bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyzing Clearance Time of Urban Traffic Accidents in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with Hazard-Based Duration Modeling Method
Authors: Alkaabi Abdulla Mohammed Saeed , Dissanayake Dilum , Bird Roger
Published: September 2011

Traffic incidents generate adverse impacts in many areas, including traffic flow, air pollution, fuel consumption, and secondary crashes; therefore, it is vital for traffic incident responders and operators to know how they can improve the efficiency of traffic incident management. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the effects of traffic accident characteristics on accident clearance time using fully parametric hazard-based duration models with emphasis on the accelerated failure time metric. Accident characteristics and clearance times were obtained from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The data were obtained from the Federal Traffic Statistics System and the records of the Abu Dhabi Collision Investigation Branch for the period from May 2009 to April 2010. For the purpose of this study, clearance time was defined as the length of time from the arrival of the collision investigator on the accident scene to the departure of the collision investigator from the scene. According to the goodness-of-fit test conducted in the study, the Weibull model without gamma heterogeneity was used. The estimation results show that various accident characteristics significantly affect clearance time; these characteristics include month, location, weather condition, accident type, number of causalities, and number of vehicles involved. These results highlight some weak points in the current practices of clearing accidents in Abu Dhabi. Accordingly, this paper suggests some mitigation measures.
Safety Benefits from Deployment of Open Road Tolling for Main-Line Toll Plazas in Florida
Authors: Gordin Eric , Klodzinski Jack , Santos Cristina Dos
Published: September 2011

Research conducted by the authors shows that upgrading from conventional toll lanes to open road tolling (ORT) has resulted in measured improvements in traffic operations at toll plazas and reduced driver exposure to potential crashes, thereby benefiting driver safety. A previous 2007 analysis of crash data from an ORT plaza in Orlando, Florida, found a 22% drop in total crashes at an ORT plaza and a 26% drop in the plaza's area of influence. To evaluate ORT further with electronic toll collection (ETC) benefits, additional crash data were collected from six toll plazas recently converted to ORT within the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) system of toll roads. A before-and-after study was conducted to analyze frequency, crash rate, and crash severity. The results, showing a significant reduction in the number of crashes, supported the previous study. The evaluation analyzed crash data over 3 years (2007 to 2009) and found a decrease in the total number of crashes, crashes in the non-ORT lanes, total number of injuries, and total injury crashes. The calculated crash rate at all the ORT plazas reviewed was reduced by as much as 70%. To quantify the benefits, the average cost of a crash was obtained; when the ORT lanes were compared with the conventional toll lanes, a savings of $1 million was found. ETC is now moving to all-electronic tolling, and if the statistics for crash reductions hold true, the benefits for toll road users could be very significant.
Quantifying the Attractiveness of High-Occupancy Toll Lanes with Traffic Sensor Data under Various Traffic Conditions
Authors: Liu Xiaoyue , Zhang Guohui , Lao Yunteng , Wang Yinhai
Published: September 2011

Different states have used different tolling strategies for their high-occupancy-toll (HOT) lane facilities, and the performance of an HOT lane system has tied directly to the tolling strategy. However, comparing tolling strategies has been a difficult problem because of the lack of field data as well as missing pieces of information critical to the analysis of HOT lane operations. For example, how single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs) choose the type of lane to use under the effect of tolling and the flow friction between HOT and general purpose lanes remains unclear. This research attempts to analyze the heterogeneity among the SOV users of HOT lanes and to quantify the attractiveness of HOT lanes for SOV drivers. The study uses field data collected by point traffic sensors and transponder toll tags on Washington State Route 167 (SR-167). SOVs are categorized as infrequent users and frequent users, according to the frequency with which their transponder identification tags appear in the database. Their value of time distributions are studied separately at the microscopic level. A logit-like model is further developed to quantify the relationship between SOV demand and HOT lane use under different traffic phases. The analysis results show that travel patterns on HOT and general purpose lanes can be better interpreted and modeled for performance enhancement with motorists' willingness to pay HOT lane tolls considered.
Construction of a Linkage Map and QTL analysis for Black Rot Resistance in Brassica oleracea L.
Authors: Doullah MAU , Mohsin GM , Ishikawa K , Hori H , Okazaki K
Published: September 2011

For quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris, we constructed linkage map using cleaved amplified plymorphic sequences (CAPS) and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) analysis with disease rating of F3 families obtained from a susceptible broccoli and resistant cabbage [Green commet P09 × Reiho P01]. We established inoculation technique. In this technique, leaves from approximately 50-day old F3 plants were inoculated by cutting 1.0 cm at mid vain near the margins. A total of 38 CAPS and 60 SRAP primer pairs were screened to assess parental polymorphism against black rot resistance. Ninety two markers were distributed in 10 linkage groups (LGs) covering 320.5 cM (centimorgan), with average 3.56 cM interval between markers. Two genomic regions on LG 2 and LG 9 were significantly associated with resistance to the disease. The analysis revealed QTLs in the map interval between CAM1 – GSA1 on LG 2 accounting for up to 10% of the phenotypic variation and one QTL in the map interval between F12-R12e – BORED on LG 9 explaining 16% phenotypic variation with LOD score of 3.09. Two additional non-significant QTLs on LG 3 in the interval between CHI – ASB1 (LOD = 2.04) and on LG 7 in the interval between IPI – FLC3 (LOD = 2.25) were also detected for resistance to the disease. The QTLs, which were mapped to LG 2 and LG 9 for the disease, could be useful for marker-assisted selection in resistance breeding. Key words: Linkage map; QTL; Black rot; Resistance; Brassica oleracea  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v1i1.8591 International Journal of Natural Sciences (2011), 1(1):1-6
Evaluation of Teaching Curriculum of Anaesthesiology by the Undergraduate Medical Students
Authors: Alam MR , Islam MZ
Published: September 2011

