bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Platelet Activity as Measured by Mean Platelet Volume
Authors: Shah Binita , Sha Daohang , Xie Dawei , Mohler Emile R. , Berger Jeffrey S.
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE

The association between platelet activity, diabetes, and glucometabolic control is uncertain. We aim to investigate mean platelet volume (MPV), a marker of platelet size and platelet activity, with the prevalence of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and degree of glycemic control.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of 13,021 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2004. Prevalence of diabetes was defined as nonfasting glucose >200 mg/dL, fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, or treatment with hypoglycemic agents. Presence of metabolic syndrome was determined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Odds ratios and 95% CIs were estimated by logistic regression.

RESULTS

MPV was significantly higher in subjects with diabetes (8.20 vs. 8.06 femtoliter [fL], P < 0.01) but not in subjects with metabolic syndrome (8.09 vs. 8.07 fL, P = 0.24). For the metabolic syndrome components, MPV was significantly higher in abdominal obesity (P = 0.03) and low HDL (P = 0.04), and not different in high blood pressure (P = 0.07), abnormal glucose metabolism (P = 0.71), or hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.46). There was a significant correlation between MPV and glucose (P < 0.0001) and between MPV and hemoglobin A1c (P < 0.0001) in subjects with diabetes. These correlations were no longer significant in those without diabetes. The adjusted odds of diabetes rose with increasing MPV levels and were most pronounced in subjects with MPV levels exceeding the 90th percentile (≥9.31 fL). The association between MPV and diabetes was most apparent in those with the poorest glucose control.

CONCLUSIONS

Mean platelet volume is strongly and independently associated with the presence and severity of diabetes.
Whole-Blood Tissue Factor Procoagulant Activity Is Elevated in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Singh Anamika , Boden Guenther , Homko Carol , Gunawardana Jay , Rao A. Koneti
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE

To determine tissue factor procoagulant activity (TF-PCA) in patients with type 1 diabetes and to examine effects of hyperglycemia and hyperglycemia plus hyperinsulinemia on TF-PCA.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We have determined circulating TF-PCA and other coagulation factors under basal (hyperglycemic) conditions, after acute correction of hyperglycemia, in response to 24 h of selective hyperglycemia, and in response to 24 h of hyperglycemia plus hyperinsulinemia in nine type 1 diabetic patients and in seven nondiabetic control subjects.

RESULTS

As shown previously in patients with type 2 diabetes, basal TF-PCA and plasma coagulation factor VIIa (FVIIa) were higher in patients with type 1 diabetes than in nondiabetic control subjects. However, in contrast with type 2 diabetes, normalizing glucose did not decrease the elevated TF-PCA levels, and raising glucose or glucose plus insulin levels did not increase TF-PCA.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with type 1 diabetes have elevated circulating TF-PCA and FVIIa levels and are in a procoagulant state that may predispose them to acute cardiovascular events. The mechanisms regulating TF-PCA in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different and should be further explored.
Ideaesthesia: Conceptual processes assign similar colours to similar shapes
Authors: Jürgens Uta , Nikolić Danko
Published: March 2012

One of the main problems in understanding synaesthesia is determining whether it is a sensory or semantic phenomenon-a problem also known as the distinction between ‘low-’ vs. ‘high-level’ synaesthesia. Recently, it has been reported that in grapheme-colour synaesthesia, the colour associated to a letter is chosen by similarity to other letters. Letters of similar shapes tend to elicit similar colours. The authors explained this result by low-level cross-wiring between grapheme and colour brain areas. In the present study we show that when new graphemes are learned, they also associate synaesthetic colours based on shape- and colour similarity. Importantly, these novel associations between graphemes and colors are created within minutes, which is too rapid to be accounted for by cross-wiring. In addition, the dimensions of similarity used to create these associations were more abstract than what would be expected from elementary features processed in the grapheme area. Therefore, we conclude that the result is better explained by high-level conceptual mechanisms that guide the choices and creation of synaesthetic concurrents.
A Two-Scale Numerical Approach to Granular Systems / Wybrane Problemy Szacowania Prawdopodobienstwa Zawodu W Sytuacji Pozaru
Authors: Nitka M. , Tejchman J.
Published: March 2012

A two-scale numerical homogenization approach was used for granular materials. At small-scale level, granular micro-structure was simulated using the discrete element method. At macroscopic level, the finite element method was applied. An up-scaling technique took into account a discrete model at each Gauss integration point of the FEM mesh to derive numerically an overall constitutive response of the material. In this process, a tangent operator was generated with the stress increment corresponding to the given strain increment at the Gauss point. In order to detect a loss of the solution uniqueness, a determinant of the acoustic tensor associated with the tangent operator was calculated. Some elementary geotechnical tests were numerically calculated using a combined DEM-FEM technique
Optimised Mix Design for Normal Strength and High Performance Concrete Using Particle Packing Method
Authors: Gopinath S. , Murthy A. Ramachandra , Ramya D. , Iyer Nagesh R.
Published: March 2012

