Spawning behaviour and mating success in hybrids of silver bream (Blicca bjoerkna L.) and rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus L.) in an experimental environment

in Animal Biology (2013), 63

The egg-release, mating, courting and aggressive acts for the spawning behaviour as well as the survival rates after spawning at stages of eyed embryos, viable hatchlings, and larvae to dry food ... [more ▼]

The egg-release, mating, courting and aggressive acts for the spawning behaviour as well as the survival rates after spawning at stages of eyed embryos, viable hatchlings, and larvae to dry food consumption for the mating success were studied in cultured silver bream Blicca bjoerkna × rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus hybrids at their first sexual maturity. Experiments were conducted in experimental environments simulating natural reproductive conditions of the parental species. Spawning behaviour was analysed over 1 day from 8.00 to 18.00 hours using a remote-controlled video. Mating success was assessed from eggs and hatched embryos collected on the spawning ground. The results showed that these hybrids exhibited all the reproductive behaviours of the parental species with significantly more courtship than mating. Each egg-release act was accompanied by mating behaviour, involving all the experimental males. A surprising aggressive behaviour was observed in one male which attacked all other experimental fish. Successful mating resulted in the presence of fertilized eggs, the production of hatched embryos in experiments, and the survival of larvae at the dry food consumption stage. However, the low viable hatchling rate observed could indicate a very low chance of survival for these hybrids in rivers in which the occurrence of post-F1 individuals may be more possible by backcrossing. [less ▲]

A micro–macro approach of permeability evolution in rocks excavation damaged zones

in Computers & Geotechnics (2013), 49

Excavation damaged zone, with significant irreversible deformations and nonnegligible changes in flow and transport properties generally occurs in indurated clay around underground structures. The stress ... [more ▼]

Excavation damaged zone, with significant irreversible deformations and nonnegligible changes in flow and transport properties generally occurs in indurated clay around underground structures. The stress perturbation around the excavation could lead to a significant increase of the permeability physically due to diffuse and/or localized microcracks growth in the material. In the present study, we investigate microcracks-induced damage processes together with the subsequent modification in permeability. The proposed approach is based on a homogenization-based upper bound extended to the context of micro-cracked media in presence of initial stress. Application of this approach is done on a borehole excavation problem related to the Selfrac in situ experiments on Opalinus Clay. Although, the model fails to quan-titatively account for the in situ permeability change (which may also originated from existing macro-fractures), its prediction shows a significant evolution of the material permeability around the borehole. This is in qualitative agreement with available data. [less ▲]

A multi-scale cardiovascular system model can account for the load-dependence of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship.

in BioMedical Engineering OnLine (2013), 12(1), 8

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The end-systolic pressure-volume relationship is often considered as a load-independent property of the heart and, for this reason, is widely used as an index of ventricular ... [more ▼]

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The end-systolic pressure-volume relationship is often considered as a load-independent property of the heart and, for this reason, is widely used as an index of ventricular contractility. However, many criticisms have been expressed against this index and the underlying time-varying elastance theory: first, it does not consider the phenomena underlying contraction and second, the end-systolic pressure volume relationship has been experimentally shown to be load-dependent. METHODS: In place of the time-varying elastance theory, a microscopic model of sarcomere contraction is used to infer the pressure generated by the contraction of the left ventricle, considered as a spherical assembling of sarcomere units. The left ventricle model is inserted into a closed-loop model of the cardiovascular system. Finally, parameters of the modified cardiovascular system model are identified to reproduce the hemodynamics of a normal dog. RESULTS: Experiments that have proven the limitations of the time-varying elastance theory are reproduced with our model: (1) preload reductions, (2) afterload increases, (3) the same experiments with increased ventricular contractility, (4) isovolumic contractions and (5) flow-clamps. All experiments simulated with the model generate different end-systolic pressure-volume relationships, showing that this relationship is actually load-dependent. Furthermore, we show that the results of our simulations are in good agreement with experiments. CONCLUSIONS: We implemented a multi-scale model of the cardiovascular system, in which ventricular contraction is described by a detailed sarcomere model. Using this model, we successfully reproduced a number of experiments that have shown the failing points of the time-varying elastance theory. In particular, the developed multi-scale model of the cardiovascular system can capture the load-dependence of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship. [less ▲]

Mobility and distribution of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc in soil profiles in the peri-urban market garden of Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

in Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science (2013)

Structural Behavior of Concrete Columns under Natural Fires

in Engineering Computations (2013), 30(6),

Purpose - The paper aims to give an insight into the behavior of reinforced concrete columns during and after the cooling phase of a fire. The study is based on numerical simulations as these tools are ... [more ▼]

Purpose - The paper aims to give an insight into the behavior of reinforced concrete columns during and after the cooling phase of a fire. The study is based on numerical simulations as these tools are frequently used in structural engineering. As the reliability of numerical analysis largely depends on the validity of the constitutive models, the development of a concrete model suitable for natural fire analysis is addressed in the study. Design/methodology/approach - The paper proposes theoretical considerations supported by numerical examples to discuss the capabilities and limitations of different classes of concrete models and eventually to develop a new concrete model that meets the requirements in case of natural fire analysis. Then, the study performs numerical simulations of concrete columns subjected to natural fire using the new concrete model. A parametric analysis allows for determining the main factors that affect the structural behavior in cooling. Findings – Failure of concrete columns during and after the cooling phase of a fire is a possible event. The most critical situations with respect to delayed failure arise for short fires and for columns with low slenderness or massive sections. The concrete model used in the simulations is of prime importance and the use of the Eurocode model would lead to unsafe results. Practical implications – The paper includes implications for the assessment of the fire resistance of concrete elements in a performance-based environment. Originality/value – The paper provides original information about the risk of structural collapse during cooling. [less ▲]

Influence of sampling effort on saproxylic beetle diversity assessment: Implications for insect monitoring studies in European temperate forests

in Agricultural & Forest Entomology (2013)

Saproxylic beetle diversity monitoring provides a tool for estimating the efficiency of forest conservation measures. Flight interception traps are commonly employed to monitor beetle assemblages ... [more ▼]

