bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile Tele-Mental Health: Increasing Applications and a Move to Hybrid Models of Care
Authors: Chan Steven , Torous John , Hinton Ladson , Yellowlees Peter
Published: May 2014

Mobile telemental health is defined as the use of mobile phones and other wireless devices as applied to psychiatric and mental health practice. Applications of such include treatment monitoring and adherence, health promotion, ecological momentary assessment, and decision support systems. Advantages of mobile telemental health are underscored by its interactivity, just-in-time interventions, and low resource requirements and portability. Challenges in realizing this potential of mobile telemental health include the low penetration rates of health applications on mobile devices in part due to health literacy, the delay in current published research in evaluating newer technologies, and outdated research methodologies. Despite such challenges, one immediate opportunity for mobile telemental health is utilizing mobile devices as videoconferencing mediums for psychotherapy and psychosocial interventions enhanced by novel sensor based monitoring and behavior-prediction algorithms. This paper provides an overview of mobile telemental health and its current trends, as well as future opportunities as applied to patient care in both academic research and commercial ventures.
Facilitators and Barriers to Effective Smoking Cessation: Counselling Services for Inpatients from Nurse-Counsellors’ Perspectives — A Qualitative Study
Authors: Li I-Chuan , Lee Shoou-Yih , Chen Chiu-Yen , Jeng Yu-Qian , Chen Yu-Chi
Published: May 2014

Tobacco use has reached epidemic levels around the World, resulting in a world-wide increase in tobacco-related deaths and disabilities. Hospitalization presents an opportunity for nurses to encourage inpatients to quit smoking. This qualitative descriptive study was aimed to explore nurse-counsellors’ perspectives of facilitators and barriers in the implementation of effective smoking cessation counselling services for inpatients. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 nurses who were qualified smoking cessation counsellors and who were recruited from eleven health promotion hospitals that were smoke-free and located in the Greater Taipei City Area. Data were collected from May 2012 to October 2012, and then analysed using content analysis based on the grounded theory approach. From nurse-counsellors’ perspectives, an effective smoking cessation program should be patient-centred and provide a supportive environment. Another finding is that effective smoking cessation counselling involves encouraging patients to modify their lifestyles. Time constraints and inadequate resources are barriers that inhibit the effectiveness of smoking cessation counselling programs in acute-care hospitals. We suggest that hospitals should set up a smoking counselling follow-up program, including funds, facilities, and trained personnel to deliver counselling services by telephone, and build a network with community smoking cessation resources.
Spatio-Temporal Variation and Prediction of Ischemic Heart Disease Hospitalizations in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Wang Yanxia , Du Qingyun , Ren Fu , Liang Shi , Lin De-nan , Tian Qin , Chen Yan , Li Jia-jia
Published: May 2014

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Urban public health and medical management in Shenzhen, an international city in the developing country of China, is challenged by an increasing burden of IHD. This study analyzed the spatio-temporal variation of IHD hospital admissions from 2003 to 2012 utilizing spatial statistics, spatial analysis, and space-time scan statistics. The spatial statistics and spatial analysis measured the incidence rate (hospital admissions per 1,000 residents) and the standardized rate (the observed cases standardized by the expected cases) of IHD at the district level to determine the spatio-temporal distribution and identify patterns of change. The space-time scan statistics was used to identify spatio-temporal clusters of IHD hospital admissions at the district level. The other objective of this study was to forecast the IHD hospital admissions over the next three years (2013–2015) to predict the IHD incidence rates and the varying burdens of IHD-related medical services among the districts in Shenzhen. The results show that the highest hospital admissions, incidence rates, and standardized rates of IHD are in Futian. From 2003 to 2012, the IHD hospital admissions exhibited similar mean centers and directional distributions, with a slight increase in admissions toward the north in accordance with the movement of the total population. The incidence rates of IHD exhibited a gradual increase from 2003 to 2012 for all districts in Shenzhen, which may be the result of the rapid development of the economy and the increasing traffic pollution. In addition, some neighboring areas exhibited similar temporal change patterns, which were also detected by the spatio-temporal cluster analysis. Futian and Dapeng would have the highest and the lowest hospital admissions, respectively, although these districts have the highest incidence rates among all of the districts from 2013 to 2015 based on the prediction using the GM (1,1). In addition, the combined analysis of the prediction of IHD hospital admissions and the general hospital distributions shows that Pingshan and Longgang might experience the most serious burden of IHD hospital services in the near future, although Futian would still have the greatest number and the highest incidence rate of hospital admissions for IHD.
Hematological and Biochemical Data Obtained in Rural Northern Uganda
Authors: Palacpac Nirianne , Ntege Edward , Balikagala Betty , Yeka Adoke , Shirai Hiroki , Suzuki Nahoko , Nsereko Christopher , Kanoi Bernard , Okada Takuya , Egwang Thomas , Horii Toshihiro
Published: May 2014

