bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Interplay of Smooth Muscle α-Actin Gene-Regulatory Proteins Reflects the Biological Complexity of Myofibroblast Differentiation
Authors: Strauch Arthur , Hariharan Seethalakshmi
Published: March 2013

Myofibroblasts (MFBs) are smooth muscle-like cells that provide contractile force required for tissue repair during wound healing. The leading agonist for MFB differentiation is transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) that induces transcription of genes encoding smooth muscle α-actin (SMαA) and interstitial collagen that are markers for MFB differentiation. TGFβ1 augments activation of Smad transcription factors, pro-survival Akt kinase, and p38 MAP kinase as well as Wingless/int (Wnt) developmental signaling. These actions conspire to activate β-catenin needed for expression of cyclin D, laminin, fibronectin, and metalloproteinases that aid in repairing epithelial cells and their associated basement membranes. Importantly, β-catenin also provides a feed-forward stimulus that amplifies local TGFβ1 autocrine/paracrine signaling causing transition of mesenchymal stromal cells, pericytes, and epithelial cells into contractile MFBs. Complex, mutually interactive mechanisms have evolved that permit several mammalian cell types to activate the SMαA promoter and undergo MFB differentiation. These molecular controls will be reviewed with an emphasis on the dynamic interplay between serum response factor, TGFβ1-activated Smads, Wnt-activated β-catenin, p38/calcium-activated NFAT protein, and the RNA-binding proteins, Purα, Purβ, and YB-1, in governing transcriptional and translational control of the SMαA gene in injury-activated MFBs.
Analytical and Experimental Study of Recycling Baffled Double-Pass Solar Air Heaters with Attached Fins
Authors: Ho Chii , Chang Hsuan , Wang Rei , Lin Chun
Published: March 2013

The study of the heat transfer of solar air heaters with a new design using an absorbing plate with fins and baffles, which facilitate the recycling of flowing air, is reported. The mathematical formulation and analytical analysis for such a recyclic baffled double-pass solar air heater were developed theoretically. The performance of the device was studied experimentally as well. The theoretical predicted and experimental results were compared with another design, i.e., a downward-type single-pass solar air heater without recycle and double-pass operations reported in our previous work. Significant improvement in heat-transfer efficiency is achieved with the baffle and fin design due to the recycling heating and the extended heat transfer area. The effects of mass flow rate and recycle ratio on the heat-transfer efficiency enhancement as well as on the power consumption increment are also discussed.
Ion Exchange Chromatography and Mass Spectrometric Methods for Analysis of Cadmium-Phytochelatin (II) Complexes
Authors: Rodrigo Miguel , Cernei Natalia , Kominkova Marketa , Zitka Ondrej , Beklova Miroslava , Zehnalek Josef , Kizek Rene , Adam Vojtech
Published: March 2013

In this study, in vitro formed Cd-phytochelatin (PC2) complexes were characterized using ion exchange chromatography (IEC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The ratio of both studied compounds as well as experimental conditions were optimized. The highest yield of the complex was observed under an applied concentration of 100 µg·mL−1 PC2 and 100 µg·mL−1 of CdCl2. The data obtained show that IEC in combination with MALDI-TOF is a reliable and fast method for the determination of these complexes.
Welfare State Regimes, Gender, and Depression: A Multilevel Analysis of Middle and High Income Countries
Authors: Chung Haejoo , Ng Edwin , Ibrahim Selahadin , Karlsson Björn , Benach Joan , Espelt Albert , Muntaner Carles
Published: March 2013

Using the 2002 World Health Survey, we examine the association between welfare state regimes, gender and mental health among 26 countries classified into seven distinct regimes: Conservative, Southeast Asian, Eastern European, Latin American, Liberal, Southern/Ex-dictatorship, and Social Democratic. A two-level hierarchical model found that the odds of experiencing a brief depressive episode in the last 12 months was significantly higher for Southern/Ex- dictatorship countries than for Southeast Asian (odds ratio (OR) = 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05–0.27) and Eastern European (OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.22–0.58) regimes after controlling for gender, age, education, marital status, and economic development. In adjusted interaction models, compared to Southern/Ex-dictatorship males (reference category), the odds ratios of depression were significantly lower among Southeast Asian males (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.08–0.34) and females (OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.10–0.53) and Eastern European males (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.26–0.63) and significantly higher among females in Liberal (OR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.14–3.49) and Southern (OR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.86–3.15) regimes. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating middle-income countries into comparative welfare regime research and testing for interactions between welfare regimes and gender on mental health.
A Comparison of Willingness to Pay to Prevent Child Maltreatment Deaths in Ecuador and the United States
Authors: Corso Phaedra , Ingels Justin , Roldos M.
Published: March 2013

Estimating the benefits of preventing child maltreatment (CM) is essential for policy makers to determine whether there are significant returns on investment from interventions to prevent CM. The aim of this study was to estimate the benefits of preventing CM deaths in an Ecuadorian population, and to compare the results to a similar study in a US population. The study used the contingent valuation method to elicit respondents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a 1 in 100,000 reduction in the risk of CM mortality. After adjusting for differences in purchasing power, the WTP to prevent the CM mortality risk reduction in the Ecuador population was $237 and the WTP for the same risk reduction in the US population was $175. In the pooled analysis, WTP for a reduction in CM mortality was significantly impacted by country (p = 0.03), history of CM (p = 0.007), payment mechanism (p < 0.001), confidence in response (p = 0.014), and appropriateness of the payment mechanism (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that estimating benefits from one culture may not be transferable to another, and that low- and middle-income countries, such as Ecuador, may be better served by developing their own benefits estimates for use in future benefit-cost analyses of interventions designed to prevent CM.
Roles of Rho GTPases in Intracellular Transport and Cellular Transformation
Authors: Chi Xiaojuan , Wang Song , Huang Yifan , Stamnes Mark , Chen Ji-Long
Published: March 2013

