bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eugene O'Neill: The Face and the Mask
Authors: Edel Leon
Published: March 2013

When Mr. Eugene O'Neill last November received the Nobel prize for literature, he modestly remarked that it was "a symbol of the coming of age of the American theatre," thus dividing the honours with his contemporaries, many of whom no longer considered him artistically contemporaneous. For there has been in recent dramatic literature no more interesting example of an early flowering and—though the point is disputable—a premature fading: the explosion of a dynamic force that spent itself within its decade. There is ample justification for seeing in the awarding of the Nobel prize a belated crowning of Eugene O'Neill's early promise rather than of his later and grosser success. The prize consecrates his historic position in the American theatre, but is capable of exaggerating his importance to the drama of the 1930's. In a word, if in O'Neill the American theatre came of age, it is going on to maturity in other hands.
The History of American Protestantism: An Interpretation
Authors: Langford
Published: March 2013

The history of the Protestant churches in America has two phases. The first did not survive a century of American growth. The second has prevailed until our own times, and is now probably nearing its end. The first was a projection of old-wor1d Protestantism. The second was the product, partly of eighteenth-century intellectual trends throughout the Western world, but also of distinctively American elements; and the remarkable longevity of the phase is in large measure owing to the social and economic conditions of a frontier continent.
Magic Spades in Mesopotamia
Authors: Meek Theophile
Published: March 2013

The past few years have been stirring ones in Mesopotamian archaeology. Never since George Smith's thrilling discovery of the Flood Story in 1872 have there been such startling finds, each year vying with the others in the importance of its discoveries. Never has there been such activity in the field, with all the important nations represented in the work. Numerous sites have been excavated in every part of the country, on a scale not attempted before and following a vastly more scientific technique, with careful attention given to stratification, pottery types, and the careful recording of all finds. The result has been, not only an enlargement of our knowledge of the periods of Mesopotamian history concerning which we had some previous knowledge, but the opening up of a whole vista of pre-history absolutely undreamed of a few years ago, carrying us back to a date unbelievably remote, estimated to be at least as early as 5000 B.C. It is the purpose of this paper to sketch the new picture of Mesopotamian history that has resulted from these discoveries, and it will deal with the several periods in chronological order.
Reviews
Authors: Knox  , Cochrane Charles , Chant  , Steinhauer  , Davis Herbert
Published: March 2013

J. Dover Wilson, What Happens in Hamlet, reviewed by R. S. Knox

Harley Granville-Barker, Prefaces to Shakespeare, reviewed by R. S. Knox

John Buchan, Augustus, reviewed by Charles N. Cochrane

J. B. Rhine, New Frontiers of the Mind, reviewed by S. N. F. Chant

E. M. Butler, The Tyranny of Greece over Germany, reviewed by H. Steinhauer
Proletarian Fiction in England
Authors: Glicksberg Charles
Published: March 2013

The Novel and the People, a book recently published by Ralph Fox (who died fighting for the Loyalists in Spain) charges that modern fiction is characterized by complete intellectual bankruptcy, that it is feeble in quality and anaemic in content, faced with difficulties which it cannot overcome. He dismisses novelists like Wells, D. H. Lawrence, and Aldous Huxley because they lacked the knowledge and the understanding to report the whole truth, the ability to portray dynamic characters in interaction with their environment, characters who are master of their destiny. Yet he, too, warns against the dangers inherent in the bald politicalization of fiction.
The Evolution of the Civil Service
Authors: Sharp
Published: March 2013

There are two ways in which the significance of the term “civil service” in Canada and Great Britain differs from its significance in the United States. In the first place, in Canada and Great Britain the term covers only the national service (in Canada the provincial as well as the federal); in the United States it is extended to cover local government. In the other respect, however, the meaning in the United States is more restricted. “Civil service,” writes Professor Leonard D. White in relation to the United States, “is used as synonymous with the merit system: that is, that portion of the public service, selected through examination and possessing status, permanent tenure, and usually a retirement pension. The merit system, more specifically, is the body of law and regulations which confers such status in order to .diminish the effect of politics and patronage, referred to generally as the spoils system,”
Comparative Literature: Its Meaning and Scope
Authors: Will
Published: March 2013

The course of the development of Comparative Literature as a discipline has been slow and difficult. Its sphere still affords material for discussion and there is still disagreement as to its method. What is its relation to other disciplines in the field of letters, such as literary criticism and literary history?
How Fascism Came to Austria
Authors: Gulick, Jr. Charles
Published: March 2013

In the world-wide indignation aroused by the obliteration of a tiny nation's independence it is easy to slight one important fact: Hitler did not bring fascism to Austria. That job was begun at Versailles and St. Germain, but it was completed by a cabinet of which Schuschnigg was a member (though he personally looked forward to a Habsburg restoration). Hitler changed only the colour and the form of fascism. From the early days of the Republic certain powerful economic groups were determined to overthrow it as soon as possible, and by force if necessary. On the other side, that is, chiefly among the working classes, was an equal determination to defend democratic institutions and to retain the social and economic gains of 1918 and 1919.
Pan-Germanism Once More
Authors: Usher Roland
Published: March 2013

