bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Australia's Better Access Initiative: An Evaluation
Authors: Pirkis Jane , Ftanou Maria , Williamson Michelle , Machlin Anna , Spittal Matthew J. , Bassilios Bridget , Harris Meredith
Published: September 2011

Background: Australia's Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative involves a series of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers which offer a rebate for selected services delivered by eligible clinicians. There has been considerable debate about the appropriateness and effectiveness of Better Access, much of which has been based on limited evidence. The current paper contributes to this debate by presenting the findings of a study which profiled the clinical and treatment characteristics of Better Access patients and examined the outcomes of their care. Method: We approached a stratified random sample of providers who had billed for at least 100 occasions of service under the Better Access item numbers in 2008 (509 clinical psychologists, 640 registered psychologists, 1280 GPs) and invited them to participate. Those who agreed were asked to recruit 5–10 Better Access patients according to a specific protocol. We collected data that enabled us to profile providers, patients and sessions. We also collected pre- and post-treatment patient outcome data, using the Kessler-10 (K-10) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Results: In total, 883 patients were recruited into the study (289 by 41 clinical psychologists, 317 by 49 registered psychologists and 277 by 39 GPs). More than 90% of participating patients had diagnoses of depression and/or anxiety (compared with 13% of the general population). More than 80% were experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress (compared with 10% of the general population). Around half of all participating patients had no previous history of mental health care. Patients experienced statistically significant improvements in average K-10 and DASS-21 scores from pre- to post-treatment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that Better Access is playing an important part in meeting the community's previously unmet need for mental health care.
A Consensus Statement for Safety Monitoring Guidelines of Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Dodd Seetal , Malhi Gin S. , Tiller John , Schweitzer Isaac , Hickie Ian , Khoo Jon Paul , Bassett Darryl L. , Lyndon Bill , Mitchell Philip B. , Parker Gordon , Fitzgerald Paul B. , Udina Marc , Singh Ajeet , Moylan Steven , Giorlando Francesco , Doughty Carolyn , Davey Christopher G. , Theodoros Michael , Berk Michael
Published: September 2011

Objective: This paper aims to present an overview of screening and safety considerations for the treatment of clinical depressive disorders and make recommendations for safety monitoring.

Method: Data were sourced by a literature search using MEDLINE and a manual search of scientific journals to identify relevant articles. Draft guidelines were prepared and serially revised in an iterative manner until all co-authors gave final approval of content.

Results: Screening and monitoring can detect medical causes of depression. Specific adverse effects associated with antidepressant treatments may be reduced or identified earlier by baseline screening and agent-specific monitoring after commencing treatment.

Conclusion: The adoption of safety monitoring guidelines when treating clinical depression is likely to improve overall physical health status and treatment outcome. It is important to implement these guidelines in the routine management of clinical depression.
National Depression and Anxiety Indices for Australia
Authors: Reavley Nicola J. , Jorm Anthony F. , Cvetkovski Stefan , Mackinnon Andrew J.
Published: September 2011

Objective: This study aimed to develop a National Depression Index and a National Anxiety Index to measure the depression and anxiety status of the Australian population, to compare data between surveys, and to compare relative risk in different population groups.

Method: The indices were developed using cross-sectional data from four surveys: the 1997 and 2007 National Surveys of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB) and the 2001 and 2004/5 National Health Surveys (NHS). Six items from the K10 that most closely related to the ICD-10 diagnosis of depression and four that most closely related to a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder were used to create separate scales. The indices were developed by estimating the predicted probabilities of depression and anxiety on these separate K10 scales in the 2007 NSMHWB and then applying these predicted probabilities to the same scales in the other surveys. The 1997 NSMHWB and 2001 NHS were used as benchmarks for the respective surveys, with values greater than or less than 100 on the indices indicating a higher or lower probability of depression and anxiety in the subsequent survey year. Overall mean risks of depression and anxiety were examined along with differences in mean risk by age, household income, employment status and geographic location for males and females.

Results: There was an overall increase in the mean risk of anxiety between the 1997 and 2007 NSMHWB but no significant difference in the mean risk of depression. Significant increases in the mean risk of anxiety were observed for women aged 45–64, for employed men and women, and for women living in the inner city and non-regional rural areas.

Conclusions: The increase in the mean risk of anxiety may support the need for public education to focus on anxiety disorders, particularly for middle-aged women and for employed men and women.
A pilot study of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-g-polyethylene glycol and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-g-methylcellulose branched copolymers as injectable scaffolds for local delivery of neurotrophins and cellular transplants into the injured spinal cord
Authors: Conova Lauren , Vernengo Jennifer , Jin Ying , Himes B. Timothy , Neuhuber Birgit , Fischer Itzhak , Lowman Anthony , Vernengo Jennifer , Jin Ying , Himes B. Timothy , Neuhuber Birgit , Fischer Itzhak , Lowman Anthony
Published: September 2011

Object

The authors investigated the feasibility of using injectable hydrogels, based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), lightly cross-linked with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or methylcellulose (MC), to serve as injectable scaffolds for local delivery of neurotrophins and cellular transplants into the injured spinal cord. The primary aims of this work were to assess the biocompatibility of the scaffolds by evaluating graft cell survival and the host tissue immune response. The scaffolds were also evaluated for their ability to promote axonal growth through the action of released brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Methods

The in vivo performance of PNIPAAm-g-PEG and PNIPAAm-g-MC was evaluated using a rodent model of spinal cord injury (SCI). The hydrogels were injected as viscous liquids into the injury site and formed space-filling hydrogels. The host immune response and biocompatibility of the scaffolds were evaluated at 2 weeks by histological and fluorescent immunohistochemical analysis. Commercially available matrices were used as a control and examined for comparison.

