bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semiquantified Noncalcified Coronary Plaque in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: KIANI ADNAN N. , VOGEL-CLAUSSEN JENS , ARBAB-ZADEH ARMIN , MAGDER LAURENCE S. , LIMA JOAO , PETRI MICHELLE
Published: October 2012

Objective.

A major cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is accelerated coronary atherosclerosis. New technology (computed tomographic angiography) can measure noncalcified coronary plaque (NCP), which is more prone to rupture. We report on a study of semiquantified NCP in SLE.

Methods.

Patients with SLE (n = 147) with no history of cardiovascular disease underwent 64-slice coronary multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). The MDCT scans were evaluated quantitatively by a radiologist, using dedicated software.

Results.

The group of 147 patients with SLE was 86% female, 70% white, 29% African American, and 3% other ethnicity. The mean age was 51 years. In our univariate analysis, the major traditional cardiovascular risk factors associated with noncalcified plaque were age (p = 0.007), obesity (p = 0.03; measured as body mass index), homocysteine (p = 0.05), and hypertension (p = 0.04). Anticardiolipin (p = 0.026; but not lupus anticoagulant) and anti-dsDNA (p = 0.03) were associated with higher noncalcified plaque. Prednisone and hydroxychloroquine therapy had no effect, but methotrexate (MTX) use was associated with higher noncalcified plaque (p = 0.0001). In the best multivariate model, age, current MTX use, and history of anti-dsDNA remained significant.

Conclusion.

Our results suggest that serologic SLE (anti-dsDNA) and traditional cardiovascular risk factors contribute to semiquantified noncalcified plaque in SLE. The association with MTX is not understood, but should be replicated in larger studies and in multiple centers.
New approach to directional filtering of near‐surface magnetic data
Authors: Cheyney S. , Hill I. , Linford N. , Fishwick S.
Published: October 2012

Topographical anomalies or compressed areas of soil caused by ploughing or more significant relic features such as ridge and furrow produce a response in near‐surface magnetic surveys that are usually identified by their repetitive, linear pattern. While they are accurate recordings of the subsurface magnetic properties and micro‐topographical features of the site, it is often the anomalies due to deeper features that are the primary focus of the survey. These target anomalies can be masked by the near‐surface pattern and it is therefore often preferable to remove these from the final presentation of the data.

Two routines used for removing these features are common in commercial processing software. These are the directional pass/reject and cosine‐taper filters. While these filtering techniques can dramatically improve the clarity of the data image, it is shown here that they make significant changes to the data that remain. As interpretation of near‐surface magnetic data moves beyond image analysis towards more quantitative methods, it is important to ensure that the final processed data set represents as close as possible the response to the subsurface features of interest.

Here an alternative filtering routine dependant on both the azimuth and power‐content of the anomalies is proposed that overcomes the problems encountered by the traditional techniques. It is shown that patterns of agricultural linear anomalies can be removed from the data without significantly changing the properties of the desired responses and therefore quantitative interpretation can be subsequently carried out without the data being significantly compromised by the choice of previous processing techniques.
Maintenance of Peripheral T Cell Responses during Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Reiley William W. , Wittmer Susan T. , Ryan Lynn M. , Eaton Sheri M. , Haynes Laura , Winslow Gary M. , Woodland David L.
Published: October 2012

Fully functional T cells are necessary for the maintenance of protective immunity during chronic infections. However, activated T cells often undergo apoptosis or exhaustion upon chronic stimulation mediated by Ag or inflammation. T cell attrition can be compensated for by the production of thymus-derived T cells, although the new naive T cells must undergo T cell priming and differentiation under conditions different from those encountered during acute infection. We used a murine model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection to address how the activation and differentiation of new thymic emigrants is affected by chronic inflammation, as well as whether the newly developed effector T cells help to maintain peripheral T cell responses. Although new thymic emigrants contributed to the peripheral T cell response early during acute M. tuberculosis infection, the relative contribution of new effector T cells to the peripheral CD4 and CD8 T cell pools declined during chronic infection. The decline in new T cell recruitment was a consequence of quantitative and/or qualitative changes in Ag presentation, because during chronic infection both the priming and expansion of naive T cells were inefficient. Thus, although thymic tolerance is not a major factor that limits protective T cell responses, the chronic environment does not efficiently support naive T cell priming and accumulation during M. tuberculosis infection. These studies support our previous findings that long-term protective T cell responses can be maintained indefinitely in the periphery, but also suggest that the perturbation of homeostasis during chronic inflammatory responses may elicit immune pathology mediated by new T cells.
Anaphylatoxin C5a Creates a Favorable Microenvironment for Lung Cancer Progression
Authors: Corrales Leticia , Ajona Daniel , Rafail Stavros , Lasarte Juan J. , Riezu-Boj Jose I. , Lambris John D. , Rouzaut Ana , Pajares Maria J. , Montuenga Luis M. , Pio Ruben
Published: October 2012

