bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Permian fusulinids from the Baoshan Block, western Yunnan, China and their paleobiogeographic significance
Authors: Yukun Shi , Hao Huang , Xiaochi Jin , Xiangning Yang
Published: May 2011

Early Permian fusulinids from both northern and southern parts of the Baoshan Block (western Yunnan, Southwest China) are illustrated and compared with coeval fusulinid faunas from other northern peri-Gondwana areas to disclose paleogeographic information. Systematic study of collected fusulinid materials and examination of published data from the Dingjiazhai area, northern Baoshan Block, show that fusulinids there includeEoparafusulina pseudosimplexandPseudofusulina macilenta.Fusulinids from the Aluotian Section, southern Baoshan Block, consist ofP. minitumidisculan. sp.,P. macilenta, P. tumidiscula, E. pseudo simplex, E.aff.E. laudoni, andE.sp. Early Permian fusulinids from both northern and southern Baoshan Blocks are dominated byPseudofusulinaandEoparafusulinaspecies and they are similar to those from Central Pamir, South Afghanistan, East-Central Iran, Central Oman, East Hindu Kush and northern Karakorum, revealing a Sakmarian to Artinskian age. Moreover, detailed comparison shows that the Early Permian fusulinid assemblage from the Baoshan Block is more similar to those from East-Central Iran, Central Pamir and South Afghanistan. This implies that the Baoshan Block may have been near those areas during the Early Permian.
Life in the Late Paleozoic ice age: trace fossils from glacially influenced deposits in a Late Carboniferous fjord of western Argentina
Authors: Schatz Elizabeth R. , Mángano María Gabriela , Buatois Luis A. , Limarino Carlos Oscar
Published: May 2011

The early Late Carboniferous rocks of the Guandacol Formation in western Argentina preserve the glacial to postglacial transition. In the study area, this unit has been divided in three intervals: 1) a lower diamictitic interval; 2) a middle interval chiefly composed of mudstone, and 3) an upper sandstone-dominated interval. The lower interval records infill of a fjord incised into the underlying Ordovician limestone. The middle and upper intervals reflect postglacial sedimentation. Four ichnotaxa, occurring as both discrete and compound trace fossils, are documented from the lower and middle intervals of the Guandacol Formation.Diplopodichnus biformisandCruziana diplopodan. isp. occur in the thinly bedded stratified diamictite in the upper section of the lower interval. These deposits record sedimentation from debris flows with dropstones reflecting overprinting of ice-rafting and rain-out processes.Cruzianacf.problematicaandRusophycus carbonariusare present in very-fine to fine-grained sandstone layers interbedded with dropstone-bearing mudstone in the lower section of the middle interval. These deposits record the interplay of suspension fall-out sedimentation, ice-rafting, rain-out processes, and storm waves. The presence of linguliformean brachiopods in coeval beds nearby strongly suggests marine influence and that brackish-water conditions prevailed during the early phase of the transgression. Harsh paleoenvironmental conditions may explain the small size of the trace fossils and the low ichnodiversity in comparison to that expected in fully marine environments. The morphology of the trace fossils as bilobate ridges and furrows ornamented with scratch marks indicates that the structures were produced by arthropods, most likely trilobites and/or notostracans. Although the possibility that different ichnotaxa have resulted from changes in burrowing behaviors can not be completely disregarded, the fact that distinctCruzianaichnospecies display non-overlapping facies distribution may suggest their production by different arthropods.
Revision of the Ordovician brachiopod genus Noetlingia Hall and Clarke, 1893
Authors: Zuykov Michael , Harper David A. T. , Pelletier Emilien
Published: May 2011

The enigmatic pentameride brachiopod Noetlingia Hall and Clarke, 1893 is revised and its stratigraphic range corrected. The type species Noetlingia tscheffkini occurs only within the upper Darriwilian (Ordovician) of the East Baltic and not in the Silurian as previously assumed. Thus, presently defined, the superfamily Porambonitoidea does not cross the boundary between the Ordovician and Silurian systems. Two other species occurring in the Lower to Middle Ordovician of South China and North America are assigned to Noetlingia.
A reapprisal of Barsboldia sicinskii (Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae) from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia
Authors: Prieto-Márquez Albert
Published: May 2011

The taxonomy and phylogenetic position of the hadrosaurid dinosaur Barsboldia sicinskii is revised. This species is rediagnosed based on the unique combination of iliac central plate with depth/length ratio less than 0.8 and sacral vertebrae with distally ‘clubbed’ neural spines at least four times higher than their centra. A maximum parsimony analysis of 47 hadrosauroid (39 hadrosaurid) species does not support the purported lambeosaurine affinities of B. sicinskii, but recovers this form as a basal saurolophine hadrosaurid based on unambiguous synapomorphies of the ilium. This result increases the diversity of saurolophine taxa in Asia, a continent with a hadrosaurid fossil record so far dominated by lambeosaurines. Finally, several vertebral and iliac characters previously regarded as diagnostic of Lambeosaurinae are discussed and shown to be uninformative from a taxonomic or phylogenetic standpoint.
Life-cycle assessment of common water main materials in water distribution networks
Authors: Herstein L. M. , Filion Y. R.
Published: May 2011

