bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amino Acid Composition, Molecular Weight Distribution and Gel Electrophoresis of Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Proteins and Protein Fractionations
Authors: Mao Xiaoying , Hua Yufei , Chen Guogang
Published: January 2014

As a by-product of oil production, walnut proteins are considered as an additional source of plant protein for human food. To make full use of the protein resource, a comprehensive understanding of composition and characteristics of walnut proteins are required. Walnut proteins have been fractionated and characterized in this study. Amino acid composition, molecular weight distribution and gel electrophoresis of walnut proteins and protein fractionations were analyzed. The proteins were sequentially separated into four fractions according to their solubility. Glutelin was the main component of the protein extract. The content of glutelin, albumin, globulin and prolamin was about 72.06%, 7.54%, 15.67% and 4.73% respectively. Glutelin, albumin and globulin have a balanced content of essential amino acids, except for methionine, with respect to the FAO pattern recommended for adults. SDS-PAGE patterns of albumin, globulin and glutelin showed several polypeptides with molecular weights 14.4 to 66.2 kDa. The pattern of walnut proteins in two-dimension electrophoresis (2-DE) showed that the isoelectric point was mainly in the range of 4.8–6.8. The results of size exclusion chromatogram indicated molecular weight of the major components of walnut proteins were between 3.54 and 81.76 kDa.
Targeting Nuclear Receptors with Marine Natural Products
Authors: Yang Chunyan , Li Qianrong , Li Yong
Published: January 2014

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are important pharmaceutical targets because they are key regulators of many metabolic and inflammatory diseases, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, cirrhosis, and fibrosis. As ligands play a pivotal role in modulating nuclear receptor activity, the discovery of novel ligands for nuclear receptors represents an interesting and promising therapeutic approach. The search for novel NR agonists and antagonists with enhanced selectivities prompted the exploration of the extraordinary chemical diversity associated with natural products. Recent studies involving nuclear receptors have disclosed a number of natural products as nuclear receptor ligands, serving to re-emphasize the translational possibilities of natural products in drug discovery. In this review, the natural ligands of nuclear receptors will be described with an emphasis on their mechanisms of action and their therapeutic potentials, as well as on strategies to determine potential marine natural products as nuclear receptor modulators.
Fucoidan as a Marine Anticancer Agent in Preclinical Development
Authors: Kwak Jong-Young
Published: January 2014

Fucoidan is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweeds, crude extracts of which are commercially available as nutritional supplements. Recent studies have demonstrated antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and anticancer properties of fucoidan in vitro. Accordingly, the anticancer effects of fucoidan have been shown to vary depending on its structure, while it can target multiple receptors or signaling molecules in various cell types, including tumor cells and immune cells. Low toxicity and the in vitro effects of fucoidan mentioned above make it a suitable agent for cancer prevention or treatment. However, preclinical development of natural marine products requires in vivo examination of purified compounds in animal tumor models. This review discusses the effects of systemic and local administration of fucoidan on tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune reaction and whether in vivo and in vitro results are likely applicable to the development of fucoidan as a marine anticancer drug.
A Review on Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Phenylpropanoids Found in Essential Oils
Authors: De Cássia da Silveira e Sá Rita , Andrade Luciana , Dos Reis Barreto de Oliveira Rafael , De Sousa Damião
Published: January 2014

The search for alternative drugs capable of disrupting the inflammatory process has become an important issue in scientific research, especially with reference to the use of natural substances and the reduction of undesirable side effects. Essential oils represent an important source of such substances, since their active constituents often exhibit an array of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory activity. This review presents an overview of the anti-inflammatory action exerted by phenylpropanoids from essential oils and discusses possible mechanisms of action involved in the anti-inflammatory response, assessed through specific experimental models.
Cellular Auxin Transport in Algae
Authors: Zhang Suyun , Van Duijn Bert
Published: January 2014

The phytohormone auxin is one of the main directors of plant growth and development. In higher plants, auxin is generated in apical plant parts and transported from cell-to-cell in a polar fashion. Auxin is present in all plant phyla, and the existence of polar auxin transport (PAT) is well established in land plants. Algae are a group of relatively simple, autotrophic, photosynthetic organisms that share many features with land plants. In particular, Charophyceae (a taxon of green algae) are closest ancestors of land plants. In the study of auxin function, transport and its evolution, the algae form an interesting research target. Recently, proof for polar auxin transport in Chara species was published and auxin related research in algae gained more attention. In this review we discuss auxin transport in algae with respect to land plants and suggest directions for future studies.
Enhancement Corrosion Resistance of (γ-Glycidyloxypropyl)-Silsesquioxane-Titanium Dioxide Films and Its Validation by Gas Molecule Diffusion Coefficients Using Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Liu Li , Huang Yudong , Wang Di , Hu Lijiang , Loy Douglas
Published: January 2014

