bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reprise économique dans les pays post-communistes : application d'un modèle de durée
Authors: Tichit Ariane
Published: September 2011

Reprise économique dans les pays potf -communistes : application d'un modèle de durée

par Ariane Tichit

Suite à l'effondrement du système communiste, tous les pays d'Europe Centrale et Orientale et d'ex-URSS ont connu une forte récession économique. Actuellement, certains ont retrouvé une croissance substantielle alors que d' autres ne parviennent toujours pas à juguler leur effondrement. Cet article détermine les principaux facteurs à l'origine de ces divergences par une estimation économétrique des durées de crise. Les résultats obtenus montrent que si les conditions initiales au moment du changement de régime ont joué un rôle, les politiques de stabilisation, restructuration et libéralisation ainsi que la vitesse à laquelle elles ont été réalisées, ont été des éléments essentiels à la reprise.
Inégalités, biais de progrès technique et imperfections de marché en France de 1974 à 1993
Authors: Laffargue Jean-Pierre , Saint-Martin Anne
Published: September 2011

Biases, Market Imperfections and Inequalities France by Jean-Pierre Laffargue and Anne Saint Martin

Over the last twenty years, the main French production factor trends (labour and capital) have been hard to reconcile with their respective cost trends. This paper uses a medium-run dynamic structural equilibrium model to try to explain some of these contradictions in terms of changes that have occurred in the different economic players' macroeconomic and institutional environments. We come up with a number of findings. Unskilled labour is highly substitutable for skilled labour and capital. Skilled labour is not very substitutable for capital. The efficiency of skilled labour increases faster than the productivity trend, but the productivity of unskilled labour stagnates. The mark-up rate of firms falls sharply after 1982. Trade union bargaining power grows from 1974 to 1983, and recedes thereafter. We also compute the dynamic multipliers of the main economic policy decisions, and the effects on employment of changes to these policies since 1974. These changes seem to have played a limited role in the growth in unemployment, which appears to be due essentially to structural shocks on labour supply and demand.
Le quotient familial : une structure fiscale cohérente avec le critère de Lorenz relatif
Authors: Moyes Patrick , Trannoy Alain
Published: September 2011

The family Quotient: a Tax Structure Consistent with the Relative Lorenz Criterion

by Patrick Moyes and Alain Trannoy

When households are identical in all characteristics other than income, an average rate of taxation increasing with primary income guarantees that disposable income is more evenly distributed than pre-tax income. This paper studies whether it is possible to obtain a similar finding with heterogeneous populations, where households can be differentiated by both income and family size. An equivalent transformation renders the income of different-sized households comparable and the tax system's redistributive capacity is evaluated by comparing Lorenz equivalent-income curves before and after taxation. We find that, when the single person is taken as the reference, most of the income tax systems in use are consistent with the goal of reducing inequalities. However, the family quotient procedure used in France is the only mechanism that makes the reduction in inequalities independent of the type of reference used.
Être créatif : Un impératif psychique tardif au service de la vie
Authors: Talpin Jean-Marc
Published: September 2011

Le terme de créativité étant à la mode, il sera précisément défini, en le différentiant de la création, en appui sur D.W. Winnicott. La créativité relève de l’expérience du self, donc d’une vie vécue comme authentique. Les impératifs de la créativité dans la vieillesse seront examinés dans la perspective de l’activité de synthèse du moi confronté au futur de sa propre disparition. Cette créativité est donc une manière d’être dans la lignée du self et de la pulsion en prenant en compte les impératifs liés au vieillissement (dans ses dimensions sociales, corporelles, cognitives). Une dernière partie permettra d’articuler créativité, grand âge et dépendance dans un contexte institutionnel.
Au-delà de l'art : Créativité et expérience esthésique
Authors: Filiod Jean-Paul
Published: September 2011

Présente en de nombreux lieux, la créativité, par sa parenté directe avec la création, nous entraîne sur le terrain de l’art. Or, l’art, comme l’esthétique, armés d’une référence au Beau, sont opérateurs de hiérarchie et de division. À dessein, notre réflexion laisse de côté la question du goût, et se centre sur les sens. Une telle approche permet d’accéder à l’inédit qui affecte un sujet en situation de créativité. Dans des contextes de rencontre entre sujets, la question se pose alors de l’élaboration d’un monde commun et de formes de partage sur cette base esthésique.
La continuité de soi : Vers une hybridité créative
Authors: Gérardin Pascale , Andrieu Bernard
Published: September 2011

Le corps est mis à rude épreuve dans le vieillissement. Tout l’enjeu à l’heure actuelle est donc de penser cette nouvelle corporéité hybride dans une créativité qui relève aussi de la subjectivité de chacun. Il s’agit là d’articuler ici ce que proposent les nouvelles technologies aux différents vécus corporels dans un travail du vieillir psychique. En d’autres termes, il s’agit d’intégrer les différentes prothèses proposées lors de l’avancée en âge dans une perspective humanisante plus que dans une perspective d’instrumentalisation du corps pour permettre une continuité du sentiment de soi et de son image.
Comportements de résistance et de créativité individuelle et collective en ehpad
Authors: Cottet Isabelle , Marion Graziella
Published: September 2011

