bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Produtividade do capim-digitária (Digitaria spp.) sob diferentes doses de nitrogênio
Authors: Costa Newton de Lucena , Oliveira Antônio Bruno Bitencourt , Andrade Alex Carvalho , Magalhães João Avelar , Rodrigues Braz Henrique Nunes , Mehl Herony Ulisses , Santos Francisco José de Seixas , Silva Edineudo Mourão da , Costa Carlos Antônio Araújo
Published: September 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different doses of nitrogen on the productivity of grass digitaria (Digitaria sp.) The experiment was conducted from April to July 2012 at the Experimental Station of Embrapa Meio-Norte, located in the city of Parnaíba, Piauí.The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments and five replications consisting of nitrogen levels (T1 – 200; T2 – 400; T3 – 600 and T4 - 800 kg N ha-1 year-1). Three cuts at intervals of 28 days each were realized. The variables evaluated were: grass plant height, production and dry matter content, penetration and absorption of light, the leaf blade/stem and dead material and efficiency of nitrogen use. Nitrogen fertilization promoted a decrease in dry matter, nitrogen use efficiency, light penetration and leaf/stem + sheath, and influenced positively in plant height, dry matter production and light interception in grass digitaria depending on the doses N applied.
Palatosquise em neonato de Fila Brasileiro
Authors: Nunes Cícero Rodrigues Feitosa , Ferreira Guilherme José Bolzani de Campos
Published: September 2016

The present report aims to describe the change of congenital cleft palate in a puppy of Brazilian race row with three days of life. Congenital cleft is a rare congenital anomaly in domestic animals, characterized by a defect of fusion of either primary, secondary palate or both. The pathogenesis of this disorder is still not well elucidated, however, have become aware of the many possible causes, these related to genetic and environmental factors. The demonstrated clinical signs show abnormalities involving the teeth, gums and oral clefts, as well as the emergence of secondary illnesses such as pneumonia, because of the oronasal communication that occurs as the middle of the hard palate cleft. A cleft palate is easily diagnosed shortly after birth the animals because of their clinical evidence, however, it is necessary a thorough examination of the patient to detect associated anomalies that may be present. The animal study showed complete cleft palate and had a life span of three days the slit of this animal had a total length of 38.43 mm in length with no split incisive bone and absence of cleft lip.
Líquido da casca da castanha de caju: características e aplicabilidades na produção animal
Authors: Osmari Milene Puntel , Matos Laiz Fiorilli de , Salab Beryk Lopriato , Diaz Tatiana Garcia , Giotto Francine Mezzomo
Published: September 2016

The use of high-grain diet can provide metabolic disturbances to the animals, due to excess of non-structural carbohydrates, which induces a decrease in rumen pH, negatively influencing the digestibility and utilization of nutrients. As an alternative to reduce the negative effects that this type of diet can provide to animals, we can use of food additives and among them stand yeasts, organic acids, plant extracts, probiotics, antibodies and secondary metabolites of plants . There is an established literature on the use of secondary metabolites, such as functional oils, such as natural additives for improving the efficiency of rumen fermentation, reduce methane production, reduce the nutritional stress and improving animal health and productivity. However, relatively few studies on the functional phenolic lipids or oils Anacardiaceae family, which in turn are represented by shell liquid cashew nuts. However, the purpose of literature review is to characterize the shell liquid cashew and present their applicability in animal production.
Ocorrência da Leucose Enzoótica no gado bovino abatidos sob Inspeção Estadual no Estado do Espírito Santo no ano de 2013
Authors: Assis Higor Azevedo , Barioni Graziela , Starling Renan Zappavigna Costa , Donatele Dirlei Molinari
Published: September 2016

The Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (LEB) is a disease caused by a retrovirus, with cases reported in all the world and gradually spreads determining losses to Brazilian cattle. The objective of the study is defining the seroprevalence of LEB in cattle slaughtered in the city of Anchieta, Espírito Santo. 933 serum samples was collected in the slaughter line during the month of November 2013. The samples were examined by the immunodiffusion test in agar gel (IDGA) for the detection of specific antibodies against bovine leukosis virus (VLB). The test was performed following manufacturer's instructions Tecpar ®. The prevalence detected was 21.86 %, 204 samples was soropositive for the LEB. The prevalence found in this study is lower than 39.8% found by Birgel Junior et al., (2006) with is the media of the southeast region. However, the prevalence is very expressive, showing that LEB is already widespread in the beef cattle in Espírito Santo, and that has total conditions to bring considerable losses to cattle in the state.
Proteína na alimentação de ruminantes: puberdade, qualidade seminal e comportamento sexual
Authors: Silva Luis Eduardo Senra , Zervoudakis Luciana Keiko Hatamoto , Tsuneda Pedro Paulo , Duarte Júnior Moacir Ferreira , Berté Larissa Alves , Silva Joelson Antônio , Silva Renata Pereira da , Wingert Fabiana Mariani , Fraga Ana Laisa Candida de Resende , Almeida Rodrigo Delbem , Moraes Juliana de Oliveira , Kuczmarski Antônio Henrique , Castaldeli Thiago Bruno
Published: September 2016

