bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Job Stress Across Gender: The Importance of Emotional and Intellectual Demands and Social Support in Women
Authors: Rivera-Torres Pilar , Araque-Padilla Rafael , Montero-Simó María
Published: January 2013

This study aims to analyse whether any differences exist between the genders with respect to the effect of perceived Job Demands, Control and Support (JDCS model) on how individuals reach high levels of job stress. To do this, the perceived risk of suffering an illness or having an accident in the workplace is used as an outcome measure. The study is based on the First Survey on Working Conditions in Andalusia, which has a sample of 5,496 men and 2,779 women. We carry out a multi-sample analysis with structural equation models, controlling for age and sector. The results show that the generation of job stress has a different pattern in men and women. In the case of men, the results show that only one dimension of the job demands stressor is significant (quantitative demands), whose effect on job stress is weakened slightly by the direct effects of control and support. With women, in contrast, emotional and intellectual aspects (qualitative demands) are also statistically significant. Moreover, social support has a greater weakening effect on the levels of job stress in women than in men. These results suggest that applying the JDCS model in function of the gender will contribute to a greater understanding of how to reduce the levels of job stress in men and women, helping the design of more effective policies in this area.
Biopolymer-Based Nanoparticles for Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering
Authors: Nitta Sachiko , Numata Keiji
Published: January 2013

There has been a great interest in application of nanoparticles as biomaterials for delivery of therapeutic molecules such as drugs and genes, and for tissue engineering. In particular, biopolymers are suitable materials as nanoparticles for clinical application due to their versatile traits, including biocompatibility, biodegradability and low immunogenicity. Biopolymers are polymers that are produced from living organisms, which are classified in three groups: polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids. It is important to control particle size, charge, morphology of surface and release rate of loaded molecules to use biopolymer-based nanoparticles as drug/gene delivery carriers. To obtain a nano-carrier for therapeutic purposes, a variety of materials and preparation process has been attempted. This review focuses on fabrication of biocompatible nanoparticles consisting of biopolymers such as protein (silk, collagen, gelatin, β-casein, zein and albumin), protein-mimicked polypeptides and polysaccharides (chitosan, alginate, pullulan, starch and heparin). The effects of the nature of the materials and the fabrication process on the characteristics of the nanoparticles are described. In addition, their application as delivery carriers of therapeutic drugs and genes and biomaterials for tissue engineering are also reviewed.
Sericin Enhances the Bioperformance of Collagen-Based Matrices Preseeded with Human-Adipose Derived Stem Cells (hADSCs)
Authors: Dinescu Sorina , Galateanu Bianca , Albu Madalina , Cimpean Anisoara , Dinischiotu Anca , Costache Marieta
Published: January 2013

Current clinical strategies for adipose tissue engineering (ATE), including autologous fat implants or the use of synthetic surrogates, not only are failing in the long term, but also can’t face the latest requirements regarding the aesthetic restoration of the resulted imperfections. In this context, modern strategies in current ATE applications are based on the implantation of 3D cell-scaffold bioconstructs, designed for prospective achievement of in situ functional de novo tissue. Thus, in this paper, we reported for the first time the evaluation of a spongious 60% collagen and 40% sericin scaffold preseeded with human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) in terms of biocompatibility and adipogenic potential in vitro. We showed that the addition of the sticky protein sericin in the composition of a classical collagen sponge enhanced the adhesion and also the proliferation rate of the seeded cells, thus improving the biocompatibility of the novel scaffold. In addition, sericin stimulated PPARγ2 overexpression, triggering a subsequent upregulated expression profile of FAS, aP2 and perilipin adipogenic markers. These features, together with the already known sericin stimulatory potential on cellular collagen production, promote collagen-sericin biomatrix as a good candidate for soft tissue reconstruction and wound healing applications.
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of 7-Hydroxy-calamenene-Rich Essential Oils from Croton cajucara Benth.
Authors: Azevedo Mariana , Chaves Francisco , Almeida Catia , Bizzo Humberto , Duarte Rafael , Campos-Takaki Galba , Alviano Celuta , Alviano Daniela
Published: January 2013

Croton cajucara is a shrub native to the Amazon region locally known as “sacaca”. Two morphotypes are known: white and red “sacaca”. The essential oils (EO) obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves of the red morphotype were, in general, rich in 7-hydroxycalamenene (28.4%–37.5%). The effectiveness of these EO regarding the antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms was initially investigated by the drop test method, showing significant inhibition zones. Among the microorganisms tested, the essential oils rich in 7-hydroxycalamenene were more effective against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Enterococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. smegmatis, Mucor circinelloides and Rhizopus oryzae. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the oils were determined using the broth dilution assay. It was possible to observe that 7-hydroxycalamenene-rich oils presented high antimicrobial activity, with MIC of 4.76 × 10−3 μg/mL for MRSA, 4.88 μg/mL for M. tuberculosis, 39.06 μg/mL for M. smegmatis, and 0.152 μg/mL for R. oryzae and 3.63 × 10−8 μg/mL for M. circinelloides. The antioxidant activity of this EO suggests that 7-hydroxycalamenene provides more antioxidant activity according with EC50 less than 63.59 μg/mL. Considering the bioactive potential of EOs and 7-hydroxycalamenene could be of great interest for development of antimicrobials for therapeutic use in treatment of bacterial and fungal infections in humans and/or veterinary practice.
Bioassay-Guided Isolation of DPP-4 Inhibitory Fractions from Extracts of Submerged Cultured of Inonotus obliquus
Authors: Geng Yan , Lu Zhen-Ming , Huang Wei , Xu Hong-Yu , Shi Jin-Song , Xu Zheng-Hong
Published: January 2013

Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal mushroom used in Russian and Eastern European folk medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that the mycelium powders of I. obliquus possess significant antihyperglycemic effects in a mouse model of diabetic disease induced by alloxan. However, the active ingredients of mycelium powders responsible for the diabetes activity have not been identified. This study aims to identify the active ingredients of I. obliquus mycelium powders by a bioassay-guided fractionation approach and explore the mechanism of action of these active ingredients by using a well-established DPP-4 (an important enzyme as a new therapeutic target for diabetes) inhibitory assay model. The results showed the chloroform extract of mycelium was potential inhibitory against DPP-4. Bioactivity guided fractionation led to the identification of 19 compounds using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Molecular docking between the compounds and DPP-4 revealed that compounds 5, 8, 9, 14, 15 may be the active components responsible for the DPP-4 inhibitory activity.
Trust Your Gut: Galvanizing Nutritional Interest in Intestinal Cholesterol Metabolism for Protection Against Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Wegner Casey , Kim Bohkyung , Lee Jiyoung
Published: January 2013

Recent studies have demonstrated that the intestine is a key target organ for overall health and longevity. Complementing these studies is the discovery of the trans-intestinal cholesterol efflux pathway and the emerging role of the intestine in reverse cholesterol transport. The surfacing dynamics of the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in the intestine provides an attractive platform for intestine-specific nutritional intervention strategies to lower blood cholesterol levels for protection against cardiovascular diseases. Notably, there is mounting evidence that stimulation of pathways associated with calorie restriction may have a large effect on the regulation of cholesterol removal by the intestine. However, intestinal energy metabolism, specifically the idiosyncrasies surrounding intestinal responses to energy deprivation, is poorly understood. The goal of this paper is to review recent insights into cholesterol regulation by the intestine and to discuss the potential for positive regulation of intestine-driven cholesterol removal through the nutritional induction of pathways associated with calorie restriction.
C59N Peapods Sensing the Temperature
Authors: Li Yongfeng , Kaneko Toshiro , Hatakeyama Rikizo
Published: January 2013

We report the novel photoresponse of nanodevices made from azafullerene (C59N)-encapsulated single-walled carbon nanotubes (C59N@SWNTs), so called peapods. The photoconducting properties of a C59N@SWNT are measured over a temperature range of 10 to 300 K under a field-effect transistor configuration. It is found that the photosensitivity of C59N@SWNTs depends very sensitively on the temperature, making them an attractive candidate as a component of nanothermometers covering a wide temperature range. Our results indicate that it is possible to read the temperature by monitoring the optoelectronics signal of C59N@SWNTs. In particular, sensing low temperatures would become more convenient and easy by giving a simple light pulse.
Extinction or Survival? Behavioral Flexibility in Response to Environmental Change in the African Striped Mouse Rhabdomys
Authors: Rymer Tasmin , Pillay Neville , Schradin Carsten
Published: January 2013

The rapid rate of anthropogenic-related climate change is expected to severely impact ecosystems and their constituent organisms, leading to mass extinction. A rapid adaptive response of animals to such change could be due to reversible phenotypic flexibility, including behavioral flexibility. Our model, the African striped mouse Rhabdomys, is a small rodent widely distributed in southern Africa. The desert-living species R. pumilio displays social flexibility, whereby individuals switch their social organization in response to prevailing conditions, potentially allowing for persistence in rapidly changing environments. Individuals of the species from the moist grasslands (R. dilectus) show some flexible traits, but opportunities to utilize this potential are apparently not realized. The climate in southern Africa is predicted to become drier, making both desert and grassland species vulnerable to environmental change. Based on realized or potential social flexibility in striped mice, we provide three (not mutually exclusive) scenarios that consider: (i) extinction of the desert species as its habitat changes; (ii) range expansion and utilization of pre-existing adaptations of the desert species to displace the current grassland species; and (iii) grassland species exploiting their potential flexibility (behavioral adaptation) and surviving in their current habitat. Behavioral flexibility is costly but could allow species to persist in rapidly changing environments.
Breaking In: Human Metapneumovirus Fusion and Entry
Authors: Cox Reagan , Williams John
Published: January 2013

