bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La place du droit de la propriété intellectuelle dans le droit international économique
Authors: Benech Frédéric
Published: May 2019

Réunis à La Malbaie du 5 au 7 août 1990, une trentaine de juristes et d’économistes européens, nord-américains et africains ont échangé sur l’évolution du droit international économique.

Ce premier colloque organisé par la SDIE (Canada) en collaboration avec la SDIE (France) aborde les aspects historique, théorique, pratique et éthique de ce secteur du droit qui couvre l’organisation de la production et du commerce, les relations monétaires et financières, le droit du commerce international, la gestion des ressources et la protection de l’environnement.

Le présent dossier reproduit, en français ou en anglais, les principaux exposés. Les deux premiers textes traitent de questions générales et du cadre dans lequel se développe le droit international économique. Les exposés suivants présentent divers aspects de ce secteur du droit en cours de transformation.
The Federal Government Proposals for Reform of the GATT Dispute Settlement System: Continued Momentum for a Rules-Oriented Approach to Dispute Settlement in International Trade Agreements
Authors: Cheetham Hugh J.
Published: May 2019

In the course of a meeting held in La Malbaie (Québec, Canada) on August 5th to 7th, 1990, thirty european, north-american and african jurists and economists exchanged ideas on the evolution of international economic law.

This first colloquium organised by the SDIE (Canada) in cooperation with the SDIE (France) covered historical, theorical, practical and ethical aspects of this sector of law which covers the organisation of trade and production, monetary and financial relations, international trade law, resources management and environmental protection.

The present document reproduces the texts submitted by the speakers in their original language. The first two papers aim at giving a general perspective of the variables of International Economic Law. The following papers focus on specific areas of international economic law where changes are taking place.
The Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal
Authors: Gagnon Pierre A.
Published: May 2019

In the course of a meeting held in La Malbaie (Québec, Canada) on August 5th to 7th, 1990, thirty european, north-american and african jurists and economists exchanged ideas on the evolution of international economic law.

This first colloquium organised by the SDIE (Canada) in cooperation with the SDIE (France) covered historical, theorical, practical and ethical aspects of this sector of law which covers the organisation of trade and production, monetary and financial relations, international trade law, resources management and environmental protection.

The present document reproduces the texts submitted by the speakers in their original language. The first two papers aim at giving a general perspective of the variables of International Economic Law. The following papers focus on specific areas of international economic law where changes are taking place.
Long Lines at Disney World Reduced by Sunstroke! or Can International Law Control Climate Change?
Authors: Jurgielewicz Lynne M.
Published: May 2019

In the course of a meeting held in La Malbaie (Québec, Canada) on August 5th to 7th, 1990, thirty european, north-american and african jurists and economists exchanged ideas on the evolution of international economic law.

This first colloquium organised by the SDIE (Canada) in cooperation with the SDIE (France) covered historical, theorical, practical and ethical aspects of this sector of law which covers the organisation of trade and production, monetary and financial relations, international trade law, resources management and environmental protection.

The present document reproduces the texts submitted by the speakers in their original language. The first two papers aim at giving a general perspective of the variables of International Economic Law. The following papers focus on specific areas of international economic law where changes are taking place.
Éléments constitutifs du système matrimonial helvétique
Authors: Eisenring Gabriela
Published: May 2019

L’auteur s’efforce de déterminer les éléments constitutifs de l’actuel système matrimonial helvétique. L’analyse de l’évolution historique de la codification du droit matrimonial montre que la structure du système matrimonial helvétique est le produit d’un processus de sécularisation qui a débouché sur un mariage civil obligatoire, ce qui constitue — d’une certaine manière — une violation de la liberté religieuse et de la liberté de conscience.

En examinant ces éléments, l’auteur confirme que certains d’entre eux, comme l’unité, l’égalité et l’hétérosexualité du mariage, sont réellement inhérents au mariage et ne peuvent être ignorés du législateur. D’autres, par contre, comme celui de la dissolubilité et celui du consentement réduit à une simple déclaration formelle de la volonté de contracter mariage, semblent porter atteinte à l’essence même du mariage.

L’auteur conclut en relevant l’importance d’une définition appropriée du mariage, de ses propriétés et de sa finalité afin de délimiter clairement le mariage face à d’autres formes de communautés non matrimoniales telles que le concubinage. Cela permettrait une revalorisation du vrai mariage exigé par la dignité de la personne humaine.
La notion de crime contre l’Humanité en droit international contemporain et en droit canadien
Authors: Jacquart Michèle
Published: May 2019

La notion de crime contre l’Humanité a connu une lente évolution en droit international, depuis les premières conceptions en droit des gens, en passant par le droit de la guerre ou les conventions dites humanitaires jusqu’à la première codification normative élaborée et appliquée lors des procès de Nuremberg et de Tokyo.

Nous constatons, malgré la réticence avouée du Tribunal Militaire International de Nuremberg à consacrer l’autonomie du crime contre l’Humanité par rapport au crime de guerre et au crime contre la paix, que le droit international d’après-guerre reconnaît de plus en plus le caractère générique et autonome de cette incrimination.

Le droit canadien applicable en cette matière constitue d’ailleurs une illustration éloquente de la pratique des États relative à la sanction par voie nationale d’une norme pénale internationale. Il ne fait pas de doute que l’interprétation du droit applicable dans l’affaire R. c. Finta accorde au crime contre l’Humanité la véritable place qu’il aurait dû occuper en droit pénal international dès Nuremberg.

