bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multicenter Phase II Study of Tivozanib (AV-951) and Everolimus (RAD001) for Patients With Refractory, Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wolpin Brian M. , Ng Kimmie , Zhu Andrew X. , Abrams Thomas , Enzinger Peter C. , McCleary Nadine J. , Schrag Deborah , Kwak Eunice L. , Allen Jill N. , Bhargava Pankaj , Chan Jennifer A. , Goessling Wolfram , Blaszkowsky Lawrence S. , Supko Jeffrey G. , Elliot Meaghan , Sato Kaori , Regan Eileen , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Fuchs Charles S.
Published: April 2013

Background.

Treatments that target the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway have efficacy in colorectal cancer. We evaluated tolerability and efficacy of tivozanib (an oral VEGF receptor-1, -2, -3 inhibitor) plus everolimus (an oral mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor).

Methods.

The phase Ib study followed a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design with three dose levels. The primary objective in the follow-on phase II study was improvement in 2-month progression-free survival (PFS) from 30% (historical benchmark) to 50% in patients with refractory, metastatic colorectal cancer.

Results.

Dose-limiting toxicities in the phase Ib study were grade 3 fatigue and dehydration. Oral tivozanib (1 mg daily for 3 of 4 weeks) and oral everolimus (10 mg daily continuously) were advanced to a 40-patient phase II study. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia and hypophosphatemia. The 2-month PFS rate was 50%, with 20 of 40 patients having stable disease (SD). Seven (18%) patients were treated for ≥6 months. Median PFS and overall survival (OS) times were 3.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9–3.6 months) and 5.6 months (95% CI: 4.4–10.6 months), respectively. Patients who developed grade 1+ hypertension had increased SD rates (65.2% vs. 29.4%) and longer OS times (10.6 vs. 3.7 months).

Conclusions.

The oral combination of tivozanib and everolimus was well tolerated, with stable disease achieved in 50% of patients with refractory, metastatic colorectal cancer.
The Historical Use of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Sinus Infections
Authors: Calabrese Edward J. , Dhawan Gaurav
Published: April 2013

The aim of this paper is to assess the historical role of radiotherapy in the treatment of sinus infections. This assessment involved a literature-based review of how radiotherapy was used to treat sinus infections in the first half of the 20th century. Low doses of x-rays were used with considerable success to treat nearly 3,000 patients of sinus infection in a span of 12 years with these cases being reported in leading medical journals as case studies. The mechanism of x-ray induced reduction of inflammation and increased tissue repair is uncertain but appears to be related to the development of a multifactorial and integrative anti-inflammatory phenotype.
Auditor Governance, Institutions and Analyst Forecast Properties: International Evidence
Authors: Verriest Arnt J. M.
Published: April 2013

This paper investigates how political and legal institutions affect the governance role of auditors for a sample of firms originating in 42 countries. Prior studies focus on investor protection, but I focus on political rights as well. Specifically, I investigate how institutions and audit quality affect financial statement users' decision-making by considering properties of analysts' earnings forecasts. The evidence shows that forecast accuracy is lower and forecast dispersion higher for firms operating in countries with fewer political rights. Of particular interest is the finding that the association between Big 4 audits and earnings forecast properties is stronger in weak political environments. This finding suggests that auditors play an important—and up to now undocumented—governance role when political rights are low and political forces influential. My results also indicate that reporting reliability increases as investor protection becomes stronger. However, this result only holds for Big 4 clients, consistent with the notion that audits play a greater governance role in stronger legal environments.
Independent and Combined Association of Muscle Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Youth With Insulin Resistance and β-Cell Function in Young Adulthood
Authors: Grøntved Anders , Ried-Larsen Mathias , Ekelund Ulf , Froberg Karsten , Brage Søren , Andersen Lars B.
Published: April 2013

OBJECTIVE

To examine the independent and combined association of isometric muscle strength of the abdomen and back and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in youth with indices of glucose metabolism in young adulthood among boys and girls from the European Youth Heart Study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used data from a population-based prospective cohort study among youth followed up for up to 12 years (n = 317). In youth, maximal voluntary contractions during isometric back extension and abdominal flexion were determined using a strain-gauge dynamometer and CRF was obtained from a maximal cycle ergometer test. Insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) and β-cell function (homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function [HOMA-B]) were estimated from fasting serum insulin and glucose that were obtained in youth and at follow-up in young adulthood.

RESULTS

For each 1-SD difference in isometric muscle strength (0.16 N/kg) in youth, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-B in young adulthood changed by −11.3% (95% CI −17.0 to −5.2), −12.2% (−18.2 to −5.7), and −8.9% (−14.4 to −3.0), respectively, in young adulthood after adjustment for CRF and personal lifestyle and demographic factors. Results for CRF were very similar in magnitude, and the magnitude of associations for both exposures was unchanged with additional adjustment for general or abdominal adiposity in youth. Combined associations of muscle strength and CRF with fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-B were additive, and adolescents in the highest sex-specific tertile for both isometric muscle strength and CRF had the lowest levels of these glucose metabolism outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing muscle strength and CRF should be targets in youth primordial prevention strategies of insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction.
Exercise Intensity Levels in Children With Cerebral Palsy While Playing With an Active Video Game Console
Authors: Robert Maxime , Ballaz Laurent , Hart Raphael , Lemay Martin
Published: April 2013

Background

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are prone to secondary complications related to physical inactivity and poor cardiorespiratory capacity. This problem could be greatly attenuated through the use of video games that incorporate physical activity for 2 reasons: Video games already represent an important component of leisure time in younger people, and such games can lead to a high level of exercise intensity in people who are healthy.

