bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The short form endometriosis health profile (EHP-5): translation and validation study of the Iranian version
Authors: Goshtasebi Azita , Nematollahzadeh Maryam , Hariri Fatemeh Zahra , Montazeri Ali 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-5) is a valid instrument to measure health-related quality of life in endometriosis. This study was conducted to culturally adapt and validate the EHP-5 in Iran.

Methods
Using a standard "forward-backward' translation procedure, the English language version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian (Iranian language). Then a sample of 199 women aged 18-50 years completed the questionnaire. To test reliability the internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Validity was evaluated using known groups comparison.

Results
The mean age of respondents was 31.4 (SD = 5.4) years. Reliability analysis showed satisfactory result (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.71). The questionnaire discriminated well between sub-groups of women differing in infertility and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in the expected direction.

Conclusion
This preliminary validation study of the Iranian version of the EHP-5 proved that it is an acceptable, reliable and valid measure of quality of life in endometriosis patients.
Local recurrence and assessment of sentinel lymph node biopsy in deep soft tissue leiomyosarcoma of the extremities
Authors: Lamyman Michael J , Giele Henk P , Critchley Paul , Whitwell Duncan , Gibbons Max , Athanasou Nicholas A 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Leiomyosarcoma of deep soft tissues of the extremities is a rare malignant tumour treated primarily by surgery. The incidence of local recurrence and lymph node metastasis is uncertain and it is not known whether a sentinel lymph node biopsy is indicated in these tumours.

Methods
A retrospective review of patients treated for extremity deep soft tissue leiomyosarcoma at our institution over a 10-year period was conducted. Patients developing local recurrence or lymph node metastasis were identified. The presence or absence of lymphatics in the primary tumours was assessed by immunohistochemical expression of LYVE-1 and podoplanin.

Results
27 patients (mean age 62 years) were included in the study. 15 were female and 12 male. Lymph node metastasis was seen in only two cases (7%); intratumoural lymphatics were identified in the primary tumours of both these cases. Local recurrence occurred in 25.9% of cases despite complete excision and post-operative radiotherapy; the mean time to recurrence was 10.1 months.

Conclusion
On the basis of this study, we do not advocate sentinel lymph node biopsy in this group of patients except in those cases in which intratumoural lymphatics can be demonstrated. Close follow up is important especially for high grade leiomyosarcomas, particularly in the first year, as these tumours have a high incidence of local recurrence.
Purification of the proprotein convertase furin by affinity chromatography based on PC-specific inhibitors
Authors: Kuester Miriam , Becker Gero L. , Hardes Kornelia , Lindberg Iris , Steinmetzer Torsten , Than Manuel E. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
In eucaryotes, many secreted proteins and peptides are proteolytically excised from larger precursor proteins by a specific class of serine proteases, the proprotein/prohormone convertases (PCs). This cleavage is essential for substrate activation, making the PCs very interesting pharmacological targets in cancer and infectious disease research. Correspondingly, their structure, function and inhibition are intensely studied – studies that require the respective target proteins in large amounts and at high purity. Here we describe the development of a novel purification protocol of furin, the best-studied member of the PC family. We combined the heterologous expression of furin from CHO cells with a novel purification scheme employing an affinity step that efficiently extracts only active furin from the conditioned medium by using furin-specific inhibitor moieties as bait. Several potential affinity tags were synthesized and their binding to furin characterized. The best compound, Biotin-(Adoa)2-Arg-Pro-Arg-4-Amba coupled to streptavidin-Sepharose beads, was used in a three-step chromatographic protocol and routinely resulted in a high yield of a homogeneous furin preparation with a specific activity of ∼60 units/mg protein. This purification and the general strategy can easily be adapted to the efficient purification of other PC family members.
Oxidative folding: recent developments
Authors: Szarka András , Bánhegyi Gábor 
Published: August 2011

