bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Membranotropic Cell Penetrating Peptides: The Outstanding Journey
Authors: Falanga Annarita , Galdiero Massimiliano , Galdiero Stefania
Published: October 2015

The membrane bilayer delimits the interior of individual cells and provides them with the ability to survive and function properly. However, the crossing of cellular membranes constitutes the principal impediment to gaining entry into cells, and the potential therapeutic application of many drugs is predominantly dependent on the development of delivery tools that should take the drug to target cells selectively and efficiently with only minimal toxicity. Cell-penetrating peptides are short and basic peptides are widely used due to their ability to deliver a cargo across the membrane both in vitro and in vivo. It is widely accepted that their uptake mechanism involves mainly the endocytic pathway, the drug is catched inside endosomes and lysosomes, and only a small quantity is able to reach the intracellular target. In this wide-ranging scenario, a fascinating novel hypothesis is that membranotropic peptides that efficiently cross biological membranes, promote lipid-membrane reorganizing processes and cause a local and temporary destabilization and reorganization of the membrane bilayer, may also be able to enter cells circumventing the endosomal entrapment; in particular, by either favoring the escape from the endosome or by direct translocation. This review summarizes current data on membranotropic peptides for drug delivery.
Structure-Functional Study of Tyrosine and Methionine Dipeptides: An Approach to Antioxidant Activity Prediction
Authors: Torkova Anna , Koroleva Olga , Khrameeva Ekaterina , Fedorova Tatyana , Tsentalovich Mikhail
Published: October 2015

Quantum chemical methods allow screening and prediction of peptide antioxidant activity on the basis of known experimental data. It can be used to design the selective proteolysis of protein sources in order to obtain products with antioxidant activity. Molecular geometry and electronic descriptors of redox-active amino acids, as well as tyrosine and methionine-containing dipeptides, were studied by Density Functional Theory method. The calculated data was used to reveal several descriptors responsible for the antioxidant capacities of the model compounds based on their experimentally obtained antioxidant capacities against ABTS (2,2′-Azino-bis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)) and peroxyl radical. A formula to predict antioxidant activity of peptides was proposed.
Characterization of Peripheral Immune Cell Subsets in Patients with Acute and Chronic Cerebrovascular Disease: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Kraft Peter , Drechsler Christiane , Schuhmann Michael , Gunreben Ignaz , Kleinschnitz Christoph
Published: October 2015

Immune cells (IC) play a crucial role in murine stroke pathophysiology. However, data are limited on the role of these cells in ischemic stroke in humans. We therefore aimed to characterize and compare peripheral IC subsets in patients with acute ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (AIS/TIA), chronic cerebrovascular disease (CCD) and healthy volunteers (HV). We conducted a case-control study of patients with AIS/TIA (n = 116) or CCD (n = 117), and HV (n = 104) who were enrolled at the University Hospital Würzburg from 2010 to 2013. We determined the expression and quantity of IC subsets in the three study groups and performed correlation analyses with demographic and clinical parameters. The quantity of several IC subsets differed between the AIS/TIA, CCD, and HV groups. Several clinical and demographic variables independently predicted the quantity of IC subsets in patients with AIS/TIA. No significant changes in the quantity of IC subsets occurred within the first three days after AIS/TIA. Overall, these findings strengthen the evidence for a pathophysiologic role of IC in human ischemic stroke and the potential use of IC-based biomarkers for the prediction of stroke risk. A comprehensive description of IC kinetics is crucial to enable the design of targeted treatment strategies.
The Fab Fragment of a Humanized Anti-Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Monoclonal Antibody Reduces the Lipopolysaccharide Response via TLR4 in Mouse Macrophage
Authors: Cai Binggang , Wang Maorong , Zhu Xuhui , Xu Jing , Zheng Wenkai , Zhang Yiqing , Zheng Feng , Feng Zhenqing , Zhu Jin
Published: October 2015

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can induce acute inflammation, sepsis, or chronic inflammatory disorders through the Toll receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway. The TLR4/MD2 (myeloid differentiation protein 2) complex plays a major role in the immune response to LPS. However, there is not a good method to suppress the immune response induced by LPS via this complex in macrophages. In this article, we aimed to evaluate the effects of humanized anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibodies on LPS-induced responses in mouse macrophages. The peritoneal macrophages of mice were incubated with anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibodies and stimulated with LPS. The expression levels of cytokines were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Additionally, activation of various signaling pathways was evaluated by Western blotting. The results showed that the humanized anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibody blocked the inflammatory cytokines expression at both the mRNA and protein level. We also found that the Fab fragment significantly inhibited the nuclear factor kappaB signaling pathway by reducing the phosphorylation of the inhibitor of kappaBalpha and decreasing the translocation of p65, resulting in the suppression of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2, and IFN-β regulatory factor 3 phosphorylation. Therefore, our study showed that this humanized anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibody could effectively protect against LPS-induced responses by blocking the TLR4 signaling pathway in mouse peritoneal macrophages.
Fabrication of Aluminum Tubes Filled with Aluminum Alloy Foam by Friction Welding
Authors: Hangai Yoshihiko , Nakano Yukiko , Koyama Shinji , Kuwazuru Osamu , Kitahara Soichiro , Yoshikawa Nobuhiro
Published: October 2015

