bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Specific Antibody Deficiency in Adults with Medically Refractory Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Carr Tara F. , Koterba Alan P. , Chandra Rakesh , Grammer Leslie C. , Conley David B. , Harris Kathleen E. , Kern Robert , Schleimer Robert P. , Peters Anju T.
Published: July 2011

Background

Specific antibody deficiency may predispose patients to recurrent respiratory tract infections. There is limited literature assessing specific antibody deficiency in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This study evaluated the role of specific antibody deficiency in patients with CRS who have failed medical therapy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with CRS who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery and had prior assessment for humoral immunodeficiency. Each patient's record was reviewed for serum quantitative immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA and anti–Streptococcus pneumoniae antibody titers measured at baseline and 6 weeks postvaccination with the 23-valent unconjugated pneumococcal vaccine. Clinical characteristics, including asthma, atopy, and nasal polyps, were recorded.

Results

Of the 129 CRS patients who met inclusion criteria, 93 (72%) had low baseline antipneumococcal titers. Fifteen (11.6%) patients were diagnosed with specific antibody deficiency based on an inadequate response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The group of patients with specific antibody deficiency had significantly lower serum IgA levels when compared with those patients with normal preimmunization titers (138 ± 67.3 versus 330 ± 356; p < 0.05). Patients with specific antibody deficiency had a significantly lower number of preimmunization protective antipneumococcal titers when compared with vaccine responders (1.41 versus 2.72; p < 0.0005.

Conclusion

This retrospective study indicates that patients with medically refractory CRS may have a high prevalence of low preimmunization antipneumococcal titers and specific antibody deficiency. Furthermore, lower serum IgA levels identified in these specific antibody deficiency patients suggests that a prospective study to further characterize this relationship is warranted.
Risk Factors for Suicide Within a Year of Discharge from Psychiatric Hospital: A Systematic Meta-Analysis
Authors: Large Matthew , Sharma Swapnil , Cannon Elisabeth , Ryan Christopher , Nielssen Olav
Published: July 2011

Background: The increased risk of suicide in the period after discharge from a psychiatric hospital is a well-recognized and serious problem.

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the risk factors for suicide in the year after discharge from psychiatric hospitals and their usefulness in categorizing patients as high or low risk for suicide in the year following discharge.

Method: A systematic meta-analysis of controlled studies of suicide within a year of discharge from psychiatric hospitals.

Results: There was a moderately strong association between both a history of self-harm (OR = 3.15) and depressive symptoms (OR = 2.70) and post-discharge suicide. Factors weakly associated with post-discharge suicide were reports of suicidal ideas (OR = 2.47), an unplanned discharge (OR = 2.44), recent social difficulty (OR = 2.23), a diagnosis of major depression (OR = 1.91) and male sex (OR = 1.58). Patients who had less contact with services after discharge were significantly less likely to commit suicide (OR = 0.69). High risk patients were more likely to commit suicide than other discharged patients, but the strength of this association was not much greater than the association with some individual risk factors (OR = 3.94, sensitivity = 0.40, specificity = 0.87).

Conclusions: No factor, or combination of factors, was strongly associated with suicide in the year after discharge. About 3% of patients categorized as being at high risk can be expected to commit suicide in the year after discharge. However, about 60% of the patients who commit suicide are likely to be categorized as low risk. Risk categorization is of no value in attempts to decrease the numbers of patients who will commit suicide after discharge.
Theatres of virtue
Authors: Rajak Dinah
Published: July 2011

In recent years transnational corporations have become major players in
the development arena. The rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) elevates
corporations as leaders in a new orthodoxy of business-led development that promotes
empowerment through “the market” as the panacea for global poverty. This
vision has recruited support from disparate actors, turning combatants into collaborators.
This article is based on thirteen months of multisited fieldwork, tracking
the performance of CSR through the circuit of conventions and policy forums
that constitute the social life of CSR. I argue that by claiming the confluence of doing
good business and doing good, commitment to the market logic of maximisation
is not only maintained, but endowed with a moral legitimacy and celebrated
as the elusive win-win solution for which the development industry continues to
search.
Development of Design and Manufacturing of a Fixed Wing Radio Controlled Micro Air Vehicle (MAV)
Authors: Hossain MA , Hasan F , Seraz AFMT , Rajib SA
Published: July 2011

Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) are a new type of aircraft maturing day by day and have reached unprecedented levels of growth recently. Similarly to larger Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), MAVs have enormous potential in applications, both military and civilian, like reconnaissance over battlefields and surveillance of urban areas, data relay, air sampling etc. This article describes the development and selection of a fixed wing MAV with the analysis of simulated results. High wing theory with NACA 4412 aerofoil’s analytical data has been used to practically predict the performance of the MAV. KEY WORDS: Fixed wing; MAV; NACA 4412; Clark Y. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/mist.v3i0.8048
Feasibility of Producing Lightweight Concrete Using Indigenous Materials Without Autoclaving
Authors: Shamsuddoha M , Islam MM , Noor MA
Published: July 2011

