bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reviewing the Strategies of Dealing with Corruption in the Europe Union Countries with Regulatory System of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO)
Authors: Fard Behzad Razavi , Hassanpour Hamidreza
Published: June 2016

This paper attempts to examine the provisions of the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Contracts, Europe Union Convention on Combating Corruption and also the analysis of the actions of the Council of Europe in implementation of the convention on criminal law, Additional Protocol to the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption and the Convention relating to anti-corruption civil law, in order to describes different ways to combat corruption and provide a suitable solution to combat corruption in the country.

Reviewing the standards and regulations in EU in the executive and legislative sector and inspection system and the Member States known as GRECO, it is concluded that the EU has been trying to implement effective measures by increasing the thematic range and personal inclusion of provisions to combat corruption and strengthen the regulatory system of GRECO; and the success of the EU in this field is largely due to these actions so that it is known as the leader in the fight against corruption according to reports and statistics compiled by Transparency International Organization.
The Europe Union has achieved such success considering appropriate social fields among member states and national and international regulatory systems. Accordingly, generalization of EU pattern to other regional or global institutions involved in the fight against corruption seems somewhat unlikely, but the experience of EU in this area can be partially passed on to others. Meanwhile, the regulatory and coping patterns of the EU and its member states can also be used for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Using Bibliometrics to Demonstrate the Value of Library Journal Collections
Authors: Belter Christopher W. , Kaske Neal K.
Published: June 2016

Although cited reference studies are common in the library and information science literature, they are rarely performed in nonacademic institutions or in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences. In this paper, we analyze more than 400,000 cited references made by authors affiliated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration between 2009 and 2013. Our results suggest that these methods can be applied to research libraries in a variety of institutions, that the results of analyses performed at one institution may not be applicable to other institutions, and that cited reference analyses should be periodically updated to reflect changes in authors’ referencing behavior.
O ENSINO JURÍDICO BRASILEIRO E A FORMAÇÃO DO “MEDALHÃO” MACHADIANO: EM BUSCA DE ALTERNATIVAS À LUZ DA PROFANAÇÃO AGAMBENIANA E DA CARNAVALIZAÇÃO WARATIANA
Authors: Wermuth Maiquel Ângelo Dezordi , Nielsson Joice Graciela
Published: June 2016

O saber jurídico das elites brasileiras– representado no texto pelo “medalhão” de Machado de Assis – representa um capital simbólico que (re)produz uma organização social que cria espaços privilegiados de poder para alguns e controla e invisibiliza outros, impondo poder por meio do saber. Para tanto, o ensino jurídico sempre se voltou à “sacralização” de conceitos e institutos, implicando o afastamento de uma compreensão emancipatória do fenômeno jurídico, abordado de forma asséptica e dogmática, separando os “iniciados” na ciência do direito dos “não iniciados”. Nesse sentido, esta pesquisa – realizada a partir do método da carnavalização – objetiva discutir, a partir da ideia de profanação cunhada pelo filósofo italiano Giorgio Agamben, a possibilidade de um “novo uso” do ensino jurídico, capaz de subverter, pela via da resistência e da carnavalização waratiana, o modelo tradicional da sacralidade, rompendo o nexo historicamente estabelecido entre saber e poder.
A EFETIVAÇÃO DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS NA CONCEPÇÃO MULTICULTURAL: CONSTRUÇÃO DA CIDADANIA COSMOPOLITA
Authors: Muller Crisna Maria , Moreira Dirceia
Published: June 2016

O presente artigo objetiva investigar a imposição do discurso hegemônico ocidental dos direitos humanos em âmbito global a favor do interesse econômico-liberal. Ademais, pretende aprofundar a construção de um discurso contra-hegemônico dos direitos humanos, com aporte multicultural, além de delinear os elementos da cidadania cosmopolita, que se desenvolvem no espaço de encontro entre as diversas culturas e agentes de mudança. Para atingir os objetivos propostos, o estudo aplicou o método de abordagem indutivo e o procedimento de pesquisa documental e bibliográfica. As conclusões apontam que o discurso hegemônico liberal dos direitos humanos expõe suas limitações ao se apresentar como caminho de emancipação do ser humano global. Assim, somente por um tipo de hermenêutica contra-hegemônica é que os direitos humanos poderão se efetivar como política cosmopolita.
ROBIN HOOD ÀS AVESSAS: A INDEVIDA TRIBUTAÇÃO DOS PRODUTOS DA CESTA BÁSICA
Authors: Costa Bárbara Josana , Buffon Marciano
Published: June 2016

A tributação sobre produtos de primeira necessidade faz com que o poder de compra da população diminua; e isso, nas famílias mais pobres, tem reflexo negativo. A limitação da aquisição de bens mínimos para a subsistência é uma afronta à promessa de um Estado Democrático de Direito, fundamentado na dignidade da pessoa humana. A única forma de cumprir com a promessa da dignidade da pessoa humana é garantindo condições mínimas de subsistência a todos os cidadãos, pois, sem isso, o indivíduo não é capaz de ter uma vida digna. Sendo as mercadorias integrantes da cesta básica bens de primeira necessidade (para a própria vida!), estes foram utilizados como parâmetros para apresentação deste trabalho. Mediante a isenção dos tributos ou redução das alíquotas sobre os bens de primeira necessidade, primordialmente no que se refere às mercadorias que compõem a cesta básica, contribuir-se-á para a maior acessibilidade da população aos bens de primeira necessidade.
ENTRE O PASSADO E O FUTURO: O PROCESSO CONSTITUINTE DE 1987-88
Authors: Troiano Mariele
Published: June 2016

