bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunological Parameters Associated with the Development of Allergic Rhinitis: A Preliminary Prospective Study
Authors: Uekusa Yasuhiro , Inamine Ayako , Yonekura Syuji , Horiguchi Shigetoshi , Fujimura Takashi , Sakurai Daijyu , Yamamoto Heizaburo , Suzuki Homare , Hanazawa Toyoyuki , Okamoto Yoshitaka
Published: April 2012

Background

Many subjects are sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen but do not develop allergic rhinitis (AR). The aim of this study was to examine the immunologic parameters related to the development of AR in sensitized subjects.

Methods

The subjects were 33 adults who were sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen, but had not developed as of 2007. Cedar pollen–specific IgE (sIgE) and total IgE (tIgE) in serum, cedar pollen antigen (Cry j 1) Cry j–specific memory Th2 cell clone size, and the Cry j–specific induced regulatory T cell (iTreg) level were examined before and after the season in 2008.

Results

Eight of the 33 subjects developed cedar pollinosis. The sIgE titers before the season in these eight subjects did not differ from those in the subjects who did not develop pollinosis, but the titers after the season were significantly higher in the group that developed pollinosis. The sIgE/tIgE ratio increased in almost all subjects, but the ratio was significantly higher before the season in the subjects who developed pollinosis. Cry j–specific Th2 cells were detected in all subjects, but the clone size only increased in those that developed pollinosis. The Cry j–specific iTreg population did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusion

A high sIgE/tIgE ratio before the season may be predictive of development of pollinosis, and an increase in the allergen-specific Th2 clone size during the pollen season could be a biomarker for pollinosis. The role of allergen-specific iTreg cells in the development of pollinosis could not be clarified in this preliminary study.
The Significance of Computed Tomographic Findings in the Diagnosis of Fungus Ball in the Paranasal Sinuses
Authors: Chen Jia-Cheng , Ho Ching-Yin
Published: April 2012

Background

Sinus fungus ball (SFB), previously termed mycetoma of the paranasal sinus is a type of noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis and the treatment of choice for this condition is functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Predicting the possibility of SFB by performing preoperative computed tomography (CT) is important to ensure appropriate treatment. Various studies have reported the CT findings of SFB. We aimed to investigate the relationship between CT features and SFB to increase the preoperative diagnostic accuracy of CT.

Methods

Based on a literature review, we selected six CT features of SFB including calcification, erosion of the inner wall of the sinus, sclerosis of sinus lateral wall, heterogeneous opacification of sinus, absence of an air–fluid level, and sinus mucosal thickening. From January 2004 to February 2010, 96 SFB patients and 72 unilateral chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients were enrolled in this study. Preoperative CT images of all of the patients were interpreted by a radiologist and an otolaryngologist.

Results

All of the CT features except mucosal thickening showed statistically significant differences between SFB and CRS group patients. After adjusting for these CT features in a multiple logistic regression model, only the two features, viz., calcification and erosion of the inner wall of the sinus, were found to have a significant positive association with SFB.

Conclusion

We found that five CT features, particularly calcification and erosion of the inner wall of the sinus, increase the diagnostic accuracy of CT for SFB, and this ensures that the patient receives appropriate treatment.
Management of the Nasolacrimal System during Transnasal Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy
Authors: Sadeghi Nader , Joshi Arjun
Published: April 2012

Background

During transnasal endoscopic medial maxillectomy (TEMM) for sinonasal tumors, the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) is resected as it forms part of the medial wall of the maxillary sinus. This disrupts the nasolacrimal drainage system. To ensure that epiphora does not develop after such resection, an endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is traditionally performed. This is based primarily on prior experience with open medial maxilloethmoidectomy. It is unclear whether a concurrent DCR during endoscopic medial maxillectomy is necessary, however. This study was designed to compare patients undergoing TEMM with or without concurrent DCR for postoperative patency of the NLD.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study comparing12 patients undergoing TEMM, 5 with concurrent DCR and 7 without, to assess for patency of the NLD system. In the group that underwent a concurrent DCR, a Jones silastic stent was inserted for 2–3 months. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year for assessment of epiphora. The patency of the NLD was judged by clinical and qualitative evidence for epiphora.

Results

None of the patients in either group developed epiphora. All were completely symptom free for epiphora during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

It appears that after TEMM, patients do not develop epiphora, whether or not a concurrent DCR is performed. Hence, a concurrent DCR does not seem necessary during TEMM.
PhI(OAc)2-Mediated One-Pot Synthesis of Benzoxazinones from Anthranilic Acids and Aromatic Aldehydes
Authors: Xie Yuanyuan , Wang Suping
Published: April 2012

A novel way to synthesise 2-aryl-4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-ones has been developed by the cyclisation of Schiff bases with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene. The salient features of this new protocol which starts from an anthranilic acid and an aromatic aldehyde, are short reaction time, mild reaction conditions and good yields.
Microwave-Assisted, Solvent-Free, Three-Component Synthesis of 2,4,6-Triarylpyridines from Benign Components
Authors: Zomordbakhsh Shahab , Anaraki-Ardakani Hossein , Zeeb Mohsen , Sadeghi Mahdi , Mazraeh-Seffid Manouchehr
Published: April 2012