Saproxylic beetle diversity monitoring provides a tool for estimating the efficiency of forest conservation measures. Flight interception traps are commonly employed to monitor beetle assemblages, although little explicit knowledge of the efficiency of this trapping method is available. The present study investigated how slight changes in sampling effort can influence species richness and species composition of assemblages in data sets from standard window-flight traps. At both trap and plot levels, an additional year or an additional trap provided a 50% increase in the number of species detected (a 75% increase for rare species) and resulted in a different estimated composition of the assemblages. Adding 2 or 3years of sampling gave twice as many species and resulted in assemblages that were 50% dissimilar. Increases in the detection of species and the dissimilarity of assemblages were similarly affected along a gradient of forest conditions, suggesting that changes in sampling effort were not affected by forest condition. At the forest level, year or trap replication provided smaller increases in species richness (31% and 25%, respectively). Within sites, distance measures in species composition between traps did not differ significantly when based on 1 or 2years of data. Using two traps per plot compared with one trap influenced comparisons between stand types, based on species richness, in 25% of the cases. Species detection was similarly increased by either year replication or trap replication. The results of the present study highlight the significant role played by finescale patterns of habitat structure and inter-annual variation with respect to determining catch size and assemblages of saproxylic species. © 2013 The Royal Entomological Society. [less ▲]

Contingency ranking with respect to overloads in very large power systems taking into account uncertainty, preventive, and corrective actions

in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems (2013)

This paper deals with day-ahead security management with respect to a postulated set of contingencies, while taking into account uncertainties about the next day generation/load scenario. In order to help ... [more ▼]

This paper deals with day-ahead security management with respect to a postulated set of contingencies, while taking into account uncertainties about the next day generation/load scenario. In order to help the system operator in decision making under uncertainty, we aim at ranking these contingencies into four clusters according to the type of control actions needed to cover the worst uncertainty pattern of each contingency with respect to branch overload. To this end we use a fixed point algorithm that loops over two main modules: a discrete bi-level program (BLV) that computes the worst-case scenario, and a special kind of security constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF) which computes optimal preventive/corrective actions to cover the worst-case. We rely on a DC grid model, as the large number of binary variables, the large size of the problem, and the stringent computational requirements preclude the use of existing mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) solvers. Consequently we solve the SCOPF using a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) solver while the BLV is decomposed into a series of MILPs. We provide numerical results with our approach on a very large European system model with 9241 buses and 5126 contingencies. [less ▲]

Compte-rendu de l'ouvrage de B. Boute : Academic Interests and Catholic Confessionalisation. The Louvain Privileges of Nomination for Ecclesiastical Benefices

in Revue Belge de Philologie et d'Histoire (2013), 91(2),

La querelle territoriale entre Samos et Priène : réponse à une invitation au débat

in Topoi (2013), 18(2),

A feedback control perspective on models of apoptosis signal transduction

in Chaos, Solitons & Fractals (2013)

Apoptosis is a key regulator for replacing unused, old and damaged cells. Here we analyse three models of apoptosis. We deconstruct these models by linearising the models about the life steady state and ... [more ▼]

Apoptosis is a key regulator for replacing unused, old and damaged cells. Here we analyse three models of apoptosis. We deconstruct these models by linearising the models about the life steady state and applying methods from linear control theory. This control viewpoint uncovers a decentralised control scheme with a clear separation of plant and controller and reveals that the caspase inhibitors act as decentralised phase lead controllers. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Quelle place pour les littératures françaises périphériques dans la formation littéraire en Communauté française de Belgique ?

in Dialogues et Cultures (2013), 59

Importance of identification and typing of Brucellae from West African cattle: a review

in Veterinary Microbiology (2013)

Redox reactions in Prussian blue containing paint layers as a result of light exposure

in Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry [=JAAS] (2013)

Prussian blue, a mixed valence pigment, typically KFeIII[FeII(CN)6].xH2O, was the most widely used blue artistic pigment from ca. 1720 to the 1970's but, unfortunately, its paint layers, especially when ... [more ▼]

Prussian blue, a mixed valence pigment, typically KFeIII[FeII(CN)6].xH2O, was the most widely used blue artistic pigment from ca. 1720 to the 1970's but, unfortunately, its paint layers, especially when used in conjunction with a white pigment, tend to fade or turn green upon extended exposure to light. In order to identify the mechanism underlying these changes, paint layers have been prepared with differing amounts of these white pigments and subjected to accelerated light exposure fading. The resulting unfaded and faded paint layers as well as both the Berlin white pigment, Fe2II[FeII(CN)6], and the partially oxidized Berlin green pigment, {KFeIII[FeII(CN)6]}x{FeIII[FeIII(CN)6]}1–x, have been characterized by Raman and iron-57 Mössbauer spectroscopy. The results indicate that, upon fading, the Prussian blue pigment painted with a linseed oil binder and (PbCO3)2Pb(OH)2 or ZnO, and to a lesser extent with TiO2, undergoes a reduction at the exposed paint surface and an oxidation in the bulk of the paint layer. This combined reduction and oxidation disrupts, at least in part, the FeIII–N–C–FeII intervalent electron transfer pathways in Prussian blue thus leading to pigment fading through a reduction in the intervalent electron transfer absorbance at about 700 nm. [less ▲]

Role of the supplementary motor area in the automatic activation of motor plans in de novo Parkinson's disease patients

in Neuroscience Research (2013)

Potential of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) for phytoremediation of dredging sludge contaminated by trace metals

in Biodegradation (2013)

The potential of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinusL.) and corn (Zea mays L.) for accumulation of cadmium and zinc was investigated. Plants have been grown in lysimetres containing dredging sludge, a substratum ... [more ▼]

The potential of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinusL.) and corn (Zea mays L.) for accumulation of cadmium and zinc was investigated. Plants have been grown in lysimetres containing dredging sludge, a substratum naturally rich in trace metals. Biomass production was determined. Sludge and water percolating from lysimeters were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry.No visible symptoms of toxicity were observed during the three- month culture. Kenaf and corn tolerate trace metals content in sludge. Results showed that Zn and Cd were found in corn and kenaf shoots at different levels,2.49 mg/kg of Cd and 82.5 mg/kg of Zn in kenaf shoots and2.1mg/kgofCdand10.19mg/kgincornshoots. Quantities of extracted trace metals showed that decontamination of Zn and Cd polluted substrates is possible by corn and kenaf crops. Tolerance and bioaccumulation factors indicated that both species could be used in phytoremediation. [less ▲]

Likelihood based inference for semi-competing risks

in Communications in Statistics : Simulation & Computation (2013)

Assessing urbanisation effects on rainfall-runoff using a remote sensing supported modelling strategy

in International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation (2013), 21