Introduction: Students' feedback is a recommended tool to evaluate the merit of a teaching curriculum. Search of literature, however, reveals a very few such attempts on the subject of anaesthesiology in medical undergraduate level. Objective: The reported study was conducted to evaluate the undergraduate course curriculum of medical students from students' feedback. Method: To judge the students' viewpoint, a pertinent and simple questionnaire was designed to collect the feedback from the final year MBBS students of AFMC Dhaka for five consecutive years. Students were asked to fill up the questionnaire on completion of their placement. Result: A total of 253 students had participated in this unbiased and anonymous feedback. While 96.7% students agreed that the posting provided them an insight into the subject of anaesthesiology and critical care but 38.3% found that the duration of posting was inadequate. Though 98.8% students responded that the topics were interesting but only 56.8% found that the practical demonstrations were adequate. The three top ranking topics of interest in decreasing order were cardiopulmonary resuscitation (93.6%), airway maintenance along with endotracheal intubation (55.2%) and spinal anaesthesia (32.5%). Interestingly these three topics were demonstrated practically along with theory sessions. Not surprisingly the three commonest suggestions were prolonging the duration (34.8%) as well as practical demonstrations (31.2%) and more opportunity to 'hands on practice' (24.5%). Conclusion: This little effort may help the curriculam reviewers to think. Key words: Curriculum of anaesthesiology; undergraduate; students feedback DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v7i1.8618 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 7, No 1 (June) 2011; 8-10
A Clinical Study of Fetal Outcome in Cases of Nuchal Cord
Authors: Begum AA , Sultana H , Hasan R , Ahmed M
Published: September 2011

Introduction: The umbilical cord around the neck of the fetus at the time of birth is nuchal cord. Objectives : To study the perinatal events and fetal outcome in cases with nuchal cord and formulate a plan for safe delivery. Methods: This cross sectional prospective study of 152 cases of nuchal cord (out of 1646 deliveries) was carried out in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a Combined Military Hospital of Bangladesh during the period of two years. The nuchal cords were classified as tight coils or loose coils. Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes after birth were recorded. Birth weight and sex of all babies were noted. Cord length was measured and considered as long (>70 cm) and short (<35 cm). Results: Out of 152 cases 128 (84.21%) had normal vaginal delivery, 3 (1.97%) cases had instrumental delivery, 21 (13.82%) cases underwent caesarean section and fetal distress was the main indication (16 out of 21). Only 22 (14.47%) of fetuses manifested fetal heart rate variation mostly variable deceleration (10 out of 22). Neonates born with tight nuchal cord had low Apgar score in one minute in comparison to loose (p<0.05), whereas significantly low Apgar score after 5 minutes was observed in babies born with multiple nuchal cord. Conclusion: The presence of a nuchal cord per se is not found to be an indication of operative delivery. However, such patients require close monitoring during labour, preferably by continuous electronic fetal heart rate monitoring as well as strict maintenance of partogram. Key words: Nuchal cord; normal delivery; caesarean section; fetal outcome DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v7i1.8622 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 7, No 1 (June) 2011; 25-27
Effectiveness of Immunochromatographic Test in the Diagnosis of Falciparum Malaria
Authors: Uddin MM , Hussain SMB , Rahman MM , Hossain MD
Published: September 2011

Introduction : Various diagnostic tools are used to confirm diagnosis of different types of malaria. Immunochromatographic test for Plasmodium falciparum (ICT malaria Pf) is one of them. Objective: Aim of this prospective study was to find out a rapid, effective and easy tool for the diagnosis of malaria for the hilly area of Bangladesh. Method: A prospective study was conducted at hilly area of Bangladesh over a period of 7 months. Clinically suspected 50 cases of malaria of both sexes of different age group were included in the study. Blood samples were collected and simultaneously microscopic examination of Leishman's stain film and ICT malaria Pf were done. Results were compared using standard method. Result: The mean age of the patients was 29.9±18 years and 49 were male. Among the 19 parasitaemic cases, 16 (84.2%) cases were Plasmodium falciparum positive, 02 (10.5%) cases were Plasmodium vivax positive and 01 (5.3%) was mixed infection. The degree of parasitaemia (malarial parasite count /cmm) ranges form 2000/cmm to 30,000/cmm with the mean 10,395±8,444/cmm. Among the 19 microscopically positive cases, 16 (84.2%) cases were ICT positive and 03 (15.8%) cases were ICT negative. The sensitivity of ICT for Pf in this study was 94.1% and the specificity of ICT for Pf was 100%. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 100% and 97.1% respectively Conclusion: The study revealed that the "ICT Malaria Pf has a very important role in the diagnosis of Plasmodium malaria. The sensitivity and specificity are approx 100% and very rapid in action. Key words: Falciparum malaria; Immunochromatographic test; Hilly area of Bangladesh DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v7i1.8624 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 7, No 1 (June) 2011; 31-33
Seasonal Gradient Patterns of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Particulate Matter Concentrations near a Highway
Authors: Jung Kyung Hwa , Artigas Francisco , Shin Jin Y.
Published: September 2011

