bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Procedural Aspects of Tax Fairness: A Content Analysis of Canadian Tax Jurisprudence
Authors: Farrar Jonathan M. , Donnelly Maureen E. , Dhaliwal Sonia B.
Published: July 2013

We undertake a directed content analysis of Canadian tax jurisprudence to analyze procedural, interpersonal, and informational fairness, and their respective criteria, in the tax context. To facilitate our analysis, we apply Colquitt's (2001) theoretical framework of fairness. Consistent with this framework, we find 198 cases that contain procedural fairness, 34 cases that contain interpersonal fairness, and 37 cases that contain informational fairness. Furthermore, we identify seven criteria of procedural tax fairness (accuracy, bias, consistency, compatibility, correctibility, representativeness, voice), three criteria of interpersonal tax fairness (respect, propriety, timeliness), and four criteria of informational tax fairness (justification, truthfulness, full disclosure, taxpayer technical competence). Implications for taxpayers, tax authorities, and tax researchers are discussed.
Maxillary canine impaction in orthodontic patients with and without agenesis: A cross-sectional radiographic study
Authors: Lempesi Evangelia , Karamolegkou Marina , Pandis Nikolaos , Mavragani Maria
Published: July 2013

Objective:

To assess potential associations between maxillary canine impaction (MCI) and agenesis status as well as between MCI and gender.

Materials and Methods:

The records of 182 orthodontic patients with agenesis (excluding the third molars) and 630 orthodontic patients without agenesis were examined. Diagnosis of MCI was based on pretreatment panoramic radiographs. Maxillary canines that had not erupted as a result of physical barrier or deflection in the eruption path at the dental age of at least 12 years were considered impacted. Logistic regression analysis was used to test for the associations of interest.

Results:

MCI was detected in 5.6% (n  =  35) of the nonagenesis group (28 female and 7 male participants) and in 18.1% (n  =  33) of the agenesis group (20 female and 13 male participants). Bilateral impaction was detected in 12 patients (34.3%) of the nonagenesis group and in 11 patients (33.3%) of the agenesis group. There was evidence that maxillary lateral incisor agenesis (odds ratio  =  5.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5–10.5, P < .001) and second premolar agenesis (odds ratio  =  2.6, 95% CI 1.0–6.6, P  =  .042) were significant MCI predictors after adjusting for gender. The odds of MCI were 69% higher in female versus male subjects after adjusting for agenesis status (95% CI 0.97–2.92, P  =  .063).

Conclusions:

This study indicates that there is evidence that agenesis status is a strong predictor of MCI, whereas gender is a weak predictor of MCI. Caution should be exercised in interpreting the results because of the observational nature of the present study.
Coherence Between Land Use and Parking in Sustainable Cities
Authors: Macsinka Klára
Published: July 2013

The article introduces main results of a research about defining parking needs to land use functions on the principles of sustainable mobility. Objective of the research was to find a method of determining differentiated, realistic (and environmentally friendly) parking standards applicable in the practice of urban planning and traffic design. Process of the work is briefly presented. Existing Hungarian practice of determining parking demands for different land use functions and zones is dealt with, pointing out problems, inconsequent issues and necessity of an urgent review. Factors to be taken into consideration (land use type, location within the city structure, accessibility and service level of public transportation system, simultaneity of usage land use zones, etc.) are listed. A model for calculation of realistic parking needs is shown. Needs and possible directions of further research are explained.
Preliminary Researches Regarding the Use of Ann to Predict the Wheel-Soil Interaction
Authors: Taghavifar H. , Mardani A. , Elahi I.
Published: July 2013

Soil-wheel interactions as a phenomenon in which both components are behaving nonlinearly has been considered a sophisticated and complex relation to be modeled. A well-trained artificial neural networks as a useful tool is widely used in variety of science and engineering fields. We inspired to use this facility for application of some soil-wheel interaction products since nonlinear and complex relationships between wheel and soil necessitate more precise and reliable calculations. A 2-14-2 feed forward neural network with back propagation algorithm was found to have acceptable performance with mean squared error of 0.020. This model was used to predict two output variables of rut depth and contact area with regression correlations of 0.99961 and 0.99996 for rut depth and contact area, respectively. Furthermore, the results were compared with conventional models proposed for predicting the contact area and rut depth. The promising results of ANN model give higher privilege over conventional models. The findings also introduce the potential of ANN for modeling. However, the authors recommend further studies to be conducted in this realm of computing due to its great potential and capability.
Effects of Iron and Zinc Spray on Yield and Yield Components of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) in Drought Stress
Authors: Monjezi F. , Vazin F. , Hassanzadehdelouei M.
Published: July 2013

In hot and arid regions, drought stress is considered as one of the main reasons for yield reduction. To study the effect of drought stress, iron and zinc spray on the yield and yield components of wheat, an experiment was carried out during the crop seasons of 2010 and 2011 on Shahid Salemi Farm in Ahwaz as a split factorial within randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots with irrigation factor and three levels were considered: Level A) full irrigation, Level B) stopping irrigation at pollination step, and Level C) stopping irrigation at the seed filling stage. Subsidiary plots were considered with and without iron and zinc spray. Influencing the seed filling process, in interaction with iron, wich is an important leaf's chlorophyll cation, zinc increased the seed yield. The drought stress reduced the thousand kernels weight (TKW) and the number of seeds per spike increased about 24% and 8.5% more than the one of control treatment, respectively. Using iron, as compared with control treatment, causes the increase of thousand kernels weight from 45.71 to 46.83 grams and the increase of spike from 49.51 to 51.73. Zinc spray increased seed yield and thousand kernels weight. The results obtained from the present research showed that iron and zinc spray has fairly improved the effects caused by drought stress.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Management Under Long-Term Experiments
Authors: Ailincăi C. , Jităreanu G. , Ailincăi Despina
Published: July 2013