This paper aims at developing a methodology for assessing urban dynamics in urban catchments and the related impact on hydrology. Using a multi-temporal remote sensing supported hydrological modelling ... [more ▼]

This paper aims at developing a methodology for assessing urban dynamics in urban catchments and the related impact on hydrology. Using a multi-temporal remote sensing supported hydrological modelling approach an improved simulation of runoff for urban areas is targeted. A time-series of five medium resolution urban masks and corresponding sub-pixel sealed surface proportions maps was generated from Landsat and SPOT imagery. The consistency of the urban mask and sealed surface proportion timeseries was imposed through an urban change trajectory analysis. The physically based rainfall-runoff model WetSpa was successfully adapted for integration of remote sensing derived information of detailed urban land use and sealed surface characteristics. A first scenario compares the original land-use class based approach for hydrological parameterisation with a remote sensing sub-pixel based approach. A second scenario assesses the impact of urban growth on hydrology. Study area is the Tolka River basin in Dublin, Ireland. The grid-based approach of WetSpa enables an optimal use of the spatially distributed properties of remote sensing derived input. Though change trajectory analysis remains little used in urban studies it is shown to be of utmost importance in case of time series analysis. The analysis enabled to assign a rational trajectory to 99% of all pixels. The study showed that consistent remote sensing derived land-use maps are preferred over alternative sources (such as CORINE) to avoid over-estimation errors, interpretation inconsistencies and assure enough spatial detail for urban studies. Scenario 1 reveals that both the class and remote sensing sub-pixel based approaches are able to simulate discharges at the catchment outlet in an equally satisfactory way, but the sub-pixel approach yields considerably higher peak discharges. The result confirms the importance of detailed information on the sealed surface proportion for hydrological simulations in urbanised catchments. In addition a major advantage with respect to hydrological parameterisation using remote sensing is the fact that it is site- and period-specific. Regarding the assessment of the impact of urbanisation (scenario 2) the hydrological simulations revealed that the steady urban growth in the Tolka basin between 1988 and 2006 had a considerable impact on peak discharges. Additionally, the hydrological response is quicker as a result of urbanisation. Spatially distributed surface runoff maps identify the zones with high runoff production. It is evident that this type of information is important for urban water management and decision makers. The results of the remote sensing supported modelling approach do not only indicate increased volumes due to urbanisation, but also identifies the locations where the most relevant impacts took place. [less ▲]

CNMNC guidelines for the use of suffixes and prefixes in mineral nomenclature, and for the preservation of historical names.

in European Journal of Mineralogy (2013), 25

Comprehensive clinical and molecular analysis of 12 families with type 1 recessive cutis laxa.

in Human Mutation (2013), 34(1), 111-21

Autosomal recessive cutis laxa type I (ARCL type I) is characterized by generalized cutis laxa with pulmonary emphysema and/or vascular complications. Rarely, mutations can be identified in FBLN4 or FBLN5 ... [more ▼]

Autosomal recessive cutis laxa type I (ARCL type I) is characterized by generalized cutis laxa with pulmonary emphysema and/or vascular complications. Rarely, mutations can be identified in FBLN4 or FBLN5. Recently, LTBP4 mutations have been implicated in a similar phenotype. Studying FBLN4, FBLN5, and LTBP4 in 12 families with ARCL type I, we found bi-allelic FBLN5 mutations in two probands, whereas nine probands harbored biallelic mutations in LTBP4. FBLN5 and LTBP4 mutations cause a very similar phenotype associated with severe pulmonary emphysema, in the absence of vascular tortuosity or aneurysms. Gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract involvement seems to be more severe in patients with LTBP4 mutations. Functional studies showed that most premature termination mutations in LTBP4 result in severely reduced mRNA and protein levels. This correlated with increased transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) activity. However, one mutation, c.4127dupC, escaped nonsense-mediated decay. The corresponding mutant protein (p.Arg1377Alafs(*) 27) showed reduced colocalization with fibronectin, leading to an abnormal morphology of microfibrils in fibroblast cultures, while retaining normal TGFbeta activity. We conclude that LTBP4 mutations cause disease through both loss of function and gain of function mechanisms. [less ▲]

Synthesis and fading of eighteenth-century Prussian blue pigments: a combined study by spectroscopic and diffractive techniques using laboratory and synchrotron radiation sources

in Journal of Synchrotron Radiation (2013), 20(3), 460--473

Ion-Mobility mass spectrometry as a potential tool to assign disulfide bonds arrangements in peptides with multiple disulfide bridges.

in Analytical Chemistry (2013)

Disulfide bridges play a major role in defining the structural properties of peptides and proteins. However, the determination of the cysteine pairing is still challenging. Peptide sequences are usually ... [more ▼]

Disulfide bridges play a major role in defining the structural properties of peptides and proteins. However, the determination of the cysteine pairing is still challenging. Peptide sequences are usually achieved using MS/MS spectra of the totally reduced unfolded species but the cysteine pairing information is lost. On the other hand, MS/MS experiments performed on native folded species show complex spectra composed of non-classical ions. MS/MS alone does not allow the cysteine pairing nor the full sequence of an unknown peptide to be determined. The major goal of this work is to set up a strategy for the full structural characterization of peptides including disulfide bridges annotation in the sequence. This strategy was developed by combining Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)and Collision Induced Dissociation(CID). It is assumed that the opening of one S-S bridges in a peptide leads to a structural evolution which results in a modification of IMS drift time. In the presence of multiple S-S bridges, the shift in arrival time will depend on which disulfide(s) has (have) been reduced and on the shape adopted by the generated species. Due to specific fragmentations observed for each species, CID experiments performed after the mobility separation could provide not only information on peptide sequence, but also on the localization of the disulfide bridges. To achieve this goal, synthetic peptides containing two disulfides were studied. The openings of the bridges were carried out following different experimental conditions such as reduction, reduction/alkylation or oxidation. Due to disulfide scrambling highlighted with the reduction approaches, oxidation of S-S bonds into cysteic acids appeared to be the best strategy. Cysteines connectivity was then unambiguously determined for the two peptides, without any disulfide scrambling interference. [less ▲]

Reward uncertainty enhances incentive salience attribution as sign-tracking

in Behavioural Brain Research (2013), 238(1), 53-61

Conditioned stimuli (CSs) come to act as motivational magnets following repeated association with unconditioned stimuli (UCSs) such as sucrose rewards. By traditional views, the more reliably predictive a ... [more ▼]