The Second World War is already in its fifth month. There has never been a great European war in which the moral issue was clearer, more sharply defined. The regime in Germany has been guilty of acts of oppression, brutality, and intolerance without parallel since the Middle Ages. The Christian Church, both Protestant and Roman Catholic, has been openly assailed. Christianity itself has been attacked; the Bible denounced as Jewish; Wotan and the cult of the German blood substituted for Christian worship. Freedom of speech and of the press, freedom of investigation in the social sciences have been brought practically to an end. This new “culture” and “civilization” are now to be extended to Europe and then to the world at large. The attempt to conquer Europe has already made progress: Austria, the Sudeten, Bohemia and Moravia, half of Poland have been annexed to the Third Reich. To all of these the blessings of intolerance, of Fascism, and of the goose step are being transferred. The Second World War is being fought to bring this regime to an end and to restore in Europe the reign of peace, of law, of liberty, and of democracy. The moral aims of the war are crystal clear.
Browning's Poetry: Fifty Years After
Authors: Raymond William
Published: March 2013

Though it is now fifty years since the death of Robert Browning, the time is yet unripe (or a definitive estimate of his place amongst English men of letters. During his lifetime he experienced, perhaps to a greater extent than any of hi s contemporaries; the vicissitudes of a poet's lot. A long period of depreciation, in which his poetry was a by-word for difficulty' and obscurity, was followed by a sudden access of fame. From the time of the publication of The Ring and the Book in 1868-9 until his death in 1889, his niche beside Tennyson as one of the two master poets of the Victorian era was secure. Criticism was succeeded by panegyric, reaching its acme in the adulation of the Browning Society and its mushroom offshoots in England and America.
Coleridge and the Theory of Imagination
Authors: Carver
Published: March 2013

It is generally agreed that a politician may re;lllSe his opInions without incurring the charge of fickleness provided that he yields passively to the pressure of external events. “A man,” says Macaulay, “who had held exactly the same opinion about the [French] Revolution in 1789, in 1794, in 1804, in 1814, and in 1834, would have been either a divinely inspired prophet, or an obstinate fool” Southey, if he agreed with Macaulay in nothing else, would certainly have agreed with him in this, for he himself had swung like a pendulum from one extreme to the other until, by the exhaustion of its energy, the clock had stopped. He would have been ready to defend any inconsistency which had some discernible relation to the headlines in the newspapers; but that a man should change his convictions from no definable cause except an increase of knowledge or an access of second thoughts was an eccentricity which hardly admitted of a charitable explanation. Referring to Coleridge in July, 1808, Southey wrote to William Taylor: “Dr Sayers would not now find him the warm Hartleyan that he has been; Hartley was ousted by Berkeley, Berkeley by Spinoza, and Spinoza by Plato; when last I saw him Jacob Behmen had some chance of coming in. The truth is that he plays with systems, and any nonsense will serve him for a text from which he can deduce something new and surprising.”
Marktwirtschaftliche Anreize für Naturschutz in tropischen und subtropischen Ländern
Authors: Diemer Matthias , Borner Sybille
Published: March 2013

Market-based incentives for conservation in tropical and subtropical forests

Millions of hectares of forests are lost every year in the tropics and subtropics as a result of land use changes and illegal logging. To address this situation, a number of market-based approaches were developed. The rationale is that tropical forests can only be maintained in the long term if economic returns of sustainable activities are equivalent to unsustainable forest uses. This article describes mechanisms such as income generation from forest products, payments for ecosystem services, compensation payments as well as green finance products. An important prerequisite for the successful application of these market-based approaches are robust and legally binding land and land use rights.
Experimental Assessment of a 2-D Entropy-Based Model for Velocity Distribution in Open Channel Flow
Authors: Fontana Nicola , Marini Gustavo , Paola Francesco
Published: March 2013

Velocity distribution in an open channel flow can be very useful to model many hydraulic phenomena. Among the others, several 1D models based on the concept of entropy are available in the literature, which allow estimating the velocity distribution by measuring velocities only in a few points. Nevertheless, since 1D models have often a limited practical use, a 2D entropy based model was recently developed. The model provides a reliable estimation of the velocity distribution for open channel flow with a rectangular cross section, if the maximum velocity and the average velocity are known. In this paper results from the proposed model were compared with measured velocities carried out from laboratory experiments. Calculated values were also compared with results inferred from a 2D model available in the literature, resulting in a greater ease of use and a more reliable estimate of the velocity profile.
Pareto Optimal Reconfiguration of Power Distribution Systems Using a Genetic Algorithm Based on NSGA-II
Authors: Tomoiagă Bogdan , Chindriş Mircea , Sumper Andreas , Sudria-Andreu Antoni , Villafafila-Robles Roberto
Published: March 2013

