bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of some anti-oxidative constituents of three species of Ocimum
Authors: Bhattacharya Aniket , Aggarwal Ashok , Sharma Navnita , Cheema Jagbeer
Published: January 2015

The use herbal medicines for combating with several kinds of health hazards has been traditionally practiced by different human societies since long past. Among the plants known for their therapeutic value, the genus Ocimum, commonly known as ‘Basil’ is very important for its curative potential. In traditional Ayurvedic system mainly the leaves and the seeds of different species of ‘Basil’ were recommended for household remedies from several diseases. Three different species of Ocimum (Ocimum sanctum L., Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum canum Sims.) were grown under laboratory condition for analyzing some of their antioxidative constituents using standard methods. The results revealed that the leaf extract of Ocimum canum had the highest amount of carotenoids, phenolics, and flavonoid content than the other two species. Riboflavin and thiamine content also much higher in Ocimum canum, whereas Ocimum sanctum contained highest amount of ascorbic acid. The results obtained in this effort clearly indicate that, the leaves of these three species of ‘Basil’ have strong antioxidative potential, and surely can be used as a cheap source of natural antioxidants.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v8i5.11858
Paradigm Dressed as Epoch: The Ideology of the Anthropocene
Authors: Baskin Jeremy
Published: January 2015

The Anthropocene is a radical reconceptualisation of the relationship between humanity and nature. It posits that we have entered a new geological epoch in which the human species is now the dominant Earth-shaping force, and it is rapidly gaining traction in both the natural and social sciences. This article critically explores the scientific representation of the concept and argues that the Anthropocene is less a scientific concept than the ideational underpinning for a particular worldview. It is paradigm dressed as epoch. In particular, it normalises a certain portion of humanity as the ‘human’ of the Anthropocene, reinserting ‘man’ into nature only to re-elevate ‘him’ above it. This move promotes instrumental reason. It implies that humanity and its planet are in an exceptional state, explicitly invoking the idea of planetary management and legitimising major interventions into the workings of the earth, such as geoen-gineering. I conclude that the scientific origins of the term have diminished its radical potential, and ask whether the concept's radical core can be retrieved.
Contesting Death: Conservation, Heritage and Pig Killing in Far North Queensland, Australia
Authors: Meurk Carla
Published: January 2015

What constitutes legitimate killing? How do our concerns over animal death fit with respect to our broader beliefs about the conservation or destruction of the ‘natural’ world? What does this mean for how we think about our own existence? This ethnography concerns itself with such questions as they have played out in a series of entangled conflicts with, and over, the non-human world; specifically, historically rooted tensions over the inception of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in Queensland Australia and contemporary arguments over the ‘hunting’ and ‘management’ of feral pigs ( Sus scrofa), an ‘exotic’ pest species. Similarities evident in the politics of natural heritage and animal death illuminate two distinct contemporary strategies for confronting existential struggles over life, death and destruction.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Agronomy in 2014
Authors: Agronomy Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Agronomy would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Applied Sciences in 2014
Authors: Applied Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Applied Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Biology in 2014
Authors: Biology Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Biology would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Brain Sciences in 2014
Authors: Brain Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Brain Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Behavioral Sciences in 2014
Authors: Office Behavioral
Published: January 2015

The editors of Behavioral Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the followingreviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Catalysts in 2014
Authors: Catalysts Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Catalysts would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Challenges in 2014
Authors: Challenges Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Challenges would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Climate in 2014
Authors: Climate Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Climate would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Coatings in 2014
Authors: Coatings Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Coatings would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Cosmetics in 2014
Authors: Cosmetics Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Cosmetics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Crystals in 2014
Authors: Crystals Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Crystals would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Diversity in 2014
Authors: Diversity Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Diversity would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Electronics in 2014
Authors: Electronics Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Electronics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Foods in 2014
Authors: Foods Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Foods would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Inorganics in 2014
Authors: Inorganics Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Inorganics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Insects in 2014
Authors: Insects Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Insects would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2014
Authors: Journal of Clinical Medicine Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of the Journal of Clinical Medicine would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014: [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of the Journal of Personalized Medicine in 2014
Authors: Journal of Personalized Medicine Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of the Journal of Personalized Medicine would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Land in 2014
Authors: Land Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Land would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Laws in 2014
Authors: Laws Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Laws would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Membranes in 2014
Authors: Membranes Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Membranes would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Metabolites in 2014
Authors: Metabolites Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Metabolites would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
2-Keto-D-Gluconate-Yielding Membrane-Bound D-Glucose Dehydrogenase from Arthrobacter globiformis C224: Purification and Characterization
Authors: Xue Qing , Wei Zhuan , Sun Wenjing , Cui Fengjie , Yu Silian , Zhou Qiang , Liu Jingze
Published: January 2015

