bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saints coptes et saints musulmans de l'Egypte du XXe siècle
Authors: Mayeur-Jaouen Catherine
Published: May 2009

Coptic and Muslim saints in Egypt in the twentieth century

New Coptic and Muslim saints have appeared in Egypt in the 20th century. Tough both communities use specific terms for the veneration of its saints, their practices are similar. For Muslim saints, it is the Sufi impregnation ; for Coptic saints, relics and religious images. The Muslim "Majâdhîb" matches the Coptic « idiots ». Despite some similarities (miracles), the reasons for their success differ : among the Copts, it is a question of reconquering a territory at the time of Reform ; for the Muslims, what is at stake is adapting to the modern world.
La « Prière » de Pascal « pour demander à Dieu le bon usage des maladies »
Authors: Amann Jean-Paul
Published: May 2009

Pascal's Prayer to ask God about the good use of disease

The prayer is examined through three main lines : first of all, Pascal is sick and cannot share in collective devotion ; thanks to the prayer, Pascal reaches the believers' community (1) ; adressing God, he addresses men (2) ; and shows the latter that the real meaning of the disease of body is the decline of the soul. The only true remedy is divine grace (3).
Dévotion de groupe et piété personnelle dans les pèlerinages bretons de la Réforme catholique
Authors: Provost Georges
Published: May 2009

Collective Worshiping and Personal Piety in Breton Pilgrimages during the Counter-Reformation

This paper - based on the example of Breton pilgrimages - aims at showing how the Counter- Reformation linked collective worshiping to personal piety. It seems that the Breton pilgrim had a collective approach to religion the 17th and 18th century. More than ever, it focused on the « pardon » with its intense group rituals such as processions. These were meant to manage the pilgrims as a crowd but also to involve them individually - letting them carry a banner, a candle or a personal « ex-voto ». The paradox is that the great aim of the Council of Trent - i.e. to promote individual worship - could only come true through a growing emphasis on collective worshipping.
La spiritualité des compagnies de la Propagation de la foi : une dévotion de combat
Authors: Martin Catherine
Published: May 2009

The spirituality of the companies for the Propagation of faith : a militant devotion

These associations of devout Catholics were not groups of prayers intended for the spiritual perfection of their members. They had been founded to work for the conversion of heretics and possibly of infidels. They however organized an original practice of religion entirely subordinated to this objective : spreading the faith. Individual prayers asked God to support the work of the company. Collective prayers made it possible, among other things, to promote the devotions most influenced by the Counter-Reformation. The most sincere faith was sometimes put in the service of persecution.
Le cantique : l'adhésion par le chant
Authors: Belly Marlène
Published: May 2009

Canticles : singing is adhering

Grignion de Montfort, conscious as he was of the power of the text-music combination, offers a pastoral in which vocal parts are prominent. Even though his poetic output is recorded in writing, it pertains to functioning, assimilating and memorizing processes that are characteristic of oral tradition songs. In the poems, musical and thematic choices, form and meaning help collective memory recording, which in turn makes the canticle a tool for group worship. Beyond that effect, Montfort's work reaches into the human individual, thus helping implement a more personal process.
La place du culte privé chez les protestants français au XVIIIe siècle
Authors: Krumenacker Yves
Published: May 2009

La pratique du culte privé est traditionnelle chez les réformés français. Elle est cependant difficile à connaître à l'époque du Désert, car les sources, peu nombreuses, posent de complexes problèmes méthodologiques. Il est néanmoins possible d'établir une liste des livres de prières les plus utilisés : essentiellement des psautiers et des livres du XVIIe siècle. Mais la pratique du culte privé fait l'objet d'un débat important, car on a peur qu'elle ne remplace le culte public, en un temps où celui-ci est interdit par les autorités.
Entre mythe et poésie : le tissage du chant de Pénélope (Notes critiques)
Authors: Pucci Pietro
Published: May 2009

L'originalité de ce livre est d'avoir mis en rapport la poétique odysséenne avec la mythologie du tissage : éclairée par ce contexte, Pénélope tisserande devient un faux-semblant de vierge au seuil du mariage. Ce rôle symbolique, qui s'accorde avec la sollicitation des prétendants, crée une série d'effets importants qui renouvellent et enrichissent l'interprétation de l'activité de Pénélope. Dans le sillage de cette thèse, l'auteur de l'article s'interroge sur le tissage comme métaphore de la composition du poème, sur le rapport des prétendants au rituel sacrificiel et sur la gloire d'Ulysse.
Les emplois du Coran, livre manuscrit
Authors: Déroche François
Published: May 2009

Le Coran est devenu livre peu à peu : le modèle des autres religions révélées a pesé lourd dans cette évolution, tant en termes de projet que de réalisation matérielle. La confrontation des récits de la transformation de la révélation en écriture avec les fragments coraniques anciens permet de mieux cerner les conditions dans lesquelles ce passage eut lieu. Une fois constitué, le livre-Coran trouva progressivement sa place dans la cité musulmane ; le rôle particulier de certains manuscrits d'exception illustre les partis que l'islam sut tirer de la matérialité même des corans.
Les éléments anatoliens du mythe et de la personnalité de Dionysos
Authors: Tassignon Isabelle
Published: May 2009