Reference intervals for common hematological and clinical chemistry parameters constitute an important basis for health care. Moreover, with increasing priority in drug and vaccine development for infectious diseases in Africa, the first priority is the safety evaluation and tolerability of the candidate interventions in healthy populations. To accurately assess health status and address adverse events, clinical reference intervals in the target population are necessary. We report on hematological and biochemical indices from healthy volunteers who participated in a clinical trial in Lira, northern Uganda. Median and nonparametric 95% percentiles on five hematology and 15 biochemistry analytes are shown. Although most hematological analytes conformed to reported reference intervals and trends in Africa, literature review from different African countries highlight the need for a region-specific children reference interval that can be appropriate for the population.
RETRACTED: Treatment with Panax Ginseng Antagonizes the Estrogen Decline in Ovariectomized Mice
Authors: Xu Ying , Ding Jie , Ma Xiao-Ping , Ma Ying-Hui , Liu Zhi-Qiang , Lin Na
Published: May 2014

Ginseng is a popular herb for alleviating menopausal symptoms; however, no conclusive scientific data has shown ginseng as being efficient in such therapies. The present study was designed to evaluate the estrogenic efficacy of ginseng on reproductive target tissues of ovariectomized (OVX) mice. The OVX mice were treated with ginseng at doses of 12.0, 18.0 and 24.0 g/kg per day for four weeks. Ginseng treatments restored the estrus cycle and demonstrated significant estrogenic activity, as indicated by the reversal of the atrophy of the uterus and vagina, upregulation of estrogen receptor (ER) α and ER β expression at the protein and mRNA level in the reproductive tissues, where ER α upregulation was stronger than that of ER β. Meanwhile, treatment with ginseng significantly increased adrenal gland weight and serum estradiol and clearly decreased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in circulation. Notably, the largest changes in these parameters were found at the highest dose of 24.0 g/kg. Moreover, ginseng at 18.0 g/kg resulted in the greatest decrease in weight gain caused by ovariectomy. The data suggest that ginseng estrogenic responses show tissue variation that reflects different affinities of ERs for ginseng components. This study demonstrates that ginseng activity is mediated through estrogenic components and provides further evidence for ginseng treatment of postmenopausal symptoms.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor and TiPARP (ARTD14) Use Similar, but also Distinct Mechanisms to Repress Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling
Authors: MacPherson Laura , Ahmed Shaimaa , Tamblyn Laura , Krutmann Jean , Förster Irmgard , Weighardt Heike , Matthews Jason
Published: May 2014

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) regulates the toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The AHR repressor (AHRR) is an AHR target gene and functions as a ligand-induced repressor of AHR; however, its mechanism of inhibition is controversial. Recently, we reported that TCDD-inducible poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (TiPARP; ARTD14) also acts as a repressor of AHR, representing a new player in the mechanism of AHR action. Here we compared the ability of AHRR- and TiPARP-mediated inhibition of AHR activity. TCDD increased AHRR mRNA levels and recruitment of AHRR to cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in MCF7 cells. Knockdown of TiPARP, but not AHRR, increased TCDD-induced CYP1A1 mRNA and AHR protein levels. Similarly, immortalized TiPARP−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and AHRR−/− MEFs exhibited enhanced AHR transactivation. However, unlike TiPARP−/− MEFs, AHRR−/− MEFs did not exhibit increased AHR protein levels. Overexpression of TiPARP in AHRR−/− MEFs or AHRRΔ8, the active isoform of AHRR, in TiPARP−/− MEFs reduced TCDD-induced CYP1A1 mRNA levels, suggesting that they independently repress AHR. GFP-AHRRΔ8 and GFP-TiPARP expressed as small diffuse nuclear foci in MCF7 and HuH7 cells. GFP-AHRRΔ8_Δ1-49, which lacks its putative nuclear localization signal, localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, while the GFP-AHRRΔ8_Δ1-100 mutant localized predominantly in large cytoplasmic foci. Neither GFP-AHRRΔ8_Δ1-49 nor GFP-AHRRΔ8_Δ1-100 repressed AHR. Taken together, AHRR and TiPARP repress AHR transactivation by similar, but also different mechanisms.
“Information”—from an Evolutionary Point of View
Authors: Kofler Walter
Published: May 2014

“Information” (=information including its processing, communication, etc.) is indispensable for the modern understanding of processes within cells, tissues, organs, the organism, but also between individuals and social structures. Is “information” the mathematically applicable substitute for the omnipotent and in all living entities identical Vis Vitalis, applicable also to machines? Vis Vitalis was falsified by evolutionary theory. Its explanatory power was not “saved” with an alternative hypothesis. So the causal explanation of what could be handled previously with Vis Vitalis remains a “grey area” in the landscape of sciences. “Information” seems to fill the gap between, e.g., body and mind. Therefore, an analysis of “information” from an evolutionary view can be helpful even for information sciences: there are gaps which cannot be bridged sufficiently, especially between the different evolutionary levels up to the “hierarchical structure” of a person as a social being. An analysis is presented: the meaning and the indispensable carriers of “information” have changed within the evolutionary processes. Options and restrictions for an evolution-oriented use of “information” are discussed and applied. Doing this it seems possible not only to bridge the gap between the layers within the biological, emotional, cognitive and intellectual hierarchical levels within a person, but between persons and machines too.
An Overview on the South Korean Scientific Production in the Field of Chemistry (1993–2012)
Authors: Magnone Edoardo
Published: May 2014