Objective

The study objective was to evaluate exercise intensity in children with spastic diplegic CP and children who were typically developing while playing with an active video game console.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods

Ten children (7–12 years old) with spastic diplegic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System level I or II) and 10 children who were age matched and typically developing were evaluated in a movement analysis laboratory. Four games were played with the active video game console (jogging, bicycling, snowboarding, and skiing) for 40 minutes. Heart rate was recorded during the entire playing period with a heart rate belt monitor. Exercise intensity was defined as the percentage of heart rate reserve (HRR). In addition, lower extremity motion analysis was carried out during the final minute of the playing period for the jogging and bicycling games.

Results

No difference between groups was observed for any variables. A main effect of games was observed for the amount of time spent at an intensity greater than 40% of HRR. Specifically, more than 50% of the playing time for the jogging game and more than 30% of the playing time for the bicycling game were spent at an intensity greater than 40% of HRR. In addition, the jogging game produced a larger range of motion than the bicycling game.

Limitations

A limitation of this study was the relatively small and heterogeneous sample.

Conclusions

For all 4 games, similar exercise intensity levels were observed for children who were typically developing and children with CP, suggesting that children with CP could obtain exercise-related benefits similar to those obtained by children without CP while playing with an active video game console.
OPINION WRITING AND AUTHORSHIP ON THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA
Authors: Bodwin Kelly , Rosenthal Jeffrey S , Yoon Albert H
Published: April 2013

In contrast to other branches of government, the Supreme Court of Canada operates with relatively lean staffing. For most of the Court’s history, its justices alone determined which cases to review, heard oral argument, and wrote opinions. Only since 1967 have justices have been aided in these responsibilities by law clerks. While interest abounds in the relationship between justices and their clerks – particularly the writing of opinions – very little is known. This article analyses the text of the Court’s opinions to better understand judicial authorship. We find that justices have distinct writing styles, allowing us to distinguish them from one another. Their writing styles also provide insight into how clerks influence the writing of opinions. Most justices in the modern era possess a more variable writing style than their predecessors did, both within and across years, providing strong evidence that clerks are increasingly involved in the writing of judicial opinions.
Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1: what it means to the neurosurgeon
Authors: Hodges Tiffany R. , Choi Bryan D. , Bigner Darell D. , Yan Hai , Sampson John H.
Published: April 2013

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutations have been discovered to be frequent and highly conserved in secondary glioblastoma multiforme and lower-grade gliomas. Although IDH1 mutations confer a unique genotype that has been associated with a favorable prognosis, the role of the mutated IDH1 enzyme and its metabolites in tumor initiation and maintenance remains unresolved. However, given that IDH1 mutations are homogeneously expressed and are limited solely to tumor tissue, targeting this mutation could potentially yield novel treatment strategies for patients with glioblastoma multiforme.
Vascular collateralization along ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheters in moyamoya disease
Authors: Singla Amit , Lin Ning , Ho Allen L. , Scott R. Michael , Smith Edward R.
Published: April 2013

Surgically created openings such as bur holes can serve as avenues for the development of collateral blood supply to the brain in patients with moyamoya disease. When such collateralization occurs through preexisting shunt catheter sites, the potential exists for perioperative stroke if these vessels are damaged during revision of a ventricular catheter for shunt malfunction. In this paper the authors report on a series of patients with a history of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts who later developed moyamoya disease and were found to have spontaneous transdural collateral vessels at ventricular catheter sites readily visualized on diagnostic angiography. A consecutive surgical series of 412 patients with moyamoya disease treated at Boston Children's Hospital from 1990 to 2010 were reviewed to identify patients with concomitant moyamoya and a VP shunt. The clinical records and angiograms of these patients were reviewed to determine the extent of bur hole collaterals through the shunt site. Three patients were identified who had VP shunts placed for hydrocephalus and subsequently developed moyamoya disease. All 3 patients demonstrated spontaneous transdural collaterals at the ventricular catheter bur hole, as confirmed by angiography during the workup for moyamoya disease. No patients required subsequent revision of their ventricular catheters following the diagnosis of moyamoya. All patients have remained stroke free and clinically stable following pial synangiosis. Although the association of moyamoya and shunted hydrocephalus is rare, it may present a significant potential problem for the neurosurgeon treating a shunt malfunction in this patient population, because shunt bur holes may become entry sites for the ingrowth of significant cortical transdural collateral blood supply to the underlying brain. Shunt revision might therefore be associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke or operative-site hemorrhage in this population if this vascularization is interrupted when shunt catheters are removed and replaced. A knowledge of the existence of shunt-related collaterals in patients with moyamoya may aid the surgeon in planning shunt revisions and considering, for example, a new entry point for a ventricular catheter, rather than replacing an existing one, to minimize the risk of jeopardizing existing collaterals.
Facilitation of Relational Learning in Schizophrenia
Authors: Spieker Elena , Griego Jacqueline , Astur Robert , Holcomb Henry , Rowland Laura
Published: April 2013