Divers mythes relatifs à Dionysos s'attachent à le montrer sous les traits d'un dieu jeune, à la personnalité double : tantôt terrible, tantôt prodigue, se comportant toujours de la même façon. Ces comportements composeraient une structure mythique déjà présente en filigrane dans les Bacchantes d'Euripide ; elle régit aussi vraisemblablement l'attitude du Dionysos de l'Iliade. Cette structure mythique pourrait être héritée des dieux « boudeurs » anatoliens, et particulièrement de Télibinu, jeune dieu de la végétation hatti. Cette proximité des deux personnalités et mythes divins donne à penser que le dieu hatti aurait joué un rôle dans le syncrétisme aboutissant à la constitution de la personnalité et de l'image du Dionysos « classique ».
Prières, rituels et pratiques dans la société juive ashkénaze
Authors: Baumgarten Jean
Published: May 2009

Les livres de coutumes ("sifrei minhagim") ont pour but d'enseigner aux simples juifs comment se comporter durant les fêtes ou les cérémonies domestiques. Ces ouvrages furent d'abord édités en hébreu, puis adaptés en langue yiddish à l'usage des moins lettrés, afin de faciliter la connaissance des pratiques fondamentales. Nous étudions deux exemples représentatifs : un manuscrit italien de 1557 et l'édition princeps imprimée à Venise en 1589. Fondée sur l'analyse des passages relatifs à la fête de Purim, notre étude fait apparaître des modèles d'écriture, des thèmes récurrents et une volonté de présenter les usages dans un style clair et concis, afin de favoriser leur mémorisation. Ce type de textes apporte de précieux renseignements sur la vie religieuse, les normes de conduite et la transmission de la tradition dans la société ashkénaze.
Des étiologies pluridimensionnelles : observations sur les Fastes d'Ovide
Authors: Prescendi Francesca
Published: May 2009

Pluridimensional Aetiologies : observations on Ovid's "Fasti"

The analysis of Ovid's "Fasti" reveals the variety and diversity of aetiologies (labelled « vertical, horizontal, diagonal ») that occur in this work and at the same time the plurality of perspectives according to which the poet comments on religious practices. These reflections lead to the conclusion that the Ovidian aetiology never consists in an explication of all the different gestures that form the ritual sequences, but rather that Ovid considers aetiology as a commentary illustrating how the religious practices are an integral part of the cultural tradition of the city of Rome.
Quelques stéréotypes cosmologiques d'origine pythagoricienne chez les penseurs musulmans au Moyen Âge (II)
Authors: Gobillot Geneviève
Published: May 2009

Parmi les stéréotypes issus du pythagorisme et transmis aux penseurs musulmans, deux thèmes peuvent être retenus. Le premier concerne la nature subtile des corps célestes et leur intelligence, le second le postulat de la préexistence des âmes et plusieurs de ses conséquences directes comme la chute, la mètempsychose, la remontée vers l'origine céleste et l'apocatastase. On trouve ces questions aussi bien chez des philosophes comme al-Kindî, al-Râzî ou al-Farâbî ( présentés dans la première partie de cet article), que chez des mystiques (étudiés dans la seconde partie). Toutefois, si les premiers ont eu accès aux traductions des textes grecs, les seconds ont rencontré ces modes de pensée à travers des enseignements intermédiaires, inspirés pour la plupart des œuvres d'Origène ou d'Évagre le Pontique.
« Un réconfort pour ceux qui sont dans l'attente »
Authors: García-Arenal Mercedes
Published: May 2009

On examine ici une série de thèmes sur lesquels s'appuient les croyances millénaristes communes aux deux rives de la Méditerranée durant les XVe et XVIe siècles, tels ceux du Roi Caché, des Dix Tribus Perdues ou des Prophéties de saint Isidore qui, dans un climat de confrontation et d'exclusion, furent utilisées aux mêmes fins par différentes communautés religieuses. Une bonne part de ces croyances ainsi que le climat social dont elles se nourrissent, ont favorisé la propagation du mouvement sabbataïste dans la péninsule Ibérique et au Maroc. De même, la tradition des nouveaux-chrétiens ibériques (en particulier le poids de leur conversion forcée) a influé sur l'adhésion que ce mouvement y a rencontrée.
Sirènes, cigales et muses
Authors: Assaël Jacqueline
Published: May 2009

Par la puissance de leur chant merveilleux, les Sirènes ont une fonction mythologique qui les rapproche des Muses. Toutefois, les humains redoutent l'enchantement de ces créatures marines, alors que les poètes aspirent à recevoir l'influence des neuf déesses musiciennes. L'analyse du mythe des cigales inséré par Platon dans le "Phèdre" suggère qu'à l'instar des insectes représentés dans cette circonstance, au cours du processus d'initiation poétique le groupe des Sirènes soumet l'adepte à une épreuve préliminaire, tandis que les déesses souveraines du chant apportent la plénitude de la révélation.
Autour du concept de Noachide : religion et altérité chez Hermann Cohen
Authors: Bouretz Pierre
Published: May 2009