Rho family GTPases belong to the Ras GTPase superfamily and transduce intracellular signals known to regulate a variety of cellular processes, including cell polarity, morphogenesis, migration, apoptosis, vesicle trafficking, viral transport and cellular transformation. The three best-characterized Rho family members are Cdc42, RhoA and Rac1. Cdc42 regulates endocytosis, the transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, post-Golgi transport and exocytosis. Cdc42 influences trafficking through interaction with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) and the Arp2/3 complex, leading to changes in actin dynamics. Rac1 mediates endocytic and exocytic vesicle trafficking by interaction with its effectors, PI3kinase, synaptojanin 2, IQGAP1 and phospholipase D1. RhoA participates in the regulation of endocytosis through controlling its downstream target, Rho kinase. Interestingly, these GTPases play important roles at different stages of viral protein and genome transport in infected host cells. Importantly, dysregulation of Cdc42, Rac1 and RhoA leads to numerous disorders, including malignant transformation. In some cases, hyperactivation of Rho GTPases is required for cellular transformation. In this article, we review a number of findings related to Rho GTPase function in intracellular transport and cellular transformation.
Skeletal Muscle Function during Exercise—Fine-Tuning of Diverse Subsystems by Nitric Oxide
Authors: Suhr Frank , Gehlert Sebastian , Grau Marijke , Bloch Wilhelm
Published: March 2013

Skeletal muscle is responsible for altered acute and chronic workload as induced by exercise. Skeletal muscle adaptations range from immediate change of contractility to structural adaptation to adjust the demanded performance capacities. These processes are regulated by mechanically and metabolically induced signaling pathways, which are more or less involved in all of these regulations. Nitric oxide is one of the central signaling molecules involved in functional and structural adaption in different cell types. It is mainly produced by nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and by non-enzymatic pathways also in skeletal muscle. The relevance of a NOS-dependent NO signaling in skeletal muscle is underlined by the differential subcellular expression of NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3, and the alteration of NO production provoked by changes of workload. In skeletal muscle, a variety of highly relevant tasks to maintain skeletal muscle integrity and proper signaling mechanisms during adaptation processes towards mechanical and metabolic stimulations are taken over by NO signaling. The NO signaling can be mediated by cGMP-dependent and -independent signaling, such as S-nitrosylation-dependent modulation of effector molecules involved in contractile and metabolic adaptation to exercise. In this review, we describe the most recent findings of NO signaling in skeletal muscle with a special emphasis on exercise conditions. However, to gain a more detailed understanding of the complex role of NO signaling for functional adaptation of skeletal muscle (during exercise), additional sophisticated studies are needed to provide deeper insights into NO-mediated signaling and the role of non-enzymatic-derived NO in skeletal muscle physiology.
How Can Nanotechnology Help to Repair the Body? Advances in Cardiac, Skin, Bone, Cartilage and Nerve Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Perán Macarena , García María , Lopez-Ruiz Elena , Jiménez Gema , Marchal Juan
Published: March 2013

Nanotechnologists have become involved in regenerative medicine via creation of biomaterials and nanostructures with potential clinical implications. Their aim is to develop systems that can mimic, reinforce or even create in vivo tissue repair strategies. In fact, in the last decade, important advances in the field of tissue engineering, cell therapy and cell delivery have already been achieved. In this review, we will delve into the latest research advances and discuss whether cell and/or tissue repair devices are a possibility. Focusing on the application of nanotechnology in tissue engineering research, this review highlights recent advances in the application of nano-engineered scaffolds designed to replace or restore the followed tissues: (i) skin; (ii) cartilage; (iii) bone; (iv) nerve; and (v) cardiac.
Diketopiperazine Derivatives from the Marine-Derived Actinomycete Streptomyces sp. FXJ7.328
Authors: Wang Pei , Xi Lijun , Liu Peipei , Wang Yi , Wang Wei , Huang Ying , Zhu Weiming
Published: March 2013

Five new diketopiperazine derivatives, (3Z,6E)-1-N-methyl-3-benzy lidene-6-(2S-methyl-3-hydroxypropylidene)piperazine-2,5-dione (1), (3Z,6E)-1-N-methyl-3-benzylidene-6-(2R-methyl-3-hydroxypropylidene)piperazine-2,5-dione (2), (3Z,6Z)-3- (4-hydroxybenzylidene)-6-isobutylidenepiperazine-2,5-dione (3), (3Z,6Z)-3-((1H-imidazol-5-yl)-methylene)-6-isobutylidenepiperazine-2,5-dione (4), and (3Z,6S)-3-benzylidene-6-(2S-but-2-yl)piperazine-2,5-dione (5), were isolated from the marine-derived actinomycete Streptomyces sp. FXJ7.328. The structures of 1–5 were determined by spectroscopic analysis, CD exciton chirality, the modified Mosher’s, Marfey’s and the C3 Marfey’s methods. Compound 3 showed modest antivirus activity against influenza A (H1N1) virus with an IC50 value of 41.5 ± 4.5 μM. In addition, compound 6 and 7 displayed potent anti-H1N1 activity with IC50 value of 28.9 ± 2.2 and 6.8 ± 1.5 μM, respectively. Due to the lack of corresponding data in the literature, the 13C NMR data of (3Z,6S)-3-benzylidene-6-isobutylpiperazine-2,5-dione (6) were also reported here for the first time.
(±)-Pestalachloride D, an Antibacterial Racemate of Chlorinated Benzophenone Derivative from a Soft Coral-Derived Fungus Pestalotiopsis sp.
Authors: Wei Mei-Yan , Li Dan , Shao Chang-Lun , Deng Dong-Sheng , Wang Chang-Yun
Published: March 2013