Close proximity to roadways has been associated with higher exposure to traffic-related air pollutants. However, analyses of the effects of season and meteorological parameters on horizontal gradient patterns of traffic-generated air pollutants still need to be elucidated. Our objectives were to: (1) determine effects of season on horizontal gradient patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total suspended particles (TSP), and PM2.5 near a heavily trafficked highway; and (2) examine the effect of day-of-the-week variations (weekday versus weekend) associated with traffic counts on measured airborne-contaminant levels. PAHs (Σ8PAHs [MW 228–278]; gas + particulate), TSP and PM2.5 were monitored at nominal distances (50, 100, and 150 m) from the New Jersey Turnpike every 6 days for periods of 24 h, between September 2007 and September 2008. Seasonal variations in the horizontal gradient patterns of Σ8PAHs were observed. In the summer, Σ8PAHs declined significantly between 50–100 m from the highway (23% decrease), but not between the furthermost distances (100–150 m). An inverse pattern was observed in the winter: Σ8PAHs declined between 100–150 m (26% decrease), but not between the closest distances. Σ8PAHs and TSP, but not PM2.5, concentrations measured on weekends were 12–37% lower than those on weekdays, respectively, corresponding to lower diesel traffic volume. This study suggests that people living in the close proximity to highways may be exposed to varying levels of Σ8PAHs, TSP, and PM2.5 depending on distance to highway, season, and day-of-the-week variations.
Evaluation of Changes in Tumor Shadows and Microcalcifications on Mammography Following KORTUC II, a New Radiosensitization Treatment without any Surgical Procedure for Elderly Patients with Stage I and II Breast Cancer
Authors: Tsuzuki Akira , Ogawa Yasuhiro , Kubota Kei , Tokuhiro Shiho , Akima Ryo , Yaogawa Shin , Itoh Kenji , Yamada Yoko , Sasaki Toshikazu , Onogawa Masahide , Yamanishi Tomoaki , Kariya Shinji , Nogami Munenobu , Nishioka Akihito , Miyamura Mitsuhiko
Published: September 2011

We introduced non-surgical therapy with a novel enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment, Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas, Type II (KORTUC II) into early stages breast cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in tumor shadows and microcalcifications on mammography (MMG) following KORTUC II for elderly patients with breast cancer. We also sought to determine whether MMG was useful in evaluating the therapeutic effect of KORTUC II. In addition to MMG, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) was performed to detect both metastasis and local recurrence. In all 10 patients, tumor shadows on MMG completely disappeared in several months following the KORTUC II treatment. The concomitant microcalcifications also disappeared or markedly decreased in number. Disappearance of the tumors was also confirmed by the profile curve of tumor density on MMG following KORTUC II treatment; density fell and eventually approached that of the peripheral mammary tissue. These 10 patients have so far have also shown neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis on PET-CT with a mean follow-up period of approximately 27 months at the end of September, 2010. We conclude that breast-conservation treatment using KORTUC II, followed by aromatase inhibitor, is a promising therapeutic method for elderly patients with breast cancer, in terms of avoiding any surgical procedure. Moreover, MMG is considered to be useful for evaluating the efficacy of KORTUC II.
Relativistic Statistical Mechanics vs. Relativistic Thermodynamics
Authors: Ares de Parga Gonzalo , López-Carrera Benjamín
Published: September 2011

Based on a covariant theory of equilibrium Thermodynamics, a Statistical Relativistic Mechanics is developed for the non-interacting case. Relativistic Thermodynamics and Jüttner Relativistic Distribution Function in a moving frame are obtained by using this covariant theory. A proposal for a Relativistic Statistical Mechanics is exposed for the interacting case.
The Minority of Three-Game: An Experimental and Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Chmura Thorsten , Güth Werner
Published: September 2011

We report experimental results on the minority of three-game, where three players choose one of two alternatives and the most rewarding alternative is the one chosen by a single player. This coordination game has many asymmetric equilibria in pure strategies that are non-strict and payoff-asymmetric and a unique symmetric mixed strategy equilibrium in which each player’s behavior is based on the toss of a fair coin. This straightforward behavior is predicted by equilibrium selection, impulse-balance equilibrium, and payoff-sampling equilibrium. Experimental participants rely on various decision rules, and only a quarter of them perfectly randomize.
Development of New Microsatellite DNA Markers from Apostichopus japonicus and Their Cross-Species Application in Parastichopus parvimensis and Pathallus mollis
Authors: Liao Meijie , Wang Yingeng , Rong Xiaojun , Zhang Zheng , Li Bin , Wang Lan , Chen Guiping
Published: September 2011

