bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycation of LDL by Methylglyoxal Increases Arterial Atherogenicity
Authors: Rabbani Naila , Godfrey Lisa , Xue Mingzhan , Shaheen Fozia , Geoffrion Michèle , Milne Ross , Thornalley Paul J.
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE

To study whether modification of LDL by methylglyoxal (MG), a potent arginine-directed glycating agent that is increased in diabetes, is associated with increased atherogenicity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Human LDL was isolated and modified by MG in vitro to minimal extent (MGmin-LDL) as occurs in vivo. Atherogenic characteristics of MGmin-LDL were characterized: particle size, proteoglycan-binding, susceptibility to aggregation, LDL and non-LDL receptor–binding, and aortal deposition. The major site of modification of apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) modification was investigated by mass spectrometric peptide mapping.

RESULTS

MGmin-LDL contained 1.6 molar equivalents of MG modification—mostly hydroimidazolone—as found in vivo. MGmin-LDL had decreased particle size, increased binding to proteoglycans, and increased aggregation in vitro. Cell culture studies showed that MGmin-LDL was bound by the LDL receptor but not by the scavenger receptor and had increased binding affinity for cell surface heparan sulfate–containing proteoglycan. Radiotracer studies in rats showed that MGmin-LDL had a similar fractional clearance rate in plasma to unmodified LDL but increased partitioning onto the aortal wall. Mass spectrometry peptide mapping identified arginine-18 as the hotspot site of apoB100 modification in MGmin-LDL. A computed structural model predicted that MG modification of apoB100 induces distortion, increasing exposure of the N-terminal proteoglycan–binding domain on the surface of LDL. This likely mediates particle remodeling and increases proteoglycan binding.

CONCLUSIONS

MG modification of LDL forms small, dense LDL with increased atherogenicity that provides a new route to atherogenic LDL and may explain the escalation of cardiovascular risk in diabetes and the cardioprotective effect of metformin.
Body Weight, Not Insulin Sensitivity or Secretion, May Predict Spontaneous Weight Changes in Nondiabetic and Prediabetic Subjects
Authors: Rebelos Eleni , Muscelli Elza , Natali Andrea , Balkau Beverley , Mingrone Geltrude , Piatti Piermarco , Konrad Thomas , Mari Andrea , Ferrannini Ele ,   on behalf of the RISC Study Investigators
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have found that high insulin sensitivity predicts weight gain; this association has not been confirmed. Our aim was to systematically analyze metabolic predictors of spontaneous weight changes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In 561 women and 467 men from the Relationship Between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease (RISC) cohort (mean age 44 years, BMI range 19–44 kg/m2, 9% impaired glucose tolerance) followed up for 3 years, we measured insulin sensitivity (by a euglycemic clamp) and β-cell function (by modeling of the C-peptide response to oral glucose and by acute insulin response to intravenous glucose).

RESULTS

Insulin sensitivity was similar in weight gainers (top 20% of the distribution of BMI changes), weight losers (bottom 20%), and weight stable subjects across quartiles of baseline BMI. By multiple logistic or linear regression analyses controlling for center, age, sex, and baseline BMI, neither insulin sensitivity nor any β-cell function parameter showed an independent association with weight gain; this was true in normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance, and whether subjects progressed to dysglycemia or not. Baseline BMI was significantly higher in gainers (26.1 ± 4.1 kg/m2) and losers (26.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2) than in weight stable subjects (24.8 ± 3.8 kg/m2, P < 0.0001 for both gainers and losers). Baseline waist circumference (or equivalently, BMI or weight) was a positive, independent predictor of both weight gain and weight loss (odds ratio 1.48 [95% CI 1.12–1.97]) in men and (1.67 [1.28–2.12]) in women. In men only, better insulin sensitivity was an additional independent predictor of weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither insulin sensitivity nor insulin secretion predicts spontaneous weight gain. Individuals who have attained a higher weight are prone to either gaining or losing weight regardless of their glucose tolerance.
Salsalate Attenuates Free Fatty Acid–Induced Microvascular and Metabolic Insulin Resistance in Humans
Authors: Chai Weidong , Liu Jia , Jahn Linda A. , Fowler Dale E. , Barrett Eugene J. , Liu Zhenqi
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE

Insulin recruits muscle microvasculature, thereby increasing endothelial exchange surface area. Free fatty acids (FFAs) cause insulin resistance by activating inhibitor of κB kinase β. Elevating plasma FFAs impairs insulin’s microvascular and metabolic actions in vivo. Whether salsalate, an anti-inflammatory agent, prevents FFA-induced microvascular and/or metabolic insulin resistance in humans is unknown.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Eleven healthy, young adults were studied three times in random order. After an overnight fast, on two occasions each subject received a 5-h systemic infusion of Intralipid ± salsalate pretreatment (50 mg/kg/day for 4 days). On the third occasion, saline replaced Intralipid. A 1 mU/kg/min euglycemic insulin clamp was superimposed over the last 2-h of each study. Skeletal and cardiac muscle microvascular blood volume (MBV), microvascular flow velocity (MFV), and microvascular blood flow (MBF) were determined before and after insulin infusion. Whole body glucose disposal rates were calculated from glucose infusion rates.