Centrée sur l'élaboration d'un système de la religion à partir des sources du judaïsme, la dernière pensée de Hermann Cohen repose sur le concept de fils de Noé. Avec lui, Cohen réfute la thèse de Spinoza sur la nature politique de la loi juive, montrant que non seulement elle préserve la pureté du monothéisme, mais pose les fondements du droit naturel moderne. Articulant après Maïmonide les notions d'étranger, de résident et de fils de Noé, la "Religion de la raison" construit un lien systématique entre les concept d'autrui et d'humanité universelle. Elle ouvre ainsi l'espace où s'inscriront de manières différentes Franz Rosenzweig, Leo Strauss ou Emmanuel Lévinas.
La portée universelle du judaïsme chez Hermann Cohen
Authors: Schmid Peter A.
Published: May 2009

The universalistic claim of Judaism in Hermann Cohen

The link between philosophical reflexion an Jewish thought in Hermann Cohen is thoroughly determined by his concept of reason or rationality. Since his earlier works Cohen tries to show the universalistic dimension of Jewish tradition. Now the rationality of Judaism lies in its universal morality, which is inherent to the perspective of messianism. This appears clearly in those works where Cohen brings together Judaism and Kantian philosophy with regard to the idea of reason. In the field of practical philosophy such a convergency is part of the political project of assimilation between Judaism and German culture.
Sur la « nature véritable » du mythe en Grèce ancienne (Notes critiques)* À propos de : Myth and Symbol I. Symbolic phenomena in ancient Greek culture. Papers from the first international symposium on symbolism at the University of Tromsoe, June 4-7, 1998. Edited by Synnove des Bouvrie, Bergen 2002, 332 p.
Authors: Leduc Claudine
Published: May 2009

Après la rupture épistémologique qu'introduisit la méthode structurale, les spécialistes des études mythiques sont confrontés à une nouvelle question, soulevée en France notamment par les travaux de Marcel Detienne et Claude Calame : le mythe a-t-il un statut ontologique ? Le colloque de Tromsoe "Myth and Symbol I", organisé par S. des Bouvrie, est d'autant plus intéressant qu'il réunit des spécialistes d'obédiences scientifiques traditionnellement opposées, les tenants de l'anthropologie française, plus ou moins marqués par le structuralisme et ses remises en question, et les tenants de l'anthropologie britannique, très dubitatifs vis-à-vis de ces types d'approche. Ces notes de lecture associent à un compte rendu du colloque quelques remarques personnelles sur les rapports qu'entretiennent, dans la Grèce archaïque et classique, ce que, par tradition et par convention, nous appelons mythe, la religion et la poésie.
The Relationship Between Insurance Coverage and Cancer Care: A Literature Synthesis
Authors: Marlow Nicole , Pavluck Alexandre , Bian John , Ward Elizabeth , Halpern Michael
Published: May 2009

This paper summarizes key literature on the relationship between health care insurance status and screening, diagnosis, and medical care patterns and outcomes for individuals with cancer. All studies included for this literature synthesis were identified using the National Library of Medicine's Medline database; only English language articles published in the past 10 years were considered. Based on article titles and abstracts, we selected the most relevant studies for full review and inclusion in this manuscript. Although the summarized literature is mixed, individuals who are uninsured or have insurance coverage through programs for low-income persons (e.g., Medicaid coverage) are significantly less likely to use cancer screening services and significantly more likely to present with advanced stage cancer at diagnosis and to have significantly worse survival. The relationship between insurance status and cancer treatment patterns is less clear, as fewer studies have examined this relationship, but the available evidence suggests that uninsured patients are less likely to receive optimal cancer care. The research reviewed here suggests that the benefits of extending appropriate insurance coverage to uninsured and underinsured individuals could be substantial. These benefits are likely to include reduced morbidity, improved quality of life, and increased survival for cancer patients as well as a positive impact on overall health care and societal costs.
Análisis de la producción científica en Economía Financiera: 1995-2006
Authors: Correa i Domènech Marc , García Blandón Josep , Úbeda Sales Ricardo
Published: May 2009

En el presente trabajo se analiza la evolución de la producción científica en economía financiera entre los años 1995 y 2006. Se ha concluido que la línea de investigación que más publicaciones ha recibido ha sido la estructura de capital de la empresa. A continuación se ha estudiado, para esta línea, y para el período analizado, los trabajos sobre los que se ha fundamentado la investigación actual, las aportaciones científicas más relevantes y las principales líneas de investigación que siguen abiertas.
A Remote Laboratory Environment for Manipulative Therapy Learning
Authors: Dias Octavio Pascoa , Amaral Tito Gerardo , Pires Vitor Fernao
Published: May 2009

The aim of this paper is to present a remote learning laboratory for physiotherapists. The implementation of such laboratory uses standard PCs, the popular software package Matlab, gloves with sensors and a camera. This system allows the students to do practical experiences at a long distance. They use a glove that measure the force applied by the physiotherapist on the patient. These signals are acquired by the computer student and send it to the school server. Then the teachers can analyze the force applied by the student on the patient. The student must also use a camera that allows to the teacher see the student movements.
Implementing Six Sigma in a Distance Learning Application
Authors: Gammoh Diala Tawfig , Elshennawy Ahmad K. , Ducharme Alfred
Published: May 2009