Glucose dehydrogenase (GlcDH) is the rate-limiting catalyst for microbial conversion of glucose to the important organic acid 2-ketogluconic acid (2KGlcA). In this study, a D-glucose dehydrogenase was purified from the industrial 2KGlcA producer Arthrobacter globiformis C224. After four purification steps, the GlcDH was successfully purified over 180 folds and specific activity of 88.1 U/mg. A single protein band of 87 kDa was detected by SDS-PAGE. The purified GlcDH had the broad substrate specificity with the Km values for D-glucose, D-xylose, D-galactose and maltose of 0.21 mM, 0.34 mM, 0.46 mM and 0.59 mM, respectively. The kinetic studies proved that A. globiformis GlcDH followed the ping-pong kinetic mechanism. The GlcDH showed an optimum catalytic activity at pH 5.0 and 45 °C with the stable activity at temperature of 20–40 °C and pH of 6.0–7.0. Organic solvents, metal ions or EDTA could significantly influence the GlcDH activity to different degrees.
Development of Sulfadiazine-Decorated PLGA Nanoparticles Loaded with 5-Fluorouracil and Cell Viability
Authors: Guimarães Pedro , Oliveira Sheila , De Castro Rodrigues Gabrielle , Gontijo Savio , Lula Ivana , Cortés Maria , Denadai Ângelo , Sinisterra Rubén
Published: January 2015

The aim of this work was to synthesize sulfadiazine-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (SUL-PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for the efficient delivery of 5-fluorouracil to cancer cells. The SUL-PLGA conjugation was assessed using FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, elemental analysis and TG and DTA analysis. The SUL-PLGA NPs were characterized using transmission and scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Additionally, the zeta potential, drug content, and in vitro 5-FU release were evaluated. We found that for the SUL-PLGA NPs, Dh = 114.0 nm, ZP = −32.1 mV and the encapsulation efficiency was 49%. The 5-FU was released for up to 7 days from the NPs. Cytotoxicity evaluations of 5-FU-loaded NPs (5-FU-SUL-PLGA and 5-FU-PLGA) on two cancer cell lines (Caco-2, A431) and two normal cell lines (fibroblast, osteoblast) were compared. Higher cytotoxicity of 5-FU-SUL-PLGA NPs were found to both cancer cell lines when compared to normal cell lines, demonstrating that the presence of SUL could significantly enhance the cytotoxicity of the 5-FU-SUL-PLGA NPs when compared with 5-FU-PLGA NPs. Thus, the development of 5-FU-SUL-PLGA NPs to cancer cells is a promising strategy for the 5-FU antitumor formulation in the future.
Activity of Alkaloids on Peptic Ulcer: What’s New?
Authors: Do Nascimento Raphaela , De Sales Igor , De Oliveira Formiga Rodrigo , Barbosa-Filho José , Sobral Marianna , Tavares Josean , Diniz Margareth , Batista Leônia
Published: January 2015

Peptic ulcer is a common disease characterized by lesions that affect the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach and/or duodenum, and may extend into the muscular layer of the mucosa. Natural products have played an important role in the process of development and discovery of new drugs, due to their wide structural diversity and present, mostly specific and selective biological activities. Among natural products the alkaloids, biologically active secondary metabolites, that can be found in plants, animals or microorganisms stand out. The alkaloids are compounds consisting of a basic nitrogen atom that may or may not be part of a heterocyclic ring. This review will describe 15 alkaloids with antiulcer activity in animal models and in vitro studies.
An Investigation into the Association between DNA Damage and Dietary Fatty Acid in Men with Prostate Cancer
Authors: Bishop Karen , Erdrich Sharon , Karunasinghe Nishi , Han Dug , Zhu Shuotun , Jesuthasan Amalini , Ferguson Lynnette
Published: January 2015

Prostate cancer is a growing problem in New Zealand and worldwide, as populations adopt a Western style dietary pattern. In particular, dietary fat is believed to be associated with oxidative stress, which in turn may be associated with cancer risk and development. In addition, DNA damage is associated with the risk of various cancers, and is regarded as an ideal biomarker for the assessment of the influence of foods on cancer. In the study presented here, 20 men with prostate cancer adhered to a modified Mediterranean style diet for three months. Dietary records, blood fatty acid levels, prostate specific antigen, C-reactive protein and DNA damage were assessed pre- and post-intervention. DNA damage was inversely correlated with dietary adherence (p = 0.013) and whole blood monounsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.009) and oleic acid (p = 0.020). DNA damage was positively correlated with the intake of dairy products (p = 0.043), red meat (p = 0.007) and whole blood omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.015). Both the source and type of dietary fat changed significantly over the course of the dietary intervention. Levels of DNA damage were correlated with various dietary fat sources and types of dietary fat.
Guidelines for Feeding Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Dutta Sourabh , Singh Balpreet , Chessell Lorraine , Wilson Jennifer , Janes Marianne , McDonald Kimberley , Shahid Shaneela , Gardner Victoria , Hjartarson Aune , Purcha Margaret , Watson Jennifer , De Boer Chris , Gaal Barbara , Fusch Christoph
Published: January 2015