Aluminum foam is usually used as the core of composite materials by combining it with dense materials, such as in Al foam core sandwich panels and Al-foam-filled tubes, owing to its low tensile and bending strengths. In this study, all-Al foam-filled tubes consisting of ADC12 Al-Si-Cu die-cast aluminum alloy foam and a dense A1050 commercially pure Al tube with metal bonding were fabricated by friction welding. First, it was found that the ADC12 precursor was firmly bonded throughout the inner wall of the A1050 tube without a gap between the precursor and the tube by friction welding. No deformation of the tube or foaming of the precursor was observed during the friction welding. Next, it was shown that by heat treatment of an ADC12-precursor-bonded A1050 tube, gases generated by the decomposition of the blowing agent expand the softened ADC12 to produce the ADC12 foam interior of the dense A1050 tube. A holding time during the foaming process of approximately tH = 8.5 min with a holding temperature of 948 K was found to be suitable for obtaining a sound ADC12-foam-filled A1050 tube with sufficient foaming, almost uniform pore structures over the entire specimen, and no deformation or reduction in the thickness of the tube.
Membrane and Protein Interactions of the Pleckstrin Homology Domain Superfamily
Authors: Lenoir Marc , Kufareva Irina , Abagyan Ruben , Overduin Michael
Published: October 2015

The human genome encodes about 285 proteins that contain at least one annotated pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. As the first phosphoinositide binding module domain to be discovered, the PH domain recruits diverse protein architectures to cellular membranes. PH domains constitute one of the largest protein superfamilies, and have diverged to regulate many different signaling proteins and modules such as Dbl homology (DH) and Tec homology (TH) domains. The ligands of approximately 70 PH domains have been validated by binding assays and complexed structures, allowing meaningful extrapolation across the entire superfamily. Here the Membrane Optimal Docking Area (MODA) program is used at a genome-wide level to identify all membrane docking PH structures and map their lipid-binding determinants. In addition to the linear sequence motifs which are employed for phosphoinositide recognition, the three dimensional structural features that allow peripheral membrane domains to approach and insert into the bilayer are pinpointed and can be predicted ab initio. The analysis shows that conserved structural surfaces distinguish which PH domains associate with membrane from those that do not. Moreover, the results indicate that lipid-binding PH domains can be classified into different functional subgroups based on the type of membrane insertion elements they project towards the bilayer.
Design, Synthesis, Activity and Docking Study of Sorafenib Analogs Bearing Sulfonylurea Unit
Authors: Wu Chunjiang , Wang Min , Tang Qidong , Luo Rong , Chen Le , Zheng Pengwu , Zhu Wufu
Published: October 2015

Two series of novel sorafenib analogs containing a sulfonylurea unit were synthesized and their chemical structures were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS spectrum and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for the cytotoxicity against A549, Hela, MCF-7, and PC-3 cancer cell lines. Some of the compounds showed moderate cytotoxic activity, especially compounds 1-(2,4-difluorophenylsulfonyl)-3-(4-(2-(methylcarbamoyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)phenyl)urea (6c) and 1-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-3-(4-(2-(methylcarbamoyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)phenyl)urea (6f) with the IC50 values against four cancer cell lines ranging from 16.54 ± 1.22 to 63.92 ± 1.81 μM, respectively. Inhibitory rates against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2/KDR) kinase at 10 μM of target compounds were further carried out in this paper in order to investigate the target of these compounds. Structure-activity relationships (SARs) and docking studies indicated that the sulfonylurea unit was important to these kinds of compounds. None of the substitutions in the phenoxy group and small halogen atoms such as 2,4-difluoro substitution of the aryl group contributed to the activity. The results suggested that sulfonylurea sorafenib analogs are worthy of further study.
Effects of Flavonoids from Food and Dietary Supplements on Glial and Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells
Authors: Vidak Marko , Rozman Damjana , Komel Radovan
Published: October 2015

Quercetin, catechins and proanthocyanidins are flavonoids that are prominently featured in foodstuffs and dietary supplements, and may possess anti-carcinogenic activity. Glioblastoma multiforme is the most dangerous form of glioma, a malignancy of the brain connective tissue. This review assesses molecular structures of these flavonoids, their importance as components of diet and dietary supplements, their bioavailability and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, their reported beneficial health effects, and their effects on non-malignant glial as well as glioblastoma tumor cells. The reviewed flavonoids appear to protect glial cells via reduction of oxidative stress, while some also attenuate glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and reduce neuroinflammation. Most of the reviewed flavonoids inhibit proliferation of glioblastoma cells and induce their death. Moreover, some of them inhibit pro-oncogene signaling pathways and intensify the effect of conventional anti-cancer therapies. However, most of these anti-glioblastoma effects have only been observed in vitro or in animal models. Due to limited ability of the reviewed flavonoids to access the brain, their normal dietary intake is likely insufficient to produce significant anti-cancer effects in this organ, and supplementation is needed.
Selective Halogen-Lithium Exchange of 1,2-Dihaloarenes for Successive [2+4] Cycloadditions of Arynes and Isobenzofurans
Authors: Eda Shohei , Hamura Toshiyuki
Published: October 2015

