of unified communication. Without the right impetuses and catalysts, a strategic transformation of a business may take a long time or, at worst, may not occur because of incumbency, cost, and risk. Like other strategic changes, the implementation of Green ICT is likely to be achieved through a series of tactical changes aligned to an overall strategy. However, such an incremental tactical approach requires consistency and persistency in taking advantage of many small business opportunities to implement Green ICT. Such an adoption of Green ICT is only likely to occur because of the business benefits achieved. Any catalyst and impetus for the adoption of Green ICT must provide tangible (monetized) benefits to a business, as well as prevent adverse outcomes.
Intangible Capital Management Method as Dynamic Knowledge Wisdom
Authors: Sugiyama Shigeki
Published: February 2013

We are now in the age of various capitals like money, facility, real estate, movable property, structure, system, information, relations, human resource, intellectual property, knowledge, intelligence, and dynamic knowledge wisdom, which will have much influence in production, sales, management, economy, society, country, and the world. Some of them are tangible and the others are intangible. According to the tangible capitals, we have been developing the management methods here and there in real usages, but according to the intangible capitals, it is very hard to say that we are able to treat and manage the intangible capitals in an appropriate method by a proper intention. It is just because they are themselves quite ambiguous to understand and treat. Therefore, the present situations of the capitals, a treating method in principle, and a future direction of the capitals are studied by introducing the basic idea of “Intangible Capital Management Method as Dynamic Knowledge Wisdom.”
Intellectual Capital and Business Performance in University Spin-Off Companies
Authors: Szopa Anna
Published: February 2013

University spin-off companies are under many competitive pressures that necessitate ongoing innovation and new product development. Technological and managerial knowledge endowed to spin-offs at start-up largely determine their potential for success, since exploiting this knowledge is their main activity. This chapter discusses the issue of university spin-off companies with particular emphasis on the role of intellectual capital, as the new engine of corporate development and one of the great clichés of recent years. In addition, the study also analyzes the relationships between intellectual capital and the company’s performance. It highlights how various types of intellectual capital (human capital, structural capital, relational capital) are strategically important for innovative start-up firms.
Should Traditional Classrooms Have Formal Facebook Groups?
Authors: Hart Mark
Published: February 2013

As students, teachers, and school professionals work to determine boundaries between the classroom and social media, often implementation choices are being made between the lines of school technology policies. In response to formal barriers, many students are taking it upon themselves to make their own social media sites, such as Facebook, to supplement their classroom learning. In this study, a class Facebook page encompassing five sections of an AP United States History course at Ida Baker High School was captured for an entire school year, and the results were recorded and coded to show how students used the page. Whether to consider Facebook as a viable official tool for the school ultimately becomes the decision of the District’s Technology Officer, the Principal, the Department Chair, and the teachers. To help guide this decision, a survey was conducted to determine the participants’ perception of the online tool. Ultimately, this case examines whether one school should embrace this widely used, free tool to accompany traditional classes or continue with more formal software to supplement the classroom.
Like Someone You Know
Authors: Fadde Peter , Peden Lisa
Published: February 2013

The director of a university tutoring center collaborates with an Instructional Design and Technology professor and his students to develop an interactive multimedia format that presents at-risk college students with stories of people like them dealing with academic, financial, and personal issues. The scenario-based simulations (SBS) prompt students in a study skills course to openly, but safely, discuss the often sub-optimal decisions made by characters in the scenarios. This case takes readers inside the process of developing the SBS format from scratch. Transcribed interview comments from both the client (the tutoring center director) and the designer (the IDT professor) reveal an iterative and negotiated process rather than a systematic ADDIE process. The case highlights: 1) adapting corporate-style “soft skills” computer-based training (CBT) to higher education, 2) the role of CBT in a blended course, 3) rapid development of multimedia products, and 4) use testing of products with authentic learners.
Context-Aware Discovery of Human Frequent Behaviours through Sensor Information Interpretation
Authors: Aztiria Asier , Augusto Juan Carlos
Published: February 2013

The ability of discovering frequent behaviours of the users allows an environment to act intelligently, for example automating some devices’ activation. Moreover, such frequent behaviours could be used to understand and detect bad or unhealthy habits. Such a discovering process must be as unobtrusive and transparent as possible. In that sense, the ability of inferring interesting information from sensors installed in the environment plays an essential role in order to provide the discovering process with meaningful data. The importance of this system is clear due to the fact the process of discovering frequent behaviours will totally depend upon the actions/activities identified by such a system. This development reinforces the link between context-awareness and human behaviour understanding as it can perceive a current situation, compare it to typical behaviour, and differentiate between the two.
Towards Ontology-Based Realtime Behaviour Interpretation
Authors: Bohlken Wilfried , Koopmann Patrick , Hotz Lothar , Neumann Bernd
Published: February 2013

