bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comment repérer un produit en déclin et améliorer la performance de l'entreprise ?
Authors: Ouellette Joseph-Fernand
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’entreprise devrait choisir ses stratégies à l’égard d’un produit selon l’emplacement de celui-ci sur la courbe de son cycle de vie, qui va de son lancement à son déclin. Ainsi, une baisse des profits laisse croire qu’un produit est à son sommet et qu’il amorcera son déclin. Que faire alors ? Cette réflexion vise à répondre à cette question en apparence simple. Il manque très souvent un alignement entre les différents services lorsqu’il faut sceller le sort d’un produit en déclin, chaque service ayant son point de vue. Cette décision doit s’appuyer sur plusieurs critères, car sa qualité dépend des informations recueillies. Pour cela, l’entreprise devrait adopter un processus d’optimisation d’un produit et mieux gérer le côté droit de la courbe, où se situent les produits matures, déclinants et obsolètes. Elle devrait reprendre régulièrement cette analyse pour raffiner les produits, parce qu’ils continuent inévitablement de se déplacer sur la courbe du cycle de vie.
IL-7– and IL-15–Mediated TCR Sensitization Enables T Cell Responses to Self-Antigens
Authors: Deshpande Pratima , Cavanagh Mary M. , Le Saux Sabine , Singh Karnail , Weyand Cornelia M. , Goronzy Jörg J.
Published: January 2013

Regulation of the ERK pathway is intimately involved in determining whether TCR stimulation is productive or induces anergy. T cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased ERK responsiveness, which may be relevant for disease pathogenesis. Inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α did not reproduce the TCR hypersensitivity typical for RA in T cells from healthy individuals. In contrast, priming with the homeostatic cytokines (HCs) IL-7 and IL-15 amplified ERK phosphorylation to TCR stimulation 2- to 3-fold. The underlying mechanism involved a priming of the SOS-dependent amplification loop of RAS activation. The sensitization of the TCR signaling pathway has downstream consequences, such as increased proliferation and preferential Th1 differentiation. Importantly, priming with IL-7 or IL-15 enabled T cell responses to autoantigens associated with RA. Production of HCs is induced in lymphopenic conditions, which have been shown to predispose for autoimmunity and which appear to be present in the preclinical stages of RA. We propose that HCs, possibly induced by lymphopenia, decrease the signaling threshold for TCR activation and are thereby partly responsible for autoimmunity in RA.
miR-223 Deficiency Increases Eosinophil Progenitor Proliferation
Authors: Lu Thomas X. , Lim Eun-Jin , Besse John A. , Itskovich Svetlana , Plassard Andrew J. , Fulkerson Patricia C. , Aronow Bruce J. , Rothenberg Marc E.
Published: January 2013

Recently, microRNAs have been shown to be involved in hematopoietic cell development, but their role in eosinophilopoiesis has not yet been described. In this article, we show that miR-223 is upregulated during eosinophil differentiation in an ex vivo bone marrow–derived eosinophil culture system. Targeted ablation of miR-223 leads to an increased proliferation of eosinophil progenitors. We found upregulation of a miR-223 target gene, IGF1R, in the eosinophil progenitor cultures derived from miR-223−/− mice compared with miR-223+/+ littermate controls. The increased proliferation of miR-223−/− eosinophil progenitors was reversed by treatment with an IGF1R inhibitor (picropodophyllin). Whole-genome microarray analysis of differentially regulated genes between miR-223+/+ and miR-223−/− eosinophil progenitor cultures identified a specific enrichment in genes that regulate hematologic cell development. Indeed, miR-223−/− eosinophil progenitors had a delay in differentiation. Our results demonstrate that microRNAs regulate the development of eosinophils by influencing eosinophil progenitor growth and differentiation and identify a contributory role for miR-223 in this process.
Leishmania major, the Predominant Leishmania Species Responsible for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Mali
Authors: Paz Carlos , Samake Sibiry , Anderson Jennifer M. , Faye Ousmane , Traore Pierre , Tall Koureishi , Cisse Moumine , Keita Somita , Valenzuela Jesus G. , Doumbia Seydou
Published: January 2013

Leishmania major is the only species of Leishmania known to cause cutaneous leishmanisis (CL) in Mali. We amplified Leishmania DNA stored on archived Giemsa-stained dermal scraping slides obtained from self-referral patients with clinically suspected CL seen in the Center National d'Appui A La Lutte Contre La Maladie (CNAM) in Bamako, Mali, to determine if any other Leishmania species were responsible for CL in Mali and evaluate its geographic distribution. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed using a Leishmania species-specific primer pair that can amplify DNA from L. major, L. tropica, L. infantum, and L. donovani parasites, possible causative agents of CL in Mali. L. major was the only species detected in 41 microscopically confirmed cases of CL from five regions of Mali (Kayes, Koulikoro, Ségou, Mopti, and Tombouctou). These results implicate L. major as the predominant, possibly exclusive species responsible for CL in Mali.
Impact of Polyparasitic Infections on Anemia and Undernutrition among Kenyan Children Living in a Schistosoma haematobium-Endemic Area
Authors: Bustinduy Amaya L. , Parraga Isabel M. , Thomas Charles L. , Mungai Peter L. , Mutuku Francis , Muchiri Eric M. , Kitron Uriel , King Charles H.
Published: January 2013

