bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-Economic Conditions and Quality of Life in the Tribal Areas of Orissa with Special Reference to Mayurbhanj District
Authors: Jana Narayan Chandra , Ghosh Prasanta Kumar
Published: February 2016

Odisha (previously known as Orissa), being socio-economically backward but culturally sound, is one of the important states in Eastern India. Out of 30 districts 9 are considered as tribal districts (according to Location Quotient value) and of the total population (41,947,358 in 2011) a significant share (22.1%) goes to tribal people (8,145,081in 2011). This tribal group of Odisha has special significance because they are one of the most backward and geographically isolated communities. Thatâ€™s why their life style and economy is confined to the direct utilization of natural resources, pre-agricultural level of technology and specific indigenous type of work. But now with the emergence of industry and market economy, the age-old relationship between tribes and nature has disturbed. Keeping this in backdrop, the present study tried to explore the changing scenario of socio-economic condition in the tribal areas of Odisha. In this regard, various socio-economic indicators have been analyzed and compared for representing district-level patterns of quality of life and finding out the variation among the Primitive tribal households in the study area. In addition, Mayurbhanj has also been taken as a case study to represent the socio-economic condition and quality of life at the block level. It may be pointed out in this context that out of 30 districts in Odisha, according to Location Quotient value Mayurbhanj is the highest tribal concentrated district. The overall objective of this study is to obtain a better understanding of disparities and variations in socio-economic status in Odisha as well as in Mayurbhanj and also find out some remedial measures to overcome the problems to bring the Primitive tribal community in the main stream of the society. Maps have been prepared on the above-mentioned indicators based on secondary data using Arc-GIS 9.3. From the analysis of the health-related indicators it is clear from the analysis that the quality of life in the district has improved remarkably over the years but socio-economic disparities in terms of caste and gender continue to be a major problem mostly in tribal and backward areas.
Muga Industry—A Pride of Assam: An Estimation of Employment Generation, Kamrup Distric
Authors: Bhattacharyya Manisha , Goswami Chandrama
Published: February 2016

For any development strategy, sustainable employment should be an important goal. Seemingly, one of the major objectives of macroeconomic policies in developing countries is to create jobs for the poor. Sericulture, with its vast potential for employment generation in rural areas can play a vital role in poverty alleviation. In the said context, and using employment-based analysis (EBA) method, the key aim of this article is to estimate the employment generation potential of the Muga industry in Assam, the findings of which may be useful for policy makers.
Effect of Fracture Characteristics on Behavior of Fractured Shale-Oil Reservoirs by Cyclic Gas Injection
Authors: Wan T.. , Sheng J. J. , Soliman M. Y. , Zhang Y..
Published: February 2016

The current technique to produce shale oil is to use horizontal wells with multistage stimulation. However, the primary oil-recovery factor is only a few percent. The low oil recovery and abundance of shale reservoirs provide a huge potential for enhanced oil-recovery (EOR) process.

Well productivity in shale oil-and-gas reservoirs primarily depends on the size of fracture network and the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) that provides highly conductive conduits to communicate the matrix with the wellbore. The fracture complexity is critical to the well-production performance, and it also provides an avenue for injected fluids to displace the trapped oil. However, the disadvantage of gasflooding in fractured reservoirs is that injected fluids may break through to production wells by means of the fracture network. Therefore, a preferred method is to use cyclic gas injection to overcome this problem.

In this paper, we use a numerical-simulation approach to evaluate the EOR potential in fractured shale-oil reservoirs by cyclic gas injection. Simulation results indicate that the stimulated fracture network contributes significantly to the well productivity by means of its large contact area with the matrix, which prominently enhances the macroscopic sweep efficiency in secondary cyclic gas injection. In our previous simulation work, the EOR potential was evaluated in hydraulic planar-traverse fractures without considering the propagation of a natural-fracture network. In this paper, we examine the effect of fracture networks on shale oilwell secondary-production performance. The impact of fracture spacing and stress-dependent fracture conductivity on the ultimate oil recovery is investigated. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that cyclic gas injection has EOR potential in shale-oil reservoirs. This paper focuses on evaluating the effect of fracture spacing, the size of the fracture network, fracture connectivity (uniform and nonuniform), and stress-dependent fracture-network conductivity on well-production performance of shale-oil reservoirs by secondary cyclic gas injection.
DNA Methylation and BMI: Investigating Identified Methylation Sites at HIF3A in a Causal Framework
Authors: Richmond Rebecca C. , Sharp Gemma C. , Ward Mary E. , Fraser Abigail , Lyttleton Oliver , McArdle Wendy L. , Ring Susan M. , Gaunt Tom R. , Lawlor Debbie A. , Davey Smith George , Relton Caroline L.
Published: February 2016

