bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
« Les Afriques en l'an 2000 » et « Trente années d'Afrique »
Authors: Hugon Philippe
Published: March 2011

Résumé Philippe Hugon revient sur des exercices prospectifs publiés dans deux numéros spéciaux d’ Afrique contemporaine dans les années 1980, « Les Afriques en l’an 2000 » et « Trente années d’Afrique ». À travers un éclairage des thèses émises alors par les économistes au sujet de l’Afrique, il donne à repenser les enjeux méthodologiques de la prospective et s’interroge sur les possibles enseignements pour une prospective des cinquante prochaines années.
Vers un brouillage de l'ordre spatial aux marges de Rosario et de Montevideo ?
Authors: Pujol Charlotte
Published: March 2011

Résumé Cet article interroge les interactions entre mobilité et ancrage dans les parcours citadins des membres d’organisations de quartier, aux marges de Rosario et de Montevideo. L’expérience militante a une dimension éminemment spatiale, d’autant plus manifeste dans le cas d’organisations de quartier. Ces dernières dépassent cependant largement le quartier, en tant qu’échelle et registre d’actions. L’engagement dans ces organisations génère des mouvements centripètes et centrifuges constants et interdépendants autour du quartier. L’ancrage est ici intrinsèquement lié à des pratiques plus mobiles de la ville. Un fort ancrage ne se traduit pas nécessairement par un phénomène de repli mais peut être facteur de fortes mobilités. De même, la mobilité peut renforcer l’inscription territoriale. Mobilité et ancrage peuvent être, enfin, totalement interdépendants, l’inscription territoriale est alors circulatoire, n’existant que dans et par un va-et-vient entre le quartier et l’ailleurs.
La mobilisation socioterritoriale du Larzac et la fabrique de l'authenticité
Authors: Franquemagne Gaël
Published: March 2011

Résumé À partir d’un travail d’enquête sur les mobilisations socioterritoriales que le Larzac a initiées depuis les années 1970, cet article revisite la notion d’authenticité en précisant les conditions de sa fabrication. Il s’agit moins d’une donnée intrinsèque du lieu que d’un construit sociopolitique visant à créer de la mobilisation et à accroître l’adhésion à une cause. La fabrique de l’authenticité repose sur un mécanisme d’appropriation socioterritoriale dont nous précisons les orientations et les topiques mobilisatrices consacrant le Larzac comme lieu exemplaire.
Migrations urbaines en milieu rural : diversification sociale et recomposition du politique
Authors: Gilbert Yves
Published: March 2011

Résumé Les migrations d’urbains vers le milieu rural connaissent une augmentation croissante depuis plusieurs décennies en France. Elles traduisent de profondes transformations des rapports aux territoires dans les sociétés postindustrielles. Au plan local, elles induisent un processus de recomplexification que l’on déclinera dans trois directions complémentaires : l’identification du processus en lui-même, l’analyse de la place qu’y occupent des systèmes de représentations, l’analyse de son impact sur la gestion de l’espace commun et de la chose publique. L’analyse d’un conflit entre différentes fractions de la population d’un village des Pyrénées-Orientales servira à la fois d’illustration de l’une des facettes de cette recomplexification et de support à une réflexion sur les voies de la reconstruction du politique dans ces espaces sociaux ni vraiment urbains, ni vraiment ruraux, qui expriment sans doute des transformations durables de nos rapports aux territoires.
Une géographie américaine de la menace chinoise
Authors: Samaan Jean-Loup
Published: March 2011

L’année 2010 a été marquée par une réactualisation de la question chinoise dans le débat militaire américain. Cette remise à l’agenda correspond moins à un tournant de la politique de défense des États-Unis qu’à une réaffirmation de ses fondements. En effet, au-delà des fondements théoriques et du poids de l’histoire entre les deux pays dans la perception actuelle de Washington de la montée en puissance de la Chine, il est possible de cartographier très précisément les enjeux géostratégiques de ce phénomène, que ce soit à l’échelle régionale de l’océan Pacifique ou local du détroit de Taïwan. Il ressort des spéculations américaines contemporaines un ensemble de scénarios qui alimente les décideurs militaires. Pour autant, si les hypothèses de conflit sino-américain conduisent à des inflexions substantielles dans la posture militaire des États-Unis (notamment de l’Air Force et de la Navy), elles n’évitent pas de multiples écueils analytiques et se révèlent porteuses d’un syndrome du missile gap.
Les contraintes de la géographie et de l'histoire : la dépendance canadienne en matière de renseignement étranger
Authors: Martin Jean
Published: March 2011

Militairement, le Canada n’a jamais agi de façon indépendante et il n’a même jamais envisagé de le faire. Cette dépendance se reflète naturellement dans le domaine du renseignement étranger, dont le développement a été fortement influencé par des contraintes de nature politique, mais aussi géographique. Entre le plus grand empire colonial du XIXe siècle et un voisin émergeant comme la grande puissance du XXe, le Canada a vu sa politique étrangère orientée, pour une très large part, par ces alliés dominants. Ces liens étroits ont souvent dicté les choix qu’il a faits en matière de renseignement, mais ils ont aussi grandement élargi ses possibilités d’acquisition et de traitement des informations recueillies.
L'intelligence économique : un enjeu de première importance toujours sous-estimé
Authors: Pautrat Rémy , Giblin Béatrice
Published: March 2011