This paper examines the economy-wide environmental impacts linked to the manufacturing of PVC and ductile iron (DI) pipes, steel tanks, and to the generation of electricity for pumping in water distribution network optimization. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is used to generate Pareto-optimal solutions of the benchmark ‘Anytown’ network expansion problem. Selected Pareto-optimal solutions of the ‘Anytown’ network are evaluated with an economic input–output life-cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) and 14 environmental measures on air emissions, non-renewable energy use and environmental releases. The major findings suggest that DI and PVC pipe manufacturing and electricity generation activities (for pumping) have higher environmental impacts than steel tank manufacturing and construction activities in the ‘Anytown’ network. The EIO-LCA suggests that DI pipe manufacturing is linked to: (i) carbon monoxide emissions from truck transportation and wholesale trade and (ii) land and underground toxic releases from metal mining activities. PVC pipe manufacturing is linked to: (i) carbon monoxide emissions from truck transportation, (ii) toxic air releases from the plastics material and resin manufacturing sector, (iii) land and underground toxic releases from metal mining and resin manufacturing, and (iv) natural gas use for plastics material and resin manufacturing.
Prevalence and Demographic and Clinical Associations of Health Literacy in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Green Jamie A. , Mor Maria K. , Shields Anne Marie , Sevick Mary Ann , Palevsky Paul M. , Fine Michael J. , Arnold Robert M. , Weisbord Steven D.
Published: May 2011

Background and objectives

Although limited health literacy is estimated to affect over 90 million Americans and is recognized as an important public health concern, there have been few studies examining this issue in patients with chronic kidney disease. We sought to characterize the prevalence of and associations of demographic and clinical characteristics with limited health literacy in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

As part of a prospective clinical trial of symptom management strategies in 288 patients treated with chronic hemodialysis, we assessed health literacy using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM). We defined limited health literacy as a REALM score ≤60 and evaluated independent associations of demographic and baseline clinical characteristics with limited health literacy using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of the 260 patients who completed the REALM, 41 demonstrated limited health literacy. African-American race, lower educational level, and veteran status were independently associated with limited health literacy. There was no association of limited health literacy with age, gender, serologic values, dialysis adequacy, overall symptom burden, quality of life, or depression.

Conclusions

Limited health literacy is common among patients receiving chronic hemodialysis. African-American race and socioeconomic factors are strong independent predictors of limited health literacy. These findings can help inform the design and implementation of interventions to improve health literacy in the hemodialysis population.
Succinimides: Synthesis, properties and anticonvulsant activity
Authors: Banjac Nebojsa , Trisovic Nemanja , Valentic Natasa , Uscumlic Gordana , Petrovic Slobodan
Published: May 2011

Succinimide is a cycle imide of succinic acid that is present in numerous
biologically active compounds including anticonvulsants, antitremor,
anti-Parkinson`s agents. This paper describes different ways of synthesis of
succinimide-derivatives their physical properties and reactivity. Also, the
most widely used succinimide anticonvulsants and the analysis of
structure-activity relationships of anticonvulsant drugs in terms of
lipophilicity and hydrogen bonding are presented here.
Physico-chemical characterization of bentonite and its application for Mn2+ removal from water
Authors: Randjelovic Marjan , Purenovic Milovan , Zarubica Aleksandra , Mladenovic Igor , Purenovic Jelena , Momcilovic Milan
Published: May 2011

Bentonite is mainly composed of clay minerals from smectite group, therefore
it has a well developed and chemically active surface area and high cation
exchange capacity. Moreover, an interlayer space of smectite has unusual
hydration properties, which manifest as swelling of bentonite in water. These
properties make bentonite as a commonly used raw material in chemistry and
industry, and it is very important in environmental protection and water
treatment as an effective sorbent of heavy metals. The results of X-ray
diffraction, a cationic exchange capacity, specific surface area, acid-base
properties of the surface and the swelling index showed that the bentonite
sample contains mostly montmorillonite. The aim of this study was to test the
efficacy of bentonite in the removal of Mn2+ from aqueous systems. The
experimental results of Mn2+ adsorption on the bentonite were interpreted by
Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption isotherms. The
adsorption isotherm studies indicate that the adsorption of Mn2+ follows
Langmuir isotherm very well. Theoretical monolayer saturation capacity
according to Langmuir model was 12.41 mg/g. The removal of Mn2+ is achieved
by ion exchange mechanism with naturally occurring cations in bentonite, as
well as by forming the inner- and outer-sphere complexes with bentonite
surface.
Thermal radiation and hall effect on MHD flow, heat and mass transfer over an inclined permeable stretching sheet
Authors: Shit Chandra , Haldar Raju
Published: May 2011

