bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decrease in Circulating Fatty Acids Is Associated with Islet Dysfunction in Chronically Sleep-Restricted Rats
Authors: Zhan Shanshan , Wu Yangyang , Sun Peng , Lin Haiyan , Zhu Yunxia , Han Xiao
Published: December 2016

Previous studies have shown that sleep restriction-induced environmental stress is associated with abnormal metabolism, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. In the current study, we investigated the possible lipid and glucose metabolism patterns in chronically sleep-restricted rat. Without changes in food intake, body weight was decreased and energy expenditure was increased in sleep-restricted rats. The effects of chronic sleep disturbance on metabolites in serum were examined using 1H NMR metabolomics and GC-FID/MS analysis. Six metabolites (lipoproteins, triglycerides, isoleucine, valine, choline, and phosphorylcholine) exhibited significant alteration, and all the fatty acid components were decreased, which suggested fatty acid metabolism was impaired after sleep loss. Moreover, increased blood glucose, reduced serum insulin, decreased glucose tolerance, and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion of islets were also observed in sleep-restricted rats. The islet function of insulin secretion could be partially restored by increasing dietary fat to sleep-disturbed rats suggested that a reduction in circulating fatty acids was related to islet dysfunction under sleep deficiency-induced environmental stress. This study provides a new perspective on the relationship between insufficient sleep and lipid/glucose metabolism, which offers insights into the role of stressful challenges in a healthy lifestyle.
Skin Involvement and Pulmonary Hypertension Are Associated with Vitamin D Insufficiency in Scleroderma
Authors: Atteritano Marco , Santoro Domenico , Corallo Giorgio , Visalli Elisa , Buemi Michele , Catalano Antonino , Lasco Antonino , Bitto Alessandra , Squadrito Francesco
Published: December 2016

Vitamin D status has been linked to immune system and autoimmune disorders; in fact, low levels of vitamin D are common in many autoimmune disorders. The aims of our study were to assess the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and the possible correlation with clinical parameters in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We recruited 40 patients (38 female and two male) with scleroderma and 40 healthy controls matched for age and gender. Demographic and clinical parameters were recorded and the 25-hydroxivitamin D3 serum levels were measured. Serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 levels were significantly lower in patients with systemic sclerosis than in the control group. The prevalence of 25-hydroxivitamin D3 insufficiency was 50% in the patients and 22.5% in the control group. A statistically significant association was observed between the insufficiency of 25-hydroxivitamin D3 and skin involvement (p = 0.02) and echocardiography systolic pulmonary artery pressure >35 mmHg (p = 0.02). Our data show that the systemic sclerosis group has significantly lower serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 concentrations compared to the control group; skin involvement and pulmonary hypertension are associated with vitamin D3 insufficiency.
Two-Level Micro-to-Nanoscale Hierarchical TiO2 Nanolayers on Titanium Surface
Authors: Zemtsova Elena , Arbenin Andrei , Valiev Ruslan , Orekhov Evgeny , Semenov Valentin , Smirnov Vladimir
Published: December 2016

Joint replacement is being actively developed within modern orthopedics. One novel material providing fast implantation is bioactive coatings. The synthesis of targeted nanocoatings on metallic nanotitanium surface is reported in this paper. TiO2-based micro- and nanocoatings were produced by sol-gel synthesis using dip-coating technology with subsequent fast (shock) drying in hot plate mode at 400 °C. As a result of shock drying, the two-level hierarchical TiO2 nanolayer on the nanotitanium was obtained. This two-level hierarchy includes nanorelief of porous xerogel and microrelief of the micron-sized “defect” network (a crack network). The thickness of TiO2 nanolayers was controlled by repeating dip-coating process the necessary number of times after the first layer deposition. The state of the MS3T3-E1 osteoblast cell line (young cells that form bone tissue) on the two-level hierarchical surface has been studied. Particularly, adhesion character, adhesion time and morphology have been studied. The reported results may serve the starting point for the development of novel bioactive coatings for bone and teeth implants.
Perspectives on Neutron Scattering in Lanthanide-Based Single-Molecule Magnets and a Case Study of the Tb2(μ-N2) System
Authors: Prša Krunoslav , Nehrkorn Joscha , Corbey Jordan , Evans William , Demir Selvan , Long Jeffrey , Guidi Tatiana , Waldmann Oliver
Published: December 2016

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) based on lanthanide ions display the largest known blocking temperatures and are the best candidates for molecular magnetic devices. Understanding their physical properties is a paramount task for the further development of the field. In particular, for the poly-nuclear variety of lanthanide SMMs, a proper understanding of the magnetic exchange interaction is crucial. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the neutron scattering technique in the study of these materials and particularly for the determination of exchange. We illustrate these points by presenting the results of a comprehensive inelastic neutron scattering study aimed at a radical-bridged diterbium(III) cluster, Tb2(μ-N23−), which exhibits the largest blocking temperature for a poly-nuclear SMM. Results on the YIII analogue Y2(μ-N23−) and the parent compound Tb2(μ-N22−) (showing no SMM features) are also reported. The results on the parent compound include the first direct determination of the lanthanide-lanthanide exchange interaction in a molecular cluster based on inelastic neutron scattering. In the SMM compound, the resulting physical picture remains incomplete due to the difficulties inherent to the problem.
Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of New Thiazole Nortopsentin Analogs
Authors: Spanò Virginia , Attanzio Alessandro , Cascioferro Stella , Carbone Anna , Montalbano Alessandra , Barraja Paola , Tesoriere Luisa , Cirrincione Girolamo , Diana Patrizia , Parrino Barbara
Published: December 2016

