bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Danish Heart Register
Authors: Abildstrøm Steen Z. , Madsen Mette
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The Danish Heart Register (DHR) is a clinical database of invasive procedures within cardiology. Content: All providers of these procedures have been obliged to report to DHR since 2000. DHR is used to monitor the activity and quality of the procedures and serves as a data source for research. Validity and coverage: The coverage is high (>95%) but some variables have many missing. Conclusion: The combination of both cardiological and surgical data in this register is internationally unique and makes it possible to follow the patient from the invasive examination to treatment and by linkage to other registers to follow the prognosis.
The Building and Housing Register
Authors: Christensen Gunvor
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The Building and Housing Register (BBR) provides opportunity to carry out research on individuals’ housing condition over time. The register was established in 1977. Content: The main variables in the register are high-quality variables and it is possible to match key entry variable and CPR-number identifying individuals. Validity and coverage: There has been made alterations of definitions of some of the key variables and there is a data break in 2005. From 1994, data make longitudinal analyses possible. Conclusion: Analyses based on data from BBR are valid and may provide knowledge about individual housing paths over time.
The Danish National Patient Register
Authors: Lynge Elsebeth , Sandegaard Jakob Lynge , Rebolj Matejka
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The Danish National Patient Register (NPR) was established in 1977, and it is considered to be the finest of its kind internationally. Content: At the onset the register included information on inpatient in somatic wards. The content of the register has gradually been expanded, and since 2007 the register has included information on all patients in Danish hospitals. Validity and coverage: Although the NPR is overall a sound data source, both the content and the definitions of single variables have changed over time. Changes in the organisation and provision of health services may affect both the type and the completeness of registrations. Conclusion: The NPR is a unique data source. Researchers using the data should carefully consider potential fallacies in the data before drawing conclusions.
Register-based studies of healthcare costs
Authors: Kruse Marie , Christiansen Terkel
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The aim of this paper is to provide an overview and a few examples of how national registers are used in analyses of healthcare costs in Denmark. Research topics: The paper focuses on health economic analyses based on register data. For the sake of simplicity, the studies are divided into three main categories: economic evaluations of healthcare interventions, cost-of-illness analyses, and other analyses such as assessments of healthcare productivity. Conclusion: We examined a number of studies using register-based data on healthcare costs. Use of register-based data renders a comprehensive data material, often in the form of time series, which is very useful in health economic analyses. The disadvantage of register-based data is the use of tariffs, charges, or market prices as proxies for costs in the computation of healthcare costs.
Register-based studies of diabetes
Authors: Carstensen Bendix , Borch-Johnsen Knut
Published: July 2011

Introduction: During the last decade, a number of population-based diabetes registers have emerged which have enhanced the population-based epidemiology of diabetes. The aim of this paper is to review research based on Danish diabetes registers and to compare with similar research in Finland, Sweden, Scotland, and Canada. Research topics: The pattern with the highest prevalences in ages around 75 years is consistent between studies based on different registers, and so is the finding that incidence rates of diabetes are higher among females than males only in ages 20—40. Diabetes registers have been and is increasingly being used to study and particularly quantify links with cardiovascular disease and with cancer. Recently, available medication profiles of diabetes patients have been used as well to further elucidate these links. Conclusion: Diabetes registers are valuable sources of data for description of the trends in occurrence, development, and mortality of diabetes. However, it requires careful application of modern statistical methods since effects of calendar time, age, and duration of diabetes all have to be taken into account when reporting results.
Studies based on the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry
Authors: Koch-Henriksen Nils , Stenager Egon , Brønnum-Hansen Henrik
Published: July 2011

Introduction: This paper reviews the most important articles using data from the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry (DMSR) published in the past 25 years. Research topics: These articles include: descriptive epidemiological studies, indicating that the female incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Denmark has increased considerably; follow-up studies on social events, showing that patients at a high rate lose their working ability and their spouses/partners; mortality studies, demonstrating a considerable excess mortality; cause-of-death studies; comorbidity studies; and, most importantly, historical prospective studies identifying some risk factors (e.g. infectious mononucleosis) and refuting others (head trauma and a number of occupational exposures e.g. nurses, utility workers, people exposed to solvents). The most important results are briefly presented. Conclusion: The Danish MS register has proven to be a valuable tool for MS epidemiology and has provided knowledge that could not otherwise be achieved.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of methanol extract, fractions and compounds from the stem bark of Entada abyssinica Stend ex A. Satabie
Authors: Teke Gerald N , Lunga Paul K , Wabo Hippolyte K , Kuiate Jules-Roger , Vilarem Gerard , Giacinti Geraldine , Kikuchi Haruhisa , Oshima Yoshiteru
Published: July 2011

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol extract, fractions and isolated compounds from Entada abyssinica stem bark, plant used traditionally against gastrointestinal infections.

Methods

The methanol extract of E. abyssinica stem bark was pre-dissolved in a mixture of methanol and water, and then partitioned between n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The ethyl acetate portion was fractionated by column chromatography and the structures of isolated compounds elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with literature data. Antimicrobial activity was assayed by broth microdilution techniques on bacteria and yeasts. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging method.

