bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La consommation des services de santé varie d'une région à l'autre ? Et alors ?
Authors: Blais Régis
Published: November 2011

Health Care Consumption varies from one Region to another? So what?

This article is a review of knowledges on variations of health care consumption. It summarizes the main results of research on nature and extent of this phenomenon, on it causes (population characteristics, health care system and providers), and on it potential consequences (medical costs and population health). The implications of these variations for further research and health care politics are discussed.
Les médecins aux États-Unis : équité et justice territoriale
Authors: Picheral Henri
Published: November 2011

Physicians in the United States: Equity and Territorial Justice.

In the U.S.A., unequal distribution of general practitioners leads to important geographical disparities in the distribution of medical services at all scales (Nations, metropolis, urban areas). What factors are contributing to explain these social and spatial disparities which have not (or virtually not) been obliterated since twenty years? In this liberal economic nation, social and economic characteristics seem to determine practitioners' choices and professional strategies. In urban ares, ethnical and social factors seem to be more determining.
Soins, Ville, Santé : une lecture géographique des dynamiques sanitaires à Tahiti
Authors: Vigneron Emmanuel
Published: November 2011

L'exceptionnelle croissance urbaine qu'à connue Tahiti au cours des trente dernières années a coïncidé avec une croissance sans précédent induite, principalement par l'activité du Centre d'Expérimentation du Pacifique (Mururoa). Ces bouleversements ne cessent d'entretenir des décalages entre la répartition et l'activité des hommes, l'allocation des ressources sanitaires et la nouvelle distribution de la demande de santé qui s'augmente par ailleurs de nouvelles exigences. La réalisation de profils géographiques de répartition des données sanitaires, et leur analyse en terme d'opposition entre centres et périphéries rend compte des nombreuses contradictions entre offre et demande de santé. Plus généralement, ces profils géographiques de réalisation facile - que l'on pourrait appeler des spatiogrammes - constituent un moyen très efficace de localisation des inégalités sanitaires et sociales.
Child Health Clinics in Tasmania An analysis of patterns of use
Authors: Flint Michel J. , McGlashan Neil
Published: November 2011

This study of the utilizator patterns of child health clinics in four socio-economic study areas in Tasmania provides evidence both that these clinics are equitably placed and that they record even workloads. This result is contrary to that found in other geographical studies and provides grounds for some satisfaction with the State Department of Health.
Location factors of general practitioners in Belgium in relation to the Grossman model
Authors: Vanneste Dominique , Vandenweghe Katrien
Published: November 2011

This article on the factors affecting the location of general practioners in Belgium takes its starting point from the Grossman model. The basic variables and additional characteristics included in this model refer to social-demographic and environmental structures and also to morbidity. These are considered to be elements which account for the number of consultations, which in turn represent income opportunities for general practitioners. First of all the authors study the extent to which the concentration of general practitioners corresponds with the variables mentioned above (using canonical correlation analysis). Next they verify changes taking place in the composition of classes of general practitioners' density (and their spatial distribution) if the variables mentioned above are taken to be the most important location factors (through stepwise discriminant analysis). Finally the authors balance socio-demographic and environmental characteristics against some other factors.
Les frictions spatiales entre la population et l'emploi
Authors: Jacquot Alain
Published: November 2011

Spatial frictions between population and employment.

With census data, we examine whether the distribution of jobs and that of people over the French territory display a greater degree of « harmony » in 1990 than they did in 1982. Counter-urbanization around the cities is still going on. But since the excess of births over deaths is larger in towns than it is in the rural parts of the country, there has been virtually no change in the degree of concentration of people over the territory. The increase of employment, however, benefited more to cities (especially the larger ones) than it did to the country. This widening gap between the distribution of people and that of jobs has resulted in an increase of commuting.
Les migrations intercensitaires de 1982 à 1990
Authors: Desplanques Guy
Published: November 2011

Intercensal migrations during 1982-1990.

During the period 1982-1990, between the last censuses, five million people, that says one out of eleven, have changed area (NUTS 1). Like in the seventies, South regions have increased through internal migrations, especially the Mediterranean Coast. On the opposite, North-East regions have lost inhabitants. The Capital region, Ile-de-France, was an emigration region, but the difference between immigrants from other regions and emigrants was smaller than during the period 1975-1982. The economic revival at the end of the eighties was probably profitable. Like in the previous decades, an important part of migrations are linked to the life cycle, particularly at the beginning and at the end of occupational life.
Contribution à l'étude des migrations définitives
Authors: Aubry Bernard
Published: November 2011

On a regroupé sur un fichier une sélection d'informations sur les personnes qui résidaient en Alsace à la date d'un des cinq derniers recensements. On a ainsi considérablement accru l'information sur les mouvements migratoires puisque ce fichier renferme la totalité des déplacements de population identifiés et les principales caractéristiques des personnes concernées. Compte tenu de la taille relativement élevée du fichier il a paru préférable de recourir à une méthode spécifique d'analyse (Saphir). Le nom SAPHIR (Système d'Analyse de la Population et de l'Histoire Inter Recensements) fait référence à la fois au(x) fichier(s) concerné(s) et à la méthode d'analyse appropriée.
La mobilité résidentielle dans les grandes agglomérations françaises de 1968 à 1990
Authors: Damais Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2011

Residential mobility in the French great urban centres from 1968 to 1990.