This paper presents the results of a six sigma study that targets the issue of measuring the current performance of a new online delivery system that is offered by the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and assessing its capabilities. The objective of the study is to improve the faculty and studentsâ?? satisfaction and ensure a leaner process in delivering online courses. The results and recommendations of the study are also presented.
Web Based Tools for Signals and Systems Course
Authors: Taskovski Dimitar , Kitanovski Vlado , Bogdanova Sofija
Published: May 2009

In this paper we present web-based tools that visualize standard concepts (convolution of analog and discrete signals, pole-zero diagram, Fourier series, sampling and reconstruction) in a classical Signal and Systems course. The tools can be used by a teacher as a teaching aid to explain basic concepts in Signal and Systems course. They can also be used by students as a learning aid. They are easy for use and can be used in different locations using different operating systems.
Input constrained adaptive tracking for a nonlinear distributed parameter tubular reactor
Authors: Beniich N. , El Bouhtouri A. , Dochain D.
Published: May 2009

In this paper we address the problem of local λ tracking of a pre‐specified profile temperature for exothermic chemical reaction in a tubular reactor. In contrast to the various models in the literature, which are usually ordinary differential equations in finite‐dimensional spaces, we use a nonlinear distributed parameter model for both the evolution of the temperature and the reactant concentration. We show under nonrestrictive conditions that an adaptive output feedback controller achieves approximate asymptotic tracking where the pre‐specified asymptotic tracking accuracy, quantified by the design parameter λ>0, is guaranteed. Only a feasibility assumption in terms of the reference temperature and the input constraints is considered. Numerical simulations have been performed to illustrate the performance of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in red cell ion transport, reduced intratumoral neovascularization, and some mild motor function abnormalities accompany targeted disruption of the Mouse Kell gene (Kel)
Authors: Zhu Xiang , Rivera Alicia , Golub Mari S. , Peng Jianbin , Sha Quan , Wu Xu , Song Xiaoling , Kumarathasan Prem , Ho Mac , Redman Colvin M. , Lee Soohee
Published: May 2009

Kell (ECE‐3), a highly polymorphic blood group glycoprotein, displays more than 30 antigens that produce allo‐antibodies and, on red blood cells (RBCs), is complexed through a single disulfide bond with the integral membrane protein, XK. XK is a putative membrane transporter whose absence results in a late onset form of neuromuscular abnormalities known as the McLeod syndrome. Although Kell glycoprotein is known to be an endothelin‐3‐converting enzyme, the full extent of its physiological function is unknown. To study the functions of Kell glycoprotein, we undertook targeted disruption of the murine Kel gene by homologous recombination. RBCs from Kel(–/–) mice lacked Kell glycoprotein, Kell/XK complex, and endothelin‐3‐converting enzyme activity and had reduced levels of XK. XK mRNA levels in spleen, brain, and testis were unchanged. In Kel(–/–) mice RBC Gardos channel activity was increased and the normal enhancement by endothelin‐3 was blunted. Analysis of the microvessels of tumors produced from LL2 cells indicated that the central portion of tumors from wild‐type mice were populated with many mature blood vessels, but that vessels in tumors from Kel(–/–) mice were fewer and smaller. The absence of Kell glycoprotein mildly affected some motor activities identified by foot splay on the drop tests. The targeted disruption of Kel in mouse enabled us to identify phenotypes that would not be easily detected in humans lacking Kell glycoprotein. In this regard, the Kell knockout mouse provides a good animal model for the study of normal and/or pathophysiological functions of Kell glycoprotein. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of hepatic iron distribution in patients with chronically transfused thalassemia and sickle cell disease
Authors: Ghugre Nilesh R. , Gonzalez‐Gomez Ignacio , Butensky Ellen , Noetzli Leila , Fischer Roland , Williams Roger , Harmatz Paul , Coates Thomas D. , Wood John C.
Published: May 2009

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) appear to be at lower risk of endocrinopathies and cardiac dysfunction than those with thalassemia major (TM). Circulating redox active iron is lower in these patients, possibly due to increased systemic inflammation and circulating cytokines. Hepcidin synthesis is upregulated during chronic inflammation, reducing intestinal iron absorption and promoting retention of iron in the reticuloendothelial cells. Hence, we hypothesized that livers of patients with SCD would exhibit greater iron deposition in sinusoidal spaces relative to hepatocytes and less in portal tracts when compared to patients with TM. To test this hypothesis, iron scoring analysis was performed on 70 clinically indicated liver biopsy specimens from children and young adults with the two syndromes. Sinusoidal scores were lower in around 1 of 4 patients with TM but the relative iron loading in hepatocytes, and portal tracts was identical in both diseases. Sinusoidal iron burdens saturated at low hepatic iron concentration (HIC) while hepatocyte and portal iron depots increased proportionally to HIC. Liver fibrosis was increased in patients with TM regardless of their chronic hepatitis status. Overall, liver iron distribution was relatively insensitive to differences in disease type and to the presence or absence of hepatitis. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The relationship between social status and atherosclerosis in male and female monkeys as revealed by meta‐analysis
Authors: Kaplan Jay R. , Chen Haiying , Manuck Stephen B.
Published: May 2009