The complement system contributes to various immune and inflammatory diseases, including cancer. In this study, we investigated the capacity of lung cancer cells to activate complement and characterized the consequences of complement activation on tumor progression. We focused our study on the production and role of the anaphylatoxin C5a, a potent immune mediator generated after complement activation. We first measured the capacity of lung cancer cell lines to deposit C5 and release C5a. C5 deposition, after incubation with normal human serum, was higher in lung cancer cell lines than in nonmalignant bronchial epithelial cells. Notably, lung malignant cells produced complement C5a even in the absence of serum. We also found a significant increase of C5a in plasma from patients with non-small cell lung cancer, suggesting that the local production of C5a is followed by its systemic diffusion. The contribution of C5a to lung cancer growth in vivo was evaluated in the Lewis lung cancer model. Syngeneic tumors of 3LL cells grew slower in mice treated with an antagonist of the C5a receptor. C5a did not modify 3LL cell proliferation in vitro but induced endothelial cell chemotaxis and blood-vessels formation. C5a also contributed to the immunosuppressive microenvironment required for tumor growth. In particular, blockade of C5a receptor significantly reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cells and immunomodulators ARG1, CTLA-4, IL-6, IL-10, LAG3, and PDL1 (B7H1). In conclusion, lung cancer cells have the capacity to generate C5a, a molecule that creates a favorable tumor microenvironment for lung cancer progression.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Chagas Disease in Pregnant Women in Casanare, Colombia
Authors: Cucunubá Zulma M. , Flórez Astrid C. , Cárdenas Ángela , Pavía Paula , Montilla Marleny , Aldana Rodrigo , Villamizar Katherine , Ríos Lyda C. , Nicholls Rubén S. , Puerta Concepción J.
Published: October 2012

Knowledge of the prevalence and risk factors associated with maternal infection is the first step to develop a surveillance system for congenital transmission of Chagas disease. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Casanare, a disease-endemic area in Colombia. A total of 982 patients were enrolled in the study. A global prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection of 4.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.8–5.3%) was found. Multivariate analysis showed that the most important risk-associated factors were age > 29 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.4, 95% CI = 0.9–12.4), rural residency (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0–4.6), low education level (aOR = 10.2, 95% CI = 1.6–82.7), and previous knowledge of the vector (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0–4.9). Relatives and siblings of infected mothers showed a prevalence of 9.3%. These findings may help physicians to investigate congenital cases, screen Chagas disease in siblings and relatives, and provide early treatment to prevent the chronic complications of Chagas disease.
Personal Consumption and Single Persons: A Reply to Thomas Ireland
Authors: Krueger Kurt V.
Published: October 2012