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a leading cause of respiratory infection that causes upper airway and severe lower respiratory tract infections. HMPV infection is initiated by viral surface glycoproteins that attach to cellular receptors and mediate virus membrane fusion with cellular membranes. Most paramyxoviruses use two viral glycoproteins to facilitate virus entry—an attachment protein and a fusion (F) protein. However, membrane fusion for the human paramyxoviruses in the Pneumovirus subfamily, HMPV and respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), is unique in that the F protein drives fusion in the absence of a separate viral attachment protein. Thus, pneumovirus F proteins can perform the necessary functions for virus entry, i.e., attachment and fusion. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of how HMPV F mediates both attachment and fusion. We review the requirements for HMPV viral surface glycoproteins during entry and infection, and review the identification of cellular receptors for HMPV F. We also review our current understanding of how HMPV F mediates fusion, concentrating on structural regions of the protein that appear to be critical for membrane fusion activity. Finally, we illuminate key unanswered questions and suggest how further studies can elucidate how this clinically important paramyxovirus fusion protein may have evolved to initiate infection by a unique mechanism.
EVALUATING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SUCCESS WITH USE OF THE M-TOPSIS METHOD
Authors: Pinter Urban , Pšunder Igor
Published: January 2013

A problematic of construction project success evaluation is discussed in this paper. It is established that the success of a construction project depends on success in achieving goals in different success criteria which may or may not be co-dependent; hence, the calculation of construction project success is a multi-dimensional evaluation problem. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the overall success of a construction project as a multi-criterion problem that can be solved using a multi-criteria decision method. A new approach to overall construction project success calculation is presented, based on the multi-criteria decision method M-TOPSIS. M-TOPSIS ranks results from ideal solution to negative ideal solution which suitable fits with a presented new approach to generalized project success evaluation method. For an ideal solution, the best values from all considered projects, including pre-production plan parameters, are used, and for negative ideal solution, minimal parameters for each criterion are defined. Because, in civil engineering, projects can be done even better than planned, results from M-TOPSIS are then transposed, so that results are presented on a scale from minimal solution (0) to planned solution (1) and above. Several project successes can be compared with each other and ranked according to their performance with this method. Since results from this method are very sensitive to incorrectly input data, the basic M-TOPSIS method theory is closely, presented and a simple practical example for using the suggested method is also shown.
ALKALI SILICA REACTION OF BOF AND BFS WASTES COMBINATION IN CEMENT
Authors: Özkan Ömer , Sarıbıyık Mehmet
Published: January 2013

This study reports the results of an experimental study conducted to determine composite cements manufactured with the combination of Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) Slag and Blast Furnace Slag (BFS). The overall objective of this work is to determine whether a combination of BOF slag and BFS can be used as a cementations material to produce Composite Portland Cement (CPC). Three groups of cement are produced for testing. The first group contains BOF slag, the second group contains BFS and the last group contains the mixture of BOF slag and BFS together. Physical properties and Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) of these groups are also evaluated in this study. Maximum ASR expansion is observed from the sample of CPC created with BOF slag. On the other hand minimum ASR expansion value is located in the sample of CPC created with BFS only.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS USING SIMOS’ PROCEDURE
Authors: Marzouk Mohamed , Amer Omar , El-Said Moheeb
Published: January 2013

Feasibility study is conducted in a stage prior to design, procurement and construction stages in order to determine the viability of project undertaken by an investor. This helps investors to decide whether to proceed with the project or not. Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) process can be utilized in the feasibility study stage to avoid wrong decisions might cause undesired losses. In industrial projects, wrong decisions might lead to bankruptcy of crucial economic entities. Private investors might have good initiative and the capital to establish economically successful projects but they might either select the inappropriate type of industry that might turn the investment to a failure or might not include some important/crucial considerations into account. This paper presents a key-list of gathered factors that are considered the important factors and affect the selection of industrial projects. Importance, relative importance and weights of these factors are determined using Simos’ procedure. The key-list has been applied on five case-studies of industrial projects and a Weighted-Sum Model (WSM) has been selected as a MCDM technique in order to acquire their final preferences, rank them and consequently come-up with the most preferred/suitable alternative to be constructed. Then, a sensitivity analysis has been performed to determine the most critical criterion of the key-list. Additionally, several scenarios have been processed to verify that the most important criterion of the key-list does not necessarily be the most critical criterion. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis also determines the most critical measure of performance assembled from the five casestudies.
RESEARCH ON MODEL FITTING AND STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF CRITICAL STATE FOR EXPANSIVE SOIL
Authors: Li Zhiqing , Tang Chuan , Hu Ruilin , Zhou Yingxin
Published: January 2013

According to Mengzi expansive soil, consolidated drained tests and undrained tests are carried on under saturated and remoulded conditions. The stress-strain characteristics of saturated soil are researched systematically under different confining pressure, initial dry density, initial water content, shearing rate and drainage condition. The inherent unity of diversity of shearing strength for the same samples measured by different experimental methods is indicated according to the normalization of critical state test results. And the failure lines in p ‘- q - ν space of remoulded saturated expansive soil under consolidated drained and undrained conditions are attained. The hyperbolic curve model can fit well the weak hardening stress-strain curves and the exponential curve model can fit the weak softening stress-strain curves. The test results can provide technical parameters and theoretical help for shearing strength variation of slope during rainfall and strength state of soil structure in normal water level.
AN AUTOMATED PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING PROJECT MANAGERS IN CONSTRUCTION FIRMS
Authors: Jazebi Fateme , Rashidi Abbas
Published: January 2013

