bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antidotal effect of combinations obidoxime/HI-6 and memantine in mice poisoned with soman, dichlorvos or heptenophos
Authors: Antonijevic Biljana , Stojiljkovic Milos , Bokonjic Dubravko , Vucinic Slavica
Published: December 2011

Introduction/Aim. In acute organophosphate poisoning the issue of special
concern is the appearance of muscle fasciculations and convulsions that
cannot be adequately antagonised by the use of atropine and oxime therapy.
The aim of this study was to examine atidotal effect of obidoxime or HI-6
combinations with memantine in mice poisoned with soman, dichlorvos or
heptenophos. Methods. Male Albino mice were pretreated intravenously (iv)
with increasing doses of oximes and/or memantine (10 mg/kg) at various times
before poisoning with 1.3 LD-50 of soman, dichlorvos or heptenophos, in order
to determine the median effective dose and the efficacy half-time. In a
separate experiment, cerebral extravasation of Evans blue dye (40 mg/kg iv)
was examined after application of memantine (10 mg/kg iv), midazolam (2.5
mg/kg intraperitonealy - ip) and ketamine (20 mg/kg ip) 5 minutes before
soman (1 LD-50 subcutaneously - sc). Results. Coadministration of memantine
induced a significant decrease in median effective dose in null time of both
HI-6 (7.96 vs 1.79 mmoL/kg in soman poisoning) and obidoxime (16.80 vs 2.75
mmoL/kg in dichlorvos poisoning; 21.56 vs 6.63 mmoL/kg in heptenophos
poisoning). Memantine and midazolam succeded to counteract the soman-induced
proconvulsive activity. Conclusion. Memantine potentiated the antidotal
effect of HI-6 against a lethal dose of soman, as well as the ability of
obidoxime to antagonize the toxic effects of dichlorvos and heptenophos
probably partly due to its anticonvulsive properties.
Mirasol PRT system inactivation efficacy evaluated in platelet concentrates by bacteria-contamination model
Authors: Jocic Miodrag , Trkuljic Miroljub , Jovicic Dragana , Borovcanin Nemanja , Todorovic Milena , Balint Bela
Published: December 2011

Background/Aim. Bacterial contamination of blood components, primarily
platelet concentrates (PCs), has been identified as one of the most frequent
infectious complications in transfusion practice. PC units have a high risk
for bacterial growth/multiplication due to their storage at ambient
temperature (20 ? 2?C). Consequences of blood contamination could be
effectively prevented or reduced by pathogen inactivation systems. The aim of
this study was to determine the Mirasol pathogen reduction technology (PRT)
system efficacy in PCs using an artificial bacteria-contamination model.
Methods. According to the ABO blood groups, PC units (n = 216) were pooled
into 54 pools (PC-Ps). PC-Ps were divided into three equal groups, with 18
units in each, designed for an artificial bacteria-contamination. Briefly,
PC-Ps were contaminated by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus
or Escherichia coli in concentrations 102 to 107 colony forming units (CFU)
per unit. Afterward, PC-Ps were underwent to inactivation by Mirasol PRT
system, using UV (l = 265-370 nm) activated riboflavin (RB). All PC-Ps were
assayed by BacT/Alert Microbial Detection System for CFU quantification
before and after the Mirasol treatment. Samples from non-inactivated PC-P
units were tested after preparation and immediately following bacterial
contamination. Samples from Mirasol treated units were quantified for CFUs
one hour, 3 days and 5 days after inactivation. Results. A complete
inactivation of all bacteria species was obtained at CFU concentrations of
102 and 103 per PC-P unit through storage/ investigation period. The most
effective inactivation (105 CFU per PC-P unit) was obtained in Escherichia
coli setting. Contrary, inactivation of all the three tested bacteria species
was unworkable in concentrations of ? 106 CFU per PC-P unit. Conclusion.
Efficient inactivation of investigated bacteria types with a significant CFU
depletion in PC-P units was obtained - 3 Log for all three tested species,
and 5 Log for Escherichia coli. The safety of blood component therapy,
primarily the clinical use of PCs can be improved using the Mirasol PRT
system.
Pharmacological treatment of stress-induced hypertension: Guidelines and dilemmas
Authors: Matunovic Radomir , Samardzic Janko , Spiric Zeljko , Marinkovic Dejan , Gudelj Ognjen , Obradovic Dragan , Mijailovic Zdravko , Rafajlovski Saso
Published: December 2011

nema
The ATP-Sensitive K+ Channel ABCC8 S1369A Type 2 Diabetes Risk Variant Increases MgATPase Activity
Authors: Fatehi Mohammad , Raja Mobeen , Carter Christian , Soliman Daniel , Holt Andrew , Light Peter E.
Published: December 2011