Based on silsesquioxanes (SSO) derived from the hydrolytic condensation of (γ-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPMS) and titanium tetrabutoxide (TTB), hybrid films on aluminum alloy (AA), film-GPMS-SSO (f-GS) and f-GS-TTBi% (f-GSTT5%–25%, i = 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt%), were prepared and tested by electrochemical measurements with typical potentiodynamic polarization curves. The Icorr values of the samples were significantly lower, comparing with the Icorr values of the f-GS, AA and f-GS modified tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the previous study, which implies that the TTB5%–25% (TiO2) additions in the coatings indeed enhance the electrochemical corrosion resistance. Correlations between the film structures and anticorrosion properties were discussed. To validate the corresponding anticorrosion experiment results, different 3D-amorphous cubic unit cells were employed as models to investigate the self-diffusion coefficient (SDC) for SO2, NO2 and H2O molecules by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. All of the SDCs calculated for SO2, NO2 and H2O diffusing in f-GSTT5%–25% cells were less than the SDCs in f-GS. These results validated the corresponding anticorrosion experiment results.
Risk Mitigation Measures: An Important Aspect of the Environmental Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Liebig Markus , Floeter Carolin , Hahn Thorsten , Koch Wolfgang , Wenzel Andrea , Römbke Jörg
Published: January 2014

Within EU marketing authorization procedures of human and veterinary medicinal products (HMP and VMP), an environmental risk assessment (ERA) has to be performed. In the event that an unacceptable environmental risk is identified, risk mitigation measures (RMM) shall be applied in order to reduce environmental exposure to the pharmaceutical. Within the authorization procedures of HMP, no RMM have been applied so far, except for specific precautions for the disposal of the unused medicinal product or waste materials. For VMP, a limited number of RMM do exist. The aim of this study was to develop consistent and efficient RMM. Therefore, existing RMM were compiled from a summary of product characteristics of authorized pharmaceuticals, and new RMM were developed and evaluated. Based on the results, appropriate RMM were applied within the authorization procedures of medicinal products. For HMP, except for the existing precautions for disposal, no further reasonable measures could be developed. For VMP, two specific precautions for disposal and 17 specific precautions for use in animals were proposed as RMM.
Assessment of Multi-Mycotoxin Exposure in Southern Italy by Urinary Multi-Biomarker Determination
Authors: Solfrizzo Michele , Gambacorta Lucia , Visconti Angelo
Published: January 2014

Human exposure assessment to deoxynivalenol (DON), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), fumonisin B1 (FB1), zearalenone (ZEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) can be performed by measuring their urinary biomarkers. Suitable biomarkers of exposure for these mycotoxins are DON + de-epoxydeoxynivalenol (DOM-1), aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), FB1, ZEA + α-zearalenol (α-ZOL) + β-zearalenol (β-ZOL) and OTA, respectively. An UPLC-MS/MS multi-biomarker method was used to detect and measure incidence and levels of these biomarkers in urine samples of 52 volunteers resident in Apulia region in Southern Italy. The presence of ZEA + ZOLs, OTA, DON, FB1 and AFM1 were detected in 100%, 100%, 96%, 56% and 6%, of samples, respectively. All samples contained biomarkers of two or more mycotoxins. The mean concentrations of biomarkers ranged from 0.055 ng/mL (FB1) to 11.89 ng/mL (DON). Urinary biomarker concentrations were used to estimate human exposure to multiple mycotoxin. For OTA and DON, 94% and 40% of volunteers, respectively exceeded the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for these mycotoxins. The estimated human exposure to FB1 and ZEA was largely below the TDI for these mycotoxins for all volunteers.
Comparative Study of Three Two-Stage Hybrid Ecological Wastewater Treatment Systems for Producing High Nutrient, Reclaimed Water for Irrigation Reuse in Developing Countries
Authors: Zurita Florentina , White John
Published: January 2014

In this study, three different two-stage hybrid ecological wastewater treatment systems (HEWTS) with combinations of horizontal flow (HF) constructed wetlands (CWs), vertical flow (VF) CWs and stabilization ponds (SP) were evaluated for the removal of Organic-N, NH4+, NO3−, Total N, Total P, Total Coliforms (TCol) and Escherichia Coli, BOD, COD and TSS. The overall goal of the study was novel in comparison to most other studies in that we sought to evaluate and compare the efficiency of the three HEWTSs for water quality improvements, while minimizing nutrient removal from the wastewater in order to generate high quality reclaimed water for reuse for irrigation of crops. The most effective systems were those systems containing a vertical flow component, either HF-VF or VF-HF. In these two HEWTS, NH4+ was reduced by 85.5% and 85.0% respectively, while NO3− was increased to 91.4 ± 17.6 mg/L and to 82.5 ± 17.2 mg/L, respectively, an artifact of nitrification. At the same time, E. coli was reduced by 99.93% and 99.99%, respectively. While the goal of most wastewater treatment is focused on reducing nutrients, the results here demonstrate that two-stage HEWTSs containing VF components can be used to produce a high quality effluent while retaining inorganic nutrients, thereby conserving this valuable resource for reuse as irrigation water for agriculture in subtropical developing countries where water and fertilizer resources are scarce or expensive.
Terre et « pureté ethnique » aux confins polono-ukrainiens
Authors: Conte Edouard
Published: January 2014