2,4,6-Triarylpyridine derivatives were synthesised by the reaction of guanidine with an acetophenone and a chalcone. These reactions were carried out as economical one-pot reactions under green conditions: no catalyst and solvent free.
A Novel Three-Component Reaction Involving Benzothiazole, Dialkyl Acethylenedicarboxylate and 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds or Anthrone
Authors: Nassiri Mahmoud
Published: April 2012

The 1,3-dipolar intermediates generated by addition of benzothiazole, to dialkyl acethylenedicarboxylates are trapped by 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds such as 1,3-dimethyl barbituric acid, 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propandione, acetylacetone, 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione and indandione. The reactions proceeded smoothly at room temperature, and with good yields. The synthesised compounds have been characterised by elemental analyses and spectroscopic studies.
FeCl3-PTSA Co-Catalysed Highly Regio- and Stereo-Selective Synthesis of β-Functionalised Enamine Derivatives
Authors: Liu Weibing , Chen Cui , Zhang Qing
Published: April 2012

β-Enaminone derivatives are useful synthetic precursors. β- N-Substituted ( E)-enaminones and β-N-substituted ( E)-aminoacrylates were synthesised with high regio- and stereo-selectivity via using the co-catalytic system of FeCl3/PTSA, which also provides a new way to the formation of C–O bond.
Diagrammatic Agency Versus Aesthetic Regime of Contemporary Art: Ernesto Neto's Anti-Leviathan
Authors: Alliez Eric
Published: April 2012

Ernesto Neto's installation at the Panthéon in Paris, Leviathan Toth (2006), brings us into a semiotics of intensities that does not belong to the ‘aesthetic regime’ as described by Jacques Rancière but rather to a Diagrammatic Agency of Contemporary Art. In this case study, the latter is constructed after Deleuze and Guattari – from a politics of the Body without Organs critically and clinically identified to a Body without Image.
Seasonal BMI Changes of Rural Women Living in Anatolia
Authors: Sabbağ Çiğdem
Published: April 2012

Today, obesity is one of the most evident public health problems in many parts of the World and it is more common among women. Several factors are affecting women’s obesity, among these short term weight fluctuations, either gain or loss, cause severe health disorders, particularly in rural areas where seasonal activity differs significantly throughout the year. Since this case has not been studied in detail, our research focused on prevalence and probable causes of seasonal rural obesity among women in two rural areas of Turkey. The study was undertaken with 100 participants. One-way ANOVA and one-way repeated ANOVA tests were utilized for categorical, continuous and repeated variables as study contains groups with more than one and repeated variables. Overweight is more common in the 18–30 years and 50+ years groups, whereas the absence of obesity, except during winter of 2010 in the 50+ years of age group, is most probably due to the widespread occurrence of diabetes for this age group. The highest BMI values for all groups, which were 25.2 ± 3.39 for 2009 and 26.1 ± 3.40 for 2010, were determined in winter, because of minimum physical activity, while summer BMIs were 24.1 ± 3.39 in 2009 and 25.1 ± 3.35 in 2010. This decrease was most probably due to intense agricultural field work in both regions. The majority of the women claimed that their weight is balanced in summer but results revealed that participants did not lose all the weight which was gained during winter months although BMI showed a significant fall from spring to autumn.
Evolution of Microsatellite Loci of Tropical and Temperate Anguilla Eels
Authors: Tseng Mei-Chen
Published: April 2012

Anguilla eels are divided into temperate and tropical eels, based on their major distributions. The present study collected two temperate eels, Anguilla japonica and Anguilla anguilla, and two tropical eels, Anguilla marmorata and Anguilla bicolor pacifica, to examine two questions: do temperate and tropical Anguilla eels have different genetic polymorphic patterns?; and do temperate Anguilla japonica and Anguilla anguilla have a closer relationship to each other than to tropical eels? In total, 274 sequences were cloned and sequenced from six conserved microsatellite loci to examine polymorphic patterns of these four catadromous eels. Different mutational events, including substitutions, and repeat-unit deletions and insertions, appeared in major regions, while different point mutations were observed in flanking regions. The results implied that parallel patterns of microsatellite sequences occurred within both tropical and temperate freshwater eels. Consensus flanking sequences of six homologous loci from each of the four species were constructed. Genetic distances ranged from 0.044 (Anguilla bicolor pacifica vs. Anguilla marmorata) to 0.061 (Anguilla marmorata vs. Anguilla anguilla). The tree topology suggests the hypothesis of Anguilla japonica and Anguilla anguilla being a sister group must be rejected.
Salivary Defense Proteins: Their Network and Role in Innate and Acquired Oral Immunity
Authors: Fábián Tibor Károly , Hermann Péter , Beck Anita , Fejérdy Pál , Fábián Gábor
Published: April 2012