Pancreatic β-cell ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels are composed of Kir6.2 and SUR1 subunits encoded by the KCNJ11 and ABCC8 genes, respectively. Although rare monogenic activating mutations in these genes cause overt neonatal diabetes, the common variants E23K (KCNJ11) and S1369A (ABCC8) form a tightly heritable haplotype that is associated with an increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. However, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying this risk remain to be elucidated. A homology model of the SUR1 nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) indicates that residue 1369 is in close proximity to the major MgATPase site. Therefore, we investigated the intrinsic MgATPase activity of KATP channels containing these variants. Electrophysiological and biochemical techniques were used to study the MgATPase activity of recombinant human KATP channels or glutathione S-transferase and NBD2 fusion proteins containing the E23/S1369 (nonrisk) or K23/A1369 (risk) variant haplotypes. KATP channels containing the K23/A1369 haplotype displayed a significantly increased stimulation by guanosine triphosphate compared with the E23/S1369 haplotype (3.2- vs. 1.8-fold). This effect was dependent on the presence of the A1369 variant and was lost in the absence of Mg2+ ions or in the presence of the MgATPase inhibitor beryllium fluoride. Direct biochemical assays also confirmed an increase in MgATPase activity in NBD2 fusion proteins containing the A1369 variant. Our findings demonstrate that the A1369 variant increases KATP channel MgATPase activity, providing a plausible molecular mechanism by which the K23/A1369 haplotype increases susceptibility to T2D in humans homozygous for these variants.
Targeted Loss of GHR Signaling in Mouse Skeletal Muscle Protects Against High-Fat Diet–Induced Metabolic Deterioration
Authors: Vijayakumar Archana , Wu YingJie , Sun Hui , Li Xiaosong , Jeddy Zuha , Liu Chengyu , Schwartz Gary J. , Yakar Shoshana , LeRoith Derek
Published: December 2011

Growth hormone (GH) exerts diverse tissue-specific metabolic effects that are not revealed by global alteration of GH action. To study the direct metabolic effects of GH in the muscle, we specifically inactivated the growth hormone receptor (ghr) gene in postnatal mouse skeletal muscle using the Cre/loxP system (mGHRKO model). The metabolic state of the mGHRKO mice was characterized under lean and obese states. High-fat diet feeding in the mGHRKO mice was associated with reduced adiposity, improved insulin sensitivity, lower systemic inflammation, decreased muscle and hepatic triglyceride content, and greater energy expenditure compared with control mice. The obese mGHRKO mice also had an increased respiratory exchange ratio, suggesting increased carbohydrate utilization. GH-regulated suppressor of cytokine signaling-2 (socs2) expression was decreased in obese mGHRKO mice. Interestingly, muscles of both lean and obese mGHRKO mice demonstrated a higher interleukin-15 and lower myostatin expression relative to controls, indicating a possible mechanism whereby GHR signaling in muscle could affect liver and adipose tissue function. Thus, our study implicates skeletal muscle GHR signaling in mediating insulin resistance in obesity and, more importantly, reveals a novel role of muscle GHR signaling in facilitating cross-talk between muscle and other metabolic tissues.
Identification of BMP and Activin Membrane-Bound Inhibitor (BAMBI) as a Potent Negative Regulator of Adipogenesis and Modulator of Autocrine/Paracrine Adipogenic Factors
Authors: Luo Xiao , Hutley Louise J. , Webster Julie A. , Kim Yu-Hee , Liu Dong-Fang , Newell Felicity S. , Widberg Charlotte H. , Bachmann Anthony , Turner Nigel , Schmitz-Peiffer Carsten , Prins Johannes B. , Yang Gong-She , Whitehead Jonathan P.
Published: December 2011

Adipose tissue dysfunction underpins the association of obesity with type 2 diabetes. Adipogenesis is required for the maintenance of adipose tissue function. It involves the commitment and subsequent differentiation of preadipocytes and is coordinated by autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine factors. We previously reported that fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) primes primary human preadipocytes and Simpson Golabi Behmel syndrome (SGBS) preadipocytes and increases adipogenesis through a cascade involving extracellular signal–related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Here, we aimed to use the FGF-1 system to identify novel adipogenic regulators. Expression profiling revealed bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) as a putative FGF-1 effector. BAMBI is a transmembrane protein and modulator of paracrine factors that regulate adipogenesis, including transforming growth factor (TGF) superfamily members (TGF-β and BMP) and Wnt. Functional investigations established BAMBI as a negative regulator of adipogenesis and modulator of the anti- and proadipogenic effects of Wnt3a, TGF-β1, and BMP-4. Further studies showed that BAMBI expression levels are decreased in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Collectively, these findings establish BAMBI as a novel, negative regulator of adipogenesis that can act as a nexus to integrate multiple paracrine signals to coordinate adipogenesis. Alterations in BAMBI may play a role in the (patho)physiology of obesity, and manipulation of BAMBI may present a novel therapeutic approach to improve adipose tissue function.
Central Role for Interleukin-2 in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Hulme Maigan A. , Wasserfall Clive H. , Atkinson Mark A. , Brusko Todd M.
Published: December 2011

Type 1 diabetes presents clinically with overt hyperglycemia resulting from progressive immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells and associated metabolic dysfunction. Combined genetic and immunological studies now highlight deficiencies in both the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor and its downstream signaling pathway as a central defect in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. Prior intervention studies in animal models indicate that augmenting IL-2 signaling can prevent and reverse disease, with protection conferred primarily by restoration of regulatory T-cell (Treg) function. In this article, we will focus on studies of type 1 diabetes noting deficient IL-2 signaling and build what we believe forms the molecular framework for their contribution to the disease. This activity results in the identification of a series of potentially novel therapeutic targets that could restore proper immune regulation in type 1 diabetes by augmenting the IL-2 pathway.
Considerations on the application of miniaturized sample preparation approaches for the analysis of organic compounds in environmental matrices
Authors: Pena-Pereira Francisco , Duarte Regina , Duarte Armando
Published: December 2011