Twenty microsatellite DNA markers were developed for sea cucumber and used to investigate polymorphisms of 60 wild Apostichopus japonicus individuals collected from China. It revealed that all the markers were polymorphic. A total of 164 alleles were detected at 20 loci. The number of alleles per locus varied from 3 to 17 with an average of 8.2, and the expected heterozygosities of each locus ranged from 0.03 to 0.89 with an average of 0.64. Cross-species amplification was also conducted in Parastichopus parvimensis collected from the United States and Pathallus mollis collected from Peru. The result showed that 17 loci amplified Parastichopus parvimensis DNAs while only 4 loci could amplify Pathallus mollis DNAs. All of the polymorphic markers would be useful for future genetic breeding and the assessment of genetic variation within sea cucumbers.
Stopped-Flow Spectrophotometric Study of the Kinetics and Mechanism of CO2 Uptake by cis-[Cr(C2O4)(BaraNH2)(OH2)2]+ Cation and the Acid-Catalyzed Decomposition of cis-[Cr(C2O4)(BaraNH2)OCO2]− Anion in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Jacewicz Dagmara , Dąbrowska Aleksandra , Chmurzyński Lech
Published: September 2011

The kinetics of CO2 uptake by the cis-[Cr(C2O4)(BaraNH2)(OH2)2]+ complex cation and the acid hydrolysis of the cis-[Cr(C2O4)(BaraNH2)OCO2]− complex anion (where BaraNH2 denotes methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-b-D-arabino-hexopyranoside) were studied using the stopped-flow technique. The reactions under study were investigated in aqueous solution in the 288–308 K temperature range. In the case of the reaction between CO2 and cis-[Cr(C2O4)(BaraNH2)(OH2)2]+ cation variable pH values (6.82–8.91) and the constant ionic strength of solution (H+, Na+, ClO4− = 1.0) were used. Carbon dioxide was generated by the reaction between sodium pyruvate and hydrogen peroxide. The acid hydrolysis of cis-[Cr(C2O4)(BaraNH2)OCO2]− was investigated for varying concentrations of H+ ions (0.01–2.7 M). The obtained results enabled the determination of the number of steps of the studied reactions. Based on the kinetic equations, rate constants were determined for each step. Finally, mechanisms for both reactions were proposed and discussed. Based on the obtained results it was concluded that the carboxylation (CO2 uptake) reactions of cis-[Cr(C2O4)(BaraNH2)(OH2)2]+ and the decarboxylation (acid hydrolysis) of the cis-[Cr(C2O4)(BaraNH2)OCO2]− are the opposite of each other.
Antiphytoviral Activity of Sesquiterpene-Rich Essential Oils from Four Croatian Teucrium Species
Authors: Bezić Nada , Vuko Elma , Dunkić Valerija , Ruščić Mirko , Blažević Ivica , Burčul Franko
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the essential oil profiles of four Croatian Teucrium species (Lamiaceae), as determined by GC and GC/MS, with their antiphytoviral efficiency. A phytochemical analysis showed that T. polium, T. flavum, T. montanum and T. chamaedrys are characterized by similar essential oil compositions. The investigated oils are characterized by a high proportion of the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons β-caryophyllene (7.1–52.0%) and germacrene D (8.7–17.0%). Other important components were β-pinene from T. montanum and α-pinene from T. flavum. The investigated essential oils were proved to reduce lesion number in the local host Chenopodium quinoa Willd. infected with Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), with reductions of 41.4%, 22.9%, 44.3% and 25.7%, respectively.
Films, Buckypapers and Fibers from Clay, Chitosan and Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Higgins Thomas M. , Warren Holly , Panhuis Marc in het
Published: September 2011

The mechanical and electrical characteristics of films, buckypapers and fiber materials from combinations of clay, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and chitosan are described. The rheological time-dependent characteristics of clay are maintained in clay–carbon nanotube–chitosan composite dispersions. It is demonstrated that the addition of chitosan improves their mechanical characteristics, but decreases electrical conductivity by three-orders of magnitude compared to clay–CNT materials. We show that the electrical response upon exposure to humid atmosphere is influenced by clay-chitosan interactions, i.e., the resistance of clay–CNT materials decreases, whereas that of clay–CNT–chitosan increases.
Ground-Based Optical Measurements at European Flux Sites: A Review of Methods, Instruments and Current Controversies
Authors: Balzarolo Manuela , Anderson Karen , Nichol Caroline , Rossini Micol , Vescovo Loris , Arriga Nicola , Wohlfahrt Georg , Calvet Jean-Christophe , Carrara Arnaud , Cerasoli Sofia , Cogliati Sergio , Daumard Fabrice , Eklundh Lars , Elbers Jan A. , Evrendilek Fatih , Handcock Rebecca N. , Kaduk Jörg , Klumpp Katja , Longdoz Bernard , Matteucci Giorgio , Meroni Michele , Montagnani Lenoardo , Ourcival Jean-Marc , Sánchez-Cañete Enrique P. , Pontailler Jean-Yves , Juszczak Radoslaw , Scholes Bob , Martín M. Pilar
Published: September 2011

This paper reviews the currently available optical sensors, their limitations and opportunities for deployment at Eddy Covariance (EC) sites in Europe. This review is based on the results obtained from an online survey designed and disseminated by the Co-cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action ESO903—“Spectral Sampling Tools for Vegetation Biophysical Parameters and Flux Measurements in Europe” that provided a complete view on spectral sampling activities carried out within the different research teams in European countries. The results have highlighted that a wide variety of optical sensors are in use at flux sites across Europe, and responses further demonstrated that users were not always fully aware of the key issues underpinning repeatability and the reproducibility of their spectral measurements. The key findings of this survey point towards the need for greater awareness of the need for standardisation and development of a common protocol of optical sampling at the European EC sites.
Mechanisms and Factors that Influence High Frequency Retroviral Recombination
Authors: Delviks-Frankenberry Krista , Galli Andrea , Nikolaitchik Olga , Mens Helene , Pathak Vinay K. , Hu Wei-Shau
Published: September 2011

