bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flavones Isolated from Scutellariae radix Suppress Propionibacterium Acnes-Induced Cytokine Production In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Tsai Po-Jung , Huang Wen-Cheng , Hsieh Ming-Chi , Sung Ping-Jyun , Kuo Yueh-Hsiung , Wu Wen-Huey
Published: December 2015

Scutellariae radix, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, has long been applied in traditional formulations and modern herbal medications. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) in follicles can trigger inflammation and lead to the symptom of inflammatory acnes vulgaris. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Scutellariae radix extract and purified components isolated from it on inflammation induced by P. acnes in vitro and in vivo. The results showed the ethyl acetate (EA) soluble fraction from the partition of crude ethanolic extract from Scutellariae radix inhibited P. acnes-induced interleukin IL-8 and IL-1β production in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Seven flavones were isolated from the EA fraction by repeated chromatographies, and identified as 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone (FL1, oroxylin), 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (FL2, wogonin), 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (FL3, 7-O-methylwogonin), 5,6′-dihydroxy-6,7,8,2′-tetramethoxy flavone (FL4, skullcapflavone II), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (FL5), 5,2′,6′-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (FL6, viscidulin II), and 5,7,2′,5′-tetrahydroxy-8,6′-dimethoxyflavone (FL7, ganhuangenin). They all significantly suppressed P. acnes-induced IL-8 and IL-1β production in THP-1 cells, and FL2 exerted the strongest effect with half maximal inhibition (IC50) values of 8.7 and 4.9 μM, respectively. Concomitant intradermal injection of each of the seven flavones (20 μg) with P. acnes effectively attenuated P. acnes-induced ear swelling, and decreased the production of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in ear homogenates. Our results suggested that all the seven flavones can be potential therapeutic agents against P. acnes-induced skin inflammation.
Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Natural Antioxidants from the Flower of Jatropha integerrima by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Xu Dong-Ping , Zhou Yue , Zheng Jie , Li Sha , Li An-Na , Li Hua-Bin
Published: December 2015

An ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method was developed for the efficient extraction of natural antioxidants from the flowers of Jatropha integerrima. Four independent variables, including ethanol concentration, solvent/material ratio, ultrasound irradiation time and temperature were studied by single factor experiments. Then, the central composite rotatable design and response surface methodology were employed to investigate the effect of three key parameters (ethanol concentration, solvent/material ratio, and ultrasound irradiation time) on the antioxidant activities of the flower extracts. The optimal extraction conditions were an ethanol concentration of 59.6%, solvent/material ratio of 50:1, ultrasound irradiation time of 7 min, and ultrasound irradiation temperature of 40 °C. Under these conditions, the optimized experimental value was 1103.38 ± 16.11 µmol Trolox/g dry weight (DW), which was in accordance with the predicted value (1105.49 µmol Trolox/g DW). Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of flower extracts obtained by UAE were compared with those produced by the traditional maceration and Soxhlet extraction methods, and UAE resulted in higher antioxidant activities after a shorter time at a lower temperature. The results obtained are helpful for the full utilization of Jatropha integerrima, and also indicate that ultrasound-assisted extraction is an efficient method for the extraction of natural antioxidants from plant materials.
Detecting and Quantifying Biomolecular Interactions of a Dendritic Polyglycerol Sulfate Nanoparticle Using Fluorescence Lifetime Measurements
Authors: Boreham Alexander , Pikkemaat Jens , Volz Pierre , Brodwolf Robert , Kuehne Christian , Licha Kai , Haag Rainer , Dernedde Jens , Alexiev Ulrike
Published: December 2015

Interactions of nanoparticles with biomaterials determine the biological activity that is key for the physiological response. Dendritic polyglycerol sulfates (dPGS) were found recently to act as an inhibitor of inflammation by blocking selectins. Systemic application of dPGS would present this nanoparticle to various biological molecules that rapidly adsorb to the nanoparticle surface or lead to adsorption of the nanoparticle to cellular structures such as lipid membranes. In the past, fluorescence lifetime measurements of fluorescently tagged nanoparticles at a molecular and cellular/tissue level have been proven to reveal valuable information on the local nanoparticle environment via characteristic fluorescent lifetime signatures of the nanoparticle bound dye. Here, we established fluorescence lifetime measurements as a tool to determine the binding affinity to fluorescently tagged dPGS (dPGS-ICC; ICC: indocarbocyanine). The binding to a cell adhesion molecule (L-selectin) and a human complement protein (C1q) to dPGS-ICC was evaluated by the concentration dependent change in the unique fluorescence lifetime signature of dPGS-ICC. The apparent binding affinity was found to be in the nanomolar range for both proteins (L-selectin: 87 ± 4 nM and C1q: 42 ± 12 nM). Furthermore, the effect of human serum on the unique fluorescence lifetime signature of dPGS-ICC was measured and found to be different from the interactions with the two proteins and lipid membranes. A comparison between the unique lifetime signatures of dPGS-ICC in different biological environments shows that fluorescence lifetime measurements of unique dPGS-ICC fluorescence lifetime signatures are a versatile tool to probe the microenvironment of dPGS in cells and tissue.
Response of Arabidopsis thaliana Roots with Altered Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP) Gene Expression to the Clubroot Disease and Salt Stress
Authors: Jülke Sabine , Ludwig-Müller Jutta
Published: December 2015