This paper presents the details of optimized mix design for normal strength and high performance concrete using particle packing method. A critical review of mix design methods have been carried out for normal strength concrete using American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) methods highlighting the similarities and differences towards attaining a particular design compressive strength. Mix design for M30 and M40 grades of concrete have been carried out using ACI, BIS and particle packing methods. Optimization of concrete mix has been carried out by means of particle packing method using EMMA software, which employs modified Anderson curve to adjust the main proportions. Compressive strength is evaluated for the adjusted proportions and it is observed that the mixes designed by particle packing method estimates compressive strength closer to design compressive strength. Further, particle packing method has been employed to optimize the ingredients of high performance concrete and experiments have been carried out to check the design adequacy of the desired concrete compressive strength.
Investigations of Geosynthetic Interlayer Bonding in Asphalt Layers / Badania Połaczen Miedzywarstwowych W Warstwach Asfaltowych Z Geosyntetykiem
Authors: Zielinski P.
Published: March 2012

The paper presents the results of an extensive investigation of asphalt concrete specimens with geosynthetic interlayer. The subject of this research is evaluation of influence of geosynthetics interlayer applied to bituminous pavements on interlayer bonding of specimens. The results of the tests proves that when geosynthetic is used, the bonding of interlayer depends mainly on the type of bituminous mixture, the type of geosynthetic, and the type and amount of bitumen used for saturation and sticking of geosynthetic. The amount of bitumen used in order to saturate and fix the geosynthetic significantly changes the interlayer bonding of specimens.
Effect of Changes in Land Use During the 20th Century on Woodland and Calcareous Grassland Vegetation in Southern Poland
Authors: Dzwonko Zbigniew
Published: March 2012

In the modern agricultural landscape major threats to plant species diversity are loss and fragmentation of habitats and communities. During the last century natural and semi-natural communities have faced also cessation of tradition management and increased load of nutrients. This paper presents a survey of studies on vegetation dynamics of woodlands in the northern part of the Carpathian foothills and of calcareous grasslands on limestone hills near Kraków. The causes of fargoing changes observed in communities of these types and possible management for their conservation are discussed. The nature conservation value of woods can be assessed by means of ancient woodland plant species indicators.
Vegetation Transformations of Kujawy-Pomerania Region in the Last Twenty Years Period
Authors: Załuski Tomasz
Published: March 2012

This paper contents dynamic tendencies analysis results of Kujawy-Pomerania region (N Poland) for a 20-year time period. Acreage changes as well as structure and species composition transformations of forest and shrub vegetation (associations) and non-forest vegetation (alliances) were evaluated. Main factors influencing on regressive and progressive changes were set out. Analysis was relied on results of geobotanical research and observations of selected objects. Regressive changes were noted for i.a. thermophilous oak forests, dry and fresh coniferous forests, aquatic, halophytic, pasture vegetation, vegetation of Molinion and Cnidion meadows, heaths and xerothermic grasslands. Whereas progressive were observed in case of mixed coniferous forests, mesophytic shrubs, rush and tall herbs vegetation, fresh meadows and some ruderal communities.
Ancient Woodlands’ and Synanthropic Plants as Indicators of Maintenance of the Forest Communities in the Nature Reserves of the Oświęcim Basin
Authors: Wilczek Zbigniew , Romańczyk Michał , Barć Alicja
Published: March 2012

The landscape of the Oświęcim Basin, naturally dominated by forest communities, has been strongly transformed due to the long-term activities of man. Across time and space, it has been stamped by pond management and agriculture to the highest degree. Despite such a strong transformation of the natural environment fragments of forests which reflect the peculiarities of forest vegetation of the macroregion still occur. These are the Żaki and the Przeciszów nature reserves. The goal of the phytosociological studies done within their borders was the assessment of the Tilio-Carpinetum phytocoenoses which dominate in the reserves, regarding their: maintenance, naturalness, anthropological changes and compliance to anthropopressure, as well as natural values. Therefore, analyses related to the share of: character species, ancient woodland indicators and synanthropes were performed for purposes of the study. It has been proposed that transformations of the forest communities be assessed using the new formula of floristic naturalness coefficient (WNF), based on the share of ancient woodland and synanthropic species.
Reaction of Coniferous Forest Vegetation to Particulate Deposition Under Alkaline Pressure
Authors: Świercz Anna
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to determine direction, rate and character of the changes in coniferous forest communities caused by anthropogenic stress factors (alkaline emission and imission) changing with time. To fulfil this goal, we have performed comprehensive studies of soils and plants at the study sites located in coniferous forest communities remaining under direct influence of cement and lime industry in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. There were differences in the accumulation of elements in pine needles collected at alkalized sites in comparison with needles from the control site: Ca content was 2.5 times higher and Cu, Pb and Sr contents were 2–3 times higher, while Al and Fe, and Mn contents were twice and 10 times lower respectively. SEM analysis of morphological features of pine needle surface, in particular degree of preservation of epicuticular waxes can be as an indicator of assimilatory organ degeneration caused by dust deposition which induces wax layer erosion. Declining species number and biodiversity, particularly conspicuous at the Sitkówka site, was a general tendency observed over the study period (from 18 to 10 years). Other noticeable processes include slow regenerative changes of the community with a tendency towards higher contribution of acidophilic coniferous forest species with lower light and temperature requirements and suppression of meadow, ruderal and associated taxa. Further studies are required in order to define succession rate and direction of changes in species composition of these communities.
Analytical approach calculating eigenfrequencies and modes of stator cores in AC machines
Authors: Witczak Paweł
Published: March 2012