Multiple differentially methylated sites and regions associated with adiposity have now been identified in large-scale cross-sectional studies. We tested for replication of associations between previously identified CpG sites at HIF3A and adiposity in ∼1,000 mother-offspring pairs from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Availability of methylation and adiposity measures at multiple time points, as well as genetic data, allowed us to assess the temporal associations between adiposity and methylation and to make inferences regarding causality and directionality. Overall, our results were discordant with those expected if HIF3A methylation has a causal effect on BMI and provided more evidence for causality in the reverse direction (i.e., an effect of BMI on HIF3A methylation). These results are based on robust evidence from longitudinal analyses and were also partially supported by Mendelian randomization analysis, although this latter analysis was underpowered to detect a causal effect of BMI on HIF3A methylation. Our results also highlight an apparent long-lasting intergenerational influence of maternal BMI on offspring methylation at this locus, which may confound associations between own adiposity and HIF3A methylation. Further work is required to replicate and uncover the mechanisms underlying the direct and intergenerational effect of adiposity on DNA methylation.
Maternal Glucose and Fatty Acid Kinetics and Infant Birth Weight in Obese Women With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Cade W. Todd , Tinius Rachel A. , Reeds Dominic N. , Patterson Bruce W. , Cahill Alison G.
Published: February 2016

The objectives of this study were 1) to describe maternal glucose and lipid kinetics and 2) to examine the relationships with infant birth weight in obese women with pregestational type 2 diabetes during late pregnancy. Using stable isotope tracer methodology and mass spectrometry, maternal glucose and lipid kinetic rates during the basal condition were compared in three groups: lean women without diabetes (Lean, n = 25), obese women without diabetes (OB, n = 26), and obese women with pregestational type 2 diabetes (OB+DM, n = 28; total n = 79). Glucose and lipid kinetics during hyperinsulinemia were also measured in a subset of participants (n = 56). Relationships between maternal glucose and lipid kinetics during both conditions and infant birth weight were examined. Maternal endogenous glucose production (EGP) rate was higher in OB+DM than OB and Lean during hyperinsulinemia. Maternal insulin value at 50% palmitate Ra suppression (IC50) for palmitate suppression with insulinemia was higher in OB+DM than OB and Lean. Maternal EGP per unit insulin and plasma free fatty acid concentration during hyperinsulinemia most strongly predicted infant birth weight. Our findings suggest maternal fatty acid and glucose kinetics are altered during late pregnancy and might suggest a mechanism for higher birth weight in obese women with pregestational diabetes.
Intensive Diabetes Treatment and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes: The DCCT/EDIC Study 30-Year Follow-up
Authors:   The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) Study Research Group
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

Early initiation of intensive diabetes therapy aimed at achieving near-normal glycemia reduces the early development of vascular complications in type 1 diabetes. We now assess whether intensive therapy compared with conventional therapy during the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) affected the incidence of cardiovascular disease over 30 years of follow-up.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The DCCT randomly assigned 1,441 patients with type 1 diabetes to intensive versus conventional therapy for a mean of 6.5 years, after which 93% were subsequently monitored during the observational Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. Cardiovascular disease (nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke, cardiovascular death, confirmed angina, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery revascularization) was adjudicated using standardized measures.

RESULTS

During 30 years of follow-up in DCCT and EDIC, 149 cardiovascular disease events occurred in 82 former intensive treatment group subjects versus 217 events in 102 former conventional treatment group subjects. Intensive therapy reduced the incidence of any cardiovascular disease by 30% (95% CI 7, 48; P = 0.016), and the incidence of major cardiovascular events (nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death) by 32% (95% CI −3, 56; P = 0.07). The lower HbA1c levels during the DCCT/EDIC statistically account for all of the observed treatment effect on cardiovascular disease risk. Increased albuminuria was also independently associated with cardiovascular disease risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive diabetes therapy during the DCCT (6.5 years) has long-term beneficial effects on the incidence of cardiovascular disease in type 1 diabetes that persist for up to 30 years.
An analytical model for top-hat long transient mode-mismatched thermal lens spectroscopy
Authors: Sabaeian M. , Rezaei H.
Published: February 2016

It has been shown that a top-hat excitation beam gives rise to a more sensitive signal for the thermal lens spectroscopy (TLS). Recently, a numerical model has been presented for a top- hat excitation beam in a dual-beam mod-mismatched TLS [Opt. Lett. 33(13), 1464-1466 (2008)]. In this work, we present a full analytical version of this model. Our model was based on a new solution of time-dependent heat equation for a finite radius cylindrical sample exposed to a top-hat excitation laser beam. The Fresnel diffraction integration method was then used to calculate on-axis probe-beam intensity variations due to thermal lensing by taking the aberrant nature of the thermal lens into account. The model was confirmed with experimental data of LSCAS-2 with an excellent agreement.
A profile of the sexual experiences of African, Caribbean and Black Canadian youth in the context of Canadian youth sexuality
Authors: Maticka-Tyndale Eleanor , Kerr Jelani , Mihan Robert ,   ACBY Team
Published: February 2016

