bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desmoid Tumors in Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Authors: Robinson William A. , McMillan Colette , Kendall Amy , Pearlman Nathan
Published: February 2012

We report here a review of the current medical literature on pregnancy associated desmoids, including 10 cases of our own. The pertinent findings are that a large percentage of desmoids in females arise in and around pregnancy. Most occur in the abdominal muscles, particularly the right rectus abdominus, perhaps related to trauma from abdominal stretching and fetal movement. While these tumors may regress spontaneously after delivery most can be surgically resected with low recurrence rates even with R1 resections and this is clearly the treatment of choice. Subsequent pregnancies do not appear to result in recurrence in either FAP or non FAP patients. It is not clear from currently available data whether pregnancy associated desmoids are molecularly distinct from other desmoids.
Sensing the News: User Experiences when Reading Locative News
Authors: Øie Kjetil Vaage
Published: February 2012

This article focuses on user experiences on reading location-aware news on the mobile platform and aims to explore what experiences this kind of locative journalism generates and how such experiences change the users’ social interaction with news. We produced a specially designed mobile application and tailored news stories specific to this project called LocaNews in order to explore participants’ relation to the content in this journalistic format. The result is generated through a field study and a questionnaire of 32 people to find out how they experience the news presented in this format. The user participants’ responses are analyzed based on their news experiences, contextualizing places and their social interaction with the news within this form of journalism. Results showed that the local, semi-local and non-local user approaches the locative news in a different manner, but that the average user found this kind of news more interesting and more informative than ordinary news. The participants also have a problem identifying this as journalism, rather than an information service.
Regulated Expressions of MMP-2, -9 by Diterpenoids from Euphorbia formosana Hayata
Authors: Yu Chia-Chun , Hsieh Ching-Ruey , Hsiao George , Chen Pi-Yu , Chang Meng-Lun , Yin Hwa-Wen , Lee Tzong-Huei , Lee Ching-Kuo
Published: February 2012

Two new abietane type diterpenoids, namely seco-helioscopinolide (1) and 3b,7b-dihydroxy-ent-abieta-8,13-diene-12,16-olide (2) were isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia formosana Hayata together with helioscopinolide A (3), helioscopinolide B (4), helioscopinolide C (5) and ent-(5b,8a,9b,10a,12a)-12-hydroxyatis-16-ene-3,14-dione (6). The structures of compounds 1−6 were elucidated by analyzing their spectroscopic data and comparison with the literature. Further biological tests by gelatin zymographic analysis revealed that 3−5 significantly up-regulated the expressions and activation of MMP-2 and -9 in human fibrosarcoma cell line HT1080.
Total Synthesis of Flocoumafen via Knoevenagel Condensation and Intramolecular Ring Cyclization: General Access to Natural Products
Authors: Jung Jae-Chul , Lim Eunyoung , Lee Yongnam , Min Dongguk , Ricci Jeremy , Park Oee-Sook , Jung Mankil
Published: February 2012

The total synthesis and structure determination of cis- and trans-flocoumafen was described. The key synthetic steps involve Knoevenagel condensation with p-methoxybenzaldehyde, in situ decarboxylation and intramolecular ring cyclization to construct the tetralone skeleton. Stereospecific reduction of the O-alkylated ketone 13 afforded good yield of precusor alcohol 5. Final coupling of alcohol 5 with 4-hydroxy-coumarin yielded flocoumafen (1). Separation and structure determination of cis- and trans-flocoumafen through 2D NMR analyses-assisted computer simulation techniques for the evaluation of anticoagulant activities are reported for the first time. This method is useful for generating the core tetralone skeleton of 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives and provides a generalized access to various warfarin type anticoagulants.
Struvite Precipitation for Ammonia Nitrogen Removal in 7-Aminocephalosporanic Acid Wastewater
Authors: Li Zaixing , Ren Xuguang , Zuo Jiane , Liu Yanfang , Duan Erhong , Yang Jingliang , Chen Ping , Wang Yongjun
Published: February 2012

7-Aminocephalosporanic acid wastewater usually contains high concentrations of ammonium (NH4+-N), which is known to inhibit nitrification during biological treatment processes. Chemical precipitation is a useful technology to remove ammonium from wastewater. In this paper, the removal of ammonium from 7-aminocephalosporanic acid wastewater was studied. The optimum pH, molar ratio, and various chemical compositions of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) precipitation were investigated. The results indicated that ammonium in 7-aminocephalosporanic acid wastewater could be removed at an optimum pH of 9. The Mg2+:NH4+-N:PO43−-P molar ratio was readily controlled at a ratio of 1:1:1.1 to both effectively remove ammonium and avoid creating a higher concentration of PO43−-P in the effluent. MgCl2·6H2O + 85% H3PO4 was the most efficient combination for NH4+-N removal. Furthermore, the lowest concentration of the residual PO43−-P was obtained with the same combination. Struvite precipitation could be considered an effective technology for the NH4+-N removal from the 7-aminocephalosporanic acid wastewater.
Reaction Dynamics of Flavonoids and Carotenoids as Antioxidants
Authors: Han Rui-Min , Zhang Jian-Ping , Skibsted Leif H.
Published: February 2012

