bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Les défis de la compétitivité en Belgique
Authors: Vandecandelaere Siska , Yasse Sébastien 
Published: April 2012

Résumé Le présent article décrit les défis de la compétitivité de la Belgique et se base sur la note rédigée à ce sujet conjointement par la BNB, le BFP et le secrétariat du CCE. Cette note montre une image nuancée de la compétitivité de la Belgique. D’une part, l’économie belge occupe une bonne place au sein de l’Europe puisqu’elle affiche un PIB par habitant élevé ainsi qu’un solde courant positif. Cette position est cependant mise à l’épreuve ainsi qu’il ressort de la baisse du surplus de la balance commerciale et de la croissance plus rapide des CUT que la moyenne des trois pays voisins. En outre, la concurrence mondiale exacerbée par la disponibilité limitée de l’énergie et de matières premières ainsi que par le vieillissement ne manquera sans doute pas de peser sur notre prospérité dans les années à venir. Si l’économie belge veut pérenniser son modèle social, elle devra apporter une réponse à ces évolutions profondes. JEL : L16, O47 en O52
La loi relative à la promotion de l'emploi et à la sauvegarde préventive de la compétitivité : bilan et perspectives
Authors: Bogaert Henri 
Published: April 2012

Résumé Cet article tente de faire un bref bilan de la loi de 1996 relative à la promotion de l’emploi et à la sauvegarde préventive de la compétitivité. Que dit la loi ? Comment celle-ci a-t-elle été appliquée ? D’où proviennent les dérapages des salaires par rapport à ceux de nos voisins ? Comment améliorer le fonctionnement de la loi ? Voilà quelques questions auxquelles il est brièvement fait écho. Le constat est que la loi a été un instrument de gestion macroéconomique remarquable, même si il y a des améliorations indispensables à apporter, en particulier dans ses aspects structurels. Dommage que la Grèce, le Portugal ou l’Italie n’ont pas pu bénéficier d’une telle loi !
‘New Industrial Policy' in Flanders: An Integrated Policy Framework for a New Productivity Revolution
Authors: Larosse Jan 
Published: April 2012

Résumé La nouvelle politique industrielle pour la Flandre s’inscrit dans une nouvelle génération de politiques industrielles pour le vingt et unième siècle. Elle replace le défi de la Flandre en matière de compétitivité dans le cadre d’une politique de transformation visant le développement de « clusters » internationaux basés sur la connaissance, en conformité avec le plan d’avenir du gouvernement flamand « La Flandre en action ». Le présent article explore les facteurs de succès d’une telle politique de changement structurel dans le contexte du ralentissement de la productivité, qui représente un défi pour toutes les économies développées, et en particulier pour l’économie flamande. Une analyse concrète des performances économiques de la Flandre révèle que le modèle de compétitivité et de croissance s’est appuyé trop longtemps sur une stratégie d’intensification du capital plutôt que sur l’innovation. En outre, la fragmentation institutionnelle de la Belgique a créé des déséquilibres structurels dans le système d’innovation flamand entre la structure scientifique et industrielle, des déséquilibres qui entravent la transition vers un nouveau modèle de croissance. En publiant en mai 2011 le « Livre blanc pour une nouvelle politique industrielle pour la Flandre », le gouvernement flamand a pris acte que la désindustrialisation était une menace pour l’ambition de la Flandre de figurer parmi les régions leaders de l’Europe et qu’il était nécessaire d’adopter une nouvelle stratégie d’innovation industrielle axée sur les chaînes de valeur et les clusters. Le Livre blanc a posé les fondements de cette nouvelle politique de transformation avec une vision forte pour la « Nouvelle usine du futur », une coordination renforcée entre les domaines politiques et une grande mobilisation des parties prenantes. La nouvelle approche reconnaît que la transition vers une économie portée par l’innovation nécessite une nouvelle révolution en matière de productivité, via la mobilisation de l’ensemble des ressources sous-utilisées dans la « productivité globale des facteurs », mais le succès dépendra de la mise en œuvre d’un cadre politique intégré et d’une gouvernance stratégique adéquate. Codes JEL : L52, O38, O43 en O52
Guidelines for Evaluating and Managing Children Born with Disorders of Sexual Development
Authors: Douglas Ganka , Axelrad Marni E. , Brandt Mary L. , Crabtree Elizabeth , Dietrich Jennifer E. , French Shannon , Gunn Sheila , Karaviti Lefkothea , Lopez Monica E. , Macias Charles G. , McCullough Laurence B. , Suresh Deepa , Austin Elise , Reid Sutton V. 
Published: April 2012

