bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recherches sociologiques sur les informations et décisions dans les organisations économiques socialistes
Authors: Kozminski Andrzej
Published: November 2010

Jusqu'à présent, les recherches sociologiques sur les organisations économiques en Pologne ont été effectuées dans le cadre d'une orientation que l'auteur qualifie d'orientation c micro » (études d'équipes, d'ateliers ou d'entreprises, concernant des ouvriers ou des cadres moyens, recherches sur la satisfaction au travail, sur les relations humaines dans un groupe d'ouvriers, etc.). Tout en ayant facilité la compréhension de certains mécanismes de l'activité économique, ces recherches sont néanmoins restées insuffisantes.

De ce fait, les chercheurs s'efforcent aujourd'hui de trouver une nouvelle orientation de la sociologie de l'organisation, qui loin de nier les réalisations acquises, tente de les développer et de les utiliser dans un contexte théorique nouveau. La recherche s'attache désormais à l'économie nationale dans son ensemble et notamment aux relations entre les différents éléments de l'organisation hiérarchique de la gestion où il faut chercher les bases de l'efficacité du fonctionnement de l'économie du système socialiste.

Cet article est consacré essentiellement aux recherches en cours sur les processus d'information (passage, déformation et perturbations de l'information) et les prises de décision au sein des grandes organisations industrielles (genèse sociale d'une situation impliquant l'adoption d'une décision importante, rôle du directeur et des membres de la direction de l'entreprise ou de toute autre organisation, tactique employée, circulation de l'information, etc.). Il est même envisagé de créer un modèle de situation de décision en se fondant sur la théorie cybernétique, modèle théorique destiné à indiquer les fonctions qu'il faut accomplir pour résoudre la situation donnée, c'est-à-dire, pour prendre une décision. Enfin, il s'agit de développer cette nouvelle orientation des recherches sociologiques en liaison avec la science économique et la théorie de l'organisation qui elles aussi ont pour objet l'étude du fonctionnement de l'ensemble des organisations économiques.
La participation des membres des organes d'autogestion à la prise de décisions
Authors: Možina Stane
Published: November 2010

Stane Mozina — The interest of the members of self-management institutions in the decision-making.

Participation in the decision-making in the desired or actual form, in the crucial point in every organization, especially in the Self-management. The aim of the study on which is made the article was to investigate actual and desired participation at different activities (distribution of income, policy-making, election of the leading employee, etc.) by the different socio-professional groups (managers, engineers, skilled and semiskilled workers and members of Workers Council) in the organizations.

Research was made by appropriate questionaire based on over 2.000 respondents in the sample of 15 industrial enterprises in Yugoslavia in the 1970. Data are statistically significant.

From the available date we can conclude the following:

1. The members of Workers Council have more interest for participation in the decision-making for distribution of total and personal income, policy-making, investment and business results; they have less interest for sales, prices and relationship with the other enterprises and institutions.

2. Managers have more interest to make decision for business problems, personal management, work measurement, etc. and less for problems concerning social activities.

3. White collar workers are more intesrested for participation in activities related to their specific job.

4. Blue collar workers are less interested in the policy making but more for participation in decision-making of working conditions, wages, shifts to fire and hire procedure, etc. Conclusion is that we have not the same interest by individuals (as was proclaimed) for participation in the decision-making within the organization. Certain social groups have different interest for actual or desired participation in the above mentioned activities. Then, those who were or are elected in Workers Council are more active in the participation as those who were not in the Workers Council. So, members of self-management have a wide palete of direct and indirect participation in the decision-making and the chances are not exploited with the established structure and nature of work within the organization-
La théorie du commerce extérieur des économies centralement planifiées
Authors: Holzman Franklyn D.
Published: November 2010

Un ensemble d'économies centralement planifiées est apparu pour la première fois depuis la deuxième guerre mondiale. Ces pays effectuent des échanges extérieurs aussi bien entre eux qu'avec des pays capitalistes. Leur commerce n'obéit cependant pas toujours aux mêmes principes que ceux qui règlent les flux commerciaux sur les marchés mondiaux entre les entreprises privées des différents pays capitalistes. Dans le système de planification centralisée, le commerce extérieur est inclu dans le plan national ; ce plan est réalisé par les entreprises du commerce extérieur qui jouent habituellement un rôle d' « intermédiaires» et non d'unités de production et de consommation. Dans ce système, il y a une séparation complète entre les prix intérieurs et les prix pratiqués dans les échanges extérieurs ; les taux de change n'ont qu'une valeur comptable et n'affectent pas les prix réellement payés, ni les flux commerciaux ou la balance des paiements ; aucune des monnaies n'est convertible, etc.

