bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermo-physical properties of molten Cd-Ga alloys
Authors: Koirala RP , Singh BP , Adhikari D
Published: December 2013

We report thermodynamic, microscopic and surface properties of Cd-Ga alloys in molten state at 700 K. We use quasi-chemical approximation for the computation of thermodynamic and microscopic properties. For the computation of surface we use Butler’s approach and quas-chemical approach. We also calculate the surface concentration of the individual component.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v10i0.9079 BIBECHANA 10 (2014) 9-19
Periodic Solution of the restricted three body problem
Authors: Hassan MR , Thapa RR
Published: December 2013

The effect of perturbation in centrifugal force on the periodic solution of the restricted three-body problem representing analytic continuation of Keplerian rectilinear periodic motion has been examined. However, we have taken the perturbation in the centrifugal force to be of the order of μ, the reduced mass of the smaller primary. We have calculated the first order perturbations also. BIBECHANA 10 (2014) 44-51 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v10i0.9310
Total Gaseous Mercury Concentration Measurements at Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Parsons Matthew , McLennan Daniel , Lapalme Monique , Mooney Curtis , Watt Corinna , Mintz Rachel
Published: December 2013

Observations are described from total gaseous mercury (TGM) concentrations measured at the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) Fort McMurray—Patricia McInnes air quality monitoring station—from 21 October 2010 through 31 May 2013, inclusively. Fort McMurray is approximately 380 km north-northeast of Edmonton, Alberta, and approximately 30 km south of major Canadian oil sands developments. The average TGM concentration over the period of this study was 1.45 ± 0.18 ng∙m−3. Principal component analysis suggests that observed TGM concentrations are correlated with meteorological conditions including temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation, and also ozone concentration. There is no significant correlation between ambient concentrations of TGM and anthropogenic pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Principal component analysis also shows that the highest TGM concentrations observed are a result of forest fire smoke near the monitoring station. Back trajectory analysis highlights the importance of long-range transport, indicating that unseasonably high TGM concentrations are generally associated with air from the southeast and west, while unseasonably low TGM concentrations are a result of arctic air moving over the monitoring station. In general, TGM concentration appears to be driven by diel and seasonal trends superimposed over a combination of long-range transport and regional surface-air flux of gaseous mercury.
Decentralized and Real-Time Power Dispatch Control for an Islanded Microgrid Supported by Distributed Power Sources
Authors: Ahn Changsun , Peng Huei
Published: December 2013

Microgrids can deploy traditional and/or renewable power sources to support remote sites. Utilizing renewable power sources requires more complicated control strategies to achieve acceptable power quality and maintain grid stability. In this research, we assume that the grid stability problem is already solved. As a next step, we focus on how the power can be dispatched from multiple power sources for improved grid efficiency. Isolated microgrids frequently require reconfigurations because of the grid expansion or component failures. Therefore, the control strategies ideally should be implemented in a plug-and-play fashion. Moreover, these strategies ideally require no pre-knowledge of the grid structure, and as little communication with neighboring power sources as possible. The control objective is to minimize a cost function that can be adjusted to reflect the desire to minimize energy cost and/or losses. An algorithm is designed to satisfy a derived necessary condition of function optimality. Such conditions are obtained by formulating Lagrange functions. An equivalent grid model approximates the grid structure which was later confirmed to represent the grid behavior adequately. For decentralized operations, we execute the distributed control sequentially using a simple token communication protocol. The performance of the combined system identification-Lagrange function minimization algorithm is demonstrated through simulations.
Effect of Exogenous Factors on Bacteriocin Production from Lactobacillus paracasei J23 by Using a Resting Cell System
Authors: Yi Huaxi , Han Xue , Yang Yanyan , Liu Wenli , Liu Hui , Zhang Yingchun , Sun Kai , Zhang Lanwei , Ma Fang
Published: December 2013

A resting cell system was developed for bacteriocin Lac-B23 production from Lactobacillus paracasei J23. The resting cell medium contained (g/L): Glucose 20, Sodium acetate 5.0, MnSO4 0.25 MgSO4 0.5, Ammoniumhydrogencitrate 1.0, KH2PO4 1.0. The resting cell incubation time and temperature were 20 h and 37 °C and the effects of exogenous factors, including amino acids, glycerol, pyruvic acid, and α-ketoglutaric acid were investigated. Cys and Gly could stimulate the production of bacteriocin, while no stimulus effect was observed for Glu, Tyr and Ala. Glycerol and pyruvic acid increased bacteriocin production and the optimum concentrations were 1% and 30 g/L, respectively. Bacteriocin could act as an inducer of its own biosynthesis. These findings are of importance for the further study of bacteriocin biosynthesis regulation and for the improvement of bacteriocin production yields.
Cardiac Ablation of Rheb1 Induces Impaired Heart Growth, Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Apoptosis and Heart Failure in Infant Mice
Authors: Cao Yunshan , Tao Lichan , Shen Shutong , Xiao Junjie , Wu Hang , Li Beibei , Wu Xiangqi , Luo Wen , Xiao Qi , Hu Xiaoshan , Liu Hailang , Nie Junwei , Lu Shuangshuang , Yuan Baiyin , Han Zhonglin , Xiao Bo , Yang Zhongzhou , Li Xinli
Published: December 2013