Cependant, si l’on reconnaît que l’incrimination relève du droit international, la sanction devrait logiquement également s’effectuer par voie internationale.

Un tribunal international permanent chargé de sanctionner universellement le crime contre l’Humanité verra-t-il le jour ?
Les fondements du langage du droit comme langue de spécialité. Du sens et de la forme du texte juridique
Authors: Gémar Jean-Claude
Published: May 2019

L’utilisateur ou l’auteur de textes juridiques passe par le langage du droit pour lire, écrire ou traduire cette langue de spécialité (LS). Or, pour traiter un texte, juridique ou autre, il faut non seulement connaître (et comprendre) les mots de la langue commune, les termes du domaine visé et les notions dont ils sont porteurs, c’est-à-dire la langue (le lexique), mais encore le discours qui lui est propre, soit la manière de dire les choses, son langage. Le langage du droit, comme toute LS, est constitué de quatre éléments premiers : une sémantique, une syntaxe, un lexique et une stylistique. Les possibilités combinatoires illimitées qu’elle offre en font un champ d’observation et d’expérimentation exemplaire. Si le fond (le sens ou contenu) d’un texte occupe une place prépondérante dans l’interprétation — quel qu’en soit le but — qui peut en être faite, la forme (le contenant ou l’expression : sa stylistique) n’est pas moins importante et, en droit comme ailleurs, la « façon de dire » est porteuse de sens, donc de significations, et il doit en être tenu compte dans les interprétations diverses auxquelles elle donne lieu. Un texte n’est, somme toute, que le produit de la synthèse des quatre éléments premiers énoncés, et sa signification dépendra de la combinatoire plus ou moins réussie des éléments nécessaires à la constitution de l’ensemble. Le sens du texte juridique procède de l’équation aléatoire que son auteur aura su (pu ?) réaliser à partir de ces éléments. Sa signification dépendra de l’interprétation, toujours fragile, qui en sera faite. Lorsque la signification rencontre le sens, on atteint à l’essence du langage, et du particulier (LS quelconque) on tend vers l’universel, soit le langage tout court.
L’action en dommages et la violation des droits linguistiques
Authors: Braën André
Published: May 2019

La constitution canadienne renferme plusieurs dispositions qui octroient des droits linguistiques aux deux minorités de langue officielle. L’intervention de l’État est généralement requise pour leur mise en oeuvre. Dans le cas où l’État n’y donne pas suite, quel rôle peut jouer l’action en dommages ? L’auteur analyse, sur une base comparée droit civil / common law, les diverses situations où une contestation judiciaire reposant sur une action en dommages pourrait connaître des chances de succès.
La modification des dispositions constitutionnelles relatives à l’usage de l’anglais ou du français
Authors: Pelletier Benoît
Published: May 2019

La Loi constitutionnelle de 1982 a notamment doté le Canada de ses propres procédures de modification constitutionnelle. Parmi celles-ci, deux procédures concernent la modification des dispositions de la Constitution du Canada qui sont relatives à l’usage de l’anglais ou du français : ce sont celles prévues aux articles 41c) et 43b).

L’objet de cette étude est de déterminer laquelle de ces procédures s’applique à la modification de certaines des dispositions constitutionnelles qui régissent actuellement l’usage de l’anglais ou du français, soit les articles 133 de la Loi constitutionnelle de 1867, 23 de la Loi de 1870 sur le Manitoba et 16 à 20 de la Loi constitutionnelle de 1982.

Avec comme toile de fond l’histoire législative et jurisprudentielle de ces dernières dispositions, l’auteur développe l’idée que le choix de l’une des procédures plutôt que de l’autre dépend, dans une large mesure, de la nature des garanties constitutionnelles dont on envisage la modification. Ainsi en vient-il à la conclusion que tant la « partie québécoise » de l’article 133 de la Loi de 1867 que l’article 23 de la Loi de 1870 devraient être modifiés selon la procédure de l’unanimité de l’article 41c). Quant aux dispositions qui, dans la Loi de 1982, concernent le bilinguisme au Nouveau-Brunswick, elles seraient modifiables selon la procédure de l’article 43b). Enfin tant la « partie fédérale » de l’article 133 que les dispositions qui, dans la Loi de 1982, concernent le bilinguisme au niveau fédéral, seraient assujetties à la procédure de l’article 41c).
La réforme du droit de la copropriété par indivision
Authors: Petit Henri
Published: May 2019

Les dispositions du Code civil de 1866 régissant la copropriété indivise ne répondent plus aux besoins de la société québécoise qui emprunte de plus en plus ce mode de propriété. Le législateur a constaté la désuétude de ces dispositions du Code civil du Bas-Canada et a adopté, en avril 1987, le Projet de loi 20 qui instaure, entre autres, un cadre législatif propre à la copropriété par indivision.

Le but de cette étude consiste à analyser l’ensemble de cette réforme, en faisant le parallèle avec la législation actuelle, afin de définir le nouveau cadre juridique dans lequel évolueront les indivisaires au lendemain de l’entrée en vigueur du Code civil du Québec.
Le droit au patrimoine familial et le droit à la succession : droits irréconciliables ?
Authors: Beaulne Jacques
Published: May 2019

L’introduction de la notion de patrimoine familial suscite de nombreuses questions lorsque la dissolution du mariage résulte du décès de l’un des conjoints. C’est à l’étude de trois de ces difficultés que s’attarde le présent texte.