Reconfiguration, by exchanging the functional links between the elements of the system, represents one of the most important measures which can improve the operational performance of a distribution system. The authors propose an original method, aiming at achieving such optimization through the reconfiguration of distribution systems taking into account various criteria in a flexible and robust approach. The novelty of the method consists in: the criteria for optimization are evaluated on active power distribution systems (containing distributed generators connected directly to the main distribution system and microgrids operated in grid-connected mode); the original formulation (Pareto optimality) of the optimization problem and an original genetic algorithm (based on NSGA-II) to solve the problem in a non-prohibitive execution time. The comparative tests performed on test systems have demonstrated the accuracy and promptness of the proposed algorithm.
2002–2012: 10 Years of Research Progress in Horizontal-Axis Marine Current Turbines
Authors: Ng Kai-Wern , Lam Wei-Haur , Ng Khai-Ching
Published: March 2013

Research in marine current energy, including tidal and ocean currents, has undergone significant growth in the past decade. The horizontal-axis marine current turbine is one of the machines used to harness marine current energy, which appears to be the most technologically and economically viable one at this stage. A number of large-scale marine current turbines rated at more than 1 MW have been deployed around the World. Parallel to the development of industry, academic research on horizontal-axis marine current turbines has also shown positive growth. This paper reviews previous research on horizontal-axis marine current turbines and provides a concise overview for future researchers who might be interested in horizontal-axis marine current turbines. The review covers several main aspects, such as: energy assessment, turbine design, wakes, generators, novel modifications and environmental impact. Future trends for research on horizontal-axis marine current turbines are also discussed.
Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester as a Potential Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer Targeting Akt Signaling
Authors: Lin Hui-Ping , Lin Ching-Yu , Liu Chun-Chieh , Su Liang-Cheng , Huo Chieh , Kuo Ying-Yu , Tseng Jen-Chih , Hsu Jong-Ming , Chen Chi-Kuan , Chuu Chih-Pin
Published: March 2013

Prostate cancer is the fifth most common cancer overall in the world. Androgen ablation therapy is the primary treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. However, most prostate cancer patients receiving the androgen ablation therapy ultimately develop recurrent castration-resistant tumors within 1–3 years after treatment. The median overall survival time is 1–2 years after tumor relapse. Chemotherapy shows little effect on prolonging survival for patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. More than 80% of prostate tumors acquire mutation or deletion of tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a negative regulator of PI3K/Akt signaling, indicating that inhibition of PI3K/Akt might be a potential therapy for advanced prostate tumors. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a strong antioxidant extracted from honeybee hive propolis. CAPE is a well-known NF-κB inhibitor. CAPE has been used in folk medicine as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Recent studies indicate that CAPE treatment suppresses tumor growth and Akt signaling in human prostate cancer cells. We discuss the potential of using CAPE as a treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer targeting Akt signaling pathway in this review article.
Inhibition of Human Transthyretin Aggregation by Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Compounds: A Structural and Thermodynamic Analysis
Authors: Sant'Anna Ricardo , Braga Carolina , Polikarpov Igor , Ventura Salvador , Lima Luis , Foguel Debora
Published: March 2013

Transthyretin (TTR) is a homotetrameric protein that circulates in plasma and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) whose aggregation into amyloid fibrils has been associated with at least two different amyloid diseases: senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA) and familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). In SSA aggregates are composed of WT-TTR, while in FAP more than 100 already-described variants have been found in deposits. Until now, TTR-related diseases have been untreatable, although a new drug called Tafamidis has been approved only in Europe to specifically treat V30M patients. Thus, new strategies are still necessary to treat FAP caused by other variants of TTR. TTR has two channels in the dimer interface that bind to the hormone thyroxin and that have been used to accommodate anti-amyloidogenic compounds. These compounds stabilize the tetramers, rendering TTR less amyloidogenic. Here, we investigated the effects of three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds—sulindac (SUL), indomethacin (IND) and lumiracoxib (LUM)—as tetramer stabilizers and aggregation inhibitors. WT-TTR and the very aggressive TTR variant L55P were used as models. These compounds were able to stabilize TTR against high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), increasing the ΔGf by several kcal. They were also effective in inhibiting WT-TTR and L55P acid- or HHP-induced aggregation; in particular, LUM and IND were very effective, inhibiting almost 100% of the aggregation of both proteins under certain conditions. The species formed when aggregation was performed in the presence of these compounds were much less toxic to cells in culture. The crystal structures of WT-TTR bound to the three compounds were solved at high resolution, allowing the identification of the relevant protein:drug interactions. We discuss here the ligand-binding features of LUM, IND and SUL to TTR, emphasizing the critical interactions that render the protein more stable and less amyloidogenic.
Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer: A Review of Pathogenesis
Authors: Worley Michael , Welch William , Berkowitz Ross , Ng Shu-Wing
Published: March 2013

