bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medication as Infrastructure: Decentring Self-care
Authors: Danholt Peter , Langstrup Henriette
Published: November 2012

Drawing on science and technology studies (STS), and specifically the concept of infrastructure as conceptualised by Bowker and Star (2000; Star 1999), this paper argues and empirically demonstrates that self-care may be considered a practice that is thoroughly sociotechnical, material, distributed and de-centred. Comparing the practices related to medication in the treatment of asthma, type 2 diabetes and haemophilia, we show that in practice there is no ’self’ in self-care. More specifically, the ’self’ in self-care is an actor who is highly dependent on, and intertwined with infrastructures of care, in order to be self-caring. Infrastructures of care are the more or less embedded ’tracks’ along which care may ’run’, shaping and being shaped by actors and settings along the way. Obtaining prescriptions, going to the pharmacy, bringing medication home and administering it as parts of daily life are commonplace activities embedded in the fabric of life, especially for those living with a chronic condition. However, this procurement and emplacement of medication involves the establishment and ongoing enactment of infrastructures of care, that is, the connections between various actors and locations that establish caring spaces and caring selves.

Locations and actors are included as allies in treating chronic conditions outside the clinical setting, but these infrastructures may also be ambiguous, with respect to their effects; they may simultaneously contribute to the condition’s management and neglect. Particularly precarious is management at the fringes of healthcare infrastructure, where allies, routines and general predictability are scarce. We conclude by arguing that these insights may induce a greater sensitivity to existing infrastructures and practices, when seeking to introduce new infrastructures of care, such as those promoted under the headings of ’telemedicine’ and ’healthcare IT’.
Mol, Annemarie (2008): The Logic of Care: Health and the Problem of Patient Choice, London: Routledge; Mol, Annemarie (2008): The Logic of Care: Health and the Problem of Patient Choice, London: Routledge
Authors: Pichelstorfer Anna
Published: November 2012

No abstract available.
Modified EAS Tag Used as a Resistive Sensor Platform
Authors: Andersson Henrik , Hammarling Krister , Sidén Johan , Manuilskiy Anatoliy , Öhlund Thomas , Nilsson Hans-Erik
Published: November 2012

In this article, a modified design of an RF Radio Frequency Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tag, used as a sensor platform, is manufactured and characterized. EAS tags are passive devices consisting of a capacitor and coil, tuned to a resonance frequency readable by the detector equipment, in this case 8.2 MHz. They were originally used to detect whether merchandise was being moved through the detection gates at shop exits, in which case an alarm was triggered. If the capacitance is divided in two and a resistive sensor device inserted in between, the resonant Inductor-Capacitor (LC) circuit becomes an Inductor-Capacitor-Capacitor-Resistor LCCR circuit and can be used as a sensor tag. A high sensor resistance means that one capacitor is decoupled, leading to one resonance frequency, while a low resistance will couple both capacitances into the circuit, resulting in a lower resonance frequency. Different types of resistive sensors exist that are able to detect properties such as pressure, moisture, light and temperature. The tag is manufactured in Aluminum foil on a polyetylentereftalat (PET) substrate, resulting in a cost effective RF-platform for various resistive sensors. Two types of tags are designed and manufactured, one with parallel plate capacitors and the other with interdigital capacitors. To test the tags, a resistive tilt sensor is mounted and the tags are characterized using a network analyzer. It is shown that for high resistance, the tags have a resonance frequency of morethan 10 MHz while for low values the frequency approaches 8.2 MHz.
A DFuzzy-DAHP Decision-Making Model for Evaluating Energy-Saving Design Strategies for Residential Buildings
Authors: Liu Kuang-Sheng , Hsueh Sung-Lin , Wu Wen-Chen , Chen Yu-Lung
Published: November 2012

The construction industry is a high-pollution and high-energy-consumption industry. Energy-saving designs for residential buildings not only reduce the energy consumed during construction, but also reduce long-term energy consumption in completed residential buildings. Because building design affects investment costs, designs are often influenced by investors’ decisions. A set of appropriate decision-support tools for residential buildings are required to examine how building design influences corporations externally and internally. From the perspective of energy savings and environmental protection, we combined three methods to develop a unique model for evaluating the energy-saving design of residential buildings. Among these methods, the Delphi group decision-making method provides a co-design feature, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) includes multi-criteria decision-making techniques, and fuzzy logic theory can simplify complex internal and external factors into easy-to-understand numbers or ratios that facilitate decisions. The results of this study show that incorporating solar building materials, double-skin facades, and green roof designs can effectively provide high energy-saving building designs.
Glatiramer Acetate in Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Toolbox of Random Co-Polymers for Targeting Inflammatory Mechanisms of both the Innate and Adaptive Immune System?
Authors: Jalilian Babak , Einarsson Halldór , Vorup-Jensen Thomas
Published: November 2012

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system, resulting in the demyelination of neurons, causing mild to severe symptoms. Several anti-inflammatory treatments now play a significant role in ameliorating the disease. Glatiramer acetate (GA) is a formulation of random polypeptide copolymers for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS by limiting the frequency of attacks. While evidence suggests the influence of GA on inflammatory responses, the targeted molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we review the multiple pharmacological modes-of-actions of glatiramer acetate in treatment of multiple sclerosis. We discuss in particular a newly discovered interaction between the leukocyte-expressed integrin αMβ2 (also called Mac-1, complement receptor 3, or CD11b/CD18) and perspectives on the GA co-polymers as an influence on the function of the innate immune system.
Roles of Nitric Oxide and Asymmetric Dimethylarginine in Pregnancy and Fetal Programming
Authors: Huang Li-Tung , Hsieh Chih-Sung , Chang Kow-Aung , Tain You-Lin
Published: November 2012

