bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
En marge de la loi et au cœur de la politique locale. Colonisation agraire des forêts classées au nord Ghana
Authors: Wardell David Andrew , Lund Christian
Published: September 2011

Résumé Les réserves forestières correspondent à la création politique de frontières entre l’habité et l’inhabité, partant de l’idée que la mise en réserve est indispensable à la protection de l’intégrité des ressources naturelles. La politique forestière du Ghana d’après l’indépendance a été caractérisée par la centralisation, l’exclusion et une législation restrictive. Toutefois, les terres dont s’est emparé le gouvernement n’ont pas toujours été à proprement parler acquises par celui-ci; par conséquent, le foncier a toujours appartenu, et appartient encore aux propriétaires originels, bien qu’on leur en refuse formellement l’accès. Les pratiques de gestion des ressources forestières au nord Ghana diffèrent de façon radicale des politiques affichées. Une forme d’arrangement plus subtile, négociée et influencée par le politique continue de prévaloir aujourd’hui. Les autorités administratives et politiques ont longtemps toléré que certaines zones de réserves forestières soient (re)colonisées par les agriculteurs locaux. La frontière est poreuse et fournit un contexte générateur de rentes monétaires et politiques aux hommes politiques lorsqu’ils protègent et admettent l’exercice de droits attribués aux acteurs par les autorités coutumières. Ainsi se met en place un système foncier complexe, «feuilleté», étroitement lié aux questions de politiques locales, qui participe d’une re-définition continuelle de la légalité et des droits à la propriété.
Les frontières de l'orpaillage en Afrique occidentale
Authors: Grätz Tilo
Published: September 2011

Résumé L’article explore la situation de frontière pionnière mise en place par des orpailleurs en Afrique de l’Ouest. Depuis les années 80, la vague de l’orpaillage liée à la mise en valeur des nouveaux gisements ou la revalorisation des anciens sites d’or, permet d’observer l’émergence d’une culture des camps miniers itinérants. Selon l’état des ressources, les orpailleurs ainsi que les commerçants qui leur sont associés se déplacent d’un site à l’autre, établissant en permanence des nouveaux campements, transportant et reproduisant des normes et règlements d’une communauté particulière, s’adaptant partiellement aux conditions locales. Les caractéristiques de ce type de frontière sont les changements économiques locaux rapides, la forte mobilité des acteurs dans l’espace et dans les hiérarchies sociales, les relations souvent conflictuelles des orpailleurs avec l’État central et les sociétés rurales avoisinantes. L’article discute également les particularités de ces frontières aurifères en rapport avec les frontières de la colonisation agraire.
La fin de l'État démiurge ? Les nouvelles facettes de l'urbain dans le Sahara libyen
Authors: Pliez Olivier
Published: September 2011

Résumé Le désert libyen est aujourd’hui urbanisé à près de 90 % et constitue un observatoire privilégié de dynamiques qui touchent tout le Sahara. Ce processus urbain donne désormais à voir un visage paradoxal : celui de la crise liée au désengagement de l’État, acteur longtemps exclusif de leur développement, mais aussi celui de nouvelles dynamiques socio-spatiales. Le cas de Koufra, oasis isolée du Sahara central, est révélateur de la transformation de toutes les villes sahariennes transfrontalières en lieux de transit transnationaux des migrants et des marchandises entre les deux rives du Sahara. L’étude d’une vallée oasienne du Fezzan permet en revanche de nuancer les constats critiques des décennies précédentes sur les conséquences négatives du mouvement d’urbanisation-modernisation des campagnes. De nouvelles configurations territoriales se dessinent dans les interstices du territoire national libyen sans pour autant gommer les contours du projet étatique saharien.
Le pentecôtisme au Togo éléments d'histoire et développement
Authors: Noret Joël
Published: September 2011

Résumé L’article cherche à combler un vide de la littérature sur le pentecôtisme en Afrique en exposant les grandes lignes de l’histoire puis les évolutions récentes les plus significatives du pentecôtisme togolais, qui n’a, jusqu’à présent, fait l’objet d’aucune étude. Passant en revue les premières initiatives missionnaires dans le Nord puis dans l’Ouest du pays, le texte reprend les grandes étapes du développement des mouvements pentecôtistes au Togo, avant d’examiner plus particulièrement leurs relations avec les médias d’une part, et avec le monde politique d’autre part.
L'Île Maurice à l'ère de la mondialisation. Un modèle d'un développement de rattrapage ?
Authors: Koop Kirsten
Published: September 2011

