bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prêter, donner : comment aider ?
Authors: Jacquet Pierre , Severino Jean-Michel
Published: April 2013

Loan or donation : how can we help ?

This article deals with debate between loans and donations. A first part presents a short historic and a comparison between these two financial instruments. Some reflections on the evolution of public aid for development are presented. The authors show that the relevant debate doesn't take place between loans and donations, but concerns a financial engineering mixing both to answer needs of developing countries.

JEL classifications : F34, F35
Finance et éthique, la réconciliation ?
Authors: Marie-Jeanne Caroline
Published: April 2013

Cet article étudie les liens entre la finance et l'éthique. Dans le contexte actuel de durcissement des lois de protection de l'environnement et de développement du principe de précaution, une gestion éthique diminue le coût du risque d'un contentieux judiciaire. Elle facilite également les prêts bancaires car les établissements de crédit encourent plus de risques en finançant des entreprises polluantes.

Cette diminution des situations de crise potentielle par une gestion éthique doit se répercuter immédiatement et positivement sur le cours de l'action. L'impact financier de l'éthique va s'accentuer, la COB ayant attiré l'attention sur l'importance de l'information comptable à fournir au niveau de la politique environnementale. Par l'analyse des fonds éthiques, nous éclairons le lien entre performance financière et performance éthique, les indices boursiers éthiques semblant montrer un surcroît de performance par rapport aux indices de référence.

Classification JEL : G11, G23, Z13
Investissement socialement responsable : différences entre Europe et États-Unis
Authors: Louche Céline , Lydenberg Steven
Published: April 2013

L’article est consacré à l’évolution et aux pratiques de l’ISR aux États-Unis et en Europe. Son objet est d’étudier l’implantation historique, culturelle et politique de l’ISR. Sur la base de sources secondaires d’information, il présente une analyse comparative de l’évolution et des pratiques actuelles de l’ISR des deux côtés de l’Atlantique et examine les futures implications de l’ISR. L’article montre que les mouvements ISR dans les deux régions présentent quelques différences dans leurs définitions, leurs acteurs, leur langage, leurs motivations et les stratégies mises en oeuvre. Cependant, elles partagent également un projet fondamental commun et les mêmes objectifs d’améliorer les politiques des grandes entreprises et les pratiques dans les domaines du social et de l’environnement.

Classification JEL : G11, G23, M14, Q01
ISR : comment les critères extra-financiers impactent les objectifs de gestion ?
Authors: de Brito César
Published: April 2013

SRI : how extra-financial criteria influence the management objectives ?

The customers investing in ethical or financial SRI funds have a rather broad choice. Currently, the challenge for SRI funds remains to clarify their approach, their applied processes and their objectives. The ethical SRI funds have to reinforce their communication on their ethical gains while the financial SRI funds have to show more precisely to the financial community criteria which they like to promote. And, for financial criteria, they have to establish a general agreement by reducing their number to keep only the most relevant.

JEL classification : G11, G23, M14
Promotion et information ISR
Authors: Sagnier Pascale
Published: April 2013

SRI promotion and information

This article deals with the current phenomenon to implicate financial actors in sustainable development. According to the author, this reasoning answers several objectives :

1 - to influence firms so that they insert sustainable development into their strategy of development. To take into account environmental and social impacts in decision-making processes of investment, acquisition and production must allow the reduction of adverse effects which can influence the firm value. Moreover, the incorporation of sustainable development in the highest level of firm can also create opportunities of growth thanks to new « cleaner » products ;

2 - to reposition the analysis and the assessment of the firm’s strategy in the long term. This last point is crucial to reach a quality research on the assessment of a sustainable development policy.

JEL classification : M14
L’ISR est-il un style ?
Authors: de Bayser Xavier , Brafman Lionel
Published: April 2013

Is the SRI an asset management style ?

If the notion of style is well known by the financial community, its use by management societies and investors is growing. It is a way to qualify the specificity and the expertise of the asset manager. It is a tool to select funds and structure assets for the investor. The asset management style must allow to identify and to classify an investment method according to the constitution of portfolio. What can we say about the SRI ? This article tries to answer this question.

JEL classification : G23, M14
Quelques enjeux urbains des politiques de l’habitat face aux marchés du logement
Authors: Driant Jean-Claude
Published: April 2013

Urban challenges of housing policies faced with housing markets

Urban challenges correspond to policies which use tools concerning housing (production, improvement, investment and solvency) to aim at objectives which are larger than only providing for housing needs. Stakes of social mix or urban renewal illustrate these policies which highlight objectives of spatial or social organization of the city. Housing is only a tool among others. This article draws the outlines of these urban challenges to underline objectives and some inconsistencies, notably how they insert (or not) long term residential processes.

JEL classification : R21, R31, R38
Les places financières : désintégration, suburbanisation et spécialisation
Authors: Capelle-Blancard Gunther , Tadjeddine Yamina
Published: April 2013

The financial markets : breaking-up, suburbanisation and specialisation

The traditional image of a financial market is of a geographically united whole. However, the development of IT and communication technologies has led to a vertical separation of financial activities. The main result of this has been the relocation of activities from the city centres to the outskirts. This suburbanisation can be seen as the initial indicator of a more widespread relocation of financial activities - at least for the most standardised operations. In addition, the number of specialised financial markets in Europe is expected to increase, mirroring the US. It is unlikely that the Paris market will disappear on this account, but the more pertinent question is what does the future hold for activities based in Paris, and, on a larger scale, in the Ile-de-France area.

