bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network Rail's international benchmarking programme, UK
Authors: Algaard Eliane , Treacher Piers
Published: April 2014

Over the last 3 years the UK's Network Rail has conducted an international benchmarking programme, with quantitative comparisons to see how efficient it is and qualitative comparisons to identify best practice. This paper describes how the benchmarking was done, the variety of approaches that were used and how the resulting ideas for improvement were implemented. The problems inherent with using international datasets for top-down econometric benchmarking are highlighted, and also the care with which the results must be interpreted. Topdown and bottom-up findings have been reconciled through the benchmarking of asset management and project management capabilities.
Open access: making publicly funded research work free for all
Authors: Ramster Ben
Published: April 2014

‘Open access’ is a new approach to publishing designed to make research papers funded by the public sector free for everyone to read. ICE Publishing's journals editorial manager Ben Ramster explains how it works and what it means for civil engineers.
Centrifuge dewatering of polymer-amended oil sand tailings
Authors: Rima Umme Salma , Azam Shahid
Published: April 2014

The main objective of this paper is to understand the process of centrifuge dewatering of polymer-amended mature fine tailings. Laboratory investigations indicated that dewatering improves up to 600 g (because of assemblage formation due to increased particle collisions and polymer adsorption) beyond which dewatering declines (owing to floc breakage due to excess centrifugation and surface saturation). For 10 mg/L polymer, the released water increased to 17%, the entrapped water decreased to 42%, and the sediment solids content increased to 42%. The corresponding values at 20 mg/L were found to be 34%, 18% and 47%, respectively. Likewise, the physicochemical parameters were found to correlate well with tailings dewatering. The decrease in pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and zeta potential (ZP) up to 600 g is due to water dilution, charge neutralisation and shear plane displacement beyond which opposite phenomena occurred. At the optimum and 10 mg/L polymer, the pH value decreased to 7·5, EC decreased to 2615 µs/cm, and ZP decreased to −26 mV. The corresponding values at 20 mg/L were found to be 7·5, 2234 µs/cm and −21 mV, respectively.
Characterisation of bentonite polymer for bottom liner use
Authors: Razakamanantsoa Andry , Djeran-Maigre Irini , Barast Gilles
Published: April 2014

This paper aims to study the hydromechanical behaviour and the clay polymer interaction of amended Ca-bentonite. Specimens were formed by mixing Ca-bentonite with two soluble polyelectrolyte polymer powders. Some important parameters are studied: swelling, water adsorption and hydraulic performance for landfill applications. Tests are performed with tap water and synthetic leachate (SL) to reproduce the hydrochemical phenomena. Hydraulic performance tests were performed with an oedopermeameter. Tests results show that polymers tend to reduce the permeability when in contact with the SL. Water adsorption and free swell index tests confirmed that adsorption, swelling and permeability parameters depend on the clay polymer mixtures and that adding polymers improves the clay properties. Each polymer’s charges has a different effect: the anionic polymer gives low permeability to the mixture, and the cationic polymer enhances the bentonite swell ability and water retention, which can be used also as a performance index.
Fahr Syndrome: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Mrunal Milind Deshpande , Chatterjee Anirban
Published: April 2014

Introduction: Fahr syndrome, also known as idiopathic basal ganglia calcification, is a rare neurologic disorder of unknown etiology that presents with various general and oral findings. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the oral and general findings associated with Fahr syndrome.

Case Presentation: A 33‐year‐old female patient reported to the Department of Periodontics, Oxford Dental College, Bangalore, India, with a complaint of loose teeth for the prior 6 months. Additional investigation showed a wide array of findings, including stunted growth, altered gait, osteoporosis, and increased thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone. Intraoral findings revealed oligodontia and severe chronic generalized periodontitis of the remaining teeth. Complete extraction followed by full‐mouth rehabilitation was planned.

Conclusion: This case report highlights the need for a dentist to be well informed about the signs and symptoms of Fahr syndrome to aid in the right diagnosis and treatment plan.
Defects in Laterality with Emphasis on Heterotaxy Syndromes with Asplenia and Polysplenia: An Autopsy Case Series at a Single Institution
Authors: Burton Elizabeth C. , Olson Michelle , Rooper Lisa
Published: April 2014