En premier lieu, l’auteur s’emploie à démontrer que certains facteurs tels la philosophie et la nature du nouveau régime, s’opposent à la transmissibilité du droit au partage du patrimoine familial en faveur de la succession d’un conjoint prédécédé.

Dans un second temps, l’auteur attire l’attention sur les effets du cumul des droits découlant du patrimoine familial, des droits du régime matrimonial et de ceux de la succession, pour mettre en lumière la grande complexité d’un régime destiné à la fois à protéger le conjoint survivant et à rendre accessibles aux citoyens les dispositions du nouveau Code.

Dans un dernier temps, l’auteur veut démontrer que le pouvoir d’attribution de biens accordé au tribunal ne saurait mettre de côté la liberté de tester reconnue par le Code.
L’évolution du Code civil du Bas-Canada ou d’une codification à l’autre : réflexion sur le Code civil et son effet de codification
Authors: Perret Louis
Published: May 2019

Dans cet article l’auteur expose les idées forces qui étaient contenues dans le Code civil du Bas-Canada lors de son adoption en 1866. Il montre ensuite comment elles ont évolué à l’intérieur du Code civil, mais aussi à l’extérieur de celui-ci par voie de législation spéciale. Il s’interroge alors sur la place et sur le rôle respectif du Code civil et des lois particulières dans un système de droit codifié. Quel doit être à cet égard l’objet d’une codification nouvelle ? Comment l’adapter par la suite aux changements en évitant les cycles de « décodification » et de « recodification ». La réponse semble résider dans la méthode et dans l’effet de la codification elle-même.
Le vol d’information dans la société canadienne
Authors: Grondin Rachel
Published: May 2019

Lors d’un jugement récent, la Cour suprême du Canada a établi que toute information ne pouvait faire l’objet du crime de vol tel que défini à l’article 322 (283) C.cr. Une telle décision peut avoir des conséquences considérables dans le monde des affaires car l’information y occupe une place de plus en plus significative. Souvent, une industrie sera florissante à cause de l’information qu’elle possède.

Dans le présent texte, l’auteure tente de démontrer que, pour assurer une protection efficace de la structure économique et sociale du pays, il est indispensable que certaines informations soient incluses dans la définition du vol. Elle arrive à cette conclusion en s’appuyant sur le développement de la définition du vol présentement prévue au Code criminel et sur le besoin de protection de l’information.

Cet article fait ressortir le lien qui existe entre le vol et l’économie ainsi qu’entre l’économie et l’information. Il soulève la nécessité de l’intervention du législateur canadien dans la définition du vol au Code criminel afin d’adapter notre droit criminel à la réalité.
La jouissance et l’exercice des droits civils : nouvelle version
Authors: Brière Germain
Published: May 2019

La réforme du droit des personnes, qui a été effectuée par une loi du 15 avril 1987 mais qui n’est pas encore en vigueur, modifie à maints égards et de façon substantielle le droit existant en la matière. L’auteur analyse ici les neuf articles qui vont constituer le premier titre du Livre Des personnes au Code civil du Québec. Ces dispositions, nouvelles pour la plupart, ont trait essentiellement à l’attribution de la personnalité, ainsi qu’à la jouissance et à l’exercice des droits civils.
La place du conflit en droit du travail
Authors: Verge Pierre
Published: May 2019

La pratique de la négociation collective, source d’un véritable droit autonome du travail, est intimement liée à la liberté de grève. L’État, érigeant celle-ci au rang d’un véritable droit, en a étroitement réglementé l’exercice. Survivra-t-elle aux transformations des milieux de travail ?
Les enjeux du droit administratif : la nécessité d’un débat public accru
Authors: Dussault René
Published: May 2019

Dans une démocratie, la désaffection des citoyens à l’égard du droit et de la justice a des conséquences graves. Redonner à ceux-ci une place centrale dans les débats publics constitue donc un des défis majeurs des démocraties occidentales au cours de la prochaine décennie. Ce défi ne saurait être relevé si on ne parvient pas à intéresser les citoyens à la tenue de tels débats. À l’heure actuelle, un débat public autour des véritables enjeux du droit administratif est particulièrement essentiel. Dans le présent article, l’auteur donne quatre exemples de questions qui, dans son opinion, auraient dû depuis longtemps faire l’objet d’un débat public en raison de l’intérêt particulier qu’elles ont pour les citoyens. Il s’agit 1) des clauses privatives de l’autorité judiciaire, 2) de la non-application de la loi à la Couronne, 3) du droit de poursuivre le gouvernement fédéral devant la Cour des petites créances du Québec et, enfin 4) de l’absence d’un régime général de responsabilité sans faute de l’État.
La nouvelle Loi sur les mines
Authors: Lacasse Jean-Paul
Published: May 2019

Une nouvelle Loi sur les mines est entrée en vigueur au Québec le 24 octobre 1988. Tout en respectant le principe de l’appropriation unilatérale au moyen du jalonnement, la nouvelle loi simplifie le régime des modalités d’allocation des droits miniers délivrés sur les substances minérales et, de ce fait, les échanges entre l’industrie et le gouvernement.
Portrait critique de l’union de fait en droit québécois
Authors: Giroux Michelle , Laurent Anouk
Published: May 2019

