bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The National Diabetes Register
Authors: Carstensen Bendix , Kristensen Jette Kolding , Marcussen Morten Munk , Borch-Johnsen Knut
Published: July 2011

Introduction: A National Diabetes Register was established in the National Board of Health in 2006 following a pilot study showing the feasibility of doing so based on existing registers. Content: The register contains data of birth, date of inclusion, and date of death as well as information on the criteria met for inclusion. Validity and coverage: The register is more than 90% complete when compared to records of general practitioners, and it covers the entire Danish population. Conclusion: The register is a source of demographic information for the diabetes population in itself, but also a source of linkable information for studies of diabetes as outcome and as determinant.
Occupation, morbidity, and hospital admission
Authors: Tüchsen Finn , Bach Elsa
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The Occupational Hospitalization Register (OHR) is an ongoing register for research and surveillance established by the National Research Centre for the Working Environment in the 1980s. This review puts in perspective the contributions from the OHR to the understanding of relation between work and the burden of diseases in general and circulatory disease in particular. Research topics: This review covers selected topics in which studies based on OHR has contributed to the scientific knowledge during more than two decades. One PhD thesis and so far 49 OHR studies have contributed to the estimation of the excess fraction of several diseases attributable to work and to the identification of relative risks for occupational diseases like circulatory diseases, diseases of the nervous system, musculoskeletal disorders, pulmonary disease, infertility, and recently also mental disorders. Conclusion: OHR is a cost-effective instrument for surveillance of health consequences of the working environment and social conditions as well as a valuable register for ad-hoc studies of the aetiology of occupational diseases.
Danish registers on personal income and transfer payments
Authors: Baadsgaard Mikkel , Quitzau Jarl
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The Income Statistics Register provided by Statistics Denmark is the key register describing the income composition of the entire Danish population starting in 1970. Content: The register contains more than 160 variables including salaries, entrepreneurial income, taxes, public transfer payments, capital income, private pension contributions, and payouts. In addition, Statistics Denmark provide more detailed registers on specific income transfers, including sickness benefit, old age pension, disability pension, and cash and unemployment benefits. Validity and coverage: The income data are generally of high quality, but for variables not relevant for administrators the quality may be lower. Conclusion: The registers on income and transfer payments include many variables on the income composition.
Developing European indicators of trust in justice
Authors: Jackson Jonathan , Bradford Ben , Hough Mike , Kuha Jouni , Stares Sally , Widdop Sally , Fitzgerald Rory , Yordanova Maria , Galev Todor
Published: July 2011

A social indicators approach to trust in justice recognizes that the police and criminal courts need public support and institutional legitimacy if they are to operate effectively and fairly. In order to generate public cooperation and compliance, these institutions must demonstrate to citizens that they are trustworthy and that they possess the authority to govern. In this paper we first outline the conceptual roadmap for a current comparative analysis of trust in justice. We then describe the methodological development process of a 45-item module in Round 5 of the European Social Survey, which fields the core survey indicators. After presenting the findings from a quantitative pilot of the indicators, we consider the policy implications of a procedural justice model of criminal justice.
The Importance of the Recognition and Treatment of Glenoid Bone Loss in an Athletic Population
Authors: Bhatia Sanjeev , Ghodadra Neil S. , Romeo Anthony A. , Bach Bernard R. , Verma Nikhil N. , Vo Samantha T. , Provencher Matthew T.
Published: July 2011

Context: Osseous injury to the glenoid is increasingly being recognized as one of the most important aspects in the successful management of recurrent shoulder instability. Proper early recognition of glenoid bone injury in the setting of recurrent instability will lead to successful nonoperative and operative decision making, particularly in the athletic patient.

Evidence Acquisition: We conducted a MEDLINE search on shoulder instability from 2000 to 2010. The emphasis was placed on patient-oriented Level 1 literature from 2000 to 2010.

Results: After a traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder, the most common structural injury is an avulsion of the anteroinferior capsulolabrum, which is also known as a Bankart lesion. If this specific injury is accompanied by an associated fracture in the glenoid rim, the term bony Bankart lesion is more applicable. With diminished articular constraints, the glenohumeral joint is subject to recurrent instability, thereby potentiating the bony injury cycle. Additionally, patients with osseous defects usually complain of instability within the midranges of motion, or they recall a progression of instability. If glenoid bone loss is present, the humeral head often easily subluxates over the glenoid in the midranges of abduction (30°-90°) and lower levels of external rotation. Imaging workup should begin with plain radiographs, but advanced imaging should be obtained if there is any suspicion of bone loss. Treatment includes both nonoperative and operative interventions.

Conclusions: Estimation of the amount of glenoid bone loss and the failure of nonoperative care is essential for guiding management, patient expectations, and surgical decision making.
Detection of copy number variations in rice using array-based comparative genomic hybridization
Authors: Yu Ping , Wang Caihong , Xu Qun , Feng Yue , Yuan Xiaoping , Yu Hanyong , Wang Yiping , Tang Shengxiang , Wei Xinghua
Published: July 2011

Background

Copy number variations (CNVs) can create new genes, change gene dosage, reshape gene structures, and modify elements regulating gene expression. As with all types of genetic variation, CNVs may influence phenotypic variation and gene expression. CNVs are thus considered major sources of genetic variation. Little is known, however, about their contribution to genetic variation in rice.

