bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting the minimum clinically important difference in patients undergoing surgery for the treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy
Authors: Tetreault Lindsay , Wilson Jefferson R. , Kotter Mark R. N. , Nouri Aria , Côté Pierre , Kopjar Branko , Arnold Paul M. , Fehlings Michael G.
Published: June 2016

OBJECTIVE

The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) is defined as the minimum change in a measurement that a patient would identify as beneficial. Before undergoing surgery, patients are likely to inquire about the ultimate goals of the operation and of their chances of experiencing meaningful improvements. The objective of this study was to define significant predictors of achieving an MCID on the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale at 2 years following surgery for the treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

METHODS

Seven hundred fifty-seven patients were prospectively enrolled in either the AOSpine North America or International study at 26 global sites. Fourteen patients had a perfect preoperative mJOA score of 18 and were excluded from this analysis (n = 743). Data were collected for each participating subject, including demographic information, symptomatology, medical history, causative pathology, and functional impairment. Univariate log-binominal regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between preoperative clinical factors and achieving an MCID on the mJOA scale. Modified Poisson regression using robust error variances was used to create the final multivariate model and compute the relative risk for each predictor.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 463 men (62.31%) and 280 women (37.69%), with an average age of 56.48 ± 11.85 years. At 2 years following surgery, patients exhibited a mean change in functional status of 2.71 ± 2.89 points on the mJOA scale. Of the 687 patients with available follow-up data, 481 (70.01%) exhibited meaningful gains on the mJOA scale, whereas 206 (29.98%) failed to achieve an MCID. Based on univariate analysis, significant predictors of achieving the MCID on the mJOA scale were younger age; female sex; shorter duration of symptoms; nonsmoking status; a lower comorbidity score and absence of cardiovascular disease; and absence of upgoing plantar responses, lower-limb spasticity, and broad-based unstable gait. The final model included age (relative risk [RR] 0.924, p < 0.0001), smoking status (RR 0.837, p = 0.0043), broad-based unstable gait (RR 0.869, p = 0.0036), and duration of symptoms (RR 0.943, p = 0.0003).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large multinational prospective cohort, 70% of patients treated surgically for DCM exhibited a meaningful functional gain on the mJOA scale. The key predictors of achieving an MCID on the mJOA scale were younger age, shorter duration of symptoms, nonsmoking status, and lack of significant gait impairment.
Surgical outcomes of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: an analysis of a national, administrative, longitudinal database
Authors: Veeravagu Anand , Connolly Ian D. , Lamsam Layton , Li Amy , Swinney Christian , Azad Tej D. , Desai Atman , Ratliff John K.
Published: June 2016

OBJECTIVE

The authors performed a population-based analysis of national trends, costs, and outcomes associated with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in the United States. They assessed postoperative complications, resource utilization, and predictors of costs, in this surgically treated CSM population.

METHODS

MarketScan data (2006–2010) were used to retrospectively analyze the complications and costs of different spine surgeries for CSM. The authors determined outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior fusion, combined anterior/posterior fusion, and laminoplasty procedures.

RESULTS

The authors identified 35,962 CSM patients, comprising 5154 elderly (age ≥ 65 years) patients (mean 72.2 years, 54.9% male) and 30,808 nonelderly patients (mean 51.1 years, 49.3% male). They found an overall complication rate of 15.6% after ACDF, 29.2% after posterior fusion, 41.1% after combined anterior and posterior fusion, and 22.4% after laminoplasty. Following ACDF and posterior fusion, a significantly higher risk of complication was seen in the elderly compared with the nonelderly (reference group). The fusion level and comorbidity-adjusted ORs with 95% CIs for these groups were 1.54 (1.40–1.68) and 1.25 (1.06–1.46), respectively. In contrast, the elderly population had lower 30-day readmission rates in all 4 surgical cohorts (ACDF, 2.6%; posterior fusion, 5.3%; anterior/posterior fusion, 3.4%; and laminoplasty, 3.6%). The fusion level and comorbidity-adjusted odds ratios for 30-day readmissions for ACDF, posterior fusion, combined anterior and posterior fusion, and laminoplasty were 0.54 (0.44–0.68), 0.32 (0.24–0.44), 0.17 (0.08–0.38), and 0.39 (0.18–0.85), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' analysis of the MarketScan database suggests a higher complication rate in the surgical treatment of CSM than previous national estimates. They found that elderly age (≥ 65 years) significantly increased complication risk following ACDF and posterior fusion. Elderly patients were less likely to experience a readmission within 30 days of surgery. Postoperative complication occurrence, and 30-day readmission were significant drivers of total cost within 90 days of the index surgical procedure.
Burden of Childhood Diseases: Bangladesh Perspectives
Authors: Matin Md. Abdul
Published: May 2016

No Abstract is Available Journal of Science Foundation, 2015;13(2):25-26DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v13i2.27928
Chlorhexidine Cleansing of the Umbilical Cord and Cord Separation Time: A Hospital Based Study in Bangladesh
Authors: Khairuzzaman Md. , Mannan MA , Matin Abdul , Sarker Mst. Monjuman Ara , Sarker Nihar Ranjan , Mowla Md. Golam , Shahidullah Mohammod
Published: May 2016