Endometriosis is classically defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside of the endometrial lining and uterine musculature. With an estimated frequency of 5%–10% among women of reproductive age, endometriosis is a common gynecologic disorder. While in itself a benign lesion, endometriosis shares several characteristics with invasive cancer, has been shown to undergo malignant transformation, and has been associated with an increased risk of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown an increased risk of EOC among women with endometriosis. This is particularly true for women with endometrioid and clear cell ovarian carcinoma. However, the carcinogenic pathways by which endometriosis associated ovarian carcinoma (EAOC) develops remain poorly understood. Current molecular studies have sought to link endometriosis with EAOC through pathways related to oxidative stress, inflammation and hyperestrogenism. In addition, numerous studies have sought to identify an intermediary lesion between endometriosis and EAOC that may allow for the identification of endometriosis at greatest risk for malignant transformation or for the prevention of malignant transformation of this common gynecologic disorder. The objective of the current article is to review the current data regarding the molecular events associated with EAOC development from endometriosis, with a primary focus on malignancies of the endometrioid and clear cell histologic sub-types.
Roles of Melatonin in Fetal Programming in Compromised Pregnancies
Authors: Chen Yu-Chieh , Sheen Jiunn-Ming , Tiao Miao-Meng , Tain You-Lin , Huang Li-Tung
Published: March 2013

Compromised pregnancies such as those associated with gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth retardation, preeclampsia, maternal undernutrition, and maternal stress may negatively affect fetal development. Such pregnancies may induce oxidative stress to the fetus and alter fetal development through the epigenetic process that may affect development at a later stage. Melatonin is an oxidant scavenger that reverses oxidative stress during the prenatal period. Moreover, the role of melatonin in epigenetic modifications in the field of developmental programming has been studied extensively. Here, we describe the physiological function of melatonin in pregnancy and discuss the roles of melatonin in fetal programming in compromised pregnancies, focusing on its involvement in redox and epigenetic mechanisms.
Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics for the Analysis of Chromatin Structure and Dynamics
Authors: Soldi Monica , Cuomo Alessandro , Bremang Michael , Bonaldi Tiziana
Published: March 2013

Chromatin is a highly structured nucleoprotein complex made of histone proteins and DNA that controls nearly all DNA-dependent processes. Chromatin plasticity is regulated by different associated proteins, post-translational modifications on histones (hPTMs) and DNA methylation, which act in a concerted manner to enforce a specific “chromatin landscape”, with a regulatory effect on gene expression. Mass Spectrometry (MS) has emerged as a powerful analytical strategy to detect histone PTMs, revealing interplays between neighbouring PTMs and enabling screens for their readers in a comprehensive and quantitative fashion. Here we provide an overview of the recent achievements of state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics for the detailed qualitative and quantitative characterization of histone post-translational modifications, histone variants, and global interactomes at specific chromatin regions. This synopsis emphasizes how the advances in high resolution MS, from “Bottom Up” to “Top Down” analysis, together with the uptake of quantitative proteomics methods by chromatin biologists, have made MS a well-established method in the epigenetics field, enabling the acquisition of original information, highly complementary to that offered by more conventional, antibody-based, assays.
User and Machine Authentication and Authorization Infrastructure for Distributed Wireless Sensor Network Testbeds
Authors: Anwander Markus , Braun Torsten , Hurni Philipp , Staub Thomas , Wagenknecht Gerald
Published: March 2013

The intention of an authentication and authorization infrastructure (AAI) is to simplify and unify access to different web resources. With a single login, a user can access web applications at multiple organizations. The Shibboleth authentication and authorization infrastructure is a standards-based, open source software package for web single sign-on (SSO) across or within organizational boundaries. It allows service providers to make fine-grained authorization decisions for individual access of protected online resources. The Shibboleth system is a widely used AAI, but only supports protection of browser-based web resources. We have implemented a Shibboleth AAI extension to protect web services using Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP). Besides user authentication for browser-based web resources, this extension also provides user and machine authentication for web service-based resources. Although implemented for a Shibboleth AAI, the architecture can be easily adapted to other AAIs.
Adaptive Communication Techniques for the Internet of Things
Authors: Du Peng , Roussos George
Published: March 2013

The vision for the Internet of Things (IoT) demands that material objects acquire communications and computation capabilities and become able to automatically identify themselves through standard protocols and open systems, using the Internet as their foundation. Yet, several challenges still must be addressed for this vision to become a reality. A core ingredient in such development is the ability of heterogeneous devices to communicate adaptively so as to make the best of limited spectrum availability and cope with competition which is inevitable as more and more objects connect to the system. This survey provides an overview of current developments in this area, placing emphasis on wireless sensor networks that can provide IoT capabilities for material objects and techniques that can be used in the context of systems employing low-power versions of the Internet Protocol (IP) stack. The survey introduces a conceptual model that facilitates the identification of opportunities for adaptation in each layer of the network stack. After a detailed discussion of specific approaches applicable to particular layers, we consider how sharing information across layers can facilitate further adaptation. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions.
4'-Bromophenyl Triptycene-2,5-diol
Authors: Ganesh Shimoga , Pai Karkala , Karidurganavar Mahadevappa
Published: March 2013

Diels Alder reaction of 4-bromophenylquinone (Br-PQ) with anthracene, followed by reduction affords the desired 4'-bromophenyl triptycene-2,5-diol (T-Br-PH). The described synthesis represents a simple and efficient method for the construction of a triptycene ring with a bromophenyl pendant. The intermediate and the final compound (T-Br-PH) have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, and LCMS techniques.
An Efficient Local Molecular Dynamics Polymerization Simulation Combined with an Ab Initio MO Method
Authors: Xie Peng , Orimoto Yuuichi , Aoki Yuriko
Published: March 2013