The clubroot disease of Brassicaceae is caused by the obligate biotrophic protist Plasmodiophora brassicae. The disease is characterized by abnormal tumorous swellings of infected roots that result in reduced drought resistance and insufficient distribution of nutrients, leading to reduced crop yield. It is one of the most damaging diseases among cruciferous crops worldwide. The acquisition of nutrients by the protist is not well understood. Gene expression profiles in Arabidopsis thaliana clubroots indicate that lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) could be involved in disease development or at least in adaptation to the disease symptoms. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the role of some, of the still enigmatic LTPs during clubroot development. For a functional approach, we have generated transgenic plants that overexpress LTP genes in a root specific manner or show reduced LTP gene expression. Our results showed that overexpression of some of the LTP genes resulted in reduced disease severity whereas the lipid content in clubs of LTP mutants seems to be unaffected. Additional studies indicate a role for some LTPs during salt stress conditions in roots of A. thaliana.
Empire, Nationalism and the Jewish Question: Victor Adler and Otto Bauer
Authors: Maderthaner Wolfgang
Published: December 2015

This paper uses the life and thought of two important figures in the history of Austrian socialism—Victor Adler and Otto Bauer—as a prism through which to examine the complex relationship between German nationalism, the Jewish Question and pro-Habsburgism among the early leadership of the Austrian Social Democratic Party.
Urban Land-Cover Change and Its Impact on the Ecosystem Carbon Storage in a Dryland City
Authors: Yan Yan , Zhang Chi , Hu Yunfeng , Kuang Wenhui
Published: December 2015

Lack of research into the complexity in urban land conversion, and paucity of observational data of soil organic carbon (SOC) beneath impervious surface area (ISA) limit our understanding of the urbanization effects on carbon (C) pools in dryland cities. Employing Landsat TM images acquired in 1990 and 2010, a hybrid classification method consisting of Linear Spectral Mixture Analysis and decision tree classification was applied to retrieve the land cover (water, ISA, greenspace, cropland, and remnant desert) of the largest dryland city in China—Urumqi. Based on vegetation carbon (VEGC) and SOC density data determined through field observations and literature reviews, we developed Urumqi’s C pool maps in 1990 and 2010, and assessed the urbanization impacts on ecosystem C. Our results showed that ISA tripled from 1990 to 2010 displacing remnant desert and cropland. The urban landscape, especially the greenspaces, became obviously fragmented. In 2010, more than 95% of the urban ecosystem C was SOC, 48% of which under the ISA. The city lost 19% of C stock from 1990 to 2010. About 82% of the ecosystem C loss was caused by the conversion of remnant desert and cropland into ISA, mainly in the northern city.
Optical Indoor Positioning System Based on TFT Technology
Authors: Gőzse István
Published: December 2015

A novel indoor positioning system is presented in the paper. Similarly to the camera-based solutions, it is based on visual detection, but it conceptually differs from the classical approaches. First, the objects are marked by LEDs, and second, a special sensing unit is applied, instead of a camera, to track the motion of the markers. This sensing unit realizes a modified pinhole camera model, where the light-sensing area is fixed and consists of a small number of sensing elements (photodiodes), and it is the hole that can be moved. The markers are tracked by controlling the motion of the hole, such that the light of the LEDs always hits the photodiodes. The proposed concept has several advantages: Apart from its low computational demands, it is insensitive to the disturbing ambient light. Moreover, as every component of the system can be realized by simple and inexpensive elements, the overall cost of the system can be kept low.
Stand-Alone Solar Organic Rankine Cycle Water Pumping System and Its Economic Viability in Nepal
Authors: Baral Suresh , Kim Kyung
Published: December 2015

The current study presents the concept of a stand-alone solar organic Rankine cycle (ORC) water pumping system for rural Nepalese areas. Experimental results for this technology are presented based on a prototype. The economic viability of the system was assessed based on solar radiation data of different Nepalese geographic locations. The mechanical power produced by the solar ORC is coupled with a water pumping system for various applications, such as drinking and irrigation. The thermal efficiency of the system was found to be 8% with an operating temperature of 120 °C. The hot water produced by the unit has a temperature of 40 °C. Economic assessment was done for 1-kW and 5-kW solar ORC water pumping systems. These systems use different types of solar collectors: a parabolic trough collector (PTC) and an evacuated tube collector (ETC). The economic analysis showed that the costs of water are $2.47/m3 (highest) and $1.86/m3 (lowest) for the 1-kW system and a 150-m pumping head. In addition, the cost of water is reduced when the size of the system is increased and the pumping head is reduced. The minimum volumes of water pumped are 2190 m3 and 11,100 m3 yearly for 1 kW and 5 kW, respectively. The payback period is eight years with a profitability index of 1.6. The system is highly feasible and promising in the context of Nepal.
Scorpions from Mexico: From Species Diversity to Venom Complexity
Authors: Santibáñez-López Carlos , Francke Oscar , Ureta Carolina , Possani Lourival
Published: December 2015

Scorpions are among the oldest terrestrial arthropods, which are distributed worldwide, except for Antarctica and some Pacific islands. Scorpion envenomation represents a public health problem in several parts of the world. Mexico harbors the highest diversity of scorpions in the world, including some of the world’s medically important scorpion species. The systematics and diversity of Mexican scorpion fauna has not been revised in the past decade; and due to recent and exhaustive collection efforts as part of different ongoing major revisionary systematic projects, our understanding of this diversity has changed compared with previous assessments. Given the presence of several medically important scorpion species, the study of their venom in the country is also important. In the present contribution, the diversity of scorpion species in Mexico is revised and updated based on several new systematic contributions; 281 different species are recorded. Commentaries on recent venomic, ecological and behavioral studies of Mexican scorpions are also provided. A list containing the most important peptides identified from 16 different species is included. A graphical representation of the different types of components found in these venoms is also revised. A map with hotspots showing the current knowledge on scorpion distribution and areas explored in Mexico is also provided.
Water Resources Compound Systems: A Macro Approach to Analysing Water Resource Issues under Changing Situations
Authors: Wang Wei , Tang Deshan , Pilgrim Melissa , Liu Jinan
Published: December 2015

