bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic characterization of remission in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Jiang Kaiyu , Frank Mark Barton , Chen Yanmin , Osban Jeanette , Jarvis James N
Published: August 2013

Introduction

The attainment of remission has become an important end point for clinical trials in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), although we do not yet have a full understanding of what remission is at the cell and molecular level.

Methods

Two independent cohorts of patients with JIA and healthy child controls were studied. RNA was prepared separately from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and granulocytes to identify differentially expressed genes using whole genome microarrays. Expression profiling results for selected genes were confirmed by quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results

We found that remission in JIA induced by either methotrexate (MTX) or MTX plus a TNF inhibitor (etanercept, Et) (MTX + Et) is characterized by numerous differences in gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in granulocytes compared with healthy control children; that is, remission is not a restoration of immunologic normalcy. Network analysis of the differentially expressed genes demonstrated that the steroid hormone receptor superfamily member hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is a hub in several of the gene networks that distinguished children with arthritis from controls. Confocal microscopy revealed that HNF4a is present in both T lymphocytes and granulocytes, suggesting a previously unsuspected role for this transcription factor in regulating leukocyte function and therapeutic response in JIA.

Conclusions

These findings provide a framework from which to understand therapeutic response in JIA and, furthermore, may be used to develop strategies to increase the frequency with which remission is achieved in adult forms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Increased plasmacytoid dendritic cells and RORγt-expressing immune effectors in cutaneous acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Malard Florent , Bossard Céline , Brissot Eolia , Chevallier Patrice , Guillaume Thierry , Delaunay Jacques , Mosnier Jean-François , Moreau Philippe , Grégoire Marc , Gaugler Béatrice , Mohty Mohamad
Published: August 2013

The role of PDCs and Th17 cells is not well understood in the pathogenesis of aGVHD. We evaluated PDC and Th17 cells in skin biopsies of 38 patients at diagnosis of aGVHD. The biopsies were tested by immunohistochemistry for the expression of BDCA2, a typical marker of PDCs. We found an increase of BDCA2+ cells in the skin of the patients with aGVHD. Moreover, we observed a strong expression of the type I IFN-inducible protein Mx1 in the skin of the patients with aGVHD, compared with that of those without it, suggesting that PDCs produce type I IFN. We also analyzed the expression of two Th17 surface markers—CD161 and CCR6—and RORγt, the key transcription factor that orchestrates the differentiation of Th17 cells. Significantly higher numbers of RORγt+, CD161+, and CCR6+ cells were counted in the skin of the patients with aGVHD than in the skin of those who underwent allo-SCT and in whom aGVHD did not develop. This study provides evidence for a role of Th17-mediated responses and a potential new pathophysiological link between PDCs and Th17 in human cutaneous aGVHD.
Sestrin-2, a repressor of PDGFRβ signalling, promotes cigarette-smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema in mice and is upregulated in individuals with COPD
Authors: Heidler Juliana , Fysikopoulos Athanasios , Wempe Frank , Seimetz Michael , Bangsow Thorsten , Tomasovic Ana , Veit Florian , Scheibe Susan , Pichl Alexandra , Weisel Friederike , Lloyd K. C. Kent , Jaksch Peter , Klepetko Walter , Weissmann Norbert , von Melchner Harald
Published: August 2013

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. COPD is caused by chronic exposure to cigarette smoke and/or other environmental pollutants that are believed to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that gradually disrupt signalling pathways responsible for maintaining lung integrity. Here we identify the antioxidant protein sestrin-2 (SESN2) as a repressor of PDGFRβ signalling, and PDGFRβ signalling as an upstream regulator of alveolar maintenance programmes. In mice, the mutational inactivation of Sesn2 prevents the development of cigarette-smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema by upregulating PDGFRβ expression via a selective accumulation of intracellular superoxide anions (O2-). We also show that SESN2 is overexpressed and PDGFRβ downregulated in the emphysematous lungs of individuals with COPD and to a lesser extent in human lungs of habitual smokers without COPD, implicating a negative SESN2-PDGFRβ interrelationship in the pathogenesis of COPD. Taken together, our results imply that SESN2 could serve as both a biomarker and as a drug target in the clinical management of COPD.
Meeting Report – Visualizing signaling nanoplatforms at a higher spatiotemporal resolution
Authors: Cambi Alessandra , Lakadamyali Melike , Lidke Diane S. , Garcia-Parajo Maria F.
Published: August 2013

The International Symposium entitled ‘Visualizing signaling nanoplatforms at a higher spatiotemporal resolution’ sponsored by the Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA) was held on 29–31 May 2013 at the ICFO-Institute of Photonic Sciences, in Barcelona, Spain. The meeting brought together a multidisciplinary group of international leaders in the fields of super-resolution imaging (nanoscopy) and cell membrane biology, and served as a forum to further our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that govern nanostructures and protein–function relationships at the cell membrane.
Facile and Rapid Green Route for the Synthesis of Privileged Peptidotriazoles Based on Oxazolonic Acids by Click Fragment Assembly
Authors: Balan Biny , Bahulayan Damodaran
Published: August 2013

