bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Early Sensory Specialization to Later Perceptual Generalization: Dynamic Temporal Progression in Perceiving Individual Threats
Authors: Krusemark Elizabeth A. , Li Wen
Published: January 2013

Threat evokes a variety of negative emotions such as fear, anger, and disgust. Whereas they elicit distinct and even opposite facial, sensory, and autonomic reflexes, threat-related emotions often converge in the actions they prompt (e.g., negative evaluation and avoidance). Here, we tested a unifying hypothesis that threat processing initially involves specialized encoding of individual subtypes to support discrete reflexive operations that later gives way to generalized elaborate analysis to facilitate convergent defensive behavior. Combining event-related potentials (ERPs) and a defensive context in human subjects, we compared temporal courses of perceptual analysis of two threat subtypes—fear and disgust. Indeed, fear enhanced and disgust suppressed early (115 ms) response in visual cortex, accentuating specialized sensory encoding of threat subtypes in accordance with the opposite behavioral and autonomic reflexes they typically elicit. By contrast, later ERP waveforms evoked by fear and disgust merged gradually over time (130–425 ms). Consistently, visual ERPs to anthropomorphic Greeble objects presented after fear versus disgust images also overlapped despite their clear departure from the neutral condition, paralleled by comparable exaggeration in Greeble imminence perception in the two threat (vs neutral) conditions. This later confluence of neural and behavioral response between fear and disgust thus highlights general threat categorization in high-level, downstream perception of threat. By delineating the temporal dynamics in perceiving individual threat emotions, our findings thus provide some of the first evidence to reconcile multidimensional and unidimensional aspects of information processing within the domain of threat, shedding new light on symptom heterogeneity across the anxiety disorder spectrum.
Deconstructing Complexity: Serial Block-Face Electron Microscopic Analysis of the Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Synapse
Authors: Wilke Scott A. , Antonios Joseph K. , Bushong Eric A. , Badkoobehi Ali , Malek Elmar , Hwang Minju , Terada Masako , Ellisman Mark H. , Ghosh Anirvan
Published: January 2013

The hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) terminal is among the largest and most complex synaptic structures in the brain. Our understanding of the development of this morphologically elaborate structure has been limited because of the inability of standard electron microscopy techniques to quickly and accurately reconstruct large volumes of neuropil. Here we use serial block-face electron microscopy (SBEM) to surmount these limitations and investigate the establishment of MF connectivity during mouse postnatal development. Based on volume reconstructions, we find that MF axons initially form bouton-like specializations directly onto dendritic shafts, that dendritic protrusions primarily arise independently of bouton contact sites, and that a dramatic increase in presynaptic and postsynaptic complexity follows the association of MF boutons with CA3 dendritic protrusions. We also identify a transient period of MF bouton filopodial exploration, followed by refinement of sites of synaptic connectivity. These observations enhance our understanding of the development of this highly specialized synapse and illustrate the power of SBEM to resolve details of developing microcircuits at a level not easily attainable with conventional approaches.
Deficits in Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Group 1 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Function Mediate Resistance to Extinction during Protracted Withdrawal from an Extensive History of Cocaine Self-Administration
Authors: Ben-Shahar Osnat , Sacramento Arianne D. , Miller Bailey W. , Webb Sierra M. , Wroten Melissa G. , Silva Hannah E. , Caruana Amanda L. , Gordon Evan J. , Ploense Kyle L. , Ditzhazy Jennifer , Kippin Tod E. , Szumlinski Karen K.
Published: January 2013

Anomalies in prefrontal cortex (PFC) function are posited to underpin difficulties in learning to suppress drug-seeking behavior during abstinence. Because group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) regulate drug-related learning, we assayed the consequences of extended access to intravenous cocaine (6 h/d; 0.25 mg/infusion for 10 d) on the PFC expression of group 1 mGluRs and the relevance of observed changes for cocaine seeking. After protracted withdrawal, cocaine-experienced animals exhibited a time-dependent intensification of cue-induced cocaine-seeking behavior and an impaired extinction of this behavior. These behavioral phenomena were associated with a time-dependent reduction in mGluR1/5 expression within ventromedial PFC (vmPFC) of cocaine-experienced animals exposed to extinction testing but not in untested ones. Interestingly, pharmacological manipulations of vmPFC mGluR1/5 produced no immediate effects on cue-induced cocaine-seeking behavior but produced residual effects on a subsequent test for cocaine seeking. At 3 d withdrawal, cocaine-experienced rats infused intra-vmPFC with mGluR1/5 antagonists, either before or after an initial test for cocaine seeking, persisted in their cocaine seeking akin to cocaine-experienced rats in protracted withdrawal. Conversely, cocaine-experienced rats infused with an mGluR1/5 agonist before the initial test for cocaine-seeking at 30 d withdrawal exhibited a facilitation of extinction learning. These data indicate that cue-elicited deficits in vmPFC group 1 mGluR function mediate resistance to extinction during protracted withdrawal from a history of extensive cocaine self-administration and pose pharmacological stimulation of these receptors as a potential approach to facilitate learned suppression of drug-seeking behavior that may aid drug abstinence.
Astrocytes Modulate a Postsynaptic NMDA–GABAA-Receptor Crosstalk in Hypothalamic Neurosecretory Neurons
Authors: Potapenko Evgeniy S. , Biancardi Vinicia C. , Zhou Yiqiang , Stern Javier E.
Published: January 2013