The miniaturization and improvement of sample preparation is a challenge that has been fulfilled up to a point in many fields of analytical chemistry. Particularly, the hyphenation of microextraction with advanced analytical techniques has allowed the monitoring of target analytes in a vast variety of environmental samples. Several benefits can be obtained when miniaturized techniques such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) or liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) are applied, specifically, their easiness, rapidity and capability to separate and pre-concentrate target analytes with a negligible consumption of organic solvents. In spite of the great acceptance that these green sample preparation techniques have in environmental research, their full implementation has not been achieved or even attempted in some relevant environmental matrices. In this work, a critical review of the applications of LPME and SPME techniques to isolate and pre-concentrate traces of organic pollutants is provided. In addition, the influence of the environmental matrix on the effectiveness of LPME and SPME for isolating the target organic pollutants is addressed. Finally, unsolved issues that may hinder the application of these techniques for the extraction of dissolved organic matter from environmental samples and some suggestions for developing novel and less selective enrichment and isolation procedures for natural organic matter on the basis of SPME and LPME are included.
Meson correlation function and screening mass in thermal QCD
Authors: Czerski Piotr
Published: December 2011

Analytical results for the spatial dependence of the correlation functions for all meson excitations in perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics, the lowest order, are calculated. The meson screening mass is obtained as a large distance limit of the correlation function. Our analysis leads to a better understanding of the excitations of Quark Gluon Plasma at sufficiently large temperatures and may be of relevance for future numerical calculations with fully interacting Quantum Chromodynamics.
Schizophrenia in adolescents and the family system
Authors: Świętochowski Waldemar
Published: December 2011

Schizophrenia in adolescents and the family system

Empirical research shows that chronic diseases have specific, idiosyncratic functions in the family, and give real, psychosocial advantages (like tightening loosened family relations or helping solve interpersonal conflicts). This leaves the question - can schizophrenic disorders have similar function in the family system as a chronic somatic disease? We have analyzed systemic family traits in families with schizophrenic young patients (50 families). The reference samples were two kinds of families: families with schizophrenic adults and families without any chronic disease or chronic illness ("healthy families"). The subjects of analysis were coefficients of the systemic features, identified by factor analysis according to author's proposal. Oneway Anova was used to compare indexes between three groups of families. The results show that mental disorder in adolescents participates in the life of the whole family, having similar functions to the functions of chronic somatic diseases. They also suggest that, from the family members' point of view, schizophrenic disorders in a teenagers has different quality compared to schizophrenic disorders in an adult.
Motherland under attack! Nationalism, terrorist threat, and support for the restriction of civil liberties
Authors: Sekerdej Maciej , Kossowska Małgorzata
Published: December 2011

Motherland under attack! Nationalism, terrorist threat, and support for the restriction of civil liberties

The paper addresses the role which national attitudes play in terrorist threat perception and in the choice of specific counterterrorism strategies. Study 1 shows that participants higher on nationalism tend to perceive the threat of terrorism as more serious than participants lower on nationalism. Moreover, we found that nationalism mediated the relationship between the perceived terrorist threat and the support for tough domestic policies, even at the expense of considerable limitation of civil liberties. Study 2 confirms the link between the perceived terrorism threat and the support for suspension of civil liberties. Nevertheless, when terrorism was seen in terms of crime rather than in terms of war, the mediating role of nationalism disappeared. The results contribute to a better understanding of the process whereby the perception of one's own national group and the perception of one's own nation-state translate into specific reactions triggered by external threats.
Realization Theorems for Triangular Rings
Authors: Călugăreanu Grigore
Published: December 2011

Realization Theorems for Triangular Rings

Triangular matrix rings which are endomorphism rings of Abelian groups are characterized and Abelian groups with (or without) triangular endomorphism rings are investigated.
Finite Groups Determined by an Inequality of the Orders of Their Normal Subgroups
Authors: Tărnăuceanu Marius
Published: December 2011

Finite Groups Determined by an Inequality of the Orders of Their Normal Subgroups

In this article we introduce and study a class of finite groups for which the orders of normal subgroups satisfy a certain inequality. It is closely connected to some well-known arithmetic classes of natural numbers.
On Homomorphisms of Krasner Hyperrings
Authors: Phanthawimol W. , Punkla Y. , Kwakpatoon K. , Kemprasit Y.
Published: December 2011

On Homomorphisms of Krasner Hyperrings

By a homomorphism from a Krasner hyperring (A, +, ·) into a Krasner hyperring (A', +', ·') we mean a function ƒ: A → A' satisfying ƒ(x + y) ⊆ ƒ(x)+ ƒ(y) and ƒ(x · y) = ƒ(x) ·' ƒ(y) for all ×, y ∈ A. The kernel of ƒ, ker ƒ, is defined by ker ƒ = {x ∈ A | ƒ(x) = 0'} where 0' is the zero of (A', +', ·'). In fact, ker ƒ may be empty. In this paper, some general properties of a Krasner hyperring homomorphism with nonempty kernel are given. Various examples are also provided.
On the Feedback Stabilization of Boussinesq Equations
Authors: Lefter Adriana-Ioana
Published: December 2011

On the Feedback Stabilization of Boussinesq Equations

This paper provides feedback stabilization results, preserving the invariance of a given convex set, for the Boussinesq system, in 2D and 3D. The proofs use an existence theorem for weak solutions.
A Collocation Method for Direct Numerical Integration of Initial Value Problems in Higher Order Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Adeniyi R. , Alabi M.
Published: December 2011

