bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of carprofen and tramadol for postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing enucleation
Authors: Delgado Cherlene , Bentley Ellison , Hetzel Scott , Smith Lesley J.
Published: December 2014

Objective—To compare analgesia provided by carprofen and tramadol in dogs after enucleation.

Design—Randomized, masked clinical trial.

Animals—43 dogs.

Procedures—Client-owned dogs admitted for routine enucleation were randomly assigned to receive either carprofen or tramadol orally 2 hours prior to surgery and 12 hours after the first dose. Dogs were scored for signs of pain at baseline (ie, before carprofen or tramadol administration) and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 30 hours after extubation. Dogs received identical premedication and inhalation anesthesia regimens, including premedication with hydromorphone. If the total pain score was ≥ 9 (maximum possible score of 20), there was a score ≥ 3 in any of 5 behavioral categories (highest score possible per category was 3 or 4), or the visual analog scale (VAS) score was ≥ 35 (maximum possible score of 100) combined with a palpation score > 0, rescue analgesia (hydromorphone) was administered and treatment failure was recorded.

Results—No differences were found in age, sex, or baseline pain scores between groups. Significantly more dogs receiving tramadol required rescue analgesia (6/21), compared with dogs receiving carprofen (1/22). Pain and VAS scores decreased linearly over time. No significant differences were found in pain or VAS scores between groups at any time point (dogs were excluded from analysis after rescue).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study suggested that carprofen, with opioid premedication, may provide more effective postoperative analgesia than tramadol in dogs undergoing enucleation.
An Experimental Study of the Influence of Limited Time Horizon on Positivity Effects among Young Adults Using Eye-Tracking
Authors: Cypryańska Marzena , Krejtz Izabela , JaskółOwska Aleksandra , Kulawik Alicja , Żukowska Aleksandra , De Zavala Agnieszka Golec , Niewiarowski Jakub , Nezlek John B.
Published: December 2014

Compared to younger adults, older adults attend more to positive stimuli, a positivity effect. Older adults have limited time horizons, and they focus on maintaining positive affect, whereas younger adults have unlimited time horizons, and they focus on acquiring knowledge and developing skills. Time horizons were manipulated by asking participants (66 young adults, M age = 20.5 yr., SD = 1.2) to think that their lives would end in three years. Some participants focused on what they would do in these three years (life focus), whereas others focused on the fact that they would die in three years (death focus). Attentional biases to facial expressions of happiness, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust were measured. Participants viewed 20 slides including pairings of a happy face with each of the negative emotions. The dependent measure was the relative attention paid to the faces on each slide. Participants in the experimental conditions exhibited a positivity effect compared to participants in the control condition, although some results suggested that this effect was weaker in the death focus condition than in the life focus condition.
Inducing the Concept of Love among Men and their Compliance to a Donation Request for an Association against Domestic Violence toward Women
Authors: Guéguen Nicolas
Published: December 2014

Previous research found that exposition to the concept of love appeared effective to increase men's helping behavior toward women. However, only direct solicitation was examined. In this study, 40 men were first induced with the idea of love with the help of a dummy survey about love and romantic behavior, and one minute later they were asked to help an association against domestic violence toward women. In the control condition, 40 men were induced using a neutral dummy survey on odd jobs. More men (35.7%) donated to the association in the love-inducing condition than in the control condition (17.5%). No statistical difference was found in the amount of money left in the two conditions: 1.40€ in the love-inducing condition and 1.12€ in the control condition. The results suggest that the love-inducing method does not only activate motivation for romantic relationships with women but also influences men's concerns about a women's cause.
Construction du discours alarmiste sur l’invasionlatinaaux États-Unis. L’instrumentalisation de la situation québécoise
Authors: Vézina Catherine
Published: December 2014

Abstract:

Since the end of the 1960s, discourse concerning Mexican immigration to the United States has become more alarmist. In the past few decades, references to the “latino invasion” and the fear of a reconquest of US territory by the “Mexican hordes” have entered the American collective imaginary. At the same time, north of the Canadian/US border, Quebec nationalism, which is perceived as a threat to Canadian unity, became a major issue. This article focuses on how the “Quebec metaphor” is used in the United States to strengthen an anti-Mexican discourse.
Efficient Production of the Flavoring Agent Zingerone and of both (R)- and (S)-Zingerols via Green Fungal Biocatalysis. Comparative Antifungal Activities between Enantiomers
Authors: Svetaz Laura , Di Liberto Melina , Zanardi María , Suárez Alejandra , Zacchino Susana
Published: December 2014

Zingerone (1) and both chiral forms of zingerol (2) were obtained from dehydrozingerone (3) by biotransformation with filamentous fungi. The bioconversion of 3 with A. fumigatus, G. candidum or R. oryzae allowed the production of 1 as the sole product at 8 h and in 81%–90% at 72 h. In turn, A. flavus, A. niger, C. echinulata, M. circinelloides and P. citrinum produced 1 at 8 h, but at 72 h alcohol 2 was obtained as the major product (74%–99%). Among them, A. niger and M. circinelloides led to the anti-Prelog zingerol (R)-2 in only one step with high conversion rates and ee. Instead, C. echinulata and P. citrinum allowed to obtain (S)-2 in only one step, with high conversion rates and ee. Both chiral forms of 2 were tested for antifungal properties against a panel of clinically important fungi, showing that (R)-, but not (S)-2 possessed antifungal activity.
The Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activities of New Arylidene-Hydrazinyl-Thiazole Derivatives
Authors: Grozav Adriana , Găină Luiza , Pileczki Valentina , Crisan Ovidiu , Silaghi-Dumitrescu Luminita , Therrien Bruno , Zaharia Valentin , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana
Published: December 2014

