bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Pension Liabilities under GASB Statement No. 68
Authors: Mortimer John W. , Henderson Linda R.
Published: January 2014

SYNOPSIS

While retired government employees clearly depend on public sector defined benefit pension funds, these plans also contribute significantly to U.S. state and national economies. Growing public concern about the funding adequacy of these plans, hard hit by the great recession, raises questions about their future viability. After several years of study, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) approved two new standards, GASB 67 and 68, with the goal of substantially improving the accounting for and transparency of financial reporting of state/municipal public employee defined benefit pension plans. GASB 68, the focus of this paper, requires state/municipal governments to calculate and report a net pension liability based on a single discount rate that combines the rate of return on funded plan assets with a low-risk index rate on the unfunded portion of the liability. This paper illustrates the calculation of estimates for GASB 68 reportable net pension liabilities, funded ratios, and single discount rates for 48 fiscal year state employee defined benefit plans by using an innovative valuation model and readily available data. The results show statistically significant increases in reportable net pension liabilities and decreases in the estimated hypothetical GASB 68 funded ratios and single discount rates. Our sensitivity analyses examine the effect of changes in the low-risk rate and time period on these results. We find that reported discount rates of weaker plans approach the low-risk rate, resulting in higher pension liabilities and creating policy incentives to increase risky assets in pension portfolios.
Dental radiographic findings in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis (2002–2012)
Authors: Farcas Nicodin , Lommer Milinda J. , Kass Philip H. , Verstraete Frank J. M.
Published: January 2014

Objective—To compare dental radiographic findings in cats with and without feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS).

Design—Retrospective case-control study.

Animals—101 cats with FCGS (cases) and 101 cats with other oral diseases (controls).

Procedures—Controls were age- and treatment date–matched with cases. Conventional full-mouth dental radiographic views were evaluated for distribution, pattern, and severity of alveolar bone loss (periodontitis), tooth resorption, buccal bone expansion, tooth fractures, and retained roots.

Results—All cases and 77 (76%) controls had periodontitis; differences in extent and severity of periodontitis were significant, with semigeneralized or generalized and moderate or severe periodontitis in 78 (77%) and 93 (92%) cases, respectively, and 28 (28%) and 38 (38%) controls, respectively. The pattern of alveolar bone loss in cases was dominated by horizontal bone loss, with a nonsignificant increase in vertical bone loss, compared with that of controls. Cases were more likely than controls to have external inflammatory root resorption (49 [49%] vs 25 [25%]) and retained roots (57 [56%] vs 28 [28%]). Fewer dental fractures occurred in cases (14 [14%]) than in controls (35 [35%]). There were no differences between cases and controls in breed, sex, or presence of feline resorptive lesions or buccal bone expansion.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that FCGS was associated with more widely distributed and severe periodontitis, with a higher prevalence of external inflammatory root resorption and retained roots than other oral diseases. Full-mouth radiographic views are indicated for cats with FCGS to diagnose the extent of associated periodontitis, reveal external inflammatory root resorption, and identify retained roots.
Compartment syndrome associated with expansile antebrachial tumors in two dogs
Authors: Maki Lynn C. , Kim Stanley E. , Winter Matthew D. , Kow Kelvin Y. , Conway Julia A. , Lewis Daniel D.
Published: January 2014

Case Description—A 10-year-old spayed female Jack Russell Terrier and a 7-year-old neutered male mixed-breed dog were evaluated because of acute, progressive, unilateral forelimb lameness associated with signs of pain and turgid antebrachial swelling.

Clinical Findings—For either dog, there were no salient pathological or diagnostic imaging abnormalities. A diagnosis of compartment syndrome was confirmed on the basis of high caudal antebrachial compartmental pressure in the affected forelimb.

Treatment and Outcome—Both dogs underwent surgical exploration of the affected forelimb. In each case, an intramuscular tumor (mast cell tumor in the Jack Russell Terrier and suspected sarcoma in the mixed-breed dog) was detected and presumed to be the cause of the high compartmental pressure. At 6 months following tumor excision, the dog with the mast cell tumor did not have any clinical signs of disease. The dog with a suspected sarcoma underwent tumor excision and forelimb amputation at the proximal portion of the humerus followed by chemotherapy; the dog was euthanized approximately 1 year following treatment because of pulmonary metastasis.

Clinical Relevance—Compartment syndrome is a serious but rarely reported condition in dogs and is typically ascribed to intracompartmental hemorrhage. These 2 cases illustrate the potential for expansile intramuscular antebrachial tumors to cause compartment syndrome in dogs.
Screening Test Items for Differential Item Functioning
Authors: Longford Nicholas T.
Published: January 2014

A method for medical screening is adapted to differential item functioning (DIF). Its essential elements are explicit declarations of the level of DIF that is acceptable and of the loss function that quantifies the consequences of the two kinds of inappropriate classification of an item. Instead of a single level and a single function, sets of plausible levels and plausible functions may be declared. Some extensions are outlined, and a simulation study is presented.
Finnish Case of Basic Education for All – With Quality Learning Outcomes
Authors: Kuusilehto-Awale Lea , Lahtero Tapio
Published: January 2014