This paper concerns the evolution of residencial mobility of the citizens inside urban centers where they are living, for the last twenty years. This analysis is unfinished owing to the fact of handicaps due to the form which the recent statistical data (Census of 1990) are now available: it is not possible particularly to isolate the residential changes between communes in each urban center from those between all the French communes. Nevertheless, it appears that the residential mobility has been clearly less intense and less variing between 1982 to 1990 than during the two previous intercensal périodes, chiefly to the detriment, (?...), of the intra-communal mobility.
Dynamique démographique et spatiale dans les pays de la Moyenne Garonne
Authors: Charrié Jean-Paul
Published: November 2011

Les pays garonnais ont toujours connu une croissance démographique modeste et assez inégalement répartie. L'évolution récente de la population tient à la croissance démographique qui affecte désormais toutes les communes de la vallée. Ce changement permet de montrer les mécanismes qui favorisent cet enchaînement géographique : rôle des moyens de communication moderne, dynamisme ou déclin des activités économiques des villes, poursuite de l'étalement des agglomérations, y compris les plus petites. Une typologie permet de faire ressortir les principales dynamiques fondées sur l'armature urbaine.
Renouveau démographique et disparités géographiques dans la région Midi-Pyrénées
Authors: Marconis Robert , Arnauné Anne-Marie , Cabanne Marie-Hélène
Published: November 2011

Demographic revival and geographical disparities in the Midi-Pyrénées region.

Since 1954, the Midi-Pyrénées region's demographic revival has highly been beneficial to the Greater Toulouse area wich is clearly dominating the urban hierarchy. These disparities result more from an intricate process, in wich are involved interregional migrations, than from a mere resettlement of population from the region to its capital city. The growing gap between Toulouse and all the rest of the Midi-Pyrénées region is keeping pace with a leading trend of periurbanization which contributes to the emergence of a widespread residential area all around Toulouse including all the nearest medium-sized towns. The present statistical and administrative bounds do not allow to take properly into account the metropolitan area as part of the town and territory planning policies.
Variation départementale des premiers mariages féminins : évolution depuis la Guerre
Authors: Dittgen Alfred
Published: November 2011

Dans les années cinquante et soixante, le célibat des femmes se réduit et leur âge au mariage diminue. Ces modifications vont de pair avec une réduction des écarts traditionnels entre départements. Mais une évolution inverse se produit dans l'agglomération parisienne, où on assiste à une augmentation du célibat, également favorisée par des migrations sélectives. La chute de la nuptialité depuis le début des années soixante-dix a conduit à un accroissement des écarts interdépartementaux. Le mariage résiste le mieux dans les régions les plus attachées à la religion, là où jadis il était le moins répandu et le plus tardif.
L'avortement différentiel selon les départements
Authors: Blayo Chantal
Published: November 2011

Differential abortion in French «départements».

Statistics of abortion are available by «départements» since 1976. The index of differential abortion shows greater deviations in tiihe and space than those of other social indicators. This is less the result of disparities in women's behaviour (there are fewer abortions in the North of France than in the South) than of deep differences in medical services and in the respect of the law.
Population active : grandes tendances et disparités régionales
Authors: Sztokmann Nicole
Published: November 2011

La population active française a poursuivi sa progression au cours des années quatre-vingt grâce à l'arrivée croissante des femmes sur le marché du travail. Mais la caractéristique essentielle de cette évolution récente réside dans le développement du chômage et de la précarité de l'emploi qui peuvent atteindre 40 à 60% des effectifs parmi les jeunes actifs de 20 à 25 ans. Les disparités régionales persistent en effet, à peine atténuées, et l'opposition entre le nord et le sud du territoire semble même être en voie d'accentuation.
RMI et insertion en milieu rural, l'exemple mayennais
Authors: Sechet Raymonde
Published: November 2011

Par leurs caractéristiques démographiques, les bénéficiaires du RMI en Mayenne sont proches des moyennes nationales : jeunesse, forte prépondérance des personnes seules et importance des familles monoparentales, concentration urbaine. Malgré cela, ce département est un cadre pertinent pour analyser les modalités de l'application du RMI en milieu rural : diversité des bénéficiaires, difficultés particulières de l'insertion malgré une forte mobilisation des acteurs locaux.
Politiques locales et répartition des populations âgées : l'exemple d'Angers
Authors: Pihet Christian , Violier Philippe
Published: November 2011

Les recensements de 1975 et de 1990 mettent en lumière à Angers l'instabilité spatiale des groupes âgés de 75 ans et plus. Ils tendent désormais à se concentrer dans une auréole péricentrale, tandis que le centre-ville est en cours de rajeunissement. Ce phénomène résulte à la fois des transformations immobilières et sociales dans les quartiers centraux et des politiques publiques et privées favorisant l'implantation d'hébergements spécifiques dans les quartiers péricentraux ainsi que des effets du « maintien à domicile » dans ces quartiers encore peu convoités.
Immigration : le renforcement de la polarisation parisienne, 1975-1990
Authors: Guillon Michelle
Published: November 2011

Malgré une forte réduction des entrées depuis le début de la crise, la population étrangère continue à se transformer. Plus fortement encore que pendant la période de prospérité, les flux qui se maintiennent, se polarisent vers l'Ile-de-France. En 1990, 38% des étrangers de France habitent la région, seule à compter une proportion d'immigrés supérieure à celle de 1975.
Les populations de l'outre-mer français
Authors: Madinier Chantal
Published: November 2011