The investigations conducted at the Podu-Iloaiei Agricultural Research Station, Iaşi County, Romania, have studied the influence of different mineral fertilizers rates on wheat and maize yield and soil agrochemical characteristics. In bean-wheatmaize- sunflower-wheat crop rotation, the mean yield increases, obtained for each kg of a.i. of applied fertilizer, were comprised between 8.3 and 10.1 kg in wheat (N120P80- N160P80) and between 10.8 and 11.0 kg in maize (N150P80-N200P100). Generally, nitrogen use efficiency is low and, to achieve maximum yields, need for high doses of nitrogen which can increase the risk of environmental pollution. The N agronomic efficiencies and physiological efficiencies in wheat and maize declined with the increase of nitrogen rate. Wheat placed in rotation for five years, after sunflower at recommended dose (N160P80), physiological efficiency of nitrogen utilization was 43.4 kg grain per kilogram of nitrogen exported from soil, from fertilizer applied. Mean annual amounts of nutrients exported from soil by wheat in dry (14 yr.) and favourable (11 yr.) years in five year crop rotation have varied according to rates, between 34.5 and 100.7 kg at nitrogen and between 6.5 and 18.4 kg at phosphorus. The long-term use of bean - wheat - maize - sunflower - wheat rotation determined the diminution by 43.4% (2,772 t/ha) in the mean annual losses of eroded soil and by 38.5% (5.61 kg/ha) in nitrogen leakages by erosion, compared with maize continuous cropping.
The Effect of Phytoprotection Programs on the Control of the Main Apple Pests
Authors: Beşleagă Ramona , Tălmaciu M. , Cârdei E. , Tălmaciu Nela , Corneanu G.
Published: July 2013

In recent decades, positive changes have been occurred on the fruit crops protection, because of new synthetic or natural substances, more effective and less toxic. In 2011, at Fruit Growing Research and Development Station Iaşi, Romania, was tested a phitosanitary program that aimed especially to control the main pest of apple, being introduced the next generation of plant protection products, such as: Coragen, Proteus, Calypso, Decis 25 WG. The research was carried out for Idared, Golden delicious and Florina, on tow variants for each variety. Phytosanitary treatments applied for pest control were supplemented with fungicides used to combat major apple deseases. Until blooming tow treatments were applied for each variant, and after the petals fall, treatments were carried out at warning. Observation and measurements were performed after the treatments and they showed, at the end of each generation, the percentage of attacked fruits by the main apple pests. These produsts applied in a few treatments have provided a strong efficacy in combating major apple pests: codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.), fruit skin moth (Adoxophyes reticulana Hb.), leaf miner moth (Phyllonorycter sp.) and mites (Panonychus sp.). To combat lepidoptera, best result were obtained with Calypso 480 SC and Coragen insecticides, and also, products such as Decis 25 WG and Proteus, have ensured a good health in apple plantation.
Effect of Salt Stress in Different Stages of Growth on Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Cumin (Cuminum Cyminum L.)
Authors: Hassanzadehdelouei M. , Vazin F. , Nadaf J.
Published: July 2013

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is one of the most important pharmaceutical plants. As a considerable portion of existing agricultural lands in arid regions is exposed to aridity and finally to salinity, we need to study the effects of salinity on the growth and production of agronomical products. For this purpose, an agricultural experiment in the form of split plots with three replications was conducted in 2011 at the Islamic Azad University, Gonabad Branch, Iran, in the longitude of 58°, 50’, latitude of 34°, 54’, and altitude of 940 m from the sea level. At the main plot, four salinity levels (2,5,8 and 11ds/m) and at the sub plot, the growth stages of stress implementation (including stress in establishment, flowering, and seed filling stage), were located at random. The results showed that the salinity rate had significant impact on fresh weight, dry weight, height , percentage of essence, seed and biological yield. With the increase in salinity from 2 to 11ds/m, a significant decrease in all vegetative and reproductive characteristics were observed. The most sensitive growth stages of plant to salt stress, during vegetative and reproductive period were the stage of establishment and flowering, respectively. There was no interaction between the growth stage of plant and salinity rate, except for seed yield and harvest index.
Effect of Tillage and Organic Mulches on Growth, Yield and Quality of Autumn Planted Maize (Zea Mays L.) and Soil Physical Properties
Authors: Zamir M.S.I. , Javeed H.M.R. , Ahmed W. , Ahmed A.U.H. , Sarwar N. , Shehzad M. , Sarwar M.A. , Iqbal S.
Published: July 2013