The authors describe a generic framework for model-based behaviour interpretation and its application to monitoring aircraft service activities. Behaviour models are represented in a standardised conceptual knowledge base using OWL-DL for concept definitions and the extension SWRL for constraints. The conceptual knowledge base is automatically converted into an operational scene interpretation system implemented in Java and JESS that accepts tracked objects as input and delivers high-level activity descriptions as output. The interpretation process employs Beam Search for exploring the interpretation space, guided by a probabilistic rating system. The probabilistic model cannot be efficiently represented in the ontology, but it has been designed to closely correspond to the compositional hierarchy of behaviour concepts. Experiments are described that demonstrate the system performance with real airport data.
Food quality regulates the metabolism and reproduction of Temora longicornis
Authors: Nobili R. , Robinson C. , Buitenhuis E. , Castellani C.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. A laboratory study was undertaken to determine the effect of food quality on feeding, respiration, reproduction and the resulting carbon budget of Temora longicornis. The stoichiometric ratios N : P, C : N and C : P of Rhodomonas salina were used as indicators of food quality. R. salina was grown in media with different inorganic nutrient concentrations to produce food for T. longicornis with particulate organic N : P ratios ranging from 10 : 1 to 23 : 1. Feeding rate was not affected by food quality. Maximum respiration (R), egg production rate (EPR), assimilation efficiency (AE), gross growth efficiency (GGE) and metabolic increment (MI) occurred when T. longicornis was fed on phytoplankton with a food quality of 16N : 1P. EPR, GGE and AE also decreased with decreasing C : N ratio and the energy required to produce eggs (CoE) decreased with decreasing N : P ratio, indicative of nitrogen-dependent production. These data suggest that an algal composition of 16N : 1P defines the Threshold Elemental Ratio (TER) and is the optimum diet for T. longicornis. The variations in metabolic rates and the resulting carbon budget are proportional to the quality of food ingested. GGE was negatively affected at dietary ratios above and below 16N : 1P, which in the natural environment could lead to a decline in species biomass with detrimental consequences for fisheries and carbon export. Field data show that phytoplankton organic N : P ratios can change on decadal timescales, and that an increase in the food N : P ratio can co-occur with a shift to smaller sized zooplankton and a change in species abundance. Further research is required to assess how much of the change in zooplankton community structure and activity can be attributed to changes in food quality, rather than to changes in temperature and food quantity.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of Ursolic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Thien Dao Duc , Thanh Tam Nguyen , Thien Dinh Gia , Hoang Anh Nguyen Thi , Van Sung Tran
Published: February 2013

10-15

Fourteen ursolic acid derivatives, among them four novel compounds, were synthesized by modification either at the C-3, C-28 or both positions. The cytotoxic activity of the obtained derivatives was evaluated against the four human cancer cell lines KB (human mouth epidermal carcinoma), HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma), MCF7 (human breast carcinoma) and Lu (human lung carcinoma). As the result, compounds 7and 8were from two to three times more active than ursolic acid on all four tested cell lines. This is the first report on cytotoxic effects of the synthetized ursolic acid derivatives 4, 8, and .
Création et créativité dans la construction identitaire d’enseignantes de la danse en milieu scolaire au Québec
Authors: Duval Hélène
Published: February 2013

La formation initiale du futur enseignant de la danse en milieu scolaire (EDMS) l’oriente vers la construction d’une identité d’enseignant-créateur. Une étude doctorale menée sur le thème de la construction identitaire d’EDMS, au regard des tensions que ces enseignants éprouvent et des stratégies identitaires qu’ils peuvent déployer pour les apaiser, identifie six sphères de négociation identitaire. L’analyse des propos des 18 participantes à l’étude établit que la tension identitaire artiste/enseignant se manifeste dans deux de ces sphères : Devenir EDMS et Agir en tant qu’EDMS. Elle est à l’origine de deux stratégies identitaires mobilisées par les participantes pour apaiser la tension : 1) La conciliation des postures artistique et pédagogique qui permet à la sensibilité, au sens pédagogique, à l’altruisme et à la création/créativité d’être activés dans la sphère Devenir EDMS et 2) L’alternance des rôles à jouer, tels que : Encourager les attitudes artistiques chez l’élève; Guider et observer les élèves dans la découverte du mouvement par des approches sensorielles et expressives; Cibler des apprentissages les plus signifiants en mobilisant les postures d’artiste et de pédagogue; Guider et soutenir les élèves en création; Favoriser les échanges et la réflexion par le questionnement de l’élève; Être un passeur culturel; Éduquer par la danse. Ces rôles sont mobilisés dans la sphère Agir en tant qu’EDMS.
L’expérience de création en théâtre pour adolescents en Ontario français : paroles et gestes
Authors: Thibault Laurence Valérie
Published: February 2013

