bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins With Otosclerosis
Authors: Schrauwen Isabelle , Thys Melissa , Vanderstraeten Kathleen , Fransen Erik , Dieltjens Nele , Huyghe Jeroen R , Ealy Megan , Claustres Mireille , Cremers Cor RWJ , Dhooge Ingeborg , Declau Frank , Van de Heyning Paul , Vincent Robert , Somers Thomas , Offeciers Erwin , Smith Richard JH , Van Camp Guy
Published: November 2007

We studied the role of polymorphisms in 13 candidate genes on the risk of otosclerosis in two large independent case-control sets. We found significant association in both populations with BMP2 and BMP4, implicating these two genes in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Introduction: Otosclerosis is a progressive disorder of the human temporal bone that leads to conductive hearing loss and in some cases sensorineural or mixed hearing loss. In a few families, it segregates as a monogenic disease with reduced penetrance, but in most patients, otosclerosis is more appropriately considered a complex disorder influenced by genetic and environmental factors.

Materials and Methods: To identify major genetic factors in otosclerosis, we used a candidate gene approach to study two large independent case-control sets of Belgian-Dutch and French origin. Tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 candidate susceptibility genes were studied in a stepwise strategy.

Results: Two SNPs were identified that showed the same significant effect in both populations. The first SNP, rs3178250, is located in the 3′ untranslated region of BMP2. Individuals homozygote for the C allele are protected against otosclerosis (combined populations: p = 2.2 × 10−4; OR = 2.027; 95% CI = 1.380–2.979). The second SNP, rs17563, is an amino acid changing (p.Ala152Val) SNP located in BMP4. The G allele, coding for the amino acid alanine, confers susceptibility in both populations (combined populations: p = 0.002; OR = 1.209; 95% CI: 1.070–1.370).

Conclusions: These results indicate that polymorphisms in the BMP2 and BMP4 genes, both members of the TGF-β superfamily, contribute to the susceptibility to otosclerosis and further strengthen the results from the recently reported association of TGFB1 with this disease.
Genetic Analyses in a Sample of Individuals With High or Low BMD Shows Association With Multiple Wnt Pathway Genes
Authors: Sims Anne-Marie , Shephard Neil , Carter Kim , Doan Tracy , Dowling Alison , Duncan Emma L , Eisman John , Jones Graeme , Nicholson Geoffrey , Prince Richard , Seeman Ego , Thomas Gethin , Wass John A , Brown Matthew A
Published: November 2007

Using a moderate-sized cohort selected with extreme BMD (n = 344; absolute value BMD, 1.5–4.0), significant association of several members of the Wnt signaling pathway with bone densitometry measures was shown. This confirms that extreme truncate selection is a powerful design for quantitative trait association studies of bone phenotypes.

Introduction: Although the high heritability of BMD variation has long been established, few genes have been conclusively shown to affect the variation of BMD in the general population. Extreme truncate selection has been proposed as a more powerful alternative to unselected cohort designs in quantitative trait association studies. We sought to test these theoretical predictions in studies of the bone densitometry measures BMD, BMC, and femoral neck area, by investigating their association with members of the Wnt pathway, some of which have previously been shown to be associated with BMD in much larger cohorts, in a moderate-sized extreme truncate selected cohort (absolute value BMD Z-scores = 1.5–4.0; n = 344).

Materials and Methods: Ninety-six tag-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) lying in 13 Wnt signaling pathway genes were selected to tag common genetic variation (minor allele frequency [MAF] > 5% with an r2 > 0.8) within 5 kb of all exons of 13 Wnt signaling pathway genes. The genes studied included LRP1, LRP5, LRP6, Wnt3a, Wnt7b, Wnt10b, SFRP1, SFRP2, DKK1, DKK2, FZD7, WISP3, and SOST. Three hundred forty-four cases with either high or low BMD were genotyped by Illumina Goldengate microarray SNP genotyping methods. Association was tested either by Cochrane-Armitage test for dichotomous variables or by linear regression for quantitative traits.

Results: Strong association was shown with LRP5, polymorphisms of which have previously been shown to influence total hip BMD (minimum p = 0.0006). In addition, polymorphisms of the Wnt antagonist, SFRP1, were significantly associated with BMD and BMC (minimum p = 0.00042). Previously reported associations of LRP1, LRP6, and SOST with BMD were confirmed. Two other Wnt pathway genes, Wnt3a and DKK2, also showed nominal association with BMD.

Conclusions: This study shows that polymorphisms of multiple members of the Wnt pathway are associated with BMD variation. Furthermore, this study shows in a practical trial that study designs involving extreme truncate selection and moderate sample sizes can robustly identify genes of relevant effect sizes involved in BMD variation in the general population. This has implications for the design of future genome-wide studies of quantitative bone phenotypes relevant to osteoporosis.
Give and Take: The Bifurcation of Police Reform in Britain
Authors: Savage Stephen P.
Published: November 2007