AbstractDisulfide bond formation in proteins is an effective tool of both structure stabilization and redox regulation. The prokaryotic periplasm and the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotes were long considered as the only compartments for enzyme mediated formation of stable disulfide bonds. Recently, the mitochondrial intermembrane space has emerged as the third protein-oxidizing compartment. The classic view on the mechanism of oxidative folding in the endoplasmic reticulum has also been reshaped by new observations. Moreover, besides the structure stabilizing function, reversible disulfide bridge formation in some proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum, seems to play a regulatory role. This review briefly summarizes the present knowledge of the redox systems supporting oxidative folding, emphasizing recent developments.
Depression in adolescents with chronic medical illness
Authors: Rao Chandrika , Ramu Somashekar Ankanahalli , Maiya Parampalli Padmanabha 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Chronic illness can lead to anxiety and depression in both parents and their adolescents. The identification of predictor variables would greatly assist pediatricians and parents in identifying children at risk for prolonged depression. Findings indicate that age and gender of the adolescent and duration of illness did not affect the depression score, but type of illness affected the score significantly. This article illustrates the fact that pediatricians can use the Beck Depression Inventory to identify depression and guide parents and adolescents to adequate medical care.
Potentiometric and spectrophotometric characterization of the UO2
2+-citrate complexes in aqueous solution, at different concentrations, ionic strengths and supporting electrolytes
Authors: Berto Silvia , Crea Francesco , Daniele Pier G. , De Stefano Concetta , Prenesti Enrico , Sammartano Silvio 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
In this paper we report an investigation on the interactions between dioxouranium(VI) and citrate using potentiometry (H+-glass electrode) and UV-spectrophotometry. Potentiometric measurements were carried out in NaCl and KNO3 aqueous solutions at t = 25 ºC in a wide range of experimental conditions (concentrations, ligand/metal molar ratio, pH, titrants). Measurements in NaCl were carried out at different ionic strength values (0.1 ≤ I/mol L−1 ≤ 1.0); different procedures were employed for the acquisition of experimental data and careful analysis of these data performed. In all cases the speciation model that best fits experimental data takes into account the formation of the following species: UO2(Cit)−, (UO2)2(Cit)2
2−, (UO2)2(Cit)2(OH)
2
4−
, (UO2)2(Cit)2(OH)3−, (UO2)2(Cit)(OH)2
−, (UO2)2(Cit)(OH)0, (UO2)3(Cit)2(OH)
5
5−.
The dependence on ionic strength of formation constants was taken into account by using both a simple Debye–Hückel type equation and the SIT (specific ion interaction theory) approach.
Moreover, a visible absorption spectrum for each complex reaching a significant percentage of formation in solution (KNO3 medium) has been calculated to characterise the compounds found by pH-metric refinement.
Recommended values for the uranyl-citrate species were proposed for each ionic strength values in NaCl aqueous solution. Comparison with literature stability constants is reported too.
Le nouveau SME est-il plus asymétrique que l'ancien ?
Authors: Bordes Christian , Girardin Eric , Marimoutou Velayoudom 
Published: August 2011

Is the New EMS More Asymmetric than the Old? by Christian Bordes, Éric Girardin and Velayoudom M arimoutou
The purpose of this paper is to make a new study of the asymmetric relations between the interest rates of the EMS member and the German interest rates. The approach is twofold. First, we select a formulation in terms of the response function of monetary authorities. In addition to the American rates, which explain the external influences on the EMS, the VAR model also includes the rates of inflation for an EMS member country and Germany. Secondly, we extend the estimation period to expansion of the margins and carry out stability tests to show that 1987 was a major break point. This break can be associated the relaxation of capital controls. Over these two sub-periods, the EMS appears as an asymmetric system due to the fact that influence of the German rate innovations on the forecasting errors for the other European rates is three times greater overall the influence in the reverse direction. The new EMS generally looks at least as asymmetric as the old and probably more so in French case.
L'impact de l'allocation chômage sur la probabilité de réemploi : de nouveaux résultats pour le Royaume Uni
Authors: Stancanelli Elena 
Published: August 2011