Results

Experiments showed that the scaffolds did not contribute to an injury-related inflammatory response. PNIPAAm-g-PEG was also shown to be an effective vehicle for delivery of cellular transplants and supported graft survival. Additionally, PNIPAAm-g-PEG and PNIPAAm-g-MC are permissive to axonal growth and can serve as injectable scaffolds for local delivery of BDNF.

Conclusions

Based on the results, the authors suggest that these copolymers are feasible injectable scaffolds for cell grafting into the injured spinal cord and for delivery of therapeutic factors.
Is postoperative intensive care unit admission a prerequisite for elective craniotomy?
Authors: Bui John Q. H. , Mendis Rajith L. , van Gelder James M. , Sheridan Mark M. P. , Wright Kylie M. , Jaeger Matthias
Published: September 2011

Object

Routine postoperative admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) is often considered a necessity in the treatment of patients following elective craniotomy but may strain already limited resources and is of unproven benefit. In this study the authors investigated whether routine postoperative admission to a regular stepdown ward is a safe alternative.

Methods

Three hundred ninety-four consecutive patients who had undergone elective craniotomy over 54 months at a single institution were retrospectively analyzed. Indications for craniotomy included tumor (257 patients) and transsphenoidal (63 patients), vascular (31 patients), ventriculostomy (22 patients), developmental (13 patients), and base of skull conditions (8 patients). Recorded data included age, operation, reason for ICU admission, medical emergency team (MET) calls, in-hospital mortality, and postoperative duration of stay.

Results

Three hundred forty-three patients were admitted to the regular ward after elective craniotomy, whereas there were 43 planned and 8 unplanned ICU admissions. The most common reasons for planned ICU admissions were anticipated lengthy operations (42%) and anesthetic risks (40%); causes for unplanned ICU admissions were mainly unexpected slow neurological recovery and extensive intraoperative blood loss. Of the 343 regular ward admissions, 10 (3%) required a MET call; only 3 of these MET calls occurred within the first 48 postoperative hours and did not lead to an ICU admission. The overall mortality rate in the investigated cohort was 1%, with no fatalities in patients admitted to the normal ward postoperatively.

Conclusions

Routine ward admission for patients undergoing elective craniotomies with selective ICU admission appears safe; however, approximately 2% of patients may require a direct postoperative unplanned ICU admission. Patients with anticipated long operation times, extensive blood loss, and high anesthetic risks should be selected for postoperative ICU admission, but further study is needed to determine the preoperative factors that can aid in identifying and caring for these groups of patients.
Toxicity and Long-Term Outcomes of Dose-Escalated Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy to 74Gy for Localised Prostate Cancer in a Single Australian Centre
Authors: Sia Joseph , Joon Daryl Lim , Viotto Angela , Mantle Carmel , Quong George , Rolfo Aldo , Wada Morikatsu , Anderson Nigel , Rolfo Maureen , Khoo Vincent
Published: September 2011

Purpose: To report the toxicity and long-term outcomes of dose-escalated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for patients with localised prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: From 2001 to 2005, a total of 125 patients with histologically confirmed T1-3N0M0 prostate cancer were treated with IMRT to 74Gy at the Austin Health Radiation Oncology Centre. The median follow-up was 5.5 years (range 0.5–8.9 years). Biochemical prostate specific antigen (bPSA) failure was defined according to the Phoenix consensus definition (absolute nadir + 2ng/mL). Toxicity was scored according to the RTOG/EORTC criteria. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate toxicity rates, as well as the risks of bPSA failure, distant metastases, disease-specific and overall survival, at 5 and 8-years post treatment. Results: All patients completed radiotherapy without any treatment breaks. The 8-year risks of ≥ Grade 2 genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity were 6.4% and 5.8% respectively, and the 8-year risks of ≥ Grade 3 GU and GI toxicity were both < 0.05%. The 5 and 8-year freedom from bPSA failure were 76% and 58% respectively. Disease-specific survival at 5 and 8 years were 95% and 91%, respectively, and overall survival at 5 and 8 years were 90% and 71%, respectively. Conclusions: These results confirm existing international data regarding the safety and efficacy of dose-escalated intensity-modulated radiation therapy for localised prostate cancer within an Australian setting.
Optimization and Characterization of High Velocity Oxy-fuel Sprayed Coatings: Techniques, Materials, and Applications
Authors: Oksa Maria , Turunen Erja , Suhonen Tomi , Varis Tommi , Hannula Simo-Pekka
Published: September 2011