Résumé L’Île Maurice est souvent citée comme un des rares exemples de réussite d’intégration d’un pays du Sud dans le marché mondial. En effet, dans les années 1980, des investissements directs étrangers, notamment dans l’industrie du textile, ont pu enclencher un développement économique extraordinaire sur l’île et la pauvreté a considérablement diminué. Or, la libéralisation de l’ancienne Convention de Lomé et le démantèlement de l’Accord Multi-Fibre jusqu’en 2005, accords qui jusque-là avaient protégé l’exportation mauricienne de la concurrence d’autres pays du Sud, ont récemment induit une crise structurelle de l’industrie sucrière et de celle du textile. Dans ces nouvelles conditions de libre marché, ces deux secteurs locaux, intensifs en main d’œuvre, ne sont plus compétitifs sur le marché mondial. Les pertes constantes d’emplois dans ces deux secteurs piliers de l’économie mauricienne n’ont, jusqu’à l’heure, pas pu être compensées par le développement du secteur de service, tel que le tourisme et la technologie d’information. De plus, la pression de la compétition mondiale a eu pour conséquence un nombre croissant d’emplois précaires et sous-payés. Le résultat de cette évolution économique est une augmentation considérable du chômage et une masse grandissante de « travailleurs pauvres » – un phénomène bien connu dans nos pays industrialisés et directement lié à la concurrence accrue des entreprises. En conséquence, la pauvreté à l’île Maurice réaugmente de nouveau. Pour un large segment de la population, la prospérité des années 1980 n’a été qu’un phénomène éphémère. Un véritable « développement de rattrapage », paradigme de développement encore de nos jours, n’a pas pu être réalisé.
Le riz dans l'ancienne « Boucle du cacao » de Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Becker Laurence , N’guessan Yoboué
Published: September 2011

Résumé Depuis l’indépendance en 1960, les différents gouvernements qui se sont succédé en Côte d’Ivoire semblaient faire de l’autosuffisance en riz un pivot de la politique de la sécurité alimentaire du pays. Il n’en était rien. La société d’État dont les performances techniques autorisaient les meilleurs espoirs pour atteindre cet objectif a été dissoute l’année qui a suivi celle de son meilleur résultat, preuve que d’autres intérêts s’opposaient à cette autosuffisance. À partir de 1990, la Banque mondiale et le Fonds Monétaire International ayant exigé la libéralisation de tous les secteurs de l’agriculture ivoirienne, les riziculteurs ont été, du même coup, privés de tout soutien, pendant que les pays fournisseurs de Côte d’Ivoire menaient des actions dynamiques pour créer un environnement favorable à l’expansion de leurs exportations. Malgré cet avantage donné au riz importé, les riziculteurs de la région de Bongouanou-Tiassalé ont entrepris de faire de la riziculture un moyen de dégager un revenu substantiel, dans une région (l’ancienne Boucle du Cacao) où la pauvreté gagne du terrain.
La flexicurité en chiffres et en débat
Authors: Conter Bernard
Published: September 2011

La flexicurité a fait une entrée fracassante dans les débats européens sur le marché du travail. Quel écho trouve-t-elle en Belgique ? Réussit-elle à inspirer des accords et des réformes du marché du travail ? Bernard Conter pose d’abord un état des lieux de la flexibilité et de la sécurité, les deux composantes antagonistes de la flexicurité, dans la législation belge. La Belgique se caractérise par un haut niveau de flexibilité. Les choix collectifs y ont cependant conduit à privilégier des flexibilités internes à l’entreprise et fortement encadrées par la négociation sociale. L’auteur examine ensuite la position des interlocuteurs sociaux et des partis en Belgique. La flexicurité se révèle peu présente dans leurs revendications et leurs programmes. Les indicateurs d’évaluation européens, quant à eux, sont marqués par une forte dimension normative, malgré leur apparente neutralité technique. Bernard Conter ne trouve pas d’indice montrant que la notion de flexicurité puisse contribuer à forger des compromis politiques sur l’emploi ou le marché du travail en Belgique. En revanche, de nombreuses réformes en ces matières sont valorisées comme « pratiques de flexicurité » dans le programme national de réforme demandé par l’Union européenne. Les notions européennes sont alors utilisées comme des moyens de mettre en forme a posteriori des politiques, nouvelles ou anciennes, sans nécessairement être à l’origine de transformations de fond.
A Structurally Variable Hinged Tetrahedron Framework from DNA Origami
Authors: Smith David M. , Schüller Verena , Forthmann Carsten , Schreiber Robert , Tinnefeld Philip , Liedl Tim
Published: September 2011

Nanometer-sized polyhedral wire-frame objects hold a wide range of potential applications both as structural scaffolds as well as a basis for synthetic nanocontainers. The utilization of DNA as basic building blocks for such structures allows the exploitation of bottom-up self-assembly in order to achieve molecular programmability through the pairing of complementary bases. In this work, we report on a hollow but rigid tetrahedron framework of 75 nm strut length constructed with the DNA origami method. Flexible hinges at each of their four joints provide a means for structural variability of the object. Through the opening of gaps along the struts, four variants can be created as confirmed by both gel electrophoresis and direct imaging techniques. The intrinsic site addressability provided by this technique allows the unique targeted attachment of dye and/or linker molecules at any point on the structure's surface, which we prove through the superresolution fluorescence microscopy technique DNA PAINT.
Cellular Interplay between Cardiomyocytes and Nonmyocytes in Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Takeda Norifumi , Manabe Ichiro
Published: September 2011

Cardiac hypertrophy entails complex structural remodeling involving rearrangement of muscle fibers, interstitial fibrosis, accumulation of extracellular matrix, and angiogenesis. Many of the processes underlying cardiac remodeling have features in common with chronic inflammatory processes. During these processes, nonmyocytes, such as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells, residing in or infiltrating into the myocardial interstitium play active roles. This paper mainly addresses the functional roles of nonmyocytes during cardiac remodeling. In particular, we focus on the communication between cardiomyocytes and nonmyocytes through direct cell-cell interactions and autocrine/paracrine-mediated pathways.
Peripartum pain management in opioid dependent women
Authors: Höflich A.S. , Langer M. , Jagsch R. , Bäwert A. , Winklbaur B. , Fischer G. , Unger A.
Published: September 2011

