bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antifungal activity of the basil (Ocimmum basilicum L.) extract on Penicillium aurantiogriseum, P. glabrum, P. chrysogenum, and P. brevicompactum
Authors: Kocic-Tanackov Suncica , Dimic Gordana , Pejin Dusanka , Mojovic Ljiljana , Pejin Jelena , Tanackov Ilija
Published: December 2012

This study was aimed at investigating the antifungal potential of basil
(Ocimmum basilicum L.) extract against toxin-producing Penicillium spp. (P.
aurantiogriseum, P. glabrum, P. chrysogenum, and P. brevicompactum) isolated
from food. The basil extract composition was determined by the GC-MS method.
The major component identified in the extract was estragole (86.72%). The
determination of the antifungal activity of basil extract on Penicillium spp.
was performed using the agar plate method. Basil extract reduced the growth
of Penicillium spp. at all applied concentration levels (0.16, 0.35, 0.70,
and 1.50 mL/100mL) with the colony growth inhibition from 3.6 (for P.
glabrum) to 100% (for P. chrysogenum). The highest sensitivity showed P.
chrysogenum, where the growth was completely inhibited at the basil extract
concentration of 1.50 mL/100mL. The growth of other Penicillium spp. was
partially inhibited with the colony growth inhibition of 63.4 % (P.
brevicompactum), 67.5% (P. aurantiogriseum), and 71.7% (P. glabrum). Higher
concentrations (0.70 and 1.50 mL/100mL) reduced the growth of the aerial
mycelium of all tested Penicillium species. In addition, at the same extract
concentrations, the examination of microscopic preparation showed the
deformation of hyphae with the frequent occurrence of fragmentations and
thickenings, occurrence of irregular vesicle, frequently without metulae and
phialides, enlarged metulae. The results obtained in this investigation point
to the possibility of using basil extract for the antifungal food protection.
A chemometric approach for prediction of antifungal activity of some benzoxazole derivatives against Candida albicans
Authors: Podunavac-Kuzmanovic Sanja , Jevric Lidija , Kovacevic Strahinja , Kalajdzija Natasa
Published: December 2012

The purpose of the article is to promote and facilitate prediction of
antifungal activity of the investigated series of benzoxazoles against
Candida albicans. The clinical importance of this investigation is to
simplify design of new antifungal agents against the fungi which can cause
serious illnesses in humans. Quantitative structure activity relationship
analysis was applied on nineteen benzoxazole derivatives. A multiple linear
regression (MLR) procedure was used to model the relationships between the
molecular descriptors and the antifungal activity of benzoxazole derivatives.
Two mathematical models have been developed as a calibration models for
predicting the inhibitory activity of this class of compounds against Candida
albicans. The quality of the models was validated by the leave-one-out
technique, as well as by the calculation of statistical parameters for the
established model.
Antioxidant and sensorial properties of acacia honey supplemented with prunes
Authors: Tumbas Vesna , Vulic Jelena , Canadanovic-Brunet Jasna , Djilas Sonja , Cetkovic Gordana , Stajcic Sladjana , Stajner Dubravka , Popovic Boris
Published: December 2012

The changes in total phenol and flavonoid content, as well as antioxidant
activity was monitored in acacia honey supplemented with prunes in 20, 30 and
40% mass concentrations. The total phenolic content increased by 2.5 times
(from 16.18 to 41.64 mg GAE/100 g) with increasing concentration of prunes in
honey, while the increase in flavonoid content was even higher, approximately
11.5-fold (from 2.65 to 30.86 mg RE/100 g). The addition of prunes also
improved the antioxidant activity of acacia honey. The honey samples with
highest content of prunes, 40%, exhibited the best antioxidant activity
measured by hydroxyl radical sacvenging assay (EC50 ?OH=4.56 mg/ml),
2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay (EC50
DPPH=16.48 mg/ml), and reducing power (EC50 RP=81.17 mg/ml). Judging from the
high correlation coefficients, ranging from 0.771 to 0.947 for total
phenolics, and from 0.862 to 0.993 for total flavonoids, it is obvious that
these compounds were associated with the antioxidant mechanisms. On the other
hand, sensorial properties of supplemented honeys were lower than that of
pure acacia honey, where flavor of supplemented honey was the least affected.
Our results indicate that the supplementation of honey with prunes improves
antioxidant activity of honey by enriching the phenolic composition, with
slight modifications in sensorial characteristics.
Optimization of the Ocimum basilicum L. extraction process regarding the antioxidant activity
Authors: Vidovic Senka , Zekovic Zoran , Lepojevic Zika , Radojkovic Marija , Jokic Stela , Anackov Goran
Published: December 2012

The levels of input variables (temperature and extraction solvent) that
optimize a particular response (total phenols content, total flavonoids
content and antioxidant activity) of the Ocimum basilicum L. extraction
process were determined by the response surface methodology (RSM). The
influence of theextraction temperature on extraction process was investigated
in the range from 33.8?C to 76.2?C, as well as of extraction solvent ethanol,
in the range of concentrations from 21.7% to 78.3%. For the preparation of
basil dry extract, characterized with minimal IC50 value, the calculated
optimal values of temperature and ethanol concentration were: 75.33?C and
73.66% (w/w).
The Prediction of Recidivism with Aboriginal Offenders: A Theoretically Informed Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gutierrez Leticia , Wilson Holly A. , Rugge Tanya , Bonta James
Published: December 2012