Background: Cord separation time has evolved as an important justification for recommending against the topical use of chlorhexidine on the cord. Objective: This present study was undertaken to determine the impact of cord cleansing with chlorhexidine on cord separation time and maternal acceptance of chlorhexidine in umbilical cord care. Methods:  Between April 2013 to July 2014, 340 newborns were randomly assigned within a tertiary level hospital in Bangladesh to receive 1 of 2 cord care regimens: clean and dry cord care (control) and single cord cleansing with 4% chlorhexidine. Results: The mean cord separation time in newborns of chlorhexidine group was significantly longer than dry cord care group (p < 0.001). Mother of newborns in chlorhexidine group more frequently reported longer than usual cord separation time. Overall satisfaction of mother with cord separation time was high (95.9%). Conclusion: Topical chlorhexidine significantly increased cord separation time.Journal of Science Foundation, 2015;13(2):27-30DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v13i2.27929
Comparison of Changes of Gingival Condition in Self-Cured and Heat-Cured Acrylic Resin Provisional Crown in Fixed Prosthodontics Treatment
Authors: Shusta Farhana Hoq , Rahman Md. Masudur , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Islam Md. Shahidul , Islam Shirajee Shafiqul
Published: May 2016

Background: Gingival Condition is an important issue in provisional crown in fixed prosthodontics treatment. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to find out any change of gingival condition after insertion of self-cured and heat-cured acrylic resin provisional crown. Methodology: This prospective comparative study was carried out in the Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from July 2014 to June 2015 for a period of one year. Patients who were treated with full veneer crown in the department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, BSMMU, and also their provisional crown were prepared with self-cured and heat-cured acrylic resin. Patients were divided into two groups named as group A and group B. Group A patients were treated with self-cured acrylic resin provisional crown. Group B patients were treated with heat-cured acrylic resin provisional crown. Patient was examined and clinical finding such as gingival condition, color change and burning sensation of gingival tissue were recorded on the data collection sheet. Data were collected on the day of insertion and on recall visit 3rd day and 7th day. Result: A total number of 48 patients were recruited of which 24 patients were in group A and the rest 24 patients were in group B. At the day of insertion the gingival condition of all the patients in group A and B were in grade 0. In day 3, the changes of gingival condition of grade 0 is significant (p=0.009). At the 7th day, grade 0 and I were not significantly change. Conclusion: Both heat-cured acrylic resin provisional crowns and self-cured acrylic resin provisional crowns maintain healthy gingiva in the oral cavity.Journal of Science Foundation, 2015;13(2):31-35DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v13i2.27930
Low Level Laser (LED- Ga-Al- As 660) Therapy On soft Tissue Healing: A Review Update
Authors: Rahman Md. Mizanur , Hossain Md. Amir , Mohammad Abu Sayeed
Published: May 2016

The normal process of soft tissue repair involves the following steps: homeostasis, inflammation ("cleaning"), demolition, proliferation, and maturing10. The homeostatic phase occurs immediately after the appearance of the lesion and depends on platelet activity and on blood coagulation process, which includes a complex release of vasoactive substances, adhesive proteins, and growth factors for the development of other stages. Later on, the inflammatory process sets in with the presence of numerous chemical mediators and inflammatory cells polymorphonuclear leukocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes. This phase is responsible for removing necrosis tissue and combating aggressive agents installed in the wound. Next, tissue proliferation, which is responsible for "closing" the wound, sets in, with re-epithelization, fibroplasia (matrix formation), and angiogenesis, essential for the supply of oxygen and nutrients needed for healing. Finally, there is wound contraction followed by remodeling, which takes place in the collagen of the region and has the objective of increasing tensile force and diminishing the scar size. Journal of Science Foundation, 2015;13(2):46-51DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v13i2.27934
Rupture Spleen as Initial Presentation in A Patient of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia: A Case Report
Authors: Khalil Mohammad Ibrahim , Islam Md. Nazmul , Akter Mafruha , Hossain AZM Mostaque , Hossain Md. Amir
Published: May 2016

A 22 years female student presented with sudden severe abdominal pain in left upper quadrant followed by abdominal distension. She attended in surgery unit of a tertiary health care center. On examination she was in shock and the abdomen was distended, tender. She was evaluated as  surgical acute abdomen and emergency laparotomy revealed rupture of spleen and splenectomy was done. Her CBC showed gross leucocytosis with predominance of neutrophils and significant number of myelocytes and the PBF showed the features of chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukaemia. BCR-ABL was positive from bone marrow that confirms the diagnosis. Splenomegaly is a common presentation of CML. However spontaneous rupture of spleen is a very rare presentation of CML. Journal of Science Foundation, 2015;13(2):52-54DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v13i2.27935
Insights into the Stress Response Triggered by Kasugamycin in Escherichia coli
Authors: Müller Christian , Sokol Lena , Vesper Oliver , Sauert Martina , Moll Isabella
Published: June 2016