A dynamic balance between the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA is critical for maintaining proper neuronal activity in the brain. This balance is partly achieved via presynaptic interactions between glutamatergic and GABAAergic synapses converging into the same targets. Here, we show that in hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory neurons (MNCs), a direct crosstalk between postsynaptic NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and GABAAreceptors (GABAARs) contributes to the excitatory/inhibitory balance in this system. We found that activation of NMDARs by endogenous glutamate levels controlled by astrocyte glutamate transporters, evokes a transient and reversible potentiation of postsynaptic GABAARs. This inter-receptor crosstalk is calcium-dependent and involves a kinase-dependent phosphorylation mechanism, but does not require nitric oxide as an intermediary signal. Finally, we found the NMDAR–GABAAR crosstalk to be blunted in rats with heart failure, a pathological condition in which the hypothalamic glutamate–GABA balance is tipped toward an excitatory predominance. Together, our findings support a novel form of glutamate–GABA interactions in MNCs, which involves crosstalk between NMDA and GABAApostsynaptic receptors, whose strength is controlled by the activity of local astrocytes. We propose this inter-receptor crosstalk to act as a compensatory, counterbalancing mechanism to dampen glutamate-mediated overexcitation. Finally, we propose that an uncoupling between NMDARs and GABAARs may contribute to exacerbated neuronal activity and, consequently, sympathohumoral activation in such disease conditions as heart failure.
Common Variants ofDrosophila melanogasterCyp6d2 Cause Camptothecin Sensitivity and Synergize With Loss of Brca2
Authors: Thomas Adam M , Hui Carrie , South Adam , McVey Mitch
Published: January 2013

Many chemotherapeutic agents selectively target rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, by causing DNA damage that leads to genome instability and cell death. We used Drosophila melanogaster to study how mutations in key DNA repair genes affect an organism’s response to chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we focused on camptothecin and its derivatives, topotecan and irinotecan, which are type I topoisomerase inhibitors that create DNA double-strand breaks in rapidly dividing cells. Here, we describe two polymorphisms in Drosophila Cyp6d2 that result in extreme sensitivity to camptothecin but not topotecan or irinotecan. We confirmed that the sensitivity was due to mutations in Cyp6d2 by rescuing the defect with a wild-type copy of Cyp6d2. In addition, we showed that combining a cyp6d2 mutation with mutations in Drosophila brca2 results in extreme sensitivity to camptothecin. Given the frequency of the Cyp6d2 polymorphisms in publcly available Drosophila stocks, our study demonstrates the need for caution when interpreting results from drug sensitivity screens in Drosophila and other model organisms. Furthermore, our findings illustrate how genetic background effects can be important when determining the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in various DNA repair mutants.
Toward a Molecular Cytogenetic Map for Cultivated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) by Landed BAC/BIBAC Clones
Authors: Feng Jiuhuan , Liu Zhao , Cai Xiwen , Jan Chao-Chien
Published: January 2013

Conventional karyotypes and various genetic linkage maps have been established in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., 2n = 34). However, the relationship between linkage groups and individual chromosomes of sunflower remains unknown and has considerable relevance for the sunflower research community. Recently, a set of linkage group-specific bacterial /binary bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC/BIBAC) clones was identified from two complementary BAC and BIBAC libraries constructed for cultivated sunflower cv. HA89. In the present study, we used these linkage group-specific clones (∼100 kb in size) as probes to in situ hybridize to HA89 mitotic chromosomes at metaphase using the BAC- fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. Because a characteristic of the sunflower genome is the abundance of repetitive DNA sequences, a high ratio of blocking DNA to probe DNA was applied to hybridization reactions to minimize the background noise. As a result, all sunflower chromosomes were anchored by one or two BAC/BIBAC clones with specific FISH signals. FISH analysis based on tandem repetitive sequences, such as rRNA genes, has been previously reported; however, the BAC-FISH technique developed here using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)−derived BAC/BIBAC clones as probes to apply genome-wide analysis is new for sunflower. As chromosome-specific cytogenetic markers, the selected BAC/BIBAC clones that encompass the 17 linkage groups provide a valuable tool for identifying sunflower cytogenetic stocks (such as trisomics) and tracking alien chromosomes in interspecific crosses. This work also demonstrates the potential of using a large-insert DNA library for the development of molecular cytogenetic resources.
Pancreatic cancer or autoimmune pancreatitis: endosonography as a diagnostic reviser
Authors: Szepes Zoltán , Dobra Mariann , Góg Csaba , Zábrák Edit , Makula Éva , Tiszlavicz László , Kiss Tamás , Molnár Tamás , Nagy Ferenc , Czakó László , Terzin Viktória , Wittmann Tibor
Published: January 2013