Despite the fact that feeding a very low birth weight (VLBW) neonate is a fundamental and inevitable part of its management, this is a field which is beset with controversies. Optimal nutrition improves growth and neurological outcomes, and reduces the incidence of sepsis and possibly even retinopathy of prematurity. There is a great deal of heterogeneity of practice among neonatologists and pediatricians regarding feeding VLBW infants. A working group on feeding guidelines for VLBW infants was constituted in McMaster University, Canada. The group listed a number of important questions that had to be answered with respect to feeding VLBW infants, systematically reviewed the literature, critically appraised the level of evidence, and generated a comprehensive set of guidelines. These guidelines form the basis of this state-of-art review. The review touches upon trophic feeding, nutritional feeding, fortification, feeding in special circumstances, assessment of feed tolerance, and management of gastric residuals, gastro-esophageal reflux, and glycerin enemas.
Recent Developments in UV Optics for Ultra-Short, Ultra-Intense Coherent Light Sources
Authors: Cocco Daniele
Published: January 2015

With the advent of Free Electron Lasers and general UV ultra-short, ultra-intense sources, optics needed to transport such radiation have evolved significantly to standard UV optics. Problems like surface damage, wavefront preservation, beam splitting, beam shaping, beam elongation (temporal stretching) pose new challenges for the design of beam transport systems. These problems lead to a new way to specify optics, a new way to use diffraction gratings, a search for new optical coatings, to tighter and tighter polishing requirements for mirrors, and to an increased use of adaptive optics. All these topics will be described in this review article, to show how optics could really be the limiting factor for future development of these new light sources.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Processes in 2014
Authors: Processes Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Processes would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
The Effect of Coincidence Horizon on Predictive Functional Control
Authors: Rossiter John , Haber Robert
Published: January 2015

This paper gives an analysis of the efficacy of PFC strategies. PFC is widely used in industry for simple loops with constraint handling, as it is very simple and cheap to implement. However, the algorithm has had very little exposure in the mainstream literature. This paper gives some insight into when a PFC approach is expected to be successful and, conversely, when one should deploy with caution.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Proteomes in 2014
Authors: Proteomes Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Proteomes would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
The Transnationalization of the Akan Religion: Religion and Identity among the U.S. African American Community
Authors: Guedj Pauline
Published: January 2015

In 1965, Gus Dinizulu, an African American percussionist, traveled to Ghana with the dance company he was leading. There, he took the trip as an opportunity to explore his African roots and met Nana Oparebea, the Ghanaian chief-priestess of the Akonedi Shrine, one of the most famous shrine houses north of Accra. At the Akonedi Shrine, Nana Oparebea performed for Dinizulu a divination, during which she explained that his enslaved ancestors were parts of the Akan people of Ghana and gave him the mission to search for other African Americans who, like him, were of Ghanaian ancestries. She also offered him a set of altars, containing the spiritual forces of the deities revered in the Akonedi Shrine and asked him to import in the United States what was then labelled the Akan religion. Based on research led both in Ghana and in the United States, the aim of this paper will be to describe the process of diffusion, importation, transnationalization and indigenization of the Akan religion between West Africa and the East Coast of the United States. Focusing on ethnographic data, we will argue that this process can only be understood if it is placed in the context of African American identity formations. Therefore, we will show how in the context of globalization, religion and identity constructions are walking hand-in-hand, creating new discourses on hybridity and authenticity.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Robotics in 2014
Authors: Robotics Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Robotics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
A Practical Split-Window Algorithm for Estimating Land Surface Temperature from Landsat 8 Data
Authors: Du Chen , Ren Huazhong , Qin Qiming , Meng Jinjie , Zhao Shaohua
Published: January 2015