Abnormal hippocampal function likely contributes to relational learning deficits observed in schizophrenia. It is unknown whether these deficits can be attenuated with a training intervention. The purpose of this project was to determine if training could facilitate relational learning of the transverse patterning task in schizophrenia. Healthy and schizophrenia subjects completed a version of transverse patterning that incorporated training. The majority of subjects with schizophrenia successfully learned transverse patterning when provided with training. A subgroup (approximately 25%) of schizophrenia subjects showed no tendency to learn with training. These results were replicated in a second study with a separate cohort and different stimuli. This study illustrates that relational learning of the transverse patterning can be facilitated in schizophrenia with training.
Reliability and Validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Life Skills in Late Childhood
Authors: Kobayashi Minoru , Gushiken Taichi , Ganaha Yurika , Sasazawa Yosiaki , Iwata Shotaro , Takemura Akiko , Fujita Tsutomu , Asikin Yonathan , Takakura Minoru
Published: April 2013

This study investigated the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Life Skills in Late Childhood, an instrument designed to measure a concept similar to “zest for living” in late childhood. A total of 1,888 elementary school students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades residing in urban and suburban areas as well as in remote islands of 3 prefectures (Okinawa, Kagoshima, and Nagasaki) were surveyed. On the basis of our analysis, 24 items and seven factors were extracted. These factors are problem-solving/synthesis, relationship with friends, personal manners, decision-making and future planning, self-learning, collecting and using information, and leadership. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients were computed for each subscale and ranged from 0.71 to 0.87. Test-retest reliability coefficient values ranged from 0.68 to 0.79. To examine the construct validity of the scales, a goodness-of-fit model was determined by confirmatory factor analysis, and satisfactory values were found (GFI = 0.952, AGFI = 0.937, CFI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.016). The validity of the goodness-of-fit model and the reliability of the scales indicate that the Multidimensional Scale of Life Skills in Late Childhood is an effective assessment tool.
Green Synthesis, Molecular Characterization and Associative Behavior of Some Gemini Surfactants without a Spacer Group
Authors: Villa Carla , Baldassari Sara , Martino Delia , Spinella Alberto , Caponetti Eugenio
Published: April 2013

A series of new gemini surfactants without a spacer group, disodium 2,3-dialkyl-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylates, were synthesized in a green chemistry context minimizing the use of organic solvents and applying microwaves (MW) when activation energy was required. Once the desired architecture was confirmed by means of the nuclear magnetic resonance technique (1H-NMR, 1H-1H COSY) for all the studied surfactants, the critical micellization concentration was determined by conductance measurements. The diffusion coefficient of micelles formed by the four compounds was characterized using pulsed field gradient (PFG)-NMR. Diffusion coefficients were found to be dependent on the concentration and on the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. The absence of the spacer group, peculiar to this new series of gemini surfactants, may confer relatively low flexibility to the molecules, with potential implications on the interfacial properties, namely on micellization. These gemini surfactants might have interesting applications in the preparation of composite materials, in nanotechnology, in gene transfection and mainly, due to the low CMCs, as new interesting ingredients of cosmetics and toiletries.
Near Infrared Spectral Linearisation in Quantifying Soluble Solids Content of Intact Carambola
Authors: Omar Ahmad , MatJafri Mohd
Published: April 2013

This study presents a novel application of near infrared (NIR) spectral linearisation for measuring the soluble solids content (SSC) of carambola fruits. NIR spectra were measured using reflectance and interactance methods. In this study, only the interactance measurement technique successfully generated a reliable measurement result with a coefficient of determination of (R2) = 0.724 and a root mean square error of prediction for (RMSEP) = 0.461° Brix. The results from this technique produced a highly accurate and stable prediction model compared with multiple linear regression techniques.
Energy-Efficient Algorithm for Broadcasting in Ad Hoc Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Xiong Naixue , Huang Xingbo , Cheng Hongju , Wan Zheng
Published: April 2013

Broadcasting is a common and basic operation used to support various network protocols in wireless networks. To achieve energy-efficient broadcasting is especially important for ad hoc wireless sensor networks because sensors are generally powered by batteries with limited lifetimes. Energy consumption for broadcast operations can be reduced by minimizing the number of relay nodes based on the observation that data transmission processes consume more energy than data reception processes in the sensor nodes, and how to improve the network lifetime is always an interesting issue in sensor network research. The minimum-energy broadcast problem is then equivalent to the problem of finding the minimum Connected Dominating Set (CDS) for a connected graph that is proved NP-complete. In this paper, we introduce an Efficient Minimum CDS algorithm (EMCDS) with help of a proposed ordered sequence list. EMCDS does not concern itself with node energy and broadcast operations might fail if relay nodes are out of energy. Next we have proposed a Minimum Energy-consumption Broadcast Scheme (MEBS) with a modified version of EMCDS, and aimed at providing an efficient scheduling scheme with maximized network lifetime. The simulation results show that the proposed EMCDS algorithm can find smaller CDS compared with related works, and the MEBS can help to increase the network lifetime by efficiently balancing energy among nodes in the networks.
Compressive Sensing Image Sensors-Hardware Implementation
Authors: Dadkhah Mohammadreza , Deen M. , Shirani Shahram
Published: April 2013