L’union de fait jouit d’une popularité grandissante auprès des sociétés occidentales et plus particulièrement au Québec. Pourtant, le phénomène ne bénéficie toujours pas d’une protection légale uniforme. Dans ce contexte, les auteures traiteront de la situation de l’union de fait au regard du droit positif et porteront une attention particulière à l’antinomie qui gouverne le droit social et le droit civil actuels. Les voies contractuelles offertes aux concubins pour régler leurs rapports d’ordre patrimonial seront également portées à l’étude, de même que les solutions développées par la jurisprudence en l’absence de contrat, soit la société tacite et l’enrichissement injustifié. Ce dernier point pose plusieurs difficultés en ce que les tribunaux font régulièrement appel à la common law pour corriger les lacunes du droit civil.
Nationalism or Europeanism? Simmel’s Dilemma
Authors: Fitzi Gregor
Published: May 2019

Despite many different research efforts over the past thirty years, one can still attend a conference and learn that Simmel was a radical nationalist who sang in this chorus throughout the First World War. The main references in this respect are the memories of the younger intellectuals of the time like Lukács and Bloch. There is no attempt at assessment – neither of Simmel’s writings nor of his letters. In contrast, the present paper deals with the issue of Simmel’s attitude to the war by focusing on its different periods and by reconstructing the twists and turns that changed it. After an analysis of the reasons that led Lukács and Bloch to claim Simmel’s treason, it describes the unique aspect of Simmel’s early position about the war. In this context, especially the issue of “clearing up” the foreign countries and Simmel’s exchange with Albion Small deserve particular attention. The effects of Simmel’s change of opinion since the spring of 1915 are then reconstructed with reference to his later war writings, especially the anthology on The War and Decisions of the Spirit (1917) as well as his late reflection on the theory of modernity in the essay on “The Conflict of Modern Culture” (1918).
TAUX MARGINAUX EFFECTIFS D’IMPOSITION : UNE COMPARAISON QUÉBEC-ONTARIO
Authors: Blancquaert Arnaud , Clavet Nicholas-James , Duclos Jean-Yves , Fortin Bernard , Marchand Steeve
Published: May 2019

Cet article présente un portrait pour 2014 des taux marginaux effectifs d’imposition (TMEI) sur le revenu de travail et des taux d’imposition à la participation (PTR) au marché de l’emploi au Québec et en Ontario. L’objectif est de mieux comprendre et de comparer l’impact de la fiscalité et des transferts sociaux sur les incitations au travail dans ces deux provinces. Le système québécois, relativement à celui de l’Ontario, engendre des TMEI et des PTR élevés attribuables à la réduction rapide des transferts avec le revenu de travail ainsi qu’à une plus grande générosité des transferts pour les familles. Les TMEI québécois sont particulièrement élevés et variables entre 0 et 50 000 $. Le TMEI des familles biparentales aux revenus d’environ 20 000 $ dépasse même les 125 %; 40 % de ces familles biparentales font face à un TMEI qui dépasse 50 %. La moyenne des PTR dans l’ensemble de la population est de 41 %. Toutefois, pour les individus de 65 ans et plus ayant des revenus faibles, le système québécois engendre des TMEI et des PTR significativement inférieurs à ceux qui découlent du système ontarien.
Interspecific differences of stridulatory signals in three species of bark beetles from the genus Polygraphus Er. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) inhabiting the island of Sakhalin
Authors: Kerchev Ivan Andreevich
Published: May 2019

Stridulatory signals are involved in conspecific interactions between bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae). In this study, we compared the qualitative profiles of acoustic signals in three species from the genus Polygraphus Er. Sympatry can be periodically observed in two of them – P. proximus and P. subopacus. Sporadically they occur on the same plants. P. nigrielytris colonize distinctly different host plant species; however, on the island of Sakhalin it inhabits the same biotopes. The purpose of the study is to identify species-specific parameters and the extent of differences in stridulatory signals of these species. Airborne signals produced during the contact of males of the same species were experimentally recorded. Among tested parameters of stridulatory signals, as the most species-specific were noted: chirp duration, interchirp interval, number of tooth-strikes per chirp, and intertooth-strike interval.
Integumentary structure and composition in an exceptionally well-preserved hadrosaur (Dinosauria: Ornithischia)
Authors: Barbi Mauricio , Bell Phil R. , Fanti Federico , Dynes James J. , Kolaceke Anezka , Buttigieg Josef , Currie Philip J.
Published: May 2019

Preserved labile tissues (e.g. skin, muscle) in the fossil record of terrestrial vertebrates are increasingly becoming recognized as an important source of biological and taphonomic information. Here, we combine a variety of synchrotron radiation techniques with scanning electron and optical microscopes to elucidate the structure of 72 million-year-old squamous (scaly) skin associated with a hadrosaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta, Canada. Scanning electron and optical microscopy independently reveal that the three-dimensionally preserved scales are associated with a band of carbon-rich layers up to a total thickness of 75 μm. Compositionally, this band deviates from that of the surrounding matrix; Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and soft X-ray spectromicroscopy analyses indicate the presence of carboxylic compounds. The regions corresponding to the integumentary layers are distinctively enriched in iron compared to the associated sedimentary matrix and seem associated to kaolinite. These carbonyl-rich layers are apparently composed of subcircular bodies resembling preserved cell structures. Each of these structures is encapsulated by calcite/vaterite, with iron predominantly concentrated at its center. The presence of iron, calcite/vaterite and kaolinite might have played important roles in the preservation of the layered structures.
Megakaryocyte emperipolesis mediates membrane transfer from intracytoplasmic neutrophils to platelets
Authors: Cunin Pierre , Bouslama Rim , Machlus Kellie R , Martínez-Bonet Marta , Lee Pui Y , Wactor Alexandra , Nelson-Maney Nathan , Morris Allyn , Guo Li , Weyrich Andrew , Sola-Visner Martha , Boilard Eric , Italiano Joseph E , Nigrovic Peter A
Published: May 2019