We measured prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium, Wuchereria bancrofti, Plasmodium falciparum, hookworm, and other geohelminths among school-aged children in four endemic villages in Kwale County, Kenya and explored the relationship between multiparasite burden, undernutrition, and anemia. In 2009–2010 surveys, cross-sectional data were obtained for 2,030 children 5–18 years old. Infections were most prevalent for S. haematobium (25–62%), hookworm (11–28%), and falciparum malaria (8–24%). Over one-half of children were anemic, with high rates of acute and chronic malnutrition. Associations with infection status showed significant age and sex differences. For boys, young age, low socioeconomic standing (SES), S. haematobium, and/or malaria infections were associated with greater odds of anemia, wasting, and/or stunting; for girls, heavy S. haematobium infection and age were the significant cofactors for anemia, whereas low SES and older age were linked to stunting. The broad overlap of infection-related causes for anemia and malnutrition and the high frequency of polyparasitic infections suggest that there will be significant advantages to integrated parasite control in this area.
The Efficacy of L. (L.) chagasi Excreted-Secreted Antigens (ESAs) for Visceral Leishmaniasis Diagnosis Is Due To Low Levels of Cross-Reactivity
Authors: Pinedo-Cancino Viviana , Kesper Norival , Barbiéri Clara Lúcia , Lindoso José Angelo Lauletta , Umezawa Eufrosina Setsu
Published: January 2013

The analysis of promastigote excreted–secreted antigen (ESA) reactivity with 53 visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases showed that each sample reacted regardless of the antigen or the Leishmania species used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) displayed 100% positivity with the L. (L.) chagasi ESA-blot recognizing bands of molecular weight ranging from 26.5 to 31.5 kDa. The analysis of 160 non-visceral cases showed that 5% of the samples cross-reacted with the L. (L.) chagasi ESA-ELISA and 9.4% reacted with the ESA isolated from L. (L.) amazonensis and L. (V.) braziliensis, whereas a high cross-reaction ranging from 24.4% to 25% was observed with total crude promastigote antigens (PRO-ELISA). The ESA-blot of L. (L.) chagasi tested with non-visceral sera samples showed a cross-reaction with 8.8% of cases; most of these cases represented tegumentary leishmaniasis and only one acute chagasic case. These data lead us to recommend the use of ESA as an alternative antigen in VL diagnosis.
Primary and Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty in Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Krishnan Harry , Patel Nirav K. , Skinner John A. , Muirhead-Allwood Sarah K. , Briggs Timothy W. , Carrington Richard W. , Miles Jonathan
Published: January 2013

Due to an increasing lifespan, patients with osteogenesis imperfecta have a high incidence of hip osteoarthritis. The presence of recurrent fractures and deformities make primary and particularly revision total hip arthroplasty challenging. We present a series of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta undergoing total hip arthroplasty at a tertiary referral centre with a median follow-up of 7.6 years (4 to 35 years). There were four primary total hip arthroplasties and eight revision total hip arthroplasties performed in four patients. Three femoral components were custom computer assisted design computer assisted manufactured. The survival rate of the primary total hip arthroplasty was 16% and there were ten complications: five intraoperative fractures, one case of septic loosening and four cases of aseptic loosening. Patients with pre-operative acetabular protrusio were significantly more likely to require revision surgery (p = 0.02).

At latest follow-up, the median Oxford hip score was 41 (37 to 46). As the largest series of primary and revision total hip arthroplasty performed in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, we report good medium to long-term outcomes. Pre-Operative planning and consideration of custom made prostheses have an important role in these complex cases.
Frequency of CPV Infection in Vaccinated Puppies that Attended Puppy Socialization Classes
Authors: Stepita Meredith E. , Bain Melissa J. , Kass Philip H.
Published: January 2013

Socialization is one method of preventing behavior problems in dogs; however, some oppose socialization before 16 wk of age due to the risk of contracting infectious diseases. The objectives of this study were to determine if puppies that attended puppy socialization classes and were vaccinated by a veterinarian at least once were at an increased risk of confirmed canine parvovirus (CPV) infection compared with puppies that did not attend classes and to determine the frequency of suspected CPV infection in puppies vaccinated at least once that attended classes with trainers. Twenty-one clinics in four cities in the United States provided information regarding demographics, vaccination, CPV diagnosis, and class attendance for puppies ≤ 16 wk of age. In addition, 24 trainers in those same cities collected similar information on puppies that attended their classes. In total, 279 puppies attended socialization classes and none were suspected of or diagnosed with CPV infection. Results indicated that vaccinated puppies attending socialization classes were at no greater risk of CPV infection than vaccinated puppies that did not attend those classes.
Dynamic Upper Airway Obstruction Secondary to Severe Feline Asthma
Authors: Davis Ashley , Khorzad Roxanna , Whelan Megan
Published: January 2013