A convenient synthetic pathway to triazole-functionalized oxazolone peptidomimetics by click fragment assembly is described. The target molecules were obtained by the ligation of oxazolone-based peptides with azidopeptides via Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition reaction (“Click Chemistry”).
Optimization with Multivariate Conditional Value-at-Risk Constraints
Authors: Noyan Nilay , Rudolf Gábor
Published: August 2013

For many decision-making problems under uncertainty, it is crucial to develop risk-averse models and specify the decision makers' risk preferences based on multiple stochastic performance measures (or criteria). Incorporating such multivariate preference rules into optimization models is a fairly recent research area. Existing studies focus on extending univariate stochastic dominance rules to the multivariate case. However, enforcing multivariate stochastic dominance constraints can often be overly conservative in practice. As an alternative, we focus on the widely applied risk measure conditional value-at-risk (CVaR), introduce a multivariate CVaR relation, and develop a novel optimization model with multivariate CVaR constraints based on polyhedral scalarization. To solve such problems for finite probability spaces, we develop a cut generation algorithm, where each cut is obtained by solving a mixed-integer problem. We show that a multivariate CVaR constraint reduces to finitely many univariate CVaR constraints, which proves the finite convergence of our algorithm. We also show that our results can be naturally extended to a wider class of coherent risk measures. The proposed approach provides a flexible and computationally tractable way of modeling preferences in stochastic multicriteria decision making. We conduct a computational study for a budget allocation problem to illustrate the effect of enforcing multivariate CVaR constraints and demonstrate the computational performance of the proposed solution methods.
Lateral epicondylitis
Authors: Ahmad Z. , Siddiqui N. , Malik S. S. , Abdus-Samee M. , Tytherleigh-Strong G. , Rushton N.
Published: August 2013

Lateral epicondylitis, or ’tennis elbow’, is a common condition that usually affects patients between 35 and 55 years of age. It is generally self-limiting, but in some patients it may continue to cause persistent symptoms, which can be refractory to treatment. This review discusses the mechanism of disease, symptoms and signs, investigations, current management protocols and potential new treatments.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1158–64.
Measuring and explaining policy paradigm change: the case of UK energy policy
Authors: Kern Florian , Kuzemko Caroline , Mitchell Catherine
Published: August 2013

This paper contributes to the literature on institutional change by creating a framework that both measures and explains policy change. The framework is then applied to UK energy policy from 2000 to 2011 and finds that a policy paradigm change has occurred. Contrary to expectations in the literature, however, the process of change has been informed by multiple narratives and the new governance system is complex and incoherent. The analysis also finds that there has been relatively little shift in how energy systems operate, suggesting shortcomings in a conceptual focus on institutional change over outcomes.
When ‘minimalist’ conceptions of citizenship reveal their complexity
Authors: Williams Dierdre
Published: August 2013

This study explores the ways in which a group of secondary teachers in Jamaica think about and understand citizenship and considers how these understandings are informed by the social, economic and political context. The study utilizes an analytic framework of minimal versus critical conceptions of citizenship to highlight the calls by scholars and academics for conceptions of citizenship to reflect concern for issues of fairness, justice and democracy. The findings highlight that while the views of citizenship held by these teachers may be regarded by some as not sufficiently robust, an interpretation of these conceptions in light of the economic, social and political context reveals great complexity.
New distributional record of the rare endemic Peruvian Tomopeas ravus Miller, 1900 (Chiroptera, Molossidae, Tomopeatinae)
Authors: Zamora Hugo , Medina Cesar , Escobar Alain , Arteaga Yamileth , Cadenillas Richard , Velazco Paúl M.
Published: August 2013

The present study reports the southernmost record of
Effect of stacking sequence and geometric scaling on the brittleness number of glass fiber composite laminate with stress raiser
Authors: Mohammed Y. , Hassan Mohamed K. , El-Ainin H Abu , Hashem A.M.
Published: August 2013

The fracture behavior of quasi-brittle material exhibits commonly brittle behavior with some ductility in the fracture processing zone. Therefore, a matrix of experimental works is performed to investigate the failure behaviors based on a parameter known as brittleness number, which is a measure of brittle behaviors. Glass fiber-reinforced epoxy laminates of three stacking sequences, cross-ply [0/90]2s and two quasi-isotropic [0/45/90]2s and [0/45/90/-45]s, are manufactured using hand lay-up technique. A matrix of different specimen geometric scaling with open hole of the same material is used. The fracture energy GIC and nominal strength of these composite laminates are measured experimentally using compact tension test, center crack specimen, and tension test, respectively. The results showed that the increase of homogeneity of composite laminates, which is introduced by inserting a certain angle ply for the laminate structure, enhanced the material ductility as the brittle number increased. The larger size of specimen leads to the increase of brittleness for the same stacking sequences due to the increase of stress concentration factor.
Carbon stock and its compartments in a subtropical oxisol under long-term tillage and crop rotation systems
Authors: Campos Ben-Hur Costa de , Amado Telmo Jorge Carneiro , Bayer Cimélio , Nicoloso Rodrigo da Silveira , Fiorin Jackson Ernani
Published: August 2013

