bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation des flux du commerce extérieur : nouvelles approches et implications pour la politique économique
Authors: Oliveira Martins Joaquim
Published: July 2011

Modelling external trade flows : new approaches and their implications for economic

policy,

by Joaquim Oliveira Martins.

This article is a survey of the recent approaches on modelling trade flows and their implications for economic policy. First, the main results of the usual models for estimating price and income elasticities of external trade will be recalled. To take essential they were based on perfect competition assumptions and their policy recommendations were largely used for managing exchange rates or choosing strategies for developing countries insertion in international trade. That make interesting to compare those models with the new theoretical tools which aim at introducing imperfect competition conditions in the explanation of trade flows. We then set out the main models of the new trade theory and we also try to draw their empirical implications. Namely, taking into account product differentiation strategies or increasing returns to scale bring about a set of new variables among the determinants of trade flows. Among others, the links between growth, exchange rates and the external balance constraint can be enlarged. The last part of the paper tackles with competitiveness analysis.
Chocs pétroliers et industrie : apports récents de l'économétrie de la production
Authors: Devezeaux de Lavergne Jean-Guy
Published: July 2011

Crisis petroleras e industria : aportaciones recientes de la econometría de la producción,

Jean-Guy Devezeaux de Lavergne.

El presente artículo tiene por objeto brindar al planificador una síntesis de los trabajos recientes en el campo del análisis de la demanda de energía, centrándose en el sector industrial francés según un método de inspiración neoclásica e identificando, en la medida de lo posible, las consecuencias complejas de un aumento del precio del crudo sobre la producción y la demanda de energía. Entre estas conclusiones cabe destacar la afirmación de que los efectos de una crisis petrolera de la misma importancia serían, actualmente, menos graves que después de las que se produjeron en1973 y 1979.
Ralentissement de l'activité mondiale et crise du Golfe : quels ajustements pour l'économie française ?
Authors: Assouline Mireille , Epaulard Anne , Fève Patrick , Vielle Marc
Published: July 2011

Ralentissement de l'activité mondiale et crise du Golfe : quels ajustements pour l'économie française ?

par Mireille Assouline, Anne Epaulard, Patrick Fève, Marc Vielle.

Le ralentissement marqué de la croissance des économies occidentales associé aux événements récents de la crise du Golfe (incertitude sur le prix du pétrole ) a pu laisser présager une nouvelle phase de récession pour l'économie mondiale. L'analyse effectuée à l'aide du modèle Hermès-France cherche non seulement à chiffrer l'impact de ces chocs externes sur l'économie française, mais aussi à évaluer les conséquences des modifications possibles de comportement des agents économiques dans un tel contexte : répercussion immédiate des hausses de coûts dans les prix, anticipations à la baisse des entrepreneurs et modifications des règles d'indexation des salaires. Enfin différentes politiques d'ajustement (diminution des cotisations sociales employeurs et restriction budgétaire) sont envisagées dans le cas d'un choc externe de grande ampleur.
Les déterminants individuels de la durée du chômage
Authors: Bonnal Liliane , Fougère Denis
Published: July 2011

Individual determinants of unemployment durations,

by Liliane Bonnal, Denis Fougère.

From a statistical standpoint, this paper analyzes the effects of individual characteristics on average unemployment durations and the types of duration with competing risks. The results show that time-profiles of specific hazard rates or exit rates from unemployment depend on the destination state [the two options basically being: finding a job, and being removed from the ANPE (National Agency for Employment) lists for not checking in]. Furthermore, the individual factors determining these rates differ from one destination state to another. Variables which influence the instantaneous probability to be hired are demographic (sex, age, citizenship, marital status) and socio-economic (education, job qualifications, socio-professional categories) individual characteristics.
L'âge au moment de l'accession à la propriété : une application des méthodes statistiques de l'analyse des durées
Authors: Guillot Olivier
Published: July 2011

Das Alter zum Zeitpunkt des Erwerbs von Immobilienbesitz: eine Anwendung der statistischen Methoden der Zeitdatenanalyse,

von Olivier Guillot.

Auf der Grundlage retrospektiver Inforrnationen über den Wohnsitzwechsel von 893 Haushaltsvorständen, die im Rahmen der zweiten Welle (1986) des Panels lothringischer Haushalte gesammelt wurden, beschäftigt sich dieser Artikel mit der Frage des Alters zum Zeitpunkt des Erwerbs von Immobilienbesitz. Die Untersuchung wurde mit Hilfe der Zeitdatenanalyse durchgeführt. Zunächst wird zur Beschreibung dieses Phänomens die Méthode der Abgangsordnung verwandt. Aus dieser beschreibenden (oder nicht parametrischen) Analyse geht hervor, daß die größten Chancen für den Erwerb von Immobilienbesitz im Alter von 35 Jahren bestehen. Anschließend werden die Auswirkungen der demo-ökonomischen Variablen auf das Alter beim Erwerb von Immobilienbesitz anhand eines Zeitdatenmodells "mit Akzelerationskoeffizient" gemessen.
L'arbitrage qualité-prix dans les procédures d'appels d'offres
Authors: Naegelen Florence
Published: July 2011

The quality-price factor in procedures for invitations to tender,

by Florence Naegelen.