The bacteriostatic aminoglycoside antibiotic kasugamycin inhibits protein synthesis at an initial step without affecting translation elongation. It binds to the mRNA track of the ribosome and prevents formation of the translation initiation complex on canonical mRNAs. In contrast, translation of leaderless mRNAs continues in the presence of the drug in vivo. Previously, we have shown that kasugamycin treatment in E. coli stimulates the formation of protein-depleted ribosomes that are selective for leaderless mRNAs. Here, we provide evidence that prolonged kasugamycin treatment leads to selective synthesis of specific proteins. Our studies indicate that leaderless and short-leadered mRNAs are generated by different molecular mechanisms including alternative transcription and RNA processing. Moreover, we provide evidence for ribosome heterogeneity in response to kasugamycin treatment by alteration of the modification status of the stalk proteins bL7/L12.
GaN Monolithic Power Amplifiers for Microwave Backhaul Applications
Authors: Quaglia Roberto , Camarchia Vittorio , Pirola Marco , Ghione Giovanni
Published: June 2016

Gallium nitride integrated technology is very promising not only for wireless applications at mobile frequencies (below 6 GHz) but also for network backhaul radiolink deployment, now under deep revision for the incoming 5G generation of mobile communications. This contribution presents three linear power amplifiers realized on 0.25 μ m Gallium Nitride on Silicon Carbide monolithic integrated circuits for microwave backhaul applications: two combined power amplifiers working in the backhaul band around 7 GHz, and a more challenging third one working in the higher 15 GHz band. Architectures and main design steps are described, highlighting the pros and cons of Gallium Nitride with respect to the reference technology which, for these applications, is represented by gallium arsenide.
Analyzing Urban Human Mobility Patterns through a Thematic Model at a Finer Scale
Authors: Zhang Faming , Zhu Xinyan , Guo Wei , Ye Xinyue , Hu Tao , Huang Liang
Published: June 2016

Taxi trajectories reflect human mobility over a road network. Pick-up and drop-off locations in different time periods represent origins and destinations of trips, respectively, demonstrating the spatiotemporal characteristics of human behavior. Each trip can be viewed as a displacement in the random walk model, and the distribution of extracted trips shows a distance decay effect. To identify the spatial similarity of trips at a finer scale, this paper investigates the distribution of trips through topic modeling techniques. Firstly, trip origins and trip destinations were identified from raw GPS data. Then, different trips were given semantic information, i.e., link identification numbers with a semantic enrichment process. Each taxi trajectory was composed of a series of trip destinations corresponding to the same taxi. Subsequently, each taxi trajectory was analogous to a document consisting of different words, and all taxi’s trajectories could be regarded as document corpora, enabling a semantic analysis of massive trip destinations. Finally, we obtained different trip destination topics reflecting the spatial similarity and regional property of human mobility through LDA topic model training. The effectiveness of this approach was illustrated by a case study using a large dataset of taxi trajectories collected from 2 to 8 June 2014 in Wuhan, China.
Role of Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in NASH
Authors: Verdelho Machado Mariana , Diehl Anna
Published: June 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the number one cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world. Although only a minority of patients will ultimately develop end-stage liver disease, it is not yet possible to efficiently predict who will progress and, most importantly, effective treatments are still unavailable. Better understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease is necessary to improve the clinical management of NAFLD patients. Epidemiological data indicate that NAFLD prognosis is determined by an individual’s response to lipotoxic injury, rather than either the severity of exposure to lipotoxins, or the intensity of liver injury. The liver responds to injury with a synchronized wound-healing response. When this response is abnormal, it leads to pathological scarring, resulting in progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis, rather than repair. The hedgehog pathway is a crucial player in the wound-healing response. In this review, we summarize the pre-clinical and clinical evidence, which demonstrate the role of hedgehog pathway dysregulation in NAFLD pathogenesis, and the preliminary data that place the hedgehog pathway as a potential target for the treatment of this disease.
SIC-POVMs and Compatibility among Quantum States
Authors: Stacey Blake
Published: June 2016

An unexpected connection exists between compatibility criteria for quantum states and Symmetric Informationally Complete quantum measurements (SIC-POVMs). Beginning with Caves, Fuchs and Schack’s "Conditions for compatibility of quantum state assignments", I show that a qutrit SIC-POVM studied in other contexts enjoys additional interesting properties. Compatibility criteria provide a new way to understand the relationship between SIC-POVMs and mutually unbiased bases, as calculations in the SIC representation of quantum states make clear. This, in turn, illuminates the resources necessary for magic-state quantum computation, and why hidden-variable models fail to capture the vitality of quantum mechanics.
Hydrazino-methoxy-1,3,5-triazine Derivatives’ Excellent Corrosion Organic Inhibitors of Steel in Acidic Chloride Solution
Authors: El-Faham Ayman , Osman Sameh , Al-Lohedan Hamad , El-Mahdy Gamal
Published: June 2016

The corrosion inhibition performance of 2-hydrazino-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-tirazine (DMeHT), 2,4-dihydrazino-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triaizine (DHMeT), and 2,4,6-tridydrazino-1,3,5-triaizne (TH3) on steel corrosion in acidic media was examined using electrochemical techniques. The results showed 2,4-Ddihydrazino-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triaizine (DHMeT) gave the best corrosion protection performance among the other hydrazino derivatives even at a low concentration of 25 ppm (95%). The number of hydrazino groups play an important role in the corrosion inhibition, where the two hydrazine groups increased the electrostatic interactions between the protonated tested compounds, the negatively charged steel surface resulted from the adsorption of the chloride anions, and the presence of the methoxy group made the compound more reliable for formation of film protection on the surface of steel through the lone pair of oxygen atoms. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements suggested that the corrosion process of steel in presence of the hydrazino-s-triazine derivatives (TH3, DMeHT and DHMeT) were being controlled by the charge transfer reaction. Polarization curves indicated that the examined TH3, DMeHT and DHMeT behaved as mixed type inhibitors.
Coffee Silverskin Extract Protects against Accelerated Aging Caused by Oxidative Agents
Authors: Iriondo-DeHond Amaia , Martorell Patricia , Genovés Salvador , Ramón Daniel , Stamatakis Konstantinos , Fresno Manuel , Molina Antonio , Del Castillo Maria
Published: June 2016