Of concern in this paper is an investigation of the combined effects of
thermal radiation and Hall current on momentum, heat and mass transfer in
laminar boundary-layer flow over an inclined permeable stretching sheet with
variable viscosity. The sheet is linearly stretched in the presence of an
external magnetic field and the fluid motion is subjected to a uniform porous
medium. The effect of internal heat generation/absorption is also taken into
account. The fluid viscosity is assumed to vary as an inverse linear function
of temperature. The boundary-layer equations that governing the flow problem
have reduced to a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations with a
suitable similarity transformation. Then the transformed equations are solved
numerically by employing a finite difference scheme. Thus the results
obtained are presented graphically for the various parameters of interest.
Thermal response of heat-resistant layer with pyrolysis
Authors: Huang Haiming , Xiaoliang Xu , Huang Guo , Zhang Zimao
Published: May 2011

A model is developed for analyzing the thermal response of the heat-resistant
layer composed of high silica fiber reinforced phenolic matrix
composites(SiO2/P) and aluminum, in which pyrolysis and phase transitions are
exsited, such as melt, vaporization and sublimation. Based on this model, the
thermal response of the heat-resistant layer with different SiO2/P thickness
is calculated under a heat flux by using FORTRAN codes. As indicated in the
results, the slope of temperature gets a sudden decline at the pyrolysis
interface, which is due to the latent heat of pyrolysis; the thickness of
heat-resistant layer has little influence on the heating-surface temperature,
however, the back temperature may increase with the decreasing thickness; and
the thermal conductivity of carbonized layer is very important to thermal
response.
Investigation of thermal conductivity of single-wall carbon nanotubes
Authors: Jafari Mahmoud , Vaezzadeh Majid , Mansouri Momhamad , Hajnorouzi Abazar
Published: May 2011

In this paper, the thermal conductivity of Single-wall carbon nanotubes
(SWCNTs) is determined by lattice vibrations (phonons) and free elections.
The thermal conductivity of SWCNTs is modeled up to 8-300 K and the observed
deviations in K-T figures of SWCNTs are explained in terms of phonon
vibrations models. An suitable theoretical model is shown for thermal
conductivity behavior with respect to temperature and is generalized for
experimental results. This model enables us to calculate thermal conductivity
SWNTs and Thermal Potential Energy (TPE).
Model of the atom laser with Raman outcoupling
Authors: Emshary Chasib A. , Esa Shaker I. , Almanea Arafat J.
Published: May 2011

In the present paper, the authors start from the interaction of a system of two-level atoms with an electromagnetic field to drive the interaction Hamiltonian between these two-level atoms. Second, introduce the equations of motion which describing the dynamics of atom laser depending on the interaction Hamiltonian, this interaction Hamiltonian will be used to describe the outcoupling process in a Raman atom laser. Also, the authors model the dynamics of an atom laser produced by outcoupling three-level atoms from a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) via a Raman transition and investigate the transfer of quantum statistics from one of the optical modes to the atomic field. Finally, the authors mathematical treatment leads to the same as equations appears in literature which allowed obtaining the dynamics for any atom laser systems.
A Factor Analytic Study of the Cope Questionnaire by Sex of Respondents
Authors: Wu Joseph , Siu Aaron , Ho Wing-Chung
Published: May 2011

This work examined the effect of sex on factor structure of a Chinese version of the 1989 COPE questionnaire with a sample of 617 Hong Kong adolescents ( Mdn age = 14 yr.). Some scales had low internal consistency reliability for both sexes. Not all 15 scales could be identified as unique factors through exploratory factor analysis separately for both sexes (275 boys, 338 girls, 4 unknown). In a second-order factor analysis, both sexes' data had factors related to problem-focused coping and avoidance/escaping coping, and these two factors were only weakly correlated. An emotion-focused factor was observed in girls' data, but not boys' data.
Test-Retest Reliability of the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire
Authors: Loas Gwenolé , Yon Valerie , Monestès Jean Louis , Cuesta Manuel J.
Published: May 2011

Long-term reliability of the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire (FCQ) was investigated in two follow-up studies of participants with psychosis using a test-retest method. In the first study ( N = 56), the duration of the follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2 years; Spearman rho was .62 for the abridged (18 items) Spanish version of the questionnaire. In Study 2 ( N = 21), in participants with stable schizophrenia, the follow-up ranged from 8 to 11 years; test-retest Spearman rho was .83 for the French version of the questionnaire. Subjective experiences could constitute, in psychosis-prone people, traits or markers of psychotic vulnerability.
War Stress and Late-Life Mortality in World War II Male Civilian Resistance Veterans
Authors: Den Velde Wybrand Op , Deeg Dorly J. H. , Hovens Johannes E. , van Duijn Marijtje A. J. , Aarts Petra G. H.
Published: May 2011

The mental and physical health of 146 Dutch males exposed to severe war stress during their young adulthood were examined in 1986–1987 when they were at ages 61 to 66 years. The veterans' data were compared with a randomly selected population-based sample of same-aged males. In 2005, 70% of the war stress veterans had died, and only 35% of the comparison group. The baseline quality of life was significantly poorer in the war stress veterans than in the comparison group. Baseline variables explained 42% of the increased risk of mortality among war stress veterans. Smoking was the largest single contributor to mortality.
Cognitive Appraisals of Stereotype Threat
Authors: Berjot S. , Roland-Levy C. , Girault-Lidvan N.
Published: May 2011