Ironie de l'histoire : les marches polono-ukrainiennes (kresy), et notamment la Galicie centrale, dont l'économie agraire était fondée sur une articulation profondément inégalitaire de très petites et de très grandes exploitations, se sont révélées être depuis l'avènement du collectivisme un extraordinaire bastion de la propriété paysanne individuelle dans les régions restées polonaises. En revanche, dans les provinces naguère soviétiques, émerge à l'ère de la « transition » une contrée sans seigneurs ni paysans, où, faute de réforme agraire, se succèdent à perte de vue des latifundia fantômes en attente de devenir. Ce legs du pouvoir des Soviets est replacé dans une perspective historique longue afin de mieux saisir les rapports complexes entre la maîtrise de la terre et la fluidité structurelle des constructions identitaires.
La nature mise au propre dans la steppe de Crau et la forêt du Var
Authors: Deverre Christian
Published: January 2014

Partant de l'analyse de deux opérations agri-environnementales, qui associent l'élevage à la protection de la nature dans le sud de la France, l'auteur étudie la construction sociale des liens entre les fonctionnements naturels, tels qu'ils sont formalisés par les écologistes ou les experts des incendies, et les pratiques agricoles. Loin d'être une ligne droite allant du diagnostic environnemental à la mise en œuvre de solutions appropriées, ce processus réunit des faits, des modèles et des agents très hétérogènes au sein de réseaux sociotechniques constamment en expansion. La prise en compte de la nature donne lieu à des configurations sociales très différentes : elle réhabilite dans la Crau des techniques (et les éleveurs correspondants), naguère jugées « archaïques », tandis que, dans le Var, elle promeut de nouveaux agents sociaux se réclamant d'une ingénierie environnementale innovatrice.
Entre désenchantement et réenchantement : chasser en Chalosse
Authors: Pérés Hubert
Published: January 2014

Une enquête effectuée en Chalosse (Landes) suggère que l'acte de chasse, soumis à une très forte normalisation bureaucratique assortie d'un discours moralisateur sous la pression écologiste, en sort profondément transformé. Accentué par la désaffection des jeunes générations, le « désenchantement» de la pratique s'inverse dès lors que l'on s'interroge sur ce qui se trame non plus dans mais au travers de la chasse. Car celle-ci contribue à une sociabilité festive et à la cristallisation d'une expérience sensible du territoire communal. Enfin, l'aitifîcialité gestionnaire de la chasse ouvre de multiples opportunités d'éprouver les délices d'une transgression qui, à son tour, participe au « réenchantement » de la quotidienneté.
« Pénétrer l'indigène» : arachides, paysans, agronomes et administrateurs coloniaux au Sénégal (1897-1950)
Authors: Bonneuil Christophe
Published: January 2014

L'auteur explore une entreprise coloniale de « modernisation» agricole dans le bassin arachidier sénégalais, et les interactions qu'elle met enjeu entre les sociétés rurales wolofet sereer, les agronomes coloniaux et les administrateurs. Il décrit les pratiques de recherche et de culture développées à la station agronomique de Bambey qui contrastent radicalement avec celles du terroir sereer environnant. Il examine les stratégies visant à rendre les savoirs paysans commensurables aux savoirs des agronomes. Certains éléments de l'ordre expérimental de la station furent imposés aux paysans. Alors que les connaissances et la domination de l'État colonial sur les sociétés paysannes étaient encore faibles, l'intervention semencière apparaît comme un outil de pénétration cognitive des sociétés rurales par l'État et ses experts, et un moyen de les rendre plus perméables à l'intervention administrative.
A Comparison Between Pulsed Radiofrequency and Electro-acupuncture for Relieving Pain in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Lin Mu-Lien , Lin Mu-Hung , Fen Jun-Jeng , Lin Wei-Tso , Lin Chii-Wann , Chen Po-Quang
Published: January 2014

Many treatment options for chronic low back pain are available, including varied forms of electric stimulation. But little is known about the electricity effect between electro-acupuncture and pulsed radiofrequency. The objective of this study is to assess the difference in effectiveness
of pain relief between pulsed radiofrequency and electro-acupuncture. Visual analog score (VAS) pain score, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) to measure a patient's permanent functional disability, and Short form 36 (SF-36) which is a survey used in health assessment to determine the cost-effectiveness
of a health treatment, were used as rating systems to measure the pain relief and functional improvement effect of pulsed radiofrequency and electro-acupuncture, based on the methodological quality of the randomized controlled trials, the relevance between the study groups, and the consistency
of the outcome evaluation. First, the baseline status before therapy shows no age and gender influence in the SF-36 and VAS score but it is significant in the ODI questionnaire. From ANOVA analyses, it is apparent that radiofrequency therapy is a significant improvement over electro-acupuncture
therapy after one month. But electro-acupuncture also showed functional improvement in the lumbar spine from the ODI. This study provides sufficient evidence of the superiority of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) therapy for low back pain relief compared with both electro-acupuncture (EA) therapy
and the control group. But the functional improvement of the lumbar spine was proved under EA therapy only. Both therapies are related to electricity effects.
Sedating the Apprehensive Debilitated Patients for Dental Procedures by Combining Parenteral Sedation and Hypnosis with Supplemental Acupuncture Therapy
Authors: Lu Dominic P. , Wu Ping-Shi , Lu Winston I.
Published: January 2014