Increased pain sensitivity and the development of opioid tolerance complicate the treatment of pain experiencedby opioid maintained pregnantwomenduring delivery and the perinatal period. Theaim of the present study was to investigate differences in pain management of opioid maintained compared to nondependent pregnant women during delivery and the postpartum period. 40 deliveries of 37 opioid dependent women enrolled in a double‐blind, double‐dummy randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the safety and efficacy of methadone (mean dose at the time of delivery = 63.89 mg) and buprenorphine (mean dose at the time of delivery = 14.05 mg) during pregnancy were analyzed and participants were matched to a non‐dependent comparison group of 80 pregnant women. Differences in pain management (opioid and non‐opioid analgesic medication) during delivery and perinatal period were analyzed. Following cesarean delivery opioid maintained women received significantly less opioid analgesics (day of delivery p = 0.038; day 1: p = 0.02), NSAIDs were administered more frequently to opioid dependent patients than to the comparison group during cesarean section and on the third day postpartum. Significantly higher nicotine consumption in the group of opioid dependentwomenhad a strong influence onthe retrieved results, and might be considered as an independent factor of altered pain experience. Differences in pain treatment became evident when comparing opioid maintained women to healthy controls. These differences might be based on psychosocial consequences of opioid addiction along with the lack of an interdisciplinary consensus on pain treatment protocols for opioid dependent patients.
Effectiveness of cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid in Peru
Authors: Luciani Silvana , Munoz Sergio , Gonzales Miguel , Delgado Jose M. , Valcarcel Mario
Published: September 2011

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of screening using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).

Methods

In a low‐resource area of Peru in 2005–2008, a randomly selected sample of women who had previously screened negative by VIA and Pap (intervention group), and a group of eligible women previously unscreened by VIA (comparison group) were screened by VIA. The outcome measures were histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2–3 and invasive cervical cancer.

Results

There were 4252 women in the intervention group and 4392 in the comparison group. Histologically confirmed CIN 2 or worse was diagnosed in 31 (0.7%) and 115 (2.6%) women, and invasive cancer was diagnosed in 4 women (0.09%) and 43 women (1.00%), in the intervention and comparison groups, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio was 4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7–6.4) for CIN 2 or worse, and 13.9 (95% CI, 4.9–39.6) for invasive cervical cancer in the comparison group.

Conclusion

A lower prevalence of CIN 2–3 and invasive cervical cancer was seen in women previously screened by VIA, as compared with women not previously screened by VIA, implying that a single VIA screening can lower the population risk for cervical cancer.
Late Holocene vegetation in the Azraq Wetland Reserve, Jordan
Authors: Woolfenden Wallace B. , Ababneh Linah
Published: September 2011

Shifts in aquatic and terrestrial vegetation associations and hydrology during the past > 3100 yr are indicated by the pollen and sediment sequences in a core retrieved from the Azraq wetland, Jordan. The pollen sequence provides evidence for a relatively stable wetland during the period of study until ca. AD 1400 when the wetland apparently declined as desert shrubland expanded. Springs continually supplied fresh water that maintained the shallow pools and marsh. In periods of increased winter precipitation, runoff from the surrounding wadis may have inundated the wetland and deposited silts and clays. During dryer episodes the influx of winter storm water would have been much less but the springs would have still provided water to the wetland and deposited peat. This is shown by the sequences of clay, silty and sandy clay loam, and peat in the core.
Truths and Lies: Irony and Intrigue in the Tārīkh‐i Bayhaqī
Authors: Amirsoleimani Soheila
Published: September 2011

To the memory of my ustad, K. Allin Luther, in appreciation of his teaching and example.

Abu'l-Fazl Muhammad B. Al-Husayn Bayhaqi (385-470/995-1077), A Khurasanian scribe of the Ghaznavids, wrote a history of this Perso-Islamic dynasty (388-582/994-1186) in his work referred to as the Tārīkh-i Bayhaqī (composed in 450/1058). The Ghaznavids ruled in an area now comprising eastern Iran, Afghanistan, and northern India. With the loss of greater Khurasan to the nomadic Saljuqs at the battle of Dandanqan on 9 Ramadan 431/24 May 1040, the empire was reduced to parts of Afghanistan and northern India, chiefly the Punjab. The downfall of the Ghaznavids in Khurasan also divides the period of the first three kings from those of the later ones. Bayhaqi himself organized the history of the Ghaznavids in terms of “principal” (aṣl), versus “minor” (far˓) territories. For Bayhaqi the principal territories are Khurasan and Jibal, but especially Khurasan, as opposed to the minor territories in India. He wrote his history when he was an old man and after 29 years had passed from the loss of Khurasan. The only surviving volumes of Bayhaqi's history of the Ghaznavids cover the reign of the third Ghaznavid ruler Mas˓ud (421—31/1030-1040), who lost Khurasan to the Saljuqs.
Synthesis and Application of New Ruthenium Complexes Containingβ-Diketonato Ligands as Sensitizers for Nanocrystalline TiO2Solar Cells
Authors: Islam Ashraful , Singh Surya Prakash , Han Liyuan
Published: September 2011