In this work High Velocity Oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray techniques, spraying process optimization, and characterization of coatings are reviewed. Different variants of the technology are described and the main differences in spray conditions in terms of particle kinetics and thermal energy are rationalized. Methods and tools for controlling the spray process are presented as well as their use in optimizing the coating process. It will be shown how the differences from the starting powder to the final coating formation affect the coating microstructure and performance. Typical properties of HVOF sprayed coatings and coating performance is described. Also development of testing methods used for the evaluation of coating properties and current status of standardization is presented. Short discussion of typical applications is done.
Functionalization and Self-Assembly of DNA Bidimensional Arrays
Authors: Garibotti Alejandra V. , Pérez-Rentero Sónia , Eritja Ramon
Published: September 2011

Oligonucleotides carrying amino, thiol groups, as well as fluorescein, c-myc peptide sequence and nanogold at internal positions were prepared and used for the assembly of bidimensional DNA arrays.
Application of Preparative High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography for the Separation of Two Alkaloids from the Roots of Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae)
Authors: Gonçalves Milena S. , Vieira Ivo J. Curcino , Oliveira Rodrigo R. , Braz-Filho Raimundo
Published: September 2011

The methanolic extract of Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae) roots, which contains alkaloids with several biological activities, was separated on a preparative scale using high-speed counter-current chromatography. The optimum solvent system was found to be a mixture of CHCl3-MeOH-H2O [5:10:6 (v/v/v)] and led to a successful separation of two monoterpenic indole alkaloids, voachalotine (1) and 12-methoxy-Nb-methylvoachalotine (2) in approximately 4.0 hours. The alkaloids were all isolated at purities over 95%, and their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and EI/MS.
Bioactivity of Carica papaya (Caricaceae) against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Pérez-Gutiérrez Salud , Zavala-Sánchez Miguel Angel , González-Chávez Marco Martín , Cárdenas-Ortega Norma Cecilia , Ramos-López Miguel Angel
Published: September 2011

The composition of a chloroform seed extract of C. papaya was determined by GC-MS. Nineteen compounds were identified, with oleic (45.97%), palmitic (24.1%) and stearic (8.52%) acids being the main components. The insecticidal and insectistatic activities of the extract and the three main constituents were tested. Larval duration increased by 3.4 d and 2.5 d when the extract was used at 16,000 and 9,600 ppm, respectively, whereas the pupal period increased by 2.2 d and 1.1 d at the same concentrations. Larval viability values were 0%, 29.2%, and 50% when the extract was applied at 24,000, 16,000, and 9,600 ppm, respectively; pupal viability was 42.9% and 66.7% at 16,000 and 9,600 ppm; and pupal weight decreased by 25.4% and 11.5% at 16,000 and 9,600 ppm. The larval viability of the main compounds was 33.3%, 48.5%, and 62.5% when exposed to 1,600 ppm of palmitic acid, oleic acid, or stearic acid, respectively.
Taking Responsibility on Publishing the Controversial Paper “On the Misdiagnosis of Surface Temperature Feedbacks from Variations in Earth’s Radiant Energy Balance” by Spencer and Braswell, Remote Sens. 2011, 3(8), 1603-1613
Authors: Wagner Wolfgang
Published: September 2011

Peer-reviewed journals are a pillar of modern science. Their aim is to achieve highest scientific standards by carrying out a rigorous peer review that is, as a minimum requirement, supposed to be able to identify fundamental methodological errors or false claims. Unfortunately, as many climate researchers and engaged observers of the climate change debate pointed out in various internet discussion fora, the paper by Spencer and Braswell [1] that was recently published in Remote Sensing is most likely problematic in both aspects and should therefore not have been published. After having become aware of the situation, and studying the various pro and contra arguments, I agree with the critics of the paper. Therefore, I would like to take the responsibility for this editorial decision and, as a result, step down as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Remote Sensing. [...]
A Microfluidic Long-Period Fiber Grating Sensor Platform for Chloride Ion Concentration Measurement
Authors: Wang Jian-Neng
Published: September 2011

Optical fiber sensors based on waveguide technology are promising and attractive in chemical, biotechnological, agronomy, and civil engineering applications. A microfluidic system equipped with a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) capable of measuring chloride ion concentrations of several sample materials is presented. The LPFG-based microfluidic platform was shown to be effective in sensing very small quantities of samples and its transmitted light signal could easily be used as a measurand. The investigated sample materials included reverse osmosis (RO) water, tap water, dilute aqueous sample of sea sand soaked in RO water, aqueous sample of sea sand soaked in RO water, dilute seawater, and seawater. By employing additionally a chloride ion-selective electrode sensor for the calibration of chloride-ion concentration, a useful correlation (R2 = 0.975) was found between the separately-measured chloride concentration and the light intensity transmitted through the LPFG at a wavelength of 1,550 nm. Experimental results show that the sensitivity of the LPFG sensor by light intensity interrogation was determined to be 5.0 × 10−6 mW/mg/L for chloride ion concentrations below 2,400 mg/L. The results obtained from the analysis of data variations in time-series measurements for all sample materials show that standard deviations of output power were relatively small and found in the range of 7.413 × 10−5–2.769 × 10−3 mW. In addition, a fairly small coefficients of variations were also obtained, which were in the range of 0.03%–1.29% and decreased with the decrease of chloride ion concentrations of sample materials. Moreover, the analysis of stability performance of the LPFG sensor indicated that the random walk coefficient decreased with the increase of the chloride ion concentration, illustrating that measurement stability using the microfluidic platform was capable of measuring transmitted optical power with accuracy in the range of −0.8569 mW/√h to −0.5169 mW/√h. Furthermore, the bias stability was determined to be in the range of less than 6.134 × 10−8 mW/h with 600 s time cluster to less than 1.412 × 10−6 mW/h with 600 s time cluster. Thus, the proposed LPFG-based microfluidic platform has the potential for civil, chemical, biological, and biochemical sensing with aqueous solutions. The compact (3.5 × 4.2 cm), low-cost, real-time, small-volume (~70 µL), low-noise, and high-sensitive chloride ion sensing system reported here could hopefully benefit the development and applications in the field of chemical, biotechnical, soil and geotechnical, and civil engineering.
Weighted Least Squares Techniques for Improved Received Signal Strength Based Localization
Authors: Tarrío Paula , Bernardos Ana M. , Casar José R.
Published: September 2011