Conventional radiologic imaging (abdominal ultrasound, computer tomography) used in the differential diagnosis of post-hepatic jaundice can frequently provide inaccurate diagnosis. Inflammatory lesions may mimic neoplastic processes and malignancy may be accompanied by perifocal inflammation resulting in histological misdiagnosis. Furthermore, chronic and autoimmune pancreatitis are associated with an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. Radial endosonography has become a markedly important method in the imaging of the pancreas. It has a crucial role in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. The authors present three cases where the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer determined by conventional imaging techniques (abdominal ultrasound, computer tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) was excluded or confirmed by the radial endosonography. The authors conclude that radial endosonography is an essential complementary method among imaging techniques of the pancreas and in tumor staging. Application of that may prevent unnecessary surgeries, which is obviously useful for patients and cost effective for health care providers. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 62–68.
The Effect on Concrete Resistivity of Sulfate Content in Water
Authors: Rendon Luis Emilio , Rendon Montserrat , Ramirez Norma
Published: January 2013

Sulfate attack on concrete has been studied worldwide for more than 60 years. However, the mechanisms of attack are still not entirely understood, and deterioration of concrete from sulfates still occurs. The source of the sulfates may be either external or internal. External sources are the naturally occurring sulfates in the environment or those sulfates that are the product of industrial processes or various human activities (e.g. fertilizers often release sulfates into the soil and groundwater). Internal sources of sulfates may include the sulfates introduced in the cements from which concrete is made. The purpose of this study is to find out the amount of sulfates that concrete can withstand in the water. Standards tests have been developed to evaluate the resistance of concretes to sulfate attack. Some, but not all of these tests, take into account the mechanisms of sulfate attack so far discovered in research work. The tests range from those that monitor changes in the strength of concrete specimens after set periods of immersion in known compositions sulfate solutions, to those that use x- ray diffraction to examine concrete specimens for expansive products (e.g. ettringite and thaumasite) that have resulted from sulfate attack.
Optical and electrical properties of Cu2O, Cu4O3 and CuO
Authors: Reppin Daniel , Polity Angelika , Meyer Bruno K. , Shokhovets Sviatoslav
Published: January 2013

We deposited copper oxides by rf magnetron sputtering from a 4N Cu-target at room temperature, varying the oxygen flux and keeping the argon flow constant. Dependent on the oxygen flux Cu2O, Cu4O3or CuO were synthesized. The different compounds were characterized by XRD. The dielectric functions of the oxides were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and show significant differences between the compounds. The electrical properties, like the carrier concentration, of each compound can be tuned by adjusting the oxygen flux. We discuss the structural, optical and electrical properties of the copper oxides in terms of phase purity and stoichiometry deviations.
Demographic effects on the use of genetic options for the control of mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki
Authors: Thresher Ronald E. , Canning Miles , Bax Nicholas J.
Published: January 2013

This study tests the sensitivity of genetically based pest control options based on sex ratio distortion to intra‐ and intersexual aggressive interactions that affect male and female survival and fitness. Data on these interactions and their impacts were gathered for the mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki (Poeciliidae), a promiscuous species with a strongly male‐biased operational sex ratio and well‐documented male harassment of females. The experimental design consisted of an orthogonal combination of two population densities and three sex ratios, ranging from strongly male‐biased to strongly female‐biased, and long‐term observations of laboratory populations. Contrary to expectations, the number of males in a population had little evident effect on population demographics. Rather, the density of adult females determined population fecundity (as a result of a stock–recruitment relationship involving females, but not males), constrained male densities (apparently as a result of cannibalism or intersexual aggression), and regulated itself (most likely through effects of intrasexual aggression on female recruitment). The principal effect of males was to constrain their own densities via effects of male–male aggression on adult male mortality rates. Through use of a realistically parameterized genetic/demographic model, we show that of three different genetic options applied to control G. holbrooki, one based on recombinant sex ratio distortion (release of Female Lethal carriers) is marginally more efficient than a sterile male release program, and both outperform an option based on chromosomal sex ratio distortion (Trojan W). Nonlinear dependence of reproductive rate on female density reduces the efficacy of all three approaches. The major effect of intra‐ and intersexual aggression is mediated through females, whose interactions reduce female numbers and increase the efficacy of a control program based on sex ratio. Socially mediated male mortality has a small impact on control programs due to operational sex ratios that are heavily male‐biased. The sensitivity of sex ratio‐based control options to social factors will depend on the mating system of the targeted pest, but evidence of widespread density‐dependent population regulation suggests that, for most species, the effects of elevated adult mortality (due to intra‐ and intersexual aggression) on control programs are likely to be slight.
Influence of Psychosocial Factors and Habitual Behavior in Temporomandibular Disorder–Related Symptoms in a Working Population in Japan
Authors: Nishiyama Akira , Kino Koji , Sugisaki Masashi , Tsukagoshi Kaori
Published: January 2013

Background:

The symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are directly influenced by numerous factors, and it is thought that additional factors exert indirect influences. However, the relationships between TMD-related symptoms (TRS) and these contributing factors are largely unknown. Thus, the goal of the present study was to investigate influences on TRS in a working population by determining the prevalence of TRS, analyzing contributing factors, and determining their relative influences on TRS.

Materials and Methods:

The study subjects were 2203 adults who worked for a single company. Subjects completed a questionnaire assessing TRS, psychosocial factors (stress, anxiety, depressed mood, and chronic fatigue), tooth-contacting habit, and sleep bruxism-related morning symptoms, using a 5-point numeric rating scale. Our analysis proceeded in 2 phases. First, all variables of the descriptor were divided into parts by using an exploratory factor analysis. Second, this factorial structure was verified by using a confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modeling.