Bone marrow megakaryocytes engulf neutrophils in a phenomenon termed emperipolesis. We show here that emperipolesis is a dynamic process mediated actively by both lineages, in part through the β2-integrin/ICAM-1/ezrin pathway. Tethered neutrophils enter in membrane-bound vesicles before penetrating into the megakaryocyte cytoplasm. Intracytoplasmic neutrophils develop membrane contiguity with the demarcation membrane system, thereby transferring membrane to the megakaryocyte and to daughter platelets. This phenomenon occurs in otherwise unmanipulated murine marrow in vivo, resulting in circulating platelets that bear membrane from non-megakaryocytic hematopoietic donors. Transit through megakaryocytes can be completed as rapidly as minutes, after which neutrophils egress intact. Emperipolesis is amplified in models of murine inflammation associated with platelet overproduction, contributing to platelet production in vitro and in vivo. These findings identify emperipolesis as a new cell-in-cell interaction that enables neutrophils and potentially other cells passing through the megakaryocyte cytoplasm to modulate the production and membrane content of platelets.
Predicting gene expression using DNA methylation in three human populations
Authors: Zhong Huan , Kim Soyeon , Zhi Degui , Cui Xiangqin
Published: May 2019

Background

DNA methylation, an important epigenetic mark, is well known for its regulatory role in gene expression, especially the negative correlation in the promoter region. However, its correlation with gene expression across genome at human population level has not been well studied. In particular, it is unclear if genome-wide DNA methylation profile of an individual can predict her/his gene expression profile. Previous studies were mostly limited to association analyses between single CpG site methylation and gene expression. It is not known whether DNA methylation of a gene has enough prediction power to serve as a surrogate for gene expression in existing human study cohorts with DNA samples other than RNA samples.

Results

We examined DNA methylation in the gene region for predicting gene expression across individuals in non-cancer tissues of three human population datasets, adipose tissue of the Multiple Tissue Human Expression Resource Projects (MuTHER), peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) from Asthma and normal control study participates, and lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) from healthy individuals. Three prediction models were investigated, single linear regression, multiple linear regression, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized regression. Our results showed that LASSO regression has superior performance among these methods. However, the prediction power is generally low and varies across datasets. Only 30 and 42 genes were found to have cross-validation R2 greater than 0.3 in the PBMC and Adipose datasets, respectively. A substantially larger number of genes (258) were identified in the LCL dataset, which was generated from a more homogeneous cell line sample source. We also demonstrated that it gives better prediction power not to exclude any CpG probe due to cross hybridization or SNP effect.

Conclusion

In our three population analyses DNA methylation of CpG sites at gene region have limited prediction power for gene expression across individuals with linear regression models. The prediction power potentially varies depending on tissue, cell type, and data sources. In our analyses, the combination of LASSO regression and all probes not excluding any probe on the methylation array provides the best prediction for gene expression.
Evaluation of the Transverse Strength of the Heat Cure PMMA Resin Reinforced with Various Concentrations of Two Different Nanoparticles: An In vitro Study
Authors: Thakur Kusha , Nagpal Archana , Gupta Rajeev , Verma Ramit , Saini Rohit , Mahajan Vishwas
Published: May 2019

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of titanium dioxide and zirconia nanoparticles on transverse strength of heat cure PMMA resin routinely used for complete denture fabrication.

Methods: One hundred samples of PMMA resin were made and divided into five groups (20 samples for each group). The test specimens were divided into five groups depending on the concentration of reinforcing nanoparticles as Group 1,2,3,4 and 5; Group 1: PMMA unreinforced (control group), Group 2: PMMA reinforced with 2.5% nanozirconia, Group 3: PMMA reinforced with 5% nanozirconia, Group 4: PMMA reinforced with 2.5% titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and Group 5: PMMA reinforced with 5% titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Universal testing machine was used to conduct a three-point bending test and evaluate the transverse strength of samples. Comparison of mean transverse strength for various groups was carried out by employing one‑way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests.

Results: The highest and lowest mean transverse strength were observed in Group 3 and 1, respectively. Bonferroni post hoc test showed increase in transverse strength after reinforcement to be statistically significant between all the groups (P = .05) except between the samples of group G1 and G5 and G2 and G3.

Conclusion: Addition of nanoparticles in all concentrations significantly increased transverse strength of heat cure PMMA resin as compared to control group. The best result was obtained after adding 5% of nanozirconia particles to the conventional heat polymerized acrylic resin.
Workforce Perceptions of Hospital Safety Culture: Case of Iran Teaching Hospitals
Authors: Anbari Zohreh , Jadidi Rahmatollah , Nazari Javad , Amini Saeed , Khosravi Sajad , Koushki Mohammad Saleh , Arani Tayabeh Sadat Jaddi
Published: May 2019

Background: One of the main determinants of safety and quality of care in hospitals is institutionalization of safety culture among their employees. This study aimed to assesses patient safety culture in Iran teaching hospitals.

