bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A low power consumption radar system for measuring ice thickness and snow/firn accumulation in Antarctica
Authors: Uribe José A. , Zamora Rodrigo , Gacitúa Guisella , Rivera Andrés , Ulloa David
Published: April 2014

In order to measure total ice thickness and surface snow accumulation in Antarctica, we have designed and built a surveying system comprising two types of radar. This system is aimed at having low power consumption, low weight/volume and low construction cost. The system has a pulse-compression radar to measure ice thickness, and a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FM-CW) radar designed to measure hundreds of meters of surface snow/firn layers with high resolution. The pulse-compression radar operates at 155MHz, 20 MHz of bandwidth; and the FM-CW radar operates from 550 to 900 MHz. The system was tested in December 2010 at Union Glacier (79°46'S, 83°24'W), West Antarctica, during an oversnow campaign, where Union and other nearby glaciers (Schanz, Schneider and Balish) were covered through 82 km of track. Ice thickness of 1540m and snow/firn thickness of 120 m were detected in the area. The collected data allowed the subglacial topography, internal ice structure, isochronous and the snow/ice boundary layer to be detected. Here we describe radar electronics, their main features and some of the results obtained during the first test campaign. Further improvements will focus on the adaptation of the system to be implemented on board airplane platforms.
Sequence-Based Analysis of Structural Organization and Composition of the Cultivated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Genome
Authors: Gill Navdeep , Buti Matteo , Kane Nolan , Bellec Arnaud , Helmstetter Nicolas , Berges Hélène , Rieseberg Loren
Published: April 2014

Sunflower is an important oilseed crop, as well as a model system for evolutionary studies, but its 3.6 gigabase genome has proven difficult to assemble, in part because of the high repeat content of its genome. Here we report on the sequencing, assembly, and analyses of 96 randomly chosen BACs from sunflower to provide additional information on the repeat content of the sunflower genome, assess how repetitive elements in the sunflower genome are organized relative to genes, and compare the genomic distribution of these repeats to that found in other food crops and model species. We also examine the expression of transposable element-related transcripts in EST databases for sunflower to determine the representation of repeats in the transcriptome and to measure their transcriptional activity. Our data confirm previous reports in suggesting that the sunflower genome is >78% repetitive. Sunflower repeats share very little similarity to other plant repeats such as those of Arabidopsis, rice, maize and wheat; overall 28% of repeats are “novel” to sunflower. The repetitive sequences appear to be randomly distributed within the sequenced BACs. Assuming the 96 BACs are representative of the genome as a whole, then approximately 5.2% of the sunflower genome comprises non TE-related genic sequence, with an average gene density of 18kbp/gene. Expression levels of these transposable elements indicate tissue specificity and differential expression in vegetative and reproductive tissues, suggesting that expressed TEs might contribute to sunflower development. The assembled BACs will also be useful for assessing the quality of several different draft assemblies of the sunflower genome and for annotating the reference sequence.
A Double-Edged Sword: Volatile Anesthetic Effects on the Neonatal Brain
Authors: Chiao Sunny , Zuo Zhiyi
Published: April 2014

The use of volatile anesthetics, a group of general anesthetics, is an exceedingly common practice. These anesthetics may have neuroprotective effects. Over the last decade, anesthetic induced neurotoxicity in pediatric populations has gained a certain notoriety based on pre-clinical cell and animal studies demonstrating that general anesthetics may induce neurotoxicity, including neuroapoptosis, neurodegeneration, and long-term neurocognitive and behavioral deficits. With hundreds of millions of people having surgery under general anesthesia worldwide, and roughly six million children annually in the U.S. alone, the importance of clearly defining toxic or protective effects of general anesthetics cannot be overstated. Yet, with our expanding body of knowledge, we have come to learn that perhaps not all volatile anesthetics have the same pharmacological profiles; certain ones may have a more favorable neurotoxic profile and may actually exhibit neuroprotection in specific populations and situations. Thus far, very few clinical studies exist, and have not yet been convincing enough to alter our practice. This review will provide an update on current data regarding volatile anesthetic induced neurotoxicity and neuroprotection in neonatal and infant populations. In addition, this paper will discuss ongoing studies and the trajectory of further research over the coming years.
STAT3 Target Genes Relevant to Human Cancers
Authors: Carpenter Richard , Lo Hui-Wen
Published: April 2014