Il est évident que le commerce extérieur effectué dans ces conditions ne peut être expliqué d'une façon correcte par les théories élaborées à partir des échanges entre économies du marché. Cette lacune dans nos connaissances a été en partie comblée au cours des 25 dernières années par les recherches et les écrits des économistes aussi bien à l'Est qu'à l'Ouest. Dans l'article qui suit, un effort est fait pour indiquer brièvement les principaux développements consacrés au commerce des économies centralement planifiées. L'étude, cependant, est limitée aux travaux parus en langue anglaise. Cette limitation est moins grave qu'il ne pourrait paraître à première vue étant donné que plusieurs études importantes d'économistes d'Europe de l'Est et de l'Ouest sont résumées dans les travaux cités. Les principaux domaines traités dans l'article concernent le mécanisme d'ajustement du commerce extérieur, le rapport entre le commerce et la croissance, l'importance du commerce extérieur, le problème des prix et des taux de change, les politiques commerciales et les flux de capitaux et d'aide extérieure.

Les sources citées, bien que loin d'être complètes, devraient donner des indications bibliographiques assez complètes à tous ceux qui désirent connaître les écrits consacrés aux problèmes ci-dessus mentionnés.
L'évolution des structures agraires et de la politique agricole en République Démocratique Allemande
Authors: Lamps Maryse
Published: November 2010

Changes in Agrarian Policy and Structures in the German Democratic Republic.

After briefly retracing the agrarian reforms of 1945 in the German Democratic Republic and the first steps in socializing agriculture in 1952, (total collectivization was not achieved until 1960) the author focuses on the present-day agricultural situation.

In an East German village today, life centers around the agricultural cooperative, or L.P.G. {Landwirtschaftliche Produktionsgenossenschaft) of which there are three different types :

Type I — Private ownership of animals and pastures, all other land being communal.

Type II — Community of all land including pastures, only animals remaining under private ownership.

Type III — Collective ownership of all means of production.

Since 1960, persistant efforts towards unification and concentration are observable — unification of cooperative statutes, Type III becoming progressively predominant- and increasingly developed concentration of agricultural production principally on State farms, or V.E.G. {Volkseigene Guter) and in the L.P.G., mentioned above.

A noticeable progression of agricultural production has accompanied concentration ; however, labor productivity remains low because of a manpower surplus in this area. In 1965, the East German agricultural authorities began reorganizing production methods; and in 1967, a plan for changes in agricultural structures, aimed at sociopolitical as well as economic achievements, was devised.

Legal recognition was given to the agricultural cooperation in 1965. The terms of « the right to cooperate » are stipulated in the law of February 25, governing contracts, which was promulgated as part of the economic reforms. Henceforth, a new type of cooperation between enterprises, based on contracts which link the agricultural sector to the industrial and commercial food industries, began in East Germany. This system, which some consider ideologically far-reaching in its conception, is the only one of its kind employed in Eastern Europe at the present time.

Future guidelines of the new East German agricultural policy are to apply the methods of industrial production and management to agriculture and instaure equity in the development of industry and agriculture, as well as that of town and country.
Les taux de croissance des pays socialistes ..
Authors: Dunajewski Henryk
Published: November 2010

société donnée et l'autre transitoire provenant de l'existence des réserves de capacités qui, pour diverses raisons, n'ont pas été utilisées.

Un modèle économétrique présenté dans l'article permet de définir, à partir de données statistiques, les valeurs respectives de ces deux taux partiels. Il en résulte, par exemple, que la perspective la plus optimiste de la croissance de l'économie polonaise pour la décennie 1971-1980 se situe aux alentours de 5,8 %.
Les modèles récents de développement dans les régions économiques soviétiques
Authors: Wagener Hans-Jürgen
Published: November 2010

Recent Models of Development of Economie Regions in the Soviet Union.

In this article the author observes the tendencies in regional development in the Soviet Union between 1949 and 1971 with particular emphasis on the period beginning in 1960.

Regional development models have undergone considerable transformation since World War II due to the progressive industrialization of the country. However, industrialization, not having been undertaken simultaneously in all regions, vast differences in economic growth are perceptible from one to the other.

The author briefly analyses regional development by successive periods. He concludes that progressive industrialization and differences in regional demographic tendencies make it possible to classify the regions as being more or less developed. In his opinion a North-South cleavage has arisen since 1960 and is distinguished by marked differences in economic growth and a type of migration characterized by inequalities in the incomes of relatively comparable social groups.

After attempting to ascertain whether the development of Soviet economic policy is mainly the result of deliberate planning or of other political options, the author concludes that a satisfactory answer to such a question would demand a more complete analysis of the whole Soviet development process.
Les primes de salaire comme succédané d'intérêt en Union Soviétique
Authors: Abouchar Alan
Published: November 2010

The Soviet Wage Premium as Interest Surrogate.

The traditional criticism of the failure of capital goods prices to incorporate an explicit interest charge is examined and it is argued that this failing was offset to some extent by the way in which the principles of labor-cost-of-production have traditionally been applied in the Soviet economy. Since labor cost is usually taken to mean wage payments, and since wage payments to capital goods industries have traditionally incorporated premia over light industry, capital goods have come in effect to include a surcharge which could be considered as an interest surrogate. This pattern is confirmed by the observed dynamics of Soviet wages, although it is not possible to analyse whether the historically determined amount of this premium is the correct one.
La femme libérée dans le roman soviétique des années vingt
Authors: Gasiorowska Xenia
Published: November 2010

The Liberated Woman in the Soviet Fiction of the 1920's.