Results

To detect CNVs, we used a set of NimbleGen whole-genome comparative genomic hybridization arrays containing 718,256 oligonucleotide probes with a median probe spacing of 500 bp. We compiled a high-resolution map of CNVs in the rice genome, showing 641 CNVs between the genomes of the rice cultivars 'Nipponbare' (from O. sativa ssp. japonica) and 'Guang-lu-ai 4' (from O. sativa ssp. indica). The CNVs identified vary in size from 1.1 kb to 180.7 kb, and encompass approximately 7.6 Mb of the rice genome. The largest regions showing copy gain and loss are of 37.4 kb on chromosome 4, and 180.7 kb on chromosome 8. In addition, 85 DNA segments were identified, including some genic sequences. Contracted genes greatly outnumbered duplicated ones. Many of the contracted genes corresponded to either the same genes or genes involved in the same biological processes; this was also the case for genes involved in disease and defense.

Conclusion

We detected CNVs in rice by array-based comparative genomic hybridization. These CNVs contain known genes. Further discussion of CNVs is important, as they are linked to variation among rice varieties, and are likely to contribute to subspecific characteristics.
The heterogeneous ribonuclear protein C interacts with the hepatitis delta virus small antigen
Authors: Casaca Ana , Fardilha Margarida , da Cruz e Silva Edgar , Cunha Celso
Published: July 2011

Background

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is considered to be a satellite virus of the Hepatitis B virus. The genome consists of a 1679 nt ssRNA molecule in which a single ORF was identified. This ORF codes for a unique protein, the Delta antigen (HDAg). During transcription, two forms, small (S-HDAg; p24) and large (L-HDAg; p27) of this antigen are derived as a result of an editing mechanism catalyzed by cellular adenosine deaminase 1. Despite its simplicity, little is still known about the host factors that interact with the virus RNA and antigens being to modulate virus replication.

Methods

A yeast two-hybrid screening of a human liver cDNA library, using the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) small antigen (S-HDAg) as bait, was performed. Blot overlay and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used in an attempt to confirm the interaction of hnRNPC and S-HDAg. siRNA knockdown assays of hnRNPC were performed to assess the effect on HDV antigen expression.

Results

Thirty known proteins were identified as S-HDAg interactors in the yeast two-hybrid screening. One of the identified proteins, hnRNPC, was found to interact with S-HDAg in vitro and in vivo in human liver cells. The interaction of the two proteins is mediated by the C-terminal half of the S-HDAg which contains a RNA-binding domain (aa 98-195). HDV RNA, S-HDAg, and hnRNPC, were also found to co-localize in the nucleus of human liver cells. Knockdown of hnRNPC mRNA using siRNAs resulted in a marked decreased expression of HDV antigens.

Conclusions

S-HDAg was found to interact with human liver proteins previously assigned to different functional categories. Among those involved in nucleic acid metabolism, hnRNPC was found to interact in vitro and in vivo in human liver cells. Similar to other RNA viruses, it seems plausible that hnRNPC may also be involved in HDV replication. However, further investigation is mandatory to clarify this question.
Inhibition of fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 alleviates experimental arthritis by reducing formation of dendritic cells and antigen presentation
Authors: Dehlin Mats , Andersson Sofia , Erlandsson Malin , Brisslert Mikael , Bokarewa Maria
Published: July 2011

TKs are intracellular signaling molecules essential for cell homeostasis. Inhibition of TKs is used in treatment of malignancies and diabetes mellitus. The present study evaluated the role of Flt3 in antigen-induced arthritis. Mice were immunized with mBSA, and arthritis was induced by an i.a. injection of mBSA. Treatment with the Flt3 inhibitor sunitinib was started together with mBSA immunization or together with the induction of arthritis. The mBSA-injected joints were evaluated morphologically for signs of synovitis and bone/cartilage destruction. Markers of bone metabolism and antibody responses were measured by ELISA. Maturation of DCs in the bone marrow and spleen was evaluated by flow cytometry. Sunitinib treatment reduced the intensity of synovitis and the incidence of bone destruction. The reduction in bone destruction was seen when the treatment was started at the time of immunization or at the time of arthritis induction. The antiarthritic effect was achieved by inhibition of DCs, reduction of antibody production, and bone metabolism. Inhibition of Flt3 is a potent antiarthritic mechanism reducing antigen presentation, synovial inflammation, and bone resorption. Down-regulation of TKs may be a useful tool in the treatment of human RA.
Modulation of cell-cycle dynamics is required to regulate the number of cerebellar GABAergic interneurons and their rhythm of maturation
Authors: Leto Ketty , Bartolini Alice , Di Gregorio Alessandra , Imperiale Daniele , De Luca Annarita , Parmigiani Elena , Filipkowski Robert K. , Kaczmarek Leszek , Rossi Ferdinando
Published: July 2011