Ras homologue enriched in brain 1 (Rheb1) plays an important role in a variety of cellular processes. In this study, we investigate the role of Rheb1 in the post-natal heart. We found that deletion of the gene responsible for production of Rheb1 from cardiomyocytes of post-natal mice resulted in malignant arrhythmias, heart failure, and premature death of these mice. In addition, heart growth impairment, aberrant metabolism relative gene expression, and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis were observed in Rheb1-knockout mice prior to the development of heart failure and arrhythmias. Also, protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) signaling was enhanced in Rheb1-knockout mice, and removal of phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) significantly prolonged the survival of Rheb1-knockouts. Furthermore, signaling via the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) was abolished and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and phosphorylation levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were increased in Rheb1 mutant mice. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Rheb1 is important for maintaining cardiac function in post-natal mice via regulation of mTORC1 activity and stress on the endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, activation of Akt signaling helps to improve the survival of mice with advanced heart failure. Thus, this study provides direct evidence that Rheb1 performs multiple important functions in the heart of the post-natal mouse. Enhancing Akt activity improves the survival of infant mice with advanced heart failure.
Heat-killed VSL#3 Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Acute Experimental Colitis in Rats
Authors: Sang Li-Xuan , Chang Bing , Dai Cong , Gao Nan , Liu Wei-Xin , Jiang Min
Published: December 2013

To determine the effects of heat-killed VSL#3 (B. breve, B. longum and B. infantis; L. plantarum, L. bulgaricus, L. casei and L. acidophilus; S. salivarius subsp. thermophilus) therapy in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute experimental colitis in rats. Acute experimental colitis was induced in rats by 5% DSS and freely drink for seven days. Beginning on Day 8, rats underwent gavage once daily for seven days with heat-killed probiotic VSL#3 (0.6 g/kg/day), colonic damage was evaluated histologically and biochemically seven days after gavage. Expression of inflammatory related mediators (STAT3, P-STAT3) and cytokines (IL-6, IL-23, TGFβ) in colonic tissue were detected. The results revealed that heat-killed and live VSL#3 have identical anti-inflammatory properties by the assessed DAI (disease activity index), colon length, histological tissue and MPO activity. Heat-killed and live VSL#3 results in reduced IL-6, IL-23, TGFβ, STAT3 and P-STAT3 expression in colonic tissue. Heat-killed and live VSL#3 have showed the similar anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 pathway in the DSS-induced acute experimental colitis in rats.
Villages in the City: Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity in Rurality and Urbanity in Bangalore, India
Authors: Nagendra Harini , Unnikrishnan Hita , Sen Sreerupa
Published: December 2013

Urban-rural distinctions are particularly challenging in the context of fast growing cities in the developing world. Through an example of the Indian city of Bangalore, we demonstrate the case for development of more continuous approaches of urban representation that are needed in many parts of the world. Thus even some of the oldest areas in Bangalore, which have been part of an urban center for centuries, exhibit aspects of rurality, as much as other recently developing peri-urban parts of the city. We demonstrate the considerable heterogeneities in urbanity and rurality that exist in Bangalore, which constitutes complex mosaics of rural and urban systems. In contexts such as these, binary representations of the urban rural dichotomy break down, as does the gradient approach to urbanity. There does not appear to be any obvious relationship between the time span for which a site has been urbanized, and the degree to which rurality still maintains its influence on these fluid urban landscapes. New theories and methods are needed to fully represent the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of rurality and urbanity in these fluid landscapes, moving beyond traditional, discretized urban vs. rural classifications, as well as relatively simplistic gradient-based urban to rural analyses.
Polypeptide Modulators of TRPV1 Produce Analgesia without Hyperthermia
Authors: Andreev Yaroslav , Kozlov Sergey , Korolkova Yuliya , Dyachenko Igor , Bondarenko Dmitrii , Skobtsov Denis , Murashev Arkadii , Kotova Polina , Rogachevskaja Olga , Kabanova Natalia , Kolesnikov Stanislav , Grishin Eugene
Published: December 2013

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptors (TRPV1) play a significant physiological role. The study of novel TRPV1 agonists and antagonists is essential. Here, we report on the characterization of polypeptide antagonists of TRPV1 based on in vitro and in vivo experiments. We evaluated the ability of APHC1 and APHC3 to inhibit TRPV1 using the whole-cell patch clamp approach and single cell Ca2+ imaging. In vivo tests were performed to assess the biological effects of APHC1 and APHC3 on temperature sensation, inflammation and core body temperature. In the electrophysiological study, both polypeptides partially blocked the capsaicin-induced response of TRPV1, but only APHC3 inhibited acid-induced (pH 5.5) activation of the receptor. APHC1 and APHC3 showed significant antinociceptive and analgesic activity in vivo at reasonable doses (0.01–0.1 mg/kg) and did not cause hyperthermia. Intravenous administration of these polypeptides prolonged hot-plate latency, blocked capsaicin- and formalin-induced behavior, reversed CFA-induced hyperalgesia and produced hypothermia. Notably, APHC3’s ability to inhibit the low pH-induced activation of TRPV1 resulted in a reduced behavioural response in the acetic acid-induced writhing test, whereas APHC1 was much less effective. The polypeptides APHC1 and APHC3 could be referred to as a new class of TRPV1 modulators that produce a significant analgesic effect without hyperthermia.
Mineralogical Study of a Biologically-Based Treatment System That Removes Arsenic, Zinc and Copper from Landfill Leachate
Authors: Khoshnoodi Maryam , Dipple Gregory , Baldwin Susan
Published: December 2013