The Russian woman liberated by the Revolution played an important role in the Soviet literature of the 1920's. Her equal rights were a fait accompli but her difficulties were not over, because she still had to learn how to use her new freedom. Peasant and proletarian women, stultified by the misery of their pre-revolutionary life, were slow to "awaken", but the few hardy pioneers who did, were enthusiastically portrayed by the fiction of the period. These fictional heroines took in stride the difficult economic postwar conditions, unhesitatingly assumed social and political duties, and accepted new attitudes towards old-fashioned morals and domesticity. Dasha Chumalova, the protagonist of Gladkov's Cement (1925), became the standardbearer of the liberated women of the 1920's.

The young women from the intelligentsia faced a different set of problems and found their solution more complicated. Students, party activists, occasionally factory workers, living on meager incomes, they uncomplainingly carried their load of manifold social and professional duties. But, strict conformity to a new ethical code demanded by young zealots of Marxism, deprived these allegedly liberated women of personal freedom. "Free love" became almost obligatory, domesticity was branded as "bourgeois prejudice". Desoriented, frustrated in their femininity, many a heroine came to a tragic end. Not until the advent of Socialist Realism did the Soviet fictional heroine emerge as a happy and free builder of Socialism.
Le développement économique de la Pologne au cours des années 1950-1970
Authors: Nasilowski Mieczyslaw
Published: November 2010

Polish Economie Development (1950-1970)

The author begins by pointing out the general characteristics of Polish economic development over the past twenty years, distinguishing four leading phases. Not coinciding with the five year plans, they may be set forth as follows : 1950-1953, 1954-1958, 1959-1962, 1963-1970.

The first phase was one of economic reconstruction linked with rapid development, maximum utilization of the labor force and an increase in the part of investments (destined to produce means of production) in national revenue.

During the second phase there was a slow down in investments and a change was detectable in their orientation, the emphasis being placed on producing consumer goods. During the third phase investments picked up again. This was justified by the need to create new jobs for the young people entering the labor market and by the desire to modernize the economy and develop the leading mechanical and chemical industries. But in reality, this scheme was not followed to the letter. Investments were more frequently oriented towards the extraction of raw materials and the exploitation of sources of fuel and energy. This situation created tensions at the end of the period.

During the fourth and final phase previous development policies, including certain changes intended to assure radical modernization of the Polish economy were pursued.

The author then analyses the evolution of the rate of investments and the growth of national revenue for the entire period under consideration. He denotes a decrease in the growth rate of national revenue in the sixties in spite of the fact that the parts of capital accumulation and investments in national revenue were greater than during the fifties. This he explains by a drop in the average yield of investments and an important rise in capital intensity.

Then follows a study of the part of the growth of labor productivity in the average growth rate of national revenue and a general analysis of the quantative effects of extensive and intensive factors of economic growth. The author attempts to identify the effects of the intensive factors of growth by means of the « residual » method and to isolate the effects of technical and organizational progress by applying an equation of multiple factors to the growth of national revenue. The author concludes that the import of his calculations is in the fact that they inform of the general evolution of Polish economy over an extended period and illustrate the errors made consequent to the adoption of a set strategy of development.
Etudes de l'historiographie de la Pologne populaire
Authors: Korzec Pawel
Published: November 2010

Ce travail constitue la deuxième partie d'une étude plus vaste qui est conçue comme un essai d'aperçu critique ainsi que d'estimation de la situation de l'historiographie de la Pologne populaire. En se chargeant de cette tâche, l'auteur s'est basé non seulement sur la littérature existante sur ce sujet, mais encore sur une « autopsie », à savoir ses expériences personnelles acquises au cours de son travail scientifique en Pologne et en U.R.S.S.

L'auteur fait ressortir toute une série de prises de position officielles, de silences et de « tabous » rendant difficile des recherches approfondies sur l'histoire récente.

L'étude est en principe consacrée à la période 1956-1964 et c'est en effet la période la plus libérale et parallèllement la plus intéressante de l'historiographie polonaise d'après- guerre. La première partie du travail est consacrée aux problèmes de l'organisation de la science historique. Les multiples postes et instituts de recherche et d'éditions créent des conditions de travail généralement bonnes et surtout d'assez importantes possibilités de publication, accessibles aussi à la jeune génération d'historiens. A ce dernier égard, la situation apparaît plutôt meilleure que dans les pays d'Europe occidentale.

La partie suivante est la plus importante, car elle caractérise l'acquis de l'historiographie polonaise des années 1956-1964. Cette période a été celle d'un développement important de l'histoire récente. La jeune génération d'historiens s'est révélée particulièrement créatrice.

Toutefois, des difficultés et des lacunes existent aussi dans de nombreux domaines. Malgré une liberté relative, la pression de la politique continuait d'agir de façon inhibi- trice dans divers domaines de recherches par exemple : l'histoire du parti communiste polonais, l'histoire de la deuxième guerre mondiale et surtout celle de la Pologne populaire.