Using the cognitive appraisal conceptualisation of the transactional model of stress, the goal was to assess how victims of stereotype threat respond to this situation in terms of primary appraisals (threat/challenge) and to investigate whether those appraisals may mediate the relation between stereotype threat and performance. Results show that, while participants from North Africa living in France did appraise the situation more as a threat and less as a challenge, only challenge appraisal mediated between stereotype threat and performance.
Effects of Aging and Divided Attention on Recognition Memory Processes for Single and Associative Information
Authors: Kinjo Hikari
Published: May 2011

In the divided attention paradigm to test age-related associative memory deficits, whether the effects of divided attention occur at encoding or retrieval has not been clarified, and the effect on retention has not been studied. This study explored whether and how much divided attention at either encoding, retention, or retrieval diminished accuracy in recognizing a single feature (object or location) and associated features (object + location) by 23 elderly people (13 women; M age = 70.6 yr., SD = 2.8) recruited from a neighborhood community circle, and 29 female college students ( M age = 20.8 yr., SD = 1.1). The results showed a significant decline in memory performance for both age groups due to divided attention in location and associative memory at retention, suggesting that the retention process demands attentional resources. Overall, regardless of their relative deficiency in associative memory, older adults showed an effect of divided attention comparable to that of younger adults in a recognition task.
Re-Examining the Home Disadvantage in Professional ICE Hockey
Authors: Gayton William F. , Perry Scott M. , Loignon Andrew C. , Ricker Angela
Published: May 2011

Occurrence of the home disadvantage in professional ice hockey was examined by analyzing shootout data from 2005 through 2008. Results indicated that teams involved in shootouts playing at their home arenas did not lose significantly more games at home than on the road. Results did not support the hypotheses that emphasize the roles of physical contact and diffusion of responsibility in accounting for past failures to find the home disadvantage in professional ice hockey.
Competitive State Anxiety and Performance in Young Female Rhythmic Gymnasts
Authors: Tsopani Despoina , Dallas George , Skordilis Emmanouil K.
Published: May 2011

The study was designed to examine the competitive state anxiety and self-confidence of rhythmic gymnasts participating in the Greek national competition. 86 participants, ages 11 and 12 years, completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory–2, 1 hr. before competition. The athletes, classified by performance (high and low performance) and participation in the finals (finalists and nonfinalists), responded to the three subscales: Cognitive Anxiety, Somatic Anxiety, and Self-confidence. Analyses indicated differences in Self-confidence between high versus low performance groups and finalists versus nonfinalists. No significant differences were found on Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety. In a regression analysis, Self-confidence was the only significant predictor of performance for this sample. Implications refer to the development of strategies to enhance self-confidence in order to improve the gymnast's performance during competition.
A Review of Time-Motion Analysis and Combat Development in Mixed Martial Arts Matches at Regional Level Tournaments
Authors: del Vecchio Fabrício Boscolo , Hirata Sérgio Masashi , Franchini Emerson
Published: May 2011

Mixed martial arts (MMA) have become a fast-growing worldwide expansion of martial arts competition, requiring high level of skill, physical conditioning, and strategy, and involving a synthesis of combat while standing or on the ground. This study quantified the effort-pause ratio (EP), and classified effort segments of stand-up or groundwork development to identify the number of actions performed per round in MMA matches. 52 MMA athletes participated in the study ( M age = 24 yr., SD = 5; average experience in MMA = 5 yr., SD = 3). A one-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements was conducted to compare the type of action across the rounds. A chi-squared test was applied across the percentages to compare proportions of different events. Only one significant difference ( p<.05) was observed among rounds: time in groundwork of low intensity was longer in the second compared to the third round. When the interval between rounds was not considered, the EP ratio (between high-intensity effort to low-intensity effort plus pauses) was 1:2 to 1:4. This ratio is between ratios typical for judo, wrestling, karate, and taekwondo and reflects the combination of ground and standup techniques. Most of the matches ended in the third round, involving high-intensity actions, predominantly executed during groundwork combat.
Daily Activities and Sleep Quality in Young Adults
Authors: Sexton-Radek Kathy , Pichler-Mowry Rene
Published: May 2011

Daily activity levels were investigated as related to sleep quality in young adult college students aged 18 to 30 years. 85 participants (20 men, 65 women) completed the Young Adult Daily Activity Scale (YADAS). This 37-item checklist has 34 items based on focus group discussion points of college students' typical daily activities and three blank items for students to include their daily activities if not in the listing. The tabulation of type and amount of waking daily activities represents a unique measurement of factors that may affect sleep quality. The participants also rated their typical sleep quality using a standard 5-point scale (low indicating poor sleep). Correlations of sleep ratings and activities were not significant.
Perpetration of Sexual Coercion and Victim of Sexual Coercion Scales: Development and Validation
Authors: Mathes Eugene W. , McCoy Jamie
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this research was to create two scales, one to measure the tendency to perpetrate sexual coercion and one the tendency to be a victim of sexual coercion (Study 1), and to provide data validating the scales (Studies 2 and 3). Using the rational method of scale construction, two 13-item scales were constructed: the Perpetrator of Sexual Coercion Scale and the Victim of Sexual Coercion Scale. Construct validity (Study 2) was based on significant correlations with measures of engaging in promiscuous sex and abuse of alcohol. Support was found for the hypothesis (Study 3) that sexual coercion, being a victim of sexual coercion, alcohol abuse, and sexual promiscuity were associated with the pursuit of immediate pleasure through alcohol and sex.
Discrimination of Amount of Spinal Flexion for Movements Made with and without Vision after Lumbar Disc Replacement
Authors: Hobbs Amanda J. , Adams Roger D. , Waddington Gordon S. , Hillier Terence M.
Published: May 2011