L’intelligence économique consiste à rechercher les informations utiles aux acteurs économiques. Alors qu’il était préfet de l’Essonne au début des années 1990 Rémy Pautrat fut confronté à la fermeture d’un grand nombre de PME-PMI. C’est pourquoi il chercha à comprendre par quels moyens anticiper ce désastre économique et comment l’État pouvait aider les entreprises. Dans les années 1990 peu de monde avait compris que certaines informations sont les munitions de la guerre économique. Or, en France, on compte 2,6 millions de PME-PMI qui représentent 10 millions d’emplois. La formation à l’intelligence économique des chefs d’entreprise est donc une arme qui peut contribuer à préserver le tissu économique du pays.
Réponses physiologiques et biomécaniques à divers types de bancs assis-debout chez les femmes avec et sans problèmes veineux
Authors: Taillefer François , Boucher J.-P. , Comtois Alain-Steve , Zummo Michel , Savard R.
Published: March 2011

Résumé Des mesures physiologiques, biomécaniques et psychophysiques furent prises durant le maintien de six postures statiques dont deux postures antagonistes, c’est-à-dire, posture debout et assise, et quatre postures intermédiaires assis-debout, chez dix femmes sans varice ou sans insuffisance veineuse et dix femmes porteuses de varices ou variqueuses. Les résultats semblent démontrer que le maintien statique durant une courte durée de 20 min est insuffisant pour stimuler la cascade d’événements menant à la création de varices chez le groupe sans insuffisance veineuse (C0) et ne risque pas d’augmenter la varicosité chez le groupe porteur de varices (C2). De plus, puisque le maintien d’une posture de travail peut à la fois contenir des avantages et des inconvénients biomécaniques et physiologiques, les critères d’évaluation doivent se référer à ces deux champs de connaissance afin de choisir la posture au poste de travail la plus appropriée pour l’être humain.
Influence of synthetic peptide inducers on antibacterial activity of enterococci
Authors: Yermolenko E. , Chernysh A. , Kolobov A. , Suvorov A.
Published: March 2011

Antibacterial activity of probiotic enterococci is often related to the production of bacteriocins. There is a variety of
Enterococcus faecium strains which synthesise one or several enterocins including A, B, P, 96, L50AB and others. In
this work we have analysed the probiotic strain E. faecium L3 whose genome contained the genes encoding enterocins
А, В and a three-component regulatory system. All these genes were found to be expressed in enterococcal strain
L3. Antimicrobial activity of the strain tested on the strains of Listeria monocytogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae
was pheromone dependent. Chemically synthesised cyclic peptides (analogues and shorter derivates of EntF) with
different molecular structures were able to increase the antagonistic activity of the strain E. faecium L3 in contrast
to the strain E. faecium SF68, which does nоt have genes encoding enterocins А and В.
Lactobacillus johnsonii CRL1647, isolated from Apis mellifera L. bee-gut, exhibited a beneficial effect on honeybee colonies
Authors: Audisio M. , Benítez-Ahrendts M.
Published: March 2011

Lactobacillus johnsonii CRL1647, isolated from the intestinal tract of a honeybee and selected due to its high lactic
acid production, was assayed as a monoculture on bee colony performance. It was delivered to the bees on a one
litre of 125 g/l sugar-cane syrup with a final concentration of 105 cfu/ml lactobacilli. The bees accepted the new
nourishment, which was consumed within 24-48 h and was administered in two independent trials (every 14-15
days for 3 consecutive months in one case, and once a month for 13 consecutive months in the other). From late
spring – early summer (2008) the photo-records and statistical analyses revealed significant differences in the open
and the operculated brood areas in the treated group compared with the control. This stimulation was observed
after the first administration of the lactobacilli and maintained throughout. Also, a higher number of bees were
measured in the treated group (54%) and the control (18%) with respect to the initial bees' number. Furthermore,
honey storage was higher, 40% and 19%, for the treated and control groups, respectively. From December 2008 to
December 2009, a similar situation was observed even though, in this trial, the lactobacilli cells were administered
once a month. The in vivo results of this study are promising and indicate that a L. johnsonii CRL1647 supplement
to beehives favours mainly open and operculated brood areas, demonstrating a stronger stimulation of egg-laying
and will become a natural product which will assist the beekeeper both in colony management and the creation of
late nuclei and/or bee packages due to its beneficial effects in the beehive colony.
Thin-layer chromatography of aflatoxins and zearalenones with β-cyclodextrins as mobile phase additives
Authors: Larionova D. , Goryacheva I. , Van Peteghem C. , De Saeger S.
Published: March 2011

The conditions of thin-layer chromatography separation of related aflatoxins and zearalenones in the presence
of β-cyclodextrin and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin were studied. Effects of the stationary phase and mobile
phase composition were investigated. Analytical conditions for the separation and simultaneous semi-quantitative
fluorescence detection of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, zearalenone and α-zearalenol on normal-phase plates (silica
gel, polyamide) and reversed-phase plates (C18) with cyclodextrin modified mobile phase were optimised. The
limit of quantification was found 2 ng per spot for aflatoxin G1 and aflatoxin B2, 3.5 ng for aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin
G2 and 100 ng per spot for zearalenone and α-zearalenol. Addition of cyclodextrins to the mobile phase allowed a
decrease in the amount of toxic solvents, and improved separation characteristics, but did not improve the limit
of quantification.
Stearic acid: a possible substitute for trans fatty acids from industrial origin
Authors: Valenzuela Alfonso , Delplanque Bernadette , Tavella Marcelo
Published: March 2011