In a recent JFE article, I presented five empirical approaches to identify the personal consumption of earnings made by single persons. I stated that forensic economic estimates of earnings minus personal consumption are relevant to, but do not define, the awardable financial support damages to survivors or estates under the various wrongful death laws in the United States. In a comment on my article, Thomas Ireland has stated that the role of forensic economic evaluation is to only estimate how much financial support single decedents would actually have provided to statutory survivors—which he states is often zero. I present several arguments and facts to show that Ireland's criticisms and concerns are unsupportable.
The unusual persistence of an ozone hole over a southern mid-latitude station during the Antarctic spring 2009: a multi-instrument study
Authors: Wolfram E. A. , Salvador J. , Orte F. , D'Elia R. , Godin-Beekmann S. , Kuttippurath J. , Pazmiño A. , Goutail F. , Casiccia C. , Zamorano F. , Paes Leme N. , Quel E. J.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Record-low ozone column densities (with a minimum of 212 DU) persisted over three weeks at the Río Gallegos NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change) station (51.5° S, 69.3° W) in November 2009. Total ozone remained two standard deviations below the climatological mean for five consecutive days during this period. The statistical analysis of 30 years of satellite data from the Multi Sensor Reanalysis (MSR) database for Río Gallegos revealed that such a long-lasting low-ozone episode is a rare occurrence. The event is examined using height-resolved ozone lidar measurements at Río Gallegos, and observations from satellite and ground-based instruments. The computed relative difference between the measured total ozone and the climatological monthly mean shows reductions varying between 10 and 30% with an average decrease of 25%. The mean absolute difference of total ozone column with respect to climatological monthly mean ozone column is around 75 DU. Extreme values of the UV index (UVI) were measured at the ground for this period, with the daily maximum UVI of around 13 on 15 and 28 November. The high-resolution MIMOSA-CHIM (Modélisation Isentrope du transport Méso-échelle de l'Ozone Stratosphérique par Advection) model was used to interpret the ozone depletion event. An ozone decrease of about 2 ppmv was observed in mid-November at the 550 K isentropic level (~22 km). The position of Río Gallegos relative to the polar vortex was classified using equivalent latitude maps. During the second week of November, the vortex was over the station at all isentropic levels, but after 20 November and until the end of the month, only the 10 lower levels in the stratosphere were affected by vortex overpasses with ozone poor air masses. A rapid recovery of the ozone column density was observed later, due to an ozone rich filament moving over Río Gallegos between 18 and 24 km in the first two weeks of December 2009.
Differential Algebraic Equations of MOS Circuits and Jump Behavior
Authors: Sarangapani P. , Thiessen T. , Mathis W.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Many nonlinear electronic circuits showing fast switching behavior exhibit jump effects which occurs when the state space of the electronic system contains a fold. This leads to difficulties during the simulation of these systems with standard circuit simulators. A method to overcome these problems is by regularization, where parasitic inductors and capacitors are added at the suitable locations. However, the transient solution will not be reliable if this regularization is not done in accordance with Tikhonov's Theorem. A geometric approach is taken to overcome these problems by explicitly computing the state space and jump points of the circuit. Until now, work has been done in analyzing example circuits exhibiting this behavior for BJT transistors. In this work we apply these methods to MOS circuits (Schmitt trigger, flip flop and multivibrator) and present the numerical results. To analyze the circuits we use the EKV drain current model as equivalent circuit model for the MOS transistors.
The fate of riverine nutrients on Arctic shelves
Authors: Le Fouest V. , Babin M. , Tremblay J.-É.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Present and future levels of primary production (PP) in the Arctic Ocean (AO) depend on nutrient inputs to the photic zone via vertical mixing, upwelling and external sources. In this regard, the importance of horizontal river supply relative to oceanic processes is poorly constrained at the panarctic scale. We compiled extensive historical (1954–2012) data on discharge and nutrient concentrations to estimate fluxes of nitrate, soluble reactive phosphate (SRP), silicate, DOC, DON, PON and POC from 9 large Arctic rivers and assess their potential impact on the biogeochemistry of shelf waters. Several key points can be emphasized from this analysis. The contribution of riverine nitrate to new PP (PPnew) is very small at the regional scale (< 1% to ca. 6.2%) and negligible at the panarctic scale (ca. 0.73%), in agreement with recent studies. By consuming all this nitrate, oceanic phytoplankton would be able to use only ca. 13.5% and 6.6–17.5% of the river supply of silicate at the panarctic and regional scales, respectively. Corresponding figures for SRP are ca. 27.8% and 18.4–44.4%. On the Beaufort and Bering shelves, riverine SRP cannot fulfil phytoplankton requirements. On a seasonal basis, the removal of riverine nitrate, silicate and SRP would be the highest in spring and not in summer when AO shelf waters are nitrogen-limited. Riverine DON is potentially an important nitrogen source for the planktonic ecosystem in summer, when ammonium supplied through the photoammonification of refractory DON (ca. 3.9×109 mol N) may exceed the combined riverine supply of nitrate and ammonium (ca. 2.9×109 mol N). Nevertheless, overall nitrogen limitation of AO phytoplankton is expected to persist even when projected increases of riverine DON and nitrate supply are taken into account. This analysis underscores the need to better contrast oceanic nutrient supply processes with the composition and fate of changing riverine nutrient deliveries in future scenarios of plankton community structure, function and production in the coastal AO.
Gains from modelling dependence of rainfall variables into a stochastic model: application of the copula approach at several sites
Authors: Cantet P. , Arnaud P.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Since the last decade, copulas have become more and more widespread in the construction of hydrological models. Unlike the multivariate statistics which are traditionally used, this tool enables scientists to model different dependence structures without drawbacks. The authors propose to apply copulas to improve the performance of an existing model. The hourly rainfall stochastic model SHYPRE is based on the simulation of descriptive variables. It generates long series of hourly rainfall and enables the estimation of distribution quantiles for different climates. The paper focuses on the relationship between two variables describing the rainfall signal. First, Kendall's tau is estimated on each of the 217 rain gauge stations in France, then the False Discovery Rate procedure is used to define stations for which the dependence is significant. Among three usual archimedean copulas, a unique 2-copula is chosen to model this dependence for any station. Modelling dependence leads to an obvious improvement in the reproduction of the standard and extreme statistics of maximum rainfall, especially for the sub-daily rainfall. An accuracy test for the extreme values shows the good asymptotic behaviour of the new rainfall generator version and the impacts of the copula choice on extreme quantile estimation.
Ectopic Ureters in Male Dogs: Review of 16 Clinical Cases (1999–2007)
Authors: Anders Katherine J. , McLoughlin Mary A. , Samii Valerie F. , Chew Dennis J. , Cannizzo Karin L. , Wood India C. , Weisman Debra L.
Published: October 2012

Ureteral ectopia is a well-described cause of urinary incontinence in female dogs, but this condition has not been completely characterized in male dogs. Sixteen male dogs with ectopic ureters were evaluated between Jan 1999 and Mar 2007. Male dogs were similar to female dogs with ectopic ureters in terms of breed, presenting complaint, age of onset, and bilateral nature of the ectopia. Diagnosis was made by expert interpretation of imaging techniques such as excretory urography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Overall, 11 of 13 dogs that had surgical correction of ectopic ureters were incontinent preoperatively. Urinary continence was restored in 82% of those dogs.
Use of Procainamide for Conversion of Acute Onset AF Following Pericardiocentesis in a Dog
Authors: Fries Ryan , Saunders Ashley B.
Published: October 2012