More than 25 years ago our laboratory reported sex‐dependent relationships between social status and coronary artery atherosclerosis among cholesterol‐fed cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) maintained in social groups of four to six animals each. Dominant males developed more atherosclerosis than subordinates, but only if housed in recurrently reorganized social groups. In contrast, dominant females developed significantly less atherosclerosis than subordinates, irrespective of social setting. Although we have continued to study these associations, no confirmatory investigations have been reported by other laboratories or using other atherosclerosis‐susceptible monkey species. Accordingly, we conducted a meta‐analysis of all relevant data sources developed in our laboratory since 1982 to determine whether the originally reported relationships between social status and atherosclerosis reflected robust associations. The sentinel (first) studies were composed of 16 females and 27 males. The current meta‐analysis encompassed 419 animals (200 females and 219 males) derived from 11 separate investigations. The results confirmed that, among males, dominant individuals developed more extensive atherosclerosis than subordinates when housed in recurrently reorganized (unstable) social groups in which an estrogen‐implanted female was also present. Dominant males in stable social groups tended to have less atherosclerosis than similarly housed subordinates, but this effect was not significant. On the contrary, we found that dominant females developed reliably less atherosclerosis than subordinates. Am. J. Primatol. 71:732–741, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploiting the 1,2,3‐Triazolium Motif in Anion‐Templated Formation of a Bromide‐Selective Rotaxane Host Assembly
Authors: Mullen Kathleen M. , Mercurio James , Serpell Christopher J. , Beer Paul D.
Published: May 2009

Bromide is best: The first [2]rotaxane incorporating the triazolium anion‐binding motif is prepared using bromide anion templation. Preliminary anion‐binding investigations reveal that the rotaxane exhibits the rare selectivity preference for bromide over chloride ions.

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Palladium‐catalysed PC bond forming reactions between diphenylphosphine and ortho‐substituted aryl bromides
Authors: Damian Karen , Clarke Matthew L. , Cobley Christopher J.
Published: May 2009

The use of palladium catalysts derived from 1,1′‐bis‐diisopropylphosphino‐ferrocene and a microwave heating source allows the coupling of a range of ortho‐substituted aryl bromides to diphenylphosphine derivatives to proceed in good yield in under 30 min. Optimization studies reveal that the combination of diphenylphosphine and DABCO is superior to more basic phosphide nucleophiles such as Ph2PK or Ph2PMgBr. High yields are only observed when moderately bulky electron rich diphosphines are used as ligands. The differences between PC coupling and other cross‐coupling reactions are discussed in the light of the reactivity observed. Studies aimed at producing industrially important 1,2‐bis‐phosphino‐benzene ligands are also described. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photometric analysis of the eclipsing binary 2MASS 19090585+4911585
Authors: Raetz St. , Vaňko M. , Mugrauer M. , Schmidt T.O.B. , Roell T. , Eisenbeiss T. , Hohle M. M. , Koeltzsch A. , Ginski Ch. , Marka C. , Moualla M. , Tetzlaff N. , Broeg Ch. , Neuhäuser R.
Published: May 2009

We report on observations of the eclipsing binary 2MASS 19090585+4911585 with the 25 cm auxiliary telescope of the University Observatory Jena. We show that a nearby brighter star (2MASS 19090783+4912085) was previously misclassified as the eclipsing binary and find 2MASS 19090585+4911585 to be the true source of variation. We present photometric analysis of VRI light curves. The system is an overcontact binary of W UMa type with an orbital period of (0.288374 ± 0.000010) d (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Variability of young stars: Determination of rotational periods of weak‐line T Tauri stars in the Cepheus‐Cassiopeia star‐forming region
Authors: Koeltzsch A. , Mugrauer M. , Raetz St. , Schmidt T.O.B. , Roell T. , Eisenbeiss T. , Vaňko M. , Hohle M.M. , Ginski Ch. , Marka C. , Moualla M. , Schreyer K. , Broeg Ch. , Neuhäuser R.
Published: May 2009

We report on observation and determination of rotational periods of ten weak‐line T Tauri stars in the Cepheus‐Cassiopeia star‐forming region. Observations were carried out with the Cassegrain‐Teleskop‐Kamera (CTK) at University Observatory Jena between 2007 June and 2008 May. The periods obtained range between 0.49 d and 5.7 d, typical for weak‐line and post T Tauri stars (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula: An overview of the current concepts
Authors: Felix Janine F. , de Jong Elisabeth M. , Torfs Claudine P. , de Klein A. , Rottier Robbert J. , Tibboel Dick
Published: May 2009

Esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) are severe congenital anomalies. Although recent years have brought significant improvement in clinical treatment, our understanding of the etiology of these defects is lagging. Many genes and genetic pathways have been implicated in the development of EA/TEF, but only a few genes have been shown to be involved in humans, in animals, or in both. Extrapolating data from animal models to humans is not always straightforward. Environmental factors may also carry a risk, but the mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. This review gives an overview of the current state of knowledge about both genetic and environmental risk factors in the etiology of EA/TEF. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theoretical design of bioinspired macromolecular electrets based on anthranilamide derivatives
Authors: Ashraf M. K. , Millare Brent , Gerasimenko Alexander A. , Bao Duoduo , Pandey Rajeev R. , Lake Roger K. , Vullev Valentine I.
Published: May 2009

