bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coma mixedematoso em paciente com neurofibromatose tipo 1: associação rara
Authors: Sasazawa Denise Tieko , Tsukumo Daniela Miti , Lalli Cristina Alba
Published: March 2014

O coma mixedematoso (CM) é uma emergência endocrinológica rara, porém letal e consiste na expressão extrema do hipotireoidismo. Relatamos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 51 anos, que abandonou tratamento do hipotireoidismo por 10 meses e evoluiu com sintomas de letargia, edema e intolerância ao frio que culminaram em insuficiência respiratória e coma. Apresentava também diagnóstico prévio de neurofibromatose. O diagnóstico precoce do coma mixedematoso aliado à instituição imediata do tratamento com levotiroxina e ao manejo adequado de complicações, como insuficiência respiratória, choque cardiogênico associado a swinging heart, insuficiências adrenal e renal agudas e sepse, permitiu a evolução favorável do quadro.
Patterns of introduced species interactions affect multiple aspects of network structure in plant–pollinator communities
Authors: Russo Laura , Memmott Jane , Montoya Daniel , Shea Katriona , Buckley Yvonne M.
Published: March 2014

Species introductions have the potential to affect the functionality and stability of ecological communities, but because little is known about how introduced species form novel interactions, these impacts are difficult to predict. We quantified the impacts of species introductions on species interaction networks using five different model scenarios of how a novel species might form plant–pollinator interactions. The network structure was based on experimental manipulations on a community of plants and pollinators and shows that the community was more diverse, ordered, and compartmentalized, but less complex when an invasive plant generalist was present. Our models of species introductions reliably predicted several aspects of novel network structure in the field study. We found that introduced species that become incorporated into the community as generalists (both in the number and frequency of their interactions) have a much larger impact on the structure of plant–pollinator communities than introduced species that integrate into the community with few interactions. Average degree is strongly affected by the number of interactions the novel species forms and whether it competes for interactions, whereas connectance is affected by whether the novel species competes for interactions or adds new interaction partners. The number and size of compartments in the network change only when the novel species adds new interaction partners, while modularity and nestedness respond most to the number of interactions formed by the novel species. We provide a new approach for understanding the impacts of introduced and invasive species on plant–pollinator communities and demonstrate that it is critical to evaluate multiple structural characters simultaneously, as large changes in the fundamental structure of the community may be disguised.
Association of Gingival Crevicular Fluid Cortisol/Dehydroepiandrosterone Levels With Periodontal Status
Authors: Cakmak Omer , Alkan B. Arzu , Ozsoy Saliha , Sen Ahmet , Abdulrezzak Ummuhan
Published: March 2014

Background: The aim of the present study is to examine whether anxiety and depression scale scores change with regard to clinical periodontal status and to investigate the association between the levels of stress‐related hormones in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and extent/severity of periodontal disease.

Methods: One hundred twenty participants who fulfilled the study inclusion criteria were chosen. Patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and those with healthy periodontal tissues/mild gingivitis were included. The clinical examinations were performed on the day after the psychologic evaluations which included anxiety and depression measurements. GCF sampling was undertaken the following day. Commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine GCF cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels. Study groups were assigned as follows: group 1, non‐periodontitis; group 2, localized CP; and group 3, generalized CP.

Results: There were no significant differences with respect to age, sex, education, income level, occupation, or smoking history among the groups (P >0.05). There were no significant differences between the non‐periodontitis and CP groups for any of the psychosocial scales (P >0.05). Group 3 had significantly higher mean DHEA scores compared with group 1 (P <0.05); however, the median cortisol scores showed no statistically significant differences among the three groups (P >0.05).

Conclusions: Anxiety/depression scores and GCF cortisol levels did not show any difference with regard to clinical periodontal status. However, a significant association was found between elevated levels of GCF DHEA and the severity of periodontitis.
Book-Tax Conformity and Earnings Management: Insights from European One- and Two-Book Systems
Authors: Watrin Christoph , Ebert Nadine , Thomsen Martin
Published: March 2014

There is an ongoing debate in the U.S. about the effect of book-tax conformity on earnings management in consolidated statements. Although both one- and two-book systems are present in Europe, European data have not been used to contribute to this debate. In this study, we examine the influence of one- and two-book systems on earnings management using consolidated statements and single financial statements of European firm-years from 2004 to 2011. A one-book system is defined as a situation in which financial accounting income and taxable income are highly conformed, whereas a two-book system is characterized by differences between consolidated financial income and taxable income. We find that firms in one-book systems show significantly more (downward) earnings management in their consolidated statements than do firms in two-book systems. With these findings, we contribute to the U.S. policy debate on book-tax conformity and earnings management.
Cortical surface complexity in a population-based normative sample
Authors: Dombroski Brynn , Nitzken Matthew , Elnakib Ahmed , Khalifa Fahmi , Switala Andrew , El-Baz Ayman , Casanova Manuel
Published: March 2014