Treating apprehensive debilitated patients (i.e. geriatric patients, patients with cardiac, pulmonary, kidney, or liver diseases, and those with other severe systemic conditions) for dental procedures can cause unexpected medical complications such as cardiac arrest, stroke, asthma
or shock, etc. Due to diminishing functional capacities of their organs, sedating those patients with sedative drugs in normal regular dosage could increase the risk of adverse events for this group of patients and can also increase the risk of liability for the clinician. The authors treated
34 apprehensive dental patients with a combination technique using parenteral sedation and hypnosis together with acupuncture. We used Bi-Digital O-Ring Test (BDORT) to select the compatible sedative drugs and to individualize the dosage suitable to the patient's medical condition. Oftentimes,
BDORT predetermined dosage amounts to a fraction of regular dosage that is normally recommended by manufacturer for regular healthy patients. Such a reduced dosage, though benign to patient, may be insufficient to render a patient to the sedation level for dental treatment. Nevertheless, hypnosis
with acupuncture can be applied to potentiate the therapeutic effect of parenteral sedation, thereby reducing the amount of sedative agents required to alleviate patient anxiety. The results indicated that hypnosis with acupuncture and BDORT could effectively allow the reduction of the sedative
dosage and may beneficially provide a safe and comfortable situation for the debilitated patients to receive the necessary treatment.
The Effect of Acupuncture on High Blood Pressure of Patients Using Antihypertensive Drugs
Authors: Çevik Cemal , İşeri Sevgin Özlem
Published: January 2014

Blood pressure control is an important component of cardiovascular disease prevention. Despite the advances in the treatment of hypertension, effective management remains poor. The combined use of multiple drug strategies fail to regulate blood pressure and chronic use of those agents cause severe side-effects. New strategies are required to control high blood pressure. We aim in our study to research the effects of acupuncture treatment on blood pressure of hypertensive patients who have already been exposed to antihypertensive drug therapy for at least 24 months. Each patient was using 1-3 antihypertensive drug of a heterogeneous pharmacological group ranging from ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and beta blockers and the most common complaint of those patients were fatigue, dizziness, weakness, headache and joint pain, sleeping problems, cold hands and feet, edema, depression. We did not alter patients' diet (salt intake), physical activity or use of antihypertensive drugs. The study includes 24 male and 10 female patients. Ki 3 (Taixi), Liv 3 (Taichong), Sp 9 (Yinlingquan), L.I. 4 (Hegu), Ht 7 (Shenmen), St 36 (Zusanli), Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao), Ki 7 (Fulio), Lu 9 acupuncture points were needled. After being treated with acupuncture for one month in every two days for a total of 15 sessions, we found significant reductions (p 001) in both systolic (from 163.14 ± 19.33 to 129.49 ± 18.52) and diastolic (from 94.37 ± 19.70 to 79.31 ± 7.87) blood pressures of these patients. The aim here is not to compare the effectiveness of acupuncture and drug therapy on blood pressure, but to simply report that on patients currently using antihypertensive medication, acupuncture facilitated a significant reduction in blood pressure and reduced the patients complaints. We therefore conclude that our data strongly suggest that acupuncture should be in the hypertension treatment guidelines and widely used for blood pressure regulation.
Treating Angina Pectoris By Acupuncture Therapy
Authors: Xu Lixian , Xu Hao , Gao Wei , Wang Wei , Zhang Hui , Lu Dominic P.
Published: January 2014

Acupuncture therapy on PC 6 (Neiguan) has a therapeutic effect on cardiac and chest ailments including angina pectoris. Additional beneficial acupuncture points are PC 4 (Ximen), HT 7 (Shenmen point), PC 7 (Daling point), PC 5 (Jianshi point), PC 3 (Quze point), CV 17 (Danzhong point),
CV 6 (Qihai point), BL 15 (Xinshu point), L 20 (Pishu point), BL 17 (Geshu point), BL23 (Shenshu point), B18 (Ganshu point), HT 5 (Tongli point), and ST36 (Zusanli point). Acupuncture not only quickly relieve the symptoms of acute angina pectoris, but also improve nitroglycerine's therapeutic
effects. Therefore, it is an efficient simple therapeutic method used for emergency and for regular angina treatment. Review of studies on acupuncture therapy has shown effectiveness were between 80% to 96.2% that are almost as effective as conventional drug regimen. When compared with conventional
medical treatment, the acupuncture therapy shows the obvious advantage of lacking, adverse side effects commonly associated with the Western anti-anginal drugs such as 1) Nitroglycerine (headache-63% with nitroglycerine patch and 50% with spray; syncope-4%; and dizziness-8% with patch; hypotension-4%
with patch; and increased angina 2% with patch). 2) Isosorbide mononitrate (dizziness-3 to 5%; nausea/vomiting-2 to 4% and other reactions including hypotension, and syncope even with small doses). 3) Propranolol (bradycardia, chest pain, hypotension, worsening of AV conduction disturbance,
Raynaud's syndrome, mental depression, hyperglycemia, etc.). Many conventional anti-anginal medications cause inter-drug reactions with other medications the patients taking for other diseases. Whereas, acupuncture therapy does not pose such an interference with patient's medications. Nevertheless,
surgery is still the treatment of choice when acupuncture or conventional drug therapy fails. Combination of conventional drug therapy and acupuncture would considerably decrease the frequency and the required dosage of drug taking, thereby decreasing the unpleasant side effects of the drug
therapy.
Influence of I-Ching (Yijing, or the Book of Changes) on Chinese Medicine, Philosophy and Science
Authors: Lu Dominic P.
Published: January 2014