Results

Four known compounds [(5S,6R,8aR)-5-(carboxymethyl)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-5,6,8a-trimethylnaphthalenecarboxylic acid (1), methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (2), benzene-1,2,3-triol (3) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyltriacontanoate (4)] were isolated. Compared to the methanol extract, fractionation increased the antibacterial activities of the n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions, while the antifungal activities increased in ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous residue fractions. The isolated compounds were generally more active on bacteria (9.7 to 156.2 μg/ml) than yeasts (78.1 to 312.5 μg/ml). Apart from compound 1, the three others displayed DPPH· scavenging activity (RSa), with RSa50 values of 1.45 and 1.60 μg/ml.

Conclusion

The results obtained from this study support the ethnomedicinal use of E. abyssinica in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections and the isolated compounds could be useful in the standardisation of antimicrobial phytomedicine from this plant.
Serum cytokine profiles in healthy young and elderly population assessed using multiplexed bead-based immunoassays
Authors: Kim Hyun Ok , Kim Han-Soo , Youn Jong-Chan , Shin Eui-Cheol , Park Sungha
Published: July 2011

Background

Lipid metabolites and cytokines, including chemokines and growth factors, are the key regulators of immune cell function and differentiation, and thus, dysregulation of these regulators is associated with various human diseases. However, previous studies demonstrating a positive correlation of cytokine levels with aging may have been influenced by various environmental factors and underlying diseases. Also, data regarding cytokine profiling in the elderly are limited to a small subset of cytokines.

Methods

We compared the profiles of 22 cytokines, including chemokines and growth factors, in a case-controlled study group of a gender-matched, healthy cohort of 55 patients over the age of 65 and 55 patients under the age of 45. Assessment of serum cytokine concentrations was performed using commercially-available multiplex bead-based sandwich immunoassays.

Results

Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) levels were significantly higher in the elderly patients, whereas granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were significantly lower in the elderly patients. The partial correlation analysis demonstrating the correlation between cytokine levels when controlled for gender, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and serum creatinine levels further demonstrated that G-CSF, GM-CSF, and MCP-1 had significant negative correlations with age, whereas sCD40L and TGF-α had significant positive correlations.

Conclusions

Future studies will focus on examining the significance of these age-related changes in circulating cytokines and other biological markers and their potential contribution to the development of different age-associated diseases.
On the eleventh question of Allen Shields
Authors: Yousefi Bahmann , Kashkooly Ali Iloon
Published: July 2011

In this article, we will give sufficient conditions for the boundedness of the analytic projection on the set of multipliers of the formal Laurent series spaces. This answers a question that has been raised by A. L. Shields. Also, we will characterize the fixed points of some weighted composition operators acting on weighted Hardy spaces.

AMS Subject Classification: Primary 47B37; Secondary 47B38.
Modeling the NF-κB mediated inflammatory response predicts cytokine waves in tissue
Authors: Yde Pernille , Mengel Benedicte , Jensen Mogens H , Krishna Sandeep , Trusina Ala
Published: July 2011

Background

Waves propagating in "excitable media" is a reliable way to transmit signals in space. A fascinating example where living cells comprise such a medium is Dictyostelium D. which propagates waves of chemoattractant to attract distant cells. While neutrophils chemotax in a similar fashion as Dictyostelium D., it is unclear if chemoattractant waves exist in mammalian tissues and what mechanisms could propagate them.

Results

We propose that chemoattractant cytokine waves may naturally develop as a result of NF-κB response. Using a heuristic mathematical model of NF-κB-like circuits coupled in space we show that the known characteristics of NF-κB response favor cytokine waves.

Conclusions

While the propagating wave of cytokines is generally beneficial for inflammation resolution, our model predicts that there exist special conditions that can cause chronic inflammation and re-occurrence of acute inflammatory response.
Influence of atorvastatin on coronary calcifications and myocardial perfusion defects in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Plazak Wojciech , Gryga Krzysztof , Dziedzic Hanna , Tomkiewicz-Pajak Lidia , Konieczynska Malgorzata , Podolec Piotr , Musial Jacek
Published: July 2011

Introduction

Mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is influenced by an increased occurrence of severe cardiovascular complications. Statins have been proven to protect a wide spectrum of SLE patients from these complications. This study was conducted to determine the possible efficacy of atorvastatin in SLE patients as assessed by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT)-based coronary calcium scoring and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the myocardium.

Methods

Sixty SLE patients in stable clinical conditions were randomized to receive either atorvastatin (40 mg daily; n = 28) or placebo (n = 32). Clinical and biochemical evaluation together with MDCT-based coronary calcium scoring and SPECT studies (Tc-99 m sestamibi) were performed at the time of randomization and after 1 year of treatment.

Results

At randomization, SPECT revealed perfusion defects at rest in 22 (36.7%) patients and exercise-induced defects in 8 (13.3%), whereas MDCT revealed coronary calcifications in 15 subjects (25%). Coronary calcium deposits increased after 1 year in the placebo group (plaque volume change from 35.2 ± 44.9 to 62.9 ± 72.4, P < 0.05; calcium score from 32.1 ± 39.1 to 59.5 ± 64.4; P < 0.05), but not in the atorvastatin group (plaque volume 54.5 ± 62.4 vs. 51.0 ± 47.6, P not significant; calcium score 44.8 ± 50.6 vs. 54.9 ± 62.5, P not significant). The atorvastatin group showed a decrease in total serum cholesterol (from 5.1 ± 1.2 to 4.4 ± 0.7 mmol/L, P < 0.05), LDL cholesterol (2.9 ± 1.0 to 2.3 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P < 0.05), triglycerides (1.6 ± 0.6 to 1.2 ± 0.5 mmol/L, P < 0.05), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (4.4 ± 4.1 to 2.7 ± 1.7 mg/L, P < 0.05). There was no change in the mean Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score in patients from both groups. Perfusion defects observed at randomization showed no change after one year treatment with atorvastatin.