There are numerous defense proteins present in the saliva. Although some of these molecules are present in rather low concentrations, their effects are additive and/or synergistic, resulting in an efficient molecular defense network of the oral cavity. Moreover, local concentrations of these proteins near the mucosal surfaces (mucosal transudate), periodontal sulcus (gingival crevicular fluid) and oral wounds and ulcers (transudate) may be much greater, and in many cases reinforced by immune and/or inflammatory reactions of the oral mucosa. Some defense proteins, like salivary immunoglobulins and salivary chaperokine HSP70/HSPAs (70 kDa heat shock proteins), are involved in both innate and acquired immunity. Cationic peptides and other defense proteins like lysozyme, bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (BPI), BPI-like proteins, PLUNC (palate lung and nasal epithelial clone) proteins, salivary amylase, cystatins, prolin-rich proteins, mucins, peroxidases, statherin and others are primarily responsible for innate immunity. In this paper, this complex system and function of the salivary defense proteins will be reviewed.
An Advanced Compiler Designed for a VLIW DSP for Sensors-Based Systems
Authors: Yang Xu , He Hu
Published: April 2012

The VLIW architecture can be exploited to greatly enhance instruction level parallelism, thus it can provide computation power and energy efficiency advantages, which satisfies the requirements of future sensor-based systems. However, as VLIW codes are mainly compiled statically, the performance of a VLIW processor is dominated by the behavior of its compiler. In this paper, we present an advanced compiler designed for a VLIW DSP named Magnolia, which will be used in sensor-based systems. This compiler is based on the Open64 compiler. We have implemented several advanced optimization techniques in the compiler, and fulfilled the O3 level optimization. Benchmarks from the DSPstone test suite are used to verify the compiler. Results show that the code generated by our compiler can make the performance of Magnolia match that of the current state-of-the-art DSP processors.
Remote Sensing Time Series to Evaluate Direct Land Use Change of Recent Expanded Sugarcane Crop in Brazil
Authors: Adami Marcos , Rudorff Bernardo Friedrich Theodor , Freitas Ramon Morais , Aguiar Daniel Alves , Sugawara Luciana Miura , Mello Marcio Pupin
Published: April 2012

The use of biofuels to mitigate global carbon emissions is highly dependent on direct and indirect land use changes (LUC). The direct LUC (dLUC) can be accurately evaluated using remote sensing images. In this work we evaluated the dLUC of about 4 million hectares of sugarcane expanded from 2005 to 2010 in the South-central region of Brazil. This region has a favorable climate for rain-fed sugarcane, a great potential for agriculture expansion without deforestation, and is currently responsible for almost 90% of Brazilian’s sugarcane production. An available thematic map of sugarcane along with MODIS and Landast images, acquired from 2000 to 2009, were used to evaluate the land use prior to the conversion to sugarcane. A systematic sampling procedure was adopted and the land use identification prior to sugarcane, for each sample, was performed using a web tool developed to visualize both the MODIS time series and the multitemporal Landsat images. Considering 2000 as reference year, it was observed that sugarcane expanded: 69.7% on pasture land; 25.0% on annual crops; 0.6% on forest; while 3.4% was sugarcane land under crop rotation. The results clearly show that the dLUC of recent sugarcane expansion has occurred on more than 99% of either pasture or agriculture land.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Based Treatment of Jaw Osteoradionecrosis in Swine
Authors: Xu Junji , Zheng Zongmei , Fang Dianji , Gao Runtao , Liu Yi , Fan Zhipeng , Zhang Chunmei , Shi Songtao , Wang Songlin
Published: April 2012

Jaw osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a common and serious complication of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMMSCs) are multipotent postnatal stem cells and have been widely used in clinical therapies. In the present study, we generated the mandibular ORN model in swine using a combination of single-dose 25-Gy irradiation and tooth extraction. A typical ORN phenotype, including loss of bone regeneration capacity and collagen collapse with the obliteration of vessels, gradually appeared after irradiation. After autologous BMMSC transplantation, new bone and vessels were regenerated, and the advanced mandibular ORN was treated successfully. In summary, we developed a swine model of jaw ORN, and our results indicate that autologous BMMSC transplantation may be a promising therapeutic approach for ORN.
Changes in Regional Brain Morphology in Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: CAGNOLI PATRICIA C. , SUNDGREN PIA C. , KAIRYS ANSON , GRAFT COURTNEY C. , CLAUW DANIEL J. , GEBARSKI STEPHEN , McCUNE W. JOSEPH , SCHMIDT-WILCKE TOBIAS
Published: April 2012

Objective.

Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition, reported to occur in 25%–70% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Brain imaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging, is frequently used to diagnose or exclude overt cerebral pathologies such as edema, hemorrhage, and central thrombosis. More advanced imaging techniques have been applied to demonstrate subtle changes in regional cerebral blood flow and brain structure. We investigated changes in regional gray-matter (GM) volume in SLE patients without neurological manifestations and NPSLE patients at an acute stage of the disease.

Methods.

Using high-resolution structural images and voxel-based morphometry (VBM), we investigated regional GM volume in 20 NPSLE patients (within 2 weeks of the acute manifestation), 18 SLE patients without neurologic and/or psychiatric manifestations, and 18 healthy controls.