Since its discovery, the STAT3 transcription factor has been extensively studied for its function as a transcriptional regulator and its role as a mediator of development, normal physiology, and pathology of many diseases, including cancers. These efforts have uncovered an array of genes that can be positively and negatively regulated by STAT3, alone and in cooperation with other transcription factors. Through regulating gene expression, STAT3 has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in many cellular processes including oncogenesis, tumor growth and progression, and stemness. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that STAT3 may behave as a tumor suppressor by activating expression of genes known to inhibit tumorigenesis. Additional evidence suggested that STAT3 may elicit opposing effects depending on cellular context and tumor types. These mixed results signify the need for a deeper understanding of STAT3, including its upstream regulators, parallel transcription co-regulators, and downstream target genes. To help facilitate fulfilling this unmet need, this review will be primarily focused on STAT3 downstream target genes that have been validated to associate with tumorigenesis and/or malignant biology of human cancers.
Transcription Factor STAT3 as a Novel Molecular Target for Cancer Prevention
Authors: Xiong Ailian , Yang Zhengduo , Shen Yicheng , Zhou Jia , Shen Qiang
Published: April 2014

Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) are a family of transcription factors that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, immune and inflammatory responses, and angiogenesis. Cumulative evidence has established that STAT3 has a critical role in the development of multiple cancer types. Because it is constitutively activated during disease progression and metastasis in a variety of cancers, STAT3 has promise as a drug target for cancer therapeutics. Recently, STAT3 was found to have an important role in maintaining cancer stem cells in vitro and in mouse tumor models, suggesting STAT3 is integrally involved in tumor initiation, progression and maintenance. STAT3 has been traditionally considered as nontargetable or undruggable, and the lag in developing effective STAT3 inhibitors contributes to the current lack of FDA-approved STAT3 inhibitors. Recent advances in cancer biology and drug discovery efforts have shed light on targeting STAT3 globally and/or specifically for cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize current literature and discuss the potential importance of STAT3 as a novel target for cancer prevention and of STAT3 inhibitors as effective chemopreventive agents.
A ZigBee-Based Location-Aware Fall Detection System for Improving Elderly Telecare
Authors: Huang Chih-Ning , Chan Chia-Tai
Published: April 2014

Falls are the primary cause of accidents among the elderly and frequently cause fatal and non-fatal injuries associated with a large amount of medical costs. Fall detection using wearable wireless sensor nodes has the potential of improving elderly telecare. This investigation proposes a ZigBee-based location-aware fall detection system for elderly telecare that provides an unobstructed communication between the elderly and caregivers when falls happen. The system is based on ZigBee-based sensor networks, and the sensor node consists of a motherboard with a tri-axial accelerometer and a ZigBee module. A wireless sensor node worn on the waist continuously detects fall events and starts an indoor positioning engine as soon as a fall happens. In the fall detection scheme, this study proposes a three-phase threshold-based fall detection algorithm to detect critical and normal falls. The fall alarm can be canceled by pressing and holding the emergency fall button only when a normal fall is detected. On the other hand, there are three phases in the indoor positioning engine: path loss survey phase, Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) collection phase and location calculation phase. Finally, the location of the faller will be calculated by a k-nearest neighbor algorithm with weighted RSSI. The experimental results demonstrate that the fall detection algorithm achieves 95.63% sensitivity, 73.5% specificity, 88.62% accuracy and 88.6% precision. Furthermore, the average error distance for indoor positioning is 1.15 ± 0.54 m. The proposed system successfully delivers critical information to remote telecare providers who can then immediately help a fallen person.
Effects of a Protic Ionic Liquid on the Reaction Pathway during Non-Aqueous Sol–Gel Synthesis of Silica: A Raman Spectroscopic Investigation
Authors: Martinelli Anna
Published: April 2014

The reaction pathway during the formation of silica via a two-component “non-aqueou” sol-gel synthesis is studied by in situ time-resolved Raman spectroscopy. This synthetic route is followed with and without the addition of the protic ionic liquid 1-ethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (C2HImTFSI) in order to investigate its effect on the reaction pathway. We demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy is suitable to discriminate between different silica intermediates, which are produced and consumed at different rates with respect to the point of gelation. We find that half-way to gelation monomers and shorter chains are the most abundant silica species, while the formation of silica rings strongly correlates to the sol-to-gel transition. Thus, curling up of linear chains is here proposed as a plausible mechanism for the formation of small rings. These in turn act as nucleation sites for the condensation of larger rings and thus the formation of the open and polymeric silica network. We find that the protic ionic liquid does not change the reaction pathway per se, but accelerates the cyclization process, intermediated by the faster inclusion of monomeric species.
The Reliability and Predictive Ability of a Biomarker of Oxidative DNA Damage on Functional Outcomes after Stroke Rehabilitation
Authors: Hsieh Yu-Wei , Lin Keh-Chung , Korivi Mallikarjuna , Lee Tsong-Hai , Wu Ching-Yi , Wu Kuen-Yuh
Published: April 2014