This research shows the feasibility and sequential approach for producing lightweight concrete without autoclaving using indigenous ingredients and appropriate technology of Bangladesh. Ingredients were mixed chronologically using trial-and-error method to reduce unit weight. Specific volume principle was utilized to observe the effect of inclusion of cement, water, sand, lime and aluminium in the mixture to achieve the goal. Molds were used to accommodate volumetric expansion of mixture. Both 50 mm and 150 mm cubic specimens were prepared for tests. Density and compressive strength were determined for specimens. Absorption capacity and thermal conductivity were also determined to get the product performance. From the results, it was seen that density and compressive decreased with increased water-cement ratio. Volumetric expansion was high for higher volume surface ratio. Finally, lightweight concrete with density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity within range of 700-1000 kg/m3, 0.5-2.0 MPa and 0.2-0.5 W/m-k respectively was produced. KEY WORDS: Volumetric expansion; Lightweight concrete; Water-cement ratio; Mix design. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/mist.v3i0.8049
Tsallis-Based Nonextensive Analysis of the Southern California Seismicity
Authors: Telesca Luciano
Published: July 2011

Nonextensive statistics has been becoming a very useful tool to describe the complexity of dynamic systems. Recently, analysis of the magnitude distribution of earthquakes has been increasingly used in the context of nonextensivity. In the present paper, the nonextensive analysis of the southern California earthquake catalog was performed. The results show that the nonextensivity parameter q lies in the same range as obtained for other different seismic areas, thus suggesting a sort of universal character in the nonextensive interpretation of seismicity.
Figurations rupestres sahariennes de chars à chevaux. [Recherches expérimentales sur les véhicules à timons multiples]
Authors: Spruytte Jean
Published: July 2011

Recherche expérimentale sur les véhicules à timons multiples figurés dans certaines représentations rupestres sahariennes.

Cette étude a pour point de départ de nouvelles découvertes de peintures rupestres d'attelages et de véhicules au Sahara central. L'analyse technique des figurations et les résultats expérimentaux obtenus permettent de faire apparaître l'utilité réelle d'un type d'attelage particulier qui correspond, non pas à un mode de traction, mais à un procédé de dressage à l'attelage de plusieurs chevaux ensemble.

Les réalités pratiques en matière d'attelage dégagées par cette étude apportent une confirmation concrète au texte d'Hérodote sur les quadriges libyens et mettent en évidence les contingences matérielles qu'il est toujours nécessaire de prendre en considération dans les recherches sur l'attelage dans les temps passés.
Les forums de Tingitane [Observations sur l'influence de l'architecture militaire sur les constructions civiles de l'Occident romain]
Authors: Euzennat Maurice , Hallier Gilbert
Published: July 2011

Les forums de Banasa, de Volubilis et de Sala, les seuls qu'on connaisse jusqu'à présent au Maroc, ont entre eux une ressemblance certaine qui tient à l'existence, sur l'un des petits côtés de la place centrale, d'une série de pièces rectangulaires, six à Banasa, cinq à Sala, quatre à Volubilis, ouvrant sur une galerie commune et construites sur un podium surélevé. Ce dispositif distingue les forums maurétaniens de la plupart des autres forums connus en Afrique, aussi bien que du type classique des forums d'Occident.

On a proposé naguère de reconnaître dans les constructions sur podium de Sala et de Banasa des temples de tradition « maurétanienne ». Rien ne justifie cette hypothèse. A Banasa, on ne saurait imaginer que les colons de la colonia Iulia Valentia aient pu placer le centre de leur vie civique au pied d'un sanctuaire de type indigène et, de toute façon, le forum et les cellae n'ont pas été construits avant la fin du Ier siècle après J.-C, plus probablement au IIe. Le forum de Volubilis, qu'on ne peut pas séparer des deux autres, a été lui aussi construit après l'annexion de la Maurétanie. Quant à celui de Sala, la tentative de le faire remonter en totalité ou en partie à l'époque de Juba II se heurte à la stratigraphie, tandis que les arguments stylistiques invoqués sont loin d'être déterminants. A Lixus, où l'on a mis au jour plusieurs temples préromains, aucun ne semble d'ailleurs pouvoir appartenir à ce type « maurétanien ».

On est en revanche tenté, au moins à Banasa et à Volubilis, d'établir un parallèle avec les « Lagerfora » militaires, dont la plupart des archéologues et historiens anglais font aujourd'hui dériver les forums municipaux de Bretagne. Dans le cas des deux villes marocaines, le rapprochement paraît même beaucoup plus net qu'ailleurs, avec des principia à « Vorhalle » à Banasa et sans « Vorhalle » à Volubilis. La nécessité d'accueillir un nombre de citoyens très supérieur à celui des soldats d'une unité auxiliaire suffit à expliquer l'allongement de la place, et la surélévation des cellae est probablement liée à leur fonction, dont il y a tout lieu de croire qu'elle était religieuse.

Dans aucun des trois cas il ne s'agit d'un Capitole comme on l'a naguère supposé à Banasa. Peut-être faudrait-il y voir un monument du culte impérial, attesté très tôt en Tingitane où il paraît avoir tenu une place particulièrement importante dans la vie municipale.
Corippe et l'occupation byzantine de l'Afrique : pour une nouvelle lecture de la Johannide
Authors: Modéran Yves
Published: July 2011

Considérée comme une source essentielle de l'histoire du VIe siècle africain, la Johannide de Corippe, souvent utilisée, n'a pourtant que rarement été l'objet de recherches critiques établissant sa valeur documentaire. Une tentative en est ici présentée, sur le thème du récit des révoltes maures de la première moitié du VIe siècle, à partir d'une comparaison avec le récit contemporain du Grec Procope. Trois caractères sont mis en valeur chez Corippe par rapport à Procope : omission systématique des erreurs des Byzantins depuis leur arrivée en Afrique ; défense et justification de leur politique indigène ; imputation de tous les malheurs de l'Afrique aux Maures irréductibles du chef Antalas. Un net engagement pro-byzantin de Corippe se dégage ainsi qui doit amener à considérer avec prudence son récit événementiel mais révèle en même temps une richesse méconnue de la Johannide, en particulier pour la connaissance de la politique indigène de Byzance en Afrique.
Note sur les fragments de mosaïques de la donation Driant au musée de Tessé au Mans
Authors: Blanchard-Lemée Michèle
Published: July 2011