JEL classification : G10, G20, R12
Les capitales financières : la place de Francfort et ses perspectives
Authors: Kotz Hans-Helmut , Schmidt Reinhard H.
Published: April 2013

Financial locations : Frankfurt’s place and perspectives

The introduction of a common currency as well as the harmonization of rules and regulations in Europe has significantly reduced distance in all its guises. With reduced costs of overcoming space, this emphasizes centripetal forces and it should foster consolidation of financial activity. In a national context, as a rule, this led to the emergence of one financial center. Hence, Europeanization of financial and monetary affairs could foretell the relegation of some European financial hubs such as Frankfurt and Paris to third-rank status. Frankfurt’s financial history is interesting insofar as it has lost (in the 1870s) and regained (mainly in the 1980s) its preeminent place in the German context. Because Europe is still characterized by local pockets of information-sensitive assets as well as a demand for variety the national analogy probably does not hold. There is room in Europe for a number of financial hubs of an international dimension, including Frankfurt.

JEL classification : F15, F36, G1, G2, N20, R12
Monnaie électronique, monnaie fiduciaire et monnaie scripturale. Quelles substitutions ? Quelles stratégies ?
Authors: Sitruk Hervé
Published: April 2013

Electronic money, cash and non-cash money. What substitutions ? What strategies ?

Electronic money is a new form of money which is subject of special regulations at European and national levels, but the nature of which remains finally unclear or ambiguous, to the extent that this new kind of money is neither cash nor non-cash. Accordingly, this article tries to answers five questions : To what extent this new instrument is going to replace the other forms of money ? Is this substitution justified and what is its contribution ? What is its impact on European monetary policy ? What issues to deepen to favour its general implementation in a short term ? What is its place in the Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA) ? These issues are important to deepen to create positive dynamics and to sustain electronic money.

Classification JEL : E41, E59
Le vingt-huitième régime : un outil au service de l’intégration du marché des services financiers de détail
Authors: de Castries Henri
Published: April 2013

Le marché unique des services financiers est loin d’être achevé. Cette situation s’explique en partie par les limites des instruments traditionnellement utilisés pour l’intégration des marchés : pleine harmonisation, harmonisation ciblée ou reconnaissance mutuelle. Elle porte préjudice aussi bien à l’industrie des services financiers qu’aux citoyens qui sont privés des bénéfices attendus d’un marché unique. L’industrie financière a donc porté ses efforts sur la recherche de solutions innovantes pour lever les obstacles à la mise en place d’une offre paneuropéenne de services financiers tout particulièrement dans le domaine de l’épargne retraite. Parmi celles-ci, « le 28e régime » ou régime optionnel paneuropéen lui est apparu comme un outil puissant pour accompagner l’harmonisation des régimes juridiques nationaux qui encadrent l’offre de services financiers. Au-delà de son aspect purement juridique, le 28e régime porte une réflexion plus large sur le contenu d’une Europe des services financiers au service de ses citoyens.

Classification JEL : F36, G18, G28
La finance islamique à la croisée des chemins
Authors: Pastré Olivier , Gecheva Krassimira
Published: April 2013

Islamic finance at a crossroads

Though Islamic finance is becoming the latest fashion in state-of-the-art research in economics, it is still quite a riddle to the uninitiated, and even amongst experts it is sometimes misconstrued. This survey of the history and the latest developments in Islamic Finance aims to assess its real place in a globalized financial system, to set straight several misconceptions, and to highlight some essential facts. Islamic finance is fundamentally heterogeneous and, even though it has its specificities, there are numerous « points of convergence » between « conventional » and Islamic finance. On the verge of reaching a critical mass, Islamic financial institutions are still facing some important problems and their future will depend on their capacity to take up these challenges.

JEL classification : G20, O53
La vérité sur les performances dans le capital-investissement
Authors: Gottschalg Olivier , Phalippou Ludovic
Published: April 2013

Depuis quelques années, la croyance en une surperformance du capital-investissement est alimentée par les articles élogieux sur les rendements de cette classe d’actifs qui paraissent régulièrement dans la presse économique et financière. Les statistiques de mesure des performances publiées par Thomson Venture Economics, qui servent de standard dans la profession, suggèrent que, sur une longue période, les performances du capital-investissement se comparent favorablement à celles des indices boursiers. En dépit de ce consensus apparent, le point de vue d’une surperformance du capital-investissement vis-à-vis d’un placement dans le coté est erroné. En utilisant les données les plus complètes sur le capital-investissement en Amérique du Nord et en Europe, nous montrons que les performances du capital-investissement ont été, en moyenne, inférieures de près de 3 % par an à celles des grands indices de marché.