Canadian studies have examined patterns of sexual behaviour and health based on age, gender, and geographical regions, but typically ignored the increasing ethnic diversity in Canada's population. In large part this is because sampling techniques tend to produce insufficient numbers of youth in specific ethnic groups for detailed analysis. This paper presents a profile of the sexual experiences of African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) youth using data collected in a survey (n=510) with ACB youth age 16–25 years living in the Windsor/Essex County region of Ontario, Canada. Data were examined for differences among the three ethno-racial groups in combination with differences between Muslims and Christiana, and males and females. In this predominantly heterosexual sample (95%), nearly ¾ of the Black and Caribbean youth reported sexual intercourse experience compared to well under ½ of the African youth. Overall, African were less experienced than Caribbean and Black youth and, within the African group, Muslim less than Christian youth. This included age of initiating various sexual activities, number of partners, use of condoms, and experiences of either non-volitional or non-relational sex. Alcohol in connection with sexual activity and multiple partners within a single month were rare. The Black and Caribbean participants reported sexual experiences and had a sexual profile that was closest to that of Canadian youth. Given the increasingly multicultural profile of Canada, these findings support the importance of research on distinct ethno-racial groups in Canada to inform the delivery of sexual education and health policy and programming.
Promoting replicable sexual science: A methodological review and call for metascience
Authors: Sakaluk John Kitchener
Published: February 2016

Concerns have increased within the medical and social science communities about the replicability of scientific findings, and subsequently, assessments of replicability and proposals for how it may be increased have become more common. Sexual scientists, however, with few exceptions, have yet to formally participate in the published discourses about replicability. In this commentary, I begin by highlighting how replicability is important for science in general, and then arguing that sexual science could be uniquely and negatively impacted without more direct involvement in the replicability movement from those within our field. I then briefly review several mechanisms through which replicability can be undermined in research, and some of the proposals for addressing these issues. I conclude by offering some ideas for how sexual scientists might begin to evaluate and improve the replicability of our field, and stress the need for sexual scientists to add their voices to the ongoing discussions about the problem of replicability of scientific findings.
One-year outcome in patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus: comparison of lumboperitoneal shunt to ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Authors: Miyajima Masakazu , Kazui Hiroaki , Mori Etsuro , Ishikawa Masatsune
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is treated with cerebrospinal fluid shunting, and implantation of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is the current standard treatment. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of VPSs and lumboperitoneal shunts (LPSs) for patients with iNPH.

METHODS

The authors conducted a prospective multicenter study of LPS use for patients with iNPH. Eighty-three patients with iNPH (age 60 to 85 years) who presented with ventriculomegaly and high-convexity and medial subarachnoid space tightness on MR images were recruited from 20 neurological or neurosurgical centers in Japan between March 1, 2010, and October 19, 2011. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 1 year after surgery, and the secondary outcome included scores on the iNPH grading scale (iNPHGS). A previously conducted VPS cohort study with the same inclusion criteria and primary and secondary end points was used as a historical control.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients who achieved a favorable outcome (i.e., improvement of at least 1 point in their mRS score) was 63% (95% CI 51%–73%) and was comparable to values reported with VPS implantation (69%, 95% CI 59%–78%). Using the iNPHGS, the 1-year improvement rate was 75% (95% CI 64%–84%) and was comparable to the rate found in the VPS study (77%, 95% CI 68%–84%). The proportion of patients experiencing serious adverse events (SAEs) and non-SAEs did not differ significantly between the groups at 1 year after surgery (SAEs: 19 [22%] of 87 LPS patients vs 15 [15%] of 100 VPS patients, p = 0.226; non-SAEs: 24 [27.6%] LPS patients vs 20 [20%] VPS patients, p = 0.223). However, shunt revisions were more common in LPS-treated patients than in VPS-treated patients (6 [7%] vs 1 [1%]).

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy and safety rates for LPSs with programmable valves are comparable to those for VPSs for the treatment of patients with iNPH. Despite the relatively high shunt failure rate, an LPS can be the treatment of choice because of its minimal invasiveness and avoidance of brain injury.
Reid's Response to Hume's Moral Critique of Religion
Authors: Kroeker Esther Engels
Published: February 2016

My aim in this paper is to present Reid's answer to Hume's claim that religion is contrary to natural human moral passions. Religion, according to Hume, weakens natural human inclinations toward virtue and invents new species of merit. Reid would respond, first, that morality is indeed tied to human nature, and that Hume fails to recognize that a sense of justice is natural as well. Since justice does not arise within human social conventions, Reid would conclude that justice is not a virtue that is limited to the human domain. Second, Reid would argue that the concordance between natural moral human motives and natural non-moral motives is a sign of design. And third, Reid would argue that uncorrupted religion is one that is faithful to morality and human nature, and that does not distort natural motives. Overall, Reid holds that the moral faculty is a natural human faculty that gives rise to natural inclinations and beliefs, but that these are concordant with religious beliefs and practices prescribed by Scripture.
Fatigue of Ti6Al4V Structural Health Monitoring Systems Produced by Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Strantza Maria , Vafadari Reza , De Baere Dieter , Vrancken Bey , Van Paepegem Wim , Vandendael Isabelle , Terryn Herman , Guillaume Patrick , Van Hemelrijck Danny
Published: February 2016