Discrimination of differences between small lumbar flexion movements made when standing may differ depending on whether vision is available. Dependence on general vision during trunk movements may be increased following surgery, in which an intervertebral disc is replaced with a prosthetic disc. This study investigated whether the availability of vision changed discrimination of small differences in lumbar forward flexion movement when standing for patients with lumbar disc replacement and healthy peers. 20 volunteers without a history of back pain and 20 with disc replacement undertook a 100-trial sequence of forward flexion movements to a set of physical stops, making an absolute judgement as to the position after each movement. General (nontarget) vision during the movement was available or removed randomly trial by trial. Availability of vision did not affect discrimination of flexion movements of the lumbar spine either in normal healthy individuals or those with disc replacement.
Virtual Navigation Performance: The Relationship to Field of View and Prior Video Gaming Experience
Authors: Richardson Anthony E. , Collaer Marcia L.
Published: May 2011

Two experiments examined whether learning a virtual environment was influenced by field of view and how it related to prior video gaming experience. In the first experiment, participants (42 men, 39 women; M age = 19.5 yr., SD = 1.8) performed worse on a spatial orientation task displayed with a narrow field of view in comparison to medium and wide field-of-view displays. Counter to initial hypotheses, wide field-of-view displays did not improve performance over medium displays, and this was replicated in a second experiment (30 men, 30 women; M age = 20.4 yr., SD = 1.9) presenting a more complex learning environment. Self-reported video gaming experience correlated with several spatial tasks: virtual environment pointing and tests of Judgment of Line Angle and Position, mental rotation, and Useful Field of View (with correlations between .31 and .45). When prior video gaming experience was included as a covariate, sex differences in spatial tasks disappeared.
Nosocomial Citrobacter Infection in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a Hospital of Nepal
Authors: Khadka Sanu Bhai , Thapa Badri , Mahat Kishori
Published: May 2011

Introduction: Neonatal Citrobacter infection is either acquired horizontally or vertically as a nosocomial infection. The source of nosocomial Citrobacter is either hands of medical staff or the innate objects. Objective: The aim of this study was to study nosocomial Citrobacter infection in neonates admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and trace the source of infection. Methods: The study was conducted in NICU in a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal during a period of January to March 2010. Specimens were collected from neonates, hands of medical staff and innate objects and were processed using a standard microbiological method. Results: The prevalence of neonatal nosocomial infection was 32.6% (29/89). Citrobacter spp. was isolated in 11 neonates admitted in NICU with the prevalence rate of 37.9% (11/29) among other pathogens. Umbilical cord infection was most common (n=8). These isolates were grouped into five antibiotypes (I, 4; II, 3; III, 2; IV, I; V, 1). All of these isolates were multi-drug resistant showing susceptibility towards quinolones. The isolate of Citrobacter spp. was also recovered from a nasal prong which was grouped with 4 other clinical strains. Conclusion: Multi-drug resistant nosocomial Citrobacter spp. was inflicting neonates in NICU and the source of this pathogen was traced to nasal prong. Nosocomial Citrobacter infection is a common problem of neonates in NICU. This will lead to increase neonatal mortality if infection prevention and control practices are not initiated. Key words: Neonates; Citrobacter spp.; nasal prong; infection control; Nepal DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v31i2.4094 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2010;31(2):105-109
Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome, often Missed: A Case Report and Review
Authors: Kumar Mani Kant , Narayan Raghvendra
Published: May 2011

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, eczema and recurrent infections. We report a 15 month old boy who had presented with lower gastrointestinal bleed, recurrent infections and eczema. Blood picture revealed microthrombocytopenia, high IgA and IgE, and low IgM and Normal IgG levels. A diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome was made, which was missed by many paediatrician even after prolonged hospital stay before admission in our Institute. The recent progress in understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment are discussed. Key words: Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome; Eczema; Microthrombocytopenia DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v31i2.4122 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2010;31(2):146-150
Biochemical Markers in Perinatal Asphyxia
Authors: Naithani Manisha , Simalti Ashish Kumar
Published: May 2011