A Collocation Method for Direct Numerical Integration of Initial Value Problems in Higher Order Ordinary Differential Equations

This paper concerns the solution of initial value problems (IVPs) in ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of orders higher than unity. The Chebyshev polynomials is hereby adopted as basis function in a multi-step collocation technique for the derivation of continuous integration schemes for direct solution of these ODEs without recourse to the conventional approach of first reducing such to their equivalent first order differential systems.
Biharmonic Hypersurfaces of LP-Sasakian Manifolds
Authors: Perktaş Selcen , Kiliç Erol , Keleş Sadik
Published: December 2011

Biharmonic Hypersurfaces of LP-Sasakian Manifolds

In this paper the biharmonic hypersurfaces of Lorentzian para-Sasakian manifolds are studied. We firstly find the biharmonic equation for a hypersurface which admits the characteristic vector field of the Lorentzian para-Sasakian as the normal vector field. We show that a biharmonic spacelike hypersurface of a Lorentzian para-Sasakian manifold with constant mean curvature is minimal. The biharmonicity condition for a hypersurface of a Lorentzian para-Sasakian manifold is investigated when the characteristic vector field belongs to the tangent hyperplane of the hypersurface. We find some necessary and sufficient conditions for a timelike hypersurface of a Lorentzian para-Sasakian manifold to be proper biharmonic. The nonexistence of proper biharmonic timelike hypersurfaces with constant mean curvature in a Ricci flat Lorentzian para-Sasakian manifold is proved.
On η-Einstein Trans-Sasakian Manifolds
Authors: Al-Solamy Falleh , Kim Jeong-Sik , Tripathi Mukut
Published: December 2011

On η-Einstein Trans-Sasakian Manifolds

A systematic study of η-Einstein trans-Sasakian manifold is performed. We find eight necessary and sufficient conditions for the structure vector field ζ of a trans-Sasakian manifold to be an eigenvector field of the Ricci operator. We show that for a 3-dimensional almost contact metric manifold (M,φ, ζ, η, g), the conditions of being normal, trans-K-contact, trans-Sasakian are all equivalent to ∇ζ ∘ φ = φ ∘ ∇ζ. In particular, the conditions of being quasi-Sasakian, normal with 0 = 2β = divζ, trans-K-contact of type (α, 0), trans-Sasakian of type (α, 0), andC6-class are all equivalent to ∇ ζ = -αφ, where 2α = Trace(φ∇ζ). In last, we give fifteen necessary and sufficient conditions for a 3-dimensional trans-Sasakian manifold to be η-Einstein.
Dressing Up Debutantes
Authors: Haynes Michaele Thurgood
Published: December 2011

For ninety years, young society women in San Antonio, Texas have donned custom-designed dresses and trains to take part in the Coronation of a queen and her court. These royal robes, which weigh fifty pounds and more and cost an average of $18,000, are highly embellished with rhinestones and beads. The Coronation is part of the ten-day, century-old festival celebrating the final battle of the 1836 Texas revolt against Mexico.This book provides a significant contribution to the study of social elites in Western society through a material culture analysis of the Coronation costumes worn by the Euro-American debutantes. Set against the backdrop of a city undergoing many demographic, socioeconomic, and political changes, the themes of Coronation pageants represent the mythologized ethnic and class history which reinforces the hierarchical positioning of its participants. The royal robes serve as the canvas upon which this theme is carried out. The Coronation, held in a city with a Hispanic majority, has come under attack for its elitism, but participation in it is still important for the old Euro-American aristocracy and for a very few extremely wealthy Hispanic families. Integral to the continuation of this increasingly contested tradition is the emotional appeal that wearing these intricately decorated gowns holds for participants.
Fashion Under Fascism
Authors: Paulicelli Eugenia
Published: December 2011

When we think of Italian fashion, Gucci, Max Mara and the meteoric rise of Prada immediately spring to mind. But Italian fashion has a dark history that has not previously been explored. The Fascism of 1930s Italy dominated more than just politics - it spilled over into modes of dress. Fashion under Fascism is the first book to consider this link in detail. Fashion often functions as a tacit means of making a social statement, but under Mussolini it vividly reflected political tyranny. Ones allegiance to the regime was choreographed by the dictatorship with the intent of creating a new national consciousness. Women in particular were manipulated through fashion ideals to create an authentic Italian femininity. Paulicelli explores the subtle yet sinister changes to the seemingly innocuous practices of everyday dress and shows why they were such a concern for the state. Importantly, she also demonstrates how these developments impacted on the global dominance of Italian fashion today. This fascinating book includes interviews with major designers, such as Fernanda Gattinoni and Micol Fontana, and sheds new light on the complicated relationship between style and politics.
The Behavioral Economics of Education
Authors: Jabbar Huriya
Published: December 2011

Over the past several decades, researchers have used economics to understand a number of issues in education policy. This article argues that some education researchers have defined economics too narrowly, neglecting several areas of economics research that cut across disciplinary boundaries. One subdiscipline of economics that might be of use in education, but which has not been applied much to it, is behavioral economics, which incorporates psychological knowledge about human behavior to enhance and extend economic models of decision making. This article reviews some of the behavioral concepts in economics that are most likely to inform education research and policy—prospect theory, framing effects, status quo bias, paradox of choice, and intrinsic motivation—and suggests directions for further research.
An Investigation into the Fundamental Regularities of Co-Offending for Violent and Property Crime Classifications
Authors: Andresen Martin A. , Felson Marcus
Published: December 2011