The progenitors of cerebellar GABAergic interneurons proliferate up to postnatal development in the prospective white matter, where they give rise to different neuronal subtypes, in defined quantities and according to precise spatiotemporal sequences. To investigate the mechanisms that regulate the specification of distinct interneuron phenotypes, we examined mice lacking the G1 phase-active cyclin D2. It has been reported that these mice show severe reduction of stellate cells, the last generated interneuron subtype. We found that loss of cyclin D2 actually impairs the whole process of interneuron genesis. In the mutant cerebella, progenitors of the prospective white matter show reduced proliferation rates and enhanced tendency to leave the cycle, whereas young postmitotic interneurons undergo severe delay of their maturation and migration. As a consequence, the progenitor pool is precociously exhausted and the number of interneurons is significantly reduced, although molecular layer interneurons are more affected than those of granular layer or deep nuclei. The characteristic inside-out sequence of interneuron placement in the cortical layers is also reversed, so that later born cells occupy deeper positions than earlier generated ones. Transplantation experiments show that the abnormalities of cyclin D2–/– interneurons are largely caused by cell-autonomous mechanisms. Therefore, cyclin D2 is not required for the specification of particular interneuron subtypes. Loss of this protein, however, disrupts regulatory mechanisms of cell cycle dynamics that are required to determine the numbers of interneurons of different types and impairs their rhythm of maturation and integration in the cerebellar circuitry.
Tariff Choice with Consumer Learning and Switching Costs
Authors: Goettler Ronald L. , Clay Karen
Published: July 2011

Consumers choosing flat-rate contracts tend to have insufficient usage to warrant the cost, particularly for new products. We propose and estimate a Bayesian learning model of tariff and usage choice that explains this flat-rate bias without relying on behavioral misjudgments or tariff-specific preferences. For new products, consumers are uncertain about both their utility relative to the population mean and the mean itself. We show that this latter uncertainty inflates prior variances, which leads consumers to weight their private signals more heavily when updating beliefs. Posteriors are unbiased across products. For a given product, however, the unknown mean yields a “winner's curse”: Consumers with high posteriors tend to overestimate their utility. These consumers choose fixed-rate tariffs and lower their usage as they correct their beliefs. The flat-rate bias arises when switching costs deter them from changing tariffs. Using the estimated model, the authors find that tariff menus are ineffective screening devices for price discrimination by an online grocer. Predicted revenues increase by 20% when the per-use tariff is dropped, because more consumers choose and stay with the flat rate.
Choice Set Heterogeneity and the Role of Advertising: An Analysis with Micro and Macro Data
Authors: Draganska Michaela , Klapper Daniel
Published: July 2011

The authors show how to use microlevel survey data from a tracking study on brand awareness in conjunction with data on sales and advertising expenditures to improve the specification, estimation, and interpretation of aggregate discrete choice models of demand. In a departure from the commonly made full information assumption, they incorporate limited information in the form of choice sets to reflect that consumers may not be aware of all available brands at purchase time. They find that both the estimated brand constants and the price coefficient are biased downward when consumer heterogeneity in choice sets is ignored. These biased estimates can lead firms to make costly price-setting mistakes. In addition, the tracking data enable the authors to identify separately two processes by which advertising influences market shares. They find that advertising has a direct effect on brand awareness (inclusion in choice set) in addition to its effect on consumer preferences (increase in utility). This improved understanding of how advertising works enhances researchers’ ability to make policy recommendations.
Modeling Multiple Relationships in Social Networks
Authors: Ansari Asim , Koenigsberg Oded , Stahl Florian
Published: July 2011

Firms are increasingly seeking to harness the potential of social networks for marketing purposes. Therefore, marketers are interested in understanding the antecedents and consequences of relationship formation within networks and in predicting interactivity among users. The authors develop an integrated statistical framework for simultaneously modeling the connectivity structure of multiple relationships of different types on a common set of actors. Their modeling approach incorporates several distinct facets to capture both the determinants of relationships and the structural characteristics of multiplex and sequential networks. They develop hierarchical Bayesian methods for estimation and illustrate their model with two applications: The first application uses a sequential network of communications among managers involved in new product development activities, and the second uses an online collaborative social network of musicians. The authors’ applications demonstrate the benefits of modeling multiple relations jointly for both substantive and predictive purposes. They also illustrate how information in one relationship can be leveraged to predict connectivity in another relation.
Multiple Routes to Self- versus Other-Expression in Consumer Choice
Authors: Maimaran Michal , Simonson Itamar
Published: July 2011

Studies of consumer decision making often begin with the identification of a dimension on which options differ, followed by an analysis of the factors that influence preferences along that dimension. Building on a conceptual analysis of a diverse set of problems, the authors identify a class of related consumers choices (e.g., extreme vs. compromise, hedonic vs. utilitarian, risky vs. safe) that can all be classified according to their levels of self- versus other-expression (or [un]conventionality). As shown in four studies, these problem types respond similarly to manipulations that trigger or suppress self-expression. Specifically, priming self-expression systematically increases the share of the self-expressive options across choice problems. Conversely, expecting to be evaluated decreases the share of the self-expressive options across the various choice dilemmas. In addition, priming risk seeking increases only the choice of risky gambles but not of other self-expressive options. These findings highlight the importance of seeking underlying shared features across different consumer choice problems, instead of treating each type in isolation.
Incorporating Context Effects into a Choice Model
Authors: Rooderkerk Robert P. , Van Heerde Harald J. , Bijmolt Tammo H.A.
Published: July 2011