MRI studies on abnormal brain development are dependent on the quality, quantity, and type of normative development data available for comparison. Limitations affecting previous studies on normative development include small sample sizes, lack of demographic representation, heterogeneous subject populations, and inadequate longitudinal data. The National Institutes of Health Pediatric MRI Data Repository (NIHPD) for normative development was designed to address the aforementioned issues in reliability measures of control subjects for comparison studies. The subjects were recruited from six Pediatric Study Centers nationwide to create the largest, non-biased, longitudinal database of the developing brain. Using the NIHPD, we applied a 3D shape analysis method involving spherical harmonics to identify the cortical surface complexity of 396 subjects (210 female; 186 male) between the ages of 4.8 y and 22.3 y. MRI data had been obtained at one, two, or three time points approximately two years apart. A total of 144 participants (79 female; 65 male) provided MRI data from all time points. Our results confirm a direct correlation between cortical complexity and age in both males and females. Additionally, within the examined age range, females displayed consistently and significantly greater cortical complexity than males. Findings suggest that the underlying neural circuitry within male and female brains is different, possibly explaining observations of sexual dimorphism in social interaction, communication, and higher cognitive processes.
Interleukin-6 is linked to longitudinal rates of cortical thinning in aging
Authors: McCarrey Anna , Pacheco Jennifer , Carlson Olga , Egan Josephine , Thambisetty Madhav , An Yang , Ferrucci Luigi , Resnick Susan
Published: March 2014

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by immune cells and other cell types such as microglia throughout the brain. Higher levels of IL-6 in older adults have been cross-sectionally and longitudinally associated with physical and cognitive impairment, as well as increased dementia risk. The association between IL-6 levels and structural and functional brain changes is less clear. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between IL-6 concentrations and cortical thinning with aging. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging were analyzed for 121 older subjects (M = 69.3; SD = 7.3; range = 56.1–85.9 yrs) who were repeatedly tested over an average period of 7.5 yrs, and who remained non-demented for the entire follow-up period. The Freesurfer longitudinal processing stream was utilized for image processing, and IL-6 measures were based on serum ELISA assays averaged across time points. Results showed that higher mean IL-6 concentrations were associated with accelerated annual rates of cortical thinning in the inferior temporal poles bilaterally. Additional pronounced regions of IL-6 -accelerated thinning included the transverse frontopolar gyri within the left hemisphere, and subcentral gyrus and sulcus within the right hemisphere. Our results indicate that sustained high levels of the inflammatory biomarker IL-6 are associated with regionally increased rates of age-related cortical thinning. These data build on previous findings that link IL-6 to chronic disease and demonstrate one mechanism through which high levels of inflammation may have adverse effects on physical and cognitive function.
Amyloid imaging in Alzheimer’s disease: a potential new era of personalized medicine?
Authors: Leuzy Antoine , Zimmer Eduardo , Gauthier Serge , Rosa-Neto Pedro
Published: March 2014

Recent advances along clinical and neuropathological lines, as well as in our ability to detect the deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET), have helped redefine Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as a dynamic clinicobiological entity. On the basis of these advances, AD is now conceptualized as a continuum comprising asymptomatic, minimally symptomatic, and dementia phases, with detection of brain Aβ — in particular, via PET amyloid imaging — central to the diagnostic process. In this respect, [18F]florbetapir (Amyvid™) and [18F]flutemetamol (Vizamyl™) have recently received approval for clinical use from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), with additional radiofluorinated tracers for detection of Aβ in phase III trials. Recent initiatives such as the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) suggest that Aβ production, oligomerization and aggregation begins many years, possibly decades, before detectable cognitive impairment, with Aβ shown to associate with cognitive decline and conversion to dementia. While personalized medicine has now emerged as a prospect for the field, the recent decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — who declined to cover the cost of amyloid PET imaging citing insufficient evidence to support its clinical utility — highlights that such a move may be premature.
Macroeconomic analysis of road vehicles related environmental pollution in Hungary
Authors: Török Árpád , Török Ádám
Published: March 2014

The article aims to examine the relationship between road transport and macro economy, especially the use of fossil energy in transport sector. Nowadays environmental pollution is a key issue on the EU level as well as in Hungary. Lots of effort have been already done in order to decrease emissions in road transport, but a lot more need to be done. The article aims to prove that the only possible solution is technological innovation in order to reach emission reduction target without decline of the GDP. The basic idea is to ensure sustainable development, to decrease environmental pollution in road transport without harming the economy. In the EU and in Hungary road vehicles are powered by fossil fuelled internal combustion engines. This paper aims to analyse the role of the fossil fuel-based road transport sector within the economy with the usage of constant elasticity substitution (CES) production functions. Authors have built CES production function for Hungary. Parameters were calculated based on the validated model.
Experimental and numerical investigation of slabs on ground subjected to concentrated loads
Authors: Øverli Jan
Published: March 2014

An experimental program is presented where a slab on ground is subjected to concentrated loading at the centre, the edges and at the corners. Analytical solutions for the ultimate load capacity fit well with the results obtained in the tests. The non-linear behaviour of the slab is captured by performing nonlinear finite element analyses. The soil is modelled as a no-tension bedding and a smeared crack approach is employed for the concrete. Through a parametric study, the finite element model has been used to assess the influence of subgrade stiffness and shrinkage. The results indicate that drying shrinkage can cause severe cracking in slabs on grade.
The structure of psammic rotifer communities in two boreal lakes with different trophic conditions: Lake Võrtsjärv and Lake Saadjärv (Estonia)
Authors: Lokko Külli , Virro Taavi
Published: March 2014