Successive [2+4] cycloadditions of arynes and isobenzofurans by site-selective halogen-lithium exchange of 1,2-dihaloarenes were developed, allowing the rapid construction of polycyclic compounds which serve as a useful synthetic intermediates for the preparation of various polyacene derivatives.
Maleimide-Functionalized PEI600 Grafted Polyurethane: Synthesis, Nano-Complex Formation with DNA and Thiol-Conjugation of the Complexes for Dual DNA Transfection
Authors: Hung Wei-Chih , Cherng Jong-Yuh
Published: October 2015

A polyurethane (PU) grafted with small molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI600) was synthesized. This PU-PEI600 can assemble DNA via electrostatic interactions into nano-sized polymer/DNA complexes. The complexes exhibited great transfection efficiency in delivering DNA along with a reduced cell toxicity comparing to commercial PEI25k (Mw ~25,000). In order to establish a system for concurrently delivering two different DNA or RNA molecules for cell reprogramming (e.g., induced pluripotent stem cells) or the necessity of multi-expression (e.g., double knock down), the PU-PEI600 was further functionalized with maleimide molecules. The novel PU-PEI600-maleimide would still effectively interact with assigned DNA and different functions of PU-PEI600-maleimide/DNA complexes were self-conjugated in presence of a dithiol molecule (1,6-hexanedithiol). In this study, two reporter genes (pEGFP-C2 and pLanRFP-N) were used and evidence of green/red fluorescence co-expression in cells was observed. This article brings a new concept and a practical method for a plurality of different DNA molecules that are more efficient to be concurrently delivered and co-expressed. This method is very helpful in studying cellular multi-regulation or in the treatment of disease with multiple gene defects in vivo.
The Role of Religion among Sex Workers in Thailand
Authors: Sorajjakool Siroj , Benitez Arelis
Published: October 2015

This qualitative research seeks the understanding of the role of religion in the lives of sex workers in Thailand. It is based on interviews conducted among sex workers working in karaoke bars in Bangkok. Findings show that most sex workers experience different levels of life difficulty. The level of life difficulty also affects the experience of internal conflicts regarding sex and morality. Finally religion has been used as a form of ritual purification in dealing with internal sense of conflicts.
Optimal Altitude, Overlap, and Weather Conditions for Computer Vision UAV Estimates of Forest Structure
Authors: Dandois Jonathan , Olano Marc , Ellis Erle
Published: October 2015

Ecological remote sensing is being transformed by three-dimensional (3D), multispectral measurements of forest canopies by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and computer vision structure from motion (SFM) algorithms. Yet applications of this technology have out-paced understanding of the relationship between collection method and data quality. Here, UAV-SFM remote sensing was used to produce 3D multispectral point clouds of Temperate Deciduous forests at different levels of UAV altitude, image overlap, weather, and image processing. Error in canopy height estimates was explained by the alignment of the canopy height model to the digital terrain model (R2 = 0.81) due to differences in lighting and image overlap. Accounting for this, no significant differences were observed in height error at different levels of lighting, altitude, and side overlap. Overall, accurate estimates of canopy height compared to field measurements (R2 = 0.86, RMSE = 3.6 m) and LIDAR (R2 = 0.99, RMSE = 3.0 m) were obtained under optimal conditions of clear lighting and high image overlap (>80%). Variation in point cloud quality appeared related to the behavior of SFM ‘image features’. Future research should consider the role of image features as the fundamental unit of SFM remote sensing, akin to the pixel of optical imaging and the laser pulse of LIDAR.
Landsat-Based Long-Term Monitoring of Total Suspended Matter Concentration Pattern Change in the Wet Season for Dongting Lake, China
Authors: Zheng Zhubin , Li Yunmei , Guo Yulong , Xu Yifan , Liu Ge , Du Chenggong
Published: October 2015

Assessing the impacts of environmental change and anthropogenic activities on the historical and current total suspended matter (TSM) pattern in Dongting Lake, China, is a large challenge. We addressed this challenge by using more than three decades of Landsat data. Based on in situ measurements, we developed an algorithm based on the near-infrared (NIR) band to estimate TSM in Dongting Lake. The algorithm was applied to Landsat images to derive TSM distribution maps from 1978 to 2013 in the wet season, revealing significant inter-annual and spatial variability. The relationship of TSM to water level, precipitation, and wind speed was analyzed, and we found that: (1) sand mining areas usually coincide with regions that have high TSM levels in Dongting Lake; (2) water level and seven-day precipitation were both important to TSM variation, but no significant relationship was found between TSM and wind speed or other meteorological data; (3) the increased level of sand mining in response to rapid economic growth has deeply influenced the TSM pattern since 2000 due to the resuspension of sediment; and (4) TSM variation might be associated with policy changes regarding the management of sand mining; it might also be affected by lower water levels caused by the impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam since 2000.
Highly Sensitive Measurement of Bio-Electric Potentials by Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) Electrodes for Plant Monitoring
Authors: Ochiai Tsuyoshi , Tago Shoko , Hayashi Mio , Fujishima Akira
Published: October 2015