1 926 000 personnes vivent en 1990 dans l 'outre-mer français dont les 3/4 dans les départements d'outre-mer. Les DOM, ce sont d'abord trois îles où le peuplement est d'autant plus dense qu'il se concentre sur le littoral, l'intérieur n'étant pas toujours très hospitalier. La fécondité y a fortement diminué cependant que l'exode vers la métropole s'est ralenti. Le quatrième DOM est un morceau de continent grand comme trois fois la Belgique, sous-peuplé, mais qui attire un flot croissant d'étrangers. L'activité féminine progresse, les comportements s'alignent sur ceux de la métropole, malgré des créations nettes d'emploi importantes, le taux de chômage augmente : il a un niveau trois fois plus élevé qu'en métropole et touche particulièrement les jeunes.
La Réunion se rapproche de la France
Authors: Colliez Jean-Paul
Published: November 2011

Le nouveau statut a fortement contribué à la transformation de la société réunionnaise et à son enrichissement, expliquant en grande partie l'évolution de sa démographie. La convergence avec l'ensemble national est observée à partir de trois indicateurs :

- la mortalité,

- la fécondité et ses incertitudes,

- le rapport à l'emploi des Réunionnais et surtout des Réunionnaises, particulièrement significatif de l'avancée vers une société plus occidentalisée.
Les Haïtiens en Guyane : une communauté en voie d'intégration ?
Authors: Calmont André
Published: November 2011

Traditionnel pays d'immigration, la Guyane constitue une mosaïque de communautés dans laquelle les Haïtiens, arrivés à partir de 1974, constituent la principale composante. Cette migration massive, spontanée et clandestine, joue un rôle fondamental en Guyane non seulement sur le plan démographique mais également par sa contribution dans le système économique. Elle a cependant entraîné des difficultés de cohabitation avec la population autochtone, voire un phénomène de rejet. Depuis quelques années, un processus d'intégration semble enclenché, en relation avec trois séries de facteurs: le tarissement des flux migratoires à partir de 1985, la stabilisation de la communauté haïtienne et la situation guyanaise elle- même.
Transaction sociale et gestion de l'intolérable. Une approche théorique de la déviance et du proxénétisme
Authors: Foucart Jean
Published: November 2011

Résumé Cet article se base sur une recherche dont l’objet porte sur la construction sociale du proxénétisme. Dans une perspective simmelienne, ce type de déviance qu’est le proxénétisme a intérêt à être abordé à partir de la tension entre l’universalité de l’intolérable qu’il représente le proxénétisme et la spécificité de la tolérance à l’intolérable située à un niveau micro- ou méso-social. Nous développerons l’idée que la logique de la pratique des acteurs « intermédiaires » tend à introduire de l’entre-deux et donc du jeu dans la mise en œuvre de la politique criminelle. En d’autres termes, une politique criminelle, si elle appliquait la loi au sens strict, serait tout simplement insupportable. Une forme d’intolérable réside en effet dans l’absence de jeu. Les paradigmes de la cybernétique et de la transaction constituent des outils particulièrement riches pour problématiser les processus de construction de la tolérance à certains types d’intolérable, de construction de politiques locales qui sont autant d’entre-deux avec leurs caractères d’ambiguïté, de semi-aléatoire, d’imprévisibilité partielle.
Réinsertion des femmes prostituées à Genève : limites et paradoxes
Authors: Csupor Isabelle
Published: November 2011

Résumé Comment « sortir » de la prostitution et se « (ré)insérer » ? À partir d’une démarche ethnographique d’observation et d’entretiens auprès des assistantes sociales et formatrices d’une institution d’aide sociale et d’une association de soutien aux personnes exerçant ou ayant exercé les métiers du sexe à Genève, cet article tente de montrer les limites et les paradoxes des dispositifs de réinsertion, liés d’une part au renforcement du contrôle et des contraintes générées par l’activation et la responsabilisation individuelle dans le champ de l’aide sociale et d’autre part au fait que la réinsertion s’opère le plus souvent dans des métiers traditionnellement féminins et déqualifiés, ce qui s’avère le plus souvent bien précaire.
What Does It Mean to Be a Prostitute?: A Lived Personal Experience of Women in Prostitution
Authors: Puidokienė Dalia , Ruškus Jonas
Published: November 2011