This paper developed a practical split-window (SW) algorithm to estimate land surface temperature (LST) from Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) aboard Landsat 8. The coefficients of the SW algorithm were determined based on atmospheric water vapor sub-ranges, which were obtained through a modified split-window covariance–variance ratio method. The channel emissivities were acquired from newly released global land cover products at 30 m and from a fraction of the vegetation cover calculated from visible and near-infrared images aboard Landsat 8. Simulation results showed that the new algorithm can obtain LST with an accuracy of better than 1.0 K. The model consistency to the noise of the brightness temperature, emissivity and water vapor was conducted, which indicated the robustness of the new algorithm in LST retrieval. Furthermore, based on comparisons, the new algorithm performed better than the existing algorithms in retrieving LST from TIRS data. Finally, the SW algorithm was proven to be reliable through application in different regions. To further confirm the credibility of the SW algorithm, the LST will be validated in the future.
Correction: Behling, R., et al. Automated Spatiotemporal Landslide Mapping over Large Areas Using RapidEye Time Series Data. Remote Sens. 2014, 6, 8026-8055
Authors: Office Remote
Published: January 2015

Due to a technical error at the Editorial Office, Figure 7 of manuscript [1] was missing in the published paper. The correct version is reproduced below. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to authors or readers of Remote Sensing.[...]
Three-Dimensional Object Motion and Velocity Estimation Using a Single Computational RGB-D Camera
Authors: Lee Seungwon , Jeong Kyungwon , Park Jinho , Paik Joonki
Published: January 2015

In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) object moving direction and velocity estimation method is presented using a dual off-axis color-filtered aperture (DCA)-based computational camera. Conventional object tracking methods provided only two-dimensional (2D) states of an object in the image for the target representation. The proposed method estimates depth information in the object region from a single DCA camera that transforms 2D spatial information into 3D model parameters of the object. We also present a calibration method of the DCA camera to estimate the entire set of camera parameters for a practical implementation. Experimental results show that the proposed DCA-based color and depth (RGB-D) camera can calculate the 3D object moving direction and velocity of a randomly moving object in a single-camera framework.
WhiteRef: A New Tower-Based Hyperspectral System for Continuous Reflectance Measurements
Authors: Sakowska Karolina , Gianelle Damiano , Zaldei Alessandro , MacArthur Alasdair , Carotenuto Federico , Miglietta Franco , Zampedri Roberto , Cavagna Mauro , Vescovo Loris
Published: January 2015

Proximal sensing is fundamental to monitor the spatial and seasonal dynamics of ecosystems and can be considered as a crucial validation tool to upscale in situ observations to the satellite level. Linking hyperspectral remote sensing with carbon fluxes and biophysical parameters is critical to allow the exploitation of spatial and temporal extensive information for validating model simulations at different scales. In this study, we present the WhiteRef, a new hyperspectral system designed as a direct result of the needs identified during the EUROSPEC ES0903 Cost Action, and developed by Fondazione Edmund Mach and the Institute of Biometeorology, CNR, Italy. The system is based on the ASD FieldSpec Pro spectroradiometer and was designed to acquire continuous radiometric measurements at the Eddy Covariance (EC) towers and to fill a gap in the scientific community: in fact, no system for continuous spectral measurements in the Short Wave Infrared was tested before at the EC sites. The paper illustrates the functioning of the WhiteRef and describes its main advantages and disadvantages. The WhiteRef system, being based on a robust and high quality commercially available instrument, has a clear potential for unattended continuous measurements aiming at the validation of satellites’ vegetation products.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Social Sciences in 2014
Authors: Social Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Social Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Toxics in 2014
Authors: Toxics Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Toxics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Toxins in 2014
Authors: Toxins Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Toxins would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
La paludiculture au pays des grenouilles bleues ? (Esthetical visibility and ecological management in the wetlands of the Rambouillet's forest, Yvelines, France)
Authors: Donadieu Pierre
Published: January 2015

Longtemps proscrits et détruits, les milieux palustres deviennent aujourd'hui en France des patrimoines éco-biologiques d'intérêt général. Les techniques de gestion paludicole permettent de réhabiliter et de perpétuer leur potentiel biologique. Néanmoins, dans le contexte culturel de la forêt de Rambouillet, à l'Ouest de Paris, leur visibilité esthétique ne semble possible que sur le mode de l'appréciation pittoresque ou sauvage. Bien qu'il soit possible, sous condition de l'existence d'un projet de paysage approprié, de construire cette relation esthétique à l'espace et à la nature, il est suggéré dans cette communication d'inventer un projet moderne de visibilité et de communication des réserves biologiques domaniales à la fois écologique et poétique.
Histoires d'eau dans le marais de la Souche (Aisne) : le fonctionnement de l'hydrosystème, reflet de l'alternance des cycles d'abandon et d'appropriation ? (Water stories in the swamp of Souche (Aisne, France) : links between the functionning of the marsh space and the organization of rural societies)
Authors: Sajaloli Bertrand
Published: January 2015