This article views behind the success of the Finnish basic education in the PISA assessments in the years 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009. Success is here defined not only as excellent learning outcomes in reading literacy, mathematics and science, but also as a high level of educational equity and equality. The achieved outcomes are attributable to several factors, of which this article addresses especially the basic education reform of 1972-1977 and the university based teacher education leading to a master's degree. Additional attention is paid to the autonomy of the municipalities (counties), schools and teachers in building and implementing the curricula, on the respect for learning and teachers in the Finnish society, and on the role of the Finnish evaluation system in supporting the student's learning. Developing education is a long range effort continuing across election terms, as education is understood to be a cornerstone for the development of the society. This fact justifies our describing some of the Finnish national background bases for the comprehensive basic education system, where all students study in the same group.
Student Centered Approach to Teaching: What Does it Mean for the Stakeholders of a Community School in Karachi, Pakistan?
Authors: Qutoshi Sadruddin Bahadur , Poudel Tikaram
Published: January 2014

Assuming the effectiveness of student-centered approach to teaching, this study explores the perceptions of purposefully selected seven students and teachers from a community school in Karachi about this pedagogical approach. Using interviews and observations of classroom practices as methodological tools, we concentrate on finding answers to the questions: How does student-centered approach to teaching used in community schools in Pakistan contribute to achieving quality education? How does this approach affect teaching and learning activities? How does this approach facilitate teachers to overcome the problems of teaching and learning? The findings of this study identify that student-centered approach to teaching encourages students' engagement in teaching-learning activities focusing on individual interaction to achieve common objectives. However, inadequate resources, small sized classrooms, and lack of expertise on the part of teachers were the challenges to the teaching learning activities in the community schools. These findings would be valuable to teaching and learning communities and educational policy makers as well.
“Tony Danza Is My Sperm Donor?”: Queer Kinship and the Impact of Canadian Regulations around Sperm Donation
Authors: Marvel Stu
Published: January 2014

Based upon an empirical research study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, and queer (LGBTQ) people accessing reproductive technology, this article aims to lay out some concerns around the use of third-party donor sperm in Canada. It tracks the new forms of lateral kinships being created and the ways in which they may exert a differentiated impact on LGBTQ communities. The article overviews relevant federal regulations and legislation and uses this grounding to investigate the case study of a lesbian couple in Toronto and their experience with anonymous donor sperm imported from the United States. Their story helps to highlight the many lacuna that exist in the present regulatory regime and demonstrates how LGBTQ people are placed disproportionately at the fore of these pressing legal gaps. Ultimately, while the article argues that the effects of poorly crafted legislation around semen donation may be pronounced in LGBTQ communities, these effects may be experienced by all users of anonymous third-party sperm. By centring the queer family at the heart of the analysis, however, this article calls for a fresh look at how reproductive projects through assisted technology are being pursued under the present Canadian legal regime.
La procréation médicalement assistée en France : une question d’égalité ?
Authors: Neirinck Claire
Published: January 2014

The equality principle is not stated in French law. It is deduced from a series of rules that provide for an identical treatment of different situations. Applied to the gamete donation, it exploits the female body by placing it under a unique regime of sperm donation, entirely harmless, and ovum donation, significantly more dangerous. Only one requirement ensures the protection of donors: their written consent. This is why some people would like the legislator to validate the gestational surrogacy by presenting it as “gestation donation.” However, this qualification is totally inappropriate for a contractual approach. When applied to infertile heterosexual couples, which the law recognizes as sole receivers, the equality principle ignores the fact that the woman’s body is the sole tool employed in the medical acts required in human reproduction. The parental project promotes the notion of equality imposed on the couple. It allows the biological dimension of reproduction to be ignored by prioritizing consent to use anonymous gamete donation. This consent always takes the form of a genuine consent that, ignoring their unequal participation in the child’s conception, engages the man and the woman—equally—as intended parents. Reproductive services, practised outside the legal context, allow fertile people to conceive by using an anonymous sperm donation or gestational surrogacy in order to deprive the child of a father or a mother. This abuse sheds light on the inequality of situations that are fundamental to the quality of the mother or father. The equality principle does not lead to any kind of equality but, instead, establishes an indisputable mess in parentage due to reproductive services.
Liberalism's Historical Diversity
Authors: Rosales José María
Published: January 2014

Rooted in late seventeenth-century theories of rights, liberal ideas have brought forth since the nineteenth century a full-edged complex of traditions in moral, political, economic, social, and legal thought. Yet in historiographical debates such complexity is often blurred by presenting it under the uniform terms of a canon. Along with other methods, conceptual history is contributing to the rediscovery of liberalism's diversity. This group of articles compiles three conceptual studies on scarcely explored aspects of the history of liberalism in Denmark, Finland, and Hungary—countries whose political past has only occasionally figured in mainstream accounts of European liberalism. This introductory article is a methodological discussion of the rationale and forms in which liberalism's historical diversity is rendered through comparative conceptual research. After reflecting on the limits of the Anglophone history of political thought to grasp the plurality of liberal traditions, the article examines how transnational conceptual histories recast the understanding of liberalism as a concept, theory, ideology, and political movement.
On the Difficulty of Being a National Liberal in Nineteenth-Century Finland
Authors: Kurunmäki Jussi
Published: January 2014

