bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problem solving by soaking the concept network
Authors: Fu Xixu , Wei Hui
Published: July 2011

Because of the complexity and fuzziness of the real world, it?s hard to build
a dense knowledge system and reason in it with traditional methods. But man
can deal with such tasks freely. Inspired by cognition and linguistics, a
solution is advanced for reasoning dense knowledge in this paper. Objects
and concepts are organized in the form of concept graph. Soaking the nodes
in the graph until the result is represented in the graph the final graph
can be the explanation of the scenario. With the na?ve algorithm, monotonic
scenario reasoning problem can be solved in dense knowledge environment.
Extracting minimal unsatisfiable subformulas in satisfiability modulo theories
Authors: Zhang Jianmin , Shen Shengyu , Zhang Jun , Xu Weixia , Sikun LI.
Published: July 2011

Explaining the causes of infeasibility of formulas has practical applications
in various fields, such as formal verification and electronic design
automation. A minimal unsatisfiable subformula provides a succinct
explanation of infeasibility and is valuable for applications. The problem of
deriving minimal unsatisfiable cores from Boolean formulas has been addressed
rather frequently in recent years. However little attention has been
concentrated on extraction of unsatisfiable subformulas in Satisfiability
Modulo Theories(SMT). In this paper, we propose a depth-firstsearch algorithm
and a breadth-first-search algorithm to compute minimal unsatisfiable cores
in SMT, adopting different searching strategy. We report and analyze
experimental results obtaining from a very extensive test on SMT-LIB
benchmarks.
Rice, Slippers, Bananas and Caneball: Children's Narratives of Internal Displacement and Forced Migration from Burma
Authors: Oh Su-Ann
Published: July 2011

This article provides an account of internal displacement and forced migration from the viewpoint of children living in a refugee camp in Thailand. Using photographs they created and narratives they related, the children represented concepts of structural violence, poverty, food security, school, peer relationships and play and articulated how these were woven into their lived experience. The study reveals how the children constantly make sense of everyday life in a refugee camp with reference to the lives they led in Burma. This draws our attention to the way in which the emotional and cognitive connections they make structure their experience and adds to an understanding of children's perspectives of displacement that goes beyond quantitative indicators.
Resisting Bare Life: Children's Reproduction of Quotidian Culture in a Sri Lankan Camp
Authors: Asokaraj Rajeshwari
Published: July 2011

This article explores how children reproduce the culture of everyday life in the context of living in an IDP (internally displaced persons) camp at the end of the Sri Lankan civil war. Using qualitative research with internally displaced children and the adults working with them (doctors, teachers and NGO workers), it explores the children's everyday social reality around the themes of family, peers, popular culture, and religious practices. In discussing this reproduction of the culture of everyday life, rooted within Tamil, and South Indian cultural practices, the author shows that children and adults resist their reduction to bare life.
Stories of Belonging: Ukrainian Immigrant Children's Experiences of Portugal
Authors: Tereshchenko Antonina , Araújo Helena C.
Published: July 2011

This article is situated within the literature examining the experiences of inclusion and exclusion by immigrant pupils in relation to the educational and social environment in the receiving country. It draws on data from a small, exploratory qualitative research study conducted in a supplementary school context in Portugal to explore how Ukrainian immigrant children (aged 12–16) negotiate their sense of belonging in Portugal. Specifically, the ways in which the young immigrants relate to and construct the locations such as ‘home’, i.e. a country of origin, and a ‘host’ country, i.e. Portugal, are considered; which resources they draw on in the process of their identity construction, as well as which places become particularly significant in the process of their identity formation. There is a particular focus on how Ukrainian children experience in-/exclusion and relationships in the mainstream Portuguese school.
New Schooling and New Identities: Chinese Immigrant Students' Perspectives
Authors: Yuen Celeste Y.M. , Wu Rosalind
Published: July 2011

Given the traditional emphasis on academic achievement in a Confucius-heritage society, schooling has been one of the key elements of new Chinese learners in Hong Kong in their construction of self-identity. This article addresses the identity issues of two young Mainland Chinese immigrant students and one cross-boundary student (CBS), a resident of Shenzhen who is attending a Hong Kong school on a daily basis. They are in their first, second or third year of schooling in Hong Kong. By using a narrative approach, the educational experiences and family backgrounds of the three students are highlighted and analysed. All three students reveal a keen sense of aspiration and are actively involved in the appraisal of their own personal identity. Positive educational experiences and parental support are two predominant factors that affect their general perceptions of their new schooling and self-identity in Hong Kong. Whether they identify themselves as Hong Kong people or Mainlanders, is subject to their parents' views, their own expectations and personal understanding of the meaning of citizenship.
Model Minority and Learning Disabilities: Double Jeopardy for Asian Immigrant Children in the USA
Authors: Poon-McBrayer Kim Fong
Published: July 2011