New thiazole nortopsentin analogs in which one of the two indole units was replaced by a naphthyl and/or 7-azaindolyl portion, were conveniently synthesized. Among these, three derivatives showed good antiproliferative activity, in particular against MCF7 cell line, with GI50 values in the micromolar range. Their cytotoxic effect on MCF7 cells was further investigated in order to elucidate their mode of action. Results showed that the three compounds act as pro-apoptotic agents inducing a clear shift of viable cells towards early apoptosis, while not exerting necrotic effects. They also caused cell cycle perturbation with significant decrease in the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 and S phases, accompanied by a concomitant percentage increase of cells in the G2/M phase, and appearance of a subG1-cell population.
What Ion Flow along Ion Channels Can Tell us about Their Functional Activity
Authors: Becucci Lucia , Guidelli Rolando
Published: December 2016

The functional activity of channel-forming peptides and proteins is most directly verified by monitoring the flow of physiologically relevant inorganic ions, such as Na+, K+ and Cl−, along the ion channels. Electrical current measurements across bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) interposed between two aqueous solutions have been widely employed to this end and are still extensively used. However, a major drawback of BLMs is their fragility, high sensitivity toward vibrations and mechanical shocks, and low resistance to electric fields. To overcome this problem, metal-supported tethered BLMs (tBLMs) have been devised, where the BLM is anchored to the metal via a hydrophilic spacer that replaces and mimics the water phase on the metal side. However, only mercury-supported tBLMs can measure and regulate the flow of the above inorganic ions, thanks to mercury liquid state and high hydrogen overpotential. This review summarizes the main results achieved by BLMs incorporating voltage-gated channel-forming peptides, interpreting them on the basis of a kinetic mechanism of nucleation and growth. Hg-supported tBLMs are then described, and their potential for the investigation of voltage-gated and ohmic channels is illustrated by the use of different electrochemical techniques.
The High Q Factor Lateral Field–Excited Thickness Shear Mode Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator Working in Liquid
Authors: Chen Da , Ren Wenwen , Song Shuren , Wang Jingjing , Liu Weihui , Wang Peng
Published: December 2016

A high Q factor film bulk acoustic resonator operating in thickness shear mode excited by a lateral field is described in this paper. The influence of electrode parameters on the resonator performance is studied by the finite element method. The results showed that three key electrode parameters, including the gap, length and width, played important roles in the optimization of the resonator performance. The highest Q factor of up to 643 was obtained when the parallel electrodes were designed to be 100 µm × 10 µm with the electrode gap of 10 µm. Based on the simulation results, the AlN-based film bulk acoustic resonator with a solidly mounted structure was fabricated. The testing results showed that the real device operated at the resonance frequency of 1.94 GHz with the Q factor of 405 in air, 216 in water and 102 in phosphate buffered saline solution.
A Novel Synthesis of Fused Uracils: Indenopyrimidopyridazines, Pyrimidopyridazines, and Pyrazolopyrimidines for Antimicrobial and Antitumor Evalution
Authors: El-Kalyoubi Samar , Agili Fatimah
Published: December 2016

A variety of different compounds of fused uracils were prepared simply by the heating of 6-hydrazinyl-1-methyl-, 6-hydrazinyl-1-propyl-, or 6-hydrazinyl-1,3-dipropyluracil under reflux with ninhydrin, isatin, benzylidene malononitrile, benzylylidene ethyl cyanoacetate, benzil, and phenacyl bromide derivatives. The newly synthesized compounds were completely screened for antimicrobial and antitumor activity.
Synthesis, Antifungal Evaluation and In Silico Study of N-(4-Halobenzyl)amides
Authors: Montes Ricardo , Perez Ana , Medeiros Cássio , Araújo Marianna , Lima Edeltrudes , Scotti Marcus , Sousa Damião
Published: December 2016

A collection of 32 structurally related N-(4-halobenzyl)amides were synthesized from cinnamic and benzoic acids through coupling reactions with 4-halobenzylamines, using (benzotriazol-1-yloxy)tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP) as a coupling agent. The compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods such as infrared, 1H- and 13C- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The compounds were then submitted to antimicrobial tests by the minimum inhibitory concentration method (MIC) and nystatin was used as a control in the antifungal assays. The purpose of the tests was to evaluate the influence of structural changes in the cinnamic and benzoic acid substructures on the inhibitory activity against strains of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei. A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study with KNIME v. 3.1.0 and Volsurf v. 1.0.7 softwares were realized, showing that descriptors DRDRDR, DRDRAC, L4LgS, IW4 and DD2 influence the antifungal activity of the haloamides. In general, 10 benzamides revealed fungal sensitivity, especially a vanillic amide which enjoyed the lowest MIC. The results demonstrate that a hydroxyl group in the para position, and a methoxyl at the meta position enhance antifungal activity for the amide skeletal structure. In addition, the double bond as a spacer group appears to be important for the activity of amide structures.
Effect of Tea Polyphenol Compounds on Anticancer Drugs in Terms of Anti-Tumor Activity, Toxicology, and Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Cao Jianhua , Han Jie , Xiao Hao , Qiao Jinping , Han Mei
Published: December 2016