Results:

Of 2203 employees, 362 reported experiencing TRS (16.4%). Structural equation modeling generated a final model with a goodness of fit index of 0.991, an adjusted goodness of fit index of 0.984, and a root mean square error of approximately 0.021. These indices indicate a strong structural model. The standardized path coefficients for “habitual behavioral factors and TRS,” “psychosocial factors and habitual behavioral factors,” “psychosocial factors and TRS,” and “gender and habitual behavior factors” were 0.48, 0.38, 0.14, and 0.18, respectively.

Conclusions:

Habitual behavioral factors exert a stronger effect on TRS than do psychosocial factors.
Fiber optic sensors for precursory acoustic signals detection in rockfall events
Authors: Schenato L. , Palmieri L. , Gruca G. , Iannuzzi D. , Marcato G. , Pasuto A. , Galtarossa A.
Published: January 2013

Two fiber optic sensors (FOSs) for detection of precursory acoustic emissions in rockfall events are addressed and experimentally characterized. Both sensors are based on interferometric schemes, with the first one consisting of a fiber coil used as sensing element and the second one exploiting a micro-machined cantilever carved on the top of a ferrule. Preliminary comparisons with standard piezo-electric transducers shows the viability of such FOSs for acoustic emission monitoring in rock masses.
Improving the polishing accuracy by determining the variance of the friction coefficient
Authors: Kelm A. , Boerret R. , Sinzinger S.
Published: January 2013

The variation of the friction coefficient in the polishing process is investigated comparing the results of a numerical simulation with polishing experiments. To improve the accuracy of the predicted wear in the simulation a method is presented to measure the friction coefficient in relation to the relative velocity using an offset tool.
Measurement accuracy of the pulse repetition interval-based excess fraction (PRIEF) method: an analogy-based theoretical analysis
Authors: Wei D. , Matsumoto H.
Published: January 2013

We describe a novel approach for a theoretical analysis of the measurement accuracy of the pulse repetition interval-based excess fraction (PRIEF) method, which is expected to be useful for high-precision length measurement. The proposed approach is introduced by focusing on an analogy between the PRIEF method and the conventional length-measurement method. The theoretical analysis results show that the absolute accuracy achievable by the PRIEF method is nanometer-order, and the relative accuracy achievable by the PRIEF method is 10−8-order, which is affected mainly by the measuring accuracy of the refractive index of air. We conclude that our analysis is useful for further development of the PRIEF method.
Asymmetric transmission and anomalous refraction in metal nanowires metasurface
Authors: Belardini A. , Pannone F. , Leahu G. , Larciprete M. C. , Centini M. , Sibilia C. , Martella C. , Giordano M. , Chiappe D. , Buatier de Mongeot F.
Published: January 2013

Here we investigated the asymmetric transmission and the anomalous refraction introduced by a metasurface of bent gold nanowires. The refraction follows the generalized Snell’s law that takes into account the resonant behavior of metallic nanostructures located at the interface between two dielectrics. Measurements performed in the linear optical regime reveal a large sensitivity to the subwavelength features of the gold nanostructures.
Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics for solar receivers: spectral and high-temperature emittance characterization
Authors: Sani E. , Mercatelli L. , Jafrancesco D. , Sans J. L. , Sciti D.
Published: January 2013

We report on the preparation, room temperature spectral reflectance and high-temperature thermal emittance characterization of different boride and carbide Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs). The investigated samples are compared with a reference material for solar absorber applications, i.e. silicon carbide. We show that spectral and thermal emittance properties of UHTCs are promising for novel solar receivers.
Tuning the focal point of a plasmonic lens by nematic liquid crystal
Authors: Bahramipanah M. , Abrishamian M. S. , Mirtaheri S. A.
Published: January 2013

A theoretical and numerical investigation of tunable plasmonic nano-optic lens on the basis of liquid crystal are proposed as a new method of active modulating the output beam. The focal length can be controlled easily by exposing plasmonic nano-optic lens to constant external electric field. The physical principle of this phenomenon is evaluated from the phase of Fabry-Perot (F-P) resonance in slits and electro-optical effect of liquid crystal. Our numerical simulations reveal that large tuning range of the focal length up to 725 nm can be achieved. The results in this article provide a potential way to realize tunable plasmonic lens, which can be applied as an efficient element in ultrahigh nano-scale integrated photonic circuits for miniaturization and tuning purposes.
Comparative analysis of the antibacterial activity of some phytolectins
Authors: Nair Sindhu Syama , Madembil Nithyakala Chandera , Nair Preetha , Raman Saraswathi , Veerabadrappa Somashekharaiah Beeranahalli
Published: January 2013