Nowadays, coffee beans are almost exclusively used for the preparation of the beverage. The sustainability of coffee production can be achieved introducing new applications for the valorization of coffee by-products. Coffee silverskin is the by-product generated during roasting, and because of its powerful antioxidant capacity, coffee silverskin aqueous extract (CSE) may be used for other applications, such as antiaging cosmetics and dermaceutics. This study aims to contribute to the coffee sector’s sustainability through the application of CSE to preserve skin health. Preclinical data regarding the antiaging properties of CSE employing human keratinocytes and Caenorhabditis elegans are collected during the present study. Accelerated aging was induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH) in HaCaT cells and by ultraviolet radiation C (UVC) in C. elegans. Results suggest that the tested concentrations of coffee extracts were not cytotoxic, and CSE 1 mg/mL gave resistance to skin cells when oxidative damage was induced by t-BOOH. On the other hand, nematodes treated with CSE (1 mg/mL) showed a significant increased longevity compared to those cultured on a standard diet. In conclusion, our results support the antiaging properties of the CSE and its great potential for improving skin health due to its antioxidant character associated with phenols among other bioactive compounds present in the botanical material.
TiAl3-TiN Composite Nanoparticles Produced by Hydrogen Plasma-Metal Reaction: Synthesis, Passivation, and Characterization
Authors: Li Ju , Mei Qing
Published: June 2016

TiAl3 and TiN composite nanoparticles were continuously synthesized from Ti–48Al master alloy by hydrogen plasma-metal reaction in a N2, H2 and Ar atmosphere. The phase, morphology, and size of the nanoparticles were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and evolved gas analysis (EGA) were used to analyze the surface phase constitution and oxygen content of the nanoparticles. The as-synthesized nanopowders were mainly composed of nearly spherical TiAl3 and tetragonal TiN phases, with a mean diameter of ~42 nm and mass fractions of 49.1% and 24.3%, respectively. Passivation in the atmosphere of Ar and O2 for 24 h at room temperature led to the formation of amorphous Al2O3 shells on the TiAl3 particle surface, with a mean thickness of ~5.0 nm and a mass fraction of ~23.5%, as well as TiO2 with a mass fraction of ~3.2%.
Does Metabolically Healthy Obesity Exist?
Authors: Muñoz-Garach Araceli , Cornejo-Pareja Isabel , Tinahones Francisco
Published: June 2016

The relationship between obesity and other metabolic diseases have been deeply studied. However, there are clinical inconsistencies, exceptions to the paradigm of “more fat means more metabolic disease”, and the subjects in this condition are referred to as metabolically healthy obese (MHO).They have long-standing obesity and morbid obesity but can be considered healthy despite their high degree of obesity. We describe the variable definitions of MHO, the underlying mechanisms that can explain the existence of this phenotype caused by greater adipose tissue inflammation or the different capacity for adipose tissue expansion and functionality apart from other unknown mechanisms. We analyze whether these subjects improve after an intervention (traditional lifestyle recommendations or bariatric surgery) or if they stay healthy as the years pass. MHO is common among the obese population and constitutes a unique subset of characteristics that reduce metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors despite the presence of excessive fat mass. The protective factors that grant a healthier profile to individuals with MHO are being elucidated.
Insulin-Sensitizing Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Lost in Translation?
Authors: Lalia Antigoni , Lanza Ian
Published: June 2016

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) of marine origin, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been long studied for their therapeutic potential in the context of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and glucose homeostasis. Glaring discordance between observations in animal and human studies precludes, to date, any practical application of n-3 PUFA as nutritional therapeutics against insulin resistance in humans. Our objective in this review is to summarize current knowledge and provide an up-to-date commentary on the therapeutic value of EPA and DHA supplementation for improving insulin sensitivity in humans. We also sought to discuss potential mechanisms of n-3 PUFA action in target tissues, in specific skeletal muscle, based on our recent work, as well as in liver and adipose tissue. We conducted a literature search to include all preclinical and clinical studies performed within the last two years and to comment on representative studies published earlier. Recent studies support a growing consensus that there are beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA on insulin sensitivity in rodents. Observational studies in humans are encouraging, however, the vast majority of human intervention studies fail to demonstrate the benefit of n-3 PUFA in type 2 diabetes or insulin-resistant non-diabetic people. Nevertheless, there are still several unanswered questions regarding the potential impact of n-3 PUFA on metabolic function in humans.
Assessing the Accuracy of High Resolution Digital Surface Models Computed by PhotoScan® and MicMac® in Sub-Optimal Survey Conditions
Authors: Jaud Marion , Passot Sophie , Le Bivic Réjanne , Delacourt Christophe , Grandjean Philippe , Le Dantec Nicolas
Published: June 2016