Police reform is high on the agenda of many societies, both developed and developing. In the early years of the 21st century, police reform in Britain became a central feature of the Labour Government's strategy on crime, and what followed was a reform agenda that by any measure could be deemed ‘radical’. This paper examines the contemporary agenda for police reform in Britain in terms of two paradoxical movements. On the one hand, at the strategic and policy levels, police reform has entailed the ‘disempowerment’ of the police sector, a loss of control and a diminution of authority over decision-making relating to policing. On the other hand, at the operational and ‘street’ levels, police reform has entailed the ‘empowerment’ of the police sector, a widening of police discretion and an enhancement of the authority of the police officer as a community actor. The article examines the processes underpinning this paradox and locates them firmly within the contradictions inherent in the politicisation of crime and policing and the critical status of the public police within the politicisation of crime.
Reviews
Authors: Smith Russel , Roberts Lynne , Biles David , Thorne Colin
Published: November 2007

Cybercrime and Society, Majid Yar (2006) London, Sage Publications, 185 pp, ISBNs 101412907535, 101412907543, 139781412907538, 139781412907545.

Crime Online, Yvonne Jewkes (Ed.) (2007) Cullompton, England, Willan Publishing, 189 pp, ISBN 13: 978-1-84392-197-4

Virtually Criminal: Crime, Deviance and Regulation Online, Matthew Williams (2007). London, England: Routledge, 195 pp., ISBN 10: 0-415-36405-1.

Fighting Crime Together: The Challenges of Policing and Security Networks, Fleming, Jenny and Wood, Jennifer (Eds.) (2006). Sydney: University of New South Wales Press, 304 pp, ISBN 9780868409238.

Interrogating Images: Audiovisually Recorded Police Questioning of Suspects, David Dixon (2007) Institute of Criminology: Sydney. 296 pp, ISBN 9780975196748.
Determination of the Relaxation Super Operator of 23Na in a NaNO3 Single Crystal by Using the I = 3/2 Nuclear Spin as a 2‐Qubit Quantum Processor
Authors: Kampermann Hermann , Veeman Wiebren S.
Published: November 2007

The relaxation super operator of 23Na I = 3/2 spins in a NaNO3 single crystal is determined by using the Na spins as a two‐qubit quantum processor executing the identity operation. It is found that the relaxation super operator in good approximation is diagonal with real elements. The decoherence times of transitions corresponding to the same quantum order (single quantum, respectively two‐quantum order) are approximately equal. But the higher the quantum order, the faster the decoherence. It is discussed that this is due to the dipolar interactions between the spins. By defining a figure of merit, which expresses the ability of a qubit system to act as a quantum processor, it is found that a quantum processor based on quadrupolar nuclear spins in a solid compares well to a processor based on proton spins in a liquid solution.
Synthesis and Functionalization of Fullerenes Encapsulating Atomic Phosphorus
Authors: Scheloske Michael , Naydenov Boris , Meyer Carola , Harneit Wolfgang
Published: November 2007

Synthesis, purification, and electron spin properties of the endohedral fullerene P@C60 are reported. Highly enriched material could be obtained for the first time, making this molecule accessible for further experiments. We report the first successful chemical modification of P@C60 via cyclo‐propanation to the C2v symmetric monoadducts P@C61(COOCH3) and P@C61(COOC2H5). X‐band electron spin resonance data are presented and discussed. The phosphorus atom shows anisotropic hyperfine coupling in the modified fullerenes, in contrast to the unmodified case, and in contrast to similarly modified N@C60.
Resposta brasileira ao controle da tuberculose
Authors: Santos Joseney
Published: November 2007

A tuberculose ainda é um problema de saúde pública no Brasil. Em 2003, o controle da tuberculose foi destacado como prioridade dentre as políticas públicas de saúde. O artigo relata a resposta brasileira a esse desafio, descrevendo os principais componentes estratégicos contidos no Plano Nacional de Controle para o período 2003 a 2006. Dentre os principais resultados estão: expansão da cobertura da estratégia do Tratamento Supervisionado, aumento do percentual de cura de casos, redução do abandono ao tratamento e da taxa de incidência.
Recente contribuição da Organização Mundial de Saúde para o controle da tuberculose na infância
Authors: Sant'Anna Clemax Couto , Hijjar Miguel Aiub
Published: November 2007

O artigo comenta a pioneira e recente publicação da Organização Mundial da Saúde denominada Guidance for National Tuberculosis Programmes on the Management of Childhood Tuberculosis in Children, buscando divulgar aspectos que tem interesse na prática dos profissionais de saúde. Estabelece-se paralelo entre a América Latina e o continente africano no que diz respeito à co-infecção TB-HIV e a tuberculose infantil.
Os vários mundos do financiamento da Saúde no Brasil: uma tentativa de integração
Authors: Dain Sulamis
Published: November 2007

O artigo aborda o dilema subjacente ao financiamento da Saúde, entre a visão de longo prazo proposta pela Seguridade Social em 1988, e a visão de curto prazo, centrada nos sucessivos ajustes fiscais, que vem frustrando a expansão de recursos da Saúde no Brasil. No contexto da regulamentação da Emenda Constitucional 29, da renovação da CMPF e da DRU, e de uma próxima reforma tributária, são tratados aspectos do sistema tributário, das contribuições sociais, dos subsídios, incentivos e renúncia de arrecadação. Considera também aspectos político-institucionais das relações intergovernamentais e das relações entre o setor público e o setor privado, presentes ao financiamento da Saúde. O trabalho torna evidente a existência de espaço para ampliar o patamar de financiamento do SUS, de modo a superar os vazios sanitários, bem como as desigualdades de oferta de serviços no território. Sugere também a revisão das relações financeiras intergovernamentais e entre o setor público e o setor privado. Finalmente, apresenta aspectos virtuosos do gasto público e dos instrumentos de financiamento do setor para o desenvolvimento econômico e tecnológico do Brasil.
The effect of layering on the definition of aquifer dispersivity
Authors: Dimkić M. , Pušić M. , Jordanovski M.
Published: November 2007