The research work was conducted to see the effect of organic mulches and tillage practices on growth, yield and quality of autumn planted maize and soil physical properties. Four types of tillage practices i.e. conventional tillage, zero tillage, bar harrow tillage, subsoiler tillage and two types of mulching material i.e. wheat straw mulch and saw dust mulch was used. The mulching material was partially incorporated in the field after germination of crop. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Control treatment was kept for comparison. All other practices were kept uniform throughout the crop period. Data about growth and yield components were collected and analyzed statistically by fisher analysis of variance and treatment significance was measured by significant difference test at 5v% level. The results showed that zero tillage + wheat straw mulch gave maximum 1000-grain weight (341.67 g) and grain yield (6.33 t ha-1) and it was followed by conventional tillage + saw dust mulch (4.92 t ha-1). Higher protein content was recorded in Subsoiler tillage (10.26 %). Conducive soil physical conditions were observed in the zero tillage practices over the other tillage practices. On the basis of these results it could be proposed that the tillage and mulching is a very important practice to increase the yield of crop. Among different practices, zero tillage with wheat straw mulching gave maximum yield and net benefits.
Critical Season for Soil Erosion in the Moldavian Plateau
Authors: Ailincăi C. , Jităreanu G. , Bucur D. , Ailincăi Despina
Published: July 2013

Experiments conducted at Agricultural Research and Development Station of Podu-Iloaiei, Iaşi County, Romania, during 2002 - 2011, followed study runoff and soil erosion in different cultures, and establish critical season of soil erosion in this area. Establish critical season of soil erosion is necessary to satisfy the critical level of ground cover, which is required to maintain a low risk of soil erosion. Average annual soil loss by erosion, recorded in maize and sunflower were (mean on 10 years) of 6.753 and 7.385 t/ha/year, respectively. In sunflower and corn of the total soil loss recorded in the Moldavian Plateau, 19.7- 20.4% occurred in spring, 68.7 to 69.2% in summer and 6.1- 6.6% in the autumn. Differences of 4.5 to 4.9% of the total annual soil losses by erosion were recorded in winter, with snow melt. Season critic of soil erosion in the Moldavian Plateau, when recording the most aggressive rain event occurs in June and July. Mean soil loss due to erosion, recorded in June and July were 0.424 t/ha for winter rape, winter wheat 0.291 and 0.093 t/ha the perennial grasses in the second year of vegetation.
Pollinator Fauna of Sesame Crop (Sesamum Indicum L.) in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt
Authors: Kamel S.M. , Blal A.E.H. , Mahfouz H.M. , Said M.
Published: July 2013

A survey of insect pollinators associated with sesame, Sesamun indicum L. (Pedaliaceae), was conducted at the Agriculture Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Suez Canal during the growing seasons of 2011 and 2012. All different insect pollinators which found on the experimental site were collected for identification. Sampling was done once a week and three times a day. Three methods were used to collect and identify insects from the sesame plants (a sweep net, pitfall traps, digital camera and eye observation). A total of 29 insect species were collected and properly identified during the survey. Insect pollinators which recorded on the plants were divided into four groups, 18 belonged to Hymenoptera, seven to Diptera, three to Lepidoptera and one to Coleoptera. Results revealed that honey-bee, Apis mellifera, was the most dominant species in the 2011 season and the second one in the 2012 season. Whereas small carpenter bees, Ceratina tarsata was the most dominant species in the 2012 season and the second one in the 2011 season. The percentage of Hymenoptera was higher in the two studied seasons by 90.94% and 89.59%, followed by Diptera by 3.93% and 5.38%, then Lepidoptera by 3.58% and 3.62, and in the last Coleoptera by 1.53% and 1.39%, respectively.
Percival Everett’s Grand Canyon Inc.: Self-Reliance Revisited
Authors: Bauer Sylvie
Published: July 2013

Abstract:

Grand Canyon Inc., by Percival Everett, enacts a simple farce of madness, in which the main character maims the landscape of the Grand Canyon, destroying what is essential in order to achieve a form of power. The transformation of the place into an amusement park entails a confusion between reality and its representation, where the former stems from the latter. The very notions of reality and meaning are thereby challenged when language is used to model reality. The article aims to show how meaning is distorted through a series of dislocations and how Percival Everett subtly questions the intellectual and moral heritage of America.
Frenzy, Practical Philosophy, and Fictive Jokes
Authors: Tissut Anne-Laure
Published: July 2013

Abstract:

Frenzy is a mythological fable suffused with such crucial philosophical issues as being, existence, time, and language. Through the narrative device of Vlepo, the trickster-servant to god Dionysos, who can read people’s minds, reading and interpreting are offered as paradigms for an appropriate attitude to life, opening onto the world through the development of relations. The article aims at showing how the poetic fabric of this lyrical novel both illustrates and calls us to care for our surroundings as well as for words and language.
Hire-a-Glyph: Hermetics and Hermeneutics in Percival Everett’s Glyph
Authors: Feith Michel
Published: July 2013

Abstract:

Eighteen-month-old baby Ralph Townsend, the narrator-hero of Glyph, is one of the many trickster figures in Percival Everett’s fiction. A child who refuses to speak, yet can read, write, and gloss the most difficult texts, Ralph is Glyph. And Glyph, Ralph’s story, is itself a glyph to be interpreted. This article explores how, as an avatar of Hermes, inventor of (hiero)glyphs, Ralph is a self-referential figure of writing: both fictional character and the text itself. In fact, Glyph is composed of two levels: a literal, exoteric one—a screwball adventure story; and a pastiche of what has replaced the esoteric discourses of yore: postmodern Academese. The two levels comment on one another, uniting hermetics and hermeneutics in a complex game of mirrors. A novel about language and meaning, the parodic text appears to propose its own alternative theory of fiction, displacing deconstructionist aporia with a dynamic of meaning centred on language games and context.
INTRODUCTION
Authors: Grant Isabel , Shaffer Martha , Symington Alison
Published: July 2013