Brazilian ruminant production is made predominantly with grazing animals, and, in a dry season of year the crude protein (CP) of tropical forage is below 7% reducing microbial efficiency in using of nutrients from diet. Thus, protein restriction affects negatively the age of puberty, seminal quality, blood concentration of insulin and glucose, but seems to have no effect on sexual interest in ruminants
Produção de forragem, composição química e morfogênese de Cynodon dactylon cv. Vaquero sob níveis de nitrogênio
Authors: Costa Newton de Lucena , Paulino Valdinei Tadeu , Magalhães João Avelar , Rodrigues Braz Henrique Nunes , Rodrigues Antônio Neri Azevedo
Published: September 2016

The effect of nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg of N/dm3 of soil) on dry matter (DM) yield, chemical composition and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Cynodon dactylon cv. Vaquero, was evaluated under greenhouse with natural conditions of light and temperature. The experimental design was a complete randomized blocks, with three replications. Nitrogen fertilization increased linearly DM yields, nitrogen contents, blade length and number of tillers/pot, however decreased significantly phosphorus contents. Maximum leaf appearance and elongation rate, blade length, tiller number and number of live leaves/tiller were obtained with the application of 58.4; 147.3; 149.4; 154.8 and 101.4 mg/dm3 of N, respectively. The nitrogen efficiency utilization was inversely proportional to nitrogen levels, while the apparent recovery of nitrogen was directly proportional to the increased nitrogen levels.
Características morfogênicas da Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu submetida a doses de nitrogênio
Authors: Costa Newton de Lucena , Silva Edineudo Mourão da , Andrade Alex Carvalho , Magalhães João Avelar , Rodrigues Braz Henrique Nunes , Oliveira Antônio Bruno Bitencourt , Santos Francisco José de Seixas , Bezerra Eduardo Esmeraldo Augusto
Published: September 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, subjected to five levels of nitrogen with cutting interval of 35 days. The work was conducted in the period May to June and October to November of 2011, in the experimental field of Embrapa Meio-Norte UEP - Parnaíba, in the municipality of Parnaíba , Piauí . The experimental design was randomized blocks with treatments consisting of five levels of nitrogen (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 kg ha- 1.year- 1) with four replications. The morphogenetic evaluations included the rates of appearance, elongation and leaf senescence. Structural consisted of the number of live unfolded leaves and total number of leaves. Nitrogen, in the form of urea, was applied to coverage being applied immediately after the three cuts, by dividing the total annual dose by the number of cuts. Nitrogen fertilization in Brachiaria brizantha has a positive effect on elongation and leaf appearance rates, and the total number of living leaves.
Prolongamento de palato mole – Estafilectomia: Relato de caso
Authors: Franco Mariana Ferreira , Dantas Waleska de Melo Ferreira , Carvalho Tatiana Borges de , Bergo Letícia
Published: September 2016

Considered a primary alteration in brachycephalic dogs, the extension of the soft palate, can be observed in young animals but is considered a little problem diagnosed in practice. Dogs that exhibit prolonged respiratory disorders may be one of the clinical signs may be abdominal breathing and snoring. The extension correction palate occurs surgically, through a procedure called Staphylectomy which consists in removing the terminal portion of the soft palate. This report aims to present the case of a Pug dog, 7 years old, with a history of snoring, faintness, and difficulty breathing that was clinically diagnosed as suffering from this syndrome. The animal underwent surgery for excision of the caudal portion of the soft palate. Surgical recovery was quick and the clinical improvement of the animal was evident within a week after surgery.
Suplementação de fêmeas bovinas em pastejo: aspectos nutricionais e reprodutivos
Authors: Silva Joelson Antônio , Duarte Júnior Moacir Ferreira , Zervoudakis Luciana Keiko Hatamoto , Zervoudakis Joanis Tilemahos , Tsuneda Pedro Paulo , Silva Renata Pereira da , Koscheck Jefferson Fabiano Werner , Fioravanti Filho Ricardo Sergio , Almeida Rodrigo Delbem
Published: September 2016