Analytical approach calculating eigenfrequencies and modes of stator cores in AC machines

The paper describes analytical approach solving the problem of dynamic analysis of two-dimensional fields of vibrational displacements and rotations caused by magnetic forces acting on stator of AC machine. Final set of three differential equations converted into algebraic ones is given and it is confronted with numerical solutions obtained by finite element method.
3-D optimal design of laminated yoke of billet heater for rolling wire rod using ON/OFF method
Authors: Takahashi Norio , Nakazaki Shunsuke , Miyagi Daisuke , Uchida Naoki , Kawanaka Keiji , Namba Hideyuki
Published: March 2012

3-D optimal design of laminated yoke of billet heater for rolling wire rod using ON/OFF method

The optimization method using the ON/OFF sensitivity analysis has an advantage that an epoch-making construction of magnetic circuit may be obtained. Therefore, it is attractive for designers of magnetic devices. We have already developed the ON/OFF method for the optimization of a static magnetic field problem, and the effectiveness is verified by applying it to the optimization of magnetic recording heads. In this paper, the ON/OFF sensitivity method is extended to the optimization of the eddy current problem using the adjoint variable. The newly developed ON/OFF method is applied to the determination of the optimal topology of the yoke of the billet heater for rolling wire rod. As a result, the optimal shape of yoke, which we could not imagine beforehand can be obtained. It is shown that the local heating of the yoke was reduced without decreasing the heating efficiency.
Borrelia afzelii and immune response of BALB/c mice
Authors: Žákovská Alena , Rusňáková Helena , Nejedlá Petra , Vostal Karel
Published: March 2012

The aim of our study was to find a possible existence of various vaccination effects on the formation of antibodies against three individualBorrelia afzeliistrains (dead cell suspension) isolated from a vector, potential vector and host of this spirochaete, which makes this experiment unique in the research of Lyme disease causative agents. Three strains ofBorrelia afzeliiwere isolated from three different sources:Ixodes ricinustick (BRZ 9),Culex (Culex) pipiens molestusmosquito (BRZ 14) andApodemus flavicolliswild rodent (BRZ 21). Vaccination induced formation of IgM and IgG in the BALB/c mice (males) and these antibodies were detected in the serum by the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). IgM antibodies were significantly increased in the mice immunized with BRZ 21 in the third sera testing (P< 0.001) and IgG antibodies in the mice immunized with the BRZ 9 and BRZ 21 strains (P< 0.01) during the whole three-sample collection. Significant differences were found in antibody concentration by comparison of groups immunized with BRZ 9/BRZ 21 and BRZ 14 (P< 0.001), probably caused by the amount of antigen of BRZ 14 strain. Such finding implies that the immune system of the host (rodent), attacked by the same genospecies of pathogenic borreliae (B. afzelii) coming from different sources reacts with the same intensity. This is the first study of reaction of the same borrelian antigen mixture coming from various sources.
Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination of the Bílina River (Czech Republic) using passive water samplers and fish biliary metabolites
Authors: Blahová Jana , Schandlová Lucie , Grabic Roman , Fedorová Ganna , Randák Tomáš , Svobodová Zdeňka
Published: March 2012

The aim of the study was to assess polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination on the Bílina River (the Czech Republic) by measurement of three PAH biliary metabolites in fish and 16 PAHs in passive samplers. A total of sixty-one fish were collected; the indicator species were chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.; n = 25), roach (Rutilus rutilus L.; n = 17) and brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario L.; n = 19). Three biliary PAH metabolites were measured: 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), 2-naphtol, and 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, but only 1-OHP was detected in all fish. The highest median value of 32.3 ng·mg-1of 1-OHP was found at Ústí nad Labem, while the lowest median value of 27.6 ng·mg-1was found in the control site, Březenec. No significant differences (P < 0.05) among the sites were found. The highest concentration of PAH was detected in Litvínov-Záluží (172.0 ng·l-1) and the lowest concentration (7.9 ng·l-1) was detected in Březenec. A positive, but non-significant correlation (rs = 0.8) was confirmed between biliary 1-OHP and total PAH in passive samplers. These results indicate the highest pollution in the middle stretches of the Bílina River, especially at Litvínov-Záluží. We confirmed 1-OHP as the most prevalent PAH biliary metabolite in fish that could be used as a biomarker for assessment of PAH pollution of the aquatic ecosystem. The main importance of the present study is in the combination of biochemical and chemical monitoring that provides complex evaluation of aquatic environment contamination. It was the first study on the Bílina River, in which the assessment of PAH contamination in the aquatic ecosystem was realized using combination of biotic and abiotic monitoring.
Wage Losses of Displaced Older Men: Does Selective Retirement Bias Results?
Authors: Schirle Tammy
Published: March 2012

In this paper I provide evidence that suggests selective retirement does not bias estimates of wage losses due to displacement. I estimate the magnitude of hourly wage losses faced by workers who are displaced when over the age of 50. I account for the self-selection of older workers into retirement, which prevents observation of some workers' potential wage losses. The results confirm that high tenured older workers face large wage losses following displacement.
Early Christian Art and Divine Epiphany
Authors: Jensen Robin M.
Published: March 2012