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates placental blood flow and actively participates in trophoblast invasion and placental development. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) can inhibit NO synthase, which generates NO. ADMA has been associated with uterine artery flow disturbances such as preeclampsia. Substantial experimental evidence has reliably supported the hypothesis that an adverse in utero environment plays a role in postnatal physiological and pathophysiological programming. Growing evidence suggests that the placental nitrergic system is involved in epigenetic fetal programming. In this review, we discuss the roles of NO and ADMA in normal and compromised pregnancies as well as the link between placental insufficiency and epigenetic fetal programming.
Molecular Systematics of Genus Atractylodes (Compositae, Cardueae): Evidence from Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) and trnL-F Sequences
Authors: Peng Hua-Sheng , Yuan Qing-Jun , Li Qian-Quan , Huang Lu-Qi
Published: November 2012

To determine the evolutionary relationships among all members of the genus Atractylodes (Compositae, Cardueae), we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses of one nuclear DNA (nrDNA) region (internal transcribed spacer, ITS) and one chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) region (intergenic spacer region of trnL-F). In ITS and ITS + trnL-F trees, all members of Atractylodes form a monophyletic clade. Atractylodes is a sister group of the Carlina and Atractylis branch. Atractylodes species were distributed among three clades: (1) A. carlinoides (located in the lowest base of the Atractylodes phylogenetic tree), (2) A. macrocephala, and (3) the A. lancea complex, including A. japonica, A. coreana, A. lancea, A. lancea subsp. luotianensis, and A. chinensis. The taxonomic controversy over the classification of species of Atractylodes is mainly concentrated in the A. lancea complex. In base on molecular results, the intraspecific division of Atractylodes lancea is not supported, and A. coreana should be treated as a synonym A. chinensis.
4,5,6,7-Tetrachloro-2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)isoindoline-1,3-dione
Authors: Wölfel Sebastian , Berndt Frederik , Friedrichs Jessica , Haese Michael , Joostberends Janine , Masri Bader , Schnerre Renate , Wabnik Maximilian , Kunick Conrad
Published: November 2012

4,5,6,7-Tetrachloro-2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)isoindoline-1,3-dione was obtained by reaction of 2-aminoimidazole with 3,4,5,6-tetrachlorophthalic anhydride in refluxing acetic acid.
Graphene as a Buffer Layer for Silicon Carbide-on-Insulator Structures
Authors: Astuti Budi , Tanikawa Masahiro , Rahman Shaharin , Yasui Kanji , Hashim Abdul
Published: November 2012

We report an innovative technique for growing the silicon carbide-on-insulator (SiCOI) structure by utilizing polycrystalline single layer graphene (SLG) as a buffer layer. The epitaxial growth was carried out using a hot-mesh chemical vapor deposition (HM-CVD) technique. Cubic SiC (3C-SiC) thin film in (111) domain was realized at relatively low substrate temperature of 750 °C. 3C-SiC energy bandgap of 2.2 eV was confirmed. The Si-O absorption band observed in the grown film can be caused by the out-diffusion of the oxygen atom from SiO2 substrate or oxygen doping during the cleaning process. Further experimental works by optimizing the cleaning process, growth parameters of the present growth method, or by using other growth methods, as well, are expected to realize a high quality SiCOI structure, thereby opening up the way for a breakthrough in the development of advanced ULSIs with multifunctionalities.
Further Investigation of the Mediterranean Sponge Axinella polypoides: Isolation of a New Cyclonucleoside and a New Betaine
Authors: Menna Marialuisa , Aiello Anna , D'Aniello Filomena , Fattorusso Ernesto , Imperatore Concetta , Luciano Paolo , Vitalone Rocco
Published: November 2012

An exhaustive exploration into the metabolic content of the Mediterranean sponge Axinella-polypoides resulted in the isolation of the new betaine 5 and the new cyclonucleoside 8. The structures of the new metabolites were elucidated by spectroscopic methods assisted by computational methods. The analysis also provided evidence that the sponge does not elaborate pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids (PIAs) but, interestingly, it was shown to contain two already known cyclodipeptides, compounds 9 (verpacamide A) and 10.
Integrated Amplification Microarrays for Infectious Disease Diagnostics
Authors: Chandler Darrell , Bryant Lexi , Griesemer Sara , Gu Rui , Knickerbocker Christopher , Kukhtin Alexander , Parker Jennifer , Zimmerman Cynthia , George Kirsten , Cooney Christopher
Published: November 2012

This overview describes microarray-based tests that combine solution-phase amplification chemistry and microarray hybridization within a single microfluidic chamber. The integrated biochemical approach improves microarray workflow for diagnostic applications by reducing the number of steps and minimizing the potential for sample or amplicon cross-contamination. Examples described herein illustrate a basic, integrated approach for DNA and RNA genomes, and a simple consumable architecture for incorporating wash steps while retaining an entirely closed system. It is anticipated that integrated microarray biochemistry will provide an opportunity to significantly reduce the complexity and cost of microarray consumables, equipment, and workflow, which in turn will enable a broader spectrum of users to exploit the intrinsic multiplexing power of microarrays for infectious disease diagnostics.
α-Lipoic Acid Reduces Hypertension and Increases Baroreflex Sensitivity in Renovascular Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Queiroz Thyago , Guimarães Drielle , Mendes-Junior Leônidas , Braga Valdir
Published: November 2012