Research has established eight theoretically based central risk/need factors predictive of recidivism; however, there is little research examining the applicability of these risk factors to Aboriginal offenders. A meta-analysis was undertaken to examine whether (1) criminal history, (2) pro-criminal attitudes, (3) pro-criminal associates, (4) antisocial personality pattern, (5) employment/education, (6) family/marital, (7) substance abuse, and (8) leisure/recreation are applicable to Aboriginal offenders and whether these factors predict recidivism equally well for this group as they do for non-Aboriginal offenders. Thirty-two reports/articles and 12 data sets were reviewed which yielded 49 independent samples producing 1,908 effect sizes. Using both random and fixed effects analyses, results indicated that all of the central eight risk/need factors were predictive of general and violent recidivism for Aboriginal offenders; however, some factors predicted significantly better for non-Aboriginal offenders. This review also examined other factors (e.g., history of victimization and emotional factors) and there was an attempt to evaluate Aboriginal-specific risk factors (e.g., cultural identity) but no empirical studies existed on the latter. Limitations and future directions are discussed, but overall, the results support the position that the central eight risk factors are valid predictors of recidivism for Aboriginal offenders.
A low-cost route for synthesizing tungsten disulfide film composites from abundant sprayed oxides: Technique and characterization
Authors: Dabbous Sondes , Amlouk Amel , Nasrallah Tarak Ben , Boubaker Karem , Bouhafs Mahmoud , Amlouk Mosbah
Published: December 2012

In this work, WO3 films have been grown using spray pyrolysis of ammonium tungstate precursor on glass substrates. The obtained WO3 films have been subjected to sulfurization under vacuum at 550°C. The structural properties of the obtained films were investigated using X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy. The results showed that the sulfurized films contained only WS2. The c-axis preferential orientation of the WS2 films has been verified by several means. The deposition technique is simple and less expensive than several recently proposed ones.
First and second differentials of the ultrasonic parameter as an effective tool to identify phase transitions in R
1-x
A
x
MnO3 perovskites
Authors: Kumaran Singer Muthu , Rajendran Venkatachalam
Published: December 2012

In order to examine the existence of different phase transitions, the ultrasonic longitudinal modulus (L) and its first (ΔL/ΔT) and second (Δ2
L/Δ2
T) differentials have been established for two different perovskite manganites over a wide range of temperatures, La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 from 460 to 300 K and Nd0.67Sr0.33MnO3 300 to 150 K. The anomalies in L and its differentials at T
C (≈378 K) in La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 are due to the ferromagnetic metal transition; the changes at T
C (≈234 K), T
CO (≈194 K) in Nd0.67Sr0.33MnO3 represent the ferromagnetic transition and charge ordering transition respectively. The existing phase transitions are due to a strong electron-phonon interaction arising from the Jahn-Teller effect and spin-phonon interaction from the linear magnetostriction effect. The first (ΔL/ΔT) and second (Δ2
L/Δ2
T) differentials of L are identified as an effective approach for the clear identification/detection of different phase transitions in the above systems over a wide range of temperatures.
Modelling of three powder compaction laws for cold die pressing
Authors: Montes Juan Manuel , Cuevas Francisco G. , Cintas Jesús , Sepúlveda Ranier
Published: December 2012

Three models to describe the relationship between the green porosity of compacts and the applied external pressure during the compaction of metal powders are proposed in order of growing complexity. Only in the third model do all of the parameters have a clear physical meaning and become measurable. These parameters are related to the plastic behaviour of the powder particle material, the friction coefficient between the powder and die walls, as well as the interparticle friction. The three proposed models include a parameter representing a certain value related to the initial porosity of the powder mass; however, only in the third model is this value clearly defined by the tap porosity of the powders. The proposed models have been experimentally verified by compressibility curves obtained from metal powders of different types. The agreements between the second and third models and the experimental data are reasonable over the tested pressure range.
Patriarchy and Womens Subordination: A Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Sultana Abeda
Published: December 2012

Patriarchy is the prime obstacle to womens advancement and development. Despite differences in levels of domination the broad principles remain the same, i.e. men are in control. The nature of this control may differ. So it is necessary to understand the system, which keeps women dominated and subordinate, and to unravel its workings in order to work for womens development in a systematic way. In the modern world where women go ahead by their merit, patriarchy there creates obstacles for women to go forward in society. Because patriarchal institutions and social relations are responsible for the inferior or secondary status of women. Patriarchal society gives absolute priority to men and to some extent limits womens human rights also. Patriarchy refers to the male domination both in public and private spheres. In this way, feminists use the term patriarchy to describe the power relationship between men and women as well as to find out the root cause of womens subordination. This article, hence, is an attempt to analyse the concept of patriarchy and womens subordination in a theoretical perspective.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/afj.v4i0.12929 The Arts Faculty Journal Vol.4 July 2010-June 2011 pp.1-18
Distributed Leadership in Secondary Schools: Possibilities and Impediments in Bangladesh
Authors: Salahuddin Abu Nayeem Mohammad
Published: December 2012