Multidrug resistance and various adverse side effects have long been major problems in cancer chemotherapy. Recently, chemotherapy has gradually transitioned from mono-substance therapy to multidrug therapy. As a result, the drug cocktail strategy has gained more recognition and wider use. It is believed that properly-formulated drug combinations have greater therapeutic efficacy than single drugs. Tea is a popular beverage consumed by cancer patients and the general public for its perceived health benefits. The major bioactive molecules in green tea are catechins, a class of flavanols. The combination of green tea extract or green tea catechins and anticancer compounds has been paid more attention in cancer treatment. Previous studies demonstrated that the combination of chemotherapeutic drugs and green tea extract or tea polyphenols could synergistically enhance treatment efficacy and reduce the adverse side effects of anticancer drugs in cancer patients. In this review, we summarize the experimental evidence regarding the effects of green tea-derived polyphenols in conjunction with chemotherapeutic drugs on anti-tumor activity, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics. We believe that the combination of multidrug cancer treatment with green tea catechins may improve treatment efficacy and diminish negative side effects.
Dynamic and Static Behavior of Hollow-Core FRP-Concrete-Steel and Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns under Vehicle Collision
Authors: Abdelkarim Omar , ElGawady Mohamed
Published: December 2016

This paper presents the difference in behavior between hollow-core fiber reinforced polymer-concrete-steel (HC-FCS) columns and conventional reinforced concrete (RC) columns under vehicle collision in terms of dynamic and static forces. The HC-FCS column consisted of an outer FRP tube, an inner steel tube, and a concrete shell sandwiched between the two tubes. The steel tube was hollow inside and embedded into the concrete footing with a length of 1.5 times the tube diameter while the FRP tube stopped at the top of footing. The RC column had a solid cross-section. The study was conducted through extensive finite element impact analyses using LS-DYNA software. Nine parameters were studied including the concrete material model, unconfined concrete compressive strength, material strain rate, column height-to-diameter ratio, column diameter, column top boundary condition, axial load level, vehicle velocity, and vehicle mass. Generally, the HC-FCS columns had lower dynamic forces and higher static forces than the RC columns when changing the values of the different parameters. During vehicle collision with either the RC or the HC-FCS columns, the imposed dynamic forces and their equivalent static forces were affected mainly by the vehicle velocity and vehicle mass.
Temperature-, pH- and CO2-Sensitive Poly(N-isopropylacryl amide-co-acrylic acid) Copolymers with High Glass Transition Temperatures
Authors: Shieh Yeong-Tarng , Lin Pei-Yi , Chen Tao , Kuo Shiao-Wei
Published: December 2016

A series of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNIPAAm-co-PAA) random copolymers were synthesized through free radical copolymerization in MeOH. The incorporation of the acrylic acid units into PNIPAAm tended to enhance the glass transition temperature (Tg), due to strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the amide groups of PNIPAAm and the carboxyl groups of PAA, as observed using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analyses. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) increased upon increasing the pH of the aqueous solution containing PNIPAAm-co-PAA because the COOH groups of the PAA segment dissociated into COO− groups, enhancing the solubility of the copolymer. In addition, high-pressure differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the LCSTs of all the aqueous solutions of the copolymers decreased upon increasing the pressure of CO2, suggesting that CO2 molecules had displaced H2O molecules around the polar CONH and COOH groups in PNIPAAm-co-PAA, thereby promoting the hydrophobicity of the copolymers in the aqueous solution. In addition, the values of Tg of a film sample increased upon treatment with supercritical CO2, implying that intermolecular interactions in the copolymer had been enhanced after such treatment.
An Extensive Unified Thermo-Electric Module Characterization Method
Authors: Attivissimo Filippo , Guarnieri Calò Carducci Carlo , Lanzolla Anna , Spadavecchia Maurizio
Published: December 2016

Thermo-Electric Modules (TEMs) are being increasingly used in power generation as a valid alternative to batteries, providing autonomy to sensor nodes or entire Wireless Sensor Networks, especially for energy harvesting applications. Often, manufacturers provide some essential parameters under determined conditions, like for example, maximum temperature difference between the surfaces of the TEM or for maximum heat absorption, but in many cases, a TEM-based system is operated under the best conditions only for a fraction of the time, thus, when dynamic working conditions occur, the performance estimation of TEMs is crucial to determine their actual efficiency. The focus of this work is on using a novel procedure to estimate the parameters of both the electrical and thermal equivalent model and investigate their relationship with the operating temperature and the temperature gradient. The novelty of the method consists in the use of a simple test configuration to stimulate the modules and simultaneously acquire electrical and thermal data to obtain all parameters in a single test. Two different current profiles are proposed as possible stimuli, which use depends on the available test instrumentation, and relative performance are compared both quantitatively and qualitatively, in terms of standard deviation and estimation uncertainty. Obtained results, besides agreeing with both technical literature and a further estimation method based on module specifications, also provides the designer a detailed description of the module behavior, useful to simulate its performance in different scenarios.
High-Frequency Fiber-Optic Ultrasonic Sensor Using Air Micro-Bubble for Imaging of Seismic Physical Models
Authors: Gang Tingting , Hu Manli , Rong Qiangzhou , Qiao Xueguang , Liang Lei , Liu Nan , Tong Rongxin , Liu Xiaobo , Bian Ce
Published: December 2016