Heterotaxy is a rare disease with high morbidity and mortality. Controversy exists over how to classify these syndromes with most cases stratified into asplenia/polysplenia syndromes or right/left isomerism. In an effort to review comprehensively specific pheonotypes associated with heterotaxy syndromes, we reviewed published cases series, adopted a classification scheme based on spleen status, and evaluated autopsy cases retrospectively with abnormal laterality at our institution. We categorized 116 cases as situs inversus totalis, polysplenia, asplenia, and single right-sided spleen. Cardiovascular abnormalities occurred in 87.1% of polysplenia, 90.5% of asplenia, and all cases of single right-sided spleen. For polysplenia, 48.9% had bilateral bilobed lungs, 87% had right-sided stomach, 58.1% had midline symmetric liver, and 60.4% had malrotated intestines. For asplenia, 51.9% had bilateral trilobed lungs, 86.7% had right-sided stomach, 45.8% had symmetric liver, and 65.5% had malrotated intestines. Atrioventricular septal defects occurred in 91.2% of asplenia compared to 56.8% of polysplenia cases. Eight percent had pulmonary/aortic stenosis or atresia. Double outlet right ventricle was more common in polysplenia (32.6%) compared to asplenia (21.4%). Total anomalous systemic venous return was described in 55.6% of polysplenia and total anomalous pulmonary venous connections in 81% of asplenia cases. Greater than half of the cases had no heterotaxy diagnosis. Although, we found similar heterotaxy-associated characteristics, the frequencies differed from previous studies. We found great variation in how heterotaxy-associated defects were described, diagnosed, and reported. Although there are known associated characteristics with the polysplenia/asplenia syndromes, correct identification requires a standardized approach for diagnosis and reporting.
Presentations and complications of diabetes patients presenting to diabetic clinic of Eastern Nepal
Authors: Singh Nabin Kumar , Shah Niraj Kumar , Bhandari Amit , Pandey Subhash , Sharma Sanjib Jumar
Published: April 2014

Objective Diabetes mellitus leads to damage, dysfunction and failure of various organs especially eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. The latency of occurence of hyperglycemia and diagnosis may be of long duration. This study was aimed to find out the mode of presetation of diabetes mellitus in diabetic patients attending out patients clinic of B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Associated complications and comorbid condition present at the time of presenation were also studied.Methods The diabetic patients attending the Diabetic Out Patient Clinic of B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences during June 2006 to June 2007 were included in this study.The patients details were collected from the predefined Proforma for diabetes patient from the database. This included demographic data, biochemical parameters and diabetic complications. For the purpose of study a total of 775 patients were randomly selected.The Data collected were entered and analysed using excel and SPSS(version 11.5)Results Out of 775 cases 436 (56.3%) were male and 339(43.7%) were female. Majority of patients 81.55% (n=632) had osmotic sympmtoms or symptoms related to complication of diabetes at the time of presentation to the clinic. Asymptomatic patient constituted 18.45% (n=143). The most common presenting complaints were polyuria (44.58%), followed by polydypsia (39.62%) and polyphagia (24.88%). About 54.97% (n=426) had symptoms of complications related to diabetes. Among them most common complication was neurological (39.67%), followed by renal (10.8%) metabolic (4.93%), cardiac(4.46%), autonomic neuropathy (4.93%) and peripheral vascular disease (3.99%).Conclusion Majority of the patients presenting in our OPD had osmotic symptoms or symptoms related to complication of diabetes. Access to diabetes care and lack of awareness of the disease and its complication might had contributed to this. Community awareness, program for early detection and managemnet may help proper diabetes care and prevention of complications.   Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-3, 25-30
Under graduate student feedback on teaching and evaluation method in clinical pharmacology
Authors: Deo SK
Published: April 2014

Background Any teaching and evaluation method can be considered as effective once they are judged by students.Objective This study was designed to obtain feedback on teaching and evaluation methods in the subject of clinical pharmacology among under graduate studentsMethods Feedback on teaching and evaluation method was taken from undergraduate students of 2009 batch and various approaches to teaching and evaluation are identified. To know the effect of these novel approaches of teaching and evaluation, student feedback was taken from subsequent batch 2010 and 2011 using a written validated questionnaire covering various aspects of teaching and evaluation methods.Results Under graduate students were satisfied with all teaching methods like lecture and pharmacological exercises. They showed preference for tutorials, short answer questions and revision classes where as they were not satisfied with seminar method of learning. All students felt that there should be more time for clinical pharmacology and pharmacological problem based exercises.. The pass percentage of the subsequent batch in university examinations improved from 75 % to 90%.Conclusion Based upon the student’s feedback, incorporation of suggestion obtained from the students resulted in improvement in performance of the students. Hence, it is very essential to take regular feedback from the students to synchronize teaching and evaluation method of the students.Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-3, 31-34
Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Measurement of Caffeine in Caffeine-Laced Pants and in Urine and Skin of a Pants User
Authors: Pellegrini Manuela , De Orsi Daniela , Guarino Carmine , Rotolo Maria , Di Giovannandrea Rita , Pacifici Roberta , Pichini Simona
Published: April 2014

A fast and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the measurement of caffeine in caffeine-laced pants and in urine and skin of a pants user. The substance and its internal standard (N-ethylnorcotinine) were separated by reversed phase chromatography with 5 mM ammonium formate pH 3.0 and 0.3% formic acid in acetonitrile mobile phase (83:17 v/v) by isocratic elution and detected by tandem mass spectrometry operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode via positive electrospray ionization. Linearity was studied from 1.4 to100 ng/mL range for urine, from 5 to 100 ng/cotton swab for skin caffeine and from 1.3 to 100 µg/samples for 4 cm2 textile samples. Good determination coefficients (r2 = 0.99) were found in all cases. At three concentrations spanning the linear dynamic ranges of different samples mean recoveries of caffeine were always higher than 80% and intra-assay and inter-assay imprecision and inaccuracy were always better than 105%. For the first time, caffeine content in this cosmetotextile was determined together with the measurement of caffeine released on the user skin, the absorbed amount with resulting urinary concentrations.
The Multidimensional Spectrum of Imagination: Images, Dreams, Hallucinations, and Active, Imaginative Perception
Authors: Thomas Nigel
Published: April 2014