Co-offending research has generated two fundamental regularities. First, co-offending is most prevalent during youth and then decreases as offenders age. Second, the average number of offenders per criminal incident is also highest in youth and decreases as offenders age. These regularities, and co-offending in general, are often explained with reference to a developmental approach: youth spend more time in groups than adults for their activities and crime is simply one of those activities. We investigate these empirical regularities by single years of age, 12–29, with a detailed crime classification in a large sample from British Columbia. These empirical regularities prove to be far from monolithic, being less notable as offenders age for several violent crime classifications.
Alternative Scenarios for the Development of a Low-Carbon City: A Case Study of Beijing, China
Authors: Zhang Lixiao , Feng Yueyi , Chen Bin
Published: December 2011

The establishment of low-carbon cities has been suggested all over the World, since cities are key drivers of energy usage and the associated carbon emissions. This paper presents a scenario analysis of future energy consumption and carbon emissions for the city of Beijing. The Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) model is used to simulate a range of pathways and to analyze how these would change energy consumption and carbon emissions from 2007 to 2030. Three scenarios have been designed to describe future energy strategies in relation to the development of Beijing city, namely a reference scenario (RS), control scenario (CS), and integrated scenario (IS). The results show that under the IS the total energy demand in Beijing is expected to reach 88.61 million tonnes coal equivalent (Mtce) by 2030 (59.32 Mtce in 2007), 55.82% and 32.72% lower than the values under the RS and the CS, respectively. The total carbon emissions in 2030 under the IS, although higher than the 2007 level, will be 62.22% and 40.27% lower than under the RS and the CS, respectively, with emissions peaking in 2026 and declining afterwards. In terms of the potential for reduction of energy consumption and carbon emissions, the industrial sector will continue to act as the largest contributor under the IS and CS compared with the RS, while the building and transport sectors are identified as promising fields for achieving effective control of energy consumption and carbon emissions over the next two decades. The calculation results show that an integrated package of measures is the most effective in terms of energy savings and carbon emissions mitigation, although it also faces the largest challenge to achieve the related targets.
Sharing Integrated Spatial and Thematic Data: The CRISOLA Case for Malta and the European Project Plan4all Process
Authors: Formosa Saviour , Magri Vincent , Neuschmid Julia , Schrenk Manfred
Published: December 2011

Sharing data across diverse thematic disciplines is only the next step in a series of hard-fought efforts to ensure barrier-free data availability. The Plan4all project is one such effort, focusing on the interoperability and harmonisation of spatial planning data as based on the INSPIRE protocols. The aims are to support holistic planning and the development of a European network of public and private actors as well as Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). The Plan4all and INSPIRE standards enable planners to publish and share spatial planning data. The Malta case tackled the wider scenario for sharing of data, through the investigation of the availability, transformation and dissemination of data using geoportals. The study is brought to the fore with an analysis of the approaches taken to ensure that data in the physical and social domains are harmonised in an internationally-established process. Through an analysis of the criminological theme, the Plan4all process is integrated with the social and land use themes as identified in the CRISOLA model. The process serves as a basis for the need to view sharing as one part of the datacycle rather than an end in itself: without a solid protocol the foundations have been laid for the implementation of the datasets in the social and crime domains.
An Ontology of the Strategic Environmental Assessment of City Masterplans
Authors: Lai Sabrina , Zoppi Corrado
Published: December 2011

Following a discussion on the semantics of the term “ontology”, this paper discusses some key points concerning the ontology of the Strategic Environmental Assessment procedure applied to city Masterplans, using sustainability as a reference point. It also assumes the implementation of Guidelines of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia as an experimental context, with the objective of proposing the SEA ontology as an important contribution to improve SEA’s effectiveness.
Modeling Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compounds by Molecular Topology
Authors: Galvez-Llompart María , Zanni Riccardo , García-Domenech Ramón
Published: December 2011

One of the main pharmacological problems today in the treatment of chronic inflammation diseases consists of the fact that anti-inflammatory drugs usually exhibit side effects. The natural products offer a great hope in the identification of bioactive lead compounds and their development into drugs for treating inflammatory diseases. Computer-aided drug design has proved to be a very useful tool for discovering new drugs and, specifically, Molecular Topology has become a good technique for such a goal. A topological-mathematical model, obtained by linear discriminant analysis, has been developed for the search of new anti-inflammatory natural compounds. An external validation obtained with the remaining compounds (those not used in building up the model), has been carried out. Finally, a virtual screening on natural products was performed and 74 compounds showed actual anti-inflammatory activity. From them, 54 had been previously described as anti-inflammatory in the literature. This can be seen as a plus in the model validation and as a reinforcement of the role of Molecular Topology as an efficient tool for the discovery of new anti-inflammatory natural compounds.
Development and Characterization of 20 Microsatellite Markers for Chinese Black Sleeper, Bostrychus sinensis
Authors: Wang Hang-Jun , Lin Hung-Du , Zhang Li-Yan , Ding Shao-Xiong
Published: December 2011