Publication de fragments de mosaïques donnés en 1976 au musée de Tessè au Mans. Presque tous ces fragments sont identifiés par l'auteur comme provenant de la maison dite de Fructus à Uthina (Oudna, Tunisie), d'où P. Gauckler les avait considérés comme disparus. Reconstitution d'une scène de pêche au filet de deux Erotes au milieu de flots poissonneux (n° 393 de l' Inventaire des mosaïques de P. Gauckler) ; bustes de deux Saisons et treille à petits vendangeurs (n° 396) ; débris d'un décor géométrique en guirlandes de laurier, d'identification moins assurée. Enfin trois fragments disparates proviennent peut-être de la colline de Byrsa à Carthage (site de la villa Marie-Thérèse) ou de tout autre site. Bref commentaire du plan de la maison de Fructus, du style et de l'iconographie des pavements.
Incertitude, concurrence entre grandes et petites firmes et altération de la relation structure-performance
Authors: Lecostey Sophie
Published: July 2011

Incertitude, concurrence entre grandes et petites firmes et altération de la relation structure-performance,

par Sophie Lecostey.

L'incertitude de la demande peut conduire les grandes firmes confrontées à de petites firmes flexibles, à adopter de nouvelles stratégies. Le cadre d'analyse adopté est un modèle de marché à firmes dominantes, la variable stratégique étant le degré de concurrence entre firmes dominantes, supposé refléter l'intensité de la concurrence que livrent ces firmes, en réalité collusives, à leurs rivales concurrentielles. Le test empirique sur données françaises suggère que l'altération de la relation structure-performance observée est due aux industries à forte incertitude de la demande.
L'évolution de l'inégalité des salaires due aux différences de qualification : une étude d'entreprises françaises, de 1976 à 1987
Authors: Trannoy Alain , Lugand Chantal
Published: July 2011

Evolución de la desigualdad de los asalariados debido a las diferencias de cualificación: estudio de las empresas francesas de 1976 a 1987,

por Alain Trannoy y Chantai Lugand.

En el presente artículo se analizan los datos de una encuesta relativa a los salarios practicados en 161 establecimientos. Los escalafones utilizados corresponden a aquellos de la tabla de cualificación de la Unión de industrias metalúrgicas y mineras. La evolución de la desigualdad es el resultado de la modif icación de la tabla de salarios por escalafones y de la modificación de la estmctura de efectivos por escalafones de cualificación. La indeterminación del efecto estructural permite entender por qué la reducción de la variedad de salarios no ha provocado una reducción de la desigualdad, en la gran mayoría de los establecimientos de la muestra.
Analyses du chômage de longue durée et du chômage récurrent le cas de la France
Authors: Challier Marie-Christine , Jellal Mohamed
Published: July 2011

Analysis of Long-term and Recurring Unemployment - the Example of France,

by Marie-Christine Challier, Mohamed Jellal.

Examining the structure of long-term unemployment first reveals a number of effects, Le. the cohort effect, the seniority effect, the structure due to seniority effect. An empirical application is developed from data compiled by INSEE. An unemployment recurrence index is then constructed. The unemployment inflow rate is shown, rounding off the previous data which only gave the unemployment outflow rate.
Evolution de la demande réelle et de la structure des encaisses monétaires durant l'hyperinflation libanaise (1986-1987)
Authors: Gemayel Joseph
Published: July 2011

Evolución de la demanda real y de la estructura de los fondos líquidos monetarios durante la hiperinflación libanesa (1986-1987),

por Joseph Gemayel.

La demanda real de liquidez monetaria durante la hiperinflación libanesa se ha evaluado tomando como punto de partida el modelo de Cagan. Los resultados vienen a confirmar la validez del modelo en nuestro caso, que corresponde a aquel de una economía abierta de pequeñas dimensiones. La evolución de la estructura de los fondos líquidos disponibles muestra, por otra parte, una regresión de la moneda nacional en sus funciones, y fundamentalmente, aquella de réserva de valor.
Les modèles de cycle réel peuvent-ils expliquer les fluctuations de l'emploi et de la productivité ?
Authors: Fairise Xavier , Hénin Pierre-Yves , Langot François
Published: July 2011

Les modèles de cycle réel peuvent-ils expliquer les fluctuations de l'emploi et de la productivité ?

par Xavier Fairise, Pierre- Yves Hénin, François Langot.

L'aptitude des modèles issus du courant des cycles réels à rendre compte des caractéristiques du marché du travail, et en particulier des fluctuations des heures travaillées et de la productivité, a tout de suite polarisé le débat. Cet article évalue ce point en enrichissant le modèle de base : avec l'hypothèse de travail indivisible, l'introduction d'un choc de demande ou la prise en compte d'un coût d'ajustement, on reproduit de façon relativement satisfaisante le cycle de productivité. Il demeure que l'analyse du chômage exige une remise en cause plus radicale du modèle des cycles réels.
La construction et l'estimation de petits modèles macro-économiques
Authors: Kloek Teun
Published: July 2011

La construction et l'estimation de petits modèles macro-économiques,

par Teun Kloek.