Psammon communities are still poorly studied worldwide. The aim of the present study was to establish the structure of psammic rotifer communities including their diversity and quantitative parameters. A total of 41 rotifer taxa were found in hydro-, hygro-, and euarenal zones of eutrophic Lake Võrtsjärv and mesotrophic Lake Saadjärv during the study carried out in Estonia in 2008, including 11 rotifer species new to Estonia. In L. Võrtsjärv, the predominant rotifer taxa were Bdelloidea and Lecane psammophila. L. psammophila dominated in July and August and bdelloids prevailed in the rest of the year. In L. Saadjärv, the most abundant taxa were Lepadella ovalis, Keratella hiemalis, and Cephalodella megalocephala. The psammic rotifer community of L. Saadjärv proved to be more diverse than that of L. Võrtsjärv. Microphagous rotifers were dominant in L. Võrtsjärv. Raptorial feeders dominated in L. Saadjärv in summer and autumn and were more abundant at sites with coarser sand and low plant density.
The influence of hydromorphological modifications of the littoral zone in lakes on macrophytes
Authors: Jusik Szymon , Macioł Aurelia
Published: March 2014

The study aimed at determining the influence of hydromorphological modifications of the littoral zone in lakes on the occurrence and quantitative diversity of macrophytes. The field research was carried out at the peak of the growing season (June – September) between 2006 and 2009. Altogether, 457 transects were studied, located in 5 lakes. Studies on the hydromorphology were performed with the method of Lake Habitat Survey (LHS), and on macrophytes — with the method of transects. The studied sites were divided into 3 groups of different intensity of morphological transformations. The identified groups constituted the starting point for the analysis of influence exerted by transformations on macrophytes. The obtained results indicate that hydromorphological modifications of lakes are an important ecological factor affecting the occurrence and quantitative diversity of macrophytes. The transformations recorded in the studied reservoirs resulted mostly from recreational exploitation. They were responsible for mechanical elimination of dominant species, which led to an increased number of taxa, synanthropization and an average level of hemeroby as well as a decrease in the total vegetation cover. Helophytes were the most negatively affected group by the transformations, which reduce their contribution in the vegetation cover, whereas macroscopic filamentous algae and elodeids were positively affected.
Five species of aquatic oligochaetes new to Iran with an updated checklist
Authors: Jabłońska Aleksandra , Pešić Vladimir
Published: March 2014

Only 14 species of aquatic oligochaetes occurring in inland waters of Iran have been recorded until now. Our investigations based on samples collected in 2003 and 2005 revealed the presence of six species, including five new to the fauna of Iran: Haplotaxis gordioides, Dero dorsalis, Pristina breviseta, Embolocephalus velutinus and Psammoryctides albicola. The provided checklist of Iranian aquatic oligochaetes is still very short (19 species). It is mostly represented by common, cosmopolitan species. However, taking into account the large area of the country, its mountainous terrain and peculiar hydrological network, more species may be discovered in the future.
Differential Pressure Transducer for Corrosion Monitoring of Iron
Authors: Yadav Amar Prasad
Published: March 2014

In this study, differential pressure transducer (DPT) has been applied as an alternate corrosion monitoring device for monitoring corrosion of iron in atmospheric environment by measuring very small changes in the amount of oxygen. The result of corrosion current obtained from DPT method has been compared with that obtained from AC impedance method. The difference in the value of corrosion current obtained from these two methods was attributed to the error in choosing the value of proportionality constant k of the Stern-Geary equation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i1.10112Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(1): 109-111
Biotherapeutic Activity of Boerhaavia diffusa against Oxidized Cholesterol Induced Lipid Peroxidation and Anti-Oxidant Status in Hypercholesterolemic Rats
Authors: Singh Puneet Kumar , Ojha Sanjay Kumar , Mishra Snehasish , Kumar Satish , Khan Amir , Chauhan Subodh Kumar
Published: March 2014

Present days, herbal medicines are widely practiced to treat cardio vascular diseases (CVD) and heart care management in most of the Asian countries. The present study was to evaluate the hypercholesterolemic and antioxidative effect of Boerhaavia diffusa root extract (BD) on oxidized cholesterol induced hypercholesterolemia in rats. The root extract was prepared in 70% ethanolic medium by soxhlet extraction procedure.  Experiment was designed to carry out with 18 male albino rats which are equally divided into 3 groups for four week experiment. All experimental animals provided rat chow and water ad libitum. Group II and III received oxidized cholesterol through gastric intubation at the dose of 1mg/rat/day, where as in group III followed by BD at the dose of 1ml/rat/day for 4 weeks. Parameters like lipid peroxidation, total cholesterol and antioxidant status in plasma along with catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (Gred) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue were analyzed on oxidized cholesterol supplemented rats with and/or without treatment of BD. The total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and LDL levels in plasma of group II remained high compared to the counterparts. But in group III showed significant decrease in TC, TG and LDL levels by 34.39%, 42.13% and 48.30%, respectively. The based on findings, it seems very levelheaded to believe that this greener way of formulation of herbal medicines is not just a utilization of naturally occurring medicinal herbs but also to make it available for the betterment of the society at low cost.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i1.9483Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(1): 69-74
Feasibility of real time PCR over cell culture in diagnosis of influenza virus infection: an experience of rade I viral diagnostic laboratory of developing country
Authors: Jain Bhawana , Singh Ajay Kr , Dangi Tanushree , Verma Anil Kr , Dwivedi Mukesh , Mohan Madan , Singh K P , Jain Amita
Published: March 2014