Twenty microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized from the Chinese black sleeper, Bostrychus sinensis. Loci were screened in 30 individuals from Taiwan. For each locus, the number of alleles varied from 4 to 22 with mean expected and observed heterozygosity of 0.79 and 0.66, respectively. One locus significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction and no significant linkage disequilibrium was detected. This set of microsatellites will provide a suitable tool for population genetic studies of Chinese black sleeper.
Novel Repair Concept for Composite Materials by Repetitive Geometrical Interlock Elements
Authors: Hufenbach Werner , Adam Frank , Heber Thomas , Weckend Nico , Bach Friedrich-Wilhelm , Hassel Thomas , Zaremba David
Published: December 2011

Material adapted repair technologies for fiber-reinforced polymers with thermosetting matrix systems are currently characterized by requiring major efforts for repair preparation and accomplishment in all industrial areas of application. In order to allow for a uniform distribution of material and geometrical parameters over the repair zone, a novel composite interlock repair concept is introduced, which is based on a repair zone with undercuts prepared by water-jet technology. The presented numerical and experimental sensitivity analyses make a contribution to the systematic development of the interlock repair technology with respect to material and geometrical factors of influence. The results show the ability of the novel concept for a reproducible and automatable composite repair.
Non-Isothermal Kinetic Analysis of the Crystallization of Metallic Glasses Using the Master Curve Method
Authors: Torrens-Serra Joan , Venkataraman Shankar , Stoica Mihai , Kuehn Uta , Roth Stefan , Eckert Jürgen
Published: December 2011

The non-isothermal transformation rate curves of metallic glasses are analyzed with the Master Curve method grounded in the Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami theory. The method is applied to the study of two different metallic glasses determining the activation energy of the transformation and the experimental kinetic function that is analyzed using Avrami kinetics. The analysis of the crystallization of Cu47Ti33Zr11Ni8Si1 metallic glassy powders gives Ea = 3.8 eV, in good agreement with the calculation by other methods, and a transformation initiated by an accelerating nucleation and diffusion-controlled growth. The other studied alloy is a Nanoperm-type Fe77Nb7B15Cu1 metallic glass with a primary crystallization of bcc-Fe. An activation energy of Ea = 5.7 eV is obtained from the Master Curve analysis. It is shown that the use of Avrami kinetics is not able to explain the crystallization mechanisms in this alloy giving an Avrami exponent of n = 1.
‘Sufferings Start from the Mothers’ Womb’: Vulnerabilities and Livelihood War of the Small-Scale Fishers of Bangladesh
Authors: Deb Apurba Krishna , Haque C. Emdad
Published: December 2011

Due to its deltaic geographical position and precarious socioeconomic and demographic conditions, Bangladesh is recognized worldwide for its exposure to recurring environmental hazards. Based on a 21-month long field study in two fishing villages that are characterized by distinct ecological settings and ethnic groups, this article examines the arrays of cross-scale environmental, social and institutional stressors that singly or cumulatively impact fishers’ livelihood well-being and generational poverty. Analysis of the vulnerabilities makes it clear that the degree to which poor fishers suffer from environmental stressors and calamities is determined not only by the frequency of abnormal events, but also by their internal capabilities of self-protection, resilience against those stressors, position in the social network and asset and resource ownership. Coastal and floodplain fishers identified cyclone and long-standing floods as strong drivers of poverty as their bundles of ‘safety net’ capital are usually disrupted or lost. For a majority of the fishers, income/day/family declines to as low as US$ 0.7–0.9. Fishers lack appropriate sets of endowments and entitlements that would allow them immediate buffer against livelihood stressors. Vulnerability here is intricately related to one’s socio-economic status; poor and ‘socially vulnerable’ ethnic fishers are concurrently ‘biologically vulnerable’ too. The corollary of multi-faceted stressors is that, poverty persists as an ever-increasing haunting presence that thousands of floodplain and coastal fishers of Bangladesh are forced to cope with. It is evident that nature-induced stressors exert ‘ratchet effects’ on fishers with low endowments who critically risk nutritional deprivation and social standing. Lucidly, most of the fishers are trapped in a form of ‘livelihood war’.
Observation of T-2 Toxin and HT-2 Toxin Glucosides from Fusarium sporotrichioides by Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Authors: Busman Mark , Poling Stephen M. , Maragos Chris M.
Published: December 2011

The trichothecenes produced by solid and liquid cultures of Fusarium sporotrichioides were evaluated with high performance liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Along with the expected T-2 toxin HT-2 toxin and neosolaniol, two additional compounds were detected, which had ions 162 m/z higher than those in the mass spectra of T-2 toxin or HT-2 toxin. Fragmentation behavior of these two compounds was similar to that of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin. Based on LC-MS/MS behavior, it is proposed that the two compounds are T-2 toxin 3-O-glucoside and HT-2 toxin 3-O-glucoside. Production of the two glucosides was measured in kernels from wheat and oat inoculated with F. sporotrichiodes, as well as in cultures grown in liquid media and on cracked corn or rice. Production of glucosides in wheat and oats suggest that they may also be present in naturally contaminated cereals.
Phytotoxins Produced by Fungi Associated with Grapevine Trunk Diseases
Authors: Andolfi Anna , Mugnai Laura , Luque Jordi , Surico Giuseppe , Cimmino Alessio , Evidente Antonio
Published: December 2011