Cet article discute certains développements récents de la construction et de l'estimation de petits modèles macro-économiques : simplification et transformation de modèles VAR en modèles économétriques, tests de l'invariance des paramètres d'équations structurelles et de la critique de Lucas, relations entre la théorie économique et les travaux empiriques, choix des spécifications testées. Ces approches sont importantes pour conférer aux modèles utilisés pour la prévision et les études de politique économique les meilleures caractéristiques de robustesse.
Fonctions d'importations et d'exportations : l'apport de la théorie économétrique récente
Authors: Capet Stéphane , Gudin de Vallerin Philippe
Published: July 2011

Import- und Exportfunktionen: der Beitrag der jüngsten ökonometrischen Theorie,

von Stéphane Capet, Philippe Gudin de Vallerin.

In diesem Artikel werden Gleichungen des mengenmäßigen Imports und Exports gewerblicher Güter vorgeschlagen, die unter Berücksichtigung der jüngsten Entwicklungen der Ökonometrie hinsichthch der nicht-stationären Variablen aufgestellt worden sind. Unter Verwendung einer VAR-Darstellung, das heißt einer vektoriellen autoregressiven Darstellung, wird bei dieser Méthode von wirtschaftstheoretisch begründeten Apriori sowie von aufgezeigten Kausalitätsbeziehungen ausgegangen. Spannungseffekte auf das Angebot sind mit einbezogen worden. Die erhaltenen Gleichungen weisen zwar eine bessere Prognosegüte als das Metric-Modell auf; aufgrund der höheren Genauigkeit sind die Varianzeigenschaf ten jedoch weniger regelmäßig.
La disparition de l'excédent courant allemand : une analyse économétrique
Authors: Dubois Eric
Published: July 2011

Das Verschwinden des deutschen Leistungsbilanzüberschusses: eine ökonometrische Analyse,

von Eric Dubois.

Der Überschuß in der deutschen Leistungsbilanz, der Ende der 80er Jahre beträchtlich war, hat sich innerhalb von nur zwei Jahren in ein Defizit verwandelt. Der ökonometrischen Analyse zufolge, die in diesem Artikel unter Einbeziehung der jüngsten Entwicklungen der Theorie der Kointegration vorgenommen wird, kann das Auftreten dieses Defizits großenteils auf die herkömmlichen Determinanten zurückgeführt werden, das heißt auf den konjunkturellen "Lag" und den Wettbewerbsverlust, der im Falle Deutschlands durch die Vereinigung bedingt ist; indem jedoch die deutschen Exporteure dem in den neuen Bundesländern entstehenden Markt den Vorrang einräumten, haben sie anscheinend einen Teil ihrer traditionellen Märkte im Ausland geopfert.
Effort et contrats : quelques enseignements concernant le marché du travail
Authors: Zylberberg André
Published: July 2011

Esfuerzo y contratos : algunas lecciones relativas al mercado del trabajo,

por André Zylberberg.

Cuando algunas variables no pueden ser verificadas por un tribunal, los contratos deben ser implícitos y auto-ejecutorios. En este artículo se analiza mediante un modelo simple, la manera en que este tipo de contratos permite entender mejor el que surjan ciertas características ligadas al funcionamiento del mercado del trabajo y que no parecen poder ser explicadas a priori gracias a un modelo puramente competitive Entre éstas se examinará más particularmente la forma óptima del contrato de salario, el perfil de las retribuciones en el ciclo de vida, la existencia de los mercados internos y los sistemas de promoción.
Créations et suppressions d'emploi en France
Authors: Lagarde Sylvie , Maurin Eric , Torelli Constance
Published: July 2011

Job Creations and Destructions in France A Survey of the period from 1984 to 1992,

by Sylvie Lagarde, Éric Maurin and Constance Torelli.

Job flows have certain characteristics in common in France and the United States. They tend to increase when the economy slows down and, more importantly, they reflect the diversity of individual dynamics within the different activity sectors. Job reallocation between sectors plays a secondary role. Although sound at an international level, previous results merely concern the reallocation of jobs between production units. Yet, every year, large numbers of job reallocations are made actually within the production units : the vast majority of the units create and axe jobs simultaneously. These internal reorganizations result in job flows as high as those normally observed between establishments. Moreover, they tend to escalate when the economy is favourable. This result challenges the hypothesis whereby recessions play a dominant role in the process of reallocating activities and resources.
Fermetures d'usines et durées du chômage : signaux et comportements de recherche d'emploi au Canada
Authors: Gray David M. , Grenier Pierre
Published: July 2011

Werksschließung und Arbeitslosigkeitsdauer: Signale und Verhaltensweisen bei der Arbeitssuche in Kanada,

von David M. Gray, Pierre Grenier.

Der Fachliteratur zufolge ist die Dauer der Beschäftigungslosigkeit von Arbeitnehmern, die nach dem Verlust ihrer Stelle infolge einer Werksschließung einen Ortswechsel vorgenommen haben, kürzer als bei denen, die aufgrund von Entlassungen arbeitslos geworden sind, von denen nur ein Teil der Arbeitnehmer eines Werkes betroffen ist. Dieser Effekt käme über die "recall anticipations" und die Intensität der Arbeitssuche durch den Arbeitnehmer zum Tragen. Dagegen behauptet eine andere Interpretation jüngeren Datums, daß die beobachtete Korrelation eine Signalwirkung aufnimmt; und zwar würde eine negative Information über die nicht beobachtete Produktivität eines Arbeitnehmers ausgesandt, wenn dieser entlassen wird. Wir überprüfen die Stichhaltigkeit dieser beiden Hypothesen, indem wir die kanadische Erhebung bei den umgezogenen Arbeitnehmern auswerten, die Angaben enthält, mit denen sich diese beiden Effekte bewerten lassen. Die Ergebnisse legen die Vermutung nahe, daß in Kanada der Effekt der "recall anticipations" über die Signalwirkung dominiert.
Transferts fiscaux, répartition du revenu et équilibre des emplois de service
Authors: Blanchet Didier
Published: July 2011

Transferts fiscaux, répartition du revenu et équilibre des emplois de service,

par Didier Blanchet.