Classification JEL : G23, G24
Le dollar américain et son rôle dans l’ordre monétaire international
Authors: Bordo Michael , James Harold
Published: April 2013

Les auteurs estiment que la crise actuelle n'annonce pas la fin de la suprématie du dollar. Ils constatent qu'il n'y a pas eu d'attaque spéculative contre le dollar, que la crise s'est traduite jusqu'ici par un renforcement du dollar et qu'elle se révèle plus coûteuse économiquement pour l'Europe et les pays émergents que pour les États-Unis. Ils expliquent cette résistance du dollar par la sécurité qu'offrent les États-Unis en tant que superpuissance économique stable politiquement. Ils soulignent notamment que la taille de l'économie américaine lui permet de soutenir plus aisément ses institutions financières en difficulté.

Classification JEL : E42, F2, F3, G15
Le court-termisme institutionnalisé : les effets de la gestion de portefeuille déléguée
Authors: Montagne Sabine
Published: April 2013

La gouvernance des investisseurs ne leur permet pas de développer des investissements de long terme. En déléguant la gestion de leur investissement à des firmes de gestion d'actifs et en externalisant l'évaluation vers des intermédiaires (consultants et agences de notation), ils ont contribué à la création de marchés de prestataires dominés par une logique de rendement à court terme. L'impératif de comparabilité des performances et la concurrence sur ces marchés ont, en effet, favorisé une évaluation des prestataires au moyen d'indicateurs synthétiques. Ces derniers représentent l'activité économique de manière abstraite et font obstacle à des représentations alternatives et spécifiques aux investisseurs de long terme. Parce que ces différentes pratiques ont été institutionnalisées en normes légitimes, il est aujourd'hui difficile d'en faire advenir de nouvelles.

Classification JEL : G20, C23, G24, L14, L22
Sovereign Wealth Funds and Global Imbalances
Authors: Gieve John
Published: April 2013

Much of the debate on sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) has focused on political questions : do they reintroduce the failings of public ownership into market economies by the back door ? will SWFs use their ownership rights to pursue political ends ? and will resistance to foreign ownership lead to

a new wave of protectionism ? In this article, the author concentrates on some economic issues : why have they become so prominent recently ? how does that relate to imbalances in the world economy ? how are they affecting financial markets and what are the policy implications of their growth ?

JEL Classification : F21, F30, F32
La longue marche vers la mise en place de chambres de compensation sur les marchés de dérivés de crédit
Authors: Chanel-Reynaud Gisèle
Published: April 2013

The Long March towards the Setting Up of Clearing Houses in Credit Derivatives Markets

Despite the measures taken over the past years to limit systemic risks, the crisis that followed Lehman Brothers’ failure raises again the issue of counterparty risk transmission. One of the remedies put forward to resolve the problem is the introduction of a clearing mechanism on the credit derivatives market. This paper studies firstly the responsibility of risk transfer operations in the current global crisis, secondly the technical improvements to the negotiation and settlement procedures of Credit Derivatives Swaps, and lastly the advantages of, and limits to, the implementation of clearing houses at a European level in a context where the Anglo-Saxon operators have already organised part of the services they usually provide. What stands out is that the essential contribution to the issue is less the collateralization tools that banks are in a position to resort to than the performance bond itself. This taking of risk, even though hedged, raises in turn the question of the guarantee provided by the clearing house and eventually that of the possibility for European actors to stay isolated.

Classification JEL : G01, G13, G23.
Protein Kinase C Activation Stimulates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Adhesion through Activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase
Authors: Song Byeong-Wook , Chang Woochul , Hong Bum-Kee , Kim Il-Kwon , Cha Min-Ji , Lim Soyeon , Choi Eun Ju , Ham Onju , Lee Se-Yeon , Lee Chang Youn , Park Jun-Hee , Choi Eunmi , Song Heesang , Jang Yangsoo , Hwang Ki-Chul
Published: April 2013

Emerging evidence suggests that cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has beneficial effects on the injured heart. However, the decreased survival and/or adhesion of MSCs under ischemic conditions limits the application of cell transplantation as a therapeutic modality. We investigated a potential method of increasing the adhesion ability of MSCs to improve their efficacy in the ischemic heart. Treatment of MSCs with PKC activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), increased cell adhesion and spreading in a dose-dependent method and significantly decreased detachment. When MSCs were treated with PKC inhibitor, that is, rottlerin, adhesion of MSCs was slightly diminished, and detachment was also decreased compared to the treatment with PMA. MSCs treated with both PMA and rottlerin behaved similarly to normal controls. In 3D matrix cardiogel, treatment with PMA increased the number of MSCs compared to the control group and MSCs treated with rottlerin. Expressions of focal adhesion kinase, cytoskeleton-associated proteins, and integrin subunits were clearly demonstrated in PMA-treated MSCs by immunoblotting and/or immunocytochemistry. The effect of PKC activator treatment on MSCs was validated in vivo. Following injection into rat hearts, the PMA-treated MSCs exhibited significantly higher retention in infarcted myocardium compared to the MSC group. Infarct size, fibrosis area, and apoptotic cells were reduced, and cardiac function was improved in rat hearts injected with PMA-treated MSCs compared to sham and/or MSC-implanted group. These results indicate that PKC activator is a potential target for niche manipulation to enhance adhesion of MSCs for cardiac regeneration.
Hepatocyte Transplantation Ameliorates the Metabolic Abnormality in a Mouse Model of Acute Intermittent Porphyria
Authors: Yin Zhaohui , Wahlin Staffan , Ellis Ewa C. S. , Harper Pauline , Ericzon Bo-Göran , Nowak Greg
Published: April 2013