Up to 60 species of fungi in the Botryosphaeriaceae family, genera Cadophora, Cryptovalsa, Cylindrocarpon, Diatrype, Diatrypella, Eutypa, Eutypella, Fomitiporella, Fomitiporia, Inocutis, Phaeoacremonium and Phaeomoniella have been isolated from decline-affected grapevines all around the World. The main grapevine trunk diseases of mature vines are Eutypa dieback, the esca complex and cankers caused by the Botryospheriaceae, while in young vines the main diseases are Petri and black foot diseases. To understand the mechanism of these decline-associated diseases and the symptoms associated with them, the toxins produced by the pathogens involved in these diseases were isolated and characterised chemically and biologically. So far the toxins of only a small number of these decline fungi have been studied. This paper presents an overview of the toxins produced by the most serious of these vine wood pathogens: Eutypa lata, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum and some taxa in the Botryosphaeriaceae family, and examines how these toxins produce decline symptoms. The chemical structure of these metabolites and in some cases their vivotoxin nature are also discussed.
AFLP markers provide insights into the evolutionary relationships and diversification of New Caledonian Araucaria species (Araucariaceae)
Authors: Gaudeul Myriam , Rouhan Germinal , Gardner Martin F. , Hollingsworth Peter M.
Published: December 2011

• Premise of the study: Despite its small size, New Caledonia is characterized by a very diverse flora and striking environmental gradients, which make it an ideal setting to study species diversification. Thirteen of the 19 Araucaria species are endemic to the territory and form a monophyletic group, but patterns and processes that lead to such a high species richness are largely unexplored.

• Methods: We used 142 polymorphic AFLP markers and performed analyses based on Bayesian clustering algorithms, genetic distances, and cladistics on 71 samples representing all New Caledonian Araucaria species. We examined correlations between the inferred evolutionary relationships and shared morphological, ecological, or geographic parameters among species, to investigate evolutionary processes that may have driven speciation.

• Key results: We showed that genetic divergence among the present New Caledonian Araucaria species is low, suggesting recent diversification rather than pre‐existence on Gondwana. We identified three genetic groups that included small‐leaved, large‐leaved, and coastal species, but detected no association with soil preference, ecological habitat, or rainfall. The observed patterns suggested that speciation events resulted from both differential adaptation and vicariance. Last, we hypothesize that speciation is ongoing and/or there are cryptic species in some genetically (sometimes also morphologically) divergent populations.

• Conclusions: Further data are required to provide better resolution and understanding of the diversification of New Caledonian Araucaria species. Nevertheless, our study allowed insights into their evolutionary relationships and provides a framework for future investigations on the evolution of this emblematic group of plants in one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.
Interleukin 28B Genetic Polymorphisms and Viral Factors Help Identify HCV Genotype-1 Patients who Benefit from 24-Week Pegylated Interferon plus Ribavirin Therapy
Authors: Liu Chen-Hua , Liang Cheng-Chao , Liu Chun-Jen , Tseng Tai-Chung , Lin Chih-Lin , Yang Sheng-Shun , Su Tung-Hung , Hsu Shih-Jer , Lin Jou-Wei , Chen Jun-Herng , Chen Pei-Jer , Chen Ding-Shinn , Kao Jia-Horng
Published: December 2011

Background

Interleukin 28B (IL28B) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes and viral factors can predict sustained virological response (SVR) in HCV genotype-1 (HCV-1) patients receiving 48 weeks of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Whether these factors would identify those patients who can benefit from a shorter duration of therapy remains unclear.

Methods

Treatment-naive HCV-1 patients ( n=662) receiving 24 or 48 weeks of combination therapy were enrolled. Baseline demographic data, HCV viral load, IL28B SNP genotypes (rs8099917), duration of therapy and rapid virological response (RVR) were evaluated to predict SVR. The SVR rates were further stratified by the independent factors and compared.

Results

The IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype, low baseline viral load (HCV RNA≤600,000 IU/ml), RVR and 48-week therapy independently predicted SVR. In RVR patients with the IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype, the SVR rate of 24-week therapy was comparable to 48-week therapy (95% versus 99%; P=0.21) at low baseline viral load, but was inferior to 48-week therapy (70% versus 97%; P<0.001) at high baseline viral load. In non-RVR patients, the SVR rate of 24-week therapy was inferior to 48-week therapy for those with the IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype but high baseline viral load (23% versus 62%; P<0.001), and those with the IL28B rs8099917 GT/GG genotype but low baseline viral load (0% versus 33%; P=0.02).

Conclusions

HCV-1 patients simultaneously bearing the IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype, low baseline viral load and RVR can benefit from a shorter duration of combination therapy.
Entecavir versus Lamivudine in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Hepatic Decompensation
Authors: Hsu Yao-Chun , Mo Lein-Ray , Chang Chi-Yang , Perng Daw-Shyong , Tseng Cheng-Hao , Lo Gin-Ho , Tai Chih-Min , Lin Chih-Wen , Hsu Chia-Chang , Hsu Chuan-Yuan , Huang Shih-Che , Lin Jaw-Town
Published: December 2011

Background

Lamivudine has been widely used in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatic decompensation, but its use is limited by drug resistance. This outcome research aimed to investigate the comparative efficacy and safety of entecavir versus lamivudine in decompensated patients.

Methods

Between November 2004 and February 2010, 126 consecutive treatment-naive patients received either entecavir ( n=53) or lamivudine ( n=73) for decompensated chronic hepatitis B. All patients presented with both hyperbilirubinaemia and coagulopathy. Primary outcome was mortality within 1 year; secondary outcomes included liver-related mortality, biochemical and virological response, and improvement of hepatic dysfunction.