Résumé Cette recherche a utilisé une enquête exploratoire à fin ouverte, une immersion et une recherche autodirigée dans l’expérience active selon le guide de recherche heuristique de Moustakas (1990) et l’analyse de contenu de Patton (2002), Mayring (2000) et Flick (1989) pour enquêter sur et découvrir des expériences personnelles vécues de femmes dans la prostitution. Pour que la pratique du soutien psycho-social et de l’assistance aux clients soit efficace, il faut les comprendre. Comme Rogers (1961) le note, une compréhension sensible emphatique des sentiments et communications tels qu’ils apparaissent à l’autre personne à ce moment, ou carde de référence interne, est une condition essentielle à un changement de personnalité constructif. En se concentrant sur les expériences personnelles subjectives des femmes dans la prostitution depuis leur enfance jusqu’à l’âge adulte, cette étude examine les obstacles qu’elles ont rencontrés, les relations et les ressources avant qu’elles ne soient concernées par la prostitution. Cette étude s’est principalement concentrée sur les obstacles qu’elles ont rencontrés en grandissant , examinant comment ces femmes géraient l’expérience vécue d’être-au-monde. Le but de cette étude était de fournir une « voix » aux femmes dans la prostitution en révélant ce que cela signifie que d’être une prostituée . Les expériences personnelles de femmes dans la prostitution étaient comprises à travers leur interprétation subjective transmise. Elles ont verbalement « revécu » leur expérience à nouveau. Dans cette étude a été impliquée aussi la réintégration de connaissance dérivée de découverte et de synthèse de l’intuition des chercheurs et de compréhension tacite en dépeignant les participants à la recherche en tant que personnes entières.
A Novel Pathway Responsible for Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Translational Regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 Expression Involves Protein Kinase C and Fascin
Authors: Kim Jae-Kwan , Lee Sang-Min , Suk Kyoungho , Lee Won-Ha
Published: November 2011

Fascin, as a substrate of protein kinase C (PKC), is a well-known cytoskeletal regulatory protein required for cell migration, invasion, and adhesion in normal and cancer cells. In an effort to identify the role of fascin in PKC-mediated cellular signaling, its expression was suppressed by stable transfection of specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) in mouse monocytic leukemia RAW264.7 cells. Suppression of fascin expression resulted in impaired cellular migration and invasion through extracellular matrix proteins. Unexpectedly, the specific shRNA transfectants exhibited a marked reduction in LPS-induced expression of TNF-α and IL-6 by blocking the translation of their mRNAs. Transient transfection assay using a luciferase expression construct containing the 3′ untranslated region of TNF-α or IL-6 mRNA revealed a significant reduction in both LPS- and PMA- (the direct activator of PKC) induced reporter activity in cells transfected with fascin-specific shRNA, indicating that fascin-mediated translational regulation targeted 3′ untranslated region. Furthermore, LPS-induced translational activation of reporter expression was blocked by a pharmacological inhibitor of PKC, and the dominant-negative form of PKCα attenuated LPS-induced translational activation. The same type of regulation was also observed in the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 and in mouse peritoneal macrophages. These data demonstrate the involvement of fascin in the PKC-mediated translational regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 expression during the LPS response.
BAFF/APRIL Inhibition Decreases Selection of Naive but Not Antigen-Induced Autoreactive B Cells in Murine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Huang Weiqing , Moisini Ioana , Bethunaickan Ramalingam , Sahu Ranjit , Akerman Meredith , Eilat Dan , Lesser Martin , Davidson Anne
Published: November 2011

BAFF inhibition is a new B cell-directed therapeutic strategy for autoimmune disease. Our purpose was to analyze the effect of BAFF/APRIL availability on the naive and Ag-activated B cell repertoires in systemic lupus erythematosus, using the autoreactive germline D42 H chain (glD42H) site-directed transgenic NZB/W mouse. In this article, we show that the naive Vκ repertoire in both young and diseased glD42H NZB/W mice is dominated by five L chains that confer no or low-affinity polyreactivity. In contrast, glD42H B cells expressing L chains that confer high-affinity autoreactivity are mostly deleted before the mature B cell stage, but are positively selected and expanded in the germinal centers (GCs) as the mice age. Of these, the most abundant is VκRF (Vκ16-104*01), which is expressed by almost all IgG anti-DNA hybridomas derived from the glD42H mouse. Competition with nonautoreactive B cells or BAFF/APRIL inhibition significantly inhibited selection of glD42H B cells at the late transitional stage, with only subtle effects on the glD42H-associated L chain repertoire. However, glD42H/VκRF-encoded B cells were still vastly overrepresented in the GC, and serum IgG anti-DNA Abs arose with only a slight delay. Thus, although BAFF/APRIL inhibition increases the stringency of negative selection of the naive autoreactive B cell repertoire in NZB/W mice, it does not correct the major breach in B cell tolerance that occurs at the GC checkpoint.
Organic Thin‐Film Transistors for Chemical and Biological Sensing
Authors: Lin Peng , Yan Feng
Published: November 2011

Organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) show promising applications in various chemical and biological sensors. The advantages of OTFT‐based sensors include high sensitivity, low cost, easy fabrication, flexibility and biocompatibility. In this paper, we review the chemical sensors and biosensors based on two types of OTFTs, including organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) and organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), mainly focusing on the papers published in the past 10 years. Various types of OTFT‐based sensors, including pH, ion, glucose, DNA, enzyme, antibody‐antigen, cell‐based sensors, dopamine sensor, etc., are classified and described in the paper in sequence. The sensing mechanisms and the detection limits of the devices are described in details. It is expected that OTFTs may have more important applications in chemical and biological sensing with the development of organic electronics.
Dynamic layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly of organic–inorganic composite hollow fiber membranes
Authors: Wang Naixin , Zhang Guojun , Ji Shulan , Fan Yiqun
Published: November 2011