Flavonoids and carotenoids with rich structural diversity are ubiquitously present in the plant kingdom. Flavonoids, and especially their glycosides, are more hydrophilic than most carotenoids. The interaction of flavonoids with carotenoids occurs accordingly at water/lipid interfaces and has been found important for the functions of flavonoids as antioxidants in the water phase and especially for the function of carotenoids as antioxidants in the lipid phase. Based on real-time kinetic methods for the fast reactions between (iso)flavonoids and radicals of carotenoids, antioxidant synergism during protection of unsaturated lipids has been found to depend on: (i) the appropriate distribution of (iso)flavonoids at water/lipid interface, (ii) the difference between the oxidation potentials of (iso)flavonoid and carotenoid and, (iii) the presence of electron-withdrawing groups in the carotenoid for facile electron transfer. For some (unfavorable) combinations of (iso)flavonoids and carotenoids, antioxidant synergism is replaced by antagonism, despite large potential differences. For contact with the lipid phase, the lipid/water partition coefficient is of importance as a macroscopic property for the flavonoids, while intramolecular rotation towards coplanarity upon oxidation by the carotenoid radical cation has been identified by quantum mechanical calculations to be an important microscopic property. For carotenoids, anchoring in water/lipid interface by hydrophilic groups allow the carotenoids to serve as molecular wiring across membranes for electron transport.
Contribution of Cation-π Interactions in Iminium Catalysis
Authors: Mori Yukie , Yamada Shinji
Published: February 2012

Ab initio calculations were carried out for a benzyl-substituted iminium cation derived from (E)-crotonaldehyde and a chiral imidazolidinone that was developed as an organocatalyst by MacMillan et al. At the MP2 level of theory it is predicted that the phenyl group is close to the iminium moiety in the most stable conformer, suggesting that the cation-π interaction contributes to the stabilization of this conformer. Energy decomposition analyses on model systems indicate that the electrostatic and polarization terms make significant contribution to the attractive interactions between the benzene ring and the iminium cation.
Effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A on Collagen Deposition in Hypertrophic Scars
Authors: Xiao Zhibo , Qu Guofan
Published: February 2012

A recent study reported that Botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) could inhibit the growth of hypertrophic scars and improve their appearance. However, the mechanism of BTXA’s action on hypertrophic scars is still unknown. Some in vitro studies had shown BTXA could alleviate hypertrophic scars by acting on the biological behavior of fibroblasts, but there are few in vivo experiments, especially animal model experiments, supporting these findings. The aim of the study reported herein was to investigate the effect of BTXA on collagen deposition on hypertrophic scars in a rabbit ear model and partially clarify the mechanism of BTXA on the hypertrophy of scars. The rabbit hypertrophic scar model was used and eight rabbits were employed. BTXA was injected into the hypertrophic scar tissue of one ear; and the other ear in the same rabbit was the control without BTXA injection. The scar thickness and deposition of collagen was examined through immune histochemistry including haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome staining. The thicknesses of hypertrophic scars in the BTXA treatment group were obviously lower than in the control groups (P < 0.01). H&E and Masson staining showed that collagen fibers were stained blue. Compared with the treatment group, the collagen fibers were thicker and the arrangement of collagen fibers were disordered in the control group. This study used the rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scars to assess the effects of BTXA on scar hypertrophy. The application of BTXA may be useful for inhibiting hypertrophic scars.
Current Challenges in Detecting Food Allergens by Shotgun and Targeted Proteomic Approaches: A Case Study on Traces of Peanut Allergens in Baked Cookies
Authors: Pedreschi Romina , Nørgaard Jørgen , Maquet Alain
Published: February 2012

There is a need for selective and sensitive methods to detect the presence of food allergens at trace levels in highly processed food products. In this work, a combination of non-targeted and targeted proteomics approaches are used to illustrate the difficulties encountered in the detection of the major peanut allergens Ara h 1, Ara h 2 and Ara h 3 from a representative processed food matrix. Shotgun proteomics was employed for selection of the proteotypic peptides for targeted approaches via selective reaction monitoring. Peanut presence through detection of the proteotypic Ara h 3/4 peptides AHVQVVDSNGNR (m/z 432.5, 3+) and SPDIYNPQAGSLK (m/z 695.4, 2+) was confirmed and the developed method was able to detect peanut presence at trace levels (≥10 μg peanut g−1 matrix) in baked cookies.
Characterizations of Polyamidoamine Dendrimers with Scattering Techniques
Authors: Wang Xiangyu , Guerrand Ludovic , Wu Bin , Li Xin , Boldon Lauren , Chen Wei-Ren , Liu Li
Published: February 2012

Dendrimers are highly branched, open, covalent assemblies of branch cells (monomers) radially attached to a core in successive layers or generations. Major types of dendrimers include polyamidoamine, polypropylenimine, multiple antigen peptide, chiral, and Fréchet-type dendrimers. Their structure and dynamics can be explored by various techniques, such as scattering, spectrometry, and microscopy techniques. Specifically, the scattering techniques include small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and light scattering. Examples of their properties that can be explored by scattering techniques include: inter-molecular structure, intra-molecular cavity, radius-of-gyration (RG), hydrodynamic radius (RH), molecular weight, effective charge number of a single dendrimer molecule, water penetration into the interior of the dendrimers, and the internal dynamics. Of these properties, the hydrodynamic radius and molecular weight may be explored by DLS; the internal dynamics of dendrimers may be studied by QENS; and the others may be explored through SAXS and SANS. During the past several years, SANS and QENS have been used to study the structural properties and internal dynamics of various generations of polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAMs). Their potential prospects as anticancer polymer drug carriers are also discussed.
A New Esterase from Thermobifida halotolerans Hydrolyses Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Authors: Ribitsch Doris , Herrero Acero Enrique , Greimel Katrin , Dellacher Anita , Zitzenbacher Sabine , Marold Annemarie , Rodriguez Rosario Diaz , Steinkellner Georg , Gruber Karl , Schwab Helmut , Guebitz Georg M.
Published: February 2012

