bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Juvenile Coral Abundance Has Decreased by More Than 50% in Only Three Decades on a Small Caribbean Island
Authors: Vermeij Mark J.A. , Bakker Judith , Hal Noam van der , Bak Rolf P.M.
Published: June 2011

A comparison of the community structure of juvenile hermatypic corals of 2 to 37 m depth at the fringing reefs of Curaçao between 1975 and 2005 shows a decline of 54.7% in juvenile coral abundance and a shift in species composition. Agaricia species and Helioseris cucullata, the most common juveniles in 1975, showed the largest decline in juvenile abundance (a 9 and 120 fold decrease in density respectively) with Helioseris cucullata being nearly extirpated locally. In 2005, Porites astreoides contributed most colonies to the juvenile coral community, increasing from 8.2% (in 1975) to 19.9% of the total juvenile community. Between 1975 and 2005, juveniles of brooding species decreased in relative abundance while the abundance of juveniles of broadcast spawning species increased or remained the same. These data illustrate the magnitude of the changes that have occurred in only three decades in the composition of juvenile coral communities.
The Protean Toxicities of Lead: New Chapters in a Familiar Story
Authors: Bellinger David  C.
Published: June 2011

Many times in the history of lead toxicology the view that “the problem” has been solved and is no longer a major health concern has prevailed, only to have further research demonstrate the prematurity of this judgment. In the last decade, an extraordinary amount of new research on lead has illustrated, all too clearly, that “the problem” has not disappeared, and that, in fact, it has dimensions never before considered. Recent risk assessments have concluded that research has yet to identify a threshold level below which lead can be considered “safe.” Although children’s intelligence has traditionally been considered to be the most sensitive endpoint, and used as the basis for risk assessment and standard setting, increased lead exposure has been associated with a wide variety of other morbidities both in children and adults, in some cases at biomarker levels comparable to those associated with IQ deficits in children. In adults, these endpoints include all-cause mortality and dysfunctions in the renal, cardiovascular, reproductive, central nervous systems. In children, IQ deficits are observed at blood lead levels well below 10 μg/dL, and the dose-effect relationship appears to be supra-linear. Other health endpoints associated with greater early-life lead exposure in children include ADHD, conduct disorder, aggression and delinquency, impaired dental health, and delayed sexual maturation. Studies employing neuroimaging modalities such as volumetric, diffusion tensor, and functional MRI are providing insights into the neural bases of the cognitive impairments associated with greater lead exposure.
Teucrium Plant Species as Natural Sources of Novel Anticancer Compounds: Antiproliferative, Proapoptotic and Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Stankovic Milan S. , Curcic Milena G. , Zizic Jovana B. , Topuzovic Marina D. , Solujic Slavica R. , Markovic Snezana D.
Published: June 2011

This study deals with total phenolic content, antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity of methanolic extracts from different Teucrium species and the effect on the prooxidant/antioxidant status in HCT-116 cells. The total phenolic content of the extracts was measured spectrophotometricaly and the obtained results ranged from 56.62 mg/g to 172.50 mg GA/g. The antiproliferative activity of methanolic extracts from different Teucrium species was determined using MTT cell viability assay, where IC50 value was used as a parameter for cytotoxicity. The type of cell death was explored by fluorescence microscopy using the acridin orange/ethidium bromide method. MTT assay showed that all extracts significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with very low IC50 values. The highest content of phenolic compounds and the best cytotoxic activity on HCT-116 cells after 24 h of exposure was in T. chamaedrys extract, with IC50 values of 5.48 × 10−9 µg/mL. After 72 h, methanolic extract of T. arduini appeared to have the best cytotoxic activity on HCT-116, with IC50 values of 0.37 µg/mL. Treatments caused typical apoptotic morphological changes in HCT-116 cells and showed a high percentage of apoptotic cells. The results of the presented research indicate that some Teucrium extracts are a very rich source of phenols, which may directly contribute to high antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity.
Marine Carotenoids and Cardiovascular Risk Markers
Authors: Riccioni Graziano , D’Orazio Nicolantonio , Franceschelli Sara , Speranza Lorenza
Published: June 2011

Marine carotenoids are important bioactive compounds with physiological activities related to prevention of degenerative diseases.found principally in plants, with potential antioxidant biological properties deriving from their chemical structure and interaction with biological membranes. They are substances with very special and remarkable properties that no other groups of substances possess and that form the basis of their many, varied functions and actions in all kinds of living organisms. The potential beneficial effects of marine carotenoids have been studied particularly in astaxanthin and fucoxanthin as they are the major marine carotenoids. Both these two carotenoids show strong antioxidant activity attributed to quenching singlet oxygen and scavenging free radicals. The potential role of these carotenoids as dietary anti-oxidants has been suggested to be one of the main mechanisms for their preventive effects against cancer and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this short review is to examine the published studies concerning the use of the two marine carotenoids, astaxanthin and fucoxanthin, in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Isolation of a Bis-Iodurated Tetra-THF as a Trace Product from the Oxidation of Squalene with RuO4 and Its Double Ring Expansion to a Novel bis-THF-bis-THP Compound
Authors: Piccialli Vincenzo , Zaccaria Sabrina , Centore Roberto , Tuzi Angela , Borbone Nicola , Oliviero Giorgia
Published: June 2011