Continental plain swamps are sometimes perceived as the "last bit of real nature" having remained on the periphery throughout the process of transformation of the French countryside. Studying the successive step-by-step development of the Souche's swamp over the last thousand years, and defining the different kinds of water management and their associated uses allow, on the contrary, to establish links between the organization of rural societies and the functioning of marsh space. In this way, each swamp can be viewed as a separate entity, with a past of its own having been defined by the evolution of ecosystems in their continuous relationship with those which are human.
Les marais de l'anse de Graignes et de Montmartin-en- Graignes (Sud-Est de Carentan, Manche) : Mise en valeur, historique des usages, gestion actuelle et protection (The swamps of Graignes and Montmartin-en-Graignes : development, historic of uses, management and protection)
Authors: Quillet Sandrine
Published: January 2015

Les marais de l'anse de Graignes-Montmartin sont essentiellement représentés par de vastes étendues de prairies inondables sur histosols, enchâssées dans un haut pays de bocage. Ils subissent encore le poids, d'autant plus important qu'il régit aujourd'hui certains aspects de leur gestion.

Pendant des siècles, ils étaient le siège de multiples usages de la part des sociétés rurales, mais le pâturage et plus particulièrement le pâturage collectif semble être la pratique qui a le plus marqué l'histoire des marais.

Après de nombreux conflits et multiples tentatives d'aliénation, les marais sont devenus propriétés communales indivises vers 1840. Les travaux de dessèchement des marais au dix-huitième siècle ont permis à l'élevage laitier de se développer, au détriment des autres usages.

L'orientation récente de l'agriculture (intensification des pratiques agricoles, contrainte des quotas laitiers) conduit à une désaffection de plus en plus marquée des marais les plus contraignants. La vocation ancestrale d'élevage tend à laisser place à une vocation de loisirs : activités cynégétiques, projets touristiques. Aujourd'hui, au centre des débats, c'est le maintien d'une activité agricole extensive, source de diversité écologique, qui est en cause.
Les marais d'affaissement minier dans le nord de la France : l'exemple de la mare à Goriaux (Mining subsidence marshes in the north of France : the example of the "mare à Goriaux")
Authors: Dubois Jean-Jacques , Godin J. , Roussel D.
Published: January 2015

La Mare à Goriaux est un exemple typique de marais d'affaissement minier caractérisé par la formation d'écotones naturels forêt-terril-étang. La forte dynamique régressive de la végétation explique le développement d'une frange de milieux forestiers dépérissants, mais aussi le recul actuel des roselières autrefois beaucoup plus vastes. Un bilan multidisciplinaire actualisé est en cours pour établir un plan global de gestion de la réserve biologique domaniale.
Les marais tourbeux de la vallée de l'Authie (Pas-de-Calais et Somme) ; leur évolution depuis le XIXe siècle (Peat bogs in the Authie valley (Pas-De-Calais and Somme, France) their evolution since the XIXth century)
Authors: Wattez Jean-Roger
Published: January 2015

La flore palustre et les groupements végétaux se développant dans les milieux humides subsistant dans la vallée de l'Authie ont été recensés. Douze sites au moins conservent un réel intérêt ; 32 plantes rares ou peu communes dans la France septentrionale s'y maintiennent ; par contre, 25 espèces antérieurement signalées n'ont pas été revues récemment. Ces données floristiques peuvent servir d'arguments pour obtenir une protection et assurer l'entretien des sites les plus dignes d'intérêt ; la défense de la qualité paysagère de la vallée de l'Authie est à envisager.
Garonne Vivante : vers une gestion globale du corridor garonnais (The association "Garonne vivante" : a step to a global management of the Garonne basin)
Authors: Mahe Pascale , Babin Didier , James Magali , Cameo-Ponz Frédéric , Hoarau Véronique , Girard Katia , Davant Pierre
Published: January 2015

A concrete and efficient experiment designed to protect the wetlands of the Garonne basin, the « Garonne Vivante » programme concerns 67 ecologically interesting sites, totalising 4000 ha in the Midi-Pyrénées and Aquitaine regions. It has been financially supported by the European Community since 1990 in application with directive n° 79/409/C.E.E. concerning the preservation of wild birds. The project's emergence, the drawning up of its contract as well as its operational and organisational management, are analysed. Talking into account recent results as regards the understanding of natural and anthropised river ecosystems, this operation as been redeployed taking advantage of the motivation and implication of local personnalities and of the new legislation and regulations prospects (laws on water and quarries, etc.) as well as the new incentives (agricultural-envi- ronnemental measures). Having started out as an emergency and punctual protecting operational, this action can in the medium or long run, result in the patrimonial management of the Garonne corridor.
Reference range for thyrotropin
Authors: Giacobino A. , Eckl W. , Wahl H.-G. , Midgley J. E. M. , Hoermann R. , Larisch R.
Published: January 2015