The practical deployment of wireless positioning systems requires minimizing the calibration procedures while improving the location estimation accuracy. Received Signal Strength localization techniques using propagation channel models are the simplest alternative, but they are usually designed under the assumption that the radio propagation model is to be perfectly characterized a priori. In practice, this assumption does not hold and the localization results are affected by the inaccuracies of the theoretical, roughly calibrated or just imperfect channel models used to compute location. In this paper, we propose the use of weighted multilateration techniques to gain robustness with respect to these inaccuracies, reducing the dependency of having an optimal channel model. In particular, we propose two weighted least squares techniques based on the standard hyperbolic and circular positioning algorithms that specifically consider the accuracies of the different measurements to obtain a better estimation of the position. These techniques are compared to the standard hyperbolic and circular positioning techniques through both numerical simulations and an exhaustive set of real experiments on different types of wireless networks (a wireless sensor network, a WiFi network and a Bluetooth network). The algorithms not only produce better localization results with a very limited overhead in terms of computational cost but also achieve a greater robustness to inaccuracies in channel modeling.
Le contenu en information de la pente des taux : application au cas des titres publics français
Authors: Jondeau Éric , Ricart Roland
Published: September 2011

Le contenu en information de la pente des taux : application au cas des titres publics français

par Eric Jondeau et Roland Ricart

Ce papier propose une évaluation du contenu en information de la pente des taux d'intérêt concernant l'évolution future des taux d'intérêt et des taux d'inflation en France. Une base de données contenant des courbes de taux d'intérêt zéro-coupon sur titres publics a été construite à cette fin pour la période 1980-95. Le contenu en information de la pente des taux est négligeable sur l'ensemble de la période. Entre 1985 et 1995 en revanche, la pente a, pour certains horizons, un pouvoir prédictif assez net. Ainsi, les pentes des taux vis-à-vis du taux à 2 ans contiennent de l'information sur l'évolution future des taux courts, les pentes des taux vis-à-vis du taux à 3 ans à la fois sur l'évolution des taux courts et des taux longs ; les pentes des taux (2 ans - 1 an) à (5 ans - 1 an) et (4 ans - 2 ans) ont un pouvoir prédictif concernant l'évolution de l'inflation.
Modèles à seuil et relation de Fisher : une application à l'économie allemande
Authors: Weidmann Jens
Published: September 2011

Threshold Models and the Fisher Effect : an Application to the German Economy

by Jens Weidmann

This paper reassesses the long-run relation between nominal interest rates and inflation using German data. It shows that the empirical rejection of the strict Fisher effect in previous studies can be attributed to the time-series behaviour of inflation and interest rates not accounted for by standard non-stationary models. It is argued that the stochastic process governing the bivariate system of inflation and interest rates depends on the level of the variables and should be modelled as a threshold cointégration model. This model can be given an economic interpretation in terms of the behaviour of a central bank adopting the opportunistic approach of disinflation. The full Fisher effect, even in its tax-adjusted form, cannot be rejected when a threshold model is estimated. The threshold cointégration model not only explains the downward bias of the coefficient estimates, but also the time-period and country sensitivity observed in previous studies.
Spread corrigé des risques et dynamique du taux d'intérêt à long terme : une application aux marchés allemand, américain et italien
Authors: Paladino Giovanna , Salsecci Gianluca
Published: September 2011

Spread corrigé des risques et dynamique du taux d'intérêt à long terme :

une application aux marchés allemand, américain et italien

par Giovanna Paladino et Gianluca Salsecci

Les tests effectués sur des données mensuelles concernant les États-Unis, l'Allemagne et l'Italie, montrent que les spreads entre le taux d'intérêt à dix ans et le taux d'intérêt à un mois ne sont pas stationnaires. Ce résultat est en contradiction avec l'hypothèse des anticipations parfaites mais peut être compatible avec l'hypothèse de la prime de terme dans un contexte où les agents sont rationnels mais ont une aversion pour le risque. Nous avons défini la prime de terme comme une fonction de variables de politique économique. Nous avons, ensuite, introduit la notion de spread corrigé des risques pour expliquer la dynamique du taux long. C'est le cadre d'analyse de la cointégration proposé par Johansen (1988) qui a été adopté. Dans ce cadre, le modèle du spread corrigé des risques est plus performant, en termes de pouvoir explicatif et prédictif, que le modèle des anticipations parfaites et la marche aléatoire.
Le rejet de l'hypothèse d'efficience variable dans le temps sur le marché des changes
Authors: de Koning Camiel , Straetmans Stefan
Published: September 2011