Unemployment Duration and the Duration of Entitlement to Unemployment Benefit
by Elena Stancanelli
The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of the level and the expected duration of employment benefits on the individual probability of leaving unemployment. The relation between the expected duration of unemployment benefit and the probability of leaving unemployment has recently attracted considerable attention. Still a limited number of empirical studies is available for European countries. The data used for the analysis relate to the UK. The probability of leaving unemployment to take up a full-time job is distinguished from the probability of exiting in other states. I conclude that although there is some evidence of spikes in the hazard rate near the time of expected benefit exhaustion, no statistically significant benefit exhaustion effect is found.
Estimations de lois de consommation sur un pseudo-panel d'enquêtes de l'Insee ( 1979,1984,1989)
Authors: Cardoso Nilton , Gardes François 
Published: August 2011

Estimating Consumption Laws on a Pseudo-Panel of INSEE Surveys (1979, 1984 and 1989)
by Nilton Cardoso and François Gardes
Complete demand systems are generally estimated using aggregate time series due to the non-availability of panel data. These estimates are subject to aggregation biases when the specifications are nonlinear in the variables, to instable parameters over a long period and to the inability to estimate sub-population behaviour laws. We construct a pseudo-panel from three Insee family budget surveys by grouping households into homogenous cells to compare their averages on three different dates in accordance with Deaton's methodology (1985). We suggest technical improvements to deal with heteroscedasticity and the cell definition method. Two-thirds of the cross-sectional income elasticities estimated by a quadratic AI equation differ from the first-difference or within dimension estimated time series elasticities. This discrepancy may reflect the endogeny of the individual effects, which bias the cross-sectional elasticities. The social distribution of consumption, such as it is estimated by comparing rich and poor household consumption structures in a survey, can therefore not be used indiscriminately to forecast changes in consumption over time.
Estimation de modèles non linéaires sur données de panel par la méthode des moments généralisés
Authors: Breitung Jörg , Lechner Michael 
Published: August 2011

GMM Estimation of Nonlinear Models on Panel Data by Jôrg Breitung and Michael Lechner
We show that the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) methodology is a useful tool to obtain the asymptotic properties of some existing estimators for non-linear panel data models as well as to construct new ones. Many non-linear panel data models imply conditional moments, which do not depend on parameters from the off-diagonal part of the intertemporal covariance matrix of the error terms. Methods based on these moments sacrifice some efficiency compared to FTML but are much easier to compute since they do not require multivariate integration. The pooled maximum likelihood estimator, the sequential ML estimator based on minimum distance estimation in the second step, and previously suggested alternative GMM estimators are based on these moments. Although the pooled ML estimator is asymptotically the least efficient of the estimators considered, the Monte Carlo study indicates that it may have good small sample properties. We use a low dimensional approximation of the optimal instrument matrix to obtain an estimator, which appeared to be nearly as efficient as FTML. However, GMM estimators are easier to compute and also posses desirable properties.
Emploi d'équilibre et formation des salaires : une étude sectorielle
Authors: Laffargue Jean-Pierre , L'Horty Yannick 
Published: August 2011

Une estimation d'équations d'emploi et de salaire au niveau sectoriel sur données trimestrielles
par Jean-Pierre Laffargue et Yannick L'Horty-
Cet article estime deux équations de demande de travail et de fixation du coût du travail sur données trimestrielles françaises pour les différents secteurs marchands. Ces équations reposent sur un modèle théorique de concurrence monopolistique entre firmes et de négociation salariale entre entreprises et syndicats. Les méthodes d'estimation prennent en compte les développements récents de la théorie de la cointégration en univariée, et incluent de nombreux tests de spécification et de stabilité des coefficients. L'emploi apparaît fortement rigide et présente une élasticité négative par rapport au coût du travail. Celui-ci est assez flexible et augmente avec le taux de remplacement et le coin salarial, mais diminue avec la progressivité de celui-ci. Les effets du progrès technique et de la durée du travail sur ces deux variables sont aussi étudiés.
L'appariement des emplois vacants et du chômage en France
Authors: Maillard Martial 
Published: August 2011