Early assessment of the severity of an acute cerebral lesion secondary to hypoxia-ischemia or other pathologic conditions may provide a very useful basis for preventive or therapeutic decisions in pediatric patients. In the present review, we discuss the diagnostic and prognostic value of a series of biochemical parameters, with special reference to the diagnosis of neonatal HIE. Currently many specific biochemical markers of brain injury are being investigated to assess regional brain damage after perinatal asphyxia in neonates of which serum protein S-100β, brain-specific creatine kinase, neuron-specific enolase, IL6 and urinary uric acid levels appear promising in identifying patients with a risk of developing hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Whether detection of elevated serum concentrations of these proteins reflects long-term neurodevelopmental impairment remains to be investigated. Key words: S-100; Brain specific creatine kinase; neuron specific enolase; IL6; urinary uric acid; hypoxic ischaemic cerebral injury. DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v31i2.4155 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2010;31(2):151-156
Meteorologischer und phänologischer Jahresrückblick 2010 | Meteorological and phenological annual review for 2010
Authors: Defila Claudio
Published: May 2011

In 2010, the temperatures were slightly above the norm; the consequence was an average phenological year. The spring however started late at the time of hazel flowering, because of the low temperatures registered until mid-March. The following spring phenological phases were observed on average dates. The needles of the spruce showed a tendency towards late development. The phenological summer 2010 can be considered as normal or slightly early. During summer, the temperatures were sometimes above the norm. As it is frequently observed, the phenological autumn was inhomogeneous: the phases were either early or late, depending on the station.
The Environmental and Economic Sustainability of Carbon Capture and Storage
Authors: Hardisty Paul E. , Sivapalan Mayuran , Brooks Peter
Published: May 2011

For carbon capture and storage (CCS) to be a truly effective option in our efforts to mitigate climate change, it must be sustainable. That means that CCS must deliver consistent environmental and social benefits which exceed its costs of capital, energy and operation; it must be protective of the environment and human health over the long term; and it must be suitable for deployment on a significant scale. CCS is one of the more expensive and technically challenging carbon emissions abatement options available, and CCS must first and foremost be considered in the context of the other things that can be done to reduce emissions, as a part of an overall optimally efficient, sustainable and economic mitigation plan. This elevates the analysis beyond a simple comparison of the cost per tonne of CO2 abated—there are inherent tradeoffs with a range of other factors (such as water, NOx, SOx, biodiversity, energy, and human health and safety, among others) which must also be considered if we are to achieve truly sustainable mitigation. The full life-cycle cost of CCS must be considered in the context of the overall social, environmental and economic benefits which it creates, and the costs associated with environmental and social risks it presents. Such analysis reveals that all CCS is not created equal. There is a wide range of technological options available which can be used in a variety of industries and applications—indeed CCS is not applicable to every industry. Stationary fossil-fuel powered energy and large scale petroleum industry operations are two examples of industries which could benefit from CCS. Capturing and geo-sequestering CO2 entrained in natural gas can be economic and sustainable at relatively low carbon prices, and in many jurisdictions makes financial sense for operators to deploy now, if suitable secure disposal reservoirs are available close by. Retrofitting existing coal-fired power plants, however, is more expensive and technically challenging, and the economic sustainability of post-combustion capture retrofit needs to be compared on a portfolio basis to the relative overall net benefit of CCS on new-build plants, where energy efficiency can be optimised as a first step, and locations can be selected with sequestration sites in mind. Examples from the natural gas processing, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and coal-fired power generation sectors, illustrate that there is currently a wide range of financial costs for CCS, depending on how and where it is applied, but equally, environmental and social benefits of emissions reduction can be considerable. Some CCS applications are far more economic and sustainable than others. CCS must be considered in the context of the other things that a business can do to eliminate emissions, such as far-reaching efforts to improve energy efficiency.
Role of Titanium Surface Topography and Surface Wettability on Focal Adhesion Kinase Mediated Signaling in Fibroblasts
Authors: Oates Christine J. , Wen Weiyan , Hamilton Douglas W.
Published: May 2011

Changes of titanium surface roughness and surface free energy may influence protein absorption that increases cell differentiation through activation of focal adhesion kinase related pathways. However, the influence of titanium surface roughness and hydrophilicity on fibroblast behavior is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of topography and hydrophilicity on fibroblast attachment, spreading, morphology, intracellular signaling, proliferation, and collagen I mRNA levels. Using a cellular FAK knockout (FAK−/−) model and wild-type (WT) controls, we also investigated the contribution of adhesion in fibroblasts cultured on smooth (PT), sand-blasted, large grit, acid-etched (SLA) and hydrophilic SLA topographies. Loss of FAK did not significantly affect fibroblast attachment to any surface, but SLA and hydrophilic SLA surface attenuated spreading of WT cells significantly more than FAK−/− fibroblasts. Both FAK−/− and WT cells formed numerous focal adhesions on PT surfaces, but significantly less on SLA and hydrophilic SLA surfaces. In WT cells, phosphorylation levels of FAK were lower on SLA and hydrophilic SLA in comparison with PT 24 h post seeding. Labeling of cells with antibodies to cortactin showed that FAK−/−cells contained significantly more cortactin-rich focal adhesion in comparison with WT cells on PT surfaces, but not on SLA or hydrophilic SLA. ERK 1/2 phosphorylation was highest in WT cells on all surfaces which correlated with collagen I expression levels. We conclude that fibroblasts are sensitive to changes in surface roughness and hydrophilicity, with adhesive interactions mediated through FAK, an important modulator of fibroblast response.
Two New Iridoid Glycosides from the Root Barks of Sambucus williamsii Hance
Authors: Wang Zhen-Yue , Han Hua , Yang Bing-You , Xia Yong-Gang , Kuang Hai-Xue
Published: May 2011

Chemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the root barks of Sambucus williamsii Hance collected in the Heilongjiang province of China resulted in the isolation of two new iridoid glycosides, williamsoside A (1) and williamsoside B (2). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D, 2D-NMR and HRESIMS) and chemical studies. Iridoid glycosides have for a long time been considered as characteristic ingredients of S. williamsii. However, the presence of iridoid glycosides with apiofuranosyl moieties in S. williamsii is reported for the first time in this study.
Metallic Nanoparticle Block Copoloymer Vesicles with Enhanced Optical Properties
Authors: Martinez-Hurtado Juan Leonardo
Published: May 2011

The fabrication and characterization of template silver nanoshell structures and the encapsulation of gold nanoparticles using biocompatible poly(oxyethylene)-poly(butylene) diblock co-polymer vesicles is described in this work. These vesicles have a narrow diameter size distribution around 200 nm. Silver nanoparticles (Ø = 1–10 nm) functionalized with decanethiol were successfully entrapped in the hydrophobic membrane and non-functionalized gold nanoparticles (Ø = 3.0–5.5 nm) were encapsulated in the vesicle core. Transmission Electron Microscopy confirms the localisation of the particles; silver functionalized nanoparticles appear to thicken the vesicle membrane as shown with TEM image analysis. The enhancement of the optical properties is confirmed using transmission spectrophotometry; the 430 nm plasmon resonance peak of the silver nanoparticles was replaced by a broader extinction spectrum to beyond 700 nm (O.D. = 0.8). For a number density of 4.8 x 1012 mL-1 the scattering cross section was calculated to be 0.92 x 10-4 μm2 with a scattering coefficient of 0.44 mm-1. The measurements indicate scattering cross section of 3.8 x 10-5 μm2, attenuation coefficient of 0.18 mm-1 and extinction efficiency equal to 1.2 x 10-3. Stable and biocompatible block co-polymer vesicles can potentially be used as plasmon-resonant optical contrast agents for biomedical applications.
The Pathogenesis of Rift Valley Fever
Authors: Ikegami Tetsuro , Makino Shinji
Published: May 2011

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonotic disease distributed in sub-Saharan African countries and the Arabian Peninsula. The disease is caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) of the family Bunyaviridae and the genus Phlebovirus. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, and virus replication in domestic ruminant results in high rates of mortality and abortion. RVFV infection in humans usually causes a self-limiting, acute and febrile illness; however, a small number of cases progress to neurological disorders, partial or complete blindness, hemorrhagic fever, or thrombosis. This review describes the pathology of RVF in human patients and several animal models, and summarizes the role of viral virulence factors and host factors that affect RVFV pathogenesis.
Le temps retrouvé de l'endettement interne en Afrique ? Le cas de l'UEMOA
Authors: Guérineau Samuel , Guillaumont Sylviane
Published: May 2011

Domestic Borrowing : an Option for Financing Public Expenditures whose Time has Come in Africa ? TheCaseofWAEMU

Following a series of debt cancellations, the public debt of many developing countries has reached low levels. These countries are being urged to extent public spending to reach The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but can not exclusively rely on external financing. Consequently, is an increase in the domestic debt possible and desirable ? This paper investigates this issue in the case of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), of which several countries have benefited from important debt cancellations. We show that an increase in the domestic debt is not only possible, since there exists excess bank liquidity and that institutional constraints may be overcome, but also desirable since the main risks linked to the rise of public debt (debt distress, crowding out of private investment and real exchange rate appreciation) seem weak at the moment.
L'écart de niveaux de vie s'est-il creusé entre les Etats-Unis et la France ?
Authors: Ponthière Gregory
Published: May 2011

Has the Differential in Standards of Living Grown Between the United States and France?

Whereas ordinary consumption statistics suggest that France has lost ground against its economic partners — and, in particular, against the U.S. — during the last three decades, this paper aims at re-examining the French décrochage thesis in the light of extended measures of consumption incorporating, under the form of monetary imputations, other aspects of standards of living, such as longevity, leisure time and economic insecurity. The comparison of those measures over the period 1970-2003 reveals that the existence and the size of a French décrochage depend on the preferences used as a reference, on the adherence to an absolute or relative measure of the gap between the two countries, on the treatment of public consumption expenditures, and on the estimation of the value of a statistical life used for the calibration of preferences parameters.
Quelles perspectives de développement pour le marché des annuités ?
Authors: Vanbellingen Arnaud
Published: May 2011