L’entrée en institution représente un événement nouveau pour la personne âgée et sa famille. Envisager les réactions des résidents comme une expression créative permet d’interroger différemment la vie relationnelle en institution. Créer c’est innover, inventer, faire les choses pour la première fois, avant les autres. La création psychique est infinie et le travail avec la personne âgée représente un terrain riche de toutes les expressions de l’humain. C’est ce dernier aspect qui intéressera notre point de vue : la dimension de la réaction dans sa forme « résistante », et sa perception comme véritable création de l’individu. Pour cela, nous nous inspirerons de situations vécues en Ehpad.
Stress Level, Health Behaviors, and Quality of Life in Employees Joining a Wellness Center
Authors: Clark Matthew M. , Warren Beth A. , Hagen Philip T. , Johnson Bruce D. , Jenkins Sarah M. , Werneburg Brooke L. , Olsen Kerry D.
Published: September 2011

Purpose.

Examine the relationship between stress level and quality of life at a worksite wellness center.

Design.

A survey completed when joining the wellness center.

Setting.

Employee wellness center.

Subjects.

Survey that inquired about stress, health behaviors, and quality of life of more than 13,000 employees joining a wellness center.

Measures.

A series of questions about current health status and health behaviors.

Analysis.

Two-sample t-tests assuming unequal variances.

Results.

A total of 2147 of these employees reported having high stress levels. Employees with high stress levels had statistically significant lower quality of life, more fatigue, and poorer health compared with employees with low stress levels. In terms of their ability and motivation to participate in wellness programs, the high-stress employees were also less active and had less healthy nutritional habits, less support, and less confidence in their ability to be active. They also reported having more health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and overweight.

Conclusions.