Trans isomers, contained in partially hydrogenated oils, which are used in the food industry, have been questioned and nowadays trends are heading towards reducing their consumption. The food industry is facing a dilemma, since in order to remove trans fatty acids, hydrogenated fats should be eliminated and replaced by fats rich in saturated fatty acids. Scientific research has shown that saturated fatty acids have negative effects on the lipid profile and its consumption is associated with a higher cardiovascular risk. Therefore it is recommended to avoid their consumption. Nevertheless, not all fatty acids behave in the same way, with stearic acid (18:0) the exception. Stearic acid has a low level of intestinal absorption and its intake does not negatively modify the lipid profile. For this reason, it is considered a “neutral” fatty acid with regard to cardiovascular health. B-100 apolipoprotein, whose levels determine plasma VLDL and LDL concentration (triglycerides and cholesterol carriers, respectively), is not modified by diets which provide up to 7% of the energy as stearic acid. Markers of cardiovascular risk, such as activation of platelet aggregation factors or C-reactive protein levels, are not modified by diets providing stearic acid, as occurs with other saturated fatty acids. The confirmation of the “neutral” effect of stearic acid represents a perspective for the development of fats with high contents of this fatty acid to replace hydrogenated fats containing trans isomers. The present review discusses these aspects.
Lupin seeds lower plasma lipid concentrations and normalize antioxidant parameters in rats
Authors: Osman M. , Mahmoud G. I. , Romeilah R. M. , Fayed S. A.
Published: March 2011

This study was designed to test bitter and sweet lupin seeds for lipid-lowering and for their antioxidative activities in hypercholesterolemic rats. The levels of plasma lipid, malondialdehyde (MDA) and whole blood reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as the activities of transaminases (ALT and AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in plasma, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in erythrocytes and plasma glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) were examined. A hypercholesterolemia-induced diet manifested in the elevation of total lipids (TL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL-C and MDA levels, ALT, AST, LDH activities and the depletion of GSH and enzymic antioxidants. The supplementation of a hypercholesterolemia-induced diet with bitter and sweet lupin seeds significantly lowered the plasma levels of TL, TC, TG and LDL-C. ALT, AST and LDH activities slightly decreased in treated groups compared with the hypercholesterolemic group (HC). Furthermore, the content of GSH significantly increased while MDA significantly decreased in treated groups compared with the HC group. In addition, the bitter lupin seed group improved enzymic antioxidants compared with the HC group. In general, the results indicated that the bitter lupin seed supplements are better than those containing sweet lupin seeds. These results suggested that the hypocholesterolemic effect of bitter and sweet lupin seed supplements might be due to their abilities to lower the plasma cholesterol level as well as to slow down the lipid peroxidation process and to enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity.
Effect of maturation degree on fatty acid profile of different tissues in wild and farmed rohu (Labeo rohita)
Authors: Hussain Bilal , Mahboob Shahid , Hassan Muhammad , Nadeem Shahid , Sultana Tayyaba
Published: March 2011

During the breeding season, lots of physiological changes occur in the bodies of fish which lead to other phenotypical, anatomical and behavioral changes. To evaluate the impact of breeding on the bodily composition of fish, tests were conducted to determine the fatty acid profile of the brooder and Non-brooder wild and farmed fish. Samples were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography using a flame ionization detector.There are non significant differences in the amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in wild and farmed nonbrooder fish whereas in case of brooder there are significant differences. Brooder farmed fish contained more saturates in gonads approximately twice that of wild fish with C16:0 as the dominating fatty acid. C18:2n-6 and C20:5n-6 were the dominating unsaturated fatty acids in the gonads. Non-brooder fish contained more unsaturated fatty acids in the meat as compared to the brooder fish and farmed fish contained higher amounts of saturated fatty acids as compared to wild fish. C18:1n-9 and C20:4n-6 fatty acids were found in higher quantities and among the saturated acids, C16:0 is the dominating one. More or less similar results were found in the case of the liver fatty acid profile of breeding and nonbreeding fish. Fish of lower weight categories contained more unsaturated fatty acids and so better for consumption to leave the brooders of higher weight categories for the breeding of future generation.
Characterization of lipids and fatty acids of the soil derived fungus Cladosporium sp.
Authors: Krishna De Bijay , Verma Shikha
Published: March 2011

The fungus Cladosporium sp. was explored for its potential ability to produce lipids, fatty acids and protein. The lipids were characterized by the quantification of acylglycerols and fatty acids. Alterations in lipid and protein accumulation were observed by changing the growth medium, carbon source type (glucose and dextrose) and content, growth period and by developing salt stress through the incorporation of NaCl in the formulation of the medium. Lipid content was found to vary from 6.8 ± 0.3 to 27.3 ± 2.8%, w/w. The major fatty acids accumulated were palmitic, oleic and linoleic. The lipid fraction obtained from a Potato- dextrose medium (containing 2% dextrose and 4% NaCl) accumulated 73.7 ± 3.7%, w/w, oleic acid. Some lipid fractions were found to have fatty acid ratios like saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated close to 1:1:1 w/w/w. Triacylglycerol was obtained as the major constituent of lipid fractions.
Traditional olive growing system: Strategic alternatives to improve competitiveness
Authors: Vilar Hernández Juan , Velasco Gámez María del Mar , Puentes Poyatos Raquel , Martínez Rodriguez Ana María
Published: March 2011