We describe a sensitive plant monitoring system by the detection of the bioelectric potentials in plants with boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. For sensor electrodes, we used commercially available BDD, Ag, and Pt plate electrodes. We tested this approach on a hybrid species in the genus Opuntia (potted) and three different trees (ground-planted) at different places in Japan. For the Opuntia, we artificially induced bioelectric potential changes by the surface potential using the fingers. We detected substantial changes in bioelectric potentials through all electrodes during finger touches on the surface of potted Opuntia hybrid plants, although the BDD electrodes were several times more sensitive to bioelectric potential change compared to the other electrodes. Similarly for ground-planted trees, we found that both BDD and Pt electrodes detected bioelectric potential change induced by changing environmental factors (temperature and humidity) for months without replacing/removing/changing electrodes, BDD electrodes were 5–10 times more sensitive in this detection than Pt electrodes. Given these results, we conclude that BDD electrodes on live plant tissue were able to consistently detect bioelectrical potential changes in plants.
Computerised Analysis of Telemonitored Respiratory Sounds for Predicting Acute Exacerbations of COPD
Authors: Fernandez-Granero Miguel , Sanchez-Morillo Daniel , Leon-Jimenez Antonio
Published: October 2015

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the commonest causes of death in the world and poses a substantial burden on healthcare systems and patients’ quality of life. The largest component of the related healthcare costs is attributable to admissions due to acute exacerbation (AECOPD). The evidence that might support the effectiveness of the telemonitoring interventions in COPD is limited partially due to the lack of useful predictors for the early detection of AECOPD. Electronic stethoscopes and computerised analyses of respiratory sounds (CARS) techniques provide an opportunity for substantial improvement in the management of respiratory diseases. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using: (a) a respiratory sensor embedded in a self-tailored housing for ageing users; (b) a telehealth framework; (c) CARS and (d) machine learning techniques for the remote early detection of the AECOPD. In a 6-month pilot study, 16 patients with COPD were equipped with a home base-station and a sensor to daily record their respiratory sounds. Principal component analysis (PCA) and a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was designed to predict AECOPD. 75.8% exacerbations were early detected with an average of 5 ± 1.9 days in advance at medical attention. The proposed method could provide support to patients, physicians and healthcare systems.
Detoxification of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Maize by Neutral Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water
Authors: Jardon-Xicotencatl Samantha , Díaz-Torres Roberto , Marroquín-Cardona Alicia , Villarreal-Barajas Tania , Méndez-Albores Abraham
Published: October 2015

Aflatoxins, a group of extremely toxic mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius, can occur as natural contaminants of certain agricultural commodities, particularly maize. These toxins have been shown to be hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and cause severe human and animal diseases. The effectiveness of neutral electrolyzed oxidizing water (NEW) on aflatoxin detoxification was investigated in HepG2 cells using several validation methodologies such as the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, the induction of lipid peroxidation, the oxidative damage by means of glutathione modulation, the Ames test and the alkaline Comet assay. Our results showed that, after the aflatoxin-contaminated maize containing 360 ng/g was soaked in NEW (60 mg/L available chlorine, pH 7.01) during 15 min at room temperature, the aflatoxin content did not decrease as confirmed by the immunoaffinity column and ultra performance liquid chromatography methods. Aflatoxin fluorescence strength of detoxified samples was similar to untreated samples. However, aflatoxin-associated cytotoxicity and OPEN ACCESS Toxins 2015, 7 4295 genotoxicity effects were markedly reduced upon treatment. According to these results, NEW can be effectively used to detoxify aflatoxin-contaminated maize.
AFM1 in Milk: Physical, Biological, and Prophylactic Methods to Mitigate Contamination
Authors: Giovati Laura , Magliani Walter , Ciociola Tecla , Santinoli Claudia , Conti Stefania , Polonelli Luciano
Published: October 2015

Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic, carcinogenic, immunosuppressive secondary metabolites produced by some Aspergillus species which colonize crops, including many dietary staple foods and feed components. AFB1 is the prevalent and most toxic among AFs. In the liver, it is biotransformed into AFM1, which is then excreted into the milk of lactating mammals, including dairy animals. AFM1 has been shown to be cause of both acute and chronic toxicoses. The presence of AFM1 in milk and dairy products represents a worldwide concern since even small amounts of this metabolite may be of importance as long-term exposure is concerned. Contamination of milk may be mitigated either directly, decreasing the AFM1 content in contaminated milk, or indirectly, decreasing AFB1 contamination in the feed of dairy animals. Current strategies for AFM1 mitigation include good agricultural practices in pre-harvest and post-harvest management of feed crops (including storage) and physical or chemical decontamination of feed and milk. However, no single strategy offers a complete solution to the issue.
The Role of Cytokines and Chemokines in Filovirus Infection
Authors: Bixler Sandra , Goff  Arthur
Published: October 2015