In this focus feature, we offer three perspectives on the recent Supreme Court of Canada judgments in R v Mabior and R v DC, which attempted to clarify when a person living with HIV will be subject to criminal liability for failing to disclose this condition prior to engaging in sexual intercourse. Martha Shaffer argues that the Court missed an opportunity to reconsider the test for sexual fraud it had laid out in its 1998 decision in R v Cuerrier, a test that, since its inception, has proven difficult to apply. Isabel Grant argues that the Court has over-criminalized HIV non-disclosure through treating all cases where there is a realistic possibility of transmission as aggravated sexual assault regardless of whether transmission of the virus takes place. Alison Symington notes that the Court’s punitive approach is out of step with recent scientific and medical advancements with respect to HIV transmission and treatment and that, while the Court set out a risk-based test, it did not appropriately weigh the evidence regarding the risk of HIV transmission. These three perspectives demonstrate that the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada remains deeply problematic.
Sensitivity of Greenland Ice Sheet Projections to Model Formulations
Authors: Goelzer H. , Huybrechts P. , Fürst J.J. , Nick F.M. , Andersen M.L. , Edwards T.L. , Fettweis X. , Payne A.J. , Shannon S.
Published: July 2013

Physically based projections of the Greenland ice sheet contribution to future sea-level change are subject to uncertainties of the atmospheric and oceanic climatic forcing and to the formulations within the ice flow model itself. Here a higher-order, three-dimensional thermomechanical ice flow model is used, initialized to the present-day geometry. The forcing comes from a high-resolution regional climate model and from a flowline model applied to four individual marine-terminated glaciers, and results are subsequently extended to the entire ice sheet. The experiments span the next 200 years and consider climate scenario SRES A1B. The surface mass-balance (SMB) scheme is taken either from a regional climate model or from a positive-degree-day (PDD) model using temperature and precipitation anomalies from the underlying climate models. Our model results show that outlet glacier dynamics only account for 6–18% of the sea-level contribution after 200 years, confirming earlier findings that stress the dominant effect of SMB changes. Furthermore, interaction between SMB and ice discharge limits the importance of outlet glacier dynamics with increasing atmospheric forcing. Forcing from the regional climate model produces a 14–31 % higher sea-level contribution compared to a PDD model run with the same parameters as for IPCC AR4.
Dis-tanz: 29 Tangos
Authors: Jackson Sarah
Published: July 2013

Written in 29 tangos, this paper explores the poem's negotiation between proximity and distance, between touching and not-touching. It takes as its starting point Anne Carson's The Beauty of the Husband, tendering the intimate dis-tanz at the heart of the tango, and at the heart of Derrida's poetics.
Incurable Haunting: Saluting Michel Deguy
Authors: Saghafi Kas
Published: July 2013

Reframing the vocation of the poet in a reading of a singular poet, Michel Deguy, Derrida in ‘How to Name’ calls for a singular poetics ‘each time’ and an entirely other poetic accompaniment. Poetry, he shows, is devoted to an ‘incurable haunting,’ the haunting of two saluts: salvation (desiring safety and conferring health) and salutation (calling out and greeting).
Dust
Authors: Bennington Geoffrey
Published: July 2013

The motif of dust, especially in Richard II, is foregrounded as a complex figure of the deconstruction of sovereignty in Shakespeare.
In the Bitter Letter (A Rendition of Othello)
Authors: Robson Mark
Published: July 2013

Through a series of ‘rents’, this article reads the interplay between Shakespeare's Othello and various senses of rendition. The strange relations of theatricality, desire, violence and the unknown that the play stages are read in the light of Jacques Derrida's thinking on strangers, inhabitation, pity and blindness. In offering a rendition of Othello, much hinges on the politics of the word ‘in’.
Miracle Play
Authors: Royle Nicholas
Published: July 2013

This text considers the notion of miracle in relation to the writings of Shakespeare and Derrida. Royle shows how the word ‘miracle’ (and cognates including ‘miraculous’) comes, in the later sixteenth century, to acquire less narrowly religious senses, and how this dehiscence is at play in Shakespeare, especially in the figure of Falstaff, in Henry IV Part One. He explores some of the ways in which the history and development of the ‘miraculous’ prefigure the emergence of ‘the uncanny’ some two hundred years later. Particular attention is given to the affinities between the writings of Shakespeare and Cixous that transpire from reading Derrida on the miracle.
The End of the End of Nature: The Anthropocene and the Fate of the Human
Authors: Szerszynski Bronislaw
Published: July 2013

In this paper I explore the metaphor of the strata of the earth as ‘great stone book of nature’, and the Anthropocene epoch as its latest chapter. I suggest that the task of marking the base of the Anthropocene's geological layer is entangled with questions about the human — about who would be the ‘onomatophore’ of the Anthropocene, would carry the name of ‘Anthropos’. I consider divergent ways of characterising the geological force of the Anthropocene — as Homo faber, Homo consumens and Homo gubernans — and situate this dispersal of the Anthropos within a more general dispersal of ‘man’ that occurs when human meets geology. I suggest that the becoming geological of the human in the Anthropocene is both the end of the great stone book of nature and the Aufhebung of ‘man’ — both his apotheosis and his eclipse.
Not Symbiosis, Not Now: Why Anthropogenic Change Is Not Really Human
Authors: Colebrook Claire
Published: July 2013