Results.

VBM analyses revealed several regions of GM atrophy in various parts of the brain in NPSLE and SLE patients. GM atrophy was seen in both groups in the temporal and parietal lobes and was most pronounced in the posterior thalamus bilaterally. Both groups showed an increase in regional GM volume in the posterior parahippocampal gyrus.

Conclusion.

Our data suggest that changes in regional brain morphology are present in acute NPSLE, but also in SLE (as compared to controls), which might be indicative of a subclinical neurodegenerative process. Further research is needed to investigate whether specific neuropsychiatric symptoms are related to these changes.
FCGR2A/CD32AandFCGR3A/CD16AVariants and EULAR Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Blockers in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Longitudinal Study with 6 Months of Followup
Authors: RAMÍREZ JULIO , FERNÁNDEZ-SUEIRO JOSÉ LUIS , LÓPEZ-MEJÍAS RAQUEL , MONTILLA CARLOS , ARIAS MAITE , MOLL CONCEPCIÓN , ALSINA MERCÉ , SANMARTI RAIMON , LOZANO FRANCISCO , CAÑETE JUAN D.
Published: April 2012

Objective.

The efficacy of antibody-based biological therapies currently used in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) depends not only on their blocking effect on the targeted molecule but also on their binding affinity to genetically defined variants of cell-surface Fc-γ receptors. Our objective was to assess the potential influence of functionally relevantFCGR2A/CD32A(H131R) andFCGR3A/CD16A(V158F) genetic polymorphisms on the EULAR response to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) blocker therapy in PsA.

Methods.

In total 103 patients with PsA starting anti-TNF-α therapy were included. The efficacy of therapy was evaluated according to EULAR response criteria at 3 and 6 months.FCGR2A-R131H andFCGR3A-F158V polymorphisms were genotyped. Potential correlations between clinical response and theFCGR2A-R131H andFCGR3A-F158V polymorphisms were evaluated.

Results.

EULAR response (moderate plus good) was 85.4% at 3 months and 87.4% at 6 months, while good EULAR response was 61.2% and 62.1%, respectively. More patients with high-affinityFCGR2Agenotypes (homozygous or heterozygous combinations) achieved a EULAR response at 6 months compared to patients with the low-affinity genotype (RR; p = 0.034, adjusted comparison error rate < 0.025). This association was due mainly to the group of patients treated with etanercept. No correlation was found for theFCGR3Apolymorphism. Similarly, no effect of C-reactive protein levels was observed.

Conclusion.

Our data indicate thatFCGR2Apolymorphism may influence the response to TNF-α blockers (namely etanercept) in PsA in a direction opposite to that previously found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
High-dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment Increases Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Authors: TSURIKISAWA NAOMI , SAITO HIROSHI , OSHIKATA CHIYAKO , TSUBURAI TAKAHIRO , AKIYAMA KAZUO
Published: April 2012

Objective.

We studied the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment on clinical symptoms and regulatory T (Treg) cell frequency in patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

Methods.

Twenty-two EGPA patients with severe mononeuritis multiplex or cardiac dysfunction received IVIG therapy combined with conventional therapy (corticosteroid, immunosuppressants, or both). As a control, 24 EGPA patients without severe vasculitic symptoms were treated with conventional therapy. Before, during, and after treatment, we determined percentages of Treg cells and other relevant cells in patients’ peripheral blood.

Results.

The frequency of CD25+ among CD4+ T cells was lower at onset in the study group than in controls but increased significantly after IVIG treatment, relative to controls. The frequency of CD25+ among CD4+ T cells correlated with the frequency of FOXP3+ among CD4+ T cells and interleukin 10 produced by CD25+CD4+ T cells.

Conclusion.

The increase in Treg cells seen with the combination of IVIG and conventional therapy may promote remission in EGPA.
Attitudes and Beliefs of Secondary Teachers about Internet Use in their Classrooms
Authors: Ramírez-Orellana Elena , Cañedo-Hernández Isabel , Clemente-Linuesa María
Published: April 2012

The work below examines the attitudes and beliefs that secondary teachers have about the use of Internet resources in their practices. It is presented results obtained from a questionnaire (n=1,721) with different dimensions, obtaining data about teachers’ attitudes and reasons with respect to the use of Internet resources, respect to teachers’ tasks employed for and respect to training teachers received about Internet resources. The study use descriptive and correlation data of answers percentages to questionnaire items. Results show that attitudes are very important to explain the use of these resources in classroom practices. Also, the role that teachers’ perception about their digital competencies plays over the possibility to use Internet resources in their classroom practices. These results show differences between teacher in function of age and genre. Finally, teachers’ training about Internet has a positive effect on self perception about digital competencies. The results point to the need of research on what beliefs could explain why teachers decide to use or not Internet resources, how they use them and which factors are included.