Selecting a suitable project manager for construction projects is one of the most important decisions made by construction firms. In the traditional approach, interviews are conducted by senior managers of the company, who consider the project requirements and the candidates’ capabilities. However, interviewing candidates is usually time consuming and there is the risk of impaired judgment, leading to human error. Decision-making support systems are therefore very useful. In previous work, the authors proposed a fuzzy system to address the issues described above (Rashidi et al. 2011). In this paper, a simpler robust model is presented. The advantages of this new model lie in its simplicity and the fact that it is not necessary to consider many criteria in the selection procedure when using this model. This model only requires 15 fields of candidate information. In the development of this model, the first step is construction of an initial fuzzy model based on all the criteria that may be considered when selecting a project manager. The significance of the coefficients of the criteria are then determined. In the next step, the model is optimized by changing the number of fuzzy rules and reducing the number of criteria. Finally, the most appropriate model is chosen on the basis of the least number of criteria required to obtain accurate results. To show the model's capability, it is used in real interviews. The obtained results indicate the high accuracy of the model in predicting the output, that is, the best candidate in the interviews.
EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF SAND COMPRESSION PECULIARITIES
Authors: Skuodis Šarunas , Norkus Arnoldas , Tumonis Liudas , Amšiejus Jonas , Aksamitauskas Ceslovas
Published: January 2013

Investigation of the compression properties of Klaipėda sand by oedometric testing and numerical modeling is presented. Klaipėda sand is characteristic of the Baltic seashore region sand. Experimental investigation was performed with fraction corresponding to diameter variation bounds of 0.6 and 0.425 mm. Compression test was realized with initial maximal void ratio (e 0 = 0.800) of sand. Employed vertical stress ramp value is 800.0 kPa/min, maximum loading σmax = 400.0 kPa. Applying loading within the range of 50.0 to 120.0, two vertical stress jumps have been identified. A rubber sample compression test has been performed aiming to deny an assumption, that vertical stress jumps are influenced by device construction. Experiment viewed that not any vertical stress jumps have been recognized. Numerical simulation yielded exactly the same two vertical stress jumps found by compression with oedometer. It proves that the nature of rearrangement of sand grains has been properly reflected by modeling compaction process by DEM. Sand compaction velocity is higher versus applied vertical stress ramp. This is the reason for appearing of the vertical stress jumps. Numerical simulation viewed that location of the largest compression in oedometer is at the top of the sample.
Conceptualization of UN Peacekeeping as an International Regime
Authors: Urbanovska Jana
Published: January 2013

It is widely recognized that UN peacekeeping operations are an undertheorized topic. In this respect, scholars call to devote more attention to the incorporation of the study of UN peacekeeping operations into the framework of international relations theories. The article responds to these calls and suggests conceptualizing UN peacekeeping as an international regime. Some authors have already referred to UN peacekeeping as an international regime, however, the references have been rather fragmentary and there is no detailed identification of individual dimensions of this regime. The article uses the conception of Stephen Krasner who defines regimes as "principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures around which actors' expectations converge in a given area of international relations" to carefully identify and characterize the dimensions of the UN peacekeeping regime. The conceptualization of UN peacekeeping as an international regime is understood as a first and necessary step to opening new ground to the theoretical study of UN peacekeeping operations within the regime analysis.
Statistical modelling of social risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases among female youths in Nigeria
Authors: Adebowale Ayo Stephen , Titiloye Musibau , Fagbamigbe Adeniyi Francis , Akinyemi Odunayo Joshua
Published: January 2013

Introduction: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are avertable, but the social risks factors connected to these infections are often unnoticed by many, particularly female youths. Previous studies on STDs among youths in Nigeria only focused on its risk factors but failed to model these risk factors as evidenced in this study. Methodology: The study is retrospective cross-sectional in design which utilized Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2008. It focused on female youths aged 15-24 (n=8093) who ever had sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral and anal). Data analysis was done using Chi-square and logistic regression models. The logistic regression on the data was performed at two stages. These stages generated three and eight different models respectively. Results: Data analyses revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 20.2±2.5. Female youths who were aged between 20-24 years contacted STDs in the last 12 months (2.5%) than those between the ages of 15-19 months (1.4%). A year prevalence of STDs among female youths in Nigeria was 2.1%. Socio-demographic factors such as age, educational status, wealth index, marital status, toilet shared, place of residence, contraceptive use and total life-time number of sexual partners were found to be associated significant risk factors for contacting STDs (P<0.05). Conclusions: The data confirmed the considerable impact of wealth index and contraceptive use as important predictors of STDs acquisition. Constant use of condoms, abstinence and having one uninfected sexual partner can help reduce the risk of STDs transmission.
Disseminated Cryptococcosis presenting as cellulitis in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Chaya Ramachandraiah , Padmanabhan Srinivasan , Anandaswamy Venugopal , Moin Aumir
Published: January 2013