The aim of this work was to analyse the comparative effects of the antibacterial properties of partially purified lectins from the seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus (jack fruit), Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean), Lens culinaris (lentil) and Pisum sativum (pea) against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lectins were isolated by partial purification using ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis. The antimicrobial activity was studied using agar well diffusion method. The results showed that the Jack fruit lectin had a potent anti-bacterial activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli and P. aeruginosa whereas Pea and jack bean lectin were found to be effective bacteriostatic agents which reduced the growth of bacteria and lentil lectin showed the least antibacterial activity. A comparison of the antibacterial activity of phytolectins with conventional antibiotics namely ampicillin and tetracycline was also carried out. Studies revealed that the antibacterial activities of the conventional antibiotics are higher than that of the plant extracts at the same concentration in accordance to literature.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i2.13192 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2013, 2(2): 18-22
Evaluation of antinociceptive and antipyretic effect of Pupalia lappacea Juss
Authors: Neeharika Vajrala , Fatima Humaira , Reddy Bommineni Madhava
Published: January 2013

Pupalia lappacea Juss (Family: Amaranthaceae) is claimed to be useful in treatment of bone fracture, wounds, boils, cough, toothache, fever and malaria. The study was aimed to evaluate the 80% aqueous ethanolic extract of aerial parts of P. lappacea for antinociceptive and antipyretic activities to verify the traditional claim. The extract was orally administered at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg. The extract has significantly (P<0.01) reduced the nociception induced by acetic acid. The effect produced was in dose dependent manner. The antinociceptive effect was not reversed by pretreatment with naloxone in acetic acid induced writhing test. In hot plate method, the extract has significantly increased the latency time of jump. The naloxone has partially antagonised the antinociception of extract in hot plate test indicating P. lappacea has morphinomimetic properties. In the study of the CNS-depressant effects, the extract was found to produce significant reduction in head pokes and locomotion in mice by using hole board and locomotor activity test respectively. The extract has significantly reduced the rectal temperature in yeast induced pyrexia in rats at 600 mg/kg. The activity produced by extract was in dose dependent manner. Phytochemical investigation of ethanolic extract of P. lappacea revealed the presence of steroids and/or triterpenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds which may be responsible for antinociceptive and antipyretic activity of P. lappacea.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i2.13193 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2013, 2(2): 23-28
Effectiveness of GABA agonist for treatment in mice with complete freuds adjuvants induced chronic pain: molecular modeling approach
Authors: Fajrin Fifteen Aprila
Published: January 2013

The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of gaba agonist in behavioral changes of inflammatory mice with molecular docking approach. Forty mice were divided into 8 groups i.e. sham, gabapentin (10, 30 and 100 nmol), baclofen (1, 10 and 30 nmol) and negative control. Chronic pain was induced by inflammatory agent such as Complete Freuds Adjuvant (CFA). On day 8 after intraplantar injection of CFA, mice were treated by intrathecal with normal saline (sham and negative control groups), gabapentin and baclofen with three different doses, once a day for seven consecutive days. Latency time toward thermal stimulus was measured on days 1,2,8,9,11 and 15 after induction. The molecular docking was examined by Mollegro virtual docker program. The result showed that intrathecal injection of gabapentin and baclofen increased time latency toward thermal stimulus compared to negative control. There were differences between gabapentin and baclofen doses for chronic pain treatment. Molecular docking showed that the differences of effective dose were related to type of amino acid binding between gabapentin and baclofen.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i2.13194 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2013, 2(2): 29-32
Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Ageratum conyzoides stems
Authors: Nasrin Fatema
Published: January 2013

Modern civilization is facing more than hundreds of disorders associated with free radicals and natural antioxidants from non-edible plants are gaining importance to fight these disorders. The intention of this report is to evaluate a well known medicinal weed Ageratum conyzoides stems for its antioxidant and cytotoxic Effects. Antioxidant potentiality of the crude methanolic extract of the Ageratum conyzoides (AC) stems was investigated on DPPH scavenging activity, reducing ability, total antioxidant capacity as well as total phenolic contents. Cytotoxic study was done by brine shrimp lethality bioassay and vincristin sulphate was used as standard. The total phenols and total antioxidant capacity of AC was found to be 38.125 ± 2.01mg/g equivalent of gallic acid and 333.37 ± 4.22mg/gm equivalent of ascorbic acid, respectively. The percentage (%) scavenging of DPPH free radical of the extract was found to be concentration dependent with IC50 value 46.01 ± 2.23µg/ml while IC50 value of standard ascorbic acid was found to be 29.56 ± 0.11?g/ml. The reducing power of AC was found to be concentration dependent. The cytotoxicity exhibited by AC was found promising with LC50 value 1.32?g/ml, comparing with the LC50 (0.689?g/ml) values of vincristin sulphate. The present investigation suggests that Ageratum conyzoides possesses remarkable antioxidant and cytotoxic property.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i2.13195 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2013, 2(2): 33-37
Evaluation of antioxidant activity and cytotoxic potential of Cryp-tocoryne ciliata
Authors: Nahar Ummey Jannatun , Lina Shah Marzia Mahjabin
Published: January 2013