There exists a scarcity of discourse in the education of ethnic Asian students with disabilities in the USA, due to their historical under-representation in the disability population and the ‘model minority’ thesis. This colloquium aims to examine the ramifications of the model minority label with regard to equitable access and schooling for Asian immigrant students with learning disabilities. The colloquium briefly analyzes the political and social impact of the model minority thesis, before exploring how the model minority label has negatively influenced the opportunities of post-1965 Asian immigrant children with learning disabilities for equitable education, in the hope of bringing greater awareness of the needs of these children. Here, it is argued that the model minority label and learning disabilities have invisibly marginalized and deprived Asian immigrant and Asian American students of equitable education.
Schooling and Refugees: Engaging with the Complex Trajectories of Globalisation
Authors: Sidhu Ravinder , Taylor Sandra , Christie Pam
Published: July 2011

This article examines the complexities associated with educating a mobile and politically marginalised population, refugee students, in the state of Queensland, Australia. Historically, schools have been national institutions concerned with social reproduction and citizenship formation with a focus on spatially fixed populations. While education authorities in much of the developed world now acknowledge the need to prepare students for a more interconnected world of work and opportunity, they have largely failed to provide systemic support for one category of children on the move – refugees. This article begins with a discussion of forced migration and its links with ‘globalisation’. It then present the authors' research findings about the educational challenges confronting individual refugee youth and schools in Queensland. This is followed with a summary of good practice in refugee education. The article concludes with a discussion of how nation-states might play a more active role in facilitating transitions to citizenship for refugee youth.
How Are Notions of Childcare Similar or Different among American, Chinese, Japanese and Swedish Teachers?
Authors: Izumi-Taylor Satomi , Lee Yu-Yuan , Franceschini Louis
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences in the perceptions of childcare among American, Chinese, Japanese and Swedish early childhood teachers. Participants consisted of 78 American teachers, 156 Chinese teachers, 158 Japanese teachers, and 157 Swedish teachers. The results of quantitative analysis revealed that these teachers had perceptions about childcare that were both similar and different. Both Chinese and Swedish teachers focused on the importance of gender equality in relation to childcare more than Japanese and American teachers did. Although American, Chinese and Swedish teachers viewed children developing attachments with their mothers in a positive light regardless of whether they are blood related, Japanese teachers considered that children's attachments should be only with their biological mothers because they value blood relations between the child and the mother. Both American and Japanese teachers shared similar notions about group care, indicating positive perceptions about such care, but their notions were not as strong as those of their Chinese and Swedish counterparts. The implications for early childhood education are presented.
Study on relationship and selection index for yield and yield contributing characters in spring wheat
Authors: Ferdous MF , Shamsuddin AKM , Hasna D , Bhuiyan MMR
Published: July 2011

The present study was conducted with twenty bread wheat genotypes at the experimental field of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during the period from November 2008 to March 2009 to assess the relationship and selection index among yield and important yield attributing characters. Days to maturity, grains per spike, 100-grain weight and harvest index showed significant and positive correlation with grain yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis suggested that grains per spike followed by 100-grain weight and effective tillers per plant contributed maximum to grain yield positively and directly. Thus, selection based on these characters might be effective for improving grain yield. Selection indices were constructed through the discriminate functions using eight characters. From the results, the highest relative efficiency was observed with the selection index based on three characters; plant height and grains per spike and grain yield per plant. The present investigation indicates that the index selection based on these three characters might be more effective and efficient for selecting high yielding wheat genotypes. Keywords: Spring wheat; Relationship; Selection index; Yield contributing characters DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7923 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 191-194, 2010
Performance and variability for yield and yield contributing characters in spring wheat
Authors: Ferdous MF , Shamsuddin AKM , Hasna D , Bhuiyan MMR
Published: July 2011

The present study was conducted with twenty bread wheat genotypes at the experimental field of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during the period from November 2008 to March 2009 to assess performance of the genotypes, variability, heritability and genetic advance among yield and important yield contributing characters. Considering yield per plant the genotype Peacock was the best followed by BAW-1008, Pavon-76, Mayoor, Bulbul and BAW-1004. BAW-1008 was the early maturing genotype followed by Mayoor, BAW- 861, BAW-1004 and Balaka. BAW-970, Akbar, BAW-1004, Pavon-76, BAW-861 and BAW-1006 were semi dwarf in plant height as such they were of desired type. TP-1 and Mayoor were superior for effective tillers per plant. BAW- 1004 was the best genotype for spike length and grains per spike. For 100-grain weight Bulbul, for harvest index BAW-1006 was the best. Days to 90% maturity, plant height, grains per spike, 100-grain weight and harvest index exhibited high heritability. Among them grains per spike, 100-grain weight and harvest index showed high genetic advance in percentage of mean. Keywords: Spring wheat; Variability; Heritability; Yield contributing characters DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7924 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 195-197, 2010
In vitro propagation of Citrullus lanatus Thumb. from nodal explants culture
Authors: Khatun MM , Hossain MS , Haque MA , Khalekuzzaman M
Published: July 2011

A standard protocol was established for rapid in vitro propagation of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.) from nodal explants of field grown plant. Multiple shoot proliferation was achieved from nodal explants on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP + 0.2 mg/l NAA within 30 days of inoculation. The elongation of shoots was obtained on the same medium. Highest percentage of root induction was achieved on MS medium supplement with 1.0 mg/l IBA within 25 days of culture. Well rooted plantlets were transferred to small pots and after proper acclimatization the plantlets were transplanted in the field condition, where 80% plantlets were survived and grew successfully. Keywords: In vitro regeneration; Nodal explant; Citrullus lanatus DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7926 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 203-206, 2010
In vitro regeneration in cole crops
Authors: Shahid Sonia B , Khan SZ , Hassan L
Published: July 2011