Water resource crises are an increasing threat to human survival and development. To reveal the nature of water resource issues under changing situations, the water resources system needs to be studied from a macro and systematic perspective. This report develops a water resources system into a water resources compound system that is constantly evolving under the combined action of the development, resistant, and coordination mechanisms. Additionally, the water quotient is defined as a quantitative representation of the sustainable development state of the water resources compound system. Four cities in China, Beijing, Fuzhou, Urumqi, and Lhasa, were selected as the study areas. The differences in the three types of mechanisms and the water quotient of the water resources compound system of each city in 2013 were compared. The results indicate that the different subsystems that comprise the compound system of a given area have different development mechanisms and resistant mechanisms. There are clear differences in the mechanisms and the water quotients for the water resources compound systems of different regions. Pertinent measures should be taken into account during integrated water resource management to improve the sustainable development status of regional water resources compound systems.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT, WORKERS’ REMITTANCES AND PRIVATE SAVING IN PAKISTAN: AN ARDL BOUND TESTING APPROACH
Authors: Raza Syed Ali
Published: December 2015

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and workers’ remittances on private savings of Pakistan. This study employs ARDL bound testing co-integration approach, rolling window analysis, Granger causality test, Toda and Yamamoto Modified Wald causality test and variance decomposition test. Results indicate the significant positive impact of FDI and workers’ remittances on private savings in the long and short run. Causality analyses confirm the bidirectional causal relationship of FDI and workers’ remittances with private savings. It is recommended that policy makers should form friendly policies to attract more FDI and workers’ remittances in the country which leads to increase private savings in Pakistan. This leads to increase more fund for financial intermediaries to increase domestic investment opportunities in the country. This paper makes a unique contribution to the literature with reference to Pakistan, being a pioneering attempt to investigate the impact of FDI and workers’ remittances on private savings of Pakistan by using the long annual time series data and applying more rigorous econometric techniques.
ERRATUM
Authors: Li Hui , Song Wei , Collins Roger
Published: December 2015

"Erratum." Journal of Business Economics and Management, 16(6), p. 1239
Qu'est-ce qu'être compétent en argumentation à l'oral au secondaire professionnel ?
Authors: Gagnon Roxane
Published: December 2015

L'article présente les résultats d'une analyse des pratiques de formation et d'enseignement de l'oral au secondaire II professionnel. L'analyse met en évidence les transformations que les objets d'une formation continue subissent une fois qu'ils sont incorporés dans les pratiques des enseignants formés. Comment les enseignants d'une institution qui se réclame d'une approche par compétences conçoivent-ils l'enseignement de l'expression orale ? Comment les contextes de la formation et de la culture générale influencent-ils le traitement des objets en lien avec l'argumentation orale ?
Les composantes de la compétence en lecture littéraire
Authors: Falardeau Érick , Sauvaire Marion
Published: December 2015

L'article esquisse une clarification des composantes de la compétence en lecture du Programme de formation de l'école québécoise pour le secondaire, et propose une définition de ses composantes : la compréhension, l'interprétation, la réaction, le jugement critique et la mobilisation de connaissances. L'étude avance une nomenclature des ressources susceptibles d'être mobilisées par des lecteurs compétents, afin de comprendre leur imbrication dans les composantes, ainsi que les modes opératoires à travers lesquels ces ressources sont mises en œuvre, soit la sélection, l'ajout, la suppression et la recomposition d'éléments textuels. L'ensemble se conclut sur les bases d'une évaluation de la compétence qui laisse place à l'expression de la subjectivité du lecteur.
Évaluer la justice
Authors: Breen Emmanuel
Published: December 2015

La construction d’indicateurs chiffrés de performance de la justice répond aux besoins, convergents mais aussi forcément distincts, du droit, de l’économie, de la gestion et de la politique. Une fois précisé le vocabulaire de base, il convient de proposer une série d’indicateurs, en suivant le fil conducteur de la distinction classique des deux fonctions de la justice : dire le droit (jurisdictio) et le faire respecter (imperium) .
Évaluer la justice
Authors: Bacache-Beauvallet Maya
Published: December 2015

Peut-on construire des indicateurs de qualité des services publics et doit-on lier le salaire des fonctionnaires à ces indicateurs ? La construction des indicateurs est complexe (objectifs confus, pluriels et parfois contradictoires, caractère approximatif de l’indicateur). Surtout, au-delà de ces difficultés techniques mais surmontables, l’indexation de la rémunération des agents ou des budgets sur ces indicateurs est source d’effets pervers. Pour les services nécessitant une coopération entre le fonctionnaire et l’usager, si l’indicateur ne correspond pas au véritable objectif, ou encore si l’on souhaite une égalité de traitement et de résultat des usagers, il est inefficace de payer les fonctionnaires suivant les indicateurs de performance. Plutôt que de rémunérer les agents, les indicateurs doivent permettre de repérer les problèmes d’organisation.
Influence de la famille et du réseau relationnel sur l’acte entrepreneurial : cas des entrepreneurs tunisiens
Authors: Abdennadher Sarhan , Trabelsi Karim , Boudabbous Sami
Published: December 2015