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by insufficient porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) activity. When hepatic heme synthesis is induced, porphobilinogen (PBG) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) accumulate, which causes clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, neuropathy, and psychiatric disturbances. Our aim was to investigate if hepatocyte transplantation can prevent or minimize the metabolic alterations in an AIP mouse model. We transplanted wild-type hepatocytes into PBGD-deficient mice and induced heme synthesis with phenobarbital. ALA and PBG concentrations in plasma were monitored, and the gene transcriptions of hepatic enzymes ALAS1, PBGD, and CYP2A5 were analyzed. Results were compared with controls and correlated to the percentage of engrafted hepatocytes. The accumulation of ALA and PBG was reduced by approximately 50% after the second hepatocyte transplantation. We detected no difference in mRNA levels of PBGD, ALAS1, or CYP2A5. Engraftment corresponding to 2.7% of the total hepatocyte mass was achieved following two hepatocyte transplantations. A lack of precursor production in less than 3% of the hepatocytes resulted in a 50% reduction in plasma precursor concentrations. This disproportional finding suggests that ALA and PBG produced in PBGD-deficient hepatocytes crossed cellular membranes and was metabolized by transplanted cells. The lack of effect on enzyme mRNA levels suggests that no significant efflux of heme from normal to PBGD-deficient hepatocytes takes place. Further studies are needed to establish the minimal number of engrafted hepatocytes needed to completely correct the metabolic abnormality in AIP and whether amelioration of the metabolic defect by partial restoration of PBGD enzyme activity translates into a clinical effect in human AIP.
Activin B Promotes BMSC-Mediated Cutaneous Wound Healing by Regulating Cell Migration via the JNK—ERK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Min , Sun Li , Wang Xueer , Chen Shixuan , Kong Yanan , Liu Nuyun , Chen Yinghua , Jia Qin , Zhang Lu , Zhang Lin
Published: April 2013

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are able to differentiate into various types of skin cells and participate in skin regeneration and repair. Activin signaling can regulate wound healing and reepithelialization. The present study assessed the impact of activin B on BMSC-mediated cutaneous wound healing in rats and explored the possible mechanism involved. We found that CFSE-labeled BMSCs participated in wound healing in vivo, and compared to administration with PBS, activin B, or BMSCs, activin B plus BMSCs significantly promoted wound healing and hair follicle regeneration. Activin B induced actin stress fiber formation and cell migration in BMSCs in vitro. Activation of JNK and ERK, but not p38, was required for activin B-induced actin stress fiber formation and BMSC migration. These results show that activin B may promote BMSC-mediated wound healing by inducing actin stress fiber formation and BMSC migration via the ERK and JNK signal pathways. Combined administration of BMSCs and cytokines may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of skin wounds.
Incidence and Prevalence of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Among Children in a Managed Care Population, 1996–2009
Authors: Harrold Leslie R. , Salman Craig , Shoor Stanford , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Asgari Maryam M. , Gelfand Joel M. , Wu Jashin J. , Herrinton Lisa J.
Published: April 2013

Objective.

Few studies based in well-defined North American populations have examined the occurrence of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and none has been based in an ethnically diverse population. We used computerized healthcare information from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California membership to validate JIA diagnoses and estimate the incidence and prevalence of the disease in this well-characterized population.

Methods.

We identified children aged ≤ 15 years with ≥ 1 relevant International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, diagnosis code of 696.0, 714, or 720 in computerized clinical encounter data during 1996–2009. In a random sample, we then reviewed the medical records to confirm the diagnosis and diagnosis date and to identify the best-performing case-finding algorithms. Finally, we used the case-finding algorithms to estimate the incidence rate and point prevalence of JIA.

Results.

A diagnosis of JIA was confirmed in 69% of individuals with at least 1 relevant code. Forty-five percent were newly diagnosed during the study period. The age- and sex-standardized incidence rate of JIA per 100,000 person-years was 11.9 (95% CI 10.9–12.9). It was 16.4 (95% CI 14.6–18.1) in girls and 7.7 (95% CI 6.5–8.9) in boys. The peak incidence rate occurred in children aged 11–15 years. The prevalence of JIA per 100,000 persons was 44.7 (95% CI 39.1–50.2) on December 31, 2009.

Conclusion.

The incidence rate of JIA observed in the Kaiser Permanente population, 1996–2009, was similar to that reported in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, but 2 to 3 times higher than Canadian estimates.
Can Serum Surfactant Protein D or CC-Chemokine Ligand 18 Predict Outcome of Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients with Early Systemic Sclerosis?
Authors: Elhaj Mona , Charles Julio , Pedroza Claudia , Liu Xiaochun , Zhou Xiaodong , Estrada-Y-Martin Rosa M. , Gonzalez Emilio B. , Lewis Dorothy E. , Draeger Hilda T. , Kim Sarah , Arnett Frank C. , Mayes Maureen D. , Assassi Shervin
Published: April 2013

Objective.

To examine the predictive significance of 2 pneumoproteins, surfactant protein D (SP-D) and CC-chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), for the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease.