Le présent texte offre une perspective multiple de l’expérience du processus de création. Il examine les liens que des artistes identifient entre leur expérience de création et l’éducation artistique et culturelle des spectateurs adolescents en Ontario français. Les résultats présentés sont issus d’une recherche doctorale plus large, de type ethnographique, menée au sein de deux compagnies théâtrales à Ottawa pendant les périodes de création de deux spectacles. Une analyse interprétative des paroles et des gestes des artistes fait émerger trois rôles que ces derniers pensent jouer dans l’éducation des adolescents : l’artiste conteur, l’artiste formateuret l’artiste passeur. Cette recherche qualitative permet de comprendre comment les artistes travaillent et révèle l’ampleur de leurs initiatives et de leurs besoins liés à la création pour adolescents, notamment en contexte scolaire.
Des pratiques inspirantes pour intégrer la dimension culturelle à l’école
Authors: Raymond Caroline , Turcotte Nicole
Published: February 2013

Dans la perspective d’exploiter la créativité dans différents contextes scolaires et dans l’apprentissage des disciplines, cet article a pour but de susciter la réflexion à l’égard de pratiques inspirantes en matière d’intégration de la dimension culturelle à l’école québécoise, tout en prenant appui sur les faits marquants qui ont permis au système éducatif québécois d’entrer dans la modernité depuis la parution du rapport Parent au début des années 1960.

Il est proposé d’expliciter les rouages du processus d’élaboration du matériel conçu à l’intention des enseignants dans le cadre du Mois de la culture à l’école. Ce matériel vise à soutenir concrètement la mise en oeuvre de pratiques représentatives d’une approche culturelle à l’enseignement que certains chercheurs en éducation ont contribué à définir et à documenter (Chené et Saint-Jacques, 2005; Falardeau et Simard, 2007). Illustrées sous forme de pistes d’activités et de vidéos accessibles dans Internet, ces pratiques constituent des exemples pouvant être réinvestis dans la formation initiale à l’enseignement. Elles contribuent aussi au développement des compétences professionnelles de l’enseignement (MEQ, 2001b), particulièrement celle qui relève de l’agir du passeur culturel. L’exploitation de ce matériel est une avenue créative pour apprivoiser les disciplines scolaires et leur apport culturel dans la formation des jeunes.
Créativité et didactique dans l’enseignement musical
Authors: Mili Isabelle
Published: February 2013

Dans l’enseignement des arts, créativité et liberté de l’élève sont souvent associées. Le présent article s’interroge pourtant sur la fonction des contraintes dans les activités créatrices menées en classe, en particulier dans des activités d’improvisation et de composition. Le processus de dévolution, d’abord conceptualisé par les didacticiens des mathématiques, est ici examiné dans l’enseignement musical. Qu’implique ce processus, par lequel l’apprenant prend en charge des directions de recherche et des choix, de la part de l’enseignant, dans le cadre d’une séquence musicale consacrée à des productions originales? C’est une des questions centrales traitées ici.
The Detection and Mapping of Saxon Sunken‐featured Buildings at Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk
Authors: Bescoby David J. , bowden William
Published: February 2013

Strong archaeological evidence exists for the presence of Anglo‐Saxon settlement at the former Roman civitas capital Venta Icenorum, including two cemeteries of early Saxon date. A large‐scale magnetic survey west of the former walled town has revealed a complex palimpsest of surviving subsurface features, several of which were cautiously interpreted as the remains of Anglo‐Saxon sunken‐featured buildings (SFBs). Targeted earth resistance measurements enhanced the interpretation in terms of likely subsurface morphology. One of these anomalies was subsequently subject to archaeological excavation, revealing the surviving remains of an SFB of middle Saxon date. The magnetic susceptibility of deposits sampled during excavation was also evaluated and a simple forward model constructed to compare a theoretical magnetic response of the structure to that observed in the field. A reasonable correlation was observed, allowing the quantitative characterization of similar magnetic anomalies revealed in the survey data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal Heschl's Gyrus Growth During Childhood and Adolescence in Typical Development and Autism
Authors: Prigge Molly D. , Bigler Erin D. , Fletcher P. Thomas , Zielinski Brandon A. , Ravichandran Caitlin , Anderson Jeffrey , Froehlich Alyson , Abildskov Tracy , Papadopolous Evangelia , Maasberg Kathryn , Nielsen Jared A. , Alexander Andrew L. , Lange Nicholas , Lainhart Janet
Published: February 2013