Mineralogical characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a high throughput automated quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN) was conducted on samples from a sulphate-reducing biochemical reactor (BCR) treating high concentrations of metals (As, Zn, Cu) in smelter waste landfill seepage. The samples were also subjected to energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis of specific particles. The bulk analysis results revealed that the samples consisted mainly of silicate and carbonate minerals. More detailed phase analysis indicated four different classes: zinc-arsenic sulphosalts/sulphates, zinc-arsenic oxides, zinc phosphates and zinc-lead sulphosalts/sulphates. This suggests that sulphates and sulphides are the predominant types of Zn and As minerals formed in the BCR. Sphalerite (ZnS) was a common mineral observed in many of the samples. In addition, X-ray point analysis showed evidence of As and Zn coating around feldspar and amphibole particles. The presence of arsenic-zinc-iron, with or without cadmium particles, indicated arsenopyrite minerals. Copper-iron-sulphide particles suggested chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and tennantite (Cu,Fe)12As4S13. Microbial communities found in each sample were correlated with metal content to describe taxonomic groups associated with high-metal samples. The research results highlight mineral grains that were present or formed at the site that might be the predominant forms of immobilized arsenic, zinc and copper.
Preparative Isolation and Purification of Five Flavonoid Glycosides and One Benzophenone Galloyl Glycoside from Psidium guajava by High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography (HSCCC)
Authors: Zhu Yindi , Liu Yue , Zhan Ying , Liu Lin , Xu Yajuan , Xu Tunhai , Liu Tonghua
Published: December 2013

Psidium guajava leaves have a diverse phytochemical composition including flavonoids, phenolics, meroterpenoids and triterpenes, responsible for the biological activities of the medicinal parts. In particular, flavonol glycosides show beneficial effects on type II diabetes mellitus. A simple and efficient HSCCC method has been developed for the preparative separation of five flavonoid glycosides and one diphenylmethane glycoside from P. guajava. A solvent system composed of n-hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (0.7:4:0.8:4, v/v/v/v) was optimized for the separation. The upper phase was used as the stationary phase, and the lower phase was used as the mobile phase. Under the optimized conditions, hyperoside (15.3 mg), isoquercitrin (21.1 mg), reynoutrin (65.2 mg), quercetin-3-O-β-D-arabinopyranoside (71.7 mg), quercetin-3-O-α-L-arabinofuranoside (105.6 mg) and 2,4,6-trihydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzophenone 4-O-(6''-O-galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (98.4 mg) were separated from crude sample (19.8 g). The structures of all the isolates were identified by ESI-MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR analyses and their purities (>95%) were determined using HPLC.
Can Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse Improve Performance during Exercise? A Systematic Review
Authors: De Ataide e Silva Thays , Di Cavalcanti Alves de Souza Maria , De Amorim Jamile , Stathis Christos , Leandro Carol , Lima-Silva Adriano
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this review was to identify studies that have investigated the effect of carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinse on exercise performance, and to quantify the overall mean difference of this type of manipulation across the studies. The main mechanisms involving the potential benefit of CHO mouth rinse on performance was also explored. A systematic review was conducted in the following electronic databases: PubMed, SciELO, Science Direct, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), without limit of searches. Eleven studies were classified as appropriate and their results were summarized and compared. In nine of them, CHO mouth rinse increased the performance (range from 1.50% to 11.59%) during moderate- to high-intensity exercise (~75% Wmax or 65% VO2max, ~1 h duration). A statistical analysis to quantify the individual and overall mean differences was performed in seven of the 11 eligible studies that reported power output (watts, W) as the main performance outcome. The overall mean difference was calculated using a random-effect model that accounts for true variation in effects occurring in each study, as well as random error within a single study. The overall effect of CHO mouth rinse on performance was significant (mean difference = 5.05 W, 95% CI 0.90 to 9.2 W, z = 2.39, p = 0.02) but there was a large heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 52%). An activation of the oral receptors and consequently brain areas involved with reward (insula/operculum frontal, orbitofrontal cortex, and striatum) is suggested as a possible physiological mechanism responsible for the improved performance with CHO mouth rinse. However, this positive effect seems to be accentuated when muscle and liver glycogen stores are reduced, possibly due to a greater sensitivity of the oral receptors, and require further investigation. Differences in duration of fasting before the trial, duration of mouth rinse, type of activity, exercise protocols, and sample size may account for the large variability between the studies.
24-h Fluid Kinetics and Perception of Sweat Losses Following a 1-h Run in a Temperate Environment
Authors: O'Neal Eric , Caufield Christina , Lowe Jordan , Stevenson Mary , Davis Brett , Thigpen Lauren
Published: December 2013