The awarding of public contracts frequently involves comparing firms' submissions on the basis of a critérium where both quality and price appear. This paper makes a comparison between the optimal policy setting forth price and quality concomitantly on the basis of firms' cost submissions, and a two-step policy in which firms quote prices in response to the optimal quality level determined by the purchaser. The policy according to which price and quality are set forth concomitantly proves to be a better alternative than the two-step policy when the public purchasing officials make their choice known.
Saisonnalité et comportements de consommation
Authors: Bourguignon François , Gagey Frédéric
Published: July 2011

Seasonality and Consumption Behaviour,

by François Bourguignon, Frédéric Gagey.

This article uses a sample by monthly waves of a survey on household budgets taken in Tunisia in 1980 to determine how seasonal the consumption of different goods can be. Deseasonalization is carried out by using a consumption model common to all the waves of the survey, based on latent variables of "permanent" income and consumption. The correction resulting therefrom for income-elasticities of various goods and for assessing household's welfare is important.
Estimation d'un système de demande des ménages à partir de données groupées d'enquêtes budgétaires en Tunisie
Authors: Goaïed Mohamed
Published: July 2011

Estimation d'un système de demande des ménages à partir de données groupées d'enquêtes budgétaires en Tunisie,

par Mohamed Goaïed.

L'estimation des élasticités prix et revenu sur la base de systèmes complets de fonctions de demande s'inspirant directement de la théorie du consommateur couvre actuellement la majorité des pays développés. Toute politique appropriée en matière de consommation devrait s'appuyer sur de telles estimations. Malheureusement, de telles études dans les économies en développement sont plutôt l'exception. Le présent article décrit les résultats d'estimation d'une version démographique du système de demande : "Almost ideal Demand System" (AIDS), proposé par Deaton et Muellbauer (1980), sur des données groupées des enquêtes budgétaires en Tunisie. Les estimations des effets prix et revenu fournissent des ordres de grandeur satisfaisants, en tout cas encourageants, pour une tentative d'estimation d'un (SCFD) sur des données groupées des ménages en Tunisie.
Rendements, substitutions et progrès techniques dans le service public tunisien des télécommunications
Authors: Damak-Bahloul Siwar
Published: July 2011

Rendimientos, sustituciones y adelantos técniços en el servicio público tunecino de telecomunicaciones,

por Siwar Damak-Bahloul.

Nuestro objetivo consiste en analizar la estructura productiva del sector de las telecomunicaciones en Túnez utilizando un método econométrico fundado en la especificación de coste translog. Para contribué al debate acerca de la dereglamentaciôn actual en numerosos países desarrollados, tratamos en primer lugar de determinar si el sector estudiado constituía un monopolio natural utilizando medidas fundadas en los resultados de estimación de la función de coste. Acto seguido, tratamos de evaluar las sustituciones entre factures y estudiar las consecuencias del adelanto técnico en la combinación de los factores de producción. Por último, sometimos a prueba algunas propiedades estructurales de la tecnología.
Les modèles d'équilibre général calculable
Authors: Suwa Akiko
Published: July 2011

Modelos de equilibrio general calculable,

por Akiko Suwa.

Los modelos de equilibrio general calculable se desarrollaron en los años setenta y se utilizaron considerablemente en los países industrializados y en vfas de desarrollo. Se trata de modelos disgregados, cohérentes y complétas, résultantes de la aplicación a una base numérica multisectorial - la tabla de recursos - gastos - de un modelo de equilibrio general walrasiano. En estos modelos se integraron diversas modalidades paratomar en cuenta la realidad de los países en vías de desarrollo: competencia imperfecta y sustituibilidad imperfecta de los productos intercambiados. Por último, se presentan las extensiones macroeconómicas y los desarrollos más recientes (integratión de un sector financiero y estudios de la dinámica).
Une approche modélisée des conséquences des chocs et contre-chocs pétroliers au Maroc, en Tunisie et en Jordanie
Authors: Charmant Alain , Devezeaux de Lavergne Jean-Guy , Ladoux Norbert
Published: July 2011

Ein modellisierter Ansatz zur Analyse der Erdölschocks und gegenschocks in Marokko, Tunesien und Jordanien,

von Alain Charmant, Jean-Guy Devezeaux de Lavergne, Norbert Ladoux.

Eine der wichtigsten Fragen, die sich in den Entwicklungsländern hinsichtlich der Energiepolitik stellen, betrifft die Inlandspreise der Energien für den Endverbrauch. Bei jeder Schwankung des Barrelpreises Oder beim bloßen Auftreten von Spannungen auf den internationalen Erdölmärkten ist diese Frage erneut von Aktualität. Durch einen Modellansatz versuchen wir, diesen Problemkomplex in Marokko, Tunesien und Jordanien zu veranschaulichen.
La détermination des taux de change parallèles en Afrique : modèle macro-économique et test économétrique (Nigeria, Zaïre, Ghana)
Authors: Azam Jean-Paul , Daubrée Cécile
Published: July 2011

La détermination des taux de change parallèles en Afrique :

modèle macro-économique et lest économétrique (Nigeria, Zaïre, Ghana),

par Jean-Paul Azam, Cécile Daubrée.