For monitoring purposes and in the context of geomorphological research, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) appear to be a promising solution to provide multi-temporal Digital Surface Models (DSMs) and orthophotographs. There are a variety of photogrammetric software tools available for UAV-based data. The objective of this study is to investigate the level of accuracy that can be achieved using two of these software tools: Agisoft PhotoScan® Pro and an open-source alternative, IGN© MicMac®, in sub-optimal survey conditions (rugged terrain, with a large variety of morphological features covering a range of roughness sizes, poor GPS reception). A set of UAV images has been taken by a hexacopter drone above the Rivière des Remparts, a river on Reunion Island. This site was chosen for its challenging survey conditions: the topography of the study area (i) involved constraints on the flight plan; (ii) implied errors on some GPS measurements; (iii) prevented an optimal distribution of the Ground Control Points (GCPs) and; (iv) was very complex to reconstruct. Several image processing tests are performed with different scenarios in order to analyze the sensitivity of each software package to different parameters (image quality, numbers of GCPs, etc.). When computing the horizontal and vertical errors within a control region on a set of ground reference targets, both methods provide rather similar results. A precision up to 3–4 cm is achievable with these software packages. The DSM quality is also assessed over the entire study area comparing PhotoScan DSM and MicMac DSM with a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) point cloud. PhotoScan and MicMac DSM are also compared at the scale of particular features. Both software packages provide satisfying results: PhotoScan is more straightforward to use but its source code is not open; MicMac is recommended for experimented users as it is more flexible.
An Improved Interacting Multiple Model Filtering Algorithm Based on the Cubature Kalman Filter for Maneuvering Target Tracking
Authors: Zhu Wei , Wang Wei , Yuan Gannan
Published: June 2016

In order to improve the tracking accuracy, model estimation accuracy and quick response of multiple model maneuvering target tracking, the interacting multiple models five degree cubature Kalman filter (IMM5CKF) is proposed in this paper. In the proposed algorithm, the interacting multiple models (IMM) algorithm processes all the models through a Markov Chain to simultaneously enhance the model tracking accuracy of target tracking. Then a five degree cubature Kalman filter (5CKF) evaluates the surface integral by a higher but deterministic odd ordered spherical cubature rule to improve the tracking accuracy and the model switch sensitivity of the IMM algorithm. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibits quick and smooth switching when disposing different maneuver models, and it also performs better than the interacting multiple models cubature Kalman filter (IMMCKF), interacting multiple models unscented Kalman filter (IMMUKF), 5CKF and the optimal mode transition matrix IMM (OMTM-IMM).
Sequence Variability in Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Genes seb, sec, and sed
Authors: Johler Sophia , Sihto Henna-Maria , Macori Guerrino , Stephan Roger
Published: June 2016

Ingestion of staphylococcal enterotoxins preformed by Staphylococcus aureus in food leads to staphylococcal food poisoning, the most prevalent foodborne intoxication worldwide. There are five major staphylococcal enterotoxins: SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, and SEE. While variants of these toxins have been described and were linked to specific hosts or levels or enterotoxin production, data on sequence variation is still limited. In this study, we aim to extend the knowledge on promoter and gene variants of the major enterotoxins SEB, SEC, and SED. To this end, we determined seb, sec, and sed promoter and gene sequences of a well-characterized set of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus strains originating from foodborne outbreaks, human infections, human nasal colonization, rabbits, and cattle. New nucleotide sequence variants were detected for all three enterotoxins and a novel amino acid sequence variant of SED was detected in a strain associated with human nasal colonization. While the seb promoter and gene sequences exhibited a high degree of variability, the sec and sed promoter and gene were more conserved. Interestingly, a truncated variant of sed was detected in all tested sed harboring rabbit strains. The generated data represents a further step towards improved understanding of strain-specific differences in enterotoxin expression and host-specific variation in enterotoxin sequences.
La politique des «Metropolregionen » en Allemagne (The policy of «Metropolregionen » in Germany)
Authors: Schulz Christian
Published: May 2016

Im Jahr 1995 wurde das Konzept der «Europäischen Metropolregion » (EMR) in die deutsche Raumordnungspolitik eingeführt. Es definiert Stadtregionen mit europäischer Ausstrahlung, die als "Motoren der gesellschaftlichen, wirtschaftlichen, sozialen und kulturellen Entwicklung" wirken sollen. Ursprtinglich hatte die Ministerkonferenz für Raumordnung (MKRO) sechs solcher Metropolregionen in Deutschland identifiziert, aber umgehend wurde der Status auch von anderen Stadtregionen eingefordert . So wurde das Label im Jahr 2005 auch fünf weiteren Regionen verliehen, deren demographisches und wirtschaftliches Gewicht sowie deren internationale Bedeutung weniger ausgeprägt sind. Diese Auswahl verdeutlicht die politische Dimension des Vorhabens (v. a. die Sorge um regionale Ausgewogenheit im föderalen System) sowie den Wunsch dieser Regionen nach internationaler Sichtbarkeit . Trotz der Erhöhung der Zahl von Metropolregionen haben es die Raumordnungsbehörden bislang nicht vermocht, das Konzept in ein wirkliches Instrument der Raumplanung zu überführen ; und die Abgrenzungskriterien bleiben bisher unklar. Zugleich äussern sich wissenschaftliche Beiträge zunehmend kritisch gegenüber dem EMR-Konzept. Der vorliegende Beitrag präsentiert die wesentlichen Merkmale des Ansatzes und diskutiert seine mögliche Inwertsetzung in der deutschen Raumordnungspolitik zu einem entscheidenden Zeitpunkt : die Akteure auf Bundesebene haben inzwischen auch die Existenz grenzüberschreitender Metropolregionen "entdeckt" -Räume, die in den Raumordnungsdokumenten bislang eher nicht auftauchten.
La question métropolitaine en Italie : entre compétition et risque de décohésion (The metropolitan question in Italy : between competition and the risk of de-cohesion)
Authors: Rivière Dominique
Published: May 2016