When analyzing solute transport in groundwater, it is necessary to introduce a variable coefficient of dispersion. It has been established that dispersion is affected by the medium, filtration rate and the size of the area. It has also been determined that an increasing travel distance increases the value of the coefficient of dispersion in the model/calculation applied. Horizontal heterogeneity and vertical layering of an aquifer make the definition of dispersion more difficult. This is particularly true of alluvial sediments, where sedimentation occurs under varying conditions and results in layering within a single lithofacial unit. In the analysis of substance migration through a layered aquifer using the conventional dispersion equation, a model of the hydraulically equivalent homogeneous aquifer was applied, including the concepts of hydraulically equivalent aquifer and coefficient of equivalent geometric dispersivity. This procedure is often applied in practice. Calculation results indicate that if a real layered aquifer is substituted in this manner by an equivalent homogeneous aquifer, it is necessary to increase dispersivity with increasing model size, in order to achieve calibration. It was concluded that increasing transverse dispersion in a layered medium increases the possibility of an effective substitution of a real multi-layered aquifer by an equivalent homogeneous aquifer. The justifiability of this approach should be evaluated for every case study.
Interaction between control and design of a SHARON reactor: economic considerations in a plant-wide (BSM2) context
Authors: Volcke E.I.P. , van Loosdrecht M.C.M. , Vanrolleghem P.A.
Published: November 2007

The combined SHARON-Anammox process is a promising technique for nitrogen removal from wastewater streams with high ammonium concentrations. It is typically applied to sludge digestion reject water, in order to relieve the activated sludge tanks, to which this stream is typically recycled. This contribution assesses the impact of the applied control strategy in the SHARON-reactor, both on the effluent quality of the subsequent Anammox reactor as well as on the plant-wide level by means of an operating cost index. Moreover, it is investigated to which extent the usefulness of a certain control strategy depends on the reactor design (volume). A simulation study is carried out using the plant-wide Benchmark Simulation Model no. 2 (BSM2), extended with the SHARON and Anammox processes. The results reveal a discrepancy between optimizing the reject water treatment performance and minimizing plant-wide operating costs.
The importance of structural and gel fractions in determining shear sensitivity of sludge
Authors: Dursun D. , Dentel S.K.
Published: November 2007

Shear sensitivity measurements with variation of ingredients in a synthetic sludge can be related to biosolids' structural properties and particulate amount. The shear sensitivity is primarily controlled by the gel fraction, with alginate and the associated cations increasing the gel-like behavior. However the effect of particulate fraction on shear sensitivity should also be taken into account. Shear sensitivity is thus a complex parameter including two types of response: the resistance to dispersed mass concentration into centrate, and the maintenance of desired strength while the solids concentration increases in the shear field.
Barriers to Care Seeking in Directly Observed Therapy Short-Course (DOTS) Clinics and Tuberculosis Control in Southern Nigeria: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Okeibunor Joseph C. , Onyeneho Nkechi G. , Chukwu Joseph N. , Post Erik
Published: November 2007

An understanding of the socioeconomic and cultural realities of persons infected with tuberculosis (TB) in communities is important to re-strategizing control programs because these realities often come as constraints to the use of the directly observed therapy short-course (DOTS) in Nigeria. In-depth interviews and focus group discussion were used to study barriers to attendance at DOTS clinics for both prompt diagnosis and treatment of smear positive cases in Nigerian communities. A number of common and interrelated factors form barriers to use of DOTS clinics. These include perceived causes of the infection, for example witchcraft, that mitigate against an orthodox solution to TB and thereby affect perceived efficacy of DOTS. Another factor is perceived high cost in resource poor settings. Facility staff were noted to have demanded money from patients in spite of the fact that DOTS is advertised as free treatment. Furthermore, community members complain of the hostile attitude of health staff toward poor people as a barrier to community use of the facilities. It follows, therefore, that the attitude of health workers must be addressed if community members will use the DOTS clinics.
Exercise, Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol Levels in a Caribbean Population
Authors: Modeste Naomi N. , Brathwaite Noel , Fraser Henry S. , Toh See Wei
Published: November 2007

This study used a population-based sample of 407 Seventh-day Adventists in Barbados to determine the relationship between physical activity, blood sugar, hypertension, and cholesterol levels. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select participants: 37.6% were male and 62.4% female. No significant association was found between exercise and the outcome variables: blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels of participants. However, females appeared to be more sedentary when compared to males. A significant association was seen between weekly exercise and triglycerides, but only in male participants.
African Women and Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS: Implications for Female Related Cultural Practices
Authors: Uwe E. A. , Ekuri E. E. , Asuquo P. N.
Published: November 2007