The behavioral literature provides ample evidence that consumer preferences are partly driven by the context provided by the set of alternatives. Three important context effects are the compromise, attraction, and similarity effects. Because these context effects affect choices in a systematic and predictable way, it should be possible to incorporate them in a choice model. However, the literature does not offer such a choice model. This study fills this gap by proposing a discrete-choice model that decomposes a product's utility into a context-free partworth utility and a context-dependent component capturing all three context effects. Model estimation results on choice-based conjoint data involving digital cameras provide convincing statistical evidence for context effects. The estimated context effects are consistent with the predictions from the behavioral literature, and accounting for context effects leads to better predictions both in and out of sample. To illustrate the benefit from incorporating context effects in a choice model, the authors discuss how firms could utilize the context sensitivity of consumers to design more profitable product lines.
Effect of Freeze-Drying on the Antioxidant Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Tropical Fruits
Authors: Shofian Norshahida Mohamad , Hamid Azizah Abdul , Osman Azizah , Saari Nazamid , Anwar Farooq , Pak Dek Mohd Sabri , Hairuddin Muhammad Redzuan
Published: July 2011

The effects of freeze-drying on antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activity of five tropical fruits, namely starfruit (Averrhoa carambola L.), mango (Mangifera indica L.), papaya (Carica papaya L.), muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), and watermelon Citruluss lanatus (Thunb.) were investigated. Significant (p < 0.05) differences, for the amounts of total phenolic compounds (TPC), were found between the fresh and freeze-dried fruit samples, except muskmelon. There was no significant (p > 0.05) change, however, observed in the ascorbic acid content of the fresh and freeze-dried fruits. Similarly, freeze-drying did not exert any considerable effect on β-carotene concentration of fruits, except for mango and watermelon, where significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels were detected in the fresh samples. The results of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and reducing power assays revealed that fresh samples of starfruit and mango had relatively higher antioxidant activity. In case of linoleic acid peroxidation inhibition measurement, a significant (p < 0.05) but random variation was recorded between the fresh and freeze-dried fruits. Overall, in comparison to β-carotene and ascorbic acid, a good correlation was established between the result of TPC and antioxidant assays, indicating that phenolics might have been the dominant compounds contributing towards the antioxidant activity of the fruits tested.
Proposed Ancestors of Phage Nucleic Acid Packaging Motors (and Cells)
Authors: Serwer Philip
Published: July 2011

I present a hypothesis that begins with the proposal that abiotic ancestors of phage RNA and DNA packaging systems (and cells) include mobile shells with an internal, molecule-transporting cavity. The foundations of this hypothesis include the conjecture that current nucleic acid packaging systems have imprints from abiotic ancestors. The abiotic shells (1) initially imbibe and later also bind and transport organic molecules, thereby providing a means for producing molecular interactions that are links in the chain of events that produces ancestors to the first molecules that are both information carrying and enzymatically active, and (2) are subsequently scaffolds on which proteins assemble to form ancestors common to both shells of viral capsids and cell membranes. Emergence of cells occurs via aggregation and merger of shells and internal contents. The hypothesis continues by using proposed imprints of abiotic and biotic ancestors to deduce an ancestral thermal ratchet-based DNA packaging motor that subsequently evolves to integrate a DNA packaging ATPase that provides a power stroke.
Recherches sur les nécropoles occidentales de Cherchel (Caesarea Mauretaniae). 1880-1961
Authors: Leveau Philippe
Published: July 2011

A la suite du départ des Français d'Algérie, des fouilles de sauvetage effectuées sur la nécropole occidentale de Cherchel étaient restées inédites. L'auteur, qui en 1967 a repris et publié une fouille effectuée sur cette nécropole, a cru utile de publier ce qui à ce moment subsistait du matériel et de la documentation réunie. Afin de préciser l'histoire de cette nécropole, il a mis ces données en rapport avec quelques documents inédits et quelques renseignements consignés dans des publications épigraphiques du XIXe siècle ou de l'Entre-deux-guerres. Cela permet de présenter une documentation intéressant la typologie des monuments funéraires (en particulier une variante locale de la cupule funéraire en blocage), la connaissance du matériel céramique et numismatique ou encore l'épigraphie funéraire. Au-delà, l'examen du plan d'ensemble des sondages montre qu'il n'y avait pas une seule nécropole mais des nécropoles avec des zones où prédominaient les areae (entre les sondages I et II, dans le sondage IV et dans la nécropole Hanafi), un secteur caractérisé par les cupules à niches et les stèles et une localisation des mausolées à gradins et socles pleins le long de l'emplacement probable de la voie romaine. A côté des nécropoles, certains espaces étaient consacrés à des activités artisanales.