A 2 yr old castrated male cat presented to an emergency referral facility for several episodes of gagging, nonproductive coughing, and increased respiratory effort. He was diagnosed with inspiratory stridor and referred to another emergency referral practice for further diagnostics. Three separate, sedated oral examinations, nasal computed tomography (CT), rhinoscopic biopsies, and tracheoscopy showed no structural causes for the cat’s stridor. An endotracheal wash was consistent with feline asthma. Blood work showed a peripheral eosinophilia and exposure to Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis). The feline asthma was treated with albuterol, fluticasone, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and terbutaline. Despite aggressive therapy for feline asthma, the cat had several episodes of severe inspiratory respiratory distress and stridor secondary to an upper airway obstruction. After 3 days of hospitalization, a temporary tracheostomy was performed and no further episodes of respiratory distress were noted. The tracheostomy tube was removed 3 days later, and the cat was discharged on the fourth day. At a 14 mo follow-up examination, the client reported no further episodes of respiratory distress, coughing, or gagging. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of dynamic upper airway obstruction secondary to feline asthma.
Importância da qualidade no atendimento ao público
Authors: Pereira Rodrigo Araújo
Published: January 2013

Este artigo focaliza o atendente numa concepção humanística e reforça o conceito da ética profissional. Explorando as áreas das instituições públicas, objetivou-se conhecer o profissional que atua no atendimento, bem como destacar suas dificuldades ao exercer essa função, a fim de mapearem-se as soluções para um atendimento mais qualificado. Destaca especialmente o papel do setor de Recursos Humanos de gerenciar propostas para direcionar aos funcionários estímulos para que desempenhem seu trabalho com mais dedicação. Nesse sentido, discute-se o princípio norteador da eficiência com a finalidade de tornar a convivência entre a empresa pública e a população mais satisfatória.
Apresentação
Authors: Henriques Librantz André Felipe
Published: January 2013

Apresentação – Exacta V10n3 A revista Exacta é uma publicação científica apoiada pela Universidade Nove de Julho – UNINOVE e iniciou seus trabalhos em 2003. Desde 2007 é indexada no Qualis e a partir de maio de 2001 há o identificador digital (DOI) para todos os artigos, o que corrobora o dinamismo e o menor tempo na disponibilização dos artigos, bem como a autenticação dos textos. Com vistas a aumentar o alcance dentro e fora do país, a Exacta publica artigos inéditos nos idiomas inglês e português. Esses artigos são avaliados por pares, através de blind review. São publicados três volumes por ano. Seguindo uma vocação natural a revista Exacta, a partir de 2013 denominar-se-á Exacta - Engenharia de Produção e será voltada à divulgação da produção científica de pesquisadores e profissionais que atuam nos diversos campos da Engenharia de Produção, mantendo o mote principal de ser um instrumento de divulgação para a comunidade acadêmica, contribuindo, dessa maneira, para a inovação e conhecimento nos mais diversos segmentos da área. Disponível no portal www.uninove.br/publicacoes e no Sistema Eletrônico de Editoração de Revistas (SEER) http://www.uninove.br/revistaexacta.
Square Root - Type Control for Robot Manipulators
Authors: Reyes Fernando , Cid Jaime , Limon Miguel Angel , Cervantes Manuel
Published: January 2013

This paper addresses the problem of position control for robot manipulators. A new control structure with compensation for global position is presented. The main contribution of this paper is to prove that the closed loop system of the nonlinear robot dynamics model and the proposed control algorithm is globally, asymptotically stable and in agreement with Lyapunov's direct method and LaSalle's invariance principle. Besides this, the theoretical results in a real-time experimental comparison are also presented to show a comparison of the performance between the square root type controller and simple PD scheme on a three degrees-of-freedom direct-drive robot.
Indoor Localization of a Quadrotor Based on WSN: A Real-Time Application
Authors: Rullan-Lara Jose L. , Sanahuja Guillaume , Lozano Rogelio , Salazar Sergio , Garcia-Hernandez Ramon , Ruz-Hernandez Jose A.
Published: January 2013

A real-time localization algorithm is presented in this paper. The algorithm presented here uses an extended Kalman filter and is based on Time Difference Of Arrivals (TDOA) measurements of radio signal. The position and velocity of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) are successfully estimated in closed-loop in real-time, both in hover and path following flights. Relatively small position errors obtained from the experiments prove the good performance of the proposed algorithm.
A Robotic Indoor 3D Mapping System Using a 2D Laser Range Finder Mounted on a Rotating Four-Bar Linkage of a Mobile Platform
Authors: Chou Yu-Shin , Liu Jing-Sin
Published: January 2013

This paper describes our work in developing a 3D robotic mapping system composed by an experimental mobile platform equipped with a rotating laser range finder (LRF). For the purpose of obtaining more complete 3D scans of the environment, we design, construct and calibrate a crank-rocker four-bar linkage so that a LRF mounted on it could undergo repetitive rotational motion between two extreme positions, allowing both horizontal and vertical scans. To reduce the complexity of map representation suitable for optimization later, the local map from the LRF is a grid map represented by a distance-transformed (DT) matrix. We compare the DT-transformed maps and find the transformation matrix of a robot pose by a linear simplex-based map optimization method restricted to a local region allows efficient alignment of maps in scan matching. Several indoor 2D and 3D mapping experiments are presented to demonstrate the consistency, efficiency and accuracy of the 3D mapping system for a mobile robot that is stationary or in motion.
Information Fusion-Based Optimal Attitude Control for an Alterable Thrust Direction Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Zhen Ziyang , Jiang Ju , Wang Xinhua , Wang Daobo
Published: January 2013