Five heteroleptic ruthenium complexes having differentβ-diketonato ligands, [Ru(tctpy)(dppd)(NCS)] (1), [Ru(tctpy)(pd)(NCS)] (2), [Ru(tctpy)(tdd)(NCS)] (3), [Ru(tctpy)(mepd)(NCS)] (4), and [Ru(tctpy)(tmhd)(NCS)] (5), where tctpy = 4,4′,4′′-tricarboxy-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, pd = pentane-2,4-dione, mepd = 3-methylpentane-2,4-dione, tmhd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dione, tdd = tridecane-6,8-dione, and dppd = 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione, were synthesized and characterized. These heteroleptic complexes exhibit a broad metal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption band over the whole visible range extending up to 950 nm. The low-energy absorption bands and theE (Ru3+/2+) oxidation potentials in these complexes could be tuned to about 15 nm and 110 mV, respectively, by choosing appropriateβ-diketonate ligands. Molecular orbital calculation of complex1shows that the HOMO is localized on the NCS ligand and the LUMO is localized on the tctpy ligand, which is anchored to the TiO2nanoparticles. Theβ-diketonato-ruthenium(II)-polypyridyl sensitizers, when anchored to nanocrystalline TiO2films for light to electrical energy conversion in regenerative photoelectrochemical cells, achieve efficient sensitization to TiO2electrodes with increasing activity in the order5<4<3≈2<1. Under standard AM 1.5 sunlight, the complex1yielded a short-circuit photocurrent density of 16.7 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage of 0.58 V, and a fill factor of 0.64, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 6.2%. A systematic tuning of HOMO energy level shows that an efficient sensitizer should possess a ground-state redox potential value of >+.53 V versus SCE.
Equal Force Recovery in Dysferlin‐Deficient and Wild‐Type Muscles Following Saponin Exposure
Authors: Zhao Piming , Xu Li , Ait-Mou Younss , de Tombe Pieter P. , Han Renzhi
Published: September 2011

Dysferlin plays an important role in repairing membrane damage elicited by laser irradiation, and dysferlin deficiency causes muscular dystrophy and associated cardiomyopathy. Proteins such as perforin, complement component C9, and bacteria‐derived cytolysins, as well as the natural detergent saponin, can form large pores on the cell membrane via complexation with cholesterol. However, it is not clear whether dysferlin plays a role in repairing membrane damage induced by pore‐forming reagents. In this study, we observed that dysferlin‐deficient muscles recovered the tetanic force production to the same extent as their WT counterparts following a 5‐min saponin exposure (50 μg/mL). Interestingly, the slow soleus muscles recovered significantly better than the fast extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. Our data suggest that dysferlin is unlikely involved in repairing saponin‐induced membrane damage and that the slow muscle is more efficient than the fast muscle in repairing such damage.
Exponential Stability in Hyperbolic Thermoelastic Diffusion Problem with Second Sound
Authors: Aouadi Moncef
Published: September 2011

We consider a thermoelastic diffusion problem in one space dimension with second sound. The thermal and diffusion disturbances are modeled by Cattaneo′s law for heat and diffusion equations to remove the physical paradox of infinite propagation speed in the classical theory within Fourier′s law. The system of equations in this case is a coupling of three hyperbolic equations. It poses some new analytical and mathematical difficulties. The exponential stability of the slightly damped and totally hyperbolic system is proved. Comparison with classical theory is given.
Real and Pseudoaccommodation in Accommodative Lenses
Authors: Pallikaris Ioannis G. , Kontadakis Georgios A. , Portaliou Dimitra M.
Published: September 2011

In the attempt to manage presbyopia, different intraocular lens designs have been proposed such as monofocal IOLs with monovision or multifocal IOLs. Even though the lenses mentioned offer satisfactory visual results, contemporary ophthalmology has not completely answered the presbyopic dilemma by simulating the accommodative properties of the crystalline lens itself. Accommodative IOLs were designed to fill this gap and provide satisfactory vision for all distances by restoring some degree of “pseudoaccommodation.” Pseudo accommodative capability can be linked to monofocal IOL’s as well but the results are not satisfactory enough to fully support unaided near vision. Pseudoaccommodation is a complex phenomenon that can be attributed to several static (i.e., pupil size, against-the-rule cylindrical refractive error, multifocality of the cornea) and dynamic (i.e., anterior movement of the implant itself) factors. Objective measurement of the accommodative capability offered by the accommodative IOLs is extremely difficult to obtain, and different methods such as autorefractometers, retinoscopy, and ultrasound imaging during accommodative effort, ray tracing, or pharmacological stimulation have been developed but the results are sometimes inconsistent. Despite the difficulties in measuring accommodation, accommodative IOLs represent the future in the attempt to successfully “cure” presbyopia.
Analysis of Zero Reynolds Shear Stress Appearing in Dilute Surfactant Drag-Reducing Flow
Authors: Gu Weiguo , Wang Dezhong , Kawaguchi Yasuo
Published: September 2011