Multilayer membranes constructed layer‐by‐layer (LbL) is finding increasing importance in many separation applications. The efficient construction of LbL multilayer on to hollow fiber substrates may offer many new opportunities for industrial applications. An organic–inorganic composite hollow fiber membrane has been developed using a dynamic LbL self‐assembly. This poly(acrylic acid)/poly(ethyleneimine) multilayer was dynamically assembled onto the inner surfaces of ceramic hollow fiber porous substrates pretreated by Dynasylan Ameo silane coupling agents. The hollow fibers were subsequently heat crosslinked to obtain stable permselective membranes. The formation of multilayers on the hollow fibers was characterized with a SEM, EDX, an electrokinetic analyzer and IR spectra. The effects of layer number, feed temperature and water content in the feed on the pervaporation performance have been investigated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of LbL assembly of polymer building blocks onto ceramic hollow fiber porous substrates. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 3176–3182, 2012
Array‐CGH and clinical characterization in a patient with subtelomeric 6p deletion without ocular dysgenesis
Authors: Piccione Maria , Antona R. , Salzano E. , Cavani S. , Malacarne M. , Morreale Bubella R. , Pierluigi M. , Viaggi C.D. , Corsello Giovanni
Published: November 2011

Subtelomeric terminal 6p deletion has been recognized as a clinically identifiable syndrome including facial dysmorphism, malformation of the anterior eye chamber, hearing loss, heart defects, and developmental delay. Genotype–phenotype correlations of previously published patients have strongly suggested anterior eye segment anomalies as one of the major malformations of the syndrome if the critical 6p25 region contains the FOXC 1 gene. In addition, the presence in this region of one or more genes involved in hearing loss has been hypothesized. We report a patient with a 47,XYY karyotype and submicroscopic terminal 6p deletion. Further characterization of the deletion with array comparative genome hybridization also revealed a cryptic microduplication on chromosome 19. The patient showed dysmorphic features, neuromotor retardation, and profound language impairment, in absence of hearing loss and structural eye anomalies. As far as we know this is the first reported terminal 6p25.1 deletion case without eye dysgenesis precisely characterized by array‐CGH. Our result suggests that the genes in this region may not be obvious candidates for hearing loss and demonstrate the need for further elucidation of the function of the genes involved in eye developmental processes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Auriculo‐condylar syndrome. Confronting a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Kokitsu‐Nakata Nancy Mizue , Zechi‐Ceide Roseli Maria , Vendramini‐Pittoli Siulan , Romanelli Tavares Vanessa Luiza , Passos‐Bueno Maria Rita , Guion‐Almeida Maria Leine
Published: November 2011

Auriculo‐condylar syndrome (ACS) is characterized by typical ears malformation (so‐called “question mark” ears), prominent cheeks, microstomia, and abnormality of the temporomandibular joint and condyle of the mandible. In this report we describe a new simplex case and a previously unreported family with affected individuals in three generations documenting clinical variability. Linkage study for markers located in candidate region for ACS1 (1p21.1–q23.3) was excluded in our familial case, reinforcing the hypothesis of genetic heterogeneity for this condition. A review of the literature focusing diagnostic criteria and features of ACS was performed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long QT, syndactyly, joint contractures, stroke and novel CACNA1C mutation: Expanding the spectrum of Timothy syndrome
Authors: Gillis Jane , Burashnikov Elena , Antzelevitch Charles , Blaser Susan , Gross Gil , Turner Lesley , Babul‐Hirji Riyana , Chitayat David
Published: November 2011

Timothy syndrome (TS) is an autosomal dominant condition with the constellation of features including prolonged QT interval, hand and foot abnormalities, and mental retardation or autism. Splawski et al. [2004] previously described two phenotypes associated with TS distinguished by two unique and different mutations within the CACNA1C gene. We report on a newborn who presented with prolonged QT interval and associated polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, dysmorphic facial features, syndactyly of the hands and feet, and joint contractures, suggestive of TS. He developed a stroke, subsequent intractable seizures, and was found to have cortical blindness and later profound developmental delay. Initial targeted mutation analysis did not identify either of the previously described TS associated mutations; however, full gene sequencing detected a novel CACNA1C gene mutation (p.Ala1473Gly). The clinical and genetic findings in our case expand both the clinical and molecular knowledge of TS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Trends in occurrence of twin births in Japan
Authors: Kurosawa Kenji , Masuno Mitsuo , Kuroki Yoshikazu
Published: November 2011

The rise in the rate of multiple births since the 1980s is due to the effect of advanced maternal age and increased use of assisted reproductive technology (ART). To determine the trends of prevalence in twin births, we studied the data of a population‐based birth defects monitoring system during 26 years in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. A total of 15,380 twins from 7,690 deliveries were ascertained from 990,978 births in the Kanagawa Birth Defects Monitoring Program (KAMP) during 1981–2008. From the start of KAMP in 1981, the incidence of twin births had been consistently increasing from 57.0 to 98.6 per 10,000 deliveries until 2003, but after this time, the incidence declined to 78.5 in 2007. While the rate of monozygotic twins has been stable (∼40 per 10,000 deliveries) after 1990, that of dizygotic twins increased from 25.3 to 57.3 per 10,000 deliveries until 2002, and recovered to 40.1 in 2007. These results showed the most recent tendency of twin births and indicated that the single embryo transfer method can provide protection and reduction of perinatal risk caused by multiple births. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Early infantile epileptic encephalopathy associated with the disrupted gene encoding Slit‐Robo Rho GTPase activating protein 2 (SRGAP2)
Authors: Saitsu Hirotomo , Osaka Hitoshi , Sugiyama Shirou , Kurosawa Kenji , Mizuguchi Takeshi , Nishiyama Kiyomi , Nishimura Akira , Tsurusaki Yoshinori , Doi Hiroshi , Miyake Noriko , Harada Naoki , Kato Mitsuhiro , Matsumoto Naomichi
Published: November 2011