Renovascular hypertension has robust effects on control of blood pressure, including an impairment in baroreflex mechanisms, which involves oxidative stress. Although α-lipoic acid (LA) has been described as a potent antioxidant, its effect on renovascular hypertension and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has not been investigated. In the present study we analyzed the effects caused by chronic treatment with LA on blood pressure, heart rate and baroreflex sensitivity (sympathetic and parasympathetic components) in renovascular hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats underwent 2-Kidney-1-Clip (2K1C) or sham surgery and were maintained untouched for four weeks to develop hypertension. Four weeks post-surgery, rats were treated with LA (60 mg/kg) or saline for 14 days orally. On the 15th day mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. In addition, baroreflex sensitivity test using phenylephrine (8 µg/kg, i.v.) and sodium nitroprusside (25 µg/kg, i.v.) was performed. Chronic treatment with LA decreased blood pressure in hypertensive animals; however, no significant changes in baseline HR were observed. Regarding baroreflex, LA treatment increased the sensitivity of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic components. All parameters studied were not affected by treatment with LA in normotensive animals. Our data suggest that chronic treatment with LA promotes antihypertensive effect and improves baroreflex sensitivity in rats with renovascular hypertension.
One-Pot Synthesis of 2-Phenylimidazo[1,2-α]pyridines from Acetophenone, [Bmim]Br3 and 2-Aminopyridine under Solvent-Free Conditions
Authors: Le Zhang-Gao , Xie Zong-Bo , Xu Jian-Ping
Published: November 2012

One-pot synthesis of 2-phenylimidazo[1,2-α]pyridines from acetophenone, [Bmim]Br3 and 2-aminopyridine under solvent-free conditions in the presence of Na2CO3, gave the corresponding 2-phenylimidazo[1,2-α]pyridines in excellent yields ranging from 72% to 89%.
Endo-S-c-di-GMP Analogues-Polymorphism and Binding Studies with Class I Riboswitch
Authors: Zhou Jie , Sayre David A. , Wang Jingxin , Pahadi Nirmal , Sintim Herman O.
Published: November 2012

C-di-GMP, a cyclic guanine dinucleotide, has been shown to regulate biofilm formation as well as virulence gene expression in a variety of bacteria. Analogues of c-di-GMP have the potential to be used as chemical probes to study c-di-GMP signaling and could even become drug leads for the development of anti-biofilm compounds. Herein we report the synthesis and biophysical studies of a series of c-di-GMP analogues, which have both phosphate and sugar moieties simultaneously modified (called endo-S-c-di-GMP analogues). We used computational methods to predict the relative orientation of the guanine nucleobases in c-di-GMP and analogues. DOSY NMR of the endo-S-c-di-GMP series showed that the polymorphism of c-di-GMP can be tuned with conservative modifications to the phosphate and sugar moieties (conformational steering). Binding studies with Vc2 RNA (a class I c-di-GMP riboswitch) revealed that conservative modifications to the phosphate and 2'-positions of c-di-GMP dramatically affected binding to class I riboswitch.
Continental Scale Mapping of Tidal Flats across East Asia Using the Landsat Archive
Authors: Murray Nicholas , Phinn Stuart , Clemens Robert , Roelfsema Chris , Fuller Richard
Published: November 2012

Tidal flats provide habitat for biodiversity, protection from storm surges and sea level rise, and a range of other ecosystem services. However, no simple method exists for mapping tidal flats over large (>1,000 km) extents, and consequently their global status and distribution remain poorly understood. Existing mapping methods are restricted to small areas with known tidal regimes because tidal flats are only fully exposed for a brief period around low tide. Here we present a method for mapping tidal flats over very large areas and demonstrate its utility by mapping the tidal flats of China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea. We (i) generated tide height predictions at the acquisition time of all Landsat Archive images of our study area using a validated regional tide model, (ii) selected suitable images acquired in the upper and lower 10% of the tidal range, (iii) converted high and low tide images to a land and water class image derived from the Normalized Differenced Water Index (NDWI) and, (iv) subtracted the high tide classified image from the low tide classified image, resulting in delineation of the tidal flat. Using this method, we mapped the tidal flats for 86.8% of the study area coastline (13,800 km). A confusion matrix for error assessment indicated an accuracy of >85% for the resulting tidal flat map. Our method enables coastal morphology to be mapped and monitored at continental scales, providing critical data to inform coastal adaptation measures for sea level rise, for monitoring coastal habitat loss and for developing ecosystem-based coastal conservation measures.
Development of a Configurable Growth Chamber with a Computer Vision System to Study Circadian Rhythm in Plants
Authors: Navarro Pedro J. , Fernández Carlos , Weiss Julia , Egea-Cortines Marcos
Published: November 2012