A novel bis-iodurated polyether compound, based on an unprecedented tetra-THF backbone, has been isolated as a trace by-product of the oxidation of squalene with the catalytic system RuO2(cat.)/NaIO4. The double erythro configuration of the central portion of the molecule furnishes the first indirect support of the previously postulated pathway operating in the oxidative pentacyclization of the isoprenoid substrate. A bidirectional double oxidative bis-cyclization is invoked to explain the formation of this compound. The isolated substance was successfully subjected to a double rearrangement-ring expansion to give a novel bis-THF-bis-THP compound.
Study of Organic Honey from the Northeast of Portugal
Authors: Gomes Teresa , Feás Xesús , Iglesias Antonio , Estevinho Leticia M.
Published: June 2011

Concerns about traces of numerous toxic substances and authenticity have prompted consumer demand for honey that is certified as organic, based on strict ecological, natural principles and traceability. The present study aims to characterize organic honey samples (n = 73) from Northeast Portugal, with respect to floral nectar origin, physicochemical parameters and microbial safety. The phenols and flavonoids contents, often referred to as responsible for honey’s bioactive properties, were also assessed. All organic honey samples were classified as monofloral lavender (Lavandula sp.), exceeded in quality the international physicochemical standards and showed low microbiological counts (yeast, moulds and aerobic mesophiles), with negative results in respect to fecal coliforms, Salmonella and sulphite-reducing Clostridium spp. Correlation of the palynological, physicochemical and microbiological results is necessary to check the authenticity, quality and sanitation of honey. Although not required by international legislation, results of those assessments provide a complete outlook and elucidation of the organic honey’s properties, which could promote its valorisation.
Synthesis of Key Fragments of Amphidinolide Q — A Cytotoxic 12-membered Macrolide
Authors: Kawa Kohei , Hara Akihiro , Ishikawa Yuichi , Nishiyama Shigeru
Published: June 2011

b-Hydroxy aldehyde and alkyl ketone moieties were effectively synthesized as key intermediates of amphidinolide Q, a cytotoxic macrolide from the cultured dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp.. The asymmetric center of the former derivative was produced by Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, followed by E-selective 1,4-addition to give the sp2 methyl group. Derivatization of the L-ascorbic acid derivative by Evans asymmetric alkylation and Peterson olefination provided the latter intermediate. The coupling reaction of the segments was examined.
Recent Developments in Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Fluorescent Membrane Probes
Authors: Loura Luís M. S. , Ramalho J. P. Prates
Published: June 2011

Due to their sensitivity and versatility, the use of fluorescence techniques in membrane biophysics is widespread. Because membrane lipids are non-fluorescent, extrinsic membrane probes are widely used. However, the behaviour of these probes when inserted in the bilayer is often poorly understood, and it can be hard to distinguish between legitimate membrane properties and perturbation resulting from probe incorporation. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations present a convenient way to address these issues and have been increasingly used in recent years in this context. This article reviews the application of molecular dynamics to the study of fluorescent membrane probes, focusing on recent work with complex design fluorophores and ordered bilayer systems.
Polynomial Method for PLL Controller Optimization
Authors: Wang Ta-Chung , Lall Sanjay , Chiou Tsung-Yu
Published: June 2011

The Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) is a key component of modern electronic communication and control systems. PLL is designed to extract signals from transmission channels. It plays an important role in systems where it is required to estimate the phase of a received signal, such as carrier tracking from global positioning system satellites. In order to robustly provide centimeter-level accuracy, it is crucial for the PLL to estimate the instantaneous phase of an incoming signal which is usually buried in random noise or some type of interference. This paper presents an approach that utilizes the recent development in the semi-definite programming and sum-of-squares field. A Lyapunov function will be searched as the certificate of the pull-in range of the PLL system. Moreover, a polynomial design procedure is proposed to further refine the controller parameters for system response away from the equilibrium point. Several simulation results as well as an experiment result are provided to show the effectiveness of this approach.
Remote Real-Time Monitoring of Subsurface Landfill Gas Migration
Authors: Fay Cormac , Doherty Aiden R. , Beirne Stephen , Collins Fiachra , Foley Colum , Healy John , Kiernan Breda M. , Lee Hyowon , Maher Damien , Orpen Dylan , Phelan Thomas , Qiu Zhengwei , Zhang Kirk , Gurrin Cathal , Corcoran Brian , O’Connor Noel E. , Smeaton Alan F. , Diamond Dermot
Published: June 2011

The cost of monitoring greenhouse gas emissions from landfill sites is of major concern for regulatory authorities. The current monitoring procedure is recognised as labour intensive, requiring agency inspectors to physically travel to perimeter borehole wells in rough terrain and manually measure gas concentration levels with expensive hand-held instrumentation. In this article we present a cost-effective and efficient system for remotely monitoring landfill subsurface migration of methane and carbon dioxide concentration levels. Based purely on an autonomous sensing architecture, the proposed sensing platform was capable of performing complex analytical measurements in situ and successfully communicating the data remotely to a cloud database. A web tool was developed to present the sensed data to relevant stakeholders. We report our experiences in deploying such an approach in the field over a period of approximately 16 months.
Label Free Inhibitor Screening of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) NS5B Viral Protein Using RNA Oligonucleotide
Authors: Roh Changhyun , Kim Sang Eun , Jo Sung-Kee
Published: June 2011