Brazil has a cattle production chain based on grazing production, which makes it inexpensive, but with a low profit margin. For that reason, it has gone through a series of changes due to competition with other animal protein production chains, such as pigs and poultry and also with the agriculture, which rapidly moves into areas that were previously occupied for the livestock farming. Thus, with a scenario of low profitability and high competition, it is necessary to find alternatives that allow its survival and profitability. Even with the largest commercial herd in the world, Brazilian livestock presents levels below its true potential, especially due to the low reproductive efficiency of the females of the herd. So that the activity becomes sustainable, it is important the inclusion of technologies to make use of the maximum productive capacity of these animals. Recently, many studies have been done regarding the supplementation of grazing females, and it presents itself as an essential alternative in both the birth or rearing processes, in view of the fact that the adequate intake of nutrients is essential for reproductive development in cattle. The Zebu extensive management system, which is used in most of the cattle farms in Brazil, is the main cause of the delayed puberty of these animals, which will interfere in the age they went into the breeding season and the age of the first calving.  Also during pregnancy the proper nutritional support is extremely important, evidence shows that the development of the skeletal muscle and deposition of adipose tissue of the fetus may be altered in cases of malnutrition, with long-term effects on their performance in adulthood. This study aimed at pointing out some aspects that confirm the influence of nutrition on reproductive physiology of grazing females receiving supplementation.
Fontes e doses de nitrogênio na produtividade do capim-Marandu
Authors: Costa Newton de Lucena , Cardoso Jussara Maria dos Santos , Andrade Alex Carvalho , Magalhães João Avelar , Rodrigues Braz Henrique Nunes , Vieira Johnston Silva , Fogaça Fabíola Helena dos Santos , Mehl Herony Ulisses
Published: September 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of sources and levels of nitrogen on productivity of Brachiaria brizantha. Marandu at conditions of the Coastal Table lands of Piaui. The work was conducted to field, from May to July 2013 at the Experimental Station of Embrapa Meio-Norte, located in the city of Parnaíba, Piauí. The treatments consisted of the combination of two nitrogen sources (ammonium sulphate and urea) and three levels of nitrogen 19.56; 39.12 and 58.68 kg/ha/cut corresponding to 170, 340, 510 kg/ha/year, according to the randomized complete block design with three replications. Three cuts with an interval of 42 days each. Nitrogen fertilization positively influenced the yield of total dry matter. Leaf/stem ratio and the efficiency of nitrogen utilization responded negatively to increases nitrogen.
Sistema Digestório das Aves e o Glicerol na Dieta de Frangos de Corte: Revisão
Authors: Ferreira Guilherme José Bolzani de Campos , Sousa Denise Cerqueira de , Oliveira Nadja Lamonye Alves de , Dourado Leilane Rocha Barros
Published: September 2016

The search for the maximum feed efficiency has become a concern for poultry producers and researchers. A properly balanced food for an animal is nutritionally complete when: reduces stress, reduces disability, improves immune competence and produces carcass quality, better performance and greater profitability. The factors that lead us to investigate the use of glycerin in animal feed are the environmental concern due to the increasing production of biodiesel. Which leads to an increase of glycerin generated and its large potential energy therefore contains glycerin glycerol into their composition, and that it has high gross energy, making possible the use of crude glycerin as an energy ingredient incorporated into animal feed. The digestive system of poultry comprises the following components: mouth, esophagus, crop, glandular stomach (proventriculus), mechanical stomach (gizzard or ventricle), small intestine (formed by the duodenum, jejunum and ileum), large intestine (cecum, colon and rectum) and cloaca. Observe that the components with the highest participation in glycerin are glycerol, water and lipids. Glycerol is the main component of glycerin, this being highly energy. In broiler diets, the critical level recommended inclusion of glycerol is 10%, and adding values above this recommendation may result in performance degradation and affect the metabolism of triglycerides by inducing biochemical and physiological adaptations
Métodos de detecção de estro e falhas relacionadas
Authors: Caetano Graciele Araújo de Oliveira , Caetano Júnior Messias Batista
Published: September 2016

This paper seeks a better understanding of the accurate detection of estrus, which is a limiting factor in reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle and is considered one of the major deficiencies in bovine reproduction. The biggest difficulty lies in the practice of artificial insemination is the detection of estrus so that causes a decrease in conception rate and thus increase the period of service. The low percentage of animals detected in estrus, in some cases, due to the absence of ovarian activity, but in most cases the main factor is the inefficiency in estrus detection, which is one of the biggest barriers to achieving satisfactory rates in artificial insemination programs. Recognition of signs of estrus for choosing the most appropriate method and timing of mating is a priority task in the creation of livestock due to its influence pregnancy rate, calving interval and thus the reproductive efficiency of breeding.
Errors : Detection and minimization in histopathology laboratories
Authors: Karki S
Published: September 2016

The histopathological diagnosis plays a major role in the treatment of diseases. Errors in these reports affect patient care. Hence, it is of utmost importance for all practitioners of this specialty to be aware of possible errors in histopathology laboratories and the means to minimize them. As with other disciplines of laboratory medicine, errors can occur in the pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical phase. The concept of quality and its control should be applied to all phases to curb errors. Audit can be used as a tool to generate information about the background level of errors in pathology which in turn can be used to reduce and avoid errors in histopathology laboratory. Furthermore, accreditation is a means to ensure patient safety and best quality assurance.
Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Phalaenopsis Orchid Hybrids
Authors: Minh Truong , Khang Do , Tuyen Phung , Minh Luong , Anh La , Quan Nguyen , Ha Pham , Quan Nguyen , Toan Nguyen , Elzaawely Abdelnaser , Xuan Tran
Published: September 2016