It appears that employees with high stress levels—those who might most benefit from participation in wellness programs—may experience the greatest difficulty participating actively in wellness programs because of their lack of support, low confidence, and numerous health problems. Perhaps offering tailored stress reduction programs for these employees would be beneficial.
Investigating organic aerosol loading in the remote marine environment
Authors: Lapina K. , Heald C. L. , Spracklen D. V. , Arnold S. R. , Allan J. D. , Coe H. , McFiggans G. , Zorn S. R. , Drewnick F. , Bates T. S. , Hawkins L. N. , Russell L. M. , Smirnov A. , O'Dowd C. D. , Hind A. J.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Aerosol loading in the marine environment is investigated using aerosol composition measurements from several research ship campaigns (ICEALOT, MAP, RHaMBLe, VOCALS and OOMPH), observations of total AOD column from satellite (MODIS) and ship-based instruments (Maritime Aerosol Network, MAN), and a global chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem). This work represents the most comprehensive evaluation of oceanic OM emission inventories to date, by employing aerosol composition measurements obtained from campaigns with wide spatial and temporal coverage. The model underestimates AOD over the remote ocean on average by 0.02 (21 %), compared to satellite observations, but provides an unbiased simulation of ground-based Maritime Aerosol Network (MAN) observations. Comparison with cruise data demonstrates that the GEOS-Chem simulation of marine sulfate, with the mean observed values ranging between 0.22 μg m−3 and 1.34 μg m−3, is generally unbiased, however surface organic matter (OM) concentrations, with the mean observed concentrations between 0.07 μg m−3 and 0.77 μg m−3, are underestimated by a factor of 2–5 for the standard model run. Addition of a sub-micron marine OM source of approximately 9 TgC yr−1 brings the model into agreement with the ship-based measurements, however this additional OM source does not explain the model underestimate of marine AOD. The model underestimate of marine AOD is therefore likely the result of a combination of satellite retrieval bias and a missing marine aerosol source (which exhibits a different spatial pattern than existing aerosol in the model).
Size-resolved aerosol emission factors and new particle formation/growth activity occurring in Mexico City during the MILAGRO 2006 Campaign
Authors: Kalafut-Pettibone A. J. , Wang J. , Eichinger W. E. , Clarke A. , Vay S. A. , Blake D. R. , Stanier C. O.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Measurements of the aerosol size distribution from 11 nm to 2.5 microns were made in Mexico City in March 2006, during the MILAGRO (Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations) field campaign. Observations at the urban supersite, referred to as T0, could often be characterized by morning conditions with high particle mass concentrations, low mixing heights, and highly correlated particle number and CO2 concentrations, indicative that particle number is controlled by primary emissions. Average size-resolved and total number- and volume-based emission factors for combustion sources impacting T0 have been determined using a comparison of peak sizes in particle number and CO2 concentration. Peaks are determined by subtracting the measured concentration from a calculated baseline concentration time series. The number emission and volume emission factors for particles from 11 nm to 494 nm are 1.56 × 1015 particles, and 9.48 × 1011 cubic microns per kg of carbon, respectively. The uncertainty of the number emission factor is approximately plus or minus 50 %. The mode of the number emission factor was between 25 and 32 nm, while the mode of the volume factor was between 0.25 and 0.32 microns. These emission factors are reported as log normal model parameters and are compared with multiple emission factors from the literature. In Mexico City in the afternoon, the CO2 concentration drops during ventilation of the polluted layer, and the coupling between CO2 and particle number breaks down, especially during new particle formation events when particle number is no longer controlled by primary emissions. Using measurements of particle number and CO2 taken aboard the NASA DC-8, the determined primary emission factor was applied to the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) plume to quantify the degree of secondary particle formation in the plume; the primary emission factor accounts for less than 50 % of the total particle number and the surplus particle count is not correlated with photochemical age. Primary particle volume and number in the size range 0.1–2 μm are similarly too low to explain the observed volume distribution. Contrary to the case for number, the apparent secondary volume increases with photochemical age. The size distribution of the apparent increase, with a mode at ~250 nm, is reported.
Laboratory studies of the chemical composition and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and oxidized primary organic aerosol (OPOA)
Authors: Lambe A. T. , Onasch T. B. , Massoli P. , Croasdale D. R. , Wright J. P. , Ahern A. T. , Williams L. R. , Worsnop D. R. , Brune W. H. , Davidovits P.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and oxidized primary organic aerosol (OPOA) were produced in laboratory experiments from the oxidation of fourteen precursors representing atmospherically relevant biogenic and anthropogenic sources. The SOA and OPOA particles were generated via controlled exposure of precursors to OH radicals and/or O3 in a Potential Aerosol Mass (PAM) flow reactor over timescales equivalent to 1–20 days of atmospheric aging. Aerosol mass spectra of SOA and OPOA were measured with an Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). The fraction of AMS signal at m/z = 43 and m/z = 44 (f43, f44), the hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C) ratio, and the oxygen-to-carbon (O/C) ratio of the SOA and OPOA were obtained, which are commonly used to characterize the level of oxidation of oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA). The results show that PAM-generated SOA and OPOA can reproduce and extend the observed f44–f43 composition beyond that of ambient OOA as measured by an AMS. Van Krevelen diagrams showing H/C ratio as a function of O/C ratio suggest an oxidation mechanism involving formation of carboxylic acids concurrent with fragmentation of carbon-carbon bonds. Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity of PAM-generated SOA and OPOA was measured as a function of OH exposure and characterized as a function of O/C ratio. CCN activity of the SOA and OPOA, which was characterized in the form of the hygroscopicity parameter κorg, ranged from 8.4×10−4 to 0.28 over measured O/C ratios ranging from 0.05 to 1.42. This range of κorg and O/C ratio is significantly wider than has been previously obtained. To first order, the κorg-to-O/C relationship is well represented by a linear function of the form κorg = (0.18±0.04) ×O/C + 0.03, suggesting that a simple, semi-empirical parameterization of OOA hygroscopicity and oxidation level can be defined for use in chemistry and climate models.
Reactions of H+(pyridine)m(H2O)n and H+(NH3)1(pyridine)1(H2O)n with NH3: experiments and kinetic modelling under tropospheric conditions
Authors: Ryding M. J. , Jonsson Å. M. , Zatula A. S. , Andersson P. U. , Uggerud E.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Reactions between pyridine containing water cluster ions, H+(pyridine)1(H2O)n, H+(pyridine)2(H2O)n and H+(NH3)1(pyridine)1(H2O)n (n up to 15) with NH3 have been studied experimentally using a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The product ions in the reaction between H+(pyridine)m(H2O)n and NH3 have been determined for the first time. It is found that the reaction mainly leads to cluster ions of the form HH+(NH3)1(pyridine)1(H2O)n−x, with x = 1 or 2 depending on the initial size of the reacting cluster ion. For a given number of water molecules (from 5 to 15) in the cluster ion, rate coefficients are found to be slightly lower than those for protonated pure water clusters reacting with ammonia. The rate coefficients obtained from this study are used in a kinetic cluster ion model under tropospheric conditions. The results from the model suggest that cluster ions containing ammonia and more than one pyridine, picoline or lutidine molecule should dominate at ground level under typical conditions.
Glycosynthases in Biocatalysis
Authors: Cobucci‐Ponzano Beatrice , Strazzulli Andrea , Rossi Mosé , Moracci Marco
Published: September 2011

Glycosynthases, engineered glycoside hydrolases that are able to synthesize glycans in quantitative yields without hydrolyzing them, are among the most interesting tools for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of carbohydrates that have been made available so far. From their invention in 1998, these enzymes have been developed enormously and demonstrated to be convenient alternatives to the more expensive glycosyltransferase. Glycosynthases have been proved to be efficient catalysts for the synthesis of oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and glycoconjugates of various lengths containing different monosaccharides bound through α‐ and β‐linkages, which have interesting applications. In this review we describe the impact that glycosynthases have had on the biocatalysis and biosynthesis of carbohydrates through the description of the novel activities produced and of the development of the glycosynthase‐based process. In addition, we summarize the approaches that, according to the current literature, can be adopted to produce novel glycosynthase activities and to improve the existing process.
Short‐term spirometric changes in wildland firefighters
Authors: Jacquin Laurent , Michelet Pierre , Brocq François‐Xavier , Houel Jean‐Guillaume , Truchet Xavier , Auffray Jean‐Pierre , Carpentier Jean‐Pierre , Jammes Yves
Published: September 2011

Background

The short‐term effects of smoke inhalation have been little studied in European wildland firefighters, especially in an intra‐individual design. Our purpose is to study the spirometric changes from the early stage during a wildland fire season and to compare smokers and non‐smokers.

Methods

A population of 108 firefighters from a Civil Security Unit, based in Corsica, was tested immediately after having been exposed to the smoke of coniferous trees.