A literatura sobre a Constituição de 1988 é ampla e rica, porém limitada quando se trata do processo constituinte. O objetivo deste artigo é definir o instrumental analítico apropriado ao exame do processo constituinte. Para tanto, foram mapeadas as principais discussões sobre os mecanismos institucionais da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC). Neste trabalho, apresento os trâmites regimentais assumidos no processo constituinte de 1987-88 como reflexo da construção de um novo consenso e da soberania da ANC.
RUMOS DEMOCRÁTICOS BRASILEIROS FORA DO IDEALISMO
Authors: Oliveira Emerson Ademir Borges de
Published: June 2016

A identificação de um modelo de democracia que apresenta graves falhas e ranhuras é imprescindível para saber até que ponto se busca atingir um modelo democrático, ou se a busca, na verdade, representa uma ilusão vivenciada em pleno seio da democracia. Na verdade, a crise institucional brasileira se deve em grande parte às frustrações decorrentes de se perquirir um modelo inalcançável e desafinado com a realidade democrática nacional. E é justamente na fuga de uma democracia idolatra que se mostra pleno o caminho para superação dos fundamentos das insatisfações populares, realçando-se com mais profundidade os aspectos peculiares da democracia em processo brasileira. A própria crise de representatividade é um dos aspectos, como se verá, em que a perspectiva ideal apenas serve para agredir ainda mais a já combalida instituição da representação popular. Sem uma democracia possível, o país lutará eternamente para tentar remediar um ciclo infinito de crise, atacando suas consequências, jamais as causas.
Cost of care of chronic non-communicable diseases in Jamaican patients: the role of obesity
Authors: Fray-Aiken Christine M. , Wilks Rainford J. , Abdulkadri Abdullahi O. , McCaw-Binns Affette M.
Published: June 2016

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the economic cost of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs) and the portion attributable to obesity among patients in Jamaica.METHODS: The cost-of-illness approach was used to estimate the cost of care in a hospital setting in Jamaica for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, osteoarthritis, and high cholesterol. Cost and service utilization data were collected from the hospital records of all patients with these diseases who visited the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) during 2006. Patients were included in the study if they were between15 and 74 years of age and if female, were not pregnant during that year. Costs were categorized as direct or indirect. Direct costs included costs for prescription drugs, consultation visits (emergency and clinic visits), hospitalizations, allied health services, diagnostic and treatment procedures. Indirect costs included costs attributed to premature mortality, disability (permanent and temporary), and absenteeism. Indirect costs were discounted at 3% rate.RESULTS: The sample consisted of 554 patients (40%) males (60%) females. The economic burden of the nine diseases was estimated at US$ 5,672,618 (males 37%; females 63%) and the portion attributable to obesity amounted to US$ 1,157,173 (males 23%; females 77%). Total direct cost was estimated at US$ 3,740,377 with female patients accounting for 69.9% of this cost. Total indirect cost was estimated at US$ 1,932,241 with female patients accounting for 50.6% of this cost. The greater cost among women was not found to be statistically significant. Overall, on a per capita basis, males and females accrued similar costs-of-illness (US$ 9,451.75 vs. US$ 10,758.18).CONCLUSIONS: In a country with per capita GDP of less than US$ 5,300, a per capita annual cost of illness of US$ 10,239 for CNCDs is excessive and has detrimental implications for the health and development of Jamaica.
[Budget impact analysis of idarucizumab for the management of patients treated with dabigatran in emergency / urgent situations in Italy]
Authors: Belisari Andrea , Iannazzo Sergio , Di Pasquale Giuseppe , Fresco Claudio , Mantovani Lorenzo Giovanni , Ruggeri Maria Pia , Toni Danilo , Landolfi Raffaele
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND: Each drug therapy with an anticoagulant effect may require, in emergency conditions, a rapid and specific strategy for a prompt restoration of coagulation. Dabigatran is the first-in-class of the so-called new oral anticoagulants (NAO), that have been made available in recent years in addition to traditionally-used vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Idarucizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to dabigatran, neutralizing its anticoagulant effect.OBJECTIVE: To assess the economic effect of idarucizumab in patients treated with dabigatran when the rapid reversal of its anticoagulant effect is required.METHODS: The analysis was carried over through the development of a budget impact model specifically adapted to the context of Italian care. The analysis was conducted along a time horizon of five years. The target population was defined by those patients on dabigatran treatment presenting uncontrolled and life-threatening bleedings (gastro-intestinal, intracranial or other) or requiring emergency surgery or urgent procedures. The estimation of healthcare resources (i.e. diagnostic procedures, medications, and other in-hospital services) needed for the management of uncontrolled bleeding and emergency surgery in patients treated with dabigatran was obtained from a panel of five Italian Clinical Experts. Unit costs were derived from current prices and tariffs.RESULTS: The total cost of management with the current therapeutic modalities ranged from € 16.5 million in year 1 to € 20.1 million in year 5. In the scenario with idarucizumab the total cost ranged from € 15.4 million in year 1 to € 18.7 million in year 5. The adoption of idarucizumab resulted in a cumulative 5-year savings of 6.5 million euro corresponding to 7.1% of the total expense.CONCLUSION: Idarucizumab for the management of patients treated with dabigatran in emergency / urgent situations has the potential for substantial savings, compared to treatments currently available. This preliminary assessment will require further confirmatory evidence when the product will become available in Italian healthcare setting.[Article in Italian]
Impacto de los acuerdos de asociación en el comercio Euromediterráneo de frutas y hortalizas
Authors: Martí Selva M. Luisa , García Álvarez-Coque José M.
Published: June 2016