Effective school leadership is a basic tenet for successful school since the outcome of a school depends on the quality of leadership. As a current popular form of leadership, distributed leadership focuses on the leadership of all team members in a school. Research shows that successful leadership depends on the context and time of a school. This paper tries to conceptualize distributed leadership in Bangladesh context during the time of their education restructuring. Though distributed leadership is seldom discussed and operated in developing countries, it advocates the implementation in those contexts due to the continuous success of it in the developed world. Hence, this conceptual paper discusses the possibilities and the potential problems in relation to implement this leadership form for the reforming education sector of Bangladesh. Prior to this, the theoretical background of distributed leadership has been considered in this article. To develop and deliver distributed leadership in Bangladesh, this paper suggests for initiating training programme for head teachers which should focus on long term positive change in education. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/afj.v4i0.12930 The Arts Faculty Journal Vol.4 July 2010-June 2011 pp.19-32
Role of IASLIC in Developing Computer Skills Among LIS Professionals in India
Authors: Satpathi JN , Satpathi Chitra , Ghosh Gurudas
Published: December 2012

Indian Association of Special Libraries & Information Centres (IASLIC) is a pioneer association in India that has been working for the development of library and information services since its inception in 1955. IASLIC has adopted various multifaceted activities for the healthy growth of library services and to safeguard the interest of library professionals as well as library users. IASLIC has been working to resolve various discrepancies particularly in selection of hardware and library software packages, interchange formats, training for digitization and to set a standard that ideally suits the most of the libraries in our country. After introduction of computer applications in LIS in the later part of 1980s, libraries urgently required adequate computer trained workforce to perform library services. Understanding the scenario and anticipating the future needs, IASLIC has been giving prime importance to manpower development programme. A brief overview of IASLIC activities like Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Study Circles, Special Interest Groups, publications, lectures by experts, etc. related to computer training organized by IASLIC and its role as a advisory organization to Government for making policies related to LIS has also described in this article. Bangladesh Journal of Library and Information Science Vol.2(1) July 2012 pp.39-47DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjlis.v2i1.12917
Database Management Systems and Use of Digital Resources in Some Selected Public University Libraries of Bangladesh: An Overview
Authors: Chowdhury Md Fazlul Quader
Published: December 2012

This paper Discuses present status of database management practices and use of digital resources of five selected Public University Libraries of Bangladesh. Survey has been carried out on the names of used software, number of databases for the dissemination of library resources with total number of records, subscription of online journals with other digital and electronic resources, number of current/bound journals, computers, CDs and audiovisual materials etc. The objectives, methodology for collection, presentation and analysis of collected data for this study and highlights the meaning, need, main considerations, components and domain of library automation in the context of surveyed libraries also have been described. The development of digital technology combined with the evolution of Internet has prompted significant changes in library services and operations within the last few years. The study tries to focus on the availability of hardware and software in the respective library, examine types and forms of library collections, various house keeping operations, management, services, and library administration etc. It has also put forward some suggestions for the future development of the surveyed libraries. Bangladesh Journal of Library and Information Science Vol.2(1) July 2012 pp.67-78DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjlis.v2i1.12923
Editorial Vol.1(1)
Authors: Talukder Md Humayun Kabir , Lasker Shamima Parvin
Published: December 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjme.v1i1.12920 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Education Vol.1(1) 2010
Measuring the Job Satisfaction of Female Library Professionals Working in the Health Libraries in Dhaka City
Authors: Sultana Farzana , Begum Bilkis
Published: December 2012

Job satisfaction is an important area to determine the view of the library professionals towards their job in the library. The study has been under taken to measure the level of job satisfaction of female health library professionals in Dhaka city and how do the job facets (MSQ, 1967) affect on job satisfaction of female health library professionals. There is a cross sectional observational study to see the level of job satisfaction among health library professionals. A standard questionnaire (MSQ, 1967) is used to measure the level of job satisfaction of the sample. The result shows that out of twenty job facets eleven facets are highly significant for the job satisfaction and nine facets quite insignificant for job satisfaction. The study shows independence, variety of work, social status of the job, supervision-human relation supervision-technical, moral values, authority, ability utilization, library policies and practices, scope of advancement, relation with co-workers, recognition of job done and achievement has significant effect on job satisfaction. Further more it noticed females are less satisfied at their job. Finally, the significant recommendations have been put forth to improve the level of job satisfaction of female health library professionals in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/el.v23i1.12117 Eastern Librarian Vol.23(1) 2012 pp.37-50
Status of Non-Government Public Libraries in Bangladesh
Authors: Shuva Nafiz Zaman , Akter Rowshon
Published: December 2012