Children born with disorders of sexual differentiation (DSD) pose numerous challenges for the parents, family, and treating physicians. The pediatrician is usually the first medical contact for newborns with DSD or for toddlers and children who present with DSD at a later time.
Several years ago, we formed a Gender Medicine Team (GMT) at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) to explore and evaluate the most appropriate management strategies, which had long been a matter of concern and contention. Subsequently, the GMT, composed of experts in the fields of endocrinology, ethics, genetics, gynecology, psychology, pediatric surgery, and urology, formed a Task Force to evaluate the information available from our own experiences and from reviews of the literature. Utilizing the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to assess the evidence and recommendations, the Task Force developed a consensus statement for clinical management of DSD and for making appropriate sex assignments.
Tendon Sheath Fibroma in the Thigh
Authors: Moretti Vincent M. , Ashana Adedayo O. , de la Cruz Michael , Lackman Richard D. 
Published: April 2012

Tendon sheath fibromas are rare, benign soft tissue tumors that are predominantly found in the fingers, hands, and wrists of young adult men. This article describes a tendon sheath fibroma that developed in the thigh of a 70-year-old man, the only known tendon sheath fibroma to form in this location. Similar to tendon sheath fibromas that develop elsewhere, our patient’s lesion presented as a painless, slow-growing soft tissue nodule. Physical examination revealed a firm, nontender mass with no other associated signs or symptoms. Although the imaging appearance of tendon sheath fibromas varies, our patient’s lesion appeared dark on T1- and bright on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. It was well marginated and enhanced with contrast.
Histologically, tendon sheath fibromas are composed of dense fibrocollagenous stromas with scattered spindle-shaped fibroblasts and narrow slit-like vascular spaces. Most tendon sheath fibromas can be successfully removed by marginal excision, although 24% of lesions recur. No lesions have metastasized. Our patient’s tendon sheath fibroma was removed by marginal excision, and the patient remained disease free 35 months postoperatively. Despite its rarity, tendon sheath fibroma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a thigh mass on physical examination or imaging, especially if it is painless, nontender, benign appearing, and present in men.
Total En Bloc Spondylectomy of L3 Vertebra for Histiocytic Sarcoma
Authors: Lin Bin , Chen Zhi-wen , Wang Ning , Guo Zhi-min , Liu Hui , Zeng Ming 
Published: April 2012

This article describes a rare malignant spinal tumor successfully treated with total en bloc spondylectomy via a posterior approach. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the occurrence of primary histiocytic sarcoma in the lumbar spine. Histiocytic sarcomas are rare, malignant neoplasms of the lymphohematopoietic system that usually occur in the skin, lymph nodes, and intestinal tracts. Primary spinal column histiocytic sarcoma is rare. To the authors’ knowledge, no reports have been published of treating this tumor with total en bloc spondylectomy.
A 27-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of intermittent low back pain and right lower extremity pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) revealed a lumbar vertebra tumor. Positron emission tomography/CT showed focal accumulation in the tumor site. The patient was diagnosed with a histiocytic sarcoma based on biopsy findings and underwent total en bloc spondylectomy of L3 and reconstruction via a posterior approach. The patient maintained normal neurologic function, and the pain was lessened. No major complications occurred. No radiotherapy or chemotherapy was administered postoperatively, and no local tumor recurrence or distant metastases existed at 2-year follow-up.
The diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma relies predominantly on the verification of histiocytic lineage and the exclusion of other, poorly differentiated, large-cell malignancies by immunohistochemical stain. Total en bloc spondylectomy at L3 via a posterior approach can be performed safely and is an important approach in the treatment of selected spinal tumors.
Anomalous single pulmonary venous trunk
Authors: Rasheed Hadi Abu , Reinking Benjamin E 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe present a rare case of a single pulmonary venous trunk that drains all pulmonary segments to the left atrium. This anomaly may mimic pulmonary arteriovenous malformation on imaging. This report briefly discusses the embryology of the pulmonary veins and the classification of the pulmonary veins anomalies.
Outer Retinal Thickness and Retinal Sensitivity in Macula-off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment after Successful Reattachment
Authors: Baba Takayuki , Mizuno Satoshi , Tatsumi Tomoaki , Hagiwara Akira , Sato Eiju , Oshitari Toshiyuki , Yamamoto Shuichi 
Published: April 2012