Methods.

The pneumoproteins were determined in the baseline plasma samples of 266 patients with early SSc enrolled in the GENISOS observational cohort. They also were measured in 83 followup patient samples. Pulmonary function tests were obtained annually. The primary outcome was decline in forced vital capacity (FVC percentage predicted) over time. The predictive significance for longterm change in FVC was investigated by a joint analysis of longitudinal measurements (sequentially obtained FVC percentage predicted) and survival data.

Results.

SP-D and CCL18 levels were both higher in patients with SSc than in matched controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015, respectively). Baseline SP-D levels correlated with lower concomitantly obtained FVC (r = −0.27, p < 0.001), but did not predict the short-term decline in FVC at 1 year followup visit or its longterm decline rate. CCL18 showed a significant correlation with steeper short-term decline in FVC (p = 0.049), but was not a predictor of its longterm decline rate. Similarly, a composite score of SP-D and CCL18 was a significant predictor of short-term decline in FVC but did not predict its longterm decline rate. Further, the longitudinal change in these 2 pneumoproteins did not correlate with the concomitant percentage change in FVC.

Conclusion.

SP-D correlated with concomitantly obtained FVC, while CCL18 was a predictor of short-term decline in FVC. However, neither SP-D nor CCL18 was a longterm predictor of FVC course in patients with early SSc.
Les limites d'une médiation militante
Authors: Hayes Ingrid
Published: April 2013

Lorraine Cœur d’Acier, radio de lutte de la CGT, est mise en place à Longwy en mars 1979 pour soutenir la mobilisation des sidérurgistes. Sise dans un bassin mono industriel où la CGT et le PCF sont très implantés, animée par des journalistes parisiens membres des mêmes organisations, la radio pose en pratique la question du lien entre ouvriers et intellectuels dans un cadre militant. L’article permet d’exposer le dessaisissement de la composante ouvrière dont l’expérience est l’occasion, en termes de programmes et d’orientation générale. Les mécanismes de ce processus sont à chercher dans l’ambivalence des représentations et des postures qui émergent de part et d’autre du couple militants ouvriers/militants intellectuels. Cette ambivalence doit être lue à la fois au prisme de la crise qui frappe alors le groupe ouvrier et met en perspective la nécessité d’une sortie de classe, et à la lumière de la qualité de « transfuges de classe » des journalistes. Dans ce contexte, les légitimités en présence apparaissent plus concurrentes que complémentaires.
De la fabrique d'une génération à la fabrique de la reproduction
Authors: Mariette Audrey
Published: April 2013

L’ouvrage de Christian Chevandier sur le « postier, militant et écrivain » Georges Valero (1937-1990) apporte un double éclairage sur les liens entre ouvriers et intellectuels. À un premier niveau, le matériau construit par l’historien au sujet de la trajectoire de cet employé resté toute sa vie entre deux mondes, documente les modalités d’échange entre les mondes ouvriers et intellectuels à propos de la génération des trentenaires en 1968. À un deuxième niveau, c’est en prenant en compte le parcours de Christian Chevandier lui-même (ancien établi) et sa relation au « biographé », que l’on peut aborder les rapports entre intellectuels engagés et ouvriers militants. Cet ouvrage (re)pose alors la question des logiques de clôture sociale qui mènent à la reproduction.
Tectónica de las sierras penibéticas de Abdalajís y de Huma (provincia de Málaga, España). Su relación con el contacto con la Zona Interna
Authors: Sanz de Galdeano C. , López Garrido A. C.
Published: April 2013

El sector de las sierras de Abdalajís y de Huma forma parte del Penibético y su estructura corresponde a fallas dextrorsas de dirección aproximada N70ºE. Son verticales o fuertemente buzantes, con componente inversa y vergencia predominante hacia el norte. Existen también grandes pliegues anticlinales y sinclinales, de varios kilómetros de longitud. Las abundantes estructuras menores permiten deducir una compresión dominante que tuvo dirección ONO-ESE y que fue rotando a la dirección NNO-SSE. Muchos de los flancos de los pliegues son verticales, particularmente en las proximidades del contacto con la Zona Interna, el cual, en este sector, es una gran falla dextrorsa vertical. La estructura del área estudiada está relacionada con la colisión lateral oblicua de la Zona Interna que se desplazaba al O. El movimiento entre ambos dominios provocó un desplazamiento relativo hacia el E del Penibético situado al N de la Zona Interna. No obstante el movimiento absoluto de los dos dominios fue hacia el O, si bien esa parte norte del Penibético lo hizo en menor grado.
The validation of the turnover intention scale
Authors: Bothma Chris F.C. , Roodt Gert
Published: April 2013