A theory of the structure and cognitive function of the human imagination that attempts to do justice to traditional intuitions about its psychological centrality is developed, largely through a detailed critique of the theory propounded by Colin McGinn. Like McGinn, I eschew the highly deflationary views of imagination, common amongst analytical philosophers, that treat it either as a conceptually incoherent notion, or as psychologically trivial. However, McGinn fails to develop his alternative account satisfactorily because (following Reid, Wittgenstein and Sartre) he draws an excessively sharp, qualitative distinction between imagination and perception, and because of his flawed, empirically ungrounded conception of hallucination. His arguments in defense of these views are rebutted in detail, and the traditional, passive, Cartesian view of visual perception, upon which several of them implicitly rely, is criticized in the light of findings from recent cognitive science and neuroscience. It is also argued that the apparent intuitiveness of the passive view of visual perception is a result of mere historical contingency. An understanding of perception (informed by modern visual science) as an inherently active process enables us to unify our accounts of perception, mental imagery, dreaming, hallucination, creativity, and other aspects of imagination within a single coherent theoretical framework.
Modifying Health Behavior to Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases: A Nationwide Survey among German Primary Care Physicians
Authors: Schneider Sven , Diehl Katharina , Bock Christina , Herr Raphael , Mayer Manfred , Görig Tatiana
Published: April 2014

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major public health concern as they are the leading cause of death in developed countries. Primary care is considered to be the ideal setting for CVD prevention. Therefore, more than 4,000 German primary care physicians (PCPs) were asked about their attitudes towards and their activities regarding the prevention of CVD in the nationwide ÄSP-kardio Study. The focus of the study was on health behavior modification. Two thirds of the participating PCPs stated that they routinely provided brief inventions to assist patients in reducing both their tobacco (72%) and alcohol (61%) consumption, to encourage them to increase their levels of physical activity (72%), and to assist them in adjusting to a more healthy diet (66%), and in achieving a healthy body weight (69%). However, only between 23% (quitting smoking) and 49% (diet modification) of PCPs felt that they had been successful in helping patients modify their lifestyles. Insufficient reimbursement, cultural diversity and a lack of time were reported to be the most problematic barriers to successful intervention in the primary care setting. Despite these obstacles, the majority of German PCPs was engaged in prevention and health behavior intervention to reduce the incidence and progression of CVD.
Expression of S100A6 in Rat Hippocampus after Traumatic Brain Injury Due to Lateral Head Acceleration
Authors: Fang Bo , Liang Ming , Yang Guitao , Ye Yuqin , Xu Hongyu , He Xiaosheng , Huang Jason
Published: April 2014

In a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI), we investigated changes in cognitive function and S100A6 expression in the hippocampus. TBI-associated changes in this protein have not previously been reported. Rat S100A6 was studied via immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after either lateral head acceleration or sham. Reduced levels of S100A6 protein and mRNA were observed 1 h after TBI, followed by gradual increases over 6, 12, 24, and 72 h, and then a return to sham level at 14 day. Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to evaluate animal spatial cognition. TBI- and sham-rats showed an apparent learning curve, expressed as escape latency. Although TBI-rats displayed a relatively poorer cognitive ability than sham-rats, the disparity was not significant early post-injury. Marked cognitive deficits in TBI-rats were observed at 72 h post-injury compared with sham animals. TBI-rats showed decreased times in platform crossing in the daily MWM test; the performance at 72 h post-injury was the worst. In conclusion, a reduction in S100A6 may be one of the early events that lead to secondary cognitive decline after TBI, and its subsequent elevation is tightly linked with cognitive improvement. S100A6 may play important roles in neuronal degeneration and regeneration in TBI.
ADMA/SDMA in Elderly Subjects with Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis: Values and Site-Specific Association
Authors: Riccioni Graziano , Scotti Luca , D'Orazio Nicolantonio , Gallina Sabina , Speziale Giuseppe , Speranza Lorenza , Bucciarelli Tonino
Published: April 2014

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor known as a mediator of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Circulating ADMA levels are correlated with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperhomocysteinemia, age and smoking. We assessed the relationship between ADMA values and site-specific association of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque) in elderly subjects. One hundred and eighty subjects underwent a complete history and physical examination, determination of serum chemistries and ADMA levels, and carotid ultrasound investigation (CUI). All subjects had no acute or chronic symptoms of carotid atherosclerosis. Statistical analyses showed that high plasma levels of ADMA/SDMA were positively correlated to carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT and plaque) (p < 0.001), with significant site-specific association. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein plasma concentrations were significantly associated with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (p < 0.001). High serum concentrations of ADMA and SDMA were associated with carotid atherosclerotic lesions as measured by CIMT ad plaque and may represent a new marker of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis in elderly subjects.
Identification of New Players in Hepatocarcinogenesis: Limits and Opportunities of Using Tissue Microarray (TMA)
Authors: Quagliata Luca , Schlageter Manuel , Quintavalle Cristina , Tornillo Luigi , Terracciano Luigi
Published: April 2014