En este trabajo se estudian las actitudes y creencias que los profesores de secundaria tienen sobre la utilización de los recursos de Internet en sus prácticas. Se presentan los resultados obtenidos aplicando un cuestionario (n=1.721) que abarca diversas dimensiones, obteniéndose datos respecto de las actitudes de los profesores en relación al uso o no de recursos de Internet, a las tareas docentes para las que se emplean y con la formación recibida al respecto. Se ofrecen datos de los porcentajes de respuestas a los ítems del cuestionario e índices correlacionales. Entre los resultados destaca la relación entre las actitudes de los profesores y el que introduzcan estos recursos en sus prácticas, así como el papel que juega la edad y el sexo de los profesores en estas actitudes. También se pone de relieve la relación entre la creencia de los profesores en su competencia digital y la probabilidad de que utilicen los recursos de la Red en sus prácticas. Por último, lo resultados destacan la relación que aparece entre la formación recibida sobre Internet y las diferencias en la percepción sobre competencia digital de los docentes. Los resultados subrayan la necesidad de estudiar en profundidad cuáles son las creencias que explican de forma específica la adopción o no de estos recursos digitales, cómo se conforman y qué elementos las definen.
Media Literacy and Consumption of Media and Advertising in University Students of Pedagogy in Chile
Authors: del-Valle-Rojas Carlos , Denegri-Coria Marianela , Chávez-Herting David
Published: April 2012

Considering the results of studies on the mediating role of the media, specially the television, and the advertising in different groups etarios, added to the need to discuss the processes of audio-visual literacy or media literacy; the principal aim of this work was analyzed the pattern of consumption of media in students of pedagogy in Language and Communication, Mathematics, and History and Geography of Chilean universities and to determine if differential profiles exist in the use and consumption of media that you relate to his future role in the audio-visual literacy of his students. For it, it was considered to be a sample of meaningful type remained constituted by 881 students of pedagogy of both sexes who were dealing studies in seven Chilean universities of the south and central zone of Chile. For the compilation of information there was in use the «questionnaire of habits of consumption of media». In general, the distribution of the preferences, so much to level of kind as for career, does not manage to represent mediatically the idiosyncrasy and reflects foreign realities that do not allow to strengthen civil processes in the consumers of the media. In synthesis, the major problematics is that the educational futures do not seem to rely on tools that they should allow them to face the labor of audio-visual literacy, provided that they themselves present difficulties to differ between the information and the persuasion in the advertising messages.

Considerando los resultados de estudios sobre el rol mediador de los medios, especialmente la televisión y la publicidad en distintos grupos etarios, sumados a la necesidad de discutir los procesos de alfabetización audiovisual o alfabetización mediática; el principal objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los patrones de consumo de medios en estudiantes de Pedagogía en Lenguaje y Comunicación, Matemáticas, e Historia y Geografía de universidades chilenas y determinar si existen perfiles diferenciales en el uso y consumo de medios que se relacionen con su futuro rol en la alfabetización audiovisual de sus estudiantes. Para ello, se consideró una muestra de tipo intencionado que quedó constituida por 881 estudiantes de pedagogía de ambos sexos que cursaban estudios en siete universidades chilenas de la zona sur y central de Chile. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó el «cuestionario de hábitos de consumo de medios». En general, la distribución de las preferencias, tanto a nivel de género como por carrera, no logra representar mediáticamente la idiosincrasia y refleja realidades ajenas que no permiten fortalecer procesos ciudadanos en los consumidores de los medios. En síntesis, la problemática mayor es que los futuros docentes no parecen contar con herramientas que les permitan enfrentar la labor de alfabetización audiovisual, dado que ellos mismos presentan dificultades para diferenciar entre la información y la persuasión en los mensajes publicitarios.
Avocats et magistrats
Authors: Thouzellier Bruno
Published: April 2012

Résumé Avocats et juges forment un couple nécessairement désuni mais à qui le divorce est impossible. La « culture d’affrontement » entre avocats et magistrats s’explique par des missions antinomiques et une pénalisation toujours plus forte des contentieux. Si l’image des magistrats et des avocats n’est pas à l’avantage de la justice, on verra qu’une mauvaise compréhension par l’opinion des missions de ces deux professions explique cette injustice faite au corps judiciaire. Est-ce pour autant que l’état de notre justice, son fonctionnement et son organisation sont satisfaisants ? Certes non ! La justice souffre du mépris mêlé de crainte de la classe politique. Elle subit une pauvreté budgétaire inédite dans les grandes nations occidentales. Le mode de sélection des magistrats mériterait d’être profondément réformé et ouvert. En fin de compte, c’est l’efficacité et la légitimité de la justice qui sont en question et cela concerne chaque Français.
Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm for Robust Clustering with Unknown Number of Clusters
Authors: Banerjee Amit
Published: April 2012