New and known arylidene-hydrazinyl-thiazole derivatives have been synthesized by a convenient Hantzsch condensation. All compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity on two carcinoma cell lines, MDA-MB231 and HeLa. Significant antiproliferative activity for 2-(2-benzyliden-hydrazinyl)-4-methylthiazole on both MDA-MB-231 (IC50: 3.92 µg/mL) and HeLa (IC50: 11.4 µg/mL) cell lines, and for 2-[2-(4-methoxybenzylidene) hydrazinyl]-4-phenylthiazole on HeLa (IC50: 11.1 µg/mL) cell line is reported. Electrophoresis experiments showed no plasmid DNA (pTZ57R) cleavage in the presence of the investigated thiazoles.
Identification and Evaluation of Reliable Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)
Authors: Hao Xinyuan , Horvath David , Chao Wun , Yang Yajun , Wang Xinchao , Xiao Bin
Published: December 2014

Reliable reference selection for the accurate quantification of gene expression under various experimental conditions is a crucial step in qRT-PCR normalization. To date, only a few housekeeping genes have been identified and used as reference genes in tea plant. The validity of those reference genes are not clear since their expression stabilities have not been rigorously examined. To identify more appropriate reference genes for qRT-PCR studies on tea plant, we examined the expression stability of 11 candidate reference genes from three different sources: the orthologs of Arabidopsis traditional reference genes and stably expressed genes identified from whole-genome GeneChip studies, together with three housekeeping gene commonly used in tea plant research. We evaluated the transcript levels of these genes in 94 experimental samples. The expression stabilities of these 11 genes were ranked using four different computation programs including geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, and the comparative ∆CT method. Results showed that the three commonly used housekeeping genes of CsTUBULIN1, CsACINT1 and Cs18S rRNA1 together with CsUBQ1 were the most unstable genes in all sample ranking order. However, CsPTB1, CsEF1, CsSAND1, CsCLATHRIN1 and CsUBC1 were the top five appropriate reference genes for qRT-PCR analysis in complex experimental conditions.
Effective Interactions between Multilayered Ionic Microgels
Authors: Hanel Clemens , Likos Christos , Blaak Ronald
Published: December 2014

Using a one-component reduction formalism, we calculate the effective interactions and the counterion density profiles for microgels that feature a multilayered shell structure. We follow a strategy that involves second order perturbation theory and obtain analytical expressions for the effective interactions by modeling the layers of the particles as linear superpostion of homogeneously charged spheres. The general method is applied to the important case of core–shell microgels and compared with the well-known results for a microgel that can be approximated by a macroscopic, and homogeneously charged, spherical macroion.
The Influence of 1-Butanol and Trisodium Citrate Ion on Morphology and Chemical Properties of Chitosan-Based Microcapsules during Rigidification by Alkali Treatment
Authors: Chatterjee Sudipta , Salaün Fabien , Campagne Christine
Published: December 2014

Linseed oil which has various biomedical applications was encapsulated by chitosan (Chi)-based microcapsules in the development of a suitable carrier. Oil droplets formed in oil-in-water emulsion using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as emulsifier was stabilized by Chi, and microcapsules with multilayers were formed by alternate additions of SDS and Chi solutions in an emulsion through electrostatic interaction. No chemical cross-linker was used in the study and the multilayer shell membrane was formed by ionic gelation using Chi and SDS. The rigidification of the shell membrane of microcapsules was achieved by alkali treatment in the presence of a small amount of 1-butanol to reduce aggregation. A trisodium citrate solution was used to stabilize the charge of microcapsules by ionic cross-linking. Effects of butanol during alkali treatment and citrate in post alkali treatment were monitored in terms of morphology and the chemical properties of microcapsules. Various characterization techniques revealed that the aggregation was decreased and surface roughness was increased with layer formation.
Effects of Selected Dietary Secondary Metabolites on Reactive Oxygen Species Production Caused by Iron(II) Autoxidation
Authors: Chobot Vladimir , Hadacek Franz , Kubicova Lenka
Published: December 2014

Iron is an essential co-factor for many enzymes that catalyze electron transfer reactions. It is well known that so-called “poorly liganded” iron can increase ROS concentrations and trigger oxidative stress that is capable of initiating apoptosis. Conversely, controlled ROS production has been recognized as an integral part of cellular signaling. Elevated ROS concentrations are associated with aging, inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Anti-aging properties have been attributed especially to antioxidant phenolic plant metabolites that represent food additives in our diet. Consequently, this study explores the effects of flavonoids (quercetin and rutin), several phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, and protocatechuic acid), and the alkaloid caffeine on iron(II) autoxidation and ROS production in comparison to the standard antioxidants ascorbic acid and Trolox. The iron(II) autoxidation assay was carried out in pH 6.0 (plant apoplast and inflamed human tissue) and 7.4 (cell cytoplasm and human blood plasma). The obtained results accentuate phenolic acids as the more specific antioxidants compared to ascorbic acid and Trolox. Flavonoid redox chemistry depends more on the chemical milieu, specifically on pH. In vivo, the presence of iron cannot be ruled out and “wrongly” or “poorly” complexed iron has been pointed out as causative agent of various age-related diseases.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Seed Plants Based on a Uniform π Criterion
Authors: Ai Bin , Kang Ming , Huang Hongwen
Published: December 2014