A 9 yr old spayed female golden retriever was evaluated for anorexia and suspected gastric dilatation. Subsequent evaluation the following day determined the dog to have pericardial effusion. Muffled heart sounds and jugular pulses were noted on physical exam, and the dog was diagnosed with pleural and pericardial effusion. A sinus rhythm with a rate of 142 beats/min was documented on a surface electrocardiogram (EKG). Following pericardiocentesis, the heart rate increased to 260 beats/min, the rhythm became irregular, and the systemic blood pressure decreased. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was confirmed by EKG. Procainamide was administered IV over 15 min, resulting in successful conversion of AF to sinus rhythm and clinical improvement. Procainamide is one of several antiarrhythmic medications that are used for the conversion of acute AF in humans; however, its utility and efficacy in dogs in the setting of AF has not previously been reported. This case highlights a unique complication of performing a pericardiocentesis that requires immediate treatment and describes a potential treatment option for the conversion of acute AF in dogs.
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Canine Supraspinatus Calcifying Tendinosis
Authors: Mistieri Maria Ligia A. , Wigger Antje , Canola Julio C. , Filho João G. P. , Kramer Martin
Published: October 2012

Supraspinatus calcifying tendinosis is an uncommon finding in dogs. Although its radiographic appearance has been described previously, radiographs alone do not provide detailed information about the tendon parenchyma. Tendon ultrasonography has been widely applied for the diagnosis of human tendinosis, but it remains underused in dogs. This article reviews the ultrasonographic technique and variable appearance of canine supraspinatus calcifying tendinosis observed in 33 tendons. The ultrasonographic findings are described. The most common ultrasonographic finding was a hyperechoic area accompanied by distal acoustic shadowing. No relationship with bicipital tenosynovitis was found. A color Doppler examination was possible in only five of the tendons, revealing no blood flow in those tendons. There was evidence that the presence of a hypoechoic area surrounding the calcification was related to clinical signs of pain, suggesting an active inflammatory process. Ultrasonography was an excellent technique to evaluate lesions of the supraspinatus tendon and it revealed details not apparent on radiographs.
Gap Assessment of Animal Health Legislation in Sri Lanka for Emerging Infectious Disease Preparedness
Authors: Dissanayake D.M.R.B. , Stephen C. , Daniel S. , Abeynayake P.
Published: October 2012

Legal preparedness is critical for emerging infectious disease (EID) management. The authors develop a framework for assessing Sri Lanka's animal health legislation in order to support EID preparedness. The most comprehensive set of policies addresses highly pathogenic avian influenza. Key deficiencies included (a) the lack of a legislative framework for veterinary public health that could support the necessary institutional structure and responsibilities, (b) the lack of requirements to report a broad set of zoonotic diseases, (c) the lack of authority for animal health agencies to control zoonotic food-borne diseases, and (d) the lack of authority to impose and enforce animal health standards. Such policy deficiencies partially reflect the government's focus on livestock production for national self-reliance, rural development and nutrition enhancement rather than for international trade. The steps now being taken to remedy these problems concentrate on creating an enhanced capacity for the early detection of disease. This study highlights the need to develop evidence-based criteria for EID policy.
Agronomic and Economic Performance of Yam-Based Systems with Shrubby and Herbaceous Legumes Adapted by Smallholders
Authors: Maliki Raphiou , Cornet Denis , Floquet Anne , Sinsin Brice
Published: October 2012

West Africa has major problems relating to the impact of slash-and-burn shifting cultivation on soil systems. In order to design more sustainable yam cropping systems, agronomy research in Benin has implemented trials in partnership with smallholders on alternative yam-based systems using shrubby (Gliricidia sepium) and herbaceous (Aeschynomene histrix) legumes. In the first phase, farmers modified these new systems within their own constraints; the systems were then further evaluated. The agronomic and economic performance of farmer-adapted alternative yam-based cropping systems and the implications for wider international application are discussed.
Biomarketing strategy and tactics 101 PART III of III
Authors: Dogramatzis Dimitris
Published: October 2012

The American Marketing Association defines marketing as the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large. According to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America appropriate marketing of medicines ensures that patients have access to the products they need and that the products are used correctly for maximum patient benefit. The most important promotional tools for biopharmaceutical firms are 1) personal selling, 2) advertising, 3) public relations and publicity, and 4) web promotion. Part I of this three-part article focuses on the nature of the biopharmaceutical marketingâ€™s four Pâ€™s, the importance of marketing strategy, the conduct of environmental analysis,Â  and maket segmentation. Part II delves into the processes of targeting and positioning, marketing planning, as well as biopharmaceutical branding. Part III completes the series by focusing on the push and pull promotional strategies, advertising, selling, and biopharmaceutical web and social marketing.
The Partnership for Safe Medicines-India: Lessons for Emerging Markets
Authors: Misra Bejon Kumar
Published: October 2012