Au total, les études de l'historiographie polonaise contemporaine ne conduisent pas à des conclusions pessimistes. On est frappé par le phénomène de tendances à la vérité historique chez une partie considérable des chercheurs.

Les changements fréquents dans les prises de position officielles concernant l'estimation du passé récent donnent aux historiens une marge importante de liberté d'expression et de publication des résultats de leurs recherches (à l'exception, bien entendu, de certains « tabous » permanents) et créent une certaine forme d'« ersatz » de libéralisme scientifique ainsi que d'un échange relativement libre d'opinions. C'est pourquoi, par rapport à la situation générale des sciences humaines dans les pays socialistes, l'historiographie polonaise a des résultats relativement importants qui ne sauraient être ignorés.
Les prix de détail à Moscou et dans quatre villes occidentales en novembre 1971
Authors: Bush Keith
Published: November 2010

Retail Prices in Moscow and in Four Western Cities in November 1971.

This paper lists the retail prices of 168 roughly comparable goods and services as observed in Moscow and in four Western cities in November 1971. The nature of the sample and the limitations of the comparison are discussed. The first appendix lists the retail prices in the local currencies. These are converted to US dollars at the rate of exchange introduced in December 1971, in the second appendix. In Appendix 3, these prices are related to the average take-home pay of the industrial workers, male and female, of the respective countries in November 1971. The methodology is admittedly controversial and suggested improvements for future comparisons are invited.
Le pouvoir d'achat du rouble en 1972
Authors: Tiraspolsky Anita
Published: November 2010

A partir d'une confrontation des prix de détail et des services payés par les consommateurs soviétiques et français et des structures « types » des dépenses des ménages dans chacun des deux pays, l'auteur a tenté d'effectuer un calcul du pouvoir d'achat « effectif » du rouble. Si l'on pondère selon la consommation type française, le calcul donne 7,43 francs pour un rouble en juillet^ 1972. Le rouble changé au taux officiel de 6,09 francs semble alors sous-évalué. En fait, la part des services est de beaucoup plus importante dans le budget type français que dans le budget du ménage soviétique. Or, ce sont ces services qui majorent le pouvoir d'achat du rouble, le rapport pondéré prix français/prix soviétique étant de 11,67 francs pour un rouble pour cette catégorie de dépenses. En revanche, le rouble est sur-évalué lorsqu'il s'agit d'acheter des produits de consommation courante (alimentation, boissons, habillement). Selon la structure de consommation soviétique évaluée par l'auteur, le rapport moyen rouble/francs n'est que de 5,40 francs pour un rouble.

Tout au long de l'étude, l'auteur a éprouvé de nombreuses difficultés pour rendre comparables les produits soviétiques et français et les structures des dépenses. En raison du manque de données sur l'Union Soviétique, l'auteur a eu recours à des appréciations personnelles.

Ce pouvoir d'achat calculé du rouble permet une meilleure évaluation des salaires et dans une certaine mesure du niveau de vie en U.R.S.S.
L'aide militaire tchèque à Israël, 1948
Authors: Krammer Arnold
Published: November 2010

Etant donné le chaos diplomatique qui a entouré l'accession d'Israël à l'indépendance, le 15 mai 1948, il était évident que l'armée juive embryonnaire de la Haganah n'était absolument pas préparée à repousser l'invasion inévitable du pays par six nations arabes bien armées. David Ben Gourion, président de l'Agence juive, envoya un groupe d'agents spéciaux de la Haganah à travers le monde pour acheter des armes quels que fussent leur type et leur vétusté, tâche d'autant plus complexe que ces hommes ne représentaient pas encore un gouvernement légitime. La Grande-Bretagne et les Etats-Unis renforçaient la difficulté en maintenant un embargo officieux sur les armes à destination du Moyen-Orient. Le chef des Palestiniens, Ehud Avriel, s'était installé à Paris avant de partir pour Prague d'où la Zbrojovka Brno avait proposé des armes le 1«* décembre 1947. Se prétendant « représentants de l'Ethiopie », le groupe palestinien, dit Rechesh, se servit de ce semblant de couverture pour acheter de grandes quantités d'armes et de munitions, envoyées ensuite clandestinement en Israël à partir de ZateC. Il est prouvé que non seulement ces achats avaient reçu l'aval du ministre tchécoslovaque des affaires étrangères, Jan Masaryk et de son adjoint, Vladimir démentis, mais aussi qu'une partie de l'armée tchèque, sous la direction du général Bedrich Reicin, ministre adjoint de la défense, fit tous les efforts nécessaires pour assurer le transport de ces armes en Palestine, tn outre, on a suffisamment de preuves permettant d'alléguer que Staline lui-même a autorisé la poursuite des ventes d'équipement militaire après le coup de Prague, en février 1948 : il entendait ainsi continuer à soutenir le Plan de partage défendu devant l'O.N.U. et atténuer le ressentiment de la Tchécoslovaquie, forcée de refuser l'aide du Plan Marshall. J'ai récemment étudié de manière approfondie les motivations soviétiques à l'origine du soutien accordé à Israël en 1947 et 1948 (voir mon article « Soviet Motives for Recognition of Israel », Journal of Palestine Studies, hiver 1973).