Cryptocoryne ciliata belonging to the Araceae family has been investigated for isolation of its secondary metabolites and evaluation of biological activities of the crude extractives with special emphasis to the antioxidant activity and brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The whole plant was extracted with methanol and concentrated extract was partitioned using petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride and ethyl acetate. Aqueous soluble fraction of the methanolic extract showed the highest antioxidant activity. The carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction of the methanolic extract and the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanolic extract showed moderate antioxidant activity as compared to free antioxidant activity of tert-butyl-1-hydroxytolunene. In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, among all extracts of whole plant of C. ciliata, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction of the methanolic extract showed strong cytotoxic activity. Aqueous soluble fraction of the methanolic extract, methanolic crude and ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanolic extract showed mild cytotoxity as compared to that of vincristine sulphate. The study confirms the mild to moderate antioxidant and moderate potent cytotoxic activities of C. ciliata plant extract as compared to reference standards and therefore demands the isolation of active principles and thorough bioassay.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i2.13196 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2013, 2(2): 38-41
Attitudes of College Undergraduates Towards Coyotes (Canis latrans) in an Urban Landscape: Management and Public Outreach Implications
Authors: Draheim Megan , Patterson Katheryn , Rockwood Larry , Guagnano Gregory , Parsons E.
Published: January 2013

Understanding and assessing the public’s attitudes towards urban wildlife is an important step towards creating management plans, increasing knowledge and awareness, and fostering coexistence between people and wildlife. We conducted a survey of undergraduate college students in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area—where coyotes are recent arrivals—to determine existing attitudes towards coyotes and coyote management methods. Amongst other findings, we found that the more a person feared coyotes, the less likely they were to support their presence (p < 0.001), and the less likely they were to believe that pet owners should be directly responsible for protecting their pets (p < 0.001). Respondents demonstrated major gaps in their understanding of basic coyote biology and ecology. Respondents broke wildlife management practices into two categories: those that involved an action on coyotes (both lethal or non-lethal; referred to as “Coyote”), and those that restricted human behavior (referred to as “Human”); the “Human” methods were preferred. We found important differences between key demographic groups in terms of attitudes and management preferences. Our study suggests that wildlife professionals have unique opportunities in urban areas to prevent and reduce conflict before it escalates, in part by targeting tailored outreach messages to various demographic and social groups.
Processes of Inclusion and Exclusion in the Sphere of Prosumerism
Authors: Paltrinieri Roberta , Esposti Piergiorgio
Published: January 2013

The term prosumer, first introduced by Toffler in the 1980s, has been developed by sociologists in response to Web 2.0 (the set of technologies that has transformed a predominantly static web into the collaborative medium initially envisaged by Tim Berners-Lee). The phenomena is now understood as a process involving the creation of meanings on the part of the consumer, who re-appropriates spaces that were dominated by institutionalized production, and this extends to the exploitation of consumer creativity on the production side. Recent consumption literature can be re-interpreted through the prosumer lens in order to understand whether prosumers are more creative or alienated in their activities. The peculiar typology of prosumption introduced by Web 2.0 leads us to analyze social capital as a key element in value creation, and to investigate its different online and offline forms. Our analysis then discusses the digital divide and critical consumerism as forms of empowerment impairment.
Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) and in Silico Studies of Coumarin Derivatives with Antifungal Activity
Authors: De Araújo Rodrigo , Guerra Felipe , De O. Lima Edeltrudes , De Simone Carlos , Tavares Josean , Scotti Luciana , Scotti Marcus , De Aquino Thiago , De Moura Ricardo , Mendonça Francisco , Barbosa-Filho José
Published: January 2013

The increased incidence of opportunistic fungal infections, associated with greater resistance to the antifungal drugs currently in use has highlighted the need for new solutions. In this study twenty four coumarin derivatives were screened in vitro for antifungal activity against strains of Aspergillus. Some of the compounds exhibited significant antifungal activity with MICs values ranging between 16 and 32 µg/mL. The structure-activity relationships (SAR) study demonstrated that O-substitutions are essential for antifungal activity. It also showed that the presence of a short aliphatic chain and/or electron withdrawing groups (NO2 and/or acetate) favor activity. These findings were confirmed using density functional theory (DFT), when calculating the LUMO density. In Principal Component Analysis (PCA), two significant principal components (PCs) explained more than 60% of the total variance. The best Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS) model showed an r2 of 0.86 and q2cv of 0.64 corroborating the SAR observations as well as demonstrating a greater probe N1 interaction for active compounds. Descriptors generated by TIP correlogram demonstrated the importance of the molecular shape for antifungal activity.
Halophilic Bacteria as a Source of Novel Hydrolytic Enzymes
Authors: De Lourdes Moreno María , Pérez Dolores , García María , Mellado Encarnación
Published: January 2013

Hydrolases constitute a class of enzymes widely distributed in nature from bacteria to higher eukaryotes. The halotolerance of many enzymes derived from halophilic bacteria can be exploited wherever enzymatic transformations are required to function under physical and chemical conditions, such as in the presence of organic solvents and extremes in temperature and salt content. In recent years, different screening programs have been performed in saline habitats in order to isolate and characterize novel enzymatic activities with different properties to those of conventional enzymes. Several halophilic hydrolases have been described, including amylases, lipases and proteases, and then used for biotechnological applications. Moreover, the discovery of biopolymer-degrading enzymes offers a new solution for the treatment of oilfield waste, where high temperature and salinity are typically found, while providing valuable information about heterotrophic processes in saline environments. In this work, we describe the results obtained in different screening programs specially focused on the diversity of halophiles showing hydrolytic activities in saline and hypersaline habitats, including the description of enzymes with special biochemical properties. The intracellular lipolytic enzyme LipBL, produced by the moderately halophilic bacterium Marinobacter lipolyticus, showed advantages over other lipases, being an enzyme active over a wide range of pH values and temperatures. The immobilized LipBL derivatives obtained and tested in regio- and enantioselective reactions, showed an excellent behavior in the production of free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). On the other hand, the extremely halophilic bacterium, Salicola marasensis sp. IC10 showing lipase and protease activities, was studied for its ability to produce promising enzymes in terms of its resistance to temperature and salinity.
Peptoids and polyamines going sweet: Modular synthesis of glycosylated peptoids and polyamines using click chemistry
Authors: Fürniss Daniel , Mack Timo , Hahn Frank , Vollrath Sidonie B L , Koroniak Katarzyna , Schepers Ute , Bräse Stefan
Published: January 2013