The compressive sensing (CS) paradigm uses simultaneous sensing and compression to provide an efficient image acquisition technique. The main advantages of the CS method include high resolution imaging using low resolution sensor arrays and faster image acquisition. Since the imaging philosophy in CS imagers is different from conventional imaging systems, new physical structures have been developed for cameras that use the CS technique. In this paper, a review of different hardware implementations of CS encoding in optical and electrical domains is presented. Considering the recent advances in CMOS (complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) technologies and the feasibility of performing on-chip signal processing, important practical issues in the implementation of CS in CMOS sensors are emphasized. In addition, the CS coding for video capture is discussed.
Dissolved Oxygen Concentration Interlaboratory Comparison: What Can We Learn?
Authors: Näykki Teemu , Jalukse Lauri , Helm Irja , Leito Ivo
Published: April 2013

Dissolved oxygen concentration is a key parameter for characterizing natural and wastewaters and for assessing the global state of the environment in general. The decrease of dissolved oxygen levels in the world’s oceans, which is becoming increasingly obvious, is expected to have an impact on the whole ecosystem of the Earth, including the carbon cycle, the climate, etc. Dissolved oxygen measurements by sensors are often deemed easy measurements by routine laboratories. In reality, the physical and chemical processes underlying the measurements are complex and these measurements are not at all as robust as often considered. Recently an international in situ interlaboratory comparison measurement of dissolved oxygen concentration took place at the University of Tartu. The results revealed that the routine laboratories as a rule still do not fully master the art of dissolved oxygen concentration measurement: Out of altogether 63 measurement results obtained by the participants 52% were unacceptable according to the En numbers. Based on the analysis of the results of the intercomparison a set of tools and recommendations are given to the participants of how to improve the quality of their results.
Copies de Bodhgayā en Asie orientale : les stupas de type Wuta à Pékin et Kökeqota (Mongolie-Intérieure)
Authors: Charleux Isabelle
Published: April 2013

Un type particulièrement exotique de pagode bouddhique apparu en Chine sous les Ming, appelé «pagode-trône précieux de diamant» ou «cinq pagodes», est un des rares types architecturaux chinois qui s'inspirent explicitement d'un modèle indien, en l'occurrence le temple de la Mahābodhī («le grand Éveil») de Bodhgayā, un des principaux centres de pèlerinage bouddhique en Inde. L'étude de l'histoire et de l'architecture du Wuta de Pékin et de sa copie en Mongolie- Intérieure, et la comparaison avec les autres «copies» de Bodhgayā dans le monde bouddhique, en Birmanie, en Thaïlande et au Népal depuis (au moins) le XIIIe siècle, permet d'aborder le thème des influences artistiques entre la Chine et l'étranger, celui de la copie dans le domaine architectural, enfin, celui de la transmission d'un modèle indien dans toute l'Asie bouddhique. Les traits retenus de l'original varient d'un édifice à l'autre : ils sont fonction des contraintes matérielles - possibilité d'étudier le modèle original (ou de ce qu'il en restait à l'époque), déformations des modèles réduits et des dessins, sources littéraires éventuelles, techniques et matériaux de constructions locaux et topographie -, mais aussi et surtout des choix personnels des commanditaires et de leur vision de ce qu'est le lieu saint originel.
La monnaie vietnamienne, entre tradition việt et culture han
Authors: Thierry François
Published: April 2013

Comme la plupart des cultures de la presqu'île indochinoise, la société viêt de l'antiquité considérait que la valeur de la monnaie reposait sur la valeur du métal, l'or et l'argent, contenu dans le signe monétaire. Même si la grande majorité des échanges n'était pas monétarisée, on a retrouvé des billes et des petits granules d'or qui montrent qu'il existait quand même une forme de monnaie. La conquête chinoise du delta du fleuve Rouge a intégré la région à la sphère économique des Han et a donc eu pour conséquence d'imposer aux populations viêt la culture monétaire du vainqueur qui reposait sur le postulat que la valeur de la monnaie était avant tout fiduciaire : le Tonkin utilisa donc la sapèque de bronze. Cependant, comme le montrent les textes chinois, l'usage d'une monnaie sans valeur intrinsèque se heurtait à la tradition locale et les réticences étaient encore perceptibles sous les dynasties du Sud et du Nord et même sous les Tang. Avec l'accession à l'indépendance (939), le Vietnam se trouva, y compris en matière monétaire, l'héritier de la culture han et de la tradition viêt. Si dans un premier temps, c'est la culture han qui semble l'avoir emporté, progressivement, probablement en raison de la réduction de l'approvisionnement en monnaies venant de Chine, la tradition viêt reprit de la vigueur et l'argent, l'or dans une moindre mesure, redevint un moyen de paiement ; les monnaies de cuivre furent prises en fonction de la valeur du métal par rapport à l'argent. Le Vietnam est le premier des États d'Asie orientale à avoir émis une monnaie nationale d'argent et même une pièce à l'imitation des piastres occidentales. Avec des espèces d'or, d'argent, de cuivre et de zinc, s'établit progressivement un système monétaire fondé sur la valeur réciproque des divers métaux. Mais la fluctuation de cette valeur réciproque en fonction des événements extérieurs sur lesquels les autorités n'avaient aucune prise a eu pour effet de rendre le système monétaire très fragile et sujet à de nombreuses crises.
IMPLEMENTATION OF EXPLICIT NORDSIECK METHODS WITH INHERENT QUADRATIC STABILITY
Authors: Bras Michel , Cardone Angelamaria , D'Ambrosio Raffaele
Published: April 2013

