bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of a Statistical Model of Storm Surge as a Bias Correction for Dynamical Surge Models and its Applicability along the U.S. East Coast
Authors: Salmun Haydee , Molod Andrea
Published: February 2015

The present study extends the applicability of a statistical model for prediction of storm surge originally developed for The Battery, NY in two ways: I. the statistical model is used as a biascorrection for operationally produced dynamical surge forecasts, and II. the statistical model is applied to the region of the east coast of the U.S. susceptible to winter extratropical storms. The statistical prediction is based on a regression relation between the “storm maximum” storm surge and the storm composite significant wave height predicted ata nearby location. The use of the statistical surge prediction as an alternative bias correction for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operational storm surge forecasts is shownhere to be statistically equivalent to the existing bias correctiontechnique and potentially applicable for much longer forecast lead times as well as for storm surge climate prediction. Applying the statistical model to locations along the east coast shows that the regression relation can be “trained” with data from tide gauge measurements and near-shore buoys along the coast from North Carolina to Maine, and that it provides accurate estimates of storm surge.
pTC Plasmids from Sulfolobus Species in the Geothermal Area of Tengchong, China: Genomic Conservation and Naturally-Occurring Variations as a Result of Transposition by Mobile Genetic Elements
Authors: Xiang Xiaoyu , Huang Xiaoxing , Wang Haina , Huang Li
Published: February 2015

Plasmids occur frequently in Archaea. A novel plasmid (denoted pTC1) containing typical conjugation functions has been isolated from Sulfolobus tengchongensis RT8-4, a strain obtained from a hot spring in Tengchong, China, and characterized. The plasmid is a circular double-stranded DNA molecule of 20,417 bp. Among a total of 26 predicted pTC1 ORFs, 23 have homologues in other known Sulfolobus conjugative plasmids (CPs). pTC1 resembles other Sulfolobus CPs in genome architecture, and is most highly conserved in the genomic region encoding conjugation functions. However, attempts to demonstrate experimentally the capacity of the plasmid for conjugational transfer were unsuccessful. A survey revealed that pTC1 and its closely related plasmid variants were widespread in the geothermal area of Tengchong. Variations of the plasmids at the target sites for transposition by an insertion sequence (IS) and a miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) were readily detected. The IS was efficiently inserted into the pTC1 genome, and the inserted sequence was inactivated and degraded more frequently in an imprecise manner than in a precise manner. These results suggest that the host organism has evolved a strategy to maintain a balance between the insertion and elimination of mobile genetic elements to permit genomic plasticity while inhibiting their fast spreading.
Design and Synthesis of Novel Xyloketal Derivatives and Their Protective Activities against H2O2-Induced HUVEC Injury
Authors: Liu Shixin , Luo Rong , Xiang Qi , Xu Xianfang , Qiu Liqin , Pang Jiyan
Published: February 2015

In this work, we designed and synthesized a series of amide derivatives (1–13), benzoxazine derivatives (16–28) and amino derivatives (29–30) from xyloketal B. All 28 new derivatives and seven known compounds (14, 15, 31–35) were evaluated for their protection against H2O2-induced HUVEC injury. 23 and 24 exhibited more potential protective activities than other derivatives; and the EC50 values of them and the leading compound 31 (xyloketal B) were 5.10, 3.59 and 15.97 μM, respectively. Meanwhile, a comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) was constructed to explain the structural activity relationship of these xyloketal derivatives. This 3D QSAR model from CoMSIA suggested that the derived model exhibited good predictive ability in the external test-set validation. Derivative 24 fit well with the COMSIA map, therefore it possessed the highest activity of all compounds. Compounds 23, 24 and 31 (xyloketal B) were further to examine in the JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay of HUVECs using flow cytometry (FCM). The result indicated that 23 and 24 significantly inhibited H2O2-induced decrease of the cell mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) at 25 μM. Collectively, the protective effects of xyloketals on H2O2-induced endothelial cells may be generated from oxidation action by restraining ROS and reducing the MMP.
Trabectedin in Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Authors: Petek Bradley , Loggers Elizabeth , Pollack Seth , Jones Robin
Published: February 2015

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare tumors derived from mesenchymal tissue, accounting for about 1% of adult cancers. There are over 60 different histological subtypes, each with their own unique biological behavior and response to systemic therapy. The outcome for patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma is poor with few available systemic treatment options. For decades, the mainstay of management has consisted of doxorubicin with or without ifosfamide. Trabectedin is a synthetic agent derived from the Caribbean tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata. This drug has a number of potential mechanisms of action, including binding the DNA minor groove, interfering with DNA repair pathways and the cell cycle, as well as interacting with transcription factors. Several phase II trials have shown that trabectedin has activity in anthracycline and alkylating agent-resistant soft tissue sarcoma and suggest use in the second- and third-line setting. More recently, trabectedin has shown similar progression-free survival to doxorubicin in the first-line setting and significant activity in liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma subtypes. Trabectedin has shown a favorable toxicity profile and has been approved in over 70 countries for the treatment of metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. This manuscript will review the development of trabectedin in soft tissue sarcomas.
Curcumin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Enhance NK Cell-Induced Apoptosis of Pancreatic Cancer Cells but Curcumin Inhibits Interferon-γ Production: Benefits of Omega-3 with Curcumin against Cancer
Authors: Fiala Milan
Published: February 2015