Results

Both treatment groups were comparable in baseline characteristics. A total of 19 (35.8%) entecavir and 33 (45.2%) lamivudine receivers expired within 1 year, respectively ( P=0.29, log rank test). Age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04 per year, 95% CI 1.01, 1.06), cirrhosis (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.02, 4.23), and international normalized ratio for prothrombin time (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.20, 1.74) were independent baseline predictors for all-cause mortality. Antiviral therapy was also unrelated to liver-specific death. However, more patients taking entecavir tended to attain aminotransferase normalization (76.5% versus 52.5%; P=0.05) and viral DNA undetectability (100% versus 58.3%; P=0.06). Moreover, entecavir was associated with significantly greater reduction of the model for end-stage liver disease scores (median 10.0 versus 4.3; P=0.02). Overall, 3 (7.5%) lamivudine but no entecavir users acquired drug resistance in 1 year ( P=0.25).

Conclusions

Entecavir as compared with lamivudine is similar in the effect on short-term mortality but is associated with greater clinical improvement among chronic hepatitis survivors who recovered from hepatic decompensation.
Les phénomènes de land grabbing
Authors: Griffon Michel
Published: December 2011

Résumé Pour l’économiste et agronome Michel Griffon, les phénomènes de land grabbing ne sont pas nouveaux. Mais c’est la crise alimentaire de 2008 qui a révélée que le mouvement d’« accaparement » des terres » était devenu massif. Le land grabbing peut être interprété comme un mouvement de défiance par rapport à l’extension du marché alimentaire mondial. Michel Griffon propose dans cet entretien avec Jean-Jacques Gabas des pistes de réflexions fondées sur deux critères : la sécurité d’approvisionnement pour le pays qui importe et la sécurité de revenu pour les producteurs africains qui acceptent de produire un excédent. En cas de pénurie locale, il faudrait assurer que la priorité absolue ne soit pas donnée aux exportations.
L'industrie cinématographique post-apartheid
Authors: Lelièvre Samuel
Published: December 2011

Résumé De plus en plus présent dans les festivals et les salles de cinéma occidentales, le cinéma sud-africain contemporain n’est pas un nouveau cinéma de l’ère post-apartheid. Il existe depuis le début du xx e siècle. Soutenus par une industrie unique en Afrique, mais inséparable de l’histoire de l’apartheid, les films sud-africains contemporains révèlent le vrai visage de la « nation arc-en-ciel », en même temps qu’une réouverture sur le monde. Aujourd’hui, tous les carcans du système de l’apartheid ont volé en éclats. Pourtant, l’industrie sud-africaine du film doit gérer un certain nombre de legs du passé pour entrer plus complètement dans l’ère post-apartheid et pour se projeter dans le futur.
Une histoire du cinéma camerounais
Authors: Coulon Florent
Published: December 2011

Résumé Au mois de janvier 2009, les trois dernières salles de cinéma du Cameroun ont successivement fermé leurs portes. Si, dès 1973, l’État camerounais a tenté d’accompagner la structuration du secteur avec la création d’un fonds de développement de l’industrie cinématographique, l’absence de politique volontariste freine le développement d’une véritable industrie. Partant de ce constat, l’auteur revient sur l’histoire du cinéma camerounais pris entre la dépendance économique du secteur de la production vis-à-vis du Nord et la mainmise des sociétés étrangères sur les circuits de distribution et d’exploitation. Toutefois, au-delà des quelques coproductions internationales exemplaires mais trop rares, la nouvelle génération profite aujourd’hui de l’outil numérique pour conquérir une véritable indépendance économique.
« Nul n'est à l'abri du péril totalitaire »
Authors: Tulkens Françoise , Merckaert Jean
Published: December 2011

Résumé En Europe, les droits de l’homme n’ont pas le vent en poupe. Mais 800 millions d’Européens ont un recours quand les États violent leurs droits fondamentaux, ou quand les lois empêchent leur pleine application. Depuis 1959, la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme veille au grain. Sa vice-présidente témoigne.
Productivité n'est pas productivisme (introduction)
Authors: Griffon Michel
Published: December 2011

Resumé Les ressources de la planète sont limitées. Chacun le sait. Et pourtant, le développement économique continue d’être tourné vers l’accroissement illimité de la production de biens matériels. Est-on enserré à ce point dans la spirale productiviste qu’on ne puisse plus en sortir ? Où sont les alternatives?
Critique de la raison productiviste
Authors: Grandjean Alain
Published: December 2011

Resumé La finitude du monde impose de rompre avec la croissance économique. Mais de productivisme vert il ne peut y avoir. Recyclage, efficacité énergétique et nouvelles technologies ne fournissent pas une alternative suffisante. C’est de mode de vie qu’il nous faut changer. Un après-consumérisme qui reste à inventer.
« La globalisation capitaliste repose sur une énorme contradiction »
Authors: Bayart Jean-François , Merckaert Jean , Chaillou Aurore , Ariste Christine
Published: December 2011

Résumé Volontiers provocateur, Jean-François Bayart juge alarmiste l’idée d’une reconfiguration des conflits due à l’épuisement des ressources naturelles. Les deux principaux foyers de violence résultent selon lui des contradictions de cette globalisation, qui ouvre les frontières pour les capitaux, biens et services, mais les ferme pour les populations et pour les narcotiques.