Plant development is the result of an endogenous morphogenetic program that integrates environmental signals. The so-called circadian clock is a set of genes that integrates environmental inputs into an internal pacing system that gates growth and other outputs. Study of circadian growth responses requires high sampling rates to detect changes in growth and avoid aliasing. We have developed a flexible configurable growth chamber comprising a computer vision system that allows sampling rates ranging between one image per 30 s to hours/days. The vision system has a controlled illumination system, which allows the user to set up different configurations. The illumination system used emits a combination of wavelengths ensuring the optimal growth of species under analysis. In order to obtain high contrast of captured images, the capture system is composed of two CCD cameras, for day and night periods. Depending on the sample type, a flexible image processing software calculates different parameters based on geometric calculations. As a proof of concept we tested the system in three different plant tissues, growth of petunia- and snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) flowers and of cladodes from the cactus Opuntia ficus-indica. We found that petunia flowers grow at a steady pace and display a strong growth increase in the early morning, whereas Opuntia cladode growth turned out not to follow a circadian growth pattern under the growth conditions imposed. Furthermore we were able to identify a decoupling of increase in area and length indicating that two independent growth processes are responsible for the final size and shape of the cladode.
GrabCut-Based Human Segmentation in Video Sequences
Authors: Hernández-Vela Antonio , Reyes Miguel , Ponce Víctor , Escalera Sergio
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we present a fully-automatic Spatio-Temporal GrabCut human segmentation methodology that combines tracking and segmentation. GrabCut initialization is performed by a HOG-based subject detection, face detection, and skin color model. Spatial information is included by Mean Shift clustering whereas temporal coherence is considered by the historical of Gaussian Mixture Models. Moreover, full face and pose recovery is obtained by combining human segmentation with Active Appearance Models and Conditional Random Fields. Results over public datasets and in a new Human Limb dataset show a robust segmentation and recovery of both face and pose using the presented methodology.
Estimation of PSD Shifts for High-Resolution Metrology of Thickness Micro-Changes with Possible Applications in Vessel Walls and Biological Membrane Characterization
Authors: Ramos Antonio , Bazán Ivonne , Negreira Carlos , Brum Javier , Gómez Tomás , Calás Héctor , Ruiz Abelardo , Rosa José Manuel de la
Published: November 2012

Achieving accurate measurements of inflammation levels in tissues or thickness changes in biological membranes (e.g., amniotic sac, parietal pleura) and thin biological walls (e.g., blood vessels) from outside the human body, is a promising research line in the medical area. It would provide a technical basis to study the options for early diagnosis of some serious diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis or tuberculosis. Nevertheless, achieving the aim of non-invasive measurement of those scarcely-accessible parameters on patient internal tissues, currently presents many difficulties. The use of high-frequency ultrasonic transducer systems appears to offer a possible solution. Previous studies using conventional ultrasonic imaging have shown this, but the spatial resolution was not sufficient so as to permit a thickness evaluation with clinical significance, which requires an accuracy of a few microns. In this paper a broadband ultrasonic technique, that was recently developed by the authors to address other non-invasive medical detection problems (by integrating a piezoelectric transducer into a spectral measuring system), is extended to our new objective; the aim is its application to the thickness measurement of sub-millimeter membranes or layers made of materials similar to some biological tissues (phantoms). The modeling and design rules of such a transducer system are described, and various methods of estimating overtones location in the power spectral density (PSD) are quantitatively assessed with transducer signals acquired using piezoelectric systems and also generated from a multi-echo model. Their effects on the potential resolution of the proposed thickness measuring tool, and their capability to provide accuracies around the micron are studied in detail. Comparisons are made with typical tools for extracting spatial parameters in laminar samples from echo-waveforms acquired with ultrasonic transducers. Results of this advanced measurement spectral tool are found to improve the performance of typical cross-correlation methods and provide reliable and high-resolution estimations.
An Energy-Efficient Strategy for Accurate Distance Estimation in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Tarrío Paula , Bernardos Ana M. , Casar José R.
Published: November 2012

In line with recent research efforts made to conceive energy saving protocols and algorithms and power sensitive network architectures, in this paper we propose a transmission strategy to minimize the energy consumption in a sensor network when using a localization technique based on the measurement of the strength (RSS) or the time of arrival (TOA) of the received signal. In particular, we find the transmission power and the packet transmission rate that jointly minimize the total consumed energy, while ensuring at the same time a desired accuracy in the RSS or TOA measurements. We also propose some corrections to these theoretical results to take into account the effects of shadowing and packet loss in the propagation channel. The proposed strategy is shown to be effective in realistic scenarios providing energy savings with respect to other transmission strategies, and also guaranteeing a given accuracy in the distance estimations, which will serve to guarantee a desired accuracy in the localization result.
Modeling Sustainability of Water, Environment, Livelihood, and Culture in Traditional Irrigation Communities and Their Linked Watersheds
Authors: Fernald Alexander , Tidwell Vincent , Rivera José , Rodríguez Sylvia , Guldan Steven , Steele Caitriana , Ochoa Carlos , Hurd Brian , Ortiz Marquita , Boykin Kenneth , Cibils Andres
Published: November 2012