In this paper, a multi-objective genetic algorithm for data clustering based on the robust fuzzy least trimmed squares estimator is presented. The proposed clustering methodology addresses two critical issues in unsupervised data clustering – the ability to produce meaningful partition in noisy data, and the requirement that the number of clusters be known a priori. The multi-objective genetic algorithm-driven clustering technique optimizes the number of clusters as well as cluster assignment, and cluster prototypes. A two-parameter, mapped, fixed point coding scheme is used to represent assignment of data into the true retained set and the noisy trimmed set, and the optimal number of clusters in the retained set. A three-objective criterion is also used as the minimization functional for the multi-objective genetic algorithm. Results on well-known data sets from literature suggest that the proposed methodology is superior to conventional fuzzy clustering algorithms that assume a known value for optimal number of clusters.
Design and Implementation of a Low-Complexity Multiuser Vector Precoder
Authors: Barrenechea Maitane , Barbero Luis , Mendicute Mikel , Thompson John S.
Published: April 2012

Precoding techniques are used in the downlink of multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems in order to separate the information data streams aimed at scattered user terminals. Vector precoding (VP) is one of the most promising non-linear precoding schemes, which achieves a performance close to the optimum albeit impractical dirty paper coding (DPC) with a feasible complexity. This contribution presents a novel design for the hardware implementation of a high-throughput vector precoder based on the Fixed Sphere Encoder (FSE) algorithm. The proposed fixed-complexity scheme greatly reduces the complexity of the most intricate part of VP, namely the search for the perturbing signal in an infinite lattice. Additionally, an optimized reduced-complexity implementation is presented which considerably reduces the resource usage at the cost of a small performance loss. Provided simulation results show the better performance of the proposed vector precoder in comparison to other fixed-complexity approaches, such as the K-Best precoder, under similar complexity constraints.
Accountability for Service Compliance
Authors: Yao Jinhui , Chen Shiping , Levy David
Published: April 2012

In recent years, a range of innovations in the ‘service’ related technologies have been witnessed, namely SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. Meanwhile, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) enables composing different services seamlessly to form new service network. The combination of the two trends allow individual organizations to overcome their limitation of computing resources and obtain the maximum value of the functionality themselves can provide. One major issue with such massive composition is to verify the compliance of participating entities. Composed services usually span several administrative domains, where each has its own priorities. Given the fact that an admission to a violation may cause penalties, it is conceivable that an entity may intend to deceive. To tackle this issue, ‘accountability’ has emerged as a promising concept to achieve system trustworthiness. Recently, accountability has received considerable attention in research communities, and many approaches have been proposed. In this survey, the authors discuss the concept and desirable properties of accountability, clarify the requirements and differences that distinguish accountability to other related approaches, and systematically summarize and evaluate various approaches of accountability.
Technology Innovation and the Policy Vacuum
Authors: Clark L. A. , Jones D. L. , Clark W. J.
Published: April 2012

New technologies and innovation open the door to exciting products and practices. As companies explore the possibilities of what can be, they often fail to consider what should be. Advancement often occurs rapidly and legal and policy guidance lags behind leaving a void of clear direction. Companies often interpret this void as giving permission to proceed with the new technology or practice. In some situations, strong customer or public reaction indicates that the technology or practice crosses the line of what is acceptable. This paper explores how the most innovative firms are navigating through an inconsistent, even conflicting, ethical and legal global landscape and calls for the intentional identification of relevant social norms and development of laws to fill the policy vacuum.
How Can It Be Wrong (When It Feels So Right)?
Authors: McMahon Joan M. , Cohen Ronnie
Published: April 2012