Attitude control is the inner-loop and the most important part of the automatic flight control system of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The information fusion-based optimal control method is applied in a UAV flight control system in this work. Firstly, a nonlinear model of alterable thrust direction UAV (ATD-UAV) is established and linearized for controller design. The longitudinal controller and lateral controller are respectively designed based on information fusion-based optimal control, and then the information fusion flight control system is built up. Finally, the simulation of a nonlinear model described as ATD-UAV is carried out, the results of which show the superiority of the information fusion-based control strategy when compared to the single-loop design method. We also show that the ATD technique improves the anti-disturbance capacity of the UAV.
A Study on Stability of Limit Cycle Walking Model with Feet: Parameter Study
Authors: Jeon Yonggwon , Park Youn-sik , Park Youngjin
Published: January 2013

In this paper, two kinds of feet, namely, curved and flat feet, are added to limit cycle walking model to investigate its stability properties. Although both models are already proposed and are investigated, most previous works are focused on efficiency and gait behaviors. Only the stability properties of the simplest walking model conceived Garcia et al. are well defined. Therefore, there is still a need for a precise research on the effect of feet, especially in the view of local stability, bifurcation route to chaos, global stability, falling boundary and energy balance line. Therefore, this article revisits the stability analysis of limit cycle walking model with various foot shape. To analyze the effects of feet, we re-derive the equation of motion of modified models by adding one more parameter of foot shape than the simplest walking model. Also, the falling boundary and energy balance line of modified models are derived to get proper initial conditions for stable walking and to explain global stability. Simulation results show us that the curved feet can enlarge both stable walking range and area of basin of attraction while the case of flat feet depends on foot shape parameter.
Inverse Kinematics of a New Quadruped Robot Control Method
Authors: RunBin Cai , YangZheng Chen , Lin Lang , Jian Wang , Xu Ma Hong
Published: January 2013

Design of redudant joints has been widely used in quadruped robots, so new kinds of techniques for sloving inverse kinematics are needed. In this paper we propose a new control method called Time-Pose control method and choose the enhanced extended jacobian matrix method for inverse kinematics. We deduce extended jacobian matrix method again so that it can be applicable for arbitrary joint length. It is argued that because the method can generate close joint angle path. With Time-Pose control method, such kind of inverse kinematics method has been used for trot gait on the flat ground. Simulations and experiments are performed, which prove the extended jacobian matrix method to be realizable for the quadruped robot.
Les répétitions contrariées. Sur Beau travail de Claire Denis
Authors: Renard Caroline
Published: January 2013

Beau travail de Claire Denis fait partie des films qui nous invitent à les aborder sous l’angle de la répétition. Figure esthétique majeure des arts du xxe siècle, la répétition peut aussi être une forme discrète qui circule d’image en image. Parfois elle se cache et se déguise d’un plan à l’autre au sein d’un même film. Dans une approche analytique, l’auteure de cet article emploie la notion de « plan de consistance » présentée par Gilles Deleuze et Félix Guattari dans Mille plateaux (1980) pour proposer une étude figurative des formes de la répétition dans Beau travail. Deleuze et Guattari ont défini le « plan de consistance » comme un espace formel qui est simultanément un fond et un volume, une armature et une trame. Cet espace résiste dans la durée. En termes de cinéma, le plan de consistance d’un film est élaboré par l’articulation des plans, par la composition des cadres, par les mouvements qui animent l’espace ou les trajets qui le parcourent. Il constitue un repère visuel parfois fuyant, en mouvement mais repérable. L’analyse de Beau travail montre que les répétitions, loin de simplement construire des effets narratifs ou scéniques, participent de la mise en place d’un socle perceptif à la fois récurrent et variable, d’une trame visuelle reconnaissable et instable. L’auteure met ainsi au jour, dans l’économie figurative de ce film d’inspiration littéraire et musicale, l’élaboration de ce « plan de consistance » comme fond visible et invisible du montage filmique.
De la dispersion en histoire du cinéma
Authors: Arnoldy Édouard
Published: January 2013

On propose ici une réflexion théorique sur l’écriture de l’histoire du cinéma, dont l’assise conceptuelle est une « archéologie du cinéma » qui se situerait à la croisée de ces deux formes indépendantes l’une de l’autre que sont l’archéologie de la modernité de Walter Benjamin et l’archéologie du savoir de Michel Foucault. L’article se consacre essentiellement à la conciliation de ces deux formes d’archéologie, à laquelle ont contribué des auteurs majeurs comme Hans Belting, Fernand Braudel et Erwin Panofsky. L’auteur montre comment les deux modèles archéologiques semblent parfois converger et conduire à une approche du cinéma qui se situerait au coeur d’un réseau de « séries de séries » (selon la formule de Foucault). Pareille observation l’invite à un retour sur la notion de « série culturelle », dont André Gaudreault a dressé les contours et renouvelé la perspective. Dans le cadre de sa réflexion sur l’écriture de l’histoire du cinéma et ses temps hétérogènes, l’auteur montre comment la notion de « série culturelle » doit être pensée dans un cadre théorique.
Maurice Bulbulian et l’art du langage
Authors: Jalbert Martin
Published: January 2013