Violence against women in Africa dates back to primordial society, where cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and polygamous marriages were prescribed and supervised by male-dominated social structures. Women's status has always been at high risk, since such practices are male supervised. With the upsurge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic globally, research needs to focus on such cultural practices, the dangers of such practices, and possible eradication. The present article examines the change-resistant, prevailing religious, social, and psychological barriers to change.
Serum cortisol and thyroxine concentrations as predictors of death in critically ill puppies with parvoviral diarrhea
Authors: Schoeman Johan P. , Goddard Amelia , Herrtage Michael E.
Published: November 2007

Objective—To evaluate the role of adrenal and thyroid hormones in the prediction of death in a population of critically ill puppies with parvoviral diarrhea by measuring serial daily serum concentrations of cortisol and thyroxine.

Design—Prospective case-control study

Animals—57 critically ill puppies with parvoviral diarrhea admitted to the hospital and 17 clinically normal control puppies.

Procedures—Basal serum cortisol and thyroxine concentrations were measured for each dog with parvoviral diarrhea at admission (prior to treatment) and daily until death, euthanasia, or discharge.

Results—Median time between admission and death was 48 hours (ie, on day 3). Median serum cortisol concentration on day 1 (admission) in all dogs with parvoviral diarrhea (248 nmol/L) was significantly higher than in control dogs (77 nmol/L). No significant difference was found in the day 1 median serum cortisol concentration of 11 dogs that died (302 nmol/L) and 46 dogs that survived (238 nmol/L). A significantly higher median serum cortisol concentration was, however, found in nonsurvivor group dogs, compared with survivor group dogs, on days 2 and 3. Median serum thyroxine concentration on day 1 in dogs with parvoviral diarrhea was significantly lower than in control dogs (8.12 nmol/L vs 35 nmol/L, respectively). Median serum thyroxine concentration of nonsurvivor group dogs (4.4 nmol/L) was significantly lower than that of survivor group dogs (9.2 nmol/L) at admission and became even lower on days 2 and 3.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—High serum cortisol and low serum thyroxine concentrations at 24 and 48 hours after admission were associated with death in dogs with parvoviral diarrhea.
Epirubicin in the adjuvant treatment of splenic hemangiosarcoma in dogs: 59 cases (1997–2004)
Authors: Kim Stanley E. , Liptak Julius M. , Gall Trent T. , Monteith Gabrielle J. , Woods J. Paul
Published: November 2007

Objective—To determine the efficacy and toxic effects of epirubicin for the adjuvant treatment of dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma and identify prognostic factors.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—59 client-owned dogs that underwent splenectomy for splenic hemangiosarcoma treated with or without epirubicin.

Procedures—Medical records were examined for signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical findings, and postoperative outcome. For dogs treated with epirubicin, dose numbers, intervals, and reductions and type and severity of toxic effects were recorded. Dogs were allotted to 2 groups: splenectomy alone and splenectomy with adjuvant epirubicin treatment.

Results—18 dogs received epirubicin (30 mg/m2) every 3 weeks for up to 4 to 6 treatments. Forty-one dogs were treated with splenectomy alone. The overall median survival time was significantly longer in dogs treated with splenectomy and epirubicin (144 days), compared with splenectomy alone (86 days). Median survival time for dogs with stage I disease (345 days) was significantly longer than for dogs with either stage II (93 days) or III disease (68 days). Seven of 18 dogs treated with epirubicin were hospitalized for signs of adverse gastrointestinal effects. Inappetence, long duration of clinical signs, thrombocytopenia, neutrophilia, and high mitotic rate were negative prognostic factors.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Epirubicin may be as efficacious as adjuvant doxorubicin-based protocols, but may result in a higher incidence of adverse gastrointestinal effects. Epirubicin should be considered as an alternative to doxorubicin in dogs with preexisting cardiac disease, as clinical epirubicin cardiotoxicity was not diagnosed in treated dogs.
Formal Gevrey Theory for Singular First Order Quasi-Linear Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Hibino Masaki
Published: November 2007

This paper is concerned with the existence, the uniqueness, convergence and divergence of formal power series solutions of singular ﬁrst order quasi-linear partial diﬀerential equations. Firstly we give the condition under which the formal solution exists uniquely. However, this formal power series solution does not necessarily converge. So we characterize the rate of divergence of the formal solution via the Gevrey order of formal power series. The Gevrey orders of formal solutions are determined by the Newton polyhedrons of nonlinear partial diﬀerential operators.
Effects of Transportation Accessibility on Residential Property Values
Authors: Shin Kangwon , Washington Simon , Choi Keechoo
Published: November 2007