Cet article propose un modèle décrivant l'équilibre des emplois de proximité et son articulation avec le système de transferts. Un modèle micro-économique désagrégé décrit l'interaction entre l'offre et la demande de ces services : modèle d'allocation sectorielle côté offre, expliquée par les différences de productivité individuelle dans le secteur principal, arbitrage travail domestique/travail marchand du côté demande. L'article présente l'architecture d'un tel modèle et quelques résultats analytiques simples.
La mesure du soutien publique à la production dans l'agriculture communautaire
Authors: Bureau Jean-Christophe
Published: July 2011

Die Messung der öffentlichen Produktionsstützung in der gemeinschaftlichen Landwirtschaft,

von Jean-Christophe Bureau.

Um die Auswirkung der öffentlichen Produktionsstützung ermitteln zu können, werden aggregierte Messungen der tatsächlichen Stützung erstellt. Die gewöhnlich benutzten tatsächlichen Schutzraten werden so geändert, daß die gesamte öffentliche Intervention, die das Erzeugerangebot ändert, einbezogen werden kann. Die Stützungssätze werden als superlative Indizes erstellt. Die ökonometrische Schätzung der aggregierenden Preisfunktionen beruht auf der Spezifizierung einer zusammenhängenden Struktur und einer Optimierung in zwei Etappen. Für die Preisfunktionen wird eine genormte flexible Quadratformel verwandt. Es wird die Auswirkung der öffentlichen Intervention im Agrarsektor von 10 europäischen Ländern zwischen 1973 und 1989 analysiert. Die superlativen Indizes werden mit Messungen des Typs Laspeyres verglichen, die die Möglichkeit der Gütersubstitution nicht berücksichtigen. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, daß die aggregierten Stützungsmessungen, die bei den internationalen Verhandlungen herangezogen werden, nicht unerhebliche Verzerrungen aufweisen.
Réforme de la Pac, accords au Gatt : quelles incidences sur les transferts financiers entre les Douze
Authors: Fouilleux Ève
Published: July 2011

The CAP Reform and the Gatt Agreements: Effects on Financial Transfers Between the Twelve,

by Eve Fouilleux.

The Common Agricultural Policy reform and the Gatt agricultural agreements have altered the way the financial advantages of belonging to the common agricultural market are distributed among the Twelve. The Directorate for Forecasting's Erpac model is used to evaluate this distribution by studying the CAP's redistributive effects before the reform and analyzing their potential development based on simulations up to 1996 (post reform) and 1999 (on the hypothesis that the new CAP will be brought into Une with the Gatt requirements). In spite of extensive changes to the type of transfers from which it benefits, France emerges as one of the countries that gains the most from these revisions.
Le marché des quotas laitiers au Canada : une expérience originale
Authors: Goudounèche Catherine
Published: July 2011

The Canadian Milk Quota Market: An Original Experiment,

by Catherine Goudounèche.

In 1970, Canada adopted quotas for manufacturing milk. Since then, each province has tried out different systems for the trading of these quotas between producers. These successive trials have resulted in the setting up of a single centralized market, which operates for quotas unconnected with the farm's assets and enjoys market conditions approaching perfect competition. This development has been accompanied by a rise in the price of quotas and the free market for quotas has acted as a restructuring tool for the Canadian milk sector by speeding up the concentration of holdings. An additional regulation has protected the production of certain fragile areas.
Observations sur les amphores tardives à Marseille d'après les fouilles de la Bourse (1980-1984)
Authors: Bonifay Michel
Published: July 2011

A la suite des publications de la vaisselle (RAN, 1983) et du verre (RAN, 1984), cet article aborde l'étude des amphores des niveaux tardifs du chantier de la Bourse à Marseille. Trois ensembles stratigraphiques, datés respectivement du second quart du v« siècle, de la fin du VI« siècle et du vn« siècle, sont décrits d'un point de vue typologique. La proportion entre les différentes productions (hispanique, africaine, orientale et indéterminée) varie : les amphores orientales sont particulièrement abondantes au Ve siècle, les amphores africaines sont majoritaires à la fin du VIe et subsistent, seules, au VIIe siècle. Ces données quantitatives sont comparées à celles obtenues à partir de la vaisselle, nuancées par d'autres paramètres tels que la capacité et la nature du contenu et enfin confrontées aux textes.
Remote sensing planetary waves in the midlatitude mesosphere using low frequency transmitter signals
Authors: Schmitter E. D.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Very low and low radio frequency (VLF/LF) propagation responds sensitively to the electron density distribution in the lower ionosphere (upper mesosphere). Whereas propagation paths crossing subpolar and polar regions are frequently affected by forcing from above by particle precipitations, mid- and lowlatitude paths let forcing from below be more prominent. Our observations (2009–2011) show, that the low frequency propagation conditions along the midlatitude path from Sicily to Germany (52° N 8° E) using the NSY 45.9 kHz transmitter (37° N 14° E) prove to be a good proxy of mesosphere planetary wave activity along the propagation path. High absorption events with VLF/LF propagation correlate to the well known winter time D-layer anomaly observed with high frequency (HF) radio waves. VLF/LF propagation calculations are presented which show that the radio signal amplitude variations can be modeled by planetary wave modulated collison frequency and electron density profiles. The other way around wave pressure amplitudes can be inferred from the VLF/LF data.
Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of an Agro-Environmental Project in China
Authors: Subedi M. , Hocking T.J. , Fullen M.A. , McCrea A.R. , Milne E.
Published: July 2011