RESULTS

Insulin significantly increased skeletal and cardiac muscle MBV and MBF without affecting MFV. Lipid infusion abolished insulin-mediated microvascular recruitment in both skeletal and cardiac muscle and lowered insulin-stimulated whole body glucose disposal (P < 0.001). Salsalate treatment rescued insulin’s actions to recruit muscle microvasculature and improved insulin-stimulated whole body glucose disposal in the presence of high plasma FFAs.

CONCLUSIONS

High plasma concentrations of FFAs cause both microvascular and metabolic insulin resistance, which can be prevented or attenuated by salsalate treatment. Our data suggest that treatments aimed at inhibition of inflammatory response might help alleviate vascular insulin resistance and improve metabolic control in patients with diabetes.
Saxifrago Ferdinandi-Coburgi-Seslerietum Actarovii - A New Association from the Subalpine Belt of the Slavianka (Orvilos) MTS. (Bulgaria)
Authors: Karakiev Todor , Tzonev Rossen
Published: May 2011

Saxifrago Ferdinandi-Coburgi-Seslerietum Actarovii - ANew Association from the Subalpine Belt of the Slavianka (Orvilos) MTS. (Bulgaria)

The paper discusses the phytosociological and syntaxonomical position of the dry subalpine grasslands in the Slavianka (Alibutoush, Orvilos) Mts. (South-Western Bulgaria, Northern Greece). A new associationSaxifrago ferdinandi-coburgi-Seslerietum actaroviiass. nova has been established as a result of the phytosociological study. It is considered as an endemic vegetation unit from the calcareous subalpine terrains in the Central Balkan Peninsula high mountains (Southwestern Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Northern Greece). The new syntaxon belongs to the allianceEdrajantho-SeslerionHorvat 1949. A comparison with related syntaxa from other calcareous mountains from Northern Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is discussed.
Impact of riparian trees shade on aquatic plant abundance in conservation islands
Authors: Ali Magdi , Hassan Samar , Shaheen Abdel-Samei
Published: May 2011

Impact of riparian trees shade on aquatic plant abundance in conservation islands

Temperature, acidity, light conditions, total dissolved salts, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, submerged macrophytes and shade and sun path directions were measured at 23 sites along the River Nile banks withaAcacia niloticagrowing at water's edge around the First Cataract Conservation Islands.Ceratophyllum demersumandPotamogeton crispuswere common in the shaded and unshaded zones,Myriophyllum spicatumandVallisneria spiraliswere found only in the unshaded zone andAzolla filiculoidesonly in the shaded zone. Banks of the sites surveyed were oriented to five directions (NW, SE, NE, SW, N). There is a significant difference in both the type and density of submerged plants growing under the shade of riparian trees (Acacia nilotica) as compared to unshaded areas. Water column irradiance is the most influential variable dictating the distribution of submerged plants. The area of the shade provided by riparian trees was affected by environmental and/or plant variables. Environmental variables comprised the daily course of the exposition to sun; and plant variables included the area of the tree crown, the height of the tree and geographical position of the tree in relation to sun exposition. Trees on the west bank of the islands at the SW-NE direction have the highest shading effect. The management of tree vegetationmight control incoming solar radiation affecting submerged macrophytes.
Phytoplankton Composition and Abundance Assessment in the Nador Lagoon (Mediterranean Coast of Morocco)
Authors: Elmadani Faid , Chiaar Abderrahim , Chafi Abdelhafid
Published: May 2011

Phytoplankton Composition and Abundance Assessment in the Nador Lagoon (Mediterranean Coast of Morocco)

We evaluated phytoplankton abundance, composition and trophic state of the Nador lagoon (Morocco) on the basis of data taken in the period November 2007 to August 2008. Sampling was performed at 11 stations (bottle samples at 0.5 m depth and horizontal plankton net tows with mesh size of 20 μm). Among seven identified phytoplankton classes, diatoms and dinoflagellates dominated with 133 and 169 species, respectively. Frequent phyto-plankton blooms were contributed by one to three species in the lagoon. Abundance and seasonality of phytoplankton characterized the Nador lagoon as a highly eutrophicated environment.
Ecological conditions, flora and vegetation of a large doline in the Mecsek Mountains (South Hungary)
Authors: Bátori Zoltán , Gallé Róbert , Erdős László , Körmöczi László
Published: May 2011

Ecological conditions, flora and vegetation of a large doline in the Mecsek Mountains (South Hungary)

Vegetation-environment relationships were investigated in a large doline of the Mecsek Mts (South Hungary). To reveal the vegetation pattern, we collected vegetation data and environmental variables along a 243 m long transect. Atotal of 144 vascular plant species and 4 vegetation types were identified in the doline. We found that both the species composition and the vegetation pattern are significantly influenced by air temperature, air humidity, soil moisture and altitude. Our results confirm the putative temperature and vegetation inversion in the doline.
Neurosurgical intervention in the diagnosis and treatment of Balamuthia mandrillaris encephalitis
Authors: Orozco Ludwig , Hanigan William , Khan Majid , Fratkin Jonathan , Lee Marcus
Published: May 2011