This study examined 24-h post-run hydration status and sweat loss estimation accuracy in college age runners (men = 12, women = 8) after completing a 1-h self-paced outdoor run (wet bulb globe temperature = 19.9 ± 3.0 °C). Sweat losses (1353 ± 422 mL; 1.9% ± 0.5% of body mass) were significantly greater (p < 0.001) than perceived losses (686 ± 586 mL). Cumulative fluid consumption equaled 3876 ± 1133 mL (218 ± 178 mL during) with 37% of fluid ingested lost through urine voids (1450 ± 678 mL). Fluid balance based on intake and urine production equaled +554 ± 669 mL at 12 h and +1186 ± 735 mL at 24 h. Most runners reported euhydrated (pre-run urine specific gravity (USG) = 1.018 ± 0.008) with no changes (p = 0.33) at hours 12 or 24 when both genders were included. However, USG was higher (p = 0.004) at 12 h post-run for men (1.025 ± 0.0070 vs. 1.014 ± 0.007), who consumed 171% ± 40% of sweat losses at 12 h vs. 268% ± 88% for women. Most runners do not need intervention concerning between bout hydration needs in temperate environments. However, repeated USG measurements were able to identify runners who greatly under or over consumed fluid during recovery. Practitioners can use multiple USG assessments as cheap method to detect runners who need to modify their hydration strategies and should promote assessment of sweat losses by change in body mass, as runners had poor perception of sweat losses.
Interannual Variation in Phytoplankton Primary Production at A Global Scale
Authors: Rousseaux Cecile , Gregg Watson
Published: December 2013

We used the NASA Ocean Biogeochemical Model (NOBM) combined with remote sensing data via assimilation to evaluate the contribution of four phytoplankton groups to the total primary production. First, we assessed the contribution of each phytoplankton groups to the total primary production at a global scale for the period 1998–2011. Globally, diatoms contributed the most to the total phytoplankton production (~50%, the equivalent of ~20 PgC∙y−1). Coccolithophores and chlorophytes each contributed ~20% (~7 PgC∙y−1) of the total primary production and cyanobacteria represented about 10% (~4 PgC∙y−1) of the total primary production. Primary production by diatoms was highest in the high latitudes (>40°) and in major upwelling systems (Equatorial Pacific and Benguela system). We then assessed interannual variability of this group-specific primary production over the period 1998–2011. Globally the annual relative contribution of each phytoplankton groups to the total primary production varied by maximum 4% (1–2 PgC∙y−1). We assessed the effects of climate variability on group-specific primary production using global (i.e., Multivariate El Niño Index, MEI) and “regional” climate indices (e.g., Southern Annular Mode (SAM), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)). Most interannual variability occurred in the Equatorial Pacific and was associated with climate variability as indicated by significant correlation (p < 0.05) between the MEI and the group-specific primary production from all groups except coccolithophores. In the Atlantic, climate variability as indicated by NAO was significantly correlated to the primary production of 2 out of the 4 groups in the North Central Atlantic (diatoms/cyanobacteria) and in the North Atlantic (chlorophytes and coccolithophores). We found that climate variability as indicated by SAM had only a limited effect on group-specific primary production in the Southern Ocean. These results provide a modeling and data assimilation perspective to phytoplankton partitioning of primary production and contribute to our understanding of the dynamics of the carbon cycle in the oceans at a global scale.
Investigation of Leaf Diseases and Estimation of Chlorophyll Concentration in Seven Barley Varieties Using Fluorescence and Hyperspectral Indices
Authors: Yu Kang , Leufen Georg , Hunsche Mauricio , Noga Georg , Chen Xinping , Bareth Georg
Published: December 2013

Leaf diseases, such as powdery mildew and leaf rust, frequently infect barley plants and severely affect the economic value of malting barley. Early detection of barley diseases would facilitate the timely application of fungicides. In a field experiment, we investigated the performance of fluorescence and reflectance indices on (1) detecting barley disease risks when no fungicide is applied and (2) estimating leaf chlorophyll concentration (LCC). Leaf fluorescence and canopy reflectance were weekly measured by a portable fluorescence sensor and spectroradiometer, respectively. Results showed that vegetation indices recorded at canopy level performed well for the early detection of slightly-diseased plants. The combined reflectance index, MCARI/TCARI, yielded the best discrimination between healthy and diseased plants across seven barley varieties. The blue to far-red fluorescence ratio (BFRR_UV) and OSAVI were the best fluorescence and reflectance indices for estimating LCC, respectively, yielding R2 of 0.72 and 0.79. Partial least squares (PLS) and support vector machines (SVM) regression models further improved the use of fluorescence signals for the estimation of LCC, yielding R2 of 0.81 and 0.84, respectively. Our results demonstrate that non-destructive spectral measurements are able to detect mild disease symptoms before significant losses in LCC due to diseases under natural conditions.
Structural-Acoustic Coupling Effects on the Non-Vacuum Packaging Vibratory Cylinder Gyroscope
Authors: Xi Xiang , Wu Xuezhong , Wu Yulie , Zhang Yongmeng , Tao Yi , Zheng Yu , Xiao Dingbang
Published: December 2013

The resonant shells of vibratory cylinder gyroscopes are commonly packaged in metallic caps. In order to lower the production cost, a portion of vibratory cylinder gyroscopes do not employ vacuum packaging. However, under non-vacuum packaging conditions there can be internal acoustic noise leading to considerable acoustic pressure which is exerted on the resonant shell. Based on the theory of the structural-acoustic coupling, the dynamical behavior of the resonant shell under acoustic pressure is presented in this paper. A finite element (FE) model is introduced to quantitatively analyze the effect of the structural-acoustic coupling. Several main factors, such as sealing cap sizes and degree of vacuum which directly affect the vibration of the resonant shell, are studied. The results indicate that the vibration amplitude and the operating frequency of the resonant shell will be changed when the effect of structural-acoustic coupling is taken into account. In addition, an experiment was set up to study the effect of structural-acoustic coupling on the sensitivity of the gyroscope. A 32.4 mV/°/s increase of the scale factor and a 6.2 Hz variation of the operating frequency were observed when the radial gap size between the resonant shell and the sealing cap was changed from 0.5 mm to 20 mm.
Evolution Stings: The Origin and Diversification of Scorpion Toxin Peptide Scaffolds
Authors: Sunagar Kartik , Undheim Eivind , Chan Angelo , Koludarov Ivan , Muñoz-Gómez Sergio , Antunes Agostinho , Fry Bryan
Published: December 2013