Results

Out of 108 people, 59 were smokers and 49 were non‐smokers without any acute or chronic pulmonary disease. Compared to baseline values, a decrease of spirometric parameters was observed immediately after the end of exposure and an even greater decrease was seen after 24 hr (FEV1 −0.53 L; FVC −0.59 L; PEF −53 L min−1, P < 0.05 for each). None of the participants complained of respiratory symptoms. Three months after the end of the season, a final test was given which revealed a persistent decrease in spirometric parameters in comparison with baseline values (FEV1 −0.28 L; FVC −0.34 L; PEF −45 L min−1, P < 0.05 for each). Comparison of smoking and non‐smoking groups did not show any noteworthy difference for each parameter or the importance of their decline.

Conclusions

The findings show that firefighters are likely to develop respiratory impairments after wood smoke exposure. We did not observe any statistical differences between smokers and non‐smokers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 54:819–825, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epigenetics of chronic rhinosinusitis and the role of the eosinophil
Authors: Seiberling Kristin A. , Church Christopher A. , Herring Jason L , Sowers Lawrence C
Published: September 2011

Background:

One theory for the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) involves aberration in the expression of genes that maintain the sinonasal innate immune system. We propose that the alteration in gene expression seen in CRSwNP is a result of oxidative byproducts of eosinophils. Activated eosinophils and neutrophils may lead to the production of hypobromous acid (HOBr) and hypochlorous acid (HOCL) and the posttranslational modification products 5‐bromocytosine (5BrC) and 5‐chlorocytosine (5ClC), respectively. 5BrC and 5ClC may cause aberrant methylation of cytosine during DNA replication and mimic the endogenous methylation signal associated with gene silencing. We propose to use gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) to identify the presence of 5BrC and 5ClC in CRSwNP patients.

Methods:

Patients with CRSwNP undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were prospectively recruited into this study. Using GC‐MS, tissue specimens were analyzed for the presence of 5BrC, 5ClC, and methylated cytosine.

Results:

Tissue specimens from 14 patients with CRSwNP and 3 normal controls were processed using GC‐MS. CRSwNP specimens demonstrate elevated levels of 5BrC and 5ClC compared to normal controls.

Conclusion:

Eosinophils, which are predominantly found in CRSwNP, may lead to DNA modification and gene silencing via 5BrC and aberrant methylation patterns and may help explain the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. © 2011 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.
Activation of Ziegler‐Natta catalysts by organohalide promoters: A combined experimental and density functional theory study
Authors: Bahri‐Laleh Naeimeh , Arabi Hassan , Mehdipor‐Ataei Shahram , Nekoomanesh‐Haghighi Mehdi , Zohuri Gholamhosein , Seifali Mehrdad , Akbari Zahra
Published: September 2011

Several organohalide (HC) compounds were tested as promoters for a Ti‐based Ziegler‐Natta (Z‐N) catalyst at different polymerization conditions. Results show that the intensity of the promoting effect depends on the nature and amount of the promoters. A proper amount, especially optimum amount, of aliphatic type organohalides leads to a strong productivity, and aromatic ones leads to a weak productivity improvement; however, 3‐chloro‐1‐propene poison the catalyst even at lower HC/Ti molar ratios. Among studied compounds, chlorocyclohexane has the best activity promotion effect at HC/Ti molar ratio of 128, and with this as a promoter, the activity increases over 85%. To understand more details about this phenomenon, the rate of polymerization during time and the effect of polymerization conditions (the temperature and hydrogen partial pressure) on the performance of chlorocyclohexane as the most effective promoter were studied. Finally, to explore the mechanism of reactivation of catalyst species by organohalides, molecular modeling was employed and a new oxidation‐addition mechanism was proposed, which basically consisting of homolytic breaking of CCl bond in organohalides. It was found that reoxidation of the catalyst, restoring active center, by Cl rich organohalides is energetically more favored. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Intracellular antibody‐mediated immunity and the role of TRIM21
Authors: McEwan William A. , Mallery Donna L. , Rhodes David A. , Trowsdale John , James Leo C.
Published: September 2011

Protection against bacterial and viral pathogens by antibodies has always been thought to end at the cell surface. Once inside the cell, a pathogen was understood to be safe from humoral immunity. However, it has now been found that antibodies can routinely enter cells attached to viral particles and mediate an intracellular immune response. Antibody‐coated virions are detected inside the cell by means of an intracellular antibody receptor, TRIM21, which directs their degradation by recruitment of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system. In this article we assess how this discovery alters our view of the way in which antibodies neutralise viral infection. We also consider the antiviral function of TRIM21 in the context of its other reported roles in immune signalling and autoimmunity. Finally, we discuss the conceptual implications of intracellular antibody immunity and how it alters our view of the discrete separation of extracellular and intracellular environments.
Simultaneous determination of cypermethrin and fenvalerate residues in tomato by gas chromatography and their applications to kinetic studies after field treatment
Authors: Shinger Mahgoub I. , Elbashir Abdalla A. , Ahmed Hassan El‐obid , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y.
Published: September 2011