Methods: Four Iran provinces were selected purposefully, one hospital from each was entered the study randomly, and proportional with hospital size, 500 employees were selected. The data were collected using standard questionnaire of Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSPSC) and analyzed using Excel and SPSS 22.

Results: Patient safety dimensions with highest positive score were organizational learning and continuous improvement (77%), management support for patient safety (68%) and supervisor/manager expectations and actions promoting patient safety (61%) and dimensions with the lowest patient safety score were non-punitive response to error (20%), communication openness (28%), frequency of events reported (32%), staffing (37%), teamwork across and within hospital units (71%). Although 48% of the participants have not reported any event during 12 past months, but 64.6% scored patient safety excellent/ very good.

Conclusions: There are punishment and blame culture, non-openness in communication channels and low reporting of events in Iran hospitals. It is necessary for hospital management to design error and accident reporting system and reinforce non-punitive culture to increase error reporting.
The effect of changes in overtime work hours on depressive symptoms among Japanese white-collar workers: A 2-year follow-up study
Authors: Hino Ayako , Inoue Akiomi , Mafune Kosuke , Hiro Hisanori
Published: May 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of changes in overtime work hours on depressive symptoms among Japanese white-collar workers.

Methods

Participant data were collected from a company’s annual mental health survey in June 2013 and June 2014. The participants comprised 922 workers who responded to the survey in both the years and had records of monthly working hours in the past 2 years. We obtained information on monthly working hours from personnel records from June 2012 to May 2014. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Changes in overtime work hours were measured by creating a five-category variable for each monthly average of overtime work hours in the past year: (a) stable short, (b) decreased, (c) stable medium, (d) increased, and (e) stable long groups. Analysis of covariance was conducted to estimate the degree of depressive symptoms of each group for changes in overtime work hours.

Results

Significant differences among the groups were observed (F = 3.67, P = 0.006). In the Bonferroni multiple comparison test, significantly lower depressive symptoms were observed in the decreased group (point estimate = 9.56) compared to the stable short (10.76), stable medium (10.71), and increased groups (10.99). There was no significant difference between the decreased group and the stable long group (10.98).

Conclusions

A decrease in overtime work hours may prevent the deterioration of mental health. This knowledge could support the necessity of mental health measures through decreasing overtime work hours proposed by national policy in Japan.
Bergapten alleviates osteoarthritis by regulating the ANP32A/ATM signaling pathway
Authors: He Yi , Zisan Zeng , Lu Zhenhui , Zheng Li , Zhao Jinmin
Published: May 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease that commonly affects the elderly. Current drug therapies for treating OA may cause adverse side effects, and so there remains a need to develop alternative treatments. Bergapten (BG) is a coumarin phytohormone that is widely found in fruits and has antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects. Here, we tested the hypothesis that BG may restrict the progression of OA by examining its effect on OA chondrocytes. We observed that BG significantly ameliorated interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced expression of inflammatory cytokines and mediators, including interleukin 1 (Il‐1), interleukin 6 (Il‐6), tumor necrosis factor α (Tnf‐α), cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox‐2) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (Mmp‐13), maintained chondrocyte phenotype, and promoted the secretion of cartilage‐specific extracellular matrix. We provide evidence that BG exerts its anti‐inflammatory effect by activating the ANP32A/ATM signaling pathway, which was recently verified to be associated with OA. In conclusion, these findings indicate that BG may be a potential candidate for treatment of OA.
Modulation indices and plan delivery accuracy of volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Park Jong Min , Kim Jung‐in , Park So‐Yeon
Published: May 2019

Purpose

We evaluated the performance of various modulation indices (MI) for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to predict plan delivery accuracy.

Methods

The specific indices evaluated were MI quantifying the mechanical uncertainty (MIt), MI quantifying the mechanical and dose calculation uncertainties (MIc), MI for station parameter optimized radiation therapy (MISPORT), modulation complexity score for VMAT (MCSv), leaf travel modulation complexity score (LTMCS), plan averaged beam area (PA), plan averaged beam irregularity (PI), plan averaged beam modulation (PM), and plan normalized monitor unit (PMU) to predict VMAT delivery accuracy. By utilizing 240 VMAT plans generated with the Trilogy and TrueBeam STx, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between the MIs and measures of conventional methods.

Results

For the Trilogy system, MIc showed the highest r values with gamma passing rates (GPRs) (r = −0.624 with P < 0.001 for MapCHECK2 and r = −0.655 with P < 0.001 for ArcCHECK). For TrueBeam STx, MIc also showed the highest r values with GPRs (r = −0.625 with P < 0.001 for the MapCHECK2 and r = −0.561 with P < 0.001 for the ArcCHECK). The MIt and MIc showed the highest r values to the MLC position errors for the Trilogy and TrueBeam STx systems (r = 0.770 with P < 0.001 and r = 0.712 with P < 0.001, respectively). The PA showed the highest percent of r values (P < 0.05) to differences in the dose‐volume parameters between original VMAT plans and actual deliveries for the Trilogy systems (30.9%). Both the MIt and MIc showed the highest percent of r values (P < 0.05) to differences in the dose‐volume parameters between original VMAT plans and actual deliveries for the TrueBeam STx systems (31.8%).