Setting the reference range for thyrotropin (TSH) remains a matter of ongoing controversy. Patients, methods: We used an indirect method to determine the TSH reference range post hoc in a large sample. A total of 399 well characterised subjects showing no evidence of thyroid dysfunction were selected for definition of the TSH reference limits according to the method of Katayev et al. To this end, the cumulative frequency was plotted against the individual logarithmic TSH values. Reference limits were calculated by extrapolating the middle linear part of the regression line to obtain the cut-offs for the 95% confidence interval. We also examined biological variation in a sample of 65 subjects with repeat measurements to establish reference change values (RCVs). Results: Based on these, the reference interval obtained by the novel technique was in close agreement with the conventionally established limits, but differed significantly from earlier recommendations. Discussion: Following unverified recommendations could result in a portion of patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunctions being missed, an important consideration in a setting with a high prevalence of thyroid autonomy. Conclusion: Indirect post hoc verification of reference intervals from a large retrospective sample is a modern approach that gives plausible results. The method seems particularly useful to assess the adequacy and performance of reference limits reported or established by others in a particular setting. The present data should encourage re-evaluation of reference systems on a broader scale.
THE STATUS OF ENERGY MONITORING IN SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY BY THE EXAMPLE OF MATERIAL HANDLING PROCESSES
Authors: Fekete Patrick , Martin Steve , Kuhn Katja , Wright Nicholas
Published: January 2015

Global mega trends attract increased resource preservation as well as system efficiency and arouse growing scientific, industrial and public attention, whereas process and technologic developments still lack realisation due to inaccurate knowledge of real process energy demand, associated possible savings and a low inducement for investment. This investigation develops a generally applicable process for energy data collection focussing on material handling systems based on a predefined target model for energy monitoring in order to generate a valid reference model. The introduction of Standardised Energy Consuming Activities (SECA) model enables the development of energy based process functions as reference for its implementation to energetic investigations in various industrial applications. Analysing current and target state of energy monitoring in scientific and industrial investigations for logistics shows the developmental deficit of standardisation and realisation in energy monitoring.
MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES AND INNOVATIONS IN THE COMPANY – THE CASE OF ENTERPRISES IN POLAND
Authors: Szczepańska-Woszczyna Katarzyna , Dacko-Pikiewicz Zdzisława
Published: January 2015

The determinants of the successful innovation implementation in the company include human capital and competencies of both managers and employees. In order for successful innovation management to occur, a manager must acquire or possess expertise in the domain at hand, as well as specific competencies. The paper has focused on the identification of the essential managerial competencies to promote and enhance innovation in companies. The study was conducted among managers of top, middle and operational management level in companies operating in Poland. It seems that competencies for each of the three group of managers have not been described in detail yet. The research has identified key competencies of managers in the context of implementing innovation in the company as well as differences resulting from the level of management in the organization. The research has helped to identify discrepancies between the current level of competencies needed to achieve organizational objectives, and the expected level ensuring maximum efficiency during their implementation.
STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF CUSTOMER CARE EMPLOYEES IN BANKS
Authors: Korenková Marcela
Published: January 2015

The effectiveness of the sale of financial products in banks is largely influenced not only by the products themselves, but also by the level of communication skills of customer care assistants. The subject of our research was to find out the level of communication skills of customer care assistants in banks. The level of communication skills of customer care assistants considerably influences a suitable selection of employees for a position of a customer care assistant in the companies providing the bank products. They are also some supporting activities that the company itself uses to invest into the development of the assistant by the means of additional education, trainings and supporting activities. The research was realized in the banks operating in Slovakia and the collected data were analysed by the means of statistical methods that enabled us to identify the differences among individual banks. The results of our research prove that the communication skills of customer care assistants are at a sufficient level. Banks started to focus more on the increase of the level of provided services, too, in relation to the high competitiveness and the need to bring something more to a client.
Discriminations multiples Rendre visible l'invisible
Authors: Kachoukh Fériel
Published: January 2015