La théorie de la demande d'annuités nous enseigne que les individus rationnels et sans volonté de laisser un héritage devraient investir une part majeure de leur capital en annuités. La réalité ne corrobore pas cette théorie : le marché est très restreint. Le développement de plus en plus marqué des plans de retraite à contributions définies, qui prévoient la disponibilité d'un capital en fin de période d'activité, devrait être corrélé avec un développement du marché annuitaire. Or, cela n'est pas le cas. Les explications traditionnellement avancées sont la sélection adverse, la volonté de transmettre un héritage, la concurrence d'actifs à hauts rendements, le rôle d'assurance de la famille et la volonté de garder des réserves de précaution en actifs classiques. L'hypothèse de l'irrationalité des choix est une voie intéressante et encore peu explorée. Si la cause résidait dans les règles propres de fonctionnement du marché annuitaire libre et non dans le choix de stratégies d'assurances alternatives, un déficit d'assurance longévité apparaîtrait et un développement accentué du marché annuitaire obligatoire serait une réponse éventuelle.
Incertitude en économie de l'environnement
Authors: Talion Jean-Marc , Vergnaud Jean-Christophe
Published: May 2011

Nous proposons dans cet article un panorama des modélisations de la prise de décision dans des situations de risque ou d'incertain. Une attention particulière est portée aux incertitudes environnementales. Après avoir rappelé les modèles canoniques d'espérance d'utilité, nous développons les intuitions sous-jacentes au comportement d'aversion vis-à-vis de l'ambiguïté ou de l'imprécision. Nous étudions ensuite la manière dont les agents prennent leur décision dans l'incertain (par exemple des décisions d'assurance) en fonction des réalisations des aléas qu'ils ont personnellement subi (leur vécu) plutôt qu'en fonction d'une information statistique plus neutre. Nous développons la possibilité que les acteurs économiques aient des préférences incomplètes, en ce sens qu'ils n'arrivent pas à classer toutes les alternatives incertaines qui se présentent à eux. Enfin, nous considérons les problèmes posés par la dépendance des préférences à la formulation du problème de décision en nous concentrant plus particulièrement sur le biais d'ancrage et ses conséquences dans les enquêtes d'évaluation contingente.
Les effets redistributifs des systèmes de retraite en Europe
Authors: Lefèbvre Mathieu
Published: May 2011

The Redistributive Effects of Pension Systems in Europe

Pension systems differ across European countries according to various characteristics. But every one operates some redistribution within cohort. This paper analyses the comparative intra- generational redistributive performances of public pension transfers using data from the Luxembourg Income Study. The analysis shows that there is wide variation among the countries but that these differences can be explained by the characteristics of the systems. It is also shown that redistribution does not occur the same way among subgroups of population and that older women are the less favoured by the pension systems.
Sur l'arbitrage entre heures travaillées et emploi
Authors: Saint-Paul Gilles
Published: May 2011

On the Trade-off between Working Hours and Employment

This note studies the impact of restrictions on overtime on employment. It is shown that the effect depends on the level of the fixed cost of employing a worker. the higher the fixed cost, the more likely it is that restricting overtime harms employment. The reason is that the option value of using overtime increases the value of a job to the firm, making it more likely to cover the fixed cost. With a high fixed cost, restrictions on overtime have a larger adverse effect on the total hourly labor cost. The model then implies that overtime restrictions are likely to be more harmful in sectors with higher training costs, higher dismissal costs, and more volatile demand.
Les contrats nouvelles embauches : quelles effets sur les flux d'embauches et de licenciements ?
Authors: Junod Bérengère , Rémy Véronique
Published: May 2011

Le contrat nouvelles embauches: quels effets sur les flux d'embauches et de licenciements?

Cet article présente une maquette du marché du travail à la Mortensen et Pissarides [ 1994] où coexistent trois types d'emplois: des emplois à durée indéterminée (CDI), des emplois à durée déterminée (CDD) et des emplois de type contrat nouvelle embauche (CNE), réservés aux petites entreprises. Le salaire minimum est supposé s'appliquer à tous les emplois. Les entreprises décident d'un investissement en capital humain différencié par type de contrat qui vient accroître la productivité de l'emploi. Les résultats du modèle montrent que l'introduction du CNE induit une baisse du chômage, plus élevée lorsque l'on ne tient pas compte de l'investissement en capital humain. Lorsque les entreprises décident d'investir en capital humain, la baisse du chômage s'accroît avec l'investissement associé au CNE. Le recours au CNE conduit à une hausse des créations et des destructions d'emplois, la rotation des emplois étant plus importante lorsqu'il se substitue au CDI qu'au CDD. L'allongement de la durée de la période de consolidation entraîne également une réduction du taux de chômage. L'extension du CNE à toutes les entreprises ne conduit pas à une hausse exactement proportionnelle de l'emploi.
Les syndicats ont-ils un effet différencié sur les salaires des hommes et des femmes ?
Authors: Petit Pascale
Published: May 2011

Do Unions have a Different Effect on Male and Female Wages?

In this article, we investigate unions’ effect on female wages and gender wage gap, in the light of theoretical and empirical economic literature. Unions may have an impact on the gender wage gap on the one hand, if union wage premiums depend on gender, everything else equal, and on the other hand, if male and female workers are differently allocated in activities or industries with large union wage premiums. Empirical studies find that union wage premiums are higher for women. However, unions’ wage effect is higher in activities that are predominantly male.