Cellulitis is an unusual presentation of cryptococcal infection in renal allograft recipients. In such patients, disseminated cryptococcal infection can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Patients are often treated with antibiotics before a definitive diagnosis is made, delaying appropriate therapy. We describe the case of a 43-year-old post renal transplant recipient presenting with fever and swelling in the right thigh. On physical examination, the patient was found to have features suggestive of cellulitis with minimal slurring of speech. Material obtained from incision and drainage of the wound showed yeast cells resembling Cryptococcus spp. Blood culture and cerebrospinal fluid culture were also found to have growth of Cryptococcus neoformans. He received treatment with amphotericin B 6 mg/kg daily intravenously for two weeks, then continued with fluconazole 400 mg daily for three months. The patient showed a remarkable improvement. There was no recurrence of cryptococcosis after four months of follow-up. The diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of cellulitis among non HIV immunocompromised hosts. A high clinical suspicion and early initiation of therapy is needed to recognize and treat patients effectively.
Cost-related Medication Nonadherence in Older Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: HARROLD LESLIE R. , BRIESACHER BECKY A. , PETERSON DAN , BEARD ASHLEY , MADDEN JEANNE , ZHANG FANG , GURWITZ JERRY H. , SOUMERAI STEPHEN B.
Published: January 2013

Objective.

Economic access to costly medications including biologic agents can be challenging. Our objective was to examine whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at particular risk for cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN) and spending less on basic needs.

Methods.

We identified a nationally representative sample of older adults with RA (n = 1100) in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (2004–2008) and compared them to older adults with other morbidities categorized by chronic disease count: 0 (n = 5898), 1–2 (n = 30,538), and ≥ 3 (n = 34,837). We compared annual rates of self-reported CRN (skipping or reducing medication doses or not obtaining prescriptions because of cost) as well as spending less on basic needs to afford medications and tested for differences using survey-weighted logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics, health status, and prescription drug coverage.

Results.

In the RA sample, the unadjusted weighted prevalence of CRN ranged from 20.7% in 2004 to 18.4% in 2008 as compared to 18.5% and 11.9%, respectively, in patients with 3 or more non-RA conditions. In adjusted analyses, having RA was associated with a 3.5-fold increase in the risk of CRN (OR 3.52, 95% CI 2.63–4.71) and almost a 2.5-fold risk of spending less on basic needs (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.78–3.25) as compared to those without a chronic condition.

Conclusion.

Patients with RA experience a high prevalence of CRN and forgoing of basic needs, more than do older adults with multiple other chronic conditions. The situation did not improve during a period of policy change aimed at alleviating high drug costs.
Les mobilisations provinciales réussies de compagnies secondes : les négociations des élections d'Auvergne et du Dauphiné avec la monarchie louis-quatorzienne
Authors: Meyzie Vincent
Published: January 2013

L’article étudie les mobilisations provinciales réussies des élections d’Auvergne et du Dauphiné à l’orée du XVIII e siècle. Dévoilant des capacités inédites de mobilisations corporatives chez des officiers « moyens », il apporte une contribution aux actuelles interrogations sur le durcissement des modalités de négociations entre élites provinciales et monarchie louis-quatorzienne durant la seconde moitié du règne personnel d’une part et sur les aptitudes des corps à défendre leurs intérêts communs d’autre part. Grâce au recours cumulé à l’unité provinciale, au patronage de courtiers du pouvoir et à la députation, les compagnies secondes négocient avec la monarchie des compromis relativement avantageux. L’élargissement de leur répertoire d’action corporative opère ainsi une compensation temporaire de leur manque pénalisant et dominant de capital social, économique et politique.
Que sont les « couches nouvelles » devenues ? Une sociologie des élus radicaux et radicaux-socialistes de la IV e et des débuts de la V e République
Authors: Fogacci Frédéric
Published: January 2013

Les élus du parti radical sont dès les débuts de la III e République identifiés à la figure du notable, dont l’ancrage local et l’art du compromis constituent les atouts d’une fortune politique durable. À la Libération, ce modèle paraît dépassé, condamné par les nécessités d’une professionnalisation accrue de la classe politique, et par une idéologisation renforcée du débat public. Le parti radical va-t-il dès lors faire évoluer ses processus de sélection de ses représentants, ou va-t-il au contraire constituer un conservatoire pour une classe politique « traditionnelle » ? À travers le prisme des parcours de formation et d’entrée en politique pour ces générations d’après-guerre, on tentera d’expliquer en quoi l’adaptation du parti à la nouvelle donne reste superficielle, ce qui constitue peut-être l’une des clés de son déclin rapide, après la courte embellie de la IV e République.
La communication avec l'au-delà au XIX e siècle. La religion des morts, religion de la sortie du catholicisme ?
Authors: Cuchet Guillaume
Published: January 2013

Le XIX e siècle est loin de s’en être tenu au verdict matérialiste de certains représentants en mission de l’an II qui déclaraient que la mort était un « sommeil éternel » et que le temps de l’exploitation intéressée de la crédulité humaine était révolu. Au contraire, la période est marquée par un sursaut spiritualiste dont l’une des principales manifestations fut une fervente religion des morts. Celle-ci s’est exprimée de diverses manières : un intense culte familial des tombes, le renouveau du culte du purgatoire et la naissance du spiritisme. Le spiritualisme du siècle a donc été, dans la France du XIX e siècle, la vraie « religion de la sortie de la religion » (Marcel Gauchet) et le besoin de communication avec l’au-delà fut d’autant plus intense que ses représentations traditionnelles étaient devenues problématiques et que cette incertitude avait besoin d’être compensée à l’heure où les relations familiales devenaient plus affectives.
Retournons aux bois... Chroniques annoncées de la mort et de la renaissance de la poésie
Authors: Bonenfant Luc
Published: January 2013