Orientation: Turnover intention as a construct has attracted increased research attention in the recent past, but there are seemingly not many valid and reliable scales around to measure turnover intention.Research purpose: This study focused on the validation of a shortened, six-item version of the turnover intention scale (TIS-6).Motivation for the study: The research question of whether the TIS-6 is a reliable and a valid scale for measuring turnover intention and for predicting actual turnover was addressed in this study.Research design, approach and method: The study was based on a census-based sample (n= 2429) of employees in an information, communication and technology (ICT) sector company (N= 23 134) where the TIS-6 was used as one of the criterion variables. The leavers (those who left the company) in this sample were compared with the stayers (those who remained in the employ of the company) in this sample in respect of different variables used in the study.Main findings: It was established that the TIS-6 could measure turnover intentions reliably (α= 0.80). The TIS-6 could significantly distinguish between leavers and stayers (actual turnover), thereby confirming its criterion-predictive validity. The scale also established statistically significant differences between leavers and stayers in respect of a number of the remaining theoretical variables used in the study, thereby also confirming its differential validity. These comparisons were conducted for both the 4-month and the 4-year period after the survey was conducted.Practical/managerial implications: Turnover intention is related to a number of variables in the study which necessitates a reappraisal and a reconceptualisation of existing turnover intention models.Contribution/value-add: The TIS-6 can be used as a reliable and valid scale to assess turnover intentions and can therefore be used in research to validly and reliably assess turnover intentions or to predict actual turnover.
Advanced Obstetrical and Gynecological Ultrasound: Imaging with New Technologies
Authors: Honemeyer Ulrich
Published: April 2013

Since, ultrasound was introduced as diagnostic tool in obstetrics and gynecology by Professor Ian Donald 6 decades ago, realtime imaging has become the most common sonographic technique used in obstetrics and gynecology. When uncertain findings on real-time gray scale during two-dimensional sonography require further evaluation, advanced techniques are often necessary. Such advanced techniques include color and power Doppler, three- and four-dimensional ultrasound and techniques of volume manipulation (rendering), such as surface and maximum mode, magic cut, volume calculation (VOCAL), NICHE mode, and -as latest innovation, HD flow (Doppler) and HD life surface rendering. The authors would like to illustrate by means of a series of images and case presentations, how these new diagnostic tools find their clinical application in the daily routine of care in obstetrics and gynecology.

How to cite this article

Honemeyer U, Kurjak A. Advanced Obstetrical and Gynecological Ultrasound: Imaging with New Technologies. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2013;7(1):51-65.
Early Prediction of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome with the use of First Trimester Ultrasound Markers: Is it Possible?
Authors: Antsaklis Panagiotis , Antsaklis Aristides , Pergialiotis Vasileios , Papazefkos Vasileios
Published: April 2013

Background

The incidence of multifetal gestation and particularly of twin pregnancy has raised as a result of the introduction of assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Twinto- twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a serious complication observed in monochorionic pregnancies producing severe morbidity and ultimately resulting in loss of one or all fetuses. We assessed the potential of early prediction of TTTS among three markers screened early in pregnancy [nuchal translucency (NT)] and its discrepancy and discordance, crown-rump length (CRL) and its discrepancy and discordance among twins and ductus venosus (DV) Doppler abnormalities.

Materials and methods

We conducted a systematic review searching Medline (1966-2011) and Scopus (2004-2011) engines, as well as reference lists from all included studies. Twelve studies were finally enrolled in the present review, including seven prospective studies, three prospective studies and one that could not be defined either as prospective or retrospective.

Conclusion

It seems that DV Doppler may denote this syndrome's possible future development and should be assessed early in monochorionic pregnancies. Further studies are definitely needed in order to evaluate the place of CRL and NT discrepancy and discordance in predicting TTTS.