Les achats d'armes effectués d'abord par le groupe Rechesh à Prague se sont progressivement développés jusqu'à inclure des avions de combat Messerschmitt, démontés avec l'aide des techniciens militaires tchécoslovaques et envoyés par avion en Israël ainsi que des bases d'entraînement pour les pilotes et les parachutistes israéliens organisées secrètement en Tchécoslovaquie. La dernière contribution de Prague, peut-être la plus importante, a consisté en la création d'une unité de volontaires juifs d'origine tchèque, commandée par Antonin Sochor. Celle-ci arriva en Israël en décembre 1948.

La guerre israélo-arabe approchait de sa fin au cours des premiers mois de l'année 1949. A la même époque, les Tchèques suspendirent leur aide militaire pour toute une série de raisons. De 1949 à la mort de Staline en 1953, la campagne contre Israël se fit de plus en plus violente et culmina lors d'un accord sur des livraisons d'armes passé entre la Tchécoslovaquie et l'Egypte de Nasser.
Les possibilités d'extension des relations économiques entre la République populaire de Bulgarie et la France
Authors: Vassilev D.
Published: November 2010

The Possibilities of Extending Economie Relations between Bulgaria and France.

Industrial cooperation between France and Bulgaria is a very recent experiment but numerous contacts between the two countries are planned. One of the major difficulties stems from the unfavorable situation created for CEMA countries.

The absence of monetary convertibility in the East also complicates relations between the two groups of countries.

Finally, it is difficult for the West to establish direct contact with socialist firms, their priority being given to cooperation with firms within CEMA.

However legislation is becoming more and more favorable and East-West cooperation is developing.
Les obstacles au développement du commerce extérieur entre les pays du CAEM et les pays capitalistes développés
Authors: Dimova B. , Beltchev M.
Published: November 2010

The Obstacles Faced In Developing Foreign Trade between CEMA and Advanced Capitalist Countries.

The CEMA countries esteem they are discriminated against by the capitalist countries, namely by those belonging to the Common Market in the following ways : customs' duty exemptions for certain products which are not accorded to CEMA countries, protectionism and a unified agricultural policy within the EEC, the formation of a new zone of free exchange in Western Europe centered around the EEC, préférentiel cooperation agreements with North African and Mediterranean countries, restrictions on the sale of certain so-called strategic materials, etc.

In turn, the Western countries observe the existence of obstacles created by the CEMA, insufficient adaption to the Western market, a certain rigidity due to central planning procedures and the monopoly of foreign trade, the non-convertibility of socialist moneys and a lack of reciprocity in making concessions.

The final part of the analysis is devoted to monetary and financial problems affecting East-West exchanges.
Les entreprises pilotes dans le nouveau système de gestion de l'économie polonaise
Authors: Kozminski Andrzej K.
Published: November 2010

Les tensions politiques et sociales survenues en 1970 en Pologne ont amené les autorités à s'interroger et à élaborer, notamment lors du VI* congrès du parti ouvrier unifié polonais, une série de mesures tendant à améliorer sensiblement le niveau de vie de la population et à accélérer le développement économique. Les objectifs prévus devaient être réalisés au cours du plan quinquennal 1970-1975. Dès 1973, les prévisions étaient dépassées. Ce succès n'aurait pas été possible sans de profondes modifications du système de gestion de l'économie, introduites sur les propositions d'un groupe d'experts, chargé par la nouvelle équipe dirigeante d'étudier les causes de l'inefficacité du système antérieur.

Après avoir élucidé trois freins majeurs (un manque de cohérence entre le calcul économique effectué à différents niveaux et dans les différentes unités de l'économie nationale ; un système des salaires, des promotions, des primes, etc., incapable de stimuler les travailleurs à agir conformément à l'intérêt de la société et une peur de l'innovation sur le plan technologique aussi bien que sur celui de la gestion et de l'organisation du travail), les experts, qui fondaient leurs analyses sur le « systems approach», ont imaginé une série de nouveaux instruments de gestion économique, dont les entreprises pilotes constituent l'un des éléments.

Il s'agit de 29 grandes organisations économiques où le nouveau système a été introduit en 1973 à titre d'expérimentation. Elles représentent une part importante de l'industrie polonaise puisqu'elles occupent 15,4 % de la main-d'œuvre industrielle et produisent 19,7 % de la production industrielle globale. Deux types principaux de grandes organisations économiques jouent actuellement le rôle d'entreprises pilotes : dans le premier cas, il s'agit d'une entreprise presque entièrement unifiée où les décisions importantes sont prises au niveau de l'organisation ; les usines et établissements qui la constituent n'ont pratiquement aucune autonomie. Dans le second cas, certaines fonctions seulement sont centralisées et les différentes unités de l'union ou de la fédération d'entreprises jouissent d'une autonomie relativement importante.