Globally, over 170 million people (ca. 3% of the World’s population) are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can cause serious liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis, evolving into subsequent health problems. Driven by the need to detect the presence of HCV, as an essential factor in diagnostic medicine, the monitoring of viral protein has been of great interest in developing simple and reliable HCV detection methods. Despite considerable advances in viral protein detection as an HCV disease marker, the current enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based detection methods using antibody treatment have several drawbacks. To overcome this bottleneck, an RNA aptamer become to be emerged as an antibody substitute in the application of biosensor for detection of viral protein. In this study, we demonstrated a streptavidin-biotin conjugation method, namely, the RNA aptamer sensor system that can quantify viral protein with detection level of 700 pg mL−1 using a biotinylated RNA oligonucleotide on an Octet optical biosensor. Also, we showed this method can be used to screen inhibitors of viral protein rapidly and simply on a biotinylated RNA oligonucleotide biosensor. Among the inhibitors screened, (−)-Epigallocatechin gallate showed high binding inhibition effect on HCV NS5B viral protein. The proposed method can be considered a real-time monitoring method for inhibitor screening of HCV viral protein and is expected to be applicable to other types of diseases.
Correlates of Immunity to Filovirus Infection
Authors: Bradfute Steven  B. , Bavari Sina
Published: June 2011

Filoviruses can cause severe, often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans. Recent advances in vaccine and therapeutic drug development have provided encouraging data concerning treatment of these infections. However, relatively little is known about immune responses in fatal versus non-fatal filovirus infection. This review summarizes the published literature on correlates of immunity to filovirus infection, and highlights deficiencies in our knowledge on this topic. It is likely that there are several types of successful immune responses, depending on the type of filovirus, and the presence and timing of vaccination or drug treatment.
Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Tax: An NF-κB Path or a CREB Way?
Authors: Saggioro Daniela
Published: June 2011

The NF-κB pathway is intimately linked to the survival of mammalian cells, and its activation by Tax has consequently been considered important for human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected cell resistance to death. Very little emphasis has been given to other mechanisms, although Tax regulates the expression and activity of several cellular genes. The finding that CREB protein is activated in HTLV-1 infected cells underlines the possibility that other mechanisms of survival may be implicated in HTLV-1 infection. Indeed, CREB activation or overexpression plays a role in normal hematopoiesis, as well as in leukemia development, and CREB is considered as a survival factor in various cell systems. A better understanding of the different molecular mechanisms used by Tax to counteract cell death will also help in the development of new therapeutic strategies for HTLV-1 associated diseases.
Gold-catalyzed propargylic substitutions: Scope and synthetic developments
Authors: Debleds Olivier , Gayon Eric , Vrancken Emmanuel , Campagne Jean-Marc
Published: June 2011

This personal account summarizes our recent developments in gold-catalyzed direct substitutions on propargylic (allylic, benzylic) alcohols, with various nucleophiles (and bi-nucleophiles) based on the σ- and/or π-acidity of gold(III) complexes. Synthetic developments are also briefly described.
MATHEMATICS IN THE CONTEXT OF FUZZY SETS: BASIC IDEAS, CONCEPTS, AND SOME REMARKS ON THE HISTORY AND RECENT TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Sostaks Alexander
Published: June 2011

The main aim of this paper is to discuss the basic ideas and concepts of the so called ‘Fuzzy Mathematics’ and to give a brief survey of the history and of some trends in recent development of mathematics and its applications in the context of fuzzy sets. As a potential reader we imagine a mathematician, who is not working in the field of ‘fuzzy mathematics’, but wishes to have some idea about this vast field in modern science.
GENETIC ALGORITHM-BASED CALIBRATION OF REDUCED ORDER GALERKIN MODELS
Authors: Stankiewicz Witold , Roszaka Robert , Morzyńskia Marek
Published: June 2011

Low-dimensional models, allowing quick prediction of fluid behaviour, are key enablers of closed-loop flow control. Reduction of the model's dimension and inconsistency of high-fidelity data set and the reduced-order formulation lead to the decrease of accuracy. The quality of Reduced-Order Models might be improved by a calibration procedure. It leads to global optimization problem which consist in minimizing objective function like the prediction error of the model. In this paper, Reduced-Order Models of an incompressible flow around a bluff body are constructed, basing on Galerkin Projection of governing equations onto a space spanned by the most dominant eigenmodes of the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD). Calibration of such models is done by adding to Galerkin System some linear and quadratic terms, which coefficients are estimated using Genetic Algorithm.
ON APPROXIMATION OF VALUE FUNCTIONS FOR CONTROLLED DISCONTINUOUS RANDOM PROCESSES
Authors: Danilenko Svetlana , Pragarauskas Henrikas
Published: June 2011

We consider the problem of approximation of value functions for controlled possibly degenerated diffusion processes with jumps by using piece-wise constant control policies. A rate of convergence for the corresponding value functions is established provided that the coefficients of controlled processes are sufficiently smooth. The paper extends the results of N.V. Krylov to a more general class of controlled processes.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENERGY SECURITY LEVEL AFTER IGNALINA NPP SHUTDOWN
Authors: Augutis Juozas , Krikštolaitis Ričardas , Pečiulytė Sigita , Konstantinavičiūtė Inga
Published: June 2011

The paper presents the investigation of the impact of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) shutdown on Lithuanian energy security. The system of energy security indicators, covering technical, economic and socio-political aspects is presented. The integral characteristic of these indicators shows the level of energy security. The paper analyses the Lithuanian energy security level in 2007. To make a comparison, the energy security level in 2010, after the shutdown of Ignalina NPP, when Lithuanian Power Plant in Elektrėnai becomes the main electricity producer, is forecasted. Two alternatives are analysed: Lithuanian Power Plant uses either gas or heavy fuel oil for electricity production. The security level of each indicator, each indicator block and the total security level are presented as the result. Energy security indicators, which increased or decreased after the shutdown of Ignalina NPP, are analysed, including the indicators which have had the greatest impact on the change in energy security level. The influence of Ignalina NPP shutdown on CO2 emissions is presented. Also, electricity generating costs for different types of electricity production at a different discount rate are presented.
UTILITY-BASED MULTICRITERIA MODEL FOR EVALUATING BOT PROJECTS SEP PROJEKTŲ VERTINIMO MODELIS PAGRĮSTAS DAUGIAKRITERINE NAUDINGUMO TEORIJA / SEP PROJEKTŲ VERTINIMO MODELIS PAGRĮSTAS DAUGIAKRITERINE NAUDINGUMO TEORIJA
Authors: Yan Min-Ren , Pong Cheng-Sheng , Lo Wei
Published: June 2011