While medicines are always expected to be a safe remedy for human ailments, unfortunately, there is also the phenomenon of â€˜unsafe medicinesâ€™ due to unscrupulous elements in society manufacturing and marketing fake, spurious, mislabeled medicines, as well as medicines with sub-standard ingredients. As more and more consumers are adversely affected by these drugs, and global health concerns grow, efforts were needed to bring stakeholders together to address this public health problem. This was the genesis of the Partnership for Safe Medicines-India. Strategic efforts were required integrating a wide array of stakeholders and early and intensive planning. Lessons learned from this experience may be useful for other emerging markets.
Diary of Change: Shifting Mathematical Philosophies
Authors: Edwards Clayton M. , Townsend Brian E.
Published: October 2012

Changes to classroom rules of engagement, such as assessment, the curriculum, instruction, and the environment, can produce real results.
Mathematical Explorations: Rethinking Dr. Seuss's The Lorax—Mathematically
Authors: Kurz Terri L. , Bartholomew Barbara
Published: October 2012

A mathematical analysis of Dr. Seuss's classic literature is explored.
A fraction feast
Authors: Kikosicki Lara , Prekeges Debbie
Published: October 2012

Family time in the kitchen can lead to opportunities to explore fractions in real-life circumstances and tap into children's engagement in the harvest season. You might supplement the October problems by setting up a time for your students to talk with a professional chef or event planner about how they use fractions in their jobs.
7 Steps to High-End Learning
Authors: Gavin M. Katherine , Moylan Karen G.
Published: October 2012

Research-based actions and practical ideas for implementation can help shape your differentiated instruction.
Fractions: Thinking Beyond the Lines
Authors: Sarazen Donald N.
Published: October 2012

The implementation of CCSSM helped this teacher think about how to use different representations to help fourth-grade students increase their conceptual understanding of fractions.
Risque et excellence d’une destination touristique : l’exploration de la relation entre deux concepts antinomiques
Authors: Gillet Christiane
Published: October 2012

« Le désir de voyage n’est pas un acquis, mais quelque chose qui doit être reconstruit en permanence » (Viard, 2007). Comme l’ensemble des pratiques sociales, le secteur du tourisme est en effet touché par la modification rapide des modes de consommation. Ainsi aucune des grandes pratiques du tourisme ni aucun lieu n’est assuré, pour Boyer (2005 : 319), de conserver son aura, sa puissance d’attraction dans les décennies à venir. L’attractivité d’une destination peut être corrélée à une exigence de sécurité qui vise le risque zéro pour le consommateur. Pour explorer la relation entre les concepts de « risque » et d’« excellence d’une destination touristique », nous avons fait le choix d’analyser particulièrement les représentations des risques qu’ont les acteurs institutionnels du tourisme pour l’avenir touristique d’une destination régionale française. Une recherche qualitative auprès de 25 acteurs met en exergue la qualité de la gouvernance économique du secteur touristique comme risque et enjeu majeurs pour l’avenir du développement touristique du territoire de Bretagne.
Circulation et rencontre du patrimoine et du tourisme dans la médina de Fès
Authors: Istasse Manon
Published: October 2012

Patrimoine mondial et tourisme font l’objet de nombreuses publications aussi bien de la part des acteurs du tourisme que de l’UNESCO ou des sciences sociales. Pourtant, ces études concluent le plus souvent à une difficulté d’investiguer la relation entre tourisme et patrimoine. La médina de Fès, classée au patrimoine mondial depuis 1981, fait l’objet de nombreux projets de restauration de son patrimoine et est en plein développement touristique depuis le début des années 2000. Je propose dans cet article d’investiguer différentes situations de rencontre entre tourisme et patrimoine, à savoir le logement touristique dans la vieille ville, les administrations en charge du développement touristique de la ville, et les bureaux UNESCO à Paris et Rabat : comment patrimoine mondial et tourisme s’y rencontrent-ils, sous quelles formes, et dans quelles situations ? La réponse à ces questions me permettra en conclusion d’ébaucher une approche du patrimoine mondial comme référent circulant entre diverses situations, en mobilisant les travaux menés dans le cadre d’une anthropologie pragmatique.
Médina de Sousse
Authors: Majdoub Wided
Published: October 2012

La question de la gestion touristique des sites du patrimoine mondial est en soi complexe. Toutefois, quand le site classé est une médina, cette question devient problématique. Lieux particuliers qui cachent derrière leurs remparts une population pauvre et peu qualifiée, les médinas concentrent à elles seules toutes les problématiques liées au patrimoine et au développement. La lutte contre la pauvreté peut passer par une mise en tourisme et une approche territoriale combinant valorisation culturelle et tourisme durable. Culture, tourisme et développement sont évidemment interreliés. Comment alors inscrire la médina de Sousse dans un processus de gestion touristique durable ? Afin d’y répondre, nous avons étudié deux volets de cette mise en tourisme. L’auteure a voulu comprendre si l’inscription au patrimoine mondial est un label et, en tant que tel, s’il a un effet sur les motivations des touristes pour une destination perçue comme balnéaire malgré sa médina inscrite au patrimoine mondial. Parallèlement, cet article propose une étude des parties prenantes qui sont les marqueurs de la gouvernance et dont la coopération est gage de durabilité.
La restauration du village de Périllos par l’association Terre de pierres
Authors: Masson-Labonté Amélie
Published: October 2012