Public libraries are very important social organizations in building knowledge based society. There are two types of public libraries in Bangladesh i.e. Government public libraries and Non-Government public libraries. This article concentrates on the status of Non-Government public libraries in Bangladesh. There is very few literature on Non-Government public libraries in Bangladesh. Currently there are 972 Non-Government public libraries running in Bangladesh. In gathering data on Non-Government public libraries in Bangladesh, the Directory of Non-Government Public Libraries published by National Book Centre is considered. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) has been conducted to acquire comprehensive information about the status of Non-Government public libraries in Bangladesh. Eventually some problems of Non-Government public libraries have been addressed and as remedial measures a number of recommendations have been put forward by the authors. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/el.v23i1.12119 Eastern Librarian Vol.23(1) 2012 pp.91-104
The Journal of Poultry Science: An Analysis of Citation Pattern
Authors: Haque Md Enamul
Published: December 2012

This paper reports the results of the citation analysis of The Journal of Poultry Science (JPS). The major objectives of the study from the year 2001 to 2010 are to find out the authorship and citation patterns of articles appeared in the JPS. The total 425 articles were published during the period. Overall 13012 citations featuring 425 contributors have been made. Among the citations, journal articles accounted for 84%, books 8% and anothers 8%. The ratio of Author Self Citation to total citations is 1:16. The ratio of Journal Self Citation to total citations 1:58. It is also clear that majority of the documents 10102 (78%) cited in these issues were published not more than 20 years ago. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/el.v23i1.12121 Eastern Librarian Vol.23(1) 2012 pp.64-73
Extracting Co-Occurrence Relations from ZDDs
Authors: Toda Takahisa
Published: December 2012

A zero-suppressed binary decision diagram (ZDD) is a graph representation suitable for handling sparse set families. Given a ZDD representing a set family, we present an efficient algorithm to discover a hidden structure, called a co-occurrence relation, on the ground set. This computation can be done in time complexity that is related not to the number of sets, but to some feature values of the ZDD. We furthermore introduce a conditional co-occurrence relation and present an extraction algorithm, which enables us to discover further structural information.
Continuous Cropping and Moist Deep Convection on the Canadian Prairies
Authors: Shrestha Bharat , Raddatz Richard , Desjardins Raymond , Worth Devon
Published: December 2012

Summerfallow is cropland that is purposely kept out of production during a growing season to conserve soil moisture. On the Canadian Prairies, a trend to continuous cropping with a reduction in summerfallow began after the summerfallow area peaked in 1976. This study examined the impact of this land-use change on convective available potential energy (CAPE), a necessary but not sufficient condition for moist deep convection. All else being equal, an increase in CAPE increases the probability-of-occurrence of convective clouds and their intensity if they occur. Representative Bowen ratios for the Black, Dark Brown, and Brown soil zones were determined for 1976: the maximum summerfallow year, 2001: our baseline year, and 20xx: a hypothetical year with the maximum-possible annual crop area. Average mid-growing-season Bowen ratios and noon solar radiation were used to estimate the reduction in the lifted index (LI) from land-use weighted evapotranspiration in each study year. LI is an index of CAPE, and a reduction in LI indicates an increase in CAPE. The largest reductions in LI were found for the Black soil zone. They were −1.61 ± 0.18, −1.77 ± 0.14 and −1.89 ± 0.16 in 1976, 2001 and 20xx, respectively. These results suggest that, all else being equal, the probability-of-occurrence of moist deep convection in the Black soil zone was lower in 1976 than in the base year 2001, and it will be higher in 20xx when the annual crop area reaches a maximum. The trend to continuous cropping had less impact in the drier Dark Brown and Brown soil zones.
Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of CCR5 Transcription
Authors: Wierda Rutger , Van den Elsen Peter
Published: December 2012

The chemokine receptor CCR5 regulates trafficking of immune cells of the lymphoid and the myeloid lineage (such as monocytes, macrophages and immature dendritic cells) and microglia. Because of this, there is an increasing recognition of the important role of CCR5 in the pathology of (neuro-) inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Expression of CCR5 is under the control of a complexly organized promoter region upstream of the gene. The transcription factor cAMP-responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB-1) transactivates the CCR5 P1 promoter. The cell-specific expression of CCR5 however is realized by using various epigenetic marks providing a multivalent chromatin state particularly in monocytes. Here we discuss the transcriptional regulation of CCR5 with a focus on the epigenetic peculiarities of CCR5 transcription.
Behavior of the Blade Tip Vortices of a Wind Turbine Equipped with a Brimmed-Diffuser Shroud
Authors: Takahashi Shuhei , Hata Yuya , Ohya Yuji , Karasudani Takashi , Uchida Takanori
Published: December 2012

To clarify the behavior of the blade tip vortices of a wind turbine equipped with a brimmed-diffuser shroud, called a “Wind-Lens turbine”, we conducted a three-dimensional numerical simulation using a large eddy simulation (LES). Since this unique wind turbine consists of not only rotating blades but also a diffuser shroud with a broad-ring brim at the exit periphery, the flow field around the turbine is highly complex and unsteady. Previously, our research group conducted numerical simulations using an actuator-disc approximation, in which the rotating blades were simply modeled as an external force on the fluid. Therefore, the detailed flow patterns around the rotating blades and the shroud, including the blade tip vortices, could not be simulated. Instead of an actuator-disc approximation, we used a moving boundary technique in the present CFD simulation to simulate the flow around a rotating blade in order to focus especially on blade tip vortices. The simulation results showed a pair of vortices consisting of a blade tip vortex and a counter-rotating vortex which was generated between the blade tip and the inner surface of the diffuser. Since these vortices interacted with each other, the blade tip vortex was weakened by the counter-rotating vortex. The results showed good agreement with past wind tunnel experiments.
A Building Energy Efficiency Optimization Method by Evaluating the Effective Thermal Zones Occupancy
Authors: Pisello Anna , Bobker Michael , Cotana Franco
Published: December 2012