Owing to the urgent demands for new developments and maintenances of the existing infrastructures under limited government budget and time, increasing BOT (build-operate-transfer) projects have been a significant factor affecting the economic developments in many countries. However, as BOT projects usually induce huge capital investments, government sectors must prudently evaluate the project feasibility from both financial and nonfinancial aspects before the implementation. Therefore, how to establish an objective evaluation model which can comprehensively assess the feasibility of each BOT project and determine the priority of its implementation has become an important issue. This study incorporates analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and utility theory to develop a utility-based multicriteria model for supporting the selection of BOT projects. A case study is provided to demonstrate that the implementation of the proposed model can effectively help decision-making teams participate in economical evaluations so that the feasibility of as-planed BOT projects can be determined and project priority can be set efficiently and consistently.

Santrauka

Dėl esamos infrastruktūros plėtros ir atnaujinimo būtinybės, esant ribotam valstybės biudžetui ir laikui, SEP (Statyba-Eksploatacija-Perdavimas) projektų vykdymas ženkliai prisidėjo prie daugelio šalių ekonominių pokyčių. Dažnai SEP projektai reikalauja didelių kapitalo investicijų, todėl valstybės sektorius turi įvertinti projekto įgyvendinimo galimybes tiek finansiniu tiek nefinansiu aspektu. Koks turi būti objektyvaus vertinimo modelis, kuris leistų visapusiškai įvertinti kiekvieno SEP projeto pagrįstumą ir nustatyti jo įgyvendinimo prioritetus? Šiame straipsnyje, naudojant analitinę hierarchinio proceso (AHP) struktūrą ir naudingumo teoriją, SEP projektų atrinkimui sukurtas daugiakriterine naudingumo teorija pagrįstas modelis. Skaitmeninis pavyzdys įrodo, kad siūlomas modelis gali sėkmingai pagelbėti atrenkant ekonomiškai efektyvius SEP projektus.
A FUZZY APPROACH TO E-BANKING WEBSITE QUALITY ASSESSMENT BASED ON AN INTEGRATED AHP-ELECTRE METHOD / E-BANKININKYSTĖS TINKLAPIŲ KOKYBĖS VERTINIMAS PAREMTAS INTEGRUOTU NEAPIBREŽTŲJŲ AIBIŲ AHP-ELECTRE METODU
Authors: Kaya Tolga , Kahraman Cengiz
Published: June 2011

Given the lack of physical constraints of retail banking; attraction, satisfaction, and retention of customers in e-banking mostly depend on the quality of service delivered by the website. Hence, effective assessment and monitoring of website quality have become prerequisites for profitable e-banking. Determining the overall quality of a banking website is a multidimensional issue that involves evaluation of information system (IS) quality, customer services quality, and product quality. The purpose of this study is to propose an e-banking website quality assessment methodology based on an integrated fuzzy AHP-ELECTRE approach. The fuzzy set theory has been developed for dealing with the problems arising from the vagueness, ambiguity, and subjectivity of human judgment. In the proposed methodology, the weights of the criteria are generated by a fuzzy AHP analysis. Next, fuzzy ELECTRE is used to assess the quality levels of the websites. In the third step, a fuzzy dominance relation approach is used to rank the alternatives. In order to show the potentials of the proposed method, a case study in Turkish banking sector is reported together with a sensitivity analysis. Santrauka Mažmeninės e-bankininkystės sėkmė priklauso nuo klientų aptarnavimo kokybės tinklapyje. Taigi, tinklapio kokybės stebėjimas ir vertinimas yra svarbi sąlyga e-bankininkystės pelningumui. Tinklapio kokybės nustatymas yra daugiadimensis uždavinys, kuris apima informacinės sistemos, klientų aptarnavimo ir produktų kokybę. šio tyrimo tikslas – pasiūlyti e-bankininkystės tinklapio vertinimo metodiką, paremtą integruotu neapibrežtųjų aibių AHP-ELECTRE metodu. Neapibrežtųjų aibių teorija buvo sukurta tam, kad spręsti subjektyvaus žmogiško vertinimo problemą. Siūlomoje metodikoje rodiklių reikšāmin- gumai apskaičiuojami neapibrežtųjų aibių AHP metodu, po to ELECTRE metodu ivertinamas tinklapių kokybės lygis. Toliau, taikant neapibrežtųjų aibių dominavimo teoriją, surikiuojamos alternatyvos. Metodo tinkamumas demonstruojamas atliekant Turkijos bankininkystės sektoriaus tyrimą ir jautrumo analizę.
PROBABILISTIC AGGREGATION OPERATORS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN UNCERTAIN MULTI-PERSON DECISION-MAKING / TIKIMYBINIAI SUMAVIMO OPERATORIAI IR JŲ TAIKYMAS PRIIMANT GRUPINIUS SPRENDIMUS NEAPIBRĖŽTOJE APLINKOJE
Authors: Merigó José M. , Wei Guiwu
Published: June 2011