The experiment was conducted to optimize a suitable protocol for in vitro regeneration in cole crops. Callus initiation was excellent in the variety Early Tropical. Highest percentage of callus proliferation was observed in Early Tropical (75.0%) followed by Tangail Special Pauslali (55.0%) and the lowest in Tara (40.0% ). Maximum callus proliferation (68.5%) was observed in MS + 3.0 mgL-1 BAP + 0.1 mgL-1 2,4-D + 2.0 mgL-1 AgNO3. Callus proliferation was lowest (40.0%) in MS + 2.5 mgL-1 BAP + 0.1 mgL-1 2,4-D + 2.0 mgL-1 AgNO3. MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mgL-1 BAP + 1.0 mgL-1 2,4-D + 2.0 mgL-1 AgNO3 was the best for shoot initiation & plantlet regeneration. The highest number of shoots per vial was 7.20 and the lowest number of shoots per vial was 4.40. Among the concentration MS + 3.0 mgL-1 BAP + 0.1 mgL-1 2,4-D + 2.0 mgL-1 AgNO3 showed the highest performance of shoots per vial. The variety Tangail Special Pauslali was the best for root initiation. Keywords: Brassica; Cole crops; Callus; In vitro; Regeneration DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7930 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 227-232, 2010
Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of ethanol extracts of mango leaves
Authors: Islam MR , Mannan MA , Kabir MHB , Islam A , Olival KJ
Published: July 2011

The present study was carried out to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties of ethanol leave extract of Mangifera indica. For evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, acetic acid induced writhing response model and carrageenan induced paw edema model were used in Swiss albino mice and Wistar albino rats, respectively. In both cases, leaves extract were administered and the obtained effects were compared with commercially available analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug, Diclofenac Sodium. In analgesic bioassay, oral administration of the ethanol leaves extract significantly (P<0.01) reduced the writhing response. The degree of inhibition of leaves extract was 55.8% compared to the effect of standard analgesic drug, Diclofenac Sodium (75.28%). On the other hand, though leaves extract reduce paw edema but they did not show any significant effect. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of leaves extract also carried out by disc diffusion technique and poisoned food technique. In antibacterial experiment, leaves extract showed 7.0 mm to 11.5 mm in diameter of zone of inhibition against six Gram positive bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus vulgaricus) and two Gram negative bacteria (such as Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonei ). But Salmonella typhi and Proteus sp had negative activity on leaves extract. The leaves extract of Mangifera indica showed antifungal activity against three fungal species (such as Aspergillus ustus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus ochraceus). Keywords: Mangifera indica; Analgesic; Anti-inflammatory; Antibacterial; Antifungal DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7932 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 239-244, 2010
Comparison between cage and pond production of Thai Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus) and Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under three management systems
Authors: Mondal MN , Shahin J , Wahab MA , Asaduzzaman M , Yang Y
Published: July 2011

An experiment was conducted to compare production and economic performance of Thai Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus) and Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under three management systems. The nursed juveniles of Thai Climbing Perch (6.22 ± 0.15g) and Tilapia (22.52 ± 0.73g) were stocked at 50 Thai Climbing Perch per 1m3 cage and 50 Tilapia per 80m2 open pond (Caged Perch); 50 Tilapia per 1m3 cage and 50 Thai Climbing Perch per 80 m2 open pond (Caged Tilapia); and both 50 Thai Climbing Perch and 50 Tilapia per 80m2 pond (Mixed culture) as three treatments with three replicates for each. Pelleted feed (35% crude protein) was given twice daily (8.0 h and 16.0 h) at a rate of 10% body weight of Thai Climbing Perch for first month and 5% body weight of Thai Climbing Perch for rest of the culture period (90 days) to cages for the integrated cage-pond culture and to open ponds for the mixed culture. Among the measured water quality parameters transparency (cm), alkalinity (mg l-1), nitrite-nitrogen (mg l-1), and chlorophyll-a (μg l-1) were significantly different among the treatments. A total of 43 genera of phytoplankton and 16 genera of zooplankton were identified from the pond water. The mean abundance of total macro-benthic organisms was not significantly different (P>0.05). The mean survival rate of Thai Climbing Perch was high, ranging from 86.67% to 98.67%. Gross yield of Thai Climbing Perch was the highest in the Caged Perch. Survival of Tilapia was also high, ranging from 94.00% to 96.67%. The combined FCRs were 0.75, 0.77 and 0.85 in the Caged Perch, Mixed culture and Caged Tilapia systems, respectively. Economic analysis revealed that a significantly higher (P<0.05) cost-benefit ratio was obtained in the Caged Perch treatment. Therefore, it is concluded that the integrated cage-pond culture system with the high-valued Thai Climbing Perch in cages and low-valued Tilapia in open ponds may be a better option for rural pond aquaculture considering the production and economic benefit. Keyword: Cage culture; Integrated aquaculture; Climbing Perch; Tilapia DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7943 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 313-322, 2010
Economic analysis of floodplain aquaculture at Daudkandi upazilla in Comilla
Authors: Chandra KJ , Sarker D , Khaleque MA , Das DR
Published: July 2011