Abstract:

Drawing upon the work of art historians, historians of ancient Christianity have incorporated the evidence of early Christian visual art in their studies, primarily in order to identify the iconographic content, formal style, and social or religious context of the artifacts or monuments under consideration. This essay argues that, while their standard motifs and compositions undoubtedly served a didactic purpose and reflected the cultural, ideological, or exegetical location, practices, or commitments of patrons, early Christian art also served an epiphanic function; it presented the divine image to viewers in an external and accessible form. Thus, by attending specifically to the relationship of image and observer and the setting in which these objects were viewed, it is possible to see them, like later icons, as devices that facilitated meditation, prayer, and even visionary encounters with the holy.
Theosophical Influences on the Painting and Writing of Lawren Harris: Re-Imagining Theosophy through Canadian Art
Authors: Stoeber Michael
Published: March 2012

Abstract:

Lawren Harris (1885–1970) was a prominent painter in Canada and the United States. He was instrumental in the forming of the Canadian Group of Seven in 1920, and in the 1930s he helped to organize the Canadian Group of Painters and the Transcendental Painting Group in New Mexico. Harris worked to promote the development of the arts in Canada, and he became an influential figure whose paintings are currently quite popular and valuable. In 1924 he became a formal member of the Toronto Lodge of the International Theosophical Society. He was a committed and active theosophist, and he published a number of essays and contributed to radio broadcasts on the topic. He was influenced by theosophical beliefs and ideas throughout his life, so much so that one might say that he re-imagined theosophy through Canadian art.

This paper explores the nature and role of theosophical ideas in the visual art and writings of Lawren Harris. It clarifies and analyzes the way in which he drew upon theosophical theory in relating art to spiritual transformation and liberation, and in the development of his views of the soul, the artistic process, and intuitive and mystical experiences. It also illustrates how theosophical beliefs and ideas influenced and informed some of Harris's paintings. The paper also reflects in the conclusion on the nature and significance of Harris's thought and painting as a possible response or option to contemporary materialist theories of art, drawing briefly on related ideas espoused by Wassily Kandinsky and proposed in modern art therapy and practical theology.
Ice motion and mass balance at the Allan Hills blue-ice area, Antarctica, with implications for paleoclimate reconstructions
Authors: Spaulding Nicole E. , Spikes Vandy B. , Hamilton Gordon S. , Mayewski Paul A. , Dunbar Nelia W. , Harvey Ralph P. , Schutt John , Kurbatov Andrei V.
Published: March 2012

We present a new surface-balance and ice-motion dataset derived from high-precision GPS measurements from a network of steel poles within three icefields of the Allan Hills blue-ice area, Antarctica. The surveys were conducted over a 14 year time period. Ice-flow velocities and mass- balance estimates for the main icefield (MIF) are consistent with those from pre-GPS era measurements but have much smaller uncertainties. The current study also extends these measurements through the near-western icefield (NWIF) to the eastern edge of the mid-western icefield (MWIF). The new dataset includes, for the first time, well-constrained evidence of upward motion within the Allan Hills MIF, indicating that old ice should be present at the surface. These data and terrestrial meteorite ages suggest that paleoclimate reconstructions using the surface record within the Allan Hills MIF could potentially extend the ice-core-based record beyond the 800 000 years currently available in the EPICA Dome C core.
Numerical simulations of cyclic behaviour in the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM)
Authors: Van Pelt Ward J.J. , Oerlemans Johannes
Published: March 2012

Numerical experiments are conducted on a synthetic topography with a three-dimensional thermomechanically coupled ice-sheet model, the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM). Within the model, combined stress balances are connected to evolving thermodynamics and hydrology. The sensitivity of cyclic behaviour to changes in sliding-law parameters and the climate input is studied. Multiple types of oscillations were found, with strong variations in both amplitude and frequency. A physical description is given, in which these variations and transitions from one oscillation type to another are linked to the interplay of stresses, heat transport and hydrological processes. High-frequency oscillations (period 114-169 years), which are shown to have a major impact on ice velocities and a small effect on the ice volume, are related to variations in the water distribution at the base. Low-frequency cycles (period 1000+ years), which have a major impact on both velocities and ice volume, are linked to changes in the thermal regime. Oscillation characteristics are shown to be strongly sensitive to changes in sliding-law parameters and the prescribed surface temperature and mass balance. Incorporating a surface-height dependence of the mass balance is shown to provide an additional feedback, which may induce long- period oscillations.
Structural analysis of the baroque parish church of Zsámbék
Authors: Armuth Miklós , Hegyi Dezső , Árpád Sipos András
Published: March 2012

On the walls and vaults of the Roman Catholic Parish Church of Zsámbék cracks have long been observed. According to the parishioners, the crack widths have widened recently and new cracks have also appeared. This may have happened due to the increased traffic of the road beside the church.
In this paper we report on the structural analysis, including the investigation of vibrations induced by the traffic in the structural elements. We found that the weakness of the structural system of that age results from uneven settlement of the foundations due to the soil strata and constructional errors from the previous restorations. As the result of our analysis we recommended possible solutions for restoring the structural integrity of the church building.
Discours touristiques et fiction des Caraïbes: le suspens du temps
Authors: Moura Jean-Marc
Published: March 2012