STAT-3 and STAT-1 signaling have opposite effects in oncogenesis with STAT-3 acting as an oncogene and STAT-1 exerting anti-oncogenic activities through interferon-γ and interferon-α. The cytokine IL-6 promotes oncogenesis by stimulation of NFκB and STAT-3 signaling. Curcuminoids have bi-functional effects by blocking NFκB anti-apoptotic signaling but also blocking anti-oncogenic STAT-1 signaling and interferon-γ production. In our recent study (unpublished work [1]) in pancreatic cancer cell cultures, curcuminoids enhanced cancer cell apoptosis both directly and by potentiating natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic function. The cytotoxic effects of curcuminoids were increased by incubation of cancer cells and NK cells in an emulsion with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants (Smartfish), which enhanced cancer cell apoptosis and protected NK cells against degradation. However, as also shown by others, curcuminoids blocked interferon-γ production by NK cells. The combined use of curcuminoids and omega-3 in cancer immunotherapy will require deeper understanding of their in vivo interactions with the immune system.
DNA-Protected Silver Clusters for Nanophotonics
Authors: Gwinn Elisabeth , Schultz Danielle , Copp Stacy , Swasey Steven
Published: February 2015

DNA-protected silver clusters (AgN-DNA) possess unique fluorescence properties that depend on the specific DNA template that stabilizes the cluster. They exhibit peak emission wavelengths that range across the visible and near-IR spectrum. This wide color palette, combined with low toxicity, high fluorescence quantum yields of some clusters, low synthesis costs, small cluster sizes and compatibility with DNA are enabling many applications that employ AgN-DNA. Here we review what is known about the underlying composition and structure of AgN-DNA, and how these relate to the optical properties of these fascinating, hybrid biomolecule-metal cluster nanomaterials. We place AgN-DNA in the general context of ligand-stabilized metal clusters and compare their properties to those of other noble metal clusters stabilized by small molecule ligands. The methods used to isolate pure AgN-DNA for analysis of composition and for studies of solution and single-emitter optical properties are discussed. We give a brief overview of structurally sensitive chiroptical studies, both theoretical and experimental, and review experiments on bringing silver clusters of distinct size and color into nanoscale DNA assemblies. Progress towards using DNA scaffolds to assemble multi-cluster arrays is also reviewed.
Plant Ferritin—A Source of Iron to Prevent Its Deficiency
Authors: Zielińska-Dawidziak Magdalena
Published: February 2015

Iron deficiency anemia affects a significant part of the human population. Due to the unique properties of plant ferritin, food enrichment with ferritin iron seems to be a promising strategy to prevent this malnutrition problem. This protein captures huge amounts of iron ions inside the apoferritin shell and isolates them from the environment. Thus, this iron form does not induce oxidative change in food and reduces the risk of gastric problems in consumers. Bioavailability of ferritin in human and animal studies is high and the mechanism of absorption via endocytosis has been confirmed in cultured cells. Legume seeds are a traditional source of plant ferritin. However, even if the percentage of ferritin iron in these seeds is high, its concentration is not sufficient for food fortification. Thus, edible plants have been biofortified in iron for many years. Plants overexpressing ferritin may find applications in the development of bioactive food. A crucial achievement would be to develop technologies warranting stability of ferritin in food and the digestive tract.
Animal Models of Chronic Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection Host–Virus Immunologic Interactions
Authors: Aldabe Rafael , Suárez-Amarán Lester , Usai Carla , González-Aseguinolaza Gloria
Published: February 2015

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that has an absolute requirement for a virus belonging to the hepadnaviridae family like hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication and formation of new virions. HDV infection is usually associated with a worsening of HBV-induced liver pathogenesis, which leads to more frequent cirrhosis, increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and fulminant hepatitis. Importantly, no selective therapies are available for HDV infection. The mainstay of treatment for HDV infection is pegylated interferon alpha; however, response rates to this therapy are poor. A better knowledge of HDV–host cell interaction will help with the identification of novel therapeutic targets, which are urgently needed. Animal models like hepadnavirus-infected chimpanzees or the eastern woodchuck have been of great value for the characterization of HDV chronic infection. Recently, more practical animal models in which to perform a deeper study of host virus interactions and to evaluate new therapeutic strategies have been developed. Therefore, the main focus of this review is to discuss the current knowledge about HDV host interactions obtained from cell culture and animal models.
Squeezed Phonon Wave Packet Generation by Optical Manipulation of a Quantum Dot
Authors: Wigger Daniel , Lüker Sebastian , Axt Vollrath , Reiter Doris , Kuhn Tilmann
Published: February 2015

In solid-state physics, the quantized lattice vibrations, i.e., the phonons, play a vital role. Phonons, much like photons, satisfy bosonic commutation relations, and therefore, various concepts well-known in quantum optics can be transferred to the emerging field of phononics. Examples are non-classical states and, in particular, squeezed states. We discuss the generation of phonon squeezing by optically exciting a quantum dot and show that by excitation with detuned continuous wave laser fields, sequences of squeezed phonon wave packets are created, which are emitted from the quantum dot region into the surrounding material.
Correlations between Urbanization and Vegetation Degradation across the World’s Metropolises Using DMSP/OLS Nighttime Light Data
Authors: Liu Yanxu , Wang Yanglin , Peng Jian , Du Yueyue , Liu Xianfeng , Li Shuangshuang , Zhang Donghai
Published: February 2015