A new antibacterial chlorinated benzophenone derivative, (±)-pestalachloride D (1), along with a related analog, (±)-pestalachloride C (2), was recently isolated from the marine-derived fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. isolated from a soft coral Sarcophyton sp. collected from Yongxing Island in the South China Sea. Both chiral HPLC analysis and single-crystal X-ray data indicated that 1 is a racemic mixture. Interestingly, 1 did not exhibit any effect in the zebrafish embryo teratogenicity assay, while 2 led to abnormal growth. The potential impact on zebrafish embryo growth is discussed based on their crystal structures. The main difference of crystal structures between 1 and 2 is that the six-member non-aromatic ring (O4, C10, C9, C8, C2′, and C3′) in 1 exhibits a distorted chair conformation, while 2 shows a distorted boat conformation. Moreover, compounds 1 and 2 both exhibited moderate antibacterial activity.
Synthesis, in Vitro Antimycobacterial and Antibacterial Evaluation of IMB-070593 Derivatives Containing a Substituted Benzyloxime Moiety
Authors: Wei Zengquan , Wang Jian , Liu Mingliang , Li Sujie , Sun Lanying , Guo Huiyuan , Wang Bin , Lu Yu
Published: March 2013

A series of novel IMB-070593 derivatives containing a substituted benzyloxime moiety and displaying a remarkable improvement in lipophilicity were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimycobacterial and antibacterial activity. Our results reveal that the target compounds 19a–m have considerable Gram-positive activity (MIC: <0.008–32 µg/mL), although they are generally less active than the reference drugs against the Gram-negative strains. In particular, compounds 19h, 19j, 19k and 19m show good activity (MICs: <0.008–4 µg/mL) against all of the tested Gram-positive strains, including ciprofloxacin (CPFX)- and/or levofloxacin (LVFX)-resistant MSSA, MRSA and MSSE. Moreover, compound 19l (MIC: 0.125 µg/mL) is found to be 2–4 fold more active than the parent IMB070593, CPFX and LVFX against M. tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27294.
Selenium Toxicity from a Misformulated Dietary Supplement, Adverse Health Effects, and the Temporal Response in the Nail Biologic Monitor
Authors: Morris John , Crane Stacy
Published: March 2013

Use of dietary supplements in the U.S. has increased steadily over the last 25 years. While misformulation is uncommon, the consequences can be serious. A March 2008 voluntary market recall removed supplement products responsible for the most serious selenium toxicity outbreak that has occurred in the U.S. We quantified selenium concentrations in the misformulated supplement products, measured the temporal response in the nail biologic monitor, and associated exposure to self-reported selenosis symptoms. Subjects recruited through state health departments and referrals provided samples of the misformulated supplement products, exposure information, monthly toenail and or fingernail clippings or onycholysitic nail fragments, and listed their newly onset adverse health effects attributed to selenium toxicity. Ninety-seven subjects enrolled and submitted at least one test sample. Peak selenium concentrations (up to 18.3 and 44.1 μg/g for toenails and fingernails, respectively) were measured. Multiple samples (52 total) of all six recalled supplement lots were analyzed ranging from 22,300 to 32,200 μg selenium per daily dose. Average consumption was 30.9 ± 13.9 doses; 73 subjects provided follow-up data on selenosis symptoms at 2.50 ± 0.14 years. Nail samples accurately reflect exposure in this selenium toxicity outbreak, which resulted in long-term/permanent adverse health effects.
Issues of Fish Consumption for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction
Authors: Raatz Susan , Silverstein Jeffrey , Jahns Lisa , Picklo Matthew
Published: March 2013

Increasing fish consumption is recommended for intake of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids and to confer benefits for the risk reduction of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most Americans are not achieving intake levels that comply with current recommendations. It is the goal of this review to provide an overview of the issues affecting this shortfall of intake. Herein we describe the relationship between fish intake and CVD risk reduction as well as the other nutritional contributions of fish to the diet. Currently recommended intake levels are described and estimates of fish consumption at a food disappearance and individual level are reported. Risk and benefit factors influencing the choice to consume fish are outlined. The multiple factors influencing fish availability from global capture and aquaculture are described as are other pertinent issues of fish nutrition, production, sustainability, and consumption patterns. This review highlights some of the work that needs to be carried out to meet the demand for fish and to positively affect intake levels to meet fish intake recommendations for CVD risk reduction.
Segmentation Based Classification of 3D Urban Point Clouds: A Super-Voxel Based Approach with Evaluation
Authors: Aijazi Ahmad , Checchin Paul , Trassoudaine Laurent
Published: March 2013