A case study identified the factors affecting farmers' adoption of improved technologies extended by an agricultural development project in a rural village in Yunnan Province, China. Project effectiveness was influenced by: the success and appropriateness of recommended technologies and associated infrastructure development; the use of participatory approaches; material and advisory support to local stakeholders; clear explanations of project objectives to farmers; benefits for small landholders; land rights for farmers; farmers' awareness and dissemination activities; and project duration. Farmers' adoption of technologies should be a major criterion in evaluating project success.
Credit Constraints, Heterogeneous Farms and Price Volatility
Authors: Ciaian Pavel , Kancs d'Artis
Published: July 2011

This paper develops a heterogeneous farm/company/organizational model with market imperfections to study traded agricultural commodity price volatility. From the structural model, the authors derive farm credit constraint equations and production functions, which are estimated by employing unique farm-level panel data. Using the estimated model parameters, they employ a structural model to simulate price volatility in agricultural input and output markets. They find that, in the presence of credit market imperfections and farm heterogeneity, less credit-constrained farms benefit more from food price volatility than more credit-constrained farms, as such farms can adjust their output to new market conditions more rapidly and flexibly.
Crystal Structure of Locally Available Tassar Fibers Based on Amino Acid Sequence: Using X-Ray Data and LALS Method
Authors: Puttanna Parameswara , Rudrappa Somashekar
Published: July 2011

X-ray diffraction pattern from locally available Tassar fibers was recorded using imaging plate system (Dip-100S). The pattern was used along with fiber processing software to identify the reflections and to compute X-ray intensities. A molecular model was first constructed with standard bond lengths and angles using helical symmetry and layer-line spacing observed in the X-ray pattern. The model was then refined against observed X-ray data using linked-atom least-squares (LALS) method. The crystal and molecular structure of Tassar fibers is reported. It is concluded that the sheet structures formed by hydrogen bonds assume the antipolar-antiparallel arrangement.
Bioética desde lo irrepetible de la persona: una fundamentación de la dignidad de la vida humana en lo único y lo “personal”
Authors: Mairal Javier Barraca
Published: July 2011

La filosofía –y, en particular, la Bioética- en clave de la persona reconoce a la vida humana un valor que, sencillamente, no alcanzan a captar otras reflexiones o concepciones filosóficas. Se trata, como es lógico, del valor característico de la persona: el valor de “lo único”, esa singularidad o unicidad, esa diferenciación o distinción propia de lo personal. Para describir esto mismo se ha hablado de “lo irrepetible”, de lo no numerable, lo no intercambiable, lo no fungible, lo incomparable; de aquello que no puede ser substituido por otro, lo que no admite reducción a lo impersonal o cósico, lo que resulta “irremplazable” (tal como ha enseñado, con extrema profundidad, Emmanuel Lévinas , autor en quien se inspira este estudio).
Serum metabolomics as a novel diagnostic approach for gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Ikeda Atsuki , Nishiumi Shin , Shinohara Masakazu , Yoshie Tomoo , Hatano Naoya , Okuno Tatsuya , Bamba Takeshi , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Takenawa Tadaomi , Azuma Takeshi , Yoshida Masaru
Published: July 2011

Conventional tumor markers are unsuitable for detecting carcinoma at an early stage and lack clinical efficacy and utility. In this study, we attempted to investigate the differences in serum metabolite profiles of gastrointestinal cancers and healthy volunteers using a metabolomic approach and searched for sensitive and specific metabolomic biomarker candidates. Human serum samples were obtained esophageal (n = 15), gastric (n = 11), and colorectal (n = 12) cancer patients and healthy volunteers (n = 12). A model for evaluating metabolomic biomarker candidates was constructed using multiple classification analysis, and the results were assessed with receiver operating characteristic curves. Among the 58 metabolites, the levels of nine, five and 12 metabolites were significantly changed in the esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancer patients, respectively, compared with the healthy volunteers. Multiple classification analysis revealed that the variations in the levels of malonic acid and l‐serine largely contributed to the separation of esophageal cancer; gastric cancer was characterized by changes in the levels of 3‐hydroxypropionic acid and pyruvic acid; and l‐alanine, glucuronoic lactone and l‐glutamine contributed to the separation of colorectal cancer. Our approach revealed that some metabolites are more sensitive for detecting gastrointestinal cancer than conventional biomarkers. Our study supports the potential of metabolomics as an early diagnostic tool for cancer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A taxonomy and evaluation for developing 802.11‐based wireless mesh network testbeds
Authors: Uludag Suleyman , Imboden Tom , Akkaya Kemal
Published: July 2011