I-Ching or Yi-Jing (also known as The Book of Changes) is the earliest classic in China. It simply explained the formation of the universe and the relationship of man to the universe. Most, if not all, branches of various knowledge, including traditional Chinese medicine, can be traced
back its origin to this Book in which Fu Shi (2852 B.C.) theorized how the universe was formed, through his keen observation of environment and orbits of sun, moon and stars. He used symbols to represent his views. The essence of I-Ching is basically the expression and function of Yang symbolized
as (from ↔) and Yin symbolized (from →←), and as interaction and circulation of Yang and Yin. Both Yin and Yang were derived from the same origin, Tai-Chi. Fu Shi believed Yin and Yang were the two opposite background force and energy that make the universe as what it is. Yang
and Yin manifest in great variety of phenomena such as mind and body, masculine and feminine, sun and moon, hot and cold, heaven and earth, positive and negative electricity etc. The entire theory of Chinese medicine is based on the theories of Yin and Yang as well as that of 5 Element Cycles
which are also related to the orderly arrangement of 8 trigrams by King Wen (1099-1050 B.C.). The 5 Elements Theory explains the "check and balance" mechanism created by the background force of Yin and Yang Qi and illustrated the relationships that are either strengthened or weakened by "acting
and controlling" among the 5 elements. I-Ching has exerted profound influences on some well-known European philosophers and scientists, notably Leibnitz and Hegel. Between I-Ching and modern cosmology and the physics of sub-atomic particles, there are some basic theories in common.
THE EXTENDED MRP MODEL FOR THE EVALUATION AND FINANCING OF SUPERANNUATION SCHEMES IN A SUPPLY CHAIN
Authors: Bogataj David , Vodopivec Robert , Bogataj Marija
Published: January 2014

The retirement age of industrial workers in national pension schemes is being raised. However, many industrial workers are not able to work until they have reached the increased retirement age. This problem is decreasing social security, increasing workers anxiety regarding the future and influencing the quality and timing of production processes. Disruptions and lower quality items produced in one activity cell of a supply chain can have a ripple effect throughout an entire supply chain. To solve this problem, we should put in place supplementary occupational pension schemes, which would compensate firms for the depreciated ability of their elderly workers to work when they have reached the previous retirement age but have not yet reached the new, higher retirement age. This article is introduces a model that is based on extended MRP Theory. The model can be used as a basis for negotiations between employers and employees to keep production at the same level of quality. The trade-off between higher contributions to supplementary occupational pension schemes and lower added values is considered. Contributions enable the early retirement of industrial workers at one or more workplaces in a supply chain, while lower added value is the result of lower quality and the perturbed timing of items that are produced in one or more activity cells of a supply chain: these issues have a ripple effect throughout an entire supply chain. The net present value approach is used.
MAINTAINING THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM UNDER EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS: A DUAL-NETWORK PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Miao Xin , Banister David , Tang Yanhong , Li Min , Xi Bao
Published: January 2014

Recent years have seen an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events globally, and these have resulted in severe impacts on the transport system. To the means by which the transport system can be maintained under extreme weather events is an emerging topic in transport studies, and this is augmented by a growing concern about climate change. This paper considers transport system as dual-network composed of an interrelated operation level and management level that has some similarities with the theory behind the Wardrop Principle. Evidence from the case study on the snow event in South China in early 2008 is used to draw the dual-network formulation to generalise the law of maintaining the transport system under extreme weather. The mathematical models of the dual-network focus on entropic dynamics in the operation network and matching control activities in the management network. Quantitative evidence is provided to prove the methodology. Interactions through the form of information communication and organisational collaboration within and between networks are highlighted. Incentive mechanisms are emphasised for achieving effective anticipation, prevention and collaboration to coping with extreme weather events. This paper contributes to a better understanding about the role of networks, collective behaviour, information interchange and inter-organisational collaboration in influencing the maintenance of transport system under extreme weather conditions.
SKILLS MISMATCH AND WAGE INEQUALITY: EVIDENCE FOR DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IN EUROPE
Authors: Santos Marcelo , Sequeira Tiago Neves
Published: January 2014

This paper studies the relationship between mismatch between workers’ skills and labour market requirements throughout different European Countries. It reports evidence that in several countries, over-skilled people tend to have a wage penalty and under-skilled people tend to have a premium. Interestingly, despite the typical effects of education, tenure, experience, and gender in wages being very similar, the effects of mismatch between skills and labour market requirements differ considerably across the wage distribution and the European Countries.
RETHINKING OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGRICULTURE AND THE “URBAN” ECONOMY IN BEIJING: AN INPUT-OUTPUT APPROACH
Authors: Yang Zhenshan , Cai Jianming , Dunford Michael , Webster Douglas
Published: January 2014