La question du croisement et de l’interaction de différents critères(sexe, race, classe) dans la production et la reproduction des processus discriminatoires a jusqu’à présent suscité peu de réflexions théoriques et encore moins d’initiatives militantes. Elle permet pourtant de porter la réflexion sur les mécanismes de domination et d’analyser les conditions sociales et historiques d’apparition des discriminations.
Une défense des droits fondamentaux
Authors: du Quellennec Anne
Published: January 2015

En 2011, le Défenseur des droits reprenait les attributions de la HauteAutorité de lutte contre les discriminations et pour l’égalité. Au nombre de ses missions, l’examen des réclamations déposées par les étrangers dont les plus nombreuses concernent l’accès à la nationalité française, l’asile, l’entrée et le séjour en France. Si la Halde avait montré quelques réticences à s’emparer de la question des discriminations fondées sur la nationalité, le Défenseur des droits s’y est engagé... avec plus ou moins de succès. Un point de vue de l’intérieur de l’institution.
L'infra-statut de l'étudiant étranger
Authors: Foegle Jean-Philippe
Published: January 2015

La précarité adminsitrative des étudiantes et étudiants étrangers, renforcée au fil des ans par les gouvernements successifs, permet de légitimer, y compris de la part des juges, les différences de traitement dont ils sont victimes, jusqu’à aboutir à cette logique discriminatoire élevée au rang de politique publique avec l’immigration choisie.
Le chemin des mémoires : le cas des luttes pour le logement
Authors: Lévy-Vroelant Claire
Published: January 2015

La question mémorielle fait couler beaucoup d’encre. Contradictiondes temps : alors que des pans entiers de l’histoire des luttes sont passés sous silence, les invisibles sont appelés à prendre la parole pour « raconter la vie » comme si la mémoire, auparavant regardée avec suspicion du fait de sa subjectivité, était devenue le terrain dédié de tous ceux qui n’avaient pas eu droit à l’Histoire. Chance ou illusion ? Quelles sont les conditions de l’avènement, et de la transmission, de mémoires de luttes ? Le domaine du logement offre des particularités tout en dévoilant des fondamentaux : en matière de mémoire, le passage de témoin est en soi une lutte.
A BREATHING SYNCHRONIZATION STRATEGY FOR THE NON-INVASIVE VENTILATOR SYSTEM
Authors: Gao Yubao , Xu Yucong , Luo Yuxi , Liang Jiuxing , Wang Hongjie
Published: January 2015

The study presents a method to achieve a subject-ventilator synchronic pressure supply for a non-invasive ventilator (NIV) used for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), solely through controlling the blower instead of using expiratory relief valves. The controller used air flow signal to distinguish inspiratory and expiratory phases, and used a fast auto-forecast (AF) algorithm to predict the current inspiratory duration based on respiration periods distinguished previously. Then in a patient's late inspiration the mechanical expiratory state was triggered to release pressure in advance. Afterward, when the beginning of a patient's actual expiration was detected, a timer was used to trigger the end-expiratory state. As the index of patient-ventilator synchrony, subject's chest movement was detected by electrical impedance signal in experiments. The experimental results indicated that the previous state transition based on the prediction of inspiratory duration can eliminate the pressure overshoot spike, and then avoid excessive expiratory pressure to subjects. The fast auto-forecast with end expiratory positive airway pressure (AF-EEPAP) controlling strategy presented in this paper provided a mild pressure curve, which is consistent with the subject's respiratory physiology, and thus improved respiratory synchrony between subject and ventilator.
Text Mining on Big and Complex Biomedical Literature
Authors: Xie Boya , Ding Qin , Wu Di
Published: January 2015

Driven by the rapidly advancing techniques and increasing interests in biology and medicine, about 2,000 to 4,000 references are added daily to MEDLINE, the US national biomedical bibliographic database. Even for a specific research topic, extracting useful and comprehensive information out of the huge literature data pool is challenging. Text mining techniques become extremely useful when dealing with the abundant biomedical information and they have been applied to various areas in the realm of biomedical research. Instead of providing a brief overview of all text mining techniques and every major biomedical text mining application, this chapter explores in-depth the microRNA profiling area and related text mining tools. As an illustrative example, one rule-based text mining system developed by the authors is discussed in detail. This chapter also includes the discussion of the challenges and potential research areas in biomedical text mining.
Observer-Biased Analysis of Gene Expression Profiles
Authors: Fazendeiro Paulo , Valente de Oliveira José
Published: January 2015