Changes in biodiversity owing to vegetation degradation resulting from widespread urbanization demands serious attention. However, the connection between vegetation degradation and urbanization appears to be complex and nonlinear, and deserves a series of long-term observations. On the basis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the image’s digital number (DN) in nighttime stable light data (NTL), we delineated the spatiotemporal relations between urbanization and vegetation degradation of different metropolises by using a simplified NTL calibration method and Theil-Sen regression. The results showed clear and noticeable spatiotemporal differences. On spatial relations, rapidly urbanized cities were found to have a high probability of vegetation degradation, but in reality, not all of them experience sharp vegetation degradation. On temporal characteristics, the degradation degree was found to vary during different periods, which may depend on different stages of urbanization and climate history. These results verify that under the scenario of a vegetation restoration effort combined with increasing demand for a high-quality urban environment, the urbanization process will not necessarily result in vegetation degradation on a large scale. The positive effects of urban vegetation restoration should be emphasized since there has been an increase in demand for improved urban environmental quality. However, slight vegetation degradation is still observed when NDVI in an urbanized area is compared with NDVI in the outside buffer. It is worthwhile to pay attention to landscape sustainability and reduce the negative urbanization effects by urban landscape planning.
Compressive SAR Imaging with Joint Sparsity and Local Similarity Exploitation
Authors: Shen Fangfang , Zhao Guanghui , Shi Guangming , Dong Weisheng , Wang Chenglong , Niu Yi
Published: February 2015

Compressive sensing-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging has shown its superior capability in high-resolution image formation. However, most of those works focus on the scenes that can be sparsely represented in fixed spaces. When dealing with complicated scenes, these fixed spaces lack adaptivity in characterizing varied image contents. To solve this problem, a new compressive sensing-based radar imaging approach with adaptive sparse representation is proposed. Specifically, an autoregressive model is introduced to adaptively exploit the structural sparsity of an image. In addition, similarity among pixels is integrated into the autoregressive model to further promote the capability and thus an adaptive sparse representation facilitated by a weighted autoregressive model is derived. Since the weighted autoregressive model is inherently determined by the unknown image, we propose a joint optimization scheme by iterative SAR imaging and updating of the weighted autoregressive model to solve this problem. Eventually, experimental results demonstrated the validity and generality of the proposed approach.
Wearable Sensor-Based Rehabilitation Exercise Assessment for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Chen Kun-Hui , Chen Po-Chao , Liu Kai-Chun , Chan Chia-Tai
Published: February 2015

Since the knee joint bears the full weight load of the human body and the highest pressure loads while providing flexible movement, it is the body part most vulnerable and susceptible to osteoarthritis. In exercise therapy, the early rehabilitation stages last for approximately six weeks, during which the patient works with the physical therapist several times each week. The patient is afterwards given instructions for continuing rehabilitation exercise by him/herself at home. This study develops a rehabilitation exercise assessment mechanism using three wearable sensors mounted on the chest, thigh and shank of the working leg in order to enable the patients with knee osteoarthritis to manage their own rehabilitation progress. In this work, time-domain, frequency-domain features and angle information of the motion sensor signals are used to classify the exercise type and identify whether their postures are proper or not. Three types of rehabilitation exercise commonly prescribed to knee osteoarthritis patients are: Short-Arc Exercise, Straight Leg Raise, and Quadriceps Strengthening Mini-squats. After ten subjects performed the three kinds of rehabilitation activities, three validation techniques including 10-fold cross-validation, within subject cross validation, and leave-one-subject cross validation are utilized to confirm the proposed mechanism. The overall recognition accuracy for exercise type classification is 97.29% and for exercise posture identification it is 88.26%. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed mechanism which can help patients perform rehabilitation movements and progress effectively. Moreover, the proposed mechanism is able to detect multiple errors at once, fulfilling the requirements for rehabilitation assessment.
Sol-Gel Deposition of Iridium Oxide for Biomedical Micro-Devices
Authors: Nguyen Cuong , Rao Smitha , Yang Xuesong , Dubey Souvik , Mays Jeffrey , Cao Hung , Chiao Jung-Chih
Published: February 2015