A new esterase from Thermobifida halotolerans (Thh_Est) was cloned and expressed in E. coli and investigated for surface hydrolysis of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Thh_Est is a member of the serine hydrolases superfamily containing the -GxSxG- motif with 85–87% homology to an esterase from T. alba, to an acetylxylan esterase from T. fusca and to various Thermobifida cutinases. Thh_Est hydrolyzed the PET model substrate bis(benzoyloxyethyl)terephthalate and PET releasing terephthalic acid and mono-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate in comparable amounts (19.8 and 21.5 mmol/mol of enzyme) while no higher oligomers like bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate were detected. Similarly, PLA was hydrolyzed as indicated by the release of lactic acid. Enzymatic surface hydrolysis of PET and PLA led to a strong hydrophilicity increase, as quantified with a WCA decrease from 90.8° and 75.5° to 50.4° and to a complete spread of the water drop on the surface, respectively.
NIR Monitoring of Ammonia in Anaerobic Digesters Using a Diffuse Reflectance Probe
Authors: Raju Chitra S. , Løkke Mette Marie , Sutaryo Sutaryo , Ward Alastair J. , Møller Henrik B.
Published: February 2012

The feasibility of using a diffuse reflectance probe attached to a near infrared spectrometer to monitor the total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) content in an anaerobic digester run on cattle manure was investigated; as a previous study has indicated that this probe can be easily attached to an anaerobic digester. Multivariate modelling techniques such as partial least squares regression and interval partial least squares methods were used to build models. Various data pre-treatments were applied to improve the models. The TAN concentrations measured were in the range of 1.5 to 5.5 g/L. An R2 of 0.91 with an RMSEP of 0.32 was obtained implying that the probe could be used for monitoring and screening purposes.
Conserved and species-specific oxylipin pathways in the wound-activated chemical defense of the noninvasive red alga Gracilaria chilensis and the invasive Gracilaria vermiculophylla
Authors: Rempt Martin , Weinberger Florian , Grosser Katharina , Pohnert Georg
Published: February 2012

Chemical defense of the invasive red alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla has been studied and compared to that of the noninvasive but related Gracilaria chilensis. Both species rely on a wound-activated chemical defense that makes them less attractive to the herbivorous sea snail Echinolittorina peruviana. The chemical stress response of both species was monitored by LC–ESIMS-based metabolic profiling and revealed commonalities and differences. Both algae rely on a rapid lipoxygenase mediated transformation of arachidonic acid to known and novel oxylipins. Common products are 7,8-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and a novel eicosanoid with an unusual γ-lactone moiety. Several prostaglandins were predominantly formed by the invasive species. The role of some of these metabolites was investigated by surveying the attachment of E. peruviana on artificial food containing the respective oxylipins. Both algae species are defended against this general herbivore by 7,8-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, whereas the prostaglandins and the novel oxylipins were inactive at naturally occurring concentrations. The role of different oxylipins in the invasive potential of Gracilaria spp. is discussed.
CREATING STRATEGIES FROM TOWS MATRIX FOR STRATEGIC SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF KIPAŞ GROUP / DARNAUS VYSTYMOSI KIPAS GRUPĖJE STRATEGIJŲ KŪRIMAS REMIANTIS GGSS MATRICA
Authors: Aslan Imran , Çınar Orhan , Kumpikaitė Vilmantė
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study is to develop new strategies for sustainable development of a group and to establish a holding from several companies by considering the regulations in the World Trade, recent developments in textile sector and raising conflicts among stakeholders. In this study, internal analysis of the group was carried out with interviews, observations and surveys. To prepare external analysis, the economical situation of Turkey and the World was researched and categorized under standard PEST (Political – Economic – Sociocultural – Technological) categories. Later, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of the group was prepared and most significant factors were chosen. Important problems were identified and the purposes and objectives of the firm were determined by focusing on opportunities. In the light of these factors, TOWS (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, and Strengths) matrix was prepared to combine external and internal factors of the enterprise in order to deploy strategies. A new organization structure of the group was determined and presented based on these strategies. Santrauka Šio straipsnio tikslas – pateikti Turkijos Kipas grupės, veikiančios tekstilės ir aprangos pramonėje, darnaus vystymosi strategijas, reorganizuojant grupę į holdingą. Tokiam organizacijos apsisprendimui įtakos turėjo pasaulio prekybos reguliavimo tekstilės sektoriaus pokyčiai, auganti Kinijos tekstilės produkcijos pasiūla ir vidinių konfliktų tarp suinteresuotų asmenų grupės viduje augimas. Šiame tyrime pristatoma vidinė Kipas grupės aplinkos analizė. Ji atlikta remiantis interviu, stebėjimo ir apklausos rezultatais. Išorinė aplinkos analizė ir Turkijos bei pasaulio ekonominė situacija analizuota remiantis PEST analize. Vėliau parengta SSGG (stiprybių, silpnybių, galimybių, grėsmių) grupės analizė ir išskirti reikšmingiausi veiksniai, darantys poveikį. Orientuojantis į išskirtas galimybes, buvo nustatyti strateginiai organizacijos tikslai ir uždaviniai. Kitu žingsniu, remiantis atlikta analize, buvo atlikta dar viena – šį kartą GGSS (galimybių, grėsmių, silpnybių, stiprybių) analizė. Ji sujungė išanalizuotus išorinius ir vidinius organizacijos aplinkos veiksnius, siekiant sudaryti darnaus vystymosi strategijas. Dėl to Kipas grupei buvo pasiūlyta nauja organizacinė struktūra.
TESTING WEAK-FORM EFFICIENCY OF EMERGING ECONOMIES: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF LITERATURE / KRITINĖ KYLANČIOS EKONOMIKOS MAŽO RINKOS EFEKTYVUMO LITERATŪROS APŽVALGA
Authors: Nurunnabi Mohammad
Published: February 2012