L’association locale de sauvegarde du patrimoine Terre de pierres se consacre depuis 2006 à la restauration du village abandonné de Périllos, dans les Pyrénées-Orientales françaises. Pour l’association, la reconstruction se conçoit en harmonie avec la communauté locale, l’environnement et les matériaux disponibles dans la région. Son objectif est de faire revivre le village autant que de transmettre un savoir-faire relié aux techniques de constructions rurales d’autrefois. La reconstruction du site s’effectue grâce à l’aide des bénévoles de l’union REMPART, un système qui permet d’une part à Terre de pierres de reconstruire le village sans avoir à sacrifier ses impératifs de qualité aux objectifs de rentabilité, et d’autre part d’offrir à ses participants une expérience de tourisme participatif qui vient épouser les objectifs de développement durable mis de l’avant par l’UNESCO et l’Organisation mondiale du tourisme. Cette initiative de toute petite envergure permet d’observer la viabilité d’une conciliation entre les intérêts touristiques, écologiques et patrimoniaux.
Le tourisme scientifique
Authors: Mao Pascal , Bourlon Fabien
Published: October 2012

Cet article s’intéresse à la notion de tourisme scientifique. Il propose par une revue de littérature de distinguer quatre formes distinctes de pratiques et de produits touristiques mobilisant de différentes manières et à divers degrés la dimension scientifique. Il s’agit : 1) du tourisme d’exploration et d’aventure à dimension scientifique ; 2) du tourisme culturel proche de l’écotourisme ou du tourisme industriel ; 3) de l’écovolontariat scientifique ; et 4) du tourisme de recherche scientifique. Il discute ensuite les conditions d’émergence de la notion et de sa pertinence dans les dynamiques du tourisme contemporain. Le lien entre tourisme et sciences n’allant pas de soi pour de nombreux auteurs, cette contribution tend à rendre compte des débats et des points de vue parfois contradictoires.
An Application of Cmaps in the Description of Clinical Information Structure and Logic in Electronic Health Records
Authors: Brewer Allen , Helfgott Maxwell A. , Novak Joseph , Schanhals Rick
Published: October 2012

The development and implementation of competent and cost-effective computerized medical records that profoundly improve physician productivity and knowledge management will require the development of a new paradigm for the representation and analysis of medical knowledge and logic. Medical knowledge is acquired inductively by observing, measuring, and eliciting information from patients in a process that is investigational rather than transactional. Most, if not all, current approaches to health information technology (HIT) rely on a logic and data structure that imposes significant limitations on the ability of physicians to thoroughly and efficiently document and access empiric patient data because the information is almost invariably organized in a way which presumes, rather than makes explicit, the relationships of concepts and their meaning. Cmapping provides a graphical method of capturing and displaying expert content knowledge that is simple to comprehend and modify and provides a foundation for a dynamic, inductive, and inclusive method of clinical documentation and research. The basis of medical decision analysis along with representative samples of medical knowledge modeling in the Cmap format is presented. The knowledge structures that are captured in Cmaps can be expressed directly in propositional logic, enabling the capability to convert Cmapped clinical expressions to be used to define a description logic for clinical evidence documentation and analysis that can in turn be mapped to multiple natural languages. The described description logic approach can be used to formulate digital messages and documents and to automate the process of converting description specifications formulated in propositional logic into operational electronic health record solutions for capture and reporting of clinical encounters. It has also been demonstrated that using Cmaps to elicit content knowledge from physicians to build point-of-care clinical documentation screens can significantly reduce the time and costs necessary to implement the physician's knowledge into operational systems and that using Cmaps eliminates the need for HIT expertise in the rules-encoding process.
Physician Perspectives on Comparative Effectiveness Research: Implications for Practice-based Evidence
Authors: Pierce Beverly A. , Chesney Margaret A. , Witt Claudia M. , Berman Brian M.
Published: October 2012

Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is defined by the Institute of Medicine as “the generation and synthesis of evidence that compares the benefits and harms of alternative methods to prevent, diagnose, treat, and monitor a clinical condition or to improve the delivery of care.” The goal of CER is to provide timely, useful evidence to healthcare decision makers including physicians, patients, policymakers, and payers. A prime focus for the use of CER evidence is the interaction between physician and patient. Physicians in primary practice are critical to the success of the CER enterprise. A 2009 survey suggests, however, that physician attitudes toward CER may be mixed—-somewhat positive toward the potential for patient care improvement, yet negative toward potential restriction on physician freedom of practice. CER methods and goals closely parallel those of practice-based research, an important movement in family medicine in the United States since the 1970s. This article addresses apparent physician ambivalence toward CER and makes a case for family medicine engagement in CER to produce useful practice-based evidence. Such an effort has potential to expand care options through personalized medicine, individualized guidelines, focus on patient preferences and patient-reported outcomes, and study of complex therapeutic interventions, such as integrative care. Academic medical researchers will need to collaborate with experienced family physicians to identify significant practice-based research questions and design meaningful studies. Such collaborations would shape CER to produce high-quality practice-based evidence to inform family and community medicine.
Test Result Management in Global Health Settings
Authors: Palazuelos Daniel , Payne Jonathan D. , Dalal Anuj K.
Published: October 2012