Ces nécropoles ont été utilisées du Ier siècle ap. J.-C. à la fin de l'Antiquité. La plus intéressante paraît avoir été la nécropole Hanafi au nord de la route nationale : non seulement elle a livré un matériel remontant au Ier siècle ap. J.-C. et donnant l'impression que les premières tombes ont pu être placées sous la protection d'un sanctuaire de Saturne, mais elle était encore un lieu d'inhumation à l'époque tardive et un plan montre l'existence d'ensembles organisés de caveaux maçonnés analogues à ceux des nécropoles de Tipasa.
Le statut d'Avignon d'après un prétendu faux épigraphique de la cité d'Apt (Vaucluse)
Authors: Gascou Jacques
Published: July 2011

In a recent article published in ZPE, 71, 1988, p. 229-249, Mr. Zarnht tried to demonstrate that the Apt epitaph CIL, XII, 1 120, mentioning a duovir of the colonia Iulia Hadriana Auenniensis was not authentic led to reconsider this document. None of the arguments emphasized by Mr. Zarnht is conclusive; besides, the use of the abbreviated form of the gens Volus. and Vol. for Volusius is attested. The use of the conjunction et to link the different duties performed by the men in office is not exceptional. The duty of sacerdos urbis Romae aeternae is found in several towns. The epithet Hadriana alone (without Aelia) to indicate a colonial promotion due to emperor Hadrian, appears on coins from Parion in Asia and Parlais in Galatia.

Therefore, the Apt epitaph must be credited with its whole value. A first century inscription recently discovered in Aries, and mentioning the colonia Iulia Augusta Auennio, shows that before being promoted by Hadrian, Avignon was an Augustian colony. Since quattuovirs are attested in Avignon at that time, it can be infered that this city was made a Latin colony by Augustus and was later transformed into a Roman colony ruled by duovirs by Hadrian. In the case of the Apt epitaph, the epithet Iulia is the abbreviated form of Iulia Augusta: the same abbreviation is attested in the Aquae Sextiae titulus.
Un lot de céramiques du début du IIIe siècle à Saint-Romain-en-Gal (Rhône)
Authors: Leblanc Odile , Desbat Armand
Published: July 2011

Un lot de céramiques provenant d'un ensemble clos, bien stratigraphie (cave dans l'aile ouest de la Maison-des- Dieux-Océans) est étudié.

Il comporte principalement des vases de stockage en céramique commune claire mais également de la céramique commune sombre, des amphores, de la vaisselle de table dont une assiette à décor d'applique en sigillée claire africaine, et un mortier italique estampillé.

La date proposée pour la constitution de ce dépôt est le début du IIIe s. ap. J.-C. Elle est basée sur les données de la fouille, les dates fournies par le mobilier céramique et les monnaies. Ce dépôt recèle de nombreuses formes originales dont plusieurs inédites.
Les orientations des parcellaires quadrillés
Authors: Guy Max
Published: July 2011

Des récurrences d'orientations de cadastres « romains » ou supposés tels, ont posé le problème de leurs origines. Une analyse statistique de 180 orientations recensées permet de confirmer que les orientations se regroupent sur quelques angles faciles à construire au cordeau par le rapport de nombres entiers petits, soit sur la corde relativement au diamètre d'un cercle, soit sur les deux côtés d'un angle droit déterminant ainsi l'orientation de l'hypoténuse. On montre ensuite que les orientations relatives de telles structures entre elles ou par rapport à des routes s'expriment aussi par des rapports d'entiers petits. On ne peut donc tirer aucune conclusion d'ordre historique de similitudes ou de différences d'orientation des cadastres, conséquences fatales de leur mode de construction.
Epigraphie païenne ou épigraphie chrétienne, ILN ou RICG ? Réflexions à propos des inscriptions d'Arles
Authors: Heijmans Marc
Published: July 2011

Prenant comme exemple le cas d'Arles, cet article traite des problèmes que rencontre l'éditeur de la collection épigraphique d'une ville quand il doit répartir son matériel entre deux recueils, consacrés l'un aux inscriptions « païennes » (ILN), l'autre à l'épigraphie chrétienne (RICG). Les cas problématiques concernent des textes « neutres », mais rencontrés dans un environnement chrétien, par le décor, le contexte archéologique, des données historiques ou des formulaires ambigus. En conclusion, il paraît nécessaire de doubler la publication de ces inscriptions, et d'intégrer les noms propres dans les index des deux collections.
Les agglomérations de la cité de Vienne, un dossier en devenir
Authors: Leveau Philippe
Published: July 2011

This collection of articles firstly aims at generating thoughts regarding the relevance of the terminology and classifications used to describe gathered settlements in the Roman period. The recapitulation of ail available data brings forward the small size of secondary towns around Vienne and the limited number of typically urban monuments. However, in a mountain environment where erosion and accumulation phenomena are particularly significant, the increase in prospecting and better acknowledgement of environmental évolution enable to update a dossier that is constantly evolving.
Gene Polymorphism of Thymidine Kinase and Dna Polymerase in Clinical Strains of Herpes Simplex Virus
Authors: Bohn Kathrin , Zell Roland , Schacke Michael , Wutzler Peter , Sauerbrei Andreas
Published: July 2011

Background

The thymidine kinase (TK) and DNA polymerase (pol) genes of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and type-2 (HSV-2) are important targets for genotypic determination of HSV resistance to antiviral drugs. The knowledge of gene polymorphism is an absolute requirement for the correct interpretation of genotypic findings.