A new local ab initio molecular dynamics method, namely elongation molecular dynamics (ELG-MD) is proposed for highly efficient simulations of aperiodic polymer systems. ELG-MD combines the elongation method (ELG) with the Gear predictor corrector (GPC) algorithm of molecular dynamics simulation. In this method, the local gradients acting on the atom’s nucleus in the active region are calculated by the ELG method while the equations of the nucleus’s motion are solved by the GPC algorithm. In this work, the first application of this ELG-MD method is described to investigate the stable conformation of polyglycine with surrounding water molecules. The water effects on the structure of polyglycine are examined. The ELG-MD simulations show that the formation of the polyglycine helix is strongly induced by the hydrogen bonds observed in two types of H-bond rings.
Electronic Two-Transition-Induced Enhancement of Emission Efficiency in Polymer Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Chen Ren-Ai , Wang Cong , Li Sheng , George Thomas
Published: March 2013

With the development of experimental techniques, effective injection and transportation of electrons is proven as a way to obtain polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) with high quantum efficiency. This paper reveals a valid mechanism for the enhancement of quantum efficiency in PLEDs. When an external electric field is applied, the interaction between a negative polaron and triplet exciton leads to an electronic two-transition process, which induces the exciton to emit light and thus improve the emission efficiency of PLEDs.
Ultrafast Transient Spectroscopy of Polymer/Fullerene Blends for Organic Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Singh Sanjeev , Vardeny Zeev
Published: March 2013

We measured the picoseconds (ps) transient dynamics of photoexcitations in blends of regio-regular poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) (RR-P3HT) (donors-D) and fullerene (PCBM) (acceptor-A) in an unprecedented broad spectral range of 0.25 to 2.5 eV. In D-A blends with maximum domain separation, such as RR-P3HT/PCBM, with (1.2:1) weight ratio having solar cell power conversion efficiency of ~4%, we found that although the intrachain excitons in the polymer domains decay within ~10 ps, no charge polarons are generated at their expense up to ~1 ns. Instead, there is a build-up of charge-transfer (CT) excitons at the D-A interfaces having the same kinetics as the exciton decay. The CT excitons dissociate into separate polarons in the D and A domains at a later time (>1 ns). This “two-step” charge photogeneration process may be typical in organic bulk heterojunction cells. We also report the effect of adding spin 1/2 radicals, Galvinoxyl on the ultrafast photoexcitation dynamics in annealed films of RR-P3HT/PCBM blend. The addition of Galvinoxyl radicals to the blend reduces the geminate recombination rate of photogenerated CT excitons. In addition, the photoexcitation dynamics in a new D-A blend of RR-P3HT/Indene C60 trisadduct (ICTA) has been studied and compared with the dynamics in RR-P3HT/PCBM.
Biochemical and Electrophysiological Characterization of Two Sea Anemone Type 1 Potassium Toxins from a Geographically Distant Population of Bunodosoma caissarum
Authors: Orts Diego , Peigneur Steve , Madio Bruno , Cassoli Juliana , Montandon Gabriela , Pimenta Adriano , Bicudo José , Freitas José , Zaharenko André , Tytgat Jan
Published: March 2013

Sea anemone (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) venom is an important source of bioactive compounds used as tools to study the pharmacology and structure-function of voltage-gated K+ channels (KV). These neurotoxins can be divided into four different types, according to their structure and mode of action. In this work, for the first time, two toxins were purified from the venom of Bunodosoma caissarum population from Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Brazil. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis reveals that BcsTx1 and BcsTx2 are the newest members of the sea anemone type 1 potassium channel toxins. Their functional characterization was performed by means of a wide electrophysiological screening on 12 different subtypes of KV channels (KV1.1–KV1.6; KV2.1; KV3.1; KV4.2; KV4.3; hERG and Shaker IR). BcsTx1 shows a high affinity for rKv1.2 over rKv1.6, hKv1.3, Shaker IR and rKv1.1, while Bcstx2 potently blocked rKv1.6 over hKv1.3, rKv1.1, Shaker IR and rKv1.2. Furthermore, we also report for the first time a venom composition and biological activity comparison between two geographically distant populations of sea anemones.
Regulation of Pollen Tube Growth by Transglutaminase
Authors: Cai Giampiero , Serafini-Fracassini Donatella , Del Duca Stefano
Published: March 2013