With constantly changing environmental selection pressures, retroviruses rely upon recombination to reassort polymorphisms in their genomes and increase genetic diversity, which improves the chances for the survival of their population. Recombination occurs during DNA synthesis, whereby reverse transcriptase undergoes template switching events between the two copackaged RNAs, resulting in a viral recombinant with portions of the genetic information from each parental RNA. This review summarizes our current understanding of the factors and mechanisms influencing retroviral recombination, fidelity of the recombination process, and evaluates the subsequent viral diversity and fitness of the progeny recombinant. Specifically, the high mutation rates and high recombination frequencies of HIV-1 will be analyzed for their roles in influencing HIV-1 global diversity, as well as HIV-1 diagnosis, drug treatment, and vaccine development.
La neuroéconomie dans l’agenda de l’économie comportementale
Authors: Pelloux Benjamin , Rullière Jean-Louis , Van Winden Frans
Published: September 2011

Neuroeconomics in the Behavioral Economics Agendum.

The behavioral economics was successful and this success was increasing firstly due to the development of the experiments in economics. The pursuit of this success appears to have a lot to be bet on the perspectives opened by neuroeconomics, which would thus be nothing else than a natural continuation of the behavioral economics research program. This paper shows that it is not at all about a simple continuation but about a real methodological choice based on a strong break. This question can be perfectly summarized by the stated principle by Camerer, Loewenstein and Prelec : asking the brain, not the person. As a consequence, for the economist, observing the brain activity would thus be more relevant to understand the human being behavior than to focus directly on it.
Commentaires sur la neuroéconomie
Authors: Rubinstein Ariel
Published: September 2011

Comments on Neuroeconomics.

Neuroeconomics is examined critically using data on the response times of subjects who were asked to express their preferences in the context of the Allais Paradox. Different patterns of choice are found among the fast and slow responders. This suggests that we try to identify types of economic agents by the time they take to make their choices. Nevertheless, it is argued that it is far from clear if and how neuroeconomics will change economics.
Faut-il attribuer le revenu de solidarité active (RSA) à 18 ans ?
Authors: Mongin Philippe
Published: September 2011

Au 1er juin 2009, le revenu minimum d'insertion (RMI) a été remplacé par un nouveau minimum social, le revenu de solidarité active (RSA), qui devrait améliorer l'incitation au travail des bénéficiaires. Alors que des voix se sont élevées pour que la réforme abaisse la limite d'âge du RMI - 25 ans, sauf charge d'enfant -, le législateur a prévu qu'elle s'appliquerait encore au RSA. L'article pèse les avantages et les inconvénients d'une ouverture des droits à 18 ans pour conclure défavorablement à cette proposition. Sur ce point particulier, la prudence conservatrice que manifeste la réforme en général semble validée par le raisonnement théorique.
Spaniards’ Perspective of Immigration. The Role of the Media
Authors: Checa-Olmos Juan Carlos , Arjona-Garrido Ángeles
Published: September 2011

With the transformation of Spain into an immigration country, society has become a major change by setting up a social space characterized, increasingly, by cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. In this new frame is interesting to investigate the overall value of diversity into the Spanish society. The two aims for of this paper are, on one hand, to process feedback on Spanish opinion on immigration between 1996 and 2007, and, on the other hand, to find out the role of the media in the construction of that opinion. For the first aim, an index of anti-foreigner sentiments was constructed using data provided by the national survey on opinions and attitudes on immigration, published annually by ASEP. For the second, an analysis, using the Agenda-Setting Theory, of articles published on immigration that appeared in the newspapers, «El País» and «El Mundo». The results show that a negative sentiment towards the outgroup has increased over time. The main variables explaining these trends are a sense of threat, to the population and to identity, and competition for resources and political decisions in integration – legalisation. The media analysis has six dimensions, the main ones refer to the illegality of the phenomenon, linking immigration to crime, and the social integration policies, highlighting the role of the media in creating public opinion.

Con la transformación de España desde hace unas décadas en país de inmigración, la sociedad ha experimentado un importante cambio configurando un espacio social caracterizado, cada vez más, por la diversidad cultural, étnica y religiosa. En este escenario novedoso es de gran interés indagar sobre la valoración que de dicha diversidad tiene la sociedad española. El objetivo de este artículo es doble, por un lado, conocer la opinión que tienen los españoles sobre la inmigración entre 1996 y 2007. Por otro, comprobar el papel que juegan los medios de comunicación en la configuración de ese sentir. Para el primer objetivo se ha construido el índice de sentimiento anti-inmigrante, a partir de los datos ofrecidos por la encuesta nacional sobre opiniones y actitudes ante la inmigración, administrada, anualmente, por ASEP. Para el segundo, se analizan, utilizando la teoría de la «Agenda Setting», las noticias publicadas por los periódicos «El País» y «El Mundo» sobre inmigración. Los resultados muestran que el sentimiento negativo hacia el exogrupo se va incrementado con el paso del tiempo. Las principales variables que explican esa tendencia son: el sentimiento de amenaza –poblacional e identitaria–, competencia por los recursos y decisiones políticas en el proceso de integración –regularización–. Del análisis de los medios resultan seis encuadres, los principales hacen referencia a la irregularidad del fenómeno, a la vinculación inmigración y delincuencia y a las políticas de integración social. Por tanto, se pone de manifiesto el papel que juegan los medios de comunicación a la hora de crear opinión.
Classroom 2.0 Experiences and Building on the Use of ICT in Teaching
Authors: Domingo-Coscollola María , Marquès-Graells Pere
Published: September 2011