Segmentation and classification of urban range data into different object classes have several challenges due to certain properties of the data, such as density variation, inconsistencies due to missing data and the large data size that require heavy computation and large memory. A method to classify urban scenes based on a super-voxel segmentation of sparse 3D data obtained from LiDAR sensors is presented. The 3D point cloud is first segmented into voxels, which are then characterized by several attributes transforming them into super-voxels. These are joined together by using a link-chain method rather than the usual region growing algorithm to create objects. These objects are then classified using geometrical models and local descriptors. In order to evaluate the results, a new metric that combines both segmentation and classification results simultaneously is presented. The effects of voxel size and incorporation of RGB color and laser reflectance intensity on the classification results are also discussed. The method is evaluated on standard data sets using different metrics to demonstrate its efficacy.
Photonic Crystal Structures with Tunable Structure Color as Colorimetric Sensors
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhang Ke-Qin
Published: March 2013

Colorimetric sensing, which transduces environmental changes into visible color changes, provides a simple yet powerful detection mechanism that is well-suited to the development of low-cost and low-power sensors. A new approach in colorimetric sensing exploits the structural color of photonic crystals (PCs) to create environmentally-influenced color-changeable materials. PCs are composed of periodic dielectrics or metallo-dielectric nanostructures that affect the propagation of electromagnetic waves (EM) by defining the allowed and forbidden photonic bands. Simultaneously, an amazing variety of naturally occurring biological systems exhibit iridescent color due to the presence of PC structures throughout multi-dimensional space. In particular, some kinds of the structural colors in living organisms can be reversibly changed in reaction to external stimuli. Based on the lessons learned from natural photonic structures, some specific examples of PCs-based colorimetric sensors are presented in detail to demonstrate their unprecedented potential in practical applications, such as the detections of temperature, pH, ionic species, solvents, vapor, humidity, pressure and biomolecules. The combination of the nanofabrication technique, useful design methodologies inspired by biological systems and colorimetric sensing will lead to substantial developments in low-cost, miniaturized and widely deployable optical sensors.
Use of High Sensitivity GNSS Receiver Doppler Measurements for Indoor Pedestrian Dead Reckoning
Authors: He Zhe , Renaudin Valérie , Petovello Mark , Lachapelle Gérard
Published: March 2013

Dead-reckoning (DR) algorithms, which use self-contained inertial sensors combined with gait analysis, have proven to be effective for pedestrian navigation purposes. In such DR systems, the primary error is often due to accumulated heading drifts. By tightly integrating global navigation satellite system (GNSS) Doppler measurements with DR, such accumulated heading errors can usually be accurately compensated. Under weak signal conditions, high sensitivity GNSS (HSGNSS) receivers with block processing techniques are often used, however, the Doppler quality of such receivers is relatively poor due to multipath, fading and signal attenuation. This often limits the benefits of integrating HSGNSS Doppler with DR. This paper investigates the benefits of using Doppler measurements from a novel direct vector HSGNSS receiver with pedestrian dead-reckoning (PDR) for indoor navigation. An indoor signal and multipath model is introduced which explains how conventional HSGNSS Doppler measurements are affected by indoor multipath. Velocity and Doppler estimated by using direct vector receivers are introduced and discussed. Real experimental data is processed and analyzed to assess the veracity of proposed method. It is shown when integrating HSGNSS Doppler with PDR algorithm, the proposed direct vector method are more helpful than conventional block processing method for the indoor environments considered herein.
Knowledge of Indonesian University Students on the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
Authors: Koch Sebastian , Barkmann Jan , Strack Micha , Sundawati Leti , Bögeholz Susanne
Published: March 2013

Graduates of university programs addressing sustainable resource management are likely to shape strategies for natural resource use in the future. Their academic training needs to foster student knowledge of the multiple dimensions of natural resource management. This paper investigates university student understanding of such challenges. We differentiated situational, conceptual, and procedural types of knowledge, and three domains of knowledge (ecological, socio-economic and institutional knowledge), and sampled beginners (third semester) and seniors (seventh semester) of seven natural resource related programs at the leading Indonesian institution of higher education in the field of natural resource management (IPB Bogor; n = 882). The questionnaire consisted of multiple choice and rating scale items covering ‘locally’ relevant open-access resource use issues. With a confirmatory tau-equivalent LISREL model, construct validity was assessed. The ability to extract relevant information from problem descriptions provided (situational knowledge) did not differ between third and seventh semester students. While it was high for ecological and socio-economic items, it was markedly lower for institutional knowledge. Knowledge of relevant scientific concepts (conceptual knowledge) increased in the ecological and socio-economic domains but the effect was small. Conceptual knowledge in the socio-economical and institutional domains tended to be lower than ecological knowledge. Although there was certain improvement, student judgments on the efficacy of resource management options (procedural knowledge) differed strongly from expert judgments for beginners as well as for senior students. We conclude that many of the university students in the sampled programs displayed substantial gaps in their capacity to solve complex, real-world natural resource management problems. Specifically, the socio-economic and institutional knowledge domains—and their integration with ecological knowledge—may require attention by educational planners.
Adaptation to and Recovery from Global Catastrophe
Authors: Maher Timothy , Baum Seth
Published: March 2013