Building energy efficiency is strongly linked to the operations and control systems, together with the integrated performance of passive and active systems. In new high quality buildings in particular, where these two latter aspects have been already implemented at the design stage, users’ perspective, obtained through post-occupancy assessment, has to be considered to reduce whole energy requirement during service life. This research presents an innovative and low-cost methodology to reduce buildings’ energy requirements through post-occupancy assessment and optimization of energy operations using effective users’ attitudes and requirements as feedback. As a meaningful example, the proposed method is applied to a multipurpose building located in New York City, NY, USA, where real occupancy conditions are assessed. The effectiveness of the method is tested through dynamic simulations using a numerical model of the case study, calibrated through real monitoring data collected on the building. Results show that, for the chosen case study, the method provides optimized building energy operations which allow a reduction of primary energy requirements for HVAC, lighting, room-electricity, and auxiliary supply by about 21%. This paper shows that the proposed strategy represents an effective way to reduce buildings’ energy waste, in particular in those complex and high-efficiency buildings that are not performing as well as expected during the concept-design-commissioning stage, in particular due to the lack of feedback after the building handover.
Virtual Astronaut for Scientific Visualization—A Prototype for Santa Maria Crater on Mars
Authors: Wang Jue , Bennett Keith , Guinness Edward
Published: December 2012

To support scientific visualization of multiple-mission data from Mars, the Virtual Astronaut (VA) creates an interactive virtual 3D environment built on the Unity3D Game Engine. A prototype study was conducted based on orbital and Opportunity Rover data covering Santa Maria Crater in Meridiani Planum on Mars. The VA at Santa Maria provides dynamic visual representations of the imaging, compositional, and mineralogical information. The VA lets one navigate through the scene and provides geomorphic and geologic contexts for the rover operations. User interactions include in-situ observations visualization, feature measurement, and an animation control of rover drives. This paper covers our approach and implementation of the VA system. A brief summary of the prototype system functions and user feedback is also covered. Based on external review and comments by the science community, the prototype at Santa Maria has proven the VA to be an effective tool for virtual geovisual analysis.
Effect of Temperature on Growth of Vibrio paraphemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in Flounder, Salmon Sashimi and Oyster Meat
Authors: Kim Yoo , Lee Soon , Hwang In , Yoon Ki
Published: December 2012

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus are the major pathogenic Vibrio species which contaminate ready-to-eat seafood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of human illness resulting from consumption of ready-to-eat seafood such as sashimi and raw oyster meat due to the presence of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus. We compared the growth kinetics of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus strains in broth and ready-to-eat seafood, including flounder and salmon sashimi, as a function of temperature. The growth kinetics of naturally occurring V. vulnificus in raw oyster meat was also evaluated. The minimum growth temperatures of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in broth were 13 °C and 11 °C, respectively. Overall, significant differences in lag time (LT) and specific growth rate (SGR) values between flounder and salmon sashimi were observed at temperatures ranging from 13 °C to 30 °C (p < 0.05). The growth of naturally occurring V. vulnificus reached stationary phase at ~4 log CFU/g in oysters, regardless of the storage temperature. This data indicates that the population of V. vulnificus in oysters did not reach the maximum population density as observed in the broth, where growth of V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus isolated from oysters grew up to >8 log CFU/mL.
Spatial Relations Using High Level Concepts
Authors: Corcoran Padraig , Mooney Peter , Bertolotto Michela
Published: December 2012

Existing models of spatial relations do not consider that different concepts exist on different levels in a hierarchy and in turn that the spatial relations in a given scene are a function of the specific concepts considered. One approach to determining the existence of a particular spatial relation is to compute the corresponding high level concepts explicitly using map generalization before inferring the existence of the spatial relation in question. We explore this idea through the development of a model of the spatial relation “enters” that may exist between a road and a housing estate.
Growth of High-Density Zinc Oxide Nanorods on Porous Silicon by Thermal Evaporation
Authors: Rusli Nurul , Tanikawa Masahiro , Mahmood Mohamad , Yasui Kanji , Hashim Abdul
Published: December 2012

The formation of high-density zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods on porous silicon (PS) substrates at growth temperatures of 600–1000 °C by a simple thermal evaporation of zinc (Zn) powder in the presence of oxygen (O2) gas was systematically investigated. The high-density growth of ZnO nanorods with (0002) orientation over a large area was attributed to the rough surface of PS, which provides appropriate planes to promote deposition of Zn or ZnOx seeds as nucleation sites for the subsequent growth of ZnO nanorods. The geometrical morphologies of ZnO nanorods are determined by the ZnOx seed structures, i.e., cluster or layer structures. The flower-like hexagonal-faceted ZnO nanorods grown at 600 °C seem to be generated from the sparsely distributed ZnOx nanoclusters. Vertically aligned hexagonal-faceted ZnO nanorods grown at 800 °C may be inferred from the formation of dense arrays of ZnOx clusters. The formation of disordered ZnO nanorods formed at 1000 °C may due to the formation of a ZnOx seed layer. The growth mechanism involved has been described by a combination of self-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) and vapor-solid (VS) mechanism. The results suggest that for a more precise study on the growth of ZnO nanostructures involving the introduction of seeds, the initial seed structures must be taken into account given their significant effects.
1,3-Bisdiphenylethenyl-substituted Carbazolyl Derivatives as Charge Transporting Materials
Authors: Bubniene Giedre , Daskeviciene Maryte , Pukalskas Audrius , Jankauskas Vygintas , Getautis Vytautas
Published: December 2012

