bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of the IL6 Gene in Susceptibility to Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: CÉNIT MARIA CARMEN , SIMEÓN CARMEN P. , VONK MADELON C. , CALLEJAS-RUBIO JOSE L. , ESPINOSA GERARD , CARREIRA PATRICIA , BLANCO FRANCISCO J. , NARVAEZ JAVIER , TOLOSA CARLOS , ROMÁN-IVORRA JOSÉ A. , GÓMEZ-GARCÍA INMACULADA , GARCÍA-HERNÁNDEZ FRANCISCO J. , GALLEGO MARÍA , GARCÍA-PORTALES ROSA , EGURBIDE MARÍA VICTORIA , FONOLLOSA VICENTE , GARCÍA de la PEÑA PALOMA , LÓPEZ-LONGO FRANCISCO J. , GONZÁLEZ-GAY MIGUEL A. ,   The Spanish Scleroderma Group, HESSELSTRAND ROGER , RIEMEKASTEN GABRIELA , WITTE TORSTEN , VOSKUYL ALEXANDRE E. , SCHUERWEGH ANNEMIE J. , MADHOK RAJAN , FONSECA CARMEN , DENTON CHRISTOPHER , NORDIN ANNIKA , PALM ØYVIND , van LAAR JACOB M. , HUNZELMANN NICOLAS , DISTLER JÖRG H.W. , KREUTER ALEXANDER , HERRICK ARIANE , WORTHINGTON JANE , KOELEMAN BOBBY P. , RADSTAKE TIMOTHY R.D.J. , MARTÍN JAVIER 
Published: October 2012

Objective.Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a genetically complex autoimmune disease; the genetic component has not been fully defined. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays a crucial role in immunity and fibrosis, both key aspects of SSc. We investigated the influence of IL6 gene in the susceptibility and phenotype expression of SSc.Methods.We performed a large metaanalysis including a total of 2749 cases and 3189 controls from 6 white populations (Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom). Three IL6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; rs2069827, rs1800795, and rs2069840) were selected by SNP tagging and genotyped using TaqMan® allele discrimination technology.Results.Individual SNP metaanalysis showed no evidence of association of the 3 IL6 genetic variants with the global disease. Phenotype analyses revealed a significant association between the minor allele of rs2069840 and the limited cutaneous SSc clinical form (Bonferroni p = 0.036, OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04–1.25). A trend of association between the minor allele of the rs1800795 and the diffuse cutaneous SSc clinical form was also evident (Bonferroni p = 0.072, OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77–0.96). In the IL6 allelic combination analyses, the GGC allelic combination rs2069827-rs1800795-rs2069840 showed an association with overall SSc (Bonferroni p = 0.016, OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04–1.23).Conclusion.Our results suggest that the IL6 gene may influence the development of SSc and its progression.
Super‐virtual refraction interferometry: an engineering field data example
Authors: Hanafy Sherif M. , Al-Hagan Ola 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThe theory of super‐virtual refraction interferometry (SVI) was recently developed to enhance the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of far‐offset traces in refraction surveys. This enhancement of the SNR is proportional to and can be as high as if an iterative procedure is used. Here is the number of post‐critical shot positions that coincides with the receiver locations. We now demonstrate the SNR enhancement of super‐virtual refraction traces for one engineering‐scale synthetic data and two field seismic data sets. The field data are collected over a normal fault in Saudi Arabia. Results show that both the SNR of the super‐virtual data set and the number of reliable first‐arrival traveltime picks are significantly increased.
Le concept de destination
Authors: Kadri Boualem , Khomsi Mohamed Reda , Bondarenko Maria 
Published: October 2012

Le concept de destination fait l’objet d’une grande utilisation en tourisme, tant dans le monde professionnel que dans celui de la communauté scientifique. Cette situation montre toutefois un paradoxe : si l’on reconnaît la puissance du mot destination relative notamment à sa richesse anthropologique, l’on observera néanmoins un déficit définitionnel, voire l’absence d’une définition partagée par la communauté scientifique. À quelles significations renvoie le mot destination ? Le présent article expose les résultats d’une analyse sémantique et conceptuelle du concept de destination réalisée à partir d’un corpus d’écrits portant plus particulièrement sur le tourisme urbain. À la lumière de cette analyse, une nouvelle perspective d’appréhension du concept de destination, notamment urbaine, est proposée, basée sur la notion de projet et montrant la destination comme un ensemble de « projets » différenciés, mais intégrés à un « projet » global.