A micro-fiber-optic Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) is proposed and demonstrated experimentally for ultrasonic imaging of seismic physical models. The device consists of a micro-bubble followed by the end of a single-mode fiber (SMF). The micro-structure is formed by the discharging operation on a short segment of hollow-core fiber (HCF) that is spliced to the SMF. This micro FPI is sensitive to ultrasonic waves (UWs), especially to the high-frequency (up to 10 MHz) UW, thanks to its ultra-thin cavity wall and micro-diameter. A side-band filter technology is employed for the UW interrogation, and then the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) UW signal is achieved. Eventually the sensor is used for lateral imaging of the physical model by scanning UW detection and two-dimensional signal reconstruction.
Fostering Cultures of Sustainability through Community-Engaged Museums: The History and Re-Emergence of Ecomuseums in Canada and the USA
Authors: Sutter Glenn , Sperlich Tobias , Worts Douglas , Rivard René , Teather Lynne
Published: December 2016

In recent decades, communities around the world have been reacting to the forces of globalization by re-focusing on the local, leading to the democratization of culture, heritage, and related concepts. By attempting to reconnect locals with their own sense of belonging, to reinvigorate a pride of place, and to foster wellbeing, communities have increasingly and successfully turned to features that make their local history, heritage, and environment unique or distinctive. In turn, democratization processes have led to sustainable forms of economic and community development through ecomuseums and other examples of community-engaged museums. This paper aims to deepen our understanding of relevant community-based culture and heritage initiatives by reflecting on the development of ecomuseums in Canada and the USA. As part of the larger museum community, ecomuseums tend to be accessible entities that are not affiliated with political or other convictions or viewpoints. This makes them uniquely positioned to foster creative change and adaptation aimed at sustainability, yet their evolution in North America has not been examined from this perspective. To address this gap, this paper will highlight the Haute-Beauce Ecomuseum in Québec and the Ak-Chin Him Dak Ecomuseum in Arizona, which have long histories as North American ecomuseums and represent two very different cultural and geographic contexts. We also reflect on the history of ecomuseums in Canada, and their recent emergence in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
Investigation of Strategic Changes Using Patent Co-Inventor Network Analysis: The Case of Samsung Electronics
Authors: Choi Sungchul , Park Hyunseok
Published: December 2016

The aim of this paper is to propose a method to investigate a firm’s strategic changes. Technologies or technological capabilities are a major resource for achieving competitive advantages, so a firm’s R&D effort to improve capabilities on specific technologies is aligned with strategic direction. Therefore, this research analyzes changes in R&D efforts by identifying key R&D personnel using patent co-inventor network and social network analysis. Based on characteristics of application and granted patents, the method analyzes current and future R&D efforts and so identifies strategic changes of a firm. We conducted an empirical analysis using the patents of Samsung Electronics. Our method analyzed the current and future strategies of Samsung Electronics and the result shows clear strategic changes in their focal technologies and business.
Le verbe grec ΔΙΦΑΩ : Lexique et étymologie
Authors: Dieu Eric
Published: December 2016

The aim of this paper is to present a new etymology for Greek δῑφάω “ to search after”. After showing that this verb is semantically related to a small group of verbs ending in -φάω (ἁφάω “ to handle, turn over” and ψηλαφάω “ to feel or grope about”), I suggest that this ending in δῑφάω results from the formal influence of ἁφάω and ψηλαφάω, and that the verbal basis δῑ-is the zero-grade of the PIE root * dieh1 -/ * dih1 -“ to hasten”, which is attested in the Greek verbs δίεμαι and διώκω

“ to hunt, chase, pursue”. The meaning of δῑφάω can be explained by a contamination of the meaning of this PIE root and the meaning of ἁφάω and ψηλαφάω.
Le témoignage du deuxième livre du « Commentaire au Timée » de Proclus sur la forme des arguments médio-platoniciens au sujet de la genèse du monde
Authors: Petrucci Federico M.
Published: December 2016

The aim of this research is to analyse references to Middle Platonic exegeses on Plato’s cosmogony in the second book of Proclus’ Commentary on the Timaeus. Passages (which are generally dealt with only as fragments) will be systematically observed by considering their context and the way Proclus presents them : one will finally be able to emphasise that Proclus’ witness does not sustain the idea that Middle Platonic commentaries were continuous. Then, the major source for Middle Platonic exegeses on the Timaeus strongly suggests us to adopt a sceptical attitude with respect to this problem. In addition, some further aspects will emerge, for what concerns both Middle Platonic exegetical approach and Proclus’ method of using his (either direct or indirect) sources.
La Confédération d’Athéna Ilias : administration et pratiques financières
Authors: Lefèvre François , Pillot William
Published: December 2016