Conclusions

In SLE patients 40 mg of atorvastatin daily for 1 year led to a decrease in serum lipids and CRP levels. Additionally the progression of atherosclerosis, as assessed by MDCT-based coronary calcium scoring, is restrained by atorvastatin treatment. The value of statin treatment in patients with SLE free from cardiovascular disease clinical symptoms should be addressed in large, prospective clinical trials.
Differentiated melanocyte cell division occurs in vivo and is promoted by mutations in Mitf
Authors: Taylor Kerrie L. , Lister James A. , Zeng Zhiqiang , Ishizaki Hironori , Anderson Caroline , Kelsh Robert N. , Jackson Ian J. , Patton E. Elizabeth
Published: July 2011

Coordination of cell proliferation and differentiation is crucial for tissue formation, repair and regeneration. Some tissues, such as skin and blood, depend on differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell population, whereas others depend on the division of differentiated cells. In development and in the hair follicle, pigmented melanocytes are derived from undifferentiated precursor cells or stem cells. However, differentiated melanocytes may also have proliferative capacity in animals, and the potential for differentiated melanocyte cell division in development and regeneration remains largely unexplored. Here, we use time-lapse imaging of the developing zebrafish to show that while most melanocytes arise from undifferentiated precursor cells, an unexpected subpopulation of differentiated melanocytes arises by cell division. Depletion of the overall melanocyte population triggers a regeneration phase in which differentiated melanocyte division is significantly enhanced, particularly in young differentiated melanocytes. Additionally, we find reduced levels of Mitf activity using an mitfa temperature-sensitive line results in a dramatic increase in differentiated melanocyte cell division. This supports models that in addition to promoting differentiation, Mitf also promotes withdrawal from the cell cycle. We suggest differentiated cell division is relevant to melanoma progression because the human melanoma mutation MITF4TΔ2B promotes increased and serial differentiated melanocyte division in zebrafish. These results reveal a novel pathway of differentiated melanocyte division in vivo, and that Mitf activity is essential for maintaining cell cycle arrest in differentiated melanocytes.
Introducing the special issue
Authors: Leap William L.
Published: July 2011

Homophobic messages circulate widely in contemporary society. This essay introduces a set of papers that examine the linguistic dimensions of that circulation. These papers build on the idea that messages expressing disdain, disgust or hatred for homosexuals or for persons believed to be homosexual, are often derived from contextual clues or inference, rather than explicitly worded anti-gay commentary. Paraphrasing Eve Sedgwick (1990), any text may convey a homophobic message, and most texts probably do. Following various approaches to critical analysis of discourse and text, these papers examine the conditions under which the formation of homophobic messages is favored or discouraged, and they identify the conditions under which these formation enhance or conflict with racist language, anti-Semitic language, or “hate speech” in other forms?
Gender, pronouns and thought
Authors: Everett Caleb
Published: July 2011

Previous studies have established that, in languages without epicene pronouns such as English, speakers overwhelmingly construe putatively generic terms such as ‘mankind’ as masculine, and that similar results hold for the construal of referents denoted by supposedly generic uses of masculine pronouns. What has not been addressed in the literature is whether speakers of languages without epicene pronouns exhibit greater androcentrism in the construal of non-gendered stimuli, even without being prompted with gender-biased terms. The results of two cross-linguistic tasks on gender construal are discussed here. Subjects were shown cartoons of non-gendered figures and asked to name the figures after a short linguistically-oriented distracter task. Patterns in the naming task suggest that speakers of English exhibit more androcentrism in their construal of gender-neutral stimuli, when contrasted to speakers of Karitiâna, a language that relies heavily on epicene pronoun usage.
The Unconventional Role of Acid Sphingomyelinase in Regulation of Retinal Microangiopathy in Diabetic Human and Animal Models
Authors: Opreanu Madalina , Tikhonenko Maria , Bozack Svetlana , Lydic Todd A. , Reid Gavin E. , McSorley Kelly M. , Sochacki Andrew , Perez Gloria I. , Esselman Walter J. , Kern Timothy , Kolesnick Richard , Grant Maria B. , Busik Julia V.
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is an important early responder in inflammatory cytokine signaling. The role of ASM in retinal vascular inflammation and vessel loss associated with diabetic retinopathy is not known and represents the goal of this study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Protein and gene expression profiles were determined by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. ASM activity was determined using Amplex Red sphingomyelinase assay. Caveolar lipid composition was analyzed by nano-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes and retinal ischemia-reperfusion models were used in in vivo studies.