Despite first appearances it is the early work of Derrida, less concerned with questions of ethics, politics and justice, that is most pertinent for the anthropocene era. Only an attention to what Derrida provisionally referred to as 'text,' has the capacity to take the environmental imagination beyond homely conceptions of the earth as a horizon of sense and human projects, allowing for the anthropocene's imagination of the human scarring of the planet to be both read and misread. This misreading will be most fruitful when the thought experiment of the anthropocene allows us to imagine the human archive from an inhuman (and impossible) point of view.
The Challenges to Improve Farm Animal Welfare in the United Kingdom by Reducing Disease Incidence with Greater Veterinary Involvement on Farm
Authors: Scott Philip
Published: July 2013

The Cattle Health and Welfare Group of Great Britain report (CHAWG; 2012) lists the most important cattle diseases and disorders but fails to fully acknowledge the importance of animal mental health and; in so doing; misses the opportunity to further promote animal welfare. There are effective prevention regimens; including vaccination; husbandry and management strategies for all ten listed animal health concerns in the CHAWG report; however control measures are infrequently implemented because of perceived costs and unwillingness of many farmers to commit adequate time and resources to basic farm management tasks such as biosecurity; and biocontainment. Reducing disease prevalence rates by active veterinary herd and flock health planning; and veterinary care of many individual animal problems presently “treated” by farmers; would greatly improve animal welfare. Published studies have highlighted that treatments for lame sheep are not implemented early enough with many farmers delaying treatment for weeks; and sometimes even months; which adversely affects prognosis. Disease and welfare concerns as a consequence of sheep ectoparasites could be greatly reduced if farmers applied proven control strategies detailed in either veterinary flock health plans or advice available from expert veterinary websites. Recent studies have concluded that there is also an urgent need for veterinarians to better manage pain in livestock. Where proven treatments are available; such as blockage of pain arising from ovine obstetrical problems by combined low extradural injection of lignocaine and xylazine; these are seldom requested by farmers because the technique is a veterinary procedure and incurs a professional fee which highlights many farmers’ focus on economics rather than individual animal welfare.
An Assessment of Educational Benefits from the OpenOrbiter Space Program
Authors: Straub Jeremy , Whalen David
Published: July 2013

This paper analyzes the educational impact of the OpenOrbiter Small Spacecraft Development Initiative, a CubeSat development program underway at the University of North Dakota. OpenOrbiter includes traditional STEM activities (e.g., spacecraft engineering, software development); it also incorporates students from non-STEM disciplines not generally involved in aerospace engineering projects such as management, entrepreneurship, education and fine arts. The value of the program to participants is analyzed quantitatively, in terms of improvement related to five key learning objectives.
Rorty, Pragmatism, and Analytic Philosophy
Authors: Misak Cheryl
Published: July 2013

One of Richard Rorty's legacies is to have put a Jamesian version of pragmatism on the contemporary philosophical map. Part of his argument has been that pragmatism and analytic philosophy are set against each other, with pragmatism almost having been killed off by the reigning analytic philosophy. The argument of this paper is that there is a better and more interesting reading of both the history of pragmatism and the history of analytic philosophy.
Lipidosterolic Extract of Serenoa Repens Modulates the Expression of Inflammation Related-Genes in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Epithelial and Stromal Cells
Authors: Sirab Nanor , Robert Grégoire , Fasolo Virginie , Descazeaud Aurélien , Vacherot Francis , Taille Alexandre , Terry Stéphane
Published: July 2013

Despite the high prevalence of histological Benign Prostatic Hypeplasia (BPH) in elderly men, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms and networks underlying the development and progression of the disease. Here, we explored the effects of a phytotherapeutic agent, Lipidosterolic extract of the dwarf palm plant Serenoa repens (LSESr), on the mRNA gene expression profiles of two representative models of BPH, BPH1 cell line and primary stromal cells derived from BPH. Treatment of these cells with LSESr significantly altered gene expression patterns as assessed by comparative gene expression profiling on gene chip arrays. The expression changes were manifested three hours following in vitro administration of LSESr, suggesting a rapid action for this compound. Among the genes most consistently affected by LSESr treatment, we found numerous genes that were categorized as part of proliferative, apoptotic, and inflammatory pathways. Validation studies using quantitative real-time PCR confirmed the deregulation of genes known to exhibit key roles in these biological processes including IL1B, IL1A, CXCL6, IL1R1, PTGS2, ALOX5, GAS1, PHLDA1, IL6, IL8, NFkBIZ, NFKB1, TFRC, JUN, CDKN1B, and ERBB3. Subsequent analyses also indicated that LSESr treatment can impede the stimulatory effects of certain proinflammatory cytokines such as IL6, IL17, and IL15 in these cells. These results suggest that LSESr may be useful to treat BPH that manifest inflammation characteristics. This also supports a role for inflammation in BPH presumably by mediating the balance between apoptosis and proliferation.
Thrombospondin-1 Is a Putative Target Gene of Runx2 and Runx3
Authors: Shi Xiuming , Deepak Vishwa , Wang Linghui , Ba Xueqing , Komori Toshihisa , Zeng Xianlu , Liu Wenguang
Published: July 2013