On étudie ici un petit modèle macro-économique de détermination des taux de change parallèles en vue d'une application aux économies africaines. On met ainsi en évidence l'influence positive de la quantité de monnaie et du prix au producteur du bien exportable sur l'évolution du taux de change parallèle, l'influence négative du prix mondial du bien exporté et des quotas d'importation, et enfin une influence ambiguë du prix mondial du bien importé. L'application économétrique faite pour les cas du Nigeria, du Zaïre et du Ghana montre que les hypothèses du modèle ne sont pas rejetées, les variables explicatives apparaissant toutes, sauf l'une d'entre elles dans un cas, fortement significatives.
L'évolution du caractère égalitaire du couple impôt sur le revenu-cotisations sociales sous la cinquième République
Authors: Trannoy Alain , Jehanne Rachel , Lebreton Michel , Moyes Patrick
Published: July 2011

The Development of the Egalitarian Nature of the Taxes on Income/Social Contributions Pair Under the Fifth Republic,

by Alain Trannoy, Rachel Jehanne, Michel Lebreton, Patrick Moyes.

The purpose of this paper is to grasp the development of the egalitarian nature of rates of taxation on income and wage-earners' social contributions over the 1959-1989 period, with no reference to any specific distribution of income. We used the equivalent of elasticity of income after taxes as a progressivity indicator (Jakobsson) for needs which are not continually differentiable. The study of the standard example of a wage-earning bachelor reveals uncertainty everywhere induced by legislative changes with the opposite effects. Raising the ceiling for social contributions, on the one hand, the effect of which is more egalitarian than not, was offset by increased rates under the ceiling. On the other hand, as far as income tax was concerned, the increase in the taxable threshold, which has more of an inegalitarian effect, was compensated for by raising the marginal rate of maximal taxation.
Effets redistributifs de la contribution sociale généralisée
Authors: Hugounenq Réjane , Sastre Descals José
Published: July 2011

Redistributive Effects of the "CSG",

by Réjane Hugounenq, José Sastre Descals.

The social contribution for all ("CSG") funds part of social security by taxation and fits into the framework of redistributive logic. The mechanics of redistribution generated by the "CSG" is first analyzed, highlighting the key role played by marginal rates. Using simulations run on a sample of households representative of the French population, the direct redistributive effects of the "CSG" on disposable income of households are measured. Inequality indicators are used to assess how effective this reform is as far as its objective of social justice is concerned. The "CSG" proves to be a socially dominant reform where the dimensions of redistribution that are taken into account are simultaneously income and family size. Lastly, the redistributive effect of a "CSG" increase is compared to that of an increase in the wage-earner's national health contribution.
Financement, fiscalité et croissance des entreprises industrielles
Authors: Bua Michel , Girard Philippe , Redondo Philippe , Legendre François
Published: July 2011

Financiación, fiscalidad y crecimiento de las empresas industrials,

por François Legendre, Michel Bua, Philippe Girard y Philippe Redondo.

En el presente artículo se tratan de evaluar las consecuencias de una reducción del tipo impositivo sobre las sociedades - considerado como una disminución del coste de utilización del capital - sobre el nivel de la actividad y del empleo. Con este objeto, se utiliza un panel de unas 800 empresas industriales estudiado de 1980 a 1987 para evaluar econométricamente, en primer lugar, los parâmetros que caracterizan las técnicas de producción con objeto de modular el impacto de una reducción del tipo impositivo sobre las sociedades en función del método de financiación de cada empresa y, acto seguido, para simular los efectos de una reducción del coste de utilización del capital, tomando en cuenta la estructura de los costes de los factores de producción a nivel individual y el efecto de oferta inducido por una disminución del precio de producción.
Un modèle d'équilibre général appliqué à l'étude de la fiscalité française
Authors: Schubert Katheline , Letournel Pierre-Yves
Published: July 2011

Modelo de equilibrio general calculable aplicado al estudio de la fiscalidad francesa: resultados a largo plazo,

por Katheline Schubert y Pierre-Yves Letournel.

En este artículo se presenta un modelo de equilibrio general calculable destinado a evaluar los impactos económicos de las modificaciones de la estructura de la fiscalidad francesa. Con este propósito se utilizó un modelo dinámico de generaciones imbricadas, en el que los agentes optimizan su comportamiento en su ciclo de vida. La economía es abierta y consta de dos sectores productivos, para el mercado interno y para la exportación, respectivamente. El Estado recauda los impuestos y consume bienes y servicios. Las anticipaciones de los agentes son perfectas. Tras una discusión del procedimiento de calibración adoptado, se presentan las consecuencias a largo plazo de modificaciones estándar de la fiscalidad.
La rentabilité d'un investissement en logement pour une personne physique : un essai d'approche analytique
Authors: Beunardeau Jean
Published: July 2011

Rentabilität von Eigentumswohnungen für natürliche Personen : Versuch eines analytischen Ansatzes,

von Jean Beunardeau.

Die Gesamtnettorentabilität einer Immobiïieriinvestition hängt von der Bruttorentabilität ab, von Aufwendungen und Nebenkosten,

von den Steuern und der Entwicklung des Verkaufswertes des Immobilienvermögens. Jede dieser Variablen hängt davon ab, um welchen Anleger, welches Gebäude und welchen Standort es sich handelt. Dieser Artikel schlägt für einige typische Fälle einen analytischen Ansatz für die verschiedenen Komponenten der Rentabilität vor, der insbesondere die Auswirkungen der Steuern verdeutlichen soll.
La baisse du taux de l'impôt sur les sociétés depuis 1986 : une analyse à partir de données individuelles d'entreprises
Authors: Caubet-Hilloutou Jean-Noël , Girard Philippe , Redondo Philippe
Published: July 2011

La baisse du taux de l'impôt sur les sociétés depuis 1986 : une analyse à partir de données individuelles,

par Jean-Noël Caubet-Hilloutou, Philippe Girard, Philippe Redondo.