Je voudrais montrer comment un certain imaginaire touristique transforme les Caraïbes en une merveille édénique afin d'attirer les clients occidentaux. Cette construction de l'archipel en espace originel n'est cependant pas l'apanage du tourisme contemporain, elle a été précédée par un ensemble de discours parfois littéraires et anciens sur les îles paradisiaques. Il s'agit donc d'examiner ces discours de deux façons : à la manière d'une généalogie, pour en décrire les sources, et selon les axes d'une histoire littéraire, afin de vérifier comment les auteurs caribéens réagissent à ces discours. Je prendrai notamment les exemples d'Aimé Césaire (Cahier d'un retour au pays natal), V.S. Naipaul (les œuvres sur les Caraïbes), Daniel Maximin (L'Isolé Soleil). J'espère parvenir ainsi à envisager de grandes images, littéraires ou non, des Caraïbes en archipel sorti du temps, et les principaux éléments stylistiques et de poétique liés à cette représentation.
Les Modalités du voyage: trajets temporels et itinéraires identitaires dans les œuvres de Déwé Görödé (1985–2009)
Authors: Jouve Dominique
Published: March 2012

Résumé

Les notions de voyage et de trajet s'entendent dans la littérature kanak francophone de Déwé Görödé dans une perspective militante et féministe. L’étude s'appuie sur les poésies et les nouvelles parues entre 1985 et 2009 pour analyser les rapports entre la présentation d'un monde kanak défini par relation avec son lieu donné comme identitaire, la tribu détruite et déstructurée par la colonisation, et les nouvelles relations spatiales entraînées par les activités militantes. Sans s'attacher à l'idéalisation du passé d'avant la colonisation, l'auteure donne à voir la nécessité du retour à la tribu, l'ouverture de nouveaux réseaux liés au souci de l'internationalisation des luttes et de nouvelles difficultés pour les femmes, avec la mise en accusation d'un donjuanisme masculin persistant.
La Temporalité dans le récit de voyage: Monory et l'Amérique
Authors: Stefanich Fernando
Published: March 2012

Un voyage, c'est la découverte d'une culture et d'une société. Dans toute l’œuvre de Jacques Monory (1924-), peintre français appartenant à la Figuration narrative et auteur des romans policiers, on trouve référence au voyage. En 1967, Monory séjourne quatre mois à Cuba, puis il découvre les Etats-Unis où il fera plusieurs séjours. Cet article représente un travail interdisciplinaire qui, en analysant sa production picturale et littéraire, nous permettra de saisir la complexité de sa création artistique marquée par le dialogue et la confrontation interculturelle.
Relationships of Sun-Protection Habit Strength with Sunscreen Use During Outdoor Sport and Physical Activity
Authors: Lawler Sheleigh , McDermott Liane , O’Riordan David , Spathonis Kym , Eakin Elizabeth , Leslie Evie , Gallois Cindy , Berndt Nadine , Owen Neville
Published: March 2012

The objective of this cross-sectional questionnaire study was to assess associations of a self-report index of sun protection habit strength with sunscreen use in sporting environments and outdoor physical activity. Participants (n = 234) in field hockey, soccer, tennis and surf sports in Queensland, Australia, completed a self-administered survey on sun protection during organized sport, and during general outdoor physical activity during 2005/2006. The sun protection habit strength index was dichotomized into two categories. Multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed the associations of low versus high sun protection habit strength with three categories of sunscreen use (no or rare use; inadequate use; and adequate use). Compared to participants with low sun protection habit strength, those with high sun protection habit strength had significantly greater odds of any sunscreen use during organized sport and during general outdoor physical activity. This association was strongest for adequate sunscreen use in both settings. In conclusion, this study suggests that the measure of sun protection habit strength is a potentially useful assessment tool for future sun protection studies.
Identification and Characterization of an Anti-Fibrotic Benzopyran Compound Isolated from Mangrove-Derived Streptomyces xiamenensis
Authors: Xu Min-Juan , Liu Xiao-Jin , Zhao Yi-Lei , Liu Dong , Xu Zhen-Hao , Lang Xiao-Meng , Ao Ping , Lin Wen-Han , Yang Song-Lin , Zhang Zhi-Gang , Xu Jun
Published: March 2012

An anti-fibrotic compound produced by Streptomyces xiamenensis, found in mangrove sediments, was investigated for possible therapeutic effects against fibrosis. The compound, N-[[3,4-dihydro-3S-hydroxy-2S-methyl-2-(4¢R-methyl-3¢S-pentenyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl]carbonyl]-threonine (1), was isolated from crude extracts and its structure, including the absolute configuration was determined by extensive spectroscopic data analyses, Mosher’s method, Marfey’s reagent and quantum mechanical calculations. In terms of biological effects, this compound inhibits the proliferation of human lung fibroblasts (WI26), blocks adhesion of human acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1) to a monolayer of WI26 cells, and reduces the contractile capacity of WI26 cells in three-dimensional free-floating collagen gels. Altogether, these data indicate that we have identified a bioactive alkaloid (1) with multiple inhibitory biological effects on lung excessive fibrotic characteristics, that are likely involved in fibrosis, suggesting that this molecule might indeed have therapeutic potential against fibrosis.
Modeling Chemical Interaction Profiles: I. Spectral Data-Activity Relationship and Structure-Activity Relationship Models for Inhibitors and Non-inhibitors of Cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 Isozymes
Authors: McPhail Brooks , Tie Yunfeng , Hong Huixiao , Pearce Bruce A. , Schnackenberg Laura K. , Ge Weigong , Valerio Luis G. , Fuscoe James C. , Tong Weida , Buzatu Dan A. , Wilkes Jon G. , Fowler Bruce A. , Demchuk Eugene , Beger Richard D.
Published: March 2012