The authors describe the unique presentation of Balamuthia mandrillaris encephalitis in a kidney donor and two recipients. All three patients suffered acute clinical deterioration, with radiological or clinical evidence of intracranial hypertension. Brain autopsy in the donor and an urgent brain biopsy in a recipient established the diagnosis. Firsttier therapy, with mannitol and CSF drainage, successfully treated the intracranial hypertension in both recipients, while administration of a combination of antiamebic drugs was associated with survival in the second recipient. For both recipients, neurosurgical management played a critical role in the rapid diagnosis and treatment of Balamuthia mandrillaris encephalitis.
Luminescent Afterglow Behavior in the M2Si5N8: Eu Family (M = Ca, Sr, Ba)
Authors: Van den Eeckhout Koen , Smet Philippe F. , Poelman Dirk
Published: May 2011

Persistent luminescent materials are able to emit light for hours after being excited. The majority of persistent phosphors emit in the blue or green region of the visible spectrum. Orange- or red-emitting phosphors, strongly desired for emergency signage and medical imaging, are scarce. We prepared the nitrido-silicates Ca2Si5N8:Eu (orange), Sr2Si5N8:Eu (reddish), Ba2Si5N8:Eu (yellowish orange), and their rare-earth codoped variants (R = Nd, Dy, Sm, Tm) through a solid state reaction, and investigated their luminescence and afterglow properties. In this paper, we describe how the persistent luminescence is affected by the type of codopant and the choice and ratio of the starting products. All the materials exhibit some form of persistent luminescence, but for Sr2Si5N8:Eu,R this is very weak. In Ba2Si5N8:Eu the afterglow remains visible for about 400 s, and Ca2Si5N8:Eu,Tm shows the brightest and longest afterglow, lasting about 2,500 s. For optimal persistent luminescence, the dopant and codopant should be added in their fluoride form, in concentrations below 1 mol%. A Ca3N2 deficiency of about 5% triples the afterglow intensity. Our results show that Ba2Si5N8:Eu(,R) and Ca2Si5N8:Eu(,R) are promising persistent phosphors for applications requiring orange or red light.
Antiviral Activity of Metal-Containing Polymers—Organotin and Cisplatin-Like Polymers
Authors: Roner Michael R. , Carraher Jr. Charles E. , Shahi Kimberly , Barot Girish
Published: May 2011

Polymers containing platinum and to a lesser extent tin, have repeatedly demonstrated antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo against a variety of cell and tumor types. The mechanisms responsible for the antitumor activity include inducing a delay in cell proliferation and sister chromatid exchanges blocking tumor growth. As most DNA and some RNA viruses require, and even induce, infected cells to initiate DNA replication and subsequent cell division, compounds with antitumor activity will very likely also possess antiviral activity. This article examines the use of metal-containing polymers as a novel class of antivirals.
Bioactive Cembrane-Based Diterpenoids from the Soft Coral Sinularia triangular
Authors: Su Jui-Hsin , Wen Zhi-Hong
Published: May 2011

Chemical examination of the Taiwanese soft coral Sinularia triangular led to the isolation of five cembrane-based diterpenoids 1–5, including two new metabolites, triangulenes A (1) and B (2). The structures of the new metabolites were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, particularly mass spectroscopy and 2D NMR (1H–1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) spectroscopy. Metabolites 3 and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity to human tumor cell lines CCRF-CEM and DLD-1. Furthermore, 3–5 displayed significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells by inhibiting the expression of the iNOS protein. Metabolites 4 and 5 also effectively reduced the expression of the COX-2 protein in the macrophages.
Two New Acridone Alkaloids from Glycosmis macrantha
Authors: Yahayu Maizatul Akmal , Rahmani Mawardi , Hashim Najihah Mohd , Amin Muhammad Aizat Mohd , Ee Gwendoline Cheng Lian , Sukari Mohd Aspollah , Akim Abdah Md
Published: May 2011

Extraction and chromatographic separation of the extracts of dried stem barks of Glycosmis macrantha lead to isolation of two new acridone alkaloids, macranthanine (1) and 7-hydroxynoracronycine (2), and a known acridone, atalaphyllidine (3). The structures of these alkaloids were determined by detailed spectral analysis and also by comparison with reported data.
Using Acoustic Sensors to Improve the Efficiency of the Forest Value Chain in Canada: A Case Study with Laminated Veneer Lumber
Authors: Achim Alexis , Paradis Normand , Carter Peter , Hernández Roger E.
Published: May 2011

Engineered wood products for structural use must meet minimum strength and stiffness criteria. This represents a major challenge for the industry as the mechanical properties of the wood resource are inherently variable. We report on a case study that was conducted in a laminated veneer lumber (LVL) mill in order to test the potential of an acoustic sensor to predict structural properties of the wood resource prior to processing. A population of 266 recently harvested aspen logs were segregated into three sub-populations based on measurements of longitudinal acoustic speed in wood using a hand tool equipped with a resonance-based acoustic sensor. Each of the three sub-populations were peeled into veneer sheets and graded for stiffness with an ultrasonic device. The average ultrasonic propagation time (UPT) of each subpopulation was 418, 440 and 453 microseconds for the green, blue, and red populations, respectively. This resulted in contrasting proportions of structural veneer grades, indicating that the efficiency of the forest value chain could be improved using acoustic sensors. A linear regression analysis also showed that the dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE) of LVL was strongly related to static MOE (R2 = 0.83), which suggests that acoustic tools may be used for quality control during the production process.
Microfluidics-Based Lab-on-Chip Systems in DNA-Based Biosensing: An Overview
Authors: Dutse Sabo Wada , Yusof Nor Azah
Published: May 2011