Despite the irresistible drive of urban growth, the questions as to whether and how agriculture is restructured and repositioned in relation to urban development have received little attention. Based on the method of hypothetical extraction from input-output tables, and on the Beijing case, this paper puts forward an approach to assess the dependence of the agro-economy on urban sectors. The research shows that in Beijing in the period from 1982 to 2007 the relationship between agriculture and the urban economy has gone through three phases. At the start of the economic reform, the relationship was weak, characterised by intensive inputs of agricultural productive materials and policy orders. What followed was a phase of disconnection characterised by fast urban growth and low competitive status of agriculture. The third was a period of increasingly integrated development with technological inputs and upgrading of the management of agriculture. The current strong relationship indicates that agriculture can be tuned to meet the preferences of urban consumers. Key associated urban sectors are screened out to verify this relationship. The approach is valuable for quantifying the structural relationship between agriculture and urban sectors, for further analysing rural-urban economic relationships to support development policy design and programming.
REGRESSION METHODS FOR HESITANT FUZZY PREFERENCE RELATIONS
Authors: Zhu Bin , Xu Zeshui
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we develop two regression methods that transform hesitant fuzzy preference relations (HFPRs) into fuzzy preference relations (FPRs). On the basis of the complete consistency, reduced FPRs with the highest consistency levels can be derived from HFPRs. Compared with a straightforward method, this regression method is more efficient in the Matlab environment. Based on the weak consistency, another regression method is developed to transform HFPRs into reduced FPRs which satisfy the weak consistency. Two algorithms are proposed for the two regression methods, and some examples are provided to verify the practicality and superiority of the proposed methods.
De la confusion des intérêts au conflit d'intérêts
Authors: Mény Yves
Published: January 2014

La France a longtemps ignoré non seulement la réalité mais même le concept de conflit d’intérêts. Au nom des vertus supposées de la « synthèse », elle a légitimé et justifié l’accumulation de positions de pouvoir, aussi bien dans la sphère privée que publique. Cette approche est l’un des nombreux avatars du peu d’appétit de la société française, et en particulier de ses élites, pour le pluralisme. Il en résulte que le conflit d’intérêts, lorsqu’il est pris en compte, l’est moins sous l’angle de la prévention et de la prise de conscience que de celui de la sanction de quelques rares hypothèses de nature délictueuse. Peu à peu, sous la pression des médias, de l’opinion publique et en raison de l’internationalisation des débats, l’approche française, malgré de fortes réticences, tend à se rapprocher des pratiques anglo-saxonnes, historiquement les plus avancées dans ce domaine.
Probiotic and synbiotic safety in infants under two years of age
Authors: van den Nieuwboer M. , Claassen E. , Morelli L. , Guarner F. , Brummer R.J.
Published: January 2014

In this study, we systematically evaluated safety aspects in clinical trials with probiotics and synbiotics in young infants (0-2 years of age). This study is an update of earlier reports and covers the recent literature from 2008-2013. The safety evaluation is performed along the Common Terminology Clinical Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0 scale, hereby also providing guidance for future studies. Safety aspects are represented and related to number of participants per probiotic strain/culture, study duration, dosage, clinical condition and selected afflictions. The results show a deficiency in the precise reporting and classification of adverse events in most studies. Analysis of 57 clinical trials with probiotics and synbiotics in combination with eight follow-up studies indicate that probiotic administration to infants between 0 and 24 months is safe with regard to the evaluated strains in infants with a particular health status or susceptibility. Most adverse events and serious adverse events were considered unrelated to the study product, and there were no major safety concerns. Almost all studies concluded that none of the adverse effects were related to the study product; the study products are generally well tolerated. Finally, inconsistent, imprecise and potentially incomplete reporting as well as the variation in probiotic strains, dosages, administration regimes, study populations and reported outcomes, greatly limit the generalizability of conclusions and argue convincingly for obligatory and standardised behaviour on adverse events (CTCAE) reporting in ‘food’ studies.
Yoghurt and probiotic bacteria in dietary guidelines of the member states of the European Union
Authors: Smug L.N. , Salminen S. , Sanders M.E. , Ebner S.
Published: January 2014

Beneficial microbes enter the food supply primarily through fermented foods (largely milks) and addition of probiotics. Fermented milks are a significant component of the diet of some geographical regions, including Europe. The fermentation process serves to preserve safety, nutritional quality and palatability of milk. In addition, the microbes associated with fermented milks and probiotics are associated with human health benefits. However, in the area of health claims only one claim for beneficial microbes has been approved in the European Union, that is for yoghurt to improve lactose tolerance. We searched for health messages that include probiotics or fermented milks in nutrition guidelines and recommendations in thirteen countries of the EU plus Switzerland. Such messages are allowed when they are made by non-commercial government bodies. Our analysis revealed that five EU member states have national nutrition guidelines or recommendations that include either probiotics or fermented milks with live bacteria. This supports that some EU member states recognise health benefits associated with consumption of live microbes, even if commercial marketing claims are not authorised. Harmonisation between recommendations and approved health-claims would benefit consumers and public health.
Simultaneous determination of aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, mycophenolic acid and sterigmatocystin in grape pomace by UHPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Luan L. , Chen N. , Han Z. , Liu X. , Zheng Y. , Wu Y.
Published: January 2014