Le haut-lieu touristique
Authors: Piriou Jérôme 
Published: October 2012

Dans une approche géographique du tourisme, la destination touristique signifie un lieu ou un espace promu, reconnu et élu suggérant aux individus d’échapper aux contraintes par le moyen d’une mobilité touristique. Aussi comment évaluer la destination touristique ? Dans quelle mesure serait-elle excellente ? Par le choix du haut-lieu touristique comme cadre d’analyse nous cherchons à comprendre en quoi les caractéristiques d’un ou de plusieurs lieux justifieraient et illustreraient l’excellence d’une destination. L’altérité du lieu contribuerait dans une certaine mesure à la mobilité à des fins récréatives. Par ailleurs, dans un contexte de mondialisation du tourisme, les hauts-lieux touristiques sont des lieux localisés et localisants pour leurs valeurs et les pratiques touristiques qui y sont engagées. Cependant, les différents acteurs du tourisme évalueraient la destination touristique de manière nuancée, car les critères dépendraient de leurs projets et de leurs intentions. Aussi l’étude de quelques cas français et la prise en compte des composantes systémiques du tourisme, que sont les acteurs, les lieux et les pratiques, nous permettront d’esquisser quelques pistes de réponses.
Par ici l’authenticité !
Authors: Chétima Melchisedek 
Published: October 2012

Cette étude est née d’une série de questionnements auxquels l’auteur était confronté en observant les touristes dans les monts Mandara du Cameroun. Étant originaire de cette région, l’auteur s’est toujours demandé ce que les touristes recherchaient exactement et ce qui les passionnait dans le traditionnel, le mythique et l’ancestral. Ces interrogations l’ont conduit à étudier le rapport entre authenticité et excellence d’une destination. De cette étude, il ressort que le pouvoir d’attraction des monts Mandara réside dans la richesse de son patrimoine culturel et naturel, considérée par les visiteurs comme « authentique ». Cependant, cette image « authentique » ne concerne pas seulement les objets culturels dans leur existence réelle. Elle résulte également des mises en scène de la vie quotidienne, orchestrées par les populations d’accueil dans l’intention de se conformer aux attentes des touristes. Les mises en scène sont par la suite relayées par les voyagistes qui produisent des photos particulièrement sélectives dans le but de circonscrire la nature et la culture locales et de les offrir, sous une forme visuelle, au regard des touristes.
L’approche interculturelle comme critère de l’excellence des sites Web des métropoles touristiques
Authors: Viallon Philippe , Henneke-Lange Sandrine 
Published: October 2012

La forte montée en puissance d’Internet dans la communication du XXIe siècle se manifeste aussi dans le monde du tourisme. Les sites Web sont devenus le lieu de rencontre privilégié entre professionnels et touristes. Dans la concurrence vive que se livrent les métropoles, ils sont un atout essentiel, car ils représentent souvent le premier contact qui décide de la suite donnée à la démarche. La recherche de l’excellence de l’outil est donc une priorité. Les aspects d’usuabilityet d’efficiencydes sites sont à juste titre souvent mis en avant par les spécialistes, mais ils ne sont pas particuliers au tourisme. En revanche, la dimension interculturelle est autant spécifique du domaine qu’elle est essentielle. Cet article analyse dans quelle mesure les sites de quelques métropoles européennes et nord-américaines tiennent compte de cette dimension. Le résultat est que les stratégies sont très diverses. Certains se contentent de quelques traductions qui sont souvent des copies conformes à l’original. À l’inverse, d’autres ont une démarche proactive d’adaptation à la culture du visiteur : ils donnent ainsi une image de professionnels soucieux d’aller au devant des désirs de leurs visiteurs, celle de l’excellence.
High‐Performance Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Photodetectors Based on P3HT:CdSe Nanowire Heterojunctions on Rigid and Flexible Substrates
Authors: Wang Xianfu , Song Weifeng , Liu Bin , Chen Gui , Chen Di , Zhou Chongwu , Shen Guozhen 
Published: October 2012

AbstractOrganic‐inorganic hybrid photoelectric devices draw considerable attention because of their unique features by combining the relatively low ionization potential of the organic molecules and the high electron affinity of inorganic semiconductors. Hybrid organic‐inorganic poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT):CdSe nanowire heterojunction photodetectors are first demonstrated on silicon substrates, exhibiting a greatly enhanced photocurrent, a fast response, and a recovery time shorter than 0.1 s. Flexible hybrid photodetectors with excellent mechanical flexibility and stability are also fabricated on both poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrates and printing paper. The flexible devices are successfully operated under bending up to almost 180° and show an extremely high on/off switching ratio (larger than 500), a fast time response (about 10 ms), and excellent wavelength‐dependence, which are very desirable properties for its practical application in high‐frequency or high‐speed flexible electronic devices.