The definition of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) has been used in the literature to connote and epitomize the ideal, ubiquitous, pervasive, and autonomic networking technology. An increasing interest has been emerging on the development of 802.11‐based WMN testbeds to test the new ideas and approaches more realistically as opposed to relying solely on simulations. Although the developed testbeds have provided several insights to researchers for furthering the technology, there are still several issues that need to be addressed, particularly, with the approval of new standards, such as IEEE 802.11s, IEEE 802.11n, and IEEE 802.16, and upcoming protocols, such as IEEE 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ah, and 802.11af TV White Space efforts. In this paper, our goal is to provide a taxonomy and insightful guidelines for the creation of 802.11‐based WMN testbeds as well as to identify several features that future WMN testbeds should possess. Utilizing these features, we evaluate the existing WMN testbeds. Finally, in addition to the existing WMN testbed experiments conducted at several layers of the protocol stack, we provide a list of open future research issues that can benefit from experiments on WMN testbeds. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impairment of one‐trial passive avoidance learning in chicks caused by prenatal aluminum exposure
Authors: Xing Rui , Zhong Zhaomin , Ma Hongbing , Cui Yonghua , Zheng Yanwen , Xu Shiqing , Che Yi
Published: July 2011

Prenatal aluminum exposure may affect the development of the embryo and alter the capacity for learning and memory in adults. The chick embryo is a good experimental model to study the effect of prenatal toxin exposure on cognitive defects in offspring, because it eliminates maternal confounding variables. In the present study, we applied a one‐trial passive avoidance‐learning task in day‐old chicks to examine the effects of prenatal aluminum chloride injections (2, 20, and 200 mM in 200 µl per egg, daily over a period of 4 successive days) on memory consolidation. The data suggest that chicks injected with aluminum chloride (20 mM) daily from E12 to E15 had significantly impaired short‐term memory, intermediate‐term memory, and long‐term memory (LTM) after training (p < .05) but chicks injected with aluminum chloride (2 mM) had impaired LTM only. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 54:133‐138, 2012.
Improving recognition of late life anxiety disorders in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition: observations and recommendations of the Advisory Committee to the Lifespan Disorders Work Group
Authors: Mohlman Jan , Bryant Christina , Lenze Eric J. , Stanley Melinda A. , Gum Amber , Flint Alastair , Beekman Aartjan T. F. , Wetherell Julie Loebach , Thorp Steven R. , Craske Michelle G.
Published: July 2011

Background

Recognition of the significance of anxiety disorders in older adults is growing. The revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) provides a timely opportunity to consider potential improvements to diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders for use with older people. The authors of this paper comprise the Advisory Committee to the DSM5 Lifespan Disorders Work Group, the purpose of which was to generate informative responses from individuals with clinical and research expertise in the field of late‐life anxiety disorders.

Methods

This paper reviews the unique features of anxiety in later life and synthesizes the work of the Advisory Committee.

Results

Suggestions are offered for refining our understanding of the effects of aging on anxiety and other disorders (e.g., mood disorders) and changes to the DSM5 criteria and text that could facilitate more accurate recognition and diagnosis of anxiety disorders in older adults. Several of the recommendations are not limited to the study of anxiety but rather are applicable across the broader field of geriatric mental health.

Conclusions

DSM5 should provide guidelines for the thorough assessment of avoidance, excessiveness, and comorbid conditions (e.g., depression, medical illness, cognitive impairment) in anxious older adults. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnosis of colorectal hepatic metastases: Comparison of contrast‐enhanced CT, contrast‐enhanced US, superparamagnetic iron oxide‐enhanced MRI, and gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI
Authors: Muhi Ali , Ichikawa Tomoaki , Motosugi Utaroh , Sou Hironobu , Nakajima Hiroto , Sano Katsuhiro , Sano Mika , Kato Satoshi , Kitamura Takatoshi , Fatima Zareen , Fukushima Kimiyo , Iino Hiroshi , Mori Yoshiyuki , Fujii Hideki , Araki Tsutomu
Published: July 2011

Purpose:

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CE‐CT), contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CE‐US), superparamagnetic iron oxide‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (SPIO‐MRI), and gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI (Gd‐EOB‐MRI) in the evaluation of colorectal hepatic metastases.

Materials and Methods:

In all, 111 patients with colorectal cancers were enrolled in this study. Of the 112 metastases identified in 46 patients, 31 in 18 patients were confirmed histologically and the remaining 81 in 28 patients were confirmed by follow‐up imaging. CE‐CT, CE‐US, SPIO‐MRI, and Gd‐EOB‐MRI were evaluated. Mean (of three readers, except for CE‐US) area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az), sensitivities, and positive predictive values (PPV) were calculated. Each value was compared to the others by variance z‐test or chi‐square test with Bonferroni correction.

Results:

For all lesions, mean Az and sensitivity of Gd‐EOB‐MRI (0.992, 95% [56/59]) were significantly greater than those of CE‐CT (0.847, 63% [71/112]) and CE‐US (0.844, 73% [77/106]). For lesions ≤1 cm, mean Az and sensitivity of Gd‐EOB‐MRI (0.999, 92% [22/24]) were significantly greater than those of CE‐CT (0.685, 26% [13/50]) and CE‐US (0.7, 41% [18/44]). Mean Az (95% CI) of SPIO‐MRI for all lesions (0.966 [0.929–0.987]) and lesions ≤ 1 cm (0.961 [0.911–0.988]) were significantly greater than those of CE‐CT and CE‐US. Mean sensitivity of SPIO‐MRI for lesions ≤1 cm (63%, 26/41) was significantly greater than that of CE‐CT.

Conclusion:

Gd‐EOB‐MRI and SPIO‐MRI were more accurate than CE‐CT and CE‐US for evaluation of liver metastasis in patients with colorectal carcinoma. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relationship of interleukin‐8 gene polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility and pathological development
Authors: Chien Ming‐Hsien , Yeh Chao‐Bin , Li Yi‐Ching , Wei Lin‐Hung , Chang Jer‐Hwa , Peng Yu‐Ting , Yang Shun‐Fa , Kuo Wu‐Hsien
Published: July 2011

Background and Objectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignant neoplasms worldwide, and the second leading cause of death from cancer in Taiwan. Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) is an angiogenic chemokine with important roles in the development and progression of many human malignancies including HCC. This study investigates the effects of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL‐8 gene on the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC.