La baisse du taux de l'impôt sur les sociétés, initiée en 1986, a permis de réduire de 25 % la charge supportée par les entreprises à ce titre. Avant 1989, le taux de cet impôt étant unique, cette baisse n'avait eu aucun effet redistributif. Depuis cette date, il existe deux taux différents selon que les bénéfices sont distribués ou conservés parles sociétés. Cette dualité des taux modifie la nature même de l'assiette de l'impôt, constituée désormais de deux éléments indépendants (au moins à court terme), le bénéfice fiscal et les dividendes. Cette modification est à l'origine d'une redistribution, favorable aux secteurs de l'industrie et du commerce, ainsi qu'aux entreprises de taille moyenne, défavorable aux institutions financières et aux grandes entreprises.
I- Revenu et intentions d'achat
Authors: Gardes François , Madre Jean-Loup
Published: July 2011

I - Income and Willingness to Purchase Durables,

by François Gardes, Jean-Loup Madre.

From two surveys taken one year apart on the same household we derive models of income expectations on the basis of financial standing or household savings. Dummy variables and logit techniques give almost the same split of households having correctly forecast the evolution of their income, those who underestimated it and those who overestimated it. This transitory income developed therefrom proves to have a strong effect on car purchases. The consistency of answers to a variety of similar questions and the heterogeneity of households' behaviour with regard to purchasing durable goods and predicting their financial standing are also analyzed.
Indicateurs de conjoncture et marchés financiers
Authors: Artus Patrick
Published: July 2011

Indicators on the Current Economic Situation and Financial Markets,

by Patrick Artus.

Traders on the financial markets follow the indicators on the current economic situation closely. Making use of these indicators, however, raises a number of problems, such as: are they reliable? Do they correspond to the real economic situation? Aren't the revised figures so different from the first figures published that the first ones do not mean anything at all? Is their effect actually felt over the short term or over the long term? The effect they are expected to have is often based on the reactions central banks are expected to have; do they follow the same indicators? We aim to answer these questions on the basis of the cases of France and the United States.
Tests de racine unité et stationnarisation des séries non stationnaires, présentation générale et application au cas des séries agricoles
Authors: Tavera Christophe
Published: July 2011

Tests de racine unité et stationnarisation des séries non stationnaires, présentation générale et application au cas des séries agricoles,

par Christophe Tavéra.

De nombreux travaux agricoles utilisent les méthodes d'analyse des séries temporelles qui nécessitent l'emploi de séries stationnaires. Or le choix d'une procédure de stationnarisation non adéquate peut biaiser parfois fortement les résultats économétriques. Cet article passe en revue les problèmes de tests entre des modèles stationnaires en écart à une tendance déterministe et des modèles stationnaires après différenciation. Les cas saisonniers et non saisonniers sont étudiés. Les divers tests sont ensuite appliqués à plusieurs types de séries agricoles de prix et de volumes.
Marché au comptant et marché à terme du pétrole brut et des produits raffinés : analyse économique et efficacité des marchés à terme
Authors: Artus Patrick , Kaabi Moncef
Published: July 2011

Kassa - und Terminmärkte des Rohöls und der Raffinerieprodukte : eine wirtschaftliche Analyse und die Effizienz der Terminmärkte,

von Patrick Artus, Moncef Kaabi.

Wir untersuchen die Preisbildung für Rohöl und Raffinerieprodukte auf den Kassa- und Terminmärkten. Wir analysieren verschiedene Aspekte der Effizienz der Terminmärkte : informativen Inhalt, Deckungsmöglichkeiten, Einfluss auf die Volatilität.
Consommation-revenu permanent : un regard d'économètre
Authors: Bloch Laurence , Maurel Françoise
Published: July 2011

Consumption - Permanent Income: An Econometrician's Standpoint,

by Laurence Bloch, Françoise Maurel.

The purpose of this paper is to show how the development of new econometric techniques has resulted in new approaches and solutions in consumer theory. The theoretical context of the permanent income model under rational expectations (Hall, 1978) is first determined. The major statistical properties of the French series are given which are helpful in constructing a consumption model. Anumber of empirical tests are run on the permanent income model under rational expectations (Hall, 1978, Flavin, 1981). Using French data, we come to the same paradoxical conclusion as Deaton did, according to whom consumption is too "smooth" to be compatible with the permanent income theory. A number of extensions of the model are then developed and empirical tests on the permanent income model under rational expectations hypothesis are run.
Logement et épargne
Authors: Dessaint Joël
Published: July 2011

Logement et épargne,

par Joël Dessaint.