La production cinématographique du documentariste Maurice Bulbulian est ici lue comme un art marqué au coin de la condition spectrale du langage, où la vérité doit toujours composer avec la coïncidence entre relation et non-relation (Derrida, Rancière). Cet art du langage ne donne pas des documentaires dont les images seraient dotées du pouvoir de résumer une histoire ou de faire parler ce qui se tait, mais un cinéma accueillant des êtres de langage dépourvus de pouvoir dans l’ordre du monde et se constituant, à la faveur des mots, comme sujets politiques capables d’identifier les torts collectifs qui les concernent. Or, les films du cinéaste sont aussi faits de la puissance du montage par lequel le mensonge toujours possible des apparences et des mots se transforme en « vérité » (Bulbulian). Par le montage, les films parviennent à faire résonner les discours dans l’évidence de ce qui est montré à l’écran et à ainsi faire concurrence à la condition spectrale des mots, cette condition d’entités détachées de tout corps de vérité. Cet art contradictoire permet de situer le cinéma politique de Bulbulian par rapport à d’autres pratiques du cinéma direct québécois (Perrault, Leduc, Falardeau).
The Improvement of the Women Cooperative Performance by Implementing Good Corporate Governance
Authors: Wuryani Eni
Published: January 2013

Cooperatives are legal-entities whose members and their activities should be based on family philosophy and democracy. Therefore, these entities are important for the economic development in a country. In addition, the women cooperatives require that they have to improve their performance. This study attempts to analyze the performance of the Women Cooperatives that have been implementing good-corporate governance (GCG). It uses census data, with the population consisting of 624 women cooperatives in which their performances have been rated in 2012. The measurement of corporate governance variable is done through the aspects of organizational activities. In addition, the measurement of the performance of women’s cooperatives is viewed from the aspects of productivity. The analysis is done by means of regression analysis. The results showed that GCG affects the performance of women’s cooperatives. This indicates that the higher the GCG implementation, the higher the performance of women cooperatives. The accountability of the cooperative activities as well as the organizational aspects of productivity to members of cooperatives were done while the Annual Member Meeting (AMM).   Keywords - Business, Good Corporate Governance, Organizational Aspects, Women Cooperative Performance, Productivity Aspects, the Annual Member Meeting, Members of Cooperatives, Census Data, Regression analysis, Indonesia
Evaluating the Parallel Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction of Art Education Program at King Saud University Based on Students’ Perspectives
Authors: Aldosari Mohammad Mofleh A. , Alotibi Abdullah Rifai
Published: January 2013

The parallel Master of Arts in Education: curriculum and instruction of art education program was introduced in the college of education at King Saud University in the year 2010. This research aim to evaluate the program to identify its weaknesses and strengths. Thus, the objectives of the research are to: identify the efficiency of courses and study plan of the program based on students’ perspectives; identify the level of teaching efficiency of teaching faculty of the program based on students’ perspectives; and, determine statistically significant differences in the responses of the students depending on gender variable. Using descriptive method, forty master’s students (male and female) representing the program’s students in the academic year 2012 participated in this study. The instrument used in this research was the questionnaire. The results indicated that the courses and study plan of the program in general had a high degree of efficiency; however, the results indicated that the inclusion of the research project with other courses in the study plan had a medium efficiency. As for the students’ evaluation of the teaching faculty members’ axis and teaching efficiency, the results indicated a very high degree of efficiency; on the other hand, the faculty members’ acceptance of evaluation directed to them by students came in a moderate level. Keywords - Psychometrics, Evaluation- Efficiency- Curriculum and instruction of art education- Students’ perspectives, descriptive research, Saudi Arabia
Comprehensive Trace Processing: A Qualitative Innovation in Social Science Case Study Analysis
Authors: Kendall Wesley Evan
Published: January 2013

This paper proposes a new social science oriented methodological approach to examining the behavior of different policymaker’s actions in the process of shaping and implementing public policies. Under this new model, the policymakers’ behavior constitutes the dependent variable under observation in the study while various external mechanisms are treated as independent variables acting to manipulate policy outcomes. Each of the objects studied in their respective models, as well as each of the external mechanisms, are inextricably intertwined in the political systems which enact, adjudicate, and ultimately implement policy. As complex organizations, these dependent variables are infinitely complicated and their behavioral patterns subject to multiple independent variable impacts. This proposed case study model will focus on individual cases that allow for an in depth examination of events and draw inferential causal connections using a number of innovative techniques. The mechanisms of policy change, or the independent variables, will additionally be explored using a case study analysis and intervening causal factors will be carefully examined by using within case analysis to plot interrelationships among event observations. The validity of a hypothesis would be rigorously tested by both within-case analyses, and will be supplemented by a comparative cross-case analysis when appropriate, and further bolstered by a novel interview process to reject or reinforce inferential assumptions drawn from the model. This unique combination of qualitative testing methodologies when applied in linear sequence creates a rigorous analytical framework with enhanced internal and external model validity that can be utilized across social science disciplines.   Keywords - Social Sciences, Qualitative Innovation, comprehensive trace processing, policy change, Vietnam
Current and Maintained Health‐Enhancing Physical Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Demmelmaier Ingrid , Bergman Patrick , Nordgren Birgitta , Jensen Irene , Opava Christina H.
Published: January 2013

Objective

To describe and identify the explanatory factors of variation in current and maintained health‐enhancing physical activity (HEPA) in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, current HEPA was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and maintained HEPA with the Exercise Stage Assessment Instrument, the latter explicitly focusing on both aerobic physical activity and muscle strength training. Sociodemographic, disease‐related, and psychosocial data were retrieved from the Swedish Rheumatology Quality (SRQ) registers and a postal questionnaire. The explained variations in the respective HEPA behaviors were analyzed with logistic regression.