Methods

In this study, the natural polymorphism of TK and DNA pol genes was examined by DNA sequencing in 56 HSV-1 and 12 HSV-2 strains sensitive to acyclovir.

Results

In 56 HSV-1 strains, 26 different non- synonymous polymorphism-associated mutations were detected in the TK gene. To our knowledge, 8 of them have never been reported in the literature. In the TK gene of 12 HSV-2 strains, 6 polymorphism-related non-synonymous mutations were observed, whereas there was 1 novel mutation in 1 strain. The DNA pol gene of 53 HSV-1 isolates contained 47 distinct polymorphism-associated amino acid substitutions and 11 substitutions were found in the DNA pol gene of 12 HSV-2 strains. Altogether, 31 novel substitutions could be identified in the DNA pol gene of HSV-1 and 3 in HSV-2 strains. In these strains, any resistance to foscarnet was excluded.

Conclusions

The 43 novel non-synonymous mutations enrich the knowledge about the natural genetic polymorphism of TK and DNA pol in clinical HSV strains. The findings have to be considered for genotypic analysis of HSV in case of clinical resistance.
Conceptualiser les parcours scolaires à l’enseignement supérieur
Authors: Picard France , Trottier Claude , Doray Pierre
Published: July 2011

L’objectif de l’article est de proposer un cadre conceptuel intégré, issu de divers courants théoriques (reproduction, interactionnisme, approche biographique, parcours de vie), en vue d’articuler les facteurs de la variabilité des parcours à l’enseignement supérieur (allongement des études, interruption et reprise des études, changements de programme, etc.). Ces phénomènes, observables en Amérique du Nord, sont plus prononcés qu’en France et plus intenses que ce que les chercheurs nord-américains avaient prévu. Ce cadre conceptuel souligne le caractère dual de la transaction entre individu et institution scolaire, expériences objectives et subjectives, parcours scolaire et extrascolaires, diverses temporalités. Les questions d’orientation scolaire et professionnelle ainsi que d’indécision y sont analysées.
Improved convergence and stability properties in a three-dimensional higher-order ice sheet model
Authors: Fürst J. J. , Rybak O. , Goelzer H. , De Smedt B. , de Groen P. , Huybrechts P.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. We present a novel finite difference implementation of a three-dimensional higher-order ice sheet model that performs well both in terms of convergence rate and numerical stability. In order to achieve these benefits the discretisation of the governing force balance equation makes extensive use of information on staggered grid points. Using the same iterative solver, an existing discretisation that operates exclusively on the regular grid serves as a reference. Participation in the ISMIP-HOM benchmark indicates that both discretisations are capable of reproducing the higher-order model inter-comparison results. This allows a direct comparison not only of the resultant velocity fields but also of the solver's convergence behaviour which holds main differences. First and foremost, the new finite difference scheme facilitates convergence by a factor of up to 7 and 2.6 in average. In addition to this decrease in computational costs, the precision for the resultant velocity field can be chosen higher in the novel finite difference implementation. For high precisions, the old discretisation experiences difficulties to converge due to large variation in the velocity fields of consecutive Picard iterations. Finally, changing discretisation prevents build-up of local field irregularites that occasionally cause divergence of the solution for the reference discretisation. The improved behaviour makes the new discretisation more reliable for extensive application to real ice geometries. Higher precision and robust numerics are crucial in time dependent applications since numerical oscillations in the velocity field of subsequent time steps are attenuated and divergence of the solution is prevented. Transient applications also benefit from the increased computational efficiency.
Inter-comparison of two land-surface schemes applied on different scales and their feedbacks while coupled with a regional climate model
Authors: Zabel F. , Mauser W. , Marke T. , Pfeiffer A. , Zängl G. , Wastl C.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Feedback effects between the land surface and the atmosphere are an important issue in modelling the climate system. Therefore, in order to take land surface heterogeneity adequately into account, a representation of the land surface in sufficient spatial resolution is necessary. In order to analyze the impact of different land surface models on the atmosphere, we analyzed the differences of two physically based land surface models, which evolved from different disciplinary backgrounds, both fully coupled with the regional climate model MM5, providing the atmospheric drivers. While the NOAH-LSM originally was developed for atmosphere applications, PROMET is primarily used as a hydrological land surface model. Both use different physical approaches and different spatial resolutions of 45 km (NOAH) and 1 km (PROMET) respectively, to represent the land surface processes. The parameterization of soil and plant properties in terms of phenological behaviour and water-stress is treated with a higher level of detail in PROMET. Used with same atmospheric drivers over a four-year period for Central Europe, the model differences have strong impacts on simulated evapotranspiration and soil moisture both spatially and temporally. Regions with high proportion of impervious surfaces show the highest differences in simulated evapotranspiration (up to 30 %). Further, PROMET simulations show lower evapotranspiration rates e.g. in the Po Valley, caused mainly by a higher level of vegetation water stress. In order to study feedback effects, PROMET was then bilaterally coupled with MM5. The feedbacks result in increasing near surface air temperature and decreasing precipitation especially in Southern Europe and are a result of regional self-amplification effects due to decreasing soil moisture and increasing vegetation water stress.
Relationship between the Mcpherson Classification and Complications after Hip Spacer Implantation
Authors: Anagnostakos Konstantinos , Freymann Constanze , Schmitt Eduard , Kelm Jens
Published: July 2011

The implantation of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers is established in the treatment of late hip joint infections, and the McPherson staging system has been widely used in this context. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between the McPherson classification and complications at the site of hip spacer implantation.