Global catastrophes, such as nuclear war, pandemics and ecological collapse threaten the sustainability of human civilization. To date, most work on global catastrophes has focused on preventing the catastrophes, neglecting what happens to any catastrophe survivors. To address this gap in the literature, this paper discusses adaptation to and recovery from global catastrophe. The paper begins by discussing the importance of global catastrophe adaptation and recovery, noting that successful adaptation/recovery could have value on even astronomical scales. The paper then discusses how the adaptation/recovery could proceed and makes connections to several lines of research. Research on resilience theory is considered in detail and used to develop a new method for analyzing the environmental and social stressors that global catastrophe survivors would face. This method can help identify options for increasing survivor resilience and promoting successful adaptation and recovery. A key point is that survivors may exist in small isolated communities disconnected from global trade and, thus, must be able to survive and rebuild on their own. Understanding the conditions facing isolated survivors can help promote successful adaptation and recovery. That said, the processes of global catastrophe adaptation and recovery are highly complex and uncertain; further research would be of great value.
Evaluation of hybrid PET/CT gastrography in gastric cancer
Authors: Cho I. , Kong E. , Chun K. , Jang B. , Kim T. , Kim S. , Song S. , Jeong J.
Published: March 2013

Aim: With the recent advances in multidetector-row CT, a fusion of functional PET with three dimensional (3D) CT gastrography may provide enhanced diagnostic capability and help surgeons during preoperative planning. The diagnostic value of hybrid PET/CT gastrography was compared with that of conventional PET/CT alone in gastric cancer staging. Patients, methods: Patients with gastric cancer (n = 101) confirmed by endoscopic biopsy specimens underwent conventional PET/CT and regional PET with contrast enhanced CT, followed by gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy at our institution from November 2007 to November 2008. These images were fused into a hybrid PET/CT gastrography using the cardiac IQ fusion software. Conventional PET/CT and hybrid PET/ CT gastrography were evaluated for staging of gastric cancer. After gastrectomy, these were compared with pathologic reports respectively. Results: Gastric cancer was diagnosed as 50 early gastric cancer (EGC) and 51 advanced gastric cancer (AGC) on pathologic examination. In EGC, hybrid PET/CT gastrography and PET/CT identified 36 (72%) and 7 (14%) tumours, respectively. Hybrid PET/CT gastrography correctly delineated the subtype of 25 EGC. In AGC, all 51 (100%) tumours were identified on the hybrid PET/CT gastrography compared to 39 (76.5%) tumours on PET/CT. Hybrid PET/CT gastrography correctly classified the morphology of 42 AGC using the Bormann classification. Additionally, depth of invasion was correctly presented in 38 of 51 AGC. Hybrid PET/CT gastrography for regional lymph node (LN) metastasis in the EGC and AGC showed the sensitivity of 75% and 83.9%, and specificity 90.5% and 55%, respectively. Conclusion: Hybrid PET/CT gastrography is the more intuitive and comprehensive method for the preoperative evaluation of gastric cancer than conventional PET/CT.
Molecular systematics of Allium subgenus Amerallium (Amaryllidaceae) in North America
Authors: Wheeler Erica J. , Mashayekhi Saeideh , McNeal Dale W. , Columbus J. Travis , Pires J. Chris
Published: March 2013

• Premise of the Study: Early plant taxonomists formed hypotheses about relationships among taxa based on characters such as morphology, anatomy, phytochemistry, ecology, and geography. Modern molecular systematic methods, based on DNA sequence variation, augment early methods and provide an additional line of evidence by which to evaluate taxonomic hypotheses. In North America north of Mexico, wild onions (Allium, Amaryllidaceae) are represented by 84 native species, 81 of which belong to subgenus Amerallium. On the basis of morphology, these species have been divided into eight informal taxonomic “alliances” hypothesized to represent shared evolutionary history among species. The main aim of this research was to test the monophyly of the alliances with molecular phylogenetic methods.

• Methods: We sampled 74 Amerallium species north of Mexico and two Mexican endemics and constructed a molecular phylogeny of subgenus Amerallium in North America based on predominantly noncoding sequences from two nuclear ribosomal RNA regions (ITS and ETS) and two plastid regions (trnL–F and rpL32–trnL).

• Key Results: Most clades are well supported in analyses of nuclear data and when nuclear and plastid data are combined. However, the plastid data alone did not produce a well‐resolved or well‐supported tree. Morphological alliances were sometimes congruent with groups recovered in the molecular phylogeny, but strict monophyly was observed in only three of eight alliances.

• Conclusions: We propose an infrageneric classification that recognizes two sections in New World Amerallium. Because there is substantial incongruence between morphological and molecular groups, we advocate retaining informal alliances rather than adopting formal subsections until further morphological and molecular analyses can be carried out.
An early origin of secondary growth: Franhueberia gerriennei gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Devonian of Gaspé (Quebec, Canada)
Authors: Hoffman Laurel A. , Tomescu Alexandru M. F.
Published: March 2013

• Premise of the Study: Secondary xylem (wood) produced by a vascular cambium supports increased plant size and underpins the most successful model of arborescence among tracheophytes. Woody plants established the extensive forest ecosystems that dramatically changed the Earth's biosphere. Secondary growth evolved in several lineages in the Devonian, but only two occurrences have been reported previously from the Early Devonian. The evolutionary history and phylogeny of wood production are poorly understood, and Early Devonian plants are key to illuminating them.

• Methods: A fossil plant preserved anatomically by cellular permineralization in the Lower Devonian (Emsian, ca. 400–395 million years old) Battery Point Formation of Gaspé Bay (Quebec, Canada) is described using the cellulose acetate peel technique.