An interagency collaboration was established to model chemical interactions that may cause adverse health effects when an exposure to a mixture of chemicals occurs. Many of these chemicals—drugs, pesticides, and environmental pollutants—interact at the level of metabolic biotransformations mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. In the present work, spectral data-activity relationship (SDAR) and structure-activity relationship (SAR) approaches were used to develop machine-learning classifiers of inhibitors and non-inhibitors of the CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 isozymes. The models were built upon 602 reference pharmaceutical compounds whose interactions have been deduced from clinical data, and 100 additional chemicals that were used to evaluate model performance in an external validation (EV) test. SDAR is an innovative modeling approach that relies on discriminant analysis applied to binned nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral descriptors. In the present work, both 1D 13C and 1D 15N-NMR spectra were used together in a novel implementation of the SDAR technique. It was found that increasing the binning size of 1D 13C-NMR and 15N-NMR spectra caused an increase in the tenfold cross-validation (CV) performance in terms of both the rate of correct classification and sensitivity. The results of SDAR modeling were verified using SAR. For SAR modeling, a decision forest approach involving from 6 to 17 Mold2 descriptors in a tree was used. Average rates of correct classification of SDAR and SAR models in a hundred CV tests were 60% and 61% for CYP3A4, and 62% and 70% for CYP2D6, respectively. The rates of correct classification of SDAR and SAR models in the EV test were 73% and 86% for CYP3A4, and 76% and 90% for CYP2D6, respectively. Thus, both SDAR and SAR methods demonstrated a comparable performance in modeling a large set of structurally diverse data. Based on unique NMR structural descriptors, the new SDAR modeling method complements the existing SAR techniques, providing an independent estimator that can increase confidence in a structure-activity assessment. When modeling was applied to hazardous environmental chemicals, it was found that up to 20% of them may be substrates and up to 10% of them may be inhibitors of the CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 isoforms. The developed models provide a rare opportunity for the environmental health branch of the public health service to extrapolate to hazardous chemicals directly from human clinical data. Therefore, the pharmacological and environmental health branches are both expected to benefit from these reported models.
Synthesis of mesomeric betaine compounds with imidazolium-enolate structure
Authors: Gonsior Nina , Mohr Fabian , Ritter Helmut
Published: March 2012

The synthesis of a heterocyclic mesomeric betaine by quaternization reaction of 1-butylimidazole and tetrabromo-1,4-benzoquinone is presented. The structure was verified by means of X-ray single-crystal analysis, NMR and IR spectroscopy. Inclusion complexes of the heterocyclic mesomeric betaine with randomly methylated (1.8) β-cyclodextrin were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy. Furthermore, the reaction conditions were applied to poly(vinylimidazole) and 1,4-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butane to obtain functionalized polymer networks and condensate polymers, respectively.
Les électeurs de la N-VA aux élections fédérales du 13 juin 2010
Authors: Swyngedouw Mark , Abts Koen
Published: March 2012

La N-VA reste de loin le premier parti en Flandre : de récents sondages la placent toujours en tête des intentions de vote, malgré un léger tassement. Qui sont ses électeurs ? Le Courrier hebdomadaire en dresse un profil-type basé sur l’électorat de 2010. Les auteurs ont interrogé quelque 1800 électeurs flamands, dont près du tiers ayant voté pour le parti de Bart De Wever. Les résultats de cette enquête permettent d’établir dans quelle mesure l’électorat de la N-VA est représentatif de la population flamande. Ces électeurs se recrutent dans presque toutes les couches socio-culturelles et socio-économiques. Les cadres supérieurs, les employés et les fonctionnaires sont cependant légèrement surreprésentés, à l’inverse des indépendants, des ouvriers non qualifiés et des diplômés du primaire : l’extraordinaire poussée de la N-VA ne s’explique donc pas par le vote des couches populaires. Par ailleurs, même s’il est majoritairement chrétien, l’électorat de la N-VA transcende largement tous les clivages religieux et idéologiques. L’étude éclaire aussi les principales préoccupations de l’électorat de la N-VA, et notamment ses positions vis-à-vis de la structure future de la Belgique, du nationalisme flamand et de l’immigration. Distinguant entre électeurs fidèles et électeurs conquis en 2010, elle permet de se rendre de compte de l’impact exact de l’« effet De Wever » et de la volonté de changement politique qui s’exprime au sein de la population néerlandophone.
Interactions langue-littérature et approches didactiques
Authors: Coirault Déborah , David Jacques
Published: March 2012