The Confederation of Athena Ilias, located in the Troad, is known almost exclusively thanks to epigraphic testimonies. The analysis of these with respect to financial administration (expenditures, sources of income, administrators, etc.), makes it possible to discern both strictness and flexibility in the local practices, which helped assure the longevity of the koinon.
Oppien de Cilicie et l’Épitomé d’Aristophane de Byzance
Authors: Cariou Morgane
Published: December 2016

This article tackles the relationship between the Halieutica by Oppian of Cilicia and Aristophanes of Byzantium’s biological handbook entitled Epitome. Its starting point is the discovery of two new copies of a fraction of the Epitome in manuscripts of the Halieutica, i. e. the MS Florence 86.26 and the MS Milan C 222 inf. Further analysis shows that this treatise has a double manuscript tradition and that it has had a wide diffusion during the Imperial period. The article then investigates four passages of the Halieutica which directly stem from Aristophanes of Byzantium’s paragraphs. As some of these paragraphs are also at the origin of Aelian’s chapters, it lastly analyses the intricate process of the transmission of Aristotle’s zoology, which is in turn summarised or developed. In late Antiquity and Byzantine period, these knowledges are often indirectly reached. Noteworthy is a kind of circular process according to which a writer happens to come back to the source of the compilation he is using.
Le toponyme Πτολεμαῖον dans les inscriptions de Cyrène : un essai de clarification
Authors: Dobias-Lalou Catherine
Published: December 2016

Cet article, dans un premier temps, rappelle l’histoire édilitaire du gymnase, constitué d’une palestre et d’un xyste attenant, édifié à Cyrène au milieu du IIe s. av. n. è. et dont les constituants furent transformés dans la seconde moitié du Ier s. de n. è. respectivement en un forum dénommé Caesareum et en une rue couverte. Suit un nouvel examen de la validité @ du nom Πτολεμαῖον que l’on a cru pouvoir lui prêter sur la foi de deux mentions épigraphiques. 1°) Un décret honorifique athénien pris en faveur d’un notable cyrénéen d’époque augustéenne prévoit l’exposition de portraits en divers lieux, dont un Ptolémaion ; en rétablissant la structure syntaxique de ce texte lacunaire, on peut montrer qu’il s’agit de l’édifice athénien de ce nom. 2°) Le Πτυλυμαῖον / Ptolmaeum récupéré en 71 de n. è. au profit du peuple romain dans le cadre de la procédure bien connue de restitutio agrorum ne saurait pour diverses raisons être cet édifice public urbain, mais doit être un domaine campagnard, si proche fût-il de la cité.
Biotic and abiotic factors associated with altitudinal variation in plant traits and herbivory in a dominant oak species
Authors: Abdala‐Roberts Luis , Rasmann Sergio , Berny‐Mier y Terán Jorge C. , Covelo Felisa , Glauser Gaétan , Moreira Xoaquín
Published: December 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

It is generally thought that herbivore pressure is higher at lower elevations where climate is warmer and less seasonal, and that this has led to higher levels of plant defense investment at low elevations. However, the generality of this expectation has been called into question by recent studies.

METHODS:

We tested for altitudinal gradients in insect leaf damage, plant defenses (phenolic compounds), and nutritional traits (phosphorus and nitrogen) in leaves of the long‐lived tree Quercus robur, and further investigated the abiotic factors associated with such gradients. We sampled 20 populations of Q. robur distributed along an altitudinal gradient spanning 35–869 m above sea level, which covered most of the altitudinal range of this species and varied substantially in abiotic conditions, plant traits, and herbivory.

KEY RESULTS:

Univariate regressions showed that leaf herbivory, phenolics, and phosphorus increased toward higher elevations, whereas leaf nitrogen did not vary with altitude. Multiple regression analyses indicated that temperature was the single most important factor associated with herbivory and appears to be strongly associated with altitudinal variation in damage. Leaf phenolics were also correlated with herbivory, but in a manner that suggests these chemical defenses do not underlie altitudinal variation in damage. In addition, we found that variation in leaf traits (phenolics and nutrients) was in turn associated with both climatic and soil variables.

CONCLUSIONS:

Overall, these findings suggest that altitudinal gradients in herbivory and defenses in Q. robur are uncoupled and that elevational variation in herbivory and plant traits responds mainly to abiotic factors.
PHOTOIONIZATION MODELS FOR THE SEMI-FORBIDDEN C iii] 1909 EMISSION IN STAR-FORMING GALAXIES
Authors: Jaskot A. E. , Ravindranath S.
Published: December 2016