This article examines the ways in which the Finnish liberals described themselves as national liberals and how they were labeled by their opponents as supporters of foreign doctrines and cosmopolitanism in the late nineteenth century. It will be shown that the rhetoric of liberalism was entangled in an inflamed issue between the advocates of Finnish and Swedish languages in Finland. Ultimately, this contest dealt with the concept of nation. Furthermore, the article discusses the uses of other countries' political life as exemplary cases, thus bringing a transnational perspective into the analysis. The contested character of the concept of liberalism and its compound form, national liberalism (nationell liberalism, kansallinen liberalismi), will be highlighted by paying attention to the semantic differences between Swedish-language and Finnish-language uses of the concept. The article closes with an interpretation of the weak role that the concept of liberalism has played in nineteenth-century Finnish political culture.
Properties of Branch Length Similarity Entropy on the Network in Rk
Authors: Kwon Oh , Lee Sang-Hee
Published: January 2014

Branching network is one of the most universal phenomena in living or non-living systems, such as river systems and the bronchial trees of mammals. To topologically characterize the branching networks, the Branch Length Similarity (BLS) entropy was suggested and the statistical methods based on the entropy have been applied to the shape identification and pattern recognition. However, the mathematical properties of the BLS entropy have not still been explored in depth because of the lack of application and utilization requiring advanced mathematical understanding. Regarding the mathematical study, it was reported, as a theorem, that all BLS entropy values obtained for simple networks created by connecting pixels along the boundary of a shape are exactly unity when the shape has infinite resolution. In the present study, we extended the theorem to the network created by linking infinitely many nodes distributed on the bounded or unbounded domain in Rk for k ≥ 1. We proved that all BLS entropies of the nodes in the network go to one as the number of nodes, n, goes to infinite and its convergence rate is 1 - O(1= ln n), which was confirmed by the numerical tests.
The Oil and Gas Discourse from the Perspective of the Canadian and Albertan Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations and the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Noga Jacqueline , Wolbring Gregor
Published: January 2014

Three of the major players in the discussion of the production of oil and gas are: (1) government; (2) the oil and gas industry and (3) non-governmental organizations (NGOs). A comparison of contributions from these three sources using a list of positive and negative words from the General Inquirer Category Listings showed that industry provided a very positive message about the production and consumption of oil and gas that is generally reinforced by government whereas NGOs advocated for a reduction in the use of oil and gas. Messages delivered by each player are focused on the same topics in either a positive or negative way and are often contradictory. The authors submit to be properly informed the public must consider all the sources in order to avoid bias. A mind map is presented in a supplementary file which summarizes information from each source in a comprehensive way. This approach can be used by consumers when considering the choice of using oil and gas and can be extended to the discourse beyond Canada.
Biocontrol of Fusarium graminearum Growth and Deoxynivalenol Production in Wheat Kernels with Bacterial Antagonists
Authors: Shi Cuijuan , Yan Peisheng , Li Jiafei , Wu Hanqi , Li Qianwei , Guan Shanshan
Published: January 2014

Fusarium graminearum is the main causal pathogen affecting small-grain cereals, and it produces deoxynivalenol, a kind of mycotoxin, which displays a wide range of toxic effects in human and animals. Bacterial strains isolated from peanut shells were investigated for their activities against F. graminearum by dual-culture plate and tip-culture assays. Among them, twenty strains exhibited potent inhibition to the growth of F. graminearum, and the inhibition rates ranged from 41.41% to 54.55% in dual-culture plate assay and 92.70% to 100% in tip-culture assay. Furthermore, eighteen strains reduced the production of deoxynivalenol by 16.69% to 90.30% in the wheat kernels assay. Finally, the strains with the strongest inhibitory activity were identified by morphological, physiological, biochemical methods and also 16S rDNA and gyrA gene analysis as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The current study highlights the potential application of antagonistic microorganisms and their metabolites in the prevention of fungal growth and mycotoxin production in wheat kernels. As a biological strategy, it might avoid safety problems and nutrition loss which always caused by physical and chemical strategies.
Luminescent Properties of Surface Functionalized BaTiO3 Embedded in Poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Requena Sebastian , Lacoul Srijan , Strzhemechny Yuri
Published: January 2014

As-received BaTiO3 nanopowders of average grain sizes 50 nm and 100 nm were functionalized by (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and mixed with poly(methyl methacrylate)/toluene solution. The nanocomposite solution was spin coated on Si substrates to form thin films. The photoluminescence spectrum of the pure powder was composed of a bandgap emission at 3.0 eV and multiple bands centered about 2.5 eV. Surface functionalization of the BaTiO3 powder via APTES increases overall luminescence at room temperature while only enhancing bandgap emission at low-temperature. Polymer coating of the functionalized nanoparticles significantly enhances bandgap emissions while decreasing emissions associated with near-surface lattice distortions at 2.5 eV.
Plastron Respiration Using Commercial Fabrics
Authors: Atherton Shaun , Brennan Joseph , Morris Robert , Smith Joshua , Hamlett Christopher , McHale Glen , Shirtcliffe Neil , Newton Michael
Published: January 2014