Le rejet de l'hypothèse d'efficience variable dans le temps sur le marché des changes par Camiel de Koning et Stefan Straetmans

Les chercheurs ont recueilli un nombre abondant de preuves empiriques sur l'absence d'efficience du marché des changes en régressant les excès de rendements sur les primes à terme retardées. Toutefois, ils ont rarement étudié le problème de l'instabilité des coefficients et ses conséquences pour les tests de l'efficience du marché. Les variations endogènes des paramètres sont prises en comptes par des estimations utilisant des régressions mobiles et un filtre de Kalman. On trouve que les variations dans le temps des coefficients de la régression sont statistiquement significatives. Ceci remet donc en cause la fiabilité des méthodes d'estimation qui supposent que les paramètres sont constants. Sur un échantillon postérieur à Bretton Woods, on montre que la variation dans le temps du coefficient de la prime à terme (ou la pente) est si élevée qu'il n'est pas impossible d'obtenir, par les MCO, une pente négative.
La modélisation des taux de change d'équilibre et leur estimation pour l'euro, le dollar et le yen
Authors: Maurin Laurent
Published: September 2011

Après avoir exposé la problématique des taux de change d'équilibre, nous présentons le NATREX. Sur ses bases, nous développons un modèle qui étudie conjointement la dynamique de la dette extérieure et du taux de change réel, en réponse à des chocs d'épargne ou de productivité.

Nous estimons alors un change d'équilibre déduit du modèle, pour le dollar, le yen et un euro fictif construit en agrégeant les composantes non européennes des taux de change effectifs de trois pays participants. Les estimations économétriques valident les propositions du modèle et permettent d'étudier les distorsions de change passées.
Permis de pollution et oligopole asymétrique
Authors: Van Long Ngo , Soubeyran Antoine
Published: September 2011

Nous montrons que quand des firmes polluantes sont des concurrents à la Cournot, elles peuvent avoir une incitation à utiliser des permis de pollution comme moyen indirect de coordonner leur production. Si les firmes sont initialement identiques, les échanges de permis peuvent conduire à un oligopole asymétrique. Le cas de firmes initialement asymétriques est aussi considéré.
Gestion foncière des excédents azotés et marché implicite de droits à polluer : application aux élevages intensifs
Authors: Rainelli Pierre , Vermersch Dominique
Published: September 2011

Agricultural Management of Nitrogen Surpluses and Implicit in Pollution Rights Market:

Application to Intensive Livestock Farming by Pierre Rainelli and Dominique Vermersch

The problem of pollution originating from intensive rearing is analysed through a general welfare economics model. The policy option chosen to avoid this situation relies chiefly on command and control measures, with a limited amount of livestock manure which can be applied to the land (170 kg of nitrogen in the 1991 EC directive). When the standards are defined, the producers will maximise their profit under this constraint. This leads to a market of manure spreading rights, between farmers having land available for spreading manure and farmers having a high disposal rate per unit of land. An empirical illustration concerning Brittany is presented.
Régulation de firmes polluantes en libre-échange : conséquences des asymétries d'information et des groupes de pression
Authors: Calmette Marie-Françoise
Published: September 2011

Regulation of Polluting Firms in the free Market: Consequences of Asymmetric Information and

Pressure Groups by Marie-Françoise Calmette

Our object is to analyse the consequences of opening up the borders between two regulated polluting monopolies in the absence of any strategic environment policy. The main question is whether the free market allows a satisfactory reallocation of global output from the most polluting country to the least polluting country or whether, on the contrary, the "size effect" is confirmed. We then assume asymmetric information in each country between the firm and the agency, and we study the effects of this asymmetry on pollution levels. Finally, we bring in the role of pressure groups by supposing that regulation is performed not by a benevolent agency but by a majority representing the interests of certain economic agents.
Gains d'information du décideur public et valeur d'option des grands projets d'infrastructure
Authors: Denant-Boèmont Laurent , Hammiche Sabrina
Published: September 2011

Information Gains of the Policy Maker Option Value of Major Public Infrastructure Projects

by Laurent Denant-Boèmont and Sabrina Hammiche

This paper analyses the risk of dynamic irreversibility for major public infrastructure projects using the theory of quasi-option value (Henry, 1974; Arrow, Fisher, 1974) in cost-benefit analysis. The case study compares two competing public infrastructure projects: an irreversible motorway project and a flexible rail project. The latter allows the motorway investment decision to be deferred. Quasi-option value is then applied for a risk environment in which information increases over time, changing the balance between the two projects. The monetised value of the environmental externalities, upon which today's transport policy tends to focus, might then be viewed as secondary to projects' irreversibility costs.
Modes de négociation dans le secteur agro-alimentaire : efficacité des réformes réglementaires. Une application au cas des légumes transformés
Authors: Garnier Gaëlle
Published: September 2011