Le fonctionnement de ces organisations pilotes se fonde sur divers principes. Le fonds des salaires est le stimulant le plus important. Il n'est plus limité de manière administrative mais constitue la fonction de la production ajoutée. L'entreprise est libre de l'utiliser à son gré. Le profit est le second stimulant appliqué dans le nouveau système et constitue la source des primes octroyées à la direction et celle du « fonds d'entreprise ». Enfin, le plan central perd son caractère directif et joue plutôt un rôle « indicatif » à l'égard des organisations pilotes.

L'expérience est encore trop récente pour qu'on puisse en tirer des conclusions définitives mais il semble que les premiers résultats soient plutôt satisfaisants.
Immunohistochemical investigation of the necrotrophic phase of the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in the biocontrol of hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata; Papilionaceae)
Authors: Bowling Andrew J. , Vaughn Kevin C. , Hoagland Robert E. , Stetina Kenneth , Boyette C. Douglas
Published: November 2010

• Premise of the study: Fungal plant pathogens exert much of their effect on plant cells through alterations in the host cell walls. However, obtaining biochemical proof for this change is difficult because of the relatively small number of cells that are affected by the pathogen relative to the bulk of host tissue. In this study, we examined the differences in host wall composition between infected and uninfected areas of seedlings of the weed hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata) that were treated with the biocontrol agent Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

• Methods: To determine the changes in cell wall composition, we used semi‐thin sections and a battery of antibody probes that recognize components of the cell wall and immunogold‐silver cytochemistry to visualize the probes.

• Key results: A loss of specific plant cell wall polysaccharides in the region surrounding the primary fungal infection and the creation of a defensive layer by the plant to limit the fungal invasion were the two most obvious changes noted in this study. At the invasion site, there was significant loss of rhamnogalacturon‐1 (RGI) and esterified and de‐esterified homogalacturonan (HG)‐reactive epitopes from the cell walls. In contrast, boundary tissue between the vascular tissue and the fungal lesion reacted more strongly with antibodies that recognize arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) and xyloglucans than in unaffected areas.

• Conclusions: These data strongly indicate a role of pectinases in the invasion of the biocontrol agent and the importance of extensins, AGPs, and xyloglucans as defense by the host.
Molecular genotyping of Trapa bispinosa and T. japonica (Trapaceae) based on nuclear AP2 and chloroplast DNA trnL‐F region
Authors: Kim Changkyun , Ryun Na Hye , Choi Hong‐Keun
Published: November 2010

•Premise of the study: Two marker systems were developed for the molecular identification of three Trapa species based on the length variation of nuclear AP2 and trnL‐F chloroplast intergenic spacer region.

•Methods and Results: Our marker systems analyzed 118 individuals among 36 populations from three Trapa species. Trapa incisa was found to have a unique genotype from the other two species. Individuals of T. bispinosa were distinguished from T. japonica because the former had only a single AP2 genotype. Moreover, our results suggest a hybrid status of T. japonica in terms of two bands within an individual. One band was specific to T. japonica and the other one shared with T. bispinosa.

•Conclusions: Our marker system demonstrates that nucleotide sequence variations can serve as a fast, reliable, and reproducible tool for molecular genotyping and examining the natural hybrid of water chestnut species.
De l'élection présidentielle iranienne de juin 2009
Authors: Parizi Maziar
Published: November 2010

Résumé La loi électorale iranienne comporte des règles structurelles rendant l’élection présidentielle perméable à toutes les interventions arbitraires et frauduleuses. Le filtre imposé pour la sélection des candidats éligibles, l’absence de listes d’émargement et l’existence d’une part importante de bureaux de vote mobiles ne sont qu’une partie du processus électoral pratiqué dans toutes les neuf élections précédentes et aussi dans celles de juin 2009. En bref, le candidat déclaré gagnant a bénéficié à la fois d’une partie des votes issus des bureaux mobiles et une grande part des votes des candidats Karoubi et Rezai. En additionnant les chiffres que nos analyses mettent en cause, dans le meilleur des cas, cette élection aurait dû aboutir à un deuxième tour entre Ahmadinejad et Moussavi.
Early Stage Breast Cancer and Its Association with Diet and Exercise-Related Perceptions and Behaviors to Prevent Recurrence
Authors: Fink Brian N. , Weiner Jeffrey G. , Jordan Timothy R. , Thompson Amy J. , Salvage Timothy C. , Coman Mina , Balls-Berry Joyce
Published: November 2010

Background

The favorable prognosis for early stage breast cancer survivors may be a reason for the minimal research regarding their quality of life. Prior research has observed more long-term weight gain among early stage survivors compared to cancer-free women of a similar age. It would be useful to study survivors’ perceptions and reported behaviors regarding diet and exercise to see if there is a correlation with previous studies.

Methods

A sample of 700 breast cancer survivors from Ohio and Michigan was randomly selected from the Northwest Ohio affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For the Cure mailing list and sent a survey for completion.

Results

389 survivors completed the survey and among Stage 1 (50/197 = 25.4%) and Stage 2 survivors (24/105 = 22.9%), a small proportion had a positive correlation between self-reported dietary behaviors and their perceived benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. Similar correlations were observed between their self-reported exercise behaviors and their perceived benefits of exercise (Stage 1: 36/197 = 18.3%, Stage 2: 18/105 = 17.1%).