In this study simultaneous determination of cypermethrin and fenvalerate residues in tomato fruit (Lycopesicon esculentum) grown in Khartoum, Sudan, was carried out using gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC‐ECD). The method was linear in the ranges of 0.075–0.009 and 0.75–0.037 mg/mL for cypermethrin and fenvalerate, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be 0.003 and 0.01 mg/mL and 0.014, 0. 047 mg/mL for cypermethrin and fenvalerate, respectively. The recoveries of cypermethrin and fenvalerate spiked in tomato were 97 ± 7.5 and 99.5 ± 1.8%, respectively. The kinetic study of the degradation of both pesticides was performed and the ultimate evaluation of the kinetic data revealed a first‐order kinetics with respect to the tomato fruit; an explanation was put forward to account for the results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
pH‐stat fed‐batch process to enhance the production of cis, cis‐muconate from benzoate by Pseudomonas putida KT2440‐JD1
Authors: van Duuren Jozef B. J. H. , Wijte Dorien , Karge Bianka , Martins dos Santos Vítor A.P. , Yang Yu , Mars Astrid E. , Eggink Gerrit
Published: September 2011

Pseudomonas putida KT2440‐JD1 is able to cometabolize benzoate to cis, cis‐muconate in the presence of glucose as growth substrate. P. putida KT2440‐JD1 was unable to grow in the presence of concentrations above 50 mM benzoate or 600 mM cis, cis‐muconate. The inhibitory effects of both compounds were cumulative. The maximum specific uptake rate of benzoate was higher than the specific production rate of cis, cis‐muconate during growth on glucose in the presence of benzoate, indicating that a benzoate derivative accumulated in the cells, which is likely to be catechol. Catechol was shown to reduce the expression level of the ben operon, which encodes the conversion of benzoate to cis, cis‐muconate. To prevent overdoses of benzoate, a pH‐stat fed‐batch process for the production of cis, cis‐muconate from benzoate was developed, in which the addition of benzoate was coupled to the acidification of the medium. The maximum specific production rate during the pH‐stat fed‐batch process was 0.6 g (4.3 mmol) g dry cell weight−1 h−1, whereas 18.5 g L−1 cis, cis‐muconate accumulated in the culture medium with a molar product yield of close to 100%. Proteome analysis revealed that the outer membrane protein H1 was upregulated during the pH‐stat fed‐batch process, whereas the expression of 10 other proteins was reduced. The identified proteins are involved in energy household, transport, translation of RNA, and motility. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Fiber orientation of the transverse carpal ligament
Authors: Prantil Ryan K. , Xiu Kaihua , Kim Kwang E. , Gaitan Diana M. , Sacks Michael S. , Woo Savio L.‐Y. , Li Zong‐Ming
Published: September 2011

The transverse carpal ligament is the volar roof of the carpal tunnel. Gross observation shows that the ligament appears to have fibers that roughly orient in the transverse direction. A closer anatomical examination shows that the ligament also has oblique fibers. Knowledge of the fiber orientation of the transverse carpal ligament is valuable for further understanding the ligament's role in regulating the structural function of the carpal tunnel. The purpose of this study is to quantify collagen fiber orientation within the transverse carpal ligament using the small angle light scattering technique. Eight transverse carpal ligament samples from cadaver hands were used in this study. Individual 20‐μm sections were cut evenly along the thickness of the transverse carpal ligament. Sections of three thickness levels (25%, 50%, and 75% from the volar surface) were collected for each transverse carpal ligament. Fibers were grouped in the following orientation ranges: transverse, longitudinal, oblique in the pisiform‐trapezium (PT), and oblique in the scaphoid‐hamate (SH) directions. In analyzing the fiber percentages, the orientation types for the different thickness levels of the ligament showed that the transverse fibers were the most prominent (>60.7%) followed by the PT oblique (18.6%), SH oblique (13.0%), and longitudinal (8.6%) fibers. Clin. Anat. 25:478–482, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlled Rearrangement of Lactam‐Tethered Allenols with Brominating Reagents: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study on α‐ versus β‐Keto Lactam Formation
Authors: Alcaide Benito , Almendros Pedro , Luna Amparo , Cembellín Sara , Arnó Manuel , Domingo Luis R.
Published: September 2011

N‐Bromosuccinimide (NBS) smoothly promotes the ring expansion of lactam‐tethered allenols to efficiently afford cyclic α‐ or β‐ketoamides with good yields and high chemo‐, regio‐, and diastereoselectivity, through controlled CC bond cleavage of the β‐ or γ‐lactam nucleus. Interestingly, in contrast to the rearrangement reactions of 2‐azetidinone‐tethered allenols, which lead to the corresponding tetramic acid derivatives (β‐keto lactam adducts) as the sole products, the reactions of 2‐indolinone‐tethered allenols under similar conditions give quinoline‐2,3‐diones (α‐keto lactam adducts) as the exclusive or major products. To rationalize the experimental observations, theoretical studies have been performed.
Gene amplification and protein overexpression of EGFR and ERBB2 in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: López Fernando , Llorente José Luis , Oviedo Carlos Martín , Vivanco Blanca , Álvarez Marcos César , García‐Inclán Cristina , Scola Bartolomé , Hermsen Mario A.
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas (SNSCCs) are rare tumors with no etiologic link to tobacco or alcohol, as opposed to other squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Despite improvements in the field of surgery and radiotherapy, patients with these tumors still face a very unfavorable prognosis, partly because of their localization in a complex anatomic area, which has special relevance for surgery and postoperative treatment. Therefore, there is a need for new therapeutic possibilities for patients with these tumors.