The aim of this research is to discuss a different way to represent the influence of Association Agreements on the agricultural trade between Southern Mediterranean Countries and the European Union in the period 1995-2004. A yearly analysis makes it possible to study trade changes after the Association Agreement between European Union and Southern Mediterranean Countries. For assessment of the Association Agreements, groups of countries with different treatment granted by the EU can separately considered. For these purposes, a gravity model approach could be of help, in particular for differentiated products such as fruits and vegetables.
Efecto de la intensificación sobre la eficiencia de las explotaciones lecheras
Authors: Álvarez Antonio , Del Corral Julio , Pérez José Antonio , Solís Daniel
Published: June 2016

This study analyzes the differences on production cost associated with the intensification of production for a sample of dairy farms in Asturias. In doing so, we account for two methodological issues which are not usually considered in the empirical literature. On the one hand, we allow for different technologies within the sample. On the other hand, we estimate ex ante cost functions, which use ‘planned output’ instead of the traditional ex post approach which uses the ‘observed output’. Our results show a positive relation between intensification and efficiency.
Adopción de tecnología de distribución y control del agua en las Comunidades de Regantes de la Región de Murcia
Authors: Alcón Francisco , De Miguel Mª Dolores , Burton Michael
Published: June 2016

The present paper analyses the process of adopting water management and control technology in the irrigation communities in the region of Murcia from 1975 to 2005. Duration Analysis has been used to combine the technological process with the time taken from the initial stages of the irrigation community until the execution of this plan. The ownership of a subterranean water well and the use of a variable tariff system according to the water consumed have been identified as the moving forces of the adoption process. The policies of subsidies toimprove irrigation technology areas and drought have also affected the adoption decisions.
Análisis econométrico de la heterogeneidad de las preferencias de los individuos: Aplicación a la valoración económica de la conservación del paisaje agrícola de montaña
Authors: Colombo Sergio , Hanley Nick
Published: June 2016

The need to account for respondents’ preference heterogeneity in stated choice models has motivated researchers to apply random parameter logit and latent class models. In this paper we compare these three alternative ways of incorporating preference heterogeneity in stated choice models and evaluate how the choice of model affects welfare estimates in a given empirical application. Finally, we discuss what criteria to follow to decide which approach is most appropriate.
Análisis multicriterio de preferencias sociales en gestión hídrica bajo la Directiva Marco del Agua
Authors: Mesa P. , Martín-Ortega J. , Berbel J.
Published: June 2016

This work aims to contribute to the implementation of the WFD with regard to the selection of the measures for a sustainable and socially accepted water management. A multicriteria decision support exercise is applied to the Guadalquivir River Basin in order to test the applicability of the Analytic Hierarchy Process in the new WFD context. A survey was carried out in the context of a future enlargement of La Breña reservoir (Córdoba). This analysis aims to obtain the public’s weight of the criteria in water management, in order to assess the legitimacy of the reservoir enlargement, as well as other management measures. Results suggest that the AHP is an adequate tool for the WFD purposes and a useful complement for the cost-effectiveness analysis.
Implicaciones de NAFTA, TLCUEM y de la integración de China a la OMC en el mercado de la berenjena: Una perspectiva de equilibrio espacial
Authors: Guajardo Ramón , Ríos Maricela
Published: June 2016

This paper studies the impact on the eggplant world market caused by NAFTA, TLCUEM and by the integration of China into the WTO. The impacts were measured as changes on commercial flows and prices. A spatial equilibrium model with endogenous prices was specified and estimated from which alternative scenarios were considered: with and without the operation of these treaties and the incorporation of China into the WTO. The results show that the operation of these treaties results in trade diversion. Furthermore, under the integration of China into the WTO, even under free world trade market there is no impact on the eggplant world market.
Multiplicadores domésticos “SAMEA” en un modelo multisectorial económico y ambiental de España
Authors: Morilla Carmen R. , Cardenete M. Alejandro
Published: June 2016