Results

In all, 3,152 (58.5%) of 5,391 persons identified as eligible from the SRQ registers responded to the questionnaire. Current HEPA was reported by 69%, and maintained HEPA by 11% of the respondents. The most salient and consistent factors explaining variation in both current and maintained HEPA were self‐efficacy, social support, and outcome expectations related to physical activity.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study exploring maintained physical activity in a large well‐defined sample of persons with RA. Our results indicate that a minority perform maintained HEPA, including both aerobic physical activity and muscle strength training, and that psychosocial factors are the most salient and consistent in the explanation of HEPA variation.
Sex and Surgical Outcomes and Mortality After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Risk‐Adjusted Analysis
Authors: Singh Jasvinder A. , Kwoh C. Kent , Richardson Diane , Chen Wei , Ibrahim Said A.
Published: January 2013

Objective

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a widely utilized and effective treatment option for end‐stage knee osteoarthritis (OA). Knee OA is more prevalent among women compared to men, but there are limited data on the sex differences in surgical outcomes after primary TKA.

Methods

Our sample consisted of all primary TKAs performed in Pennsylvania during the fiscal year 2002. We used International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes to identify major complications and surgical revision. We used mixed‐effects logistic regression models to examine the associations between sex and all‐cause mortality, readmissions, and major surgical complications. We used proportional hazards models to assess the risk of surgical revision after index arthroplasty. We adjusted for race, age, hospital teaching status, hospital procedure volume, insurance status, and risk of mortality.

Results

In 17,994 primary TKAs, there were 46 and 220 deaths at 30 days and 1 year, respectively. Compared to women, men had higher adjusted odds of 1‐year mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.48 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.13–1.94]) after primary TKA. The overall odds of most major 30‐day complications did not differ by sex except for surgical wound infections, which were higher in men compared to women (OR 1.31 [95% CI 1.08–1.60]); 30‐day readmission was higher in men (OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.10–1.43]). Men had significantly higher rates of revision of index knee arthroplasty at 5 years (hazard ratio 1.20 [95% CI 1.05–1.36]) compared to women.

Conclusion

The higher rates of mortality, hospital readmissions, revision surgery, and wound infections in men undergoing elective primary TKA compared to women indicate there is a sex disparity in these outcomes.
A new aerodynamic decoupled frequential FDIR methodology for satellite actuator faults
Authors: Baldi P. , Castaldi P. , Mimmo N. , Simani S.
Published: January 2013

This paper presents new results regarding the development of a supervision scheme for a nonlinear satellite model. The main issue concerns the handling of frequency faults affecting the reaction wheels of a spacecraft attitude control system, that is, how to detect and isolate faults, how to determine the different frequencies characterising these faults through spectral analysis and lastly, how to prevent propagation into failures with potential mission abortion as a consequence. Thus, this work investigates the design of a scheme for fault detection, isolation and control reconfiguration applied to the reaction wheels of a spacecraft attitude control, based on the satellite model. This scheme is classifiable as active fault tolerant control. As the study focuses on a general satellite nonlinear model, where aerodynamic and gravitational disturbances, as well as measurement errors, are present, the robustness of the suggested strategy is achieved by exploiting an explicit disturbance decoupling method via a nonlinear geometric approach. To achieve accurate fault diagnosis, aerodynamic disturbance decoupling represents the key point because the aerodynamic model is often uncertain. Moreover, an improvement of the nonlinear geometric approach is presented, to realise both aerodynamic and manoeuvre decoupled fault diagnosis. To the best authors’ knowledge, this is the first works presenting a methodology for frequency fault diagnosis, which is based on the nonlinear geometric approach for fault and disturbance decoupling. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed methodology can achieve better performances with respect to traditional fault detection and isolation schemes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fractal Inorganic−Organic Interfaces in Hybrid Membranes for Efficient Proton Transport
Authors: Maneeratana Vasana , Bass John D. , Azaïs Thierry , Patissier Amaury , Vallé Karine , Maréchal Manuel , Gebel Gérard , Laberty‐Robert Christel , Sanchez Clément
Published: January 2013

A facile method for preparing highly conductive hybrid organic−inorganic membranes is reported. These membranes are synthesized using an electrospinning process with a sol−gel‐based solution containing PVDF−HFP (polyvinylidenefluoride‐hexafluoropropylene), functionalized or not functionalized silicon alkoxides, and additives. Proton conduction measurements highlight that these hybrid membranes exhibit conductivity value of 101 mS/cm at 120 °C under 80% RH (relative humidity), comparable to the best Nafion measured under the same conditions. These membranes have a proton conductivity‐humidity variation close to Nafion and a modulus value higher than that for Nafion above 80 °C. Their proton conductivity value is about 15 mS/cm under 50% RH, and it constitutes one of the highest values reported. These interesting properties are related to the microstructure of the electrospun membranes that have been characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). The electrospun membranes are made composed of a bundle of fibers surrounded by a functionalized silica network. The bundle of fibers corresponds to the assembly of small polymer fibers surrounded by small anisotropic functionalized silica domains. Coupling the reactive chemistry of the sol–gel‐based process with electrospinning allows the design of hybrid membranes with fractal hydrophobic/hydrophilic interfaces exhibiting different length scales.
Nano‐Imprinted Ferroelectric Polymer Nanodot Arrays for High Density Data Storage
Authors: Chen Xiang‐Zhong , Li Qian , Chen Xin , Guo Xu , Ge Hai‐Xiong , Liu Yun , Shen Qun‐Dong
Published: January 2013