Polypeptide helices possess considerable intrinsic dipole moments oriented along their axes. While for proline helices the dipoles originate solely from the ordered orientation of the amide bonds, for 310− and α‐helices the polarization resultant from the formation of hydrogen‐bond network further increases the magnitude of the macromolecular dipoles. The enormous electric‐field gradients, generated by the dipoles of α‐helices (which amount to about 5 D per residue with 0.15 nm residue increments along the helix), play a crucial role in the selectivity and the transport properties of ion channels. The demonstration of dipole‐induced rectification of vectorial charge transfer mediated by α‐helices has opened a range of possibilities for applications of these macromolecules in molecular and biomolecular electronics. These biopolymers, however, possess relatively large bandgaps. As an alternative, we examined a series of synthetic macromolecules, aromatic oligo‐ortho‐amides, which form extended structures with amide bonds in ordered orientation, supported by a hydrogen‐bond network. Unlike their biomolecular counterparts, the extended π‐conjugation of these macromolecules will produce bandgaps significantly smaller than the polypeptide bandgaps. Using ab initio density functional theory calculations, we modeled anthranilamide derivatives that are representative oligo‐ortho‐amide conjugates. Our calculations, indeed, showed intrinsic dipole moments oriented along the polymer axes and increasing with the increase in the length of the oligomers. Each anthranilamide residue contributed about 3 D to the vectorial macromolecular dipole. When we added electron donating (diethylamine) and electron withdrawing (nitro and trifluoromethyl) groups for n‐ and p‐doping, respectively, we observed that: (1) proper positioning of the electron donating and withdrawing groups further polarized the aromatic residues, increasing the intrinsic dipole to about 4.5 D per residue; and (2) extension of the π‐conjugation over some of the doping groups narrowed the band gaps with as much as 1 eV. The investigated bioinspired systems offer alternatives for the development of broad range of organic electronic materials with nonlinear properties. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009
Multimarker Approach Predicts Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Women Evaluated for Suspected Ischemia: Results from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–Sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation
Authors: Arant Christopher B. , Wessel Timothy R. , Ridker Paul M. , Olson Marian B. , Reis Steven E. , Delia Johnson B. , Sharaf Barry L. , Pauly Daniel F. , Handberg Eileen , Zineh Issam , Sopko George , Kelsey Sheryl F. , Noel Bairey Merz C. , Pepine Carl J.
Published: May 2009

Background

Inflammatory marker and hemoglobin levels (eg biomarkers) considered separately, predict adverse events in selected populations.

Hypothesis

A multiple biomarker approach predicts adverse events in women referred for evaluation of ischemia.

Methods

We investigated associations between biomarkers (high sensitivity C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6, serum amyloid‐A, and hemoglobin levels) with adverse outcomes in women referred for coronary angiography for suspected ischemia in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)–sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE).

Results

Among 595 women (mean age 58 years, ejection fraction [EF] 65%, majority without coronary stenosis ≥ 50%) followed for 3.6 ± 1.8 years (mean ± SD), those without abnormal markers had fewer events (11.6%) compared to those with 1 (18.4%), 2 (20.9%), or 3 (37%) abnormal markers (p < 0.001 for trend). Women without abnormal markers had fewer deaths (1.6%) than women with 1 (6.1%), 2 (9.1%), or 3 (17%) abnormal markers (p < 0.001 for trend). Adding low hemoglobin was associated with higher adverse event and all‐cause mortality rates. In multivariate analysis, as the number of abnormal biomarkers increased risk increased. Women with 3 or 4 abnormal biomarkers were approximately 10–20 times more likely to die (p < 0.05). Biomarkers added to the predictive information provided by the Framingham Risk Score.

Conclusions

Among women undergoing coronary angiography for suspected ischemia, a multibiomarker approach predicted adverse events. Biomarkers added prognostic information beyond that obtained from traditional risk factors. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel chemotherapy approaches for cervical cancer
Authors: Movva Sujana , Rodriguez Lorna , Arias‐Pulido Hugo , Verschraegen Claire
Published: May 2009

Cancer of the cervix is the second most common malignancy among women worldwide. The last 20 years have lead to numerous advances in the medical management of locally advanced cervical cancer, including preventive vaccination, chemoradiation, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The treatment of metastatic disease is palliative at best. Platinum‐based chemotherapy remains the standard of care for inoperable patients who have recurrent disease. However, because most patients initially receive concomitant platinum‐based therapy with radiation, many recurrent tumors are refractory to platinum. The use of novel therapeutic approaches targeted to the carcinogenic processes that leads to the ontogenesis of cervical cancer should be promoted in clinical studies to improve patient outcomes. Cancer 2009; 115:3166–80. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Effect of dialysate sodium profiling and gradient ultrafiltration on hypotension
Authors: Cosar Arife Albayrak , Cinar Sezgi
Published: May 2009

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dialysate sodium profiling and gradient ultrafiltration on hypotension during hemodialysis.

Methods

In this study, a single‐blinded, crossover design of 4 different dialysis protocols was undertaken. Four hemodialysis protocols were administered to 40 patients to 2 mounts (12 hemodialysis sessions). A total of 40 patients experiencing hypotension episodes during hemodialysis and who agreed to participate were included in the study. All patients were administered 4 different hemodialysis protocols consecutively. Protocol 1 = linear sodium dialysate 1 (Na: 150 mEq/L and decreased by 4 mEq/L at each hour) and constant ultrafiltration; Protocol 2 = linear sodium dialysate and gradient ultrafiltration; Protocol 3 = constant sodium dialysate and gradient ultrafiltration; and Protocol 4 (standard hemodialysis) = constant sodium dialysate and constant ultrafiltration.