Methods

One hundred thirty‐one HCC patients and 340 control subjects were analyzed for four IL‐8 SNPs (−251 T/A, +781 C/T, +1633 C/T, and +2767 A/T) using PCR‐RFLP genotyping analysis.

Results

After adjusting for other confounders, results show that individuals with the IL‐8 +781 T/T polymorphic genotype had a significantly lower risk of developing HCC than those with the wild‐type (C/C) genotype (AOR = 0.346; 95% CI: 0.132–0.909). Multiple regression analysis showed that the presence of T/A or A/A at IL‐8 −251 may indicate higher potential risk of hepatitis B infection (AOR = 2.847; 95% CI: 1.083–8.656). Additionally, these four IL‐8 SNPs did not associate with liver‐related clinicopathological markers in serum.

Conclusions

Genetic polymorphism at IL‐8 +781 is an important factor in determining susceptibility to HCC in the Taiwanese population. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 104:798–803. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel bioabsorbable drug‐eluting tracheal stent
Authors: Zhu G. H. , Ng Anthony H. C. , Venkatraman Subbu S. , Boey Freddy Y. C. , Wee Amilia L. Y. , Trasti Scott L. , Yee Lim Lynne Hsueh
Published: July 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Currently available silicone and metallic stents for tracheal stenosis are associated with problems of granulations, mucus trapping, and difficult removals. Our aim was to develop a novel bioabsorbable tracheal stent with mitomycin C (MMC) drug elution to circumvent such problems.

Study Design:

A randomized animal study.

Methods:

Twenty‐five rabbits were randomly assigned into five test groups: 1) controls (without stent), 2) silicone tubular stents (commercially available currently); 3) bioabsorbable helical stents; 4) bioabsorbable tubular stents; and 5) bioabsorbable tubular stents with MMC. Weekly tracheal endoscopy to document granulation, mucus plugging, and extent of tracheal stenosis was performed for 12 weeks. One rabbit was euthanized every 3 weeks for histological analysis of the trachea. In vitro MMC‐release profiles in conditions mimicking tracheal conditions were studied.

Results:

The bioabsorbable tubular stents with 0.1 mg MMC drug elution performed the best, with the least mucus trapping and airway obstruction due to tracheal stenosis. Tracheal stenosis was most significant for the bioabsorbable helical stents, followed by the control group without stent, the group of bioabsorbable tubular stents, and then the silicone stents. After 12 weeks, tracheal stenosis for the bioabsorbable tubular stents with MMC was only half that of the silicone stents.

Conclusions:

This study reports on the development of a novel bioabsorbable tracheal stent with sustained MMC drug elution for preventing tracheal stenosis. Further studies are warranted to optimize stent design and drug dosage.
Impact of apathy on health‐related quality of life in recently diagnosed Parkinson's disease: The ANIMO study
Authors: Benito‐León Julián , Cubo Esther , Coronell Carlos ,   on behalf of the ANIMO Study Group
Published: July 2011

The impact of apathy on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in recently diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been systematically investigated. The objective of this cross‐sectional survey (ANIMO study) was to examine the contribution of apathy to HRQOL in a Spanish sample of recently diagnosed PD patients. PD patients, diagnosed within 2 years of inclusion, were recruited at 102 outpatient clinics in 82 communities throughout Spain. Apathy was quantified using the Lille Apathy Rating Scale and HRQOL with the EuroQol‐5D questionnaire. A mean EuroQol‐5D index score of 0.89 obtained from population references in Spain was used as the cutoff for this study. The relationship between apathy and the dichotomized EuroQol‐5D index score (<0.89 [lower HRQOL] vs ≥0.89 [reference]) was examined using multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables. We consecutively recruited 557 patients (60.3% men) with a mean age of 68.8 ± 9.7 years. Apathy was diagnosed in 291 (52.2%) and was related to problems in each of the EuroQoL dimensions. Apathetic PD patients showed EuroQol‐5D index scores significantly lower than those without apathy (0.64 vs 0.83). In an adjusted model, apathetic PD patients were 2.49 times more likely to have lower HRQOL than nonapathetic patients (odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.49–4.15, P < 0.01). Apathy is very common in those with recently diagnosed PD and is one of the major clinical determinants of HRQOL in this disease. It should be one of the primary concerns among clinicians who provide treatment to individuals affected by PD. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Output power characteristics of C+L‐band erbium‐doped superfluorescent fiber source
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhao Yong
Published: July 2011

A new type double‐stage double‐pass configuration of the erbium‐doped superfluorescence fiber source (EDSFS) is designed and realized experimentally based on the numerical simulation and theoretical analysis.The principle of L‐band superfluorescence of erbium‐doped fiber (EDF) is investigated. Numerical simulation and theoretical analysis of the L‐band output spectrum of double‐pass forward EDSFS is carried out. In this configuration, the first stage of the EDSFS emits L‐band superfluorescence through high‐doped Er3+ concentration, and the backward pumping generates C‐band superfluorescence by low‐doped Er3+ concentration. By optimizing the configuration parameters such as the length of two different concentrations of EDF and the forward and backward pump power, the output power of 9.2 mW, spectrum bandwidth of 65 nm with flatness of 2.5 dBm, and mean wavelength of 1565.253 nm have been achieved. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:2212–2216, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26231