Despite substantial advances in genotyping techniques and massively accumulated data over the past half century, a uniform measurement of neutral genetic diversity derived by different molecular markers across a wide taxonomical range has not yet been formulated. We collected genetic diversity data on seed plants derived by AFLP, allozyme, ISSR, RAPD, SSR and nucleotide sequences, converted expected heterozygosity (He) to nucleotide diversity (π), and reassessed the relationship between plant genetic diversity and life history traits or extinction risk. We successfully established a uniform π criterion and developed a comprehensive plant genetic diversity database. The mean population-level and species-level π values across seed plants were 0.00374 (966 taxa, 155 families, 47 orders) and 0.00569 (728 taxa, 130 families, 46 orders), respectively. Significant differences were recovered for breeding system (p < 0.001) at the population level and geographic range (p = 0.023) at the species level. Selfing taxa had significantly lower π values than outcrossing and mixed-mating taxa, whereas narrowly distributed taxa had significantly lower π values than widely distributed taxa. Despite significant differences between the two extreme threat categories (critically endangered and least concern), the genetic diversity reduction on the way to extinction was difficult to detect in early stages.
Potential Mechanism of Action of meso-Dihydroguaiaretic Acid on Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv
Authors: Clemente-Soto Aldo , Balderas-Rentería Isaías , Rivera Gildardo , Segura-Cabrera Aldo , Garza-González Elvira , Del Rayo Camacho-Corona María
Published: December 2014

The isolation and characterization of the lignan meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (MDGA) from Larrea tridentata and its activity against Mycobacterial tuberculosis has been demonstrated, but no information regarding its mechanism of action has been documented. Therefore, in this study we carry out the gene expression from total RNA obtained from M. tuberculosis H37Rv treated with MDGA using microarray technology, which was validated by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that the alpha subunit of coenzyme A transferase of M. tuberculosis H37Rv is present in both geraniol and 1-and 2-methylnaphthalene degradation pathways, which are targeted by MDGA. This assumption was supported by molecular docking which showed stable interaction between MDGA with the active site of the enzyme. We propose that inhibition of coenzyme A transferase of M. tuberculosis H37Rv results in the accumulation of geraniol and 1-and 2-methylnaphtalene inside bacteria, causing membrane destabilization and death of the pathogen. The natural product MDGA is thus an attractive template to develop new anti-tuberculosis drugs, because its target is different from those of known anti-tubercular agents.
Does Vitamin C Deficiency Promote Fatty Liver Disease Development?
Authors: Ipsen David , Tveden-Nyborg Pernille , Lykkesfeldt Jens
Published: December 2014

Obesity and the subsequent reprogramming of the white adipose tissue are linked to human disease-complexes including metabolic syndrome and concurrent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The dietary imposed dyslipidemia promotes redox imbalance by the generation of excess levels of reactive oxygen species and induces adipocyte dysfunction and reprogramming, leading to a low grade systemic inflammation and ectopic lipid deposition, e.g., in the liver, hereby promoting a vicious circle in which dietary factors initiate a metabolic change that further exacerbates the negative consequences of an adverse life-style. Large epidemiological studies and findings from controlled in vivo animal studies have provided evidence supporting an association between poor vitamin C (VitC) status and propagation of life-style associated diseases. In addition, overweight per se has been shown to result in reduced plasma VitC, and the distribution of body fat in obesity has been shown to have an inverse relationship with VitC plasma levels. Recently, a number of epidemiological studies have indicated a VitC intake below the recommended daily allowance (RDA) in NAFLD-patients, suggesting an association between dietary habits, disease and VitC deficiency. In the general population, VitC deficiency (defined as a plasma concentration below 23 μM) affects around 10% of adults, however, this prevalence is increased by an adverse life-style, deficiency potentially playing a broader role in disease progression in specific subgroups. This review discusses the currently available data from human surveys and experimental models in search of a putative role of VitC deficiency in the development of NAFLD and NASH.
PCSK9 Antibodies for the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Gouni-Berthold Ioanna , Berthold Heiner
Published: December 2014