Flexible iridium oxide (IrOx)-based micro-electrodes were fabricated on flexible polyimide substrates using a sol-gel deposition process for utilization as integrated pseudo-reference electrodes for bio-electrochemical sensing applications. The fabrication method yields reliable miniature on-probe IrOx electrodes with long lifetime, high stability and repeatability. Such sensors can be used for long-term measurements. Various dimensions of sol-gel iridium oxide electrodes including 1 mm × 1 mm, 500 µm × 500 µm, and 100 µm × 100 µm were fabricated. Sensor longevity and pH dependence were investigated by immersing the electrodes in hydrochloric acid, fetal bovine serum (FBS), and sodium hydroxide solutions for 30 days. Less pH dependent responses, compared to IrOx electrodes fabricated by electrochemical deposition processes, were measured at 58.8 ± 0.4 mV/pH, 53.8 ± 1.3 mV/pH and 48 ± 0.6 mV/pH, respectively. The on-probe IrOx pseudo-reference electrodes were utilized for dopamine sensing. The baseline responses of the sensors were higher than the one using an external Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Using IrOx reference electrodes integrated on the same probe with working electrodes eliminated the use of cytotoxic Ag/AgCl reference electrode without loss in sensitivity. This enables employing such sensors in long-term recording of concentrations of neurotransmitters in central nervous systems of animals and humans.
Microbial Biofilm as a Smart Material
Authors: Garde Christian , Welch Martin , Ferkinghoff-Borg Jesper , Sams Thomas
Published: February 2015

Microbial biofilm colonies will in many cases form a smart material capable of responding to external threats dependent on their size and internal state. The microbial community accordingly switches between passive, protective, or attack modes of action. In order to decide which strategy to employ, it is essential for the biofilm community to be able to sense its own size. The sensor designed to perform this task is termed a quorum sensor, since it only permits collective behaviour once a sufficiently large assembly of microbes have been established. The generic quorum sensor construct involves two genes, one coding for the production of a diffusible signal molecule and one coding for a regulator protein dedicated to sensing the signal molecules. A positive feedback in the signal molecule production sets a well-defined condition for switching into the collective mode. The activation of the regulator involves a slow dimerization, which allows low-pass filtering of the activation of the collective mode. Here, we review and combine the model components that form the basic quorum sensor in a number of Gram-negative bacteria, e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Differential Wide Temperature Range CMOS Interface Circuit for Capacitive MEMS Pressure Sensors
Authors: Wang Yucai , Chodavarapu Vamsy
Published: February 2015

We describe a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) differential interface circuit for capacitive Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) pressure sensors that is functional over a wide temperature range between −55 °C and 225 °C. The circuit is implemented using IBM 0.13 μm CMOS technology with 2.5 V power supply. A constant-gm biasing technique is used to mitigate performance degradation at high temperatures. The circuit offers the flexibility to interface with MEMS sensors with a wide range of the steady-state capacitance values from 0.5 pF to 10 pF. Simulation results show that the circuitry has excellent linearity and stability over the wide temperature range. Experimental results confirm that the temperature effects on the circuitry are small, with an overall linearity error around 2%.
Development of an Immunochromatographic Strip for Rapid Detection of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii
Authors: Feng Min , Kong Dezhao , Wang Wenbing , Liu Liqiang , Song Shanshan , Xu Chuanlai
Published: February 2015

A rapid, simple, sensitive, and specific immunochromatographic test strip was developed for the detection of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii (Pss) in corn seed which was soaked overnight and then centrifuged for precipitate re-dissolved as samples. A pair of sensitive monoclonal antibodies for the immunochromatographic test strip was generated by mice immunization and cell fusion. Under optimized conditions, the lower detection limit of the strips for Pss was 1 × 105 cfu/mL both in 0.01 M phosphate buffer solution and corn seed samples, with no cross-reactivity with other common plant pathogens. The developed strip is useful and rapid for the detection of Pss in corn seed samples.
Educating the Aware, Informed and Action-Oriented Sustainable Citizen
Authors: Schroer Audrey , Lowman Heili , Just Craig
Published: February 2015

The Introduction to Sustainability course at the University of Iowa seeks to educate the aware, informed and action-oriented sustainable citizen. A phenomenographic analysis and retrospective pretest were utilized to determine how students formed conceptions of sustainability as a result of completing the course. The study indicated that student conceptions of sustainability can be characterized by the “aware, informed and action-oriented” spectrum. In written reflections following service-learning experiences, students provided ample examples of “awareness moments” where they expressed a first encounter with a wicked problem. In these same reflections, students provided examples of being able to move beyond awareness toward an action-orientation. Many students that were called to action through a service-learning experience expressed hesitation regarding their level of knowledge regarding certain issues. But, many students with this hesitation decided their next action step would be to become more informed. Therefore, even when confronted by a sustainability issue or dilemma that students felt were beyond their knowledge level, they many times expressed an action pathway to become more informed. By challenging student thought processes and exposing the immediate need for global change, the Introduction to Sustainability course empowered students to become aware, informed, and action-oriented sustainable citizens.
Analysis of the Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Lake and Reservoir Water Quality in China and Changes in Its Relationship with GDP from 2005 to 2010
Authors: Meng Xiaojie , Zhang Yan , Yu Xiangyi , Zhan Jinyan , Chai Yingying , Critto Andrea , Li Yating , Li Jinjian
Published: February 2015