We evaluated the reliability of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and determined its ability to predict functional outcomes in stroke survivors. The rehabilitation effect on 8-OHdG and functional outcomes were also assessed. Sixty-one stroke patients received a 4-week rehabilitation. Urinary 8-OHdG levels were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The test-retest reliability of 8-OHdG was good (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.76). Upper-limb motor function and muscle power determined by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Medical Research Council (MRC) scales before rehabilitation showed significant negative correlation with 8-OHdG (r = −0.38, r = −0.30; p < 0.05). After rehabilitation, we found a fair and significant correlation between 8-OHdG and FMA (r = −0.34) and 8-OHdG and pain (r = 0.26, p < 0.05). Baseline 8-OHdG was significantly correlated with post-treatment FMA, MRC, and pain scores (r = −0.34, −0.31, and 0.25; p < 0.05), indicating its ability to predict functional outcomes. 8-OHdG levels were significantly decreased, and functional outcomes were improved after rehabilitation. The exploratory study findings conclude that 8-OHdG is a reliable and promising biomarker of oxidative stress and could be a valid predictor of functional outcomes in patients. Monitoring of behavioral indicators along with biomarkers may have crucial benefits in translational stroke research.
Spectroscopic and Molecular Docking Studies of the in Vitro Interaction between Puerarin and Cytochrome P450
Authors: Shao Jiangjuan , Chen Jianwei , Li Tingting , Zhao Xiaoli
Published: April 2014

Puerarin, an isoflavone glycoside extracted from Pueraria plants, has various medical functions. Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are crucial phase I metabolizing enzymes, which have been spotlighted for their effects on drug metabolism. The interaction between puerarin and CYPs (CYP1A2 and CYP2D6) was investigated by fluorescence, UV-Vis and circular dichroism spectroscopies, as well as molecular docking, to explore the underlying mechanism under simulated physiological conditions. The molecular docking results indicated that puerarin interacted with CYPs mainly by hydrophobic force and hydrogen bonding. The fluorescences of CYPs were quenched statically. Binding constants (Ka) and number of binding sites (n) at different temperatures were calculated, with the results being consistent with those of molecular docking. At the same temperature, puerarin bound to CYP1A2 more weakly than it did to CYP2D6. UV-Vis and circular dichroism spectroscopies confirmed the micro-environmental and conformational changes of CYP1A2 and CYP2D6. The findings provide reliable evidence for clarifying the structures and functions of CYPs.
Optimization of Fermentation Conditions for the Production of the M23 Protease Pseudoalterin by Deep-Sea Pseudoalteromonas sp. CF6-2 with Artery Powder as an Inducer
Authors: Zhao Hui-Lin , Yang Jie , Chen Xiu-Lan , Su Hai-Nan , Zhang Xi-Ying , Huang Feng , Zhou Bai-Cheng , Xie Bin-Bin
Published: April 2014

Proteases in the M23 family have speciﬁc activities toward elastin and bacterial peptidoglycan. The peptidoglycan-degrading property makes these proteases have potential as novel antimicrobials. Because M23 proteases cannot be maturely expressed in Escherichia coli, it is significant to improve the production of these enzymes in their wild strains. Pseudoalterin is a new M23 protease secreted by the deep-sea bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. CF6-2. In this study, the fermentation conditions of strain CF6-2 for pseudoalterin production were optimized using single factor experiments and response surface methodology to improve the enzyme yield. To reduce the fermentation cost, bovine artery powder instead of elastin was determined as a cheap and efficient inducer. Based on single factor experiments, artery powder content, culture temperature and culture time were determined as the main factors influencing pseudoalterin production and were further optimized by the central composite design. The optimal values of these factors were determined as: artery powder of 1.2%, culture temperature of 20.17 °C and culture time of 28.04 h. Under the optimized conditions, pseudoalterin production reached 100.02 ± 9.0 U/mL, more than twice of that before optimization. These results lay a good foundation for developing the biotechnological potential of pseudoalterin.
Response Mechanism for Surface Acoustic Wave Gas Sensors Based on Surface-Adsorption
Authors: Liu Jiansheng , Lu Yanyan
Published: April 2014

A theoretical model is established to describe the response mechanism of surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensors based on physical adsorption on the detector surface. Wohljent’s method is utilized to describe the relationship of sensor output (frequency shift of SAW oscillator) and the mass loaded on the detector surface. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) formula and its improved form are introduced to depict the adsorption behavior of gas on the detector surface. By combining the two methods, we obtain a theoretical model for the response mechanism of SAW gas sensors. By using a commercial SAW gas chromatography (GC) analyzer, an experiment is performed to measure the frequency shifts caused by different concentration of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). The parameters in the model are given by fitting the experimental results and the theoretical curve agrees well with the experimental data.
Integration of Fiber-Optic Sensor Arrays into a Multi-Modal Tactile Sensor Processing System for Robotic End-Effectors
Authors: Kampmann Peter , Kirchner Frank
Published: April 2014