We report on a female patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy and severe psychomotor disability possessing a de novo balanced translocation t(1;9)(q32;q13). The patient showed clonic convulsions of extremities 2 days after birth. Electroencephalogram (EEG) transiently showed atypical suppression‐burst pattern. The seizures evolved to brief tonic spasms, and hypsarrhythmia on EEG was noticed at age of 5 months, indicating the transition to West syndrome. By using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), southern hybridization, and inverse PCR, the translocation breakpoints were successfully determined at the nucleotide level. The 1q32.1 breakpoint was located within a segmental duplication and disrupted the gene encoding Slit‐Robo Rho GTPase activating protein 2 (SRGAP2). The 9q13 breakpoint was suggested to reside in the heterochromatin region. Srgap2 has been shown to be specifically expressed in developing brain of rodents, negatively regulate neuronal migration and induce neurite outgrowth and branching. Thus, SRGAP2 is very likely to play a role in the developing human brain. This is a first report of the SRGAP2 abnormality associated with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recombinant chromosome 7 in a mosaic 45,X/47,XXX patient
Authors: Tirado Carlos A. , Gotway Garrett , Torgbe Emmanuel , Iyer Santha , Dallaire Stephanie , Appleberry Taylor , Suterwala Mohamed , Garcia Rolando , Valdez Federico , Patel Sangeeta , Koduru Prasad
Published: November 2011

Individuals with pericentric inversions are at risk for producing offspring with chromosomal gains and losses, while those carrying paracentric inversions usually produce unviable gametes [Madan, 1995]. In this current study, we present a newborn with dysmorphic features and malformations, whose karyotype showed an abnormal copy of chromomosome 7 described at first as add(7)(q32) as well as mos 45,X/47,XXX. Array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) revealed an interstitial deletion in the long arm of chromosome 7 involving bands q35 to q36.3 but retaining the 7q subtelomere. The patient's deletion is believed to be due to meiotic recombination in the inversion loop in the phenotypically normal father who seems to carry two paracentric inversions in the long arm of chromosome 7, which was described as rec(7)(7pter‐ > q35::q36.3‐ > 7qter)pat. The abnormal copy of chromosome 7 in the father has been described as: der(7)(7pter‐ > q22.1::q36.3‐ > q35::q22.1‐ > q35::q36.3‐ > 7qter). This is a unique karyotype that to our knowledge has not been previously reported in the literature and predisposes to meiotic recombination that can result in deletions or duplications of 7q35–36. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MBTPS2 mutation causes BRESEK/BRESHECK syndrome
Authors: Naiki Misako , Mizuno Seiji , Yamada Kenichiro , Yamada Yasukazu , Kimura Reiko , Oshiro Makoto , Okamoto Nobuhiko , Makita Yoshio , Seishima Mariko , Wakamatsu Nobuaki
Published: November 2011

BRESEK/BRESHECK syndrome is a multiple congenital malformation characterized by brain anomalies, intellectual disability, ectodermal dysplasia, skeletal deformities, ear or eye anomalies, and renal anomalies or small kidneys, with or without Hirschsprung disease and cleft palate or cryptorchidism. This syndrome has only been reported in three male patients. Here, we report on the fourth male patient presenting with brain anomaly, intellectual disability, growth retardation, ectodermal dysplasia, vertebral (skeletal) anomaly, Hirschsprung disease, low‐set and large ears, cryptorchidism, and small kidneys. These manifestations fulfill the clinical diagnostic criteria of BRESHECK syndrome. Since all patients with BRESEK/BRESHECK syndrome are male, and X‐linked syndrome of ichthyosis follicularis with atrichia and photophobia is sometimes associated with several features of BRESEK/BRESHECK syndrome such as intellectual disability, vertebral and renal anomalies, and Hirschsprung disease, we analyzed the causal gene of ichthyosis follicularis with atrichia and photophobia syndrome, MBTPS2, in the present patient and identified an p.Arg429His mutation. This mutation has been reported to cause the most severe type of ichthyosis follicularis with atrichia and photophobia syndrome, including neonatal and infantile death. These results demonstrate that the p.Arg429His mutation in MBTPS2 causes BRESEK/BRESHECK syndrome. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accelerated ultraviolet aging study of the Vectran fiber
Authors: Liu Yuyan , Zhang Chunhua , Liu Yuting , Tan Huifeng , Wang Changguo
Published: November 2011

Aging behavior of Vectran fiber exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation was investigated. Vectran fiber was subjected to UV‐accelerated degradation environment. Tensile strength of Vectran fiber was determined at room temperature using a two‐parameter Weibull distribution. The average tensile strength loss was 42.75% when the irradiation time reached 186 h. The surface morphology of the degraded fiber was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and 13C‐NMR were used to provide a molecular characterization of fibers. SEM and AFM showed that UV exposure result in microvoids on the surface of fibers. The results of the XPS and 13C‐NMR indicated that the UV radiation could lead to chain scission of fiber surface layer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and application of methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate copolymer nanoemulsions as efficient retanning and lubricating agents for chrome‐tanned leather
Authors: Nashy EL‐Shahat H. A. , Essa Mohamed M. , Hussain Ahmed I.
Published: November 2011