Phalaenopsis spp. is the most commercially and economically important orchid, but their plant parts are often left unused, which has caused environmental problems. To date, reports on phytochemical analyses were most available on endangered and medicinal orchids. The present study was conducted to determine the total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts prepared from leaves and roots of six commercial hybrid Phalaenopsis spp. Leaf extracts of “Chian Xen Queen” contained the highest total phenolics with a value of 11.52 ± 0.43 mg gallic acid equivalent per g dry weight and the highest total flavonoids (4.98 ± 0.27 mg rutin equivalent per g dry weight). The antioxidant activity of root extracts evaluated by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay and β-carotene bleaching method was higher than those of the leaf extracts. Eleven phenolic compounds were identified, namely, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, vanillin, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, p-coumaric acid, benzoic acid, and ellagic acid. Ferulic, p-coumaric and sinapic acids were concentrated largely in the roots. The results suggested that the root extracts from hybrid Phalaenopsis spp. could be a potential source of natural antioxidants. This study also helps to reduce the amount of this orchid waste in industrial production, as its roots can be exploited for pharmaceutical purposes.
Self-Assembly of Gold Nanocrystals into Discrete Coupled Plasmonic Structures
Authors: Schopf Carola , Noonan Ethel , Quinn Aidan , Iacopino Daniela
Published: September 2016

Development of methodologies for the controlled chemical assembly of nanoparticles into plasmonic molecules of predictable spatial geometry is vital in order to harness novel properties arising from the combination of the individual components constituting the resulting superstructures. This paper presents a route for fabrication of gold plasmonic structures of controlled stoichiometry obtained by the use of a di-rhenium thio-isocyanide complex as linker molecule for gold nanocrystals. Correlated scanning electron microscopy (SEM)—dark-field spectroscopy was used to characterize obtained discrete monomer, dimer and trimer plasmonic molecules. Polarization-dependent scattering spectra of dimer structures showed highly polarized scattering response, due to their highly asymmetric D∞h geometry. In contrast, some trimer structures displayed symmetric geometry (D3h), which showed small polarization dependent response. Theoretical calculations were used to further understand and attribute the origin of plasmonic bands arising during linker-induced formation of plasmonic molecules. Theoretical data matched well with experimentally calculated data. These results confirm that obtained gold superstructures possess properties which are a combination of the properties arising from single components and can, therefore, be classified as plasmonic molecules.
Comparison of the Proximate Composition, Total Carotenoids and Total Polyphenol Content of Nine Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Varieties Grown in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Mohammad , Rana Ziaul , Islam Sheikh
Published: September 2016

In an attempt to develop the food composition table for Bangladesh, the nutritional composition of nine varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potato was analyzed together with total carotenoids (TCC) and total polyphenol content (TPC). Each variety showed significant variation in different nutrient contents. The quantification of the TCC and TPC was done by spectrophotometric measurement, and the proximate composition was done by the AOAC method. The obtained results showed that total polyphenol content varied from 94.63 to 136.05 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g fresh weight. Among the selected sweet potatoes, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Sweet Potato 7 (SP7) contained the highest, whereas BARI SP6 contained the lowest amount of total polyphenol content. The obtained results also revealed that total carotenoids content ranged from 0.38 to 7.24 mg/100 g fresh weight. BARI SP8 showed the highest total carotenoids content, whereas BARI SP6 showed the lowest. Total carotenoids content was found to be higher in dark orange-colored flesh varieties than their light-colored counterparts. The results of the study indicated that selected sweet potato varieties are rich in protein and carbohydrate, low in fat, high in polyphenol and carotenoids and, thus, could be a good source of dietary antioxidants to prevent free radical damage, which leads to chronic diseases, and also to prevent vitamin A malnutrition.
Reappearance from Obscurity: Mammalian Rad52 in Homologous Recombination
Authors: Hanamshet Kritika , Mazina Olga , Mazin Alexander
Published: September 2016

Homologous recombination (HR) plays an important role in maintaining genomic integrity. It is responsible for repair of the most harmful DNA lesions, DNA double-strand breaks and inter-strand DNA cross-links. HR function is also essential for proper segregation of homologous chromosomes in meiosis, maintenance of telomeres, and resolving stalled replication forks. Defects in HR often lead to genetic diseases and cancer. Rad52 is one of the key HR proteins, which is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to humans. In yeast, Rad52 is important for most HR events; Rad52 mutations disrupt repair of DNA double-strand breaks and targeted DNA integration. Surprisingly, in mammals, Rad52 knockouts showed no significant DNA repair or recombination phenotype. However, recent work demonstrated that mutations in human RAD52 are synthetically lethal with mutations in several other HR proteins including BRCA1 and BRCA2. These new findings indicate an important backup role for Rad52, which complements the main HR mechanism in mammals. In this review, we focus on the Rad52 activities and functions in HR and the possibility of using human RAD52 as therapeutic target in BRCA1 and BRCA2-deficient familial breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Telomerase Regulation from Beginning to the End
Authors: MacNeil Deanna , Bensoussan Hélène , Autexier Chantal
Published: September 2016

The vast body of literature regarding human telomere maintenance is a true testament to the importance of understanding telomere regulation in both normal and diseased states. In this review, our goal was simple: tell the telomerase story from the biogenesis of its parts to its maturity as a complex and function at its site of action, emphasizing new developments and how they contribute to the foundational knowledge of telomerase and telomere biology.
Review on Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4: Functionality and Nutraceutical Applications as a Probiotic Microorganism
Authors: Ku Seockmo , Park Myeong , Ji Geun , You Hyun
Published: September 2016

Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 is a probiotic strain that has been used as a major ingredient to produce nutraceutical products and as a dairy starter since 2000. The various bio-functional effects and potential for industrial application of B. bifidum BGN4 has been characterized and proven by in vitro (i.e., phytochemical bio-catalysis, cell adhesion and anti-carcinogenic effects on cell lines, and immunomodulatory effects on immune cells), in vivo (i.e., suppressed allergic responses in mouse model and anti-inflammatory bowel disease), and clinical studies (eczema in infants and adults with irritable bowel syndrome). Recently, the investigation of the genome sequencing was finished and this data potentially clarifies the biochemical characteristics of B. bifidum BGN4 that possibly illustrate its nutraceutical functionality. However, further systematic research should be continued to gain insight for academic and industrial applications so that the use of B. bifidum BGN4 could be expanded to result in greater benefit. This review deals with multiple studies on B. bifidum BGN4 to offer a greater understanding as a probiotic microorganism available in functional food ingredients. In particular, this work considers the potential for commercial application, physiological characterization and exploitation of B. bifidum BGN4 as a whole.
Cognitive Aging in the Seattle Longitudinal Study: Within-Person Associations of Primary Mental Abilities with Psychomotor Speed and Cognitive Flexibility
Authors: Hülür Gizem , Ram Nilam , Willis Sherry , Schaie K. , Gerstorf Denis
Published: September 2016

It has long been proposed that cognitive aging in fluid abilities is driven by age-related declines of processing speed. Although study of between-person associations generally supports this view, accumulating longitudinal between-person and within-person evidence indicates less strong associations between speed and fluid cognitive performance. Initial evidence also suggests that cognitive flexibility may explain within-person variability in cognitive performance. In the present study, we used up to nine waves of data over 56 years from a subsample of 582 participants of the Seattle Longitudinal Study to examine (a) within-person associations of psychomotor speed and cognitive flexibility with cognitive aging in primary mental abilities (including inductive reasoning, number ability, verbal meaning, spatial orientation, and word fluency); and (b) how these within-person associations change with age. In line with the processing speed theory, results revealed that within persons, primary mental abilities (including fluid, crystallized, and visualization measures) were indeed associated with psychomotor speed. We also observed age-related increases in within-person couplings between primary mental abilities and psychomotor speed. While the processing speed theory focuses primarily on associations with fluid abilities, age-related increases in coupling were found for a variety of ability domains. Within-person associations between primary mental abilities and cognitive flexibility were weaker and relatively stable with age. We discuss the role of speed and flexibility for cognitive aging.
High-Surface-Area, Emulsion-Templated Carbon Foams by Activation of polyHIPEs Derived from Pickering Emulsions
Authors: Woodward Robert , De Luca François , Roberts Aled , Bismarck Alexander
Published: September 2016

Carbon foams displaying hierarchical porosity and excellent surface areas of >1400 m2/g can be produced by the activation of macroporous poly(divinylbenzene). Poly(divinylbenzene) was synthesized from the polymerization of the continuous, but minority, phase of a simple high internal phase Pickering emulsion. By the addition of KOH, chemical activation of the materials is induced during carbonization, producing Pickering-emulsion-templated carbon foams, or carboHIPEs, with tailorable macropore diameters and surface areas almost triple that of those previously reported. The retention of the customizable, macroporous open-cell structure of the poly(divinylbenzene) precursor and the production of a large degree of microporosity during activation leads to tailorable carboHIPEs with excellent surface areas.
Dioxinodehydroeckol Enhances the Differentiation of Osteoblasts by Regulating the Expression of Phospho-Smad1/5/8
Authors: Ahn Byul-Nim , Karadeniz Fatih , Kong Chang-Suk , Nam Ki-Ho , Jang Mi-Soon , Seo Youngwan , Kim Han
Published: September 2016

Lack of bone formation-related health problems are a major problem for the aging population in the modern world. As a part of the ongoing trend of developing natural substances that attenuate osteoporotic bone loss conditions, dioxinodehydroeckol (DHE) from edible brown alga Ecklonia cava was tested for its effects on osteoblastogenic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts. DHE was observed to successfully enhance osteoblast differentiation, as indicated by elevated cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, intracellular cell mineralization, along with raised levels of osteoblastogenesis indicators at the concentration of 20 μM. Results suggested a possible intervening of DHE on the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, according to elevated protein levels of BMP-2, collagen-I, and Smads. In addition, the presence of DHE was also able to raise the phosphorylated extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) levels which are also activated by the BMP signaling pathway. In conclusion, DHE is suggested to be a potential bioactive compound against bone loss that could enhance osteoblastogenesis with a suggested BMP pathway interaction.
Achromobacter Species Isolated from Cystic Fibrosis Patients Reveal Distinctly Different Biofilm Morphotypes
Authors: Nielsen Signe , Nørskov-Lauritsen Niels , Bjarnsholt Thomas , Meyer Rikke
Published: September 2016