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a matricellular protein widely acclaimed to be involved in the inhibition of angiogenesis and tumorigenesis, is synthesized and secreted by many cell types, including osteoblast and cancer cells. TSP-1 is highly upregulated during early stage of osteogenesis, whereas it inhibits terminal osteoblast differentiation. Expression of TSP-1 is downregulated in cancer cells, and its ectopic expression has been shown to restrain tumor growth. Transcriptional regulation of TSP-1 in osteogenesis and cancer is poorly understood; this prompted us to study its regulation by the two key regulators of the aforementioned processes: Runx2 and Runx3. Through a PCR-based cDNA subtraction technique, we identified and cloned a cDNA fragment for mouse TSP-1, whose expression was dramatically upregulated in response to Runx2 expression in mesenchymal stem cells. Moreover, TSP-1 expression was considerably reduced in the lung of Runx2 knockout mouse. On the other hand, TSP-1 gene expression drastically increased at both the transcriptional and translational levels in response to Runx3 expression in B16-F10 melanoma cells. In line with this, Runx2 and Runx3 bound to the TSP-1 promoter and stimulated its activity. Hence, these results provide first line of evidence that TSP-1 is a transcriptional target gene of Runx2 and Runx3.
Preliminary Investigation of the Dissolution Behavior, Cytocompatibility, Effects of Fibrinogen Conformation and Platelet Adhesion for Radiopaque Embolic Particles
Authors: Kehoe Sharon , Tremblay Marie-Laurence , Coughlan Aisling , Towler Mark , Rainey Jan , Abraham Robert , Boyd Daniel
Published: July 2013

Experimental embolic particles based on a novel zinc-silicate glass system have been biologically evaluated for potential consideration in transcatheter arterial embolization procedures. In addition to controlling the cytotoxicity and haemocompatibility for such embolic particles, its glass structure may mediate specific responses via dissolution in the physiological environment. In a 120 h in-vitro dissolution study, ion release levels for silicon (Si4+), sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), zinc (Zn2+), titanium (Ti4+), lanthanum (La3+), strontium (Sr2+), and magnesium (Mg2+), were found to range from 0.04 to 5.41 ppm, 0.27–2.28 ppm, 2.32–8.47 ppm, 0.16–0.20 ppm, 0.12–2.15 ppm, 0.16–0.49 ppm and 0.01–0.12 ppm, respectively for the series of glass compositions evaluated. Initial release of Zn2+ (1.93–10.40 ppm) was only evident after 120 h. All compositions showed levels of cell viabilities ranging from 61.31 ± 4.33% to 153.7 ± 1.25% at 25%–100% serial extract dilutions. The conformational state of fibrinogen, known to induce thrombi, indicated that no changes were induced with respect of the materials dissolution by-products. Furthermore, the best-in-class experimental composition showed equivalency to contour PVA in terms of inducing platelet adhesion. The data generated here provides requisite evidence to continue to in-vivo pre-clinical evaluation using the best-in-class experimental composition evaluated.
Keeping an Eye on Decellularized Corneas: A Review of Methods, Characterization and Applications
Authors: Wilson Samantha , Sidney Laura , Dunphy Siobhán , Rose James , Hopkinson Andrew
Published: July 2013

The worldwide limited availability of suitable corneal donor tissue has led to the development of alternatives, including keratoprostheses (Kpros) and tissue engineered (TE) constructs. Despite advances in bioscaffold design, there is yet to be a corneal equivalent that effectively mimics both the native tissue ultrastructure and biomechanical properties. Human decellularized corneas (DCs) could offer a safe, sustainable source of corneal tissue, increasing the donor pool and potentially reducing the risk of immune rejection after corneal graft surgery. Appropriate, human-specific, decellularization techniques and high-resolution, non-destructive analysis systems are required to ensure reproducible outputs can be achieved. If robust treatment and characterization processes can be developed, DCs could offer a supplement to the donor corneal pool, alongside superior cell culture systems for pharmacology, toxicology and drug discovery studies.
Synthesis of Tricyclic Condensed Rings Incorporating the Pyrazole or Isoxazole Moieties Bonded to a 4-Piperidinyl Substituent
Authors: Pinna Giansalvo , Loriga Giovanni , Pinna Gérard , Chelucci Giorgio
Published: July 2013

In this paper we report the synthesis of new compounds based on the pyrazole and isoxazole framework fused to a cycloalkene unit, and bearing as a substituent the 1-piperidinyl group as new examples of potential antipsychotic molecules. The general synthesis involves the acylation of a chloro-substituted cyclic ketone with a 1-substituted piperidine-4-carboxylate derivative, followed by heterocyclization of the formed 1,3-dioxo compound with a hydrazine or hydroxylamine.
Network Connectance Analysis as a Tool to Understand Homeostasis of Plants under Environmental Changes
Authors: Bertolli Suzana , Vítolo Hilton , Souza Gustavo
Published: July 2013