Conditioned stimuli (CSs) come to act as motivational magnets following repeated association with unconditioned stimuli (UCSs) such as sucrose rewards. By traditional views, the more reliably predictive a Pavlovian CS-UCS association, the more the CS becomes attractive. However, in some cases, less predictability might equal more motivation. Here we examined the effect of introducing uncertainty in CS-UCS association on CS strength as an attractive motivation magnet. In the present study, Experiment 1 assessed the effects of Pavlovian predictability versus uncertainty about reward probability and/or reward magnitude on the acquisition and expression of sign-tracking (ST) and goal-tracking (GT) responses in an autoshaping procedure. Results suggested that uncertainty produced strongest incentive salience expressed as sign-tracking. Experiment 2 examined whether a within-individual temporal shift from certainty to uncertainty conditions could produce a stronger CS motivational magnet when uncertainty began, and found that sign-tracking still increased after the shift. Overall, our results support earlier reports that ST responses become more pronounced in the presence of uncertainty regarding CS-UCS associations, especially when uncertainty combines both probability and magnitude. These results suggest that Pavlovian uncertainty, although diluting predictability, is still able to enhance the incentive motivational power of particular CSs. [less ▲]

Effect of breed, sex, age and body weight on Echocardiographic Measurements in the Equine Species

in Research in Veterinary Science (2013), In press

Little is known about the effect of various animal's signalment variables on echocardiographic reference values in the equine species. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of sex, breed, age ... [more ▼]

Little is known about the effect of various animal's signalment variables on echocardiographic reference values in the equine species. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of sex, breed, age and body weight (BW) on echocardiographic measurements in the equine species. Echocardiography was performed on 212 ponies or horses of various breeds, aged from 1 day to 37 years old (mean ± SD: 7.8 ± 5.8 years), BW 38-890 kg (mean ± SD: 421 ± 133 Kg), and free of cardiac disease. Fifty of those animals aged from 2 months to 35 years old (mean ± SD: 11.6 ± 6.4 years old); BW 77-662 kg (mean ± SD: 436 ± 135 kg) were also examined using the pulsed-wave Doppler mode. Standard two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography were performed on all animals. Standard pulsed-wave Doppler examination of each cardiac valve was performed on the 50 first examined animals. Data were analysed using a general linear model including the effect of sex, age, breed and BW after logarithmic transformation of the data. Therefore, the same analysis was performed separately on animals aged  2 years-old and on older animals. All dimensional echocardiographic measurements were significantly affected by BW and most of them were significantly affected by breed, but not by sex. Only the aortic and the pulmonary artery internal diameter were significantly affected by age. None of the Doppler measurements were significantly affected by the tested variables. In conclusion, in the equine species, dimensional echocardiographic reference values should be established using regression equations as a function of BW, which could increase the diagnostic value of this leading technique in equine cardiology. Breed could also have an effect on those measurements. [less ▲]

Experimental and numerical investigation of high-strength steel circular columns subjected to fire

in Journal of Constructional Steel Research (2013), 80

This paper presents an experimental–numerical study on the behaviour of High Strength Steel (HSS) columns at elevated temperature, both on Circular Hollow Sections (CHS) and on a Concrete Filled Tube (CFT ... [more ▼]

This paper presents an experimental–numerical study on the behaviour of High Strength Steel (HSS) columns at elevated temperature, both on Circular Hollow Sections (CHS) and on a Concrete Filled Tube (CFT). The measured yield strength of the circular sections was in the order of 820 MPa. In detail, three HSS CHS and a HSS CFT were tested under the standard ISO fire with constant eccentric compression applied load. The evolution of temperature and deformation patterns were measured by means of a comprehensive instrumentation made of thermocouples and displacement transducers. Numerical analyses were performed and compared with experimental data by employing stress–strain relationships of carbon steel at elevated temperatures provided by the Eurocodes associated to two different sets of reduction factors: i) those provided by the Eurocodes valid up to S460 steel grades; and ii) those proposed in the literature and based on tests on HSS. [less ▲]

Mineralogy and geochemistry of phosphates and silicates in the Sapucaia pegmatite, Minas Gerais, Brazil: genetical implications.

in Canadian Mineralogist (2013), 50

Ausweitung und Grenzen der postklassischen Narratologie. Der Wille zur Vermittlung neuer Forschungsergebnisse in Frankreich

in Diegesis (2013), 2.2.(Winter),

Item purification does not always improve DIF detection: a counter-example with Angoff’s Delta plot

in Educational & Psychological Measurement (2013), 73

Item purification is an iterative process that is often advocated as improving the identification of items affected by differential item functioning (DIF). With test-score based DIF detection methods ... [more ▼]

Item purification is an iterative process that is often advocated as improving the identification of items affected by differential item functioning (DIF). With test-score based DIF detection methods, item purification iteratively removes the items currently flagged as DIF from the test scores in order to get purified sets of items, unaffected by DIF. The purpose of this paper is to highlight that item purification is not always useful and that a single run of the DIF method may return equally suitable results. Angoff’s Delta plot is considered as a counter-example DIF method, with a recent improvement to the derivation of the classification threshold. Several possible item purification processes may be defined with this method, and all of them are compared through a simulation study and a real data set analysis. It appears that none of these purification processes clearly improves the Delta plot performance. A tentative explanation is drawn from the conceptual difference between the modified Delta plot and the other traditional DIF methods. [less ▲]

Novel cooperation between CX3CL1 and CCL26 inducing NK cell chemotaxis via CX3CR1: a possible mechanism for NK cell infiltration of the allergic nasal tissue.

in Clinical & Experimental Allergy : Journal of the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (2013), 43(3), 322-31