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a crucial role in soil quality and can act as an atmospheric C-CO2 sink under conservationist management systems. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects (19 years) of tillage (CT-conventional tillage and NT-no tillage) and crop rotations (R0-monoculture system, R1-winter crop rotation, and R2- intensive crop rotation) on total, particulate and mineral-associated organic carbon (C) stocks of an originally degraded Red Oxisol in Cruz Alta, RS, Southern Brazil. The climate is humid subtropical Cfa 2a (Köppen classification), the mean annual precipitation 1,774 mm and mean annual temperature 19.2 ºC. The plots were divided into four segments, of which each was sampled in the layers 0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20, and 0.20-0.30 m. Sampling was performed manually by opening small trenches. The SOM pools were determined by physical fractionation. Soil C stocks had a linear relationship with annual crop C inputs, regardless of the tillage systems. Thus, soil disturbance had a minor effect on SOM turnover. In the 0-0.30 m layer, soil C sequestration ranged from 0 to 0.51 Mg ha-1 yr-1, using the CT R0 treatment as base-line; crop rotation systems had more influence on soil stock C than tillage systems. The mean C sequestration rate of the cropping systems was 0.13 Mg ha-1 yr-1 higher in NT than CT. This result was associated to the higher C input by crops due to the improvement in soil quality under long-term no-tillage. The particulate C fraction was a sensitive indicator of soil management quality, while mineral-associated organic C was the main pool of atmospheric C fixed in this clayey Oxisol. The C retention in this stable SOM fraction accounts for 81 and 89 % of total C sequestration in the treatments NT R1 and NT R2, respectively, in relation to the same cropping systems under CT. The highest C management index was observed in NT R2, confirming the capacity of this soil management practice to improve the soil C stock qualitatively in relation to CT R0. The results highlighted the diversification of crop rotation with cover crops as a crucial strategy for atmospheric C-CO2 sequestration and SOM quality improvement in highly weathered subtropical Oxisols.
Long-term C-CO2 emissions and carbon crop residue mineralization in an oxisol under different tillage and crop rotation systems
Authors: Campos Ben-Hur Costa de , Amado Telmo Jorge Carneiro , Tornquist Carlos Gustavo , Nicoloso Rodrigo da Silveira , Fiorin Jackson Ernani
Published: August 2013

Soil C-CO2 emissions are sensitive indicators of management system impacts on soil organic matter (SOM). The main soil C-CO2 sources at the soil-plant interface are the decomposition of crop residues, SOM turnover, and respiration of roots and soil biota. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impacts of tillage and cropping systems on long-term soil C-CO2 emissions and their relationship with carbon (C) mineralization of crop residues. A long-term experiment was conducted in a Red Oxisol in Cruz Alta, RS, Brazil, with subtropical climate Cfa (Köppen classification), mean annual precipitation of 1,774 mm and mean annual temperature of 19.2 ºC. Treatments consisted of two tillage systems: (a) conventional tillage (CT) and (b) no tillage (NT) in combination with three cropping systems: (a) R0- monoculture system (soybean/wheat), (b) R1- winter crop rotation (soybean/wheat/soybean/black oat), and (c) R2- intensive crop rotation (soybean/ black oat/soybean/black oat + common vetch/maize/oilseed radish/wheat). The soil C-CO2 efflux was measured every 14 days for two years (48 measurements), by trapping the CO2 in an alkaline solution. The soil gravimetric moisture in the 0-0.05 m layer was determined concomitantly with the C-CO2 efflux measurements. The crop residue C mineralization was evaluated with the mesh-bag method, with sampling 14, 28, 56, 84, 112, and 140 days after the beginning of the evaluation period for C measurements. Four C conservation indexes were used to assess the relation between C-CO2 efflux and soil C stock and its compartments. The crop residue C mineralization fit an exponential model in time. For black oat, wheat and maize residues, C mineralization was higher in CT than NT, while for soybean it was similar. Soil moisture was higher in NT than CT, mainly in the second year of evaluation. There was no difference in tillage systems for annual average C-CO2 emissions, but in some individual evaluations, differences between tillage systems were noticed for C-CO2 evolution. Soil C-CO2 effluxes followed a bi-modal pattern, with peaks in October/November and February/March. The highest emission was recorded in the summer and the lowest in the winter. The C-CO2 effluxes were weakly correlated to air temperature and not correlated to soil moisture. Based on the soil C conservation indexes investigated, NT associated to intensive crop rotation was more C conserving than CT with monoculture.
Hydraulic design and engineering aspects of combined sewers
Authors: Dey Ayanangshu
Published: August 2013