Sugar moieties are present in a wide range of bioactive molecules. Thus, having versatile and fast methods for the decoration of biomimetic molecules with sugars is of fundamental importance. The glycosylation of peptoids and polyamines as examples of such biomimetic molecules is reported here. The method uses Cu-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition to promote the reaction of azidosugars with either polyamines or peptoids. In addition, functionalized nucleic acids were attached to polyamines via the same route. Based on a modular solid-phase synthesis of peralkynylated peptoids with up to six alkyne groups, the latter were modified with azidosugar building blocks by using copper-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloadditions. In addition, the up-scaling of some particular azide-modified sugars is described.
EXOTIC OPTIONS: A CHOOSER OPTION AND ITS PRICING
Authors: Martinkutė-Kaulienė Raimonda
Published: January 2013

Financial instruments traded in the markets and investors’ situation in such markets are getting more and more complex. This leads to more complex derivative structures used for hedging that are harder to analyze and which risk is harder managed. Because of the complexity of these instruments, the basic characteristics of many exotic options may sometimes be not clearly understood. Most scientific studies have been focused on developing models for pricing various types of exotic options, but it is important to study their unique characteristics and to understand them correctly in order to use them in proper market situations. The paper examines main aspects of options, emphasizing the variety of exotic options and their place in financial markets and risk management process. As the exact valuation of exotic options is quite difficult, the article deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of pricing of chooser options that suggest a broad range of usage and application in different market conditions. The calculations made in the article showed that the price of the chooser is closely correlated with the choice time and low correlated with its strike price. So the first mentioned factor should be taken into consideration when making appropriate hedging and investing decisions.
INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEPENDENCE OF NOISE GENERATED BY STANDING CARS ON THE ENGINE POWER / STOVINČIŲ LENGVŲJŲ AUTOMOBILIŲ KELIAMO TRIUKŠMO PRIKLAUSOMYBĖS NUO VARIKLIO DARBINIO TŪRIO TYRIMAI
Authors: Gineika Julius , Grubliauskas Raimondas
Published: January 2013

Ambient noise harms a number of citizens in Europe. The major sources of environmental noise are that generated by cars in streets, parking lots, railway lines and airports as well as noise from local sources (fans, transformers). According to the methodology for noise measurement, engine testing has been carried out. The conducted analysis has been focused on engine capacity and the distance between vehicles and equipment. Equivalent, maximum and minimum sound levels at different frequencies have been measured accepting that errors may range up to 2 %. Maximum sound level has been reached using the engine of 2000 cm3 petrol capacity. At a half-meter distance, the equivalent sound level reaches 89 dB(A), whereas the noise level decreases moving away from the car. The obtained results of tested cars disclose that according to engine capacity, the majority of the investigated cars are technically faulty and therefore significantly exceed noise levels. Santrauka Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas lengvųjų automobilių variklių skleidžiamas triukšmas bei jo poveikis aplinkai. Pateikiama triukšmo matavimo metodika ir eksperimentinis variklio sukelto triukšmo tyrimas. Ištirti penki automobiliai su skirtingais darbinio tūrio skirtingais atstumais varikliais: 1400 cm3 benzininis, 1500 cm3 dyzelinis, 1800 cm3 benzininis, 2000 cm3 benzininis ir 2500 cm3 dyzelinis. Variklio keliamo triukšmo tyrimas buvo atliktas, esant 1000 sūk./min., taip pat įvertinta, kurie automobiliai viršija leistinus triukšmo lygius. Buvo atlikti tyrimai esant 3000 sūk./min. (benzininiams varikliams) ir 3500 sūk./min. (dyzeliniams varikliams). Išmatuoti ekvivalentinis, maksimalus bei minimalus garso lygiai, taip pat garso lygiai, esant skirtingiems dažniams. Priimame prielaidą, kad paklaida gali svyruoti iki 2 %. Didžiausias garso lygis pasiektas 2000 cm3 benzininio variklio. Pusės metro atstumu ekvivalentinis garso lygis siekia 89 dB(A). Tolstant nuo automobilio, triukšmo lygis mažėja. Remiantis gautais rezultatais, galima daryti išvadą, kad vertinant pagal variklių darbinį tūrį daugelis tirtųjų automobilių yra techniškai netvarkingi ir stipriai viršija triukšmo lygius.
MODELLING THE SIZE OF SEASONAL THERMAL STORAGE IN THE SOLAR DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEM / SEZONINĖS ŠILUMOS AKUMULIACINĖS TALPYKLOS TŪRIO MODELIAVIMAS CENTRALIZUOTOJE SAULĖS ŠILDYMO SISTEMOJE
Authors: Streckienė Giedrė , Bagdonaitė Salomėja
Published: January 2013