BACKGROUND: Recent data indicated that natural killer (NK) cells and chemokines could play a pivotal role in nasal inflammation. CX3CR1, the only receptor for fractalkine/CX3CL1, is abundantly expressed ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Recent data indicated that natural killer (NK) cells and chemokines could play a pivotal role in nasal inflammation. CX3CR1, the only receptor for fractalkine/CX3CL1, is abundantly expressed by NK cells, and was recently shown to also be a receptor for eotaxin-3/CCL26. However, no reports explored the NK cells-CX3CL1-CCL26 axis via CX3CR1 in allergy. OBJECTIVE: Our goals were first to determine specifically NK cell recruitment pattern in nasal tissue of allergic chronic rhinosinusitis (ACRS) and non-allergic chronic rhinosinusitis (NACRS) patients in comparison with healthy controls, and secondly, to investigate the function of CX3CR1 in NK cell migration. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, microchemotaxis chambers, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy were used in this study. RESULTS: Herein, we showed that NK cells infiltrated the epithelial layers of nasal tissue only in ACRS patients and not in NACRS patients or controls. NK cells were also more numerous in the stroma of the nasal tissue from ACRS patients compared with NACRS patients or controls. This migration could be mediated by both CX3CL1 and CCL26, as these two chemokines induced NK cell migration. Moreover, both molecules also stimulated cytoskeleton changes and F-actin reorganisation in NK cells. Chemotaxis and cytoskeleton changes were sensitive to genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. By flow cytometry, we demonstrated that a single antigen nasal provocation challenge increased the expression of CX3CR1 on NK cells in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. The function of this receptor was associated with a significant augmentation of NK cell chemotaxis against the optimal doses of CX3CL1 and CCL26. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results highlight a novel role for CX3CR1 in NK cell migration that may contribute to the NK cell trafficking to the allergic upper airway. This could be mediated largely by CX3CL1 and CCL26 stimulation of the tyrosine kinase pathway. [less ▲]

Dioxin levels in fertilizers from Belgium: Determination and evaluation of the potential impact on soil contamination

in Science of the Total Environment (2013), 454-455

Dioxins are harmful Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to which humans are exposed mostly via the consumption of animal products. They can enter the food chain at any stage, including crop fertilization ... [more ▼]

Dioxins are harmful Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to which humans are exposed mostly via the consumption of animal products. They can enter the food chain at any stage, including crop fertilization. Fertilizers belong to several categories: synthetic chemicals providing the essential elements (mostly N, P and K) that are required by the crops but also organic fertilizers or amendments, liming materials, etc. Ninety-seven samples of fertilizers were taken in Belgium during the year 2011 and analyzed after a soft extraction procedure for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) using GC-IDHRMS. Only small qualitative differences could be observed between the main fertilizer categories since the PCDD:PCDF:DL-PCB average ratio obtained with the results expressed in WHO 2005-TEQ was often close to 30:30:40 (typically for sewage sludge) or 40:30:30 (typically for compost). The median dioxin levels determined were generally lower than recorded previously and were the highest for sewage sludge and compost (5.6 and 5.5 ng TEQ/kg dry weight (dw), respectively). The levels in other fertilizers were lower including manure for which the median value was only 0.2 ng TEQ/kg dw. Several fertilization scenarios relying on the use of those fertilizers were assessed taking into consideration the application conditions prevailing in Belgium. From this assessment it could be concluded that the contribution of fertilizers to the overall soil contamination will be low by comparison of other sources of contamination such as atmospheric depositions. At the field scale, intensive use of compost and sewage sludge will increase dramatically the dioxin inputs compared with other fertilization practices but this kind of immission to the soil will still be relatively low compared to the dioxin atmospheric depositions. [less ▲]

First-principles study of transport properties in Os and OsSi

in Physical Review. B : Condensed Matter (2013), 87

AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulators: a patent review

in Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents (2013), 23

Peptidoglycan glycosyltransferase substrate mimics as templates for the design of new antibacterial drugs.

in Frontiers in immunology (2013), 4

Peptidoglycan (PG) is an essential net-like macromolecule that surrounds bacteria, gives them their shape, and protects them against their own high osmotic pressure. PG synthesis inhibition leads to ... [more ▼]

Peptidoglycan (PG) is an essential net-like macromolecule that surrounds bacteria, gives them their shape, and protects them against their own high osmotic pressure. PG synthesis inhibition leads to bacterial cell lysis, making it an important target for many antibiotics. The final two reactions in PG synthesis are performed by penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Their glycosyltransferase (GT) activity uses the lipid II precursor to synthesize glycan chains and their transpeptidase (TP) activity catalyzes the cross-linking of two glycan chains via the peptide side chains. Inhibition of either of these two reactions leads to bacterial cell death. beta-lactam antibiotics target the transpeptidation reaction while antibiotic therapy based on inhibition of the GTs remains to be developed. Ongoing research is trying to fill this gap by studying the interactions of GTs with inhibitors and substrate mimics and utilizing the latter as templates for the design of new antibiotics. In this review we present an updated overview on the GTs and describe the structure-activity relationship of recently developed synthetic ligands. [less ▲]

Linagliptin plus metformin: a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation.

in Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology (2013), 9(3), 363-77

INTRODUCTION: The first-choice drug therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes is metformin . However, most patients require a combined therapy to reach and/or maintain targets of glucose control ... [more ▼]

INTRODUCTION: The first-choice drug therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes is metformin . However, most patients require a combined therapy to reach and/or maintain targets of glucose control. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, commonly referred to as gliptins, offer new options for combined therapy with metformin. Linagliptin is the most recently launched gliptin, with a unique pharmacokinetic (PK) profile characterized by negligible renal excretion and is now also available as a fixed-dose combination (FDC) with metformin. AREAS COVERED: An extensive literature search was performed to analyze the potential PK and pharmacodynamic interactions between linagliptin and metformin. Linagliptin and metformin may be administered together, either separately or as FDC supported by bioequivalence studies. Linagliptin and metformin are not prone to PK drug-drug interactions. Their coadministration improves blood glucose control more potently than either compound separately, without hypoglycemia and without increasing metformin-related gastrointestinal side effects. EXPERT OPINION: The combination linaglitpin plus metformin, if not contraindicated (renal failure), may be used as first-line or second-line therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes. That being said, the durability of the glucose-lowering effect of this combination needs to be further explored in long-term controlled trials. [less ▲]

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls in human milk from different regions of France

in Science of the Total Environment (2013), 452-453

Wereport on the pilot study carried out before the start of the Elfe project (French longitudinal study from childhood). A total of 44 samples of mature human milk were collected at home 8 weeks after ... [more ▼]