With the increasing complexity of robotic missions and the development towards long-term autonomous systems, the need for multi-modal sensing of the environment increases. Until now, the use of tactile sensor systems has been mostly based on sensing one modality of forces in the robotic end-effector. The use of a multi-modal tactile sensory system is motivated, which combines static and dynamic force sensor arrays together with an absolute force measurement system. This publication is focused on the development of a compact sensor interface for a fiber-optic sensor array, as optic measurement principles tend to have a bulky interface. Mechanical, electrical and software approaches are combined to realize an integrated structure that provides decentralized data pre-processing of the tactile measurements. Local behaviors are implemented using this setup to show the effectiveness of this approach.
Enhance the Pyroelectricity of Polyvinylidene Fluoride by Graphene-Oxide Doping
Authors: Hu Yuh-Chung , Hsu Wei-Li , Wang Yi-Ta , Ho Cheng-Tao , Chang Pei-Zen
Published: April 2014

The high quality properties and benefits of graphene-oxide have generated an active area of research where many investigations have shown potential applications in various technological fields. This paper proposes a methodology for enhancing the pyro-electricity of PVDF by graphene-oxide doping. The PVDF film with graphene-oxide is prepared by the sol-gel method. Firstly, PVDF and graphene-oxide powders are dispersed into dimethylformamide as solvent to form a sol solution. Secondly, the sol solution is deposited on a flexible ITO/PET substrate by spin-coating. Thirdly, the particles in the sol solution are polymerized through baking off the solvent to produce a gel in a state of a continuous network of PVDF and graphene-oxide. The final annealing process pyrolyzes the gel and form a β-phase PVDF film with graphene-oxide doping. A complete study on the process of the graphene oxide doping of PVDF is accomplished. Some key points about the process are addressed based on experiments. The solutions to some key issues are found in this work, such as the porosity of film, the annealing temperature limitation by the use of flexible PET substrate, and the concentrations of PVDF and graphene-oxide.
A Step towards Developing a Sustainability Performance Measure within Industrial Networks
Authors: Shokravi Samaneh , Kurnia Sherah
Published: April 2014

Despite the plethora of literature in sustainability and supply chain management in the recent years, a quantitative tool that measures the sustainability performance of an industrial supply network, considering the uncertainties of existing data, is hard to find. This conceptual paper is aimed at establishing a quantitative measure for the sustainability performance of industrial supply networks that considers aleatory and epistemic uncertainties in its environmental performance evaluation. The measure is built upon economic, environmental and social performance evaluation models. These models address a number of shortcomings in the literature, such as incomplete and inaccurate calculation of environmental impacts, as well as the disregard for aleatory and epistemic uncertainties in the input data and, more importantly, the scarce number of quantitative social sustainability measures. Dyadic interactions are chosen for the network, while the network members have a revenue-sharing relationship. This relationship promotes sharing of the required information for the use of the proposed model. This measure provides an approach to quantify the environmental, social and economic sustainability performances of a supply network. Moreover, as this measure is not specifically designed for an industrial sector, it can be employed over an evolving and diverse industrial network.
Pioneering in Marginal Fields: Jatropha for Carbon Credits and Restoring Degraded Land in Eastern Indonesia
Authors: Van Rooijen Loes
Published: April 2014

This paper highlights the role of a national Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Indonesia as “pioneer” actor in the jatropha global production network, linking solutions for local problems with narratives concerning global concerns. Analysis of previous activities of the NGO positions their jatropha project as one period in a sequence of donor-funded appropriate technology programs. On the island of Flores in Eastern Indonesia the NGO aimed to establish community based jatropha cultivation exclusively on “degraded land”, avoiding threats to food cultivation, and responding to local problems of land degradation and water resources depletion. In contrast with investors interested in jatropha based biofuel production for export, the NGO aimed at developing biofuel for local needs, including jatropha based electricity generation in the regional state-owned power plant. Anticipating progress in international and national regulations concerning the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) the 2008 project’s design included carbon credit income as a main source of future project financing. Using methods of socio-legal studies and political ecology, this study indicates that when the economic feasibility of a project is based on the future financial value of a legally constructed commodity like carbon credits, the sustainability of the project outcome can be questionable. The author recommends precaution when it comes to including anticipated income from carbon credits in calculating the economic viability of a project, as price developments can fluctuate when political support and regulations change.
Government Governance, Legal Environment and Sustainable Economic Development
Authors: Wei Feng , Kong Yu
Published: April 2014

Based on China’s inter-provincial panel data from 1999–2009, this paper has tested the impact and extent of marketization, government governance, and legal environment of sustainable economic development by controlling physical capital, human capital and productivity, so as to find the institutional reality for the difference in China’s economic development and another explanation for it. It turns out that marketization, government governance, and legal environment play significant roles in promoting sustainable economic development. Further tests show that the results of Eastern China are consistent with China’s inter-provincial results; while in Western China, the promotion effect of marketization, government governance, and legal environment on sustainable economic development is not significant.
Une population urbanisée: les rapatriés d'Algérie
Authors: Baillet P.
Published: April 2014