We present the uncertain probabilistic ordered weighted averaging (UPOWA) operator. It is an aggregation operator that uses probabilities and OWA operators in the same formulation considering the degree of importance of each concept in the analysis. Moreover, it also uses uncertain information assessed with interval numbers in the aggregation process. The main advantage of this aggregation operator is that it is able to use the attitudinal character of the decision maker and the available probabilistic information in an environment where the information is very imprecise and can be assessed with interval numbers. We study some of its main properties and particular cases such as the uncertain probabilistic aggregation (UPA) and the uncertain OWA (UOWA) operator. We also develop an application of the new approach in a multi-person decision-making problem in political management regarding the selection of monetary policies. Thus, we obtain the multiperson UPOWA (MP-UPOWA) operator. We see that this model gives more complete information of the decision problem because it is able to deal with decision making problems under uncertainty and under risk in the same formulation. Santrauka Autoriai pristato tikimybinį svertinio vidurkio operatorių, taikytiną neapibrežtumo sąlygomis. Tai tikimybėmis pagrįstas sumavimo operatorius, kuris kartu su svertinio vidurkio operatoriais gali įvertinti alternatyvų svarbumo laipsnį. Be to, jis gali operuoti neapibrežta informacija, išreikšta skaičiais intervaluose. Pagrindinis šio operatoriaus privalumas yra tas, kad jį galima taikyti uždaviniams, kuriuose informacija yra netiksli. Išnagrinėtos kai kurios minėto operatoriaus savybės. Sukurtas metodas pritaikytas monetarinei politikai parinkti, situacijai, kai sprendimus priima žmoniu grupė. Modelis suteikia išsamesnę informaciją apie problemą, nes gali įvertinti neapibrežtumus ir riziką.
Quelques remarques sur le passage du son au sens
Authors: Didier-Weill Alain
Published: June 2011

Résumé En supposant que la langue arrive à l’enfant à travers le chant des voyelles qui permet la production d’une continuité entre, par exemple, « O » et « A », comment devons-nous comprendre la transition vers le mot qui exige l’introduction de la consonne ? Est-ce le « Fort-Da » qui rend cette discontinuité possible ?
Humain faisant – une pensée où l'art prend son temps
Authors: Bertrand Dominique
Published: June 2011

Résumé Comment – en triangulant Athènes et Jérusalem en passant par la Chine – Alain Didier-Weill propose d’écouter notre rapport au temps sous l’angle de la pulsion, de la pulsation, dans la perspective de l’écoute ; et comment cela permet à Dominique Bertrand, musicien, de penser le temps musical – et plus largement du temps propre à l’art – comme celui qui fait l’humain.
Le vide, le blanc, le silence et le réel : Cézanne, Mallarmé, Debussy, avec Lacan
Authors: Rassial Jean-Jacques
Published: June 2011

Résumé Trois contemporains inaugurent la modernité dans l’art, l’écriture et la musique : Cézanne, ouvre à l’abstraction en poussant l’Impressionnisme jusqu’à dévoiler le vide de la matière de la toile ; Mallarmé « poursuit noir sur blanc » là où « blanc sur noir seul l’alphabet des astres s’inscrit » jusqu’au Coup de dés jamais n’abolira le hasard où se nomme le réel ; Debussy, à l’encontre d’un trop-plein Wagnérien, use le silence au cœur de la mélodie. Ils révèlent ainsi comment la pulsion de mort, à l’entropie du plaisir esthétique, est le moteur de la sublimation. Alors que d’abord le réel, pour Lacan, se concevait au négatif du symbolique, comme son impossible, la topologie le dessine, en fait la matière même de la langue, à travers la lettre (lituraterre). Ne rejoint-il pas alors les successeurs de ces trois fondateurs ?
À propos de la pulsion de mort dans la musique
Authors: Petit Laetitia
Published: June 2011

Résumé Partant de la difficulté et de la divergence des points de vue à propos de la pulsion de mort telle que Freud l’a isolée dans les années vingt du siècle dernier et qui a permis l’élaboration de la seconde topique, je propose d’examiner si la musique, art du temps, peut nous éclairer sur la pertinence d’isoler une pulsion de mort d’une dynamique pulsionnelle générale. Pour cela, je pars de l’écoute des œuvres de musique écrite occidentale du xvii e siècle à nos jours.
Des affects en musique : de la création à l'expérience esthétique
Authors: Verdier Véronique
Published: June 2011

Résumé La musique provoque des émotions, elle nous bouscule, nous touche, nous bouleverse, souvent durablement. Mais peut-on pour autant dire que la musique exprime des émotions ? Cette nuance peut paraître subtile, mais grâce à elle s’ouvre la possibilité d’entrer dans le phénomène musical et de saisir l’affect concret qui peut émerger de cette expérience. L’écoute est envisagée comme saisie active de la dynamique d’une œuvre musicale, une écoute qui suscite, comme en écho, une dynamique affective chez l’auditeur.
Le poids des codes symboliques et de la prédétermination dans l'expression musicale de la souffrance et de la déchirure
Authors: Charles-Dominique Luc
Published: June 2011