A reliable ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, mycophenolic acid and sterigmatocystin in grape pomace. The samples were extracted by acetonitrile aqueous solution and further purified using a solid-phase extraction-based homemade clean-up cartridge. Next, the analytes were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile. The separated compounds were detected with a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in positive electro-spray ionisation mode using multiple reaction monitoring. The established method was extensively validated by determining linearity (R2≯0.999), recovery (97.5-102.8%) and precision (relative standard deviation ≤7.0%). This method was then used for the simultaneous determination of the four mycotoxins in grape pomace samples.
Occurrence and within field variability of Fusarium mycotoxins and their masked forms in maize crops in Belgium
Authors: De Boevre M. , Landschoot S. , Audenaert K. , Maene P. , Di Mavungu Diana , Eeckhout M. , Haesaert G. , De Saeger S.
Published: January 2014

Maize ear rot caused by several Fusarium species is an important fungal disease. Apart from yield losses, ear rot fungi can produce mycotoxins and masked forms in infected grains. Masked mycotoxins have received increased attention in view of their bioavailability and potential toxicity in animals and humans, but their presence and relevance in the field still remain undisclosed. To get a better insight, the present study assessed the presence of various Fusarium parent and masked mycotoxins, i.e. deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside, zearalenone, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, zearalenone-14-glucoside, zearalenone-14-sulfate, α-zearalenol-14-glucoside, β-zearalenol-14-glucoside, T-2 and HT-2 toxin, in various commercial maize varieties grown under natural infection conditions in Flanders, Belgium. The results showed that the maize varieties were co-contaminated with both parent and masked mycotoxins. Moreover, a positive correlation between these forms was established. A higher contamination with a particular mycotoxin appeared to be coupled with an elevated load of another (masked) mycotoxin. The results highlight the importance to screen for multiple mycotoxins, both parent and masked, to guarantee food and feed safety. Furthermore, analysis was carried out to elucidate the distribution of the various mycotoxins in the field. The maize variety did not significantly influence mycotoxin accumulation, except for deoxynivalenol. Subdivisions in the field with higher mycotoxin levels for deoxynivalenol and its derivatives, zearalenone and its derivatives, and the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxin were observed.
Developments in mycotoxin analysis: an update for 2012-2013
Authors: Berthiller F. , Burdaspal P.A. , Crews C. , Iha M.H. , Krska R. , Lattanzio V.M.T. , MacDonald S. , Malone R.J. , Maragos C. , Solfrizzo M. , Stroka J. , Whitaker T.B.
Published: January 2014

This review highlights developments in mycotoxin analysis and sampling over a period between mid-2012 and mid-2013. It covers the major mycotoxins: aflatoxins, Alternaria toxins, ergot alkaloids, fumonisins, ochratoxins, patulin, trichothecenes and zearalenone. A wide range of analytical methods for mycotoxin determination in food and feed were developed last year, in particular immunochemical methods and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based methods. After a section on sampling and sample preparation, due to the rapid spread and developments in the field of LC-MS/MS multimycotoxin methods, a separate section has been devoted to this area of research. It is followed by a section on mycotoxins in botanicals and spices, before continuing with the format of previous reviews in this series with dedicated sections on method developments for the individual mycotoxins.
Geoelectrical monitoring: an innovative method to supplement landslide surveillance and early warning
Authors: Supper Robert , Ottowitz David , Jochum Birgit , Kim Jung‐Ho , Römer Alexander , Baron Ivo , Pfeiler Stefan , Lovisolo Mario , Gruber Stefanie , Vecchiotti Filippo
Published: January 2014

Permanent geoelectrical monitoring, using the GEOMON4D instrumentation in combination with high resolution displacement monitoring by means of the D.M.S. system, was performed at two active landslide areas: Ampflwang/Hausruck in Austria, and Bagnaschino in Italy. These sites are part of the Austrian geoelectrical monitoring network, which currently comprises six permanently monitored landslides in Europe. Within the observation intervals, several displacement events, triggered by intense precipitation, were monitored and analysed. All of these events were preceded by a decrease of electric resistivity. The application of an innovative 4D inversion algorithm made it possible to investigate the potential processes which led to the triggering of these events. We conclude that resistivity monitoring can significantly help in the investigation of the causes of landslide reactivation. Since the results also contribute to the extrapolation of local displacement monitoring data to a larger scale, resistivity monitoring can definitely support decision‐finding in emergencies.
SP Monitoring at a Sea Dike
Authors: Kang Hye‐Jin , Cho In‐Ky , Kim Jung‐Ho , Yong Hwan‐Ho , Song Sung‐Ho , Park Young‐Gyu
Published: January 2014

The self‐potential (SP) method is widely used in seepage evaluation hydrological studies to monitor the integrity of infrastructure such as dams, sea dikes, and other types of flood control devices because the electric signals that are measured are directly related to seepage rate. At leaking areas along sea dikes, large SP anomalies can be generated by the rising and falling of tides. Unfortunately, SP data are often contaminated with several types of noise, such as that from drifting electrodes, telluric disturbances, and external electrical noise. Furthermore, SP signals can have high levels of spatial variability due to heterogeneity in lateral resistivity at the locations where the electrodes are installed. Because of these issues, it is very difficult to correlate the measured SP voltages with the streaming potentials associated with groundwater flows at particular points in time. To alleviate these problems, we developed a simple but effective interpretation method for SP monitoring data that involves subtracting consecutive SP voltages collected at different time points from a particular monitoring station. This subtracting procedure is able to effectively reduce spurious SP anomalies caused by electrode drift, change in resistivity, and other types of interference. Therefore, any changes observed in SP measurements over certain time frames were interpreted as resulting primarily from temporal changes in seepage flow. To demonstrate the performance of this method, we analysed SP monitoring data measured at a sea dike located on the southern coast of Korea. Our results confirmed that the SP interpretation method is able to explain changes in streaming potentials depending on the tide change over time and to detect the horizontal location of anomalous seepage zones along the sea dike.
Using computers to monitor student performance in essay-writing
Authors: Vaché Jean
Published: January 2014