Les poèmes en prose de la bohème des années 1840 donnent à lire un rapport antagoniste à l’Idéal. Le thème de la dépossession poétique et la mise en scène de sujets pathétiques y signent la chronique d’une mort annoncée : celle de la poésie lyrique. La récupération des formules grotesques de la petitesse et du minuscule (déjà caractéristiques des poèmes en prose romantiques) y permet par ailleurs de régénérer la poésie en en déplaçant les lieux et les objets de l’énonciation. Le refus du chant débouche ainsi sur une parole renouvelée dont l’harmonie surgit du sens opéré par l’allégorisation de l’écrivain et de sa poétique. Écrits en prose plutôt qu’en vers, et racontant le désarroi du poète, les poèmes en prose de la bohème instituent le mineur en valeur éthique et formelle de la poésie.
La base demográfica de los sistemas socioculturales
Authors: Faus Pujol María Carmen , Higueras Arnal Antonio
Published: January 2013

En Geografía Social y Cultural, entendida como «estudio de las relaciones entre el hombre y el medio» y como «ciencia del hombre habitante», los sistemas demográficos constituyen el fundamento de los sistemas socioculturales.
Los sistemas demográficos se construyen a expensas de la población que en cada momento vive en las diferentes porciones de la superficie terrestre, muy irregularmente repartida sobre el planeta, y cuyos componentes conviven y se agrupan para satisfacer sus necesidades. El conjunto de la Humanidad se presenta diferenciado por el número de individuos que los integran, por las características de éstos y por la dinámica de los procesos de crecimiento interno, lo que permite diferenciar los sistemas demográficos por una escala de magnitudes en relación con el número de individuos que contienen, la naturaleza de las necesidades que deben satisfacer y su ámbito territorial de acción. La eficacia y estabilidad de los mismos depende, entre otras cosas, del nivel sociocultural alcanzado por sus miembros. Cuando la eficacia de un sistema demográfico disminuye, el sistema entra en una fase de degradación que concluye en la manifestación explícita del déficit.
La base demográfica de los sistemas socioculturales la constituyen los microsistemas de cuya estabilidad dependen habitualmente las condiciones de vida de la población.

[fr] Dans la Géographie sociale et culturelle, entendue comme «l’étude des relations entre l’homme et le milieu» et comme «la science de l’homme habitant», les systèmes démographiques représentent le fondement des systèmes socioculturels.
Les systèmes démographiques sont construits aux dépens de la population qui habite à chaque période les différentes parties de la surface terrestre, distribuée de façon très irrégulière sur la planète, et dont les composants cohabitent et se groupent pour donner satisfaction à leurs besoins. L’humanité dans son ensemble se présente différenciée par le nombre d’individus qui l’intègrent, par leurs caractéristiques et par la dynamique des processus de croissance interne, ce qui permet de différencier les systèmes démographiques à travers une échelle de magnitudes par rapport au nombre d’individus qu’ils contiennent, la nature des besoins qu’ils doivent satisfaire et leur portée d’action territoriale. Leur efficacité et stabilité dépend, entre autres éléments, du niveau socioculturel atteint par leurs membres. Si l’efficacité d’un système diminue, le système entre dans une phase de dégradation qui se termine par la manifestation explicite du déficit.
La base démographique des systèmes socioculturels est constituée par des microsystèmes, et les conditions de vie de la population dépendent normalement de leur stabilité.
El ferrocarril mantiene su protagonismo en la evolución urbana de Madrid: el Pasillo Verde y la operación Chamartín
Authors: González Yanci María Pilar
Published: January 2013

El ferrocarril ha constituido para Madrid un elemento clave en su desarrollo. Permitió romper con su aislamiento en el centro de un país sin vías navegables y con una red precaria de caminos. Fue impulsor de la actividad industrial, que surgió cuando se pudieron trasladar con facilidad las materias primas. También fue causante de la localización de esa actividad, vinculada en el espacio a las estaciones y vías férreas. Siempre ha influido en la configuración de la estructura urbana; clave para la realización del primer plan de ensanche moderno. Las estaciones han afectado al entorno, generando barrios marcados por la actividad ferroviaria y atrayendo otras actividades, transformando los planes urbanísticos, promoviendo el crecimiento en unos casos y frenándolo en otros, han creado en la ciudad espacios de relación y actividad y con su transformación o desaparición han generado nuevos espacios urbanos de enorme interés, con algunas operaciones urbanísticas sin parangón en los últimos años.