Several cities of India were developed in the colonial era and provided with a combined system for sanitation and disposal of storm run-off. Further extension of the sanitation infrastructure had to involve a combined system in order to be consistent or address other constraints, generally congestion. For example, Kolkata receives > 1600 mm of average yearly rainfall, mostly from July to September. Storm run-off from any catchment is estimated to be about 80 to 120 times the corresponding sewage flow. Hence, only a small portion of the conduit's capacity is used during the dry period constituting the majority of the time (nine months). This paper summarises the rationale behind the general hydraulic design philosophy pertaining to the expansion of such a combined sewerage system. The approach uses differential values of Manning's coefficient (n) dependent on flow depth and restricts adoption of the qactual/Qfull ratio to 1·0 to address potential surcharge condition. A reasonable and approximate procedure of hydraulic design using a circular conduit is described thereafter utilising basic design charts and simple logic functions. Lastly, a set of design evaluation parameters are suggested for comparison and optimisation of such hydraulic design. These parameters, once calculated for similar designs, can be mutually compared and used as indicators to assess the level of optimisation achieved in any particular design.
The potential of religion for Earth Stewardship
Authors: Hitzhusen Gregory E , Tucker Mary Evelyn
Published: August 2013

Religious communities are playing an increasingly important role in advancing Earth Stewardship. We briefly summarize the potential of religions and religious values to support this initiative, characterizing its development and acknowledging the inherent tensions between the problems and promise of religious influences. Mobilizing religious believers to contribute to responsible stewardship of the Earth requires a critical appreciation of the complexity of religious traditions and the ways that religious communities view nature, as well as the cultural and spiritual resources that religious teachings provide in confronting change and human suffering. We emphasize religious virtues that favor sustainable resource use and key developments that have prompted fruitful dialogue between ecologists and religious believers. We also describe promising alliances between scientists and spiritual leaders that may help to encourage cooperative Earth Stewardship. Religions have great potential to transform cultures toward improved Earth Stewardship, in collaboration with key scientific, economic, public policy, and education partners.
Extraneare: Pain, Loneliness, and the Incarcerated Female Body
Authors: Tate Shirley , Wahidin Azrini
Published: August 2013

The aim of this article is to understand the affect of estrangement expressed as pain and loneliness within spaces of incarceration. The article will tease out the dissonances and the tensions of both the loneliness of pain and pain as loneliness expressed in the narratives of older women lifers in prison and former political prisoners. Specifically, pain will be looked at as heartache, not feeling physical pain, and one's own pain and shame at being strip-searched being amplified through sensing the pain of another or the silencing of the pain event. We demonstrate through the voices of the women that theirs are real bodies, fleshy, sensate, that experience a cycle of pain as both affective and physical which results in punishment. This cycle results in pain's performative production of the punished through its peculiar individualizations of the body. This also means that pain is amplified through fear of its own possibility of visitation on and in the individual body from which communal attachments are erased so that succour cannot be sought but the pain of the other increases pain as fear. It is this cycle of psychic and physical pain which leads to estrangement experienced paradoxically both as part of the punishment regime of incarceration and as a coping strategy, the only possible location for agency. Agency here emerges as women make the prison environment and categories “stripped searched” or “lifer” stranger to the self, “the real me” or the wounded body stranger, removed from the self which does not feel during the pain event and in its afterlife. These women's bodies are not simply given but also interpreted, mediated, and constituted in social and cultural meanings of incarceration, punishment, and freedom. This allows us to show how thinking through pain as both repressive and productive of identities means that the space of bodily estrangement can be a location of agency as the body does not cease to be both a generator and receptor of meanings in total institutions.
Novel Paradigms for Dialysis Vascular Access
Authors: Remuzzi Andrea , Ene-Iordache Bogdan
Published: August 2013

Failure of hemodialysis access is caused mostly by venous intimal hyperplasia, a fibro-muscular thickening of the vessel wall. The pathogenesis of venous neointimal hyperplasia in primary arteriovenous fistulae consists of processes that have been identified as upstream and downstream events. Upstream events are the initial events producing injury of the endothelial layer (surgical trauma, hemodynamic shear stress, vessel wall injury due to needle punctures, etc.). Downstream events are the responses of the vascular wall at the endothelial injury that consist of a cascade of processes including leukocyte adhesion, migration of smooth muscle cells from the media to the intimal layer, and proliferation. In arteriovenous fistulae, the stenoses occur in specific sites, consistently related to the local hemodynamics determined by the vessel geometry and blood flow pattern. Recent findings that the localization of these sites matches areas of disturbed flow may add new insights into the pathogenesis of neointimal hyperplasia in the venous side of vascular access after the creation of the anastomosis. The detailed study of fluid flow motion acting on the vascular wall in anastomosed vessels and in the arm vasculature at the patient-specific level may help to elucidate the role of hemodynamics in vascular remodeling and neointimal hyperplasia formation. These computational approaches may also help in surgical planning for the amelioration of clinical outcome. This review aims to discuss the role of the disturbed flow condition in acting as upstream event in the pathogenesis of venous intimal hyperplasia and in producing subsequent local vascular remodeling in autogenous arteriovenous fistulae used for hemodialysis access. The potential use of blood flow analysis in the management of vascular access is also discussed.
Novel Paradigms for Dialysis Vascular Access
Authors: Lee Timmy
Published: August 2013