Il est banal de considérer que le logement constitue un élément important de l'épargne des ménages et que le fort ralentisement de l'investissement logement est une cause de la chute du taux d'épargne observé durant les années quatre-vingt. La mesure du phénomène est pourtant souvent erronée car on assimile abusivement l'investissement logement à une épargne consacrée au logement. L'article en propose une autre définition, permettant une mesure plus précise. Le rôle du logement dans la baisse du taux d'épargne est nuancé. Il passe également en revue les principaux effets financiers de l'évolution de l'investissement logement.
Preoperative risk stratification using 18F-FDG PET/CT in women with endometrial cancer
Authors: Lee H. J. , Hong C. M. , Song B. I. , Kim H. W. , Kang S. , Jeong S. Y. , Lee S.-W. , Lee J. , Ahn B.-C.
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT for preoperative stratification of high-risk and low-risk carcinomas in patients with endometrial cancer. Patients, methods: 60 women (mean age 53.8 ± 9.9 years) with endometrial cancer, who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for preoperative staging work-up, followed by primary cytoreductive surgery, were enrolled in this study. Maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVmax, SUVmean) of endometrial tumors were measured, and compared with the various clinicopathologic findings obtained after surgery. Tumour aggressiveness was classified as high-risk and low-risk carcinomas. Patients with stage I or II, endometrioid adenocarcinoma, histologic grade 1 or 2, invasion of less than half of the myometrium, maximum tumor size less than 2.0 cm, and absence of cervical invasion and lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI) were classified as the lowrisk carcinoma group. The remaining patients were classified as the high-risk carcinoma group. Results: In univariate analysis, SUVmax of the primary endometrial tumor was significantly higher in patients who were in a postmenopausal state (p = 0.047), large (> 2 cm) primary tumor (p <0.001), nonendometrioid subtype (p = 0.024), invasion of more than half of the myometrium (p = 0.020), or LVSI (p = 0.004). SUVmax differed significantly according to FIGO stage (p = 0.013) and histologic grade (p <0.001). In multivariate analysis, FIGO stage, histologic grade, LVSI, and maximum tumor size demonstrated a significant association with SUVmax (p <0.001; r = 0.843, r2 = 0.711). SUVmean showed similar results. Forty-one (68.3%) patients were diagnosed postoperatively as high-risk and 19 patients (31.7%) as low-risk carcinoma. Patients with high-risk carcinoma (12.1 ± 6.1) showed significantly higher SUVmax than patients with low-risk carcinoma (5.8 ± 2.8, p <0.001). The optimal SUVmax cut-off value of 8.7, determined by ROC analysis, revealed 75.6% sensitivity, 89.5% specificity, and 81.7% accuracy for risk stratification. Conclusion: High-risk endometrial cancer might be differentiated by means of higher SUVmax from low-risk endometrial cancer. 18F-FDG FDG PET/CT can be applied preoperatively for stratification of risk in patients with endometrial cancer.
Optimierung der Schilddrüsen- Feinnadelpunktion
Authors: Sheu-Grabellus S.-Y. , Leitzen C. , Hartung V. , Schmid K.-W. , Bockisch A. , Görges R. , Nagarajah J.
Published: July 2011

Objective: Optimization of a specially developed automatic microaspirator for fine-needle aspiration of suspicious thyroid nodules. Patients, method: In a preliminary test biopsy effectiveness was evaluated in 20 native resected thyroid glands in vitro with both a Cameco® gun and a specially designed microaspirator respectively. In addition in both techniques two different needles (21-G and 27-G) were used to evaluate the influence of these two cannula. Subsequently, 103 thyroid nodules were biopsied in vivo and compared the results with a preliminary series of the same physician. In the workup and evaluation of the cytology the ThinPrep® technology was used. Results: In vitro the automatic microaspirator was superior to Cameco gun in both when using the 21-Gauge and the 27-Gauge needle. In terms of needle sizes a statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level was evident for both comparisons in favor of 21-gauge needle. In vivo, 91% of punctures with the microaspirator were usable, while in the pre-series only 84% were usable (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The automatic microaspirator is superior to the manual aspiration. Moreover, under sonographic control it is more convenient, to biopsy even very small nodules and lesiosn (down to 4 mm in diameter)
Isolation frequency and susceptibility patterns of Nocardia species at a tertiary hospital laboratory in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Bibi Safia , Irfan Seema , Zafar Afia , Khan Erum
Published: July 2011

This item has no abstract. Follow the link below to access the full text.
Analysis of interleukin-10 gene polymorphisms and hepatitis C susceptibility in Pakistan
Authors: Afzal Muhammad Sohail , Tahir Sadia , Salman Amna , Baig Tahir Ahmed , Shafi Talha , Zaidi Najm Us Sahar Sadaf , Qadri Ishtiaq
Published: July 2011

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) commonly causes a chronic infection but few of patients are able to clear the virus naturally. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that can suppress the immune response against HCV. Interindividual variations in IL-10 production are genetically contributed by polymorphisms within the IL-10 promoter region. This study aimed to investigate the association of the IL-10 gene promoter -1082 G/A, -819 C/T, and -592 C/A polymorphisms with HCV infection susceptibility in Pakistani individuals. Methodology: Eighty-nine chronically infected patients and 99 controls were enrolled in the study. IL-10 (-1,082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A) genotyping was performed by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Results: A suggestive evidence of association with hepatitis C was obtained for the IL-10 -819 C/T (-592 C/A) (p: 0.03) promoter polymorphism at the allele level  but not in genotype distribution. The IL-10 -1082 allele showed no association while positive association of GG (p: 0.001) gene and negative association for GA (0.001) gene were observed.  Higher frequencies were observed for GTA (p: 0.02), ACC (p: 0.01) haplotype and GCC/GTA (p: 0.005) diplotype in HCV patients than controls while diplotype GCC/ATA showed protective effect against HCV. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that different IL-10 gene polymorphisms may lead to an imbalance between the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses which may in turn influence the susceptibility to HCV infection.
Comparative sequence, antigenic and phylogenetic analysis of avian influenza (H9N2) surface proteins isolated in Pakistan between 1999 and 2008
Authors: Butt Azeem Mehmood , Siddique Samerene , Tahir Shifa , Nasrullah Izza , Hussain Mureed , Idrees Muhammad , Lu Jun , Tong Yigang
Published: July 2011