Conclusions

Regardless of stage, a small proportion of survivors’ self-reported dietary and exercise behaviors match their perceived benefits of diet and exercise. Factors such as access, motivation, and lack of co-morbidities among early stage survivors may prevent them from living healthier post-diagnosis. More thorough dietary and clinical measurements will provide greater certainty. Thus, innovative, sustainable programs must be accessible and provide motivation and social support from family, friends, and other survivors to truly improve quality of life.
Detection of Local Prostate Metabolites by Hrmas Nmr Spectroscopy: A Comparative Study of Human and Rat Prostate Tissues
Authors: Stenman Katarina , Surowiec Izabella , Antti Henrik , Riklund Katrine , Stattin Pär , Bergh Anders , Gröbner Gerhard
Published: November 2010

The use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for the detection of in-vivo metabolic perturbations is increasing in popularity in Prostate Cancer (PCa) research on both humans and rodent models. However, there are distinct metabolic differences between species and prostate areas; a fact making general conclusions about PCa difficult. Here, we use High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HRMAS NMR) spectroscopy to provide tissue specific identification of metabolites and their relative ratios; information useful in providing insight into the biochemical pathways of the prostate. As our NMR-based approach reveals, human and rat prostate tissues have different metabolic signatures as reflected in numerous key metabolites, including citrate and choline compounds, but also aspartate, lysine, taurine, glutamate, glutamine, creatine and inositol. In general, distribution of these metabolites is not only highly dependent on the species (human versus rat), but also on the location (lobe/zone) in the prostate tissue and the sample pathology; an observation making HRMAS NMR of intact tissue samples a promising method for extracting differences and common features in various experimental prostate cancer models.
Observed 20th century desert dust variability: impact on climate and biogeochemistry
Authors: Mahowald N. M. , Kloster S. , Engelstaedter S. , Moore J. K. , Mukhopadhyay S. , McConnell J. R. , Albani S. , Doney S. C. , Bhattacharya A. , Curran M. A. J. , Flanner M. G. , Hoffman F. M. , Lawrence D. M. , Lindsay K. , Mayewski P. A. , Neff J. , Rothenberg D. , Thomas E. , Thornton P. E. , Zender C. S.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Desert dust perturbs climate by directly and indirectly interacting with incoming solar and outgoing long wave radiation, thereby changing precipitation and temperature, in addition to modifying ocean and land biogeochemistry. While we know that desert dust is sensitive to perturbations in climate and human land use, previous studies have been unable to determine whether humans were increasing or decreasing desert dust in the global average. Here we present observational estimates of desert dust based on paleodata proxies showing a doubling of desert dust during the 20th century over much, but not all the globe. Large uncertainties remain in estimates of desert dust variability over 20th century due to limited data. Using these observational estimates of desert dust change in combination with ocean, atmosphere and land models, we calculate the net radiative effect of these observed changes (top of atmosphere) over the 20th century to be −0.14 ± 0.11 W/m2 (1990–1999 vs. 1905–1914). The estimated radiative change due to dust is especially strong between the heavily loaded 1980–1989 and the less heavily loaded 1955–1964 time periods (−0.57 ± 0.46 W/m2), which model simulations suggest may have reduced the rate of temperature increase between these time periods by 0.11 °C. Model simulations also indicate strong regional shifts in precipitation and temperature from desert dust changes, causing 6 ppm (12 PgC) reduction in model carbon uptake by the terrestrial biosphere over the 20th century. Desert dust carries iron, an important micronutrient for ocean biogeochemistry that can modulate ocean carbon storage; here we show that dust deposition trends increase ocean productivity by an estimated 6% over the 20th century, drawing down an additional 4 ppm (8 PgC) of carbon dioxide into the oceans. Thus, perturbations to desert dust over the 20th century inferred from observations are potentially important for climate and biogeochemistry, and our understanding of these changes and their impacts should continue to be refined.
Aerosol Optical Depth measurements at 340 nm with a Brewer spectrophotometer and comparison with Cimel sunphotometer observations at Uccle, Belgium
Authors: De Bock V. , De Backer H. , Mangold A. , Delcloo A.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. The Langley Plot Method (LPM) is adapted for the retrieval of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) values at 340 nm from Brewer#178 sun scan measurements between 335 and 345 nm (convoluted with the band pass function of the Cimel sunphotometer filter at 340 nm) performed in Uccle, Belgium. The use of sun scans instead of direct sun measurements simplifies the comparison of the AOD values with quasi-simultaneous Cimel sunphotometer values. Also, the irradiance at 340 nm is larger than the one at 320.1 nm due to lower ozone absorption, thus improving the signal to noise ratio. For the selection of the cloudless days (from now on referred to as calibration quality clear days), a new set of criteria is proposed. With the adapted method, individual clear sky AOD values, for which the selection criteria are also presented in this article, are calculated for a period from September 2006 until the end of August 2010. These values are then compared to quasi-simultaneous Cimel sunphotometer measurements, showing a very good agreement (the correlation coefficient, the slope and the intercept of the regression line are respectively 0.974, 0.968 and 0.011), which proves that good quality observations can be obtained from Brewer sun scan measurements at 340 nm. The analysis of the monthly and seasonal Brewer AODs at Uccle is consistent with studies at other sites reporting on the seasonal variation of AODs in Europe. The highest values can be observed in summer and spring, whereas more than 50% of the winter AODs are lower than 0.3. On a monthly scale, the lowest AOD are observed in December and the highest values occur in June and April. No clear weekly cycle is observed for Uccle. The current cloud-screening algorithm is still an issue, which means that some AOD values can still be influenced by scattered clouds. This effect can be seen when comparing the calculated monthly mean values of the Brewer with the AERONET measurements.