60 patients were retrospectively identified who fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Using the McPherson classification, 12 patients were categorised as IIIA1, 4 as IIIA2, 19 as IIIB1, 7 as IIIB2, 12 as IIIC1, and 6 as IIIC2. Complications recorded were infection-associated, mechanical, systemic, general, and mortality. Statistical analysis was performed by means of the Mantel-Haenszel and the exact Fisher tests. In relation to complications with respect to the systemic host grade, the Mantel-Haenszel test revealed significant differences regarding only the emergence of a draining sinus. In relation to complications with respect to the local extremity grade, the exact Fisher test revealed significant differences regarding only the emergence of wound healing complications. All other complications showed no significant differences.

The McPherson classification, in association with an increasing number of comorbidities, indicates a higher risk of occurrence of a postoperative draining sinus, whereas the grade of compromised local tissues is associated with wound healing complications. Improvement of the general medical condition of patients between stages as well as an anatomical dissection and closure of the wound may lead to a decreased incidence of these complications.
Comparison of Low-Power Laser and Ultrasound Litotripsy in the Management of Middle-Distal Ureteral Stones
Authors: Rosini Roberto , Teppa Alessandro , Tonini Gerolamo , Aulenti Vito Angelo , Rad Farshid Kalantary , Tosana Michelangelo
Published: July 2011

Objective

To compare the success rates and complications of ultrasound and low-power Holmium laser-assisted ureteroscopy (URS) in managing middle-distal ureteral stones.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 90 patients with middle-distal ureteral stones who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy at our institution from May 2006 to April 2010. 45 patients were treated with ultrasound (mean size 6.7 mm), 45 patients with low-power Holmium laser (mean size 7.4 mm). The same ureteroscope (9.5/8ch rigid-Storz) was used to treat all the patients. Patients were monitored before the hospital discharge with abdominal radiograph and ultrasonography, and as outpatients after 3 months with abdominal radiograph, ultrasonography and urography in selected cases.

Results

We obtained a complete immediate fragmentation of stones in 27/45 (60%) patients with ultrasound, and in 36/45 (80%) patients after laser treatment. A proximal migration of stones was observed in 12/45 (26.8%) patients with ultrasound and 3/45 (6.6) with laser. We observed a ureteral perforation after laser treatment and no patient developed urosepsis. 6/45 (13.3%) patients who were treated with ultrasound underwent auxiliary therapy such as alkalizing therapy, 9/45 (20%) patients a second ureteroscopy, 9/45 (20%) a shockwave lithotripsy. No patient underwent an auxiliary shockwave treatment after laser, 6/45 (13.4%) patients underwent a second ureteroscopy. Operating time (20.33 vs 28.85 minutes) and hospitalization (3.6 vs 5.1 days) were shorter with laser if compared with ultrasound treatment.

Conclusion

In our study the fragmentation rates of Holmium laser-assisted ureteroscopy were significantly better than with ultrasound in the middle-distal ureteral stones management. We did not have relevant complications using both procedures, and the need for auxiliary procedures was significantly less for Holmium laser-assisted ureteroscopy when compared with ultrasound.
Enhancing sentence‐level clustering with integrated and interactive frameworks for theme‐based summarization
Authors: Cai Xiaoyan , Li Wenjie
Published: July 2011

Sentence clustering plays a pivotal role in theme‐based summarization, which discovers topic themes defined as the clusters of highly related sentences to avoid redundancy and cover more diverse information. As the length of sentences is short and the content it contains is limited, the bag‐of‐words cosine similarity traditionally used for document clustering is no longer suitable. Special treatment for measuring sentence similarity is necessary. In this article, we study the sentence‐level clustering problem. After exploiting concept‐ and context‐enriched sentence vector representations, we develop two co‐clustering frameworks to enhance sentence‐level clustering for theme‐based summarization—integrated clustering and interactive clustering—both allowing word and document to play an explicit role in sentence clustering as independent text objects rather than using word or concept as features of a sentence in a document set. In each framework, we experiment with two‐level co‐clustering (i.e., sentence‐word co‐clustering or sentence‐document co‐clustering) and three‐level co‐clustering (i.e., document‐sentence‐word co‐clustering). Compared against concept‐ and context‐oriented sentence‐representation reformation, co‐clustering shows a clear advantage in both intrinsic clustering quality evaluation and extrinsic summarization evaluation conducted on the Document Understanding Conferences (DUC) datasets.
High pressure physical solubility of carbon dioxide (CO2) in mixed polyethylene glycol dimethyl ethers (Genosorb 1753)
Authors: Rayer Aravind V. , Henni Amr , Tontiwachwuthikul Paitoon
Published: July 2011

Solubility of carbon dioxide in a mixture of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ethers (Genosorb 1753) was determined at 298.15, 313.15, 323.15 and 333.15 K at pressures up to 7940 kPa. The obtained solubility data are compared with those of CO2 in other physical solvents. The results were correlated with the Peng–Robinson (Peng and Robinson, Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundam. 15, 59–64 1976) equation of state, and the interaction parameters are reported. Data at 323.15 K were predicted. Henry's Law constants were obtained from the data and the excess properties (excess Gibbs free energy, excess entropy and excess enthalpy) of the liquid mixture over the full range of composition were predicted at each temperature using the NRTL activity coefficient model. Enthalpy of solution and the enthalpy of mixing were determined at infinite dilution. In addition, the heats of absorption were determined using Clausius–Clapeyron equation.