Two different nano‐emulsions based on methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate copolymers have been synthesized to be used as retanning and lubricating agents for chrome‐tanned leather. The main difference and characteristics of the two prepared copolymers were studied. The nano particle size of the two copolymers was confirmed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The influence of the prepared copolymers on chrome‐tanned leather as retanning agents was investigated. The properties of the retanned leather, namely, physicomechanical properties as tensile strength, elongation at break and water absorption, were measured. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique was used to examine the thermal stability of the retanned leather. Also, the texture of the grain surface and fibers were inspected using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The retanned leather showed an improvement in its physicomechanical properties, as well as enhancement of its thermal stability as compared with the chrome‐tanned leather. Furthermore, the retanned leather has uniform dyestuff, softness, and firmness of grain. All these promising results provide evidence to the applicability of the prepared copolymer emulsions as efficient retanning and lubricating agents for chrome‐tanned leather. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and characterization of tanninsulfonic acid doped polyaniline–metal oxide nanocomposites
Authors: Bairi Venu Gopal , Warford Brock A. , Bourdo Shawn E. , Biris Alexandru S. , Viswanathan Tito
Published: November 2011

Composites of conducting polymers and metal oxides have a potential role in electronic devices because of their enhanced physical and electronic properties. Anin situsynthesis of metal oxide nanocomposites of polyaniline (PANI) and tanninsulfonic acid doped PANI was carried out at −10°C with two different ratios of aniline to sodium persulfate (oxidant) and the simultaneous incorporation of TiO2, Al2O3, and ZnO nanopowders. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, spectroscopy, and electrical conductivity measurements. XRD and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the presence of the metal oxide in the final product, whereas the spectroscopic characterization revealed interactions among the tannin, metal oxides, and PANI. The electrical properties were determined by four‐point‐probe bulk conductivity measurements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Quantitative analysis of cloisite 93A infused into linear low‐density polyethylene and maleated linear low‐density polyethylene in a supercritical carbon dioxide medium
Authors: Factor Matthew , Lee Sunggyu
Published: November 2011

Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) is a widely used polymer that can benefit from the enhanced barrier, thermal, and mechanical properties offered by nanoclay fillers. However, optimal property enhancement requires complete exfoliation and uniform dispersion, both of which are difficult to achieve with nanoclay fillers. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) processing is an inexpensive and environmentally benign method for exfoliating and dispersing clays into polymers. In a scCO2 medium under controlled environments, the organically modified clay Cloisite 93A was infused into LLDPE and maleated linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE‐g‐MA). Upon microscopic inspection, it was evident that clay infusion was achieved near the surface of the polymer pellet, but no clay found its way into the interior of the pellet. In this article, we describe an analytical method for determining the amount of nanoclay infused into a polymer matrix via Fourier transform infrared analysis. Using this method, we determined the weight percentage of Cloisite 93A infused into LLDPE and LLDPE‐g‐MA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effect of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane on water sorption and surface property of Bis‐GMA/TEGDMa composites
Authors: Song Jiangxuan , Zhao Junfeng , Ding Yun , Chen Guangxin , Sun Xulong , Sun Da , Li Qifang
Published: November 2011

2,2‐Bis[4‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (Bis‐GMA), one of the most important light‐curable dimethacrylate resins, is widely used as dental restorative material. However, one problem of Bis‐GMA is the high water sorption due to the hydrophilic hydroxyl (–OH) group, resulting in a short life in actual application. In this study, to overcome the drawback stated above, novel organic–inorganic dimethacrylate monomer containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), Bis‐GMA‐graft‐POSS, is synthesized via the nucleophilic addition reaction of isocyanate functionalized POSS (IPOSS) and pendent hydroxyl group of Bis‐GMA. Then the as‐synthesized Bis‐GMA‐graft‐POSS, of which hydroxyl group was substituted by hydrophobic POSS, is also introduced into the Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA matrix to prepare a series of methacrylate‐based hybrids for dental materials under visible light with camphorquinone and ethyl‐4N,N‐dimethy‐laminobenzoae (EDMAB) as initiator and coinitiator, respectively. Compared to Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA composites, water sorption of modified composites can be significantly reduced with the addition of Bis‐GMA‐graft‐POSS. Moreover, the Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA/POSS hybrids show hydrophobic surfaces, leading to much higher water contact angles than that of Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA composites. The morphology of hybrids containing POSS was furthermore studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that POSS disperses in the matrix in noncrystalline form and tend to migrate to the surface of the modified composites that lead to the lower water sorption and higher water contact angles. These results are very useful for design of novel methacrylate monomers and clinical application. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Blends of LDPE/chitosan using epoxy‐functionalized LDPE as compatibilizer
Authors: Prasanna K. , Sailaja R. R. N.
Published: November 2011