RESULTS

We identify endothelial caveolae-associated ASM as an essential component in mediating inflammation and vascular pathology in in vivo and in vitro models of diabetic retinopathy. Human retinal endothelial cells (HREC), in contrast with glial and epithelial cells, express the plasma membrane form of ASM that overlaps with caveolin-1. Treatment of HREC with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) specifically reduces expression of the caveolae-associated ASM, prevents a tumor necrosis factor-α–induced increase in the ceramide-to-sphingomyelin ratio in the caveolae, and inhibits cytokine-induced inflammatory signaling. ASM is expressed in both vascular and neuroretina; however, only vascular ASM is specifically increased in the retinas of animal models at the vasodegenerative phase of diabetic retinopathy. The absence of ASM in ASM−/− mice or inhibition of ASM activity by DHA prevents acellular capillary formation.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study demonstrating activation of ASM in the retinal vasculature of diabetic retinopathy animal models. Inhibition of ASM could be further explored as a potential therapeutic strategy in treating diabetic retinopathy.
Finite Element Modeling and Decoupled Seismic Stability Analysis of a Zoned Rockfill Dam Designed By Traditional Empirical Methods
Authors: Dhakal Shanker , Bhandary N. P. , Yatabe R. , Pradhan P. L. , Tiwari R. C.
Published: July 2011

Despite the recommendation made by ICOLD a few decades ago, the high and important zoned rockfill dams, either existing or proposed, located in the region of high seismicity like Nepal, have been found still designed simply by following the traditional empirical methods. The authors, having identified this gap, became interested to carry out a research to know: how such dams would perform when their seismic safety was evaluated by dynamic analysis in terms of crest settlement, which might lead to the loss of freeboard and hence the overtopping (collapse) of the structure. Also, as a secondary objective, the authors wished to address: how the effective geometry of the dam foundation in the structural model may be determined when flexibility of foundation is considered by trial and error ‘vertical stress criterion’. This paper puts forth the summary of the research. The seismic safety is evaluated by adopting a simplified technique (‘decoupled seismic deformation analysis’) where the peak crest acceleration response obtained from the time history analysis of the 2D plain strain finite element model (both with and without foundation flexibility considered) is utilized to predict the potential permanent deformation (settlement) of crest using the method based on Newmark’s Analysis Procedure.Key words: Zoned rockfill dam; Seismic deformation analysis; Finite element method; Displacement Decoupling; Time history analysisDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5098Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 71-92Uploaded Date: 19 July, 2011
Role of pH on biological Nitrification Process
Authors: Amatya Iswar Man , Kansakar Bhagwan Ratna , Tare Vinod , Fiksdal Liv
Published: July 2011

It is important to determine the effect of changing environmental conditions on the microbial kinetics for design and modeling of biological treatment processes. In this research, the kinetics of ammonia oxidation by nitrifying process bacteria under varying pH and temperature conditions are studied. Ammonia oxidation in groundwater was carried out by biological method of nitrification process. The nitrification was performed in one set of reactors. The reactor consists of two columns connected in series packed with over burnt bricks as media. The filtration rate varied from 10.5 to 210.4 m/day for nitrification process respectively. The ammonia, nitrate and nitrite nitrogen concentrations were measured at inlet, intermediate ports and outlet. The temperature varied from 10 to 30°C at 2°C intervals. The results demonstrated that high amounts of ammonia nitrogen nitrified in groundwater at nitrification process. The average ammonia nitrogen oxidation efficiency of 77.27% was achieved from pH 7.3 to 8.0 in the reactor packed with OBB media at 20°C, for the flow rate 500ml/min due to biological nitrification. The total amount of ammonia nitrogen removed by nitrification varied from 0.76 to 17.80 gm/m3/h at influent concentration from 2.84 to 149.28 gm/m3/h.Key words: Over burnt brick; Filtration rate; Temperature; Nitrification and Nitrifying bacteriaDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5102Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 119-125Uploaded Date: 20 July, 2011
State of Environment in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A Special Review
Authors: Mohanty Ashutosh
Published: July 2011

The purpose of the "State of Environment: Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu Nepal: A Special Review", is to examine the current status of the environment of the Kathmandu Valley and the suburban areas of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts. The Articles analyses the emerging environmental problems and promotes specific recommendations for future action. The analysis also examines various problem and pressures due to population pressure and environmental changes happening with an alarming speed. This analysis presents an alarming picture of a rapidly deteriorating environment. The paper summarizes the policy gaps, analyses and identifies a number of measures for amelioration of existing problems and prevention of future environmental deterioration in the Kathmandu Valley.Key words: Environment; Kathmandu Valley; Suburban areaDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5103Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 126-137Uploaded Date: 20 July, 2011
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wastewater Treatment System
Authors: Devkota Rohini Prasad
Published: July 2011