Selective laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing (AM) process which is used for producing metallic components. Currently, the integrity of components produced by SLM is in need of improvement due to residual stresses and unknown fracture behavior. Titanium alloys produced by AM are capable candidates for applications in aerospace and industrial fields due to their fracture resistance, fatigue behavior and corrosion resistance. On the other hand, structural health monitoring (SHM) system technologies are promising and requested from the industry. SHM systems can monitor the integrity of a structure and during the last decades the research has primarily been influenced by bionic engineering. In that aspect a new philosophy for SHM has been developed: the so-called effective structural health monitoring (eSHM) system. The current system uses the design freedom provided by AM. The working principle of the system is based on crack detection by means of a network of capillaries that are integrated in a structure. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the functionality of Ti6Al4V produced by the SLM process in the novel SHM system and to confirm that the eSHM system can successfully detect cracks in SLM components. In this study four-point bending fatigue tests on Ti6Al4V SLM specimens with an integrated SHM system were conducted. Fractographic analysis was performed after the final failure, while finite element simulations were used in order to determine the stress distribution in the capillary region and on the component. It was proven that the SHM system does not influence the crack initiation behavior during fatigue. The results highlight the effectiveness of the eSHM on SLM components, which can potentially be used by industrial and aerospace applications.
Imaging Techniques and Scanning Electron Microscopy as Tools for Characterizing a Si-Based Material Used in Air Monitoring Applications
Authors: Beatriz Suárez-Peña , Luis Negral , Leonor Castrillón , Laura Megido , Elena Marañón , Yolanda Fernández-Nava
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a study of the quartz fibrous filters used as a substrate for capturing the particulate matter (PM) present in the air. Although these substrates are widely used in environmental applications, their microstructure has been barely studied. The behavior of these devices during the filtration process was investigated in terms of their microstructure and the quartz fibers. Surface and cross sections were monitored. Scanning electronic microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), imaging and stereology techniques were used as tools for this purpose. The results show that most of the quartz filter fibers have sizes that allow them to be classified as nanofibers. It was also observed that, while the mechanisms of the mechanical capture of particles via impaction, interception and diffusion operate simultaneously in the outer zones of the filter cross section, the mechanism of capture by impaction is virtually non-existent in the innermost zones. Particles between 0.1 and 0.5 μm are known to be the most difficult to have captured by means of fibrous substrates. The fibers in inner zones were highly efficient in capturing this type of particle.
Novel Cholinesterase Inhibitors Based on O-Aromatic N,N-Disubstituted Carbamates and Thiocarbamates
Authors: Krátký Martin , Štěpánková Šárka , Vorčáková Katarína , Švarcová Markéta , Vinšová Jarmila
Published: February 2016

Based on the presence of carbamoyl moiety, twenty salicylanilide N,N-disubstituted (thio)carbamates were investigated using Ellman’s method for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). O-Aromatic (thio)carbamates exhibited weak to moderate inhibition of both cholinesterases with IC50 values within the range of 1.60 to 311.0 µM. IC50 values for BChE were mostly lower than those obtained for AChE; four derivatives showed distinct selectivity for BChE. All of the (thio)carbamates produced a stronger inhibition of AChE than rivastigmine, and five of them inhibited BChE more effectively than both established drugs rivastigmine and galantamine. In general, 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]benzamide, 2-hydroxy-N-phenylbenzamide as well as N-methyl-N-phenyl carbamate derivatives led to the more potent inhibition. O-{4-Chloro-2-[(4-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl]phenyl} dimethylcarbamothioate was identified as the most effective AChE inhibitor (IC50 = 38.98 µM), while 2-(phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl diphenylcarbamate produced the lowest IC50 value for BChE (1.60 µM). Results from molecular docking studies suggest that carbamate compounds, especially N,N-diphenyl substituted representatives with considerable portion of aromatic moieties may work as non-covalent inhibitors displaying many interactions at peripheral anionic sites of both enzymes. Mild cytotoxicity for HepG2 cells and consequent satisfactory calculated selectivity indexes qualify several derivatives for further optimization.
Cardiometabolic Health in Submariners Returning from a 3-Month Patrol
Authors: Gasier Heath , Young Colin , Gaffney-Stomberg Erin , McAdams Douglas , Lutz Laura , McClung James
Published: February 2016

Confined space, limited exercise equipment, rotating shift work and reduced sleep may affect cardiometabolic health in submariners. To test this hypothesis, 53 male U.S. Submariners (20–39 years) were studied before and after a 3-month routine submarine patrol. Measures included anthropometrics, dietary and physical activity, biomarkers of cardiometabolic health, energy and appetite regulation, and inflammation. Before deployment, 62% of submariners had a body fat % (BF%) ≥ 25% (obesity), and of this group, 30% met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. In obese volunteers, insulin, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin, the leptin/adiponectin ratio, and pro-inflammatory chemokines growth-related oncogene and macrophage-derived chemokine were significantly higher compared to non-obese submariners. Following the patrol, a significant mean reduction in body mass (5%) and fat-mass (11%) occurred in the obese group as a result of reduced energy intake (~2000 kJ) during the patrol; and, independent of group, modest improvements in serum lipids and a mean reduction in interferon γ-induced protein 10 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 were observed. Since 43% of the submariners remained obese, and 18% continued to meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome following the patrol, the magnitude of weight loss was insufficient to completely abolish metabolic dysfunction. Submergence up to 3-months, however, does not appear to be the cause of obesity, which is similar to that of the general population.
Conformation and Rheological Properties of Calf-Thymus DNA in Solution
Authors: Bravo-Anaya Lourdes , Rinaudo Marguerite , Martínez Félix
Published: February 2016