Wereport on the pilot study carried out before the start of the Elfe project (French longitudinal study from childhood). A total of 44 samples of mature human milk were collected at home 8 weeks after delivery. A total of 7 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), 12 dioxin-like (DL) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 6 non dioxin-like (NDL)-PCBs were measured. For total TEQ (PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs), the geometric mean concentration was 17.81 pg TEQWHO05/g lipids. Relative PCDD, PCDF, and DL-PCB contributions to the arithmetic mean TEQWHO05 were 38%, 18%, and 44%, respectively. The use of TEFWHO05 instead of TEFWHO98 resulted in a 27% reduction of the total TEQ value. Although PCDD levels did not significantly change (less than 0.5% increase), PCDF and DL-PCB levels both decreased by 35% and 38%, respectively. Levels have been compared to data obtained during a previous non-reported national study conducted in 1998 (TEFWHO98) in French lactaria (n = 244). The mean of PCDD/Fs has decreased about 39.4% (18.8 pg TEQWHO98/g lipids in 1998 vs 11.4 pg TEQWHO98/g lipids in pilot study), respectively 41.5% for PCDDs (10.6 pg TEQWHO98/g lipids in 1998 vs 6.2 pg TEQWHO98/g lipids in pilot study) and 36.7% for PCDFs (7.9 pg TEQWHO98/g lipids in 1998 vs 5.0 pg TEQWHO98/g lipids in pilot study). For the sum of the 6 NDL-PCBs, the 2007 geometric mean concentration in milk was 176.3 ng/g lipids. The arithmetic mean lipid concentration in 2007 breast milk was 26.4 g/l (range from 6.0 to 46.7 g/l). A PCDD/F and DL-PCB daily intake was estimated to be 62.3 pg TEQWHO05/kg body weight per day (85.0 pg TEQWHO98/kg bodyweight per day) for a baby of 5 kg of bodyweight fed daily with 700 ml of maternal milk containing 25 g/l of lipids. [less ▲]

Tolvaptan in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

in New England Journal of Medicine [=NEJM] (2013), 368(13), 1258-9

Fish larvae prefer coral over algal water cues: implications of coral reef degradation

in Marine Ecology. Progress Series (2013), 475

"We come in peace" : Laibach ou l'art de la fugue

in Multitudes (2013), (51), 212-218

Emerging in the ideological context of the last decade of Yugoslavia, Slovenian industrial music group Laibach and its umbrella organisation, Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK), contributed to renew the grammar ... [more ▼]

Emerging in the ideological context of the last decade of Yugoslavia, Slovenian industrial music group Laibach and its umbrella organisation, Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK), contributed to renew the grammar of contentious politics, through the principle of “retrogardism” and the technique of overidentification to the aesthetic codes of power. The paper traces the group’s line of work, analysing its strategies while insisting on the systematically ironic dimension of its mode of utterance, especially of its art of cover songs. [less ▲]

Lower intracellular concentration of cryoprotectants after vitrification than after slow freezing despite exposure to higher concentration of cryoprotectant solutions.

in Human reproduction (Oxford, England) (2013)

STUDY QUESTION: What is the intracellular concentration of cryoprotectant (ICCP) in mouse zygotes during vitrification (VIT) and slow-freezing (SLF) cryopreservation procedures? SUMMARY ANSWER: Contrary ... [more ▼]

STUDY QUESTION: What is the intracellular concentration of cryoprotectant (ICCP) in mouse zygotes during vitrification (VIT) and slow-freezing (SLF) cryopreservation procedures? SUMMARY ANSWER: Contrary to common beliefs, it was observed that the ICCP in vitrified zygotes is lower than after SLF, although the solutions used in VIT contain higher concentrations of cryoprotectants (CPs). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: To reduce the likelihood of intracellular ice crystal formation, which has detrimental effects on cell organelles and membranes, VIT was introduced as an alternative to SLF to cryopreserve embryos and gametes. Combined with high cooling and warming rates, the use of high concentrations of CPs favours an intracellular environment that supports and maintains the transition from a liquid to a solid glass-like state devoid of crystals. Although the up-to-date publications are reassuring in terms of obstetric and perinatal outcomes after VIT, a fear about exposing gametes and embryos to high amounts of CPs that exceed 3-4-fold those found in SLF was central to a debate initiated by advocates of SLF procedures. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Two experimental set-ups were applied. The objective of a first study was to determine the ICCP at the end of the exposure steps to the CP solutions with our VIT protocol (n = 31). The goal of the second investigation was to compare the ICCP between VIT (n = 30) and SLF (n = 30). All experiments were performed in triplicates using mouse zygotes. The study took place at the GIGA-Research Institute of the University of Liege. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Cell volume is modified by changes in extracellular osmolarity. Hence, we estimated the final ICCP after the incubation steps in the VIT solutions by exposing the cells to sucrose (SUC) solutions with defined molarities. The ICCP was calculated from the SUC concentration that produced no change in cell volume, i.e. when intra- and extracellular osmolarities were equivalent. Cell volume was monitored by microscopic cinematography. ICCP was compared between SLF and VIT based on the principle that a high ICCP lowers the probability of (re)crystallization during warming but increases the probability of over-swelling of the cell due to fast inflow of water. The survival rates of mouse zygotes after SLF or VIT were compared using either (i) various warming rates or (ii) various concentrations of SUC in the warming dilution medium. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The ICCP in mouse zygotes during the VIT procedure prior to plunging them in liquid nitrogen was approximately 2.14 M, i.e. one-third of the concentration in the VIT solution. After SLF, the warming rate did not affect the zygote survival rate. In contrast, only 3/30 vitrified zygotes survived when warmed slowly but as many as 30/30 zygotes survived when warming was fast (>20 000 degrees C/min). Vitrified zygotes showed significantly higher survival rates than slow-frozen zygotes when they were placed directly in the culture medium or in solutions containing low concentrations of SUC (P < 0.01). These two experiments demonstrate a lower ICCP after VIT than after SLF. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The results should not be directly extrapolated to other stages of development or to other species due to possible differences in membrane permeability to water and CPs. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The low ICCP we observed after VIT removes the concern about high ICCP after VIT, at least in murine zygotes and helps to explain the observed efficiency and lack of toxicity of VIT. STUDY FUNDING / COMPETING INTEREST(S): The study was funded by the FNRS (National Funds for Scientific Research). The authors declare that they have no competing interests. [less ▲]

Laboratory management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: proposing a new paradigm

in Advances in Anatomic Pathology (2013)

Changes in naming and semantic abilities with aging from 50 to 90 years

in Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (2013)

The aim of this study was to determine whether naming difficulties arise in individuals as young as their 50s. Participants of 25-35, 50-59, 60-69 and above 70 years of age were given a picture naming ... [more ▼]