The present review seeks to take stock of the South Korean publication activity on the field of chemistry by analyzing systematically all chemistry-related scholarly communications collected in the Web of Science (WOS) database published by at least one Korean author or Korean institute- or university-affiliated author from 1993 to 2012. The studied parameters included the growth in number of the communications, as well as the language-, document-, category-, source-, organization-, and collaboration-wise distribution of the South Korean communications. A total of 5660 communications on chemistry were found to be published by South Korean researchers during the aforementioned period of time, and South Korea was the 15th country (1.77%) in the world in terms of informational communication activity in chemistry.
Anti-Candida, Anti-Enzyme Activity and Cytotoxicity of 3,5-Diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carboximidamides
Authors: Oliveira Simone , Pizzuti Lucas , Quina Frank , Flores Alex , Lund Rafael , Lencina Claiton , Pacheco Bruna , De Pereira Claudio , Piva Evandro
Published: May 2014

Because of the need for more effective and less harmful antifungal therapies, and interest in the synthesis of new carboximidamides, the goal of this study was to determine the antifungal and anti-enzyme activities of some new pyrazole carboximidamides and their cytotoxicity. For this purpose, tests were performed to evaluate: minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC); production of proteinases and phospholipase, and cytotoxicity of the extracts. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey Tests (α = 5%). The results were: MIC and MFC ≥ 62.5 μg/mL (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. famata, C. glabrata, and Rhodotorula mucillaginosa) and MIC and MFC ≥ 15.6 μg/mL (C. lipolytica). The values of proteinase and phospholipase (Pz) of C. albicans before and after exposure to the compounds were: 0.6 (±0.024) and 0.2 (±0.022) and 0.9 (±0.074) and 0.3 (±0.04), respectively. These proteinase results were not significant (p = 0.69), but those of phospholipase were (p = 0.01), and 15.6 μg/mL was the most effective concentration. The cytotoxicity means were similar among the tests (p = 0.32). These compounds could be useful as templates for further development through modification or derivatization to design more potent antifungal agents. Data from this study provide evidence that these new pyrazole formulations could be an alternative source for the treatment of fungal infections caused by Candida. However, a specific study on the safety and efficacy of these in vivo and clinical trials is still needed, in order to evaluate the practical relevance of the in vitro results.
Membrane Thickness Dependence of Nanopore Formation with a Focused Helium Ion Beam
Authors: Sawafta Furat , Carlsen Autumn , Hall Adam
Published: May 2014

Solid-state nanopores are emerging as a valuable tool for the detection and characterization of individual biomolecules. Central to their success is the realization of fabrication strategies that are both rapid and flexible in their ability to achieve diverse device dimensions. In this paper, we demonstrate the membrane thickness dependence of solid-state nanopore formation with a focused helium ion beam. We vary membrane thickness in situ and show that the rate of pore expansion follows a reproducible trend under all investigated membrane conditions. We show that this trend shifts to lower ion dose for thin membranes in a manner that can be described quantitatively, allowing devices of arbitrary dimension to be realized. Finally, we demonstrate that thin, small-diameter nanopores formed with our approach can be utilized for high signal-to-noise ratio resistive pulse sensing of DNA.
Spectral Imaging at the Microscale and Beyond
Authors: Paquet-Mercier François , Greener Jesse
Published: May 2014

Here we give context to the special issue “Spectral Imaging at the Microscale and Beyond” in Sensors. We start with an introduction and motivation for the need for spectral imaging and then present important definitions and background concepts. Following this, we review new developments and applications in environmental monitoring, biomaterials, microfluidics, nanomaterials, healthcare, agriculture and food science, with a special focus on the articles published in the special issue. Some concluding remarks put the presented developments in context vis-à-vis the future of spectral imaging.
Sensor Saturation Compensated Smoothing Algorithm for Inertial Sensor Based Motion Tracking
Authors: Dang Quoc , Suh Young
Published: May 2014

In this paper, a smoothing algorithm for compensating inertial sensor saturation is proposed. The sensor saturation happens when a sensor measures a value that is larger than its dynamic range. This can lead to a considerable accumulated error. To compensate the lost information in saturated sensor data, we propose a smoothing algorithm in which the saturation compensation is formulated as an optimization problem. Based on a standard smoothing algorithm with zero velocity intervals, two saturation estimation methods were proposed. Simulation and experiments prove that the proposed methods are effective in compensating the sensor saturation.
A portal of educational resources: providing evidence for matching pedagogy with technology
Authors: Di Blas Nicoletta , Fiore Alessandro , Mainetti Luca , Vergallo Roberto , Paolini Paolo
Published: May 2014