We analyzed the spatial distribution of lake and reservoir water quality in China, and the trends from 2005 to 2010, based on monitoring data from 28 large Chinese lakes and reservoirs. We used a comprehensive water pollution index (WPI) to describe water quality and also identified the major pollutants. Using GDP data, we analyzed the relationships between economic factors and water quality. We found that although the water quality of large reservoirs is improving or remaining stable, despite economic growth, the water quality of most lakes either did not change or worsened. The outlook is pessimistic, as water quality in most lakes has decreased to Grade V or worse. The water quality was lowest for northern lakes and highest for southern lakes due to a combination of the local industrial structure and lower rainfall in the north. The primary pollutants generally remained stable during the study period. For some lakes, fluoride and volatile phenols became the primary pollutants, indicating more diverse sources of contamination. We divided the 28 bodies of water into four types based on the median WPI and GDP. The dominant combinations were low WPI with low GDP and high WPI with high GDP, as a result of the balance among economic development, the natural environment and environmental policy.
Announcing the 2015 Viruses Young Investigator Prize and Graduate Student/Postdoctoral Fellow Travel Awards
Authors: Freed Eric
Published: February 2015

With the goal of recognizing outstanding contributions to the field of virology by early-career investigators, last year Viruses accepted nominations for a 2015 Young Investigator Prize in Virology. The target age was set at 40 and under. Over 50 nominations were received and were evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of Viruses editorial board members.[...]
Improvement of Hydrological Simulations by Applying Daily Precipitation Interpolation Schemes in Meso-Scale Catchments
Authors: Szcześniak Mateusz , Piniewski Mikołaj
Published: February 2015

Ground-based precipitation data are still the dominant input type for hydrological models. Spatial variability in precipitation can be represented by spatially interpolating gauge data using various techniques. In this study, the effect of daily precipitation interpolation methods on discharge simulations using the semi-distributed SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model over a 30-year period is examined. The study was carried out in 11 meso-scale (119–3935 km2) sub-catchments lying in the Sulejów reservoir catchment in central Poland. Four methods were tested: the default SWAT method (Def) based on the Nearest Neighbour technique, Thiessen Polygons (TP), Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) and Ordinary Kriging (OK). =The evaluation of methods was performed using a semi-automated calibration program SUFI-2 (Sequential Uncertainty Fitting Procedure Version 2) with two objective functions: Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and the adjusted R2 coefficient (bR2). The results show that: (1) the most complex OK method outperformed other methods in terms of NSE; and (2) OK, IDW, and TP outperformed Def in terms of bR2. The median difference in daily/monthly NSE between OK and Def/TP/IDW calculated across all catchments ranged between 0.05 and 0.15, while the median difference between TP/IDW/OK and Def ranged between 0.05 and 0.07. The differences between pairs of interpolation methods were, however, spatially variable and a part of this variability was attributed to catchment properties: catchments characterised by low station density and low coefficient of variation of daily flows experienced more pronounced improvement resulting from using interpolation methods. Methods providing higher precipitation estimates often resulted in a better model performance. The implication from this study is that appropriate consideration of spatial precipitation variability (often neglected by model users) that can be achieved using relatively simple interpolation methods can significantly improve the reliability of model simulations.
Electrical properties of single CdTe nanowires
Authors: Matei Elena , Florica Camelia , Costas Andreea , Toimil-Molares María Eugenia , Enculescu Ionut
Published: February 2015

Ion track, nanoporous membranes were employed as templates for the preparation of CdTe nanowires. For this purpose, electrochemical deposition from a bath containing Cd and Te ions was employed. This process leads to high aspect ratio CdTe nanowires, which were harvested and placed on a substrate with lithographically patterned, interdigitated electrodes. Focused ion beam-induced metallization was used to produce individual nanowires with electrical contacts and electrical measurements were performed on these individual nanowires. The influence of a bottom gate was investigated and it was found that surface passivation leads to improved transport properties.
À propos des suites de la tempête Xynthia : petits arrangements avec les constructions illégales
Authors: Brouant Jean-Philippe
Published: February 2015

La tempête Xynthia est une dépression météorologique majeure ayant frappé notamment la côte littorale française en mars 2010 causant la mort de cinquante-trois personnes et plus de 2,5 milliards d’euros de dommages. En présence d’une catastrophe naturelle, les mécanismes classiques de prise en charge assurantielle ou relevant de la solidarité nationale ont été activés. Mais l’État a choisi d’aller plus loin et, au titre de la prévention des risques, a décidé de racheter ou d’exproprier plus d’un millier de maisons. Ce faisant, il a été confronté à certaines situations illégales (constructions sur le domaine public, absence de permis de construire...). L’article étudie la façon dont l’État – central et local – a décidé de nier l’existence de ces situations dans les procédures d’indemnisation.
Conflits dans les familles polygames et souffrance familiale
Authors: Leonard Nguimfack
Published: February 2015

Dans cet article, les conflits et les souffrances au sein de mariages polygames sont étudiés sur base du modèle systémique. L’exploitation de deux vignettes cliniques ont permis de les mettre en exergue et de saisir leur fonction dans la dynamique familiale : ils sont perçus à la fois comme des objets fédérateurs, c’est-à-dire qui rassemblent autour d’eux les membres d’un même sous-système familial (ménage), et comme des objets qui entretiennent et maintiennent le problème au sein du grand système familial. Aussi, les hypothèses que « les conflits au sein de la grande famille polygame (macro-famille) sont des stratégies mises en place par les différentes micro-familles (ménages ou sous-systèmes) dans le but de garantir leur homéostasie » et que « les souffrances qu’ils sous-tendent sont une solution adaptative à ces conflits » trouvent là toute leur portée clinique. Le recours à une psychothérapie familiale est alors utile afin de faciliter le changement. Mais ceci étant, il reste important de reconnaître que la famille polygame n’est pas par essence une famille conflictuelle.
Aux confins de la recherche et de la thérapie : le Génogramme Imaginaire pour explorer et transformer les héritages familiaux traumatiques
Authors: Duret Isabelle
Published: February 2015