In this study, 663 participants, both undergraduates and professionals, were asked to indicate their ethical judgment of, and behavioral intention regarding, 34 behaviors utilizing new technology. The authors found partial support for all hypotheses: as age increased behaviors were judged as being more unethical and participants reported that they were less likely to engage in the behaviors; professionals judged behaviors as being more unethical than students and reported they were less likely to engage in the behaviors than students; females judged behaviors as being more unethical than males and reported that they were less likely to engage in the behaviors than males; and participants indicated that they were more likely to engage in behaviors than would be suggested by their ethical judgment of those behaviors. The findings are important for developing codes of conduct, laws, and training programs that will lead to greater ethical behavior using new technology.
Experimental assessment of the effect of UVB radiation on plankton community metabolism along the Southeastern Pacific off Chile
Authors: Godoy N. , Canepa A. , Lasternas S. , Mayol E. , Ruíz-Halpern S. , Agustí S. , Castilla J. C. , Duarte C. M.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The potential effects of UV on community metabolism (NCP, GPP and R) were assessed along the Southeast Pacific off the Chilean coast during the Humbold-2009 cruise (54.80° S–23.85° S) on board R/V Hespérides from 5 to 15 March 2009. Estimates of community metabolism were performed at eight stations, including three stations on Patagonian fjords and five stations on the Humboldt Current System. The effect of UVB radiation on net community production (NCP) was evaluated at the stations in the Humboldt Current system by comparing metabolic rates derived using quartz bottles, largely transparent to UVB, and borosilicate glass, which is opaque to UVB and part of UVA, incubated under the ambient solar radiation. Autotrophic planktonic communities with variable NCP prevailed along the area, with the highest NCP rates (7.1–11.1 mmol O2 m−3 d−1) observed in the Patagonian fjords and the northernmost station. All five experiments showed significantly different NCP rates between communities incubated under the full ambient radiation and those incubated under reduced UVB. One of the experiments showed elevated NCP when the community was exposed to the full solar radiation, while four experiments showed a significantly lower NCP in the presence of UVB. These results suggest that the intense UVB radiation in this area, partly inhibits NCP in the Southwest Pacific off Chile.
Global patterns of change in discharge regimes for 2100
Authors: Sperna Weiland F. C. , van Beek L. P. H. , Kwadijk J. C. J. , Bierkens M. F. P.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. This study makes a thorough global assessment of the effects of climate change on hydrological regimes and their accompanying uncertainties. Meteorological data from twelve GCMs (SRES scenarios A1B and control experiment 20C3M) are used to drive the global hydrological model PCR-GLOBWB. This reveals in which regions of the world changes in hydrology can be detected that have a high likelihood and are consistent amongst the ensemble of GCMs. New compared to existing studies is: (1) the comparison of spatial patterns of regime changes and (2) the quantification of notable consistent changes calculated relative to the GCM specific natural variability. The resulting consistency maps indicate in which regions the likelihood of hydrological change is large. Projections of different GCMs diverge widely. This underscores the need of using a multi-model ensemble. Despite discrepancies amongst models, consistent results are revealed: by 2100 the GCMs project consistent decreases in discharge for southern Europe, southern Australia, parts of Africa and southwestern South-America. Discharge decreases strongly for most African rivers, the Murray and the Danube while discharge of monsoon influenced rivers slightly increases. In the Arctic regions river discharge increases and a phase-shift towards earlier peaks is observed. Results are comparable to previous global studies, with a few exceptions. Globally we calculated an ensemble mean discharge increase of more than ten percent. This increase contradicts previously estimated decreases, which is amongst others caused by the use of smaller GCM ensembles and different reference periods.
DInSAR Coseismic Deformation of the May 2011 Mw 5.1 Lorca Earthquake (southeastern Spain)
Authors: Frontera T. , Concha A. , Blanco P. , Echeverria A. , Goula X. , Arbiol R. , Khazaradze G. , Pérez F. , Suriñach E.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The coseismic superficial deformation at the region of Lorca (Murcia, southeastern Spain) due to the Mw 5.1 earthquake on 11 May 2011 was characterized by a multidisciplinary team, integrating information from DInSAR, GPS and numerical modelling techniques. Despite the moderate magnitude of the event, quantitative information was obtained from the interferometric study of a pair of TerraSAR-X images. The DinSAR results defined the trace of the fault plane and evidenced uplift of the hanging wall block in agreement with the estimated deformation obtained through an elastic rupture dislocation numerical model. Meanwhile for the footwall block, interferometric results showed that tectonic deformation is masked by an important subsidence related to groundwater extraction previously identified at the area of study. Horizontal crustal deformation rates and velocity vectors, obtained from GPS stations existent at the area, were also coherent with the tectonic setting of the southern margin of the Iberian Peninsula and with the focal mechanism calculated for the Lorca event. The analysis of a continuous GPS site in Lorca showed good agreement with the horizontal N–S direction component relative to the numerical model and tectonics of the region. This is the first time at this seismic active area that a multi-technique analysis has been performed immediately after the occurrence of a seismic event, comparing the existing deformation data with a theoretical numerical model based on estimated seismic rupture dislocation.
Multi-scale validation of a new soil freezing scheme for a land-surface model with physically-based hydrology
Authors: Gouttevin I. , Krinner G. , Ciais P. , Polcher J. , Legout C.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Soil freezing is a major feature of boreal regions with substantial impact on climate. The present paper describes the implementation of the thermal and hydrological effects of soil freezing in the land surface model ORCHIDEE, which includes a physical description of continental hydrology. The new soil freezing scheme is evaluated against analytical solutions and in-situ observations at a variety of scales in order to test its numerical robustness, explore its sensitivity to parameterization choices and confront its performance to field measurements at typical application scales. Our soil freezing model exhibits a low sensitivity to the vertical discretization for spatial steps in the range of a few millimetres to a few centimetres. It is however sensitive to the temperature interval around the freezing point where phase change occurs, which should be 1 °C to 2 °C wide. Furthermore, linear and thermodynamical parameterizations of the liquid water content lead to similar results in terms of water redistribution within the soil and thermal evolution under freezing. Our approach does not allow firm discrimination of the performance of one approach over the other. The new soil freezing scheme considerably improves the representation of runoff and river discharge in regions underlain by permafrost or subject to seasonal freezing. A thermodynamical parameterization of the liquid water content appears more appropriate for an integrated description of the hydrological processes at the scale of the vast Siberian basins. The use of a subgrid variability approach and the representation of wetlands could help capture the features of the Arctic hydrological regime with more accuracy. The modeling of the soil thermal regime is generally improved by the representation of soil freezing processes. In particular, the dynamics of the active layer is captured with more accuracy, which is of crucial importance in the prospect of simulations involving the response of frozen carbon stocks to future warming. A realistic simulation of the snow cover and its thermal properties, as well as the representation of an organic horizon with specific thermal and hydrological characteristics, are confirmed to be a pre-requisite for a realistic modeling of the soil thermal dynamics in the Arctic.
The Effect of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Valve Technology on Catheter Occlusion Rates - The ‘ELeCTRiC’ Study
Authors: Johnston Andrew J. , Streater Carmel T. , Noorani Remy , Crofts Joanne L. , Del Mundo Aldwin B. , Parker Richard A.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) are increasingly being used to provide short to medium-term central venous access. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that PICC valve technology does not influence PICC occlusion rates.