Liver tumours are among the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the vast majority of liver tumours. When detected at an early stage of disease, patients might still be eligible for surgical-based curative treatments. However, currently only small portion of HCC affected patients are diagnosed at an early stage. For late stage HCC no treatment option exists beside the multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor Sorafenib. Thus new molecular targets and treatment options for HCC are urgently needed. Nevertheless, despite some improvements in diagnosis and patient management, the biology of liver tumour remains inadequately understood, mainly because these tumours have shown to harbour a highly complex genomic landscape. In addition, one major obstacle delaying the identification of new molecular targets in biomedical research is the necessity to validate them using a large collection of tissue specimens. Tissue microarray (TMA) technology allows the prompt molecular profiling of multiple tissue specimens and is therefore ideal to analyze presumptive candidate biomarkers in a fast an effective manner. The use of TMA has substantial benefits over standard techniques and represents a significant advancement in molecular pathology. For example, TMA technology reduces laboratory work, offers a high level of experimental uniformity and provides a judicious use of precious tissue. On the other hand, one potential limitation of using TMA is that the small cores sampled may not be representative of whole tumors. This issue is very critical in particularly heterogeneous cancers such as HCC. For liver focused studies, it is ideal to evaluate the staining patters of a determined marker over the structure of an entire acinus and to define staining in as many as possible anatomical regions. In this review we analyze the limits and opportunities offered by the usage of TMA technology in HCC research. In summary, TMA has revolutionized the histopathological analysis and will be of great help to further advance the knowledge in the field of hepatocarcinogenesis research.
Molecular Disorder in (‒)-Encecanescin
Authors: Reyes-Trejo Benito , Guerra-Ramírez Diana , Zuleta-Prada Holber , Santillán Rosa , Sánchez-Mendoza María , Arrieta Jesús , Reyes Lino
Published: April 2014

(‒)-Encecanescin (1) has been isolated from the leaves of Eupatorium aschembornianum. Two conformers are present in the crystal structure as a result of molecular disorder. The structure of 1 was established by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy in CDCl3 solution using 2D NMR techniques (gHSQC, gHMBC and NOESY). A Monte Carlo random search using molecular mechanics followed by the geometry optimization of each minimum energy structure using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6–31G* level and a Boltzmann analysis of the total energies generated accurate molecular models describing the conformational behavior of 1. The three most stable conformers 2–4 of compound 1 were reoptimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory using CHCl3 as a solvent. Correlations between the experimental 1H- and 13C-NMR chemical shifts (δexp) have been found, and the GIAO/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculated magnetic isotropic shielding tensors (σcalc) for conformers 2 and 3, δexp = a + b σcalc, are reported. A good linear relationship between the experimental and calculated NMR data has been obtained for protons and carbon atoms.
Analysis of Wheat Prolamins, the Causative Agents of Celiac Sprue, Using Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS)
Authors: Mejías Jaime , Lu Xiaoqiao , Osorio Claudia , Ullman Jeffrey , Von Wettstein Diter , Rustgi Sachin
Published: April 2014

Wheat prolamins, commonly known as “gluten”, are a complex mixture of 71–78 proteins, which constitute ~80% of the proteins in the wheat grains and supply 50% of the global dietary protein demand. Prolamins are also responsible for numerous gluten-induced disorders and determine the unique visco-elastic properties of the wheat dough. These properties necessitate the reliable determination of the prolamin composition in wheat grains and their derived products. Therefore, this study examined the impact of HPLC conditions, including column type, column temperature, flow rate, and the gradient of polar and non-polar solvents in the mobile phase, to improve the analytical resolution of prolamins. The following conditions were found optimal for analyses: column temperature 60 °C, flow rate 1.0 mL/min and an elution gradient of 20%–60% of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid + acetonitrile in 60 min. For further improvement of resolution, gliadin and glutenin extracts were analyzed using MALDI-TOF-MS in combination with HPLC fractionation. Two semi-quantitative methods, densitometry of stained polyacrylamide gels and HPLC, were used to determine relative prolamin quantities and the correspondence between the methods was established. The combinatorial gluten analyses approach developed during the present study was used to analyze prolamin profiles of wheat transformants expressing DEMETER silencing artificial microRNA, and the results are discussed.
Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance Dissemination across Plasmid Communities Classified by Network Analysis
Authors: Yamashita Akifumi , Sekizuka Tsuyoshi , Kuroda Makoto
Published: April 2014