Recognising the importance of new technology in the classroom, our aim is to promote the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching practice from a collaborative research in which action research style methods are applied involving 21 primary and secondary schools in Spain. In these research seminars, the participating teachers receive a progressive educational and technological training orientated towards the experiment and reflect on the possibilities of using a computer per student in the classroom and a digital whiteboard or interactive whiteboard (IWB). After the first period of research, we bring to the table significant ideas that have guided the training and put forward findings on the testing of teachers in their classrooms denoted classrooms 2.0 for being equipped with an IWB and computers with Internet access. In specific, from this experiment, we provide relevant results on the intensity of use of IWBs and computers, the usual activities conducted with these technological resources, their advantages and disadvantages found from use and their impact on student learnings. In the conclusions, the results are analysed and assessed, noting possible criteria for taking action in order to move twenty-first century teaching practices forward and promote the inclusion of ICT in classrooms.

Asumiendo la importancia de las nuevas tecnologías en las aulas, pretendemos impulsar la integración de las tecnologías de la información y de la comunicación (TIC) en la práctica docente desde una investigación colaborativa donde se aplican metodologías cercanas a la investigación-acción y participan 21 centros de educación primaria y secundaria de España. En los seminarios de esta investigación, el profesorado participante recibe progresivamente una formación didáctica y tecnológica orientada hacia la experimentación y la reflexión de las posibilidades de uso de un ordenador por alumno, en el aula, y de la pizarra digital o pizarra digital interactiva (PDI). Después del primer periodo de la investigación, aportamos ideas significativas que han guiado la formación impartida y avanzamos información de la experimentación del profesorado en sus aulas denominadas aulas 2.0 por estar dotadas de una PDI y de ordenadores con acceso a Internet. Concretamente, de esta experimentación, aportamos resultados relevantes sobre la intensidad de uso de la PDI y de los ordenadores, las actividades habituales realizadas con estos recursos tecnológicos, sus ventajas e inconvenientes destacables al utilizarlos y sus incidencias de uso en los aprendizajes de los estudiantes. En las conclusiones, se analizan y se valoran los resultados, apuntando posibles criterios de actuación para ir avanzando en la práctica docente del siglo XXI y en la inclusión de las TIC en las aulas.
Host Defense and the Airway Epithelium: Frontline Responses That Protect against Bacterial Invasion and Pneumonia
Authors: Eisele Nicholas A. , Anderson Deborah M.
Published: September 2011

Airway epithelial cells are the first line of defense against invading microbes, and they protect themselves through the production of carbohydrate and protein matrices concentrated with antimicrobial products. In addition, they act as sentinels, expressing pattern recognition receptors that become activated upon sensing bacterial products and stimulate downstream recruitment and activation of immune cells which clear invading microbes. Bacterial pathogens that successfully colonize the lungs must resist these mechanisms or inhibit their production, penetrate the epithelial barrier, and be prepared to resist a barrage of inflammation. Despite the enormous task at hand, relatively few virulence factors coordinate the battle with the epithelium while simultaneously providing resistance to inflammatory cells and causing injury to the lung. Here we review mechanisms whereby airway epithelial cells recognize pathogens and activate a program of antibacterial pathways to prevent colonization of the lung, along with a few examples of how bacteria disrupt these responses to cause pneumonia.
Human Fetal Liver: AnIn VitroModel of Erythropoiesis
Authors: Pourcher Guillaume , Mazurier Christelle , King Yé Yong , Giarratana Marie-Catherine , Kobari Ladan , Boehm Daniela , Douay Luc , Lapillonne Hélène
Published: September 2011

We previously described the large-scale production of RBCs from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) of diverse sources. Our present efforts are focused to produce RBCs thanks to an unlimited source of stem cells. Human embryonic stem (ES) cells or induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) are the natural candidates. Even if the proof of RBCs production from these sources has been done, their amplification ability is to date not sufficient for a transfusion application. In this work, our protocol of RBC production was applied to HSC isolated from fetal liver (FL) as an intermediate source between embryonic and adult stem cells. We studied the erythroid potential of FL-derived CD34+cells. In thisin vitromodel, maturation that is enucleation reaches a lower level compared to adult sources as observed for embryonic or iP, but, interestingly, they (i) displayed a dramaticin vitroexpansion (100-fold more when compared to CB CD34+) and (ii) 100% cloning efficiency in hematopoietic progenitor assays after 3 days of erythroid induction, as compared to 10–15% cloning efficiency for adult CD34+cells. This work supports the idea that FL remains a model of study and is not a candidate forex vivoRBCS production for blood transfusion as a direct source of stem cells but could be helpful to understand and enhance proliferation abilities for primitive cells such as ES cells or iPS.
Histological Correlation of Glandular Abnormalities in Cervical Liquid-Based Cytology
Authors: Kawakami Yosuke , Toda Tamaki , Nishimura Toshinao , Sakane Junichi , Kuraoka Kazuya , Takehara Kazuhiro , Mizunoe Tomoya , Taniyama Kiyomi
Published: September 2011