[fr] Le chemin de fer a été un élément clé pour le développement de Madrid. Grâce à lui, la ville a pu sortir de son isolement dans le centre d’un pays sans voies navigables et avec un réseau routier très précaire. Il a servi à impulser l’activité industrielle, surgie une fois que les matières premières ont pu être transportées facilement. Il a été également à l’origine de l’emplacement de cette activité, liée dans l’espace aux gares et aux voies ferrées.
Le chemin de fer a toujours exercé une influence sur la configuration de la structure urbaine, étant clé lors la réalisation du premier plan d’expansion urbaine moderne. Les gares ont influencé leur environnement à travers la création de quartiers marqués par l’activité ferroviaire, attirant d’autres activités, transformant l’aménagement urbain, encourageant la croissance dans certains cas et la ralentissant en d’autres ; elles ont créé dans la ville des espaces de relation et d’activité, et leur transformation ou leur disparition a donné lieu à la création de nouveaux espaces urbains d’un grand intérêt, avec un certain nombre d’initiatives urbanistiques sans précédents ces dernières années.
Paisaje, forma y turismo en ciudades históricas
Authors: Zárate Martín Manuel Antonio
Published: January 2013

En un contexto de crisis en el que el turismo es uno de los sectores más dinámicos, los paisajes culturales urbanos pueden actuar como producto susceptible de comercialización y de alternativa a la especulación del suelo como fuente de financiación local. Este artículo es el resultado de investigaciones que ponen el acento sobre las amenazas experimentadas por los paisajes culturales como consecuencia de procesos de urbanización poco respetuosos con los valores patrimoniales e identitarios. La entrada en vigor en España desde el 1 de marzo de 2008 del Convenio Europeo del paisaje y las directrices para la aplicación de la Convención del Patrimonio Mundial Cultural y Natural de la UNESCO, de 1992, favorecen estrategias de gestión y de conservación de los paisajes culturales y su puesta en valor a través del turismo. Todo ello exige armonizar protección del patrimonio y ordenación del territorio, de manera que se preste especial atención a las formas urbanas heredadas, principales responsables de los valores paisajísticos urbanos.

[fr] Dans un contexte de crise dans lequel le tourisme est l`un des secteurs les plus dynamiques, les paysages culturels urbains peuvent devenir de produits susceptibles de commercialisation et de contrer la spéculation du sol comme source de financement local. Cet article est le résultat de recherches qui mettent l’accent sur les menaces éprouvées par les paysages culturels à la suite des processus d’urbanisation peu respectueux avec les valeurs patrimoniales et identitaires. L’entrée en vigueur en Espagne depuis le 1 mars 2008 de la Convention européenne du paysage et les Directives pour l’application de la Convention du Patrimoine Mondial Culturel et Naturel de l’UNESCO, de 1992, prônent des stratégies de gestion et de conservation des paysages culturels et de leur mise en tourisme. Tout cela exige d’harmoniser la protection du patrimoine et l’aménagement du territoire, de sorte qu’on prête attention surtout aux formes urbaines héritées, ayant compte sur leur responsabilité dans les valeurs paysagères urbaines.
A Citrullinated Fibrinogen-Specific T Cell Line Enhances Autoimmune Arthritis in a Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Cordova Kristen N. , Willis Van C. , Haskins Kathryn , Holers V. Michael
Published: January 2013

Citrullinated proteins, derived from the conversion of peptidyl-arginine to peptidyl-citrulline, are present in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who also uniquely produce high levels of anti-citrullinated protein Abs. Citrullinated fibrinogen (CF) is abundant in rheumatoid synovial tissue, and anti-citrullinated protein Ab-positive RA patients exhibit circulating immune complexes containing CF. Thus, CF is a potential major target of pathogenic autoimmunity in RA. T cells are believed to be involved in this process by initiating, controlling, and driving Ag-specific immune responses in RA. In this study, we isolated a CD4 T cell line specific for CF that produces inflammatory cytokines. When transferred into mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), this T cell line specifically enhanced the severity of autoimmune arthritis. Additionally, pathogenic IgG2a autoantibody levels to mouse type II collagen were increased in mice that received the T cells in CIA, and levels of these T cells were increased in the synovium, suggesting the T cells may have had systemic effects on the B cell response as well as local effects on the inflammatory environment. This work demonstrates that CD4 T cells specific for CF can amplify disease severity after onset of CIA.
Gaseous Pollutants in Basra City, Iraq
Authors: Douabul Ali Abdul Zahra , Maarofi Sama Sameer Al , Al-Saad Hamid Talib , Al-Hassen Shukri
Published: January 2013

This study aimed to detect the present levels and distribution of CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, and total hydrocarbons gases (HCs) produced from different industrial plants in Basra city, Iraq. Measurements were carried out in the winter and summer of 2011. CO, SO2, NO2, and HC concentrations were measured using a Drager CMS portable detector, while CO2 concentrations were measured using a RI-411A portable detector. The average minimum concentrations of CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, and HCs were 2.0 mg/L, 250.0 mg/L, 4.0 mg/L, 0.4 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, and 0.3 mg/L, respectively. Their average maximum concentrations were 18.0 mg/L, 280 mg/L, 0.9 mg/L, 1.3 mg/L, and 1.3 mg/L, respectively. The results indicate that stations close to the electrical power plant and oil refinery have higher levels of pollutants when compared to the urban station. According to the standards guidelines reported by the World Health Organization's Environmental Protection Act, the detected concentrations of CO for short-term exposure and the average concentrations of NO2 and SO2 for short-term and long-term exposure pose serious health hazards, especially in the industrial areas.
Extensive Ethnogenomic Diversity of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms
Authors: Thomas Bolaji N. , Thakur Tanya J. , Yi Li , Guindo Aldiouma , Diallo Dapa A. , Ott Jurg
Published: January 2013