The serine protease proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) and directs it to lysosomes for intracellular degradation. This results in decreased numbers of LDLR available on the hepatic cell surface to bind LDL particles and remove them from the circulation and therefore to a subsequent increase in circulating LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) plasma levels. Since 2003, when the role of PCSK9 in LDL-C metabolism was discovered, there have been major efforts to develop efficient and safe methods to inhibit it. Amongst those, monoclonal antibodies against PCSK9 are the furthest in development, with multiple phase 3 trials already published and with cardiovascular endpoint trials currently underway. Two fully human monoclonal antibodies, evolocumab (AMG 145) and alirocumab (REGN727/SAR236553), have been extensively studied in a wide range of subjects, such as those with statin intolerance, as an add-on to statin therapy, as a monotherapy and in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. PCSK9 antibodies result in a consistent and robust decrease in LDL-C plasma levels ranging from 40% to 70%, either on top of statins or as a monotherapy. If the safety data from the on-going phase 3 trials remain as reassuring as the data available till now, PCSK9 antibodies will offer a novel, powerful therapeutic option to decrease LDL-C plasma levels and, hopefully, cardiovascular risk.
A Simple Method for Retrieving Understory NDVI in Sparse Needleleaf Forests in Alaska Using MODIS BRDF Data
Authors: Yang Wei , Kobayashi Hideki , Suzuki Rikie , Nasahara Kenlo
Published: December 2014

Global products of leaf area index (LAI) usually show large uncertainties in sparsely vegetated areas because the understory contribution is not negligible in reflectance modeling for the case of low to intermediate canopy cover. Therefore, many efforts have been made to include understory properties in LAI estimation algorithms. Compared with the conventional data bank method, estimation of forest understory properties from satellite data is superior in studies at a global or continental scale over long periods. However, implementation of the current remote sensing method based on multi-angular observations is complicated. As an alternative, a simple method to retrieve understory NDVI (NDVIu) for sparse boreal forests was proposed in this study. The method is based on the fact that the bidirectional variation in NDVIu is smaller than that in canopy-level NDVI. To retrieve NDVIu for a certain pixel, linear extrapolation was applied using pixels within a 5 × 5 target-pixel-centered window. The NDVI values were reconstructed from the MODIS BRDF data corresponding to eight different solar-view angles. NDVIu was estimated as the average of the NDVI values corresponding to the position in which the stand NDVI had the smallest angular variation. Validation by a noise-free simulation data set yielded high agreement between estimated and true NDVIu, with R2 and RMSE of 0.99 and 0.03, respectively. Using the MODIS BRDF data, we achieved an estimate of NDVIu close to the in situ measured value (0.61 vs. 0.66 for estimate and measurement, respectively) and reasonable seasonal patterns of NDVIu in 2010 to 2013. The results imply a potential application of the retrieved NDVIu to improve the estimation of overstory LAI for sparse boreal forests and ultimately to benefit studies on carbon cycle modeling over high-latitude areas.
Monitoring of Oil Exploitation Infrastructure by Combining Unsupervised Pixel-Based Classification of Polarimetric SAR and Object-Based Image Analysis
Authors: Plank Simon , Mager Alexander , Schoepfer Elisabeth
Published: December 2014

In developing countries, there is a high correlation between the dependence of oil exports and violent conflicts. Furthermore, even in countries which experienced a peaceful development of their oil industry, land use and environmental issues occur. Therefore, independent monitoring of oil field infrastructure may support problem solving. Earth observation data enables fast monitoring of large areas which allows comparing the real amount of land used by the oil exploitation and the companies’ contractual obligations. The target feature of this monitoring is the infrastructure of the oil exploitation, oil well pads—rectangular features of bare land covering an area of approximately 50–60 m × 100 m. This article presents an automated feature extraction procedure based on the combination of a pixel-based unsupervised classification of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar data (PolSAR) and an object-based post-classification. The method is developed and tested using dual-polarimetric TerraSAR-X imagery acquired over the Doba basin in south Chad. The advantages of PolSAR are independence of the cloud coverage (vs. optical imagery) and the possibility of detailed land use classification (vs. single-pol SAR). The PolSAR classification uses the polarimetric Wishart probability density function based on the anisotropy/entropy/alpha decomposition. The object-based post-classification refinement, based on properties of the feature targets such as shape and area, increases the user’s accuracy of the methodology by an order of a magnitude. The final achieved user’s and producer’s accuracy is 59%–71% in each case (area based accuracy assessment). Considering only the numbers of correctly/falsely detected oil well pads, the user’s and producer’s accuracies increase to even 74%–89%. In an iterative training procedure the best suited polarimetric speckle filter and processing parameters of the developed feature extraction procedure are determined. The high transferability of the methodology is proved by an application to a second SAR acquisition.
Analyzing Comprehensive QoS with Security Constraints for Services Composition Applications in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Xiong Naixue , Wu Zhao , Huang Yannong , Xu Degang
Published: December 2014

Services composition is fundamental to software development in multi-service wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The quality of service (QoS) of services composition applications (SCAs) are confronted with severe challenges due to the open, dynamic, and complex natures of WSNs. Most previous research separated various QoS indices into different fields and studied them individually due to the computational complexity. This approach ignores the mutual influence between these QoS indices, and leads to a non-comprehensive and inaccurate analysis result. The universal generating function (UGF) shows the speediness and precision in QoS analysis. However, only one QoS index at a time can be analyzed by the classic UGF. In order to efficiently analyze the comprehensive QoS of SCAs, this paper proposes an improved UGF technique—vector universal generating function (VUGF)—which considers the relationship between multiple QoS indices, including security, and can simultaneously analyze multiple QoS indices. The numerical examples demonstrate that it can be used for the evaluation of the comprehensive QoS of SCAs subjected to the security constraint in WSNs. Therefore, it can be effectively applied to the optimal design of multi-service WSNs.
Adaptive Weibull Multiplicative Model and Multilayer Perceptron Neural Networks for Dark-Spot Detection from SAR Imagery
Authors: Taravat Alireza , Oppelt Natascha
Published: December 2014