Besides its great potential in controlling water pollution from different sources, waste water treatment system generates significant amount of greenhouse gases. Hence, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases from the wastewater treatment plants is the major concern. The correct understanding and estimation of the greenhouse gases emitted from different points of the plan is essential to tackle this challenge. This research has attempted to evaluate and quantify the greenhouse gases, mainly methane and nitrous oxide, emissions from the wastewater treatment system under varying conditions of temperature and oxygen.The sludge samples were collected from the septic tank, aeration tank, denitrification tank and digestion tank to examine the emission of greenhouse gases from the samples with and without nutrients and volatile fatty acids(VFA). To examine the effect of temperatures on the emission of greenhouse gases, experiments were designed under different temperatures by keeping reactors at 4º C, 20º C, 25º C, 30º C, 37º C and 50º C. Similarly, experiments were carried out at 37º C under different amount of oxygen supply (0, 0.1, 0.4, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L) to examine the role of oxygen in greenhouse gases emission.Experimental results showed that the rate of emission of CH4 gas from the sludge sample was enhanced with the presence of glucose, nutrients and VFA. Rate of CH4 production was well correlated with sludge temperature. It was similar for all sludge samples taken from different points of the treatment plant. Rate of production was found highest for digestion sludge and least fir septic sludge. CH4 production was started earlier and found fastest from the digestion sludge. An inverse relationship was found between the rate of CH4 emission and the amounts of oxygen present in the sludge sample. However, N2O emission was not detected at all.Keywords: Methane; Anaerobic; Temperature; Nutrients; Wastewater; SludgeDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5110Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 178-187Uploaded Date: 20 July, 2011
Effective Conformal Descriptions of Black Hole Entropy
Authors: Carlip Steven
Published: July 2011

It is no longer considered surprising that black holes have temperatures and entropies. What remains surprising, though, is the universality of these thermodynamic properties: their exceptionally simple and general form, and the fact that they can be derived from many very different descriptions of the underlying microscopic degrees of freedom. I review the proposal that this universality arises from an approximate conformal symmetry, which permits an effective “conformal dual” description that is largely independent of the microscopic details.
Internet as Digital Practice: Examining Differences in African American Internet Usage
Authors: Graham Roderick , Smith Danielle Taana
Published: July 2011

This study assesses differences within the African American population with respect to internet activity. Using survey data, we find wide variations within the population. While some segments of African Americans are indeed less likely to perform certain activities on the internet, we note that certain segments of the African American population are reporting more internet activity than other racial groups. These ‘haves’ score high not just in comparison to their African American peers, but to the US American population as a whole. We suggest a move away from the digital divide/digital inequality models and a move towards thinking of greater or lesser Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage as conditioned by the instrumental needs of population groups. We term this a digital practice model.
Public-Private Partnerships and Sustainable Agricultural Development
Authors: Ferroni Marco , Castle Paul
Published: July 2011

Agriculture in Africa is not sustainable because average yields have been stagnating for decades due to underinvestment, especially in the development of agricultural markets, crop improvement and the sustainable management of agricultural systems. Low public sector funding for agricultural research and lack of incentives for the private sector to operate in areas where there is no market largely explain the yield gap in many food-importing developing countries. Yet, there are effective ways in which the public and the private sector could work together and jointly improve agricultural sustainability in poor countries. The public sector provides a favorable institutional environment for the development of agricultural markets and investment in rural infrastructure, facilitates local business development and funds research with local relevance. The private sector, in return, brings its considerable expertise in product development and deployment. This article illustrates how new forms of public-private partnerships (PPPs) for agricultural development can work in challenging environments. It discusses three promising examples of PPPs in which the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA) is actively involved, and shows that an experimental approach can sometimes be more effective than social planning in efforts to achieve sustainable agriculture.
Epigrammes funéraires grecques de Cherchel
Authors: Vatin Claude
Published: July 2011

Deux épigrammes funéraires grecques présentées brièvement par Ph. Leveau dans le mémoire qu'il a consacré aux nécropoles de Cherchel méritent de retenir l'attention. La présentation des poèmes dans leur structure métrique permet d'en mieux dégager le sens ; ils concernent tous deux des enfants, des aoroi. La première épigramme est une épitaphe double, celle de l'enfant et de son animal favori, un oiseau, mais c'est l'oiseau qui s'adresse au passant et déplore la brièveté de leurs vies. Le poème illustre un thème souvent traité par les reliefs funéraires : l'enfant à l'oiseau. La seconde épigramme, incomplète, témoigne des croyances en un destin d'outre-tombe exceptionnel réservé aux jeunes enfants, distinct de l'Hadès comme du séjour des bienheureux.
Masuna et Masties
Authors: Février Paul-Albert
Published: July 2011

L'inscription d'Aitava, datée de 508, et l'inscription d'Arris ont souvent été étudiées conjointement, en particulier par J. Carcopino et Chr. Courtois. Tout en considérant qu'un texte comme celui d'Aitava doit être lu dans le contexte africain, il est apparu nécessaire de mieux marquer les similitudes que le formulaire offre avec d'autres documents de l'Occident romain occupé par les « Barbares ». Ce qui a conduit à conserver le titre de « roi de la gens des Maures et des Romains » et à s'interroger sur le statut juridique de ces Mauri et leur localisation originelle. Quant à l'inscription d'Arris qui donne le nom de Masties, elle paraît avoir été trop valorisée et l'hypothèse d'un simple responsable des confins et non un roi indigène doit être avancée. Ce qui fait de Masties plus le témoin d'une situation antérieure à celle de Masuna que son équivalent de l'Aurès.
Les chars sahariens. [Images d'une société aristocratique]
Authors: Camps Gabriel
Published: July 2011

Description of different types of painted or carved chariots from the saharian areas whose extension closely squares with the berber linguistic field. Chronology test and debate about their meaning. The bigae (chariots drawn by two horses) which are the most numerous and anciently appeared, are not much fit for use to fight. They seemed to have especially been the ruling class'prestige engines born of the first paléo-berber mediterraneans whose arrival to the Sahara must be drawn in parallel with the coming out of the Iheran-Tahilali style (recent Bovidien).
Formes d'héritages dans le débat macro-économique contemporain
Authors: Pestieau Pierre
Published: July 2011

Formas de herencia en el debate macroeconómico contemporáneo,

por Pierre Pestieau.