Understanding the aerosol information content in multi-spectral reflectance measurements using a synergetic retrieval algorithm
Authors: Martynenko D. , Holzer-Popp T. , Elbern H. , Schroedter-Homscheidt M.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. An information content analysis for multi-wavelength SYNergetic AErosol Retrieval algorithm SYNAER was performed to quantify the number of independent pieces of information that can be retrieved. In particular, the capability of SYNAER to discern various aerosol types is assessed. This information content depends on the aerosol optical depth, the surface albedo spectrum and the observation geometry. The theoretical analysis is performed for a large number of scenarios with various geometries and surface albedo spectra for ocean, soil and vegetation. When the surface albedo spectrum and its accuracy is known under cloud-free conditions, reflectance measurements used in SYNAER is able to provide for 2–4° of freedom that can be attributed to retrieval parameters: aerosol optical depth, aerosol type and surface albedo. The focus of this work is placed on an information content analysis with emphasis to the aerosol type classification. This analysis is applied to synthetic reflectance measurements for 40 predefined aerosol mixtures of different basic components, given by sea salt, mineral dust, biomass burning and diesel aerosols, water soluble and water insoluble aerosols. The range of aerosol parameters considered through the 40 mixtures covers the natural variability of tropospheric aerosols. After the information content analysis performed in Holzer-Popp et al. (2008) there was a necessity to compare derived degrees of freedom with retrieved aerosol optical depth for different aerosol types, which is the main focus of this paper. The principle component analysis was used to determine the correspondence between degrees of freedom for signal in the retrieval and derived aerosol types. The main results of the analysis indicate correspondence between the major groups of the aerosol types, which are: water soluble aerosol, soot, mineral dust and sea salt and degrees of freedom in the algorithm and show the ability of the SYNAER to discern between this aerosol types. The results of the work will be further used for the development of the promising methodology of the construction error covariance matrices in the assimilation system.
A quasi chemistry-transport model mode for EMAC
Authors: Deckert R. , Jöckel P. , Grewe V. , Gottschaldt K.-D. , Hoor P.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. A quasi chemistry-transport model mode (QCTM) is presented for the numerical chemistry-climate simulation system ECHAM/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry (EMAC). It allows for a quantification of chemical signals through suppression of any feedback between chemistry and dynamics. Noise would otherwise interfere too strongly. The signal follows from the difference of two QCTM simulations, reference and sensitivity. These are fed with offline chemical fields as a substitute of the feedbacks between chemistry and dynamics: offline mixing ratios of radiatively active substances enter the radiation scheme (a), offline mixing ratios of nitric acid enter the scheme for re-partitioning and sedimentation from polar stratospheric clouds (b). Offline methane oxidation is the exclusive source of chemical water-vapor tendencies (c). Any set of offline fields suffices to suppress the feedbacks, though may be inconsistent with the simulation setup. An adequate set of offline climatologies can be produced from a non-QCTM simulation of the reference setup. Test simulations reveal the particular importance of adequate offline fields associated with (a). Inconsistencies from (b) are negligible when using adequate fields of nitric acid. Acceptably small inconsistencies come from (c), but should vanish for an adequate prescription of water vapor tendencies. Toggling between QCTM and non-QCTM is done via namelist switches and does not require a source code re-compilation.
Markov chain analysis of regional climates
Authors: Mieruch S. , Noël S. , Bovensmann H. , Burrows J. P. , Freund J. A.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. We present a novel method for regional climate classification that is based on coarse-grained categorical representations of multivariate climate anomalies and a subsequent Markov chain analysis. From the estimated transition matrix several descriptors, such as persistence, recurrence time and entropy, are derived. These descriptors characterise dynamic properties of regional climate anomalies and are connected with fundamental concepts from nonlinear physics like residence times, relaxation process and predictability. Such characteristics are useful for a comparative analysis of different climate regions and, in the context of global climate change, for a regime shift analysis. We apply the method to the bivariate set of water vapour and temperature anomalies of two regional climates, the Iberian Peninsula and the islands of Hawaii in the central Pacific Ocean. Through the Markov chain analysis and via the derived descriptors we find significant differences between the two climate regions. Since anomalies are departures from seasonal and long term components, these differences relate to differences in the short term stability of both regional climates.