Ebola- and marburgviruses are highly pathogenic filoviruses and causative agents of viral hemorrhagic fever. Filovirus disease is characterized by a dysregulated immune response, severe organ damage, and coagulation abnormalities. This includes modulation of cytokines, signaling mediators that regulate various components of the immune system as well as other biological processes. Here we examine the role of cytokines in filovirus infection, with an emphasis on understanding how these molecules affect development of the antiviral immune response and influence pathology. These proteins may present targets for immune modulation by therapeutic agents and vaccines in an effort to boost the natural immune response to infection and/or reduce immunopathology.
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) Inhibits RNA-Mediated Gene Silencing by Targeting Ago-2
Authors: Chen Jing , Shi Xibao , Zhang Xiaozhuan , Wang Li , Luo Jun , Xing Guangxu , Deng Ruiguang , Yang Hong , Li Jinting , Wang Aiping , Zhang Gaiping
Published: October 2015

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection strongly modulates the host’s immune response. The RNA silencing pathway is an intracellular innate response to viral infections. However, it is unknown whether PRRSV interacts with cellular RNA silencing to facilitate the viral infection. Here, we report for the first time the interaction between PRRSV and RNA silencing in both the porcine macrophages and African green monkey kidney cell line (MARC-145) cell line, which were derived from African green monkey kidney cells and highly permissive for PRRSV infection. Our data demonstrated that PRRSV suppressed RNA silencing induced by short-hairpin (sh) RNA, double-strand (ds) RNA and microRNA (miRNA) and downregulated the expression of argonaute protein-2 (Ago-2), which is a key protein of the RNA silencing pathway in animal cells. Further, exogenous introduction of siRNA and shRNA downregulated Dicer or Ago-2 proteins of the cellular RNA silencing apparatus in MARC-145 cells and porcine macrophages, which, in turn, increased the viral replication and titers. The viral non-structure protein 1α (nsp-1α) and nsp11 of PRRSV were identified as the suppressors for cellular RNA silencing (RSSs) to downregulate the Ago-2 protein. Our results identify that PRRSV, through its nsp proteins, suppresses the cellular RNA silencing apparatus in favor of viral infection and supports a co-evolutionary process of the virus and the cellular RNA silencing process.
Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Water Table and Vegetation Status of a Deserted Area
Authors: Duan Limin , Liu Tingxi , Wang Xixi , Luo Yanyun
Published: October 2015

Understanding groundwater-vegetation interactions is crucial for sustaining fragile environments of desert areas such as the Horqin Sandy Land (HSL) in northern China. This study examined spatio-temporal variations in the water table and the associated vegetation status of a 9.71 km2 area that contains meadowland, sandy dunes, and intermediate transitional zones. The depth of the water table and hydrometeorologic parameters were monitored and Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data were utilized to assess the vegetation cover. Spatio-temporal variations over the six-year study period were examined and descriptive groundwater–vegetation associations developed by overlaying a water table depth map onto a vegetation index map derived from MODIS. The results indicate that the water table depends on the local topography, localized geological settings, and human activities such as reclamation, with fluctuations occurring at annual and monthly scales as a function of precipitation and potential evapotranspiration. Locations where the water table is closer to the surface tend to have more dense and productive vegetation. The water table depth is more closely associated with vegetative density in meadowlands than in transitional zones, and only poorly associated with vegetation in sandy dunes.
Modération et sobriété chez les étudiants : entre ethos de vie et résistance aux normes
Authors: Gaussot Ludovic , Palierne Nicolas , Le Minor Loïc
Published: October 2015

Les recherches sur l’alcool se centrent sur la consommation effective, souvent les « conduites à risque », surtout lorsqu’elles portent sur les populations jeunes. Les abstinents ou faibles consommateurs ont très peu fait l’objet d’investigation approfondie. Cette étude qualitative porte sur un corpus d’une trentaine d’étudiants « sobres » ayant participé à un entretien approfondi et dégage quatre dimensions centrales de la définition et de l’identification comme quasi « non-buveur » : l’absence de plaisir gustatif, l’absence de recherche d’effets psychotropes majeurs et de la perte de contrôle, le refus de faire de l’alcool l’ingrédient indispensable de la fête, la valorisation d’un mode de sociabilité spécifique. Ce type de recherche montre l’intérêt d’étudier les processus de construction et de maintien dans un mode de « consommation sobre », voire abstinent, y compris pour mieux comprendre les modes de consommation « plus engagés » dans le boire.
Alcool et grossesse : une recherche qualitative auprès de femmes enceintes
Authors: Brahic Julie , Thomas Olivier , Dany Lionel
Published: October 2015

La consommation d’alcool pendant la grossesse constitue un enjeu de santé publique. Dans une perspective socio-représentationnelle, notre recherche visait à étudier les normes de consommations d’alcool pendant la grossesse. Soixante-quatre entretiens semidirectifs ont été réalisés auprès de femmes enceintes (Age moyen=28.9ans). Une analyse de contenu thématique a été réalisée sur l’ensemble des entretiens. Les représentations sociales concernant l’alcool pendant la grossesse sont particulièrement normatives. Cependant, nous pouvons observer la co-existence de règles générales (interdiction) et certaines cognitions conditionnelles (comportements autorisés sous certaines conditions). Le risque alcool pendant la grossesse s’exprime dans la confrontation de logiques explicatives qui reposent sur la prégnance de la responsabilité individuelle, sur la dimension sociale des conduites mais aussi sur le caractère conditionnel et contextualisé de la construction du risque.
Consommation d’alcool et menace perçue : comparaison inter-substances et rôle des conséquences de la consommation
Authors: Tavani Jean Louis , Lo Monaco Grégory , Piermattéo Anthony , Guened Sara , Le Laurain Solveig , Collange Julie
Published: October 2015