Matching Job Offers and Unemployment in France by Martial Maillard
This paper develops an econometric study of the matching process for job offers and the unemployed on the French labour market. An aggregate analysis is made considering the hiring of full-time employees on long-term contracts. It uses monthly data relating to the period from 1974 to mid-1992. The hypothesis of the constancy of the matching function's returns on scale is not rejected, while a decrease in the efficiency of the labour market's functioning since 1974 is observed.
Un modèle simple de zone monétaire optimale
Authors: Ricci Luca Antonio 
Published: August 2011

Un modèle simple de zone monétaire optimale par Luca Antonio Ricci
Cet article présente un modèle à deux pays qui permet d'étudier dans quelles circonstances la participation à une zone monétaire est profitable. Nous tentons de rendre compte à la fois des arguments réels et monétaires suggérés par la littérature sur les zones monétaires optimales, dans un modèle simple de commerce international avec rigidités nominales. Les bénéfices nets qu'un pays peut espérer retirer de la participation à une union monétaire augmentent avec : la corrélation des chocs réels entre les pays ; le degré de mobilité internationale du travail ; l'efficacité de l'instrument fiscal comme variable d'ajustement ; la différence entre le biais inflationniste des autorités nationales et celui des autorités de l'Union monétaire ; la variance des chocs monétaires domestiques ; l'importance de la charge morte et des pertes d'efficience que l'adoption d'une monnaie unique permet d'éliminer. Ces mêmes bénéfices nets diminuent avec : la variance des chocs réels ; la variance des chocs monétaires étrangers ; la corrélation des chocs réels entre les pays. L'influence du degré d'ouverture sur les bénéfices nets de la participation à une union monétaire est ambiguë. Ce dernier résultat s'oppose à l'idée généralement avancée qu'une union monétaire serait d'autant plus avantageuse que les économies sont plus ouvertes sur l'extérieur.
Degré de flexibilité des marchés du travail, ajustement à des chocs asymétriques et union monétaire européenne
Authors: Erkel-Rousse Hélène 
Published: August 2011

Labour Market Flexibility, Adjustment to Asymmetric Shocks and European Monetary Union
by Hélène Erkel-Rousse
In 1961, Mundell posited that regions would have no major problems adjusting to monetary union provided that the shocks they sustained were not very asymmetric and their labour markets were sufficiently flexible. The European Union does not appear to perfectly satisfy these two conditions and the member countries could consequently have problems adjusting to monetary union. However, Mundell's claim should not be taken at face value. First of all, labour market flexibility is just one adjustment element among others. Secondly, the importance accorded to the extent of shock asymmetry is moderated by the fact that the manipulation of exchange rates is not as easy and beneficial as Mundell suggests.
Politiques de redistribution décentralisées et concurrence sociale
Authors: Rocaboy Yvon 
Published: August 2011

Decentralized Redistributive Policies and Social Competition by Yvon Rocaboy
The purpose of the paper is to study the possibility of decentralising the redistributive income function. This question is examined in the light of microeconomic fiscal competition theory. We suppose that the redistributive function is assigned to local authorities belonging to a common labour pool in which labour is perfectly mobile. The local authorities can then compete to alter the distribution of labour using their redistributive policy. Thiscompetition is called "social competition"." We show that this kind of competition is rarely Pareto efficient. This conclusion argues in favour of the creation of a "central bureau of redistribution" responsible for this function at the highest government level.
Le potentiel de croissance du commerce des pays d'Europe centrale et orientale avec la France et ses principaux partenaires
Authors: Festoc Frédérique 
Published: August 2011