pH‐Based Regulation of Hydrogel Mechanical Properties Through Mussel‐Inspired Chemistry and Processing
Authors: Barrett Devin G. , Fullenkamp Dominic E. , He Lihong , Holten‐Andersen Niels , Lee Ka Yee C. , Messersmith Phillip B. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe mechanical holdfast of the mussel, the byssus, is processed at acidic pH yet functions at alkaline pH. Byssi are enriched in Fe3+ and catechol‐containing proteins, species with chemical interactions that vary widely over the pH range of byssal processing. Currently, the link between pH, Fe3+‐catechol reactions, and mechanical function is poorly understood. Herein, it is described how pH influences the mechanical performance of materials formed by reacting synthetic catechol polymers with Fe3+. Processing Fe3+‐catechol polymer materials through a mussel‐mimetic acidic‐to‐alkaline pH change leads to mechanically tough materials based on a covalent network fortified by sacrificial Fe3+‐catechol coordination bonds. These findings offer the first direct evidence of Fe3+‐induced covalent cross‐linking of catechol polymers, reveal additional insight into the pH dependence and mechanical role of Fe3+‐catechol interactions in mussel byssi, and illustrate the wide range of physical properties accessible in synthetic materials through mimicry of mussel‐protein chemistry and processing.
Thicker is Better? Synthesis and Evaluation of Well‐Defined Polymer Brushes with Controllable Catalytic Loadings
Authors: Fernandes Antony E. , Dirani Ali , d'Haese Cécile , Deumer Gladys , Guo Weiming , Hensenne Peter , Nahra Fady , Laloyaux Xavier , Haufroid Vincent , Nysten Bernard , Riant Olivier , Jonas Alain M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPolymer brushes (PBs) have been used as supports for the immobilization of palladium complexes on silicon surfaces. The polymers were grown by surface‐initiated atom‐transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) and postdecorated with dipyridylamine (dpa) ligands. The pendant dpa units were in turn complexed with [Pd(OAc)2] to afford hybrid catalytic surfaces. A series of catalytic samples of various thicknesses (ca. 20–160 nm) and associated palladium loadings (ca. 10–45 nmol cm−2) were obtained by adjusting the SI‐ATRP reaction time and characterized by ellipsometry, X‐ray reflectivity, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). ICP‐MS revealed a near‐linear relationship between thickness of the polymer brush and palladium content, which confirmed the robustness of the preparation and postmodification sequence presented herein, rendering possible the creation of functional architectures with predefined catalytic potential. The activities of the catalytic PBs were determined by systematically exploring a full range of substrate‐to‐catalyst ratios in a model palladium(0)‐catalyzed reaction. Quantitative transformations were observed for loadings down to 0.03 mol % and a maximum turnover number (TON) of around 3500 was established for the system. Comparison of the catalytic performances evidenced a singular influence of the thickness on conversions and TONs. The limited recyclability of the hairy catalysts has been attributed to palladium leaching.
Two Cobalt(II) Cubane Compounds: The Key Role of Small Ligand Changes on the Crystal Packing and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Guedes Guilherme P. , Soriano Stéphane , Comerlato Nadia M. , Speziali Nivaldo L. , Lahti Paul M. , Novak Miguel A. , Vaz Maria G. F. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe synthesis and the structural and magnetic characterization of two new cobalt(II) compounds [Co4(TTA)4(OMe)4(EtOH)4] (1) and [Co4(TTA)4(OMe)4(MeOH)4] (2) (TTA = 4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1‐thienoyl‐2,4‐butanedione) are reported. The structures consist of a tetranuclear Co4O4 core in a cubane framework. Both systems were modeled by a spin Hamiltonian with two isotropic exchange interactions and local orthogonal anisotropy axis configuration. The temperature‐dependent susceptibility was successfully simulated yielding many low‐lying mixed eingenstates that cannot be approximated by a giant spin model. A surprising fact is that despite the structural similarities there are striking differences between their magnetic properties. DC magnetic susceptibilities showed only ferromagnetic interactions between cobalt(II) ions for 2, whereas 1 has ferromagnetic and weaker antiferromagnetic interactions among their ions. In addition, compound 1 presented split zero‐field‐cooled and field‐cooled susceptibility around 6 K and a frequency dependent ac susceptibility typical of slow magnetization not observed in 2. The temperature dependence of this relaxation is similar to what is observed for cluster‐glass systems and may be related to a complex process involving many low‐level mixed states.