The aim of this study was to determine whether naming difficulties arise in individuals as young as their 50s. Participants of 25-35, 50-59, 60-69 and above 70 years of age were given a picture naming task. To uncover subtle naming difficulties, latencies were analyzed in addition to accuracy. In order to control whether the expected slower naming latencies could be due to a general slowing affecting all cognitive tasks, participants were also given an odd/even judgment task to assess cognitive processing speed. The results confirmed that participants in their 50s presented decline in naming performance, reflected by an increase in naming latencies, whereas adults in their 60s and their 70s showed both a decrease in accuracy and an increase in latency. Moreover, the increase in naming latencies remained significant even after controlling for odd/even judgment latencies, suggesting a degradation specific to the picture naming task. We assumed that these slower latencies may result from a language-specific impairment. As a further test for language-specific degradation, participants’ semantic capacities were also assessed with a synonym judgment task and the Pyramids and Palm Trees test. The above-70 group showed semantic degradation. The contributions of multiple factors to naming difficulties in aging are discussed. [less ▲]

Outbound SPIT Filter with Optimal Performance Guarantees

in Computer Networks (2013)

This paper presents a formal framework for identifying and filtering SPIT calls (SPam in Internet Telephony) in an outbound scenario with provable optimal performance. In so doing, our work is largely ... [more ▼]

This paper presents a formal framework for identifying and filtering SPIT calls (SPam in Internet Telephony) in an outbound scenario with provable optimal performance. In so doing, our work is largely different from related previous work: our goal is to rigorously formalize the problem in terms of mathematical decision theory, find the optimal solution to the problem, and derive concrete bounds for its expected loss (number of mistakes the SPIT filter will make in the worst case). This goal is achieved by considering an abstracted scenario amenable to theoretical analysis, namely SPIT detection in an outbound scenario with pure sources. Our methodology is to first define the cost of making an error (false positive and false negative), apply Wald’s sequential probability ratio test to the individual sources, and then determine analytically error probabilities such that the resulting expected loss is minimized. The benefits of our approach are: (1) the method is optimal (in a sense defined in the paper); (2) the method does not rely on manual tuning and tweaking of parameters but is completely self-contained and mathematically justified; (3) the method is computationally simple and scalable. These are desirable features that would make our method a component of choice in larger, autonomic frameworks. [less ▲]

IDENTIFICATION AND DETERMINATION OF ALKALOIDS IN FUMARIA SPECIES FROM ROMANIA

in Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures (2013), 8(2), 817-824

The African coelacanth genome provides insights into tetrapod evolution.

in Nature (2013), 496(7445), 311-6

The discovery of a living coelacanth specimen in 1938 was remarkable, as this lineage of lobe-finned fish was thought to have become extinct 70 million years ago. The modern coelacanth looks remarkably ... [more ▼]

The discovery of a living coelacanth specimen in 1938 was remarkable, as this lineage of lobe-finned fish was thought to have become extinct 70 million years ago. The modern coelacanth looks remarkably similar to many of its ancient relatives, and its evolutionary proximity to our own fish ancestors provides a glimpse of the fish that first walked on land. Here we report the genome sequence of the African coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae. Through a phylogenomic analysis, we conclude that the lungfish, and not the coelacanth, is the closest living relative of tetrapods. Coelacanth protein-coding genes are significantly more slowly evolving than those of tetrapods, unlike other genomic features. Analyses of changes in genes and regulatory elements during the vertebrate adaptation to land highlight genes involved in immunity, nitrogen excretion and the development of fins, tail, ear, eye, brain and olfaction. Functional assays of enhancers involved in the fin-to-limb transition and in the emergence of extra-embryonic tissues show the importance of the coelacanth genome as a blueprint for understanding tetrapod evolution. [less ▲]

Similar local and landscape processes affect both a common and a rare newt species

in PLoS ONE (2013), 8(5), 62727

Although rare species are often the focus of conservation measures, more common species may experience similar decline and suffer from the same threatening processes. We tested this hypothesis by ... [more ▼]

Although rare species are often the focus of conservation measures, more common species may experience similar decline and suffer from the same threatening processes. We tested this hypothesis by examining, through an information-theoretic approach, the importance of ecological processes at multiple scales in the great crested newt Triturus cristatus, regionally endangered and protected in Europe, and the more common smooth newt, Lissotriton vulgaris. Both species were similarly affected by the same processes, i.e. suitability of aquatic and terrestrial components of their habitat at different scales, connectivity among breeding sites, and the presence of introduced fish. T. cristatus depended more on water depth and aquatic vegetation than L. vulgaris. The results show that environmental pressures threaten both common and rare species, and therefore the more widespread species should not be neglected in conservation programs. Because environmental trends are leading to a deterioration of aquatic and terrestrial habitat features required by newt populations, populations of the common species may follow the fate of the rarest species. This could have substantial conservation implications because of the numerical importance of common species in ecosystems and because commonness could be a transient state moving towards rarity. On the other hand, in agreement with the umbrella species concept, targeting conservation efforts on the most demanding species would also protect part of the populations of the most common species. [less ▲]

Patterns of genomic aberrations suggest that Burkitt lymphomas with complex karyotype are distinct from other aggressive B-cell lymphomas with MYC rearrangement.

in Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer (2013), 52(1), 81-92

We previously showed that complex karyotypes (CK) and chromosome 13q abnormalities have an adverse prognostic impact in childhood Burkitt lymphomas/leukemias (BL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL ... [more ▼]

We previously showed that complex karyotypes (CK) and chromosome 13q abnormalities have an adverse prognostic impact in childhood Burkitt lymphomas/leukemias (BL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL). The aim of our study was to identify recurrent alterations associated with MYC rearrangements in aggressive B-cell lymphomas with CK. Multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) was performed in 84 patient samples (59 adults and 25 children), including 37 BL (13 lymphomas and 24 acute leukemias), 12 DLBCL, 28 B-cell lymphomas with intermediate features (DLBCL/BL), 4 B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemias (BCP-ALL), and 3 unclassifiable B-cell lymphomas. New (cytogenetically undetected) abnormalities were identified in 80% of patients. We also refined one-third of the chromosomal aberrations detected by karyotyping. M-FISH proved to be more useful in identifying chromosomal partners involved in unbalanced translocations and in revealing greater complexity of 13q rearrangements. Most of the newly identified or refined recurrent alterations involved 1q, 13q and 3q (gains/losses), 7q and 18q (gains), or 6q (losses), suggesting that these secondary aberrations may play a role in lymphomagenesis. Several patterns of genomic aberrations were identified: 1q gains in BL, trisomies 7 in DLBCL, and 18q-translocations in adult non-BL. BCP-ALL usually displayed an 18q21 rearrangement. BL karyotypes were less complex and aneuploid than those of other MYC-rearranged lymphomas. BCP-ALL and DLBCL/BL were associated with a higher rate of early death than BL and DLBCL. These findings support the categorization of DLBCL/BL as a distinct entity and suggest that BL with CK are indeed different from other aggressive MYC-rearranged lymphomas, which usually show greater genetic complexity. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [less ▲]

Interactions of iturinic antibiotics with plasma membrane. Contribution of biomimetic membranes.