Nous montrons comment les formulations didactiques de plusieurs manuels sont souvent alimentées par des discours convenus, peu explicites qui conduisent les élèves vers des impasses procédurales. Pour ce faire, nous analysons les démarches induites de deux manuels de troisième, démarches qui associent l’étude de la langue pour mettre en valeur des procédés littéraires, mais qui induisent des contresens en engageant les élèves dans l’étude à priori ou décalés de faits de langue et de textualité sophistiqués et abstraits, sans liens réels avec les phénomènes linguistiques et les effets de sens accessibles. Au delà de l’analyse critique, nous proposons une démarche qui part des interprétations du texte pour aller vers une analyse de ses caractéristiques et propriétés spécifiques, afin de montrer son efficacité littéraire, dans un double mouvement descendant puis ascendant.
Questions d'altérité
Authors: Fombuena Valero Josefa
Published: March 2012

Résumé Cette communication rend compte de la question de savoir qui est l’autre en travail social. Pour cela, nous chercherons les textes des auteurs qui ont réfléchi à cette question. Avec Buber, nous montrerons que l’autre existe dans la mesure où se crée un espace d’authenticité, en tête à tête, l’un avec l’autre, espace dans lequel peut apparaître l’humanité de la rencontre «?je-tu?». Avec Lévinas, nous avancerons un peu plus et nous indiquerons comment l’autre est finalement, et premièrement, celui qui nous fait humains, qui nous rend à l’humanité, dans une exigence de responsabilité éthique envers l’autre. À partir de ces données, l’œuvre d’Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy nous aidera à concrétiser, dans la relation professionnelle d’aide, le souci de l’autre. Boszormenyi-Nagy indique que le souci de l’autre agit comme un puissant motif pour que les individus prennent responsabilité des difficultés par lesquelles ils passent. Finalement, nous récupérerons les écrits et la biographie de Mary E. Richmond, pour asseoir l’organisation d’un individu en société, suffisamment solide pour pouvoir affronter les multiples crises. En partant de ces quatre auteurs, nous situerons l’intervention sociale dans une trame institutionnelle dans laquelle interviennent autant les facteurs «?durs?» comme le territoire, les nouvelles technologies, les règlements, les lois et les procédures, que les facteurs «?doux?» comme les relations interpersonnelles.
Lien entre Motivation et Insight dans la prise en charge des addictions
Authors: De Sousa Carla , Romo Lucia , Excoffier Angélique , Guichard Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2012

Résumé Dans le domaine des addictions, différentes théories motivationnelles existent, comme le modèle transthéorique de Prochaska et Diclemente, la théorie de l’autodétermination de Deci et Ryan, le principe de flux de Csikszentmihalyi, et le modèle PRIME de West et West, afin d’aider les personnes concernées à dépasser leur problème. Miller et Rollnick définissent la motivation comme étant la probabilité qu’une personne s’engage et poursuive une démarche spécifique de changement. Il s’agit d’une dimension indispensable pour l’adhésion aux traitements et pour le maintien du changement. Dans les services de prise en charge des addictions, le manque d’observance au traitement médicamenteux, les abandons précoces et les rechutes sont des problèmes fréquemment rencontrés. Face à ces difficultés, nous nous sommes intéressés à des études portant sur la motivation au changement chez des patients dépendants à une substance. Par ailleurs, l’insight est une dimension souvent étudiée chez les schizophrènes, mais beaucoup moins chez les patients alcoolodépendants. Il se définit comme « la perception et la conscience de son propre trouble ». Des études ont mis en évidence le rôle de l’insight et de la motivation sur la compliance au traitement. Nous avons passé en revue la littérature abordant le lien entre ces différentes notions. Nous nous interrogeons quant à l’implication de l’insight sur la motivation dans les addictions.
history of subversive remix video before YouTube: Thirty political video mashups made between World War II and 2005
Authors: McIntosh Jonathan
Published: March 2012

A compilation of politically subversive remix videos published between World War II and the launch of YouTube in 2005.
Structural Fatigue Analysis of a Container Crane
Authors: Lu Shi Qing , Xiao Han Bin , Deng Ping
Published: March 2012

This paper presents an approach to evaluate the structural fatigue life of port cranes. Based on a testing of 40t/45m container crane in a port of China, the stress time-history collection, data processing, the determination of S-N curve and the distribution of the load amplitude is analyzed in detail. Finally, the modified linear cumulative damage law is employed to evaluate the remaining safety service life of the container crane. The result of this study can be a reference for the anti-fatigue structural design of cranes, and it also provides a guideline for ports’ management and maintenance departments to make maintenance plans for port cranes.
Study on 4Cr9Si2 Martensitic Heat-Resistant Steel in CWR
Authors: Huang Jiang Hua , Liu Jin Ping , Wang Bao Yu , Hu Zheng Huan
Published: March 2012

4Cr9Si2 Martensitic heat-resistant steel is inlet valve and the exhaust tappet materials. This paper is based on the constitutive relationship of 4Cr9Si2 Martensitic heat-resistant steel obtained by isothermal compression; a finite element model of Cross Wedge Rolling was build up for 4Cr9Si2 Martensitic heat-resistant steel. In the model the heat conduction between billet and the die, the convection of heat transfer, and the thermal conversion of plastic work and friction work were taken in account, the value of damage was obtained in the rolling and central porosity was analysis. Then verify the correctness of the FEM and feasibility of simulation results by the experiment
Test Analysis on the Model of Expression Based on the Thematical Statistic Method
Authors: Yu Jian Hong
Published: March 2012