The TPACK (Technology, Pedagogy and Content Knowledge) model presents the three types of knowledge that are necessary to implement a successful technology-based educational activity. It highlights how the intersections between TPK (Technological Pedagogical Knowledge), PCK (Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and TCK (Technological Content Knowledge) are not a sheer sum up of their components but new types of knowledge. This paper focuses on TPK, the intersection between technology knowledge and pedagogy knowledge – a crucial field of investigation. Actually, technology in education is not just an add-on but is literally reshaping teaching/learning paradigms. Technology modifies pedagogy and pedagogy dictates requirements to technology. In order to pursue this research, an empirical approach was taken, building a repository (back-end) and a portal (front-end) of about 300 real-life educational experiences run at school. Educational portals are not new, but they generally emphasise content. Instead, in our portal, technology and pedagogy take centre stage. Experiences are classified according to more than 30 categories (‘facets’) and more than 200 facet values, all revolving around the pedagogical implementation and the technology used. The portal (an innovative piece of technology) supports sophisticated ‘exploratory’ sessions of use, targeted at researchers (investigating the TPK intersection), teachers (looking for inspiration in their daily jobs) and decision makers (making decisions about the introduction of technology into schools).Keywords: educational portal; educational repository; open educational resources; educational technology; the TPACK model(Published: 06 May 2014)Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2014, 22: 22906 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v22.22906
Impact du non-emploi sur les revenus et la pauvreté : linfluence de lhétérogénéité individuelle inobservable
Authors: Breuil-Genier Pascale , Hourriez Jean-Michel , Lollivier Stéfan
Published: May 2014

This study analyses the impact of non-employment on households ’ incomes , a subject that has received very little attention in France until now , for lack of suitable data . Results from cross-section models are biased because unobservable characteristics of individuals explain both the activity status and the income obtained for a given activity status . In order to monitor this unobservable heterogeneity , fixed-effect models are estimated on the basis of the first four waves of the European Panel . The results confirm the importance of individual heterogeneity , which the observable socio-demographic variables almost totally fail to capture . Once this heterogeneity has been taken into account , the effects of non-employment on incomes turn out to be less important than in cross-section models , but remain very significant in general .
Enseignement supérieur et marchés du travail. Analyse économétrique de la théorie de l’engorgement
Authors: Jaoul Magali
Published: May 2014

In many countries , the higher education and economic systems have undergone periods of expansion followed by periods of stagnation or recession . A relationship between these two indicators has therefore been assumed . Diebolt (2001 ) believes that the educational movements are linked to evolutions on the labour market . According to his “ glutting ” theory , students ’ career choices depend on expected earnings levels and the availability of places in the professional sector concerned . In this study we propose an econometric test of this theory in the case of Germany (1820-1941 ), using co-integration and causality . The relationships that emerge seem to confirm this theory : we find substitutability between university courses and the various professions , on the one hand , and , on the other , complementarity between the numbers of students in the universities and of posts in the corresponding professions .
Estimation de l’efficience des dépenses de santé au niveau départemental par la méthode DEA
Authors: Pichetti Sylvain , Bardey David
Published: May 2014

Les départements français présentent de fortes disparités en matière de dépenses de santé . Le problème des autorités publiques est de déterminer si ces écarts représentent des différences en termes de besoins sanitaires et médicaux ou s ’ ils résultent d ’ une mauvaise gestion du risque maladie par les différents acteurs du système de santé dans certains départements . Nous proposons une estimation de l ’ efficience des dépenses de santé à l ’ échelon départemental . Notre estimation résulte d ’ une comparaison des niveaux des dépenses de santé qui tient compte des résultats exprimés en termes de morbidité ainsi que de l ’ environnement de chaque département . Nous montrons enfin comment les scores DEA peuvent être utilisés au sein du système de péréquation interrégionale .
Politique budgétaire et dynamique économique en France : l'approche VAR structurel
Authors: Girard Elie , Biau Olivier
Published: May 2014

Afin d’évaluer l’efficacité de la politique budgétaire en France, on s’inspire de l'approche VAR structurel de Blanchard et Perotti (2002). Conformément aux modèles keynésiens, le papier atteste l’efficacité macroéconomique à court terme d’une hausse structurelle de la dépense publique en France (multiplicateur proche de 1,4) qui, au-delà de son impact mécanique sur la demande globale, stimule la consommation et l’investissement privés. De même, l’effet estimé sur l’activité d’une hausse structurelle des recettes publiques est négatif, en raison essentiellement de la contraction de la consommation privée ; cependant, cette réponse est faible (multiplicateur proche de -0,1 seulement) et n’est significative qu’à très court terme, même si ce résultat varie selon le type de recettes considéré.
Effets économiques des aides personnelles au logement
Authors: Calcoen Francis , Cornuel Didier
Published: May 2014

We use microeconomic analysis to determine the impact of personal housing allowances on tenant behavior and on the market. The minimum and maximum housing expenses defined in the schedule induce discontinuities in the demand function. As a result, the subsidy – initially earmarked for housing consumption – tends to become a general income subsidy. Turning to the market, we use contract theory to assess (1) potential discrimination by suppliers between benefit recipients and non-recipients, and (2) suppliers’ capture of the subsidy. This conceptualization makes it possible to explain certain market-segmentation phenomena and predict likely trends. It views the allowances in the context of housing-policy goals.
Une synthèse des tests de racine unitaire sur données de panel
Authors: Mignon Valérie , Hurlin Christophe
Published: May 2014