This paper aims to show the utility of the Social Accounting Matrix and Environmental Accounts (SAMEA). The article begins with the elaboration of the SAMEA for Spain in 2000, applied to water resources and to greenhouses gas emissions. The estimation has been made with official data of INE, integrating the environmental physical information, proceeding from the Accounts of the Water Resource and the Emissions to the Atmosphere, with the monetary information published by the National Accounting. This matrix is used as the central core of a multisectorial model of the economic and environmental performance, from which the "domestic SAMEA multipliers" are calculated. These multipliers show the impacts of different production activities on the economy and environment.
Estrategias para incrementar la participación en programas agroambientales: el papel del capital social
Authors: Barreiro-Hurlé Jesús , Espinosa-Goded María , Dupraz Pierre
Published: June 2016

The voluntary nature of agri-environmental programmes makes their success contingent on the adoption decision by farmers. This is a complex decision which cannot be explained in terms of a single construct. This paper extends the modelling of the selection of the best farm management option in the presence of agri-environmental programmes to consider explicitly the role of social capital, investigating both its structural and cognitive dimensions. The results support the idea that technical aspects alone are not sufficient to explain how best farm management plans are selected and suggest that social capital influences this decision both for low and high change requirement measures
Costes de transacción e integración vertical: Una aplicación al sector de denominación de origen calificada Rioja
Authors: Fernández-Olmos Marta , Rosell-Martínez Jorge , Espitia-Escuer Manuel A.
Published: June 2016

This article develops and tests a model of integration of the first stage of the wine value chain, i.e. the viticulture activity. The model, derived from the transaction cost analysis developed principally by Williamson, is formulated as a tobit function, which is estimated with data from the wine industry in the Rioja’s denomination of origin. The nature of the relationship between product quality and vertical integration is also established. Consistently with the transaction cost theory, integration is associated with increasing levels of asset specificity and uncertainty. Results also indicate that the winery size significantly affects make-buy choices. As expected, more vertical integration appears to be associated with higher product quality.
Medición de la ecoeficiencia en procesos productivos en el sector agrario. Caso de estudio sobre producción de cítricos
Authors: Ribal Javier , Sanjuán Neus , Clemente Gabriela , Fenollosa María Loreto
Published: June 2016

The eco-efficiency can be defined by using the “economic value/environmental impacts” ratio. In this study the eco-efficiency of orange production in the Comunidad Valenciana was assessed. 24 scenarios of orange production were built regarding their agricultural practices. For every scenario the environmental impacts were assessed by means of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as well as the economic value added. The results have been referred to 1 kg oranges. The integration of the economic and environmental assessments was made through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Among the scenarios scored as eco-efficient, those with organic production prevailed.
Una evaluación de los impactos de la PAC en España: Un análisis de equilibrio general computable
Authors: Philippidis George
Published: June 2016

The Mid Term Review introduced a decoupling of agricultural support from production decisions, although with opt-out clauses for specific payments in particular sectors. The ‘Health Check’ seeks to deepen the degree of decoupling, whilst importantly for Spain, offers the option of extending this model of support to the fruit and vegetables sectors. Employing a computable general equilibrium model, this paper sets out to quantitatively assess the agro-food and macroeconomic impacts of the Mid Term Review and Health Check proposals in Spain. With greater decoupling, agricultural output falls slightly, whilst resources are reallocated in favour of arable activities.
Efectos económicos regionales de las transferencias de agua: el papel de la mobilidad de los factores en el caso del sector agrícola de Baleares
Authors: Tirado Dolores , Lozano Javier , Gómez Carlos Mario
Published: June 2016

Using a CGE model for the Balearic Islands, we simulate the effects of an agricultural water market in the farming sector facing reductions in the water endowment. The market lessens the negative effects on farming communities of short-term water restrictions associated with cyclical droughts. However, in scenarios of permanent reductions, such as those envisaged by global warming predictions or those that result from the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive, a water market may aggravate the negative effects of water shortage. Therefore, the paper shows that generalizations cannot be made about the effects of water markets on farming communities.
Enfoques de adaptación al cambio climático en China: Un marco operativo
Authors: Jiahua Pan , Yan Zheng , Markandya Anil
Published: June 2016

Climate change poses great risks for China, which makes adaptation an essential response. However, adaptation planning and implementation are still at a preliminary stage with respect to the theoretical framework and methodology. This article focuses on the status, problems and basic needs as regards adaptation to climate change, and outlines the operational framework that the government is seeking to pursue for China’s adapting to climate change. The conclusion is that, to satisfy the basic needs of development, it is necessary to clarify development-oriented and incremental adaptation. Furthermore measures to enhance adaptive capacity can be classified as infrastructure-based, technology-based and institutional. Lastly the authors stress the importance of appraising adaptation actions and measures from an economic perspective.
Contribuciones a la vulnerabilidad hacia el cambio climático desde la economía institucional
Authors: Díaz Simal Pedro , Torres Ortega Saúl
Published: June 2016