Studies of DNA molecule behavior in aqueous solutions performed through different approaches allow assessment of the solute-solvent interactions and examination of the strong influence of conformation on its physicochemical properties, in the presence of different ionic species and ionic concentrations. Firstly, the conformational behavior of calf-thymus DNA molecules in TE buffer solution is presented as a function of temperature. Secondly, their rheological behavior is discussed, as well as the evidence of the critical concentrations, i.e., the overlap and the entanglement concentrations (C* and Ce, respectively) from steady state flow and oscillatory dynamic shear experiments. The determination of the viscosity in the Newtonian plateau obtained from flow curves η ( ) allows estimation of the intrinsic viscosity and the specific viscosities at zero shear when C[η] < 40. At end, a generalized master curve is obtained from the variation of the specific viscosity as a function of the overlap parameter C[η]. The variation of the exponent s obtained from the power law η~ −s for both flow and dynamic results is discussed in terms of Graessley’s analysis. In the semi-dilute regime with entanglements, a dynamic master curve is obtained as a function of DNA concentration (CDNA > 2.0 mg/mL) and temperature (10 °C < T < 40 °C).
Evaluation of Simplified Polarimetric Decomposition for Soil Moisture Retrieval over Vegetated Agricultural Fields
Authors: Wang Hongquan , Magagi Ramata , Goita Kalifa , Jagdhuber Thomas , Hajnsek Irena
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates a simplified polarimetric decomposition for soil moisture retrieval over agricultural fields. In order to overcome the coherent superposition of the backscattering contributions from vegetation and underlying soils, a simplification of an existing polarimetric decomposition is proposed in this study. It aims to retrieve the soil moisture by using only the surface scattering component, once the volume scattering contribution is removed. Evaluation of the proposed simplified algorithm is performed using extensive ground measurements of soil and vegetation characteristics and the time series of UAVSAR (Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar) data collected in the framework of SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) Validation Experiment 2012 (SMAPVEX12). The retrieval process is tested and analyzed in detail for a variety of crops during the phenological stages considered in this study. The results show that the performance of soil moisture retrieval depends on both the crop types and the crop phenological stage. Soybean and pasture fields present the higher inversion rate during the considered phenological stage, while over canola and wheat fields, the soil moisture can be retrieved only partially during the crop developing stage. RMSE of 0.06–0.12 m3/m3 and an inversion rate of 26%–38% are obtained for the soil moisture retrieval based on the simplified polarimetric decomposition.
Venoms of Heteropteran Insects: A Treasure Trove of Diverse Pharmacological Toolkits
Authors: Walker Andrew , Weirauch Christiane , Fry Bryan , King Glenn
Published: February 2016

The piercing-sucking mouthparts of the true bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera) have allowed diversification from a plant-feeding ancestor into a wide range of trophic strategies that include predation and blood-feeding. Crucial to the success of each of these strategies is the injection of venom. Here we review the current state of knowledge with regard to heteropteran venoms. Predaceous species produce venoms that induce rapid paralysis and liquefaction. These venoms are powerfully insecticidal, and may cause paralysis or death when injected into vertebrates. Disulfide-rich peptides, bioactive phospholipids, small molecules such as N,N-dimethylaniline and 1,2,5-trithiepane, and toxic enzymes such as phospholipase A2, have been reported in predatory venoms. However, the detailed composition and molecular targets of predatory venoms are largely unknown. In contrast, recent research into blood-feeding heteropterans has revealed the structure and function of many protein and non-protein components that facilitate acquisition of blood meals. Blood-feeding venoms lack paralytic or liquefying activity but instead are cocktails of pharmacological modulators that disable the host haemostatic systems simultaneously at multiple points. The multiple ways venom is used by heteropterans suggests that further study will reveal heteropteran venom components with a wide range of bioactivities that may be recruited for use as bioinsecticides, human therapeutics, and pharmacological tools.
Genetic Variability of HIV-1 for Drug Resistance Assay Development
Authors: Clutter Dana , Sánchez Patricia , Rhee Soo-Yon , Shafer Robert
Published: February 2016

A hybridization-based point-of-care (POC) assay for HIV-1 drug resistance would be useful in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where resistance testing is not routinely available. The major obstacle in developing such an assay is the extreme genetic variability of HIV-1. We analyzed 27,203 reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences from the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database originating from six LMIC regions. We characterized the variability in a 27-nucleotide window surrounding six clinically important drug resistance mutations (DRMs) at positions 65, 103, 106, 181, 184, and 190. The number of distinct codons at each DRM position ranged from four at position 184 to 11 at position 190. Depending on the mutation, between 11 and 15 of the 24 flanking nucleotide positions were variable. Nonetheless, most flanking sequences differed from a core set of 10 flanking sequences by just one or two nucleotides. Flanking sequence variability was also lower in each LMIC region compared with overall variability in all regions. We also describe an online program that we developed to perform similar analyses for mutations at any position in RT, protease, or integrase.
Gestion ou cogestion des « réserves naturelles » créées sur les îles Eparses de la zone sud-ouest de l'océan Indien et du canal de Mozambique ? (Le cas spécifique du récif de Tromelin, de l'archipel des Glorieuses et des îlots Juan de Nova, Europa et Bassas da India)
Authors: Oraison André
Published: February 2016