Conventional Papanicolaou smear method is still commonly used for cervical cancer screening in Japan, despite the liquid-based cytology (LBC) that has become a global tendency in the world recently. One of the obstacles in the way of popularization of this method seems to be the confusion as to diagnosis upon cervical glandular lesions. We performed comparison study between LBC and conventional Papanicolaou smear about cytological diagnosis using split-sample method in 4522 patients. In 13 cases analyses, which were reported with either AGC or adenocarcinoma by either method, LBC tends to be milder than that by conventional smear, however, the credibility of LBC is considered to be near to that of conventional smear with regard to screening for glandular abnormalities. These results indicate that cervical cancer screening should shift to LBC under the enough experience and appropriate dealing with the cytological diagnosis.
Cell-penetrating peptides - Methods and protocols
Authors: Redi Carlo Alberto
Published: September 2011

Among the present day scientific frontiers, the researches on the cell-penetrating peptides has a special place since the scientific community has not yet reached a consensus even in the terminology on what we are referring to when we speak about cell-penetrating peptides studies. Thus, Prof. Ulo Langel (Dept. of Neurochemistry, Stockolm University, Stockolm, Sweden) rightly explain in a necessary preface that there are in use so many definition for the same things: protein transduction domain (PTDs), Trojan peptides, model amphipathic peptides (MAPs), membrane translocating sequences (MTS) that the best way to refer to all of these molecules is to call all of them cell-penetrating peptides, CPPs. Thus, there is a need for an accepted definition of CPPs.....
Immunoelectron microscopy - Methods and protocols
Authors: Redi Carlo Alberto
Published: September 2011

The tribute that the scientific community has to pay to this technique is impressive: thanks to immunoelectron microscopy the scientistâ€™s dream to link strucure (form) and function, one of the dreams that shaped even the phylosopical reflection of our predecessors, well, this dream has became nearly a full reality while it was just fact and function, a battle between a dead body (structure) and a ghost (function). Immunoelectron microscopy provided in fact some of the first examples of our technical capacity to show how the form of a structure is so deeply linked to its functional activity. In a perspective view it has been something conceptually forerunner of present day synthetic biology and molecules design capacities to provide us with new functions or the way to modify/alter those functions we are interested in....
Transgenic mouse - Methods and protocols, 2nd edition
Authors: Redi Carlo Alberto
Published: September 2011

Marten H. Hofner (from the Dept. of Pathology of the Groningen University) and Jan M. van Deursen (from the Mayo College of Medicine at Rochester, MN, USA) provided us with the valuable second edition of Transgenic mouse: in fact, eventhough we are in the â€“omics era and already equipped with the state-of-the-art techniques in whatsoever field, still we need to have gene(s) functional analysis data to understand common and complex deseases. Transgenesis is still an irreplaceable method and protocols to well perform it are more than welcome. Here, how to get genetic modified mice (the quintessential model of so many human deseases considering how much of the human genes are conserved in the mouse and the great block of genic synteny existing between the two genomes) is analysed in deep and presented in clearly detailed step by step protocols....
Heegner points and $p$-adic $L$-functions for elliptic curves over certain totally real fields
Authors: Mok Chung Pang
Published: September 2011

For an elliptic curve

E

over

\mathbb{Q}

satisfying suitable hypotheses, Bertolini and Darmon have derived a formula for the Heegner point on

E

in terms of the central derivative of the two variable

p

-adic

L

-function associated to

E

. In this paper, we generalize their work to the setting of totally real fields in which

p

is inert. We also use this generalization to improve the results obtained by Bertolini–Darmon in the case of an elliptic curve defined over the field of rational numbers.
Erratum to “Central extensions of Lie superalgebras” (Comment. Math. Helv. 76 (2001), 110–154)
Authors: Iohara Kenji , Koga Yoshiyuki
Published: September 2011

In [IK1], we have shown the existence of a Chevalley basis for the basic classical Lie superalgebras (Theorem 3.9) and define Lie superalgebras over

\mathbb{Z}

(Corollary 3.10). However, in the case of

G(3)

, our choice of the Cartan matrix in Appendix A is not appropriate and half integers appear as structure constants given by Theorem 3.9. An appropriate choice of the Cartan matrix of type

G(3)

is given.
Os múltiplos desafios da gestão de terceirizados: a experiência dos gestores de contratos
Authors: Magalhães Yana Torres de , Neto Antonio Moreira de Carvalho , Gonçalves Pedro Paulo Barros
Published: September 2011