Water scarcity, land use conversion and cultural and ecosystem changes threaten the way of life for traditional irrigation communities of the semi-arid southwestern United States. Traditions are strong, yet potential upheaval is great in these communities that rely on acequia irrigation systems. Acequias are ancient ditch systems brought from the Iberian Peninsula to the New World over 400 years ago; they are simultaneously gravity flow water delivery systems and shared water governance institutions. Acequias have survived periods of drought and external shocks from changing economics, demographics, and resource uses. Now, climate change and urbanization threaten water availability, ecosystem functions, and the acequia communities themselves. Do past adaptive practices hold the key to future sustainability, or are new strategies required? To explore this issue we translated disciplinary understanding into a uniform format of causal loop diagrams to conceptualize the subsystems of the entire acequia-based human-natural system. Four subsystems are identified in this study: hydrology, ecosystem, land use/economics, and sociocultural. Important linkages between subsystems were revealed as well as variables indicating community cohesion (e.g., total irrigated land, intensity of upland grazing, mutualism). Ongoing work will test the conceptualizations with field data and modeling exercises to capture tipping points for non-sustainability and thresholds for sustainable water use and community longevity.
Multifunctional Nature of the Arenavirus RING Finger Protein Z
Authors: Fehling Sarah Katharina , Lennartz Frank , Strecker Thomas
Published: November 2012

Arenaviruses are a family of enveloped negative-stranded RNA viruses that can cause severe human disease ranging from encephalitis symptoms to fulminant hemorrhagic fever. The bi‑segmented RNA genome encodes four polypeptides: the nucleoprotein NP, the surface glycoprotein GP, the polymerase L, and the RING finger protein Z. Although it is the smallest arenavirus protein with a length of 90 to 99 amino acids and a molecular weight of approx. 11 kDa, the Z protein has multiple functions in the viral life cycle including (i) regulation of viral RNA synthesis, (ii) orchestration of viral assembly and budding, (iii) interaction with host cell proteins, and (iv) interferon antagonism. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the structural and functional role of the Z protein in the arenavirus replication cycle.
Rapid Detection and Differentiation of Swine-Origin Influenza A Virus (H1N1/2009) from Other Seasonal Influenza A Viruses
Authors: Zhao Jiangqin , Wang Xue , Ragupathy Viswanath , Zhang Panhe , Tang Wei , Ye Zhiping , Eichelberger Maryna , Hewlett Indira
Published: November 2012

We previously developed a rapid and simple gold nanoparticle(NP)-based genomic microarray assay for identification of the avian H5N1 virus and its discrimination from other influenza A virus strains (H1N1, H3N2). In this study, we expanded the platform to detect the 2009 swine-origin influenza A virus (H1N1/2009). Multiple specific capture and intermediate oligonucleotides were designed for the matrix (M), hemagglutinin (HA), and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the H1N1/2009 virus. The H1N1/2009 microarrays were printed in the same format as those of the seasonal influenza H1N1 and H3N2 for the HA, NA, and M genes. Viral RNA was tested using capture-target-intermediate oligonucleotide hybridization and gold NP-mediated silver staining. The signal from the 4 capture-target-intermediates of the HA and NA genes was specific for H1N1/2009 virus and showed no cross hybridization with viral RNA from other influenza strains H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1. All of the 3 M gene captures showed strong affinity with H1N1/2009 viral RNA, with 2 out of the 3 M gene captures showing cross hybridization with the H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1 samples tested. The current assay was able to detect H1N1/2009 and distinguish it from other influenza A viruses. This new method may be useful for simultaneous detection and subtyping of influenza A viruses and can be rapidly modified to detect other emerging influenza strains in public health settings.
HIV-1 Induced Bystander Apoptosis
Authors: Garg Himanshu , Mohl Jonathon , Joshi Anjali
Published: November 2012

Apoptosis of uninfected bystander cells is a key element of HIV pathogenesis and believed to be the driving force behind the selective depletion of CD4+ T cells leading to immunodeficiency. While several viral proteins have been implicated in this process the complex interaction between Env glycoprotein expressed on the surface of infected cells and the receptor and co-receptor expressing bystander cells has been proposed as a major mechanism. HIV-1 utilizes CD4 as the primary receptor for entry into cells; however, it is the viral co-receptor usage that greatly influences CD4 decline and progression to AIDS. This phenomenon is relatively simple for X4 viruses, which arise later during the course of the disease, are considered to be highly fusogenic, and cause a rapid CD4+ T cell decline. However, in contrast, R5 viruses in general have a greater transmissibility, are encountered early during the disease and have a lesser pathogenic potential than the former. The above generalization gets complicated in numerous situations where R5 viruses persist throughout the disease and are capable of causing a rigorous CD4+ T cell decline. This review will discuss the multiple factors that are reported to influence HIV induced bystander apoptosis and pathogenesis including Env glycoprotein phenotype, virus tropism, disease stage, co-receptor expression on CD4+ T cells, immune activation and therapies targeting the viral envelope.
Durkheim et Frazer : un débat sur le totémisme
Authors: Achimastos Myron
Published: November 2012

Résumé Dans Les Formes élémentaires de la vie religieuse , au comble d’une polémique qui dure depuis 1897-1898, Durkheim discute longuement avec Frazer de la nature du totémisme. Deux questions majeures sont abordées : il s’agit tout d’abord de savoir si le totémisme relève de la religion ou de la magie (ce qui demande qu’on définisse au préalable ces deux phénomènes) ; il faut ensuite établir s’il implique ou non des règles de parenté (l’exogamie). Le désaccord entre Durkheim et Frazer sur ces deux thèmes montre combien leurs méthodes sont différentes.
La méthode de Durkheim à l'épreuve des Formes élémentaires
Authors: Borlandi Massimo
Published: November 2012