The episodic nature of natural selection and the accumulation of extreme sequence divergence in venom-encoding genes over long periods of evolutionary time can obscure the signature of positive Darwinian selection. Recognition of the true biocomplexity is further hampered by the limited taxon selection, with easy to obtain or medically important species typically being the subject of intense venom research, relative to the actual taxonomical diversity in nature. This holds true for scorpions, which are one of the most ancient terrestrial venomous animal lineages. The family Buthidae that includes all the medically significant species has been intensely investigated around the globe, while almost completely ignoring the remaining non-buthid families. Australian scorpion lineages, for instance, have been completely neglected, with only a single scorpion species (Urodacus yaschenkoi) having its venom transcriptome sequenced. Hence, the lack of venom composition and toxin sequence information from an entire continent’s worth of scorpions has impeded our understanding of the molecular evolution of scorpion venom. The molecular origin, phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary histories of most scorpion toxin scaffolds remain enigmatic. In this study, we have sequenced venom gland transcriptomes of a wide taxonomical diversity of scorpions from Australia, including buthid and non-buthid representatives. Using state-of-art molecular evolutionary analyses, we show that a majority of CSα/β toxin scaffolds have experienced episodic influence of positive selection, while most non-CSα/β linear toxins evolve under the extreme influence of negative selection. For the first time, we have unraveled the molecular origin of the major scorpion toxin scaffolds, such as scorpion venom single von Willebrand factor C-domain peptides (SV-SVC), inhibitor cystine knot (ICK), disulphide-directed beta-hairpin (DDH), bradykinin potentiating peptides (BPP), linear non-disulphide bridged peptides and antimicrobial peptides (AMP). We have thus demonstrated that even neglected lineages of scorpions are a rich pool of novel biochemical components, which have evolved over millions of years to target specific ion channels in prey animals, and as a result, possess tremendous implications in therapeutics.
L'or du Soudan avant les Almoravides, mythe ou réalité ?
Authors: Cahen Claude
Published: December 2013

L'or du Soudan a souvent été décrit, même dans des travaux érudits, comme quelque chose de presque légendaire. Naturellement son importance depuis la fin du XIe siècle, sous la dynastie almoravide et après elle, est indubitable, mais il n'en résulte pas que son importance ait été la même antérieurement. Bien que l'existence d'une certaine forme de production de cet or soit déjà attestée au Ville siècle, son impact sur l'histoire économique et monétaire semble être resté très limité jusqu'à la moitié du Xe siècle. Même après cette époque, aucune trace de cet or n'est trouvée en Europe au nord de l'Italie du Sud avant le milieu du XIe siècle ; en ce qui concerne l'orient musulman nous ne pouvons encore avoir une opinion précise, et l'Egypte et l'Asie ne doivent pas être Nous ne devons pas laisser l'enthousiasme prendre la place de la critique.
Autorité mystique et pouvoir d' État ; religieuse des royaumes des Grands Lacs
Authors: Chrétien Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2013

The example of the early kingdoms of the Great Lakes illustrates the complexity of relationships between religion and political power. Despite analytical frameworks which view the former as a mere reflexion of the latter, it would appear in this case that royalty and the initiation cuit (kubandwa, religion cwezï) are intrinsically intertwined, but within varied historical circumstances. Sometimes a subversive and popular tradition expresses itself by pitting a sacred model of origins against the momentary difficulties of those in political power ; sometimes a social order affirms itself, legitimized by beliefs and the cuits while at the same time being manipulated by the ruling aristocraties. This contradictory image, both conservative and subversives, jointly expressed by religious and political authorities, may reflect the development of a " civil society " broader in scope and less confining than a purely lineage-based value System. The secular context of Western socio-political change furnishes one means to understanding such history.
Les travaux et les jours de la Mission Sainte-Marie du Gabon (1845-1880). Agriculture et modernisation
Authors: Tornezy Odette
Published: December 2013

A partir de 1845, les missionnaires français de la Congrégation du Saint-Esprit, installés essentiellement à Sainte-Marie du Gabon, s'efforcèrent de développer sur leur concession l'agriculture pour se procurer des vivres frais, pour éduquer leurs jeunes élèves et pour contribuer à la mise en valeur de la nouvelle colonie. Payant largement de leur personne, malgré les obstacles climatiques et le mépris de la population locale pour le travail manuel, ils réussirent, après de longues années d'efforts et bien des échecs, à assurer une production variée de légumes et de fruits, sans compter les produits de l'élevage, et jouèrent un rôle de premier plan dans l'implantation de cultures nouvelles, comme le caféier, le palmier à huile et surtout le cacaoyer. Certains pères, passionnés de botanique, furent de véritables pionniers pour la connaissance scientifique de la flore gabonaise. Malgré critiques et hésitations, les missionnaires de Sainte-Marie pouvaient, à la fin du xixe siècle, être fiers de leur œuvre.
La Légion d'Orient et la Légion arabe
Authors: Tauber Eliezer
Published: December 2013