A number of studies have focused on estimating the effects of accessibility on housing values by using the hedonic price model. In the majority of studies, estimation results have revealed that housing values increase as accessibility improves, although the magnitude of estimates has varied across studies. Adequately estimating the relationship between transportation accessibility and housing values is challenging for at least two reasons. First, the monocentric city assumption applied in location theory is no longer valid for many large or growing cities. Second, rather than being randomly distributed in space, housing values are clustered in space—often exhibiting spatial dependence. Recognizing these challenges, a study was undertaken to develop a spatial lag hedonic price model in the Seoul, South Korea, metropolitan region, which includes a measure of local accessibility as well as systemwide accessibility, in addition to other model covariates. Although the accessibility measures can be improved, the modeling results suggest that the spatial interactions of apartment sales prices occur across and within traffic analysis zones, and the sales prices for apartment communities are devalued as accessibility deteriorates. Consistent with findings in other cities, this study revealed that the distance to the central business district is still a significant determinant of sales price.
Modeling Park-and-Ride Services in a Multimodal Transport Network with Elastic Demand
Authors: Li Zhi-Chun , Lam William H. K. , Wong S. C. , Zhu Dao-Li , Huang Hai-Jun
Published: November 2007

With the rapid development of metro systems in large Asian cities, such as Hong Kong and Shanghai, China, local authorities are developing park-and-ride (P&R) schemes to encourage commuters to reach the cities’ central areas by transferring from private cars to metro at stations with P&R facilities. A network equilibrium formulation can be used to model P&R services in a multimodal transportation network with elastic demand. It is assumed that commuters can complete their journeys by three options: auto mode, walk–metro mode, and P&R mode. The proposed model simultaneously considered commuters’ travel choices on travel mode, route–path, and transfer point, as well as their parking choice behavior. The effects of elastic travel demand, together with passengers’ discomfort in metro vehicles, were explicitly incorporated. The resultant problem can be formulated as an equivalent variational inequality problem. Numerical results showed that the introduction of P&R schemes could bring a positive, neutral, or even negative social welfare increment, and its efficiency depends greatly on the parking charging level and the number of parking spaces supplied at the P&R site and in the urban central area, as well as the metro dispatching frequency and fare.
Planning for Laobaixing
Authors: Chen Wenling , Mehndiratta Shomik Raj
Published: November 2007

International experience suggests that in the realm of urban transport a public participation process can be a valuable complement of the technical planning process in generating good projects with widespread distributional benefits that minimize the concentration of adverse impacts. If properly designed, participation processes also offer an opportunity to incorporate the interests of vulnerable groups into the planning process. Laobaixing is Chinese for “common people.” In Liaoning, China, the successful development of a meaningful public participation process influenced project design on a World Bank–financed urban infrastructure improvement project to address the broad needs of the project beneficiaries better. In particular, the participatory process significantly influenced the project design and raised the sensitivity of city leaders to public needs. Through the process, the project shifted focus from major road expansion to secondary road improvements. In addition, the participation processes grasped latent issues to address better the needs of nonauto users, women, and other vulnerable urban residents. The outcomes of the Liaoning participatory project indicate that a mainstreamed participatory process offers the potential to systematically reveal and address critical issues and public needs early in the planning process; this leads to higher value projects to accomplish investment goals.
Barriers to Breastfeeding In a Vietnamese Community: A Qualitative Exploration
Authors: Sutton Judy , He Meizi , Despard Caroline , Evans Anita
Published: November 2007

Purpose: Vietnamese women's breastfeeding experience and challenges were explored, as were their families’ needs for prenatal and postpartum health professional programs and services.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Middlesex- London, Ontario, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews in a heterogeneous sample of 11 Vietnamese mothers of children younger than two years. Diverse subject characteristics were sought in terms of parity, maternal age, infant age, marital status, education, employment, and breastfeeding initiation and duration. The 45- to 60-minute interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Research team members independently reviewed interview transcripts at several stages during data collection. Qualitative analysis was sequential, and involved a combination of editing and template organizing styles.

Results: Lack of knowledge and misinformation were major barriers to breastfeeding. Inability to communicate in English and a lack of effective transportation were key obstacles to the women's ability to access mainstream prenatal and postpartum health programs and services. Standard nursing prenatal and postpartum services appear not to have reached this group of mothers effectively.

Conclusions: Culturally and linguistically sensitive breastfeeding promotion and postpartum support services are needed for this Vietnamese community.
Le jeu de la prédication dans certains composés nominaux
Authors: Anscombre Jean-Claude
Published: November 2007

Jean-Claude Anscombre: The role of predication in some French nominal compounds

The aim of this article is to account, in terms of 'deep predication' for syntactic and semantic properties of those of French nominal compounds N₁, N₂ that are not idioms. Such a word formation, extremely productive in Modern French, mainly provides terms that refer to subsets of things: N₁ à N₂ is a hyponym of N₁.

The study is carried out within the framework of the theory of linguistic stereotypes, especially as regards genericity. The first part is devoted to an examination of the possibility/impossibility for such nominals to be built up, and shows that it crucially depends on the existence of a peculiar generic connection between N₁ and N₂. The second part is an attempt to find out the conditions under which the N₂ of a compound noun N₁ à N₂ can be anaphorized by means of le N₂, son N₂, and en respectively. Once again, such possibilities are closely related to the above mentioned generic connection, especially as regards the type of (deep) predication involved.
Représentations discursives, point(s) de vue et signifié unique du conditionnel
Authors: Haillet Pierre Patrick
Published: November 2007

Pierre Patrick Haillet : Discursive representation, viewpoint and the unique signified of the French conditional