The global clustering of gene families through network analysis has been demonstrated in whole genome, plasmid, and microbiome analyses. In this study, we carried out a plasmidome network analysis of all available complete bacterial plasmids to determine plasmid associations. A blastp clustering search at 100% aa identity cut-off and sharing at least one gene between plasmids, followed by a multilevel community network analysis revealed that a surprisingly large number of the plasmids were connected by one largest connected component (LCC), with dozens of community sub-groupings. The LCC consisted mainly of Bacilli and Gammaproteobacteria plasmids. Intriguingly, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) was noted between different phyla (i.e., Staphylococcus and Pasteurellaceae), suggesting that Pasteurellaceae can acquire antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes from closely contacting Staphylococcus spp., which produce the external supplement of V-factor (NAD). Such community network analysis facilitate displaying possible recent HGTs like a class 1 integron, str and tet resistance markers between communities. Furthermore, the distribution of the Inc replicon type and AMR genes, such as the extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) CTX-M or the carbapenemases KPC NDM-1, implies that such genes generally circulate within limited communities belonging to typical bacterial genera. Thus, plasmidome network analysis provides a remarkable discriminatory power for plasmid-related HGT and evolution.
Predictors of perceived importance and acceptance of digital delivery modes in higher education
Authors: Mertens Anne , Stöter Joachim , Zawacki-Richter Olaf
Published: April 2014

Teaching and assessment in higher education institutions are increasingly supported by digital tools and services. Students, however, perceive and value the importance of such e-learning offerings in very diverse ways. The goal of this article is to examine which predictors significantly influence students’ perceptions of the value of digital learning formats. Based on Küpper's acceptance model, we generate hypotheses that are subsequently tested using data from a German student survey. The results show that individual-related characteristics, especially motivation and orientation patterns of students, have a high impact on the perceived importance of digital learning formats. Our analyses indicate that besides individual performance and motivation, the practical orientation of a student is also a key predictor for a high rating of the importance of digital learning formats. An analysis of characteristics regarding the field of study shows that students who major in economic sciences, especially those who frequently work with digital learning formats in their classes, find them significantly more important than students who major in social science. Regarding innovation-based characteristics, students who express a need for flexible course offerings rate the use of digital learning formats as particularly important. The discussion provides an evaluation of the results of the student study based on the hypotheses and presents further implications.Keywords: digital learning formats; online learning; online learner characteristics; motivation; perceived benefit(Published: 15 April 2014)Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2014, 22: 23342 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v22.23342
Habitudes de consommation et prime de risque sur le marché actions dans les pays du G7
Authors: Allais Olivier , Cadiou Loïc , Dées Stéphane
Published: April 2014

Le modèle d’évaluation des actifs financiers de consommation ne parvient pas à expliquer les primes de risque observées sur les actions sauf à considérer des coefficients d’aversion pour le risque démesurés. Cette énigme de la prime de risque a été attribuée notamment à la séparabilité temporelle des préférences des consommateurs. Cet article étudie empiriquement la capacité de ce modèle à résoudre cette énigme lorsque les comportements de consommation présentent des habitudes. À partir de l’estimation des paramètres du modèle pour les pays du G7, nous montrons que le modèle de consommation avec formation d’habitude peut rendre compte des rendements d’actifs financiers avec des paramètres de préférence plus raisonnables.
L'effet des politiques budgétaires sur l'activité : une fonction des conditions conjoncturelles et du régime budgétaire ?
Authors: Hénin Pierre-Yves , N'Diaye Pape
Published: April 2014

Effect of Fiscal Policy on Economic Activity : A Function of Cyclical Conditions and the Fiscal System ?

by Pierre-Yves Hénin and Pape N''Diaye

An evaluation of interactions between macroeconomic activity and fiscal policy measured by a balance variable proves disappointing if carried out using a linear reduced-form VAR model. This study adopts an alternative representation, based on Hamilton''s work, which allows a model''s coefficients to vary according to the phase of the cycle and the fiscal system. The effect of fiscal policy on activity is thus reappraised for four OECD countries, first as a function of the cyclical phase and then of mixed systems in relation to cyclical conditions and fiscal policy trends. In several cases, non-neutral, classical or Keynesian effects on the budget were found to be specific to certain systems, although they did not emerge in a linear model. The American situation seemed to be closest to traditional a priori macroeconomics, with significant Keynesian effects in recession.
Le canal du crédit fonctionne-t-il en Europe ? Une étude de l’hétérogénéité des comportements d’investissement à partir de données de bilan agrégées
Authors: Beaudu Anne , Heckel Thomas
Published: April 2014

Is the Credit Channel Working in Europe ? A Study of Investment Pattern Diversity Using Aggregated Balance-Sheet Data

by Anne Beaudu and Thomas Heckel

This article studies the impact of monetary policy on the real economy in Europe through one particular transmission mechanism : the credit channel. The credit channel involves the existence of information asymmetries in financial markets and changes agents’ financing conditions. According to the credit channel theory, the sensitivity of investment to cash flow should increase following periods of monetary restraint -especially for small firms. To establish the impact of the credit channel on real activity, we test a classical investment model (accelerator-profit) on pseudo-panel data for European countries harmonised by the European Commission (BACH database). The data set contains corporate data aggregated by industry and size for a number of European countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Portugal). Our results show that investment sensitivity to financing conditions is consistent with the credit channel theory and that the impact of monetary shocks in Europe through this channel is a source of asymmetry between countries and between firms of different sizes.
La pente des taux contient-elle de l’information sur l’activité économique future ?
Authors: Sédillot Frank
Published: April 2014

Term Structure : A Source of Information on Future Economic Activity ?