Vascular access dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The most common cause of vascular access dysfunction is venous stenosis from neointimal hyperplasia within the perianastomotic region of an arteriovenous fistula and at the graft-vein anastomosis of an arteriovenous graft. There have been few, if any, effective treatments for vascular access dysfunction because of the limited understanding of the pathophysiology of venous neointimal hyperplasia formation. This review will (1) describe the histopathologic features of hemodialysis access stenosis; (2) discuss novel concepts in the pathogenesis of neointimal hyperplasia development, focusing on downstream vascular biology; (3) highlight future novel therapies for treating downstream biology; and (4) discuss future research areas to improve our understanding of downstream biology and neointimal hyperplasia development.
Efficacy of monepantel against lower developmental stages of a multi-resistant and susceptible Haemonchus contortus isolates: an in vitro study
Authors: Lecová L. , Stuchlíková L. , Lamka J. , Špulák M. , Várady M. , Skálová L.
Published: August 2013

Monepantel (MOP) belongs to a new class of anthelmintic compounds, the amino-acetonitrile derivates, which have a different mode of action as the currently used anthelmintics. Many present studies confirmed the high efficacy of MOP against fourth larval and adult stages of Haemonchus contortus. The objective of this study was to determine in vitro efficacy of MOP against lower development stages (eggs, L1–L3 larvae) and to compare it between resistant and susceptible isolates of H. contortus. For this purpose, two in vitro tests - egg hatch test and micro-agar larval development test were used. Results were quantified as 50 % lethal concentration (LC50), 99 % lethal concentration (LC99) and resistance factor (RF). This study revealed the high efficacy against lower larval stages (L1–L3) of both resistant and susceptible strains of this parasite. Larval susceptibility was not dependent of the sensitivity status of the nematode isolate. On the other hand, ovicidal effect of MOP was very low.
First report about the trapping activity of Stropharia rugosoannulata acanthocytes for Northern Root Knot Nematode
Authors: Zouhar M. , Douda O. , Nováková J. , Doudová E. , Mazáková J. , Wenzlová J. , Ryšánek P. , Renčo M.
Published: August 2013

This study summarises the results of in vitro screening of the nematophagous activity of Stropharia rugosoannulata and Arthrobotrys oligospora. The tests were conducted with Meloidogyne hapla plant parasitic nematode juveniles placed into Petri dishes containing cultures of the tested fungal species. Immobilisation of the nematodes was observed after 4 and 24 hours. Both species of fungi showed nematophagous activity, however it was much stronger and faster in the case of S. rugosoannulata.
Unusual clinical course of trichinellosis with relapse
Authors: Paraličová Z. , Dubinský P. , Kristian P. , Jarčuška P.
Published: August 2013

During an outbreak of trichinellosis in Eastern Slovakia in 2008, 16 people were hospitalized, including 10 patients having specific anti-Trichinella antibodies. The disease relapse was seen in a 68-year-old woman two weeks after her discharge from hospital, where she was treated with albendazole and prednisone for 10 days. Clinical symptoms of trichinellosis, eosinophilia, elevated CRP and LDH levels were observed again with recorded elevation of aminotransferase levels during the relapse. Herein we discuss a potential cause of unusual relapse of trichinellosis with liver damage in a female patient with type II diabetes mellitus.
Application of Electro-Technologies in Processing of Flax Fiber
Authors: Nair Gopu , Rho Denis , Raghavan G.
Published: August 2013

Flax fibers used for various applications are obtained from flax stems. Retting followed by drying and mechanical separation leads to the production of fibers. This review article discusses the application of electro-technologies in the production of bast fibers from the flax stem. In these technologies, flax stems harvested from the field are subjected to microwave assisted retting, followed by electro–osmotic dewatering which reduces the water content of the stems. Dewatered stems are transferred to a microwave chamber for further drying, thus retted stems are obtained for further processing.
Using Inequality Measures to Incorporate Environmental Justice into Regulatory Analyses
Authors: Harper Sam , Ruder Eric , Roman Henry , Geggel Amelia , Nweke Onyemaechi , Payne-Sturges Devon , Levy Jonathan
Published: August 2013

Formally evaluating how specific policy measures influence environmental justice is challenging, especially in the context of regulatory analyses in which quantitative comparisons are the norm. However, there is a large literature on developing and applying quantitative measures of health inequality in other settings, and these measures may be applicable to environmental regulatory analyses. In this paper, we provide information to assist policy decision makers in determining the viability of using measures of health inequality in the context of environmental regulatory analyses. We conclude that quantification of the distribution of inequalities in health outcomes across social groups of concern, considering both within-group and between-group comparisons, would be consistent with both the structure of regulatory analysis and the core definition of environmental justice. Appropriate application of inequality indicators requires thorough characterization of the baseline distribution of exposures and risks, leveraging data generally available within regulatory analyses. Multiple inequality indicators may be applicable to regulatory analyses, and the choice among indicators should be based on explicit value judgments regarding the dimensions of environmental justice of greatest interest.
Salicortin-Derivatives from Salix pseudo-lasiogyne Twigs Inhibit Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Cells via Modulation of C/EBPα and SREBP1c Dependent Pathway
Authors: Lee Mina , Lee Sang , Kang Jimmy , Yang Heejung , Jeong Eun , Kim Hong , Kim Young , Sung Sang
Published: August 2013