Oil spills represent a major threat to ocean ecosystems and their environmental status. Previous studies have shown that Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), as its recording is independent of clouds and weather, can be effectively used for the detection and classification of oil spills. Dark formation detection is the first and critical stage in oil-spill detection procedures. In this paper, a novel approach for automated dark-spot detection in SAR imagery is presented. A new approach from the combination of adaptive Weibull Multiplicative Model (WMM) and MultiLayer Perceptron (MLP) neural networks is proposed to differentiate between dark spots and the background. The results have been compared with the results of a model combining non-adaptive WMM and pulse coupled neural networks. The presented approach overcomes the non-adaptive WMM filter setting parameters by developing an adaptive WMM model which is a step ahead towards a full automatic dark spot detection. The proposed approach was tested on 60 ENVISAT and ERS2 images which contained dark spots. For the overall dataset, an average accuracy of 94.65% was obtained. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is very robust and effective where the non-adaptive WMM & pulse coupled neural network (PCNN) model generates poor accuracies.
Environmental Justice and Sustainability Impact Assessment: In Search of Solutions to Ethnic Conflicts Caused by Coal Mining in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Liu Lee , Liu Jie , Zhang Zhenguo
Published: December 2014

The Chinese government adopted more specific and stringent environmental impact assessment (EIA) guidelines in 2011, soon after the widespread ethnic protests against coal mining in Inner Mongolia. However, our research suggests that the root of the ethnic tension is a sustainability problem, in addition to environmental issues. In particular, the Mongolians do not feel they have benefited from the mining of their resources. Existing environmental assessment tools are inadequate to address sustainability, which is concerned with environmental protection, social justice and economic equity. Thus, it is necessary to develop a sustainability impact assessment (SIA) to fill in the gap. SIA would be in theory and practice a better tool than EIA for assessing sustainability impact. However, China’s political system presents a major challenge to promoting social and economic equity. Another practical challenge for SIA is corruption which has been also responsible for the failing of EIA in assessing environmental impacts of coal mining in Inner Mongolia. Under the current political system, China should adopt the SIA while continuing its fight against corruption.
Deux exemples de fortifications romaines dans les Alpes occidentales : le Néron (Isère) et le Pic-de-Luc (Drôme)
Authors: Planchon Jacques , Teyssonneyre Yannick
Published: December 2014

Two examples of Roman fortification in the Western Alps: The Néron in Isère and the Pic-de-Luc in Drôme.

Two elevated sites dating back from the late third and early fourth century can be compared along alpine passageways : one is the Néron overlooking Grenoble and the Isère valley, the other is the Pic-de-Luc overlooking the former capital of Luc-en-Diois and the Drôme valley. Both actually share similar features : big water-tanks, different buildings and fortification with one tower at least. Both sites are also provided with access tracks on difficult ground. Their common features lead one to consider that these settlements were meant to control the main alpine roads for a military purpose. As some of these remains are common to other sites in the Isère valley and surmised in other areas of the higher Drôme valley, the configuration of such connecting valleys urges one to raise the assumption that defence facilities had been built along the roads to the western alpine passes. This assumption is only a research-clue to be bolstered by fieldwork, yet it can be found relevant in the alpine historical context of the third and fourth century. Indeed, several previous events contribute to viewing the Alps as a new strategic target as of the late second century : when Clodius Albinus seceded, then at the time the Alamans raided the area in the mid third century. But, above all the "Gallic Empire" in the late third century and the appointment of a Prefect of the Guards in the Grenoble area may have made such a defence system useful in the Alps between Gaul and Italy, according to the imperial strategy.
Otho, Elagabalus and The Judgement of Paris: the literary construction of the unmanly emperor
Authors: Bittarello Maria Beatrice
Published: December 2014

The paper compares the literary image of Otho (in Suetonius, Tacitus, Plutarch, and Cassius Dio) and Elagabalus (in Herodian, Cassius Dio and the Vita Heliogabali); this comparison is based on a passage of the Vita Heliogabali that connects the two emperors. The author explores the reasons of this connection, which appears to be grounded in certain similarities found in their biographies (such as their relation with marriage, their effeminacy, their love of luxus, and their impiety) as well as in certain similar political choices, particularly in their dealings with the army. The paper also explores the meaning of the connection made by the sources between both emperors and the story of the Trojan prince Paris, since Otho is compared to Paris and Elagabalus to Venus 'in the story of Paris'. These connections link the two emperors to the most negative aspects of the Trojan legend, which had been the founding myth of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Finally, the author highlights how both Otho and Elagabalus are portrayed according to the cliché of the unmanly oriental prince and to Roman gender stereotypes. Also, it is noted how the sources suggests that both emperors attempt to locate themselves on a superhuman level.
Evergetismo y relaciones clientelares en la sociedad ateniense del siglo IV a.C.
Authors: Placido Domingo , Fornis César
Published: December 2014

Evergetism and clientelistic relations in the fourth century B. C. Athenian society.