Methods

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients who required a PICC were randomized to one of three types of dual lumen PICC (open ended non-valved, Groshong valve, PASV valve). PICC occlusions were recorded and managed with a protocol that used urokinase.

Results

A total of 102 patients were recruited to the study. The overall risk of occlusion per catheter was 35% (95% CI 26% to 44%). The overall rate of occlusion was 76 occlusions per 1000 catheter days (95% CI 61 to 95). Presence or type of valve did not significantly influence this rate (open-ended non-valved PICC 38% of catheters, 79 occlusions per 1000 catheter days; Groshong 38% of catheters, 60 occlusions per 1000 catheter days; PASV 27% of catheters, 99 occlusions per 1000 catheter days). The dose of urokinase required to treat PICC occlusions did not significantly differ between PICC types.

Conclusions

Valved PICCs do not appear to influence PICC occlusion rates.
To Till or not to Till? The Diffusion of Conservation Agriculture in Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR
Authors: Lestrelin Guillaume , Nanthavong Khamla , Jobard Etienne , Keophoxay Anousith , Lienhard Pascal , Khambanseuang Chanxay , Castella Jean-Christophe
Published: April 2012

Over the past decade, efforts have been made to promote conservation agriculture as an ecologically sound alternative to tillage-based agriculture in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). This paper assesses some of the outcomes of a five-year research project aimed at developing sustainable no-till cropping and pasture systems and promoting their adoption by smallholders in Xieng Khouang province. Based on extensive household surveys in 20 villages, it highlights key environmental and socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption and diffusion of conservation agriculture. Finally, it provides policy recommendations to facilitate agricultural innovation and provide greater incentives for farmers to shift towards more sustainable farming practices.
Heat Transfer Analysis on the Magnetohydrodynamic Flow of a Non- Newtonian Fluid in the Presence of Thermal Radiation: An Analytic Solution
Authors: Khan Yasir , Wu Qingbiao , Faraz Naeem , Yıldırım Ahmet , Mohyud-Din Syed Tauseef
Published: April 2012

In this paper, a two-dimensional, steady magnetohydrodynamic flow and heat transfer analysis of a non-Newtonian fluid in a channel with a constant wall temperature are considered in the presence of thermal radiation. The steady Navier-Stokes equations are reduced to nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using similarity variables. The homotopy perturbation method is used to solve the nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The effects of the pertinent parameters on the velocity and temperature field are discussed
L’agir politique au regard des technologies de l’information et de la communication
Authors: Goldenberg Anne , Proulx Serge
Published: April 2012

La gauche québécoise peut-elle inventer de nouveaux espaces citoyens à partir des configurations sociopolitiques ouvertes par les technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) ? Nous avons repéré trois formes de militantisme à l’oeuvre dans ce nouveau contexte. Un premier militantisme oriente ses actions vers un accès élargi aux moyens techniques. Issus du milieu communautaire, des militants, hommes et femmes, s’assurent que le plus grand nombre puisse utiliser les technologies, les comprendre, les maîtriser, tout en se maintenant à distance des logiques commerciales sous-jacentes au développement technologique. Or, dans un contexte fortement marqué par l’idéologie néolibérale, les milieux communautaires sont aujourd’hui contraints de réorienter leurs modes d’intervention ou de financement, ce qui complexifie leurs actions pour l’accessibilité. Un second militantisme fait plus directement usage des médias. Ainsi, des groupes activistes ont pris l’habitude de publiciser eux-mêmes leurs actions. Par ce moyen, ils proposent une signification globale à leurs actions locales. Ils ont appris à reconsidérer leurs relations aux technologies et à la communication. Face à l’invasion des pratiques publicitaires, certains de ces activistes s’organisent aussi pour subvertir les messages au sein même des espaces de propagande et de marketing. Décriant la privatisation croissante des médias québécois, d’autres initiatives ont émergé pour fournir une option de qualité, portée par des amateurs, mais aussi par des journalistes libérés de leurs contraintes habituelles. Un troisième militantisme s’attaque plus directement à la conception même et à la propriété des dispositifs communicationnels. Ces groupes « activistes de la technique » revendiquent un droit de regard et d’intervention sur la conception et le fonctionnement même des dispositifs sociotechniques qui nous entourent. Ils militent à la fois pour la production de dispositifs au code librement accessible, pour la mise à disposition de biens communs informationnels et pour un libre accès aux connaissances. Comment ces trois formes de militantisme sont-elles reliées ? Dans quelle mesure ces nouveaux militantismes témoignent-ils d’un mouvement global de reconfiguration de l’agir politique ? Ces formes de militance orientées vers la technique peuvent-elles avoir une portée politique à plus long terme ?