Due to the globalisation and mobilisation of capital markets, the concept of EMH is gaining a lot of importance in both developed and emerging economies. Most of the researches on the weak-form efficiency to date were based on the developed countries. The present study will seek to provide a comprehensive understanding of the weak-form efficiency in emerging economies. In terms of practical implications, the paper has direct implications for future research in EMH in particular emerging economies. The paper contributes in manly three ways: First, the paper collates and examines the broader and most effervescent literature and their findings. Second, it also presents a comprehensive, encompassing research work and a holistic view of various aspects of weak-form EMH. Finally, no studies have been conducted to date on a literature review of EMH weak-form efficiency in emerging economies. Nevertheless, the limitation of the study is that the findings are presented that may not be generalized to developed nations, which may be quite different in socio-cultural and political settings including the behavioral aspects of investors and the strength of the capital market. Santrauka Dėl globalizacijos ir mobilizacijos kapitalo rinkose efektyvios rinkos hipotezės koncepcija įgyja vis didesnę svarbą tiek išsivysčiusiose, tiek sparčiai kylančios ekonomikos šalyse. Dauguma tyrimų, susijusių su mažu rinkos efektyvumu, buvo atliekami ekonomiškai stipriose valstybėse, tačiau šiame straipsnyje siekiama pateikti išsamų paaiškinimą apie mažą efektyvumą kylančios ekonomikos šalyse. Straipsnį sudaro trys dalys: pirmoji dalis skirta mokslinių darbų ir jų rezultatų analizei, antrojoje dalyje pateikiami autoriaus atlikto tyrimo rezultatai, susiję su efektyvios rinkos hipotezės reiškiniu, trečioji dalis susijusi su pagrindiniu šio straipsnio tikslu, t. y. kylančios ekonomikos mažo efektyvumo mokslinių darbų kritine analize įvairiose šalyse.
A FUZZY ANALYTIC NETWORK PROCESS APPROACH TO DETERMINING PROSPECTIVE COMPETITIVE STRATEGY IN CHINA: A CASE STUDY FOR MULTINATIONAL BIOTECH PHARMACEUTICAL ENTERPRISES / FUZZY METODO TAIKYMAS NUSTATANT KONKURENCINGUMĄ SKATINANČIAS STRATEGIJAS, NAUDOJAMAS KINIJOJE: TARPTAUTINIŲ FARMACIJOS KOMPANIJŲ PAVYZDŽIU
Authors: Lee Yun-Huei
Published: February 2012

This study explores efforts to identify the most appropriate competitive strategy relative to multinational biotech pharmaceutical enterprises’ strategy selection. The research uses the analytic network process (ANP) technique combining both qualitative and quantitative information to construct a hierarchical model involving interactions among various criteria for competitive strategy selection, and also introduces fuzzy logic to eliminate vagueness, subjectivity, and imprecision stemming from human judgment. The most important finding shows that the most suitable competitive strategy for multinational enterprises (MNEs) is innovative-focus strategy. Also, the weighted calculations present the three most important criteria affecting the competitive strategy of foreign direct investment (FDI): collaboration with local partners, governmental rules and regulations and high-quality research personnel with R & D capability. Santrauka Straipsnyje analizuojama galimybė nustatyti ir parinkti strategiją, kuri yra tinkamiausia tarptautinėms biotechnologinėms farmacijos kompanijoms ir padėtų joms konkurencinėje aplinkoje. Autoriai taikė analitinį tinklo formavimo metodą (ANP), derindami kokybinę ir kiekybinę informaciją bei duomenis, kurie buvo skirti hierarchiniam modeliui formuoti. Analizuojant įvairius verslo strategijos veiksnius ir pritaikius Fuzzy logicmetodą, buvo pašalinta neapibrėžtumo sąlyga, kuri dažnai siejama su subjektyvumu ir netikslumais, atsirandančiais dėl žmogiškojo veiksnio / sprendimo. Gauti rezultatai rodo, kad tarptautinėms biotechnologinėms farmacijos kompanijoms viena tinkamiausių strategijų, didinančių konkurencingumą, yra inovatyvi fokusinė strategija.
EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR FACTORS AFFECTING CREATIVITY IN THE LITHUANIAN ARMED FORCES / KŪRYBIŠKUMĄ VEIKIANČIŲ VEIKSNIŲ VERTINIMO SISTEMA LIETUVOS KARIUOMENĖJE
Authors: Raudeliūnienė Jurgita , Meidutė Ieva , Martinaitis Giedrius
Published: February 2012