Microfluidics-based lab-on-chip (LOC) systems are an active research area that is revolutionising high-throughput sequencing for the fast, sensitive and accurate detection of a variety of pathogens. LOCs also serve as portable diagnostic tools. The devices provide optimum control of nanolitre volumes of fluids and integrate various bioassay operations that allow the devices to rapidly sense pathogenic threat agents for environmental monitoring. LOC systems, such as microfluidic biochips, offer advantages compared to conventional identification procedures that are tedious, expensive and time consuming. This paper aims to provide a broad overview of the need for devices that are easy to operate, sensitive, fast, portable and sufficiently reliable to be used as complementary tools for the control of pathogenic agents that damage the environment.
Multi-Objective Control Optimization for Greenhouse Environment Using Evolutionary Algorithms
Authors: Hu Haigen , Xu Lihong , Wei Ruihua , Zhu Bingkun
Published: May 2011

This paper investigates the issue of tuning the Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID) controller parameters for a greenhouse climate control system using an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) based on multiple performance measures such as good static-dynamic performance specifications and the smooth process of control. A model of nonlinear thermodynamic laws between numerous system variables affecting the greenhouse climate is formulated. The proposed tuning scheme is tested for greenhouse climate control by minimizing the integrated time square error (ITSE) and the control increment or rate in a simulation experiment. The results show that by tuning the gain parameters the controllers can achieve good control performance through step responses such as small overshoot, fast settling time, and less rise time and steady state error. Besides, it can be applied to tuning the system with different properties, such as strong interactions among variables, nonlinearities and conflicting performance criteria. The results implicate that it is a quite effective and promising tuning method using multi-objective optimization algorithms in the complex greenhouse production.
Hyaluronic Acid Levels Predict Increased Risk of Non-Aids Death in Hepatitis-Coinfected Persons Interrupting Antiretroviral Therapy in the Smart Study
Authors:   The SMART Study Group
Published: May 2011

Background

In the SMART study, HIV–viral-hepatitis-coinfected persons were, compared with HIV-monoinfected persons, at higher risk of non-AIDS death if randomized to the antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption strategy. We hypothesized that a marker of liver fibrosis, hyaluronic acid (HA), would be predictive of development of non-AIDS-related outcomes in coinfected participants in the SMART study.

Methods

All participants positive for HCV RNA or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and with stored plasma samples were included ( n=675). Plasma samples were tested for HA (normal range 0–75 ng/ml) at baseline and months 6, 12 and 24 during follow-up in the drug conservation (DC; interrupt ART until CD4+ T-cell count <250) group and the viral suppression (VS; continued use of ART) group. Time to non-AIDS death was investigated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

Overall, 52 (31 in DC and 21 in VS) coinfected participants died during follow-up. Coinfected participants who were randomized to the DC group with baseline HA>75 ng/ml had a cumulative risk of non-AIDS death of 24.6% after 36 months of follow-up compared with 9.3% for participants randomized to the VS group ( P=0.005), while the cumulative risk for coinfected participants with HA≤75 ng/ml was 4.1% (DC) and 4.7% (VS; P=0.76). The change in HA from baseline to month 24 was 8.3 ng/ml and 4.7 ng/ml in the DC and VS group ( P=0.56), respectively.

Conclusions

Interruption of ART was particularly unsafe in HIV–hepatitis-coinfected individuals if plasma HA was increased. HA changed very little during follow-up and was not influenced by differences in CD4+ T-cell count or HIV viral load.
Du droit à l'enfant au travail psychique de la parentalité : approche psychanalytique de la maternité lesbienne
Authors: Naziri Despina
Published: May 2011

Résumé L’objectif de cet article consiste à présenter les données d’une étude clinique qui porte sur l’exploration des représentations de la fonction parentale des couples lesbiens demandant l’insémination artificielle par donneur ( iad ). La référence à la littérature anglo-saxonne et francophone autour des différentes questions soulevées par l’homoparentalité, notamment celles qui ont préoccupé la communauté psychanalytique, nous a permis d’orienter l’analyse qualitative du matériel clinique (issu des entretiens réalisés avec trente-deux couples) autour de deux axes. D’une part, il s’agit de penser l’ iad comme une expérience qui introduit un paradoxe important pour le psychisme des sujets concernés, et d’autre part, d’analyser le travail psychique lié à l’accès à l’homoparentalité surtout à travers la question de l’assignation des places de la mère biologique et de la mère sociale. L’analyse de ces deux thématiques, illustrée par la présentation des vignettes cliniques, donne accès à une réflexion métapsychologique autour de la notion de tiers et du concept de la bisexualité psychique en tant qu’éléments centraux de ce travail psychique.
La causalité narrative
Authors: Hochmann Jacques
Published: May 2011

Résumé La psychanalyse repose sur une causalité narrative, trop souvent confondue avec la causalité physique, ce qui est source de malentendus. Cette causalité narrative obéit aux règles spécifiques du récit. La distinction entre des niveaux différents de causalité permet de dépasser de très anciens débats.
La langue des noms : changer de nom, c'est changer de langue
Authors: Masson Céline
Published: May 2011