Introduction: In spite of the discovery of viral culture technology about a century ago, its application in diagnostic labs is being used since 1970s. It served as the "gold standard" for virus detection for long. In recent years, rapid, technically less challenging, sensitive and highly specific viral identification is possible by molecular tools. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the importance of real time PCR over virus culture in diagnosis of Influenza virus infections, the biggest viral challenge of present India, a developing country, so that prompt and correct diagnosis can help physicians as well as the policy makers to control the virus spread. Objective: To study the feasibility of real time PCR vis a vis viral culture technique and evaluate the utility of these methods for laboratory diagnosis of Influenza virus infections. Methodology: The study was conducted in Grade I Virology Diagnostic laboratory, Dept of Microbiology, KGMU, Lucknow. We used both real time RT-PCR and viral culture methods (on MDCK cell lines) for detection of Influenza virus infection and compared the effect of transport time, cost per sample and turnaround time on both the techniques. Results & Conclusion: Real time PCR is more practical, more sensitive, quicker and cost effective. It needs less expertise and availability of reagents is better. Though viral culture proved to be highly specific and useful for wide application but the use should currently be limited to mostly research facilities. Therefore for epidemiological diagnosis purposes real time PCR detection of Influenza virus is advised.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i1.9860Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 2(1): 97-102
Going Viral: The Look of Online Persuasive Maps
Authors: Muehlenhaus Ian
Published: March 2014

This article explores how persuasive maps are manifesting themselves in the online world, comparing and contrasting online persuasive geocommunications with their paper map ancestors. The author discusses several social issues stemming from the widespread ability to use online mapping tools to make and distribute persuasive maps and argues that researchers have an excellent opportunity to observe the development of persuasive mapping techniques in real time as they continue to develop in conjunction with modern Web mapping technologies.
Disordered Ordering: Mapping the Divisions of the Ottoman Empire
Authors: Culcasi Karen
Published: March 2014

The division of the Arab territories of the Ottoman Empire following World War I was a formative and highly contentious process in which maps played an integral role. The British and French delegates who parcelled out the Ottoman Empire created and altered maps in a succession of treaties and conferences that would lead to the reordering of these territories into new imperially mandated states. This article examines the maps that British delegates used and created during the war years and in peace negotiations over the Ottoman Empire. Expanding on recent scholarship framing maps as processes rather than static documents or representations, the author applies the “maps as process” framework to historical maps, a broad category of mapping yet to be addressed by this growing body of literature, to highlight the disordered yet interconnected ways in which seven British archival maps emerged from these negotiations and ultimately helped to reorder this area of the world.
Conditional Methods in Modeling CO2 Capture from Coal Syngas
Authors: Saulov Dmitry , Watanabe Shuhei , Yin Junjun , Klimenko Dimitri , Hooman Kamel , Feng Bo , Cleary Matthew , Klimenko Alexander
Published: March 2014

Gasification of coal or biomass with in-situ CO2 capture is an emerging technology aiming to address the problem of climate change. Development of a CO2 sorbent with desirable properties and understanding the behavior of such a material in carbonation/calcination reactions is an important part of developing the technology. In this paper, we report experimental results describing the carbonation behavior of three synthetic CaO-based sorbents. We also present a physically-based model of the reactive transport processes in sorbent particles, which have complicated pore structures. This modeling is based on the conditional approach (i.e., conditional moment closure (CMC)), which has proven to be successful in modeling reactive transport phenomena in porous media. The model predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Effects of Sludge Retention Times on Nutrient Removal and Nitrous Oxide Emission in Biological Nutrient Removal Processes
Authors: Li Bo , Wu Guangxue
Published: March 2014