Ferroelectric vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene copolymer [P(VDF‐TrFE)] free‐standing ultrahigh density (≈75 Gb inch−2) nanodot arrays are successfully fabricated through a facile, high‐throughput, and cost‐effective nano‐imprinting method using disposable anodic aluminum oxide with orderly arranged nanometer‐scale pores as molds. The nanodots show a large‐area smooth surface morphology, and the piezoresponse in each nanodot is strong and uniform. The preferred orientation of the copolymer chains in the nanodot arrays is favorable for polarization switching of single nanodots. The ferroelectric polymer memory prototype can be operated by a few volts with high writing/erasing speed, which comply with the requirements of integrated circuit. This approach provides a way of directly writing nanometer electronic features in two dimensions by piezoresponse force microscopy probe based technology, which is attractive for high density data storage.
Multiobjective optimization of biorefineries with economic and safety objectives
Authors: El‐Halwagi Ali M. , Rosas Camilo , Ponce‐Ortega José María , Jiménez‐Gutiérrez Arturo , Mannan Mahboobul S. , El‐Halwagi Mahmoud M.
Published: January 2013

A new approach for the incorporation of safety criteria into the selection, location, and sizing of a biorefinery is introduced. In addition to the techno‐economic factors, risk metrics are used in the decision‐making process by considering the cumulative risk associated with key stages of the life cycle of a biorefinery that includes biomass storage and transportation, process conversion into biofuels or bioproducts, and product storage. The fixed cost of the process along with the operating costs for transportation and processing as well as the value of the product are included. An optimization formulation is developed based on a superstructure that embeds potential supply chains of interest. The optimization program establishes the tradeoffs between cost and safety issues in the form of Pareto curves. A case study on bio‐hydrogen production is solved to illustrate the merits of the proposed approach. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical EngineersAIChE J, 59: 2427–2434, 2013
Associations of the 5‐hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) Receptor 1B gene (HTR1B) with alcohol, cocaine, and heroin abuse
Authors: Cao Jian , LaRocque Emily , Li Dawei
Published: January 2013

Abnormal serotonergic pathways are implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders including alcohol and drug dependence (abuse). The human 5‐hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 1B, encoded by the HTR1B (5‐HT1B) gene, is a presynaptic serotonin autoreceptor that plays an important role in regulating serotonin synthesis and release. Although there was evidence of associations of the HTR1B gene variants in the etiologies of substance use disorders, negative findings were also reported. To clarify the roles of commonly reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the HTR1B gene underlying alcohol and drug dependence (abuse), we performed a meta‐analysis based on the available genotype data from individual candidate gene‐based association studies. Evidence of association was found between the functional SNP −161A>T (rs130058) and alcohol, cocaine, and heroin dependence (e.g., P = 0.03 and odds ratio (OR) = 1.2 (1.02, 1.42) in the combined European, Asian, African, and Hispanic populations). SNP −261T>G (rs11568817) also showed evidence of association but with different directions in Europeans and non‐Europeans (e.g., P = 0.0018 with OR = 1.42 (1.14, 1.76) and P = 0.01 with ORs = 0.5 (0.3, 0.85), respectively). This meta‐analysis supports the associations of HTR1B −261T>G and −161A>T with alcohol and drug abuse and further investigations are warranted in larger samples. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Closer Look at Aryne Chemistry: Details that Remain Mysterious
Authors: Wu Chunrui , Shi Feng
Published: January 2013

Recent studies of aryne chemistry have left some unexplained details in their reactivity, reaction mechanisms, and structure‐activity relationships. This Focus Review summarizes some of the questions and findings that we do not expect or understand. Further studies of these details will hopefully enrich aryne chemistry to provide further understanding and find more applications of aryne chemistry.
“Collaborative Innovation”—Regaining the Edge in Drug Discovery
Authors: Wild Hanno , Huwe Christoph , Lessl Monika
Published: January 2013

Sharers are winners: The concept of “Collaborative Innovation” has the potential to overcome the significant challenges the pharmaceutical industry faces in its effort to improve the lives of patients by fighting increasingly complex diseases. In order to succeed, it is crucial to join forces on a global level and to combine different approaches in a flexible way, requiring the right mindset of all involved parties, a combination of internal excellence and external openness, and the right organizational setup.
Preparation of polyacrylamide/graphite oxide superabsorbent nanocomposites with salt tolerance and slow release properties
Authors: Zhu Zhao‐Qi , Sun Han‐Xue , Li Gui‐Xian , Liang Wei‐Dong , Bao Xue‐Mei , An Jin , La Pei‐Qing , Dai Jian‐Feng , Li An
Published: January 2013