To break up the Ottoman empire in the Middle East, the British and French governments supported the Arab uprising in 1916-1918. They respectively built up the Arab Légion and the Légion d'Orient without any links with Hussein's and Fayçal's rebellion against the Turkish rule. Because the heterogeneity of the recruits, their lack of motivation and discipline, both legions were strategically poor and militarily unefficient. Only the Armenians of the Légion d'Orient performed their role.
Une décolonisation confisquée ? Perspectives sur la décolonisation du Cameroun sous tutelle de la France 1955-1960
Authors: Michel Marc
Published: December 2013

La décolonisation du Cameroun a été marquée par une violence dont la responsabilité a été attribuée d'un côté au pouvoir colonial, de l'autre à une stratégie réfléchie de l'Union des Populations camerounaises et la lecture des événements se fit à travers les lunettes de l'anticommunisme et du « tribalisme ». Les très nombreux documents aujourd'hui accessibles, montrent tout à la fois la pertinence et les limites de ces deux interprétations. l'UPC interdite après les événements sanglants de mai 1955, fut un mouvement patriotique ; mais elle choisit une stratégie d'affrontement qui la conduisit au terrorisme sur le modèle algérien, sans posséder la capacité politique et militaire de ce dernier. Après, la mort de son leader historique, Ruben Um Nyobè, en septembre 1958, elle fut aspirée dans la spirale de l'extrémisme et récupérée dans le camp anti-occidental. En 1960 , elle choisit la voie du terrorisme généralisé et une guerre civile qu 'elle ne contrôle pas véritablement en pays bamiléké. Isolée dans le pays, désavouée à l'extérieur et surtout à l'ONU, neutralisée par la politique de répression et de ralliement du gouvernement Ahidjo, l'UPC se voit confisquer l'accès au pouvoir au moment de l'indépendance.
La Banque d'Athènes, point de jonction entre deux outre-mers bancaires (1904-1953)
Authors: Bonin Hubert
Published: December 2013

Two strategies of company development abroad are studied in parallel but too through their interaction. On one side an investment bank, Banque de l'union parisienne, extended its skills in commercial banking towards several foreign countries - besides its links with African affairs and international financial activities - among which was Greece ; it became the godfather of Banque d'Athènes and kept that role for half a century, down to 1953. It got inserted within money flows between Paris and Athènes (besides Adriatic Sea, towards Egean Sea, therefore), either infavor of permanent refinancing opérations, or for exchange operations or in order to accompany the financing commercial exchanges. Parallely Banque de l'union parisienne helped Banque d'Athènes to reinforce its activities within the range of its own overseas activities, towards Eastern Mediterranea and Egypt, towards Egean Sea and Black Sea flows, up to the Danubian area and Odessa, which constituted therefore a second overseas basis. The growth of that latter benefitted with its complementary interaction with the former, and this was the originality of that couple between a Paris commercial bank and an Athenien bank.
Discourse and distortion : critical reflections on studying the Saharan slave trade
Authors: McDougall E. Ann
Published: December 2013

Cet article s'inscrit dans un courant de travaux récents en littérature ayant influencé la manière d'appréhender l'étude de l'histoire et de l'historiographie. Il suggère que notre compréhension de la traite trans-saharienné a été modelée par deux discours du XIXe siècle : l'abolitionnisme et l'orientalisme. L'auteur montre qu'ils se sont tous deux rejoints dans un processus de détournement des réalités de la traite trans-saharienne, qu'il s'agisse du mouvement abolitionniste illustré par l'ouvrage de Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton ou bien des récits de voyageurs et des articles de journalistes de l'époque. Un examen de quelques uns des travaux majeurs du vingtième siècle, en commençant par les ouvrages très remarqués d'E.W. Bovill, révèle la récurrence de ce type de langage et de concepts, alors même que le champ de l'histoire africaine s'est considérablement élargi. Parmi les autres arguments mis en avant dans ce type de discours figurent : l'assertion selon laquelle un "orientalisme" revigoré a finalement décapité l'Afrique ; l'idée d'un "monde musulman" indéfini comprenant à la fois l'Afrique du Nord et la plupart du Sahara, isolant ainsi "l'Afrique sub- saharienne" de l'Islam ; celle d'un abolitionnisme réincarné dans l'histoire du monde atlantique, étudié prioritairement à partir de l'Amérique (et de l'Afro-Amérique) , comme l'atteste en particulier l'étude de la traite atlantique. La traite trans-saharienne telle que nous l'entendons actuellement est le produit de ces puissants développements politiques et culturels et des discours dans lesquels ils continuent d'être articulés.
Note sur les « dettes » de l'esclavage : le cas de l'indemnité payée par Haïti (1825-1883)
Authors: Blancpain François
Published: December 2013

Much separates the immense traffic in slaves from the small quarrel over the indemnity that Haiti had to pay to France as recognition of its independence, and, much later, from the different loans Haiti launched on the Parisian market to balance its finances. Ignorance or demagogy are too often combined. This article places these questions in their historical context.
Processus d'acquisition et de transmission des ressources africaines dans les sources européennes du XVIIe au XIXe siècle
Authors: Juhé-Beaulaton Dominique , Laine Agnès
Published: December 2013