Le mythe schumpétérien de l’entrepreneur isolé et héroïque étant de plus en plus critiqué, l’étude de l’incidence de la famille et du réseau relationnel sur l’acte entrepreneurial suscite l’intérêt de nombreux chercheurs. Dans la lignée des travaux de McGee (2000) et de Verstraete et Saporta (2006), le propos du présent article est de mettre en lumière la nature et les déterminants de l’influence de ces acteurs sociaux sur la création d’entreprise. Les résultats d’une série d’entretiens semi-directifs menés auprès de 30 entrepreneurs tunisiens révèlent que pour la famille, cette influence est multiforme, ambivalente, partielle et tributaire de la qualité de la relation entretenue avec le futur entrepreneur. Ainsi, quand bien même la famille désapprouve l’orientation entrepreneuriale de l’un de ses membres, elle stimule l’acte entrepreneurial en pourvoyant inconditionnellement des ressources financières. Quant au réseau relationnel, il agit comme un catalyseur à la création d’entreprise voire un substitut au soutien familial dès lors que celui-ci fait défaut. En ce sens que lorsque les parents inhibent l’acte entrepreneurial, le réseau relationnel prend la relève en soutenant psychologiquement et matériellement le porteur de projet.
Le déploiement du lean santé au Québec en mode agile
Authors: Houle Lucie , Bareil Céline , Gosselin Alain , Jobin Marie-Hélène
Published: December 2015

L’étude examine le parcours emprunté par dix-neuf directeurs des ressources humaines (DRH) et quatre chercheurs ayant choisi la recherche-action pour accompagner le transfert, le partage et la co-construction de connaissances propices au déploiement du Lean Santé au Québec. Propulsée par le Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, cette démarche donne lieu à des ateliers interactifs sur plusieurs thématiques décidées au fur et à mesure selon les besoins anticipés des DRH. Ils ont pu trouver des solutions pragmatiques entre pairs ainsi qu’avec d’autres acteurs qui se sont joints en cours de route. La recherche-action montre que le déploiement du Lean Santé au Québec ne peut se réaliser sans une contextualisation locale du changement. Le mode agile permet justement d’adapter les stratégies de mise en œuvre à l’environnement sans cesse turbulent.
Legal realism et international realism aux États-Unis dans l’entre-deux-guerres
Authors: Zajec Olivier
Published: December 2015

Aux États-Unis, la recherche juridique apparaît actuellement marquée par un mouvement de réévaluation du legs théorique du legal realism . De leur côté, les politistes réinterrogent l’ontologie du réalisme classique des relations internationales. Néanmoins, les échanges qui ont pu exister entre les théoriciens de ces deux écoles ont été très peu examinés jusqu’à présent. En revenant à la période cruciale de l’entre-deux-guerres, cet article montre que les réalistes de l’ordre international partageaient avec les legal realists une même préoccupation réformiste de social change , par-delà les barrières entre ordres interne et externe. Du point de vue de la science politique, l’analyse de ce phénomène contribue à un affinement de notre compréhension des nuances ontologiques du réalisme classique.
La fin du merveilleux : premier cinéma et merveilleux fin-de-siècle
Authors: Frezzato Sylvain
Published: December 2015

L’article s’intéresse à la relation que le premier cinéma entretient avec le merveilleux fin-de-siècle, c’est-à-dire avec un exercice de dévoiement des codes du merveilleux traditionnel d’abord mené dans d’autres champs d’activité artistique, puis ensuite récupéré par le cinéma naissant. L’objectif est de mettre en scène la disparition du merveilleux : la modernité s’introduit dans le conte de fées pour créer un merveilleux à l’usage des adultes, la dépravation l’emporte sur l’innocence. La fée est discréditée : elle perd ses pouvoirs, invite les hommes au relâchement, à l’érotisme. L’usage est aussi à l’inversion de valeurs : les réalisateurs exacerbent l’intérêt porté à l’accessoire. Le merveilleux scientifique, enfin, rationalise l’extraordinaire. La machine banalise le merveilleux, annonce son inutilité, avec ce paradoxe que le premier cinéma renouvelle les codes du merveilleux en annonçant son extinction.
Le « fou artificiel » et ses avatars dans l'œuvre de Baudelaire
Authors: Fréry Nicolas
Published: December 2015

Chez Baudelaire, les amuseurs grotesques sont des personnages tragiques et macabres, dont l’apparence rieuse cache un malaise profond. C’est que le pitre est un « fou artificiel » (« Le Fou et la Vénus »), un être scindé qui à force de feindre la démence, se coupe des autres, de soi et du Vrai. Les paradoxes du pitre, cabotin médiocre et artiste sublime, gagnent à être compris à l’aune de la réflexion baudelairienne sur le rire. Si, dans ses diverses incarnations (bouffon, saltimbanque, histrion sont des figures voisines mais dont les attributs diffèrent), le fou artificiel est un « répondant allégorique du poète » (J. Starobinski), c’est surtout parce que malgré sa « grâce spéciale », il souffre de ne pouvoir approcher du Beau autrement qu’en le singeant par des mimiques risibles.
Les utopies du posthumain ou l’avènement des sociétés oublieuses
Authors: Fauvel Guillaume
Published: December 2015