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar, sob a ótica dos gestores de contratos da Vale, as práticas gerenciais adotadas por essa grande empresa para lidar com os quatro principais desafios da gestão de trabalhadores terceirizados: qualificação; qualidade de serviços; padronização dos serviços e o comprometimento dos terceirizados. Apesar desse quadro já durar pelo menos 20 anos, pouco ainda se discute sobre tais práticas gerenciais, e é essa a maior contribuição deste artigo. O olhar dos gestores sobre as práticas de recursos humanos em relação aos principais desafios impostos pela terceirização é praticamente inexistente na literatura. Foram realizadas 15 entrevistas semiestruturadas com gestores de contratos de terceirização neste estudo de caso de natureza descritiva. Procedeu-se a análise documental de normas sobre terceirização na Vale. Foram identificadas práticas de gestão utilizadas para lidar com cada um dos desafios, sendo a gestão de contratos e a oferta de programas de treinamento as mais destacadas. A legislação trabalhista contribui para que os terceirizados continuem segregados, uma vez que as empresas evitam uma relação mais direta temendo estabelecer vínculo empregatício. Apesar dos vários esforços para que se melhore o trabalho terceirizado, ele ainda é estigmatizado, visto e tratado como inferior ao emprego direto, o que causa impactos negativos no comprometimento. Ainda predomina a preocupação com a economia de custos na decisão da empresa por terceirizar. Portanto, há muito a evoluir para que a terceirização se efetive sem proporcionar prejuízos aos envolvidos neste processo.
Empresa doente, funcionário estressado: analisando a saúde organizacional como influenciadora do stress no trabalho
Authors: Visentini Monize Sâmara , Reis Eliete dos , Siqueira Nilson Amaury , Vieira Kelmara Mendes , Rodrigues Claudia Medianeira Cruz
Published: September 2011

Este trabalho investigou a influência da percepção de saúde organizacional sobre o stress no trabalho dos funcionários de restaurantes da cidade de Santa Maria – RS. Para tanto, utilizou-se uma survey com os funcionários de sete restaurantes, três públicos e quatro privados. Realizou-se uma análise fatorial que apresentou cinco fatores para stress no trabalho e quatro fatores de saúde organizacional. Através de uma análise de correlação, confirmou-se a multidimensionalidade desses construtos. Dados esses resultados, para verificar a influência da percepção de saúde organizacional sobre o stress ocupacional, realizou-se uma análise de regressão e foram encontrados cinco modelos válidos que atendem aos pressupostos necessários. Entretanto, esses modelos tiveram baixo poder de explicação, indicando que os fatores de stress ocupacional não são suficientes para explicar a saúde organizacional, devendo ser investigados outros aspectos relativos ao ambiente laboral que interferem na percepção de stress no trabalho.
Simulation of mineral dust aerosol with piecewise log-normal approximation (PLA) in CanAM4-PAM
Authors: Peng Y. , von Salzen K. , Li J.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. A new size-resolved dust scheme based on the numerical method of piecewise log-normal approximation (PLA) was developed and implemented in the fourth generation of the Canadian Atmospheric Global Climate Model with the PLA Aerosol Module (CanAM4-PAM). The total simulated annual mean dust burden is 37.8 mg m−2 for year 2000, which is consistent with estimates from other models. Results from simulations are compared with multiple surface measurements near and away from dust source regions, validating the generation, transport and deposition of dust in the model. Most discrepancies between model results and surface measurements are due to unresolved aerosol processes. Radiative properties of dust aerosol are derived from approximated parameters in two size modes using Mie theory. The simulated aerosol optical depth (AOD) is compared with several satellite observations and shows good agreements. The model yields a dust AOD of 0.042 and total AOD of 0.126 for the year 2000. The simulated aerosol direct radiative forcings (ADRF) of dust and total aerosol over ocean are −1.24 W m−2 and −4.76 W m−2 respectively, which show good consistency with satellite estimates for the year 2001.
ARIS-Campaign: intercomparison of three ground based 22 GHz radiometers for middle atmospheric water vapor at the Zugspitze in winter 2009
Authors: Straub C. , Murk A. , Kämpfer N. , Golchert S. H. W. , Hochschild G. , Hallgren K. , Hartogh P.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. This paper presents the Alpine Radiometer Intercomparison at the Schneefernerhaus (ARIS), which took place in winter 2009 at the high altitude station at the Zugspitze, Germany (47.42° N, 10.98° E, 2650 m). This campaign was the first direct intercomparison between three new ground based 22 GHz water vapor radiometers for middle atmospheric profiling with the following instruments participating: MIRA 5 (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), cWASPAM3 (Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Katlenburg-Lindau) and MIAWARA-C (Institute of Applied Physics, University of Bern). Even though the three radiometers all measure middle atmospheric water vapor using the same rotational transition line and similar fundamental set-ups, there are major differences between the front ends, the back ends, the calibration concepts and the profile retrieval. The spectrum comparison shows that all three radiometers measure spectra without severe baseline artifacts and that the measurements are in good general agreement. The measurement noise shows good agreement to the values theoretically expected from the radiometer noise formula. At the same time the comparison of the noise levels shows that there is room for instrumental and calibration improvement, emphasizing the importance of low elevation angles for the observation, a low receiver noise temperature and an efficient calibration scheme. The comparisons of the retrieved profiles show that the agreement between the profiles of MIAWARA-C and cWASPAM3 with the ones of MLS is better than 0.3 ppmv (6%) at all altitudes. MIRA 5 has a dry bias of approximately 0.5 ppm (8%) below 0.1 hPa with respect to all other instruments. The profiles of cWASPAM3 and MIAWARA-C could not be directly compared because the vertical region of overlap was too small. The comparison of the time series at different altitude levels show a similar evolution of the H2O volume mixing ratio (VMR) for the ground based instruments as well as the space borne sensor MLS.