Résumé Émile Durkheim explique la religion selon trois de ses Règles de la méthode sociologique . Elles assurent, respectivement, que les phénomènes sociaux découlent du resserrement moral des groupes, sont, à tout moment de leur carrière, l’aboutissement d’un processus d’individualisation et persistent aussi en raison de leur utilité. Une quatrième règle, demandant que la cause des phénomènes sociaux soit établie par des comparaisons historiques étendues, est en revanche modifiée par Durkheim dans Les Formes élémentaires de la vie religieuse . Il y tient néanmoins pour acquis qu’on ne rend vraiment compte d’un phénomène social que si on remonte à ses origines.
Forms of thought and forms of society: Durkheim and the question of the categories
Authors: Stedman-Jones Susan
Published: November 2012

Résumé Cet article examine la théorie des catégories de l’entendement que Durkheim expose dans Les Formes élémentaires de la vie religieuse en soulignant l’importance qu’il accorde au jugement dans toute expérience humaine, aux notions de forme et de relation ainsi qu’aux représentations conçues comme des forces qui assurent la communication entre les individus – un aspect essentiel de cette même théorie négligé par ses interprétations récentes. Il faut se reporter aux travaux de Durkheim antérieurs à 1912 pour comprendre le lien qu’il établit entre religion et connaissance, c’est-à-dire pourquoi il recourt aux croyances et aux pratiques des sociétés totémiques en vue de donner une réponse sociologique à une des questions les plus controversées de l’histoire de la pensée philosophique, alors que pour bien évaluer les thèses de Durkheim il est nécessaire de tenir compte des influences intellectuelles qu’il a subies.
Durkheim, Lévy-Bruhl et la « pensée primitive » : quel différend ?
Authors: Merllié Dominique
Published: November 2012

Résumé On se propose d’analyser les passages des Formes élémentaires de la vie religieuse présentant une critique des Fonctions mentales dans les sociétés inférieures pour évaluer la signification et la portée de l’opposition de Durkheim à l’œuvre de Lévy-Bruhl. Sous le différend apparent, couramment surinterprété, lié au rapport à l’évolutionnisme, s’en profile un autre, généralement inaperçu, sur le caractère primitif de l’institution religieuse.
Les durkheimiens face aux Formes élémentaires (1912-1939)
Authors: Marcel Jean-Christophe
Published: November 2012

Résumé La réception des Formes élémentaires de la vie religieuse chez certains des principaux collaborateurs de Durkheim se caractérise, surtout après 1918, par une focale sur quelques thèmes : totémisme et religion, débat Durkheim-Lévy-Bruhl, origine religieuse de la pensée conceptuelle, effervescence collective et double nature de l’homme. Ces caractéristiques suggèrent que sont alors en jeu les conditions de possibilité d’une théorie sociologique de la connaissance susceptible d’expliquer l’intégralité des états mentaux propres à la vie en groupe.
Peine de mort et droits de l'homme entre enjeu géopolitique et impératif éthique
Authors: Donneaud Adrien
Published: November 2012

Résumé La tendance mondiale vers l’abolition de la peine de mort se poursuit sans relâche à travers le monde. Au cours de ces dix dernières années, 31 pays ont aboli la peine de mort en droit ou en pratique, élevant désormais à 149 le nombre des pays ayant aboli ce châtiment. Dès lors, l’abolition représente un véritable enjeu géopolitique et diplomatique pour l’ensemble des États, les pays rétentionnistes se retrouvant de plus en plus isolés sur la scène internationale. Mais dans un monde où 60% de la population vit encore dans des pays appliquant la peine de mort, peut-on véritablement universaliser les Impératifs Catégoriques de nos contrats sociaux et persuader ces Autres rétentionnistes d’adopter notre éthos démocratique et d’abolir la peine de mort une fois pour toutes ?
Le suicide assisté : la nouvelle « peine de mort » induite par la société contemporaine ? Une analyse à la frontière entre droit et psychanalyse
Authors: Marchesini Silvane Maria
Published: November 2012

Résumé La Loi, n? 2005-370, du 22 avril 2005, concernant les droits des patients en fin de vie, représente une des premières expressions d’une logique relative moins universaliste. Cette Loi accueille la volonté des patients et ouvre un nouveau chemin juridique à la subjectivité, dans les limites de la licéité du respect à la vie. Elle ouvre, aussi, un espace pour une analyse concrète de l’arrêt de « l’acharnement thérapeutique » à travers la consultation de « directives anticipées », éventuellement formulées par le malade. Elle contribue à maintenir la limite que constitue « l’homicide », sans décriminaliser ou dépénaliser l’euthanasie à travers le suicide assisté consenti. L’approche Droit/Psychanalyse, dans ce débat, pose la question de « l’emploi rhétorique du discours » et des changements sociaux conséquents dans les transmissions de référentiels allusifs à « l’interdiction des crimes fondamentaux d’homicide et d’inceste ». L’étude comparée des nouvelles législations internationales nous montre donc que la dépénalisation de l’euthanasie, ou les solutions intermédiaires, est due au glissement qui s’est produit du Discours du Maître vers le Discours du Capitaliste. Cette déviance de la logique phallique qui organise la communication et les liens sociaux transforme l’être humain, par l’instrument juridique du « consentement », en un produit de marché « non pensant et consommateur », à chaque fois plus orienté par « les processus narcissiques et par la pulsion de mort ». Le suicide assisté émerge alors comme une condamnation sociale à une nouvelle peine de mort intégrée par le sujet.
Religion et politique aux États-Unis
Authors: Lacorne Denis
Published: November 2012