Le Génogramme Imaginaire révèle la manière dont nous nous construisons au quotidien une « famille d’affiliation ». Il est particulièrement indiqué en clinique traumatique pour explorer et transformer les histoires familiales. Nous en donnons un exemple qui, bien que tiré de la recherche, vient témoigner de sa puissance thérapeutique.
Le cannabis, un tiers fumant ou fumeux ?
Authors: Spapen Patrick
Published: February 2015

Les fonctions que la consommation de cannabis peut occuper dans différents systèmes – le couple, la famille, le groupe d’amis, le système socio-culturel – sont discutées et illustrées par plusieurs vignettes cliniques.
Le numérique comme tiers séparateur ?
Authors: Weber Niels
Published: February 2015

Nous avons tendance à concevoir que ce qui est virtuel est moins important que ce qui est réel. Pourtant les émotions, positives comme négatives, y sont ressenties de manière identique. Cet article montre que nous utilisons à tort le terme de « virtuel » pour parler des interactions via des outils numériques. Cette distinction permet de mieux comprendre l’importance de ces relations et de constater que la dichotomie entre réel et numérique n’a plus lieu d’être. En revanche, ce contexte doit pouvoir être cadré et bénéficier de limites, comme n’importe quel autre contexte. Il reste encore à savoir de quels genres de limite nous parlons dans un couple, en famille, entre parents et enfant ou encore entre thérapeute et patient.
Nouveaux défis pour l'intervenant au sein d'une société postmoderne
Authors: Caillé Philippe
Published: February 2015

Les vrais choix de l’humain ont toujours résulté de l’utilisation par l’homme dans ses prises de décision de deux logiques apparemment incompatibles, logique du plein utilisant rationnellement le savoir disponible pour atteindre des buts concrets et la logique du manque où s’exprime son exigence d’un développement individuel singulier, comme découvrir une vie qu’il pourrait réclamer comme sienne. La société postmoderne, par l’impérialisme du digital sur l’analogique et le rejet de principe de tout délai de satisfaction, tend à supprimer la logique du manque qui accepte le doute et revendique un destin singulier. Elle prive ainsi l’individu d’un pilier majeur de son identité en anonymisant et banalisant aussi bien ses rapports que ses jugements. Quand une carence d’identité grave émerge d’un abandon total à la logique du plein, il semble essentiel de créer des espaces où le demandeur d’aide, sortant momentanément d’un envoûtement collectif, pourra renouer avec un destin singulier et une identité propre. La méthode des objets flottants nous semble être une possibilité de réponse précieuse dans l’attente d’une évolution culturelle qui rééquilibrerait le rapport entre ces logiques, toutes deux importantes pour l’humain.
Conversions au christianisme et retour au judaïsme à Trieste au tournant du XIX e siècle
Authors: Ferruta Paola
Published: February 2015

La présente contribution analyse des cas d’échecs de conversion à la foi chrétienne ainsi que des tentatives de reconversion au judaïsme par des femmes qui appartenaient à la multitude des gens « ordinaires ». Ces cas sont appropriés pour examiner les « interstices » évoqués par Homi Bhabha, lesquels deviennent ici des espaces hétérogènes de « société semi-neutre », tel que les a définis Jacob Katz. Dans la perspective de l’anthropologie historique, la présence féminine des converties, qui a façonné la vie quotidienne hors du contrôle institutionnel et les interstices « entre judaïsme et christianisme », devient pertinente. Les Lois de Tolérance appliquées dans l’empire des Habsbourg (1781/1782) et les difficultés créées dans certains cas par la Loi juive compliquèrent particulièrement ces destins féminins.
Les alliances de l'aristocratie avec les familles de financiers juifs à Paris, 1840-1940 : déterminants socio-démographiques et débat religieux
Authors: Grange Cyril
Published: February 2015

Les alliances entre la haute société juive et aristocratie et bourgeoisie chrétienne ne sont plus exceptionnelles à partir du Second Empire. Elles sont nombreuses jusqu’à la guerre de 1914 puis deviennent plus rares par la suite pour l’aristocratie, au contraire de la bourgeoisie pour laquelle le mouvement continue de s’amplifier dans l’entre-deux-guerres. Les mariages qui voient une femme juive rejoindre une famille chrétienne sont plus fréquents dans le cas des familles nobles. L’union d’un homme de confession israélite avec une chrétienne s’observe plus régulièrement avec les familles de la bourgeoisie. Alors que ces alliances concernent un élément isolé de la famille chez les chrétiens, chez les juifs. Ces alliances ne sont pas « accidentelles » : ce sont souvent plusieurs sœurs d’une même fratrie qui contractent de tels mariages. Elles répondent véritablement à une stratégie de fusion avec les élites en place. Pour les représentants de la confession minoritaire, se marier avec un catholique entraîne, le plus souvent à court terme, et plus rarement à moyen terme, le renoncement à sa conviction religieuse première. De même, les enfants issus du couple sont appelés à embrasser la religion catholique.
La conversion au judaïsme : prosélytes et reconvertis à Vienne (1868-1914)
Authors: Staudacher Anna L.
Published: February 2015