Résumé. - Les 4/5e de la population rapatriée d'Algérie (1 013 OCX) personnes en 1973), sont localisées dans les villes et, pour les 2/3, dans celles de plus de 100 000 habitants. La majorité des rapatriés (600 000) sont concentrés dans le Midi de la France, contrairement aux intentions de la politique gouvernementale. Ce sont en général des petites gens sans qualification professionnelle. Au contraire, la minorité, installée dans le Nord, est faite de personnes plus jeunes, cadres dans l'administration ou l'industrie. Partout cette population de rapatriés est un ferment de dynamisme économique ; l'indemnisation accroîtra son pouvoir d'achat.
Les pluies exceptionnelles de mars 1973 en Tunisie
Authors: Miossec Alain
Published: April 2014

Abstract. - In the third decade of march 1973, exceptional rains caused serious floods in the north of Tunisia. These rains can be explained by a sudden advection of cold air above the east of Maghreb and by its stagnation in the shape of a « drop ». This situation, a classical one in Tunisia, produces important rains only when the atmospheric circulation in altitude is submitted to a blocking, productive of a great instability.
Analyse de la structure du tertiaire dans l'agglomération parisienne
Authors: Rousset-Deschamps Marcel
Published: April 2014

Abstract. - From 1962 to 1968 the « third sector » of economy has much increased in Great Paris, the rate being higher in the town itself. The factor analysis proves that this phenomenon is stronger in big communes and for transportation jobs.
Constructions alluviales holocènes et oscillations climatiques du Sahara méridional
Authors: Rognon Pierre
Published: April 2014

Dans plusieurs régions du Sahara (Hoggar, Tibesti, Tchad, Nubie), un ou deux systèmes de terrasses se développent pendant la période holocène. Les caractères sédimentologiques de ces terrasses s'expliquent très bien en fonction des données récentes sur les oscillations climatiques de ces régions à l'Holocène. Sur les grands cours d'eau\, on constate des évolutions très différentes par exemple entre le Sénégal et le Nil bleu. Enfin, les rivières débouchant dans un lac ayant subi de grandes oscillations holocènes ont construit des épandages complexes assez différents des deltas lacustres habituels.
Significance of Small Renal Artery Lesions in Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Endo Akiko , Hoshino Junichi , Suwabe Tatsuya , Sumida Keiichi , Mise Koki , Hiramatsu Rikako , Hasegawa Eiko , Yamanouchi Masayuki , Hayami Noriko , Sawa Naoki , Takaichi Kenmei , Ohashi Kenichi , Fujii Takeshi , Ubara Yoshifumi
Published: April 2014

Objective.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis is a vasculitis affecting the glomerular capillaries and small renal arteries. Although crescent formation has been reported to be characteristic of this condition, the significance of coexisting vasculitis affecting the small renal arteries has not been investigated.

Methods.

Fifty patients with ANCA-positive rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis whose renal biopsy specimens contained arterioles and/or interlobular arteries were retrospectively evaluated. Cellular crescents and/or necrotizing glomerulonephritis were noted in all 50 patients. Ten patients had vasculitis of the small renal arteries (group A) and 40 patients were without such vasculitis (group B). The clinical features of these 2 groups were compared.

Results.

Group A comprised 4 patients who had granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and 6 with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), while group B included 1 patient with GPA and 39 with MPA. No patient in either group had eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. The C-reactive protein (CRP) level was significantly higher in group A compared with group B (11.58 ± 6.19 vs 2.7 ± 3.55 mg/dl, p < 0.05), and pulmonary involvement was more frequent in group A than group B (80% vs 37.5%, p < 0.05).

Conclusion.

In patients with ANCA-positive glomerulonephritis, vasculitis of small renal arteries may be associated with systemic vasculitis (including pulmonary involvement) because of elevated CRP, a systemic inflammatory marker related to overproduction of interleukin 6.
Prevalence of Antinuclear Antibodies in Schoolchildren During Puberty and Possible Relationship with Musculoskeletal Pain: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Sperotto Francesca , Cuffaro Giorgio , Brachi Sara , Seguso Mara , Zulian Francesco
Published: April 2014

Objective.

The role of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in children has still to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and persistence of ANA in schoolchildren during the puberty switch, and the possible relationship with chronic noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain (MSP).

Methods.

Children aged 8–13 years and attending 4 public schools underwent a clinical examination, focusing on pubertal stage and presence of chronic noninflammatory MSP. Laboratory tests to determine the autoantibody-profile were also performed. Subjects with ANA positivity (titer ≥ 1:80) and/or chronic noninflammatory MSP were re-evaluated 3 years later.

Results.

Two hundred sixty-one subjects enrolled in the study and 12.3% were ANA-positive, equally distributed in terms of sex and pubertal status. Three years later, in the group of patients studied for chronic noninflammatory MSP (n = 67), ANA positivity significantly increased from 13.4% to 44.8%. In the ANA-positive cohort at baseline (n = 28), 92.9% of subjects were confirmed as being ANA-positive with a significantly increased titer. No association between ANA positivity and chronic noninflammatory MSP was found.