In recent years, the competitive situation of the so-called “traditional” cultivation systems has decreased because this is a cultivation system that suffers excessive fragmentation, dispersal and high operation costs. The aim of this work is to determine, through an empirical study, if the use of the modernization and cooperation strategies proposed (such as incremental innovation of traditional olive cultivation system, “shared” cultivation, and finally, the assisted cultivation system) would meaningfully improve the competitiveness of the traditional olive cultivation system. To achieve this objective, data obtained from the filling in of questionnaires has been used and 40 traditional olive farms have been analyzed, 10 farms for each of the strategic alternatives proposed. The statistical analysis of the data obtained allowed us to know the existence of meaningful differences in the net income of those olive tree farmers that develop a traditional growing system as opposed to the rest of cultivations that use the strategies proposed. The results show that the implementation of the here proposed strategic alternatives increase the competitiveness of the traditional cultivation system through the net income of the olive farmer.
Periostin Regulates Goblet Cell Metaplasia in a Model of Allergic Airway Inflammation
Authors: Sehra Sarita , Yao Weiguo , Nguyen Evelyn T. , Ahyi Ayele-Nati N. , Barbé Tuana Florencia M. , Ahlfeld Shawn K. , Snider Paige , Tepper Robert S. , Petrache Irina , Conway Simon J. , Kaplan Mark H.
Published: March 2011

Periostin is a 90-kDa member of the fasciclin-containing family and functions as part of the extracellular matrix. Periostin is expressed in a variety of tissues and expression is increased in airway epithelial cells from asthmatic patients. Recent studies have implicated a role for periostin in allergic eosinophilic esophagitis. To further define a role for periostin in Th2-mediated inflammatory diseases such as asthma, we studied the development of allergic pulmonary inflammation in periostin-deficient mice. Sensitization and challenge of periostin-deficient mice with OVA resulted in increased peripheral Th2 responses compared with control mice. In the lungs, periostin deficiency resulted in increased airway resistance and significantly enhanced mucus production by goblet cells concomitant with increased expression of Gob5 and Muc5ac compared with wild type littermates. Periostin also inhibited the expression of Gob5, a putative calcium-activated chloride channel involved in the regulation of mucus production, in primary murine airway epithelial cells. Our studies suggest that periostin may be part of a negative-feedback loop regulating allergic inflammation that could be therapeutic in the treatment of atopic disease.
Targeting TLR4 Signaling by TLR4 Toll/IL-1 Receptor Domain-Derived Decoy Peptides: Identification of the TLR4 Toll/IL-1 Receptor Domain Dimerization Interface
Authors: Toshchakov Vladimir Y. , Szmacinski Henryk , Couture Leah A. , Lakowicz Joseph R. , Vogel Stefanie N.
Published: March 2011

Agonist-induced dimerization of TLR4 Toll/IL-1R (TIR) domains initiates intracellular signaling. Therefore, identification of the TLR4–TIR dimerization interface is one key to the rational design of therapeutics that block TLR4 signaling. A library of cell-permeating decoy peptides, each of which represents a nonfragmented patch of the TLR4 TIR surface, was designed such that the peptides entirely encompass the TLR4 TIR surface. Each peptide was synthesized in tandem with a cell-permeating Antennapedia homeodomain sequence and tested for the ability to inhibit early cytokine mRNA expression and MAPK activation in LPS-stimulated primary murine macrophages. Five peptides—4R1, 4R3, 4BB, 4R9, and 4αE—potently inhibited all manifestations of TLR4, but not TLR2 signaling. When tested for their ability to bind directly to TLR4 TIR by Förster resonance energy transfer using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, Bodipy-TMR-X–labeled 4R1, 4BB, and 4αE quenched fluorescence of TLR4-Cerulean expressed in HeLa or HEK293T cells, whereas 4R3 was partially active, and 4R9 was least active. These findings suggest that the area between the BB loop of TLR4 and its fifth helical region mediates TLR4 TIR dimerization. Moreover, our data provide direct evidence for the utility of the decoy peptide approach, in which peptides representing various surface-exposed segments of a protein are initially probed for the ability to inhibit protein function, and then their specific targets are identified by Förster resonance energy transfer to define recognition sites in signaling proteins that may be targeted therapeutically to disrupt functional transient protein interactions.
Human NK Cells Proliferate and Die In Vivo More Rapidly than T Cells in Healthy Young and Elderly Adults
Authors: Lutz Charles T. , Karapetyan Anush , Al-Attar Ahmad , Shelton Brent J. , Holt Kimberly J. , Tucker Jason H. , Presnell Steven R.
Published: March 2011

NK cells are essential for health, yet little is known about human NK turnover in vivo. In both young and elderly women, all NK subsets proliferated and died more rapidly than T cells. CD56bright NK cells proliferated rapidly but died relatively slowly, suggesting that proliferating CD56bright cells differentiate into CD56dim NK cells in vivo. The relationship between CD56dim and CD56bright proliferating cells indicates that proliferating CD56dim cells both self-renew and are derived from proliferating CD56bright NK cells. Our data suggest that some dying CD56dim cells become CD16+CD56− NK cells and that CD16−CD56low NK cells respond rapidly to cellular and cytokine stimulation. We propose a model in which all NK cell subsets are in dynamic flux. About half of CD56dim NK cells expressed CD57, which was weakly associated with low proliferation. Surprisingly, CD57 expression was associated with higher proliferation rates in both CD8+ and CD8− T cells. Therefore, CD57 is not a reliable marker of senescent, nonproliferative T cells in vivo. NKG2A expression declined with age on both NK cells and T cells. Killer cell Ig-like receptor expression increased with age on T cells but not on NK cells. Although the percentage of CD56bright NK cells declined with age and the percentage of CD56dim NK cells increased with age, there were no significant age-related proliferation or apoptosis differences for these two populations or for total NK cells. In vivo human NK cell turnover is rapid in both young and elderly adults.
Cutting Edge: De Novo Induction of Functional Foxp3+ Regulatory CD4 T Cells in Response to Tissue-Restricted Self Antigen
Authors: Thompson Lucas J. , Valladao Andrea C. , Ziegler Steven F.
Published: March 2011