Un changement décisif s’est opéré avec la « réactualisation » du libéralisme sous la forme du néolibéralisme . Ce changement est celui d’une progressive autonomisation de la technique de la seule raison humaine, pour devenir un objet de compétitivité et un outil du capitalisme dans l’édification d’une nouvelle conception du monde que celui-ci tend à imposer : une conception post-humaniste selon laquelle la science et la technique modifieraient la condition humaine, au point de produire des êtres nouveaux, marquant un tournant décisif dans l’histoire de l’humanité. Ce mécanisme tend aussi à « préparer » notre société contemporaine à un changement inédit dans l’histoire de l’humanité, en édifiant une nouvelle représentation du monde, celle des « sociétés oublieuses ».
The young generation and their social media
Authors: Choi Hang-sub
Published: December 2015

Cet article a pour but d’expliquer l’utilisation des réseaux sociaux par la jeune génération en se basant sur la théorie sociologique du quotidien. Nous pouvons constater qu’il existe une « reliance émotionnelle » dans leur communication réciproque. Ce sont les petits récits, bien frivoles sur la vie quotidienne qui leur permet d’être connectés émotionnellement. Ils sont obstinés de s’exprimer dans les réseaux sociaux pour qu’ils attirent l’attention des autres.
Le patrimoine comme don du temps
Authors: Falcón Roberto Marcelo , Fontal Merillas Olaia , Torregrosa Laborie Apolline
Published: December 2015

Cet article évoque certaines notions du patrimoine d’un point de vue éducatif autour de la métaphore du parfum 1 . À partir de la notion de notes qui composent le parfum, nous pouvons saisir la complexité du patrimoine et ce qu’implique sa continuité au présent. Le patrimoine peut se partager grâce à des expériences artistiques ou des activités éducatives, où il va révéler ses diverses dimensions, ses secrets, ses histoires multiples. Le patrimoine s’offre ainsi entre personnes et prend sens dans les relations qui s’établissent, qui le font vivre et perdurer. Dès qu’il est offert, on le met en destin, on le fait participer d’un temps incarné au présent. La volonté des personnes de maintenir un patrimoine dans la continuité temporelle révèle une force collective pour l’intégrer à la vie quotidienne.
Poupées sur métapode de ruminant
Authors: Maret Pierre de , Sidéra Isabelle
Published: December 2015

Dans l’étude des restes de faune archéologique, les métapodes de ruminant méritent de retenir davantage l’attention. Grâce à la continuité de la séquence d’occupation qui relie sur le Haut-Congo la période du Kisalien classique (ixe-xiiie siècles) aux populations luba actuelles, et sur base de parallèles ethnographiques, il a été possible de montrer que ces os y avaient très vraisemblablement servi de poupées. À partir d’exemples ethnographiques de diverses régions d’Afrique, on constate qu’ils sont soit laissés bruts, habillés ou non, soit modifiés pour y adjoindre des éléments de parure. De telles poupées sont utilisées comme jouets. Elles sont aussi considérées comme favorisant la fertilité des jeunes femmes. L’ethnographie permet ainsi de mieux interpréter la présence d’os similaires dans le Néolithique européen et l’Âge du Bronze au Levant, et d’éclairer les pratiques et les croyances anciennes dans différentes régions du monde.
Notes sur Ndéba, une enceinte fortifiée à la frontière du Cameroun et du Nigéria
Authors: Saulieu Geoffroy de , Zeitlyn David , Nizésété Bienvenu Denis , Ngouoh François
Published: December 2015

L’étude du site fortifié de Ndéba dans la région mambila du Cameroun (Adamaoua) laisse ressortir deux phases successives d’occupation : l’une datée du premier millénaire de notre ère, l’autre, marquée par la construction du fort, appartiendrait à la fin du xixe siècle, voire au début du xxe. Cet établissement est un témoin intéressant de la période d’insécurité généralisée qui couvre tout le xixe siècle, et qui est déjà connue par les sources historiques. Dans un tel contexte, peut-on le considérer comme l’illustration d’une manifestation de prise d’indépendance politique par une petite communauté de l’ouest du Cameroun central ? Cette réflexion est sans doute trop précoce, mais elle cherche à s’orienter vers une interrogation encore non résolue sur les antécédents de ce témoin archéologique visible et sur son enracinement éventuel dans le temps long.
Les appartements de l’impératrice Eugénie aux Tuileries : le xviiie siècle retrouvé ?
Authors: Caron Mathieu
Published: December 2015

Le goût de l’impératrice Eugénie pour le mobilier Louis XVI est bien connu, mais relativement peu étudié dans le détail. Cet article consacré aux appartements de l’impératrice au palais des Tuileries entend s’attacher aux choix esthétiques opérés par la souveraine pour la décoration et l’ameublement de ses appartements. Dans un premier temps, elle s’installa dans une enfilade de pièces au premier étage du palais, donnant sur le jardin, où elle rassembla un ensemble important de mobilier, bronzes d’ameublement et objets d’art du xviiie siècle. Ses choix se portèrent vers les productions artistiques du règne de Louis XVI, qui évoquaient pour elle le souvenir de Marie-Antoinette. Mais bientôt furent substitués à cet appartement de tout nouveaux salons qui, sous la direction de l’architecte du Louvre Hector-Martin Lefuel, donnèrent naissance au style Louis XVI-Impératrice. Loué par la critique comme l’œuvre décorative la plus originale et la plus importante du Second Empire, cet appartement fut un manifeste du néo-xviiie siècle. Dans un écrin moderne, l’impératrice fit disposer des créations contemporaines inspirées de la fin du xviiie siècle voisinant avec des pièces historiques comptant parmi les plus importantes des collections françaises, achevant de léguer à la postérité un goût personnel et impérial intégrant généreusement les productions prestigieuses de la fin de l’Ancien Régime.
L’art de la couleur selon Jean-Henri Riesener
Authors: Paulin Marc-André
Published: December 2015