Contrary to the prevailing view that the structures and values of democratic Athens left no room, at least not to any significant extent, for the practices of patronage and evergetism, sources from the 4th century B. C., and in particular those that are oratory-based, appear to show that the links established between benefactors and beneficiaries corresponded to the widely accepted notion of clientelistic relations. Our understanding is that, during this same century, evergetism and clientelism constituted key mechanisms within the internal " surveillance" established by the Athenian oligarchs over the democratic politeia.
Du « nouveau » chez Plaute ? Des jeux de réécriture dans la palliata
Authors: Letessier Pierre
Published: December 2014

Something "new" at Plaute ?

In each of his comedies, Plautus asserts he is bringing something "new", i-e something unheard of. Showing first that this difference is not that of the comedy from its Greek model but that of the comedy from the other Roman ones, this article is focused on this particular mode of rewriting which is the update of a theatrical codification, and questions the part of "new" that a ritual theatre, which is defined a contrario by its permanence, can contain. Noticing that in every play, this assertion of novelty comes along systematically, in the same movement, with a statement of conformity to tradition, the article tries finally to understand how the novelty, far from marking a break from the comical codification the public is waiting for, allows on the contrary its traditional functioning.
Promotion coloniale, frénésie évergétique et aménagement urbanistique à Thuburbo Maius
Authors: Ben Akacha Walid
Published: December 2014

Colonial promotion, evergetic frenzy and urban planning in Thuburbo Maius.

This article intends to assess the impacts of juridical changes on the composition and the functioning of monumental units in a medium-sized city in Africa Proconsularis, Thuburbo Maius, and particularly to show the building spree triggered by the colonial promotion. It is in the context of this promotion, within which the municipal plan bursts, that we witness the migration of the urban convergence towards the western sector of the city.
Coating with luminal gut-constituents alters adherence of nanoparticles to intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Sinnecker Heike , Ramaker Katrin , Frey Andreas
Published: December 2014

Background: Anthropogenic nanoparticles (NPs) have found their way into many goods of everyday life. Inhalation, ingestion and skin contact are potential routes for NPs to enter the body. In particular the digestive tract with its huge absorptive surface area provides a prime gateway for NP uptake. Considering that NPs are covered by luminal gut-constituents en route through the gastrointestinal tract, we wanted to know if such modifications have an influence on the interaction between NPs and enterocytes.

Results: We investigated the consequences of a treatment with various luminal gut-constituents on the adherence of nanoparticles to intestinal epithelial cells. Carboxylated polystyrene particles 20, 100 and 200 nm in size represented our anthropogenic NPs, and differentiated Caco-2 cells served as model for mature enterocytes of the small intestine. Pretreatment with the proteins BSA and casein consistently reduced the adherence of all NPs to the cultured enterocytes, while incubation of NPs with meat extract had no obvious effect on particle adherence. In contrast, contact with intestinal fluid appeared to increase the particle-cell interaction of 20 and 100 nm NPs.

Conclusion: Luminal gut-constituents may both attenuate and augment the adherence of NPs to cell surfaces. These effects appear to be dependent on the particle size as well as on the type of interacting protein. While some proteins will rather passivate particles towards cell attachment, possibly by increasing colloid stability or camouflaging attachment sites, certain components of intestinal fluid are capable to modify particle surfaces in such a way that interactions with cellular surface structures result in an increased binding.
Unveiling of a cryptic Dicranomyia (Idiopyga) from northern Finland using integrative approach (Diptera, Limoniidae)
Authors: Salmela Jukka , Kaunisto Kari , Vahtera Varpu
Published: December 2014

The subgenus Idiopyga Savchenko, 1987 is a northern hemisphere group of short-palped crane flies (Diptera, Limoniidae). In the current article we describe a new species, Dicranomyia (I.) boreobaltica Salmela sp.n., and redescribe the male and female post-abdomen of a closely related species, D. (I.) intricata Alexander. A standard DNA barcoding fragment of 5′ region of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene of the new species is presented, whilst the K2P minimum distances between the new species and 10 other species of the subgenus were found to range from 5.1 to 15.7 % (mean 11.2 %). Phylogenetic analyses (parsimony and maximum likelihood) based on COI sequences support the identity of the new species and its close relationship with D. (I.) intricata and D. (I.) esbeni (Nielsen). The new species is known from the northern Baltic area of Finland. The new species has been mostly collected from Baltic coastal meadows but an additional relict population is known from a calcareous rich fen that was estimated to have been at sea level circa 600-700 years ago. Dicranomyia (I.) intricata (syn. D. suecica Nielsen) is a Holarctic species, occurring in the north boreal and subarctic vegetation zones in Fennoscandia.
Territorialisation urbaine et processus de patrimonialisation : le cas de Techn'hom à Belfort (Franche-Comté)
Authors: Gasnier Marina
Published: December 2014