Conclusion

To comprehensively review the results, the MIc showed the best performance to predict the VMAT delivery accuracy.
Janus Microcarriers for Magnetic Field‐Controlled Combination Chemotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Cho Soojeong , Min Nam Gi , Park Wooram , Kim Shin‐Hyun , Kim Dong‐Hyun
Published: May 2019

Combination chemotherapy administering multiple chemo agents is widely exploited for the treatment of various cancers in the clinic. Specially for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common malignancies, a coadministration of combinational cytostatic multikinase inhibitors and cytotoxic chemo agents has been suggested as a potential curative approach. Here, Janus microcarriers are developed for the controlled local combination chemotherapy of HCC. The Janus microcarriers are composed of a polycaprolactone (PCL) compartment and a magnetic nanoparticle‐loaded poly(lactide‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) compartment which contains hydrophobic regorafenib and hydrophilic doxorubicin, respectively. Exploiting the magnetic anisotropy, rotational motion of the Janus microcarriers is controlled with a magnetic field, which enables the active corelease of dual chemo agents. Furthermore, Janus microcarriers exhibit magnetic resonance (MR) contrast effect, supporting the successful transcatheter intra‐arterial delivery of the combination chemo agents loaded in the microcarriers to the targeted tumor. This Janus microcarrier potentially serves as a general combinational chemotherapeutic platform for the codelivery of various combinations of multichemo agents.
Cleaning Transferred Graphene for Optimization of Device Performance
Authors: Xiao Zhuocong , Wan Qifang , Durkan Colm
Published: May 2019

Much has been made of the potential electrical properties of graphene, but still in many cases, unintentional doping leads to these not being fully realized. In the processing of graphene, the step which leads to most of this doping is the transfer from the growth substrate leaving unwanted chemical residue on the graphene surface. A comparison of the techniques most commonly used to remove this residue is presented showing that most effective cleaning can be obtained using ionic solutions rather than the more commonly used organic solvents. The physical and electrical properties of graphene treated using these solutions are assessed by a combination of atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Kelvin‐Probe force microscopy, and contact resistance/charge neutrality point measurements, and it is shown how to remove residue effectively and reduce contact resistance without adversely affecting the graphene.
Sequential Evaporation–Induced Formation of Polymeric Surface Microdents via Ouzo Effect
Authors: Wang Yuliang , Zeng Binglin , Li Xiaolai , Zhang Xuehua
Published: May 2019

Microdents fabricated on solid substrates have numerous applications, such as containers for cell growth, reactors for chemical reactions, and nucleation sites for growing photonic crystals. In this study, a new method is developed to fabricate microdents on polystyrene (PS) film deposited on a solid surface. The process relied on Ouzo effect in a ternary solution consisting of three solvents exhibiting different volatilities. In the ternary solution, precursor water droplets are first nucleated when a good solvent of water evaporated. The nucleated water droplets then act as templates for microdent formation during PS film deposition. After water droplets eventually evaporates, microdents are generated on the PS film. The detailed process of microdent formation is experimentally revealed. By controlling the nucleation of water droplets and PS concentration, the lateral size and the depth of microdents are systematically tuned. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the microdent decorated films obtained with the proposed method can be used to fabricate lubricating surfaces, which exhibit a low contact angle hysteresis of 2°.
Strong and Stretchable Polypyrrole Hydrogels with Biphase Microstructure as Electrodes for Substrate‐Free Stretchable Supercapacitors
Authors: Chen Fang , Chen Qing , Song Qun , Lu Han , Ma Mingming
Published: May 2019

The development of stretchable supercapacitors (SSCs) is heading to compact and robust devices with higher capacitance and simpler preparation process. Herein, a new strategy is reported to prepare a highly stretchable and conductive polypyrrole hydrogel with a unique biphase microstructure (loose phase and dense phase), which is formed by the supramolecular assembly of polypyrrole (PPy), poly(vinyl alcohol), and anionic micelles. The loose phase enables the PPy hydrogel large stretchability (elongation at a break of 500%) and good electrochemical capacitive behavior, while the dense phase enables the PPy hydrogel high tensile strength (2 MPa) and good conductivity (0.8 S cm−1). Without using any substrate, the SSC made of this polypyrrole hydrogel provides an areal capacitance of 950 mF cm−2 at a current density of 1.6 mA cm−2, exceeding most of reported SSCs. This SSC can withstand repeated deformation and retain 81% capacitance after 500 stretching–releasing cycles. Besides, at subzero temperature down to −20 °C, this SSC can still retain its good stretchability and capacitance. The combination of high areal capacitance, good stretchability, and high retention of capacitance under various circumstances enables the polypyrrole hydrogel–based SSC an economical and robust SSC for stretchable electronics.
Bi‐Modal Nonlinear Optical Contrast from Si Nanoparticles for Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Kharin Alexander Yu. , Lysenko Vladimir V. , Rogov Andrei , Ryabchikov Yuri V. , Geloen Alain , Tishchenko Igor , Marty Olivier , Sennikov Peter G. , Kornev Roman A. , Zavestovskaya Irina N. , Kabashin Andrei V. , Timoshenko Victor Yu.
Published: May 2019