The increasing neutrality of the intergalactic medium at z > 6 suppresses Lyα emission, and spectroscopic confirmation of galaxy redshifts requires the detection of alternative ultraviolet lines. The strong [C iii] λ1907+C iii] λ1909 doublet frequently observed in low-metallicity, actively star-forming galaxies is a promising emission feature. We present CLOUDY photoionization model predictions for C iii] equivalent widths (EWs) and line ratios as a function of starburst age, metallicity, and ionization parameter. Our models include a range of C/O abundances, dust content, and gas density. We also examine the effects of varying the nebular geometry and optical depth. Only the stellar models that incorporate binary interaction effects reproduce the highest observed C iii] EWs. The spectral energy distributions from the binary stellar population models also generate observable C iii] over a longer timescale relative to single-star models. We show that diagnostics using C iii] and nebular He ii λ1640 can separate star-forming regions from shock-ionized gas. We also find that density-bounded systems should exhibit weaker C iii] EWs at a given ionization parameter, and C iii] EWs could, therefore, select candidate Lyman continuum-leaking systems. In almost all models, C iii] is the next strongest line at <2700 Å after Lyα, and C iii] reaches detectable levels for a wide range of conditions at low metallicity. C iii] may therefore serve as an important diagnostic for characterizing galaxies at z > 6.
THE EFFECT OF COOLING ON PARTICLE TRAJECTORIES AND ACCELERATION IN RELATIVISTIC MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
Authors: Kagan Daniel , Nakar Ehud , Piran Tsvi
Published: December 2016

The maximum synchrotron burnoff limit of 160 MeV represents a fundamental limit to radiation resulting from electromagnetic particle acceleration in one-zone ideal plasmas. In magnetic reconnection, however, particle acceleration and radiation are decoupled because the electric field is larger than the magnetic field in the diffusion region. We carry out two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations to determine the extent to which magnetic reconnection can produce synchrotron radiation above the burnoff limit. We use the test particle comparison (TPC) method to isolate the effects of cooling by comparing the trajectories and acceleration efficiencies of test particles incident on such a reconnection region with and without cooling them. We find that the cooled and uncooled particle trajectories are typically similar during acceleration in the reconnection region, and derive an effective limit on particle acceleration that is inversely proportional to the average magnetic field experienced by the particle during acceleration. Using the calculated distribution of this average magnetic field as a function of uncooled final particle energy, we find analytically that cooling does not affect power-law particle energy spectra except at energies far above the synchrotron burnoff limit. Finally, we compare fully cooled and uncooled simulations of reconnection, confirming that the synchrotron burnoff limit does not produce a cutoff in the particle energy spectrum. Our results indicate that the TPC method accurately predicts the effects of cooling on particle acceleration in relativistic reconnection, and that, even far above the burnoff limit, the synchrotron energy of radiation produced in reconnection is not limited by cooling.
WASP-20 IS A CLOSE VISUAL BINARY WITH A TRANSITING HOT JUPITER
Authors: Evans Daniel F. , Southworth John , Smalley Barry
Published: December 2016

We announce the discovery that WASP-20 is a binary stellar system, consisting of two components separated by 0.2578 ± 0.″0007 on the sky, with a flux ratio of 0.4639 ± 0.0015 in the K-band. It has previously been assumed that the system consists of a single F9 V star, with photometric and radial velocity signals consistent with a low-density transiting giant planet. With a projected separation of approximately 60 au between the two components, the detected planetary signals almost certainly originate from the brighter of the two stars. We reanalyze previous observations allowing for two scenarios, “planet transits A” and “planet transits B,” finding that both cases remain consistent with a transiting gas giant. However, we rule out the “planet transits B” scenario because the observed transit duration requires star B to be significantly evolved, and therefore have an age much greater than star A. We outline further observations that can be used to confirm this finding. Our preferred “planet transits A” scenario results in the measured mass and radius of the planet increasing by 4σ and 1σ, respectively.
STELLAR DYNAMO MODELS WITH PROMINENT SURFACE TOROIDAL FIELDS
Authors: Bonanno Alfio
Published: December 2016

Recent spectro-polarimetric observations of solar-type stars have shown the presence of photospheric magnetic fields with a predominant toroidal component. If the external field is assumed to be current-free it is impossible to explain these observations within the framework of standard mean-field dynamo theory. In this work, it will be shown that if the coronal field of these stars is assumed to be harmonic, the underlying stellar dynamo mechanism can support photospheric magnetic fields with a prominent toroidal component even in the presence of axisymmetric magnetic topologies. In particular, it is argued that the observed increase in the toroidal energy in low-mass fast-rotating stars can be naturally explained with an underlying αΩ mechanism.
Science et littérature : mélange des genres
Authors: Lissalde Claire
Published: December 2016

Cet article expose les démarches et les enjeux de l’organisation de l’exposition Science/Fiction, voyage au cœur du vivant par l’INSERM. Il souligne également l’innovation proposée par une médiation qui utilise le mélange des genres littéraires et scientifiques pour atteindre son public.
Charles Nodier et la fin du genre humain
Authors: Sukiennicka Marta
Published: December 2016

Les essais de Charles Nodier De la Fin prochaine du genre humain et De la palingénésie humaine et de la résurrection publiés entre 1831-1832 dans la Revue de Paris offrent une possibilité de voir comment s’opère la jonction du discours scientifique et du discours littéraire au xixe siècle. Dans ces deux textes, Nodier réinterprète les notions biologiques comme palingénésie, transformisme et catastrophisme pour mener une réflexion, posthumaniste avant la lettre, sur la place de l’homme dans la chaîne des êtres et sur la décadence de la civilisation humaine.
Séparer science et littérature
Authors: Willmann Françoise
Published: December 2016