Naive CD4 T cells can differentiate into a number of functional subsets in response to Ag, including Foxp3+ induced regulatory T cells (iTregs). The in vivo development and function of iTregs has been primarily demonstrated in systems involving Ag encountered systemically or delivered via the intestinal mucosa. In this study, we demonstrate that de novo Foxp3 expression in naive CD4 T cells is a critical mechanism for establishing tolerance for a tissue-restricted neo-self Ag. Naive CD4 T cells lacking a functional Foxp3 gene cannot achieve tolerance, but can be suppressed in vivo in the presence of wild type naive CD4 T cells. Exposure to nonspecific inflammation during priming undermines tolerance through impaired Foxp3 induction, suggesting that the microenvironment also has a role. These data show that de novo Foxp3 expression is an integral component of establishing and maintaining tolerance among naive peripheral CD4 T cells.
Inhibition of Microglial Phagocytosis Is Sufficient To Prevent Inflammatory Neuronal Death
Authors: Neher Jonas J. , Neniskyte Urte , Zhao Jing-Wei , Bal-Price Anna , Tolkovsky Aviva M. , Brown Guy C.
Published: March 2011

It is well-known that dead and dying neurons are quickly removed through phagocytosis by the brain’s macrophages, the microglia. Therefore, neuronal loss during brain inflammation has always been assumed to be due to phagocytosis of neurons subsequent to their apoptotic or necrotic death. However, we report in this article that under inflammatory conditions in primary rat cultures of neurons and glia, phagocytosis actively induces neuronal death. Specifically, two inflammatory bacterial ligands, lipoteichoic acid or LPS (agonists of glial TLR2 and TLR4, respectively), stimulated microglial proliferation, phagocytic activity, and engulfment of ∼30% of neurons within 3 d. Phagocytosis of neurons was dependent on the microglial release of soluble mediators (and peroxynitrite in particular), which induced neuronal exposure of the eat-me signal phosphatidylserine (PS). Surprisingly, however, eat-me signaling was reversible, so that blocking any step in a phagocytic pathway consisting of PS exposure, the PS-binding protein milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-8, and its microglial vitronectin receptor was sufficient to rescue up to 90% of neurons without reducing inflammation. Hence, our data indicate a novel form of inflammatory neurodegeneration, where inflammation can cause eat-me signal exposure by otherwise viable neurons, leading to their death through phagocytosis. Thus, blocking phagocytosis may prevent some forms of inflammatory neurodegeneration, and therefore might be beneficial during brain infection, trauma, ischemia, neurodegeneration, and aging.
Impact of KRAS Mutations on Management of Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Sullivan Kevin M. , Kozuch Peter S.
Published: March 2011

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is a therapeutic target in the management of colorectal cancer (CRC). EGFR antagonists are active in this disease; however, only a subset of patients respond to such therapy. A Kirsten ras sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) wild-type (WT) status of the tumor is necessary, but possibly not sufficient, for a response to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody therapy. Mechanisms of primary resistance to such therapy in patients harboring KRAS WT tumors are discussed. Strategies to overcome resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody therapy, including novel agents and combinations of novel therapies, are explored. Also, the use of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting is reviewed.
Comprehensive CT Evaluation in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Impact on Diagnosis and Treatment Decisions
Authors: Löve Askell , Siemund Roger , Andsberg Gunnar , Cronqvist Mats , Holtås Stig , Björkman-Burtscher Isabella
Published: March 2011

Background. With modern CT imaging a comprehensive overview of cerebral macro- and microcirculation can be obtained within minutes in acute ischemic stroke. This opens for patient stratification and individualized treatment.Methods. Four patients with acute ischemic stroke of different aetiologies and/or treatments were chosen for illustration of the comprehensive CT protocol and its value in subsequent treatment decisions. The patients were clinically evaluated according to the NIHSS-scale, examined with the comprehensive CT protocol including both CT angiography and CT perfusion, and followed up by MRI.Results. The comprehensive CT examination protocol increased the examination time but did not delay treatment initiation. In some cases CT angiography revealed the cause of stroke while CT perfusion located and graded the perfusion defect with reasonable accuracy, confirmed by follow-up MR-diffusion. In the presented cases findings of the comprehensive CT examination influenced the treatment strategy.Conclusions. The comprehensive CT examination is a fast and safe method allowing accurate diagnosis and making way for individualized treatment in acute ischemic stroke.
Thickness in Entorhinal and Subicular Cortex Predicts Episodic Memory Decline in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Burggren A. C. , Renner B. , Jones M. , Donix M. , Suthana N. A. , Martin-Harris L. , Ercoli L. M. , Miller K. J. , Siddarth P. , Small G. W. , Bookheimer S. Y.
Published: March 2011