A variety of insect and arachnid species are able to remain submerged in water indefinitely using plastron respiration. A plastron is a surface-retained film of air produced by surface morphology that acts as an oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange surface. Many highly water repellent and hydrophobic surfaces when placed in water exhibit a silvery sheen which is characteristic of a plastron. In this article, the hydrophobicity of a range of commercially available water repellent fabrics and polymer membranes is investigated, and how the surface of the materials mimics this mechanism of underwater respiration is demonstrated allowing direct extraction of oxygen from oxygenated water. The coverage of the surface with the plastron air layer was measured using confocal microscopy. A zinc/oxygen cell is used to consume oxygen within containers constructed from the different membranes, and the oxygen consumed by the cell is compared to the change in oxygen concentration as measured by an oxygen probe. By comparing the membranes to an air-tight reference sample, it was found that the membranes facilitated oxygen transfer from the water into the container, with the most successful membrane showing a 1.90:1 ratio between the cell oxygen consumption and the change in concentration within the container.
Chitosan-Alginate Biocomposite Containing Fucoidan for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Venkatesan Jayachandran , Bhatnagar Ira , Kim Se-Kwon
Published: January 2014

Over the last few years, significant research has been conducted in the construction of artificial bone scaffolds. In the present study, different types of polymer scaffolds, such as chitosan-alginate (Chi-Alg) and chitosan-alginate with fucoidan (Chi-Alg-fucoidan), were developed by a freeze-drying method, and each was characterized as a bone graft substitute. The porosity, water uptake and retention ability of the prepared scaffolds showed similar efficacy. The pore size of the Chi-Alg and Chi-Alg-fucoidan scaffolds were measured from scanning electron microscopy and found to be 62–490 and 56–437 µm, respectively. In vitro studies using the MG-63 cell line revealed profound cytocompatibility, increased cell proliferation and enhanced alkaline phosphatase secretion in the Chi-Alg-fucoidan scaffold compared to the Chi-Alg scaffold. Further, protein adsorption and mineralization were about two times greater in the Chi-Alg-fucoidan scaffold than the Chi-Alg scaffold. Hence, we suggest that Chi-Alg-fucoidan will be a promising biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration.
Microbiological and Nutritional Quality of the Goat Meat by-Product “Sarapatel”
Authors: Brasil Luciana , Queiroz Angela , Silva Josevan , Bezerra Taliana , Arcanjo Narciza , Magnani Marciane , Souza Evandro , Madruga Marta
Published: January 2014

Goat “sarapatel” is a product made from blood and viscera. For the first time, the microbiological and nutritional quality of “sarapatel” samples (n = 48) sold under different conditions (in street markets, butcher shops, and supermarkets under refrigeration, frozen or at room temperature) was evaluated. Goat “sarapatel” is a nutritive food, with each 100 g providing, on average, 72 g of moisture, 2 g of ash, 18 g of protein, 9 g of lipids, 2 g of carbohydrates, 282 mg of cholesterol, and high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids. The analysis of the “sarapatel” samples shows that none of them contain Salmonella spp. or L. monocytogenes. High counts (>104) of total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, and sulfite-reducing Clostridium were detected, and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus was found in 31.25% of samples. The storage conditions evaluated (refrigeration, frozen or at room temperature) did not affect the physicochemical quality of the “sarapatel”; however, the unsatisfactory microbiological quality indicates that it is necessary to improve the health-sanitary aspects of the processing and sale of this product.
Asiatic Acid Alleviates Hemodynamic and Metabolic Alterations via Restoring eNOS/iNOS Expression, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome Rats
Authors: Pakdeechote Poungrat , Bunbupha Sarawoot , Kukongviriyapan Upa , Prachaney Parichat , Khrisanapant Wilaiwan , Kukongviriyapan Veerapol
Published: January 2014

Asiatic acid is a triterpenoid isolated from Centella asiatica. The present study aimed to investigate whether asiatic acid could lessen the metabolic, cardiovascular complications in rats with metabolic syndrome (MS) induced by a high-carbohydrate, high-fat (HCHF) diet. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with HCHF diet with 15% fructose in drinking water for 12 weeks to induce MS. MS rats were treated with asiatic acid (10 or 20 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for a further three weeks. MS rats had an impairment of oral glucose tolerance, increases in fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and hindlimb vascular resistance; these were related to the augmentation of vascular superoxide anion production, plasma malondialdehyde and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels (p < 0.05). Plasma nitrate and nitrite (NOx) were markedly high with upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, but dowregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression (p < 0.05). Asiatic acid significantly improved insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, hemodynamic parameters, oxidative stress markers, plasma TNF-α, NOx, and recovered abnormality of eNOS/iNOS expressions in MS rats (p < 0.05). In conclusion, asiatic acid improved metabolic, hemodynamic abnormalities in MS rats that could be associated with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects and recovering regulation of eNOS/iNOS expression.
RTS Noise and Dark Current White Defects Reduction Using Selective Averaging Based on a Multi-Aperture System
Authors: Zhang Bo , Kagawa Keiichiro , Takasawa Taishi , Seo Min , Yasutomi Keita , Kawahito Shoji
Published: January 2014

In extremely low-light conditions, random telegraph signal (RTS) noise and dark current white defects become visible. In this paper, a multi-aperture imaging system and selective averaging method which removes the RTS noise and the dark current white defects by minimizing the synthetic sensor noise at every pixel is proposed. In the multi-aperture imaging system, a very small synthetic F-number which is much smaller than 1.0 is achieved by increasing optical gain with multiple lenses. It is verified by simulation that the effective noise normalized by optical gain in the peak of noise histogram is reduced from 1.38e⁻ to 0.48 e⁻ in a 3 × 3-aperture system using low-noise CMOS image sensors based on folding-integration and cyclic column ADCs. In the experiment, a prototype 3 × 3-aperture camera, where each aperture has 200 × 200 pixels and an imaging lens with a focal length of 3.0 mm and F-number of 3.0, is developed. Under a low-light condition, in which the maximum average signal is 11e⁻ per aperture, the RTS and dark current white defects are removed and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of the image is increased by 6.3 dB.
Enhancement of the Excitation Efficiency of the Non-Contact Magnetostrictive Sensor for Pipe Inspection by Adjusting the Alternating Magnetic Field Axial Length
Authors: Sun Pengfei , Wu Xinjun , Xu Jiang , Li Jian
Published: January 2014