The present paper deals with the implementation in a variable-step algorithm of general linear methods in Nordsieck form with inherent quadratic stability and large stability regions constructed recently by Braś and Cardone. Various implementation issues such as rescale strategy, local error estimation, step-changing strategy and starting procedure are discussed. Some numerical experiments are reported, which show the performances of the methods and make comparisons with other existing methods.
MEASURING SHIFTS BASE TO CALIBRATE TEST EQUIPMENT GNSS
Authors: Mikoláš Milan , Dandoš Rostislav , Subiková Marie
Published: April 2013

This article deals with monitoring the stability of the geodetic base Skalka. Introduction of the article briefly describes the history and purpose of the geodetic base Skalka, gradually resulting in the current characteristics of the base. Main part of the article deals with monitoring the stability of points of the inner and partly outer part of the base. The result is the evaluation of performed geodetic works with the assessment of the testing base stability. Identified vertical and horizontal shifts show that the base can be considered stable in terms of both geological and geodetic points of view.
DFHRS-BASED COMPUTATION OF QUASI-GEOID OF LATVIA
Authors: Lukoševičius Viktoras
Published: April 2013

In geodesy, civil engineering and related fields high accuracy coordinate determination is needed, for that reason GNSS technologies plays important role. Transformation from GNSS derived ellipsoidal heights to orthometric or normal heights requires a high accuracy geoid or quasi-geoid model, respectively the accuracy of the currently used Latvian gravimetric quasi-geoid model LV'98 is 6–8 cm. The objective of this work was to calculate an improved quasi-geoid (QGeoid) for Latvia. The computation was performed by applying the DFHRS software. This paper discusses obtained geoid height reference surface, its comparisons to other geoid models, fitting point statistics and quality control based on independent measurements.
La comptabilisation des marques : en France, en Allemagne et selon les règles de l'IASC
Authors: Stolowy Hervé , Haller Axel , Klockhaus Volker
Published: April 2013

Cet article compare les positions retenues dans la norme IAS 38 en matière de marques avec celles de la France et de l’Allemagne. Malgré l’existence de nombreux points de convergence, cette recherche montre que deux pays, souvent classés dans le même groupe de systèmes comptables, ont adopté des solutions différentes tant entre elles qu’à l’égard de la norme IAS 38. Les résultats de cette étude mettent en lumière la difficulté de l’harmonisation internationale. Ils révèlent également que dans la mesure où les caractéristiques qualitatives de la comptabilité sont concernées, les associations, d’une part, entre la philosophie anglo-américaine et la pertinence, et, d’autre part, entre la philosophie européenne continentale et la fiabilité, peuvent ne pas s’appliquer au domaine des marques. Afin de résoudre cette « dysharmonie », l’article milite en faveur de la publication d’informations complémentaires.
Le contrôleur de gestion de la PME
Authors: Nobre Thierry
Published: April 2013

Le contrôle de gestion traverse des mutations importantes. Les PME connaissent des difficultés pour adapter les nouvelles méthodes découlant de cette évolution. Cela place le contrôleur de gestion de la PME dans une position centrale, puisqu’il doit être l’élément moteur de cette transition dans un contexte a priori peu favorable. Il s’agit, à partir d’une enquête réalisée auprès de 86 entreprises, d’étudier les caractéristiques du contrôleur de gestion de la PME, pour évaluer sa position actuelle dans cette phase de transition. Cela conduit à proposer une typologie des contrôleurs de gestion de la PME et à analyser leurs activités, pour les situer par rapport aux évolutions actuelles du contrôle de gestion.
Choix des cabinets d'audit et évaluation des titres introduits au second marché
Authors: Broye Géraldine
Published: April 2013

Plusieurs études mettent en évidence un phénomène de sous-évaluation des titres lors d’une introduction en Bourse. Ce phénomène peut notamment être expliqué par une situation d’incertitude et d’asymétries d’information entre les différentes parties prenantes. Dans ce contexte, nous cherchons à vérifier que le choix par l’entreprise candidate d’un cabinet d’audit réputé de qualité, en signalant une information plus fiable et plus précise, permet de limiter le phénomène de sous-évaluation. À partir d’un échantillon d’entreprises introduites sur le second marché français, nos résultats corroborent l’hypothèse d’une relation inverse entre la réputation du cabinet choisi et le niveau de sous-évaluation des introductions. Notre étude vérifie en outre l’existence d’un effet significatif du choix d’une banque réputée sur le niveau de sous-évaluation.
Management hospitalier : du contrôle externe au pilotage, apport et adaptabilité du tableau de bord prospectif
Authors: Nobre Thierry
Published: April 2013