Across the globe, the ways in which patients’ test results are managed are as varied as the many different types of healthcare systems that manage these data. The outcomes, however, are often not too dissimilar: too many clinically significant test results fall through the cracks. The consequences of not following up test results in a timely manner are serious and often devastating to patients: diagnoses are delayed, treatments are not initiated or altered in time, and diseases progress. In resource-poor settings, test results too commonly get filed away within the paper chart in ways that isolate them and prevent passage to future providers caring for a patient. To make matters worse, the onus to act upon these test results often rests on patients who need to return to the clinic within a specified timeframe in order to obtain their results but who may not have the means or are too ill to do so. Even in more developed healthcare settings that use electronic records, clinical data residing in the electronic medical record (EMR) are often stubbornly “static”—-key pieces of clinical information are frequently not recognized, retrieved, or shared easily. In this way, EMRs are not unlike paper record systems, and therefore, EMRs alone will not solve this problem. To illustrate this problem, consider the case of a patient newly diagnosed with HIV in 3 different healthcare delivery settings.
The Effects of Tetrahydro-iso-alpha Acids and Niacin on Monocyte-Edothelial Cell Interactions and Flow-mediated Vasodilation
Authors: Lamb Joseph J. , Konda Veera R. , Desai Anuradha , Bland Jeffrey S. , Tripp Matthew L.
Published: October 2012

Niacin favorably modifies cardiovascular risk factors but is associated with flushing and shows limited benefit in improving endothelial function. We investigated whether combining anti-inflammatory tetrahydro-iso-alpha acids (THIAA) from hops with niacin would improve endothelial function. We hypothesized that the THIAA+niacin combination would demonstrate benefits not seen with niacin alone. In an in vitro model, a THIAA+niacin mixture inhibited several TNF-α-induced cytokines in human aortic endothelial cells and in human monocytic cells and was significantly more efficacious than niacin alone. Subsequently, the effect of 125 mg THIAA and 500 mg niacin on endothelial-regulated flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was explored in a pilot study of 11 dyslipidemic volunteers. The 12-week treatment (2 tablets/day) resulted in a clinically relevant FMD increase compared to a trend toward an FMD decrease with placebo; the between-arm difference was statistically significant. THIAA+niacin treatment also improved total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and uric acid. No significant improvement in these parameters was observed with placebo. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was significantly increased only in the placebo arm. Nutritional support with a THIAA+niacin combination may provide benefits for endothelial function in those with dyslipidemia.
Didactics of the use of ICT and traditional teaching aids in municipal higher education institutions.
Authors: Lombillo Rivero Ideleichy , López Padrón Alexander , Zumeta Izaguirre Ernesto
Published: October 2012

Issues related to the use of teaching aids in Higher Education are currently going through constant revision and rethinking due to the rapid advancement of science and technology. Their uses have significantly changed after the introduction of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) within the educational field. One of the main tasks to be performed by didactics in Higher Education teaching today is precisely to deepen into rational and effective class-teaching means, understood in a broad sense: from traditional teaching aids to ICTs. This reality has materialized in the current blended learning model which characterizes the New Cuban University. Therefore, it was considered appropriate to characterize the present-day teaching practice, based on the use of teaching aids in Cuba’s university classrooms, as part of the second stage within the research project “Improvement of the universalization process in Municipal Higher Education Institutions in the Havana province. Generalization of results and development of contextualized innovative experiences.” The study was carried out at eleven ‘Physical Culture’ Municipal Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) in two academic periods (2007–2009 and 2009–2011). A descriptive methodology consisting of observation, surveys and the “Osgood Semantic Differential” scale as main methods and techniques was applied. The results obtained showed that teachers make an occasional, nonsystematic and reluctant use of teaching aids during the teachinglearning process, especially when it comes to ICT-based teaching aids.
Assessment of primary school students’ decision-making related to tactical contexts
Authors: Gutiérrez David , García-López Luis Miguel
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this study was to assess and understand prior tactical knowledge and game performance as well as the relationship between the different components of game performance in invasion games. The participants (N = 22; girls: 13; boys: 9) were Physical Education students (ages: 11–12) with a low expertise in invasion games (they were selected among those with no other background in invasion games than PE lessons). Their game performance was videotaped, after which measures of motor execution and cognitive components were developed from observational analysis. Decision- making was measured on two levels: a) decision-making restricted to the performance of technical-tactical skills; and b) decision-making focused on adapting to the offensive tactical contexts of the game. Participants played an eight-minute-long 4-versus-4 generic invasion game. The latter was designed to meet both developmental needs and previous learning, so interference between motor execution ability and decision-making performance was minimized. The findings revealed that these students already had a basic concept of offensive and defensive game situations, both on-the-ball and off-the-ball. No significant differences were found between players’ performance in penetrating-the-defense contexts and in those where they kept ball possession. The findings additionally highlighted the existence of significant relationships between decision-making and skill execution in getting open, tackling, marking off-ball and double teaming. Other links between game performance components are discussed throughout the paper. The importance of assessing game performance taking into account tactical contexts is also supported (Gutiérrez, González, García-López, & Mitchell, 2011), as well as some of the GCA pedagogical principles, e.g. the use of modified games (Oslin & Mitchell, 2006).
Influence of sewage sludge on the rheological properties of petroleum coke–water slurry
Authors: Ma Xiuyuan , Duan Yufeng , Liu Meng , Li Huafeng
Published: October 2012