Résumé L’objet de cette communication est de mettre en évidence le traitement stéréotypé de l’expression musicale de la souffrance et de la déchirure, dont les références aux musiques de la mort (des lamentations au sonore ritualisé), aux notions de « noirceur » et « d’impureté », mais plus généralement de « contrariété », de déstabilisation et de rupture des éléments du langage musical sont centrales. Cependant, au-delà de ce traitement stéréotypé et de la question de la prédétermination culturelle et esthétique qu’il suggère, l’interprète doit se déjouer d’une trop grande prévisibilité – qui viderait ces affects de leur substance anxiogène – en recourant notamment à la discontinuité timbrique, la seule susceptible de refléter sa personnalité intime, de le mettre à nu, de bouleverser l’auditeur, de faire que l’émotion soit ressentie et partagée.
La voix et l'idéal : le Zeibikiko comme instrument de l'honneur
Authors: Kousouri Marina
Published: June 2011

Résumé Cet article a pour objet de mettre en lumière le rapport existant entre l’acte d’une part, et la (mise en) musique comme expression d’un traumatisme historique collectif d’autre part. L’art musical permet en effet l’expression d’un idéal qui, mis en regard de la réalité sociale et politique quotidienne, est à la fois réinvesti par les sujets et source de souffrance pour ces derniers. La voix chantée notamment, et plus largement l’art musical qui comprend également la danse, exacerbant la tension entre l’idéal et la réalité, en viennent à faire loi pour le sujet, jusqu’à le pousser à la révolte ou au crime.
Le c(h)oeur battant-chantant de Dionysos
Authors: Schott-Billmann France
Published: June 2011

Résumé Danser en chantant est une pratique courante des fêtes traditionnelles populaires. La culture orale a conservé ce langage global qui invoque par tout le corps, sans séparer la musique, le geste et la voix, alors que l’Occident les dissocie depuis le xv e  siècle, sauf dans l’opéra. Le xx e  siècle désireux de revenir aux sources en déconstruisant les formes classiques, renoue avec l’art total. Ainsi, le mouvement Dada invente une poésie phonétique composée non pas de mots, mais d’onomatopées, de cris et de rythmes. Mais, encore trop « cérébrale », elle est bien oubliée aujourd’hui. Par contre, les arts primitivistes musico-chorégraphiques, comme la « Black dance » aux États-Unis, le jazz et, aujourd’hui le rock, réussissent à faire passer dans la modernité les lois rythmiques de la culture orale : le rythme, la symétrie et la répétition. Ces rythmes premiers qui « miment » les processus vitaux du cœur, du souffle et de la répétition, amènent le danseur-chanteur à participer tout naturellement et avec tout son corps (geste et voix) à la musique. Uni au battement vital, le « démon » Dionysos, dieu tragique dont le cœur bat au-delà de la mort, dieu mystique qui accepte la perte et la dépasse, le sujet renouvelle l’expérience enthousiasmante du fort-da et la jouissance de la non-contradiction des « opposés » corps/esprit, individu/groupe, dedans/dehors, nature/culture, réel/symbolique, masculin/féminin, humain/divin. L’accès à la Loi humanisante par la participation au cœur battant de Dionysos est l’origine et l’enjeu civilisateur des arts populaires, que Nietzsche appelle dionysiaques. C’est pourquoi ils contiennent, conservent et transmettent les rythmes premiers. Aussi, le cœur de Dionysos bat-il aujourd’hui plus vivant que jamais : la pulsation de la culture rock et de ses dérivés (rap, hip-hop…) enveloppe d’oralité « médiatique » la Terre tout entière.
Souffrance de Ferdinand de Saussure
Authors: Zaepffel Alain
Published: June 2011

Résumé Dans ses carnets consacrés à la poésie greco-latine, Ferdinand de Saussure nomme anagramme la dissémination par les poètes d’un mot dans l’espace d’un ou de plusieurs vers. Toutefois il note : « Le terme anaphonie serait plus juste. » Les « fragments phoniques » dispersés parfois sur six vers, dans les poèmes latins peuvent s’entendre comme des voix revêtues du nom d’un héros ou d’un dieu par le linguiste. Or, la voix (« figure vocale », « onde sonore ») est exclue de la définition du signe par Saussure. Dès lors, ces carnets ne peuvent-ils apparaître comme la tentative secrète de réinscrire la voix au cœur du signe afin d’en rémunérer l’arbitraire ?
La lalalangue
Authors: Treton Danielle
Published: June 2011

Résumé Depuis la notion de lapsus et ses rapports avec l’inconscient, la musicalité de la langue est questionnée. Le concept de Lacan : lalangue est revisité comme une musique inconsciente à travers une pratique avec les enfants et leur mère.
Un fils devenu fétiche
Authors: Girard-Frésard Jacqueline
Published: June 2011

Résumé L’auteure présente l’itinéraire d’un cas clinique ; une fillette perd son père à 9 ans et développe face à une mère « frigidaire vide d’affect » une homosexualité affective à la fin de l’adolescence. Elle devient à l’âge adulte artiste photographe et elle choisit son fils comme objet artistique de prédilection, tel un objet fétiche.
Permanence du corps et variations du symptôme hystérique et/ou psychosomatique
Authors: Morhain Yves
Published: June 2011

Résumé Depuis la découverte de la psychanalyse, la symptomatologie hystérique continue de questionner et de défier les limites de l’analysable. Entre corps et langage, réaction thérapeutique négative et besoin de compréhension empathique, la demande de l’hystérique nous confronte au risque du malentendu. Témoignage d’une souffrance qui n’a pu être entendue par le passé, le chemin tracé par le symptôme signe à la fois un échec de la symbolisation et un dernier rempart psychique contre l’effondrement.
Les dynamiques d'opposition dans les situations de conflit : les partis arabo-palestiniens d'Israël
Authors: Kaufman Ilana
Published: June 2011