La consommation d’alcool fait l’objet d’une véritable régulation sociale. Les comportements de consommation jugée à risque peuvent ainsi être régulés par les pressions sociales informelles, ou contrôle social informel. Pour qu’elles se mettent en place, le consommateur doit être jugé comme déviant. Dans cette optique, l’objectif de cette recherche est ainsi d’étudier l’influence des produits consommés, l’importance des conséquences de cette consommation, la réversibilité du comportement de consommation, ainsi que les pratiques de consommation des participants. Les résultats montrent que le type de substance consommée de la cible à évaluer et les pratiques développées par l’émetteur du jugement influencent la perception de déviance.
L’insécurité personnelle dans les transports en commun
Authors: Noble Julien
Published: October 2015

Cet article analyse les caractéristiques de la peur du crime dans les transports en commun. Basé sur les études réalisées sur ce thème, il identifie trois catégories de facteurs induisant ce phénomène. La première, de nature sociale, insiste sur la perception du risque suscitée par l’isolement et certaines catégories d’usagers. La seconde est liée aux modalités de fonctionnement des transports en commun, dont certaines caractéristiques renforcent la peur des voyageurs. La troisième porte sur l’architecture et plus spécifiquement sur le cloisonnement et ses différents effets selon le nombre d’usagers.
Vers un leadership partagé à l’hôpital pour une GRH plus éthique
Authors: Miremont Marie-Claude , Valax Marc
Published: October 2015

Notre recherche vise à intégrer l’éthique managériale et un leadership partagé qui permettraient à l’hôpital de sortir de la dynamique délétère dans laquelle il semble verser et d’évoluer vers une dynamique performante dans sa gestion des ressources humaines. À travers une étude empirique longitudinale sur quatre ans au sein de deux établissements hospitaliers du sud de la France, nous chercherons à mieux comprendre la situation de mutation que traverse aujourd’hui l’hôpital et à fixer des voies possibles d’un renouvellement des pratiques managériales.
Travailler pour une banque qui appartient à ses clients sociétaires : ça change quoi ? analyse de l’identité de marque employeur des banques coopératives
Authors: Guillot-Soulez Chloé , Soulez Sébastien
Published: October 2015

Depuis la crise financière, la différence de statut est devenue un élément différenciant dans la stratégie de communication des banques coopératives. Cette différence se retrouve-t-elle quand elles communiquent sur leur marque employeur ? Cet article étudie l’identité de marque employeur des banques coopératives et la compare à celle des banques non-coopératives à partir des sites institutionnels de recrutement des principaux acteurs du secteur bancaire français. Les résultats montrent notamment que les différentes banques sont proches lorsqu’elles communiquent sur les attributs organisationnels et symboliques et sur les bénéfices fonctionnels de la marque employeur. Dans ce cas, les différences observées ne relèvent pas du statut (coopératif ou non) mais correspondent à des spécificités mises en avant par chacune des banques. Les différences en fonction du statut sont en revanche plus marquées pour les bénéfices économiques et psychologiques de la marque employeur. Leur statut particulier apparaît alors comme un élément différenciant pour les banques coopératives et les principes coopératifs leur permettent de se distinguer des banques capitalistes. Au final, il semble néanmoins difficile d’évoquer l’existence d’une « marque employeur coopérative » en référence à l’identité coopérative.
Les scop relèvent-elles d’un modèle de GRH homogène ? enseignements d’une recherche de terrain
Authors: Juban Jean-Yves
Published: October 2015

À partir de l’analyse des pratiques de GRH sous l’angle des conventions que proposent Pichault et Nizet (2013), nous tenterons de savoir si les Scop (Sociétés Coopératives et Participatives) sont porteuses d’un modèle original et homogène de GRH. Nous le ferons à partir de l’étude de la gestion des emplois, des pratiques de recrutement et de rémunération que nous avons pu observer au sein d’une cinquantaine de Scop de la région Rhône-Alpes. L’hypothèse de cette communication met l’accent sur la convention délibérative dans la mesure où elle désigne des pratiques de GRH « faiblement verticales » (Pichault & Nizet, 2013, p. 85), et où elle prévoit des débats entre salariés sur la part de l’autonomie individuelle et collective par rapport à celle qui sera régie par des procédures qu’ils auront eux-mêmes mises au point. Nos résultats montrent que la GRH dans les Scop est fortement inspirée par les valeurs coopératives, mais ne correspond pas pleinement à la convention valorielle. La convention délibérative apparaît sur plusieurs dimensions de la GRH, il semble donc que la force du groupe l’emporte sur les tendances individualisantes.
Quand le territoire s’organise pour attirer à l’international et fidéliser en local les talents : le cas du cluster technologique de Sophia Antipolis
Authors: Loufrani-Fedida Sabrina , Saint-Germes Ève
Published: October 2015