Résumé À partir de notre proposition collective de travail sur La force du nom qui a donné lieu à un colloque ainsi qu’à un documentaire, « Et leur nom, ils l’ont changé », que nous avons réalisé à cette occasion, je me suis intéressée dans cet article à la différence entre nom propre, nom patronymique et Nom-du-père. Par ailleurs, prononcer les noms c’est désigner des langues de noms qui renvoient également aux accents des noms puisque j’ai proposé l’idée que chaque nom est un nom de langue et qu’en changer modifie également la langue du nom. Il m’a semblé pertinent d’aborder la question du nom au travers des cas de changements de noms essentiellement pour des familles juives ashkénazes ayant changé leur nom après la Shoah et le traumatisme qu’ont subi de nombreuses familles juives. Une jurisprudence en France ne permet pas le retour au nom une fois qu’un nom a été francisé au motif de l’immutabilité du nom et de la consonance étrangère des noms d’origine. Ce dernier point nous ayant semblé problématique et de ce fait a motivé la création du collectif La force du nom afin de faire pression sur le Conseil d’État pour rendre possible au cas par cas le retour au nom.
Pour un processus d'individuation délirante dans la psychose
Authors: Flémal Simon
Published: May 2011

Résumé Dans l’épistémologie psychanalytique, le processus de séparation-individuation résulte de la différenciation progressive du sujet avec son objet maternel primaire, permettant de manière concomitante un premier investissement de la représentation de soi. Il est généralement admis que, dans la psychose, cette opération se révèle défectueuse, laissant le sujet dans un climat confusionnel quant aux limites de sa propre identité. Toutefois, en nous étayant sur l’étude d’une vignette clinique, nous questionnerons la possibilité d’une individualité psychique substitutive s’établissant au sein du délire d’une personne psychotique. Il s’agira dès lors de mettre en évidence les spécificités de cette « individuation délirante » et d’en tirer certaines conclusions concernant la fonction du délire.
Les contes en psychothérapie des femmes maltraitées
Authors: Carballal Sanchez Maria
Published: May 2011

Résumé La violence dont souffrent les femmes maltraitées mine tous les aspects de leur vie, aussi bien leur santé physique que leur état psychique. Cet article propose d’inclure les contes dans les groupes de thérapie en tant que médiateurs importants du changement thérapeutique et aborde les bénéfices de l’utilisation des contes pour restaurer la confiance et les capacités des femmes victimes (empowerment) et pour permettre l’épanouissement de leurs facteurs de résilience. L’article examine la base théorique de l’usage des contes et rapporte l’exemple d’un conte de Pinkola Estés utilisé dans la thérapie des femmes maltraitées.
Quelques éléments relatifs à l'influence de la violence en Colombie sur la structure et l'évolution de la famille en Colombie
Authors: Rojas Rafael
Published: May 2011

Résumé La violence est un facteur destructeur aux niveaux social, familial et individuel. Elle détruit les potentialités de construction de la subjectivité et de l’intersubjectivité et menace de manière pathologique la structure familiale. Elle nous confronte aux processus de déshumanisation, probablement de non-humanisation. L’article illustre ces idées avec l’exemple de la Colombie. Mais la violence en Colombie, malgré certaines particularités, n’est pas un fait culturel de cette contrée ; le processus est universel, car il reste de l’ordre de l’humain.
À propos de son film Nostalgie de la lumière
Authors: Guzmán Patricio
Published: May 2011

Résumé Bénéficiant d’une exceptionnelle luminosité, le désert d’Atacama, au Chili, a été choisi pour installer les télescopes les plus puissants de la planète. Dans ce même désert gisent sous terre les ossements d’opposants à la dictature de Pinochet, assassinés sur ses ordres. La luminosité du ciel recouvre la noirceur des fosses souterraines. Le film de Patricio Guzmán met en correspondance ces deux domaines, faisant pivoter les regards sidérés par les étoiles vers les sous-sols terrestres. La finesse de ce retournement, la beauté des images, le caractère poignant des témoignages font de ce film, présenté hors compétition lors de l’édition 2010 du Festival de Cannes, une sublime parabole d’un passé tragique qui nous hante.
La fœtalisation de Louis Bolk
Authors: Levivier Marc
Published: May 2011

Résumé De 1938 à 1975, Lacan s’est fidèlement référé à une théorie dite de la « fœtalisation ». À chaque fois, il s’agissait pour lui de trouver un appui ou une confirmation biologique au caractère prématuré de la naissance chez l’homme (dont on connaît l’importance dans la construction du « stade du miroir »). Après un rappel des références faites par Lacan à cette théorie, cet article en présente son auteur, l’anatomiste hollandais L. Bolk, sa genèse puis en expose les principales caractéristiques, il en esquisse enfin la réception dans le milieu psychanalytique.
Mathématiques et théologie : l'infini chez Nicolas de Cues
Authors: Celeyrette Jean
Published: May 2011

Résumé L’usage par Nicolas de Cues du thème de l’infini pour caractériser la divinité et la place éminente des mathématiques dans sa doctrine semblent autoriser un rapprochement avec Duns Scot. Dans cette contribution on tente de montrer les profondes différences entre les deux entreprises et plus généralement l’originalité du Cusain par rapport à la scolastique du xiv e  siècle. En revanche sa postérité leibnizienne est peu contestable.
The Arithmetic of Genus Two Curves with (4,4)-Split Jacobians
Authors: Bruin Nils , Doerksen Kevin
Published: May 2011

In this paper we study genus 2 curves whose Jacobians admit a polarized (4, 4)-isogeny to a product of elliptic curves. We consider base fields of characteristic different from 2 and 3, which we do not assume to be algebraically closed. We obtain a full classification of all principally polarized abelian surfaces that can arise from gluing two elliptic curves along their 4-torsion, and we derive the relation their absolute invariants satisfy.