Dilute surfactant solution of 25 ppm in the two-dimensional channel is investigated experimentally compared with water flow. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) system is used to take 2D velocity frames in the streamwise and wall-normal plane. Based on the frames of instantaneous vectors and statistical results, the phenomenon of zero Reynolds shear stress appearing in the drag-reducing flow is discussed. It is found that 25 ppm CTAC solution exhibits the highest drag reduction at Re = 25000 and loses drag reduction completely at Re = 40000. When drag reduction lies in the highest, Reynolds shear stress disappears and reaches zero although the RMS of the velocity fluctuations is not zero. By the categorization in four quadrants, the fluctuations of 25 ppm CTAC solution are distributed in all four quadrants equally at Re = 25000, which indicates that turnaround transportation happens in drag-reducing flow besides Reynolds shear stress transportation. Moreover, the contour distribution of streamwise velocity and the fluctuations suggests that turbulence transportation is depressed in drag-reducing flow. The viscoelasticity is possible to decrease the turbulence transportation and cause the turnaround transportation.
Field and Laboratory Evaluation of Bioefficacy of an Insect Growth Regulator (Dimilin) as a Larvicide against Mosquito and Housefly Larvae
Authors: Msangi Shandala , Lyatuu Ester , Kweka Eliningaya J.
Published: September 2011

The inhibitory function of Dimilin (Diflubenzuron), mostly a chitin synthesis regulator, on the ecdysis of mosquitoes (Anopheles gambiaes.l.,Culex quinquefasciatus) and housefly was evaluated in the field and in laboratory. Three formulations of Diflubenzuron were evaluated in this study: Dimilin, Wettable powder (25%), Dimilin granules (2%), and Dimilin tablets (2%). The laboratory and field evaluation used different rates of concentrations of these formulations. Generally, at higher dosages larvae developments, eggs hatchability and pupation were impossible. The development of mosquitoes was significantly higher in control while highly depressed in different dosages of treatment in both laboratory and field experiments. In houseflies, the adult population decreased sharply after treatment of their breeding sites while pupae mortality was noticed to be high in laboratory-treated samples. Dimilin could be opted as one of the choice of the larval control chemicals to be incorporated in the integrated vector control programmes in urban and rural areas.
Overweight and Obesity in Eastern Mediterranean Region: Prevalence and Possible Causes
Authors: Musaiger Abdulrahman O.
Published: September 2011

The objective of this paper was to explore the prevalence of overweight and obesity among various age groups as well as discuss the possible factors that associated with obesity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). A systematic review of published papers between 1990 and 2011 was carried out. Obesity reached an alarming level in all age groups of the EMR countries. The prevalence of overweight among preschool children(<5 years) ranged from 1.9% to 21.9%, while the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children ranged from 7% to 45%. Among adults the prevalence of overweight and obesity ranged from 25% to 81.9%. Possible factors determining obesity in this region include: nutrition transition, inactivity, urbanization, marital status, a shorter duration of breastfeeding, frequent snacking, skipping breakfast, a high intake of sugary beverages, an increase in the incidence of eating outside the home, long periods of time spent viewing television, massive marketing promotion of high fat foods, stunting, perceived body image, cultural elements and food subsidize policy. A national plan of action to overcome obesity is urgently needed to reduce the economic and health burden of obesity in this region.
A New High‐Order Approximation for the Solution of Two‐Space‐Dimensional Quasilinear Hyperbolic Equations
Authors: Mohanty R. K. , Singh Suruchi
Published: September 2011

we propose a new high‐order approximation for the solution of two‐space‐dimensional quasilinear hyperbolic partial differential equation of the form utt = A(x, y, t, u)uxx + B(x, y, t, u)uyy + g(x, y, t, u, ux, uy, ut),
0 < x, y < 1, t > 0 subject to appropriate initial and Dirichlet boundary conditions , where k > 0
and h > 0 are mesh sizes in time and space directions, respectively. We use only five evaluations of the function g as compared to seven evaluations of the same function discussed by (Mohanty et al., 1996 and 2001). We describe the derivation procedure in details and also discuss how our formulation is able to handle the wave equation in polar coordinates. The proposed method when applied to a linear hyperbolic equation is also shown to be unconditionally stable. Some examples and their numerical results are provided to justify the usefulness of the proposed method.
Chronic Tinnitus following Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Folmer Robert L. , Shi Yongbing , Theodoroff Sarah
Published: September 2011

A 43-year-old female with a 27-year history of obsessive-compulsive disorder and major depression had previously been treated with psychotherapy, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications. Because these treatments were minimally effective and because the frequency and duration of her depressive episodes continued to increase, the patient was scheduled to undergo a series of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedures. The patient received four ECT treatments during one month. Stimulating current was delivered to the right frontotemporal region of the head. Electroencephalographic seizures occurred during each of the ECT procedures. After the patient recovered from anesthesia, she complained of headaches, muscle pain, amnesia, and, after the fourth ECT, she reported a ringing sound in her right ear. Audiometric testing the day after the fourth ECT revealed a slight increase in threshold for 8000 Hz tones in her right ear. It is likely that current delivered during the fourth ECT treatment triggered the perception of tinnitus for this patient. The unique organization of this patient's central nervous and auditory systems combined with her particular pharmacological history might have predisposed her to developing tinnitus.
Strong Convergence Theorems for a Countable Family of Nonexpansive Mappings in Convex Metric Spaces
Authors: Phuengrattana Withun , Suantai Suthep
Published: September 2011