Dans l’économie actuelle, le management des talents est de plus en plus considéré comme la clé pour conquérir un avantage concurrentiel soutenable. Dans la littérature émergente sur le management global des talents, qui s’intéresse notamment aux processus et pratiques de management mis en place par les entreprises multinationales pour attirer, développer et fidéliser les collaborateurs talentueux, deux perspectives de recherche retiennent l’attention des chercheurs. La première a trait aux différents niveaux d’analyse (individuel, organisationnel et institutionnel/sociétal) des pratiques de management global des talents. La seconde cherche à comprendre comment les processus et pratiques de management des talents opèrent dans différents contextes (nationaux, internationaux et sectoriels). Dans cet article, nous proposons d’ouvrir une troisième perspective de recherche, au confluent des deux premières : celle du management global des talents par le territoire. Notre recherche, de type exploratoire, repose sur une démarche qualitative centrée sur l’étude d’un cas unique : le cluster technologique de Sophia Antipolis et sa plateforme numérique eDRH. L’analyse de ce cas nous permet d’expliquer, d’une part, les enjeux pour ce territoire de l’attractivité des talents à l’international et de leur fidélisation en local et, d’autre part, de comprendre la mise en place progressive d’une démarche collaborative inter-organisationnelle au sein du cluster pour répondre à ces enjeux, notamment grâce au rôle majeur joué par la plateforme numérique dans les transferts de pratiques de management des talents.
La déontologie médicale en 2015
Authors: Laurent Dominique
Published: October 2015

Le code de déontologie médicale, qui comporte cent onze articles opposables à tout médecin inscrit à l’Ordre, s’attache à définir le contenu des droits et des obligations éthiques des médecins dans leurs relations avec leurs patients et leurs confrères. Il précise en particulier le contenu des principes fondamentaux que sont le respect de la personne et de sa dignité par le médecin, la liberté d’exercice et la responsabilité du praticien et les exigences de la confraternité. La juridiction disciplinaire de l’Ordre assure le respect par le médecin de ses obligations en prononçant, lorsque celui-ci a méconnu une ou des dispositions du code de déontologie, des sanctions disciplinaires indépendantes des sanctions que les tribunaux peuvent prononcer par ailleurs. Envisager la suppression de l’Ordre d’une profession de santé induit le risque de dégrader cette fonction disciplinaire dont l’utilité sociale est reconnue.
Les chemins escarpés de la négociation conventionnelle 2016
Authors: Grass Étienne
Published: October 2015

Dans son sens premier, négocier signifie « faire du commerce » (du latin negotiari ). Le mot s’est enrichi avec le temps d’origines anglo-saxonnes. Il signifie également « venir à bout d’un obstacle ». La négociation de la convention médicale illustre ces deux sémantiques. On négocie la convention médicale comme on troque un tapis. On la négocie aussi comme on franchit un virage difficile. Négocier suppose un partenaire, un calendrier, la volonté réciproque de parvenir à un accord et souvent une mise en scène qui permet de justifier que chacun s’éloigne peu à peu des positions qu’il avait initialement dessinées. Tout cela fait encore défaut alors que la négociation devrait s’ouvrir.
La liberté des tarifs médicaux : la victoire des médecins spécialistes
Authors: Bras Pierre-Louis
Published: October 2015

Depuis plus d’un siècle, la liberté tarifaire est l’enjeu d’un conflit entre les médecins et les représentant des assurés. Cet article est consacré au dernier épisode de ce conflit, la négociation engagée sur cette question en 2012 suite à l’engagement pris par le président de la République d’encadrer les dépassement d’honoraires. Il montre que, malgré cet engagement, la négociation s’est conclue par un accord globalement favorable aux médecins spécialistes qui devrait aboutir à un développement des dépassements. Malgré une publicisation de cette question des dépassements, les soutiens limités et diffus dont auraient pu bénéficier les pouvoirs publics ont conduit à privilégier une stratégie visant à éviter un affrontement ouvert avec une fraction du corps médical fortement mobilisée autour de la défense de la liberté tarifaire.
Une régionalisation des conventions de santé profitable aux ARS
Authors: Marié Romain
Published: October 2015

Les rapports entre l’assurance maladie et les professionnels de santé libéraux sont régis par des conventions nationales qui avaient initialement pour objectif de fixer le tarif des actes avant de voir, au fil des années, leur champ d’application matériel s’accroître. Bien que l’édifice conventionnel se soit construit nationalement et par profession, il va connaître une inflexion régionale, déjà prévue par les textes mais rarement mise en œuvre, permettant d’adapter localement des mesures nationales. Cette régionalisation servira de base à la contractualisation avec les professionnels intéressés.
Le 6 février 1934, une crise policière ?
Authors: Blanchard Emmanuel
Published: October 2015

La journée du 6 février 1934 est restée dans les mémoires comme l’acmé d’une crise parlementaire aiguë. Les quatorze victimes et les méthodes de maintien de l’ordre ont moins retenu l’attention des historiens qui ont étudié cet événement. Jean Chiappe, préfet de police aux liens politiques multiples et très marqués à l’extrême droite, démis de ses fonctions le 3 février, joua pourtant un grand rôle dans la mobilisation, le déroulement et le dénouement de cette crise. En prêtant une attention particulière aux attitudes et aux pratiques des agents engagés dans la répression, il s’agit d’étudier plus généralement les multiples voies par lesquelles les forces de l’ordre peuvent contribuer à la configuration des crises politiques.
La politique sécuritaire et les manifestations contre la police dans le ghetto noir de Chicago (1943-1969)
Authors: Diamond Andrew , Devienne Elsa
Published: October 2015