The homeostasis of plants under environmental constraints may be maintained by alterations in the organization of their physiological networks. The ability to control a network depends on the strength of the connections between network elements, which is called network connectance. Herein, we intend to provide more evidence on the existence of a modulation pattern of photosynthetic networks, in response to adverse environmental conditions. Two species (Glycine max-C3 metabolism, and Brachiaria brizantha-C4 metabolism) were submitted to two environmental constraints (water availability, and high and low temperatures), and from the physiological parameters measured, the global connectance (Cgtotal) and the modules connectance (gas exchange-Cgge and photochemical-Cgpho) were analyzed. Both types of environmental constraints impaired the photosynthetic capacity and the growth of the plants, indicating loss of their homeostasis, but in different ways. The results showed that in general the Cgtotal of both species increased with temperature increment and water deficit, indicating a higher modulation of photosynthetic networks. However, the Cg variation in both species did not influence the total dry biomass that was reduced by environmental adversities. This outcome is probably associated with a loss of system homeostasis. The connectance network analyses indicated a possible lack of correspondence between the photosynthetic networks modulation patterns and the homeostasis loss. However, this kind of analysis can be a powerful tool to access the degree of stability of a biological system, as well as to allow greater understanding of the dynamics underlying the photosynthetic processes that maintain the identity of the systems under environmental adversities.
Serum Proteome Analysis for Profiling Predictive Protein Markers Associated with the Severity of Skin Lesions Induced by Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Chaze Thibault , Hornez Louis , Chambon Christophe , Haddad Iman , Vinh Joelle , Peyrat Jean-Philippe , Benderitter Marc , Guipaud Olivier
Published: July 2013

The finding of new diagnostic and prognostic markers of local radiation injury, and particularly of the cutaneous radiation syndrome, is crucial for its medical management, in the case of both accidental exposure and radiotherapy side effects. Especially, a fast high-throughput method is still needed for triage of people accidentally exposed to ionizing radiation. In this study, we investigated the impact of localized irradiation of the skin on the early alteration of the serum proteome of mice in an effort to discover markers associated with the exposure and severity of impending damage. Using two different large-scale quantitative proteomic approaches, 2D-DIGE-MS and SELDI-TOF-MS, we performed global analyses of serum proteins collected in the clinical latency phase (days 3 and 7) from non-irradiated and locally irradiated mice exposed to high doses of 20, 40 and 80 Gy which will develop respectively erythema, moist desquamation and necrosis. Unsupervised and supervised multivariate statistical analyses (principal component analysis, partial-least square discriminant analysis and Random Forest analysis) using 2D-DIGE quantitative protein data allowed us to discriminate early between non-irradiated and irradiated animals, and between uninjured/slightly injured animals and animals that will develop severe lesions. On the other hand, despite a high number of animal replicates, PLS-DA and Random Forest analyses of SELDI-TOF-MS data failed to reveal sets of MS peaks able to discriminate between the different groups of animals. Our results show that, unlike SELDI-TOF-MS, the 2D-DIGE approach remains a powerful and promising method for the discovery of sets of proteins that could be used for the development of clinical tests for triage and the prognosis of the severity of radiation-induced skin lesions. We propose a list of 15 proteins which constitutes a set of candidate proteins for triage and prognosis of skin lesion outcomes.
A Remote Sensor for Detecting Methane Based on Palladium-Decorated Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Liu Jian , Li Guomin
Published: July 2013

The remote detection of the concentration of methane at room temperature is performed by a sensor that is configured by the combination of radio frequency identification (RFID), and functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The proposed sensor is schemed as a thin film RFID tag in a polyethylene substrate, on which a metal trace dipole, a metal trace T impedance matching networks, a 0.5 µm-CMOS RF/DC rectifier chipset and a sensor head of palladium-decorated single walled carbon nanotubes (Pd-SWCNTs) are surface mounted in cascade. The performances of the sensor are examined and described by the defined parameters of the received signal strength index (RSSI) and the comparative analog identifier (∆AID). Results validate the sensor’s ability to detect molecules of methane at room temperature, showing that the RSSI can increase 4 dB and the ∆AID can increase 3% in response to methane concentrations ranging from zero to 100 ppm.
ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITIONS AS INSTRUMENT OF SHAPING POST-INDUSTRIAL CITY IMAGE / ARCHITEKTŪRINIAI KONKURSAI KAIP PRIEMONĖ FORMUOJANT POINDUSTRINIŲ MIESTŲ ĮVAIZDĮ
Authors: Pranaitytė Vika
Published: July 2013

The main article theme – the concept of post-industrial city image and its changes. The most important stigma of such cities is analyzing - the lack of identity and inner city industrial areas. The new stage of “recycled” city is indicated. Here the city image reproduction is proceeded through cultural functions. Also the impact of the conversion to improve the city's image, is analyzing and architectural competitions are taken as benefit to reach the quality of converted terrtory. Examples of foreign countries are given systemically, as well as an overview of the situation in Lithuania, evaluating existing internal potential, and specific projects. Santrauka Straipsnyje nagrinėjama poindustrinio miesto įvaizdžio samprata ir jo kaita. Analizuojama svarbiausia stigma – identiteto stoka ir vidinės miesto pramoninės dykros. Išskiriamas miestų virsmo „perdirbtais“ miestais etapas, kuriame įvaizdžio reprodukcijos siekiama pasitelkiant kultūrines funkcijas. Aptariama pramoninių teritorijų konversijų įtaka gerinant miesto įvaizdį bei architektūrinių konkursų nauda kokybei jose pasiekti. Analizuojami ir sisteminami užsienio šalių pavyzdžiai, taip pat apžvelgiama situacija Lietuvoje, įvertinamas esamas vidinis potencialas bei konkretūs vykdomi projektai.
La tolérance au chaos : un facteur d'efficacité ?
Authors: Desportes Vincent , Drissi Amar
Published: July 2013