Identifying subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) most likely to decline in cognition over time is a major focus in Alzheimer′s disease (AD) research. Neuroimaging biomarkers that predict decline would have great potential for increasing the efficacy of early intervention. In this study, we used high‐resolution MRI, combined with a cortical unfolding technique to increase visibility of the convoluted medial temporal lobe (MTL), to assess whether gray matter thickness in subjects with MCI correlated to decline in cognition over two years. We found that thickness in the entorhinal (ERC) and subicular (Sub) cortices of MCI subjects at initial assessment correlated to change in memory encoding over two years (ERC: r = 0.34; P = .003) and Sub (r = 0.26; P = .011) but not delayed recall performance. Our findings suggest that aspects of memory performance may be differentially affected in the early stages of AD. Given the MTL′s involvement in early stages of neurodegeneration in AD, clarifying the relationship of these brain regions and the link to resultant cognitive decline is critical in understanding disease progression.
Left-Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia with Multiple Congenital Cardiac Anomalies, Hernia Sac, and Microscopic Hepatic Heterotopia: A Case Report
Authors: Arafah Maria , Boqari Deena T. , Alsaad Khaled O.
Published: March 2011

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a common congenital anomaly of uncertain etiology. Its association with multiple congenital anomalies in various organs is well recognized and antenatal radiological evidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia warrants thorough evaluation to detect other anomalies, some of which can be life threatening. Rarely, heterotopic hepatic tissue is identified in the hernia, a rare pathological finding, exhibiting more than one macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, and always associated with cardiac congenital anomalies. Herein, we report a case of left-sided microscopic heterotopic hepatic tissue in a congenital diaphragmatic hernia in an infant with multiple cardiac congenital anomalies, but with preserved pericardium.
Group analytic psychotherapy (im)possibilities to research
Authors: Vlastelica Mirela
Published: March 2011

In the course of group analytic psychotherapy, where we discovered the power of the therapeutic effects, there occurred the need of group analytic psychotherapy researches. Psychotherapeutic work in general, and group psychotherapy in particular, are hard to measure and put into some objective frames. Researches, i. e. measuring of changes in psychotherapy is a complex task, and there are large disagreements. For a long time, the empirical-descriptive method was the only way of research in the field of group psychotherapy. Problems of researches in group psychotherapy in general, and particularly in group analytic psychotherapy can be reviewed as methodology problems at first, especially due to unrepeatability of the therapeutic process.

The basic polemics about measuring of changes in psychotherapy is based on the question whether a change is to be measured by means of open measuring of behaviour or whether it should be evaluated more finely by monitoring inner psychological dimensions. Following the therapy results up, besides providing additional information on the patient's improvement, strengthens the psychotherapist's self-respect, as well as his respectability and credibility as a scientist.
Modelos de las relaciones públicas políticas: Análisis de la situación en Cataluña
Authors: Xifra Triadú Jordi
Published: March 2011

La idea de que las estrategias de comunicación política constituyen una aplicación de las estrategias del marketing al ámbito político es hoy comúnmente compartida por los analistas. Para éstos, las relaciones públicas son percibidas como un conjunto de técnicas al servicio de los partidos políticos y de otros actores de la escena política concentradas en las relaciones con la prensa. Esta perspectiva instrumental no concuerda con la dimensión estructural de las relaciones públicas en la actividad política y comunicativa de sus actores: partidos políticos, grupos de presión y líderes. Desde este punto de vista, tanto en los periodos de gestión u oposición como en los electorales, la forma comunicativa más aplicada por los partidos políticos se estructura de acuerdo con los modelos tradicionales de las relaciones públicas: agente de prensa, información pública, asimétrico bidireccional, simétrico bidireccional. Este trabajo de investigación valida esta hipótesis en Cataluña de acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos a través de una encuesta cuantitativa realizada a responsables de comunicación de los siete principales grupos políticos representados en el Parlamento de Cataluña.
La inmigración, en la fotografía de prensa de Canarias
Authors: Ardèvol-Abreu Alberto
Published: March 2011