METHODS:

Gene copy numbers of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and v‐erb‐b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2) were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and multiplex ligand‐dependent probe amplification, and protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 54 SNSCC specimens. The results were correlated with clinicopathologic and follow‐up data.

RESULTS:

EGFR gene copy number increases were observed in 20 of 45 tumors (44%), and 21 of 54 tumors (39%) had EGFR protein overexpression. Eight of 38 tumors (21%) had ERBB2 copy number increases, and 4 of 54 tumors (7%) exhibited elevated protein expression levels. Both copy number increases and protein overexpression of EGFR and ERBB2 were mutually exclusive. v‐Ki‐ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations were absent in 37 tumors that were analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS:

A substantial proportion of SNSCCs carried alterations in EGFR or ERBB2. Together with the absence of KRAS mutations, these findings indicate that therapies targeting these molecules may be promising additions to the therapeutic options for patients with SNSCC. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Germline genetic polymorphisms may influence chemotherapy response and disease outcome in osteosarcoma
Authors: Windsor Rachael E. , Strauss Sandra J. , Kallis Constantinos , Wood Nicholas E. , Whelan Jeremy S.
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and young people. Efficacy of multiagent MAP (methotrexate, doxorubicin [Adriamycin], cisplatin) chemotherapy may be influenced by multiple cellular pathways. This pilot study aimed to investigate the association of 36 candidate genetic polymorphisms in MAP pathway genes with histological response, survival, and grade 3‐4 chemotherapy toxicity in osteosarcoma.

METHODS:

Blood samples were obtained from 60 patients who had completed MAP chemotherapy. All patients were manually genotyped for 5 polymorphisms. The remaining 31 polymorphisms were genotyped in 50 patients using the Illumina 610‐Quad microarray. Associations between candidate polymorphisms and histological response, progression‐free survival, and toxicity were estimated using Pearson chi‐square and Fisher exact tests, the Kaplan‐Meier method, the log‐rank test, and the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS:

Poor histological response was increased in variants of ABCC2 c.24C>T (P = .011) and GSTP1 c.313A>G p.Ile105Val (P = .009), whereas MTHFD1 c.1958G>A p.Arg653Gln was protective (P = .03). Methotrexate toxicity was increased in variants of MTHFR c.1298A>C p.Glu429Ala (P = .038), ABCB1 c.3435T>C Ile145Ile (P = .027), and ABCC2 c.3563T>A p.Val1188Glu (P = .028). Variants of GSTP1 c.313A>G p.Ile105Val were at increased risk of myelosuppression (P = .024) and cardiac damage (P = .008).

CONCLUSIONS:

This pilot study represents the most comprehensive study to date examining the role of genetic polymorphisms in osteosarcoma. Although small and retrospective, it shows that several polymorphisms appear to significantly influence toxicity and clinical outcome. These deserve prospective validation in the hope of optimizing treatment for resistant disease and reducing the late effects burden. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Adult glioblastoma multiforme survival in the temozolomide era: A population‐based analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries
Authors: Darefsky Amy S. , King Joseph T. , Dubrow Robert
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

Survival after a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) diagnosis remained static during the several decades before 1999. We hypothesized that the progressive increase in temozolomide use for GBM treatment that began in 1999 in the United States would be paralleled by a corresponding improvement in survival.

METHODS:

We included 19,674 GBM cases, ages 20 years or greater, diagnosed 1993 to 2007 in the population‐based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database. We used proportional hazards models to calculate calendar period hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for demographic covariates. We compared survival across periods using the Kaplan‐Meier method.

RESULTS:

Starting with cases diagnosed in 1999 to 2001, we observed a progressive decrease in HRs compared with cases diagnosed in 1993 to 1995. The multivariate‐adjusted HR for 2005 to 2007 versus 1993 to 1995 was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.65‐0.72). Age‐stratified analyses revealed that this progressive decrease occurred in all age groups except 80+ years. Two‐year survival increased from 7% among cases diagnosed in 1993 to 1995 and 1996 to 1998 to 9% among cases diagnosed in 1999 to 2001, 13% in 2002 to 2004, and 17% in 2005 to 2007. The disparity in survival between young and old patients increased in the temozolomide era, with 2‐year survival of 39% among cases diagnosed at ages 20 to 44 years and 1% among cases diagnosed at 80+ years in 2005 to 2007.