• Key Results: The plant, Franhueberia gerriennei Hoffman et Tomescu gen. et sp. nov., is a basal euphyllophyte with a centrarch protostele and metaxylem tracheids with circular and oval to scalariform bordered multiaperturate pits (P‐type tracheids). The outer layers of xylem, consisting of larger‐diameter P‐type tracheids, exhibit the features diagnostic of secondary xylem: radial files of tracheids, multiplicative divisions, and a combination of axial and radial components.

• Conclusions: Franhueberia is one of the three oldest euphyllophytes exhibiting secondary growth documented in the Early Devonian. Within the euphyllophyte clade, these plants represent basal lineages that predate the evolution of stem‐leaf‐root organography and indicate that underlying mechanisms for secondary growth became part of the euphyllophyte developmental toolkit very early in the clade's evolution.
Carbolithiation of N-alkenyl ureas and N-alkenyl carbamates
Authors: Lefranc Julien , Minassi Alberto , Clayden Jonathan
Published: March 2013

N-Alkenyl ureas and N-alkenyl carbamates, like other N-acyl enamines, are typically nucleophilic at their β-carbon. However, by incorporating an α-aryl substituent, we show that they will also undergo attack at the β-carbon by organolithium nucleophiles, leading to the products of carbolithiation. The carbolithiation of E and Z N-alkenyl ureas is diastereospecific, and N-tert-butoxycarbonyl N-alkenyl carbamates give carbolithiation products that may be deprotected in situ to provide a new connective route to hindered amines.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TYPE OF AIRLINE AND WAGE OF PILOTS IN EUROPE
Authors: Ginieis Matías , Sánchez-Rebull M. Victoria , Campa-Planas Fernando
Published: March 2013

The main objective of this work is to establish whether there are differences in airline pilots’ salaries between the different types of airlines in Europe. With regard to airline type, the companies are categorised into traditional airlines (flag carriers and regular/regional/charter flights) and low-cost airlines. We have examined a total of 176 European airlines and analysed different categories of pilots (Captain Top, Captain Base, First Officer Top and First Officer Base). Two statistical tests were applied (the Haberman test and the chi-squared test) to demonstrate whether there is an association and dependence between types of airlines and pilots’ salaries. The results show that there is association and dependence, from which we can deduce that the earnings of pilots are dependent upon the type of airline for which they work.
A MODEL TO DETECT CARTOGRAPHIC BASE CHANGES AFFECTING THE MAP UPDATE
Authors: Papšienė Lina , Papšys Kęstutis , Vaitkevičienė Jelena
Published: March 2013

Spatial data of cartographic bases are often used for nautical and aeronautical charts, reference maps, or other thematic maps. Traditionally, such spatial data sets of different scales are created apart from each other, are stored in different databases, and, in many cases, have no relations. This makes the update of the spatial data a complex and costly task. Meanwhile, automatic detection of changes in spatial data, when older versions of data are compared to more recent version of data, saves time in this process. To model such a process, two major tasks are solved, namely, detection of a change in spatial data and identification of its significance to answer whether the change detected is significant enough that an update of the data will be effective. The model also takes into account the requirements for spatial data, the scale of the data, and update methods.
AN ALGORITHM FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF FORECASTING
Authors: Sineglazov Victor , Chumachenko Elena , Gorbatyuk Vladyslav
Published: March 2013

In this article, the main forecasting methods are considered. A new algorithm based on the group method of data handling and artificial neural networks is presented. The algorithm was tested on real data and showed better results than neural networks. This shows its suitability for further use in forecasting aviation tasks.
Antivirally Active Ribavirin Analogues – 4,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole Nucleosides: Biological Evaluation against Certain Respiratory Viruses and Computational Modelling
Authors: Krajczyk Anna , Kulinska Katarzyna , Kulinski Tadeusz , Hurst Brett L , Day Craig W , Smee Donald F , Ostrowski Tomasz , Januszczyk Piotr , Zeidler Joanna
Published: March 2013

Background:

Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent that derives some of its activity from inhibition of cellular inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), resulting in lower guanosine triphosphate (GTP) levels. Here we report the biological activities of three ribavirin analogues.

Methods:

Antiviral activities of test compounds were performed by in vitro cytopathic effect inhibition assays against influenza A (H1N1, H3N2 and H5N1), influenza B, measles, parainfluenza type 3 (PIV-3) and respiratory syncytial viruses. Compounds were modelled into the ribavirin 5‘-monophosphate binding site of the crystallographic structure of the human type II IMPDH (hIMPDH2) ternary complex. Effects of compounds on intracellular GTP levels were performed by strong anion exchange HPLC analysis.

Results:

Of the three compounds evaluated, the 5-ethynyl nucleoside (ETCAR) exhibited virus-inhibitory activities (at 1.2–20 μM, depending upon the virus) against most of the viruses, except for weak activity against PIV-3 (62 μM). Antiviral activity of ETCAR was similar to ribavirin; however, cytotoxicity of ETCAR was greater than ribavirin. Replacing the 5-ethynyl group with a 5-propynyl or bromo substituent (BrCAR) considerably reduced antiviral activity. Computational studies of ternary complexes of hIMPDH2 enzyme with 5‘-monophosphates of the compounds helped rationalize the observed differences in biological activity. All compounds suppressed GTP levels in cells; additionally, BrCAR suppressed adenosine triphosphate and elevated uridine triphosphate levels.