Achromobacter species have attracted attention as emerging pathogens in cystic fibrosis. The clinical significance of Achromobacter infection is not yet fully elucidated; however, their intrinsic resistance to antimicrobials and ability to form biofilms renders them capable of establishing long-term chronic infections. Still, many aspects of Achromobacter biofilm formation remain uncharacterized. In this study, we characterized biofilm formation in clinical isolates of Achromobacter and investigated the effect of challenging the biofilm with antimicrobials and/or enzymes targeting the extracellular matrix. In vitro biofilm growth and subsequent visualization by confocal microscopy revealed distinctly different biofilm morphotypes: a surface-attached biofilm morphotype of small aggregates and an unattached biofilm morphotype of large suspended aggregates. Aggregates consistent with our in vitro findings were visualized in sputum samples from cystic fibrosis patients using an Achromobacter specific peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA-FISH) probe, confirming the presence of Achromobacter biofilms in the CF lung. High antibiotic tolerance was associated with the biofilm phenotype, and biocidal antibiotic concentrations were up to 1000 fold higher than for planktonic cultures. Treatment with DNase or subtilisin partially dispersed the biofilm and reduced the tolerance to specific antimicrobials, paving the way for further research into using dispersal mechanisms to improve treatment strategies.
Structural Elucidation of a Novel Polysaccharide from Pseudostellaria heterophylla and Stimulating Glucose Uptake in Cells and Distributing in Rats by Oral
Authors: Chen Jinlong , Pang Wensheng , Shi Wentao , Yang Bin , Kan Yongjun , He Zhaodong , Hu Juan
Published: September 2016

The semi-refined polysaccharide of Pseudostellaria heterophylla is a complex polysaccharide that exhibits significantly hypoglycemic activities. A novel homogeneous polysaccharide, named as H-1-2, was isolated from the semi-refined polysaccharide. The mean molecular weight of H-1-2 was 1.4 × 104 Da and it was only composed of d-glucose monosaccharide. Structure elucidation indicated that H-1-2 contains pyranride, and has the characteristics of the α-iso-head configuration, a non-reducing end (T-), 4-, 1,6-, and 1,4,6-connection, in all four ways to connect glucose. H-1-2 was a type of glucan, where chemical combination exists in the main chain between 1→4 linked glucose, and contains a small amount of 1,6-linked glucose, which was in the branched chain. In vitro HepG2, 3T3-L1, and L6 cells were used to assess cellular glucose consumption and cellular glucose uptake by glucose oxidase, and the transport of 2-NBDG fluorescence probe results showed that H-1-2 could clearly increase glucose uptake and utilization in muscle and adipose cells, which is beneficial to screen for in the discovery of anti-diabetes lead compounds. H-1-2 was labeled with radioisotopes (99mTc-pertechnetate). 99mTc-labeled-H-1-2 was performed by SPECT/CT analysis images after oral administration in rats. At 4 h post ingestion, about 50% of the radioactivity was observed in the intestine. No significant radioactivity was found in the heart, liver, and kidney, conjecturing that absorption of 99mTc-labeled H-1-2 might, via intestinal mucosa, be absorbed into systemic circulation. This problem, as to whether the polysaccharide is absorbed orally, will need further examination.
Divine Politicking: A Rhetorical Approach to Deity Possession in the Himalayas
Authors: Jassal Aftab
Published: September 2016

In North India, political leaders are referred to as netās, and the term netāgirī is broadly and pejoratively used to describe the self-promotion, political maneuvering, and public rhetoric in which politicians engage. However, my ethnographic fieldwork in the state of Uttarakhand, India, shows that local divinities can also be netās: they vie for their constituents’ support, make decisions that materially impact people’s lives, and threaten to use force in implementing those decisions. These “political divinities” are routinely encountered as possessed dancers in large-scale public rituals in this region. In this article, I focus on how political divinities affect, and are affected by, audiences in tangible and far-reaching ways. I argue that public possession rituals open up a highly charged zone for inherently fluid, situational, and pragmatic negotiations between humans and divinities. While anthropological studies of possession view it as a sociopolitical event that trades in power relations, this article calls for a rhetorical approach to possession, which foregrounds possession as a way of persuading particular audiences of certain ways of thinking and acting in matters of collective importance.
Mechatronic Development and Vision Feedback Control of a Nanorobotics Manipulation System inside SEM for Nanodevice Assembly
Authors: Yang Zhan , Wang Yaqiong , Yang Bin , Li Guanghui , Chen Tao , Nakajima Masahiro , Sun Lining , Fukuda Toshio
Published: September 2016