Sludge retention time (SRT) is an important factor affecting not only the performance of the nutrient removal and sludge characteristics, but also the production of secondary pollutants such as nitrous oxide (N2O) in biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes. Four laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), namely, SBR5, SBR10, SBR20 and SBR40 with the SRT of 5 d, 10 d, 20 d and 40 d, respectively, were operated to examine effects of SRT on nutrient removal, activated sludge characteristics and N2O emissions. The removal of chemical oxygen demand or total phosphorus was similar under SRTs of 5–40 d, SRT mainly affected the nitrogen removal and the optimal SRT for BNR was 20 d. The molecular weight distribution of the effluent organic matters was in the range of 500–3,000 Da under SRTs of 5–40 d. The lowest concentration of the effluent soluble microbial products concentration was obtained at the SRT of 5 d. Nitrifier growth was limited at a short SRT and nitrite existed in the effluent of SBR5. With increasing SRTs, mixed liquor suspended solids concentration increased while the excess sludge production was reduced due to the high endogenous decay rate at high SRTs. Endogenous decay coefficients were 0.020 d−1, 0.036 d−1, 0.037 d−1 and 0.039 d−1 under SRTs of 5–40 d, respectively. In BNR, the N2O emission occurred mainly during the aerobic phase and its emission ratio decreased with increasing SRTs. The ratio between the N2O-N emission and the removed ammonium nitrogen in the aerobic phase was 5%, 3%, 1.8% and 0.8% at the SRT of 5 d, 10 d, 20 d and 40 d, respectively. With low concentrations of dissolved oxygen and high concentrations of oxidized nitrogen, the N2O emission was significantly accelerated due to heterotrophic denitrification activities.
Swelling and Shrinking Properties of Thermo-Responsive Polymeric Ionic Liquid Hydrogels with Embedded Linear pNIPAAM
Authors: Gallagher Simon , Florea Larisa , Fraser Kevin , Diamond Dermot
Published: March 2014

In this study, varying concentrations of linear pNIPAAM have been incorporated for the first time into a thermo-responsive polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) hydrogel, namely tributyl-hexyl phosphonium 3-sulfopropylacrylate (P-SPA), to produce semi-interpenetrating polymer networks. The thermal properties of the resulting hydrogels have been investigated along with their thermo-induced shrinking and reswelling capabilities. The semi-interpenetrating networks (IPN) hydrogels were found to have improved shrinking and reswelling properties compared with their PIL counterpart. At elevated temperatures (50–80 °C), it was found that the semi-IPN with the highest concentration of hydrophobic pNIPAAM exhibited the highest shrinking percentage of ~40% compared to the conventional P-SPA, (27%). This trend was also found to occur for the reswelling measurements, with semi-IPN hydrogels producing the highest reswelling percentage of ~67%, with respect to its contracted state. This was attributed to an increase in water affinity due to the presence of hydrophilic pNIPAAM. Moreover, the presence of linear pNIPAAM in the polymer matrix leads to improved shrinking and reswelling response compared to the equivalent PIL.
Searching for the Perfect Wave: The Effect of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on Cells
Authors: Gherardini Lisa , Ciuti Gastone , Tognarelli Selene , Cinti Caterina
Published: March 2014

There is a growing concern in the population about the effects that environmental exposure to any source of “uncontrolled” radiation may have on public health. Anxiety arises from the controversial knowledge about the effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure to cells and organisms but most of all concerning the possible causal relation to human diseases. Here we reviewed those in vitro and in vivo and epidemiological works that gave a new insight about the effect of radio frequency (RF) exposure, relating to intracellular molecular pathways that lead to biological and functional outcomes. It appears that a thorough application of standardized protocols is the key to reliable data acquisition and interpretation that could contribute a clearer picture for scientists and lay public. Moreover, specific tuning of experimental and clinical RF exposure might lead to beneficial health effects.
Ethics, Evidence and Economics in the Pursuit of “Personalized Medicine”
Authors: Lewis Jan , Lipworth Wendy , Kerridge Ian
Published: March 2014

Despite enthusiastic advocacy for what personalized medicine might be able to deliver and major investments into the development of this, there remain disappointingly few examples of personalized medicine in routine clinical practice today, particularly in high areas of unmet need such as cancer. We believe that this is because personalized medicine challenges the moral, economic and epistemological foundations of medicine. In this article, we briefly describe the scientific premises underpinning personalized medicine, contrast these with traditional paradigms of drug development, and then consider the ethical, economic and epistemological implications of this approach to medicine.
Peridinin from the Marine Symbiotic Dinoflagellate, Symbiodinium sp., Regulates Eosinophilia in Mice
Authors: Onodera Ken-ichi , Konishi Yuko , Taguchi Takahiro , Kiyoto Sumio , Tominaga Akira
Published: March 2014

Peridinin and fucoxanthin, which are natural carotenoids isolated from a symbiotic dinoflagellate, Symbiodinium sp., and a brown alga, Petalonia fascia, respectively, were compared for inhibitory effects on delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice. The number of eosinophils at the site of inflammation and in peripheral blood was compared for the administration of peridinin and fucoxanthin applied by painting and intraperitoneally. Peridinin, but not the structurally-related fucoxanthin, significantly suppressed the number of eosinophils in both the ear lobe and peripheral blood. Furthermore, peridinin applied topically, but not administered intraperitoneally, suppressed the level of eotaxin in the ears of sensitized mice. Fucoxanthin weakly suppressed the concentration of eotaxin in ears only by intraperitoneal administration. Although both carotenoids inhibited the migration of eosinophils toward eotaxin, the inhibitory effect of peridinin was higher than that of fucoxanthin. Peridinin may be a potential agent for suppressing allergic inflammatory responses, such as atopic dermatitis, in which eosinophils play a major role in the increase of inflammation.
Photonics—Advances in Fundamental Sciences and Engineering Technologies of Light
Authors: Tansu Nelson
Published: March 2014