Conclusions:

Three compounds related to ribavirin inhibited IMPDH and had weak to moderate antiviral activity. Cytotoxicity adversely affected the antiviral selectivity of ETCAR. As with ribavirin, reduction in intracellular GTP may play a role in virus inhibition.
L'arrivée et la demande d'asile
Authors: Gaeremynck Jean
Published: March 2013

Le droit de l’asile et le droit des étrangers en général procèdent en principe de deux logiques différentes : celle de la protection pour le premier, celle du contrôle pour le second. Pourtant, ni en fait ni en droit cette distinction n’est aussi tranchée, si l’on se réfère à la situation de la demande et des demandeurs d’asile. Qu’il s’agisse de l’entrée en France, de l’asile à la frontière, de la détermination de l’État responsable, de la présentation de la demande d’asile ou encore des pays d’origine sûrs, les règles en vigueur composent un paysage particulièrement complexe. Il reste que, sur la base de la convention de Genève, la demande d’asile a connu un essor spectaculaire qui la place objectivement dans le courant des flux migratoires.
Pour une histoire sociale de l'asile politique en France
Authors: Akoka Karen , Spire Alexis
Published: March 2013

Cet article propose d’appréhender l’asile politique à travers l’histoire sociale des institutions et des agents qui l’ont mis en œuvre en France depuis la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Jusqu’à la fin des années 1970, les officiers de protection ont un profil social, culturel et politique très proche des réfugiés qu’ils reçoivent. Puis, au fil des recrutements et avec la généralisation de l’objectif de maîtrise des flux migratoires, ils perdent de leur autonomie, au point de devenir un segment parmi d’autres de l’administration des étrangers. L’histoire du rapport entre l’État et les étrangers peut ainsi se lire à travers la relation entre les priorités politiques des gouvernants et le profil social des agents recrutés pour les appliquer.
Espaces et temps du gouvernement humanitaire
Authors: Agier Michel
Published: March 2013

Une brève histoire de l’intervention humanitaire auprès des réfugiés et déplacés depuis les années 1970, ainsi qu’une description d’un camp de réfugiés en Afrique, permettent de s’interroger sur la formation et l’état actuel du gouvernement humanitaire.
Réfugiés sans refuge
Authors: Laacher Smaïn
Published: March 2013

Les victimes des conflits qui provoquent des déplacements de populations deviennent des personnes dépossédées d’un foyer. Rapportée à ces millions de personnes sans assignation, ou ne possédant comme seule identité publique et seule condition sociale que celle de « réfugié », la notion de foyer recouvre des enjeux fondamentaux souvent peu explicités.
Politix, 1988-2012 : changement de génération, basculement de paradigmes
Authors: Favre Pierre
Published: March 2013

Depuis sa création en 1988, la revue de sciences sociales du politique Politix a connu une évolution considérable. En vingt-cinq ans, une nouvelle génération s’est substituée à la génération de ses créateurs et un paradigme nouveau a pris la place de l’ancien. À l’origine revue d’école, Politix s’est alignée sur les standards internationaux en matière de publication dans les sciences sociales. Longtemps dominée par le constructivisme, la revue en vient maintenant à le critiquer ou à l’ignorer. Alors que presque toutes ses livraisons comportaient des articles historiques, elle accueille de moins en moins d’études socio-historiques et de plus en plus d’études de cas contemporains étrangers. Là où l’empirisme était peu valorisé, il est maintenant pleinement revendiqué. Les recherches publiées étaient peu cumulatives, elles le sont beaucoup plus fréquemment. Si enfin la revue s’est attachée longtemps aux objets canoniques de la science politique, elle défriche actuellement de nouveaux domaines de recherche. Cette véritable mutation d’une revue sous le même intitulé, avec la même présentation et le même mode de fonctionnement, ne peut être expliquée sans faire appel à des investigations de sociologie de la science, dont le programme est ici esquissé.
De quoi un cas est-il le cas ?
Authors: Hamidi Camille
Published: March 2013

Si les travaux fondés sur l’enquête ethnographique connaissent un renouveau et une légitimité croissante ces dernières décennies en France, la capacité de cette méthode à produire des résultats théoriques généralisables au-delà des cas étudiés fait toujours question. En présentant les différentes étapes d’une enquête de terrain portant sur les associations de jeunes issus de l’immigration, l’article met en évidence le caractère nécessairement itératif du processus de théorisation à partir des cas. Il s’intéresse plus spécifiquement à la question des cas limites et propose de distinguer deux façons de concevoir ceux-ci en fonction du rapport qu’ils entretiennent au processus de théorisation : l’approche en termes de cas négatifs, qui vise à tester la robustesse et le degré d’extension d’une théorie ; l’approche en termes de cas limites, qui vise à mettre la théorie à l’épreuve dans ses marges afin de spécifier ses conditions de validité et de la reconstruire.
Ce que le terrain peut faire à l'analyse des votes
Authors: Braconnier Céline
Published: March 2013