by Franck Sédillot

In this paper we investigate the link between term structure and growth in France, Germany and the United States by means of two approaches. The first, widely used, consists in regressing the growth rate ofGDPfor yield spread in various ranges. Through the second, less frequently employed for European data, we examine the usefulness of the yield spread for predicting a recession, in this case using a probit model. For both approaches we analyse the in-sample forecasting ability and the out-of-sample accuracy of the outcomes. The stability of the various relations, based on time-varying root mean square errors, is also considered.
Tests de linéarité, spécification et estimation de modèles à seuil : une analyse comparée des méthodes de Tsay et de Hansen
Authors: Ben Salem Mélika , Perraudin Corinne
Published: April 2014

L'objectif de cet article est d'étudier, dans une perspective économétrique, les modèles à seuil et leur application aux séries temporelles. La particularité de ces modèles est leur capacité à engendrer une dynamique différente selon l'état de l''économie. La non-linéarité qu''ils induisent rend inopérantes les méthodes d'estimation usuelles. Notamment, les tests de linéarité contre l'alternative de modèles à seuil dépendent de paramètres de nuisance non identifiables sous l'hypothèse nulle de linéarité. L'article présente deux procédures de spécification des modèles à seuil et les compare à l'aide d'exercices de taille et de puissance. Une application au taux de croissance du Produit Intérieur Brut est enfin présentée pour huit pays de l'OCDE.
Décisions d'investissement et de démantèlement sous incertitude : une application au secteur électrique
Authors: Chaton Corinne
Published: April 2014

L’objectif de cette étude est d’utiliser la théorie des options réelles pour tenter de répondre à la question suivante : faut-il, en France, investir dans de nouvelles unités électronucléaires ou faut-il démanteler certaines unités existantes ? Le modèle théorique élaboré détermine deux seuils de prix qui définissent les règles d’investissement et de démantèlement dans le cas d’une firme réglementée, neutre au risque et qui ne connaît pas le prix futur de son intrant. Il fournit aussi une lecture a posteriori des choix passés de construction des centrales nucléaires françaises. La principale conclusion est que sous un certain nombre d’hypothèses théoriques et empiriques, il est optimal actuellement de ne pas modifier la capacité électronucléaire française. D’autres conclusions, plus générales, découlent du modèle théorique. Ainsi, un accroissement de l’incertitude facilite l’investissement, retarde le démantèlement et élargit l’intervalle des prix de l’intrant pour lesquels il n’y a pas de modification des capacités de production. Mots-clés : investissement, irréversibilité partielle, incertitude, inélasticité, options. Classification JEL : D8.
La sensibilité de l'emploi au coût du travail. Une exploration à partir de données de panel
Authors: Legendre François , Le Maitre Patricia
Published: April 2014

Dans cette étude, nous présentons de nouvelles évaluations de la sensibilité de la demande de travail à son coût, obtenues à partir d''un échantillon de près de 800 entreprises industrielles françaises suivies de 1980 à 1987. Nous développons un modèle de concurrence imparfaite qui permet de mieux identifier les effets favorables d''une baisse du coût du travail sur l''emploi. Deux canaux principaux doivent en effet être distingués. Le premier relève d''un effet de substitution : une baisse du coût du travail conduirait à un ralentissement du rythme de la substitution du capital au travail. Le second a trait à un effet de compétitivité car la baisse du coût du travail est l''un des moyens de réduire les coûts unitaires de production et d''améliorer ainsi la compétitivité des entreprises. Notre expérimentation économétrique a pour objet de mieux quantifier l''importance relative de ces deux effets. D''une part, nous montrons que le capital et le travail seraient des facteurs de production assez peu substituables au sein des entreprises. Une baisse de 1 % du coût du travail pourrait, par ce canal, accroître l''emploi en moyenne de 0,10 %. D''autre part, nous trouvons que l''effet prédominant serait l''effet de compétitivité. Une baisse de 1 % du coût du travail pourrait, par ce canal, accroître l''emploi en moyenne de 0,70 %. Ce dernier effet, cependant, n''est pas assuré ; il pourrait en partie relever d''un «sophisme de composition ».
Frontières d'efficacité et processus d'appariement sur le marché du travail au Maroc
Authors: Ibourk Aomar , Perelman Sergio
Published: April 2014

Efficiency Boundaries and Matching Process on the Moroccan Labour Market.

The capacity of a labour market to generate new jobs from a pool of vacant positions and unemployed workers is interpreted as a form of transactional efficiency. It can be measured by estimating a matching function which describes the exchange situation between the demand expressed by businesses and the supply represented by workers looking for a job. In this article, we propose to calculate these estimates using efficiency boundary techniques. Two alternative methods, parametric and non-parametric, are applied to the regional labour markets in Morocco. The results are used to evaluate the matching efficiency on each market and to evaluate the activity of the Employment Information and Orientation Centres (Centres d’Information et d’Orientation pour l’Emploi [ CIOPE]) created in the beginning of the nineties to make it easier to match the supply of graduates to demand.
Arbitrage entre fluctuations de l'inflation et de l'activité au niveau de la zone "euro"
Authors: Bac Catherine
Published: April 2014