Modes de négociation dans le secteur agro-alimentaire : efficacité des réformes réglementaires

par Gaëlle Garnier

En France, de nombreuses formes d'organisation de la relation entre industriels et agriculteurs font l'objet de condamnations par la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes. Nous cherchons, dans ce papier, à évaluer le bien-fondé de l'intervention de la Communauté Européenne dans le secteur des légumes transformés. Nous montrons qu'au niveau du bien-être, la forme de négociation imposée par la Communauté Européenne est préférable à la forme instaurée par la réglementation française du début des années soixante. En effet, une forme de négociation décentralisée au niveau du bassin de production portant sur le prix est globalement plus efficace qu'une forme de négociation centralisée au niveau national, de type interprofessionnelle. Nous montrons que décentraliser la négociation ne suffit cependant pas et que donner des subventions à la production agricole permettrait d'obtenir l'optimum de premier rang.
Les déficits publics en Europe : suggestions pour un nouvel indicateur de l'orientation de la politique budgétaire
Authors: Bruno Catherine
Published: September 2011

Public Deficits in Europe: Suggestions for a New Fiscal Policy Trend Indicator

by Catherine Bruno

The growth in public deficits in Europe since 1970 may give the impression of widespread laxity. However, economic downturns such as the slump in the early 1990s generally lead to tax revenue losses and social transfers, which aggravate the budget deficit. Hence, the apparent "drift" in public balances is not always the result of deliberate government choices. An accurate measure of policy trends is therefore called for. In this study, we break down the primary budget balance into permanent and transitory components using a vector autoregressive model. The estimation is made for six European countries: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. The fiscal policy trend in Germany and Denmark appears to be stable and could be said to obey fiscal rules. In the other four countries, especially in Italy and France, fiscal policy is conditional on the economy.
Evaluation of a filter-prepared platelet concentrate for the treatment of suspensory branch injuries in horses.
Authors: Castelijns G. , Crawford A. , Schaffer J. , Ortolano G. A. , Beauregard T. , Smith R. K. W.
Published: September 2011

Objectives: Platelet preparations have become a treatment for soft tissue injuries in horses. This study evaluated a novel filter-based system to concentrate platelets and assesses its value in the treatment of suspensory ligament branch desmitis.

Methods: Filtered platelet concentrate was prepared from 55 ml of venous blood obtained from 21 normal horses. Platelets and white blood cells in whole blood and filtered platelet concentrate were measured, as was platelet activating factor (PAF)–induced platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) release. Eleven horses with 18 focal acute suspensory ligament branch injuries were treated intra-lesionally with autologous filtered platelet concentrate and evaluated clinically and ultrasonographically for one to three years.

Results: The increase in concentration of platelets in the filtered concentrate in comparison with whole blood (6.9 ± 1.9-fold) was significantly greater than the increase in white blood cells (3.8 ± 0.8-fold) (p <0.0001). There was no effect of sex or breed on platelet concentration. Platelets were responsive to PAF with >100-fold higher levels of PDGF release over basal levels. All hypoechoic lesions re-evaluated within three months had resolved. Five of the 11 horses returned to their previous level of work, one was exercising at a lower level, three were retired, one died for unrelated reasons, and one was still convalescing.

Clinical significance: Filtered platelet concentrate was easily and reliably prepared and injected into suspensory ligament branch injuries without short-term complications. This treatment was associated with rapid resolution of ultrasonographic lesions and lameness. Filtered platelet concentrate represents a convenient alternative for the treatment of suspensory ligament branch injuries.
Relation of HLA-B27, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Promoter Gene Polymorphisms, and T Cell Cytokine Production in Ankylosing Spondylitis — A Comprehensive Genotype-Phenotype Analysis from an Observational Cohort
Authors: PODDUBNYY DENIS A. , MÄRKER-HERMANN ELISABETH , KALUZA-SCHILLING WIEBKE , ZEIDLER HENNING , BRAUN JURGEN , LISTING JOACHIM , SIEPER JOACHIM , RUDWALEIT MARTIN
Published: September 2011

Objective.

In a pilot study, a distinct T cell cytokine pattern associated with HLA-B27 status and a tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) promoter gene polymorphism was found at –308 (TNF–308). The objective of our study was to assess these associations in a different cohort of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to evaluate any effect on clinical measurements.

Methods.

Peripheral T cell cytokine production of patients with AS (n = 121) from the German Spondyloarthritis Inception Cohort was assessed by flow cytometry and correlated with HLA-B27, TNF–238, and TNF–308, and with clinical measurements.

Results.

In HLA-B27-positive, anti-TNF-naive patients with AS, the percentages of TNF-α-producing (5.02%) and interleukin 10-producing (0.31%) CD8+ cells were significantly lower in comparison to HLA-B27-negative patients (9.52%, p = 0.048, and 0.46%, p = 0.037, respectively). A nonsignificant trend was found for a lower production of TNF-α by CD4+ and interferon-γ by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as compared to HLA-B27-negative patients with AS (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). The A allele at TNF–308 was associated with a lower percentage of TNF-α-producing CD4+ T cells. No significant correlations were found between clinical or radiological measurements and cytokine production or with TNF-α promoter gene polymorphisms.