Les contraintes actuelles de l’hôpital renforcent la nécessité de la mise en œuvre d’un pilotage au sein des établissements de santé. Il s’agit, dans cet article, d’évaluer la possibilité d’adapter un outil, le tableau de bord prospectif (TBP) pour satisfaire ce nouveau besoin managérial dans ce contexte spécifique. Après avoir présenté la notion de contrôle et de pilotage à l’hôpital, deux approches sont mobilisées. Une analyse ontologique permet de souligner les convergences et les divergences entre cet outil et son utilisation potentielle dans le contexte hospitalier. Une analyse empirique menée à partir d’une démarche de recherche-action permet d’analyser l’apport des quatre axes définis dans le TBP au pilotage de la performance de l’hôpital.
Contrôle des systèmes productifs travaillant à la commande et soumis à de forts aléas
Authors: Giard Vincent , Lagroue Pierre-Yves
Published: April 2013

Le contrôle de gestion des systèmes productifs travaillant à la commande et faisant face à une demande fortement aléatoire ne peut utiliser les outils classiques. Une approche systémique intégrant les systèmes d’information et de pilotage et s’appuyant sur une approche simulatoire offre une instrumentation qui se révèle mieux adaptée.
L'influence de l'information sur les coûts de la qualité dans la fixation des prix
Authors: Viger Chantal
Published: April 2013

Cette recherche propose d’étudier les effets qu’entraîne l’intégration de l’information des coûts de la qualité dans les systèmes comptables traditionnels. Plus précisément, cette recherche étudie l’influence des coûts de la qualité dans la fixation des prix. Les résultats de l’étude démontrent l’influence qu’exerce l’information des coûts de la qualité sur la fixation des prix des produits. Us démontrent également que la fixation des prix est influencée par la contrôlabilité des coûts de la qualité. De plus, les résultats de l’étude indiquent que l’influence de l’information sur les coûts de la qualité augmente lorsque le niveau de concurrence s’accroît. De même, l’effet de la contrôlabilité des coûts de la qualité augmente lorsque le niveau de concurrence s’élève. Finalement, l’effet de l’information sur les coûts de la qualité n’est pas le même à travers les différents niveaux combinés de sensibilité des acheteurs aux variations de prix et du niveau de concurrence.
Les Invités
Authors: Midler Christophe , Doz Yves , Maugis Guy
Published: April 2013

Le succès de la Logan de Renault intrigue. N’est-ce pas un succès par erreur, destiné à être éphémère ? À moins qu’il n’annonce une révolution semblable à celle qu’a introduite Ford au siècle dernier‚ ou à celle du low cost dans le transport aérien.
A WEARABLE BIOFEEDBACK SYSTEM SUPPORTING REAL-TIME PACED BREATHING TRAINING AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING
Authors: Zhang Zheng-Bo , Wu Hao , Zheng Jie-Wen , Wang Wei-Dong , Wang Bu-Qing , Liu Hong-Yun , Wang Guo-Jing
Published: April 2013

Slow and regular breathing can generate beneficial effects on cardiovascular system and reduce stress. Breathing pacer is usually helpful for a user to learn to control breathing and restore an optimal breathing pattern. In this paper, a wearable physiological monitoring system supporting real-time breathing biofeedback is presented. An elastic T-shirt with two inductive bands integrated in the positions of rib cage (RC) and abdomen (AB) is used as a motherboard both for physiological monitoring and respiratory biofeedback. Physiological signals such as RC and AB respiration, electrocardiography (ECG), photoplethysmograph (PPG) and artery pulse wave (APW) can be sampled, stored and transmitted wirelessly. When this system is used in biofeedback applications, respiratory signals are processed in real-time by a peak-detection algorithm to recognize the concurrent breathing pattern. By comparing the actual breathing rate with the guiding breathing rate, an audio biofeedback is generated by playing music audios stored in the Micro-SD card through an MP3 decoder chip VS1053. With this design, multiple functions of physiological monitoring, real-time signal processing and audio biofeedback were integrated in one wearable system. Experiment showed that through audio biofeedback this system can guide the user to practice a slow and regular breathing effectively. Physiological data recorded from a Yoga practitioner during meditation demonstrated the capability of the system to acquire cardiopulmonary physiological data during slow breathing. This system is a useful tool both for breathing biofeedback training and its related scientific researches.
EFFECT OF BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR ON BEHAVIOR CAPABILITY AND NEURONS IN THE DENTATE GYRUS OF RATS WITH ATHEROSCLEROSIS AFTER CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY
Authors: Zhu Junde , Wang Guixue , Yu Yan , Kang Chaosheng , Yu Zijiang
Published: April 2013