The non-contact magnetostrictive sensor (MsS) has been widely used in the guided wave testing of pipes, cables, and so on. However, it has a disadvantage of low excitation efficiency. A new method for enhancing the excitation efficiency of the non-contact MsS for pipe inspection using guided waves, by adjusting the axial length of the excitation magnetic field, is proposed. A special transmitter structure, in which two copper rings are added beside the transmitter coil, is used to adjust the axial length at the expense of weakening the excitation magnetic field. An equivalent vibration model is presented to analyze the influence of the axial length variation. The final result is investigated by experiments. Results show that the excitation efficiency of the non-contact MsS is enhanced in the whole inspection frequency range of the L(0,2) mode if the axial length is adjusted to a certain value. Moreover that certain axial length is the same for pipes of different sizes but made of the same material.
Were Medieval Prostitutes Marginals? Evidence from Sluis, 1387-1440
Authors: Spindler Erik
Published: January 2014

Dans cet article, le phénomène de la prostitution est abordé dans une perspective sociale et urbaine, dans l’environnement spécifique de Sluis (L’Écluse), ville portuaire importante proche de Bruges, majoritairement composée d’une population étrangère de passage. L’examen des comptes du bailli (surtout les amendes payées par les tenancières et tenanciers de maisons closes, mais aussi les compositions judiciaires et les inventaires de biens de bâtards) permet d’apprécier les structures générales du monde de la prostitution, ses acteurs, la continuité au sein de cette profession, et la manière dont la prostitution s’inscrivait dans la culture urbaine. Le cas de la prostitution autorise des réflexions sur la notion de «marginalité ». L’idée bien établie, selon laquelle les prostituées étaient systématiquement marginalisées, ne résiste pas à la réalité observée à L’Écluse. Quoique certaines prostituées étaient marginalisées, la prostitution elle-même ne se situait pas aux marges, mais au coeur de la vie urbaine.
The Times and Life of John Th. Desaguliers (1683-1744): Newtonian and Freemason
Authors: Ducheyne Steffen
Published: January 2014

Jean Théophile Desaguliers (1683-1744) (né : Desaguillers) a été à l’avant-garde de deux mouvements de plus en plus importants : le newtonianisme et la franc-maçonnerie. Desaguliers, membre de la Royal Society et ami personnel d’Isaac Newton, a composé de nombreux livres et articles scientifiques dans lesquels il a défendu la philosophie naturelle de Newton. Il a ainsi joué un rôle majeur dans la popularisation des idées de Newton. A Londres, Desaguliers a également été un personnage clé de la franc-maçonnerie : maître de la Grande Loge de Londres en 1719, il a été directement impliqué dans la réalisation du The Constitutions of the Free-masons de James Anderson (1723).
CXCL-10, Interleukin-12 and Interleukin-21 are not Immunological Predictors of Hbeag Seroconversion in HIV-1–HBV Coinfection following HBV-Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Giarda Paola , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Sasadeusz Joe , Audsley Jennifer , Marks Pip , Matthews Gail , Ruxrungtham Kiat , Lewin Sharon R , Crane Megan
Published: January 2014

Background

Interferon stimulated chemokine CXCL-10, interleukin (IL)-12 (p70) and IL-21 have been associated with HBsAg and HBeAg loss following treatment of HBV monoinfection. The aim of this study was to determine whether these factors were also associated with HBsAg and HBeAg loss in HIV–HBV-coinfected patients following HBV-active combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

Methods

HIV–HBV-coinfected patients with HBeAg seroconversion ( n=12; seroconverters [SC]) were compared to patients who did not seroconvert ( n=13; non-seroconverters [NSC]). CXCL-10, IL-12 and IL-21 (Luminex Bead Array, Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY, USA) were measured in plasma prior to initiation of HBV-active cART (baseline), at the time of seroconversion (T0) and at the closest time point before (T-1) and after (T+1) seroconversion.

Results

Levels of CXCL-10 declined significantly in all patients following HBV-active cART ( P<0.05 for both SC and NSC; Kruskall-Wallis, Dunn's post-test). There was no difference between SC and NSC in the level of CXCL-10, IL-12 and IL-21 at any time point.

Conclusions

We found no evidence that CXCL-10, IL-12 or IL-21 were associated with HBeAg seroconversion following HBV-active cART. Other immunological determinants should be explored in this setting.
Darunavir Minimum Plasma Concentration and Ritonavir-Boosted Darunavir Monotherapy Outcome in HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Gutierrez-Valencia Alicia , Torres-Cornejo Almudena , BenMarzouk-Hidalgo Omar J , Ruiz-Valderas Rosa , Lluch Amparo , Viciana Pompeyo , López-Cortés Luis F
Published: January 2014

Background

This study aimed to evaluate whether low darunavir (DRV) minimum plasma concentration (Cmin) values contribute to virological outcomes during DRV/ritonavir monotherapy (mtDRV/rtv).