Résumé Cet article identifie les conditions entraînant la labellisation de partis anti-système “purement” relationnels en accord avec les principes démocratiques comme partis d’opposition subversifs pour le régime. L’hypothèse avancée est que trois variables sont à prendre en compte dans ce phénomène : un clivage et une tension sécuritaire entre une majorité et une minorité nationale ; une structure fermée de compétition et l’instauration de la suprématie de partis de droite. Le cas d’étude de partis représentant la minorité arabo-palestinienne en Israël est utilisé pour illustrer ces dynamiques entre 2000 et 2009.
Oppositions parlementaires, gouvernements minoritaires et démocraties inclusives. L'exemple des pays scandinaves
Authors: Hastings Michel
Published: June 2011

Résumé Les pays scandinaves partagent une culture politique de la négociation qui leur a permis de mettre en place un répertoire très diversifié de modalités de consultation et d’association entre le gouvernement et l’opposition parlementaire. Mais au-delà de ces diversités, on constate aujourd’hui un recul des recherches de majorités ad hoc au profit d’un soutien conçu dans la durée par des partis érigés en partenaires. Ces arrangements s’institutionnalisent progressivement, engageant désormais les loyautés et les confiances dans des programmes de plus en plus intégrés. Il est probable qu’à terme ces reconfigurations coalitionnelles s’accompagnent d’une hiérarchisation des partis d’opposition en fonction de leur potentiel d’association.
Les effets des référendums européens sur les dynamiques de compétition des partis d'opposition : une perspective comparée
Authors: Petithomme Mathieu
Published: June 2011

Résumé À travers une analyse comparée de huit référendums européens en Espagne, en France et en Irlande depuis le Traité de Maastricht en 1992, cet article s’intéresse aux effets du contexte référendaire sur les dynamiques de compétition des partis d’opposition. En faisant apparaître un « cartel du Oui », les référendums déplacent le clivage dominant entre gouvernement et opposition dans les démocraties majoritaires, augmentant le factionnalisme et diminuant la capacité de mobilisation des principaux partis de l’opposition, tiraillés entre soutien idéologique à l’intégration européenne et opposition stratégique au gouvernement, renforçant ainsi le rôle joué par les partis périphériques de l’opposition.
Gouvernement représentatif v. Gouvernement responsable
Authors: Mair Peter
Published: June 2011

Résumé L’environnement dans lequel les partis agissent dans les démocraties contemporaines, et les circonstances changeantes dans lesquelles les gouvernements gouvernent aujourd’hui ont entrainé un élargissement du fossé traditionnel entre gouvernement responsable et représentatif. Bien qu’il soit généralement considéré comme désirable que les partis au gouvernement soient à la fois représentatifs et responsables, ces deux caractéristiques tendent à devenir de plus en plus incompatibles. De plus, en raison de changements dans leur organisation et leurs relations avec la société civile, les partis ne parviennent plus à gérer ce fossé ni même à convaincre les électeurs de l’accepter comme un élément nécessaire de la vie politique. Cette incompatibilité croissante est une des principales sources du malaise démocratique de nombreuses démocraties aujourd’hui.
Responding to Demands to Change Nursing Education: Use of Curriculum Mapping to Assess Curricular Content
Authors: Landry Lynette G. , Alameida Marshall D. , Orsolini-Hain Liana , Renwanz Boyle Andrea , Privé Alice , Chien Annie , McAteer Jane , Holpit Leslie , Leong Agnes
Published: June 2011

Nurse educators are endeavoring to assess and revise their undergraduate curriculum for a variety of reasons. Legislation passed in California mandates that universities must offer more seamless associate degree-to-baccalaureate of science in nursing degree programs and must ensure that course content in their programs is not redundant across program types. A nursing education consortium, including a university, two community colleges, and four hospital partners, formed a working group to assess all undergraduate curricula. This working group included faculty from all three academic institutions and nurse educators from area service provider partners. This article describes the use of curriculum mapping using a tool formed based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s
Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice
to assess the three curricula and the outcomes and implications of the assessment.
Femtosecond Laser Capsulotomy and Manual Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorrhexis Parameters and Their Effects on Intraocular Lens Centration
Authors: Kránitz Kinga , Takacs Agnes , Miháltz Kata , Kovács Illés , Knorz Michael C. , Nagy Zoltán Z.
Published: June 2011

PURPOSE:

To measure and compare sizing and positioning parameters of femtosecond laser capsulotomy with manual continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis (CCC).

METHODS:

Femtosecond capsulotomies (Alcon-LenSx Lasers Inc) and CCC were carried out in 20 eyes of 20 patients, respectively. Intraocular lens (IOL) decentration, circularity, vertical and horizontal diameters of capsulotomies, and capsule overlap were measured with Adobe Photoshop (Adobe Systems Inc) 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year after surgery. Between-group differences of parameters and predictors of IOL decentration were determined with repeated measures analysis of variance, chi-square test, and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS:

Vertical diameter of CCC was statistically significantly higher in the first week and month. Significantly higher values of capsule overlap over 1 year and circularity in the first week showed more regular femtosecond capsulotomies. Horizontal IOL decentration was statistically significantly higher in the CCC group over 1 year. A significant difference was noted between the two groups in dichotomized horizontal decentration values at 0.4 mm with chi-square test after 1 week and 1 year (
P
=.035 and
P
=.016, respectively). In univariable general estimating equation models, type of capsulorrhexis (
P
<.01) and capsule overlap (
P
=.002) were significant predictors of horizontal decentration. Vertical diameter showed significant correlation to the overlap in the CCC group (1 week: r=−0.91; 1 month: r=−0.76,
P
<.01; 1 year: r=−0.62,
P
<.01), whereas no significant correlation was noted in the femtosecond group (
P
>.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