Considering that any statement is a discoursive representation, this paper shows how such an approach accounts for various meanings of the French conditional: defined in terms of viewpoints on the corresponding state or event, they are seen as resulting from the interaction between a given context and what is defined as the basic, universal meaning of the verbal form. Most of the concepts used by the author originate from the « théorie polyphonique du discours » by Anscombre & Ducrot.
Pour une nouvelle approche de l'imparfait : l'imparfait, un temps anaphorique méronomique
Authors: Berthonneau Anne-Marie , Kleiber Georges
Published: November 2007

This paper gives first a detailed criticism of classical approaches to the imparfait (more precisely the aspectual and coreferential theses) and second a radically new description of this verbal tense. The solution stipulates an anaphoric relation of the kind part-whole between the antecedent-situation of the past and the situation described by the imparfait. This proposal allows to put together the questions of temporal reference and « associative » anaphora.
« Dictionnaires électroniques et traduction automatique »
Authors: Gross Maurice
Published: November 2007

Maurice Gross : « Dictionnaires électroniques et traduction automatique »

Fourty years after the Georgetown historical experiment in Mechanical Translation, we review the trend and progress of the field. We discuss in particular the lack of a programme of construction of dictionaries and grammars. We show how this situation has hampered progress and we give samples of electronic dictionaries of French as they are currently used in a system of analysis of texts.
Nomination et production de sens : le praxème
Authors: Siblot Paul
Published: November 2007

From times immemorial, grammarians and linguists have assigned precedence to the noun over the other parts of discourse. The essentialisation of the nominal archetype, abundantly illustrated in the great mythical texts, leads numerous semantic analyses to belie the very theoretical principles which they defend. Our starting point is a reassessment of the definition of nomination, in which the noun is not viewed as designating the object named « in se », but « for us », thus nominating our relation to that object. A model of nominal significance is offered, in which praxis is viewed as bearing on meaning and in which we attempt to integrate the dialectic relationships between language and the real, whether those be inscribed in speech or mobilised through discourse.
Sur le sens des proverbes
Authors: Kleiber Georges
Published: November 2007

Georges Kleiber (Universite de Strasbourg) : On the Semantics of Proverbs

Is there any hope of building an adequate semantics for proverbs ? The aim of this paper is to give a positive answer to this question. It is indeed possible to define what a proverb is, semantically speaking. Our characterization lies on two basic claims. The first is that a proverb has the status of a sentential denomination with generic import. The second shows that his semantic structure always conveys an implication which relies two situations involving humans. We can thus predict the constraints which must be satisfied by a generic sentence to become a proverb and, at the same time, explain the metaphorical character of

certain proverbs and also the synecdochic mechanism in other proverbs.
No evidence for interaction between MAOA and childhood adversity for antisocial behavior
Authors: Prichard Zoë , Mackinnon Andrew , Jorm Anthony F. , Easteal Simon
Published: November 2007

Previous reports have identified an interaction between an MAOA promoter polymorphism and childhood adversity for antisocial behavioral outcomes in males. This study attempted to replicate this finding in an Australian community survey of 1,002 Caucasian men aged 20–24 years. Greater childhood adversity was associated with later antisocial behavior, but no association was observed between MAOA genotype and antisocial behavior, and no interaction was found between childhood adversity and MAOA genotype for antisocial behavior. This study does not support previous reports of an interaction between MAOA genotype and childhood adversity for antisocial behavior in males. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adsorption of trypsin onto magnetic ion‐exchange beads of poly(glycidylmethacrylate‐co‐ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate)
Authors: Arica M. Yakup , Akyol Ali Berkan , Bayramoğlu Gülay
Published: November 2007

Magnetic beads were prepared from glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), and ethyleneglycol dimethylmethacrylate (EGDMA) in the presence of Fe3O4 nano‐powder via suspension polymerization. The magnetic beads were characterized by surface area measurement, electron spin resonance (ESR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ESR data revealed that the beads were highly super‐paramagnetic. The effects of contact time, pH, ionic strength, and temperature on the adsorption process have been studied. Adsorption equilibrium was established in about 120 min. The maximum adsorption of trypsin on the magnetic beads was obtained as 84.96 mg g−1 at around pH 7.0. At increased ionic strength, the contribution of the electrostatic component to the overall binding decreased, and so the adsorption capacity. The experimental equilibrium data obtained trypsin adsorption onto magnetic beads fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model. The result of kinetic analyzed for trypsin adsorption onto magnetic ion‐exchange beads showed that the second order rate equation was favorable. It was observed that after six adsorption–elution cycle, magnetic beads can be used without significant loss in trypsin adsorption capacity. Finally, the magnetic beads were used for separation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and trypsin from binary solution in a batch system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Miscibility and properties of completely biodegradable blends of poly(propylene carbonate) and poly(butylene succinate)
Authors: Pang M. Z. , Qiao J. J. , Jiao J. , Wang S. J. , Xiao M. , Meng Y. Z.
Published: November 2007