Methods

This was a prospective observational single-arm 96-week efficacy study in virologically suppressed subjects on triple therapy switched to mtDRV/rtv (800/100 mg every 24 h). Previous virological failures (VF) on protease-inhibitor-based regimens were allowed if the historical resistance tests showed no major resistance mutation to DRV/rtv. VF was defined as two consecutive HIV RNA measurements of >200 copies/ml. Efficacy was analysed by per-protocol and by intention-to-treat analyses. Plasma DRV Cmin values were measured by LC-MS/MS.

Results

A total of 150 subjects were included. At week 96, the efficacy rate on treatment was 83.6% (95% CI 77.2%, 90.0%) by per-protocol analysis and 67.6% (95% CI 60.0%, 75.2%) by intention-to-treat. In the whole cohort the median (IQR) DRV Cmin was significantly higher during the periods of undetectable than of detectable viraemia (1.82 μg/ml [1.47–2.46] versus 1.56 μg/ml [0.93–2.32]; P=0.006) as well as in the subjects with blips and VF. However, a cutoff point sufficiently sensitive and specific could not be found.

Conclusions

The DRV Cmin values are related to viral control during mtDRV/rtv, but therapeutic drug monitoring cannot be recommended routinely as a precise cutoff point is unknown. Adherence is a key success factor on this regimen.
Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Dermatomyositis Without Clinically Evident Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Wang Han , Liu Han-Xiong , Wang Yin-Li , Yu Xiu-Qiong , Chen Xian-Xiang , Cai Lin
Published: January 2014

Objective.

To assess left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) without clinically evident cardiovascular (CV) disease and to estimate whether there is an association between the duration of DM and LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD).

Methods.

The study included 51 patients with DM (43 women and 8 men) who had no clinically evident CV disease and 51 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. Echocardiographic and Doppler studies were conducted in all patients and controls. Early diastolic flow velocity/mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/Em) was considered a marker for diastolic dysfunction.

Results.

E/Em was elevated in 39 patients (76.5%) versus 27 controls (52.9%; p < 0.05). There were significant differences between patients versus control group in late diastolic flow velocity (A), E/A ratio, Em, Em/Am (mitral annular late diastolic velocity) ratio, E/Em ratio, and deceleration time (DT; p < 0.05). There was a weak correlation with disease duration between A (r = 0.373, p = 0.007), E/A ratio (r = −0.467, p = 0.001), Em (r = −0.474, p < 0.001), Em/Am ratio (r = −0.476, p < 0.001), E/Em ratio (r = 0.320, p = 0.022), and DT (r = 0.474, p < 0.001). Disease duration was associated with E/Em after controlling for age, sex, and other factors (p < 0.05).

Conclusion.

Our study confirms a high frequency of LVDD in DM patients without evident CV disease. The association between transmitral flow alteration and disease duration may suggest a subclinical myocardial involvement with disease progression.
Synovitis in Knee Osteoarthritis Assessed by Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is Associated with Radiographic Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis and MRI-detected Widespread Cartilage Damage: The MOST Study
Authors: Guermazi Ali , Hayashi Daichi , Roemer Frank W. , Zhu Yanyan , Niu Jingbo , Crema Michel D. , Javaid M. Kassim , Marra Monica D. , Lynch John A. , El-Khoury George Y. , Zhang Yuqing , Nevitt Michael C. , Felson David T.
Published: January 2014

Objective.

To examine the cross-sectional association of whole-knee synovitis assessed by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) with radiographic tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (OA), non-CEMRI-assessed cartilage damage, and meniscal status.

Methods.

Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) is a cohort study of people with or at high risk of knee OA. Subjects are a subset of MOST who volunteered for both CEMRI and non-CEMRI. Using CEMRI, synovitis was assessed at 11 sites and graded 0–2 at each site. Presence of “whole-knee synovitis” was defined as the synovitis score of ≥ 1 at any site from each knee. Cartilage and meniscal damage was evaluated using non-CEMRI based on the Whole Organ MRI Score. Logistic regression was used to assess associations of synovitis with radiographic OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 2), widespread cartilage damage, and meniscal damage, adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Additional analyses were performed excluding subjects who had chondrocalcinosis on radiography and those taking antiinflammatory medications.

Results.

Four hundred four subjects were included (mean age 58.8 ± 7.0 yrs, BMI 29.6 ± 4.9 kg/m2, 45.5% women). On CEMRI, the maximum synovitis score across 11 sites in each knee was 0 in 106 knees (26.2%), 1 in 135 (33.4%), and 2 in 163 (40.4%). Synovitis was associated with radiographic OA [adjusted OR (aOR) 3.25, 95% CI 1.98–5.35] and widespread cartilage damage (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.24–2.92). Severe meniscal damage showed a borderline significant association with synovitis (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 0.99–3.04). Additional analyses as described did not notably change the results.

Conclusion.

CEMRI-detected synovitis is strongly associated with tibiofemoral radiographic OA and MRI-detected widespread cartilage damage.
One-year Efficacy and Safety Results of Secukinumab in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Phase II, Dose-finding, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study
Authors: Genovese Mark C. , Durez Patrick , Richards Hanno B. , Supronik Jerzy , Dokoupilova Eva , Aelion Jacob A. , Lee Sang-Heon , Codding Christine E. , Kellner Herbert , Ikawa Takashi , Hugot Sophie , Ligozio Gregory , Mpofu Shephard
Published: January 2014

Objective.