Emil du Bois-Reymond (1818-1894) a publié une part importante de ses travaux sur l’électricité animale en trois volumes intitulés Untersuchungen über thierische Elektricität, (1848, 1849, 1884). Malgré ses quelque mille pages, l’ouvrage est inachevé et cela pour des raisons multiples relevant de l’évolution des modalités de production, de publication et d’écriture des sciences, une évolution à laquelle Du Bois-Reymond prend une part active tout en ne cessant de revenir sur la souffrance qu’elle implique. Son obstination à faire paraître un ouvrage dont il affirme lui-même le caractère anachronique trahit la difficulté à se résigner à l’effacement du sujet qu’exige le travail scientifique, que l’on retrouve au cœur de son célèbre discours de 1882 sur Goethe, poète et savant, explorant les frontières entre science et littérature.
L’esthétique et le vivant
Authors: Klinkert Thomas
Published: December 2016

La poétique baudelairienne de la modernité est l’expression d’une conscience historique : le beau est composé « d’un élément éternel, invariable » et « d’un élément relatif, circonstanciel » (Le Peintre de la vie moderne). Dans la pratique poétique de Baudelaire cette dualité du beau, qui participe d’un ordre du temps historique, est réalisée sous forme d’une tension entre deux autres ordres temporels, à savoir l’ordre du temps biologique, qui implique la mortalité de l’homme, et l’ordre du temps culturel, dont la fonction est de transcender la mort individuelle. Cette contribution étudie les rapports entre ces trois ordres temporels.
La configuration culturelle territoriale d’une ville moyenne : trajectoires et tensions. Le cas d’Albi
Authors: Sibertin-Blanc Mariette , Lima Stéphanie
Published: December 2016

L’objet de cet article est de comprendre les logiques d’une configuration culturelle territoriale définie comme le croisement de plusieurs champs de force : un contexte urbain, des dispositifs territoriaux et des politiques culturelles, des logiques personnelles et professionnelles. Le terrain est ici la ville moyenne d’Albi, aujourd’hui identifiée pour sa valorisation patrimoniale et ses initiatives culturelles. La dimension privilégiée est l’analyse d’un processus itératif sur le temps long (40 ans), révélant les logiques à l’œuvre et les acteurs en présence. En définitive, la vitalité culturelle actuelle d’Albi résulte clairement d’un cumul d’expériences, de conflits, de politiques endogènes et nationales. Mais il apparaît à l’analyse que les paradigmes nationaux et internationaux s’imposent (ville créative, culture au service de l’attractivité) au détriment des ressources locales spécifiques. Les différentes figures des acteurs culturels expriment ces trajectoires et ces tensions, dans un moment où le projet municipal met davantage en avant une stratégie urbaine, au détriment d’une proposition culturelle et artistique ancrée.
Après le boom : la laborieuse mise en œuvre de nouvelles régulations dans le secteur minier guinéen
Authors: Knierzinger Johannes
Published: December 2016

Depuis 2003, après une longue phase de libéralisation dans le secteur minier, au moins une douzaine de pays africains ont adopté de nouveaux codes miniers. Cette nouvelle « génération » de codes se distingue visiblement du caractère libéral des précédents. À partir de l’exemple de la Guinée avant et après le boom minier des années 2000, l’article retrace les étapes de la mise en œuvre d’un tel code minier depuis son adoption en 2011 jusqu’aux nouvelles pratiques et leur suivi sur place, en passant par la modification du code minier en 2013 et par l’adoption des textes d’application et l’adaptation des conventions minières existantes.
Potentialités de l’outil LiDAR pour cartographier les vestiges de la Grande Guerre en milieu intra-forestier (bois des Caures, forêt domaniale de Verdun, Meuse)
Authors: de Matos Machado Rémi , Amat Jean-Paul , Arnaud-Fassetta Gilles , Bétard François
Published: December 2016

Cent ans après la Grande Guerre, les traces des champs de bataille restent présentes dans les paysages du Nord-Est de la France. En 2013, une prospection par LiDAR aéroporté de la forêt domaniale de Verdun a mis en évidence sous forme d’images 3-D à haute résolution les vestiges de guerre masqués par le manteau forestier. Cette étude explore les potentialités de l’outil LiDAR pour l’analyse et la cartographie des témoins des aménagements militaires dans le bois des Caures (forêt domaniale de Verdun), lieu des premiers combats de la bataille de Verdun (1916). Le traitement d’images combiné à l’analyse de terrain permet d’établir une typologie et une cartographie inédites de la diversité des vestiges, abris et fossés, et de l’organisation du champ de bataille.
Feasibility of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Surgical Intensive Care Unit Personnel
Authors: Steinberg Beth A. , Klatt Maryanna , Duchemin Anne-Marie
Published: December 2016

Background

Surgical intensive care unit personnel are exposed to catastrophic situations as they care for seriously injured or ill patients. Few interventions have been developed to reduce the negative effects of work stress in this environment.