An economic anylysis was made to determine the cost of fish production in the floodplains at Daudkandi Upazilla in Comilla district during the period form January to April, 2007. Survey method was followed to collect data from 20 floodplain aquaculture projects. The projects record books and personal interviews of the NGOs and Fisheries officers were the main instruments of data collection. Statistical tools such as: range, mean, standard deviation and percentage were employed for analysis of data. The Cobb-Douglas production function model was used to estimate the values of co-efficients and related statistics of production function of fish culture in floodplains. Out of eleven explanatory variables, seven co-efficients had positive sign while only four co-efficients showed negative sign. The co-efficients bearing positive sign i.e., embankment construction, nursery and land lease, fertilizer and lime, fingerlings, feed, labor and staff wages and miscellaneous cost made positive impact on the farm income, while the co-efficients having negative sign i.e., area of floodplain, Office management, compensation and harvesting and marketing cost decreased the farm income. Summation of the production co-efficients i.e., return to scale (Σbi) was found 1.023 which implies that per one taka investment in floodplain fish culture will give rise to a profit of Tk. 1.02. The value of R2 was found 0.892, which means that the variations in farm income could be explained to the extent of 89.2% by the included variables. The remaining 10.8% variations could not be accounted for by the multiple regression analysis. Average fish production in the selected floodplains was 2920.43 kg/ha of which production of cultured fish and indigenous fish was 2697.35 and 223.08 kg/ha respectively. The cost of fish production, total return and net income were estimated Tk. 1,153,08.55, 1,76,385.49 and 61,076.94 /ha. respectively. Benefit cost ratio was found 1.53. Keywords: Floodplain; Aquaculture; Economic analysis; Resource productivity; Community DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7945 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 323-332, 2010
Finite element analysis of Soret and Dufour effects on unsteady MHD free convection flow past an impulsively started vertical porous plate with viscous dissipation
Authors: Reddy M Gnaneswara , Reddy N Bhaskar
Published: July 2011

The free convection flow of an unsteady magnetohydrodynamic and viscous dissipating fluid past an impulsively started vertical plate with soret and dufour effects has been analyzed. With appropriate transformations the boundary layer equations are transformed into nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The local unsteady similarity solutions of the transformed dimensionless equations for the flow. These equations are solved numerically by a finite element method. Favorable comparisons with previously published work are obtained. The effects of the various parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles as well as the skin-friction coefficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are presented graphically and in tabulated form.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jname.v8i1.3507
Mixed magnetoconvection in a lid-driven cavity with a sinusoidal wavy wall and a central heat conducting body
Authors: Nasrin Rehena
Published: July 2011

A numerical study has been performed to explore the mixed magnetoconvective flow and heat transfer characteristics of fluid contained in a lid-driven cavity having a sinusoidal wavy vertical surface. A heat conducting square body is located at the centre of cavity. The cavity horizontal walls are perfectly insulated while the corrugated right vertical surface is maintained at a uniform temperature higher than the left lid. The flow is assumed to be two-dimensional and Joule heating effect is considered. Calculations are carried out through solving governing equations for different parameters by using Galarkins weighted residual finite element method. The flow pattern and the heat transfer characteristics inside the cavity are presented in the form of streamlines, isotherms, average temperature of the fluid and temperature of solid body centre for various values of Prandtl number Pr, Richardson number Ri and magnetic parameter Ha. The heat transfer rate is detected maximum for the highest Pr and absence of magnetic field.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jname.v8i1.6793
Comparative study between flows around sphere and pod using finite volume method
Authors: Karim M. M. , Rahman M. M. , Alim M. A.
Published: July 2011

Two-dimensional Finite Volume Method (FVM) based on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations is applied to solve the turbulent viscous flow around sphere and pod. Unstructured grid with boundary layer treatment is constructed around sphere whereas structured grid is generated around pod. Spalart-Allmaras (S-A) and Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-? turbulence models are used for sphere but SST k-? turbulence model is used only for pod to solve turbulent viscous flows at Reynolds number of 5×106 and 3×106 respectively.  The numerical results in terms of the skin friction coefficient, pressure coefficient and drag coefficient are shown either graphically or in the tabular form. Velocity vectors as well as contour of pressure and velocity distribution are also displayed. Finally, the comparative study between flows around sphere and pod is done.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jname.v8i1.7388
A Novel Immunoreagent for the Specific and Sensitive Detection of the Explosive Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP)
Authors: Walter Maria Astrid , Panne Ulrich , Weller Michael G.
Published: July 2011

Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is a primary explosive, which was used in various terrorist attacks in the past. For the development of biosensors, immunochemical µ-TAS, electronic noses, immunological test kits, or test strips, the availability of antibodies of high quality is crucial. Recently, we presented the successful immunization of mice, based on the design, synthesis, and conjugation of a novel TATP derivative. Here, the long-term immunization of rabbits is shown, which resulted in antibodies of extreme selectivity and more than 1,000 times better affinity in relation to the antibodies from mice. Detection limits below 10 ng L−1 (water) were achieved. The working range covers more than four decades, calculated from a precision profile. The cross-reactivity tests revealed an extraordinary selectivity of the antibodies—not a single compound could be identified as a relevant cross-reactant. The presented immunoreagent might be a major step for the development of highly sensitive and selective TATP detectors particularly for security applications.
Isoniazid Proliposome Powders for Inhalation—Preparation, Characterization and Cell Culture Studies
Authors: Rojanarat Wipaporn , Changsan Narumon , Tawithong Ekawat , Pinsuwan Sirirat , Chan Hak-Kim , Srichana Teerapol
Published: July 2011

The aims of this study were to develop proliposome powders containing isoniazid (INH) in a dry powder aerosol form. INH-proliposome powders were prepared by a spray drying method. Proliposome physicochemical properties were determined using cascade impactor, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The toxicity of proliposomes to respiratory-associated cell lines and its potential to provoke immunological responses from alveolar macrophages (AM) were determined. Free INH and INH-proliposome bioactivities were tested in vitro and in AM infected with Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). Aerosolization properties of INH-proliposome powders at 60 L/min, the powders showed mass median aerodynamic diameters of 2.99–4.92 mm, with fine particle fractions (aerosolized particles less than 4.4 µm) of 15–35%. Encapsulation of INH was 18–30%. Proliposome formulations containing INH to mannitol ratios of 4:6 and 6:4 exhibited the greatest overlapping peak between the drug and mannitol. INH-proliposomes were evidently nontoxic to respiratory-associated cells, and did not activate AM to produce inflammatory mediators—including interleukin-1b (IL-1b), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), and nitric oxide—at a toxic level. The efficacy of INH-proliposome against AM infected with M. bovis was significantly higher than that of free INH (p < 0.05). INH-proliposomes are potential candidates for an alternative tuberculosis treatment.
Klebsiella pneumoniae yggG Gene Product: A Zinc-Dependent Metalloprotease
Authors: Kuan Chee Sian , Wong Mun Teng , Choi Sy Bing , Chang Ching Ching , Yee Yoke Hiang , Wahab Habibah A. , Normi Yahaya Mohd , Too Wei Cun See , Few Ling Ling
Published: July 2011

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes neonatal sepsis and nosocomial infections. One of the strains, K. pneumoniae MGH 78578, shows high level of resistance to multiple microbial agents. In this study, domain family, amino acid sequence and topology analyses were performed on one of its hypothetical protein, YggG (KPN_03358). Structural bioinformatics approaches were used to predict the structure and functionality of YggG protein. The open reading frame (ORF) of yggG, which was a putative metalloprotease gene, was also cloned, expressed and characterized. The ORF was PCR amplified from K. pneumoniae MGH 78578 genomic DNA and cloned into a pET14-b vector for heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. The purified YggG protein was subsequently assayed for casein hydrolysis under different conditions. This protein was classified as peptidase M48 family and subclan gluzincin. It was predicted to contain one transmembrane domain by TMpred. Optimal protein expression was achieved by induction with 0.6 mM isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG) at 25 °C for six hours. YggG was purified as soluble protein and confirmed to be proteolytically active under the presence of 1.25 mM zinc acetate and showed optimum activity at 37 °C and pH 7.4. We confirmed for the first time that the yggG gene product is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease.
A New Hydroxylated Nonaprenylhydroquinone from the Mediterranean Marine Sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus
Authors: Abed Charline , Legrave Nathalie , Dufies Maeva , Robert Guillaume , Guérineau Vincent , Vacelet Jean , Auberger Patrick , Amade Philippe , Mehiri Mohamed
Published: July 2011

Chemical investigation of the Mediterranean sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus led to the isolation of a new hydroxylated nonaprenylhydroquinone, along with two known metabolites, hepta- and octaprenylhydroquinones. The structure of the new metabolite was assigned by extensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses and MS studies. The antileukemic effect of the three compounds towards the chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells line K562 was also evaluated.
Digestive Enzymes of the Crustaceans Munida and Their Application in Cheese Manufacturing: A Review
Authors: Rossano Rocco , Larocca Marilena , Riccio Paolo
Published: July 2011

Crustaceans Munida (fam. Galatheideae, ord. Decapodi) were fished in the Southern Adriatic Sea and their proteolytic activities were characterized and tested for potential application in cheese manufacturing. Enzymes extracted from whole crustaceans, mainly serine proteases, showed high caseinolytic and moderate clotting activities. Analysis by 2D zymography of the digestive enzymes extracted from Munida hepatopancreas, showed the presence of several isotrypsin- and isochymotrypsin-like enzymes in the range of 20–34 kDa and 4.1–5.8 pI. Moreover, specific enzymatic assays showed the presence of aminopeptidases and carboxypeptidases A and B. Overall, optimum activity was achieved at pH 7.5 and 40–45 °C. Caseinolytic activity, determined both spectrophotometrically and by SDS gel electrophoresis, indicated higher activity on β-casein than on α-casein. Miniature cheddar-type cheeses and Pecorino-type cheeses were manufactured by adding starter, rennet and Munida extracts to milk. Reverse-phase HPLC and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry showed a more complex pattern of proteolytic products in cheeses made using Munida instead of chymosin. Munida extracts were found to degrade the chymosin-derived β-casein fragment f193–209, one of the peptides associated with bitterness in cheese. In conclusion, Munida digestive enzymes represent a promising tool for development of new cheese products and shorten cheese ripening when used either alone or in addition to calf rennet.
Linear Recurrent Double Sequences with Constant Border in M2(F2) are Classified According to Their Geometric Content
Authors: Prunescu Mihai
Published: July 2011