Conclusion.

ANA prevalence and titers increase during puberty, especially in females, but have no relationship with chronic noninflammatory MSP. This finding may be related to the complex hormonal changes during the puberty switch period and opens new insights into autoimmunity.
L'hystérique, l'analyste et la question du père
Authors: Vanier Alain
Published: April 2014

L’hystérie a-t-elle cessé de guider les psychanalystes ? Certainement pas si l’on veut bien considérer qu’elle condense à la fois la découverte et la butée de toute approche de l’inconscient dans la psychanalyse.
Hystérie : le risque du féminin
Authors: Schaeffer Jacqueline
Published: April 2014

L’hystérie est une des composantes de la féminité, mais le féminin érotique pose problème à la différence des sexes. C’est la défense phallique que l’hystérique surinvestit, face à la haine de la scène primitive. Son jeu érotique vise à la recherche de l’identité sexuelle et de l’énigme du féminin. Son mode défensif relationnel privilégié, c’est celui du jeu, de la mise en scène théâtrale : jeu avec l’angoisse, avec la séduction, avec la jalousie. Mais aussi le désir de désir insatisfait, et l’identification « contre ».
L'hystérie masculine (féminine)
Authors: Pommier Gérard
Published: April 2014

L’hystérie est la norme du sujet, qui se pose la question : « Suis-je un homme ou une femme ? » La particularité de l’hystérie masculine est de rejeter sa part féminine. Les qualités psychiques « masculin » et « féminin » n’existent jamais l’une sans l’autre, mais de manière conflictuelle, engendrant la « crise hystérique » de degré variable. Il s’y ajoute différents traits de l’hystérie masculine, plus lisibles dans la contemporanéité du fait de la libération des femmes. Le désir masculin hystérique est marqué par la nostalgie, entre séparation maternelle et Idéal féminin, d’une tout autre origine.
Strategic Information Systems and Business Outcomes
Authors: Bento Alberto , Bento Regina , White Lourdes , Bento Ana
Published: April 2014

This large-scale study of 1,990 responses from practitioners in a wide range of industries developed and tested a model of relationships among a specific type of strategic information system -- strategic performance measurement systems (SPMS) -- characteristics and business outcomes. Using as methodology path analysis and stepwise regression, we found that two SPMS characteristics (design purpose and information technology use), together with system effectiveness, explain close to 50% of the SPMS impact on business results.
Demographic Change
Authors: Radant Olaf
Published: April 2014

The skill shortage is becoming an ever-increasing challenge for Information Technology (IT) departments. To allocate the resources in the best possible way is even more important. The challenge is to improve the company not only on the side of the organizational and process level, but to develop new strategies and approaches in human resource management. Only a symbiosis of these disciplines will enable relevant and indispensable employees to promote loyalty to the company. A frequent change of the work place, for a well-trained professional, is so long associated with normality until they find the best environment for their needs and expectations. These expectations are no longer just on a financial level. This work will analyse the previous work on these topics and demonstrate first conclusions regarding a way forward.
A Secure Knowledge Resource Management Theory for IT/IS Outsourcing
Authors: Duncan Kevin , Duggan Evan
Published: April 2014

There is a delicate dance between outsourcing vendors and the secure management of their knowledge resources at play. The challenge for the vendor stems from their need to earn their clients trust by engendering high levels of confidence in their abilities to effectively deliver goods and services sought by the client without compromising the security of their knowledge resources. The potential for the outsourcing vendor project teams to interact with a diverse set of clients adds and even greater level of complexity. However, some IT/IS outsourcing vendors manage to successfully execute this balancing act. Given the socio-technical nature of this phenomenon the authors will look to institutional, resource-based view and managerial control theories as avenues via which they seek to gain some understanding as to how they secure their knowledge resources.
A Framework for Studying Patterns of Effective Medication Adherence
Authors: Varshney Upkar , Singh Neetu
Published: April 2014

Medication adherence has been studied extensively in the healthcare literature. Most of the studies focus on improving medication adherence using interventions, including those based on wireless and mobile technologies, and measure average medication adherence level. This is useful in differentiating between patients with high and low levels of adherence. In practice, the same average medication adherence could be achieved by patients with widely different adherence patterns. In this paper, the authors propose that in addition to average medication adherence level, the patterns of adherence should also be studied. The patterns of adherence can be obtained using wireless medication systems and set of actions/decisions can be communicated to these systems or mobile applications for medication management. The authors present a framework, some metrics including Effective Medication Adherence, and results related to the patterns of adherence. Their results show that pattern of adherence has significant impact on the effective medication adherence. Also, higher levels of effective adherence can be achieved for more flexible medication regimen, such as those with higher values of maximum inter-dose time. It is also possible for a patient with lower average adherence but a desirable pattern of adherence to have higher effective medication adherence than a patient with higher average adherence with less desirable pattern.
System Frame Erasure Rate and its Relationship to Perceived Call Quality in a Wireless Network
Authors: Irizarry Mike , Lind Mary
Published: April 2014