Objective

This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a workplace intervention for increasing resilience to stress. The intervention was implemented within the unique constraints characteristic of surgical intensive care units.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The mindfulness-based intervention included meditation, mild yoga movement, and music and was conducted in a group format 1 hour a week for 8 weeks in a surgical intensive care unit during work hours. Assessments were performed 1 week before and 1 week after the intervention.

Results

The intervention was well received, with a 97% overall retention rate and 100% retention in the intervention group. Work satisfaction, measured with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, increased significantly in the intervention group with no change in the control group. Negative correlations were found between the vigor subscale scores of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and scores for emotional exhaustion on the Maslach Burnout Inventory and scores for burnout on the Professional Quality of Life scale. Participants rated recognizing their stress response as a main benefit of the intervention.

Conclusion

Workplace group interventions aimed at decreasing the negative effects of stress can be applied within hospital intensive care units. Despite many constraints, attendance at weekly sessions was high. Institutional support was critical for implementation of this program.
Esmolol for the treatment of recurrent ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Savastano Simone , Greco Alessandra , Matrone Benedetta
Published: December 2016

Cardiac arrest and electrical storm are two major emergencies. The use of beta blockers in these clinical conditions has been proposed however, definite data about the emergency use of beta blockers in recurrent ventricular tachycardia with pulse have never been published. We report two cases of recurrent ventricular tachycardia which were unresponsive to the standard pharmacological treatment but successfully responsive to esmolol infusion. Both cases showed a reduced left ventricle ejection fraction due to an acute myocardial infarction and to an idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy respectively. Nevertheless, the use of esmolol was shown to be both safe and effective without inducing low output syndrome.
Severe symptomatic bradycardia after a dinner of spicy oleander soup
Authors: Tampieri Andrea , Mucci Fabrizio , Palmonari Valeria , Giovannini Eugenio , Lenzi Tiziano , Cenni Patrizia
Published: December 2016

Introduction: Cardiac glycosides similar to digoxin are produced by different plants in nature. Nerium oleander, commonly grown as an ornamental shrub, can be found worldwide in temperate countries. Intentional or accidental ingestion of any part of the plant can lead to clinically relevant intoxication. Case report: A 63 year old woman came to the emergency department with acute dyspeptic symptoms after eating vegetable soup flavored with unfamiliar flowers she have collected herself. However, the ECG showed abnormalities that raised suspicions for an overdose of digoxin-like cardiac glycosides. The patient was not on treatment with digoxin and a careful anamnesis revealed that she had eaten oleander leaves. Digoxin specific Fab antibody fragments were administered for marked bradycardia that was not responding to atropine administration, after counseling with the reference toxicology center. The patient was also treated with activated charcoal and magnesium sulphate, intravenous fluids and pantoprazole. Four days later she was discharged as asymptomatic, with normal sinus rhythm. Conclusion: Emergency physicians should be aware of this type of poisoning, especially in cases with typical ECG alterations in patients not treated with digoxin and medical history of plants ingestion. Cardio-active glycosides are present in different plants, often used inappropriately, with potential toxic effects and harmful drug interactions.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards spotted fever group rickettsioses and Q fever in Laikipia and Maasai Mara, Kenya
Authors: Ndeereh David , Muchemi Gerald , Thaiyah Andrew
Published: December 2016

Many factors contribute to misdiagnosis and underreporting of infectious zoonotic diseases in most sub-Saharan Africa including limited diagnostic capacity and poor knowledge. We assessed the knowledge, practices and attitudes towards spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) and Q fever amongst local residents in Laikipia and Maasai Mara in Kenya. A semistructured questionnaire was administered to a total of 101 respondents including 51 pastoralists, 17 human health providers, 28 wildlife sector personnel and 5 veterinarians. The pastoralists expressed no knowledge about SFGR and Q fever. About 26.7% of the wildlife sector personnel in Laikipia expressed some knowledge about SFGR and none in Maasai Mara. None of these respondents had knowledge about Q fever. About 45.5 and 33.3% of the health providers in Laikipia and Maasai Mara respectively expressed knowledge about SFGR and 9.1% in Laikipia expressed good knowledge on Q fever and none in Maasai Mara. The diseases are not considered amongst potential causes of febrile illnesses in most medical facilities except in one facility in Laikipia. Majority of pastoralists practiced at least one predisposing activity for transmission of the diseases including consumption of raw milk, attending to parturition and sharing living accommodations with livestock. Education efforts to update knowledge on medical personnel and One-Health collaborations should be undertaken for more effective mitigation of zoonotic disease threats. The local communities should be sensitized through a multidisciplinary approach to avoid practices that can predispose them to the diseases.
Biostratigraphic determinations of fossils from the subsurface of the Yukon Territory and the districts of Mackenzie and Franklin
Authors: Norford B S , Braun W K , Chamney T P , Fritz W H , McGregor D C , Norris A W , Pedder A E H , Uyeno T T
Published: December 2016

Identifications and age determinations are presented for fossils from twenty wells in the Districts of Mackenzie and Franklin and the Yukon Territory. Ages range from Middle Cambrian to Late Cretaceous and are based on identifications of spores, pollen,
conodonts, ostracods, foraminifers I corals, brachiopods and trilobites.