The author used the automatic proof procedure introduced in [1] and verified that the 4096 homomorphic recurrent double sequences with constant borders defined over Klein’s Vierergruppe K and the 4096 linear recurrent double sequences with constant border defined over the matrix ring M2(F2) can be also produced by systems of substitutions with finitely many rules. This permits the definition of a sound notion of geometric content for most of these sequences, more exactly for those which are not primitive. We group the 4096 many linear recurrent double sequences with constant border I over the ring M2(F2) in 90 geometric types. The classification over Klein’s Vierergruppe Kis not explicitly displayed and consists of the same geometric types like for M2(F2), but contains more exceptions. There are a lot of cases of unsymmetric double sequences converging to symmetric geometric contents. We display also geometric types occurring both in a monochromatic and in a dichromatic version.
Synthesis of 1-benzyl-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl)Uracil Derivatives with Potential Anti-HIV Activity
Authors: Isono Yohei , Sakakibara Norikazu , Ordonez Paula , Hamasaki Takayuki , Baba Masanori , Ikejiri Masahiro , Maruyama Tokumi
Published: July 2011

Background:

Nine novel uracil analogues were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of HIV-1.

Methods:

Key structural modifications included replacement of the 6-chloro group of 1-benzyl-6-chloro-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl)uracil by other functional groups or N1-alkylation of 3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-5-fluorouracil.

Results:

These compounds showed only micromolar potency against HIV-1 in MT-4, though two of them; 6-azido-1-benzyl-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl) uracil and 6-amino-1-benzyl-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl) uracil were highly potent (half maximal effective concentration =0.067 and 0.069 μM) and selective (selectivity index =685 and 661), respectively. Structure–activity relationships among the newly synthesized uracil analogues suggest the importance of the H-bond formed between 6-amino group of 6-amino-1-benzyl-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl) uracil and amide group of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Conclusions:

We discovered two 6-substituted 1-benzyl-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl) uracils, (6-azido-1-benzyl-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl) uracil and 6-amino-1-benzyl-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl) uracil) as novel anti-HIV agents. These compounds should be further pursued for their toxicity and pharmacokinetics in vivo as well as antiviral activity against non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant strains.
De la politique néotribale
Authors: Bucholc Marta
Published: July 2011

Résumé Le problème du politique comme le sujet d’intérêt des sciences sociales n’est qu’un réflexe d’état des rapports sociaux, en cadre desquels se décide la question de domination et d’obéissance. Cet article présente l’une des visions de la société contemporaine, celle de retour de tribalisme, en réfléchissant sur les perspectives de la politique en tant que telle et comme un sujet des études scientifiques au seins de la société des neo-tribus. Le rôle de la politique dans le monde neotribale comme proposé par Michel Maffesoli est ici reconstruit et opposé aux idées de Max Weber représentant la théorie politique moderne. En indiquant les points où ces deux penseurs ne peuvent s’accorder, l’auteur constate que dans notre époque, la politique dont la domination et légitimité constituent les catégories centrales, perd son importance en fonction de la tribalisation des sociétés. La nouvelle politique de Puissance remplace la politique de Pouvoir en détruisant les fondements de la sphère politique institutionnalisée, ce qui, par conséquent, rend inutiles les instruments existants de la recherche sociologique.
Le mythe chamitique dans le discours social et politique actuel en Pologne
Authors: Kobierska Małgorzata
Published: July 2011

Résumé Le mythe chamitique est très présent dans le discours social et politique actuel en Pologne. L’objectif de cet article est double. Réfléchir d’abord sur ses profondes significations anthropologiques et sociologiques. Montrer ensuite la force des motivations archétypales dans nos imaginaires et comportements.
La joie tragique d'Obama
Authors: Susca Vincenzo
Published: July 2011

Résumé Quel est le fil rouge ayant mené à l’élection du nouveau président américain ? La longue vague sur laquelle s’est appuyée l’histoire politique américaine du siècle dernier a abouti à une vaporisation progressive des contenus abstraits, programmatiques et idéologiques du politique, pour laisser place aux données émotionnelles, affectives et imaginaires proches des trames du vécu collectif. Obama a endossé le Web 2.0, au point d’en jaillir de manière apparemment spontanée et naturelle, réalisant avec lui un sublime fondu capable de cacher les traits politiques les plus intrinsèques du sénateur afro-américain, son appartenance à l’élite que sa candidature pointe pourtant du doigt. Et aujourd’hui ?
La vie et le travail à l'époque de l'économie et la classe créative
Authors: Jung Bohdan
Published: July 2011