Presenting a safe alternative to conventional compound quantum dots and other functional nanostructures, nanosilicon can offer a series of breakthrough hyperthermia‐based therapies under near‐infrared, radiofrequency, ultrasound, etc., excitation, but the size range to sensitize these therapies is typically too large (>10 nm) to enable efficient imaging functionality based on photoluminescence properties of quantum‐confined excitonic states. Here, it is shown that large Si nanoparticles (NPs) are capable of providing two‐photon excited luminescence (TPEL) and second harmonic generation (SHG) responses, much exceeding that of smaller Si NPs, which promises their use as probes for bi‐modal nonlinear optical bioimaging. It is finally demonstrated that the combination of TPEL and SHG channels makes possible efficient tracing of both separated Si NPs and their aggregations in different cell compartments, while the resolution of such an approach is enough to obtain 3D images. The obtained bi‐modal contrast provides lacking imaging functionality for large Si NPs and promises the development of novel cancer theranostic modalities on their basis.
Plasmonic Nanolasers: Pursuing Extreme Lasing Conditions on Nanoscale
Authors: Wu Hao , Gao Yixiao , Xu Peizhen , Guo Xin , Wang Pan , Dai Daoxin , Tong Limin
Published: May 2019

Owing to their ultrahigh optical confinement, plasmonic nanolasers with cavity sizes beyond the diffraction limit of light, are attracting increasing attention for pursuing extreme lasing conditions on nanoscale including ultracompact cavity mode, ultrafast lasing modulation, significantly enhanced light–matter interaction, and Purcell effect. In this review, the recent progress on plasmonic nanolasers from both theoretical and experimental aspects is introduced, with emphases on plasmonic nanolasers with subdiffraction‐limit cavity‐mode confinement. Starting from a theoretical model and key parameters of a plasmonic nanolaser, general concerns of materials for both plasmonic cavities and gain media are summarized. Then, experimental efforts on realization of plasmonic nanolasers with cavity‐mode confinement increased from 1 to 3 dimensions are reviewed, followed by a brief introduction of some novel designs of plasmonic nanolasers and plasmon‐assisted nanolasers. Finally, future prospects and challenges in pursuing extreme lasing conditions of plasmonic nanolasers are discussed, and the identification of lasing threshold in these tiny lasers is revisited.
Pd‐Catalyzed Tandem Coupling Reaction of 2‐gem‐Dibromovinylanilines and N‐Tosylhydrazones to Construct 2‐(1‐phenylvinyl)‐indoles
Authors: Song Jian , Chi Xiaochen , Meng Long , Zhao Pingping , Sun Fenggang , Zhang Daopeng , Jiao Luyang , Liu Qing , Dong Yunhui , Liu Hui
Published: May 2019

A novel palladium(0)‐catalyzed intermolecular coupling reaction of 2‐gem‐dibromovinylanilines and N‐tosylhydrazones was reported to construct 2‐(1‐phenylvinyl)‐indoles efficiently. The indole bearing 1, 1‐disubstituted alkenes were obtained in one step with short reaction time, in high yields and broad substrate scope. The formed indole derivates could be easily transformed into much more valuable molecules.

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Selective Hydrodefluorination of Hexafluoropropene to Industrially Relevant Hydrofluoroolefins
Authors: Phillips Nicholas A. , White Andrew J. P. , Crimmin Mark R.
Published: May 2019

The selective hydrodefluorination of hexafluoropropene to HFO‐1234ze and HFO‐1234yf can be achieved by reaction with simple group 13 hydrides of the form EH3 ⋅ L (E=B, Al; L=SMe2, NMe3). The chemoselectivity varies depending on the nature of the group 13 element. A combination of experiments and DFT calculations show that competitive nucleophilic vinylic substitution and addition‐elimination mechanisms involving hydroborated intermediates lead to complementary selectivities.

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Rh(III)‐Catalyzed Aldehydic C−H Functionalization Reaction between Salicylaldehydes and Sulfoxonium Ylides
Authors: Xu Guo‐Dong , Huang Kenneth L. , Huang Zhi‐Zhen
Published: May 2019

A novel aldehydic C−H functionalization reaction between salicylaldehydes and sulfoxonium ylides has been developed under rhodium(III) catalysis, affording coupling products in moderate to good yields. A plausible mechanism involving aldehydic C(sp2)−H activation by rhodium(III) and rhodium(III) catalyzed carbene insertion is also proposed. It was also found that the aldehydic C−H functionalization followed by dehydrative cyclization was able to produce flavonoids in one‐pot.

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Perfluorocarbon Nanoemulsions for Combined Pulmonary siRNA Treatment of Lung Metastatic Osteosarcoma
Authors: Li Zhaoting , Shen Yuexin , Wang Yixin , Zhu Lianghan , Zhu Chenfei , Qian Chenggen , Sun Minjie , Oupicky David
Published: May 2019

Lung metastatic osteosarcoma is a lethal disease afflicting children and adolescents, with a 5‐year survival rate of less than 20%. The development of perfluorocarbon (PFC) nanoemulsions as systems for direct pulmonary delivery of combination drug/siRNA therapy is reported. Fluorinated polycation (F‐PCX) with an inherent ability to inhibit C‐X‐C receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is synthesized and used as a surfactant in the preparation of F‐PCX@PFC nanoemulsions. The nanoemulsions are loaded with siRNA against signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) for combined treatment of lung metastasis in osteosarcoma. Intratracheal instillation of the treatments significantly prolonged the survival of animals with established lung metastases. The treatment with F‐PCX@PFC/siSTAT3 emulsion polyplexes decreased the number of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumors, while increasing CD8+ T cells infiltration and IFNγ secretion to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The reported nanoemulsions represent a promising pulmonary treatment of lung metastatic osteosarcoma.