En este artículo se muestra cómo se integran los diferentes tipos de herencia - accidentales, altruistas, paternas y estratégicas - en el debate relativo a la neutralidad de las políticas macroeconómicas y a la eficatia dinámica de los mercados en competencia. Esto pone claramente de manifiesto que la mayoría de tipos de herencia son mucho más compatibles con la visión keynesiana de un mundo donde el horizonte de los agentes es finito, que con la visión neoclásica. Los mercados pueden ser ineficaces, pero la política macroeconómica puede desempeñar un papel positivo.
Ancienneté au chômage et principaux facteurs associés
Authors: Ruggiero Michèle
Published: July 2011

Antigüedad en estado de desempleo y principales factores asociados,

por Michèle Ruggiero.

En este artículo se presentan métodos no paramétricos de análisis de las duraciones del desempleo y un ejemplo de su utilización en una muestra de antigüedades en estado de desempleo extraida del Fichero nacional de benefîciarios de subsidios de desempleo de la Unión para el empleo en la industria y el comercio. Así se evalúa el impacto de la edad, del motivo del desempleo o del importe del último salario antes de perder el empleo, de forma bastante diferente a los métodos econométricos convencionales, sin hipótesis preliminares sobre la relación entre la antigüedad en estado de desempleo y los factores que podrían determinarla.
Estimation d'un modèle de sortie de chômage à destinations multiples
Authors: Cases Chantal , Lollivier Stéfan
Published: July 2011

Schätzung eines Modells des Austritts aus der Arbeitslosigkeit mit verschiedenen Fällen der Beendigung,

von Chantai Cases, Stefan Lollivier.

In die Dauermodelle, die für die Analyse des Endes der Arbeitslosigkeit zur Anwendung kommen, werden häufig die Unterschiede zwischen den Individuen mit einbezogen. Nicht so oft beriicksichtigt wird bei den Schätzungen dagegen die Heterogenität der einzelnen Fälle der Beendigung. Auf dem Arbeitsmarkt vollzieht sich jedoch immer mehr eine Segmentierung zwischen regelmäßigen und unsicheren Beschäftigungen. In dieser Untersuchung soil deshalb ein Dauermodell mit drei möglichen Fällen des Austritts aus der Arbeitslosigkeit geschätzt werden, wobei der Dualismus des Arbeitsmarktes und das éventuelle Ausscheiden aus dem Erwerbsleben berücksichtigt werden. Sowohl die Dauer als auch der Effekt der exogenen Variablen weisen je nach den drei Fällen erhebliche Unterschiede auf.
Ajustement des cotisations sociales et chômage d'équilibre
Authors: Corneo Giacomo
Published: July 2011

Anpassung der Sozialbeiträge und Gleichgewichtsarbeitslosigkeit,

von Giacomo Corneo.

In diesem Artikel wird eine theoretische Analyse der Effekte der von den Arbeitgebern und Arbeitnehmern zu entrichtenden Sozialbeiträge in einem Modell mit zwei Besonderheiten entwickelt, nämlich einer Wirtschaft mit kollektiven Lohnverhandlungen und einer Wirtschaft mit Effizienzlöhnen. Untersucht werden Angleichungen, die sowohl den Durchschnitts- als auch den Grenzsatz der Sozialbeiträge beeinflussen. Die wichtigste Schlußfolgerung ist, daß eine Erhöhung des Grads der Beitragsprogression die Beschäftigung fördern kann. Die Logik einer solchen Maßnahme läßt sich mit derjenigen einer Einkommenspolitik vergleichen, die durch eine Besteuerung der Lohnerhöhungen die Mechanismen der überzogenen Lohnforderungen zu schwächen versucht.
Capital humain et croissance économique : une revue de la littérature
Authors: Logossah Kinvi D.A.
Published: July 2011

Human Capital and Economic Growth,

by Kinvi D.A. Logossah.

This paper sets out to review the theory of human capital while examining its empirical validity. It shows that the traditional hypothesis whereby education is an investment that increases individual efficiency and thus productivity and gains has been enlarged by various criticisms such as filter models, theories of labour market heterogeneousness, the efficient wages model, and domination, discrimination and patriarchate hypotheses. Therefore, although the level of education might appear to be a reliable measurement of the qualification level (orthodox model), it could also be regarded as an indicator of potential productivity (filter model). Moreover, other factors besides education influence productivity and individual gains. These are mainly seniority and experience and, more generally, the characteristics of the labour demand (theories of labour market heterogeneousness, the efficient wages model, and domination, discrimination and patriarchate theories). The analysis of human capital continues and is taking diverse routes. It has been greatly enhanced by recent studies on endogenous growth.
Le Cadastre B d'Orange, la route antique au Sud de Montélimar, le problème de Dourion et le cours inférieur de la Berre
Authors: Salviat François , Benoit Jean
Published: July 2011