L'idée même de politique nationale ciblée sur la métropolisation présente un caractère paradoxal en Italie : elle est abordée de façon récurrente depuis 1990, mais sur le plan institutionnel, les métropoles italiennes renvoient aujourd'hui aussi à la trilogie des échelles local/région/Europe. La problématique métropolitaine renvoie dès lors à la fois à la question des rapports mailles fonctionnelles/institutionnelles et à des concurrences tant entre les mailles locales -communes, provinces...-qu'entre les métropoles elles-mêmes au sein du territoire national.
The Randstad : in search of a metropolis for Netherlands (Randstad : à la recherche d'une métropole pour les Pays-Bas)
Authors: de Vries Jochen
Published: May 2016

La métropolisation comme facette spécifique de développement urbain, fait partie d'un ensemble plus large de questions qui peuvent générer des politiques publiques ad hoc. Comme les problèmes économiques et sociaux des villes sont devenus objet de politiques supra-et sub-nationales, le rôle réel joué par les États-nations dans leur traitement ne doit pas être considéré pour acquis. Ainsi, cette contribution se concentre sur la façon dont les questions métropolitaines sont présentes (ou non) et politiquement construites dans les agendas politiques nationaux de cinq pays européens (France, Allemagne, Italie, Espagne et Royaume-Uni). En faisant cela, les convergences et les différences entre les cadres politiques et les stratégies sont envisagées (par exemple, lutter contre les disparités spatiales vs. promouvoir les zones les plus compétitives, la gouvernance comme une réponse à la fragmentation). La métropolisation ne ressort pas comme une question de politique génératrice dans tous les pays analysés, et l'échelle spatiale des problèmes urbains n 'est pas construite de manière similaire entre les pays. Cela dépend de certaines conditions qui sont abordées dans l'article.
Is metropolisation a process which can generate national policy ? Results from a comparison in Western Europe (La métropolisation est-elle un processus qui peut générer des politiques nationales ? Résultats d'une étude comparative en Europe occidentale)
Authors: Albergo Ernesto d'
Published: May 2016

Metropolisation as a specific facet of urban development is part of a wider set of issues that can generate ad hoc public policies. Since economic and social problems of cities have become objects of supra-and sub-national policies, the actual role played by nation states in dealing with them is not to be taken for granted. Thus, the contribution focuses on how metropolitan issues are present (or otherwise) and politically constructed in the national political agendas of five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK). In doing this, convergences and differences among policy frames and strategies are considered (e.g. counteracting spatial disparities vs. promoting the most competitive areas ; governance as an answer to fragmentation). Metropolisation does not emerge as a policy-generating issue in all the countries analysed, nor is the spatial scale of urban problems similarly constructed across countries. This depends on some conditions that are addressed in the contribution
L'Union Européenne a-t-elle une politique de développement des métropoles ? (Does the European Union have a policy of metropolitan development)
Authors: Chilla Tobias
Published: May 2016

The European Union does not have the formal competence for a policy of developing metropolises. However, the European influence on the metropolitan development is considerable and currently enforcing. This statement is based on three arguments : Firstly, the urban question is set on the European agenda more and more (p. ex. Charta of Leipzig, declaration of Marseille). One can say that a European urban policy is currently being established. Secondly, the indirect influence of different policies is important -the transport policy with its consequences for metropolitan accessibility is only one example. Thirdly, the regional policy on the European level has clearly paid more attention to the metropolitan dimension during recent years: After a phase of the paradigm of regional redistribution, current politics focus more on 'place based potentials' and the contributions to economic growth -in this context, metropolitan regions are frequently considered as important 'growth poles Against this background, one cannot say anymore that a policy for the development of metropolises would be inexistent.
Les petites villes en Amérique du Nord. (Small towns in North America)
Authors: Montès Christian
Published: May 2016

Bien que l 'on déplore régulièrement leur possible disparition ou la perte de la spécificité que leur prêtait l'imaginaire national tout en en offrant une version marchandisée et mondialisée dans un espace «rural » recréé, les petites villes d'Amérique du Nord ont non seulement survécu mais parfois même prospéré, sous au moins deux formes, économique et identitaire. Les processus de migration qui renforcent leur hétérogénéité ethnique et sociale, l'insertion (et la dépendance induite) dans l 'économie transnationale par les grands groupes industriels (y compris de haute technologie) et énergétiques ou par le tourisme, l'image patrimonialisée mise en exergue et vendue à l'extérieur (cf. les Pueblos Magicos mexicains), les transformations paysagères (réhabilitation, étalement rural, grandes surfaces commerciales et communautés fermées) montrent une partie seulement de la réalité. Subsistent parallèlement les petites villes des suburbs relevant de la représentation mythifiée aux USA ou au Canada (cf. le New Urbanism), les petites villes "sans aménités", derniers refuges des oubliés de la mondialisation et même de l'intégration nationale (très gros bourgs ruraux ou bourgs indigènes du Mexique).
L'intégration spatiale des favelas dans la ville au Brésil au regard de la fragmentation (Spatial integration of favelas in the Brazilian city in regard to fragmentation)
Authors: Chétry Michaël
Published: May 2016