Il s’agit ici d’évaluer la qualité de la production écrite des étudiants d’anglais grâce à des méthodes d’évaluation reposant en partie sur des mesures quantitatives. Le corpus est constitué des compositions écrites pendant une année sur des sujets littéraires par un groupe d’étudiants de seconde année. Chaque composition a été traitée par analyseur syntaxique et examinée à partir d’un outil de concordance qui enregistre tous éléments quantifiables tels que nombre total de mots, mots à occurrence unique, nombre de phrases, formes verbales, pronoms, etc. Les résultats tant individuels que collectifs sont exprimés en pourcentages et en valeurs. À partir de ces données, on tente de répondre à un certain nombre de questions : existe-t-il des tendances repérables ? De telles mesures peuvent-elles être considérées comme une méthode valable d’évaluation des étudiants ? Peut-on avoir recours à l’ordinateur pour mesurer la qualité de notre enseignement ?
Metaphor not as a stylistic but as a cognitive device: English language information technology manuals as a test case
Authors: Corbisier Agnès
Published: January 2014

Agissant en tant que personne ressource dans un atelier dont l’objectif était d’essayer d’évaluer dans quelle mesure la connaissance de l’anglais jouait un rôle plus ou moins important dans le fait que l’on soit capable d’apprendre à utiliser un logiciel de manière autonome, j’ai observé que les obstacles à l’auto-apprentissage n’étaient pas linguistiques mais plutôt le fait que les apprenants n’avaient pas ou avaient une image fausse de la manière dont fonctionne un traitement de texte.
Des transparents et des écrans qui communiquent en bleu méditerranée
Authors: Ginet Alain
Published: January 2014

Cette communication, partant d’un constat de mauvaise qualité communicative des supports visuels utilises par les chercheurs pour présenter leurs travaux scientifiques dans les congrès internationaux se fonde sur les principes de base qui régissent la physiologie de la perception visuelle et le processus de lecture, pour formuler quelques règles simples en matière de lisibilité typographique et d’ergonomie des supports visuels. Il s’y ajoute enfin quelques remarques sur les dimensions physiologiques, psychologiques et symboliques de la couleur pour essayer d’inciter les communicants à une rhétorique consciente du signe visuel. Les recommandations qui sont faites sont naturellement applicables à la médiatisation des didacticiels en EAO, tout comme à la conception de transparents d’enseignement.
Michel Foucault et les cachots conceptuels de l’incarcération : une évasion cognitive est-elle possible ?
Authors: Dubé Richard
Published: January 2014

Lourdement critiquée dès sa naissance au milieu du XVIIIe siècle, la prison, comme peine de référence du droit criminel, se maintient malgré tout. À cet effet, les thèses développées par Foucault dans Surveiller et Punir auront reconnu l’influence d’un discours disciplinaire et problématisé, sous forme de fonction « latente », la gestion différentielle des illégalismes de classe. Au cœur d’un système de pensée « carcéralisant », ces éléments, sans doute constitutifs du problème, cachent cependant d’autres réalités cognitives faisant obstacle à la valorisation des sanctions alternatives. En les rendant plus visibles, en les distinguant comme « cachots conceptuels », le droit, tout comme les observateurs du droit, pourraient à cet égard favoriser une éventuelle évasion cognitive. C’est dans cette perspective que nous devons concevoir la contribution visée par cet article.
Risque inondation dans le Grand Paris : la résilience est-elle un concept opératoire ?
Authors: Brun Alexandre , Gache Frédéric
Published: January 2014

Le Grand Paris n’est pas à l’abri d’une inondation majeure par débordement de la Seine et de la Marne qui réduirait durablement son attractivité et sa compétitivité. La résilience urbaine aux inondations apparait comme une alternative nouvelle aux politiques locales de gestion des risques d'inondation, encore très centrées sur la protection hydraulique contre les crues. Une stratégie métropolitaine basée sur la résilience suppose néanmoins acceptation du risque et anticipation, en particulier en matière d’aménagement du territoire. Le concept de résilience, désormais très développée en géographie des risques, est cependant encore méconnu des praticiens. Les maîtres d’ouvrages sont peu familiers avec le risque d’inondations. Ils en limitent l’importance et la réduisent souvent à un problème technique. Les concepteurs y sont plus sensibles que par le passé, mais ils peinent à concilier cet enjeu avec les priorités des maîtres d’ouvrages (habitat, transport…), et ce, alors que beaucoup de terrains mutables sont localisés en zone inondable dans le Grand Paris.