This paper analyzes the various contributions made in the economic literature that in fluence climate change vulnerability. We try to create conceptual order and transparence in the contributions identifying the assumptions and constraints that each school has introduced into academic debate and practical application. We analyze the conceptual framework that articulates the debate, review the theoretical approaches developed in the literature identifying the object of analysis and the basics of each theory, so that the real model implications are established in each case study. From this scheme we derive a clarifying proposal for organizing theoretical discourse. We specifically focus on the theoretical assumptions underlying each model. We conclude with some criteria for choosing the right models in each case and a general guideline for future research.
La PAC 2020: Claves interpretativas de la Comunicación de la Comisión Europea, COM (2010) 672 de 18.11.2010
Authors: Massot Martí Albert
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the content of the European Commission’s Communication of 18th November 2010 on the future of the CAP. It discusses the key issues of interest that will be tackled during the CAP reform process and it also provides some suggestions in order to support the debate before the presentation of the legislative proposals from the Commission in 2011.
La Convention de Faro en perspective : analyse éthique du patrimoine culturel pour la société au Kosovo
Authors: Brianso Isabelle
Published: June 2016

Cet article tente d’analyser les enjeux éthiques, politiques et interculturels du patrimoine culturel européen pour la société au prisme de la Convention-cadre sur la valeur du patrimoine culturel pour la société (2005) dite « Convention de Faro ». Ce texte normatif du Conseil de l’Europe (CoE), innovant et original, prône un dessein politique et sociétal ancré dans une démocratie participative en faveur d’un patrimoine commun de l’Europe. La « Convention de Faro » s’inscrit donc en tant que réponse sociale et patrimoniale pour la société civile (communautés patrimoniales) par l’émergence de nouveaux modèles de gouvernance locale dans le respect d’un dialogue entre les nations membres et celles candidates à l’entrée dans l’Union européenne (Balkans). L’espace européen est confronté à des défis majeurs (environnement, patrimoine, société, crises) devant conduire les citoyens à une responsabilité individuelle et collective à l’égard du patrimoine fondée sur les principes démocratiques issus des droits de l’Homme. Enfin, nous analysons trois concepts fondateurs de deux textes normatifs majeurs (CoE, UNESCO) afin de comprendre les nouvelles modalités de l’enquête (terrain, méthodes) et la circulation des savoirs entre institutions pionnières en matière patrimoniale et les acteurs du territoire (top-down). L’étude sémantique de ces textes nous permettra d’appréhender les enjeux interculturels appliqués à un espace urbain et patrimonial au Kosovo (observatoire) et de mesurer en quoi il constitue un défi local de portée européenne.
Conte et inter-cultures au Québec : vers une pratique collaborative d’un lien de mémoire
Authors: Martineau Myriame
Published: June 2016

Cet article se penche sur la pertinence d’utiliser les contes comme sources orales patrimoniales dans notre compréhension du monde actuel et propose quelques pistes de réflexion, à partir de la pratique sociale et artistique des conteuses et conteurs québécois. L’auteure se penche sur la problématique du conte contemporain québécois, à la fois comme lien de mémoire pour appréhender certains aspects de l’histoire et du patrimoine commun d’une société, comme récit de l’expérience humaine et comme véhicule de l’identitaire. Tout en remettant en question le concept d’interculturalité et lui préférant celui d’inter-cultures, cet article examine une pratique exploratoire de « l’objet-conte » auprès de personnes issues de l’immigration et en apprentissage du français au Québec, afin de saisir comment il est possible de partager des mémoires contenues dans les contes et de mettre en dialogue les fragments de cultures auxquels ils font référence.
La sociologie et les régimes de réalité
Authors: Martuccelli Danilo
Published: June 2016

En mettant les relations entre l’action et la réalité au centre de la théorie sociale, l’article propose d’explorer de nouvelles orientations possibles pour le travail sociologique. L’interrogation première de la sociologie doit porter sur un monde social où, quelle que soit la force des coercitions, il est toujours possible d’agir autrement. Face à l’élasticité foncière de la vie sociale, et afin de contrer le vertige suscité par l’illimitation de l’action, les sociétés ont institué différentes limites indépassables de la réalité. Quatre grands domaines donnant forme à différents régimes de réalité ont historiquement rempli cette fonction (la religion, la politique, l’économie, l’écologie), en articulant présupposés imaginaires et expériences effectives. Dans les sociétés contemporaines, c’est à l’économie, véritable régime hégémonique de réalité, et en partie à l’écologie, que reviennent cette fonction. La reconnaissance des spécificités de cette dimension ouvre à de nouvelles problématiques sociologiques.
L’ethos en sociologie : perspectives de recherche pour un concept toujours fertile
Authors: Bédard Pascale
Published: June 2016

À partir d’une enquête sociologique sur les conditions de pratique et le statut social des artistes en arts visuels aujourd’hui, l’article présente une réflexion sur le concept d’ethos, sur lequel s’est particulièrement orientée cette recherche. L’objectif est ici de montrer comment, par-delà son ancienneté, cette notion d’ethos semble encore aujourd’hui pertinente, particulièrement en regard de son potentiel analytique à lier l’étude des pratiques et celle des valeurs, dans une considération conjuguée de la liberté d’un sujet individuel et de son rattachement à des représentations socialement constituées. Il s’agit aussi de donner un aperçu du potentiel heuristique du concept d’ethos dans le contexte d’une enquête sociologique de terrain où il se trouve opérationnalisé, en l’occurrence celle que j’ai menée entre 2008 et 2013 sur les artistes en arts visuels au Québec et en Belgique francophone.
Design and validation of a next generation sequencing assay for hereditaryBRCA1andBRCA2mutation testing
Authors: Kang Hyunseok P. , Maguire Jared R. , Chu Clement S. , Haque Imran S. , Lai Henry , Mar-Heyming Rebecca , Ready Kaylene , Vysotskaia Valentina S. , Evans Eric A.
Published: June 2016