In order to find out the Chinese students’ abilities in the choice of English expression vocabulary,the relationship between the abilities and the quality of English expression and whether the quality. influenced by the abilities,choosing the undergraduate students of non-English major as the test objects, the author has done some investigaton and test experments,which include the cloze,the collocation of noun and verb noun and so on.Through this test,the choosing knowledge of English words of the tested is far less than their total vocabulary.Moreover, these students use more expression of their mother language instead of that of English,which is not acceptable by the people whose native language is English.Sometimes, the vocabulary collocation is easy to be replaced, however,there also exist some words and expression very difficult to be replaced. Therefore, we can draw the conclusion that English words and expression of quality is in the presence of great relevance, and students' word choosing abilities would affect the quality of the English expression to a large extent.
Development and Application of Four Typical Rapid Prototyping Technologies
Authors: Yang Xue Ling , Wang Di , Yu Dong Man
Published: March 2012

Rapid prototyping (RP) is an advanced manufacturing technology and has obtained widely application in recent years. RP technology can be used to machine complex physical part directly from CAD data without any cutter or technical equipments. A variety of new rapid manufacturing technologies have emerged and developed include Stereo Lithography (SL), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM), and Three Dimensional Printing (3-D Printing). The paper summaries the working principle and discusses the application fields for four typical rapid prototyping technologies. Finally, the significant performance of rapid prototyping for modern industry is discussed. The investigation is beneficial for choosing an optimal forming process in industry.
Study on the Indiscrete Tuned Mass Damper for Buffeting Control of Long Span Cable-Stayed Bridges
Authors: Wang Xiong Jiang , Xu Jia Yun , Chen Ji
Published: March 2012

A study of buffeting control of the E-dong Bridge Using an indiscrete tuned mass damper (ITMD) system is performed in this paper. Different from the traditional multiple tuned mass damper (MTMD) system which is fixed along the main span of bridge discretely, this indiscrete tuned mass damper is attached to the centre region of the bridge’s main span continuously. A three-dimensional finite element model of E-dong Bridge, is completed by the software of ANSYS. By comparing the vertical and lateral buffeting response of bridge without dampers, the control efficiency of ITMD and MTMD is confirmed.
The Stress Analysis of Pressurized Cylindrical Shell with a Surface Crack under Laser Irradiation
Authors: Du Li Ping , Wang Hong , Tong Yu Xia
Published: March 2012

For the structure failure of pressurized cylindrical shell under laser irradiation, studied with axial semi-elliptical surface crack of cylindrical shell under the combined action of laser radiation and pressure, analysis of its thermal force coupling of stress and material for the 30CrMnSiA steel. According to of static fracture toughness and based on theof estimated impact dynamic fracture toughness, the application of finite element method to study the fracture problem under dynamic load. Analyzing the crack initiation propagation and static dynamic initiation based on fracture criterion and dynamic fracture criterion for crack initiation propagation, provides a useful research of the analysis to a certain extent on the structure in thermal force coupling failure mechanism.
Preparation and Characterization of Immobilization of Lipase in Amino-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica
Authors: Wang Chun Feng , Zhou Guo Wei , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2012

Porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) was immobilized in ordered mesoporous silica materials, which were using PEG 2000 (poly (ethylene glycol)) and P123 as dual templates and synthesized via hydrothermal process. The materials were silylated by (3aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) by postsynthesis-grafting method. Samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, and BET. The results showed that the 2-dimensional hexagonal mesoscopic structure kept unchanging after modification. As compared to lipase immobilized mesoporous silica, the loading amount and hydrolization activity of lipase immobilized on aminopropyl-grafted mesoporous silica increased, respectively.
Experiment Research on the Surface Tension and Contact Angle of Modified Camouflage Coating
Authors: Xie Wei Hong , Zhou Nan , Li Shun Cai , Bao Guo
Published: March 2012

In thisexperiment, nanoCaCO3, nanoSiO2, nanoTiO2and nanoZnO were chosen and added into waterborne camouflage coating respectively to make nanomaterial camouflage coatings. Both the surface tension and the contact angle of the coating (on steel plate and on concrete blocks) were measured by the OCA15+ video optics contact angle admeasuring apparatus; the nanomaterials influence on the interfacial properties of camouflage coating were studied based on its changing concentration. The experiment indicates that the relationship between the concentration of nanomaterial and the surface tension of the coating coincides with the Szyszkowski formula, but only when the concentration is relatively low; nanoSiO2has the best effect in improving the interfacial properties of camouflage coatings. It also proves that adding proper nanomaterial is an efficient way to improve the coatings durability.
Influence of AgNO3 on Photoluminescence Properties of Porous Silicon
Authors: Zhang Hong Yan , Lv Xiao Yi , Jia Zhen Hong
Published: March 2012

Porous silicon (PS) has the strong photoluminescence (PL) at room temperature and high specific surface. In this paper, we have fabricated the PS coated with silver nanoparticles as a substrate. The result shows that the substrate made in this way is stable for more than twenty days and the strong PL intensity of PS is around 584nm after immersed into solution of AgNO3. The formation of SiAg bond was demonstrated to be responsible for the improvement of PL properties.