L’analyse électorale se nourrit surtout, aujourd’hui, de données de sondages atomistiques. Le modèle explicatif de l’électeur rationnel produisant ses votes seul à partir d’une étude de l’offre politique s’en trouve encore renforcé. En prenant appui sur des expériences de recherche par plans d’observation localisés, il s’agit ici de souligner l’intérêt scientifique que présente un retour au terrain pour comprendre plus en profondeur ce dont les votes sont faits. D’une part, l’étude de cas, par le cumul et le croisement de données variées dont la solidité est contrôlée, permet de dessiner des logiques fines de comportement dont d’autres enquêtes peuvent ensuite établir la distribution dans l’espace social. D’autre part, elle ménage une appréhension des électeurs dans leurs environnements – familiaux, amicaux, résidentiels – qui autorise l’analyse de la nature collective du vote. Les caractéristiques socio-démographiques des individus, leur parcours scolaire, professionnel, résidentiel, sont alors appréhendés comme des prédispositions incorporées à s’abstenir, à voter ou à le faire dans un certain sens dont le chercheur saisit l’actualisation dans des pratiques ou au contraire la neutralisation par les environnements. Faire du terrain conduit donc à penser le vote autrement.
Les réformes managériales, les marchés bureaucratiques (public service bargains) et l'identité des hauts fonctionnaires
Authors: Bourgault Jacques , Van Dorpe Karolien
Published: March 2013

On assiste, depuis quelques décennies, à l’exécution d’un vaste éventail de réformes dans beaucoup de pays de l’OCDE. Ces réformes ont parfois eu une influence considérable sur l’identité des hauts fonctionnaires. Cette évolution dans l’identité peut quant à elle avoir une influence sur le travail des hauts fonctionnaires, leurs rôles, leurs opinions, leurs relations avec le personnel politique et leurs compétences attendues. Nous allons examiner ces réformes dans un échantillon de pays (Belgique, Canada, Danemark et Pays-Bas), de même que les évolutions observées sur l’identité des hauts fonctionnaires (sur les plans personnel et social et en ce qui concerne leur rôle), par le biais d’une analyse documentaire et d’une série d’entretiens. Nous allons voir que dans tous les cas, indépendamment des objectifs ou de l’intensité des réformes, l’individualisation s’est aujourd’hui renforcée, de même que la mobilité et l’imputabilité, et que les contrats à durée déterminée sont plus nombreux. Nous n’avons pas observé d’évolution managériale digne de ce nom ou un autre type d’évolution claire vers une identité managériale pure. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Les réformes managériales influencent assurément les relations entre les hommes et les femmes politiques et les hauts fonctionnaires. La façon dont ceux-ci voient leur fonction résiste davantage au changement qu’on ne pourrait le penser, en fonction du contexte. Malgré le discours managérial omniprésent, le rôle de conseiller politique reste très important. Les structures de gestion collective (ou corporative) ont tendance à faciliter l’identification à la collectivité, le type de relation de travail et de contrat et le niveau des objectifs, ce qui a une influence sur l’identité sociale des hauts fonctionnaires.
Les nouvelles structures de gouvernance et l'évolution des marchés bureaucratiques à Hong Kong
Authors: Burns John P. , Wei Li , Peters B. Guy
Published: March 2013

La perspective des marchés bureaucratiques sert à analyser les relations entre les politiciens et les hauts fonctionnaires en s’appuyant sur des attentes stables à propos des rôles des deux parties. L’évolution des systèmes de gouvernance et des responsables peut cependant déstabiliser et renforcer l’ambiguïté à propos de ces attentes. Hong Kong fait partie de ces régions où l’évolution du système de gouvernance a déstabilisé les rôles des hauts fonctionnaires, leur offrant de nouvelles possibilités de faire des allers et venues entre les rôles administratif et politique. Nous allons examiner le cas de Hong Kong en analysant le passage d’un marché colonial de type dépositaire à un marché de type agence. L’étude de cas permet de mieux comprendre l’applicabilité de la notion de PSB dans des conditions caractérisées par un nouveau système de gouvernance et des rôles politiques et administratifs instables. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Les rôles des politiciens et des fonctionnaires sont parfois moins stables qu’on ne le pense. L’évolution des structures de gouvernance peut aussi bouleverser ces relations, et mener à des contestations du pouvoir et à une instabilité.
Vers une nouvelle gouvernance des conditions d'accès à l'encadrement sportif professionnel
Authors: Pierre Jeremy
Published: March 2013

La notion d’incertitude est devenue aujourd’hui constitutive de nos sociétés contemporaines, et son utilisation dans le domaine politique est croissante. Une des adaptations à cette caractéristique est la gouvernance au sein de laquelle des acteurs hétérogènes, privés et publics, prennent part à la formulation de la politique. Le secteur sportif n’échappe pas à ces constats. Jusqu’au tournant du XXI e siècle, les conditions d’accès à l’encadrement sportif rémunéré dans le secteur privé sont le monopole du ministère en charge des Sports via le « Brevet d’État d’Éducateur Sportif ». Cet ordre établi se trouve bouleversé au début des années 2000 par l’ouverture de ces métiers à de nouvelles natures de certifications mais aussi par l’émergence d’une branche professionnelle spécifique au sport. Les conditions d’accès à l’encadrement sportif sont ainsi partagées entre plusieurs certificateurs. D’une part, les diplômes de la filière universitaire « Sciences et Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives » obtiennent de nouvelles prérogatives. D’autre part, la branche sport développe le « Certificat de Qualification Professionnelle », dont les titulaires peuvent également encadrer une activité sportive, sous des conditions bien particulières. Ces reconfigurations engendrent inéluctablement des concurrences et de l’incertitude dans cette nouvelle gouvernance.