Novel polyacrylamide/graphite oxide (PAM/GO) superabsorbent nanocomposites were synthesized by a simple solution polymerization of acrylamide using N,N ′‐methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as initiator. The well dispersion of GO nanoplatelets in the polymeric network results in a remarkable improvement on the comprehensive swelling performance of the resulting superabsorbent nanocomposites. The water absorption experimental results show that the superabsorbent nanocomposites could absorb water as twice as that of crosslinked polyacrylamide (PAM) superabsorbent with a weight gain of 400 g g−1 with a low loading of GO. The salt tolerance and water‐retention ability of the resulting PAM/GO superabsorbent nanocomposites are also enhanced compared with PAM. Moreover, by embedding of ammonium salt into PAM/GO network, the PAM/GO superabsorbent nanocomposites also exhibit a slow release behavior of ammonium salt from network when swelling in water, which makes the PAM/GO superabsorbent nanocomposites multifunctional absorbent materials with great potential for agricultural and horticultural applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Ultrasound Can Improve the Accuracy of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Classification Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis to Predict the Requirement for Methotrexate Treatment
Authors: Nakagomi Daiki , Ikeda Kei , Okubo Ayako , Iwamoto Taro , Sanayama Yoshie , Takahashi Kentaro , Yamagata Mieko , Takatori Hiroaki , Suzuki Kotaro , Takabayashi Katsuhiko , Nakajima Hiroshi
Published: January 2013

Objective

The 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refer to a possible use of ultrasound “for confirmation of the clinical findings.” We undertook this study to determine the optimized definition of ultrasound‐detected synovitis for the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria and to assess the impact of its use on the accuracy of RA classification.

Methods

One hundred nine patients with musculoskeletal symptoms for ≤3 years were enrolled in the study. Patients underwent clinical, laboratory, radiographic, and comprehensive ultrasonographic assessments at baseline and received routine management from expert rheumatologists who were blinded to the ultrasound findings.

Results

Sensitivity and specificity of the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria using different definitions of synovitis to identify patients who developed a disease requiring methotrexate (MTX) treatment within 1 year were 58.5% and 79.4%, respectively, for clinical synovitis (tenderness or swelling), 78.0% and 79.4%, respectively, for ultrasound‐detected synovitis with a gray‐scale (GS) imaging score ≥1 (GS ≥1 ultrasound synovitis), and 56.1% and 93.7%, respectively, for GS ≥2 ultrasound synovitis or a synovial power Doppler (PD) signal score ≥1 (GS ≥2/PD ≥1 ultrasound synovitis). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the criteria scores revealed the largest area under the curve with GS ≥2/PD ≥1 ultrasound synovitis.

Conclusion

Ultrasound assessment improves the accuracy of the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for identifying patients with a disease requiring MTX treatment. Our data provide preliminary but vital information for the methodology to confirm the presence of synovitis using ultrasound in the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria.
Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Is Up‐Regulated in the Skin of Patients With Systemic Sclerosis and Induces Profibrotic Genes and Intracellular Signaling That Overlap With Those Induced by Interleukin‐13 and Transforming Growth Factor β
Authors: Christmann Romy B. , Mathes Allison , Affandi Alsya J. , Padilla Cristina , Nazari Banafsheh , Bujor Andreea M. , Stifano Giuseppina , Lafyatis Robert
Published: January 2013

Objective

To explore the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) and compare its effects in vivo and in vitro with those of interleukin‐13 (IL‐13) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ).

Methods

Skin biopsy specimens from patients with dcSSc (n = 14) and healthy controls (n = 13) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence for TSLP, TSLP receptor, CD4, CD8, CD31, and CD163 markers. Wild‐type, IL‐4Rα1–, and TSLP‐deficient mice were treated with TGFβ, IL‐13, poly(I‐C), or TSLP by osmotic pump. Human fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with TGFβ, IL‐13, poly(I‐C), or TSLP. Microarray analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine gene expression, and protein levels of phospho‐Smad2 and macrophage marker CD163 were tested.

Results

TSLP was highly expressed in the skin of dcSSc patients, more strongly in perivascular areas and in immune cells, and was produced mainly by CD163+ cells. The skin of TSLP‐treated mice showed up‐regulated clusters of gene expression that overlapped strongly with those in IL‐13– and TGFβ‐treated mice. TSLP up‐regulated specific genes, including CXCL9, proteasome, and interferon (IFN)–regulated genes. TSLP treatment in IL‐4Rα1–deficient mice promoted similar cutaneous inflammation as in wild‐type mice, though TSLP‐induced arginase 1, CCL2, and matrix metalloproteinase 12 messenger RNA levels were blocked. In PBMCs, TSLP up‐regulated tumor necrosis factor α, Mx‐1, IFNγ, CXCL9, and mannose receptor 1 gene expression. TSLP‐deficient mice treated with TGFβ showed less fibrosis and blocked expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and osteopontin 1. Poly(I‐C)–treated mice showed high levels of cutaneous TSLP.

Conclusion

TSLP is highly expressed in the skin of dcSSc patients and interacts in a complex manner with 2 other profibrotic cytokines, TGFβ and IL‐13, strongly suggesting that it might promote SSc fibrosis directly or indirectly by synergistically stimulating profibrotic genes, or production of these cytokines.