Results

The results of this study show that when linear sodium dialysate and gradient ultrafiltration are used concomitantly, hypotension episodes decrease, more ultrafiltration is performed, and less treatment is needed. Gradient sodium dialysate usage (Protocol 1 and 2) required fewer treatment interventions for hypotension compared to standard protocol. No significant differences were observed between standard hemodialysis and any of the other protocols after dialysis for plasma osmolarity.

Conclusion

We recommend concomitant use of gradient ultrafiltration and sodium dialysate in patients with hypotension.
Magnetohydrodynamic flow of a Sisko fluid in annular pipe: A numerical study
Authors: Khan Masood , Abbas Qaisar , Duru Kenneth
Published: May 2009

This paper presents a numerical study for the unsteady flow of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Sisko fluid in annular pipe. The fluid is assumed to be electrically conducting in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. Based on the constitutive relationship of a Sisko fluid, the non‐linear equation governing the flow is first modelled and then numerically solved. The effects of the various parameters especially the power index n, the material parameter of the non‐Newtonian fluid b and the magnetic parameter B on the flow characteristics are explored numerically and presented through several graphs. Moreover, the shear‐thinning and shear‐thickening characteristics of the non‐Newtonian Sisko fluid are investigated and a comparison is also made with the Newtonian fluid. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gadd45a stress signaling regulates sFlt‐1 expression in preeclampsia
Authors: Xiong Yali , Liebermann Dan A. , Tront Jennifer S. , Holtzman Eliezer J. , Huang Yajue , Hoffman Barbara , Geifman‐Holtzman Ossie
Published: May 2009

Preeclampsia, which affects approximately 5–8% of all pregnancies and is one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, is a pregnancy induced complex of multiple pathological changes, including elevated blood pressure, proteinuria and edema manifested after 20 weeks gestation. There is growing evidence that placental stresses during pregnancy, notably hypoxia, and an increase in circulating soluble Flt‐1 (sFlt‐1) are important in the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia. How placental stress results in elevated sFlt‐1 expression is currently unknown. Here we provide novel data implicating the Gadd45a stress sensor protein as an upstream modulator of pathophysiological changes observed in preeclampsia. It is shown that Gadd45a expression and activation of its downstream effector p38 kinase are elevated in preeclamptic placentas compared to non‐preeclamptic controls, and correlate with elevated sFlt‐1. Furthermore, a regulatory loop is demonstrated where stress, including hypoxia, IL‐6 or hypertonic stress, caused induction of Gadd45a, leading to p38 activation and ultimately increasing sFlt‐1 secretion in endothelial cells. These data provide a compelling working frame to further test the role of Gadd45 stress sensors in the etiology of preeclampsia, and set the stage for considering novel therapeutic regimens, including p38 inhibitors, for treatment of preeclampsia. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 632–639, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combining atomic force and fluorescence microscopy for analysis of quantum‐dot labeled protein–DNA complexes
Authors: Ebenstein Yuval , Gassman Natalie , Kim Soohong , Weiss Shimon
Published: May 2009

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy are widely used for the study of protein‐DNA interactions. While AFM excels in its ability to elucidate structural detail and spatial arrangement, it lacks the ability to distinguish between similarly sized objects in a complex system. This information is readily accessible to optical imaging techniques via site‐specific fluorescent labels, which enable the direct detection and identification of multiple components simultaneously. Here, we show how the utilization of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), serving as contrast agents for both AFM topography and fluorescence imaging, facilitates the combination of both imaging techniques, and with the addition of a flow based DNA extension method for sample deposition, results in a powerful tool for the study of protein‐DNA complexes. We demonstrate the inherent advantages of this novel combination of techniques by imaging individual RNA polymerases (RNAP) on T7 genomic DNA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Susceptibility to corrosion damage of pipeline steels under coating disbondments
Authors: Guermazi N. , Ibrahmi A. , Hmidi H. , Elleuch K. , Ayedi H. F.
Published: May 2009

This study provides an experimental investigation on the corrosion behaviour of three carbon steels used for pipeline application. The susceptibility of these materials to corrosion damage was analysed in order to simulate its service conditions particularly under disbonded coating. Monitoring of open‐circuit potential (Efree), polarization resistance (Rp) and measuring of the weight loss during immersion time were used to evaluate the corrosion behaviour of the studied materials. All the corrosion experiments were performed in two aqueous solutions: natural seawater and synthetic one (3 wt% NaCl solution). The morphology of the corrosion products was examined by optical microscopy. The results obtained from electrochemical tests have shown different behaviour for the studied steels into the retained corrosive environments: more stable potentials (Efree), higher Rp‐values with large fluctuations evolution were found in natural seawater. The gravimetric measurements have also shown a continuous variation of the weight loss throughout the exposure period in the sodium chloride solution. However, it seemed that a passive behaviour was observed in natural seawater. A little difference was observed between all the studied steels in terms of corrosion kinetics. The steel, having the little ferritic grain size, seems to be more resistant to corrosion damage. Qualitatively, a porous and non‐adherent oxide film was observed on the corroded surface in the synthetic solution; while, the rust layer, which is formed in the natural seawater, has acted as a barrier of corrosion process. Finally, all the results obtained from both electrochemical tests and weight loss measurements were in reasonably good accordance. The important common point that can be concluded was that all the tested materials seem to be more suitable for natural seawater than 3 wt% NaCl solution. Also, they are not recommendable to be used in an environment where chloride attack is possible and important.
The influence of CaCO3 filler component on thermal decomposition process of PP/LDPE/DAP ternary blend
Authors: Doğan Fatih , Şirin Kamil , Kaya İsmet , Balcan Mehmet
Published: May 2009