The integration of a thermal storage system into the solar heating system enables to increase the use of solar thermal energy in buildings and allows avoiding the mismatch between consumers’ demand and heat production in time. The paper presents modelling a seasonal thermal storage tank various sizes of which have been analyzed in the district solar heating system that could cover a part of heat demand for the district of individual houses in Vilnius. A biomass boiler house, as an additional heat source, should allow covering the remaining heat demand. energyPRO software is used for system modelling. The paper evaluates heat demand, climate conditions and technical characteristics.

Santrauka

Šilumos akumuliavimo sistemos integracija į saulės šildymo sistemą suteikia galimybę padidinti Saulės šiluminės energijos panaudojimą pastatuose, nes tai leidžia išvengti vartotojų poreikio ir šilumos gamybos nesutapimo laike. Šiame darbe modeliuojama sezoninė šilumos akumuliacinė talpykla, analizuojami įvairūs jos dydžiai centralizuotoje saulės šildymo sistemoje. Nagrinėjama sistema galėtų užtikrinti dalį individualių namų mikrorajono, esančio Vilniuje, šilumos poreikių. Kaip papildomas šilumos šaltinis modeliuojama biokuro katilinė, kuri leistų užtikrinti likusią šilumos poreikių dalį. Modeliavimas atliekamas energyPRO programa įvertinant pastatų poreikius, klimatines sąlygas ir technologines įrenginių charakteristikas.
Les concours de pétanque du 14 Juillet à New York
Authors: Feschet Valérie
Published: January 2013

Résumé Depuis une vingtaine d’années à New York, la fête du 14 Juillet s’accompagne de concours de pétanque. Organisés dans Manhattan et Brooklyn, ces concours très attendus témoignent du rapport nostalgique de la communauté française à certains motifs de la culture populaire qu’elle a perdus en s’installant aux États-Unis. Le pari de faire rentrer toute la « France de son enfance » dans un concours de boules reflète l’intensité des motivations sous-jacentes et permet de créer des liens nouveaux avec la Provence comme horizon.
Le corps de la folie
Authors: Resnik Salomon
Published: January 2013

Résumé Dans cette séquence très forte, l’auteur nous montre à quel point le cadre analytique peut venir suppléer la fracture somatopsychique, quand le corps se casse en même temps que la psyché, se disperse dans un monde sans contenants ni repères. Le soma témoin et porteur de la fracture interne prend alors appui sur le cadre analytique au sens physique du terme dans le temps aigu de la crise. Le cadre interne de l’analyste, capable de penser cette extrême détresse, parvient à y répondre en s’ajustant aussi à la réalité externe, lieu du vide et de la déperdition de soi. Le système somato-psychique de l’analyste se voit lui aussi convoqué au cœur de l’expérience émotionnelle pour contenir l’espace psychique dévasté de la patiente.
Travailler avec et après W. R. Bion
Authors: Ferro Antonino
Published: January 2013

Résumé Dans cet article l’auteur s’intéresse à ce qu’il appelle la « pathologie évacuatives » qui résulte de l’évacuation d’éléments psychiques d’origine sensorielle qui soit n’ont pas été mentalisés, soit ne l’ont été que partiellement. En s’appuyant sur la théorie de la pensée de W. R. Bion, il distingue la pathologie liée à la projection-évacuation d’éléments β purs, qui caractérise la pathologie psychosomatique, de celle où ce sont des dérivés narratifs qui sont projetés, comme dans la conversion hystérique. Ici le symptôme est porteur de sens, même s’il s’agit d’un sens élémentaire, là il est dépourvu de toute signification. La théorisation de W. R. Bion, ainsi que celle de W. et M. Baranger, centrée sur la notion de champ psychanalytique, ont déplacé l’axe du travail analytique de l’analyse des contenus psychiques vers celle des fonctions permettant la transformation des expériences sensorielles primaires en pictogrammes, puis en dérivés narratifs, à travers le travail du rêve, chez l’analyste comme chez le patient.
De quelques prisons d'infortune des « corps psychiques »
Authors: Fognini Mireille
Published: January 2013

Résumé À partir d’une consultation clinique d’une fillette présentant une grave insomnie, il est évoqué comment sa projection identificatoire (identification projective) à la mère souffrant du même symptôme masqué par une chimiothérapie continue, empêche l’enfant d’habiter son corps psychique d’enfant, mais l’emprisonne dans la souffrance du corps psychique maternel bloquée elle-même dans une pathologie adaptative. Il est évoqué ensuite comment parfois la « partie enfant » chez certains adultes en analyse, peut rester tellement enclavée et inaccessible à la représentation émotionnelle intérieure, qu’ils peuvent recourir à la réalité d’une procréation, par laquelle l’enfant issu de leur corps et enfin visible hors d’eux, concrétiserait leur possible lien émotionnel d’enfance égaré voire encapsulé ou cristallisé quelque part en eux-mêmes.