We introduce a new modified Halpern iteration for a countable infinite family of
nonexpansive mappings {Tn} in convex metric spaces. We prove that the sequence {xn} generated by the proposed iteration is an approximating fixed point sequence of a nonexpansive mapping
when {Tn} satisfies the AKTT‐condition, and strong convergence theorems of the proposed iteration
to a common fixed point of a countable infinite family of nonexpansive mappings in CAT(0)
spaces are established under AKTT‐condition and the SZ‐condition. We also generalize the concept
of W‐mapping for a countable infinite family of nonexpansive mappings from a Banach space
setting to a convex metric space and give some properties concerning the common fixed point
set of this family in convex metric spaces. Moreover, by using the concept of W‐mappings, we
give an example of a sequence of nonexpansive mappings defined on a convex metric space which
satisfies the AKTT‐condition. Our results generalize and refine many known results in the current
literature.
Are Costs of Robot-Assisted Surgery Warranted for Gynecological Procedures?
Authors: van Dam Peter , Hauspy Jan , Verkinderen Luc , Trinh Xuan Bich , van Dam Pieter-Jan , Van Looy Luc , Dirix Luc
Published: September 2011

The exponential use of robotic surgery is not the result of evidence-based benefits but mainly driven by the manufacturers, patients and enthusiastic surgeons. The present review of the literature shows that robot-assisted surgery is consistently more expensive than video-laparoscopy and in many cases open surgery. The average additional variable cost for gynecological procedures was about 1600 USD, rising to more than 3000 USD when the amortized cost of the robot itself was included. Generally most robotic and laparoscopic procedures have less short-term morbidity, blood loss, intensive care unit, and hospital stay than open surgery. Up to now no major consistent differences have been found between robot-assisted and classic video-assisted procedures for these factors. No comparative data are available on long-term morbidity and oncologic outcome after open, robotic, and laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. It seems that currently only for very complex surgical procedures, such as cardiac surgery, the costs of robotics can be competitive to open surgical procedures. In order to stay viable, robotic programs will need to pay for themselves on a per case basis and the costs of robotic surgery will have to be reduced.
Resting Energy Expenditure in Anorexia Nervosa: Measured versus Estimated
Authors: El Ghoch Marwan , Alberti Marta , Capelli Carlo , Calugi Simona , Dalle Grave Riccardo
Published: September 2011

Introduction. Aim of this study was to compare the resting energy expenditure (REE) measured by the Douglas bag method with the REE estimated with the FitMate method, the Harris-Benedict equation, and the Müller et al. equation for individuals with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2in a severe group of underweight patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).Methods. 15 subjects with AN participated in the study. The Douglas bag method and the FitMate method were used to measure REE and the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess body composition after one day of refeeding.Results. FitMate method and the Müller et al. equation gave an accurate REE estimation, while the Harris-Benedict equation overestimated the REE when compared with the Douglas bag method.Conclusion. The data support the use of the FitMate method and the Müller et al. equation, but not the Harris-Benedict equation, to estimate REE in AN patients after short-term refeeding.
A Therapeutic Approach for Wound Healing by Using Essential Oils ofCupressusandJuniperusSpecies Growing in Turkey
Authors: Tumen Ibrahim , Süntar Ipek , Keleş Hikmet , Küpeli Akkol Esra
Published: September 2011

JuniperusandCupressusgenera are mainly used as diuretic, stimulant, and antiseptic, for common cold and wound healing in Turkish folk medicine. In the present study, essential oils obtained from cones ofCupressusand berries ofJuniperuswere evaluated for their wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects.In vivowound healing activity was evaluated by linear incision and circular excision experimental wound models, assessment of hydroxyproline content, and subsequently histopathological analysis. The healing potential was comparatively assessed with a reference ointment Madecassol. Additionally acetic-acid-induced capillary permeability test was used for the oils' anti-inflammatory activity. The essential oils ofJ. oxycedrussubsp.oxycedrusandJ. phoeniceademonstrated the highest activities, while the rest of the species did not show any significant wound healing effect. The experimental study revealed thatJ. oxycedrussubsp.oxycedrusandJ. phoeniceadisplay remarkable wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities, which support the folkloric use of the plants.
Hyporeactivity of ventral striatum towards incentive stimuli in unmedicated depressed patients normalizes after treatment with escitalopram
Authors: Stoy Meline , Schlagenhauf Florian , Sterzer Philipp , Bermpohl Felix , Hägele Claudia , Suchotzki Kristina , Schmack Katharina , Wrase Jana , Ricken Roland , Knutson Brian , Adli Mazda , Bauer Michael , Heinz Andreas , Ströhle Andreas
Published: September 2011

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) involves deficits in the reward system. While neuroimaging studies have focused on affective stimulus processing, few investigations have directly addressed deficits in the anticipation of incentives. We examined neural responses during gain and loss anticipation in patients with MDD before and after treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Fifteen adults with MDD and 15 healthy participants, matched for age, verbal IQ and smoking habits, were investigated in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study using a monetary incentive delay task. Patients were scanned drug-free and after 6 weeks of open-label treatment with escitalopram; controls were scanned twice at corresponding time points. We compared the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response during the anticipation of gain and loss with a neutral condition. A repeated measures ANOVA was calculated to identify effects of group (MDD vs. controls), time (first vs. second scan) and group-by-time interaction. Severity of depression was measured with the Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression and the Beck Depression Inventory. MDD patients showed significantly less ventral striatal activation during anticipation of gain and loss compared with controls before, but not after, treatment. There was a significant group-by-time interaction during anticipation of loss in the left ventral striatum due to a signal increase in patients after treatment. Ventral striatal hyporesponsiveness was associated with the severity of depression and in particular anhedonic symptoms. These findings suggest that MDD patients show ventral striatal hyporesponsiveness during incentive cue processing, which normalizes after successful treatment.
Antidepressant drugs and the response in the placebo group: the real problem lies in our understanding of the issue
Authors: Fountoulakis Konstantinos N , Möller Hans-Jürgen
Published: September 2011