The General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Šilo g. 5A, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania
Écologie, économie et incitations au changement
Authors: Matagne Patrick
Published: February 2012

Résumé Au 19 e siècle, l’émergence parallèle de la science et de la pensée écologiques est en rupture avec la théo-écologie du 18 e siècle. Au 20 e siècle, la nouvelle discipline produit des concepts qui, comme ceux d’écosystème, de biosphère ou de climax, vont contribuer à développer l’approche systémique qui caractérise aujourd’hui aussi bien la science écologique que le projet écologiste. Quant à l’entrée de l’écologie en politique, elle s’effectue dans un contexte économique, politique et social complètement nouveau. Codes JEL : Q57, Q56
La technologie au cœur du développement durable : mythe ou réalité ?
Authors: Diemer Arnaud
Published: February 2012

Résumé À la fin des années 1980, l’écologie industrielle a répondu à la problématique du développement durable par une solution technique et organisationnelle. D’une part, l’écotechnologie recommande aux industriels de procéder à un ensemble d’opérations de rationalisation de la production (minimisation des déchets, transformation des déchets en biens marchands). D’autre part, la symbiose industrielle, notamment celle de Kalundborg, constitue l’organisation la plus efficace lorsqu’il s’agit d’établir des relations durables entre agents économiques. Pour que l’innovation soit une solution viable pour les générations présentes et futures, il convient cependant de dissocier le mythe de la véritable révolution environnementale. En effet, la dématérialisation, suggérée par l’essor des services et des nouvelles technologies de l’information et de la communication, peut générer des effets rebonds. En d’autres termes, la consommation d’énergie peut augmenter (et non diminuer) à la suite d’une amélioration des techniques. La clé du développement durable résiderait ainsi dans le triptyque suivant : technologie, innovation organisationnelle, changements dans les modes de vie. Les industriels et les consommateurs devront changer leurs habitudes s’ils veulent améliorer leur bien-être, sans souffrir de la dégradation de l’environnement. Codes JEL : B20, D22, L86, O33, O44
La relation entre innovation environnementale et réglementation : une application au secteur agroalimentaire français
Authors: Gallaud Delphine , Martin Michel , Reboud Sophie , Tanguy Corinne
Published: February 2012

Résumé Les pratiques alimentaires sont sources d’une pollution importante. Si l’hypothèse de Porter, selon laquelle il y a une relation positive entre réglementation et innovation environnementale est vérifiée, les entreprises des IAA devraient développer de nombreuses innovations environnementales. Qu’en est-il réellement ? Nous utilisons les données de l’enquête Innovation CIS 8 sur les IAA et réalisons une analyse de données (ACM et classification hiérarchique) pour déterminer les différentes stratégies des entreprises dans ce domaine. Nos résultats montrent tout d’abord que l’hypothèse de Porter n’est pas validée dans le secteur des IAA, car même soumise à une réglementation, seule une minorité d’entreprises des IAA innovent. Puis, nous mettons en évidence que certaines firmes mettent en place une stratégie d’innovation immatérielle (organisationnelle et marketing) autonome. Enfin, nous voyons paradoxalement que les PME innovent autant en matière environnementale (en privilégiant l’innovation immatérielle) que les grandes firmes, alors que, par contre, les entreprises moyennes sont moins innovantes. Code JEL : L20, L66, O31, Q5  5
Effects of dietary inulin and heat-inactivated Bacillus subtilis on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) innate immune parameters
Authors: Cerezuela R. , Cuesta A. , Meseguer J. , Esteban M.
Published: February 2012

In the present study, a feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of inulin and heat-inactivated Bacillus
subtilis, single or combined, on several innate immune activities of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Forty-eight
specimens were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: 0 (control), inulin (10 g/kg, prebiotic group), B.
subtilis (107 cfu/g, probiotic group), or B. subtilis + inulin (107 cfu/g + 10 g/kg, synbiotic group). After two and
four weeks, six fish of each group were sampled, with the main innate immune parameters (natural haemolytic
complement activity, serum and leucocyte peroxidase, phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and cytotoxic activities) being
determined. Inulin or heat-inactivated B. subtilis failed to significantly stimulate the innate immune parameters
assayed, although some activities showed no significant increase through these treatments. A combination of inulin
and B. subtilis resulted in an increase of such parameters, with the haemolytic complement activity being the only
one significantly stimulated. To conclude, inulin and B. subtilis, when administered as a synbiotic, have a synergistic
effect and enhance some innate immune parameters of gilthead seabream.
Genes involved in lactose catabolism and organic acid production during growth of Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20 in skimmed milk
Authors: Do Carmo A. , De Oliveira M. , Da Silva D. , Castro S. , Borges A. , De Carvalho A. , De Moraes C.
Published: February 2012