In pollen tubes, cytoskeleton proteins are involved in many aspects of pollen germination and growth, from the transport of sperm cells to the asymmetrical distribution of organelles to the deposition of cell wall material. These activities are based on the dynamics of the cytoskeleton. Changes to both actin filaments and microtubules are triggered by specific proteins, resulting in different organization levels suitable for the different functions of the cytoskeleton. Transglutaminases are enzymes ubiquitous in all plant organs and cell compartments. They catalyze the post-translational conjugation of polyamines to different protein targets, such as the cytoskeleton. Transglutaminases are suggested to have a general role in the interaction between pollen tubes and the extracellular matrix during fertilization and a specific role during the self-incompatibility response. In such processes, the activity of transglutaminases is enhanced, leading to the formation of cross-linked products (including aggregates of tubulin and actin). Consequently, transglutaminases are suggested to act as regulators of cytoskeleton dynamics. The distribution of transglutaminases in pollen tubes is affected by both membrane dynamics and the cytoskeleton. Transglutaminases are also secreted in the extracellular matrix, where they may take part in the assembly and/or strengthening of the pollen tube cell wall.
Design and Implementation of a Sun Tracker with a Dual-Axis Single Motor for an Optical Sensor-Based Photovoltaic System
Authors: Wang Jing-Min , Lu Chia-Liang
Published: March 2013

The dual threats of energy depletion and global warming place the development of methods for harnessing renewable energy resources at the center of public interest. Solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy resources. Sun trackers can substantially improve the electricity production of a photovoltaic (PV) system. This paper proposes a novel design of a dual-axis solar tracking PV system which utilizes the feedback control theory along with a four-quadrant light dependent resistor (LDR) sensor and simple electronic circuits to provide robust system performance. The proposed system uses a unique dual-axis AC motor and a stand-alone PV inverter to accomplish solar tracking. The control implementation is a technical innovation that is a simple and effective design. In addition, a scaled-down laboratory prototype is constructed to verify the feasibility of the scheme. The effectiveness of the Sun tracker is confirmed experimentally. To conclude, the results of this study may serve as valuable references for future solar energy applications.
Focal Areas for Measuring the Human Well-Being Impacts of a Conservation Initiative
Authors: Leisher Craig , Samberg Leah , Van Buekering Pieter , Sanjayan M.
Published: March 2013

Within conservation, the need to measure the impacts on people from conservation initiatives such as projects and programs is growing, but understanding and measuring the multidimensional impacts on human well-being from conservation initiatives is complex. To understand the constituent components of human well-being and identify which components of well-being are most common, we analyzed 31 known indices for measuring human well-being. We found 11 focal areas shared by two or more indices for measuring human well-being, and the focal areas of living standards, health, education, social cohesion, security, environment, and governance were in at least 14 of the 31 human well-being indices. We examined each of the common focal areas and assessed its relevance to measuring the human well-being impacts of a conservation initiative. We then looked for existing indices that include the relevant focal areas and recommend the use of Stiglitz et al. (2009)—a framework designed to measure economic performance and social progress—as a starting place for understanding and selecting human well-being focal areas suitable for measuring the impacts on people from a conservation initiative.
The Second-Image Reversed and Climate Policy: How International Influences Helped Changing Brazil’s Positions on Climate Change
Authors: Kasa Sjur
Published: March 2013

International climate policy over the last 7–8 years has been characterized by the increasing involvement of developing countries. While COP-13 at Bali marked a stronger willingness to participate in mitigation efforts in principle, there are now numerous examples of domestic programs for mitigation by this group of countries. Brazil has gone furthest among developing countries, with a substantial voluntary commitment to reduce its emissions proclaimed in 2009. The dynamics behind the change in Brazil’s position are discussed, with a particular eye to the effects of international influences. In conjunction with important domestic changes, a set of interacting influences through a variety of pathways both changed preferences among important interest groups in Brazilian society towards favoring some kind of commitments and helped to change the structure of government forums and decision-making rules in a way that empowered reform-minded ministries. It is argued that this perspective, drawn from Peter Gourevitch’s idea of the “second image reversed”, is increasingly relevant for understanding the influence of the broad “regime complex” on climate change on politics in developing countries.
La cyberdépendance : et s'il fallait faire des Descartes de nous-mêmes ?
Authors: Nadeau Louise
Published: March 2013

L’émergence des dépendances sans substance a amené de profondes transformations dans l’idée qu’on se fait des addictions de même que dans la recherche et la pratique clinique. La grande utilisation d’internet entraîne une réflexion relative à une conceptualisation renouvelée, intégrée de la dépendance. Faut-il penser autrement le rapport à la réalité à cause de l’espace virtuel ? La cyberdépendance est-elle une vraie addiction, ou sommes-nous en train de fabriquer des diagnostics à la va-comme-je-te-pousse ? Il peut être utile de s’interroger s’il y a une différence entre les autres espaces virtuels, qui sont des productions antérieures à internet, et internet. On peut aussi se demander si l’usage potentiellement pathologique d’internet est une addiction. Dans une première partie de cet article, l’auteur s’interroge sur l’effet d’internet sur la personnalité normale. La seconde partie présente les limites actuelles dans la définition de la cyberdépendance. Enfin, la troisième s’intéresse à la clinique des personnes qui ont demandé de l’aide en raison de leur usage problématique d’internet.
Thérapie familiale et jeux vidéo
Authors: Phan Olivier , Bastard Nathalie
Published: March 2013