Il faut rattacher au plan cadastral B le numéro 404 de la publication des Documents cadastraux de la colonie romaine d'Orange (A. Piganiol) : ce fragment donne la représentation d'un secteur de la « voie d' Agrippa » au Sud de Montélimar. La route antique dans cette région est étudiée avec le secours des photographies aériennes. Le problème de l'identification de « Dourion » chez Strabon IV, I, 1 1 est posé à nouveau à cette occasion : la réalité même d'une ville de ce nom est douteuse : il s'agit plutôt d'une référence au fleuve italien la Doire. Quelques observations nouvelles sont présentées sur la zone cadastrée dans le cours inférieur de la Berre et sur le point de confluence avec le Rhône au Sud de Donzère.
Observations sur la production et le commerce des céréales en Languedoc méditerranéen durant l'Age du Fer : les formes de stockage des grains
Authors: Garcia Dominique
Published: July 2011

Ce travail présente la documentation archéologique relative au stockage des céréales pour les départements de l'Aude, de l'Hérault et du Gard, entre le Bronze final III et le début de l'époque augustéenne. Les deux formes de réserves sont étudiées : le stockage en atmosphère confinée (en particulier les silos) et à l'air libre (urnes et dolia principalement). Jusqu'au début du VIe s. av. J.-C, les seuls récipients de stockage connus sont de grandes urnes en céramique non tournée adaptées à une production modeste. Dans le second quart du VIe s. av. J.-C. apparaissent les premiers exemplaires de dolia, probablement importés. On observe, dans la partie Est de la zone étudiée, un accroissement de l'utilisation du dolium à partir du milieu du Ve s. et jusqu'au dernier tiers du Ier s. av. J.-C, avec cependant une probable réduction dans les deux premiers tiers du IIIe s. av. J.C.

L'usage du silo, technique indigène de conservation à long terme, se généralisera dès le début du Ve s., surtout en Languedoc occidental et durera jusqu'à la romanisation. Il peut s'agir soit de silos isolés, soit de véritables batteries comme à Ensérune et Montfo (Hérault) ou Carsac (Aude).
Miroirs dédiés à Sélènè et à Aphroditè : observations et découvertes nouvelles
Authors: Barruol Guy
Published: July 2011

A small lead frame bearing an inscription dedicated to Aphrodite was recently discovered in Loupian (Hérault). New pieces of information concerning the interpretation of that type of object in RAN, 18, 1985, p. 343-373.
Un site du Haut Moyen Age provençal : Saint-Jean-de-Taravon (Volonne, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
Authors: Thomas Martine
Published: July 2011

The architectural excavations and studies of the chapel showed the existence of an earlier edifice. In fact, the present chapel is the choir of a much more complex structure, part of which was rediscovered in excavating, and another part found in the wall of an adjacent building. These different elements permitted an hypothetical reconstitution; it appears to be an edifice of a square plan, built around a central hall in the shape of a Greek cross. Excavations have not permitted the exact dating of this monument. However, the presence of sepulchers and the relative chronology allow for the taking of the construction of this building to the Early Middle Ages, and perhaps to the Caroligian Era. The excavations showed the architectural evolution of this monument until the French Revolution.
Entre Nemausus et Alba : un oppidum Latinum ? Les agglomérations antiques de Gaujac et Laudun et la question des Samnagenses
Authors: Roth-Congès Anne , Charmasson Jean
Published: July 2011

Bien qu'érigée en diocèse dès le ve s., l'Uzège est réputée appartenir antérieurement à la cité de Nemausus, et ses villages relever de la catégorie des oppida attribués à la capitale arécomique. Pourtant, V oppidum de Saint- Vincent de Gaujac, qui conserve et restaure à l'époque romaine son rempart protohistorique, s'urbanise et se monumentalise dès l'époque triumvirale, se rapproche plutôt d'agglomérations que Pline désigne comme oppida Latina. Une inscription y relate la carrière d'un magistrat relevant bien d'une cité latine, mais peu conforme au cursus stéréotypé des notables nîmois. N'y aurait-il pas autour de Gaujac un oppidum Latinum indépendant de Nimes, peut-être celui des Samnagenses que monnayage et épigraphie situent dans la basse vallée du Rhône, et plutôt sur la rive droite ? Jusqu'où s'étendrait son territoire ? L' oppidum voisin de Laudun, qui présente des caractères très proches, relèverait-il de la même civitas, ou s'agirait-il d'entités municipales distinctes ? En fait, quel type de rapports statutaires ou hiérarchiques pouvaient avoir les agglomérations au sein d'une cité latine ?
Un quartier artisanal d'époque romaine à Aix-en-Provence. Bilan de la fouille de sauvetage du « parking Signoret » en 1991
Authors: Rivet Lucien
Published: July 2011

Cette contribution présente les résultats d'une fouille d'urgence menée, durant l'été 1991, sur un terrain de 2000 m2 situé dans le secteur nord-est d'Aix-en-Provence, entre la traverse Signoret et la Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture Bellegarde. Les constructions mises au jour correspondaient à trois bâtiments dont deux ont pu être caractérisés : un atelier de pressage (huile ou vin ?) et un atelier de verrerie, l'un et l'autre développant leur activité entre la fin du Ier s. de n.è. et le IIIe s.