As an intermediate step, we give a general description of Richelot isogenies between Jacobians of genus 2 curves, where previously only Richelot isogenies with kernels that are pointwise defined over the base field were considered.

Our main tool is a Galois theoretic characterization of genus 2 curves admitting multiple Richelot isogenies.
Exploring the sensitivity of soil carbon dynamics to climate change, fire disturbance and permafrost thaw in a black spruce ecosystem
Authors: O'Donnell J. A. , Harden J. W. , McGuire A. D. , Romanovsky V. E.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. In the boreal region, soil organic carbon (OC) dynamics are strongly governed by the interaction between wildfire and permafrost. Using a combination of field measurements, numerical modeling of soil thermal dynamics, and mass-balance modeling of OC dynamics, we tested the sensitivity of soil OC storage to a suite of individual climate factors (air temperature, soil moisture, and snow depth) and fire severity. We also conducted sensitivity analyses to explore the combined effects of fire-soil moisture interactions and snow seasonality on OC storage. OC losses were calculated as the difference in OC stocks after three fire cycles (~500 yr) following a prescribed step-change in climate and/or fire. Across single-factor scenarios, our findings indicate that warmer air temperatures resulted in the largest relative soil OC losses (~5.3 kg C m−2), whereas dry soil conditions alone (in the absence of wildfire) resulted in the smallest carbon losses (~0.1 kg C m−2). Increased fire severity resulted in carbon loss of ~3.3 kg C m−2, whereas changes in snow depth resulted in smaller OC losses (2.1–2.2 kg C m−2). Across multiple climate factors, we observed larger OC losses than for single-factor scenarios. For instance, high fire severity regime associated with warmer and drier conditions resulted in OC losses of ~6.1 kg C m−2, whereas a low fire severity regime associated with warmer and wetter conditions resulted in OC losses of ~5.6 kg C m−2. A longer snow-free season associated with future warming resulted in OC losses of ~5.4 kg C m−2. Soil climate was the dominant control on soil OC loss, governing the sensitivity of microbial decomposers to fluctuations in temperature and soil moisture; this control, in turn, is governed by interannual changes in active layer depth. Transitional responses of the active layer depth to fire regimes also contributed to OC losses, primarily by determining the proportion of OC into frozen and unfrozen soil layers.
Capillary rise quantifications based on in-situ artificial deuterium peak displacement and laboratory soil characterization
Authors: Grünberger O. , Michelot J. L. , Bouchaou L. , Macaigne P. , Hsissou Y. , Hammecker C.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. In arid environments, water rises from the saturated level of a shallow aquifer to the drying soil surface where evaporation occurs. This process plays important roles in terms of plant survival, salt balance and aquifer budget. A new field quantification method of this capillary rise flow is proposed using micro-injections (6 μL) of a deuterium-enriched solution (δ value of 63 000‰ vs. V-SMOW) into unsaturated soil at a 1 m depth. Evaluation of peak displacement from profile sampling 35 days later delivered an estimate that was compared with outputs of numerical simulation based on laboratory hydrodynamic measurements assuming a steady state regime. A rate of 3.7 cm y−1 was estimated at a Moroccan site, where the aquifer water depth was 2.44 m. This value was higher than that computed from the relationship between evaporation rates and water level depth based on natural isotopic profile estimates, but it was lower than every estimate established using integration of the van Genuchten closed-form functions for soil hydraulic conductivity and retention curve.
Internal and external green-blue agricultural water footprints of nations, and related water and land savings through trade
Authors: Fader M. , Gerten D. , Thammer M. , Heinke J. , Lotze-Campen H. , Lucht W. , Cramer W.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. The need to increase food production for a growing world population makes an assessment of global agricultural water productivities and virtual water flows important. Using the hydrology and agro-biosphere model LPJmL, we quantify at 0.5° resolution the amount of blue and green water (irrigation and precipitation water) needed to produce one unit of crop yield, for 11 of the world's major crop types. Based on these, we also quantify the agricultural water footprints (WFP) of all countries, for the period 1998–2002, distinguishing internal and external WFP (virtual water imported from other countries) and their blue and green components, respectively. Moreover, we calculate water savings and losses, and for the first time also land savings and losses, through international trade with these products. The consistent separation of blue and green water flows and footprints shows that green water globally dominates both the internal and external WFP (84 % of the global WFP and 94 % of the external WFP rely on green water). While no country ranks among the top ten with respect to all water footprints calculated here, Pakistan and Iran demonstrate high absolute and per capita blue WFP, and the US and India demonstrate high absolute green and blue WFPs. The external WFPs are relatively small (6 % of the total global blue WFP, 16 % of the total global green WFP). Nevertheless, current trade of the products considered here saves significant water volumes and land areas (~263 km3 and ~41 Mha, respectively, equivalent to 5 % of the sowing area of the considered crops and 3.5 % of the annual precipitation on this area). Relating the proportions of external to internal blue/green WFP to the per capita WFPs allows recognizing that only a few countries consume more water from abroad than from their own territory and have at the same time above-average WFPs. Thus, countries with high per capita water consumption affect mainly the water availability in their own country. Finally, this study finds that flows/savings of both virtual water and virtual land need to be analysed together, since they are intrinsically related.
Lightning-based propagation of convective rain fields
Authors: Dietrich S. , Casella D. , Di Paola F. , Formenton M. , Mugnai A. , Sanò P.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. This paper describes a new multi-sensor approach for continuously monitoring convective rain cells. It exploits lightning data from surface networks to propagate rain fields estimated from multi-frequency brightness temperature measurements taken by the AMSU/MHS microwave radiometers onboard NOAA/EUMETSAT low Earth orbiting operational satellites. Specifically, the method allows inferring the development (movement, morphology and intensity) of convective rain cells from the spatial and temporal distribution of lightning strokes following any observation by a satellite-borne microwave radiometer. Obviously, this is particularly attractive for real-time operational purposes, due to the sporadic nature of the low Earth orbiting satellite measurements and the continuous availability of ground-based lightning measurements – as is the case in most of the Mediterranean region. A preliminary assessment of the lightning-based rainfall propagation algorithm has been successfully made by using two pairs of consecutive AMSU observations, in conjunction with lightning measurements from the ZEUS network, for two convective events. Specifically, we show that the evolving rain fields, which are estimated by applying the algorithm to the satellite-based rainfall estimates for the first AMSU overpass, show an overall agreement with the satellite-based rainfall estimates for the second AMSU overpass.
In-situ multispectral and bathymetric measurements over a supraglacial lake in western Greenland using a remotely controlled watercraft
Authors: Tedesco M. , Steiner N.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Supraglacial lakes form from meltwater on the Greenland ice sheet in topographic depressions on the surface, affecting both surface and sub-glacial processes. As the reflectance in the visible and near-infrared regions of a column of water is modulated by its height, retrieval techniques using spaceborne remote sensing data (e.g. Landsat, MODIS) have been proposed in the literature for the detection of lakes and estimation of their volume. These techniques require basic assumptions on the spectral properties of the water as well as the bottom of the lake, among other things. In this study, we report results obtained from the analysis of concurrent in-situ multi-spectral and depth measurements collected over a supraglacial lake during early July 2010 in West Greenland (Lake Olivia, 69°36'35" N, 49°29'40" W) and aim to assess some of the underlying hypotheses in remote sensing based bathymetric approaches. In particular, we focus our attention on the analysis of the lake bottom albedo and of the water attenuation coefficient. The analysis of in-situ data (collected by means of a remotely controlled boat equipped with a GPS, a sonar and a spectrometer) highlights the exponential trend of the water-leaving reflectance with lake depth. The values of the attenuation factor obtained from in-situ data are compared with those computed using approaches proposed in the literature. Also, the values of the lake bottom albedo from in-situ measurements are compared with those obtained from the analysis of reflectance of shallow waters. Finally, we quantify the error between in-situ measured and satellite-estimated lake depth values for the lake under study.
ANALYSIS OF STIFFNESS VARIATIONS IN CONTEXT OF STRAIN-, STRESS-, AND ENERGY-CONTROLLED PROCESSES
Authors: Mars W. V.
Published: May 2011