Cette étude estime l''arbitrage de long terme entre variance de l''inflation et variance de l''activité auquel les autorités monétaires européennes auront à faire face. Lorsque la Banque Centrale a un objectif d''inflation et d''écart à l''activité potentielle, cet arbitrage représente la frontière de politique monétaire optimale. Un modèle VAR structurel est utilisé pour calculer une règle de politique monétaire optimale. En modifiant les pondérations associées aux objectifs respectifs de stabilisation des fluctuations de la croissance et de l''inflation, on détermine empiriquement un arbitrage de long terme entre les deux. L''application aux séries européennes montre que le pouvoir de contrôle de la politique monétaire sur l''inflation est plus fort que celui sur l''activité. En particulier, il semble qu''il existe un seuil incompressible en dessous duquel il paraît impossible de diminuer la variance de l''activité. De plus, l''arbitrage devient très fort lorsque la variance de l''inflation descend en dessous de 1%. Ce résultat suggère que si l''inflation est l''unique préoccupation de la Banque Centrale, cela se traduira vraisemblablement par un niveau élevé de la variation de l''activité.
D'un droit de propriété intellectuelle sur le vivant aux firmes de génomique : vers une marchandisation de la connaissance scientifique sur le génome humain
Authors: Orsi Fabienne , Moatti Jean-Paul
Published: April 2014

From Intellectual Property Rights on Living Matter to Genomics Firms : towards Selling Scientific Knowledge of the Human Genome.

This article analyses the conditions underlying the emergence of a new generation of biotechnology firms on the American market specialised in the discovery of human genes -a scientific activity previously promoted by public research systems -and the sale of these discoveries. The article shows that, within the specific growth dynamics of the biotechnology sector in the North-American context, the main factor behind the emergence of these firms has been the creation of intellectual property rights on living matter. The development of these rights has led to the patenting of scientific discoveries. The last part of the article discusses the consequences of disseminating the use of patents, particularly in Europe, and the change in status of scientific knowledge triggered by the rise of genomics firms.
Formation dans la production, capital humain, innovation et croissance
Authors: Pautrel Xavier
Published: April 2014

Production Training, Human Capital, Innovation and Growth.

This article shows how a personal decision to get production training modifies individual education and innovation choices and adds to the complexity of the relations between accumulation of human capital, innovation and growth. It suggests a possible theoretical explanation for the extremely mitigated results of empirical studies conducted with respect to the relation between accumulation of human capital and growth by showing that the accumulation of human capital is very imperfectly accounted for by education and casting light on the role played by the structure of the educational system and innovation activities in the relation between human capital and growth.
Applicability and costs of nanofiltration in combination with photocatalysis for the treatment of dye house effluents
Authors: Samhaber Wolfgang M , Nguyen Minh Tan
Published: April 2014

Nanofiltration (NF) is a capable method for the separation of dyes, which can support and even improve the applicability of photocatalysis in effluent-treatment processes. The membrane process usually will need a special pre-treatment to avoid precipitation and fouling on the membrane surface. Conceptually NF can be applied in the pre-treatment prior to the catalytic reactor or in connection with the reactor to separate the liquid phase from the reaction system and to recycle finely suspended catalysts and/or organic compounds. When concerning such reaction systems on a bigger scale, cost figures will prove the usefulness of those concepts. Different applications of photocatalysis on the lab-scale have been published in recent years. Membrane technology is used almost in all those processes and an overview will be given of those recently published systems that have been reported to be potentially useful for a further scale-up. NF membranes are mostly used for the more sophisticated separation step of these processes and the additional costs of the NF treatment, without any associated equipments, will be described and illustrated. The total specific costs of industrial NF treatment processes in usefully adjusted and designed plants range from 1 to 6 US$/m3 treated effluent. Combination concepts will have a good precondition for further development and upscaling, if the NF costs discussed here in detail will be, together with the costs of photocatalysis, economically acceptable.
Du récit de vie dans l'approche de l'autre
Authors: Bertaux Daniel
Published: April 2014

Comment se fait-il que la question « qui es-tu ? » induise nécessairement une réponse comportant récit de vie ? L’auteur part de la réponse de Hannah Arendt : parce que nous sommes des êtres historiques. Cela signifie notamment, pour Arendt, que nous sommes comme pris dans des enchâssements successifs de temporalités et d’actions ; mais on peut y ajouter des enchâssements successifs de contextes culturels et sociaux, et de systèmes sémantiques. Un récit de vie met donc en contact, à travers deux personnes, deux réalisations singulières de l’histoire de l’humanité. Leur appartenance commune, leur « commune humanité » est ce qui fait qu’il puisse y avoir communication, au-delà de l’inévitable méconnaissance initiale. A titre d’illustration une enquête de terrain est décrite : des travailleurs sociaux ayant effectué des récits de vie avec des adultes maghrébins qu’ils croyaient fort bien connaître, ont découvert des aspects remarquables de leur personnalité, ce qui a eu aussitôt des conséquences pratiques très positives.
Petite histoire des récits de vie
Authors: Faron Olivier
Published: April 2014