In Brazil, the presence of slums within the metropolis produces strong contrasts in the urban landscape and contributes to the reading of the city as a fragmented space. We propose in this paper to examine the case of favelas in Rio de Janeiro and Recife from the different aspects of fragmentation. This study brings out the fact that if a first reading of the situation of the favelas into the city can make us believe in a fragmentation of urban space, a more detailed exploration of these spaces makes such an assessment less obvious.
Contribution de la téléphonie mobile à la dynamisation du commerce informel dans la commune d'Adjamé à Abidjan en Côte d'Ivoire. (Contribution of mobile phones to the dynamics of informal trade in the municipality of Adjame in Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
Authors: Nassa Dabié Désiré Axel
Published: May 2016

La vulgarisation du téléphone portable en Côte d'Ivoire, a non seulement développé le rapprochement des populations entre elles mais aussi permis la naissance d'un type particulier de commerce autour de cet instrument de communication. A l'échelle d'une commune comme celle d'Adjamé, le réseau cellulaire a triomphalement marqué l'espace public.

Les rues, trottoirs, places marchandes et gares routières sont littéralement pris d'assaut par les «cabinards » et autres acteurs intervenant dans la vente des produits démocratisant du téléphone portable.

Ces activités ont permis des bouleversements au niveau de la pratique commerciale de la production et de l 'appropriation de l 'espace par les acteurs divers intervenant dans la vente des produits vulgarisateurs du téléphone portable.
The Transnational Dimensions of the Early Socialist Pillars in Belgium and the Netherlands, c. 1885-1914: An Exploratory Essay
Authors: Van Ginderachter Maarten , Kamphuis Minte
Published: May 2016

Maarten Van Ginderachter & Minte Kamphuis, De transnationale dimensies van de vroege socialistische zuilen in België en Nederland, 1885-1914. Een verkennend essay.

Verzuiling is in eerder onderzoek voornamelijk bestudeerd in een strikt nationale context of in internationale vergelijkingen. In dit verkennend essay wordt de vraag gesteld wat transnationale geschiedenis zou kunnen toevoegen aan de studie van de verzuiling, met de nadruk op de vroege socialistische verzuiling in België en Nederland. Hoewel deze bijdrage de noodzaak erkent om de grensoverschrijdende contacten over staten heen te bestuderen, wijst ze ook op het blijvende belang van lokale socio-economische en culturele omstandigheden en de rol van de staat in het verzuilingsproces.
Du « modèle évolutif du régime domanial » aux « vertus du comparatisme ». Quelques considérations introductives
Authors: Morimoto Yoshiki
Published: May 2016

From the “ Evolutive Model of the Domanial Regime” to the “ Virtues of Comparatism”. Some Introductory Remarks.

Aiming to complete the general introduction to the symposium, the author first underlines that the most important progress in the rural history of the Early Middle Age is the reduced dichotomy between the manorial model and the allodial model through the researches led in the spirit of dialog. He next indicates that Adriaan Verhulst’s paper in Spoleto, through the ways by which he traced the evolution of the early medieval economy, had already prepared the field for this effect. Then the author explains his experiences in comparative history as a Japanese historian, in order to fortify the comparative method underpinning the symposium. The article ends by stressing the necessity of considering the geographical framework of the comparison in the medieval rural history.
From Roman fundus to Early Medieval grand domaine: Crucial Ruptures between Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Authors: Halsall Guy
Published: May 2016

Peter Sarris has recently restated the idea that the bipartite estate’s origins lie in the late Roman period. This article defends the consensus view of the origins of the bipartite estate against this view. It looks back to the Roman period in northern Gaul but sees this “ background” in rather different terms from those usually envisaged. It then discusses how this situation changed in the course of the fifth and sixth centuries, to argue that the debate on rural estate management and organisation cannot be separated from other discussions, such as that on the nature of the earlier Merovingian aristocracy and society more generally. It therefore underlines variety and dynamism in the history of early medieval estates whilst adding to it an element of unpredictability. Within this generally dynamic history, a crucial role is played by changes between the last third of the sixth century to the first half of the seventh. Their importance lies not simply, retrospectively and teleologically, in establishing the conditions within which the “ classic” bipartite grand domaine could emerge but in definitively breaking any clear line of descent from the Roman fundus to the “ great estate” of the later Merovingian and Carolingian period.
Social Theory and Agrarian Practice in Early Medieval England: The Land without Polyptyques
Authors: Faith Rosamond
Published: May 2016

Théorie sociale et pratique agraire dans l’Angleterre du Haut Moyen Âge : un pays sans polyptyques.