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been developed in recent decades for nanodevices such as nanoradios, nanogenerators, carbon nanotube field effect transistors (CNTFETs) and so on, indicating that the application of CNTs for nanoscale electronics may play a key role in the development of nanotechnology. Nanorobotics manipulation systems are a promising method for nanodevice construction and assembly. For the purpose of constructing three-dimensional CNTFETs, a nanorobotics manipulation system with 16 DOFs was developed for nanomanipulation of nanometer-scale objects inside the specimen chamber of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Nanorobotics manipulators are assembled into four units with four DOFs (X-Y-Z-θ) individually. The rotational one is actuated by a picomotor. That means a manipulator has four DOFs including three linear motions in the X, Y, Z directions and a 360-degree rotational one (X-Y-Z-θ stage, θ is along the direction rotating with X or Y axis). Manipulators are actuated by picomotors with better than 30 nm linear resolution and <1 micro-rad rotary resolution. Four vertically installed AFM cantilevers (the axis of the cantilever tip is vertical to the axis of electronic beam of SEM) served as the end-effectors to facilitate the real-time observation of the operations. A series of kinematic derivations of these four manipulators based on the Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) notation were established. The common working space of the end-effectors is 2.78 mm by 4.39 mm by 6 mm. The manipulation strategy and vision feedback control for multi-manipulators operating inside the SEM chamber were been discussed. Finally, application of the designed nanorobotics manipulation system by successfully testing of the pickup-and-place manipulation of an individual CNT onto four probes was described. The experimental results have shown that carbon nanotubes can be successfully picked up with this nanorobotics manipulation system.
Surface Subsidence Analysis by Multi-Temporal InSAR and GRACE: A Case Study in Beijing
Authors: Guo Jiming , Zhou Lv , Yao Chaolong , Hu Jiyuan
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between surface subsidence and groundwater changes. To investigate this relationship, we first analyzed surface subsidence. This paper presents the results of a case study of surface subsidence in Beijing from 1 August 2007 to 29 September 2010. The Multi-temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (multi-temporal InSAR) technique, which can simultaneously detect point-like stable reflectors (PSs) and distributed scatterers (DSs), was used to retrieve the subsidence magnitude and distribution in Beijing using 18 ENVISAT ASAR images. The multi-temporal InSAR-derived subsidence was verified by leveling at an accuracy better than 5 mm/year. Based on the verified multi-temporal InSAR results, a prominent uneven subsidence was identified in Beijing. Specifically, most of the subsidence velocities in the downtown area were within 10 mm/year, and the largest subsidence was detected in Tongzhou, with velocities exceeding 140 mm/year. Furthermore, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data were used to derive the groundwater change series and trend. By comparison with the multi-temporal InSAR-derived subsidence results, the long-term decreasing trend between groundwater changes and surface subsidence showed a relatively high consistency, and a significant impact of groundwater changes on the surface subsidence was identified. Additionally, the spatial distribution of the subsidence funnel was partially consistent with that of groundwater depression, i.e., the former possessed a wider range than the latter. Finally, the relationship between surface subsidence and groundwater changes was determined.
Semantic Framework of Internet of Things for Smart Cities: Case Studies
Authors: Zhang Ningyu , Chen Huajun , Chen Xi , Chen Jiaoyan
Published: September 2016

In recent years, the advancement of sensor technology has led to the generation of heterogeneous Internet-of-Things (IoT) data by smart cities. Thus, the development and deployment of various aspects of IoT-based applications are necessary to mine the potential value of data to the benefit of people and their lives. However, the variety, volume, heterogeneity, and real-time nature of data obtained from smart cities pose considerable challenges. In this paper, we propose a semantic framework that integrates the IoT with machine learning for smart cities. The proposed framework retrieves and models urban data for certain kinds of IoT applications based on semantic and machine-learning technologies. Moreover, we propose two case studies: pollution detection from vehicles and traffic pattern detection. The experimental results show that our system is scalable and capable of accommodating a large number of urban regions with different types of IoT applications.
Reporting on Long-Term Value Creation—The Example of Public Canadian Energy and Mining Companies
Authors: Dilling Petra
Published: September 2016

This study empirically analyzes reporting on long-term value creation for Canadian public mining and energy companies. It represents an important first step in determining the quality of reporting and its determinants for large public companies. In this exploratory empirical study, a reporting quality scoring index was developed to measure disclosure quality of long-term value creation reporting. Content analysis was used to examine financial and sustainability reports for a sample of twenty Canadian public mining and energy companies. Corporate disclosure quality scores were then calculated by assessing the quality of reporting in four main categories. The findings suggest that overall disclosure quality on long-term value creation is still low. Companies disclosing higher quality information on long-term value creation are of bigger size, operate in the basic materials sector, have an independent board, are listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, experience higher stock volatility and use more words related to long-term value creation in their annual financial and non-financial reports. In order to increase and restore stakeholder trust and credibility as well as a tool to maintain stability, it is strongly recommended to introduce adequate mandatory standardization resulting in a set of internationally recognized reporting standards as well as a requirement for external assurance of reports.
La belle complexité
Authors: Darbo-Peschanski Catherine
Published: September 2016

Nicole Loraux's works are based upon a history activity which takes as facts the speeches created by the forces of psychism and ideology. All the weaknesses of the limpid, ordered and controlled expression require a specific attention : denial, silences, ruptures of symmetry. Two operators are used to tell us what is really being said by the speech, next to what it wants to say : tragedy, a civic speech that overshadows the official expression of the city and the féminin, included in the citizen virility to better overcome it, or at least to shaken it.
De la "métaphore sans métaphore" à l'expression du silence tragique
Authors: Gaudillière Jean-Max
Published: September 2016

We are following here the itinerary of Nicole Loraux, concerning psychoanalysis and madness. We are describing her participation to several groups of research, dedicated to madness, the social link and its catastrophes.