Le regard sur l’œuvre matérielle de Jean-Henri Riesener montre que dans son processus créatif entre 1770 et la fin de l’Ancien Régime, il y a toujours eu chez l’ébéniste la volonté de produire des meubles présentant de forts contrastes tant dans la polychromie que dans les effets de la matière. Les réalisations de Riesener mettent en lumière dans certains cas le besoin d’utiliser des modèles issus de productions d’ébénistes antérieurs tels André-Charles Boulle, Jean-François Oeben, et dans une certaine mesure, les recherches de Pierre-Élisabeth de Fontanieu en matière d’ersatz de pierres semi-précieuses. Le nouveau répertoire décoratif introduit dans les arts à partir de 1750 fut considérablement inspiré par l’architecture antique. Les marbres, le porphyre, le lapis-lazuli, les jaspes furent les matières idéalisées pour les garnitures à l’antique. Riesener s’en inspirera dans ses marqueteries en bois.
Towards Efficient Spectrum Utilization with Polarization-Based Architectures
Authors: Pratt Thomas G. , Chen Jun , Talebi Farzad
Published: December 2015

Space-polarization MIMO architectures are proposed as a contributing technology to advance efficient spectrum utilization. These architectures have the advantage of leveraging both space and polarization channel correlations, opening the door to diversities and to the effective application of technologies at both the transmit side and the receive side to support spectrum efficiency and sharing. In this paper the authors review some of their work associated with polarization and space-polarization architectures, including channel modeling, sounding and parameter estimation to assist in the development of frequency-selective parametric models for performance characterizations; wideband polarimetric signal suppression; adaptive transmission for interference avoidance; and linear precoding with adaptive power control for energy-efficient communications in packet erasure channels.
Depth-Vision Coordinated Robust Architecture for Obstacle Detection and Haptic Feedback
Authors: Forde Alexander , Laubhan Kevin , Yelamarthi Kumar
Published: December 2015

The lightweight and low-cost 3-dimensional depth sensors have gained much attention in the computer vision and gaming industry. While its performance has been proven successful in the gaming industry, these sensors have not been utilized successfully for assistive devices. Leveraging on this gap, this paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a depth-vision coordinated robust architecture for obstacle detection and haptic feedback system for the blind. The proposed system scans the scene in front, converts it into depth matrix, processes the information, to identify obstacles including physical objects and humans, and provide relevant haptic feedback for navigation of the blind. Through design and evaluation, the proposed system has shown to successfully identify objects and humans, perform real-time distance measurements, and provide a working solution.
Rethinking “Oil Nationalism”
Authors: Abdelrehim Neveen
Published: December 2015

In the early twentieth century, Great Britain began a new wave of imperialism, focusing on areas in the Middle East strategic to enhance their trade. Iran was one of the countries in which Britain gained enormous power and influence. This power was derived from its control of Iranian oil resources, through the Anglo Iranian Oil Company (AIOC). After many years of AIOC producing oil in Iran with Iranian Government support, a wave of economic nationalism led to the nationalization of AIOC in 1951 by the Iranian Prime Minister Musaddiq. The nationalization of the AIOC angered the British and seemed part of a growing pattern of pressure on their interests culminating in wresting Musaddiq from the control of the oil industry. As a result, in considering the above effects, by using AIOC as a case study, a textual analysis of the Chairman's Statement to Shareholders is conducted and the validity of the Statements is reappraised with reference to historical evidence.
Linked Data, Towards Realizing the Web of Data
Authors: Zemmouchi-Ghomari Leila
Published: December 2015

Data play a central role in the effectiveness and efficiency of web applications, such as the Semantic Web. However, data are distributed across a very large number of online sources, due to which a significant effort is needed to integrate this data for its proper utilization. A promising solution to this issue is the linked data initiative, which is based on four principles related to publishing web data and facilitating interlinked and structured online data rather than the existing web of documents. The basic ideas, techniques, and applications of the linked data initiative are surveyed in this paper. The authors discuss some Linked Data open issues and potential tracks to address these pending questions.
LZTFL1 Upregulated by All-Trans Retinoic Acid during CD4+ T Cell Activation Enhances IL-5 Production
Authors: Jiang Hong , Promchan Kanyarat , Lin Bor-Ruei , Lockett Stephen , Chen De , Marshall Heather , Badralmaa Yunden , Natarajan Ven
Published: December 2015