Our article presents an overview of panel unit-root tests. There are two major trends in this research area. First, since the late 1990s, the work on panel unit-root tests aims to take account of heterogeneity in dynamic properties of series. Second, attempts have recently been made to introduce a dichotomy between two generations of tests. The first generation is based on the hypothesis of independence between units. In contrast, the second-generation tests are characterized by the rejection of the cross-sectional independence hypothesis. Our survey discusses both generations of tests.
Adoption et usage marchand de l’Internet : une étude économétrique sur données bretonnes
Authors: Suire Raphaël , Pénard Thierry , Le Guel Fabrice
Published: May 2014

What are the forces driving or curbing Internet use in the home ? Agrowing number of surveys have been carried out to address this question . In this vein , this article focuses on the decisions whether to have an Internet access in the home and whether to buy online , using the results of a survey carried out in Brittany at the end of 2002 . The econometric results of this study , the first of its kind using French data , highlight the role of socio-economic factors (age , education , occupation ), but also the positive impact of experience and neighbourhood influences on Internet use . For example , a person will be more likely to buy on the Internet if a large proportion of those in his neighbourhood are accustomed to buying online . This finding gives support to the idea that individual choices regarding online are often taken in interaction with people ’ s immediate circle or with social networks .
Impact of Short-Term Liquid Storage on Human CD133+ Stem Cells
Authors: Lux Cornelia A. , Mark Peter , Klopsch Christian , Laupheimer Michael , Tu-Rapp Hoang , Li Wenzhong , Ma Nan , Steinhoff Gustav , David Robert
Published: May 2014

Stem cell transplantation is a viable strategy for regenerative medicine. However, it is inevitable to have cells undergo storage for several hours or days due to processing and transportation. Therefore, it is crucial to have rigidly controlled conditions ensuring the therapeutic benefit of isolated stem cells. In the present study, we investigated the impact of short-term storage on human CD133+ cells. CD133+ cells were isolated from human bone marrow and kept at standardized nonfreezing storage conditions for up to 72 h. Cell viability (apoptosis/necrosis) and expression of CD133 and CXCR4 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Metabolic activity was determined using an MTT assay; colony-forming ability, as well as endothelial-like differentiation, was further evaluated. A qRT-PCR array was employed to investigate the expression of sternness genes. CD133 and CXCR4 expressions were preserved at all time points. After 30 h, cell number and metabolic activity decreased, although no significant changes were detected in cell viability and proliferation as well as endothelial-like differentiation. Cell viability and proliferation decreased significantly only after 72 h of storage. Our results indicate that storage of isolated human CD133+ bone marrow stem cells in liquid allows for high viability and functionality. However, storage time should be limited in order to avoid cell loss.
Le grand retour des États ?
Authors: Novak Stéphanie
Published: May 2014

La crise de la zone euro a attiré l’attention publique sur le rôle croissant du Conseil européen. Peut-on pour autant soutenir que la gouvernance européenne est à présent principalement mue par une dynamique intergouvernementale ? Cet article tente de répondre à cette question en analysant les extensions récentes de la méthode communautaire et le rôle croissant du Conseil européen dans la coordination des politiques.
La gouvernance économique durant et après la crise : vers la disparition de la Commission européenne ?
Authors: Bauer Michael W. , Becker Stefan , Richet Isabelle
Published: May 2014

Alors que la récente crise économique et financière a refaçonné l’ordre institutionnel de la gouvernance économique de l’Union européenne, le rôle de la Commission est remis en question. Cette dernière est, en général, présentée sur le déclin, mais les auteurs avancent ici une perspective plus nuancée. Sa capacité à déterminer les priorités de l’Union s’est en effet affaiblie à cause du leadership croissant du Conseil européen ; pourtant, la mise en œuvre d’une grande majorité de décisions concernant la gouvernance économique dépend toujours de l’exécutif de l’Union. Le rôle de la Commission, armée de compétences plus conséquentes en matière d’exécution, est peut-être moins visible, mais certainement pas moins important.
Union européenne, zone euro : quels gouvernements ?
Authors: de Witte Bruno
Published: May 2014

L’autonomie institutionnelle de la zone euro par rapport à l’ensemble de l’Union européenne est davantage marquée depuis le début de la crise des dettes souveraines. Des organes intergouvernementaux nouveaux et informels (l’Eurogroupe et le Sommet de la zone euro) ont été nidifiés au sein du système institutionnel de l’Union européenne. Par ailleurs, les États de la zone euro ont conclu entre eux des traités et accords internationaux pour renforcer leur coopération en dehors du cadre institutionnel de l’Union. Cette autonomie institutionnelle reste cependant limitée, et les projets visant à développer une coopération plus poussée dans un cadre institutionnel propre à la zone euro resteront difficiles à réaliser.
La Cour de justice au cœur de la gouvernance européenne
Authors: Saurugger Sabine , Terpan Fabien
Published: May 2014

La Cour de justice de l’Union européenne a joué un rôle primordial dans l’intégration européenne. Dans cet article, les auteurs s’interrogent sur l’idée selon laquelle la Cour, après avoir connu des années d’activisme jurisprudentiel, aurait commencé à s’autolimiter depuis le traité de Maastricht de 1992. En replaçant la Cour dans le cadre plus général du système politique de l’Union, on observe que son activisme demeure fort dans certains domaines, en particulier dans celui de la défense des droits fondamentaux.
La BCE dans la crise : Qui décide quoi ?
Authors: Fontan Clément
Published: May 2014