Photonics is a field of sciences that focuses on the pursuit of the understanding basic properties of light, the interaction of light with materials, the fundamental concepts and technologies for generating and controlling the properties of light, the concept and technologies for transmitting and signal processing of light, the engineering of these technologies for manipulating light applicable for systems implementation. [...]
The Escape of Sisyphus or What “Post NG-PON2” Should Do Apart from Neverending Capacity Upgrades
Authors: Maier Martin
Published: March 2014

The primary design goal of (r)evolutionary NG-PON1&2 was the provisioning of an ever increasing capacity to cope with video-dominated traffic and handle the explosion of mobile data traffic by means of offloading. Recently, however, questions on the future of “post NG-PON2” have surfaced whether to shift its research focus to business and operation related aspects and move access technology into a substantially different direction than continued capacity upgrades. In fact, recent studies indicate that ultimately the major factor limiting the performance of 4G mobile networks is latency rather than capacity of the backhaul. In this paper, we review recently proposed low-latency techniques for NG-PONs that require architectural modifications at the remote node or distribution fiber level and highlight advanced network coding and real-time polling based low-latency techniques that can be implemented in software, enable NG-PONs to carry higher traffic loads and thereby extend their lifetime, and maintain the passive nature of existent optical distribution networks. Furthermore, we elaborate on emerging trends and open challenges for future post NG-PON2 research. To better understand their true potential, we put them into a wider non-technical and historical perspective leading up to a sustainable Third Industrial Revolution (TIR) economy and its underlying Energy Internet.
Initial Stability Assessment of S-NPP VIIRS Reflective Solar Band Calibration Using Invariant Desert and Deep Convective Cloud Targets
Authors: Bhatt Rajendra , Doelling David , Wu Aisheng , Xiong Xiaoxiong , Scarino Benjamin , Haney Conor , Gopalan Arun
Published: March 2014

The latest CERES FM-5 instrument launched onboard the S-NPP spacecraft will use the VIIRS visible radiances from the NASA Land Product Evaluation and Analysis Tool Elements (PEATE) product for retrieving the cloud properties associated with its TOA flux measurement. In order for CERES to provide climate quality TOA flux datasets, the retrieved cloud properties must be consistent throughout the record, which is dependent on the calibration stability of the VIIRS imager. This paper assesses the NASA calibration stability of the VIIRS reflective solar bands using the Libya-4 desert and deep convective clouds (DCC). The invariant targets are first evaluated for temporal natural variability. It is found for visible (VIS) bands that DCC targets have half of the variability of Libya-4. For the shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands, the desert has less variability. The brief VIIRS record and target variability inhibits high confidence in identifying any trends that are less than ±0.6%/yr for most VIS bands, and ±2.5%/yr for SWIR bands. None of the observed invariant target reflective solar band trends exceeded these trend thresholds. Initial assessment results show that the VIIRS data have been consistently calibrated and that the VIIRS instrument stability is similar to or better than the MODIS instrument.
A Novel Teaching System for Industrial Robots
Authors: Lin Hsien-I , Lin Yu-Hsiang
Published: March 2014

The most important tool for controlling an industrial robotic arm is a teach pendant, which controls the robotic arm movement in work spaces and accomplishes teaching tasks. A good teaching tool should be easy to operate and can complete teaching tasks rapidly and effortlessly. In this study, a new teaching system is proposed for enabling users to operate robotic arms and accomplish teaching tasks easily. The proposed teaching system consists of the teach pen, optical markers on the pen, a motion capture system, and the pen tip estimation algorithm. With the marker positions captured by the motion capture system, the pose of the teach pen is accurately calculated by the pen tip algorithm and used to control the robot tool frame. In addition, Fitts’ Law is adopted to verify the usefulness of this new system, and the results show that the system provides high accuracy, excellent operation performance, and a stable error rate. In addition, the system maintains superior performance, even when users work on platforms with different inclination angles.
Correction: Bouvet F., et al., Debt Contagion in Europe: A Panel-Vector Autoregressive (VAR) Analysis. Soc. Sci. 2013, 2, 318–340
Authors: Bull Martin
Published: March 2014

It has come to our attention that due to an error in producing the PDF version of the paper [1], doi:10.3390/socsci2040318, website: http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/2/4/318, some of the figures are displayed incorrectly. [...]
Spacetime Metrics from Gauge Potentials
Authors: Minguzzi Ettore
Published: March 2014

I present an approach to gravity in which the spacetime metric is constructed from a non-Abelian gauge potential with values in the Lie algebra of the group U(2) (or the Lie algebra of quaternions). If the curvature of this potential vanishes, the metric reduces to a canonical curved background form reminiscent of the Friedmann S3 cosmological metric.
La Grande Guerre, en théories
Authors: Karas Joseph A. , Parent Joseph M.
Published: March 2014

La Première Guerre mondiale a permis l’émergence de la discipline des relations internationales, mais ce sont la Seconde Guerre mondiale puis la guerre froide qui en ont favorisé le développement. Le premier conflit mondial demeure une réserve fertile d’exemples et d’arguments sur les causes et le déroulement de la guerre et de la paix. Mais sa place centrale dans cette discipline est contestée par la révolution nucléaire, la force des nationalismes ou le rôle nouveau du terrorisme.
L'héritage de la Grande Guerre : États souverains, mondialisation et régionalisme
Authors: Soutou Georges-Henri
Published: March 2014