How to cite this article

Antsaklis A, Pergialiotis V, Theodora M, Papazefkos V, Antsaklis P. Early Prediction of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome with the use of First Trimester Ultrasound Markers: Is it Possible? Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2013;7(1):66-72.
Aerosol loading in the Southeastern United States: reconciling surface and satellite observations
Authors: Ford B. , Heald C. L.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. We investigate the seasonality in aerosols over the Southeastern United States using observations from several satellite instruments (MODIS, MISR, CALIOP) and surface network sites (IMPROVE, SEARCH, AERONET). We find that the strong summertime enhancement in satellite-observed aerosol optical depth (factor 2–3 enhancement over wintertime AOD) is not present in surface mass concentrations (25–55% summertime enhancement). Goldstein et al. (2009) previously attributed this seasonality in AOD to biogenic organic aerosol; however, surface observations show that organic aerosol only accounts for ~35% of PM2.5 mass and exhibits similar seasonality to total PM2.5. The GEOS-Chem model generally reproduces these surface aerosol measurements, but under represents the AOD seasonality observed by satellites. We show that seasonal differences in water uptake cannot sufficiently explain the magnitude of AOD increase. As CALIOP profiles indicate the presence of additional aerosol in the lower troposphere (below 700 hPa), which cannot be explained by vertical mixing; we conclude that the discrepancy is due to a missing source of aerosols above the surface in summer.
Impact of human activities on organic carbon transport in the Yellow River
Authors: Zhang L. J. , Wang L. , Cai W.-J. , Liu D. M. , Yu Z. G.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Using data from four field investigations between 2003 and 2009 along the Yellow River mainstream, we examined the transport features and seasonal variations of organic carbon, with a focus on contrasting the impacts of human activities with those of natural processes. Particulate organic carbon (POC) in the Yellow River originated mainly from the Loess Plateau, and thus the POC content in suspended sediments was much lower than in the world's other large rivers. Owing to both natural and human influences, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) has only a weak correlation with discharge. DOC varied as a result of human activities such as agricultural irrigation and pollution in the whole basin except for the upstream Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Our study also suggested that while reservoirs are a POC sink over short periods, a long-term POC storage flux cannot be easily estimated as discharge and sediment regulations have completely changed the relationship between the fluxes of water, sediments, and rainfall. However, this carbon sink can be obtained reliably through high-frequency sampling over long time periods. In addition, the annual water and sediment regulation (WSR) scheme has imposed an extremely severe human disturbance on the transport pattern of river organic carbon. Our study demonstrated for the first time that in a WSR event of less than 20 days, large proportions of the annual DOC (35%) and POC (56%) fluxes of the Yellow River were transported to the estuarine and coastal zone, potentially influencing estuarine and coastal geochemistry and ecosystems profoundly.
Estimation of evapotranspiration from MODIS TOA radiances in the Poyang Lake basin, China
Authors: Peng J. , Liu Y. , Zhao X. , Loew A.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Routine and rapid estimation of ET (evapotranspiration) at regional scale is of great significance for agricultural, hydrological and climatic studies. A simplified single-source energy balance parameterization scheme, known as the LST/NDVI (land surface temperature/normalized difference vegetation index) triangle method, has been applied successfully to estimate regional clear sky ET in many studies. Based on the triangle method, we proposed a new method in this study to estimate daily ET directly using the TOA (top of atmosphere) radiances without performing atmospheric correction and other complicated processes. Firstly, the EF (evaporative fraction, defined as the ratio of latent heat flux to surface available energy) was estimated by interpolation in the LST/NDVI triangular-shaped scatter space, which was constructed using the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) TOA radiances over a heterogeneous area of the Poyang Lake basin in China. Then the net radiation over the same study area was derived based entirely on MODIS TOA radiances as well. Finally, daily ET maps were estimated from these EF maps and net radiation maps by using a sinusoidal temporal interpolation model. The estimated EF, net radiation and ET have been validated against field observations collected for the period October 2007–July 2008. The results indicate comparable accuracy to results of other current widely used satellite-based methods. In addition, intercomparisons between the proposed method-based estimates and MODIS products-based estimates were also carried out over the validation site. The results suggest that the proposed method could reach similar level of accuracy as the MODIS products-based triangle method. Overall, the proposed algorithm requires fewer assumptions and can avoid complex atmospheric corrections associated with the satellite derived products. It should facilitate direct use of satellite data for determining ET and relevant applications as well. Nonetheless, more validation work needs to be carried out with more integration of satellite data and ground-based measurements over various climatic regions and under different surface conditions in the future.
Multiple-task motion planning of non-holonomic systems with dynamics
Authors: Ratajczak A. , Tchoń K.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. This paper addresses the motion planning problem in non-holonomic robotic systems. The system's kinematics and dynamics are represented as a control affine system with outputs. The problem is defined in terms of the end-point map of this system, using the endogenous configuration space approach. Special attention is paid to the multiple-task motion planning problem, i.e. a problem that beyond the proper motion planning task includes a number of additional tasks. For multiple-task motion planning two strategies have been proposed, called the egalitarian approach and the prioritarian approach. Also, two computational strategies have been launched of solving the motion planning problem: the parametric and the non-parametric. The motion planning and computational strategies have been applied to a motion planning problem of the trident snake robot. Performance of the motion planning algorithms is illustrated with computer simulations.
Influence of concurrent medications on outcomes of men with prostate cancer included in the TAX 327 study
Authors: Niraula Saroj , Pond Greg , De Wit Ronald , Eisenberger Mario , Tannock Ian F. , Joshua Anthony M.
Published: April 2013

Objectives: The TAX 327 trial was pivotal in establishing docetaxel in castration refractory metastatic prostate cancer. Various commonly prescribed and over-the-counter co-administered medications are thought to exhibit anti-neoplastic properties and/or could potentially have pharmacokinectic interactions with docetaxel lessening the effectiveness of chemotherapy.Methods: To examine the effect of on prostate cancer outcomes within this trial, we examined overall survival, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, percent PSA reduction, pain response and QOL responses for 14 families of medications including metformin, digoxin, verapamil, proton pump inhibitors, nitrates, statins, cox-2 inhibitors, warfarin, heparins, ascorbic acid, selenium, tocopherol,antidepressants and erythropoietin.Results: Our findings did not reveal any medication that had asignificant additive or synergistic effect with docetaxel. We did note, however, that patients on digoxin or verapamil had pooreroverall survival, possibly due to a trend of fewer cycles of administered chemotherapy being administered to the verapamil group,consistent with a pharmacokinectic interaction.Conclusions: These data are only hypothesis-generating given the statistical limitations, but may form a basis for similar future analysis in other malignancies. The data suggest the need to be aware of pharmacokinectic interactions with medications that may interactwith docetaxel.
Efficacy and tolerability of combined medication of two different antimuscarinics for treatment of adults with idiopathic overactive bladder in whom a single agent antimuscarinic therapy failed
Authors: Yi Junseok , Jeong Seong Jin , Chung Min Soo , Park Hongzoo , Lee Sang Wook , Doo Seung Hwan , Yoon Cheol Yong , Hong Sung Kyu , Byun Seok-Soo , Lee Sang Eun
Published: April 2013