Les jardins à la française ont marqué notre imaginaire : dans les organisations, un effort de quadrillage était sans cesse renouvelé. Mais quand tout bouge, cette obsession est vaine et la tolérance au chaos devient un facteur d’efficacité.
Le défi d'un nouvel acteur privé : fluidifier le trafic aérien
Authors: Stefanello Éric
Published: July 2013

Jusqu’à quatre mille cinq cents avions simultanément présents dans le ciel européen, et tous en concurrence pour atterrir ou décoller au même moment aux mêmes endroits ! Comment assurer la sécurité et la rentabilité d’un système proche de la saturation ?
Gestion des travailleurs âgés : les stéréotypes à contrer
Authors: Lagacé Martine , Lennox Terrion Jenepher
Published: July 2013

Les milieux de travail alimentent de fausses croyances à l’égard des travailleurs âgés qui défavorisent ces derniers en matière de recrutement, de perfectionnement et de promotion. Le but de cet article est double. D’abord, il vise à dénoncer les stéréotypes en les comparant avec la réalité du vieillissement au travail et, ce faisant, à démontrer que les travailleurs âgés constituent une valeur ajoutée pour l’organisation et doivent être considérés de cette manière. Ensuite, l’article cherche à réduire la portée des fausses croyances sur l’âge en proposant des stratégies efficaces de communication organisationnelle que peuvent mettre en œuvre les dirigeants et les cadres.
Comparer l'image des magasins avec celle de la boutique en ligne
Authors: Bèzes Christophe
Published: July 2013

Avec l’essor planétaire que connaît le commerce électronique, les comportements des consommateurs sont devenus multicanaux : une majorité d’internautes s’informent désormais sur Internet et terminent leurs achats en magasin. Mais peut-on vraiment analyser l’image d’un site Web marchand comme celle d’un point de vente ? Cet article met à la disposition des cadres et des dirigeants une grille d’évaluation permettant d’analyser, de comparer et de contrôler les indications délivrées par leur boutique en ligne et leurs magasins afin d’attirer et de fidéliser les clients.
Les voies d'avenir du magasin physique à l'heure du commerce connecté
Authors: Picot-Coupey Karine
Published: July 2013

Face à l’essor du commerce électronique (e-commerce) et à l’émergence du commerce mobile (m-commerce) qui bouleversent le secteur du commerce de détail, le magasin physique a-t-il un avenir ? La réponse semble positive : si le magasin physique traditionnel est remis en cause, il est moins appelé à disparaître qu’à être réinventé. L’article présente les quatre défis majeurs auxquels le magasin physique fait face ainsi que les cinq atouts clés dont il peut se prévaloir. Puis, nous appuyant sur des exemples nord-américains, asiatiques et européens, nous analysons cinq voies d’avenir : le magasin physique de l’avenir devrait être éphémère, tiers-lieu, vitrine, digitalisé ou virtuel. Enfin, nous présentons les implications à maîtriser pour une transformation réussie du magasin physique.
L'intégration professionnelle des employés âgés dans le secteur de la distribution
Authors: Fache Philippe , Waelli Mathias
Published: July 2013

Alors qu’aux États-Unis le nombre d’employés âgés s’est accru dans le secteur des magasins à grande surface, le phénomène du recrutement, de l’intégration et du maintien en emploi du personnel plus âgé commence à s’observer en France, où les entreprises cherchent à satisfaire à des exigences légales, mais aussi à se bâtir une image d’employeur de choix et à améliorer la qualité des services et la fidélisation des clients. S’appuyant sur une revue de la documentation et sur nos études de cas, cet article propose une synthèse des atouts liés à une intégration plus poussée des travailleurs âgés dans le secteur de la distribution et des obstacles à surmonter pour faciliter cette intégration.
Les entraves au bien-être du personnel des grands magasins : pistes de solutions
Authors: Barel Yvan , Frémeaux Sandrine
Published: July 2013

Michel est chef de rayon depuis 10 ans dans un supermarché de la banlieue parisienne. Enthousiaste lors de sa prise de fonction, il semble aujourd’hui usé par son travail, même s’il ne se plaint pas, parce que, pour lui, « un bon chef doit toujours se montrer fort ». Il sait que pour garder son poste, il doit réaliser un bon chiffre d’affaires et des bénéfices élevés. Mais la tâche est de plus en plus ardue et sa marge de manœuvre se trouve réduite. Les décisions commerciales sont désormais centralisées au siège social. On l’oblige aussi à diminuer les frais de personnel. En conséquence, il exerce une pression sur ses collaborateurs, qui doivent sans cesse augmenter leur rendement. Les rapports de travail sont tendus. Pourtant, il existe des solutions à cette problématique. Cet article vise à comprendre les menaces qui pèsent sur le bien-être des chefs de rayon et des employés des supermarchés afin de mieux prévenir les problèmes et intervenir face à ceux-ci.