La Grande Guerre modèle nombre de pratiques et de normes du xx e  siècle. La prééminence économique et sociale de l’État s’y confirme, comme la montée de valeurs nouvelles : l’universalité des Droits de l’homme, la construction collective d’une sécurité jusqu’ici dépendante d’alliances bilatérales, l’élaboration de normes juridiques universelles... La Grande Guerre nous lègue à la fois un État-nation réaffirmé et la possibilité de son dépassement dans l’organisation régionale et internationale.
Europe : d'une démilitarisation l'autre
Authors: de Durand Étienne
Published: March 2014

Amorcée dès les années 1970, confirmée dans les années 1990 avec les « dividendes de la paix », accélérée par la crise de 2008, la démilitarisation de l’Europe est incontestable. L’effondrement des budgets produit des armées réduites, des matériels déployés en échantillons, des capacités en berne. Alors que les États-Unis se désengagent partiellement d’Europe, cette démilitarisation débouche sur l’impuissance européenne dans un monde où la violence collective demeure une réalité.
Une Europe démilitarisée ? Un regard américain
Authors: Larres Klaus
Published: March 2014

Le reproche adressé par les Américains aux Européens de négliger l’engagement de défense n’est pas nouveau, et il est souvent exagéré. Il a pris une ampleur nouvelle face à l’échec de l’Union européenne à se construire comme acteur stratégique et devant les coupes budgétaires engendrées par la crise de 2008. Pour inévitables que soient ces coupes, elles pourraient cependant menacer la capacité d’action des Européens en matière internationale, même pour les plus puissants d’entre eux.
La place de l'Europe dans le monde : d'hier à demain
Authors: Chevènement Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2014

La première mondialisation du xx e  siècle a produit un profond bouleversement de l’ordre des puissances et une dévalorisation globale des nations européennes. Elle a ainsi laissé le champ à une construction européenne largement technocratique et dépolitisée. Il est temps d’affirmer une vision nouvelle, fondée sur la coopération de nations qui demeurent en Europe le creuset de la démocratie. Seule une telle vision peut redonner à cette Europe son poids à l’international.
L'Allemagne : le passé qui ne passe pas
Authors: Stark Hans
Published: March 2014

La responsabilité allemande dans les deux conflits mondiaux renvoie, entre autres, à la volonté du militarisme allemand de se soustraire au contrôle du politique, ainsi qu’à l’immersion de la Wehrmacht dans une idéologie et un État nazis dont elle n’a jamais vraiment contesté les ordres. C’est ce double héritage qu’entendent rejeter l’Allemagne fédérale et sa Bundeswehr, dans le fonctionnement et la doctrine de cette dernière, fût-ce au prix d’une atrophie de sa volonté et de ses moyens d’agir.
L'adolescent héros : le paradoxe du devenir dans l'agonie
Authors: Barzin Nader
Published: March 2014

Cet article interroge la nécessité pour la psychanalyse d’intégrer les variables de l’ordre social et politique au niveau clinique. Selon l’auteur, l’apport de la psychanalyse pour élucider les faits de l’ordre politique est capital. L’exemple des attentats-suicides commis par les adolescents est utilisé pour soutenir cet argument.
De grands pouvoirs...
Authors: Poezevara Kévin
Published: March 2014

Avec ce que nous reconnaîtrons comme le fantasme du sauveur en tant qu’il a été mis à jour par Freud, considérons trois mythes, trois héros, de l’antique au plus moderne – Gygès, Grégoire Samsa, Peter Parker – afin d’interroger ces trois destins comme vicissitudes de la reconnaissance de dette à l’adolescence.
Jeanne la Pucelle : le tranvestisme à l'origine du héros
Authors: Hedjem Louisa
Published: March 2014

L’axe de travail prend pour hypothèse que le choix de porter le vêtement masculin est une transgression principielle tant elle est à l’origine d’une nouvelle identité, celle de Jeanne la Pucelle, identité et acte inaugural nécessaires pour faire advenir le héros Jeanne d’Arc ; et qu’elle est également source de sa mort terrestre, mort qui représente un autre acte inaugural, la naissance d’un mythe encore actif. En effet, l’adolescente Jeannette, obéissante et pieuse, décide de révéler son message d’abord au capitaine de Vaucouleurs, représentant du roi pour qu’il devienne un intercesseur et lui octroie les moyens d’une chevauchée jusqu’à la résidence royale. Les ayant obtenus, elle demande à porter l’habit d’homme, elle bafoue volontairement les codes vestimentaires, sociaux de son époque médiévale et par cette première transgression elle s’affirme comme Jeanne la Pucelle. Cette vierge adolescente construit à partir d’elle-même et pour elle-même de façon consciente mais aussi inconsciente un personnage historique qui marque les esprits. En effet, la transgression sexuelle opérée par Jeanne exprime une création identitaire qui s’appuie sur l’idéal chevaleresque, sur les valeurs et les attributs valorisés du masculin, traduit une innovation identitaire reflétée par l’apparition d’une nouvelle identité : désormais la naissance de Jeanne la Pucelle peut permettre à la future Jeanne d’Arc de se déployer et de hanter l’inconscient par l’identification à la figure du héros qui reste prégnante encore aujourd’hui.
Achille, un héros homérique épris d'absolu
Authors: Evzonas Nicolas
Published: March 2014