The study aimed to examine the behavior capability and morphological structure on neurons in the dentate gyrus of rats with atherosclerosis (AS) after cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) and observe the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the IRI model rats with AS. Forty Wister rats were randomly divided into the control group, the AS group, the IRI group and the bFGF treatment group. Middle cerebral artery occlusion model rats were established. The bFGF was injected into the abdominal cavity in rats of the bFGF treatment group, and an identical volume physiological saline was given for the other three groups. The colorimetric method was used to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Western blot was performed for detecting the expression of caspase-3 protein of the rat dentate gyrus. The BrdU-positive cells and ultrastructures of neurons were observed and quantitative analysis was performed. The results indicated that compared with the control group, the behavior capability in the AS group and the IRI group decreased but that of the bFGF treatment group obviously improved (p < 0.05). The content of MDA significantly increased in the AS group and the IRI group (p < 0.05). After treatment with bFGF, the SOD activity of rat brain tissue obviously increased and the content of MDA decreased (p < 0.05), and the number of neurons increased along with Nissl bodies in the cytoplasm. Compared with the control group, expression of caspase-3 protein in the bFGF treatment group obviously decreased (p < 0.05). The quantity of BrdU-positive cells of the rat dentate gyrus in the bFGF treatment group was obviously higher than those of other three groups (p < 0.05). The morphological structure on neurons in the bFGF treatment group was improved compared with the IRI group. bFGF could efficiently improve the behavior ability and decrease the pathological lesion of the rat dentate gyrus of the IRI rats with AS, which might promote the neuroprotective effect in the cerebrovascular disease.
Multiple Pulmonary Nodules: A Complex Case of Wegener’s Granulomatosis
Authors: Apostolova Mariya , Shoib Mahmoud , Nasser Samer
Published: April 2013

Wegener’s granulomatosis is a granulomatous vasculitis that can present with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. This disease entity predominantly affects the respiratory tract and the kidneys. Two forms of Wegener’s granulomatosis have been recognized: systemic and limited. It has not been established if the two forms represent separate disease entities or different stages of the same condition. In the limited form of Wegener’s granulomatosis there is no immediate threat to the function of vital organs and there is no evidence of glomerulonephritis. Environmental factors that could serve as triggers for the activation of Wegener’s granulomatosis have not been clearly defined. We report a case of a 78- year old male who was found to have bilateral pulmonary nodules on pre-operative chest X-ray and was diagnosed with the limited form of Wegener’s granulomatosis. The patient developed Clostridium difficile infection, and shortly after that active glomerulonephritis, a manifestation of systemic Wegener’s granulomatosis.
‘Prevention is better than cure’: Assessing Ghana’s preparedness (capacity) for disaster management
Authors: Oteng-Ababio Martin
Published: April 2013

This article examines and contributes to the debate on Ghana’s capacity and preparedness to respond to disasters and build safer communities. Having witnessed a series of catastrophic events in recent times, many have questioned the capacity of the National Disaster Management Organisation, an institution mandated to manage disasters in Ghana and whose operations have historically been shaped by external pressures, particularly the populist tendencies of the Provisional National Defense Council government in the 1980s. Analysing the results from the fieldwork and placing them in the context of contemporary disaster management strategies, this article gives an overview of Ghana’s preparedness for emergencies in the face of increasing urbanisation. It finds that the organisation is fixated on a top-down approach with low cooperation, collaboration and coordination with stakeholders, leading to situations where devastation and destruction occur before action is taken. Today, the consensus is that practitioners wean themselves from managing disasters and take to managing risk. Such a redirection of attention calls for the adoption of an appropriate institutional framework: an approach that unites the putative nation beyond competing loyalties to ethnicity, tribe and political entity.
Educating from Failure: Dewey’s Aesthetics and the Case for Failure in Educational Theory
Authors: Stoller Aaron
Published: April 2013

This essay is an attempt to add to the argument that beauty matters in education through offering a reciprocal but interconnected point: if the dynamic harmony and deep connectedness of beauty need to be taken seriously, so must their aesthetic converse–the disharmony and estrangement of failure. While the discourse of philosophical aesthetics has long included categories such as the beautiful, the good, and the virtuous, the seeds for achievement of these ideals are planted in the soil of disharmony, uncertainty, and failure. Using a Deweyan account of art as experience, this essay argues that disharmony and failure are as much aesthetic categories as harmony and beauty and must be taken as seriously in teaching and learning. It further argues that failure, rather than beauty, is often more suited to providing the foundation for unlocking the unique potential of students and helping them cultivate their capacity for creative thought and action.
Imaginatively Experiencing Paintings and Persons
Authors: Freeman Damien
Published: April 2013

This essay investigates the special way in which a spectator might engage imaginatively with one work of art when the work is experienced in light of other works by the same artist. In particular, it addresses the idea that we might imaginatively identify with an unrepresented spectator in the picture after we have experienced others in which the same artist invites us to imaginatively identify with a represented spectator in the picture. The essay suggests that experiencing an artist’s oeuvre in this way might have a broader educational application for our practical lives: learning to experience one painting in light of another might enable us to acquire new, imaginative ways of engaging with another agent’s actions in light of our earlier experience of the agent’s actions.
ABBA: An Educational Appreciation
Authors: Pretorius Jannie P.H. , du Toit D. Stephan , Martin Colwyn , Daries Glynnis
Published: April 2013