La fotografía de prensa colabora en la construcción del discurso periodístico de manera tan importante como los textos que la acompañan. El análisis de las fotografías de inmigración en los cuatro periódicos canarios de mayor importancia revela que la agenda mediática se centra sólo en algunos aspectos del fenómeno inmigratorio, por lo que se representa una realidad deformada. Con pocas diferencias entre cabeceras, la inmigración se asocia casi en exclusiva a la llegada de embarcaciones (cayucos y pateras) del vecino continente, y el inmigrante retratado es, en consecuencia, el “subsahariano” o el marroquí, primando el retrato homogeneizador, en grupo, sobre el que busca la individualidad y la diferencia.  Además de identificar a los africanos con la debilidad, la carencia de iniciativa y la subalternidad, se les asocia con el delito, a la vez que se ignora a otros colectivos, más numerosos, como los latinoamericanos.
Observations and modeling of forward and reflected chorus waves captured by THEMIS
Authors: Agapitov O. , Krasnoselskikh V. , Zaliznyak Yu. , Angelopoulos V. , Le Contel O. , Rolland G.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Discrete ELF/VLF chorus emissions are the most intense electromagnetic plasma waves observed in the radiation belts of the Earth's magnetosphere. Chorus emissions, whistler-mode wave packets propagating roughly along magnetic field lines from a well-localized source in the vicinity of the magnetic equator to polar regions, can be reflected at low altitudes. After reflection, wave packets can return to the equatorial plane region. Understanding of whistler wave propagation and reflection is critical to a correct description of wave-particle interaction in the radiation belts. We focus on properties of reflected chorus emissions observed by the THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions During Substorms) spacecraft Search Coil Magnetometer (SCM) and Electric Field Instrument (EFI) at ELF/VLF frequencies up to 4 kHz at L≥8. We determine the direction of the Poynting flux and wave vector distribution for forward and reflected chorus waves. Although both types of chorus waves were detected near the magnetic equator and have similar, discrete structure and rising tones, reflected waves are attenuated by a factor of 10–30 and have 10% higher frequency than concurrently-observed forward waves. Modeling of wave propagation and reflection using geometrical optics ray-tracing allowed us to determine the chorus source region location and explain observed propagation characteristics. We find that reflected wave attenuation at a certain spatial region is caused by divergence of the ray paths of these non-ducted emissions, and that the frequency shift is caused by generation of the reflected waves at lower L-shells where the local equatorial gyrofrequency is larger.
Feasibility study on Generalized-Aurora Computed Tomography
Authors: Tanaka Y.-M. , Aso T. , Gustavsson B. , Tanabe K. , Ogawa Y. , Kadokura A. , Miyaoka H. , Sergienko T. , Brändström U. , Sandahl I.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Aurora Computed Tomography (ACT) is a method for retrieving the three-dimensional (3-D) distribution of the volume emission rate from monochromatic auroral images obtained simultaneously by a multi-point camera network. We extend this method to a Generalized-Aurora Computed Tomography (G-ACT) that reconstructs the energy and spatial distributions of precipitating electrons from multi-instrument data, such as ionospheric electron density from incoherent scatter radar, cosmic noise absorption (CNA) from imaging riometers, as well as the auroral images. The purpose of this paper is to describe the reconstruction algorithm involved in this method and to test its feasibility by numerical simulation. Based on a Bayesian model with prior information as the smoothness of the electron energy spectra, the inverse problem is formulated as a maximization of posterior probability. The relative weighting of each instrument data is determined by the cross-validation method. We apply this method to the simulated data from real instruments, the Auroral Large Imaging System (ALIS), the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radar at Tromsø, and the Imaging Riometer for Ionospheric Study (IRIS) at Kilpisjärvi. The results indicate that the differential flux of the precipitating electrons is well reconstructed from the ALIS images for the low-noise cases. Furthermore, we demonstrate in a case study that the ionospheric electron density from the EISCAT radar is useful for improving the reconstructed electron flux. On the other hand, the incorporation of CNA data into this method is difficult at this stage, because the extension of energy range to higher energy causes a difficulty in the reconstruction of the low-energy electron flux. Nevertheless, we expect that this method may be useful in analyzing multi-instrument data and, in particular, 3-D data, which will be obtained in the upcoming EISCAT_3D.
Hybrid neural networks in rainfall-inundation forecasting based on a synthetic potential inundation database
Authors: Pan T.-Y. , Lai J.-S. , Chang T.-J. , Chang H.-K. , Chang K.-C. , Tan Y.-C.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. This study attempts to achieve real-time rainfall-inundation forecasting in lowland regions, based on a synthetic potential inundation database. With the principal component analysis and a feed-forward neural network, a rainfall-inundation hybrid neural network (RiHNN) is proposed to forecast 1-h-ahead inundation depth as hydrographs at specific representative locations using spatial rainfall intensities and accumulations. A systematic procedure is presented to construct the RiHNN, which combines the merits of detailed hydraulic modeling in flood-prone lowlands via a two-dimensional overland-flow model and time-saving calculation in a real-time rainfall-inundation forecasting via ANN model. Analytical results from the RiHNNs with various principal components indicate that the RiHNNs with fewer weights can have about the same performance as a feed-forward neural network. The RiHNNs evaluated through four types of real/synthetic rainfall events also show to fit inundation-depth hydrographs well with high rainfall. Moreover, the results of real-time rainfall-inundation forecasting help the emergency manager set operational responses, which are beneficial for flood warning preparations.
Resurrecting dead-water phenomenon
Authors: Mercier M. J. , Vasseur R. , Dauxois T.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. We revisit experimental studies performed by Ekman on dead-water (Ekman, 1904) using modern techniques in order to present new insights on this peculiar phenomenon. We extend its description to more general situations such as a three-layer fluid or a linearly stratified fluid in presence of a pycnocline, showing the robustness of dead-water phenomenon. We observe large amplitude nonlinear internal waves which are coupled to the boat dynamics, and we emphasize that the modeling of the wave-induced drag requires more analysis, taking into account nonlinear effects. Dedicated to Fridtjöf Nansen born 150 yr ago (10 October 1861).
PREDICTION OF EXTENT OF SWELLING IN TERNERY PARTICULATE RUBBER-NANOCOMPOSITES: DEVELOPMENT OF MODIFIED KRAUS EQUATION
Authors: Chattopadhyay Pijush K. , Chattopadhyay Santanu
Published: March 2011