CONCLUSIONS:

We observed a modest, but meaningful, population‐based survival improvement for GBM patients in the United States. Widespread adoption of temozolomide represents the most likely explanation, although other treatment advances, such as increased extent of surgical resection, also may have played a role. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Bridging η2‐BO in B2(BO)3− and B3(BO)3− Clusters: Boronyl Analogs of Boranes
Authors: Zhai Hua‐Jin , Guo Jin‐Chang , Li Si‐Dian , Wang Lai‐Sheng
Published: September 2011

Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations are combined to probe the structures and chemical bonding of two boron‐rich oxide clusters, B5O3− and B6O3−, which are shown to be appropriately formulated as B2(BO)3− and B3(BO)3−, respectively. The anion clusters are found to each possess a bridging η2‐BO group, as well as two terminal BO groups and are analogs of B2H3− and B3H3−. This finding advances the boronyl chemistry and helps establish the isolobal analogy between boron‐rich oxide clusters and boranes.
Novel method of identifying time series based on network graphs
Authors: Li Ying , Caö Hongduo , Tan Yong
Published: September 2011

In this article, we propose a novel method for transforming a time series into a complex network graph. The proposed algorithm is based on the spatial distribution of a time series. The characteristics of geometric parameters of a network represent the dynamic characteristics of a time series. Our algorithm transforms, respectively, a constant series into a fully connected graph, periodic time series into a regular graph, linear divergent time series into a tree, and chaotic time series into an approximately power law distribution network graph. We find that when the dimension of reconstructed phase space increases, the corresponding graph for a random time series quickly turns into a completely unconnected graph, while that for a chaotic time series maintains a certain level of connectivity. The characteristics of the generated network, including the total edges, the degree distribution, and the clustering coefficient, reflect the characteristics of the time series, including diverging speed, level of certainty, and level of randomness. This observation allows a chaotic time series to be easily identified from a random time series. The method may be useful for analysis of complex nonlinear systems such as chaos and random systems, by perceiving the differences in the outcomes of the systems—the time series—in the identification of the systemic levels of certainty or randomness. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2011
Stoichiometry of Nickel Oxide Films Prepared by ALD
Authors: Bachmann Julien , Zolotaryov Andriy , Albrecht Ole , Goetze Silvana , Berger Andreas , Hesse Dietrich , Novikov Dmitri , Nielsch Kornelius
Published: September 2011

Nickel oxide films obtained from nickelocene and ozone by atomic layer deposition at 230°C are substoichiometric, but have the crystal structure of NiO. Oxygen can be driven out of the solid by annealing under inert atmosphere, or added into it via aerobic annealing.
Expression of the hMICL in acute myeloid leukemia—a highly reliable disease marker at diagnosis and during follow‐up
Authors: Larsen Hanne Ø. , Roug Anne S. , Just Tom , Brown Gordon D. , Hokland Peter
Published: September 2011

Background:

Stable flow cytometric markers for malignant myeloid cells are highly warranted. Based on data from stem cell research, we hypothesized that the human inhibitory C‐type lectin like receptor (hMICL) might represent a novel diagnostic and prognostic vehicle in a standard flow cytometry (FCM) setting.

Methods:

Standard four‐color FCM was employed to uncover the expression patterns of hMICL in bone marrow in a test set of 55 retrospectively collected diagnostic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples and in a set of 36 prospectively collected diagnostic AML samples.

Results:

Ninety‐two percent of the AML patients stained positive for hMICL and in the otherwise poorly characterized CD34 negative patient group hMICL staining revealed a very homogenous expression profile in the blast cell compartment with a mean of 88% hMICL positive cells. Moreover, hMICL displayed significantly higher expression in AML as compared with normal donors as measured by median fluorescence intensity (MFI) ratios (P = 0.01). There was no difference in hMICL MFI ratios between the CD34 positive and the CD34 negative subgroups (P = 0.89). Importantly, there was no difference in MFI ratios between paired diagnostic and relapse samples (P = 0.76) in 23 cases studied, indicating stable expression of hMICL during the course of the disease. In contrast to the other stem cell associated antigens analyzed (CD34, CD96, CD117, and CD133), hMICL was expressed on myeloid blast cells only, revealing hMICL as a diagnostic marker in AML.

Conclusion:

These data identify hMICL as a myeloid leukemia‐associated antigen and establishes its applicability for diagnosis and follow‐up of AML patients in a standard FCM setting. © 2011 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Invasive plants and plant diversity as affected by groundwater depth and microtopography in the Great Basin
Authors: Mata‐González R. , Martin D. W. , McLendon T. , Trlica M. J. , Pearce R. A.
Published: September 2011

We evaluated invasive exotic weeds and plant species diversity in relation to depth to groundwater (DTW) and microtopography in areas with DTW from 0·3–4 m in Owens Valley, California. Transects dominated by common plant species of the area were read at 1‐cm intervals, and species cover was obtained at different scales: 1‐m transect portions (microsites), whole transects (68 m average length), and the whole study area. Species richness and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index were obtained in microsites. DTW and microtopographical variation (soil‐surface relative elevations) were jointly measured along the vegetation transects. Found in 34% of the sampled transects, the annual Bassia hyssopifolia was the most common exotic weed of the area. Its cover in the whole study area was only 0·9%, but it was the second most dominant species (19% cover) in microsites. B. hyssopifolia coexisted mainly with herbaceous species, typically in places with shallow groundwater (average <1·5 m) and microtopographical depressions. However, B. hyssopifolia cover was not affected by variations in DTW or relative elevation. In contrast, B. hyssopifolia cover was negatively associated with perennial cover and species richness. Species diversity (Shannon–Wiener) slightly decreased with the increase in DTW but not with changes in microtopography. In contrast, species richness clearly varied with the identity of the dominant species in microsites. Our study suggests that the variation in community‐intrinsic factors such as competition and diversity may play a greater role in the growth of invasive plants than the variation in physical factors such as groundwater and microtopography. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and X‐ray Crystal Structures of Multinuclear Zinc Amidinate Complexes
Authors: Schmidt Sarah , Gutschank Benjamin , Schulz Stephan , Bläser Dieter , Boese Roland , Wölper Christoph
Published: September 2011