Nitric oxide (NO) is highly reactive, produced in endothelial cells by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and has been implicated in sickle cell pathophysiology. We evaluated the distribution of functionally significant eNOS variants (the T786C variant in the promoter region, the Glu298Asp variant in exon 7, and the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in intron 4) in Africans, African Americans and Caucasians. The C-786 variant was more common in Caucasians than in Africans and African Americans. Consistent with other findings, the Asp-298 variant had the highest frequency in Caucasians followed by African Americans, but was completely absent in Africans. The very rare intron 4 allele, eNOS 4c, was found in some Africans and African Americans, but not in Caucasians. eNOS 4d allele was present in 2 Africans. These findings suggest a consistent and widespread genomic diversity in the distribution of eNOS variants in Africans, comparative to African Americans and Caucasians.
Wavelength and NOx dependent complex refractive index of SOAs generated from the photooxidation of toluene
Authors: Nakayama T. , Sato K. , Matsumi Y. , Imamura T. , Yamazaki A. , Uchiyama A.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Recently, secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) generated from anthropogenic volatile organic compounds have been proposed as a possible source of light-absorbing organic compounds, "brown carbon," in the urban atmosphere. However, the atmospheric importance of these SOAs remains unclear due to limited information about their optical properties. In this study, the complex refractive index (RI, m = n-ki values at 405, 532, and 781 nm of the SOAs generated during the photooxidation of toluene (toluene-SOAs) under a variety of initial nitrogen oxide (NOx = NO + NO2) conditions were examined by photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) and cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). The complex RI-values obtained in the present study and reported in the literature indicate that the k-value, which represents the light absorption of the toluene-SOAs, increased to shorter wavelengths at <532 nm, and the n-value also increased to shorter wavelengths from 781 to 355 nm. The k-values at 405 nm were found to increase from 0.0018 to 0.0072 with increasing initial NOx concentration from 109 to 571 ppbv. The nitrate to organics ratio of the SOAs determined using a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (H-ToF-AMS) also increased with increasing initial NOx concentration. The RI-values of the SOAs generated during the photooxidation of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene in the presence of NOx (1,3,5-TMB-SOAs) were also determined to investigate the influence of the chemical structure of the precursor on the optical properties of the SOAs, and it was found that the light absorption of the 1,3,5-TMB-SOAs is negligible at all of the wavelengths investigated (405, 532, and 781 nm). These results can be reasonably explained by the hypothesis that nitroaromatic compounds, such as nitrocresols, are the major contributors to the light absorption of the toluene-SOAs. Using the obtained RI-values, mass absorption cross sections of the toluene-SOAs at 405 nm were estimated to be 0.08–0.52 m2g−1 under typical conditions in an urban atmosphere during the daytime. These results indicate that light absorption by the SOAs potentially contributes to the radiation balance at ultraviolet wavelengths below ~400 nm, specifically when the mass concentrations of the anthropogenic SOAs are significant compared with other light-absorbing particles.
New particle growth and shrinkage observed in subtropical environments
Authors: Young L.-H. , Lee S.-H. , Kanawade V. P. , Hsiao T.-C. , Lee Y. L. , Hwang B.-F. , Liou Y.-J. , Hsu H.-T. , Tsai P.-J.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. We present the first systematic analysis for new particle formation (NPF), growth and shrinkage of new particles at four different sites in subtropical central Taiwan. A total of 14 NPF events were identified from 137 days of ambient measurements during a cold and warm season. The measured formation rates of 10 nm particles (J10) and growth rates were in the range of 4.4–30 cm−3 s−1 and 7.4–24 nm h−1, respectively. The onset of NPF events coincided with decreases of condensation sink (CS) and increases of SO2 under enhanced atmospheric mixing and dilution. However, the lower or comparable SO2 on event days than on non-event days suggests that SO2 was not a limiting factor for NPF. On non-event days, the particle number concentrations were mostly driven by traffic emissions. We also observed shrinkage of new particles, the reversal of growth, during five out of the identified secondary formation. UFP particles events. In intense cases, the grown particles shrank back to the smallest measurable size of ~10 nm, thereby creating a unique "arch-like" shape in the size distribution contour plot. The particle shrinkage rates ranged from −5.1 to −7.6 nm h−1. The corresponding particle volume losses suggest that a notable fraction of the condensable species that contributed to growth was semi-volatile. The particle shrinkage was related to enhanced atmospheric dilution, high ambient temperature and low relative humidity, thus favoring the evaporation of semi-volatile species from the particulate phase to the gas phase. Our observations show that the new particle growth could be a reversible process, in which the evaporating semi-volatile species are important for the growth of new particles to sizes of environmental health concerns.