Conclusion.

Modulation of T cell cytokines by HLA-B27 might play a role in AS pathogenesis in B27-positive individuals. No conclusive data were obtained for the TNF–308 polymorphism on cytokine production, and no effect of cytokines or genetic polymorphisms on clinical manifestations was observed.
Les services secrets de la France Libre : le Bureau Central de Renseignement et d'Action (BCRA), 1940-1944
Authors: Albertelli Sébastien
Published: September 2011

Entre 1940 et 1944, le bcra travailla avec les services secrets alliés pour assurer la liaison entre la France libre et les résistants qui, en France, luttaient au sein de mouvements et de réseaux de résistance. Il fut un puissant instrument au service des ambitions du général de Gaulle, affirmant la souveraineté française vis-à-vis des Alliés et l’autorité de l’État gaulliste vis-à-vis des résistants métropolitains. Par la même occasion, il se ménagea une place de choix au sein de l’État gaulliste en construction.
La ville, la consommation et l'exotisme
Authors: Allain Thierry
Published: September 2011

Enkhuizen est une ville maritime hollandaise ayant connu un fort développement économique, notamment grâce au grand commerce colonial. Profondément touchée par l’exotisme, elle continua de se signaler par une consommation importante de produits coloniaux malgré le déclin. La culture matérielle et le paysage urbain étaient encore marqués, au XVIII e siècle, par l’expérience de l’autre. L’impact de l’exotisme sur la cité fut néanmoins largement ignoré à l’heure des essais de reconstruction identitaire, sans doute en raison de la brutalité du déclassement économique de la ville mais aussi de l’effacement du caractère exotique des produits consommés.
Sphères d'approvisionnement
Authors: Pineau-Defois Laure
Published: September 2011

Le négoce maritime nantais est tourné vers l’Atlantique et se spécialise progressivement dans les relations avec l’Afrique et les colonies américaines. L’un des maillons de ces relations commerciales concerne le commerce des captifs africains et celui des denrées coloniales. Or nous nous attachons ici à connaître et développer une réflexion autour de la partie du commerce colonial transatlantique qui se joue en amont : l’approvisionnement des plus grands négociants nantais en denrées d’exportations.
Sucre et épices
Authors: Stobart Jon
Published: September 2011

Le XVIII e siècle voit s’accroître rapidement la consommation britannique de denrées exotiques – épices, sucre, thé, café, chocolat. Augmente aussi, en conséquence, l’usage d’accessoires liés à leur consommation, tels que tables à thé, bouilloires et tasses, moulins à café, boîtes à chocolat, et sucriers. Si les fabricants britanniques sont vite capables d’assurer la production de ces ustensiles (Berg, 2005), les produits eux-mêmes restent exotiques et doivent être importés. Cet article décrit d’abord les grandes lignes de la promotion de ces épices, dans les encarts de presse et sur cartes de visite des commerçants de différentes villes d’Angleterre. La publicité y insiste sur l’exotisme des produits, et place le consommateur, décrit comme cosmopolite, au centre de l’économie mondiale. Ce tableau est en fait très éloigné de la réalité du marché des condiments, thés et cafés par les habitants des villes de province. En se basant sur les inventaires de succession et les livres de compte des commerçants dans les régions du centre (Midlands) et du nord-ouest de l’Angleterre, cette étude propose que ces biens sont en fait très communs durant le deuxième quart du XVIII e siècle. La consommation de thé, café et sucre est ainsi liée, moins qu’à un cosmopolitisme supposé, au statut social, au genre et au type de sociabilité au sein des ménages.
L’éveil du mensonge
Authors: Mascaro Olivier , Morin Olivier
Published: September 2011

Dès leur troisième année, les tout jeunes enfants manifestent des capacités cognitives qui devraient leur permettre de savoir mentir. Ils se représentent les croyances d’autrui, ils savent ce qu’est une représentation fausse de la réalité, et ils sont capables de manipuler autrui à l’aide de messages erronés. Malgré cela, il semble qu’ils soient avant tout des menteurs d’occasion, qui se saisissent des possibilités de tromper surtout lorsqu’ils y sont fortement incités par les circonstances sociales. Vers quatre ans, les enfants se mettent à mentir de manière beaucoup plus systématique. Selon l’hypothèse défendue dans cet article, ce développement du mensonge autour de quatre ans est lié à l’émergence d’un sens de la tromperie : le mensonge, qui n’était jusqu’alors qu’une capacité, devient un objet d’intérêt stratégique. Nous suggérons que le nouvel environnement social où se trouvent plongés les enfants commençant à vivre avec leurs pairs pourrait contribuer à expliquer ce changement.
Pourquoi est-il si grave de mentir ?
Authors: Origgi Gloria
Published: September 2011

Le mensonge a très mauvaise réputation dans la philosophie. Nous retraçons ici une brève histoire de l’interdiction de mentir dans la pensée philosophique en essayant de montrer la spécificité de l’acte linguistique de mentir par rapport à d’autres actes linguistiques qui ne se conforment pas à la vérité. L’interdiction du mensonge, de dire le faux lorsqu’on connaît le vrai, dépend du lien métaphysique quasi sacré que la tradition philosophique occidentale, de Platon à la philosophie du langage de nos jours, établit entre sujet, langage et monde.
Entre ratification et inscriptions
Authors: Hottin Christian
Published: September 2011