The reactions of Me2Zn with carbodiimides RN=C=NR (R = Et, Ph) yielded the polynuclear zinc amidinate complexes {[MeZn]4[C(RNCNR)4]} [R = Et (1), Ph (3)] and {[MeZn]2[C(EtNCNEt)2(C2(NEt)3)]} (2). In addition, the reaction of {[ClZn]4[C(iPrNCNiPr)4]} with MCl3 gave the corresponding Lewis acid–base adducts {[MCl3]2[ClZn]4[C(iPrNCNiPr)4]} [M = Al (4), Ga (5)]. Compounds 1–5 were characterized by multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.
Interlaboratory Pig‐a gene mutation assay trial: Studies of 1,3‐propane sultone with immunomagnetic enrichment of mutant erythrocytes
Authors: Dertinger Stephen D. , Phonethepswath Souk , Weller Pamela , Avlasevich Svetlana , Torous Dorothea K. , Mereness Jared A. , Bryce Steven M. , Bemis Jeffrey C. , Bell Sara , Portugal Susan , Aylott Michael , MacGregor James T.
Published: September 2011

An international collaborative trial was established to systematically investigate the merits and limitations of a rat in vivo Pig‐a gene mutation assay. The product of this gene is essential for anchoring CD59 to the plasma membrane, and mutations in this gene are identified by flow cytometric quantification of circulating erythrocytes without cell surface CD59 expression. Initial interlaboratory data from rats treated with several potent mutagens have been informative, but the time required for those flow cytometric analyses (∼20 min per sample) limited the number of cells that could be interrogated for the mutant phenotype. Thus, it was desirable to establish a new higher throughput scoring approach before expanding the trial to include weak mutagens or nongenotoxicants. An immunomagnetic column separation method that dramatically increases analysis rates was therefore developed (Dertinger et al. [2011]: Mutat Res 721:163‐170). To evaluate this new method for use in the international collaborative trial, studies were conducted to determine the mutagenic response of male Sprague Dawley rats treated for 3 or 28 consecutive days with several doses of 1,3‐propane sultone (1,3‐PS). Pig‐a mutant frequencies were measured over a period of several weeks and were supplemented with another indicator of genetic toxicity, peripheral blood micronucleated reticulocyte (MN‐RET) counts. 1,3‐PS was found to increase Pig‐a mutation and MN‐RET frequencies in both 3‐ and 28‐day study designs. While the greatest induction of MN‐RETs was observed in the 3‐day study, the highest Pig‐a responses were found with 28‐days of treatment. Pig‐a measurements were acquired in approximately one‐third the time required in the original method, while the number of erythrocyte and reticulocyte equivalents analyzed per sample were increased by factors of 100 and 10, respectively. The data strongly support the value of using the immunomagnetic separation technique for enumerating Pig‐a mutation frequencies. These results also demonstrate that the ongoing international trial will benefit from the inclusion of studies that are based on both acute and protracted repeat dosing schedules in conjunction with the acquisition of longitudinal data, at least until more data have been accumulated. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uptake and toxicity of spiked nickel to earthworm Eisenia fetida in a range of Chinese soils
Authors: Yan Zengguang , Wang Beixin , Xie Dongli , Zhou Youya , Guo Guanlin , Xu Meng , Bai Liping , Hou Hong , Li Fasheng
Published: September 2011

Bioavailability and toxicity of metals to soil organisms varies among different soils, and knowledge of this variance is useful for the development of soil environmental quality guidelines. In the present study, laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the effects of variations in nickel (Ni) uptake and toxicity on growth, cocoon output, and juvenile production in the earthworm Eisenia fetida in 13 Chinese soils spiked with nickel chloride. Body weight development of E. fetida was rather insensitive to Ni, and significant inhibition of growth was observed only at high Ni concentrations, such as 560 and 1000 mg/kg. The 50% inhibition effect concentrations (EC50s) for cocoon and juvenile production, based on measured Ni concentrations in soils, varied from 169 to 684 mg/kg and from 159 to 350 mg/kg, respectively. The EC50s represented approximately fourfold variation for cocoon output and twofold variation for juvenile production among 13 Chinese soils. Juvenile production, compared to cocoon output, was a more sensitive endpoint parameter to Ni. Nickel uptake in E. fetida increased as simple linear functions of increasing soil Ni concentrations. Tissue Ni–based EC50s (based on Ni concentrations in earthworm tissues) for cocoon production varied from 37 to 121 mg/kg (threefold variation) in 12 of 13 soils, suggesting a similar variation to that of soil Ni–based EC50s. Relationship analysis between soil properties and Ni toxicity showed that neither the EC50s for cocoon output nor those for juvenile production presented significant correlation with soil properties (pH, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, clay content, Ca2+ and Mg2+). This may be ascribed to the narrow range of properties of selected soils. The soil factors that determined Ni toxicity to earthworm reproduction remain undetermined in the present study, and these data should be used cautiously when developing toxicity prediction models because of the narrow selection of soil properties. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2586–2593. © 2011 SETAC