Swelling of the nanoclay (NC) and carbon black (CB) filled ENR based ternary particulate nanocomposites was studied based on a novel model which is a generalized form of the Kraus equation. Although the original Kraus equation is not properly suitable for ternary particulate nanocomposites, the results predicted by the modified version of the Kraus equation was more closely matched with the experimental results for the same. Image analyses of the HRTEM (JEOL JEM 2100, Japan) photomicrographs were used to quantify the exfoliated/aggregated morphology in NC filled samples which were applied to predict the swelling extent of the nanocomposites using the modified Kraus equation. NC affected negatively the swelling restriction imparted by CB on the ENR matrices. The present model can be potentially extended to predict the extent of swelling in all type of rubber nanocomposites including the ENR based ones.
ULTRASONIC AIDED EXTRUSION OF CARBON BLACK-FILLEDSBR COMPOUNDS
Authors: Choi Jaesun , Isayev Avraam I.
Published: March 2011

Ultrasonically assisted single screw extrusion of carbon black (CB)-filled styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds up to 60 phr was carried out and its processing characteristics were measured. The effects of ultrasonic amplitude on rheology, extractable amount, vulcanization behavior, mechanical properties, abrasion, electrical resistivity, and morphology were investigated. Increasing ultrasonic amplitude led to a reduction of extractable content with the effect diminishing with increasing CB loading. Treated compounds showed an increase in viscosity at certain amplitudes. Cure curves revealed reduced induction times with increasing amplitude, except at the highest CB content. The maximum torque of the cure curve, crosslink density, and mechanical properties of vulcanizates all showed an increase at certain ultrasonic amplitudes. An increase in the glass transition temperature (Tg) and a decrease in tan δ at Tg were observed with increasing amplitude. Ultrasonically treated unfilled and CB-filled compounds led to vulcanizates with significant and slight improvements in abrasion, respectively. Ultrasonic treatment caused a significant reduction in the electrical percolation threshold of vulcanizates. Morphological study by atomic force microscope revealed a creation of unique CB agglomerates, suggesting the strong interactions between the SBR and CB aggregates in treated compounds, leading to reinforcing effects in vulcanizates.
Synthesis of 2′,4′‐Bridged Nucleosides Using a New Orthogonally Protected Sugar Synthon: 5‐O‐(tert‐Butyldiphenylsilyl)‐4‐C‐Hydroxymethyl‐1,2‐O‐Isopropylidene‐3‐O‐Napthyl‐α‐d‐Allofuranose
Authors: Seth Punit P. , Prakash Thazha P.
Published: March 2011

2′,4′‐Bridged nucleic acids (BNA) provide unprecedented increases in the thermal stability of oligonucleotide duplexes. Locked nucleic acids (LNA), a representative member of the BNA class, have shown promise in antisense applications and as a diagnostic tool. While a number of BNA analogs have been reported in the literature, their evaluation in vivo has been stymied by difficulties in securing enough amidite to support extensive animal experiments. A bottleneck has been the ability to prepare a key mono‐protected allofuranose synthon that is the common starting material for all BNA analogs. This unit presents the synthesis of a novel orthogonally protected sugar synthon, 5‐O‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)‐4‐C‐hydroxymethyl‐1,2‐O‐isopropylidene‐3‐O‐(2‐methylnaphthlene)‐α‐D‐allofuranose, which can be prepared in 100‐gram quantities without any chromatographic purification of intermediates or the final product. The utility of this new synthon is exemplified by the synthesis of BNA analogs containing uracil nucleobases, substituted 2′,4′‐bridges, and oxyamino functionalities that are otherwise more difficult to prepare using the 3′‐O‐benzyl protecting group strategy most commonly used in the literature. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 44:1.24.1‐1.24.23. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis of Building Blocks and Oligonucleotides with {G}O6‐Alkyl‐O6{G} Cross‐Links
Authors: Wilds Christopher J. , Booth Jason D. M. , Noronha Anne M.
Published: March 2011

This unit describes two methods for preparing oligonucleotides containing an O6‐2′‐deoxyguanosine‐alkyl‐O6‐2′‐deoxyguanosine interstrand cross‐link by a solid‐phase synthesis approach. Depending on the desired orientation of the cross‐link in the DNA duplex, either a bis‐ or a mono‐phosphoramidite synthesis strategy can be employed. Both procedures require the preparation of a protected 2′‐deoxyguanosine‐containing dimer where the two nucleosides are attached at the O6‐atoms by an alkyl linker. This linker is introduced as a protected diol using two successive Mitsunobu reactions to produce a cross‐linked amidite that is incorporated into an oligonucleotide via solid‐phase synthesis. The use of a protected diol lends versatility to this method, as cross‐links of variable chain length may be prepared. The bis‐phosphoramidite approach is a direct method to preparing the cross‐linked duplex, whereas the mono‐phosphoramidite strategy requires additional manipulation of the solid support to prepare cross‐linked oligonucleotides. Once all synthetic steps are completed, these oligonucleotides can then be removed from the solid support and deprotected, and then purified via ion‐exchange HPLC to produce sufficient quantities of substrates that can be used in DNA repair studies. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 44:5.9.1‐5.9.19. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Syntheses of DNA Duplexes That Contain a N4C‐Alkyl‐N4C Interstrand Cross‐Link
Authors: Miller Paul S.
Published: March 2011

This unit describes a simple procedure for preparing short DNA duplexes that contain a single N4C‐alkyl‐N4C interstrand cross‐link. The synthesis is carried out on an automated DNA synthesizer using standard phosphoramidite chemistry. The cross‐link is introduced during the synthesis of the duplex. The method can be used to prepare milligram quantities of cross‐linked duplexes suitable for physical studies and for the preparation of larger DNA molecules that can be used as substrates to study DNA repair in whole cell extracts and in living cells in culture. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 44:5.10.1‐5.10.9. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.