Quelle a été la portée des décisions prises par la Banque centrale européenne pendant la crise de la zone euro ? Afin de répondre à cette question, il faut envisager la bce , non pas sous l’angle de ses seules compétences officielles, mais comme un acteur politique qui cherche à exercer une influence au-delà du strict domaine monétaire. Son impact porte alors sur les systèmes socio-économiques nationaux, les règles de gouvernance européenne et le système de supervision financière.
Réglementations européennes et politiques sociales nationales : le grand écart
Authors: Hayward Jack , Richet Isabelle
Published: May 2014

Avant la commission Delors, l’Union européenne réglementait de façon minimale la politique sociale car les gouvernements des États membres considéraient leurs États-providence comme des éléments essentiels de la cohésion nationale. Les États membres ont ensuite agi de façons diverses pour éviter de mettre en œuvre les réglementations européennes et ont également utilisé leur influence au sein du Conseil pour les bloquer ou les modifier en amont. La Cour de justice de l’Union est parvenue à instaurer une certaine uniformité des règlements de la politique sociale. Entre les « partenaires sociaux », un recours accru à la marchéisation, à la déréglementation et à l’autorégulation a favorisé les employeurs et les contribuables au détriment des salariés et des citoyens en général. L’austérité financière imposée a entraîné une précarisation variable des services de santé et de retraite dans les différents pays.
Une gouvernance fédérale : mort et résurrection
Authors: Kelemen R. Daniel , Richet Isabelle
Published: May 2014

La plupart des europhiles considèrent le fédéralisme comme une utopie réalisable à long terme, tandis que les eurosceptiques y voient une dystopie à éviter. Mais le fédéralisme ne relève pas seulement de l’avenir de l’Union. Le modèle actuel de gouvernance de l’Union peut déjà être considéré comme un système fédéral, et les réformes introduites en réponse à la crise de la zone euro ont renforcé ce fédéralisme. Aujourd’hui, l’Union doit faire nombre de choix décisifs à propos de sa structure de gouvernance dans les domaines de la politique fiscale, du système bancaire, de la dette et de la démocratie, choix qui vont façonner le développement du fédéralisme européen pour les années à venir.
Synthesis and antioxidant activity of two novel tetraphenolic compounds derived from toluhydroquinone and tertiary butylhydroquinone
Authors: Jiang Z. W. , Weng X. C. , Huang Y. , Hou J. P. , Liao X. Y.
Published: May 2014

Two novel compounds bearing four hydroxyphenyl groups were synthesized by the acid-catalyzed condensation reaction of glyoxal with toluhydroquinone (THQ) or tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), respectively. The antioxidant activity of the newly synthesized compounds was assessed by the Rancimat test, a 2,2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and reducing power assay. In the Rancimat antioxidant test using lard oil as substrate, the performance of two newly synthesized compounds was superior to TBHQ at 140 °C. It was suggested that two newly synthesized compounds can be used to improve the oxidative stability of lipid products during high temperature processing. With regard to the DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power, the performance of synthesized compounds was inferior to their mother compounds, respectively. The results show that the DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power of a compound did not correlate with its ability to retard lipid oxidation.
Enzymatic modification of phosphatidylcholine with n-3 PUFA from silkworm oil fatty acids
Authors: Shanker Kaki Shiva , Ravinder T. , Ashwini B. , Rao B. V.S.K. , Prasad R. B.N.
Published: May 2014

α-Linolenic acid (ALA) containing phosphatidylcholine (PC) was prepared by an enzymatic method employing natural substrates comprising of egg and eri silkworm oil. Eri silkworm oil extracted from eri pupae was saponified to obtain the fatty acid mixture which was further subjected to urea complexation to obtain an ALA rich fraction with a purity of about 93%. Transesterification of PC with the ALA rich fraction with three immobilized lipases namely Lipozyme TL IM, Lipozyme RM IM and lipase from Candida Antarcticaz showed that only the lipase from Candida antarctica was successful for the incorporation of ALA into egg yolk PC. It was found that ALA was incorporated by up to 27% in the sn-1 position of egg PC and the positional distribution analysis of fatty acids in the modified PC showed that the sn-1 position was found to contain about 59% ALA.
Increase in the selenium content of extra virgin olive oil: quantitative and qualitative implications
Authors: D’Amato R. , Proietti P. , Nasini L. , Del Buono D. , Tedeschini E. , Businelli D.
Published: May 2014

The biofortification of food crops for human consumption is a direct strategy increasing dietary intake of selenium (Se). The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of increasing the Se content of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by spraying the olive tree canopy with sodium selenate and the effect of the increase in Se on the chemical properties and sensory characteristics of the EVOO. Se treatments were up to 50 times more effective in enhancing Se content in the EVOO compared with the untreated controls. Se concentration in all the EVOO samples can be considered adequate and useful for providing the human diet with the correct dose of Se. Se-enriched EVOO showed a significant increase in pigment and phenol content. Also, Se treatment does not produce negative effects on fruit characteristics or the sensory quality of EVOO.
Physico-chemical characteristics and nutraceutical distribution of crude palm oil and its fractions
Authors: Prasanth Kumar P. K. , Gopala Krishna A. G.
Published: May 2014