Pursuant to a regulation dated 18 November 1975 issued by the Préfet of La Réunion in his capacity as representative of the French Government, a nature reserve was created on the terrestrial part of the "Iles Eparses" scattered around Madagascar in the eastern Indian Ocean and coming under French sovereignty : these include the reef of Tromelin, the archipelago of the Glorieuses and the islands of Europa and Bassas de India. The island of Juan de Nova was implicitly placed under the same regime, which entails the prohibition of any industrial, agricultural or tourist activity and any hunting or fishing in the islands' lagoons as well as a prohibition on movements in these "pockets handkerchiefs". Other rigourous measures were subsequently taken to ensure the protection of the marine environment of the Iles Eparses, which now constitute refuges for their characteristic flora and strict sanctuaries for many colonies of resident birds (frigate birds, certain gannets) and migratory birds (pink flamingos, Antarctic terns) as well as sea turtles of the species Chelonia mydas.
Le mauvais procès des recours des associations : faux arguments et vraies menaces
Authors: Busson Benoist
Published: February 2016

Le droit français offre un large accès à la justice pour les associations ou groupements, dont les associations de protection de l'environnement, tant en ce qui concerne les recours contre les actes réglementaires de l'administration que l'action civile en réparation du préjudice résultant d'une infraction pénale. Cependant, cet accès au juge tend à être remis en cause par diverses propositions d'origine parlementaire essentiellement. Ces propositions se fondent toutes sur l'existence de « recours abusifs » des associations. Une brève analyse de la jurisprudence démontre que cette imputation est sans fondement alors que les recours des associations tendent au contraire à rendre effectif le droit de l'environnement qui, en l'absence d'application par la puissance publique, resterait lettre morte. A cette occasion, le rôle majeur des associations de protection de l'environnement dans la démocratie et l'Etat de droit est rappelé et il est proposé d'autres voies pour remédier à la multiplication des contentieux en droit de l'urbanisme et en droit de l'environnement.
Highly stable and reusable immobilized formate dehydrogenases: Promising biocatalysts for in situ regeneration of NADH
Authors: Binay Barış , Alagöz Dilek , Yildirim Deniz , Çelik Ayhan , Tükel S Seyhan
Published: February 2016

This study aimed to prepare robust immobilized formate dehydrogenase (FDH) preparations which can be used as effective biocatalysts along with functional oxidoreductases, in which in situ regeneration of NADH is required. For this purpose, Candida methylica FDH was covalently immobilized onto Immobead 150 support (FDHI150), Immobead 150 support modified with ethylenediamine and then activated with glutaraldehyde (FDHIGLU), and Immobead 150 support functionalized with aldehyde groups (FDHIALD). The highest immobilization yield and activity yield were obtained as 90% and 132%, respectively when Immobead 150 functionalized with aldehyde groups was used as support. The half-life times (t1/2) of free FDH, FDHI150, FDHIGLU and FDHIALD were calculated as 10.6, 28.9, 22.4 and 38.5 h, respectively at 35 °C. FDHI150, FDHIGLU and FDHIALD retained 69, 38 and 51% of their initial activities, respectively after 10 reuses. The results show that the FDHI150, FDHIGLU and FDHIALD offer feasible potentials for in situ regeneration of NADH.
Values and emotions in children’s audiovisual fictional narratives
Authors: Aierbe-Barandiaran Ana , Oregui-González Eider
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study is to identify which values and emotions are transmitted in the favorite fictional TV programs of children aged between 8 and 12, according to their particular type of structure. Based on the analysis of media consumption reported by participants and their parents, as well as the ratings of children's fictional programs, two fictional programs were selected for this age group (Doraemon and Code Lyoko, with a narrative and non-narrative structure, respectively), and a content analysis of 86 episodes was conducted and validated by inter-rater agreement. The results show that a wide range of ethical and competence-based values are conveyed by both programs, although greater emphasis is placed on life-skill values, with aesthetic and transcendental values hardly being represented at all. While more complex emotions and some basic emotions (surprise, anger, happiness and fear) were found to be present in Code Lyoko, sadness was present to a greater extent in Doraemon. The results reveal that the level of empathy represented by the characters in both series is low, although it is slightly higher in Code Lyoko. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that it provides a useful method for measuring the appropriateness of media content in relation to the psychological characteristics of children, and contributes to establishing a solid basis for media literacy programs from early childhood.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los valores y emociones que se transmiten en los programas televisivos preferidos de niños y niñas de 8 a 12 años, de acuerdo al tipo de estructura. Sobre la base del análisis del consumo mediático referido por los participantes y sus progenitores, así como los índices de audiencia de los programas de ficción infantil, se seleccionaron dos series de ficción televisiva para este grupo de edad («Doraemon» y «Código Lyoko», de estructura narrativa y no-narrativa respectivamente), y se llevó a cabo un análisis de contenido de 86 episodios que fue validado por acuerdo inter-jueces. Los resultados muestran que en ambos programas se exhiben una amplia gama de valores éticos y competenciales, sobre todo valores vitales, mientras que los valores estéticos y trascendentales apenas son representados. Por otra parte, en «Código Lyoko» tienen mayor presencia las emociones complejas y algunas emociones básicas (asombro, ira, alegría y miedo), sin embargo la tristeza aparece en mayor medida en «Doraemon». Destaca que el nivel de empatía representada en los personajes es bajo en ambas series, aunque ligeramente más elevado en «Código Lyoko». La relevancia del estudio radica en el hecho de proveer un procedimiento útil para medir la idoneidad de los contenidos mediáticos respecto a las características psicológicas de la infancia, y contribuir a fundamentar con base sólida los programas de competencia mediática desde las primeras edades.
Le monstre : un concept stratégique dans l’ Histoire naturelle de Buffon
Authors: Nouailles Bertrand
Published: February 2016