This article is a first approach into how the African continent was integrated in networks of knowledge. Wefocus on methods of exchange and constitution of knowledge, and seek to distinguish the role of the various categories of actors, both European and African. These networks were organized step by step starting from the contributions of travellers, local intermediaries and around the development of learned societies whose activities could be encouraged or initiated by the states. Europeans, in their will to know new resources, encountered various difficulties - which were gradually overcome - on the material and technical aspects. While others, cultural, religious and political, were creating problems to have access to the local knowledge. However, Europeans could observe certain diseases and obtain information on mainly from popular knowledge. During the XIXth century African " medical material " treatises appeared. The structuration of research around the quinquina and other plants which could be used as substitute shows the processes of acquisition and transmission ofnew therapeutic resources.
Le regard d'un juge espagnol du Tribunal Mixte des Nouvelles-Hébrides (Vanuatu) 1936-1939
Authors: Roux Jean-Claude , Walter Annie
Published: December 2013

Cet article présente l'analyse d'un ouvrage publié par un juge espagnol, président de droit du Tribunal arbitral du condominium des Nouvelles- Hébrides. Il nous a paru d'autant plus intéressant qu'il concerne une période qui peut être considérée comme celle de la stabilisation coloniale d'un territoire très spécifique. LeVanuatu a connu une longue situation floue, au point de vue juridique et administratif, constituant une sorte d'exception coloniale franco- britannique. . .

A la suite de la Guerre du Pacifique, cet archipel connaîtra une série de transformations lentes sur fond d'une rituelle rivalité entre les deux puissances condominiales et qui aboutira à son indépendance en 1980.
Églises et État en Nouvelle-Calédonie de 1853 à 1914 ou les raisons d'une séparation inachevée
Authors: Terrier Christiane
Published: December 2013

En 1901, le budget des cultes, en régression rapide depuis l'arrivée du gouverneur Feillet est supprimé, anticipant de quatre années ce qu'aurait pu être la séparation de l'Église et de l'État dans cette colonie. La virulence et l'ancienneté de l'anticléricalisme caractérisent l'histoire calédonienne du XIXe siècle. Conflits personnels et d'intérêts ou incompatibilité fondamentale entre une ecclésiologie de proximité s'adressant principalement aux Kanak et colonisation de peuplement constituent l'interrogation principale de notre étude. La compréhension des origines de ce phénomène rend indispensable tant l'évocation des relations entre administration coloniale, confessions et écoles depuis la prise de possession en 1853 que les raisons qui les ont progressivement conduites de la complémentarité au conflit. Les gouvernements de Paul Feillet et de son successeur Picanon de 1894 à 1905 marquent l'apogée du conflit entre l'Église catholique et l'État en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Puis la période qui précède la Première guerre mondiale se traduit par un apaisement progressif des relations et la non application de la loi de Séparation.
République et élites locales : Mayotte (1880-1947)
Authors: Denis Isabelle , Rezzi Nathalie
Published: December 2013

Isabelle DENIS, Nathalie REZZI : République et élites locales à Mayotte : 1880-1947.

II s'agit d'étudier les hauts fonctionnaires qui se sont succédés à Mayotte et dont les titres ont varié (gouverneurs, administrateurs et hauts commissaires) au cours de la période 1880-1947 : après une définition de leurs pouvoirs et de leur mission, l'étude portera sur leurs origines géographiques, familiales, sociales et professionnelles ainsi que sur leur formation (études et diplômes) afin de voir si ces différents éléments les préparaient à cohabiter et à partager le pouvoir avec des élites locales souvent jalouses de leurs connaissances et de leurs privilèges.

La réaction et les relations de ces deux entités (administration coloniale et élites locales) peuvent être appréhendées à partir des archives géographiques (même lacunaires) amis aussi à partir des dossiers personnels (contenant souvent des documents descriptifs de la situation locale). Bien sûr l'étude de la réaction des élites locales (ces élites seront définies et présentées au cours de l'étude) sera tributaire de la subjectivité des fonctionnaires qui l'évoquent.

Notre étude se propose donc de se consacrer aux 40 hauts fonctionnaires pour lesquels on peut consulter les dossiers (soumis à dérogation) et de pouvoir réfléchir sur l'installation de la République.

Sur « un confetti » et surtout comment elle réagit face à des populations qui ont eu souvent le sentiment d'être « abandonnées ».
Hesperinus ninae Papp & Krivosheina (Diptera: Hesperinidae) from Georgia: the second record of this peculiar species
Authors: Kurina Olavi
Published: December 2013

A second record of Hesperinus ninae Papp & Krivosheina, 2010 is given on the basis of material collected by sweep net from the northern slope of the Saguramo range north of Tbilisi, Georgia. The habitus and male terminalia are illustrated and the systematics briefly discussed.
A Clinical, Pathological, and Genetic Characterization of Methotrexate-associated Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Authors: Yamakawa Noriyuki , Fujimoto Masakazu , Kawabata Daisuke , Terao Chikashi , Nishikori Momoko , Nakashima Ran , Imura Yoshitaka , Yukawa Naoichiro , Yoshifuji Hajime , Ohmura Koichiro , Fujii Takao , Kitano Toshiyuki , Kondo Tadakazu , Yurugi Kimiko , Miura Yasuo , Maekawa Taira , Saji Hiroh , Takaori-Kondo Akifumi , Matsuda Fumihiko , Haga Hironori , Mimori Tsuneyo
Published: December 2013

Objective.

Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders (MTX-LPD) often regress spontaneously during MTX withdrawal, but the prognostic factors remain unclear. The aim of our study was to clarify the clinical, histological, and genetic factors that predict outcomes in patients with MTX-LPD.

Methods.

Patients with MTX-LPD diagnosed between 2000 and 2012 were analyzed retrospectively regarding their clinical course, site of biopsy, histological typing, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)in situhybridization and immunostaining, and HLA type.

Results.

Twenty-one patients, including 20 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 1 with polymyositis, were analyzed. The mean dose of MTX was 6.1 mg/week and the mean duration of treatment was 71.1 months. Clinically, 5 patients were diagnosed with EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcer (EBVMCU) and had polymorphic histological findings. The proportion of those patients successfully treated solely by withdrawal of MTX was significantly greater than that of those without EBVMCU (75% vs 7.7%, p = 0.015). The HLA-B15:11 haplotype was more frequent in patients with EBV+ RA with MTX-LPD than in healthy Japanese controls (p = 0.0079, Bonferroni’s method). EBV latency classification and HLA typing were not associated with the prognosis of MTX-LPD in our cohort.

Conclusion.

Our data demonstrate that patients in the EBVMCU, a specific clinical subgroup of MTX-LPD, had a better clinical outcome when MTX was withdrawn than did other patients with MTX-LPD.
Outcome Measures in Acute Gout: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Dalbeth Nicola , Zhong Cathy S. , Grainger Rebecca , Khanna Dinesh , Khanna Puja P. , Singh Jasvinder A. , McQueen Fiona M. , Taylor William J.
Published: December 2013

Objective.

Five core domains have been endorsed by Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) for acute gout: pain, joint swelling, joint tenderness, patient global assessment, and activity limitation. We evaluated instruments for these domains according to the OMERACT filter: truth, feasibility, and discrimination.

Methods.

A systematic search strategy for instruments used to measure the acute gout core domains was formulated. For each method, articles were assessed by 2 reviewers to summarize information according to the specific components of the OMERACT filter.

Results.

Seventy-seven articles and abstracts met the inclusion criteria. Pain was most frequently reported (76 studies, 20 instruments). The pain instruments used most often were 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) and 5-point Likert scale. Both methods have high feasibility, face and content validity, and within- and between-group discrimination. Four-point Likert scales assessing index joint swelling and tenderness have been used in numerous acute gout studies; these instruments are feasible, with high face and content validity, and show within- and between-group discrimination. Five-point Patient Global Assessment of Response to Treatment (PGART) scales are feasible and valid, and show within- and between-group discrimination. Measures of activity limitations were infrequently reported, and insufficient data were available to make definite assessments of the instruments for this domain.

Conclusion.

Many different instruments have been used to assess the acute gout core domains. Pain VAS and 5-point Likert scales, 4-point Likert scales of index joint swelling and tenderness and 5-point PGART instruments meet the criteria for the OMERACT filter.
Aportaciones al cálculo de la latitud en la náutica española de principios del siglo XVII contenidas en el manuscrito de Diego Ramírez de Arellano Reconocimiento de los estrechos de Magallanes y San Vicente, con algunas cosas curiosas de navegación (1621)
Authors: Díaz Hernández Ignacio
Published: December 2013

En 1620 es nombrado piloto mayor de la Casa de Contratación de Sevilla Diego Ramírez de Arellano, autor de un manuscrito titulado Reconocimiento de los estrechos de Magallanes y San Vicente, con algunas cosas curiosas de navegación. Había participado en la misión de reconocimiento a la que alude el título del manuscrito, y en el mismo desarrolla métodos e instrumentos para realizar una náutica entendida científicamente, e incluso utiliza una metodología próxima a la ciencia moderna, como al refutar la teoría de Figueiredo acerca de la relación lineal entre la longitud geográfica y la variación magnética de la aguja náutica. En este artículo se desarrollan algunas conclusiones a las que permite llegar un análisis del manuscrito. Se centra en la exposición que Diego Ramírez realizó en el mismo acerca de un procedimiento útil para los pilotos del cálculo de la latitud de un lugar por medio de alturas extrameridianas del Sol, lo cual implicaba un gran avance en los métodos de navegación de la época. También se esbozan las motivaciones e intereses geopolíticos de la monarquía hispana para promover la expedición de reconocimiento que hizo posible el manuscrito y las innovaciones que contiene.
Tensile Properties of Angle Cured Laminated Composites Structures under Gravity Effects
Authors: bin Yaakob Mohd Yuhazri , Jennise Teng Teng Tan , Sihombing H. , bin Said Md Radzai , Nirmal U. , Megat Ahmad M.M.H.
Published: December 2013

As the usage of composites materials are significant in the industries of automobiles, shipping and constructions due to their non-corrosive and high strength to weight ratio. Anyway, the production of composites needed to be increased to meet the demand. At this stage, problem faced by Small and Medium Industries / Entrepreneurs (SMI/E) is the confined and limited space available that restricts the optimum productivity. They commonly cure the composites horizontally that requires ample space and unable to afford for high-end equipment such as mechanical oven and autoclave in the production as a result of high capital cost.This research is carried out to study the feasibility of the gravity effects on curing position of the laminated composite structures to enhance the curing space needed. The aim of the research was to investigate the tensile properties of the thermosetting laminated composite by curing the laminate at different angle using vacuum bagging technique. From the testing, SN 5 which denominated to be 60 ̊ found to have the best tensile properties in term of maximum force exerted and Youngs modulus.