Crude palm oil (CRPO) was dry fractionated at 25 °C to get crude palm olein (CRPOL, 77%) and crude palm stearin (CRPS, 23%). Low and high melting crude palm stearin (LMCRPS 14.3% and HMCRPS 8.7%) were separated by further fractionation of CRPS with acetone. The physico-chemical parameters and nutraceutical distribution showed variation in different fractions. The CRPO contained 514.7 mg·Kg−1 of β-carotene and 82.6%, 16.1%, 12.5% and 3.1% of it was distributed in CRPOL, CRPS, LMCRPS and HMCRPS respectively. The distribution of phytosterols in fraction was 1870.2, 1996.8, 1190.9, 1290.4 and 115.4 mg·Kg−1 for CRPO, CRPOL, CRPS, LMCRPS and HMCRPS respectively. Total tocopherol composition was 535.5, 587.1, 308.0, 305.6 and 36.2 mg·Kg−1 for CRPO, CRPOL, CRPS, LMCRPS and HMCRPS respectively. The results show that the fractionation of CRPO may be helpful in the preparation of nutraceutical-rich fractions.
Changes in proximate composition and oil characteristics during flaxseed development
Authors: Herchi W. , Bahashwan S. , Trabelsi H. , Boukhchina S. , Kallel H. , Rochut S. , Pepe C.
Published: May 2014

Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization-Mass Spectrometry (APPI-MS) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) are the two analytical methods that were used to characterize Triacylglycerols (TAGs) during flaxseed development. The HPLC method of the oils showed the presence of 15 TAG species. In contrast to the HPLC chromatograms, the APPI-MS showed 17 peaks of TAG. APPI-MS is more rapid than the HPLC method (11 min). The iodine value of the oils showed a gradual increase, while the oil stability continuously decreased. Proximate composition during flaxseed development revealed that flaxseed is potentially a good source of dietary energy and protein. At full maturity, flaxseed contained 37% oil and 24% protein on a dry-weight basis; albumin was the major storage protein (53% of total storage proteins) followed by globulin (33%) and glutelin fractions (11%). Prolamins had the lowest percentage with 3%. α-amylase activity was higher in the mature seeds than the young ones.
Production, characterization and anticancer activity of Candida bombicola sophorolipids by means of solid state fermentation of sunflower oil cake and soybean oil
Authors: Rashad M. M. , Nooman M. U. , Ali M. M. , Al-kashef A. S. , Mahmoud A. E.
Published: May 2014

The production of sophorolipids by Candida bombicola NRRL Y- 17069 grown in a mixture of sunflower oil cake and crude soybean oil as economic substrates with different fermentation techniques was studied. The highest yield (49.5 g·100 g−1 substrates) was obtained from solid state fermentation after employing a new concept for extraction by methanol (E I) followed by ethyl acetate (E II), then partially purified with hexane (E III). The course of time of fermentation was also studied, and E I extracted of the 12th day showed the minimum surface tension (45 mN·m−1) at a critical micelle dilution (CMD) of 10% concentration. The produced sophorolipids were characterized and confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The anticancer activity of the produced compounds was assessed against MCF-7, HepG2, A549, HCT116 cancer cell lines and the results revealed that E III and E IV (a mixture of E I & E III) act as promising anticancer agents in HepG2 and A549 by inhibiting urokinase and histone deacetylase activities.
Vegetable oils rich in alpha linolenic acid allow a higher accretion of n-3 LCPUFA in the plasma, liver and adipose tissue of the rat
Authors: Valenzuela R. , Barrera C. , Ayala J. M. , Sanhueza J. , Valenzuela A.
Published: May 2014

ALA is the precursor of EPA and DHA and its dietary availability is limited. Vegetable oils rich in ALA (48–64%) are alternatives for increasing its consumption. The conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA and the ratio (EPA+DHA/ALA) was evaluated in different tissues from male Wistar rats fed ALA –rich oils. Four groups (n=12/group) were fed for 21 days with oils from: a) corn (CO, 3% ALA); b) soybean (SO, 6% ALA); c) sacha inchi (SIO, 48% ALA) and; d) chia (ChO, 64% ALA). SO, SIO and ChO significantly increased ALA levels (p
Fast screening of turkish olive oil by NMR spectroscopy for geographical determination and discrimination purposes
Authors: Ok S.
Published: May 2014

The main goal of this study is to rapidly screen olive oil contents by acquiring one dimensional (1D) 1H NMR spectra of 38 samples from Turkey, The Middle East, and Libya. The quantitative analysis of the 1H NMR helped in distinguishing the geographical origin of the olive oil samples. The intensity of 1H NMR variables was submitted to the statistical method, analysis of variance (ANOVA). As a result of combining the NMR data and ANOVA, olive oils were discriminated based on regional origin rather than province. This less time consuming discriminative screening by 1H NMR does not require any further analysis of the olive oil, including oxidative stability measurements or gas chromatography. The possibility of determining authenticity, even in an olive growing area of a small village was also shown. The two-dimensional (2D) non-invasive 1H DOSY NMR experiment, known as “NMR chromatography”, was used to determine the olive oil sub-fraction.
RECURRENT MAP ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL SPIRAL DRAWING SIGNAL TO INVESTIGATE FINE MOTOR MOVEMENT IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS AND CONTROLS
Authors: Razjouyan Javad , Khayat Omid , Azimi Amir Reza , Sahraian Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2014