L’usage que fait Buffon du concept de monstre dans son Histoire naturelle générale et particulière de la nature peut présenter un problème pour sa méthode, qui met en avant l’observation précise et la comparaison, car il est difficile d’observer objectivement un monstre et de pouvoir le comparer. Cette difficulté n’est nullement insurmontable pour la méthode de Buffon, qui assoit le monstre comme un fait de la nature. Le fait du monstre est ainsi décisif pour lui permettre de défendre l’idée que la « vue » de la nature qu’il donne est une vue générale saisissant bien la réalité même de la nature.
Le sens moral chez le bébé : neurosciences développementales
Authors: Decety Jean
Published: February 2016

Les fondements et prédispositions de la morale s’observent très tôt au cours du développement ontogénétique témoignant qu’elles sont sculptées dans notre génome. Les études réalisées avec des bébés indiquent qu’ils sont dotés dès la première année d’un système évaluatif qui permet de distinguer les interactions sociales positives des interactions sociales négatives ce qui encourage une prosocialité sélective et des comportements d’approche affiliatifs. Les mécanismes neurobiologiques qui sous-tendent ce sens moral sont distribués dans le cerveau et ne semblent pas appartenir à un domaine spécifique. Le jugement moral est produit par des processus automatiques (intuitions), affectifs (attachement, aversion au mal, émotions sociales) et cognitifs qui font partie d’un système d’évaluation général qui traite les informations importantes et motivantes (sociales et non-sociales) et guide la prise de décision.
Comment le rythme vient aux bébés ?
Authors: Provasi Joëlle
Published: February 2016

Très tôt, l’enfant est capable de bouger en rythme, quand sa mère lui parle, ou quand il entend une musique, mais également de vocaliser en réponse aux paroles maternelles. Cette synchronisation lui permet de communiquer et d’interagir avec son environnement. Cette capacité précoce de synchronisation est considérée comme un des fondements des interactions sociales et serait spécifique aux espèces animales capables d’utiliser les apprentissages vocaux pour communiquer. Pour être capable de synchronisation, l’enfant doit non seulement percevoir les stimulations rythmiques de son environnement, mais aussi produire ses propres activités motrices rythmiques et les synchroniser à ces stimulations externes. Il doit pour cela anticiper l’arrivée de la stimulation rythmique pour répondre au bon moment. La synchronisation de l’enfant à son environnement, si importante qu’elle soit pour lui, n’en demeure pas moins une activité complexe qui requiert des capacités de perception et de production temporelle, d’anticipation et d’ajustement de la réponse au stimulus externe. Cette revue de question met l’accent sur les capacités du fœtus et du nouveau-né à percevoir, à produire et à se synchroniser à des rythmes extérieurs. Les synchronisations sensori-motrices semblent jouer un rôle crucial dans les interactions sociales.
Une réaction présidentielle
Authors: Charrier Alexandre , Chémery Valentin , Henneton Thibault , Vermeersch Laure , Wahnich Sophie
Published: February 2016

Résumé Ctrl Z. Confronté à une deuxième vague d’attentats en un an, le président français a disparu quelques jours pour préparer son intervention devant le Congrès. Incommunicable, cette retraite mystérieuse du chef de l’État annonçait des décisions extraordinaires.
Salafisme et contre-révolution en Égypte
Authors: Lacroix Stéphane
Published: February 2016

Résumé Trajectoire du parti Al-Nour
La constitution, mère des batailles ?
Authors: Blouet Alexis
Published: February 2016

Résumé La juridicisation du processus révolutionnaire égyptien
Diriger l’Égypte depuis sa tombe
Authors: Šabasevičiūtė Giedré
Published: February 2016

Résumé Le retour de l’histoire
Théo et Hugo dans le même bateau
Authors: Ducastel Olivier , Martineau Jacques
Published: February 2016