There are three main reasons for using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as starter cultures in industrial food fermentation
processes: food preservation due to lactic acid production; flavour formation due to a range of organic molecules
derived from sugar, lipid and protein catabolism; and probiotic properties attributed to some strains of LAB, mainly
of lactobacilli. The aim of this study was to identify some genes involved in lactose metabolism of the probiotic
Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20, and analyse its organic acid production during growth in skimmed milk. The
following genes were identified, encoding the respective enzymes: ldh – lactate dehydrogenase, adhE – Ldb1707
acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, and ccpA-pepR1 – catabolite control protein A. It was observed that L. delbrueckii
UFV H2b20 cultivated in different media has the unexpected ability to catabolyse galactose, and to produce high
amounts of succinic acid, which was absent in the beginning, raising doubts about the subspecies in question. The
phylogenetic analyses showed that this strain can be compared physiologically to L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
and L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis, which are able to degrade lactose and can grow in milk. L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20
sequences have grouped with L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus ATCC 11842 and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
ATCC BAA-365, strengthening the classification of this probiotic strain in the NCFM group proposed by a
previous study. Additionally, L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 presented an evolutionary pattern closer to that of probiotic
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, corroborating the suggestion that this strain might be considered as a new and
unusual subspecies among L. delbrueckii subspecies, the first one identified as a probiotic. In addition, its unusual
ability to metabolise galactose, which was significantly consumed in the fermentation medium, might be exploited
to produce low-browning probiotic Mozzarella cheeses, a desirable property for pizza cheeses.
Modulation of the murine microbiome with a concomitant anti-obesity effect by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus sakei NR28
Authors: Ji Y. , Kim H. , Park H. , Lee J. , Yeo S. , Yang J. , Park S. , Yoon H. , Cho G. , Franz C. , Bomba A. , Shin H. , Holzapfel W.
Published: February 2012

The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) constitutes the major part of the total human microbiome and is
considered to be an important regulator of human health and host metabolism. Numerous investigations in recent
years have focused on the connection between the human microbiota and metabolic diseases such as obesity, type
II diabetes and atherosclerosis. Yet, little is known about the impact of probiotic consumption on the GIT microbial
population and the potential effect on chronic diseases. In this study, the modulation of the microbial community
in the murine small intestine resulting from probiotic feeding was investigated and was found to be associated with
an anti-obesity effect. Changes in the microbiota of the mouse faeces and small intestine were monitored using
quantitative real-time PCR and by following the mRNA expression levels of various obesity-related biomarkers
following probiotic feeding in a mouse model. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus sakei NR28 (a putative
probiotic strain isolated from kimchi) were administered at a daily level of approximately 1×108 viable bacteria per
mouse (C57BL/6J mice) for up to three weeks. Feeding these strains resulted in a significant reduction of epididymal
fat mass, as well as obesity-related biomarkers like acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and stearoyl-CoA
desaturase-1 in the liver. The total number and ratio of the microbial groups, i.e. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Clostridium
cluster I and XIVab, and Lactobacillus spp. were modulated in the small intestine, and the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes
ratio was decreased. In contrast, no noticeable effect of probiotic feeding could be detected on the faecal microbiota,
neither quantitatively, nor with regard to the bacterial groups (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Clostridium cluster I and
XIVab, and Lactobacillus spp.) studied.
Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 does not protect interleukin-10 knock-out mice from chronic gut inflammation
Authors: Ganesh B. , Richter J. , Blaut M. , Loh G.
Published: February 2012

Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 reduces diarrhoea incidence and duration in animals and human study subjects.
We tested whether the strain is also capable of reducing chronic gut inflammation and aimed to identify mechanisms
that are involved in possible probiotic effects. To identify health-promoting mechanisms of the strain, we used
interleukin-10-deficient mice that spontaneously develop gut inflammation and fed these mice a diet containing
NCIMB 10415 for 3, 8 and 24 weeks, respectively. Control mice were fed a diet which was identically composed
but did not contain the strain. After 3 weeks of intervention the experimental animals were less inflamed in the
caecum than the control animals. This effect was not observed in the colon and there were no differences between
experimental and control mice at any other time point. The application of the strain was associated with higher
expression levels of interferon gamma and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 after 3 and 24 but not after 8 weeks
of feeding. No differences between the animals were observed in intestinal barrier function or intestinal microbiota
composition. However, we observed a low abundance of the mucin-degrading bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila
in the mice that were fed NCIMB 10415 for 8 weeks. These low cell numbers were associated with a significantly
lower caecal inflammation score and improved paracellular permeability as compared to the NCIMB-treated mice
that were killed after 3 and 24 weeks of intervention. In conclusion, NCIMB 10415 is not capable of reducing gut
inflammation in the IL-10-/- mouse model. The exact role of A. muciniphila and of a possible interaction between
this bacterium, NCIMB 10415 and the host in gut inflammation requires further investigation.
T Lymphocyte Priming by Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Links Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses
Authors: Tillack Kati , Breiden Petra , Martin Roland , Sospedra Mireia
Published: February 2012