Obesity is reported to be associated with excessive growth of adipocyte mass tissue as a result of increases in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from preadipocytes. To search for anti-adipogenic phytochemicals, we screened for inhibitory activities of various plant sources on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Among the sources, a methanolic extract of Salix pseudo-lasiogyne twigs (Salicaceae) reduced lipid accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner. During our search for anti-adipogenic constituents from S. pseudo-lasiogyne, five salicortin derivatives isolated from an EtOAc fraction of this plant and bearing 1-hydroxy-6-oxo-2-cyclohexene-carboxylate moieties, namely 2′,6′-O-acetylsalicortin (1), 2′-O-acetylsalicortin (2), 3′-O-acetylsalicortin (3), 6′-O-acetylsalicortin (4), and salicortin (5), were found to significantly inhibit adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. In particular, 2′,6′-O-acetylsalicortin (1) had the most potent inhibitory activity on adipocyte differentiation, with an IC50 value of 11.6 μM, and it significantly down-regulated the expressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1c). Furthermore, 2′,6′-O-acetylsalicortin (1) suppressed mRNA expression levels of C/EBPβ during the early stage of adipocyte differentiation and stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD-1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression, target genes of SREBP1c. In the present study, we demonstrate that the anti-adipogenesis mechanism of 2′,6′-O-acetylsalicortin (1) may be mediated via down-regulation of C/EBPα and SREBP1c dependent pathways. Through their anti-adipogenic activity, salicortin derivatives may be potential novel therapeutic agents against obesity.
Automated Solid-Phase Radiofluorination Using Polymer-Supported Phosphazenes
Authors: Mathiessen Bente , Zhuravlev Fedor
Published: August 2013

The polymer supported phosphazene bases PS-P2tBu and the novel PS-P2PEG allowed for efficient extraction of [18F]F− from proton irradiated [18O]H2O and subsequent radiofluorination of a broad range of substrates directly on the resin. The highest radiochemical yields were obtained with aliphatic sulfonates (69%) and bromides (42%); the total radiosynthesis time was 35–45 min. The multivariate analysis showed that the radiochemical yields and purities were controlled by the resin load, reaction temperature, and column packing effects. The resins could be reused several times with the same or different substrates. The fully automated on-column radiofluorination methodology was applied to the radiosynthesis of the important PET radiotracers [18F]FLT and [18F]FDG. The latter was produced with 40% yield on a 120 GBq scale and passed GMP-regulated quality control required for commercial production of [18F]FDG. The combination of compact form factor, simplicity of [18F]F− recovery and processing, and column reusability can make solid phase radiofluorination an attractive radiochemistry platform for the emerging dose-on-demand instruments for bedside production of PET radiotracers.
Les mottes castrales du Roussillon
Authors: Castellvi Georges
Published: August 2013

Avec la Provence et le Lauragais il s'avère que le Roussillon a également été touché par la diffusion des mottes castrales. Leur datation demeure imprécise à établir notamment en raison de leur disparition pour les besoins de l'agriculture. Cependant les textes permettent d'en dresser un inventaire et amènent des éléments de réponse quant à leurs fonctions possibles.

Dans l'hypothèse la plus vraisemblable, la plupart des mottes auraient eu une vocation de contrôle, implantées à proximité d'une voie, d'un gué ou d'un croisement. Malgré le silence des textes sur cette question, les mottes auraient donc pu être subordonnées aux véritables châteaux-forts. Ainsi s'expliquerait l'absence d'hommages rendus aux souverains (comte du Roussillon, roi d'Aragon).
Palynologie et histoire des activités humaines en milieu montagnard. Bilan provisoire des recherches et nouvelles orientations méthodologiques sur le versant nord des Pyrénées
Authors: Galop Didier , Mazier Florence , López Sáez José Antonio , Vannière Boris
Published: August 2013

In the study of the environment / societies relationship in the mountain milieu, palynology is now positioned as an unavoidable discipline, offering the possibility of approaching the long period of the anthropisation process. A critical examination of the development of this discipline in relation to the problem of anthropisation can be carried out on the basis of the Pyrenean example. While the acquired elements are numerous, they are not systematically in phase with the new demands required by a scientific context that is resolutely turned towards an interdisciplinary approach. The variability of the scales of temporal and spatial analysis constitutes a major stumbling block, but it seems that this can be overcome by the development of new paleoecological approaches based on integrated analysis, as well as setting up functional references. Here, we briefly present the results of a few attempts carried out in the Pyrenees in the context of different research programmes.
Nonenzymatic Cryogenic Isolation of Therapeutic Cells: Novel Approach for Enzyme-Free Isolation of Pancreatic Islets Using In Situ Cryopreservation of Islets and Concurrent Selective Freeze Destruction of Acinar Tissue
Authors: Taylor Michael J. , Baicu Simona C.
Published: August 2013