Potential Growth in Central and East European Countries' Trade with France and its Leading Partners
by Frédérique Festoc
In this paper, we propose a study of the growth in trade between the European Union and the CEECs since the start of the transition. Our study focuses on the CEECs' leading EU partners and examines the breakdown of this trade by sector. We then endeavour to determine the growth potential for trade between the EU and the CEECs using gravitation models to measure the effects CEEC trade deregulation. We thus show that the European Union has rapidly become the leading trading partner for Central and East European Countries. Moreover, the results of our estimation show that the EU is likely to remain in this position. Lastly, we address the question of direct foreign investment flows.
Genetic consequences of seed banks in the perennial herb Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. petraea (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Falahati‐Anbaran Mohsen , Lundemo Sverre , Ågren Jon , Stenøien Hans K. 
Published: August 2011

• Premise of the Study: Seed banks may increase the effective population size (Ne) of plants as a result of elevated coalescence times for alleles residing in the populations. This has been empirically demonstrated in populations of the annual Arabidopsis thaliana, whereas comparable data for perennial species are currently lacking. We studied the contribution of seed banks to effective sizes of natural populations of the self‐incompatible, perennial Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. petraea, a close relative of A. thaliana.• Methods: Fourteen populations of A. lyrata collected throughout the Norwegian distribution range were analyzed using microsatellite markers.• Key Results: The genetic composition of seed‐bank and aboveground cohorts was found to be highly similar, with little genetic differentiation between cohorts in most populations. However, the proportion of private alleles was higher in aboveground than in seed‐bank cohorts. The presence of seed banks significantly increased total Ne, but the contribution from seed banks to overall Ne were lower than the contribution from aboveground cohorts in most populations. Estimated historical Ne values, reflecting the effective sizes of populations throughout the history of the species, were considerably higher than estimates of contemporary Ne, reflecting number of reproducing individuals within the past few generations.• Conclusions: The results show that the seed bank contributes to total Ne in the perennial herb A. lyrata. However, the contribution is similar to or lower than that of the above‐ground fraction of the population and markedly weaker than that previously documented in the annual A. thaliana.
Mechanical Versus Alcohol-assisted Epithelial Debridement During Photorefractive Keratectomy: A Confocal Microscopic Clinical Trial
Authors: Einollahi Bahram , Baradaran-Rafii Alireza , Rezaei-Kanavi Mozhgan , Eslani Medi , Parchegani Mohammad-Reza , Zare Mohammad , Feizi Sepehr , Karimian Farid 
Published: August 2011

PURPOSE:
To compare the effects of mechanical versus alcohol-assisted epithelial debridement on corneal cellular elements after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using confocal microscopy.

METHODS:
This randomized, clinical trial included 66 eyes from 33 patients with spherical equivalent refraction <−4.00 diopters (D). Mechanical versus alcohol-assisted epithelial debridement was performed during PRK. The right eye of each patient was randomly assigned to one group (mechanical group or alcohol-assisted group) and the fellow eye to the alternate group. Confocal examination was performed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Main outcome measures were keratocyte density and maximum anterior stromal light reflectivity.

RESULTS:

Mean epithelial healing time was 3.2±0.4 and 3.0±0.3 days in the mechanical and alcohol-assisted groups, respectively (
P
=.001). Anterior retroablation stromal keratocyte density was 704.3±119.9 cells/mm
2
and 734.3±103.7 cells/mm
2
at 3 months (
P
=.05) and 643.8±134.4 cells/mm
2
and 696.7±129.6 cells/mm
2
at 6 months (
P
=.02) in the mechanical and alcohol-assisted groups, respectively. No significant difference was noted in midstromal and posterior keratocyte density between the two groups. Maximum reflectivity was 61.56±12.64 international units (IU) and 56.93±7.86 IU in the mechanical and alcohol-assisted groups, respectively, 3 months after surgery (
P
=.018). Corresponding values were 49.46±4.97 IU and 48.98±4.60 IU, respectively, 6 months after surgery (
P
=.628).

CONCLUSIONS:
Due to more adverse effects of mechanical epithelial debridement on anterior keratocyte density and anterior stromal reflectivity, alcohol-assisted epithelial debridement is recommended as the procedure of choice for epithelial removal during PRK in patients with mild myopia.