Retinoic acids, which are metabolites of vitamin A, have been shown to be involved in multiple T cell effector responses through their binding to the retinoic acid receptor, a ligand-activated transcription factor. Because the molecular mechanism of regulation by retinoic acid is still not fully uncovered, we investigated the gene expression profile of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)–treated human CD4+ T cells. Leucine zipper transcription factor-like 1 (LZTFL1) was upregulated by ATRA in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of LZTFL1 depended on both ATRA and TCR signaling. LZTFL1 accumulated in the plasma membrane compartment of human CD4+ T cells, and, during immunological synapse formation, it transiently redistributed to the T cell and APC contact zone, indicating its role in T cell activation. Live-cell imaging demonstrates that at the initial stage of immunological synapse formation, LZTFL1 is concentrated at the APC contact site, and, during later stages, it relocates to the distal pole. Knockdown of LZTFL1 reduced the basal- and ATRA-induced levels of IL-5 in CD4+ T cells, and overexpression of LZTFL1 enhanced the TCR-mediated NFAT signaling, suggesting that LZTFL1 is an important regulator of ATRA-induced T cell response. Together, these data indicate that LZTFL1 modulates T cell activation and IL-5 levels.
Bacterial E3 Ubiquitin Ligase IpaH4.5 of Shigella flexneri Targets TBK1 To Dampen the Host Antibacterial Response
Authors: Zheng Zirui , Wei Congwen , Guan Kai , Yuan Yuan , Zhang Yanhong , Ma Shengli , Cao Ye , Wang Fang , Zhong Hui , He Xiang
Published: December 2015

IFN regulatory factors play a pivotal role in many cellular processes, including inflammatory and immune responses. Their activation is tightly regulated by TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). In response to microbial components, TBK1 activates IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and cytokine expression. In this article, we show that TBK1 is a novel target of the IpaH4.5 protein, a Shigella type III effector possessing E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Remarkably, IpaH4.5 interacts with TBK1 and promotes its K48-linked polyubiquitylation. Consequently, polyubiquitylated TBK1 undergoes proteasome-dependent degradation, which perturbs the phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and activation of IRF3. Because IRF3 and TBK1 are required for restricting Shigella growth, we propose that the polyubiquitylation and degradation of TBK1 during Shigella infection are new bacterial strategies to modulate the host antibacterial responses.
CD43 Functions as an E-Selectin Ligand for Th17 Cells In Vitro and Is Required for Rolling on the Vascular Endothelium and Th17 Cell Recruitment during Inflammation In Vivo
Authors: Velázquez Francisco , Grodecki-Pena Anna , Knapp Andrew , Salvador Ane M. , Nevers Tania , Croce Kevin J. , Alcaide Pilar
Published: December 2015

Endothelial E- and P-selectins mediate lymphocyte trafficking in inflammatory processes by interacting with lymphocyte selectin ligands. These are differentially expressed among different T cell subsets and function alone or in cooperation to mediate T cell adhesion. In this study, we characterize the expression and functionality of E-selectin ligands in Th type 17 lymphocytes (Th17 cells) and report that CD43 functions as a Th17 cell E-selectin ligand in vitro that mediates Th17 cell rolling on the vascular endothelium and recruitment in vivo. We demonstrate Th17 cells express CD44, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL)-1, and CD43. Few PSGL-1−/−CD43−/− Th17 cells accumulated on E-selectin under shear flow conditions compared with wild-type cells. CD43−/− Th17 cell accumulation on E-selectin was impaired as compared with wild-type and PSGL-1−/−, and similar to that observed for PSGL-1−/−CD43−/− Th17 cells, indicating that CD43 alone is a dominant ligand for E-selectin. Notably, this finding is Th17 cell subset specific because CD43 requires cooperation with PSGL-1 in Th1 cells for binding to E-selectin. In vivo, Th17 cell recruitment into the air pouch was reduced in CD43−/− mice in response to CCL20 or TNF-α, and intravital microscopy studies demonstrated that CD43−/− Th17 cells had impaired rolling on TNF-α–treated microvessels. Furthermore, CD43−/− mice were protected from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and had impaired recruitment of Th17 cells in the spinal cord. Our findings demonstrate that CD43 is a major E-selectin ligand in Th17 cells that functions independent of PSGL-1, and they suggest that CD43 may hold promise as a therapeutic target to modulate Th17 cell recruitment.
Recruitment of Factor H as a Novel Complement Evasion Strategy for Blood-Stage Plasmodium falciparum Infection
Authors: Kennedy Alexander T. , Schmidt Christoph Q. , Thompson Jennifer K. , Weiss Greta E. , Taechalertpaisarn Tana , Gilson Paul R. , Barlow Paul N. , Crabb Brendan S. , Cowman Alan F. , Tham Wai-Hong
Published: December 2015

The human complement system is the frontline defense mechanism against invading pathogens. The coexistence of humans and microbes throughout evolution has produced ingenious molecular mechanisms by which microorganisms escape complement attack. A common evasion strategy used by diverse pathogens is the hijacking of soluble human complement regulators to their surfaces to afford protection from complement activation. One such host regulator is factor H (FH), which acts as a negative regulator of complement to protect host tissues from aberrant complement activation. In this report, we show that Plasmodium falciparum merozoites, the invasive form of the malaria parasites, actively recruit FH and its alternative spliced form FH-like protein 1 when exposed to human serum. We have mapped the binding site in FH that recognizes merozoites and identified Pf92, a member of the six-cysteine family of Plasmodium surface proteins, as its direct interaction partner. When bound to merozoites, FH retains cofactor activity, a key function that allows it to downregulate the alternative pathway of complement. In P. falciparum parasites that lack Pf92, we observed changes in the pattern of C3b cleavage that are consistent with decreased regulation of complement activation. These results also show that recruitment of FH affords P. falciparum merozoites protection from complement-mediated lysis. Our study provides new insights on mechanisms of immune evasion of malaria parasites and highlights the important function of surface coat proteins in the interplay between complement regulation and successful infection of the host.
Type I IFN–Inducible Downregulation of MicroRNA-27a Feedback Inhibits Antiviral Innate Response by Upregulating Siglec1/TRIM27
Authors: Zheng Qingliang , Hou Jin , Zhou Ye , Yang Yingyun , Cao Xuetao
Published: December 2015