Cette contribution vise à analyser un processus de patrimonialisation à travers la reconversion d’un quartier industriel belfortain mettant en scène un jeu d’acteurs contraints par des exigences territoriales, politiques, économiques, sociales et culturelles. Imaginé dans une perspective de restructuration à l’échelle urbaine, Techn’hom tire son originalité de son emprise spatiale et de sa vocation économique sur un territoire dont le potentiel industriel repose depuis la fin du XIX e siècle sur les pôles énergie et transports, et plus récemment la recherche ; originalité voire singularité car depuis ces dernières décennies il est plus fréquent d’observer, dans les grandes opérations de réhabilitation du patrimoine industriel, des stratégies globales de régénération qui passent d’abord par la culture ou la mixité des programmes (logements, équipements, etc.). Ce texte envisage l’évolution du concept de patrimoine, de sa lisibilité et de son rapport à l’homme, à l’espace, à l’histoire et à la société dans une perspective d’avenir. Techn’hom, hybride entre préservation patrimoniale et développement technologique, témoigne de la résilience des acteurs et de la dialectique étroite qui existe entre le milieu et son patrimoine, terreau pour l’innovation sociale, politique, culturelle et économique.
Regards croisés sur l'évaluation économique du patrimoine naturel : de la ressource d'autorité à la petite fabrique des valeurs ?
Authors: Banos Vincent , Rulleau Bénédicte
Published: December 2014

Identifié et circonscrit depuis le XIX e siècle aux monuments historiques et aux curiosités naturelles remarquables, le patrimoine n’a cessé de s’étendre jusqu’à enserrer aujourd’hui des paysages et des écosystèmes. Mais parallèlement, un autre changement majeur s’opère, à savoir l’intégration du patrimoine, d’abord reconnu pour ses vertus symboliques, à la sphère des échanges marchands. Or, si ce registre de justification de la conservation patrimoniale a pu être étudié dans le cadre du développement territorial, peu de travaux ont à ce jour porté sur les implications sociales et politiques d’une économisation du patrimoine naturel. En procédant à une revue de la littérature et en s’inspirant de diverses études de cas, l’objectif de ce regard croisé entre un géographe et une économiste est de proposer une réflexion sur les usages sociaux de cette monétarisation de l’environnement et sa participation à la « petite fabrique » du patrimoine naturel. Nous verrons ainsi comment l’évaluation économique, bien que vivement critiquée, est progressivement devenue un cadre normatif des politiques publiques et un opérateur stratégique des processus de patrimonialisation. Loin de rester circonscrit aux seuls pouvoirs publics, cet outil est désormais instrumentalisé, par une diversité d’acteurs, pour imposer, négocier ou co-construire des valeurs.
Les fusions et acquisitions : un paradoxe toujours inexpliqué
Authors: Ibrahimi Mohammed , Taghzouti Abdellatif
Published: December 2014

La confrontation d’idées hétérogènes fait émerger des divergences. Ces dernières sont des facteurs dynamisant toutes les pensées scientifiques, voire notre existence. Dans la recherche scientifique sur les fusions et acquisitions, elles se comptent par centaines en étudiant la création de valeur, la motivation de ces opérations, leurs vagues et leurs performances. Ainsi, tout a contribué à donner à la fois bonne et mauvaise presse au sujet. Dans cet article, nous recensons ces divergences, nous détaillons leurs origines et nous tentons d’expliquer le phénomène des vagues des fusions et acquisitions.
Effort d'audit et gouvernance : Le rôle des honoraires d'audit
Authors: Le Maux Julien
Published: December 2014

L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser la relation entre les honoraires d’audit versés et la qualité des mécanismes de gouvernance mis en place. A partir d’un échantillon de 127 sociétés cotées en France observées entre 2002 et 2009, nous mettons en évidence une relation positive entre l’indépendance du comité d’audit et le montant des honoraires d’audit. Ce résultat indique qu’un comité d’audit indépendant a recours à une activité de surveillance plus approfondie, ce qui se traduit par des honoraires d’audit plus élevés. JEL Descriptors : M42 : G34 ; M41 ; G32
Vers une ingénierie des négociations dans les organisations
Authors: Stimec Arnaud
Published: December 2014

La recherche sur la négociation a suscité de nombreux travaux, notamment en Amérique du nord. Alors que certains champs, comme celui des négociations internationales diplomatiques, ont fait l’objet d’une approche intégrant processus, comportements et contexte, les connaissances sur la négociation dans les organisations restent morcelées. En outre, au-delà des négociations d’affaires et des négociations collectives du travail, de multiples micro négociations, que nous appelons négociations ordinaires, sont méconnues et négligées alors que leur contribution au développement des organisations peut être conséquente. Tant ces négociations ordinaires que les négociations instituées sont accompagnées (encadrées, régulées, soutenues) de manière inégale ce qui légitime des propositions de recherche sur l’ingénierie de la négociation.
Ne rien changer pour que tout change : réformes de la formation administrative chinoise entre innovation et continuité
Authors: Lefébure Alessia
Published: December 2014

Résumé Au sortir de l'époque maoïste, l'institutionnalisation du parti communiste chinois a cherché à s’appuyer sur une bureaucratie plus compétente pour réussir le développement économique dans un contexte de stabilité politique. Les réformes ont concerné le recrutement, la gestion et l'organisation des fonctionnaires, mais aussi leur formation, dans l'objectif de renforcer les compétences. L'introduction en 1999 du Master en administration publique (MAP) en milieu universitaire valorise la scientificité du savoir administratif, sans abandonner les mécanismes de sélection préexistants. Le MAP accompagne la modernisation du pays en permettant à l'État-Parti de reformer l'administration sans ruptures.
La politique industrielle en Chine : grandeur et limites du renouveau de l'État Chinois
Authors: Huchet Jean-François
Published: December 2014