De part et d'autre de ces bâtiments s'étendaient des espaces libres et, au sud, très vraisemblablement, les terres étaient mises en culture. Les eaux usées des ateliers se déversaient dans un fossé, ouvert au sud et parallèle aux bâtiments.

L'ensemble de ces constatations démontre, à l'évidence, que le site est bien extra muros et que la limite urbaine à' Aquae Sextiae est à replacer plus au sud.
Les fossés du plateau de Lautagne, Valence (Drôme)
Authors: Allimant Anne
Published: July 2011

La campagne de fouille/diagnostic menée en 1991-92 sur le plateau de Lautagne à Valence (Drôme) a permis d'émettre l'hypothèse d'une implantation militaire sur le site datant du Ier s. av. J.-C. Trois états d'occupations successives, chacun d'eux en relation avec un aménagement de fossés, ont ainsi été reconnus. Leur découverte constitue un élément essentiel pour la compréhension des origines de la ville de Valence et susceptible d'expliquer l'implantation de son système cadastré.
Un temple du début de l'Empire à Murviel-lès-Montpellier (Hérault). Hypothèse de restitution
Authors: Gassend Jean-Marie , Escalon G. , Soyris Paul
Published: July 2011

Le monument que nous nous proposons d'étudier se trouve à l'intérieur de l'enceinte basse de l'oppidum du Castellas à

Murviel-lès-Montpellier, enceinte datée du Ier siècle av. J.-C.

Les premiers vestiges découverts correspondent à l'implantation d'une esplanade bordée au sud par un mur de soutènement, reconnu sur

une vingtaine de mètres de longueur. Ce mur est soutenu par des contreforts formant une série d'une douzaine de niches situées en

contrebas de l'esplanade et bordant une rue dallée.

Par la suite, cinq de ces niches sont comblées en même temps qu'il s'est construit des murs sur plan rectangulaire, correspondant à celui

d'un temple de 20 m de long par 10 m de large, orienté Nord/Sud. De part et d'autre de la façade est probablement édifié un portique

sur plan en demi-exèdre.

La richesse architecturale des vestiges découverts et le matériel archéologique nous permettent de dater ce temple de la fin du Ier siècle

av. J.-C.
Le Clos de La Lombarde à Narbonne (Aude). Peintures murales de la Maison III
Authors: Sabrié Maryse , Sabrié Raymond
Published: July 2011

La maison III du Clos de la Lombarde à Narbonne n'a été que partiellement fouillée. Trois salles ont livré de larges surfaces d'enduits peints appartenant au dernier état (fin IIe -début IIIe s. ap. J.-C.). La reconstitution des décors, qui donne des renseignements précis sur l'élévation des parois, leur richesse iconographique (mégalographies, feuillages, architectures stylisées, décor à réseau, faux marbres) et la variété des pigments qui ont été analysés, sont des documents importants pour la connaissance de la peinture murale provinciale.
Inscriptions peintes sur amphores de Narbonne (Port-la-Nautique, Aude). III
Authors: Liou Bernard
Published: July 2011

The underwater dumping ground of Port-la-Nautique, one of the harbours of the ancient Narbonne, is quite significant: among others, sigillated ceramics from the Graufesenque as well as wine, oil, preserves or fish sauce amphorae which were imported and redistributed in the harbour. Painted inscriptions often give information on the content, the origin and the date of the amphorae. A third series of these inscriptions is published in this article (there are 12 and the total number amounts to 40). Two wine amphorae (Dressel 2-4 from central Italy) are of great interest: they yield the date (16 and 23 A.D.) and for one of them the name of the vintage, Grauiscanum, which was only known by Pline the Elder. Therefore, our list of products and merchants of the first half of the first century A. D. keeps increasing and become more specific about chronology.
L'agglomération antique du Castellas (Murviel-lès-Montpellier, Hérault). Nouveau programme de recherches, premiers résultats
Authors: Raux Stéphanie , Thollard Patrick
Published: July 2011

After ten years of interruption, a new research was undertaken at Murviel-lès-Montpellier (Hérault) on the antic agglomeration of the Castellas, name which will be prefered to oppidum which does not fit to the nature of the site. In 2001, the first excavations permit the confrontation of ground datas with the informations, F.Favory has just published these informations. This papers deals with three points : the fortification, the middle terraces dwellings and the monumental area. The results of the first year of excavating allow the proposition of a new hypothesis concerning the chronology of the occupation, the nature of the monuments and the fonction of the agglomeration.
Aix-les-Bains, vicus thermal et bourg rural
Authors: Leveau Philippe , Rémy Bernard , Canal Alain , Segard Maxence
Published: July 2011

Parmi les agglomérations des Alpes du Nord, Aix-les-Bains se distingue par une série remarquable de monuments romains conservés en élévation et par un nombre relativement important d'inscriptions latines. Cet article dresse un bilan des travaux récents et intègre le site dans son contexte micro-régional. Cette reprise du dossier conduit à s'interroger sur le caractère de "petite ville" que cela lui confère. Le dossier épigraphique permet de caractériser une communauté rurale de possessores dont les activités sont orientées vers l'exploitation de la terre. Dans cette perspective, les monuments appartiendraient soit à un sanctuaire de cure juxtaposé à une bourgade rurale dépourvue de caractère urbain soit à un ensemble funéraire.