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, caused by a germline pathogenic variant in theBRCA1orBRCA2(BRCA1/2) genes, is characterized by an increased risk for breast, ovarian, pancreatic and other cancers. Identification of those who have aBRCA1/2mutation is important so that they can take advantage of genetic counseling, screening, and potentially life-saving prevention strategies. We describe the design and analytic validation of the Counsyl Inherited Cancer Screen, a next-generation-sequencing-based test to detect pathogenic variation in theBRCA1andBRCA2genes. We demonstrate that the test is capable of detecting single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), short insertions and deletions (indels), and copy-number variants (CNVs, also known as large rearrangements) with zero errors over a 114-sample validation set consisting of samples from cell lines and deidentified patient samples, including 36 samples withBRCA1/2pathogenic germline mutations.
Virus wars: using one virus to block the spread of another
Authors: Paff Matthew L. , Nuismer Scott L. , Ellington Andrew , Molineux Ian J. , Bull James J.
Published: June 2016

The failure of traditional interventions to block and cure HIV infections has led to novel proposals that involve treating infections with therapeutic viruses–infectious viruses that specifically inhibit HIV propagation in the host. Early efforts in evaluating these proposals have been limited chiefly to mathematical models of dynamics, for lack of suitable empirical systems. Here we propose, develop and analyze an empirical system of a therapeutic virus that protects a host cell population against a lethal virus. The empirical system usesE. colibacteria as the host cell population, an RNA phage as the lethal virus and a filamentous phage as the therapeutic virus. Basic dynamic properties are established for each virus alone and then together. Observed dynamics broadly agree with those predicted by a computer simulation model, although some differences are noted. Two cases of dynamics are contrasted, differing in whether the therapeutic virus is introduced before the lethal virus or after the lethal virus. The therapeutic virus increases in both cases but by different mechanisms. With the therapeutic virus introduced first, it spreads infectiously without any appreciable change in host dynamics. With the therapeutic virus introduced second, host abundance is depressed at the time therapy is applied; following an initial period of therapeutic virus spread by infection, the subsequent rise of protection is through reproduction by hosts already protected. This latter outcome is due to inheritance of the therapeutic virus state when the protected cell divides. Overall, the work establishes the feasibility and robustness to details of a viral interference using a therapeutic virus.
Reciproc vs. hand instrumentation in dental practice: a study in routine care
Authors: Bartols Andreas , Reutter Claudius A. , Robra Bernt-Peter , Walther Winfried
Published: June 2016

Background.Little is known about the clinical impact of new root canal preparation systems in general dental practice under routine care conditions. Therefore, we compared hand instrumentation (H) with Reciproc (R) (VDW, Munich, Germany) preparation. The outcomes were endodontic related pain and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL), evaluation of the procedures by the patients and the strain felt by the dentists during root canal therapy.

Methods. Six dentists participated in the trial as practitioner–investigators. In the first phase of the trial they prepared root canals with H and in the second phase with R. The patients documented their pain felt with a visual analogue scale (VAS 100) and OHRQoL with the German short version of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-G-14) before treatment and before the completion of therapy and answered questions about how they experienced the treatment. The dentists documented their physical strain during treatment.

Results.A total of 137 patients were included in the evaluation. 66 patients were treated with H, 71 with R. Pain reduction was 32.6 (SD 32.9) VAS (H) vs. 29.4 (SD 26.9) VAS (R) (p= 0.550), and the improvement of the OHIP-14 score was 5.5 (SD 9.2) (H) vs. 6.7 (SD 7.4) (R) (p= 0.383). There were no statistical differences in both groups. Significantly fewer patients felt stressed by the duration of treatment with R as with H (p= 0.018). Significantly more dentists reported that their general physical strain and the strain on their fingers were less severe with R than with H (p= 0.013 andp< 0.001).

Discussion.H as well as R effectively reduced endodontic related pain and OHRQoL without statistical differences. R has advantages in terms of how patients experience the treatment and regarding the physical strain felt by the dentists.
Carotid‐Ventricular Coupling During Exercise
Authors: Bianchini Elisabetta , Bruno Rosa Maria , Pitino Annalisa , Di Lascio Nicole , Petersen Christina , Molinaro Sabrina , Faita Francesco , Gemignani Vincenzo , Ghiadoni Lorenzo , Sicari Rosa
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To evaluate carotid elasticity and left ventricular elastance during a graded bicycle semisupine exercise test in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease and compare them with a control group of healthy young volunteers.