Résumé  La politique industrielle a été un vecteur important du renouveau de l’État en Chine depuis le lancement des réformes en 1978. Alors que dans les années 1980 cette politique était encore insérée dans la planification, les années 1990 ont été marquées par une évolution de l’action de l’État : interventions plus indirectes et plus ciblées auprès des entreprises et sur l’environnement des affaires, rattrapage technologique. Malgré des résultats probants, elle se heurte aujourd’hui à des limites comme la fragmentation de l’espace politico-économique chinois, et des défis importants comme la dégradation rapide de l’environnement ou les impératifs de l’évolution du régime de croissance.
Du rôle de l'État dans les campagnes chinoises : histoire et évolution des administrations de l'agriculture
Authors: Schwoob Marie-Hélène
Published: December 2014

Résumé Cet article vise à caractériser la place de l’État chinois dans les activités de production agricole, en retraçant l’évolution des administrations et des politiques liées. Il se concentre particulièrement sur la dernière des « trois périodes » des politiques agricoles chinoises, qui témoigne d’un retour du développement rural et de la sécurité alimentaire au cœur de l’agenda politique central, après une phase de désinvestissement au profit du développement industriel et urbain. L’article, en particulier, s’attache à décrire les modalités concrètes de ce réinvestissement du secteur de la production agricole par l’État dans les milieux ruraux.
Les nouveaux enjeux institutionnels de la politique étrangère chinoise
Authors: Ekman Alice
Published: December 2014

Résumé Depuis le lancement de l’ère de réforme et d’ouverture, les institutions parties prenantes dans le processus de formulation et de prise de décision de la politique étrangère chinoise se sont à la fois professionnalisées et multipliées. La professionnalisation des institutions existantes a incontestablement renforcé l’efficacité de la diplomatie chinoise et facilité son intégration au sein des organisations internationales. Mais la multiplication des institutions ajoute en parallèle de nouveaux obstacles à la prise de décision. Cet article explique comment la multiplication et la compétition croissante entre institutions alourdit le processus de prise de décision de la politique étrangère chinoise jusqu’à la maintenir dans sa position réactive traditionnelle. Une nouvelle stratégie de politique étrangère plus proactive ne pourrait émerger en Chine qu’après une simplification institutionnelle de grande ampleur, que tente aujourd’hui d’entreprendre le nouveau président Xi Jinping, non sans difficultés.
La stratégie adoptée par l'Allemagne face à la mondialisation de l'économie
Authors: Beffa Jean-Louis
Published: December 2014

Si l’Allemagne bénéficie aujourd’hui d’une situation économique plus florissante que celle de bien d’autres pays européens, elle le doit pour beaucoup au fait qu’elle a mieux réussi son intégration dans une économie désormais mondialisée. Cette réussite est notamment liée aux quatre atouts suivants : – une organisation territoriale spécifique, avec 16 Länder disposant de larges pouvoirs en matière économique, qui a permis l’émergence de plusieurs métropoles importantes adossées à des bassins industriels prospères ; la qualité des relations sociales, qui allient souci du compromis et solidarité nationale ; une cogestion des entreprises associant dirigeants et représentants du personnel, où priment la qualité du dialogue social et la mise en œuvre d’une politique salariale raisonnée ; enfin, un système d’innovation performant guidé par le souci permanent de trouver des applications industrielles aux progrès de la science. Mais l’Allemagne présente aussi certaines lacunes et des handicaps qui pourraient à terme compromettre ses succès...
Pour une éthique de l'industrie : les enseignements du modèle Bosch
Authors: Maugis Guy
Published: December 2014

Créé il y a plus de 125 ans, le groupe Bosch est aujourd’hui l’un des plus grands groupes européens, avec 306 000 collaborateurs et un chiffre d’affaires de 52,5 milliards d’euros. La passion pour l’innovation, la recherche d’une amélioration continue de la qualité, un fort développement à l’international et le souci des hommes, héritage de Robert Bosch, ont fait le succès du groupe depuis sa création. Ces caractéristiques sont aussi celles de la plupart des entreprises de taille intermédiaire (ETI) allemandes.
La codétermination en Allemagne : un modèle de participation des travailleurs dans le cadre d'un modèle économique coopératif
Authors: Sick Sebastian
Published: December 2014

Cet article décrit le système de codétermination existant en Allemagne tant dans les établissements que dans les entreprises. Il souligne le caractère coopératif de ce modèle de la participation des travailleurs, qui permet d’équilibrer les intérêts des différentes parties prenantes concernées. Du fait du succès qu’il a rencontré lors de la récente crise économique et financière, ce système a reçu de nombreux éloges de la part de responsables de l’économie et de la politique. L’auteur décrit les différents niveaux de mise en œuvre de la codétermination, au niveau de l’entreprise au sein du conseil de surveillance, et au niveau de l’établissement au sein du comité d’établissement. Il décrit également les interactions avec les syndicats, et mentionne en conclusion les défis pour l’avenir auxquels est confronté le système allemand de codétermination.