To evaluate the longer-term safety and efficacy of secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antiinterleukin-17A antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods.

In this 52-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled (up to Week 20) study (NCT00928512), patients responding inadequately to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) or biologics were randomized to receive monthly subcutaneous injections of secukinumab (25, 75, 150, or 300 mg), or placebo. The efficacy and safety results up to Week 20 have been reported previously. Here, efficacy results from Week 20 to 52 and safety results from Week 20 to 60 are presented.

Results.

Of 237 patients randomized, 174 (73.4%) completed the study. Patients with improved American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) C-reactive protein (CRP) responses at Week 16 sustained their responses through Week 52. In patients taking 150 mg of secukinumab, responses were improved through Week 52 (ACR50: Week 16 = 45%, Week 52 = 55%; DAS28-CRP ≤ 2.6: Week 16 = 25%, Week 52 = 40%). The rate of adverse events (AE) from weeks 20 to 60 was 64.8%, with most AE being mild to moderate in severity. The overall rate of infections was 31.9%, most being mild. The most predominant infection was nasopharyngitis, and was not associated with dose or concurrent neutropenia. Serious AE were reported in 21 patients (8.9%). There were 3 reports of malignancies (ovarian, lung, basal cell), and no deaths between weeks 20 and 60.

Conclusion.

Patients with active RA who failed to respond to DMARD and other biologics showed an improvement after longterm treatment with 150 mg of secukinumab. The frequency of AE remained stable over time and secukinumab had a consistent safety profile over 60 weeks.
Tocilizumab in Adult-onset Still’s Disease: the Israeli Experience
Authors: Elkayam Ori , Jiries Nizar , Dranitzki Zvi , Kivity Shay , Lidar Merav , Levy Ofer , Ablin Jacob , Abu-Shakra Mahmoud , Savargyl-Maman Hagit , Padova Hagit , Caspi Dan , Rosner Itzhak
Published: January 2014

Objective.

To describe the Israeli experience of treating adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) with tocilizumab (TCZ).

Methods.

Israeli rheumatologists who treated AOSD with TCZ filled in questionnaires on symptoms, number of tender and swollen joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and dosage of prednisone at initial TCZ administration, after 6 months, and at the end of followup.

Results.

Nine male and 6 female patients, aged 33 ± 12 years, mean disease duration 9 years (range: 1–25) were identified. They had used a mean of 3.6 disease-modifying drugs, including 10 patients with tumor necrosis factor blockers. Intravenous TCZ 8 mg/kg was administered every 4 weeks (12 patients) or every 2 weeks (3 patients). All patients completed at least 6 months of treatment. The mean followup period was 15.7 ± 9 months. At the onset of therapy, despite the use of prednisone (27.6 ± 26.3 mg/d), all patients reported joint pain. Fever was reported in 9 patients, rash in 7, pleuritis in 3, and hepatitis in 2 before TCZ use, with mean ESR and CRP levels of 60 ± 28 mm/h and 11.6 ± 15 mg/dl, respectively. After 6 months of treatment and at the end of followup, the number of tender and swollen joints, the ESR and CRP levels, and the prednisone dosage decreased significantly. Only 2 patients still complained of mild arthralgias, and none reported systemic symptoms at the end of followup.

Conclusion.

TCZ 8 mg/kg was extremely efficacious in treating adult patients with refractory Still’s disease. Both TCZ and interleukin 1 blockade should be considered in the treatment algorithm of AOSD. Randomized controlled studies are needed to validate these findings.
SOGRÉAH (Société Grenobloise d'Études et d'Applications Hydrauliques) : du laboratoire à l'ingénierie indépendante (1923 – 2010)
Authors: Dalmasso Anne
Published: January 2014

Sogréah, entreprise d’ingénierie spécialisée dans les aménagements hydrauliques créée en 1955, a connu à la fois une grande continuité dans ses domaines de compétence et une histoire institutionnelle complexe. Elle a été successivement le laboratoire d’une firme de construction de matériel, NBPP puis Neyrpic, une filiale spécialisée au sein d’un grand groupe, Alsthom, un des éléments d’un pôle d’ingénierie dans un grand conglomérat, la CGE puis Alcatel, pour devenir en 1998 une société indépendante sous le contrôle de son encadrement avant de fusionner avec une autre société pour former un nouveau groupe nommé Artelia. Cette histoire permet de suivre les logiques de développement de ce type d’entreprise, de cerner la place réservée à l’ingénierie dans les groupes industriels français du second XX e siècle et de mesurer le poids des stratégies globales des groupes sur la vie de ce genre de filiale. Au croisement des dynamiques internes portées par l’innovation technique et des mutations structurelles des grandes firmes industrielles, la pérennité d’une entreprise comme Sogréah repose ainsi sur des ajustements permanents pour maintenir son savoir-faire et compenser par sa performance technique une rentabilité longtemps très médiocre. Devenue indépendante, l’entreprise a su mettre en place un modèle économique performant qui lui a assuré un développement nettement plus dynamique que dans les périodes précédentes.
Aux origines d'une vocation mondiale : la précontrainte. De la STUP à Freyssinet International (1943-2000)
Authors: Barjot Dominique
Published: January 2014