LDPE and chitosan blends were prepared using an epoxy‐functionalized polyethylene as compatibilizing agent for improving interfacial adhesion. Compatibilization improved both tensile and flexural properties (with values approaching close to that of neat LDPE) when compared with that of uncompatibilized blends. However, the elongation at break reduced due to the addition of rigid chitosan. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a two‐stage degradation, while differential scanning calorimetry exhibited reduced crystallinity for compatibilized blends. Biodegradation studies revealed increased biodegradability with increase in chitosan loading. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Nonisothermal crystallization behavior of Cu/LDPE nanocomposites prepared by solution blending method
Authors: Peng Zhongrui , Cai Shuizhou , Xia Xianping , Xie Changsheng
Published: November 2011

The nonisothermal crystallization behavior of Copper/low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nanocomposites were prepared by solution blending method, and the traditional extrusion melt method was also employed for comparison. The DSC results show that under identical copper content condition, the crystallization of the LDPE is facilitated owing to the higher degree of molecular regularity and the lesser chain entanglement for the nanocomposites prepared by the solution blending method in comparison with the traditional extrusion melt method. The differences of nonisothermal crystallization behavior diminish with the increasement of copper content between the nanocomposites prepared by the two methods. SEM/EDX was applied to study the dispersion of copper nanoparticles in the nanocomposites, and the results illustrate that the dispersion condition can be better when the solution blending method was employed. The investigation of the effective activation energy on the relative extent crystallization implies that the agglomeration of copper nanoparticles can facilitate the crystallization of the LDPE, while the well‐dispersed copper nanoparticles act as obstacles since the motion of the LDPE molecular chains is limited. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effect of plasma pretreatment on enhancing wrinkle resistant property of cotton fiber treated with BTCA and TiO2 System
Authors: Lam Y. L. , Kan C. W. , Yuen C. W. M.
Published: November 2011

1,2,3,4‐butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) with titanium dioxide as a catalyst, was used to crosslink cotton fibers for the purpose of enhancing wrinkle recovery angle (WRA). To enhance the BTCA treatment with TiO2, surface modification of cotton fiber is required; atmospheric pressure plasma jet pretreatment was used in experiments reported in this article. In this study, optimum conditions for plasma pretreatment were analyzed using orthogonal array testing strategy (OATS) technique, on the basis of WRAs achieved after BTCA treatment with and without TiO2 as catalyst. It was found that (i) longer duration of plasma pretreatment provides enough time for the substrate to be impacted by the concentrated active species produced in plasma gas and therefore, modifies the material surface effectively and offers the best balance between enhancement of WRA and minimization of fiber damage, (ii) high oxygen flow rate producing a severe etching effect that alters the material's surface characteristics. However, when concentration of O2 increased during the plasma pretreatment, the active species might react with the oxygen also, besides the cotton surface, and (iii) when the distance between the plasma jet nozzle and the substrate surface is too large, plasma gas from the nozzle is unable to hit the fabric surface, which means no surface modification is achieved. As a result, plasma treatment with 2 mm/s treatment speed, 0.1 L/min oxygen flow rate, and 2 mm jet‐to‐substrate distance was the most effective plasma pretreatment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Compatibilizing efficiency of copolymer precursors for immiscible polymer blends
Authors: Yu Qi‐Yong , Zhang Cai‐Liang , Gu Xue‐Ping , Wang Jia‐Jun , Feng Lian‐Fang
Published: November 2011

An anhydride‐terminated polystyrene (PS‐b‐Anh) as a block copolymer precursor and a copolymer (PS‐co‐TMI) of styrene (St) and 3‐isopropenyl‐α,α‐dimethylbenzene isocyanate (TMI) as a graft copolymer precursor are chosen to investigate the effect of the type of the copolymer precursor on its compatibilizing and stabilizing efficiency for polymer blends. Results show that during the melt blending of the PS and PA6, the addition of PS‐b‐Anh dramatically decreases the size of the dispersed phase domains, irrespective of its molecular weight. This indicates that a diblock copolymer PS‐block‐PA6 (PS‐b‐PA6) is formed by a reaction between the terminal anhydride moiety of the PS‐b‐Anh and the terminal amine group of the PA6. When PS/PA6 (30/70) blends are annealed at 230°C for 15 min, their morphologies are much more stable in the presence of the PS‐b‐Anh block copolymer precursor than in the presence of the PS‐co‐TMI graft copolymer precursor. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
A convenient route to modified multiwall carbon nanotubes with liquid crystal molecules via covalent functionalization
Authors: Chen Xianhong , Wu Xiaoli , Zou Jiagui , Wan Jianping
Published: November 2011

A novel nanocomposite of the rod‐like liquid crystal (LC) molecules' waist positions anchored on the surface (sidewalls and ends) of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was prepared by using a dissolving metal reduction method for the first time. The MWNTs carbanion complexes of lithium were first synthesized in tetrahydrofuran with an electron transfer from lithium naphthalene radical anion on the surface of MWNTs. Then the novel material (LC‐MWNTs) was obtained by treating the carbanion complexes with bromic liquid crystalline aromatic amide compound. The formation of the LC‐MWNTs was confirmed by both Raman and FTIR spectroscopies. HRTEM demonstrates that the rod‐like LC molecules are anchored on the surface of MWNTs via covalent attachment, with a wrapped thickness approximately 3‐4 nm. The loss‐weight fraction of the LC layers for the LC‐MWNTs can be roughly estimated as 23% by TGA. The experiments of solubility exhibit that the LC‐MWNTs forms a stable suspension solution in polar solvents such as dimethylformamide. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012