In compounded material systems, such as rubber, a wide range of properties can be achieved by design. This flexibility poses a challenge–how to balance stiffness against other considerations, such as energy dissipation under dynamic loading, fatigue, etc. Negotiating this balance requires that adequate account be taken of how a given mechanical input (i.e., strain, stress, energy) is controlled, and how other mechanical outputs vary as the stiffness changes. We outline here a simple analysis by which these considerations can be managed. The analysis is based on a novel split of the elasticity law into work-conjugate parts: one representing generally that which is to be held constant, and the other representing that which occurs in reaction to imposed control. The split gives rise to a scalar parameter suitable for quantifying the degree to which a given 1D mechanical process is strain-, energy-, or stress-controlled. The physical sense of the parameter is illustrated through the example of a two-spring system, where one spring represents the subject material, and the other represents the mechanical environment in which the material operates. The example shows that the parameter concisely summarizes the effects of the environment on the operating conditions of the material. We also provide a simple example illustrating how the parameter can be used to rank the fatigue performance of a set of compounds, taking into account the stiffness and the test control mode.
EPOXIDIZED NATURAL OILS AS THE ALTERNATIVE SAFE PROCESS OILS IN RUBBER COMPOUNDS
Authors: Sahakaro Kannika , Beraheng Amnuwa
Published: May 2011