Synthesis of 1,3-diphenylethenylcarbazolyl-based charge transporting materials involving electron donating hydrazone moieties and an electron withdrawing 1,3-indandione moiety is reported. The obtained materials were examined by various techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry, UV-Vis spectroscopy, xerographic time of flight technique and the electron photoemission in air method. Photoemission spectra of the amorphous films of the investigated compounds showed ionization potentials of 5.54–5.90 eV. The hole drift mobility was measured by the xerographic time of flight technique. The highest hole drift mobility, exceeding 10−5 cm2/V·s at 6.4 × 105 V/cm electric field, was observed for the 1,3-diphenylethenylcarbazolyl derivative molecularly doped with a N,N-diphenylhydrazone moiety in the polymeric host bisphenol-Z polycarbonate (PC-Z).
Two New Oleanane-Type Triterpenoids from Platycodi Radix and Anti-proliferative Activity in HSC-T6 Cells
Authors: Zhan Qin , Zhang Feng , Sun Lianna , Wu Zhijun , Chen Wansheng
Published: December 2012

Two new oleanane-type triterpenoids, named platycodonoids A and B (1, 2), together with five known saponins, including platycodin D (3), deapioplatycodin D (4), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl polygalacic acid (5), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl platycodigenin (6) and polygalacin D (7), were isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum. On the basis of spectral data and chemical evidence, the structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 2β,3β,23,24-tetrahydroxy-28-nor-olean-12-en-16-one (1) and 2β,3β,23,24- tetrahydroxy-28-nor-olean-12-en-16-one-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2). Compounds 1–7 were evaluated for their in vitro anti-proliferative activity against the HSC-T6 cell line.
Absorption and Interaction of the Main Constituents from the Traditional Chinese Drug Pair Shaoyao-Gancao via a Caco-2 Cell Monolayer Model
Authors: Chen Yan , Wang Jinyan , Wang Lu , Chen Lianghui , Wu Qingqing
Published: December 2012

Shaoyao-Gancao (Paeoniae Radix Alba and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) is a traditional Chinese drug pair widely used in decoctions for relieving pains, especially abdominal pain. We aimed to determine the intestinal absorption and interaction of three active compounds (glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, and paeoniflorin) in this drug pair. We investigated the transport of these compounds across intestinal epithelial cells by using the Caco-2 cell monolayer in both the apical-to-basolateral (A-B) and B-A directions. All compounds could only travel through the Caco-2 cell monolayer at a low level when the cells were treated with single component solutions. In the presence of verapamil, an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the absorptive permeability (PAB) of paeoniflorin and liquiritin increased significantly (p < 0.05) and efflux ratios decreased, while the absorption of glycyrrhizic acid did not change significantly, which indicated that paeoniflorin and liquiritin might be P-gp substrates. In addition, when liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid in Gancao extract and paeoniflorin in Shaoyao extract were examined, PAB of paeoniflorin and liquiritin were significantly higher, while glycyrrhizic acid retained the same absorption level compared to the corresponding single component solutions, which suggested that some certain ingredients in the extracts can promote the absorption of paeoniflorin and liquiritin, but not that of glycyrrhizic acid. Furthermore, compared to the results of treatment with individual extracts, treatment of cells with a mixture of the two extracts considerably increased (p < 0.05) the absorption of glycyrrhizic acid and paeoniflorin and showed no change in the absorption of liquiritin, which implied that the transport of glycyrrhizic acid and paeoniflorin is increased by some ingredients from the complementary drug in the drug pair, while that of liquiritin remains unaffected.
Breastfeeding Duration and Residential Isolation amid Aboriginal Children in Western Australia
Authors: Cromie Elizabeth , Shepherd Carrington , Zubrick Stephen , Oddy Wendy
Published: December 2012

Objectives: To examine factors that impact on breastfeeding duration among Western Australian Aboriginal children. We hypothesised that Aboriginal children living in remote locations in Western Australia were breastfed for longer than those living in metropolitan locations. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2000 to 2002 in urban, rural and remote settings across Western Australia. Cross-tabulations and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, using survey weights to produce unbiased estimates for the population of Aboriginal children. Data on demographic, maternal and infant characteristics were collected from 3932 Aboriginal birth mothers about their children aged 0–17 years (representing 22,100 Aboriginal children in Western Australia). Results: 71% of Aboriginal children were breastfed for three months or more. Accounting for other factors, there was a strong gradient for breastfeeding duration by remoteness, with Aboriginal children living in areas of moderate isolation being 3.2 times more likely to be breastfed for three months or more (p < 0.001) compared to children in metropolitan Perth. Those in areas of extreme isolation were 8.6 times more likely to be breastfed for three months or longer (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Greater residential isolation a protective factor linked to longer breastfeeding duration for Aboriginal children in our West Australian cohort.
Signal Detection and Monitoring Based on Longitudinal Healthcare Data
Authors: Suling Marc , Pigeot Iris
Published: December 2012