Upon recognition of viral components by pattern recognition receptors, including TLRs and retinoic acid–inducible gene I–like helicases, cells are activated to produce type I IFN, which plays key roles in host antiviral innate immune response. However, excessive IFN production may induce immune disorders, and the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of type I IFN production have attracted much attention. Furthermore, type I IFN activates the downstream IFN/JAK/STAT pathway to modulate expression of a set of genes against viral infection, but whether these genes can feedback regulate type I IFN production is poorly understood. In this study, by screening the microRNAs modulated by viral infection in macrophages, we identified that microRNA (miR)-27a was significantly downregulated via the IFN/JAK/STAT1/runt-related transcription factor 1 pathway. Inducible downregulation of miR-27a, in turn, negatively regulated vesicular stomatitis virus–triggered type I IFN production, thus promoting vesicular stomatitis virus replication in macrophages. Mechanistically, we found that miR-27a directly targeted sialic acid–binding Ig-like lectin (Siglec)1 and E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif–containing protein 27 (TRIM27), both of which were previously verified as negative regulators of type I IFN production. Furthermore, we constructed “Sponge” transgenic mice against miR-27a expression and found that Siglec1 and TRIM27 expression were elevated whereas type I IFN production was inhibited and viral replication was aggregated in vivo. Therefore, type I IFN–induced downregulation of miR-27a can upregulate Siglec1 and TRIM27 expression, feedback inhibiting type I IFN production in antiviral innate response. Our study outlines a new negative way to feedback regulate type I IFN production.
A 73-Year-Old Male with Cervical Spine Osteomyelitis Presenting as Urosepsis
Authors: Kakarlapudi H. , Speirs S. , Lal A.P. , Alaie D. , Petrillo R. , Ashraf M.B. , Kolanuvada B. , Bhargava M.
Published: December 2015

Vertebral osteomyelitis is a serious debilitating infection if not detected early. Involvement of cervical vertebrae is usually seen in the presence of specific risk factors. Urinary tract infection commonly spreads to the lumbar vertebrae. This is a case presentation of an elderly male who, in the absence of specific risk factors for cervical osteomyelitis, presented with symptoms of urinary tract infection and was found to have cervical spine osteomyelitis.
La visibilidad de los Centros de Internamiento de Extranjeros: dinámicas entre el movimiento asociativo y los periodistas
Authors: Agirre Maiora Antxoka , Ruiz Aranguren María , Cantalapiedra Gonzalez María José
Published: December 2015

Se analiza la visibilidad de los Centros de Internamiento de Extranjeros (CIE) en los principales medios de comunicación españoles, y el papel jugado por asociaciones civiles y periodistas a la hora de colocar este tema en la agenda mediática. Metodología. Para ello se procede a realizar un estudio cuantitativo de los textos publicados en los diarios El País, El Mundo, Abc  y el diario.es entre los años 2009 y 2013 y se han realizado entrevistas en profundidad con representantes de asociaciones y periodistas. Resultados. Los resultados muestran que las asociaciones son la principal fuente de este tipo de noticias. Conclusiones. Los informes elaborados con el apoyo de expertos sobre las condiciones de los CIE han permitido a las organizaciones articular un discurso que ha resultado efectivo para llegar a los grandes medios. Los resultados reflejan también que el interés por parte de la profesión ha sido más bien escaso.
Assessment in Vitro of Antibacterial Activity of Manipulated Product, on Solution Form, Obtained from Dry Extract of Leaves of Psidium guajava L.
Authors: Silva Marcos V.S. , Frazão Tayara S. , Ferreira Melyssa M.A.V. , Sales Jandir S. , Vieira Denis B. , Vale Raulison F. F.do , Carmo Luiza H. do , Yano Tomomasa , Figueiredo Patricia M.S.
Published: December 2015

The Psidium guajava L. specie is a perennial shrub, belonging to the Myrtaceae family and it is popularly known as guava, its leaves are used in therapy for treating various diseases. The study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity in vitro of manipulated product obtained from dried extract of the leaves of P. guajava L. front standard bacteria ATCC and clinical isolates. The tests were conducted on bacterial samples: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27883), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella spp, Acinetobacter baumannii, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus mutans. Among the tests can be mentioned phytochemical of the ethanol extract (EE), microbiological control and physical-chemical analysis of the product and microbiological tests such as agar diffusion method (wells), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), an evaluation test of hemolytic capacity of the solution and in vitro assay cytotoxic activity were performed, . The best result of the product in the agar diffusion method was front Staphylococcus epidermidis, while the lower MIC and MBC were front Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). The product showed no hemolytic activity and no cytotoxic activity at the tested concentrations. According to the test results, it is believed on the possibility of the production of a pharmaceutical formulation derived from the dry extract of Psidium guajava, since it showed great antibacterial activity.
Wrapped Zero-inflated Poisson Distribution and Its Properties
Authors: Brobbey Anita , Thavaneswaran Aerambamoorthy , Mandal Saumen
Published: December 2015

Recently, there has been a growing interest in discrete valued wrapped distributions and the trigonometric moments.
Characteristic functions of stable processes have been used to study the estimation of the model parameters using
estimating function approach (Thavaneswaran et al., 2013). In this paper, we introduce a new discrete circular distribution,
the wrapped zero-inflated Poisson distribution and derive its population characteristics.