Dans la seconde moitié des années 1960, à Chicago, des organisations se revendiquant de l’idéologie du « pouvoir noir » ont mobilisé un nombre sans précédent de jeunes Afro-Américains pour participer à des actions de protestation contre la brutalité policière. Cet article montre le rôle ambigu joué par ces manifestations dans la lutte globale pour les droits civiques à Chicago. Il défend l’idée selon laquelle cette approche s’est avérée source de divisions pour la communauté noire et l’a empêchée de développer un programme de revendications plus ambitieux. Cela était dû en grande partie au rôle central joué par la politique du maintien de l’ordre dans la communauté noire de Chicago, une situation ayant rendu de nombreux dirigeants civiques et religieux clés réticents à l’idée de soutenir des protestations contre la police.
Répression d’État et situation révolutionnaire en Tunisie (2010-2011)
Authors: Hmed Choukri
Published: October 2015

La sociologie des mouvements sociaux a longtemps négligé la dimension répressive des mobilisations. En s’appuyant sur une enquête ethnographique menée en Tunisie entre 2011 et 2012, cet article propose d’évaluer le rôle de la « violence paroxystique » d’État dans les situations révolutionnaires, en prenant pour objet les interactions entre les représentants du régime, les forces de l’ordre, les protestataires et les non-engagés. Il montre comment les pratiques répressives au sens large ont contribué à moduler et à structurer la protestation contre le régime tunisien, au cours de la première situation révolutionnaire, du 17 décembre 2010 au 14 janvier 2011. La répression doit ainsi être entendue comme un mode d’action parmi d’autres mobilisés par les agents de l’État pour mettre fin aux mouvements protestataires qui le mettent directement en cause.
Paroles de « défaitistes »
Authors: Morin Gilles
Published: October 2015

Entre septembre 1939 et juin 1940, polices et justice françaises traquent divers discours et comportements publics. Définis par le mot « défaitisme », ces expressions sont supposées atteindre le moral des Français. Les manifestations de ce « défaitisme » révèlent une société populaire troublée et partiellement apolitique. Cependant, dans plus de la moitié des cas, ce terme concerne des sensibilités politiques connues. Parmi elles dominent l’extrême gauche et l’extrême droite. Au premier rang s’exprime surtout une parole « défaitiste » inscrite dans la culture communiste. Par-delà la diversité des positionnements politiques, ces discours protestataires traduisent différentes formes de rejet de la République et de ses hommes.
L’économie morale des banlieusards
Authors: Gordon Daniel A.
Published: October 2015

En 1970, une révolte des banlieusards, usagers des transports en commun de la région parisienne, déclenchée par une hausse du prix du ticket de métro, a réussi à renverser une tentative du gouvernement Chaban-Delmas de faire payer une proportion plus grande des coûts de transport aux usagers. Ce mouvement a été à l’origine de la carte orange et de la renaissance des tramways. Cet article explique les origines du mouvement, en utilisant l’idée d’économie morale d’Edward P. Thompson. Comment a-t-il été lié à une « crise des transports », différenciée par genre et par classe, créée par l’émergence des banlieues tentaculaires lointaines ?
ICT in Direct Democracy
Authors: Amanatidis Stavros , Palla Olga Eirini
Published: October 2015

This chapter presents and analyzes the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in public participation and more specificly in e-referenda as an aspect of direct democratic participation. It aims to explain the correlation between ICT and e-referenda. Referendum, used as an instrument to accept or deny a proposed political decision, has a strong function of controlling political power and securing the openness of political power structures. It serves as an instrument of division of powers and opens roads to opposition outside parliament. In general, it provides the people with veto positions (Schiller, 2003, p. 12). By presenting the evolvement of the ICT and the technological developments that resulted an impact on the way democracy is being exercised in the modern societies, there is an attempt to provide ideas and solutions on the use of e-referenda in modern democracies. The dangers, the advantages, and the disadvantages of the use of ICT in democracy are presented and analysed as well. All these issues are being discussed, as this chapter tries to give a clear and objective perspective regarding the role of e-democracy and the problems that come along with its implementation.
Fashionable Functions
Authors: Roth Steffen
Published: October 2015

Computer communication is revolutionizing modern society to the same extend as the invention of writing or the printing press have unsettled the archaic or the ancient society, respectively. In the present article, this idea will be exemplified by a demonstration of how the Google Ngram viewer – an online graphing tool which charts annual counts of words or sentences as found in the largest available corpus of digitalized books – allows for checks and challenges of familiar self-definitions of modern society. As functional differentiation is considered the central unique feature of modern societies, the hypotheses focus on the testing of prominent modern trend statements and predictions, such as the secularization, politicization, economization, and mediatization of society. All hypotheses are tested through a comparative analysis of word frequency time-series plots produced by means of the Google Ngram Viewer. The results show that the importance of individual function systems to society features significant change in time and considerable regional differences. Furthermore, the findings suggest adopting a skeptical position on some of the most frequent common senses of trends in functional differentiation and corresponding self-definitions of society.