Environmental concerns have stimulated proper treatment in utilizing sewage sludge derived from different industries. The main objective of the present study is to prepare high‐quality petroleum coke–sludge slurry (PCSS) with low viscosity and good stability by adding sewage sludge into petroleum coke–water slurry (PCWS), and a systematic investigation of the rheological properties of PCSS and PCWS, along with the sewage sludge, is conducted. The experimental results show that the PCWS is a dilatant fluid and has inferior stability; sewage sludge is a pseudoplastic fluid. As a certain amount of sewage sludge is added into PCWS to obtain PCSS, rheological properties are changed from a shear‐thickening property to a shear‐thinning property. Raw sewage sludge has higher bound water content and larger viscosity. Alkaline chemical additives are selected as sewage sludge modifiers to turn bound water into free‐flowing water and reduce the viscosity. The static stability of PCSS was analyzed by the water separation ratio. Results indicate that sewage sludge has a significant impact on the static stability of PCSS. Water separation ratio decreases and the static stability is improved after addition of the sewage sludge. The higher the sewage sludge amount, the better the static stability of the PCSS. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement by Glycyrrhizae Radix of hepatic metabolism of hypaconitine, a major bioactive and toxic component of Aconiti Laterlis Radix, evaluated by HPLC‐TQ‐MS/MS analysis
Authors: Shen Hong , Wu Jie , Di Liu‐Qing , Zhu Ling‐Ying , Xu Jun , Yan Ru , Li Song‐Lin
Published: October 2012

Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR) is often prescribed together with Aconiti Laterlis Radix (ALR) (a so‐called compatible drug pair) in traditional Chinese medicinal practice to reduce toxicity of ALR. However, the mechanisms involved remain to be addressed. In this study, the metabolic interactions between GR–ALR drug pair were investigated for the first time. First, an HPLC‐TQ‐MS/MS method was developed to analyze hypaconitine, a major bioactive and toxic component of ALR, in rat liver S9. Then the in vitro metabolic rates of hypaconitine by different rat liver S9 were compared using the established method. The experiments were designed in four groups: pure hypaconitine (group I) and ALR extract (group II) incubated with liver S9 of normal rats, and pure hypaconitine (group III) and ALR extract (group IV) incubated with liver S9 of GR‐pretreated rats. When incubated for more than 4 h, the metabolic rates of hypaconitine in group III were significantly higher than those in group I, and when incubated for more than 2 h, the metabolic rates of hypaconitine in group IV were significantly higher than those in group II, suggesting that GR can enhance metabolic rate of hypaconitine, the mechanism of which might be related to hepatic metabolizing enzyme induction by GR. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nickel Catalysts Supported Over TiO2, SiO2 and ZrO2 for the Steam Reforming of Glycerol
Authors: Rossetti Ilenia , Gallo Alessandro , Dal Santo Vladimiro , Bianchi Claudia L. , Nichele Valentina , Signoretto Michela , Finocchio Elisabetta , Ramis Gianguido , Di Michele Alessandro
Published: October 2012

Ni‐based catalysts supported on TiO2, ZrO2 and SiO2 (in the form of mesoporous Santa Barbara Amorphous 15 (SBA‐15) and amorphous dense nanoparticles), were employed in the steam reforming of glycerol. Each sample was prepared by liquid phase synthesis of the support followed by impregnation with the active phase and calcination at 800 °C or by direct synthesis through flame pyrolysis. Many techniques have been used to assess the physical chemical properties of both the fresh and spent catalysts, such as atomic absorption, N2 adsorption/desorption, XRD, SEM, TEM, temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Micro‐Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. The samples showed different textural, structural and morphological properties, as well as different reducibility and thermal resistance depending on the preparation method and support. Some of these properties were tightly bound to catalyst performance, in terms of H2 productivity and stability towards coking and sintering. A key parameter was the metal–support interaction, which strongly depended on the preparation procedure. In particular, the stronger the interaction, the more stable the metallic Ni clusters, which in turn lead to a higher catalytic activity and stability. Surface acidity was also taken into account, in which the nature of the acid sites was differentiated (silanols, titanols or Lewis acid sites). The characterisation of the spent catalysts also allowed us to interpret the deactivation process. The formation of multi‐walled nanotubes was observed for every sample, though it was only in some cases that this led to severe deactivation.