Methods

Thirty‐six elderly patients and 18 young healthy volunteers were recruited. The right carotid diameter was estimated by an automatic system applied to B‐mode sonographic sequences, central mean blood and pulse pressures by radial artery tonometry, and cardiac volumes by 2‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography; from these direct measurements, the carotid cross‐sectional distensibility coefficient and left ventricular elastance index were obtained. Analyses were performed at rest, at peak stress, and during the recovery phase.

Results

The elderly patients included 20 men (mean age ± SD, 61 ± 8 years); the volunteers included 9 men (mean age, 34 ± 3 years). The mean blood pressure (at rest: patients, 97 ± 7 mm Hg; controls, 93 ± 9 mm Hg; not significant) increased similarly in both groups during exercise and decreased during the recovery phase. The diameter was higher in patients than controls (7.5 ± 1.1 versus 6.2 ± 0.5 mm) and increased significantly with exercise only in the latter group (at peak: 6.5 ± 0.6 mm; P < .05). The distensibility coefficient and elastance index were lower in patients than controls during the test phases [at rest: 24.5 ± 10.2 versus 60.8 ± 21.3 × 10−3/kPa and 3.6 ± 1.4 versus 1.6 ± 0.8 mm Hg/(mL/m2)] and mostly changed in the controls, showing a decreased distensibility coefficient (peak: 40.6 ± 15.1 × 10−3/kPa) and an increased elastance index [peak: 5.9 ± 2.8 mm Hg/(mL/m2)].

Conclusions

In older patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors or established coronary artery disease, an abnormal carotid‐ventricular adaptation to exercise was observed when compared to young healthy individuals.
Ultrasound Quality Assurance for Singletons in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies
Authors: Hediger Mary L. , Fuchs Karin M. , Grantz Katherine L. , Grewal Jagteshwar , Kim Sungduk , Gore-Langton Robert E. , Buck Louis Germaine M. , D'Alton Mary E. , Albert Paul S.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To report on the ultrasound quality assurance program for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies and describe both its advantages and generalizability.

Methods

After training on an ultrasound system and software, research sonographers were expected to capture blank (unmeasured) images in triplicate for crown‐rump length, biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length. A primary expert sonographer was designated and validated. A 5% sample (n = 740 of 14,785 scans) was randomly selected in 3 distinct rounds from within strata of maternal body mass index (round 1 only), gestational age, and research site. Unmeasured images were extracted from selected scans and measured with the ultrasound software by an expert sonographer. Correlations and coefficients of variation (CVs) were calculated, and the within‐measurement standard deviation (ie, technical error of the measurement), was calculated.

Results

The reliability between the site sonographers and the expert was high, with correlations exceeding 0.99 for all dimensions in all rounds. The CV % values showed low variability, with the percentage differences being less than 2%, except for abdominal circumference in rounds 2 and 3, in which it averaged about 3%. Correlations remained high (>0.90) with increasing fetal size; there was a monotonic increase in technical errors of the measurement but without a corresponding increase in the CV %.

Conclusions

Using rigorous procedures for training sonographers, coupled with quality assurance oversight, we determined that the measurements acquired longitudinally for singletons are both accurate and reliable for establishment of an ultrasound standard for fetal growth.
Priapism and renal colic in a patient treated with duloxetine
Authors: Wilkening G. Lucy , Kucherer Shelly A. , Douaihy Antoine B.
Published: June 2016

Antidepressant medications are associated with a variety of genitourinary and adverse sexual effects, such as urinary hesitation, priapism, and delayed ejaculation. Here, we report a case of priapism and renal colic following initiation of duloxetine in a patient with history of tolerated selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of priapism and renal colic associated with duloxetine use. This case contributes to the current body of evidence describing adverse genitourinary and sexual effects associated with antidepressant medications.
Drug-induced cognitive impairment: Effect of cardiovascular agents
Authors: Marvanova Marketa
Published: June 2016

Introduction: Cardiovascular agents can be associated with a negative effect on cognition, especially in older adults, critically ill people, and those with baseline cognitive impairment. Negative effect on cognition is commonly reported as uncomplicated acute confusion and delirium and, less commonly, chronic cognitive changes due to drug-induced depression and/or dementia.

Methods: A literature review of case reports, case series, prospective cohort studies, clinical trials, and literature reviews were included in this study. Articles were located using online databases PubMed and Medline using the following keywords: antiarrhythmic agents, anticholinergic burden, antihypertensive agents, beta-blockers, cardiovascular agents, cognitive impairment, delirium, cognition, dementia, depression, digoxin, diuretics, and drug-induced cognitive impairment.

Results: In general, use of all antihypertensives, especially in the case of polypharmacy or inappropriate dosing, can lead to hypotension and/or bradycardia, and thus lead to mental/cognitive status change due to decreased cerebral perfusion. Use of diuretics can be associated with fluid/electrolyte and/or acid-base imbalance, resulting in the onset of confusion and delirium. In addition, cardiovascular agents with central bioavailability, such digoxin and select antiarrhythmics, and antihypertensives may carry a risk for cognitive impairment due to various mechanisms proposed, such as antagonism of central muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, neurotransmission imbalance in the brain, and disruption of physiologic function of sodium/potassium ATPase in the neuronal cells.