Dans cet article, les auteurs décrivent comment, depuis trois ans, ils développement une thérapie familiale d’inspiration systémique, la MDFT (MultiDimentionnal Family Therapy) à destination des abuseurs et/ou dépendants aux jeux vidéo. Cette méthode semble être particulièrement bien adaptée aux troubles des conduites à l’adolescence quelles qu’elles soient. Celle-ci se centre sur le développement de l’adolescent et consiste à mobiliser tous les leviers (adolescent, parents, famille et milieu extra-familial) afin que le jeune retrouve un développement plus favorable et épanouissant.
Les séparations des mères consommatrices de substances psychoactives de leurs enfants : résultats dans une cohorte rétrospective française
Authors: Simmat-Durand Laurence , Genest Louise , Lejeune Claude
Published: March 2013

La séparation des mères usagères de substances psychoactives de leurs enfants est un constat bien établi dans la littérature internationale. Le suivi d’une cohorte rétrospective de 167 enfants sortis vivants d’une maternité sur la période 1999-2008 et retrouvés en 2010-2011 permet de décrire précisément le devenir des enfants avec un recul de deux à dix ans. Aucune nouvelle n’a été obtenue après la sortie de maternité pour 20 enfants. Au total, 41 enfants sur 167 seront séparés de leur mère à un moment donné de leur trajectoire. Douze enfants seront finalement confiés à une famille adoptive, trois suite à un accouchement sous X, trois du fait de la disparition de la mère, un du fait de son décès et deux suite à un jugement de déchéance. Sur la période, 26 enfants sur 41 auront été orientés vers une famille d’accueil et 14 sur la famille élargie. Ces orientations se cumulent, chaque enfant ayant connu en moyenne deux situations différentes.
Panorama des questionnements économiques liés aux addictions
Authors: Massin Sophie
Published: March 2013

L’application des outils procurés par la science économique aux comportements dits addictifs remonte à quelques dizaines d’années. Malgré un nombre important de publications confirmant l’intérêt des économistes pour ce thème, la science économique a longtemps peiné – et peine aujourd’hui encore – à s’imposer comme discipline de référence dans l’analyse des addictions. L’objectif de cet article est de dresser un rapide panorama de ce que l’économie, en tant que discipline scientifique, peut apporter à l’analyse des comportements addictifs. La variété des méthodes, des approches et des points de vue au sein de la science économique ne permet évidemment pas de prétendre à l’exhaustivité. Il s’agit avant tout de proposer un tour d’horizon des potentialités aux non-spécialistes de la discipline. Nous proposons de les articuler autour de cinq axes pouvant être associés à cinq branches classiques de la science économique : la microéconomie du consommateur, l’économie industrielle, l’économie publique (regroupant deux sous-branches : l’économie politique et l’économie du bien-être), la macroéconomie et l’évaluation des politiques publiques.
Tablets in Trauma: Using Mobile Computing Platforms to Improve Patient Understanding and Experience
Authors: Lindeque Bennie G.P. , Furness Nicholas D. , Bradford Oliver J. , Paterson Maurice P.
Published: March 2013

Tablets are becoming commonplace in the health care setting. Patients often request to view their radiographs after sustaining trauma. This can be challenging, especially if patients are immobile. The authors performed a prospective, questionnaire-based study to assess inpatient desire to view radiographs on tablets and whether viewing images affected patient-rated outcomes of understanding and satisfaction. Enabling trauma patients to view their images on a tablet is a worthwhile practice because it improves patient involvement in decision making, satisfaction, perceived understanding, and overall experience.
Effect of Immediate Full Weight Bearing on Abductor Repair and Clinical Function After THA Through a Modified Hardinge Approach
Authors: Bernasek Thomas L. , Thatimatla Naga Kiran , Levering Melissa , Haidukewych George J.
Published: March 2013

This study evaluated the effect of immediate full weight bearing on abductor repair and clinical function after total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a direct lateral (modified Hardinge) approach. The surgical approach detached a bone flake with the abductors, providing a radiographic marker for abductor displacement and healing. Patients in whom weight bearing was restricted for 6 weeks (partial-weight bearing group) were compared with patients who were immediately weight bearing (full-weight bearing group). A total of 307 patients (309 hips) were followed for a mean of 14 months (range, 12–36 months). The partial-weight bearing group (163 patients) underwent 6 weeks of partial weight bearing, and the full-weight bearing group (146 patients) underwent immediate full weight bearing. The abductor repair was assessed radiographically via the bone flake harvested with abductor muscles. Nonunion of the abductor bone was observed in 12 (7%) patients in the partial-weight bearing group and 9 (6%) patients in the full-weight bearing group (
P
=.55). Patients in the full-weight bearing group had significantly earlier discharge from hospital than the partial-weight bearing group (2.6 vs 3.5 months, respectively;
P
=.0021). Patients in the full-weight bearing group had a higher mean Engh score (6.58) radiographically than did patients in the partial-weight bearing group (4.92) (
P
=.0005). No difference was observed in Harris Hip Score, limp, thigh pain, high-grade heterotopic bone, trochanteric bursitis, or stem subsidence between groups. Restricting weight bearing postoperatively to protect the Hardinge abductor repair appears unnecessary, and recovery of activity is improved with immediate weight bearing.
Mortality in Centenarians With Hip Fractures
Authors: Tarity T. David , Smith Eric B. , Dolan Kyle , Rasouli Mohammed R. , Maltenfort Mitchell G.
Published: March 2013

The proximal femur is one of the primary areas of weakness in the skeleton due to osteoporosis. With more than 50,000 Americans aged at least 100 years, an increasing number of these extremely elderly patients will present with hip fractures. A paucity of literature exists on functional outcomes and mortality rates in the centenarian population who sustain hip fractures. This study evaluated the mortality rate in centenarians who sustained hip fractures to determine whether operative intervention is safe and appropriate.