Résumé Cet article cherche à résumer les changements dans l’ordre temporel de votre vie qui sont des conséquences de l’essor du secteur créatif de l’économie et de la conceptualisation de la classe créative, en passant par les pertes dues à la vie en hâte, le style de travail de la génération X et quelques implications de la flexibilisation dans l’usage du temps et des nouveaux produits/services.
Culture visuelle et visualisation du monde : l'expérience in visu
Authors: La Rocca Fabio
Published: July 2011

Résumé À chaque époque, l’image acquiert sa propre spécificité dans un cadre culturel et des formes d’expérience. L’actuelle présence et prolifération de l’image dans le quotidien est un des aspects caractéristiques de la climatologie postmoderne où se construit une visualisation du monde à travers la multiplication des dispositifs et de l’image même par la digitalisation. Cela crée des mises en forme de l’existence en générant une « présentification » du vécu à travers l’immédiateté de l’image digitale et les échanges et relations sur le Web. La forme sensible de l’œil sociologique doit prendre en compte cette stimulation visuelle comme trace d’une ambiance de l’instant vécu, d’une tendance à l’expérience in visu et penser l’image comme une sensibilité phénoménologique qui nous aide à connaître et explorer les dimensions du monde social.
La magie technologique d'Avatar
Authors: Machado Da Silva Juremir
Published: July 2011

Résumé Cet article examine une hypothèse littéraire élaborée par l’écrivain Paul Auster comme explication probable de l’impact et de la consistance narrative de certains films. Prenant pour exemple le film Avatar , l’objectif est de réfléchir sur le rôle d’une « théorie » comme simulation de la vérité au sein d’une œuvre et sur la relation d’un produit symbolique avec l’imaginaire du public. Nous analyserons l’utilisation de la technologie comme outil pour transformer l’inanimé en animé et les objets en formules magiques ou expressions de sentiments et de messages complexes.
Pratique de réseau et maltraitance d'enfants
Authors: de Becker Emmanuel , Cabillau Evelyne , Chapelle Stéphane
Published: July 2011

L’article dépeint les questions relatives aux bénéfices et aux écueils possibles du travail de réseau dans le champ spécifique de la maltraitance d’enfants et ce, au travers de la pratique des équipes pluridisciplinaires SOS-Enfants. Ces équipes sont d’emblée à l’interface de différents systèmes au vu de leur domaine d’expertise, de leur visée de soin et de protection de l’enfant. Il n’est guère pertinent de s’engager comme seul intervenant ou seule équipe dans la clinique de la maltraitance tant les sollicitations sur le plan émotionnel sont grandes et tant ces familles ébranlées peuvent s’armer de défenses massives, être prises dans une homéostasie dysfonctionnelle importante et se refermer dans un rapport duel avec les intervenants. La pratique de réseau, quand elle s’élabore de façon constructive et bienveillante, dans un rapport de confiance entre les structures, permet une mobilisation réelle du système familial et sa « refonctionnalisation ». Les regards croisés lors de concertations sont indispensables pour dégager le plus d’objectivité possible dans le diagnostic, l’évaluation de la récupérabilité et de la prise en charge thérapeutique la plus adéquate pour la famille ainsi que pour éviter les éventuels écueils d’interventions précédentes.
Residual Symptoms After Surgery for Unilateral Congenital Superior Oblique Palsy
Authors: Caca Ihsan , Sahin Alparslan , Cingu Abdullah , Ari Seyhmus , Akbas Umut
Published: July 2011

Purpose:

To establish the surgical results and residual symptoms in 48 cases with unilateral congenital superior oblique muscle palsy that had surgical intervention to the vertical muscles alone.

Methods:

Myectomy and concomitant disinsertion of the inferior oblique (IO) muscle was performed in 38 cases and myectomy and concomitant IO disinsertion and recession of the superior rectus muscle in the ipsilateral eye was performed in 10 cases. The preoperative and postoperative vertical deviation values and surgical results were compared.

Results:

Of the patients who had myectomy and concomitant IO disinsertion, 74% achieved an “excellent” result, 21% a “good” result, and 5% a “poor” result postoperatively. The difference in deviation between preoperative and postoperative values was statistically significant (
P
< .001). Of the patients who had myectomy and concomitant inferior oblique disinsertion and ipsilateral superior rectus recession, 50% achieved an “excellent” result, 20% a “good” result, and 30% a “poor” result postoperatively. The difference in deviation between preoperative and postoperative values was statistically significant (
P
< .001).