Introduction: Influenza A viruses possess a unique genomic structure which leads to genetic instability, especially in products of neuraminidase and hemagglutinin genes. These surface proteins play major roles in viral entry and release, and in the activation of the host immune system. Methodology: This study involved an in silico sequence, phylogenetic and antigenic analyses of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins of avian influenza A (H9N2) strains that circulated in Pakistan's poultry flocks from 1999 to 2008 and determined variations among these sequences at different levels. Results: Sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed a large number of similar substitution mutations and close evolutionary relation among sequences of both proteins. Changes were observed in the N-glycosylation sites of both surface proteins, along with the appearance of a new glycosylation site in the neuraminidase sequence isolated in 2007. Epitopes for hemagglutinin remained conserved, whereas for neuraminidase, epitopes from older strains reappeared in present sequences. Conclusions: Because of the rapid mutating nature of avian influenza subtype H9N2, constant surveillance of annual sequence variations is important. Preventive measures and vaccine products can be evaluated by keeping track of changes that may lead to reassortment among different circulating strains in Pakistan's commercial poultry flocks or in humans.
Phylogenetic relationship of Salmonella enterica strains in Tehran, Iran, using 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences
Authors: Tajbakhsh Mercedeh , Nayer Babak Noory , Motavaze Kamyar , Kharaziha Pedram , Chiani Mohsen , Zali Mohammad Reza , Klena John David
Published: July 2011

Introduction: We assessed whether 16S rDNA and gyrB gene sequences, alone or combined, were suitable for determining the phylogenetic relationship among Salmonella enterica strains isolated from Tehran, Iran.  Patients over five years of age enrolled in an acute diarrheal surveillance project in Tehran province between May 2004 and October 2006 were selected as our study group.  Methodology: 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and gyrB genes from 40 Salmonella isolates obtained from patients with acute diarrhea were sequenced and the data was used to generate phylogenetic trees that facilitated isolate comparison. Results: Salmonella strains clustered into five to seven phylogenetic groups, dependent on analysis of 16S rDNA (1546 bp), gyrB (1256 bp) or a combination of the two genes.  By 16S rDNA sequence analysis, only strains of Salmonella enterica  serovar Typhi ( S. Typhi)  clustered exclusively together.  gyrB sequences permitted clustering of all the S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A isolates, and clustering of S. Enteritidis into two separate but exclusive groups.  Concatenation of the two data sets did not significantly improve the resolution of the strains compared to the gyrB gene.  None of the analyses completely resolved S. enterica Paratyphi B and C into mutually exclusive groups.   Conclusion: Sequencing of gyrB represents a potentially useful tool for determining the phylogenetic relationship of S. enterica strains in Tehran, Iran. Genetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene alone or in combination with gyrB did not increase the resolution between serotypes of S. enterica.  We speculate that inclusion of additional genetic markers would improve the sensitivity of the analysis.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae oesophagitis in a patient with oesophageal carcinoma
Authors: Kliemann Dimas Alexandre , Antonello Vicente Sperb , Severo Luis Carlos , Pasqualotto Alessandro Comarú
Published: July 2011

Saccharomyces species are emerging opportunistic fungal pathogens that can cause bloodstream infections in humans. These infections have often been associated with the ingestion of probiotics. Saccharomyces oesophagitis is a rare condition which has been described so far in only two publications. Here we report the case of a patient who was diagnosed with Saccharomyces oesophagitis. The clinical picture was indistinguishable from that of Candida oesophagitis. The Saccharomyces isolate was shown to be susceptible to fluconazole by both CLSI M27-A and disk diffusion methods. In contrast to cases of fungaemia, Saccharomyces oesophagitis does not seem to follow probiotic use. Due to the potential for antifungal resistance among emerging fungal pathogens, proper mycological identification at the species level is essential.
Identification of feline immunodeficiency virus subtype-B on St. Kitts, West Indies by quantitative PCR
Authors: Kelly Patrick J , Stocking Ruey , Gao Dongya , Phillips Nikol , Xu Chuanling , Kaltenboeck Bernhard , Wang Chengming
Published: July 2011

Introduction: Although antibodies to the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) have been detected by SNAP assay in cats from St. Kitts, there have been no molecular studies to further confirm the infection and determine the FIV subtypes present. Methodology: Total nucleic acids were extracted from EDTA whole blood specimens from 35 cats, followed by quantitative fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) PCR under a six-channel LightCycler 2.0 Instrument with Software version 4.1. Results: Four of 11 stray cats (36 %) but none of 24 owned cats were FIV positive by real-time PCR.  High-resolution melting curve analysis indicated that all four positive cats were infected with FIV subtype-B. Conclusions: This is the first molecular characterization of FIV subtypes on St. Kitts and the results confirm the high prevalence of FIV infection in stray cats on the island.
Outbreak of Chikungunya in the Republic of Congo and the global picture
Authors: Kelvin Alyson Ann
Published: July 2011