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils constitute the first line of defense against infections. Among their strategies to eliminate pathogens they release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), being chromatin fibers decorated with antimicrobial proteins. NETs trap and kill pathogens very efficiently, thereby minimizing tissue damage. Furthermore, NETs modulate inflammatory responses by activating plasmacytoid dendritic cells. In this study, we show that NETs released by human neutrophils can directly prime T cells by reducing their activation threshold. NETs-mediated priming increases T cell responses to specific Ags and even to suboptimal stimuli, which would not induce a response in resting T cells. T cell priming mediated by NETs requires NETs/cell contact and TCR signaling, but unexpectedly we could not demonstrate a role of TLR9 in this mechanism. NETs-mediated T cell activation adds to the list of neutrophil functions and demonstrates a novel link between innate and adaptive immune responses.
Ionic and carbonaceous compositions of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 at Gosan ABC Superstation and their ratios as source signature
Authors: Lim S. , Lee M. , Lee G. , Kim S. , Yoon S. , Kang K.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 were sampled at Gosan ABC Superstation on Jeju Island from August 2007 to September 2008. The carbonaceous aerosols were quantified with the thermal/optical reflectance (TOR) method, which produced five organic carbon (OC) fractions, OC1, OC2, OC3, OC4, and pyrolyzed organic carbon (OP), and three elemental carbon (EC) fractions, EC1, EC2, and EC3. The mean mass concentrations of PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 were 13.7 μg m−3, 17.2 μg m−3, and 28.4 μg m−3, respectively. The averaged mass fractions of OC and EC were 23.0% and 10.4% for PM1.0, 22.9% and 9.8% for PM2.5, and 16.4% and 6.0% for PM10. Among the OC and EC sub-components, OC2 and EC2+3 were enriched in the fine mode, but OC3 and OC4 in the coarse mode. The filter-based PM1.0 EC agreed well with black carbon (BC) measured by an Aethalometer, and PM10 EC was higher than BC, implying less light absorption by larger particles. EC was well correlated with sulfate, resulting in good relationships of sulfate with both aerosol scattering coefficient measured by Nephelometer and BC concentration. Our measurements of EC confirmed the definition of EC1 as char-EC emitted from smoldering combustion and EC2+3 as soot-EC generated from higher-temperature combustion such as motor vehicle exhaust and coal combustion (Han et al., 2010). In particular, EC1 was strongly correlated with potassium, a traditional biomass burning indicator, except during the summer, when the ratio of EC1 to EC2+3 was the lowest. We also found the ratios of major chemical species to be a useful tool to constrain the main sources of aerosols, by which the five air masses were well distinguished: Siberia, Beijing, Shanghai, Yellow Sea, and East Sea types. Except Siberian air, the continental background of the study region, Beijing plumes showed the highest EC1 (and OP) to sulfate ratio, which implies that this air mass had the highest net warming by aerosols of the four air masses. Shanghai-type air, which was heavily influenced by southern China, showed the highest sulfate enhancement. The highest EC2+3/EC1 ratio was found in aged East Sea air, demonstrating a significant influence of motor vehicle emissions from South Korea and Japan and less influence from industrial regions of China. The high ratio results from the longer residence time and less sensitivity to wet scavenging of EC2+3 compared to EC1, indicating that soot-EC could have greater consequence in regional-scale warming.
Some Properties of Certain Subclasses of Analytic Functions with Complex Order
Authors: Wang Zhi-Gang , Wen Feng-Hua , Sun Yong
Published: February 2012

The main purpose of this paper is to derive some coefficient inequalities and subordination properties for certain subclasses of analytic functions involving the Salagean operator. Relevant connections of the results presented here with those obtained in earlier works are also pointed out.
What Dictionary Are Animal Researchers Using?
Authors: Mcmillan Franklin D.
Published: February 2012

The public largely supports the use of animals in biomedical research, but only if they are sure that the animals are treated humanely. The scientific community has provided these assurances. Is this a truthful claim? I argue that when examined systematically, the claim that animals in research are treated humanely is not truthful by any existing definition of the word. This article does not argue for or against the morality of using animals in research; rather, the reasoning set forth herein argues that in this use of animals, the scientific community is not being truthful to the public.
Old McDonald’s Had a Farm: The Metaphysics of Factory Farming
Authors: Leder Drew
Published: February 2012

This article explores the cultural and philosophical foundations of factory farming. Modes of capitalist production play a role: Marx’s analysis of the fourfold alienation of labor can be applied to animal-laborers. However, the harshness with which animals are treated exceeds the harshness directed toward human workers. At root is a cultural anthropocentrism that prohibits viewing animals as moral subjects, removing ethical restraints. Ultimately, the modernist ways in which animals are treated as both like and unlike human workers are related to the rise of Cartesian mechanism. The categories of “human” and “animal” are reconfigured by the image of the “machine.”
Impact of uveitis on the phenotype of patients with recent inflammatory back pain: Data from a prospective multicenter French cohort
Authors: Wendling Daniel , Prati Clément , Demattei Christophe , Miceli‐Richard Corinne , Daures Jean‐Pierre , Dougados Maxime
Published: February 2012

Objective

To determine the prevalence of uveitis in patients with recent inflammatory back pain (IBP) suggestive of spondylarthritis (SpA), and to investigate the impact of uveitis on the overall features of these patients.

Methods

The Devenir des Spondylarthropathies Indifférenciées Récentes (DESIR; Outcome of Recent Undifferentiated Spondylarthropathies) cohort is a prospective multicenter French cohort of 708 patients with early IBP suggestive of SpA. Uveitis was defined by an ophthalmologic episode diagnosed as uveitis by an ophthalmologist, or history of a medical diagnosis of uveitis given to the patient. Data on the baseline demographic characteristics, functional status and quality of life, imaging features, bone mineral density (BMD), and blood tests were compared in patients with and without uveitis. Factors associated with the presence of uveitis were identified both by univariate and multivariate analysis (logistic regression).