This study demonstrates the relationship between customer perceptions of call quality and actual, objective call quality. This is important because the wireless industry invests substantially in network assets in the hopes of adding new wireless subscribers and retaining existing wireless subscribers. This research has contributed to a deeper understanding of the call quality / customer perception relationship demonstrating the need for wireless service providers to continually improve the network quality to increase customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
ISDN User Part Traffic Optimization in the SS7 Network
Authors: Sanyal Rajarshi
Published: April 2014

The state of the art Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile core networks predominantly use Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) for transporting voice across networks. Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) designed for LTE network based on an IP Multimedia System (IMS)) framework is the key to enriched voice communication services for the next generation networks. Emerging technologies like Rich Communication Suite, Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) will impart a new dimension to voice communications and harmonise voice and value added services. Many of the mobile networks and voice carriers evolved their network from traditional Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) / Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) to Internet Protocol (IP). Several interworking protocols have appeared for interexchange of Voice traffic between TDM and IP. SIP to ISDN User Part (ISUP) interoperability mechanisms have been devised. But, in spite of all the endeavours of the mobile networks move to the next generation, it will probably take some time for the networks to completely migrate from UMTS to LTE. As both the technologies will coexist, Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB) and Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) are two of the most preferred options in the interim to switch from 4G to 3G when the coverage is lost. 3G networks rely still on circuit switching. It can be inferred that circuit switched networks piggybacking on ISUP for voice communication will continue. In this paper, we examine the ISUP signalling aspects to optimize the load sharing and streamline the performance of the traditional voice core networks. We will study the dependencies of the Circuit Identification Code (CIC) selection process on ISUP load sharing to derive our conclusions.
An Overview of Memory Provisioning in Real-Time Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Stewart Jacqueline , McCabe Thomas , Stewart Robert , Kennedy Sean
Published: April 2014

Wireless Sensor Networks and the smart applications designed to operate upon them have enjoyed a rapid increase in popularity over the last decade. The main challenge currently is the provision of real-time service delivery for wireless sensor networks to cater for new applications with guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. However each application has a different service requirement. In order to deliver real-time services the dimensioning of such networks is important to service providers in order to meet these service requirements. If packets cannot be stored due to insufficient memory they are lost. Lost packets result in the resending of the packets and hence an increase in delay in delivery of the application traffic. It is this memory provisioning of these wireless sensor networks that is the focus of the work presented in this paper. More specifically the relationship between the application design, implementation and memory resources required to run the service are explored using a stack analysis tool. This stack analysis tool enables the stack footprint to be measured. Results of memory usage for two different WSN applications are presented. Recommendations based on this study for efficient memory provisioning and ultimately real-time service delivery are given.
A computed tomography study on two skulls of mistreated dogs from the Roman Age
Authors: Farina V. , Mura A. , Petruzzi V. , Lepore G. , Mura E. , Balzano F. , Macciotta L. , Zedda M.
Published: April 2014

The study of ancient skeletons is of high interest, as the relationship between men and animals can be reconstructed. In dogs, head injuries frequently result from direct physical traumas. The excavation of a prehistoric well (Genomi, Sardinia) brought to light sixty canine bones of the Age Roman (2nd century AD), although this well was built during the Nuragic Age. (1st millennium BC). Two canine skulls showing three traumatic lesions underwent computed tomography in order to study the endocast of the brain cavity and indirectly locate possible brain lesions. In the first case, a traumatic lesion was found in the left parietal bone with depression of the outer surface. This lesion determined compression of the left frontal cortex and was compatible with life, as can be deduced by the inflammation of the periostenum. In the second case, two different traumatic lesions were found. The former was a wide fracture of the right frontal bone near the orbital cavity. The injured area showed clear signs of bone remodeling which took place many months before death. The latter was a severe comminuted fracture involving both the outer and inner surface of the left frontal bone, which provoked a deep wound in the left frontal cortex. The sharp outline of bone splinters with no signs of bone remodelling indicates that the trauma was not compatible with life. All lesions described were consequent to severe blows from humans and testify mistreatment of dogs in the Roman Age.
Morphological and morphometrical features of Sardinian wild cat (Felis silvestris lybica var. sarda)
Authors: Mura A. , Gadau S. , Zedda M.
Published: April 2014

Wildcats (Felis silvestris) spread over Europe ranging from Spanish to Eastern woodlands. In Northern Africa, the wildcat belongs to a different subspecies (Felis silvestris libyca) which diffused in Sardinia giving rise to a novel taxon there (Felis silvestris libyca sarda). The morphological features of the Sardinian wildcat taxon are not well-know yet. In our work its morphological and morphometrical features have been studied on 19 stuffed models. Numerous morphometrical parameters were taken, and the distribution of spots and stripes of the coat was studied. A low variability in the morphometrical parameters was detected, confirming that the Sardinian wildcat can be considered a well-defined taxon. Since one of the most severe problems in the safeguard of pure Sardian wildcats in their crossbreeding with domestic cats, the comprehensive knowledge of the anatomical features of these animals could be useful in making a distinction between these two taxa.
Rita Levi Montalcini (1909-2012)
Authors: Editors The
Published: April 2014