Recently, recurrent plot (RP) has been used as one of the analysis tools in complex system dynamics. In this paper, we hypothesize that complex features extracted from RP have superiority in discriminating the upper extremity performance in two groups of mulitiple sclerosis (MS) patients without tremor and healthy controls compared to statistical and power spectrum features. We define spiral drawing task for upper extremity and the position signals is recorded from subjects. Then, velocity profiles are extracted and the common statistical and spectral features are exported. To extract complex features from RP, a modified methodological approach based on density distribution is presented and the properties of distribution are calculated as complex features. Finally, the applicability and capabilities of these three groups of features are invested by a Neuro-Fuzzy Classifier. The performance of the Neuro-Fuzzy classifier is reported as sensitivity, specificity and accuracy criteria. The results of the analysis yield out that complex features have the highest performance comparatively. This hypothesis is proven and validated through the experiments and it is shown that the complex features have promising discriminating capabilities. To validate the classifier used, different structures of the neuro-fuzzy classifier are studied in terms of the number of membership functions and the type of fuzzy sets and the most efficient structure is extracted out. Furthermore, the efficiency of the Neuro-fuzzy classifier with its optimum structure and tuned parameters is compared with some other well-known and commonly used classifiers.
The Role of Local and Regional Institutions
Authors: Tomaney John
Published: May 2014

This chapter explores the ways in which regions that are remote from the main concentrations of economic wealth and power can achieve development in a high cost environment. The role of effective institutions in creating the conditions for economic development has become a major field of scholarship. Recently, these insights have been applied to the urban and regional scale. This chapter pays particular attention to the role that regional and local institutions play in shaping patterns of economic performance, especially in high cost environments. The chapter examines ways in which this new thinking is informing regional policy. It provides some case studies of regions that have succeeded in the high cost environment of Europe. It concludes by stressing the importance of effective and adept local and regional institutions in ensuring the prosperity of cities and regions.
Manufacturing in a High Cost Environment
Authors: Roos Göran
Published: May 2014

This chapter draws on an overview of contemporary literature to distil the best ways for manufacturing firms to adapt to and succeed in high cost environments. Parts of global value chains will move back to sophisticated, economically complex, high operating cost environments like the US and the European Manufacturing Belt. However, the firms that participate in these value chains will look different. The forces that impact the structure and location of manufacturing activities will also impact the individual firm, and this chapter discusses how this will result in successful firms becoming so called “Hidden Champions.” A successful transformation into tomorrow's Hidden Champion will result in fewer employees with higher capability, producing a higher level of output of which a very high share will be produced and delivered digitally. These firms will participate in smaller, more concentrated value chains serving a global market but operating both competitively and collaboratively in agglomerations like clusters. These agglomerations will be located in jurisdictions with high economic complexity and with a deep and broad industrial commons and with a supportive policy regime.
Scale and Topology Effects on Agent-Based Simulation
Authors: Nardin Luis G. , Rosset Luciano M. , Sichman Jaime S.
Published: May 2014

The exploitation of Agent-Based Social Simulation (ABSS) full capabilities often requires massive computing power and tools in order to support the achievement of breakthrough results in social sciences. Lately, this issue has being addressed by the release of several high-performance computing agent-based simulation tools; however, they have not been used for exploring critical issues, such as ABSS results invariance and universality. Hence, in order to advance this topic, this chapter provides an invariance analysis, considering scale and topology, of a model that incorporates the concepts of trust and coalition formation, in which agents are placed on a square lattice interacting locally with their neighbors and forming coalitions. By varying the environment size, its topology, as well as the neighborhood topology, it is identified in the experimental scenario that apparently the only parameter that affects the simulation dynamics is the neighborhood topology.
Usefulness of Agent-Based Simulation in Testing Collective Decision-Making Models
Authors: Lucas Pablo , Payne Diane
Published: May 2014

Political scientists seek to build more realistic Collective Decision-Making Models (henceforth CDMM) which are implemented as computer simulations. The starting point for this present chapter is the observation that efficient progress in this field may be being hampered by the fact that the implementation of these models as computer simulations may vary considerably and the code for these computer simulations is not usually made available. CDMM are mathematically deterministic formulations (i.e. without probabilistic inputs or outputs) and are aimed at explaining the behaviour of individuals involved in dynamic, collective negotiations with any number of policy decision-related issues. These CDMM differ from each other regarding the particular bargaining strategies implemented and tested in each model for how the individuals reach a collective binding policy agreement. The CDMM computer simulations are used to analyse the data and generate predictions of a collective decision. While the formal mathematical treatment of the models and empirical findings of CDMM are usually presented and discussed through peer-review journal publications, access to these CDMM implementations as computer simulations are often unavailable online nor easily accessed offline and this tends to dissuade cross fertilisation and learning in the field.