Tunable Structure of Zirconia Nanoparticles by Biopolymer Gelation: Design, Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Ramananarivo Hugo Ronald , Abdelouahdi Karima , Amer Walid , Zahouily Mohamed , Clark James , Solhy Abderrahim 
Published: October 2012

AbstractZirconia nanoparticles (NPs) with a pure tetragonal phase, stable at high temperatures and with hierarchical pore networks, are synthesized from gelling alginate by complexation of zirconium ions within a fibrous cross‐linked biopolymer. The concentration of precursor significantly affected the structural stability, crystal size, and crystal phase of the final material. The zirconia NPs were characterized by thermogravimetric analyses, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The method developed herein is straightforward as well as flexible and can pave the way to a host of hierarchical materials for current nanotechnologies.
Phenylboronic Acid Modified Anodes Promote Faster Biofilm Adhesion and Increase Microbial Fuel Cell Performances
Authors: Lapinsonnière Laure , Picot Matthieu , Poriel Cyril , Barrière Frédéric 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPhenylboronic acid was grafted on microbial fuel cells graphite anodes by electrochemical reduction of aryl diazonium salts. This chemical functionality enabled a faster connection of electroactive biofilms on the anodes and resulted in higher power densities and anodic catalytical current densities compared to MFCs working with unmodified electrodes.
Assessment of the health status of wild fish from the wheatley Harbour area of Concern, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Gilroy Ève A.M. , McMaster Mark E. , Parrott Joanne L. , Hewitt L. Mark , Park Bradley J. , Brown Scott B. , Sherry James P. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The overall health and endocrine function of wild brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) from the Wheatley Harbour Area of Concern (Lake Erie, Ontario, Canada) was assessed using a suite of physiological and biochemical endpoints. Smaller gonads were detected in female brown bullhead and goldfish from Wheatley Harbour compared with Hillman Marsh (Ontario, Canada) reference fish. Female brown bullhead exhibited decreased in vitro synthesis of 17β-estradiol. Female goldfish had decreased plasma vitellogenin concentrations. Plasma testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone were significantly depressed in males of both species. Perturbations in the thyroid status were detected, but varied between sexes and species. Observed differences included lower plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones and/or elevated liver deiodinase activity. Histological evaluation of the thyroid tissue indicated that in the case of female goldfish, those perturbations stimulated the thyroid (as indicated by increased thyroid epithelial cell height) and partially depleted the thyroxine reserves, as indicated by decreased colloid and elevated thyroid activation index. Increased mixed-function oxygenase activity in brown bullhead from Wheatley Harbour was consistent with exposure to planar aromatic contaminants. A principal component analysis of selected variables showed the separation of fish by collection site. The endpoints most strongly associated with the separation were generally those exhibiting significant differences between sites. The results of the present study indicate that the health of fish populations within Wheatley Harbour warrants continued attention. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:2798–2811. © 2012 Crown in the Right of Canada
Polychlorinated biphenyls and their hydroxylated metabolites in wild fish from wheatley Harbour Area of Concern, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Gilroy Ève A.M. , Muir Derek G.C. , McMaster Mark E. , Darling Colin , Campbell Linda M. , de Solla Shane R. , Parrott Joanne L. , Brown Scott B. , Sherry James P. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Whole-body polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs) and plasma hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs) concentrations were determined in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) from Wheatley Harbour, Ontario, Canada. Elevated ΣPCBs in Wheatley Harbour are suspected to have originated from industrial waste disposal and/or discharges from nearby fish processing through discarding of fish remains. Mean ΣPCB concentrations in brown bullhead from Wheatley Harbour were approximately 250 ng/g wet weight compared with approximately 40 ng/g wet weight for brown bullhead from the reference sites, Hillman Marsh and Turkey Creek (both in Ontario, Canada). A significant relationship was found between the concentrations of non-ortho and mono-ortho PCB concentrations (toxic equivalents) and liver