Not available.
The effects of motor vehicle accidents on careers and the work performance of victims
Authors: Diedericks Johanna C.
Published: April 2014

Orientation: Research into the long-term effects of motor accidents on the work performance and careers of victims in South Africa is limited. Results of this research are important for employers who must assist the employees after they return to work.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to contribute to research on the effects of the injuries by investigating the relationship between the severity of the injuries and the careers and growth potential of victims.Motivation for the study: Employers could use the information on the effects of the injuries on the careers of victims to plan interventions and job accommodations to retain employees and to manage their well-being and performance.Research design, approach and method: The author conducted a quantitative survey on a purposive sample (N = 199) of adult victims of motor vehicle accidents in 2010 in South Africa. She used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse the data.Main findings: The author observed a number of significant relationships between the effects of the different injuries on the careers and growth potential of victims.Practical/managerial implications: Organisations and managers need to recognise the physical and psychological effects of injuries victims sustain in motor accidents and the associated responsibility of organisations to accommodate these employees.Contribution/value-add: The findings of the study can add to the literature and provide insights into the consequences of the injuries. They also provide information that can assist organisations to create an awareness of job accommodation and employee wellness of accident victims.
Assessment of diabetes empowerment amongst patients from India
Authors: Kumar K.V.S. , Kumar Sandeep , Anish S , Pillarisetti Shashank
Published: April 2014

Background: Awareness about the disease is essential for all patients of diabetes to be part of patient centred approach. Patient empowerment is the central theme behind this new approach. We conducted this study to assess the psychosocial aspects and patient empowerment amongst patients with diabetes. Materials and Methods: We included 100 patients of diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2 only) with at least 2 years duration (age between 30-75 years, educated beyond graduation in any subject) in this cross-sectional observational study. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (Age <60 yr) and Group 2 (Age >60 yr). Patient empowerment was assessed by Diabetes Empowerment Scale with three subscales reflecting the psychosocial aspects, readiness to change and the setting of diabetes goals. The data were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests using Graphpad Prism Software, version 6. Results: The study participants (42M and 58F) had a mean age of 56.5 ± 13.7 yr, mean duration of the diabetes was 10.1 ± 7.7 yr and body weight of 67.2 ± 11.4 kg. More number of elderly patients attended diabetes education programme, comfortable in posing a question about diabetes and were open to change with regard to their diabetes (P < 0.05). Correlation analyses revealed that the psychosocial aspects of diabetes improved with age and duration of diabetes (<0.0001). Conclusion: Old age and longer duration of diabetes are the major determinants for patient empowerment in diabetes. Patients have the potential to be empowered after more education and awareness about the disease.
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Associated with Graves' Disease Presenting as Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis with Bilateral Lower Limb DVT
Authors: Jain Ankur
Published: April 2014

We report a case of a 60-year-old lady who presented with bilateral lower limb swelling and a thyroid swelling with clinical features consistent with thyrotoxicosis. Investigations revealed the presence of a thrombus in bilateral external, internal iliac veins, and inferior vena cava extending up to its infrahepatic part. Hormone profile and radioiodine uptake scan confirmed the diagnosis of Graves' disease. Further workup revealed the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (confirmed after a repeat test at 12 weeks). The patient was treated with antithyroid drugs and anticoagulants. The patient improved with normalization of thyroid function and partial recanalization of the infrahepatic part of inferior vena cava. Hyperthyroidism has been implicated as a potential hypercoagulable state; however, the association of Graves' disease with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is limited to isolated case reports. This case highlights a new mechanism underlying hypercoagulability associated with Graves' disease.
Efficiency in the Provision of Public Municipal Cultural Facilities
Authors: Benito Bernardino , Solana José , Moreno María-Rocío
Published: April 2014

Recent years have seen a wealth of studies on Cultural Economics, in line with the importance of the economic performance of the public sector. In this context, the two-stage double bootstrap procedure of Simar and Wilson (2007) has been used to estimate the efficiency determinants of Spanish local entities in the management of culture oriented public infrastructures, given the limited financial resources available to these entities. The final sample comprises 1,159 municipalities. In the first stage, technical efficiency is estimated by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and, based on a truncated-regression, the resulting efficiency estimates are regressed on a group of 10 selected environmental variables in a second stage. We have also considered the influence of a dummy categorical variable –the political sign of the governing party– on the efficient provision of the facilities under study. The results show the existence of a significant relation between efficiency and all the variables except two: unemployment rate and political strength. Our results also show that municipalities governed by conservatives parties are more efficient.