Chikungunya fever is a crippling disease caused by an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.  Although Chikungunya virus is not often associated with mortality, the effects of virus outbreaks are often devastating, causing significant economic loss due to the strain on health care.  Chikungunya is quickly spreading globally as a result of viral genetic mutations leading to the adaptation of new vector hosts and insecticide resistance.  The recent outbreak of Chikungunya fever in the republic of Congo has reported thousands of people affected.  Here we review the past Chikungunya fever epidemiology and new reports aimed at therapeutic intervention of this disease.
Una publicación comprometida con la formación del profesorado de enseñanza secundaria: La Segunda Enseñanza
Authors: Carreño Miryam , Rabazas Teresa
Published: July 2011

En este artículo se analiza el contenido de la revista La Segunda Enseñanza, publicada entre los años 1922 y 1928 en el instituto San Isidro de Madrid, dirigida especialmente a los profesores de la entonces denominada segunda enseñanza. Se han estudiado, en primer lugar, las ideas contenidas en sus páginas, acerca de la necesidad de la formación pedagógica de los profesores. También se ha indagado acerca del contenido de sus artículos en lo referente a orientaciones didácticas para los profesores de este nivel.
Luis Crespí Jaume, científico de la Junta para Ampliación de Estudios y catedrático de Agricultura del Instituto-Escuela
Authors: Masip Hidalgo Carmen
Published: July 2011

Este artículo sobre Luis Crespí Jaume (Madrid, 1889-1963) pretende recordar su labor pedagógica como catedrático de Agricultura del Instituto-Escuela de Madrid y su etapa como científico vinculado a la Junta para Ampliación de Estudios (JAE). Nuestro comentario sobre su práctica docente se basa en el análisis de la programación de la materia de Agricultura que él mismo elaboró, en la metodología que aplicó, en los materiales científicos utilizados en el aula y en el laboratorio, en los cuadernos de clase y de prácticas de sus alumnos y en los libros que éstos consultaban para sus trabajos.
Instrumentos científicos antiguos en el Instituto San Isidro. Recuperación y contextualización
Authors: González de la Lastra Leonor
Published: July 2011

En el presente artículo se tratan las tareas de recuperación y documentación del material científico antiguo existente en el actual instituto San Isidro de Madrid tras el traslado en 1985 de una parte importante al Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología. Para contextualizar dicha colección, destinada en su mayoría a la enseñanza de la Física en el s. XIX, se estudia su creación y desarrollo, relacionándolos con la historia del centro, así como con los acontecimientos políticos y educativos que condicionaron sus características. Asimismo, se señala la presencia en esta colección de instrumentos tecnológicos, tema insuficientemente tratado en los trabajos disponibles, vinculados a las enseñanzas de Física. A la hora de describir las tareas destinadas a recuperar los instrumentos científicos mencionados se describe tanto la metodología seguida como los resultados, ejemplificados en la documentación de dos piezas representativas, una de Física y otra de carácter tecnológico.
Musealización del patrimonio educativo de los institutos históricos de Madrid. Propuestas para un museo virtual
Authors: Somoza Rodríguez Miguel
Published: July 2011

Los museos han conocido una extraordinaria fase de expansión en los últimos años, en los que se han renovado los lenguajes expositivos, orientándose hacia el público y desarrollando todo tipo de actividades educativas en relación con el patrimonio. Los institutos de enseñanza secundaria más antiguos de Madrid poseen un valioso patrimonio histórico-educativo, constituido por instrumentos científicos de los gabinetes de ciencias, colecciones de materiales zoológicos, botánicos y minerales; ilustraciones, mapas y placas epidoscópicas; documentos legales, legajos y programaciones didácticas; manuales escolares y prensa pedagógica, entre otros, que requieren actuaciones de conservación y posterior exposición pública. En este artículo se exponen algunos principios teóricos en el marco de las corrientes museológicas denominadas Nueva Museología y Museología Crítica, y se proponen, a continuación, una serie de criterios instrumentales para la construcción de un museo pedagógico virtual con finalidad educativa y divulgativa.
La enseñanza secundaria en Madrid: estudio bibliográfico
Authors: Carreño Rivero Miryam , Ramos Zamora Sara
Published: July 2011

En este trabajo se analiza la historiografía sobre la educación secundaria en la Comunidad de Madrid. El análisis se refiere a la época contemporánea (siglos XIX y XX) y se tiene especialmente en cuenta las obras de historiografía publicadas en las últimas décadas.
Narraciones españolas del fin del mundo. II. Las novelas religiosas
Authors: Jaureguízar Agustín
Published: July 2011

Como muestra de las narraciones clásicas españolas del fin de los tiempos se han escogido tres novelas publicadas entre 1920 y 1935. Sus autores juzgan por su maldad a una Humanidad que desaparece, llegando a resultados distintos: en una los justos se salvan mientras los pecadores son arrojados a los infiernos a tan gran velocidad que llegan vivos a ellos; en otra sólo sobrevive un puñado de elegidos, que alcanza otro planeta, y en la tercera, en fin, la Humanidad se extingue por completo y Dios crea otro Hombre y otra Mujer en un Paraíso del que ha arrancado de raíz el árbol tentador del Bien y del Mal.
Hardware Design of Monitoring and Warning System for Coal Mine High-Voltage Power Supply Network
Authors: Wang Qiao Lian , Liu Wei , Gao Cai Xia , Wang Fu Zhong
Published: July 2011