La présente contribution explore à partir du texte original en grec ancien le personnage d’Achille dans l’ Iliade d’Homère, œuvre-matrice de la conception occidentale de l’héroïsme. L’auteur décèle un trait d’union psychologique reliant les paroles et les actes du plus valeureux des guerriers de l’Antiquité, qu’il érige en mythe et qu’il nomme « l’Éros de l’absolu ». L’idéalité paroxystique qui sous-tend ledit mythe est à l’origine de la μῆνις légendaire d’Achille, à savoir la colère déferlante déclenchée par la contestation de sa préséance, aggravée par la perte de son compagnon de guerre, stimulée par le drame de la vieillesse et de la mort et enfin transfigurée par le chant et le souvenir. Homère s’avère in fine le Père de la « horde primitive » des affects.
Aportación de la mujer en las Fuerzas Armadas Españolas a la Defensa y la Seguridad
Authors: Caballud Hernando María Belén
Published: March 2014

La contribución de las mujeres de forma activa y profesional a la Defensa y Seguridad de nuestro país se ha consolidado como una cuestión de derecho, de eficacia, eficiencia y operatividad, redundando en la seguridad de todos. Han trascurridos 25 años desde que se abrieron las puertas a la incorporación a la mujer a las FAS. El proceso normativo ha sido gradual, tardío en el tiempo con respecto a los países de nuestro entorno pero rápido en su evolución. Hoy día la mujer militar española puede acceder a cualquier destino profesional existente en las FAS. Sin embargo todavía hay que seguir trabajando para que la igualdad efectiva entre mujeres y hombres militares sea una realidad completa.
El Proceso de Bolonia y la integración de la enseñanza militar en el sistema educativo general: un nuevo paso
Authors: Romero Serrano Juan
Published: March 2014

El trabajo describe la reforma que introduce en la enseñanza de formación de los cuadros de mando, la “Ley de la carrera militar”, integrando esta plenamente en el sistema educativo general, gracias a requerir que los oficiales obtengan un título oficial de graduado y los suboficiales de técnico superior de formación profesional, sin que suponga merma de su formación castrense, gracias a que los títulos que se cursan contribuyen a la formación necesaria para el ejercicio de la profesión militar.
El I+D+ i y el Observatorio Tecnológico de Defensa
Authors: Riola Rodríguez José María
Published: March 2014

Este artículo ofrece una visión sobre cómo el mundo de la defensa se adapta a la evolución existente en su entorno, tanto a la evolución de las tecnologías como a las necesidades y oportunidades de aplicación de estas a los intereses de defensa. Así, se destaca cómo el futuro ya no pasa tanto por el descubrimiento y desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías, sino por el aprovechamiento y aplicación de los desarrollos civiles para defensa. Es labor del Ministerio de Defensa, no solo anticiparse a los riesgos y amenazas, sino contribuir a la mejora de las capacidades tecnológicas e industriales para la defensa y de uso dual. Un ejemplo de mecanismo para esta adaptación es el Sistema de Vigilancia y Prospectiva Tecnológica (SOPT) ubicado en la SDGTECIN.
A Blueprint for Success: A Model for Developing Engineering Education in the UK
Authors: King Melanie Rose Nova , Willmot Peter
Published: March 2014

This paper details the emergence and development of the ‘Centre for Engineering and Design Education’ (CEDE) at Loughborough University, UK, and provides a blueprint for success. With ample evidence that such a Centre can prove to be a highly effective support mechanism for discipline-specific academics and can develop and maintain valuable national and international networks and collaborations along with considerable esteem for the host university. The CEDE is unique in the UK and has achieved considerable success and recognition within the local engineering education community and beyond for the past 16 years. Here we discuss the historical background of the Centre’s development, the context in which it operates, and its effective management and operation strategy. The success it has enjoyed is described through examples, with much evidence of the generation of a significant amount of external funding; the development of high quality learning spaces; learning technology systems, open source software and improvements in curriculum design; a strong record of research and publication on the pedagogy of engineering; strong links with industry and employers; and a wealth of connections and know-how built up over the years. This paper provides the institutions with a model blueprint for success in developing engineering education.
Students’ Perceptions on Practical Problem Solving in Mathematics in E-environment
Authors: Zeidmane Anda , Duka Vita
Published: March 2014

Study process in mathematics faces two major problems. First, engineers do not apply directly the problem solving skills of higher mathematics. Second, studying higher mathematics, students get an insufficient idea of its usability. The authors of the paper have worked out frameworks for practical problem solving in mathematics on the basis of didactic ontology in the Moodle computerized learning system (CMS. To determine students' perceptions on practical problem solving in mathematics in e-environment, more than 300 students from the specialties of engineering at the LUA participated in the survey. The survey results showed many students lack basic knowledge in mathematics, therefore they consume a lot of time to learn the basics in higher mathematics and to acquire the skills of practical problem solving in mathematics are less important.