Grâce à la loi de 1868 établissant une liberté de choix de culte, les Juifs ont obtenu en Autriche l’égalité de droit en matière de religion. Cette loi a entraîné de fait des conversions au judaïsme ce qui jusque-là était interdit par la loi. Les prosélytes et les convertis étaient la plupart du temps des immigrants miséreux à la recherche de travail, seul un petit nombre d’entre eux étaient mieux lotis. Les enfants des prosélytes des deux sexes, nés auparavant, embrassaient automatiquement la religion juive. Ces prosélytes se mariaient souvent immédiatement dès leur changement de religion. Certains se reconvertissaient à leur religion d’origine. Ils étaient, la plupart du temps, plus âgés, déjà marié(e) s, divorcé(e) s ou veufs/veuves. Ces reconvertis quittant le judaïsme devaient, pour réintégrer leur communauté religieuse, faire baptiser leurs enfants, le conjoint juif devant lui aussi recevoir le baptême.
In vitro protective effect of lactic acid bacteria on Listeria monocytogenes adhesion and invasion of Caco-2 cells
Authors: Winkelströter L.K. , De Martinis E.C.P.
Published: February 2015

The adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes to intestinal endothelial cells is a crucial step in the infection process, which is not well understood. In this study, we evaluated the potential ability of bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus faecium, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus sakei strains to prevent the adhesion and invasion of eukaryotic cells by ten different L. monocytogenes isolates. The results showed that E. faecium 130 co-cultured with L. monocytogenes was the most effective in preventing infection of Caco-2 cells, as the vast majority of isolates showed significantly lower adhesion counts and invasion rates below the quantification limit of the method (<30 cfu/plate). L. sakei 1 was the least effective strain in preventing L. monocytogenes infection; only one isolate presented a lower adhesion rate and two isolates reduced the invasion rate of Caco-2 cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) assay was shown to be an effective tool to illustrate and identify species in co-culture with L. monocytogenes during the adhesion process to Caco-2 cells.
Testosterone Suppresses Hepatic Inflammation by the Downregulation of IL-17, CXCL-9, and CXCL-10 in a Mouse Model of Experimental Acute Cholangitis
Authors: Schwinge Dorothee , Carambia Antonella , Quaas Alexander , Krech Till , Wegscheid Claudia , Tiegs Gisa , Prinz Immo , Lohse Ansgar W. , Herkel Johannes , Schramm Christoph
Published: February 2015

Autoimmune liver diseases predominantly affect women. In this study, we aimed to elucidate how sex affects autoimmune hepatic inflammation. Acute experimental cholangitis was induced by adoptive transfer of OVA-specific CD8+ T cells into mice, which express the cognate Ag on cholangiocytes. In contrast to previous mouse models of cholangitis, this model displayed a strong sexual dimorphism: female mice developed marked cholangitis, whereas male mice were resistant to cholangitis induction. The recruitment of endogenous CD4+ T cells, but not transferred CD8+ T cells into female livers was strongly increased. These cells expressed higher amounts of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17, which was at least in part responsible for the liver inflammation observed. The recruitment of endogenous CD4+ T cells was associated with increased expression of the chemokines CXCL-9 and CXCL-10 in female livers. The sex-specific factor responsible for the observed differences was found to be testosterone: male mice could be rendered susceptible to liver inflammation by castration, and testosterone treatment was sufficient to completely suppress liver inflammation in female mice. Accordingly, testosterone treatment of female mice significantly reduced the expression of IL-17A, CXCL-9, and CXCL-10 within the liver. Serum testosterone levels of untreated mice negatively correlated with the IL-17, CXCL-9, and CXCL-10 expression in the liver, further supporting a role for testosterone in hepatic immune homeostasis. In conclusion, testosterone was found to be the major determinant of the observed sexual dimorphism. Further study into the role of testosterone for liver inflammation could lead to novel treatment targets in human autoimmune liver diseases.
Genome-Wide Transcriptional Analyses of Islet-Specific CD4+ T Cells Identify Idd9 Genes Controlling Diabetogenic T Cell Function
Authors: Berry Gregory J. , Frielle Christine , Luu Thaiphi , Salzberg Anna C. , Rainbow Daniel B. , Wicker Linda S. , Waldner Hanspeter
Published: February 2015