Discussion: When dealing with an individual who presents with acute, subacute, and chronic changes in cognitive function, one should perform a thorough medication history as the first step in order to aid in the identification of drug-induced cognitive impairment.
Biofilm effect on soil hydraulic properties: Experimental investigation using soil‐grown real biofilm
Authors: Volk Elazar , Iden Sascha C. , Furman Alex , Durner Wolfgang , Rosenzweig Ravid
Published: June 2016

Understanding the influence of attached microbial biomass on water flow in variably saturated soils is crucial for many engineered flow systems. So far, the investigation of the effects of microbial biomass has been mainly limited to water‐saturated systems. We have assessed the influence of biofilms on the soil hydraulic properties under variably saturated conditions. A sandy soil was incubated with Pseudomonas Putida and the hydraulic properties of the incubated soil were determined by a combination of methods. Our results show a stronger soil water retention in the inoculated soil as compared to the control. The increase in volumetric water content reaches approximately 0.015 cm3 cm−3 but is only moderately correlated with the carbon deficit, a proxy for biofilm quantity, and less with the cell viable counts. The presence of biofilm reduced the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil by up to one order of magnitude. Under unsaturated conditions, the hydraulic conductivity was only reduced by a factor of four. This means that relative water conductance in biofilm‐affected soils is higher compared to the clean soil at low water contents, and that the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity curve of biofilm‐affected soil cannot be predicted by simply scaling the saturated hydraulic conductivity. A flexible parameterization of the soil hydraulic functions accounting for capillary and noncapillary flow was needed to adequately describe the observed properties over the entire wetness range. More research is needed to address the exact flow mechanisms in biofilm‐affected, unsaturated soil and how they are related to effective system properties.
Slip Length Enhancement in Nanofluidic Flow using Nanotextured Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Authors: Heverhagen Jonas , Tasinkevych Mykola , Rahman Atikur , Black Charles T. , Checco Antonio
Published: June 2016

The development of highly efficient nanofluidic devices necessitates means for enhancing and controlling fluid transport under confinement. Here, it is shown experimentally that significant interfacial drag reduction in nanoscale channels can be obtained with hydrophobic arrays of conical textures tapering to a radius of less than 10 nanometers at their tip. This geometry maximizes interfacial slippage by trapping a highly resilient air layer at the solid/liquid interface. Further, it is revealed that the composite liquid/solid‐air interface bears an electrostatic charge density comparable to that of a flat hydrophobic solid. Altogether these properties render the nanotextured surfaces highly attractive for efficient nanofluidic transport both in pressure‐driven and electroosmotic flow.
A Stretchable Nanogenerator with Electric/Light Dual‐Mode Energy Conversion
Authors: Fang Huajing , Wang Xiandi , Li Qiang , Peng Dengfeng , Yan Qingfeng , Pan Caofeng
Published: June 2016

As an alternative technology, stretchable electronics attract long‐lasting attention. A newly‐designed stretchable nanogenerator with unique dual‐mode energy conversion is reported. The ability of converting the input mechanical stimuli to either electric or light output is achieved by monolithically integrating a transparent single‐electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (S‐TENG) with a ZnS based mechanoluminescence (ML) composite. This stretchable device with versatile functions promotes the development of the smart systems to efficiently and diversely utilize ubiquitous mechanical energy and demonstrates great potential for artificial e‐skins.
Oro‐dental features of Pallister–Killian syndrome: Evaluation of 21 European probands
Authors: Bagattoni Simone , D'Alessandro Giovanni , Sadotti Agnese , Alkhamis Nadia , Rocca Alessandro , Cocchi Guido , Krantz Ian David , Piana Gabriela
Published: June 2016

Pallister–Killian syndrome (PKS) is a rare sporadic multi‐systemic developmental disorder caused by a mosaic tetrasomy of the short arm of chromosome 12. A wide range of clinical characteristics including intellectual disability, seizures, and congenital malformations has previously been described. Individuals with PKS show a characteristic facial phenotype with frontal bossing, alopecia, sparse eyebrows, depressed nasal bridge, long philtrum, telecanthus, and posteriorly rotated ears. Oro‐dental features, such as “Pallister lip,” macroglossia, delayed eruption of primary teeth, high arched‐palate, prognathism, and cleft palate have been occasionally reported in the medical literature. The aim of the study was to assess the oro‐dental phenotype of PKS and to describe the oral health status in a cohort participating in the First European Workshop on PKS. A clinical dental examination was performed in 21 Caucasian probands and data regarding medical and dental history collected. Twelve probands (57%) showed an atypical dental pattern, with multiple missing teeth (primarily the first permanent molars) and 2 (10%) a double teeth. The severity of gingivitis and dental caries increased with age and gingival overgrowth was a common finding. A characteristic occlusive phenotype was found: a high‐arched palate with mandibular prognathism associated with an anterior openbite and crossbite and with posterior crossbite (unilateral or bilateral). The prevalence of oral habits (non‐nutritive sucking, mouth breathing, bruxism) was high, even in older probands. This study suggests that individuals affected by PKS should be observed closely for oro‐dental diseases and a multidisciplinary approach is needed to implement the right preventive measures. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.