Completely biodegradable blends of poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were melt‐prepared and then compression‐molded. The miscibilities of the two aliphatic polyesters, that is, PPC and PBS, were investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The static mechanical properties, thermal behaviors, crystalline behavior, and melt flowability of the blends were also studied. Static tensile tests showed that the yield strength and the strength at break increased remarkably up to 30.7 and 46.3 MPa, respectively, with the incorporation of PBS. The good ductility of the blends was maintained in view of the large elongation at break. SEM observation revealed a two‐phase structure with good interfacial adhesion. The immiscibility of the two components was verified by the two independent glass‐transition temperatures obtained from DMA tests. Moreover, thermogravimetric measurements indicated that the thermal decomposition temperatures (T−5% and T−10%) of the PPC/PBS blends increased dramatically by 30–60°C when compared with PPC matrix. The melt flow indices of the blends showed that the introduction of PBS improved the melt flowability of the blends. The blending of PPC with PBS provided a practical way to develop completely biodegradable blends with applicable comprehensive properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Temperature sensitive semi‐IPN microspheres from sodium alginate and N‐isopropylacrylamide for controlled release of 5‐fluorouracil
Authors: Mallikarjuna Reddy K. , Ramesh Babu V. , Krishna Rao K. S. V. , Subha M. C. S. , Chowdoji Rao K. , Sairam M. , Aminabhavi T. M.
Published: November 2007

Semi‐interpenetrating network (IPN) of sodium alginate (NaAlg) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) microspheres were prepared by water‐in‐oil (w/o) emulsification method. The microspheres were encapsulated with 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and release patterns carried in 7.4 pH at temperatures of 25 and 37°C. The semi‐IPN microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopic studies were done on the drug‐loaded microspheres to confirm the polymorphism of 5‐FU and surface morphology of microspheres. These results indicated the molecular level dispersion of 5‐FU in the semi‐IPN microspheres. Particle size and size distribution were studied by laser light diffraction technique. Microspheres exhibited release of 5‐FU up to 12 h. The swelling studies were carried in 1.2 and 7.4 pH buffer media at 25 and 37°C. Drug release from NaAlg‐NIPAAm semi‐IPN microspheres at 25 and 37°C confirmed the thermosensitive nature by in vitro dissolution. The micro domains have released in a controlled manner due the presence of NIPAAm in the matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effects of carbon nanofibers on crystalline structures and properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene blend fabricated using twin‐screw extrusion
Authors: Ren X. , Wang X. Q. , Sui G. , Zhong W. H. , Fuqua M. A. , Ulven C. A.
Published: November 2007

Melt mixing in an extruder with polymers is an effective approach for forming nanocomposites, allowing mass production applications. The intent of this study is to investigate carbon nanofiber composites with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) matrix using the twin‐screw extruder. To decrease the high viscosity of UHMWPE, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) was added into the UHMWPE. The effects of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the crystalline structures and properties of the nanocomposites were analyzed. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed the addition of CNFs decreases the degree of crystallinity, but does not impart significant effects on the crystalline structure of the UHMWPE/LDPE blend. Tensile test results showed that the nanocomposite with loading of 3 wt % CNFs had an increase of 38% in tensile strength and 15% in modulus. The thermal stability and thermal conductivity of UHMWPE/LDPE blends were also enhanced by the addition of CNFs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Pharmacokinetics of phenytoin and its metabolite, 4′‐HPPH, after intravenous and oral administration of phenytoin to diabetic rats induced by alloxan or streptozotocin
Authors: Kim Yu C. , Kang Hee E. , Lee Myung G.
Published: November 2007

It has been reported that diabetic patients have an increased risk of developing epileptic convulsions compared with the non‐diabetic population, and phenytoin has widely been used for neuralgia in diabetic neuropathy. It has also been reported that in both diabetic rats induced by alloxan (DMIA rats) and by streptozotocin (DMIS rats), the protein expression and mRNA level of 2C11 decreased, but in DMIS rats, the protein expression of CYP2C6 increased. Thus, the pharmacokinetics of phenytoin and 4′‐HPPH were investigated after intravenous or oral administration of phenytoin at a dose of 25 mg/kg to DMIA and DMIS rats. After intravenous or oral administration of phenytoin, theAUC(orAUC0–12 h) values of both phenytoin and 4′‐HPPH were comparable (not significantly different) between each diabetic and the respective control rats. Although the exact reason is not clear, this could have been due to opposite protein expression (and/or mRNA levels) of CYP2C6 and 2C11 in diabetic rats. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Platinum Phenanthroimidazole Complexes as G‐Quadruplex DNA Selective Binders
Authors: Kieltyka Roxanne , Fakhoury Johans , Moitessier Nicolas , Sleiman Hanadi F.
Published: November 2007