As an hellenist and as a historian, through her writings about the language of greek tragedies and about the different bearings of stasis in athenian democracy, she gave useful tools to the psychoanalyst in his clinical work, wich is at the same level as her work of research until the end of her life, including the period after her stroke.
L'imaginaire comme pratique politique
Authors: Jaulin Annick
Published: September 2016

The fact that the funeral oration builds an "imaginary Athens", fact highlighted by Nicole Loraux in The invention of Athens, induces the need for reconsidering the functions of the ideology and imaginary in the political field. The nature of this imaginary Athens, defined with the assistance of the author of Ménéxène, consists in the negation of the divisions within the city, united in the homogeneous speech of the arête. Plato, who contributed to examine the foundations of the civic imaginary, does not scorn to use them to build a glorious portrait of the philosopher Socrates in the Phaedo : the image of the philosopher thus owes to the civic imaginary.
Distinguer ce qui se confond
Authors: Riot-Sarcey Michèle
Published: September 2016

Between an antic democracy (or, better to say, the Athenian democracy of the 5th and 4th centuries BC) and a modern one, the distance is not only temporal, but also structural. Nicole Loraux, whose conceptual invent ivity we know, has brought much to this question. This paper is inspired by her work, especially by Divided city, her "major work". There will be reference to contemporary philosophers : Cornélius Castoriadis, Hannah Arendt, Michel Foucault who all have thought over the bond between ancient and modern democracy. To reconsider this bond, abolished by Christianity among others, but found again by simple homonymy, it appeared necessary to look for the historicity of the foundering concepts : liberty and equality. We have done this by submitting them to the events which meanings have given sense to our modernity : 1848, 1871. Between "forgetting" and "amnesia", we find a whole erasing system which allowed the discrete sliding from an ideal democracy to a concrete one, designed as a social order keeper.
Une voix en Amérique latine
Authors: Milanezi Silvia
Published: September 2016

Les rapports entre Nicole Loraux et l'Amérique latine prennent naissance à la fin des années 70, quand des chercheurs sud-américains sont venus à Paris poursuivre leurs travaux sous la direction de Jean-Pierre Vernant et Pierre Vidal-Naquet. Au Centre Louis Gernet, les chercheurs ont très vite découvert l'auteur de L'invention d'Athènes et la profondeur de sa réflexion. La publication des travaux de Nicole Loraux fut suivie de traductions en espagnol et en portugais (du Brésil), ce qui facilita l'approche de sa pensée dont l'influence est visible non seulement dans le domaine des études anciennes mais également dans d'autres branches des sciences humaines qu'il s'agisse du droit, de la philosophie ou de la psychanalyse. Nicole Loraux séjourna au Brésil à deux reprises et enseigna à Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia et à Belo Horizonte. Sa maladie l'empêcha de diriger les travaux d'un grand nombre de chercheurs sud-américains qui dans leurs recherches montrent à quel point ils lui sont redevables.
Optimizing Estimates of Instantaneous Heart Rate from Pulse Wave Signals with the Synchrosqueezing Transform
Authors: Lewis Gregory , Davila Maria , Daubechies Ingrid , Porges Stephen , Wu Hau-Tieng
Published: September 2016

Background: With recent advances in sensor and computer technologies, the ability to monitor peripheral pulse activity is no longer limited to the laboratory and clinic. Now inexpensive sensors, which interface with smartphones or other computer-based devices, are expanding into the consumer market. When appropriate algorithms are applied, these new technologies enable ambulatory monitoring of dynamic physiological responses outside the clinic in a variety of applications including monitoring fatigue, health, workload, fitness, and rehabilitation. Several of these applications rely upon meas -ures derived from peripheral pulse waves measured via contact or non-contact pho -toplethysmography (PPG). As technologies move from contact to non-contact PPG, there are new challenges. The technology neces sary to estimate average heart rate over a few seconds from a noncontact PPG is available. However, a technology to precisely measure instantaneous heat rate (IHR) from non-contact sensors, on a beat-to-beat basis, is more challenging. Objectives: The objective of this paper is to develop an algorithm with the ability to accurately monitor IHR from peripheral pulse waves, which provides an opportunity to measure the neural regulation of the heart from the beat-to-beat heart rate pattern (i.e., heart rate variability). Methods: The adaptive harmonic model is applied to model the contact or non-contact PPG signals, and a new methodology, the Synchrosqueezing Transform (SST), is applied to extract IHR. The body sway rhythm inherited in the non-contact PPG signal is modeled and handled by the notion of wave-shape function. Results: The SST optimizes the extraction of IHR from the PPG signals and the technique functions well even during periods of poor signal to noise. We contrast the contact and non-contact indices of PPG derived heart rate with a criterion electrocardiogram (ECG). ECG and PPG signals were monitored in 21 healthy subjects performing tasks with different physical demands. The root mean square error of IHR estimated by SST is significantly better than commonly applied methods such as autoregressive (AR) method. In the walking situation, while AR method fails, SST still provides a reasonably good result. Conclusions: The SST processed PPG data provided an accurate estimate of the ECG derived IHR and consistently performed better than commonly applied methods such as autoregressive method.