L’utilisation de récits de vie renvoie aux deux genres historiques spécifiques que sont la biographie et l’enquête orale. Ces deux pratiques ont connu une grande évolution récemment. Il semble nécessaire à la fois de produire de nouveaux documents tout en tenant compte des exigences de validation scientifique. La situation des orphelins de la Première guerre mondiale témoigne de la production de deux types de récits antagonistes. Un récit « exemplaire » de la mort héroïque du père puis de la conduite remarquable des enfants est contrebalancé par un « contre-récit » mélodramatique portant sur les conditions sociales difficiles auxquelles se heurtent les pupilles à la fin des années Trente.
Una aportación a la obra de Jean Miette
Authors: Martín Ansón Mª Luisa
Published: April 2014

El conocimiento de la pintura en esmalte de Limoges en los siglos XVI y XVII sigue presentando algunos enigmas especialmente a la hora de deslindar las personalidades de determinados artistas. Las condiciones en que desarrollaron su trabajo no facilitan el estudio del estilo particular de cada esmaltador y la evolución de su propia manera de hacer. Los datos biográficos sobre artistas individuales son raros. Los archivos de Limoges han proporcionado fechas de matrimonio, bautismos, etc. dentro de las familias, información sobre algunos viajes realizados por los artistas o los años en que fueron elegidos cónsules pero son muy limitados los datos sobre su actividad profesional. Por otra parte, la producción de esmaltes en Limoges conservo durante mucho tiempo un carácter artesanal y, muy frecuentemente, las obras fueron creaciones colectivas de taller siendo numerosas e importantes las dinastías de esmaltadores.…
Nuevas aportaciones al catálogo de la obra de los pintores Juan de Roelas y Juan del Castillo
Authors: Valdivieso Enrique , Fernández López José
Published: April 2014

No disponible
Nuevos datos sobre la capilla de los Alderete en San Antolín de Tordesillas y el escultor Bartolomé Hernández
Authors: Arias Martínez Manuel
Published: April 2014

No disponible
El trono episcopal de la catedral de Palencia. Un antecedente de los programas tipológicos en las sillerías corales góticas
Authors: Teijeira Pablos María Dolores
Published: April 2014

Las sillerías de coro góticas con decoración figurada presentan a menudo un programa iconográfico basado en las relaciones tipológicas entre Antiguo y Nuevo Testamento que refleja de una manera muy sutil las aspiraciones y deseos de la institución eclesiástica coetánea. Este programa iconográfico tiene en su base el llamado «Doble Credo», que establecía conexiones diversas entre apóstoles y profetas.
El tema tiene un origen muy antiguo, al menos por lo que respecta al credo apostólico. La tradición dice que fue creado el día de Pentecostés, cuando los apóstoles aportaron cada uno una frase al texto del Credo, como un resumen doctrinal básico que cada uno de ellos utilizaría en sus predicaciones por las diversas partes del mundo.…
De Castellón a Roma: el canónigo Vicente Giner (Ca. 1636-1681)
Authors: Aterido Fernández Ángel
Published: April 2014

La presencia de un artista español en la Roma papal, se contempla siempre como un privilegio de disfrute infrecuente, en los siglos del Renacimiento y el Barroco. No es hasta el pleno siglo XVIII, con la institucionalización de los pensionados de San Fernando, cuando la constancia documental de los españoles en las academias romanas parece hacerla más habitual.
Limitadísimas son las noticias que disponemos de ellos, casi siempre procedentes de crónicas y raramente de documentos exhumados de los archivos romanos, lo que explica que la andadura italiana se haya tenido como excepcional. Ante la penuria de datos, parece arriesgado aventurar una «solución» concluyente sobre el tema de los españoles en Roma.…
Las cuentas del tesorero Roger Patié y otros documentos. Esculturas y antigüedades de María de Hungría y los Jardines de Aranjuez
Authors: Estella Margarita M.
Published: April 2014

No disponible
A propósito del Maestro de los Santos Juanes
Authors: Fiz Irune
Published: April 2014

No disponible
Nuevos datos sobre los arquitectos Machuca y Vargas
Authors: Palacios César-Javier
Published: April 2014

No disponible
La leyenda del «mestre» Riquart y de Riccardo Quartararo
Authors: Condorelli Adele
Published: April 2014

Extraña estrella y, sobre todo, venturosa, diría yo, la del oscuro mestre Ricart, uno de tantos pintores que trabajaban en la Valencia de la segunda mitad del siglo xv, elevado a los honores de la crónica en virtud de su presunta identificación con el célebre Riccardo Quartararo (1443-1507), el más excelente de los pintores palermitanos de su época. Todavía hoy, una buena parte de la crítica cree que Quartararo llegó a Valencia en 1472, en el séquito del cardenal Rodrigo Borja, futuro Alejandro VI, junto con el napolitano Francesco Pagano y el emiliano Paolo de San Leocadio. Puesto que, como intentaré explicar a continuación, con mi prolongado y voluntario silencio sobre el tema, me considero en parte responsable de la difusión de lo que creo un equívoco, me parece llegado el momento de relatar cómo tuvo origen la hipótesis —para muchos estudiosos convertida ya en certeza— de que Riccardo Quartararo era…