Heightened auditory sensitivity and atypical auditory processing are common in autism. Functional studies suggest abnormal neural response and hemispheric activation to auditory stimuli, yet the neurodevelopment underlying atypical auditory function in autism is unknown. In this study, we model longitudinal volumetric growth of Heschl's gyrus gray matter and white matter during childhood and adolescence in 40 individuals with autism and 17 typically developing participants. Up to three time points of magnetic resonance imaging data, collected on average every 2.5 years, were examined from individuals 3–12 years of age at the time of their first scan. Consistent with previous cross‐sectional studies, no group differences were found in Heschl's gyrus gray matter volume or asymmetry. However, reduced longitudinal gray matter volumetric growth was found in the right Heschl's gyrus in autism. Reduced longitudinal white matter growth in the left hemisphere was found in the right‐handed autism participants. Atypical Heschl's gyrus white matter volumetric growth was found bilaterally in the autism individuals with a history of delayed onset of spoken language. Heightened auditory sensitivity, obtained from the Sensory Profile, was associated with reduced volumetric gray matter growth in the right hemisphere. Our longitudinal analyses revealed dynamic gray and white matter changes in Heschl's gyrus throughout childhood and adolescence in both typical development and autism. Autism Res 2013, 6: 78–90. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Software sensor design considering oscillating conditions as present in industrial scale fed‐batch cultivations
Authors: Lyubenova V. , Junne S. , Ignatova M. , Neubauer P.
Published: February 2013

Investigations of inhomogeneous dynamics in industrial‐scale bioreactors can be realized in laboratory simulators. Such studies will be improved by on line observation of the growth of microorganisms and their product synthesis at oscillating substrate availability which represents the conditions in industrial‐scale fed‐batch cultivations. A method for the kinetic monitoring of such processes, supported by on line measurements accessible in industrial practice, is proposed. It consists of a software sensor (SS) system composed of a cascade structure. Process kinetics are simulated in models with a structure including time‐varying yield coefficients. SSs for measured variable kinetics have classical structures. The SS design of unmeasured variables is realized after a linear transformation using a logarithmic function. For these software sensors, a tuning procedure is proposed, at which an arbitrary choice of one tuning parameter value that guarantees stability of the monitoring system allows the calculation of the optimal values of six parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed monitoring approach is demonstrated with experimental data from a glucose‐limited fed‐batch process of Bacillus subtilis in a laboratory two‐compartment scale down reactor which tries to mimic the conditions present in industrial scale nutrient‐limited fed‐batch cultivations. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1945–1955. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Impact of Media Reporting of High‐Profile Cases on Child Protection Medical Assessments
Authors: Ray Samiran , Conn Kelly , Liebeschuetz Susan , Costoli Verina , Tan Meng
Published: February 2013

Key Practitioner Messages

High profile media cases can alter the referral patterns for child protection medical assessment.

Although the increase in the total number of referrals may not be surprising, the increase in the proportion of children with signs suggestive of non‐accidental injury is worrying.

Ideally, evidenced based guidelines for the referral of children for child protection medical assessments should be formulated. Failing this, a strong inter‐disciplinary working relationship may improve consistency in referral patterns.
Transcatheter Aortic valve implantation in a patient with circulatory collapse, using the lucas® chest compression system
Authors: Jensen Peter Blom , Andersen Claus , Nissen Henrik
Published: February 2013

We describe a case of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) using the LUCAS® Chest Compression System in an elderly high risk patient with severe aortic stenosis and heart failure. In this case, the patient developed severe aortic regurgitation following predilatation of the native aortic valve and automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (A‐CPR) was initiated. The procedure was performed under ongoing A‐CPR for a total of 28 min. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit and to a step down unit the following day. At follow‐up 30 days later, she showed no signs of neurologic or cardiac damage. This case report shows, that it is possible to perform the TAVI procedure under ongoing A‐CPR and that A‐CPR, judged by invasive blood pressures, was capable of maintaining a satisfactory perfusion pressure even with a damaged aortic valve. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.