The authors retrospectively reviewed 23 patients (22 women and 1 man) aged at least 100 years with hip fractures treated at their institution between 2003 and 2010. Twenty-one patients were treated operatively and 2 were treated nonoperatively. Mean Charlson comorbidity index was 2 (range, 0 to 5). The patients’ medical charts or the Social Security Death Index was used to determine their dates of death. Average patient age was 101.9 years at injury and 102.8 years at death. Cumulative in-hospital, 30- and 90-day, 6- and 12-month, and 2-, 3-, and 6-year mortality rates for operatively treated patients were 15%, 20%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 70%, 90%, and 95%, respectively. Both patients treated nonoperatively died within 90 days. One patient is still alive 6 years postoperatively. Postoperative complications occurred in 9 (43%) patients.

Although this patient population is a relatively small subset of the elderly population, the number of these patients is rapidly increasing. Operating on patients older than 100 years carries an acceptable mortality rate. Age alone should not preclude centenarians from undergoing operative treatment for hip fractures.
Repair of Large Osteochondral Defects With Mix-Mosaicplasty in a Goat Model
Authors: Leng Ping , Wang Ying-zhen , Zhang Hai-ning
Published: March 2013

Osteochondral defects in weight-bearing regions must be repaired with cartilage and subchondral bone support simultaneously, as well as the integration between the 2, particularly in young, active patients. In this study, a new method called mix-mosaicplasty was used to reconstruct large osteochondral defects (6-mm diameter) in the weight-bearing region of the femoral condyle of goats. Two periosteum-bone plugs and 1 osteochondral plug harvested from the proximal tibia and intertrochlea groove were assembled to fill the defects in a mosaic mode. The goats were euthanized 16 weeks postoperatively, and the result of the repair process was assessed using macroscopy, morphologic analysis, electron microscope observation, glycosaminoglycan assay, and magnetic resonance imaging. Sixteen weeks postoperatively, the superficial surface of the defective region was covered with regenerated cartilage, and the periosteum-bone plugs were combined with each other. However, cleavage between cartilage plugs was noted. The donor site, which was filled with periosteum-bone plugs, was regenerated with fibrocartilage-like tissue. The repaired tissue was composed of small chondrocyte-like cells arranged tightly within an evenly distributed extracellular matrix containing type II collagen. Cells of the regenerated tissue in periosteum-bone plugs were smaller and distributed more densely. Electron microscopy demonstrated regular matrix fibers and abundant organelles within the repaired tissue. No significant differences of glycosaminoglycan content were observed between reconstructed tissue and normal hyaline cartilage. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the healing process between plugs other than the control group. The new technique of mix-mosaicplasty can reconstruct full-thickness osteochondral compound defects in the weight-bearing region of the femoral condyle.
Clavicular Length: The Assumption of Symmetry
Authors: Cunningham Brian P. , McLaren Alex , Richardson Michael , McLemore Ryan
Published: March 2013

Recent studies have shown subjectively worse outcomes associated with 15 to 20 mm of clavicle shortening. As a result, more than 15 mm of shortening has become a relative indication for operative management. Various methods to quantify shortening have been described in the literature. All measurement techniques described assume clavicular symmetry to assess clavicular shortening. The goal of this study was to assess the side-to-side variation in clavicle length in uninjured, skeletally mature adults.

Clavicle length in 102 skeletally mature adults (age range, 22–91 years) was measured using computed tomography data. Clavicle length was defined as the distance between the lateral-most point of the clavicle in the acromioclavicular joint and the medial-most point of the clavicle in the sternoclavicular joint. The side-to-side difference in clavicular length was analyzed, and patients were organized into 2 groups: group 1 was symmetric (difference of less than 5 mm), and group 2 was asymmetric (difference of more than 5 mm). Mean difference in clavicle length for all patients was 4.25±3.8 mm (range, 0–23 mm). Clavicular symmetry was found in 73 (71.5%) of 102 patients. The remaining 29 patients had asymmetry greater than 5 mm. Asymmetry greater than 10 mm was found in 7 (7%) of 102 patients. Twenty-eight percent of clavicles were asymmetric, whereas 7% had clinically significant asymmetry that could affect treatment decisions.

This finding calls into question previous methods developed to assess clavicular length in the setting of trauma because of the assumption of symmetry. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of hand dominance and pediatric trauma on this observation.