Due to the toxicity of aromatic oils derived from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), safe process oils are required for a replacement in rubber compounds. The properties of tire tread compounds filled with high abrasion furnace black (HAF) when epoxidized palm oil (EPO) and epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) are used as the processing oils, in comparison with the use of conventional distillate aromatic extract (DAE) were investigated. The oil characteristics were analyzed by spectroscopic techniques (FTIR and NMR), differential scanning calorimetry and elemental analysis. Influence of the oils on the properties of natural rubber (NR), NR/styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) blend, and SBR compounds was investigated. All compounds with the EPO and DAE oils have similar cure characteristics (i.e., scorch and cure times, torque differences) and processing properties (i.e., minimum torques and Mooney viscosities). However, the use of ESBO oil clearly retards the curing reaction, resulting in lower extent of crosslinking, and thus inferior vulcanizate properties. The mechanical properties, e.g., hardness, modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, tear, and abrasion resistance, of the compounds utilizing the EPO and DAE oils are comparable and superior to those of the ESBO added compound. In addition, the use of EPO results in similar dynamic mechanical properties of rubber vulcanizates when compared with conventional DAE. The results indicate that EPO is a potential candidate for the placement of DAE oil in rubber compounds.
Determinants of consumer intention to go to a tourist destination. The case of "Mundo Maya- México"
Authors:   1 Departamento de Economía y Administración de Empresas. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales. Universidad de Burgos. C/ Parralillos, s/n, 09001 Burgos. E-mail: sanmargu@ubu.es, San Martín Gutiérrez Sonia , Matos Cámara Rafael Fabricio
Published: May 2011

Each tourist destination has a brand the consumer can choose at the moment of travelling. This work analyzes, through a causal model empirically tested for the case of Mundo Maya-México, the paper that reputation, emotions and trust play in the consumer's intention to go to a tourist destination. A theoretical frame is developed using contributions of the signalling theory, emotions theories and relationship marketing. A face-to-face survey was carried out with consumers in travel agencies. Results confirm most of the proposed hypotheses and show interesting results: a reputation of a good management and high awareness of the tourist destination and consumer pleasure and trust in the destination reveal as antecedents of consumer intention to go to a certain tourist destination.
Reinforced Cellular Carbon Matrix–MgO Composites for High Temperature Applications: Microstructural Aspects and Colloidal Processing
Authors: da Silveira Wagner , Falk Guido
Published: May 2011

The main potential of functionalized cellular carbon refractories is the considerable variation range of cell dimensions, cell geometries, i.e. spatial arrangement of interconnected carbon strut networks, as well as cell compositions, i.e. layered or multilayered cell conformations. In order to achieve this last goal, it will have to provide available post‐processing procedures to upgrade cellular carbon matrices for specific functions, i.e. tailored moduli of elasticity, thermal shock resistance, that cannot be technically or economically provided by conventional low carbon MgO–C refractories.1 Here we report different colloidal synthetic processing routes for tailoring reinforced cellular and reticulated glassy carbon structures in the macro‐, meso‐, and microscale, which then gives rise to very high thermal shock resistance characteristics. The cellular interconnected glassy carbon network is processed by replication of PU foams with phenolic resins and subsequent carbonization in inert atmospheres. In order to improve the water‐wettability of tailored glassy carbon cellular matrices and to ease the subsequent infiltration of aqueous MgO suspensions into open porous, cellular carbon structures a low cost YSZ, and SiC coating concept is proposed using an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method and subsequent sintering in order to achieve the reinforcement of carbon phase, respectively. These as‐received wettable and reinforced coatings and functional layers on the interconnected cellular glassy carbon network are able to reliably allow the infiltration of aqueous MgO suspensions to build up low carbon functional C/SiC‐ as well as C/YSZ–MgO refractories with designed and controlled thermo‐mechanical properties.
De novo Xq11.11 microdeletion including ARHGEF9 in a boy with mental retardation, epilepsy, macrosomia, and dysmorphic features
Authors: Lesca Gaetan , Till Marianne , Labalme Audrey , Vallee Dominique , Hugonenq Catherine , Philip Nicole , Edery Patrick , Sanlaville Damien
Published: May 2011

We report on a novel Xq11.11 microdeletion in a patient presenting with severe mental retardation (MR), focal epilepsy, tall stature, macrocephaly, and dysmorphism. This 1.3 Mb deletion, identified using array CGH, includes a single gene with known function—ARHGEF9—plus 1 gene with unknown function and three putative genes. ARHGEF9 encodes collybistin (Cb) that plays an important role in the localization of gephyrin which is the key protein of the scaffolding system of inhibitory synapses and is essential for postsynaptic clustering of both GABAA and glycine receptors. Cb‐deficient male mice show reduced exploratory behavior, impaired spatial learning, increased anxiety scores, and reduction of gephyrin‐dependent GABA receptor clusters in amygdala and hippocampus. Mutations or disruption of ARHGEF9 due to chromosomal rearrangements have been found in three patients with various clinical presentations: nevertheless, all 3 presented with MR and 2 with epilepsy. The case we report on provides further evidence for the role of ARHGEF9 in cognitive development. The other phenotypic features in our patient, including macrosomia and dysmorphism, may also be related to the loss of this gene. Alternatively, they may be consequences of the loss of one or more of the other genes located within the deletion or of the disruption of sequences regulating neighboring genes. Additional case reports with identical or overlapping deletions would help in defining the phenotype associated with ARHGEF9 haploinsufficiency. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.