Les entreprises françaises de génie civil ont acquis de façon précoce un leadership en matière de béton armé et de béton précontraint et ceci face à une forte concurrence, allemande et suisse notamment. Cette réussite doit beaucoup aux brevets d’Eugène Freyssinet, exploités et développés par la STUP-Freyssinet International. Portée de 1943 à 1962 par les inventions majeures d’E. Freyssinet, la société a connu, entre 1963 et 1981, une spectaculaire percée internationale, puis, après une crise profonde (1981-1987), retrouvé la voie du leadership mondial. Suite à sa fusion avec Soletanche-Bachy, elle constitue aujourd’hui l’un des atouts majeurs du groupe Vinci.
L'ingénierie au sein du groupe Schneider (1956-1984)
Authors: Vuillermot Catherine
Published: January 2014

L’ingénierie n’est pas une nouveauté de l’après-Deuxième Guerre mondiale au sein du groupe Schneider. La division des travaux publics, développée par Eugène II, est déjà largement à l’international. Mais étudier les filiales spécialisées en ingénierie de 1956 à 1984 permet de suivre l’évolution de la gestion des grandes entreprises et leurs multiples transformations pour aboutir à ce qu’on nomme alors « la grande entreprise moderne » dont Schneider est précurseur. Cette activité illustre la logique de groupe – nouvelle structure de référence – d’abord avec ENSA puis avec Creusot-Loire Entreprises. La finalité porte alors plus sur l’obtention de débouchés que sur la rentabilité (à la différence d’aujourd’hui). La stratégie des filiales d’ingénierie renforce la recherche d’un marché qui sort des frontières nationales, bref ébauche la mondialisation en s’aventurant dans les anciennes colonies et dans les pays communistes : les affaires sont les affaires ! Entre industrie et tertiaire, l’ingénierie témoigne des mutations du capitalisme en s’appuyant tout d’abord sur la notion de projet (promise à un bel avenir) et aussi en développant la notion de service à la carte, base de la flexibilité. Enfin, elle traduit un changement majeur puisque l’entreprise renonce au secret des affaires pour développer une politique de communication visant à mettre en avant son expérience et ses références, phénomène qui commence à se généraliser dans les années 1970.
La charge mentale de travail : un concept qui reste indispensable, l'exemple de l'aéronautique
Authors: Martin Caroline , Hourlier Sylvain , Cegarra Julien
Published: January 2014

Cet article propose d’étudier le concept de charge mentale et ce qu’il implique dans le domaine de l’aéronautique. Les modes de gestion de la charge mentale qui sont employés par les opérateurs sont l’objet de cette analyse. L’objectif ici est de définir les indicateurs de la situation qui agissent sur cette gestion, ainsi que la façon dont ils sont traités par l’opérateur au cours de l’exécution d’une tâche. Pour cela, une étude du concept de charge mentale, basée sur les travaux antérieurs publiés sur cette question, est associée aux principales caractéristiques du domaine déduites d’observations menées sur le terrain. Ce travail nous permet de proposer un modèle opératif de gestion de la charge mentale. Ce modèle illustre le rôle essentiel joué par la nature de la situation et de ses évolutions au cours du temps sur la gestion des ressources cognitives des opérateurs.
Former les enseignants pour accroître leur satisfaction au travail : propositions théoriques et illustrations empiriques
Authors: Chaliès Sébastien , Amathieu Jérôme , Bertone Stefano
Published: January 2014

Bien qu’il soit admis qu’elle a une influence sur la santé des enseignants, seuls quelques travaux ont montré un lien de causalité entre la satisfaction professionnelle des enseignants et la possibilité qui leur est offerte de se former. À partir d’un cadre conceptuel inspiré des théories générales de l’apprentissage (Berducci, 2004 ; Nelson, 2008) et de l’action collective (Wittgenstein, 2004), et de données d’autoconfrontation à propos de l’expérience vécue de classe et de formation, cette étude montre que l’activité de formation joue un rôle crucial sur la construction des règles de métier et des critères d’appréciation par les novices de la qualité de leur travail. Elle documente également l’idée selon laquelle c’est au cœur de la situation de travail elle-même, aménagée en situation de formation, que l’émergence de ces règles et critères est facilitée et que les formés éprouvent du plaisir à faire leur travail selon les règles de métier. Outre le fait de discuter l’efficacité du principe de l’alternance, cette étude propose finalement trois orientations pour parvenir à accroître par la formation la satisfaction professionnelle des enseignants novices.
De la dénazification à la réintégration des fonctionnaires
Authors: Vincent Marie-Bénédicte
Published: January 2014

L’article s’inscrit dans un renouvellement historiographique sur les épurations en Allemagne après 1945. Alors que les premiers travaux avaient dénoncé les limites à l’Ouest de la dénazification pendant l’occupation militaire alliée, les historiens envisagent aujourd’hui le phénomène épuratoire sur plusieurs décennies et réévaluent son ampleur en prenant en compte toutes ses dimensions (pénale, administrative, disciplinaire). L’article analyse ainsi plusieurs procédures disciplinaires internes à la fonction publique ouest-allemande lancées après 1949 contre des fonctionnaires jugés par leurs pairs trop gravement compromis dans le nazisme pour être réintégrés, notamment ceux accusés de crimes contre l’humanité. L’analyse des discours normatifs montre comment la fonction publique entend refonder son éthique professionnelle au service de la démocratie.