La solubilité du dioxyde de carbone (CO2) dans un mélange de polyéthylène glycol diméthyl éthers (Genosorb 1753) a été déterminée à 298.15, 313.15, 323.15 et 333.15 K à des pressions allant jusqu'à 7940 kPa. Les données de solubilité obtenues sont comparées avec celles de CO2 dans d'autres solvants physiques. Les résultats ont été corrélés avec l'équation d'état de Peng–Robinson (Peng and Robinson, Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundam. 15, 59–64 1976) et les paramètres d'interaction sont présentés. La solubilité à 323.15 K a été prédite. Les constantes de la loi d'Henry ont été obtenues à partir des données. Les propriétés en excès (l'énergie libre de Gibbs d'excès, l'entropie et l'enthalpie d'excès) du mélange liquide sur toute la gamme de composition a ont été prédites à chaque température en utilisant le modèle NRTL. L'enthalpie de solution et l'enthalpie de mélange ont été déterminées dilution infinie. Finalement, les chaleurs d'absorption ont été déterminées en utilisant l'équation de Clausius–Clapeyron. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Combustion and air emissions from co‐firing a wood biomass, a Canadian peat and a Canadian lignite coal in a bubbling fluidised bed combustor
Authors: Badour Chadi , Gilbert Allan , Xu Charles , Li Hanning , Shao Yuanyuan , Tourigny Guy , Preto Fernando
Published: July 2011

The effects of particle size, fuel blending ratio, moisture content and excess air ratio on combustion efficiency and air emissions (CO2, CO, SO2 and NOx) from the co‐combustion of white pine or peat with a Canadian lignite coal, were examined in a pilot‐scale bubbling fluidised bed combustor. Pelletising was important for the efficient combustion of wood due to its high volatile content. Co‐firing lignite and pine pellets gave a proportional reduction in SO2 and NOx emissions with blending ratio, while co‐firing of peat and lignite resulted in increased SO2 emissions, but decreased NOx emissions. Moisture promotes combustion but with increased CO emissions, and results in increased NOx emissions, and decreased SO2 emissions. High excess air decreased CO, but moderately increased SO2 and NOx emissions. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
John Locke and the Ethics of Belief
Authors: Wolterstorff Nicholas
Published: July 2011

Nicholas Wolterstorff discusses the ethics of belief which Locke developed in Book IV of his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, where Locke finally argued his overarching aim: how we ought to govern our belief, especially on matters of religion and morality. Wolterstorff shows that this concern was instigated by the collapse, in Locke's day, of a once-unified moral and religious tradition in Europe into warring factions. His was thus a culturally and socially engaged epistemology. This view of Locke invites a new interpretation of the origins of modern philosophy. He maintained that instead of following tradition we ought to let 'reason be our guide.' Accordingly, after discussing Hume's powerful attack on Locke's recommended practice, Wolterstorff argues for Locke's originality and emphasizes his contribution to the 'modernity' of post-sixteenth-century philosophy.
Memoirs of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Baronet
Authors: Buxton Thomas Fowell
Published: July 2011

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton (1786–1845) was a noted social reformer and one of the leading members of the campaign to abolish slavery. Buxton had family connections to the Quakers and became an associate of Elizabeth Fry in campaigning for prison reform. He was elected an MP in 1818 and from 1825 he became the leader of the abolitionist movement in Parliament following William Wilberforce's retirement from politics. This biography, compiled by his son Charles Buxton and first published in 1848, provides an intimate and detailed account of Buxton's character and involvement with social reform and the abolition movement, culminating in the 1833 Slavery Abolition Act. The inclusion of Buxton's letters to family, friends and colleagues provides valuable insights into his character and his thoughts on the progress of the abolition movement and other political events connected to the campaign for abolition.
The Genesis of the GATT
Authors: Irwin Douglas A. , Mavroidis Petros C. , Sykes Alan O.
Published: July 2011

This book is part of a wider project on the economic logic behind the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). This volume asks: What does the historical record indicate about the aims and objectives of the framers of the GATT? Where did the provisions of the GATT come from and how did they evolve through various international meetings and drafts? To what extent does the historical record provide support for one or more of the economic rationales for the GATT? This book examines the motivations and contributions of the two main framers of the GATT, the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as the smaller role of other countries. The framers desired a commercial agreement on trade practices as well as negotiated reductions in trade barriers. Both were sought as a way to expand international trade to promote world prosperity, restrict the use of discriminatory policies to reduce conflict over trade, and thereby establish economic foundations for maintaining world peace.