L’Angleterre du Haut Moyen Âge a perdu tout contact avec la tradition romaine en matière de culture écrite, notamment l’établissement d’inventaires qui, ailleurs en Europe, ont permis l’émergence de la tradition des polyptyques. De surcroît, c’était une société sous-développée au niveau économique, à laquelle il manquait une tradition forte de culture céréalière. Les relations sociales entre les puissants et une paysannerie très fréquemment libre s’exprimaient en termes d’obligations héréditaires et de droits, plutôt qu’en termes de tenures et de rentes. Quand des propriétés seigneuriales suffisamment significatives ont commencé à se développer, surtout dans les patrimoines ecclésiastiques, les noyaux centraux de ces domaines, désignés sous le nom d’inlands, étaient mis en valeur par une classe de tenanciers très dépendants, dont des esclaves. Vers la fin de la période anglo-saxonne, de plus petits propriétaires ont aussi commencé à exploiter leur propriété de la même manière. Les vraies relations entre tenure, location et rente se sont développées dans le sillage de la conquête normande : c’est au XIIe siècle qu’apparaît une tradition anglaise d’inventaires domaniaux comparables aux polyptyques.
Gérer la terre sans écrit, est-ce possible ?
Authors: Nissen Jaubert Anne
Published: May 2016

Kan een domein beheerd worden zonder geschriften ?

Onze kennis van het landbeheer steunt voornamelijk op geschreven bronnen. Op het eerste gezicht zijn archeologische data nutteloos om inzicht te verwerven in die materie. Nochtans is het documentaire bewijsmateriaal beperkt tot specifieke streken en het heeft enkel betrekking op grote domeinen. De vraag stelt zich dus hoe elites hun inkomen beheerden zonder gebruik te (kunnen) maken van administratieve geschriften. In de afgelopen decennia hebben grootschalige opgravingen het mogelijk gemaakt om rurale nederzettingen over heel Noord-West Europa te vergelijken en chronologische trends te onderscheiden. Greppels en omheiningen bakenen de boerderijen af en bepalen de vormgeving van de rurale sites. Geregelde en mogelijk zelfs geplande landindelingen bestonden al in Noord-Europa en later in de oude Romeinse provincies. Het geregelde uitzicht van de nederzettingen is bijzonder opvallend tijdens de tweede fase van de vroege middeleeuwen. De Scandinavische landbouwsystemen bolskifte en solskifte

geven enkele aanwijzingen betreffende landuitbatingsmethoden zonder geschreven ondersteuning, door hun referentie aan de toft, het bebouwde hoevegedeelte.
La paysannerie indépendante et autonome à côté du grand domaine carolingien
Authors: Tange Sakae
Published: May 2016

De onafhankelijk-autonome boer – een aanhangsel van het Karolingische domeinstelsel.

In de Karolingische polyptieken treffen we soms de figuur van de kleine boer/ handwerksman aan, wiens pachtgebied te klein is om in zijn eigen behoeften te kunnen voorzien. Traditioneel gezien hebben historici deze figuur als een lid van het huishoudelijk personeel beschouwd, onderworpen aan zijn heer. Recent echter, heeft Kyohei Ooyama, een van de toonaangevende mediëvisten in Japan, aangetoond dat hoe minder de productiviteit van zijn akker, hoe meer de boer/ handwerksman in de commerciële economie was geïntegreerd. Zijn mening, die suggereert dat de zelfvoorziening van kleine boeren op hun niet-landbouwgerelateerde economische activiteiten berustte, brengt ons tot de gedachte dat bepaalde vormen van handwerk deze boeren van een aanvullende bron van inkomsten voorzag en hen erbij hielp om hun autonomie en onafhankelijkheid, op zijn minst voor een deel, te bewaren. De bijkomende beroepen van de kleine boeren – bijvoorbeeld bepaalde vormen van handwerk, regionale handel of het verzamelen van natuurlijke bosgrondstoffen – zijn niet enkel een bewijs van de precaire positie van de middeleeuwse kleine boer ; ze vormde ook de grondslag van zijn autonomie.
Free Peasants and Large Landowners in the West
Authors: Davies Wendy
Published: May 2016

Comparison of Brittany and northern Iberia shows that there was little of the classical bi-partite estate in either. In both regions the systems of exploitation were mixed, with free peasant proprietors, large and small estates, tenants and some tied labour. In both the estate was usually an accumulation of separate units, worked and managed by peasant households paying rent. Despite many strong similarities, there were differences between the regions for northern Iberia had many mills, and some element of labour service, while Brittany seems to have had neither at the end of the first millennium.
Grandes propriétés et organisation domaniale dans le Midi de la Gaule à l’époque carolingienne : que peut-on savoir ?
Authors: Renard Étienne
Published: May 2016

Large Estates and their Organisation in the South of Gaul in Carolingian Times : the Limits of Extant Sources.

Unfortunately, the scarce written primary sources dating back to Carolingian times, which are able to shed some light upon the consistency, structure and organization of large landownership in southern Gaul, are too unevenly distributed in time and space to draw a regional synthesis. Moreover, their use implies an in-depth analysis of their vocabulary and, in the case of the polyptychs of Marseille and Mauriac, a thorough study of the nature and scope of the document. In spite of this, it appears that these large properties were relatively scattered and mostly consisted of holdings with no links to the demesne, a rent-based landlordship whose demesne was usually of a modest level and apparently not exploited via customary labour services required of the free or unfree tenants.