La Convention de l’Unesco pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine culturel immatériel (pci) est un texte de portée très générale : il appartient à chaque pays de la décliner en fonction de ses besoins et de son organisation préexistante. En France, le pci a été rattaché à la mission en charge du patrimoine ethnologique au sein du ministère de la Culture. Les types d’objets considérés ne sont-ils pas en effet semblables à ceux de l’ethnologie ? La mise en œuvre de la Convention ne s’en trouve pas simplifiée pour autant… Quelque cinq ans après la ratification de la Convention par la France, on propose dans ce texte d’apporter des éclairages sur les principaux aspects de cette politique : les relations avec les « communautés », la place de la recherche ethnologique, le choix et le suivi des candidatures, les jugements portés sur le pci. Une photographie, un peu floue, à l’instant T – 1 de l’application de la Convention…
A TLR5 Agonist Inhibits Acute Renal Ischemic Failure
Authors: Fukuzawa Nobuyuki , Petro Marianne , Baldwin William M. , Gudkov Andrei V. , Fairchild Robert L.
Published: September 2011

Reperfusion of ischemic organs induces a potent inflammatory response initiated by the generation of reactive oxygen species that directly damage tissue and promote leukocyte infiltration and activation that also mediate tissue injury. We recently found that radiation-induced tissue injury, which is caused by radiation-induced reactive oxygen species, is attenuated by administration of CBLB502, a pharmacologically optimized derivative of the TLR5 agonist flagellin. Therefore, we tested the ability of CBLB502 to attenuate injury in a murine model of acute ischemic renal failure. CBLB502 given 30 min before imposition of bilateral renal pedicle occlusion provided marked protection against the renal dysfunction and inflammation that follows reperfusion of ischemic kidneys, including marked decreases in leukocyte infiltration, proinflammatory cytokine production, and tubular injury. Importantly, CBLB502 given within 30 min after ischemic kidney reperfusion reproduced the protective effects of pretreatment with the TLR5 agonist, indicating a window following reperfusion in which CBLB502 administration abrogates acute renal ischemic failure. Bone marrow-reconstituted chimeras were used to show that the protective effects of CBLB502 could be delivered by intact MyD88 signaling on renal parenchymal cells. Consistent with this, Ab staining of kidney sections indicated that cells lining the renal vasculature expressed TLR5. Overall, these results indicate the use of TLR5 agonists as mitigators and protectants of acute renal ischemic failure.
Initial daytime and nighttime SOFDI observations of thermospheric winds from Fabry-Perot Doppler shift measurements of the 630-nm OI line-shape profile
Authors: Gerrard A. J. , Meriwether J. W.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. In this paper we present both night and day thermospheric wind observations made with the Second-generation, Optimized, Fabry-Perot Doppler Imager (SOFDI), a novel triple-etalon Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) designed to make 24-h measurements of thermospheric winds from OI 630-nm emission. These results were obtained from the northeastern United States and from under the magnetic equator at Huancayo, Peru and demonstrate the current instrument capability for measurements of Doppler shifts for either night or day. We found the uncertainties in the measurements agree with expected values based upon forward modeling calculations; nighttime wind components having an uncertainty of ~20-m s−1 at 30-min resolution and daytime wind components having an uncertainty of ~70-m s−1 at 20-min resolution. The nighttime uncertainties are typically larger than those seen with traditional single-etalon FPIs, which occur at the cost of being able to achieve daytime measurements. The thermospheric wind measurements from Huancayo replicate recently reported CHAMP zonal winds and are in disagreement with current empirical wind climatologies. In addition, we discuss the incorporation of how multiple point heads in the SOFDI instrument will allow for unique studies of gravity wave activity in future measurements.
Temporal variations in abundance and composition of intact polar lipids in North Sea coastal marine water
Authors: Brandsma J. , Hopmans E. C. , Philippart C. J. M. , Veldhuis M. J. W. , Schouten S. , Sinninghe Damsté J. S.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Temporal variations in the abundance and composition of intact polar lipids (IPLs) in North Sea coastal marine water were assessed over a one-year seasonal cycle, and compared with environmental parameters and the microbial community composition. Sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) was the most abundant IPL class, followed by phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and diacylglyceryl-(N,N,N)-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS) in roughly equal concentrations, and smaller amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Although the total concentrations of these IPL classes varied substantially throughout the year, the composition of the IPL pool remained remarkably constant. Statistical analysis yielded negative correlations between IPL concentrations and dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations, but possible phosphorous limitation during the spring bloom did not result in changes in the overall planktonic IPL composition. Significant correlations between SQDG, PC, PG and DGTS concentrations and chlorophyll-a concentrations and algal abundances indicated that eukaryotic primary producers were the predominant source of IPLs at this site. However, whilst IPL concentrations in the water were closely tied to total algal abundances, the rapid succession of different algal groups blooming throughout the year did not result in major shifts in IPL composition. This shows that the most commonly occurring IPLs have limited chemotaxonomic potential, and highlights the need to use targeted assays of more specific biomarker IPLs.