Cell-based therapies, which all involve processes for procurement and reimplantation of living cells, currently rely upon expensive, inconsistent, and even toxic enzyme digestion processes. A prime example is the preparation of isolated pancreatic islets for the treatment of type 1 diabetes by transplantation. To avoid the inherent pitfalls of these enzymatic methods, we have conceptualized an alternative approach based on the hypothesis that cryobiological techniques can be used for differential freeze destruction of the pancreas (Px) to release islets that are selectively cryopreserved in situ. Pancreata were procured from juvenile pigs using approved procedures. The concept of cryoisolation is based on differential processing of the pancreas in five stages: 1) infiltrating islets in situ preferentially with a cryoprotectant (CPA) cocktail via antegrade perfusion of the major arteries; 2) retrograde ductal infusion of water to distend the acinar; 3) freezing the entire Px solid to lt; −160°C for storage in liquid nitrogen; 4) mechanically crushing and pulverizing the frozen Px into small fragments; 5) thawing the frozen fragments, filtering, and washing to remove the CPA. Finally, the filtered effluent (cryoisolate) was stained with dithizone for identification of intact islets and with Syto 13/PI for fluorescence viability testing and glucose-stimulated insulin release assessment. As predicted, the cryoisolate contained small fragments of residual tissue comprising an amorphous mass of acinar tissue with largely intact and viable (>90%) embedded islets. Islets were typically larger (range 50–500 μm diameter) than their counterparts isolated from juvenile pigs using conventional enzyme digestion techniques. Functionally, the islets from replicate cryoisolates responded to a glucose challenge with a mean stimulation index = 3.3 ± 0.7. An enzyme-free method of islet isolation relying on in situ cryopreservation of islets with simultaneous freeze destruction of acinar tissue is feasible and proposed as a new and novel method that avoids the problems associated with conventional collagenase digestion methods.
Multiple Cell Transplantation Based on an Intraparenchymal Approach for Patients with Chronic Phase Stroke
Authors: Chen Lin , Xi Haitao , Huang Hongyun , Zhang Feng , Liu Yancheng , Chen Di , Xiao Juan
Published: August 2013

Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide and a huge perpetrator in adult disability. This pilot clinical study investigates the possible benefits of transplanting multiple cells in chronic stroke. A total of 10 consecutive stroke patients were treated by combination cell transplantation on the basis of an intraparenchymal approach from November 2003 to April 2011. There were six males and four females. Their age ranged from 42 to 87 years, and the course of disease varied from 6 months to 20 years. Six patients suffered cerebral infarction, and four patients suffered a brain hemorrhage. The olfactory ensheathing cells, neural progenitor cells, umbilical cord mesenchymal cells, and Schwann cells were injected through selected routes including intracranial parenchymal implantation, intrathecal implantation, and intravenous administration, respectively. The clinical neurological function was assessed carefully and independently before treatment and during a long-term follow-up using the Clinic Neurologic Impairment Scale and the Barthel index. All patients were followed up successfully from 6 months to 2 years after cell transplantation. Every subject achieved neurological function amelioration including improved speech, muscle strength, muscular tension, balance, pain, and breathing; most patients had an increased Barthel index score and Clinic Neurologic Impairment Scale score. These preliminary results demonstrate the novel strategy of combined multiple cell therapy based on intraparenchymal delivery: it appears to be relatively clinically safe and at least initially beneficial for chronic stroke patients. This manuscript is published as part of the International Association of Neurorestoratology (IANR) supplement issue of Cell Transplantation.
Bending Capacity of T Beam with Prestressed Concrete-Filled Steel Tube
Authors: Hou Wen Yu , Wang Lian Guang , Liu Peng
Published: August 2013

The prestressed composite T beam with concrete-filled steel tube is made through welding with half I-beam to connect the concrete-filled circular steel tube. The prestressed reinforcement was equipped on the T-beam. The load-bearing capacity and rigidity of the composite beam was enhanced by using prestressed force. In consideration of applying prestress, the corresponding parts stress and strain from the beginning of applying prestress to the phase of elimination of the pressure is calculated through the process of applying prestress; establish the equation of elastic flexural capacity with different location of neutral axis according to the theoretical analyses. Also use the superposition method to build the equation of the deflection. The computational results show that applying prestress reduces the deformation of the composite structure and the mechanic performance has improved which provide important theoretical basis with practical application in engineering.
Effect of Nano Silica and Ultrafine Fly Ash on Compressive Strength of High Volume Fly Ash Mortar
Authors: Supit Steve W.M. , Shaikh Faiz U.A. , Sarker Prabir K.
Published: August 2013

This paper evaluates the effect of Ultrafine Fly Ash (UFFA) and nanoSilica (NS) on compressive strength of high volume fly ash (HVFA) mortar at 7 days and 28 days. Three series of mortar mixes are considered in the first part of this study. In the first series the effect of high content of class F fly ash as partial replacement of cement at 40, 50 and 60% (by wt.) are considered. While in the second and third series, the UFFA and NS are used as partial replacement of cement at 5%, 8%, 10%, 12% and 15% and 1%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% (by wt.) of cement, respectively. The UFFA and the NS content which exhibited highest compressive strength in the above series are used in the second part where their effects on the compressive strength of HVFA mortars are evaluated. Results show that the mortar containing 10% UFFA as partial replacement of cement exhibited the highest compressive strength at both 7 and 28 days among all UFFA contents. Similarly, the mortar containing 2% NS as partial replacement of cement exhibited the best performance. Interestingly, the use of UFFA in HVFA mortars did not improve the compressive strength. However, the use of 2% and 4% NS showed improvement in the compressive strength of HVFA mortar containing 40% and 50% fly ash at both ages. The effects of NS and UFFA on the hydration and strength development of HVFA mortar is also evaluated through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) test. Results also show that the UFFA and NS can significantly reduce the calcium hydroxide (CH) in HVFA mortars.
Experimental Study of the Damp Mechanism on the Masonry Mortar between Lime and Cement
Authors: Lei Zu Kang , Zheng Jie Hong , Gao Zhi Qiang
Published: August 2013