In order to ensure the safety production of coal industry and improve the security of coal mine power supply system, CAN bus based monitoring and warning system for coal mine high-voltage power supply system is designed. The design requirements and the hardware configuration and its implementation of monitoring and warning system are particularly introduced, including the construction of communication network, the design of monitoring master station, the design of communication tributary station and so on. The practice shows that this system can ensure the security of coal mine power supply system.
Adding Machine Vision to Enhance P300 BCI Speller
Authors: Van Renterghem Dominique , Wyns Bart , Devlaminck Dieter
Published: July 2011

BCI systems can use additional intelligence such as machine vision or obstacle avoidance routines to provide a goal-oriented approach. This paper describes a P300-based BCI system to control a small robotic arm. On the robot arm's gripper a small camera was mounted continuously capturing images from the environment. The software waits for a character from the P300-based BCI speller to turn either clockwise or counterclockwise. Once turning the image detection software automatically searches for the colored object and delivers it to a preset target location. Results showed that the BCI system performed fast and accurate.
The Influence of Modern Science and Technology on Athletic Sport
Authors: Wu Yong Cheng
Published: July 2011

Modern science and technology is a "double-edged sword". On the one hand, it not only improved competitive sports continuously created new sport items, but also improved the training equipment and training environment, promoted the movement technology and changed the sport values. On the other hand, modern technologies also contributed to the alienation of technology, and weakened the physical fitness activities, and lead competitive sports into deformity errors, which made fair competition become empty, and generated a series of uncivilized unfair social problems. Therefore, we appeal of positive effect of modern technology. In the same time, confront and suppress its negative effects, to ensure that competitive sports may develop in healthy environment under the conditions of modern science and technology.
Research on School Sports Insurance in China
Authors: Wu Yong Cheng
Published: July 2011

Sports insurance originates in the nature of sports-high risk, and its basic position in the sports industry is determined by its particularity. However, sports insurance in China is only limited to high-risk competitive sports. School sports insurance is still in the development stage. The self-construction of sports insurance and insurance codes are imperfect with few sectors. What’s more, because of weak insurance consciousness of schools and students, unavoidable sports accidents take great pressure to the school, family and the student, which make an impact on the normal operation of schools. Thus it is necessary and urgent to build up and perfect school sports insurance.
China English and its Pedagogical Implication on EFL in China
Authors: Wang Bo Chao , Gao Hua
Published: July 2011

This paper discusses the definition, characteristics of China English and its inevitability of being accepted as a new member of the world Englishes, elaborating the pedagogical implication of the recognition of China English in China’s EFL.
New Recursive Algorithms for Signal Detection
Authors: Wang Lei , Zheng Bao Yu , Cui Jing Wu
Published: July 2011

Based on the synthesis and analysis of recursive receivers, new algorithms are proposed to achieve satisfactory performance with moderate computational complexity. During the analysis, some interesting properties shared by the proposed procedures are described. Finally, the performance assessment shows that new schemes are superior to the linear detector and ordinary grouping algorithm, and achieve a bit-error rate close to that of the optimum receiver.
Research and Implementation of Component Based Process Reconstruction in ERP System
Authors: Chen Yi Qun , Zhang Li Qiu
Published: July 2011

ERP-Enterprise Resource Planning is an advanced management tool, which can provide effective service for enterprise purchasing manufacturing, marketing and goods circulation etc. The fast changes of market and drastic competition between enterprises request ERP system can support enterprise Business Process Reengineering and reconstructed business process. This paper analyzes the disadvantages of traditional ERP system, the request of Business Process Reengineering, then brings forward a workflow based method for analyzing, building, developing and executing ERP system. The research of this thesis is built on J2EE application platform, the application model, component implementing and work mechanism of workflow in ERP system.
A No-Reference Image Quality Assessment Based on Property of the Human Visual
Authors: Wang Li Guo
Published: July 2011

This paper produced for the distortion caused by the edge bluring in the image inpainted, proposing a novel no-reference quality assessment based on the human visual property. Using visual sensitivity function CFS which descripes the properties for human visual to weight noise image detected, acquiring the value for the no-reference assessment that is consistent with the subjective evaluation, the experiment has proved no reference, flexibility and consistent with the human appraisal.
The Research about Design and Application of the Evaluation System of Constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Chen Shou Qiang , Zhang Jian Min , Zhang Meng He
Published: July 2011

The evaluation system of constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) is designed by relational-like data base Access, based on interface, function buttons, and menu, designed by VBA language. The system links to office word in order to achieve the automation of the issuance of constitution assessment and healthcare programmes. The design includes four parts, they are, overall design, interface design, evaluation test design and constitution report design. This system shows some advantages, such as simple operation, good stability, low requirements of equipment configuration, vividly visual interface. By analysing information on examinees' lives, their constitutions can accurately be identified, and the reports of the constitutions can be issued. Besides, relative healthcare suggestions are also attached. The convenience of the process is suitable for outpatient services, physical examination centers, and family health, and among which the system can be popularized.