mixed-function oxygenase in brown bullhead (r = 0.74, p &lt; 0.001). Plasma OH-PCB concentrations were greater in Wheatley Harbour brown bullhead than in those from Hillman Marsh (3.6 vs 1.5 ng/g wet wt, p &lt; 0.01), and were detected infrequently in those from Turkey Creek (0.1 ng/g wet wt, n = 2). The OH-PCB congeners most frequently detected were 4′-OH-CB172, 3′-OH-CB180, 4-OH-CB187, 4-OH-CB146, 3-OH-CB138, and 4-OH-CB130, which are structurally similar to the thyroid hormones. To test the hypothesis of fish waste as the cause of the observed PCB contamination of Wheatley Harbour brown bullhead, a principal component analysis (PCA) was used to compare the brown bullhead PCB congener data with equivalent data for Lake Erie walleye, Lake Erie sediment, and industrial Aroclor mixtures. The relative proportions of each Aroclor mixture were estimated using the conjugated gradient method. The high similarity between the congener signatures for Lake Erie walleye and Wheatley Harbour brown bullhead supports the hypothesis of contamination from the fish processing industry. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:2788–2797. © 2012 Crown in the Right of Canada
Penetration tests for TBMs and their practical application / Penetrationstests für Tunnelbohrmaschinen und deren Anwendung in der Praxis
Authors: Frenzel Christian , Galler Robert , Käsling Heiko , Villeneuve Marlène 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCharacterizing performance of tunnel boring machines (TBM) is important for numerous contractual and technical reasons. A common tool to determine machine performance in the field is the penetration test. The purpose of the penetration test is to operate the TBM for a defined period of time under normalized conditions that allow for interpretation and comparison between tests. The result of a penetration test is a thrust‐penetration curve that reflects the excavatability of the rock mass. Prediction models use thrust‐penetration curves to calculate the expected performance of a TBM in specific ground conditions.This paper provides a review of recent practice including testing at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) along with research by Villeneuve and Käsling. Each of these methods includes excavation at certain thrust levels and rotational speeds for a certain distance. These existing methods have a number of disadvantages that lead to fairly slow tests, which the proposed methodology aims to eliminate.Für eine Reihe von technischen und vertraglichen Fragestellungen ist die Charakterisierung der Leistung von Tunnelbohrmaschinen (TBM) von Bedeutung. Ein häufig genutztes Werkzeug, um die Bohrleistung einer TBM zu bestimmen, ist der Penetrationstest. Der Zweck eines solchen Tests ist, die TBM für eine gewisse Zeitdauer unter definierten Bedingungen zu betreiben, um so die Vergleichbarkeit zwischen verschiedenen Ergebnissen zu ermöglichen. Das Ergebnis eines Penetrationstests ist eine Penetrations‐Kraft‐Kurve, die es erlaubt, die Vortriebsleistung einer TBM unter bestimmten Gebirgseigenschaften zu prognostizieren.In diesem Beitrag werden die bisherigen Ansätze der Norwegischen Technischen Universität in Trondheim und Forschungsarbeiten von Villeneuve und Käsling beschrieben. Diesen Ansätzen ist gemein, dass die TBM über eine kleine Vortriebsstrecke bei verschiedenen Vortriebskräften und Bohrkopfdrehzahlen betrieben wird. Die beschriebenen Methoden haben aber auch eine Reihe von Nachteilen, die zu einer relativ langen Testdauer führen. Die hier vorgeschlagene Methode verkürzt die Testdauer bei gleichzeitiger Erzielung höherer Genauigkeit der Ergebnisse.
Provocation tests in doppler ultrasonography for carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: NG Esther S. , NG Kay W. , Wilder‐Smith Einar P. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIntroduction: Doppler ultrasonography (DU) has recently been shown to be useful in imaging carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In this study, we aim to characterize the changes seen after exercise and electrical stimulation. Methods: Five patients with CTS were recruited with 5 age‐matched subjects. DU was used to visualize the median nerve, flexor tendon, and bone at base line and after 1 minute of: (a) median nerve motor stimulation, (b) median nerve sensory stimulation, (c) abductor pollicis brevis contraction, and (d) adductor digiti minimi contraction. Results: Blood flow in the median nerve was greater after APB exercise. Furthermore, blood flow in the median nerve was greater in cases than controls after APB exercise. At baseline, blood flow in the flexor tendon was greater in cases than controls. Conclusions: While limited by sample size, this study demonstrates that exercise of median innervated muscles may be useful in enhancing diagnostic utility of DU for CTS. Muscle Nerve, 2013