Microarray generated gene expression data are characterized by their volume and by the intrinsic background noise. The main task of revealing patterns in gene expression data is typically carried out using clustering analysis, with soft clustering leading the more promising candidate methods. In this chapter, Fuzzy C-Means with a variable Focal Point (FCMFP) is exploited as the first stage in gene expression data analysis. FCMFP is inspired by the observation that the visual perception of a group of similar objects is (highly) dependent on the observer position. This metaphor is used to provide a new analysis insight, with different levels of granularity, over a gene expression dataset.
Computational Systems Biology Perspective on Tuberculosis in Big Data Era
Authors: Kahlon Amandeep Kaur , Sharma Ashok
Published: January 2015

The major concern in this chapter is to understand the need of system biology in prediction models in studying tuberculosis infection in the big data era. The overall complexity of biological phenomenon, such as biochemical, biophysical, and other molecular processes, within pathogen as well as their interaction with host is studied through system biology approaches. First, consideration is given to the necessity of prediction models integrating system biology approaches and later on for their replacement and refinement using high throughput data. Various ongoing projects, consortium, databases, and research groups involved in tuberculosis eradication are also discussed. This chapter provides a brief account of TB predictive models and their importance in system biology to study tuberculosis and host-pathogen interactions. This chapter also addresses big data resources and applications, data management, limitations, challenges, solutions, and future directions.
Perspectives on Data Integration in Human Complex Disease Analysis
Authors: Van Steen Kristel , Malats Nuria
Published: January 2015

The identification of causal or predictive variants/genes/mechanisms for disease-associated traits is characterized by “complex” networks of molecular phenotypes. Present technology and computer power allow building and processing large collections of these data types. However, the super-rapid data generation is counterweighted by a slow-pace for data integration methods development. Most currently available integrative analytic tools pertain to pairing omics data and focus on between-data source relationships, making strong assumptions about within-data source architectures. A limited number of initiatives exist aiming to find the most optimal ways to analyze multiple, possibly related, omics databases, and fully acknowledge the specific characteristics of each data type. A thorough understanding of the underlying assumptions of integrative methods is needed to draw sound conclusions afterwards. In this chapter, the authors discuss how the field of “integromics” has evolved and give pointers towards essential research developments in this context.
Current Study Designs, Methods, and Future Directions of Genetic Association Mapping
Authors: Jackson Jami , Motsinger-Reif Alison
Published: January 2015

Rapid progress in genotyping technologies, including the scaling up of assay technologies to genome-wide levels and next generation sequencing, has motivated a burst in methods development and application to detect genotype-phenotype associations in a wide array of diseases and other phenotypes. In this chapter, the authors review the study design and genotyping options that are used in association mapping, along with the appropriate methods to perform mapping within these study designs. The authors discuss both candidate gene and genome-wide studies, focused on DNA level variation. Quality control, genotyping technologies, and single-SNP and multiple-SNP analyses have facilitated the successes in identifying numerous loci influence disease risk. However, variants identified have generally explained only a small fraction of the heritable component of disease risk. The authors discuss emerging trends and future directions in performing analysis for rare variants to detect these variants that predict these traits with more complex etiologies.
Clinical Data Linkages in Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) in Australia
Authors: Moon Jane , Galea Mary P. , Bohensky Megan
Published: January 2015

Clinical data linkage amongst patients with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a challenge, as the Australian Health System is fragmented and there is lack of coordination between multiple data custodians at the state and federal levels, private and public hospitals, and acute and allied health sectors. This is particularly problematic in chronic conditions such as SCI, where multiple data custodians collect data on patients over long periods of time. The author presents findings based on interviews with a range of data custodians for SCI categorized as clinical, statutory, and financial data custodians. It is found that data are kept in different silos, which are not coordinated, hence duplication exists and patient information that exists on many different databases is inconsistently updated. This chapter describes the importance of Clinical Data Linkage for healthcare in predicting disease trajectories for SCI and discusses how administrative and clinical data are collected and stored and some of the challenges in linking these datasets.
The Benefits of Big Data Analytics in the Healthcare Sector
Authors: Darrel Andrea , Hume Margee , Hardie Timothy , Soar Jeffery
Published: January 2015

The benefits of big data analytics in the healthcare sector are assumed to be substantial, and early proponents have been very enthusiastic (Chen, Chiang, & Storey, 2012), but little research has been carried out to confirm just what those benefits are, and to whom they accrue (Bollier, 2010). This chapter presents an overview of existing literature that demonstrates quantifiable, measurable benefits of big data analytics, confirmed by researchers across a variety of healthcare disciplines. The chapter examines aspects of clinical operations in healthcare including Cost Effectiveness Research (CER), Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDS), Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), Personalized Medicine (PM), as well as several public health initiatives. This examination is in the context of searching for the benefits described resulting from the deployment of big data analytics. Results indicate the principle benefits are delivered in terms of improved outcomes for patients and lower costs for healthcare providers.