Les relations entre religion et politique relèvent de deux récits concurrents aux États-Unis. L’un insiste sur les Pères fondateurs et la Constitution ; l’autre sur la vertu des Puritains. Quelles traces cette division laisse-t-elle dans la politique contemporaine ? Comment les deux candidats à l’élection présidentielle se sont-ils inscrits dans cette histoire ?
L'internationalisation du droit : dégradation ou recomposition ?
Authors: Delmas-Marty Mireille , Supiot Alain , Frieyro Martin
Published: November 2012

Le droit, longtemps lié à la souveraineté nationale, n’est plus enclos au sein des États-nations. Car le champ d’application des lois déborde désormais les frontières nationales. Mais que signifie cette évolution ? Assiste-t-on à un affaiblissement de l’idée même de droit ? Ou l’interdépendance croissante entre les systèmes de droit préfigure-t-elle un nouvel ordre juridique dessinant un nouvel universalisme ?
L'espace public : entre privatisation et patrimonialisation
Authors: Ghorra-Gobin Cynthia
Published: November 2012

Les espaces publics urbains ont longtemps été sacrifiés à la primauté de la voiture et au zonage des villes. Leur revalorisation aujourd’hui, dans le contexte d’une aspiration au développement durable, ne peut se faire simplement par l’idéalisation de la marche et du piéton, elle nécessite une véritable volonté politique associant les échelles et les rythmes.
Le pouvoir paradoxal des soignants sur la GRH
Authors: Mainhagu Sébastien
Published: November 2012

Résumé Les établissements d’hospitalisation sont incités par la puissance publique à une transformation de leurs pratiques managériales. L’évolution de la gestion des ressources humaines de ces organisations est alors considérée comme nécessaire. Le cas d’une clinique chirurgicale française permet de décrire comment le contexte est utilisé par les managers pour justifier des pratiques de GRH de type individualisant sans pour autant remettre en question le pouvoir des soignants porteurs d’une autre conception de gestion du personnel. Le cadre d’analyse contextualiste rarement appliqué dans ses deux dimensions, politique et culturelle, permet de comprendre la situation paradoxale, relevée par la littérature, de soignants réussissant à maintenir leur pouvoir sur la GRH, en contrariant l’introduction de pratiques de type individualisant , malgré un contexte défavorable. Nous expliquons comment les processus politique et culturel sont responsables du caractère hybride de la GRH dans ces organisations professionnelles.
Les couleurs chez Flaubert : entre mort et création
Authors: Fessaguet Dominique
Published: November 2012

L’extase et la mort traversent les couleurs chez Gustave Flaubert. Rouge, noir, blanc et or. Celui-ci emploie ces couleurs à profusion dans La Tentation de saint Antoine , saint Julien l’Hospitalier , Madame Bovary et Salammbô mais aussi dans ses Correspondances . Ce sont les couleurs d’une extase qui se révèleront là, dans la guerre, la destruction, la nuit du péché, la mort, mais aussi, au sein même de la création et des processus d’écriture de G. Flaubert.
Aimer à en mourir. Clinique du crime passionnel
Authors: Garnier Émeline , Ravit Magali
Published: November 2012

À partir du suivi d’un patient en milieu carcéral ayant tué sa compagne, les auteurs interrogent la place de l’objet dans la passion. Par l’investissement pulsionnel et sensoriel qu’il sollicite, l’objet permet au sujet de poursuivre ses investissements et le protège de vécus internes non subjectivés. Le sujet a recours à l’acte pour tenter de se dégager de la fusion à l’objet et ainsi d’une position mélancolique, mais aussi pour juguler et figurer le retour d’une expérience non historicisée.
Maud Mannoni et les écrivains : passion de l'être, passion de l'écriture
Authors: Razon Laure
Published: November 2012

Si l’analyste est aussi sensible à l’écriture et à l’écrivain qui tente du lieu de sa parole de transmettre ce qui lui échappe, c’est parce que l’artiste nous ouvre la voie de l’inconscient et nous guide sur les points de rencontre entre l’universel et le singulier. L’écrivain nous guide constamment sur notre chemin intérieur et sur celui de la rencontre avec les patients. Afin d’avancer sur ce chemin, de ma place d’analyste et de chercheur, je me suis penchée sur les travaux de Maud Mannoni. De ma lecture, je développerai dans cet article, ce qu’elle nous restitue de sa réflexion sur deux auteurs : Hans Christian Andersen et Virginia Wolf. De son positionnement, j’aborderai deux axes : ce qu’elle met en perspective entre l’histoire de l’écrivain (ses souffrances) et la fonction de l’écriture ; et ce qui du lieu de ces deux auteurs fit résonance en elle, de ses souffrances d’enfance, clef de voûte de ses engagements psychanalytiques.
Empreintes du trauma totalitaire dans la création littéraire de Herta Müller
Authors: Clit Radu
Published: November 2012