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (2013), ACCEPTED after minor rev

Iturinic antibiotics are produced by Bacillus subtilis strains and constitute a family including iturin A, mycosubtilin and bacillomycins D, F and Lc. They are cyclic lipopeptides having -amino fatty ... [more ▼]

Iturinic antibiotics are produced by Bacillus subtilis strains and constitute a family including iturin A, mycosubtilin and bacillomycins D, F and Lc. They are cyclic lipopeptides having -amino fatty acids linked up to a peptide constituted by seven -aminoacids with an invariable LDDLLDL chiral sequence. The first three -aminoacids containing the tyrosyl residue are the same for all members. They are well-known by their strong antifungal activities but they have also antibacterial and hemolytic properties. These biological properties are due to their amphiphilic nature allowing interactions with different membrane components. Sterols found in plasma membranes are the privileged interaction partners of these lipopeptides. Moreover, the tyrosyl residue of the iturinic antibiotics seems to play an important role during their fixation to the plasma membrane, the result of which is often the cellular lysis. Within plasma membranes, there are particular regions with high sterol content. These microdomains have a different composition compared to the rest of the membrane; they are enriched in certain lipids and proteins and they are involved in many key cellular processes. Their perturbation could then have an important impact on the cell. Due to their composition, these microdomains could constitute the preferential target of iturin antibiotics. This review aims to synthetize the works related to the biological activities of iturinic antibiotics and focusses especially to their understanding at the molecular level with a discussion on the key chemical groups of the iturin antibiotics and on the potentiality of microdomains to constitute a target for these molecules [less ▲]

DMFSGD: A Decentralized Matrix Factorization Algorithm for Network Distance Prediction

in IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking (2013)

The knowledge of end-to-end network distances is essential to many Internet applications. As active probing of all pairwise distances is infeasible in large-scale networks, a natural idea is to measure a ... [more ▼]

The knowledge of end-to-end network distances is essential to many Internet applications. As active probing of all pairwise distances is infeasible in large-scale networks, a natural idea is to measure a few pairs and to predict the other ones without actually measuring them. This paper formulates the prediction problem as matrix completion where the unknown entries in a pairwise distance matrix constructed from a network are to be predicted. By assuming that the distance matrix has a low-rank characteristics, the problem is solvable by lowrank approximation based on matrix factorization. The new formulation circumvents the well-known drawbacks of existing approaches based on Euclidean embedding. A new algorithm, so-called Decentralized Matrix Factorization by Stochastic Gradient Descent (DMFSGD), is proposed. By letting network nodes exchange messages with each other, the algorithm is fully decentralized and only requires each node to collect and to process local measurements, with neither explicit matrix constructions nor special nodes such as landmarks and central servers. In addition, we compared comprehensively matrix factorization and Euclidean embedding to demonstrate the suitability of the former on network distance prediction. We further studied the incorporation of a robust loss function and of non-negativity constraints. Extensive experiments on various publicly-available datasets of network delays show not only the scalability and the accuracy of our approach, but also its usability in real Internet applications. [less ▲]

Influence of monopalmitin on the isothermal crystallization mechanism of palm oil

in Food Research International (2013), 51(1), 344-353

Silkworm moths inventory in their natural tapia forest habitat (Madagascar): diversity, population dynamics and host plants

in African Entomology (2013), 21(1), 137-150

Endemic silk moths (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in Madagascar have been collected and exploited for centuries by local populations either for food or as a source of silk cocoons from which textiles are ... [more ▼]

Endemic silk moths (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in Madagascar have been collected and exploited for centuries by local populations either for food or as a source of silk cocoons from which textiles are made. Moth natural forest habitat has also been degraded, leading to a drastic decrease in silk moth populations. However, very few scientific reports highlighted these observations well known by the local people.We have inventoried silk moths species in tapia (Uapaca bojeri Baill.) forests located in the central highlands of Madagascar. Inventories have been conducted during one year from August 2009 to July 2010 by sampling transects in Imamo forests. Three species of Lasiocampidae belonging to two genera were found: Borocera cajani Vinson, Borocera marginepunctata Guérin-Méneville and Europtera punctillata Guenée. These three silk moth species are endemic to Madagascar but only one (B. cajani) is commercially exploited in the silk industry. The habitat, host plants, abundance, life cycle and feeding behaviour of these species in their natural habitat are described. [less ▲]

Behavior in the open field predicts the number of KCl-induced cortical spreading depressions in rats.

in Behavioural Brain Research (2013), 236(1), 90-3

Anxiety disorders are known to be comorbid with migraine, and cortical spreading depression (CSD) is the most likely cause of the migraine aura. To search for possible correlations between susceptibility ... [more ▼]

Anxiety disorders are known to be comorbid with migraine, and cortical spreading depression (CSD) is the most likely cause of the migraine aura. To search for possible correlations between susceptibility to CSD and anxiety we used the open field test in male Sprague-Dawley rats chronically treated with the preventive anti-migraine drugs valproate or riboflavin. Animals avoiding the central area of the open field chamber and those with less exploratory activity (i.e. rearing) were considered more anxious. After 4 weeks of treatment CSDs were elicited by application of 1M KCl over the occipital cortex and the number of CSDs occurring over a 2h period was compared to the previously assessed open field behavior. Higher anxiety-like behavior was significantly correlated with a higher frequency of KCl-induced CSDs. In saline-treated animals, fewer rearings were found in animals with more frequent CSDs (R=-1.00). The duration of ambulatory episodes in the open field center correlated negatively with number of CSDs in the valproate group (R=-0.83; p<0.005) and in riboflavin treated group (R=-0.69; p<0.05) as well as total time spent in the open field center in both groups (R=-0.75; p<0.05 and R=-0.58; p<0.1 respectively). These results suggest that anxiety symptoms are associated with susceptibility to CSD and might explain why it can be an aggravating factor in migraine with aura. [less ▲]