Objective: Recent studies have investigated a combination of two antimuscarinics for adult neurogenic bladder managed with clean intermittent catheterization or pediatric refractory overactive bladder (OAB). We assessed the efficacy and tolerability of this strategy in adults with idiopathic OAB.Methods: We reviewed 49 patients with idiopathic OAB whoreceived combined antimuscarinic medication. Patients had seriallyreceived different kinds of antimuscarinics as monotherapy, but wished to take combined medication due to a lack of sufficient subjective improvement in urgency, even with dosage escalation. Efficacy was measured by changes of episodes of urgency, daytime voiding, nocturia and mean voided volume before and after the addition of the second antimuscarinic.Results: The mean duration of combined medication was 9.3 months. After adding the second antimuscarinic, urgency per day decreased from 3.8 to 1.9 (p < 0.001) and daytime voiding decreased from 10.4 to 7.4 (p < 0.001). The number of nocturia episodes and the mean voided volume also improved, although therewas no statistical significance. Efficacy did not differ between the 29 cases, with non-selective and non-selective drugs and 20 cases with non-selective and M3 selective drugs. Thirty-three (67.3%) patients reported to have benefited from combined medication. Maximal flow rate and post-void residual volume did not change in either of the sexes. Eleven (22.4%) patients discontinued the combination due to continued ineffectiveness and dry mouth.Conclusion: This retrospective study suggests that combined medication can help adults with refractory idiopathic OAB. Combined medication was tolerated in most of our patients.
A Note on the Perturbation of Mixed Percolation on the Hierarchical Group
Authors: Shang Yilun
Published: April 2013

We study mixed percolation on the hierarchical group of order N where each node is open with

probability 1-g, 0 ≤ g ≤ 1, and the probability of connection between two open nodes separated

by a distance k is of the form 1-exp(-αβ-k), α ≥ 0, and β > 0. The parameters α and γ are the

percolation parameters, while b describes the long-range nature of the model. In terms of parameters

α,β, and γ, we show some perturbation results for the percolation function θ(α,β, γ), which is the

probability of existing an infinite component containing a prescribed node.
Separation and Determination of Triclosan and Bisphenol A in Water, Beverage, and Urine Samples by Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Combined with Capillary Zone Electrophoresis–UV Detection
Authors: Wang Huili , Zhang Aina , Wang Wenwei , Zhang Minghua , Liu Huanqiang , Wang Xuedong
Published: April 2013

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with capillary zone electrophoresis–UV detection was developed for analyzing triclosan (TCS) and bisphenol A (BPA) in water, beverage, and urine samples. The factors influencing microextraction efficiencies, such as the kind and volume of extraction and dispersive solvent, the extraction time, and the salt effect, were optimized. A background electrolyte composed of 8 mM sodium tetraborate at pH 9.8 was used as the running buffer. Detection was performed at 214 nm. Under the optimum conditions (sample volume, 5.0 mL; extraction solvent, tetrachloroethane, 22.0 μL; dispersive solvent, tetrahydrofuran, 1.0 mL; extraction time, fewer than 5 s; and without salt addition), the enrichment factors were 110.2 and 82.0 for TCS and BPA, respectively. The linear range was 0.02–2 μg/mL with correlation coefficients of 0.9966–0.9969. LODs were in the range of 4.0–8.0 ng/mL. The environmental water, beverage, and urine samples (at spiking levels of 0.1 and 0.4 μg/mL) were successfully analyzed by the proposed method; the recoveries compared to previous methods were in the range of 81.2–103.3%. As a result, this method can be successfully applied for the rapid and convenient determination of TCS and BPA in water, beverage, and urine samples.
Sequential Injection Chromatography for Separation and Quantification of Chlorpromazine in Human Urine and Pharmaceutical Formulations
Authors: Idris Abubakr M , Elgorashe Rafea E E
Published: April 2013

Sequential injection chromatography (SIC) is a recent, simple, and inexpensive green miniaturized separation technique. In the current study, SIC was exploited for the first time for biochemical analysis. A new SIC method for the separation and quantification of chlorpromazine in human urine, as well as pharmaceutical formulations, was developed and validated. Clozapine was used as an internal standard. Chlorpromazine was successfully separated on a C18 monolithic column (25 × 4.6 mm id). The UV detection was carried out at 250 nm using miniaturized fiber optic spectrometric devices. The optimum mobile phase composition was 30 mmol/L phosphate– acetonitrile–methanol (55.0 + 31.5 + 13.5, v/v/v) at pH 3.0. The sample volume was 40 μL and flow rate was 40 μL/s. Acceptable chromatographic results were obtained. The resolution was 2.7, peak symmetry was 1.1, and number of theoretical plates was more than 1 × 106. Good linearity (r = 0.9997) in the range of 25–100 μg/mL was also obtained. The method offered acceptable recovery for both human urine (89.6–93.1%) and pharmaceutical formulations (96.9–98.5%), which was sensitive enough to detect chlorpromazine. The LOD and LOQ in human urine were 61 and 204 ng/mL, respectively. The method was rapid and reagent-saving, and hence safe for the environment. The sample throughput was 26.3 samples/h and the total volume of consumed reagents was 4.0 mL.