Chez Freud la création littéraire est réductible au rêve, ce qui ne convient pas à la prose de Herta Müller, qui décrit le monde totalitaire. Quatre aspects de ses romans sont exposés : contenu, construction, style, relation au pouvoir. Ils conduisent, respectivement aux problématiques suivantes : cadre totalitaire ; différence totalisation / « totalitarisation » ; mouvement et trauma ; position narcissique totalitaire. Leur élément commun est le trauma, source possible de la création littéraire
L'a-saut de la bête. Réflexions à propos du désir de l'obsessionnel à partir d'une nouvelle de Henry James
Authors: Guillén Julio , Pinel Carole
Published: November 2012

Dans cet article, nous étudierons la position subjective dans la névrose obsessionnelle d’un point de vue structurel, à partir de la nouvelle de Henry James La bête dans la jungle . Le parcours des personnages et la dynamique de leurs échanges nous permettront d’interroger les différents éléments qui définissent la modalité obsessionnelle, comme le désir, la demande et le fantasme. Partant de la surprise comme marque de la place possible pour le sujet, nous montrerons la façon spécifique d’agencement du désir obsessionnel à partir de l’analyse de trois scènes successives de la nouvelle.
Evaluation of a Critical Appraisal Program for Clinical Nurses: A Controlled Before-and-After Study
Authors: Chang Shu-Chen , Huang Chin-Yi , Chen Shu-Yu , Liao Yi-Cheng , Lin Ching-Hsiung , Wang Hsiu-Hung
Published: November 2012

Background:

Evidence-based practice is important to clinical health care professionals. Clinical nurses can make informed decisions by applying the best evidence to their care. However, standardized curricula on evidence-based medicine are lacking in nursing education programs. This study evaluated a critical appraisal education program and assessed its value in increasing nurses’ knowledge of critical appraisal and confidence in their critical appraisal skills.

Methods:

A controlled before-and-after study design was used. The education program integrated lectures, practice, and group discussion. A questionnaire was used to evaluate participants’ knowledge and confidence in critical appraisal pre- and postintervention.

Results:

Participants’ knowledge and confidence in critical appraisal improved significantly postintervention (both
p
< .001).

Conclusion:

A 1-day, small group discussion education program can effectively improve nurses’ knowledge and confidence in critical appraisal. Educators and administrators may replicate this education program to improve the quality of nursing care.
Competency Assessment Tools for Registered Nurses: An Integrative Review
Authors: Wilkinson Crystal A.
Published: November 2012

Background:

The clinical nurse educator in practice settings assists registered nurses through education and works with nurse managers to evaluate the continuing competency of registered nurses. The availability of self-reporting tools with acceptable psychometric properties may contribute to an understanding of staff expertise and continued competence to perform their required duties.

Methods:

An integrative review of the literature was conducted using keyword searches in CINAHL, ERIC, and PsycINFO. The search for tools published in the past decade focused on self-assessment of continuing competence in practicing nurses.

Results:

Four research reports were found with multidimensional self-reporting tools designed for use with nurses in ongoing practice. Each tool specifies a unique set of dimensions of continuing competency (e.g., clinical care, leadership, interpersonal relationships) and has had its validity or reliability tested with practicing nurses.

Conclusion:

The results of the review showed an improvement in the development and availability of tools. However, the tools are still lacking in dimension and further investment in this area of research is needed.
A Review Guide to Oligoarticular and Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Hui-Yuen Joyce S. , Imundo Lisa F.
Published: November 2012

CME Educational Objectives

1.

Become familiar with appropriate treatments for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) for improved outcomes.

2.

Review the presenting signs and symptoms of oligoarticular and polyarticular JIA and review the broad differential diagnoses; review the limits of laboratory testing in diagnosing JIA, and review the imaging modalities available for JIA.

3.

Understand the importance of screening for uveitis as an associated asymptomatic disease.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis represents a family of heterogeneous diseases characterized by chronic inflammation of synovial membranes. The clinical presentation of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and the utility of the laboratory in evaluating children with suspected arthritis differ significantly from adults. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a chronic disease; only a minority of patients “outgrow it.” Thus, the goals for physicians treating children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis are to return the child to full function and prevent disability.
Theoretical Analysis of the Effect of Pupil Size, Initial Myopic Level, and Optical Zone on Quality of Vision After Corneal Refractive Surgery
Authors: Alarcón Aixa , Rubiño Manuel , Pérez-Ocón Francisco , Jiménez José R.
Published: November 2012

PURPOSE:

To analyze the theoretical effect that pupil size, optical zone, and initial myopic level have on the final retinal image after corneal refractive surgery.

METHODS:

A schematic myopic eye model corrected by the Munnerlyn formula was used to analyze the optical quality of the final retinal image. Root-mean-square radius spot and modulation transfer function were calculated by ray tracing to evaluate retinal image quality.

RESULTS:

Pupil size had a negative effect on the retinal image only when it was greater than the diameter of the optical zone. In addition, the greater the initial myopic level, the more the pupil size affected image quality. Thus, a clear dependence exists between the initial myopic level and effect that the pupil size can have on the retinal image after laser refractive surgery.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pupil size may be a risk factor for night vision disturbances, but only when it is larger than the theoretical optical zones utilized in this study. Its effect depends not only on the optical zone size, but also on the initial myopic level. Therefore, this relationship should be taken into account during patient selection for refractive surgery.