Résumé Intérieur nuit
Pique-niques
Authors: Portugal Anne
Published: February 2016

Résumé Diptyque
Quelle ponctuation êtes-vous ?
Authors: Easterman-Ulmann Rachel
Published: February 2016

Résumé Avec ou sans guillemets
Shifting Paradigms of the Evolution of Cave Life
Authors: Culver David , Pipan Tanja
Published: February 2016

The unique morphology of cave animals has interested biologists at least since the time of Lamarck. After a number of non-adaptive explanations for the morphology of cave animals, especially with respect to eye and pigment loss, a neo-Darwinian explanation, emphasizing constructive morphological changes rather than losses, was put forward by Barr, Christiansen, and Poulson in the 1960’s. Emphasizing convergent evolution (troglomorphy), this paradigm has recently been challenged, with evidence of divergent selection and the widespread occurrence of morphologically similar species in other subterranean habitats, including ones with abundant food and relatively strong environmental fluctuations. An emerging paradigm emphasizes the central role of darkness in convergent evolution, and the role of habitat size and interspecific competition in divergent evolution of subterranean species.Sprememba paradigme o evoluciji jamskega življenjaEdinstvena morfologija jamskih živali, predvsem v povezavi z izgubo oči in pigmenta, je zanimala biologe že od časa Lamarcka. Kasneje so bile predstavljene tudi druge, t.im. neodarvinistične razlage, s poudarkom na konstruktivnih morfoloških spremembah namesto izgubah, povzete s strani Barra, Christiansena in Poulsona v 60. letih 20. stoletja. Z novejšimi raziskavami o divergentni selekciji in razširjeni prisotnosti morfološko podobnih vrst v drugih podzemeljskih habitatih, vključno s tistimi, kjer je veliko hrane in z relativno velikimi okoljskimi nihanji, se je zamajala paradigma, temelječa na konvergentni evoluciji (troglomorfija). Novo nastajajoča paradigma poudarja osrednjo vlogo teme v konvergentni evoluciji, ter vlogo velikosti habitata in medvrstne kompeticije v divergentni evoluciji podzemeljskih vrst.
Consider a cylindrical cave: A physicist's view of cave and karst science
Authors: Covington Matthew D. , Perne Matija
Published: February 2016

We review the current understanding of the physics of caves and karst. Our review focuses on research that has used simple physically based models to improve understanding of processes that occur in karst. The topics we cover include cave atmosphere dynamics, transport within karst conduits, and models of speleogenesis and related processes. We highlight recent advances in these subjects and attempt to identify promising areas for future work. In our judgment, many of the most intriguing open questions relate to the interactions between these three groups of processes.Vzemimo valjasto jamo: pogled fizika na znanost o jamah in krasuV članku pregledava trenutno poznavanje fizike jam in krasa. Pri tem se osredotočava na raziskave, ki so razumevanje kraških procesov poglobile z uporabo preprostih modelov na osnovi fizike. Obravnavava vedenje jamskega ozračja, transport v kraških kanalih in modele nastanka jam ter povezanih procesov. Izpostavljava sodobna dognanja na teh področjih in iščeva obetavne teme za nadaljnje raziskave. Po najinem mnenju so mnoga med bolj privlačnimi odprtimi vprašanji povezana z medsebojnim vplivom med obravnavanimi tremi skupinami procesov.
Engineering Challenges in Karst
Authors: Stevanović Zoran , Milanović Petar
Published: February 2016

Anisotropy and heterogeneity of karstified rocks make them the most problematic media for various interventions which are needed in engineering practice. The long history of attempts to adapt karstic nature to human needs started with the utilization of karstic aquifers: tapping large springs, transferring their waters to the long distances, improving minimal flows or capturing fresh water in coastal areas. During the 20th century the number of other challenges such as building dam and reservoirs, and constructing roads and railways, bridges, tunnels, new settlements open a new era in engineering works but also in collecting new knowledge and experience for the karstology and hydrogeology sciences. Today, almost no engineering projects can be implemented without a proper environmental impact assessment, which establishes a better balance between human and ecological needs.Inženirski izzivi v KrasuAnizotropija in heterogenost zakraselih kamnin sta lastnosti, ki povzročata, da so te najbolj problematičen medij za različne posege, ki so potrebni v inženirski praksi. Dolga zgodovina poskusov, da bi prilagodili kraško naravo človekovim potrebam se je začela z izrabo kraških vodonosnikov: izkoriščanje velikih izvirov, prenos vode na dolge razdalje, poviševanje minimalnih pretokov ali zajemanje vode na obalnih območjih. V 20. stoletju je število drugih izzivov, kot so gradnja jezov in rezervoarjev, cest in železnic, mostov, predorov, novih naselij odprla novo obdobje v inženirstvu. Poleg tega je botrovala zbiranju novih krasoslovnih in hidrogeoloških znanj in izkušenj. Danes skoraj noben inženirski projekt ne more biti izveden brez ustrezne presoje vplivov na okolje, kar vzpostavlja boljše ravnotežje med človekovimi in ekološkimi potrebami.