Polypropylene‐low density polyethylene (PP‐LDPE) blends involving PP‐LDPE (90/10 wt%.) with (0.06 wt%) dialkyl peroxide (DAP) and different amounts (5, 10, 20 wt%) of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were prepared by melt‐blending with a single‐screw extruder. The effect of addition of CaCO3 on thermal decomposition process and kinetic parameters, such as activation energy and pre‐exponential factor of PP‐LDPE blend with DAP matrix, was studied. The kinetics of the thermal degradation of composites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis in dynamic nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates. TG curves showed that the thermal decomposition of composites occurred in one weight‐loss stage. The apparent activation energies of thermal decomposition for composites, as determined by the Tang method (TM), the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method (KAS), the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method (FWO), and the Coats–Redfern (CR) method were 156.6, 156.0, 159.8, and 167.7 kJ.mol−1 for the thermal decomposition of composite with 5 wt% CaCO3, 191.5, 190.8, 193.1, and 196.8 kJ.mol−1 for the thermal decomposition of composite with 10 wt% CaCO3, and 206.3, 206.1, 207.5, and 203.8 kJ mol−1 for the thermal decomposition of composite with 20 wt% CaCO3, respectively. The most likely decomposition process for weight‐loss stages of composites with CaCO3 content 5 and 10 wt% was an An sigmoidal type. However, the most likely decomposition process for composite with CaCO3 content 20 wt% was an Rn contracted geometry shape type in terms of the CR and master plots results. It was also found that the thermal stability, activation energy, and thermal decomposition process were changed with the increase in the CaCO3 filler weight in composite structure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A prospect‐theory approach to the Kelly criterion for fat‐tail portfolios: the case of Student's t‐distribution
Authors: Osorio Roberto
Published: May 2009

An analytic approximation is derived for leverage levels that result from optimization of the logarithmic utility function associated with the Kelly criterion. An extension of this approximation, for the case of returns drawn from Student's t‐distribution, is then provided for a prospect‐theory approach to the problem, where the log‐utility function is replaced by a log‐prospect function with power decision weights, intended to give increased weights to low‐probability events. It is shown how the traditional “fractional‐Kelly” rule arises as a special case of this “prospect‐Kelly” approach. Copyright © 2009 Wilmott Magazine Ltd
Local calibration of separable BGM models and finite difference pricing of Libor and CMS spread based exotics
Authors: Ng Leslie
Published: May 2009

BGM interest rate models are popular due to their ability to capture a wide range of volatility and correlation structures. Efficient procedures are available for calibrating a BGM model to swaption volatilities and instantaneous correlations between forward rates. Pieterz, Pelsser and van Regenmortel (2004) showed that with the use of drift approximations, a BGM model with a separable volatility structure can be approximated by a low‐dimensional Markov process allowing for the use of more efficient finite difference methods. However, separable BGM models are not as flexible as more general BGM models and are not as easy to calibrate. We present procedures for calibrating separable multi‐factor BGM models to trade relevant quantities (such as volatilities and terminal correlations). We compare results obtained using a separable BGM model with those using a more general BGM model for a variety of test trades. We pay particular attention to correlation sensitive CMS spread linked trades and address some issues specific for these types of products. Copyright © 2009 Wilmott Magazine Ltd
From a domain analysis to the specification and detection of code and design smells
Authors: Moha Naouel , Guéhéneuc Yann-Gaël , Meur Anne-Françoise Le , Duchien Laurence , Tiberghien Alban
Published: May 2009

Code and design smells are recurring design problems in software systems that must be identified to avoid their possible negative consequences on development and maintenance. Consequently, several smell detection approaches and tools have been proposed in the literature. However, so far, they allow the detection of predefined smells but the detection of new smells or smells adapted to the context of the analysed systems is possible only by implementing new detection algorithms manually. Moreover, previous approaches do not explain the transition from specifications of smells to their detection. Finally, the validation of the existing approaches and tools has been limited on few proprietary systems and on a reduced number of smells. In this paper, we introduce an approach to automate the generation of detection algorithms from specifications written using a domain-specific language. This language is defined from a thorough domain analysis. It allows the specification of smells using high-level domain-related abstractions. It allows the adaptation of the specifications of smells to the context of the analysed systems. We specify 10 smells, generate automatically their detection algorithms using templates, and validate the algorithms in terms of precision and recall on
Xerces
v2.7.0 and
GanttProject
v1.10.2, two open-source object-oriented systems. We also compare the detection results with those of a previous approach,
iPlasma
.