In a recent paper, Horder and colleagues ( Horder et al., 2010 , J Psychopharmacol 25: 1277–1288) have suggested that the mainproblem in the Kirsch analysis is methodological. We argue that the results are similar irrespective of the method used. In our opinion the data suggest that placebo and drug effects are non-additive: antidepressants act independently of depression severity, while the placebo effect is present only in milder cases. While the response in the placebo group is due to unstable ‘noise’ and ‘artefacts’, the medication effect is reliable, valid and stable.
Reconsidering GHB: orphan drug or new model antidepressant?
Authors: Bosch Oliver G , Quednow Boris B , Seifritz Erich , Wetter Thomas C
Published: September 2011

For six decades, the principal mode of action of antidepressant drugs is the inhibition of monoamine re-uptake from the synaptic cleft. Tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the new generation of dual antidepressants all exert their antidepressant effects by this mechanism. In the early days of the monoaminergic era, other efforts have been made to ameliorate the symptoms of depression by pharmacological means. The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system was and possibly still is one of the main alternative drug targets. Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) was developed as an orally active GABA analogue. It was tested in animal models of depression and human studies. The effects on sleep, agitation, anhedonia and depression were promising. However, the rise of benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants brought GHB out of the scope of possible treatment alternatives. GHB is a GABAB and GHB receptor agonist with a unique spectrum of behavioural, neuroendocrine and sleep effects, and improves daytime sleepiness in various disorders such as narcolepsy, Parkinson’s disease and fibromyalgia. Although it was banned from the US market at the end of the 1990s because of its abuse and overdose potential, it later was approved for the treatment of narcolepsy. New research methods and an extended view on other neurotransmitter systems as possible treatment targets of antidepressant treatment brought GHB back to the scene. This article discusses the unique neurobiological effects of GHB, its misuse potential and possible role as a model substance for the development of novel pharmacological treatment strategies in depressive disorders.
The Effect of Lace-up Ankle Braces on Injury Rates in High School Football Players
Authors: McGuine Timothy A. , Hetzel Scott , Wilson John , Brooks Alison
Published: September 2011

Background: Although ankle injuries occur frequently in high school football players, no prospective studies have been performed to determine if wearing lace-up ankle braces will reduce the incidence and severity of ankle and other lower extremity injuries in these athletes.

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine if lace-up ankle braces reduce the incidence and severity of lower extremity injuries sustained by high school football players.

Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: A total of 2081 players from 50 high schools were randomly assigned to a braced or control group. Braced group players wore lace-up ankle braces during the 2010 football season. Athletic trainers recorded brace compliance, athlete-exposures, and injuries. Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to compare injury rates between groups. Injury severity (days lost) was tested with Wilcoxon rank sum.

Results: The rate of acute ankle injury (per 1000 exposures) was 0.48 in the braced group compared with 1.12 in the control group (Cox hazard ratio [HR] = 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.65; P < .001). The severity (median days lost) of acute ankle injuries was the same (5 days) in both groups ( P = .985). The rate of acute knee injury was 0.70 in the braced group compared with 0.69 in the control group (HR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.57-1.47; P = .721). There was no difference ( P = .242) in the severity of knee injuries between the groups (controls = 11.5 days, braced = 17 days). The rate of other lower extremity injuries was 0.95 in the braced group and 1.32 in the control group (HR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.48-1.09; P = .117), while the severity was similar in both groups (6 days vs 7 days; P = .295).

Conclusion: Players who used lace-up ankle braces had a lower incidence of acute ankle injuries but no difference in the incidence of acute knee or other lower extremity injuries. Braces did not reduce the severity of ankle, knee, or other lower extremity injuries.
Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Javelin Throwers at a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up
Authors: Dines Joshua S. , Jones Kristofer J. , Kahlenberg Cynthia , Rosenbaum Andrew , Osbahr Daryl C. , Altchek David W.
Published: September 2011

Background: There are several large series of outcomes after ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction that have 1 or 2 javelin throwers included. To our knowledge, however, there are no reports that focus solely on the results of UCL reconstruction in this group of athletes.

Hypothesis/Purpose: We hypothesize that by using modern UCL reconstruction techniques, javelin throwers can reliably expect to return to their sport. Additionally, we review the principles behind postoperative rehabilitation in these athletes, as it differs from the usual approach used with baseball players.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 10 javelin throwers who underwent UCL reconstruction between 2006 and 2009 using the docking technique. There were 5 college and 5 high school javelin throwers. The average age was 18.5 years (range, 18-21 years). All patients, before being indicated for ligament reconstruction, failed a course of nonoperative management that included rest, physical therapy, and a structured attempt to return to throwing. Postoperatively, patients were evaluated using the Conway Scale and the Andrews-Timmerman Score.