Post-marketing detection and surveillance of potential safety hazards are crucial tasks in pharmacovigilance. To uncover such safety risks, a wide set of techniques has been developed for spontaneous reporting data and, more recently, for longitudinal data. This paper gives a broad overview of the signal detection process and introduces some types of data sources typically used. The most commonly applied signal detection algorithms are presented, covering simple frequentistic methods like the proportional reporting rate or the reporting odds ratio, more advanced Bayesian techniques for spontaneous and longitudinal data, e.g., the Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network or the Multi-item Gamma-Poisson Shrinker and methods developed for longitudinal data only, like the IC temporal pattern detection. Additionally, the problem of adjustment for underlying confounding is discussed and the most common strategies to automatically identify false-positive signals are addressed. A drug monitoring technique based on Wald’s sequential probability ratio test is presented. For each method, a real-life application is given, and a wide set of literature for further reading is referenced.
Charisma and Routine: Shaping the Memory of Brother Richard and Joan of Arc
Authors: Brown Andrew
Published: December 2012

The extraordinary life and fate of Joan of Arc are well known; so is her association with the prophetic preacher, Brother Richard, who predicted the Apocalypse. Less well explained is why contemporaries initially took such an interest in this association, and how and why it began to fade from official memory after Joan’s death. Max Weber’s concepts of “charisma” and “routinization” offer valuable tools to deal with these questions. Both Joan and Richard have earned the title “charismatic” but interest in the preacher has generally been secondary to interest in the Maid. A more rigorous adoption of Weber’s meaning of charisma, however, helps to clarify what the relative importance of these figures was in the eyes of contemporaries. It also shifts attention to the significance of messianic prophecy in the years surrounding Joan’s life, the anxieties it generated and the way it was dealt with. In this context, the processions and commemorative ceremonies organized by townspeople, churchmen and royalty during this period deserve further analysis. Seen as forces of “routine”, these ceremonies assume a greater significance than they have usually been granted, as processes that managed the memory of charismatic phenomena.
An Amperometric Immunosensor Based on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Thionine-Chitosan Nanocomposite Film for Chlorpyrifos Detection
Authors: Sun Xia , Cao Yaoyao , Gong Zhili , Wang Xiangyou , Zhang Yan , Gao Jinmei
Published: December 2012

In this work, a novel amperometric immunosensor based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes-thionine-chitosan (MWCNTs-THI-CHIT) nanocomposite film as electrode modified material was developed for the detection of chlorpyrifos residues. The nanocomposite film was dropped onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and then the anti-chlorpyrifos monoclonal antibody was covalently immobilized onto the surface of MWCNTs-THI-CHIT/GCE using the crosslinking agent glutaraldehyde (GA). The modification procedure was characterized by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under the optimized conditions, a linear relationship between the relative change in peak current of different pulse voltammetry (DPV) and the logarithm of chlorpyrifos solution concentration was obtained in the range from 0.1 to 1.0 × 105 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.046 ng/mL. The proposed chlorpyrifos immunosensor exhibited high reproducibility, stability, and good selectivity and regeneration, making it a potential alternative tool for ultrasensitive detection of chlorpyrifos residues in vegetables and fruits.
On-Line Smoothing for an Integrated Navigation System with Low-Cost MEMS Inertial Sensors
Authors: Chiang Kai-Wei , Duong Thanh , Liao Jhen-Kai , Lai Ying-Chih , Chang Chin-Chia , Cai Jia-Ming , Huang Shih-Ching
Published: December 2012

The integration of the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS) is widely applied to seamlessly determine the time-variable position and orientation parameters of a system for navigation and mobile mapping applications. For optimal data fusion, the Kalman filter (KF) is often used for real-time applications. Backward smoothing is considered an optimal post-processing procedure. However, in current INS/GPS integration schemes, the KF and smoothing techniques still have some limitations. This article reviews the principles and analyzes the limitations of these estimators. In addition, an on-line smoothing method that overcomes the limitations of previous algorithms is proposed. For verification, an INS/GPS integrated architecture is implemented using a low-cost micro-electro-mechanical systems inertial measurement unit and a single-frequency GPS receiver. GPS signal outages are included in the testing trajectories to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method in comparison to conventional schemes.
L'euroscepticisme, le turcoscepticisme et la Turquie : une affaire de perceptions ?
Authors: Alex Bastien
Published: December 2012