Complexes that bind and stabilize G‐quadruplex DNA structures are of significant interest due to their potential to inhibit telomerase and halt tumor cell proliferation. We here report the synthesis of the first PtII G‐quadruplex selective molecules, containing π‐extended phenanthroimidazole ligands. Binding studies of these complexes with duplex and quadruplex d(T4G4T4)4 DNA were performed. Intercalation to duplex DNA was established through UV/Vis titration, CD spectroscopy, and thermal denaturation studies. Significantly stronger binding affinity of these phenanthroimidazole PtII complexes to G‐quadruplex DNA was observed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and competitive equilibrium dialysis studies. Observed binding constants to quadruplex DNA were nearly two orders of magnitude greater than for duplex DNA. Circular dichroism studies show that an increase in π‐surface leads to a significant increase in the thermal stability of the PtII/quadruplex DNA complex. The match in the π‐surface of these phenanthroimidazole PtII complexes with quadruplex DNA was further substantiated by molecular modeling studies. Numerous favorable π‐stacking interactions with the large aromatic surface of the intermolecular G‐quadruplex, and unforeseen hydrogen bonds between the ancillary ethylenediamine ligands and the quadruplex phosphate backbone are predicted. Thus, both biological and computational studies suggest that coupling the square‐planar geometry of PtII with π‐extended ligands results in a simple and modular method to create effective G‐quadruplex selective binders, which can be readily optimized for use in telomerase‐based antitumor therapy.
Dispirofluorene–Indenofluorene Derivatives as New Building Blocks for Blue Organic Electroluminescent Devices and Electroactive Polymers
Authors: Poriel Cyril , Liang Jing‐Jing , Rault‐Berthelot Joëlle , Barrière Frédéric , Cocherel Nicolas , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Horhant David , Virboul Morgane , Alcaraz Gilles , Audebrand Nathalie , Vignau Laurence , Huby Nolwenn , Wantz Guillaume , Hirsch Lionel
Published: November 2007

A series of new dispiro[fluorene‐9′,6,9′′,12‐indeno[1,2b]fluorenes] (DSF‐IFs) has been synthesised. These new building blocks for blue‐light‐emitting devices and electroactive polymers combine indenofluorene (IF) and spirobifluorene (SBF) properties. We report here our synthetic investigations towards these new structures and their thermal, structural, photophysical and electrochemical properties. These properties have been compared to those of IF and SBF. We also report the anodic oxidation of DSF‐IFs that leads to the formation of non‐soluble transparent three‐dimensional polymers. The structural and electrochemical behaviour of these polymers has been studied. The first application of these building blocks as new blue‐light‐emitting materials in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLED) is also reported.
Thixotropic Twin‐Dendritic Organogelators
Authors: Percec Virgil , Peterca Mihai , Yurchenko Michael E. , Rudick Jonathan G. , Heiney Paul A.
Published: November 2007

Twin‐dendritic organogelators have been prepared through selective functionalization of N‐(3‐aminopropyl)‐1,3‐propanediamine (APPDA) with self‐assembling dendrons by using 1,1′‐carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). Subsequent modification of the APPDA linker provided an additional degree of structural diversity by which to tailor the gelator self‐assembly in bulk or in the gel state. These compounds are able to gel cyclohexane, toluene, n‐butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and tetrahydrofuran. 3,4‐Disubstituted apical branching units provided the most efficient organogelators and show a propensity to form thixotropic gels, wherein the gel recovers its elasticity after being subjected to shear. Structural and retrostructural analysis of the twin‐dendritic organogelators reveals the bulk structural characteristics to be indicative of the subsequent gel properties. Diverse self‐organized arrays were identified in bulk and all are able to form gels, thus indicating the role of quasiequivalence in mediating self‐assembly in the gel state. Furthermore, we have found that porous columnar mesophases provide a strategy by which to prepare thixotropic gels. We demonstrate the importance of weak lateral hydrogen bonding within a column stratum versus hydrogen bonding along the length of the column for forming porous columnar mesophases and, by extension, thixotropic gels.
The investment nature of income trusts and their role in diversified portfolios
Authors: Cleary Sean , MacKinnon Greg
Published: November 2007

We examine the investment characteristics of income trusts to explore their role within a portfolio as well as to clarify the on‐going political debate surrounding income trusts. Results show that income trusts exhibited risk‐adjusted performance that far outperformed equities and bonds during our sample period. We adopt a multifactor return generating process for ex‐post income trust returns to quantify the degree to which they are influenced by bond‐ and stock‐related effects. The relationship between trust returns and bond returns is very weak, whereas the relationship between trust returns and stock returns is quite strong. We conclude that while income trusts appear indistinct from equities as an asset class, they significantly expand the efficient set. Copyright © 2007 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of (R,S)‐9‐(2,3‐Dihydro‐1,4‐Benzoxathiin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐9H‐Purines
Authors: Díaz‐Gavilán Mónica , Conejo‐García Ana , Cruz‐López Olga , Núñez María C. , Choquesillo‐Lazarte Duane , González‐Pérez Josefa M. , Rodríguez‐Serrano Fernando , Marchal Juan A. , Aránega Antonia , Gallo Miguel A. , Espinosa Antonio , Campos Joaquín M.
Published: November 2007

A series of eleven 2‐ and 6‐substituted (R,S)‐9‐(2,3‐dihydro‐1,4‐benzoxathiin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐9H‐purine derivatives was obtained by applying a standard Mitsunobu protocol that led to a six‐membered ring contraction from (R,S)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,5‐benzoxathiepin‐3‐ol via an episulfonium intermediate. The signal ∼δ=151 ppm, which corresponds to the C4′ carbon atom, is unequivocal proof of the N9′ regioisomer. The potential of the target molecules as anticancer agents is reflected in their activity against the MCF‐7 cancer cell line. The most active compounds have IC50 values of (6.18±1.70) and (8.97±0.83) μM. The results indicate that the anticancer activity for the most active compounds is correlated with their capacity to induce apoptosis.