Results: Patients were evaluated at a minimum 2-year follow-up. The average follow-up was 28.9 months after surgery (range, 24-45 months). On the Conway Scale, 9 of the 10 players had excellent outcomes (90%). There was one fair (10%) outcome. Average time to return to previous level of competition was 15 months. The mean Andrews-Timmerman Score was 97 (range, 85-100). Overall, 100% (10/10) of the patients were subjectively satisfied with their clinical outcome.

Conclusion: Similar to other overhand athletes with UCL insufficiency, javelin throwers can reliably expect to return to their previous level of play after surgical reconstruction. A thorough understanding of the unique demands placed on these athletes because of the different throwing motion is helpful when tailoring their postoperative rehabilitation protocol. Additionally, these athletes must be counseled that the postoperative course is associated with an extended period of time until return to previous level of competition when compared with baseball players.
The Sociology of Arlie Hochschild
Authors: Wharton Amy S.
Published: September 2011

Arlie Hochschild is one of the most influential sociologists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Her many contributions include her research on emotion and emotion work, the gender division of labor in the household, work–family relations, and the global dimensions of carework. A less visible aspect of Hochschild’s career involves her efforts to nurture, encourage, and engage those inspired by her work. This essay examines Hochschild’s influence as revealed in a new book on work and family life edited by two of her former students. The book offers a look at “Hochschildian sociology” as practiced by those who have expanded and built on her ideas.
Umbilical Serum sHLA-G Levels in Preeclamptic Pregnancies with and without Intrauterine Fetal Growth Restriction: A Comparison with Normotensive Pregnancies with Isolated IUGR and Healthy Controls
Authors: Laskowska Marzena , Laskowska Katarzyna , Oleszczuk Jan
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study was the analysis of the umbilical cord serum sHLA-G levels in pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia and/or IUGR. Patients and Methods. The study was carried out on 12 preeclamptic patients with appropriate-for-gestational-age weight infants, 14 pregnant patients with severe preeclampsia complicated by IUGR, 7 normotensive patients with isolated IUGR, and 22 healthy controls with uncomplicated pregnancies. Results. Our study revealed higher umbilical serum levels of sHLA-G in preeclamptic pregnancies complicated by IUGR and decreased in the preeclamptic women with the normal fetal growth. The pregnant normotensive patients with isolated IUGR revealed the same levels of sHLA-G as observed in healthy pregnant controls. Conclusions. Lower levels of sHLA-G observed in preeclamptic pregnancies without IUGR may lead to excessive maternal immune reaction against the fetus. Higher levels of sHLA-G in preeclamptic pregnancies with IUGR may reflect the excessive releasing of this molecule to protect fetus, but it may be insufficient to balance disturbed fetomaternal immune relationship. The lack of association with normotensive pregnancies complicated by isolated IUGR may suggest that a different pathomechanism is involved in the impairment of intrauterine fetal growth in both patient groups with pregnancies complicated by isolated IUGR and in the course of preeclampsia.
Modification of a Popular Syngeneic Murine Mammary Tumor Model for Immunotherapy Studies
Authors: Rivera Armando , Fu Xinping , Tao Lihua , Zhang Xiaoliu
Published: September 2011

To facilitate the evaluation of immunotherapeutic intervention against malignant diseases, it is desirable to have a syngeneic tumor model that closely resembles the growth pattern of human tumors. Murine 4T1 breast cancer model is known for its metastatic properties that mimic its human counterpart. However, a drawback of this model is the lack of an identified tumor antigen to function as a therapeutic target for immunologic intervention. We used the piggyBac transposon system to stably transduce a tumor antigen, the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene (HER2), into this tumor cell. In vitro characterization shows that the newly established cells have a similar growth pattern as the parental line. In vivo evaluation shows that host immune response was generated against the HER2 tumor antigen, despite the high homology between HER2 and its murine counterpart (neu gene). When implanted into immune-deficient mice, the HER2-expressing 4T1 cells readily formed sizable tumors, indicating that these cells are useful for evaluating the therapeutic effect of adoptively transferred cytotoxic T cells that are specifically raised or modified to target the HER2 tumor antigen.
Obesity and Overweight Prevalence among a Mississippi Low-Income Preschool Population: A Five-Year Comparison
Authors: Harbaugh Bonnie L. , Kolbo Jerome R. , Molaison Elaine F. , Hudson Geoffrey M. , Zhang Lei , Wells Danyell
Published: September 2011

Purpose. This study determined 2010 rates of overweight/obesity in a representative sample of low-income preschoolers in Mississippi, USA and compared rates between 2005 () and 2010 (). Significance. Obesity is a significant global health issue because of its well-established negative health consequences. Child obesity is a concern due to risk of early-onset obesity-related illnesses and the longevity of lifetime exposure to those illnesses. Methods. Identical measures were used in 2005 and 2010 with complex-stratified sampling designs. Results. Chi-square tests revealed that overall obesity/overweight rates between 2005 (20.6%/17.9%) and 2010 (20.8%/17.0%) had not changed significantly for the samples as a whole, nor by gender or race. Age group comparisons indicated a significant decline in obesity rates of 3 year olds (20.3% in 2005, reduced to 13.1% in 2010, ). These findings mimic the trend toward stabilization of obesity rates noted in national low-income preschool populations.