Parangon de la fatigue de l’élargissement de l’UE, les pourparlers d’adhésion de la Turquie sont désormais au point mort. Si les dirigeants politiques turcs et européens portent une part de responsabilité dans cet échec, les perceptions européennes de la Turquie, fruits de l’Histoire et des dynamiques qui ont rythmé les différentes séquences socio-politiques n’y sont pas non plus étrangères. Il semble ainsi nécessaire de se pencher aujourd’hui sur les raisons de cette impasse qui peuvent trouver leur racine dans ce ressenti qui est venu se fracasser contre une conjoncture des plus défavorables. De même, pour aller plus loin, il s’agit de s’interroger sur la véritable question qui est posée, en filigrane, à l’UE et que la Turquie lui renvoie continuellement : celle de la définition de son identité.
La doctrine Davutoglu : une projection diplomatique de la Turquie sur son environnement
Authors: Groc Gérard
Published: December 2012

La nomination, en mai 2009, d’Ahmet Davutoglu au poste de ministre des Affaires étrangères de la Turquie révéla officiellement une reconfiguration de la diplomatie turque, en fait initiée depuis mars 2003 par lui-même, au poste plus discret de conseiller aux affaires internationales du Premier ministre Erdogan. Sur la base de la thématique de la « profondeur stratégique » qu’il avait élaborée dès les années 1990 en tant qu’universitaire, il entend sortir la diplomatie turque de « l’alignement » observé au cours de la guerre froide, pour l’adapter, dans un environnement géopolitique renouvelé du pays, à une nouvelle période de « désordre international ». A partir de la réévaluation de plusieurs paramètres, la Turquie pourrait y figurer un acteur désormais « global », exerçant une stabilisation bénéfique sur un voisinage proche-oriental passablement explosif.
Les islamistes : analyse d'un agenda économique en construction
Authors: Albarracin Javier , Cusi Paula
Published: December 2012

Une des principales données des grands changements survenus dans le monde arabe depuis 2011 a été la formation de nouveaux gouvernements majoritairement islamistes. Cet article vise à présenter les priorités en matière économique de ces partis, qui n’ont pas été à l’initiative de ces mutations profondes mais ont su capitaliser sur le mécontentement et l’envie de changement de la population, au point d’accéder au pouvoir. Cet agenda économique encore en construction semble se situer entre la continuation des politiques conduites par les anciens régimes et de nouvelles approches, notamment sur le plan des rapports économiques avec le monde, sans omettre la promotion d’outils financiers alternatifs tels que la banque islamique. À travers les cas du Maroc, de la Tunisie et de l’Egypte, pays qui vivent à des degrés divers une transition politique, nous analyserons ces « nouveaux » modèles, dans un contexte économique mondial et domestique difficile.
L'étonnante mécanique de la participation des salaries chez Essilor
Authors: Mokdahi Aïcha , Thai Jean-Arnaud
Published: December 2012

Résumé Treize mille salariés (actifs ou retraités) d’Essilor, la moitié réunis au sein de l’association Valoptec, détiennent 8,3 % du capital et 15 % des droits de vote. Leur vigilance collective et leur engagement sont des facteurs clés de la performance du Groupe.
Action pour le climat et mesures commerciales unilatérales : les initiatives les plus récentes de l'union européenne
Authors: Espa Ilaria
Published: December 2012

Dans le cadre de son action pour lutter contre les changements climatiques, l’Union européenne a récemment adopté la directive 2008/101/CE et la directive 2009/29/CE, visant respectivement à étendre le système européen d’échange de quotas aux activités aériennes et, à défaut d’un accord global sur le climat, aux produits importés à haute intensité d’énergie exposés à la fuite de carbone. Par le biais de l’externalisation du SCEQE, l’Union semble promouvoir une idée d’unilatéralisme « climatique » contingent qui, d’une part, a engendré les plus vigoureuses oppositions de la part des pays tiers ( in primis les États-Unis) et, d’autre part, a été défendue par la CJUE dans le récent jugement C-366/10. À la lumière dudit conflit, le présent article cherche à identifier les caractéristiques centrales des mesures unilatérales envisagées par l’Union et à comprendre la position de la CJUE sur la portée des obligations découlant du droit européen en matière de protection du climat. Enfin, il analyse l’unilatéralisme climatique de l’Union du point de vue du droit de l’OMC et notamment des exceptions environnementales prévues.
Les savoirs traditionnels médicinaux pillés par le droit des brevets ?
Authors: Dumesnil Choralyne
Published: December 2012

L’appropriation des savoirs traditionnels médicinaux typiquement trouvés dans des pays du Sud et exploités par des laboratoires pharmaceutiques – de toute origine – a été étiquetée comme pillage réalisé sous le cachet du droit des brevets, de biopiraterie. Cet article propose une narration des faits communément imaginés et revient précisément sur le brevetage en cause. Grâce à l’attention de l’activisme, la condamnation de certaines appropriations a levé le voile sur des activités autrement passées sous silence, et a placé sur la scène internationale la nécessité d’une protection des savoirs traditionnels médicinaux. Trente ans plus tard, la protection demeure en suspens, à la recherche d’arrangements juridiques et d’une volonté politique prêts à prendre la protection « préservation et conservation » au sérieux plutôt que de rester dans le champ de la protection « propriété réservation exclusion ». Le caractère international du débat souligne que le management des ressources biologiques concerne aussi bien les acteurs politiques que les acteurs privés, les laboratoires pharmaceutiques comme les médecins traditionnels.