In this essay the authors provide arguments that teaching is an art and that teachers can learn much about their trade from a careful study of the performances of other artists. Artists and teachers have the same basic challenge: in order to be successful, both groups have to obtain and retain peoples’ attention. This also holds for popular music artists. Ten female student teachers specializing in the Pre-school and Foundation phases of schooling (four-to-six-year olds), and six lecturers from the Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, participated in a workshop at a local game lodge. During the workshop, videos of ABBA songs and Mamma Mia! The Movie were analyzed and discussed. The theme of the workshop was “Being an Excellent Teacher: Appreciating ABBA.” The 4D-cycle of Appreciative Inquiry– Discover, Dream, Design and Destiny–was used as a methodological framework to identify numerous positive themes with possible classroom applications from the songs and the film. These themes were then connected to educational theory and embedded in the insights of Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Judy Cramer and other people involved with ABBA. A reflective report by one student teacher about the impact the workshop had on her views of teaching and an excellent class that she presented is also included.
Circumnutation in the growth of Chara rhizoids
Authors: Dąbrowska Janina
Published: April 2013

The chromosome numbers of 24 species of Achillea L. were determined, among them 4 for the first time (A. chamaemelifolia, A. sulphurea, A. teretifolia, A. vermicularis). A tetraploid form of A. lingulata was found for the first time. The occurrence of di- and tetraploid forms of A. crithmifolia and A. setacea is confirmed as are tetraploid forms of A. asiatica and A. sibirica. Attention is drawn to 7 species of Achillea L. occurring in two forms, di- and tetraploid, and the significance of this fact is discussed.
Micropropagation of Catalpa bignonioides Walt. through tissue cultures
Authors: Wysokińska Halina , Świątek Lucjan
Published: April 2013

The conditions used in the micropropagation of Catalpa bignonioides Walt. (Bignoniaceae) from callus tissue are described. The multiplication of shoots was best on Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) solid medium supplemented with 0.5mg dm-3 indolil-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 2.0 mg dm-3 benzylaminopurine (BAP). Under these conditions, 11 shoots per culture could be developed within 4 weeks. To develop roots, the shoots were then transferred to basal SH medium without growth regulators. Rooted plantlets were obtained within 2-8 weeks. Regenerated plants were fully capable of further development in soil. Generally, ca 10 plants could be obtained from a fragment of callus within 10-12 weeks.
Photoreceptive sites in the photocontrol of oat seedling growth
Authors: Madela Kazimierz , Kopcewicz Jan
Published: April 2013

The influence of red light on the growth of coleoptiles and mesocotyles of etiolated and pre-irradiated oat seedlings was investigated. Red light (15 min.) applied on whole seedlings stimulated the elongation of coleoptiles and inhibited the growth of mesocotyles both in etiolated and in pre-irradiated plants. Irradiation with red light (2 min) of various 2-mm-long regions of etiolated and pre-irradiated oat seedlings was carried out in order to locate their light reception regions. On the basis of growth reactions after such treatment it was found that in completely etiolated seedlings the light reception sites involved in the stimulation of coleoptile elongation and inhibition of mesocotyle growth lie directly above and below the seedling node, whereas in pre-irradiated seedlings, in the top of the seedling. These results point to the existence of different growth photoregulation systems in etiolated and pre-irradiated oat seedlings. The role of phytochrome in these phenomena is discussed.
The morphology of hairs in Plantago famarae Svent.
Authors: Andrzejewska-Golec Emilia , Świętosławski Jacek
Published: April 2013

This paper is a part of a series of investigations on hairs in the genus Plantago L. It deals with an endemic taxon - Plantago famarae Svent. which has not been investigated yet in respect to hairs. The presence of two types of headless hairs and two types of headed hairs was observed. The results of this study are compared to those of another work on two other species from the Canary Islands. P. famarae does not differ from P. arborescens by either hair type or distribution. However, in contrast to P. webbii it has no web-like hairs while hairs with a multicellular stalk and unicellular head hairs (characteristic for the taxa of subgenus Psyllium) are distributed in a different way.
The variability of Scots pine from Piekielna Góra as expressed by morphological and anatomical traits of needles
Authors: Bobowicz Maria A. , Radziejewska Anna
Published: April 2013

Two-year old needles were collected from 30 standing Scots pine trees on Piekielna Góra. These needles were analysed in respect to 13 morphological and anatomical traits. The data so obtained was subjected to a whole range of multi-trait analytical methods in an attempt to determine the variability among the randomly chosen trees. Multivariate analysis of variance and canonical analysis were done as well as calculation of Mahalanobis distances between each pair of trees and their significance was tested by the Hotelling T2 statistics. Aminimum spanning tree was constructed on the basis of the shortest Mahalanobis distances, while a dendrogram (cluster analysis) was compiled on the basis of Euclidean distances. It was found that in spite of the fact that the studied population sample of pines did not form internal, significantly differentiated groups, the variability among particular trees was large and depended on the given trait. The number of resin canals best differentiated the studied trees, while the Marcet coefficient did not significantly differentia­te any pair of trees.