More precise capsulotomy sizing and centering can be achieved with femtosecond laser. Properly sized, shaped, and centered femtosecond laser capsulotomies resulted in better overlap parameters that help maintain proper positioning of the IOL.
Construction de l'argumentation dans l'article de recherche en mécanique, différences entre discours du francophone et de l'anglophone
Authors: Bachschmidt Patrick
Published: June 2011

Dans le présent article, il s'agit de montrer comment le chercheur francophone ou anglophone, devenu homme-texte (énonciateur), construit son argumentation dans l'article de recherche pour justifier sa démarche expérimentale de façon logique auprès de ses pairs (coénonciateur). Il s'agit également de voir comment le discours du francophone se fonde sur une rhétorique rhématique centrée sur les faits et un raisonnement déductif alors que l'anglophone recourt à une phraséologie complexe de nature thématique et inductive. Il s'agit enfin d'analyser la manière dont l'énonciateur et le coénonciateur cohabitent dans un discours à forte valeur stratégique
TheIn VitroEffects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of the Leaves ofAgeratum conyzoides(Asteraceae) on Three Life Cycle Stages of the Parasitic NematodeHeligmosomoides bakeri(Nematoda: Heligmosomatidae)
Authors: Wabo Poné J. , Fossi Tankoua Olivia , Yondo Jeannette , Komtangi Marie Claire , Mbida Mpoame , Bilong Bilong C. F.
Published: June 2011

A comparativein vitrostudy was carried out to determine the ovicidal and larvicidal activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts ofAgeratum conyzoides(Asteraceae) leaves on the eggs (unembryonated and embryonated), first and second larval stages ofHeligmosomoides bakeri. Four different concentrations (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 3.75 mg·mL−1) of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts were tested. Distilled water and 5% tween were used as negative controls in the bioassay. In fact, they did not affect development of eggs, hatching, and larval survival. The extract activities were dose dependent. The ethanolic extract was more potent against embryonation (39.6 ± 2.9%) than the aqueous extract (53.3 ± 10.9%) at the highest concentration (3.75 mg·ml−1). Both types of extracts killed larvae. Mebendazole proved more lethal (EC50of 0.745 and 0.323 mg·mL−1, resp., for L1and L2larvae). The aqueous extracts were the least lethal (EC50of 4.76 and 2.29 mg·mL−1, resp., for L1and L2larvae). The ethanolic extracts showed intermediate activity (EC50of 1.323 and 1.511 mg·mL−1, resp., for L1and L2larvae). It is concluded that the ovicidal and larvicidal properties of aqueous and ethanolic extracts ofAgeratum conyzoidesleaves are demonstrated in this work.
Differential Effects in Cardiovascular Markers between High-Dose Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker Monotherapy and Combination Therapy of ARB with Calcium Channel Blocker in Hypertension (DEAR Trial)
Authors: Kinouchi Kenichiro , Ichihara Atsuhiro , Bokuda Kanako , Kurosawa Hideaki , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: June 2011

Background/Aims. Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to determine the effect of olmesartan (OLM) and azelnidipine (AZL) on arterial stiffness using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), which is a novel blood pressure (BP)-independent marker for arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.Methods. Fifty-two consecutive hypertensive patients were randomly assigned either to a group treated with OLM monotherapy or to a group treated with OLM and AZL combination therapy. Clinical and biological parameters were measured before and 12 months after the start of this study.Results. Both therapies significantly and similarly reduced BP, augmentation index, and plasma aldosterone levels. The combination therapy significantly decreased CAVI and serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels and these reductions were significantly greater than those produced with monotherapy. No significant differences in metabolic parameters were observed between the two therapies.Conclusion. The combination therapy with OLM and AZL had beneficial effects on arterial stiffness assessed by CAVI, LDL-C, and metabolism, despite the similar BP reduction, compared with OLM monotherapy. Since these markers are known to influence the future risk of cardiovascular events, combination therapy with OLM and AZL could be a useful choice for treating hypertensive patients.
Pleiotropic Effects of Thyroid Hormones: Learning from Hypothyroidism
Authors: Franco Martha , Chávez Edmundo , Pérez-Méndez Oscar
Published: June 2011

Hypothyroidism induces several metabolic changes that allow understanding some physiopathological mechanisms. Under experimental hypothyroid conditions in rats, heart and kidney are protected against oxidative damage induced by ischemia reperfusion. An increased resistance to opening of the permeability transition pore seems to be at the basis of such protection. Moreover, glomerular filtration rate of hypothyroid kidney is low as a result of adenosine receptors-induced renal vasoconstriction. The vascular tone of aorta is also regulated by adenosine in hypothyroid conditions. In other context, thyroid hormones regulate lipoprotein metabolism. High plasma level of LDL cholesterol is a common feature in hypothyroidism, due to a low expression of the hepatic LDL receptor. In contrast, HDL-cholesterol plasma levels are variable in hypothyroidism; several proteins involved in HDL metabolism and structure are expressed at lower levels in experimental hypothyroidism. Based on the positive influence of thyroid hormones on lipoprotein metabolism, thyromimetic drugs are promising for the treatment of dyslipidemias. In summary, hypothyroid status has been useful to understand molecular mechanisms involved in ischemia reperfusion, regulation of vascular function and intravascular metabolism of lipoproteins.