Results

The prevalence of uveitis at inclusion in the DESIR cohort was 8.5%. Uveitis occurred after the first symptoms of IBP in 45% of patients. The presence of uveitis was significantly associated (univariate) with pain in the cervical spine, infection preceding inflammatory disease, a previous diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the Short Form 36 (SF‐36; mental and physical health and social relationship subscales), Achilles enthesitis, elevated leukocyte count, and radiologic hip involvement, but not with fulfillment of classification criteria, HLA–B27, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, and BMD. Stepwise multivariate analysis found an association between uveitis and pain in the cervical spine, infection preceding inflammatory disease, a previous diagnosis of IBD, and the physical health limitation of the SF‐36 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In recent IBP suggestive of SpA, uveitis is associated with IBD and infection. This might suggest a role of environmental factors in the incidence of uveitis in SpA.
Functional Human Vascular Network Generated in Photocrosslinkable Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogels
Authors: Chen Ying‐Chieh , Lin Ruei‐Zeng , Qi Hao , Yang Yunzhi , Bae Hojae , Melero‐Martin Juan M. , Khademhosseini Ali
Published: February 2012

The generation of functional, 3D vascular networks is a fundamental prerequisite for the development of many future tissue engineering‐based therapies. Current approaches in vascular network bioengineering are largely carried out using natural hydrogels as embedding scaffolds. However, most natural hydrogels present a poor mechanical stability and a suboptimal durability, which are critical limitations that hamper their widespread applicability. The search for improved hydrogels has become a priority in tissue engineering research. Here, the suitability of a photopolymerizable gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel to support human progenitor cell‐based formation of vascular networks is demonstrated. Using GelMA as the embedding scaffold, it is shown that 3D constructs containing human blood‐derived endothelial colony‐forming cells (ECFCs) and bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) generate extensive capillary‐like networks in vitro. These vascular structures contain distinct lumens that are formed by the fusion of ECFC intracellular vacuoles in a process of vascular morphogenesis. The process of vascular network formation is dependent on the presence of MSCs, which differentiate into perivascular cells occupying abluminal positions within the network. Importantly, it is shown that implantation of cell‐laden GelMA hydrogels into immunodeficient mice results in a rapid formation of functional anastomoses between the bioengineered human vascular network and the mouse vasculature. Furthermore, it is shown that the degree of methacrylation of the GelMA can be used to modulate the cellular behavior and the extent of vascular network formation both in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that GelMA hydrogels can be used for biomedical applications that require the formation of microvascular networks, including the development of complex engineered tissues.
Subpicosecond Domain Switching in Discrete Regions of Pb(Zr0.35Ti0.65)O3 Thick Films
Authors: Jiang An Quan , Chen Zhi Hui , Hui Wen Yuan , Wu Dongping , Scott James F.
Published: February 2012

The time dependence of the domain switching current density, Jsw(t), under pulsed voltages on a ferroelectric parallel‐plate capacitor is the consequence of region‐by‐region polarization reversals across the film. As the distributive coercive voltage of domain nucleation increases from zero to the maximum applied voltage during the capacitor charging time, Jsw(t) is proportional to the domain switching speed at each time. By transforming the spatially inhomogeneous domain nucleation distribution into a temporal distribution of coercive fields (Ec), a local lnJsw versus Ec−1 plot is derived for each domain, following the Merz equation. This provides insight into the independent domain switching dynamics at different nucleation sites in Pb(Zr0.35Ti0.65)O3 thick films over a large current range. Although the activation field of the slope of the lnJsw(t) versus Ec−1 plot varies with film area and temperature, all the plots extrapolate to a single point (J0, E0) from which the ultimate domain switching current density of J0 =1.4 × 108 A cm−2 at the highest field of E0 = 0.20‐0.25 MV cm−1 is derived. Unexpectedly, J0 and E0 are independent of the film thickness and area, after correction for a small interfacial‐layer effect. This analysis provides rigorous evidence for nucleation rate‐limited domain switching with a subpicosecond nucleation time and the relative unimportance of domain forward‐growth time across film thicknesses between 0.14 and 2 μm. This work paves the way to improve the efficiency of ferroelectric thick‐film functionality in electronic and optoelectronic devices with ultrafast clock rates.
PVAm–PIP/PS Composite Membrane with High Performance for CO2/N2 Separation
Authors: Qiao Zhihua , Wang Zhi , Zhang Chenxin , Yuan Shuangjie , Zhu Yaqun , Wang Jixiao , Wang Shichang
Published: February 2012

Polyvinylamine (PVAm) was modified using a cross‐linking agent containing carriers piperazine (PIP). Attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared, elemental analyzer, and X‐ray diffraction were used to characterize the PIP‐modified PVAm. The PVAm–PIP/polysulfone (PS) composite membrane was developed by coating PVAm–PIP mixed solutions with different mass ratios of PIP/PVAm (mPIP/mPVAm) on the PS ultrafiltration membrane. The effects of mPIP/mPVAm (from 0.715 to 2.860) in the coating solutions and wet coating thickness on the gas performance of the PVAm–PIP/PS composite membrane were investigated. The PVAm–PIP/PS composite membrane prepared showed higher performance than other membranes reported in the literature due to the large increase of the introducing carrier concentration and low crystallinity. Moreover, the separation performance stability of the PVAm–PIP/PS composite membrane was investigated and no deterioration in the membrane permselectivity was observed. Finally, the economic evaluation of the membrane with the highest performance prepared was carried out. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 215–228, 2013