Conclusion:

Both procedures are effective and successful in patients with superior oblique muscle palsy, but a secondary surgery may be required.
Acute Anterior Uveitis and Optic Neuritis as Ocular Complications of Influenza A Infection in an 11-Year-Old Boy
Authors: Lai Chun-Chieh , Chang Yi-Sheng , Li Mei-Lun , Chang Chia-Ming , Huang Fu-Chin , Tseng Sung-Huei
Published: July 2011

The authors describe an 11-year-old boy developing bilateral acute anterior uveitis, papillitis in one eye, and neuroretinitis in the other eye after an upper respiratory tract infection of influenza A virus, possibly H1N1. Steroid pulse therapy resolved these conditions. The authors recommend alertness for visual blurring and ocular inflammation after influenza A infection.
Challenges of Managing Sympathetic Ophthalmia in a Young Child and the Role of Infliximab
Authors: Ziahosseini Kimia , Newman William D.
Published: July 2011

The authors report the difficult challenges and use of infliximab in the delayed presentation of a 2½-year-old boy with a penetrating eye injury from a small ballpoint pen that led to sympathetic ophthalmia.
Estrategias de talla en Cueva Corazón (Mave, Palencia). Un yacimiento del Musteriense Antiguo en las estribaciones meridionales de la Cordillera Cantábrica
Authors: Sánchez Yustos Policarpo , Díez Martín Fernando , Díaz Muñoz Isabel M.ª , Gómez de la Rúa Diana , Gómez González José Ángel
Published: July 2011

Este artículo estudia el registro lítico de Cueva Corazón en el marco de un proyecto de investigación iniciado en 2005. Hemos detectado una variedad y alargamiento de cadenas operativas líticas, frecuentemente fragmentadas, y una elevada estandarización tecnológica asociada a elaboradas estrategias de captación de materias primas de buena calidad. Este hecho permite inferir una complejidad de las redes territoriales y sociales. Por otro lado, su cronología y posición estratégica hacen de este enclave un lugar excepcional para conocer el Musteriense antiguo en ambos lados de la cordillera cantábrica.
Orígenes del dorado por amalgama: aportaciones desde la orfebrería protohistórica del noroeste de la Península Ibérica
Authors: Martinón-Torres Marcos , Ladra Lois
Published: July 2011

Los orígenes y difusión de la técnica del dorado por amalgama de mercurio siguen planteando numerosos interrogantes. Recientemente se ha sugerido la posible existencia de un foco independiente para la invención de esta técnica en el sur de la Península Ibérica (Perea et al. 2008). En este artículo se presentan los análisis por fluorescencia de rayos X (FRX) de dos fragmentos de torques protohistóricos del noroeste de la Península Ibérica dorados por amalgama, que constituyen la evidencia más temprana de dicha técnica en esta región. La tecnología y el estilo de estos objetos plantean la posibilidad de contactos y transmisión tecnológica a lo largo de la fachada atlántica europea. En consecuencia, estos hallazgos nos obligan a diversificar los modelos explicativos para la difusión de esta técnica.
The Dual Function Cytokine IL-33 Interacts with the Transcription Factor NF-κB To Dampen NF-κB–Stimulated Gene Transcription
Authors: Ali Shafaqat , Mohs Antje , Thomas Meike , Klare Jan , Ross Ralf , Schmitz Michael Lienhard , Martin Michael Uwe
Published: July 2011

Full-length IL-33 is a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines, which can act in an autocrine or paracrine manner by binding to the IL-33R on several different target cell types. In addition, IL-33 can act in an intracrine fashion by translocating to the nucleus, where it binds to the chromatin and modulates gene expression. In this article, we report that full-length IL-33, but not mature IL-33, interacts with the transcription factor NF-κB. This interaction occurs between the N-terminal part of IL-33 from aa 66–109 and the N-terminal Rel homology domain of NF-κB p65. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments in cells overexpressing IL-33 or endogenously expressing IL-33 revealed rhIL-1β–stimulated association between IL-33 and p65, whereas binding to the p50 subunit was constitutive. The biological consequence of IL-33/NF-κB complex formation was reduction in NF-κB p65 binding to its cognate DNA and impairment of p65-triggered transactivation. Overexpression of IL-33 resulted in a reduction and delay in the rhIL-1β–stimulated expression of endogenous NF-κB target genes such as IκBα, TNF-α, and C-REL. We suggest that nuclear IL-33 sequesters nuclear NF-κB and reduces NF-κB–triggered gene expression to dampen proinflammatory signaling.
The Oslo Health Study: A Dietary Index Estimating Frequent Intake of Soft Drinks and Rare Intake of Fruit and Vegetables Is Negatively Associated with Bone Mineral Density
Authors: Høstmark Arne Torbjørn , Søgaard Anne Johanne , Alvær Kari , Meyer Haakon E.
Published: July 2011

Background. Since nutritional factors may affect bone mineral density (BMD), we have investigated whether BMD is associated with an index estimating the intake of soft drinks, fruits, and vegetables.Methods. BMD was measured in distal forearm in a subsample of the population-based Oslo Health Study. 2126 subjects had both valid BMD measurements and answered all the questions required for calculating aDietary Index= the sum of intake estimates of colas and non-cola beverages divided by the sum of intake estimates of fruits and vegetables. We did linear regression analyses to study whether the Dietary Index and the single food items included in the index were associated with BMD.Results. There was a consistent negative association between the Dietary Index and forearm BMD. Among the single index components, colas and non-cola soft drinks were negatively associated with BMD. The negative association between the Dietary Index and BMD prevailed after adjusting for gender, age, and body mass index, length of education, smoking, alcohol intake, and physical activity.Conclusion. An index reflecting frequent intake of soft drinks and rare intake of fruit and vegetables was inversely related to distal forearm bone mineral density.