The material moisture affects directly the appearance of the building construction and the performance of interior micro climate environment. In this study, it was discussed the damp and efflorescence disease mechanism of masonry construction through Lab experiments. It was taken the results of the difference with the mortar between lime and cement, which will cause the different damp diseases.
Experimental Study on the Fundamental Characteristics of Different Parent Recycled Concrete Fine Aggregates
Authors: Qin Yong Jun , Li Lei , Yibulayin Aihemaiti , Zhang Guang Tai , Liang Rui
Published: August 2013

Recycled aggregate performance vary with different native concrete strength and use environment. Recycled fine aggregate was obtained after the primary concrete was broken and screened. According to Recycled coarse aggregate for concrete and mortar (GB/T 25176-2010), the physical properties of the different types of recycled fine aggregate were analyzed, in addition, determine the classification. The results shows that the properties of recycled fine aggregate all meet the level and they are vary by strengths of its maternal primary concrete and using environments. The overall performance of fine aggregate of high strength primary concrete is the best, followed by the low strength concrete and the moderate strength concrete.
Application of Green Construction in a Project in Huangshi
Authors: Wang Hao , Tang Hong
Published: August 2013

Green and Pollution-Free is Widely Advocated as a New Trend in the Construction Industry Nowadays. the Key Measures for this Technology are Energy Saving, Material Saving, Water Saving, Land Saving, as well as Protecting the Environment during Construction. Green Construction is a Concrete Manifestation of the Concept of Sustainable Development in the Construction Phase, the Implementation of which is of Great Significance to Promote the Sustainable Development of the Construction Industry. Technical Measures on Green Construction of the Project in Huangshi are Described in Detail. these Measures on Energy-Saving and Environmental Protection will have some Reference on the Promotion of Green Construction.
Design Strategy Based on Green Building - Take the “City Plaza” Project as an Example
Authors: Zhang Ying , Hou Bing Yang , Li Shu Ting
Published: August 2013

The project of City Plaza and its office buildings all regard the green three-star as the overall design goal, which has been identified by the China's Green Three-star Design Evaluation. This project could make rational use of the natural conditions and ecological energy-saving technology to the maximum extent by the comprehensive planning and architectural monomer design, and adopt the low-cost and low-input way such as the green building materials to balance and protect the surrounding ecosystem. Therefore, it could improve the energy-saving efficiency of project and explore a new organic mode to apply modern green building energy-saving technologies in the process of tradition respect and protection.
Effect Evaluation of Introduced Building Energy Management System in University Campus
Authors: Su Yuan , Yan Jun Wei
Published: August 2013

Nowadays, universities are taking responsibility for their environmental impact and are working to ensure environmental sustainability. In this research, we aim to analyze energy system of a model university campus in southern China and grasp the energy consumption of the whole campus from the viewpoint of reducing GHG emission. We investigated and analyzed the present situation of energy system by using measured data and inquiry survey. In order to grasp the data exactly, we introduced building energy management system (BEMS) to some typical buildings with electricity consumption controlling. Then examination of energy consumption intensity according the different typical buildings has been analyzed on the basis of the research at campus. The campus's energy consumption prediction was carried out during the 24-h field measurements period. Furthermore, energy consumption intensity of the whole campus were predicted.
Main Parameters Analysis of the Solar Street Lamp in Campus
Authors: Wei Sheng Xian , Bi Xiong Wei , Shi You Ming , Yang Hui Min
Published: August 2013

The mathematical model to determine the main parameters of the solar street lamp has been built. The structure and the main parameters of the solar street lamp were analyzed in the paper. The yearly average optimal tilted angle for the solar cell module used in Qujing is approximately 23.75o. For a 60 W high brightness DC LED lamp, the area of the solar cell and the battery capacity to meet the energy consumption of the solar street lamp are 3.67 m2 and 2.89 MJ, respectively.
Optimization of Building Envelope Thermal Design for Passive Solar House
Authors: Zhu Jia Yin , Chen Bin
Published: August 2013

Optimization design of building envelope-integrated collectors plays an important role in reducing energy consumption and improving thermal comfort. Take a passive solar house for an example, optimization design principles for passive solar house were proposed by simulation. Simulation results by changing envelope insulation thickness showed that the optimal thickness was between 30mm and 70mm for south wall, and 70mm~150mm for other façade, respectively. Meanwhile, the optimal thickness for concrete exterior walls was in the range of 200mm~300mm. Simulation of changing heat capacity proportion showed that the daily temperature difference decreased by 14oC to 5.2oC as the proportion increased doubled. However, considering the building initial investment, the arrangement of thermal mass should be determined by the building type and energy demand.