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a polygenic disease with multiple insulin-dependent diabetes (Idd) loci predisposing humans and NOD mice to disease. NOD.B10 Idd9 congenic mice, in which the NOD Idd9 chromosomal region is replaced by the Idd9 from T1D-resistant C57BL/10 mice, are significantly protected from T1D development. However, the genes and pathways conferring T1D development or protection by Idd9 remain to be fully elucidated. We have developed novel NOD.B10-Idd9 (line 905) congenic mice that predominantly harbor islet-reactive CD4+ T cells expressing the BDC2.5 TCR (BDC-Idd9.905 mice). To establish functional links between the Idd9 genotype and its phenotype, we used microarray analyses to investigate the gene expression profiles of ex vivo and Ag-activated CD4+ T cells from these mice and BDC2.5 (BDC) NOD controls. Among the differentially expressed genes, those located within the Idd9 region were greatly enriched in islet-specific CD4+ T cells. Bioinformatics analyses of differentially expressed genes between BDC-Idd9.905 and BDC CD4+ T cells identified Eno1, Rbbp4, and Mtor, all of which are encoded by Idd9 and part of gene networks involved in cellular growth and development. As predicted, proliferation and Th1/Th17 responses of islet-specific CD4+ T cells from BDC-Idd9.905 mice following Ag stimulation in vitro were reduced compared with BDC mice. Furthermore, proliferative responses to endogenous autoantigen and diabetogenic function were impaired in BDC-Idd9.905 CD4+ T cells. These findings suggest that differential expression of the identified Idd9 genes contributed to Idd9-dependent T1D susceptibility by controlling the diabetogenic function of islet-specific CD4+ T cells.
Characterization of samhd1 Morphant Zebrafish Recapitulates Features of the Human Type I Interferonopathy Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome
Authors: Kasher Paul R. , Jenkinson Emma M. , Briolat Valérie , Gent David , Morrissey Catherine , Zeef Leo A. H. , Rice Gillian I. , Levraud Jean-Pierre , Crow Yanick J.
Published: February 2015

In humans, loss of function mutations in the SAMHD1 (AGS5) gene cause a severe form of Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS), an inherited inflammatory-mediated encephalopathy characterized by increased type I IFN activity and upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). In particular, SAMHD1-related AGS is associated with a distinctive cerebrovascular pathology that commonly leads to stroke. Although inflammatory responses are observed in immune cells cultured from Samhd1 null mouse models, these mice are physically healthy, specifically lacking a brain phenotype. We have investigated the use of zebrafish as an alternative system for generating a clinically relevant model of SAMHD1-related AGS. Using temporal gene knockdown of zebrafish samhd1, we observe hindbrain ventricular swelling and brain hemorrhage. Furthermore, loss of samhd1 or of another AGS-associated gene, adar, leads to a significant upregulation of innate immune-related genes and an increase in the number of cells expressing the zebrafish type I IFN ifnphi1. To our knowledge, this is the first example of an in vivo model of AGS that recapitulates features of both the innate immune and neurological characteristics of the disease. The phenotypes associated with loss of samhd1 and adar suggest a function of these genes in controlling innate immune processes conserved to zebrafish, thereby also contributing to our understanding of antiviral signaling in this model organism.
Changes in Fatigue, Multiplanar Knee Laxity, and Landing Biomechanics During Intermittent Exercise
Authors: Shultz Sandra J. , Schmitz Randy J. , Cone John R. , Henson Robert A. , Montgomery Melissa M. , Pye Michele L. , Tritsch Amanda J.
Published: February 2015

Context:

Knee laxity increases during exercise. However, no one, to our knowledge, has examined whether these increases contribute to higher-risk landing biomechanics during prolonged, fatiguing exercise.

Objectives:

To examine associations between changes in fatigue (measured as sprint time [SPTIME]), multiplanar knee laxity (anterior-posterior [APLAX], varus-valgus [VVLAX] knee laxity, and internal-external rotation [IERLAX]) knee laxity and landing biomechanics during prolonged, intermittent exercise.

Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Setting:

Laboratory and gymnasium.

Patients or Other Participants:

A total of 30 male (age = 20.3 ± 2.0 years, height = 1.79 ± 0.05 m, mass = 75.2 ± 7.2 kg) and 29 female (age = 20.5 ± 2.3 years, height = 1.67 ± 0.08 m, mass = 61.8 ± 9.0 kg) competitive athletes.

Intervention(s):

A 90-minute intermittent exercise protocol (IEP) designed to simulate the physiologic and biomechanical demands of a soccer match.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

We measured SPTIME, APLAX, and landing biomechanics before and after warm-up, every 15 minutes during the IEP, and every 15 minutes for 1 hour after the IEP. We measured VVLAX and IERLAX before and after the warm-up, at 45 and 90 minutes during the IEP, and at 30 minutes after the IEP. We used hierarchical linear modeling to examine associations between exercise-related changes in SPTIME and knee laxity with exercise-related changes in landing biomechanics while controlling for initial (before warm-up) knee laxity.

Results:

We found that SPTIME had a more global effect on landing biomechanics in women than in men, resulting in a more upright landing and a reduction in landing forces and out-of-plane motions about the knee. As APLAX increased with exercise, women increased their knee internal-rotation motion (P = .02), and men increased their hip-flexion motion and energy-absorption (P = .006) and knee-extensor loads (P = .04). As VVLAX and IERLAX increased, women went through greater knee-valgus motion and dorsiflexion and absorbed more energy at the knee (P ≤ .05), whereas men were positioned in greater hip external and knee internal rotation and knee valgus throughout the landing (P = .03). The observed fatigue- and laxity-related changes in landing biomechanics during exercise often depended on initial knee laxity.

Conclusions:

Both exercise-related changes in fatigue and knee laxity were associated with higher-risk landing biomechanics during prolonged exercise. These relationships were more pronounced in participants with greater initial knee laxity.