Purpose. To determine the relationship between the retinal thickness and sensitivity of the macular region after successful reattachment of an acute macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods. Twenty-three eyes of 23 patients with an acute macula-off RRD were studied (17 men, 6 women). The mean age of the patients was 53.2±14.7 years with a range from 20 to 73 years. The interval between the decrease in vision and surgery was <14 days in all cases. At 3 and 6 months after the surgery, the thickness of the inner and outer retina was determined by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and the retinal sensitivity was measured by microperimetry with MP-1. The values were compared to those obtained from the unaffected fellow eyes. Changes in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), retinal thickness, and retinal sensitivity at 3 and 6 months from the baseline values were studied. Results. Ten eyes were treated by scleral buckling (SB) and 13 eyes by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and the retina was reattached in all eyes. The mean BCVA was significantly improved at 3 and 6 months postoperatively (p<0.001, <0.001). The outer retina of macula was significantly thicker after SB than after PPV (p=0.023 at 3 months; p=0.045 at 6 months). The retinal sensitivity of the central 10 degrees of the retinas after SB was lower than that of eyes after PPV (p=0.029 at 3 months and p=0.008 at 6 months). Conclusions. The delay in the recovery of outer retinal thickness may be the cause of the lower sensitivity of the macula.
Relationships between progesterone receptor isoforms and the HER/ErbB receptors and ligands network in 299 primary breast cancers
Authors: Lindet Clothilde , Révillion Françoise , Lhotellier Valérie , Hornez Louis , Peyrat Jean-Philippe , Bonneterre Jacques 
Published: April 2012

Background The effects of progesterone are mediated by 2 progesterone receptors (PR), PR-A and PR-B. Recently, several lines of evidence have suggested that reduced PR expression may result from hyperactivity in the signaling cascade generated by the HER/ErbB family. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between PR isoforms and the network of the HER/ErbB receptors and ligands in breast cancer. Patients and methods 299 breast cancer samples from patients operated in our institute for locoregional disease between May 1989 and December 1991 were included. The mRNA expression of total PR-A+B isoforms and PR-B isoform were quantified by real time quantitative RT-PCR using TaqMan® probes. Results mRNA levels of the PR isoforms positively correlated with protein levels of estradiol receptors (ER) and PR. The PR isoforms mRNA levels were inversely correlated with clinicopathological markers of tumor aggressiveness, such as sBR grading and lymph node involvement. The PR isoforms positively correlated with the mRNA levels of HER/ErbB receptors and ligands associated with a more differentiated phenotype (HER3, HER4, EGF, AREG, NRG3 and NRG4) while they correlated negatively with those associated with aggressiveness (EGFR, TGFa, HB-EGF, EREG, and NRG2). Conclusion Our results demonstrate the existence of strong correlations between mRNA levels of the PR isoforms, protein levels of hormone receptors, HER/ErbB receptors and ligands network, and thus suggest that crosstalks between PR and the HER family are a hallmark of breast cancer growth.
Processing and Low Voltage Switching of Organic Ferroelectric Phase‐Separated Bistable Diodes
Authors: Li Mengyuan , Stingelin Natalie , Michels Jasper J. , Spijkman Mark‐Jan , Asadi Kamal , Beerends Rene , Biscarini Fabio , Blom Paul W. M. , de Leeuw Dago M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe processing of solution‐based binary blends of the ferroelectric random copolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) P(VDF‐TrFE) and the semiconducting polymer poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl) (PFO) applied by spin‐coating and wire‐bar coating is investigated. By systematic variation of blend composition, solvent, and deposition temperature it is shown that much smoother blend films can be obtained than reported thus far. At a low PFO:P(VDF‐TrFE) ratio the blend film consists of disk‐shaped PFO domains embedded in a P(VDF‐TrFE) matrix, while an inverted structure is obtained in case the P(VDF‐TrFE) is the minority component. The microstructure of the phase separated blend films is self‐affine. From this observation and from the domain size distribution it is concluded that the phase separation occurs via spinodal decomposition, irrespectively of blend ratio. This is explained by the strong incompatibility of the two polymers expressed by the binary phase diagram, as constructed from thermal analysis data. Time resolved numerical simulation of the microstructure evolution during de‐mixing qualitatively shows how an elevated deposition temperature has a smoothening effect as a result of the reduction of the repulsion between the blend components. The small roughness allowed the realization of bistable rectifying diodes that switch at low voltages with a yield of 100%. This indicates that memory characteristics can be tailored from the outset while processing parameters can be adjusted according to the phase behavior of the active components.
A Facile Approach to Chemically Modified Graphene and its Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Zaman Izzuddin , Kuan Hsu‐Chiang , Meng Qingshi , Michelmore Andrew , Kawashima Nobuyuki , Pitt Terry , Zhang Liqun , Gouda Sherif , Luong Lee , Ma Jun 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA scalable approach for the mass production of chemically modified graphene has yet to be developed, which holds the key to the large‐scale production of stable graphene colloids for optical electronics, energy conversion, and storage materials, catalysis, sensors, composites, etc. Here, a facile approach to fabricating covalently modified graphene and its polymer nanocomposites is presented. The method involves: i) employing a common furnace, rather than a furnace installed with a quartz tube and operated in inert gas as required in previous studies, to treat a commercial graphite intercalation compound with thermal shocking and ultrasonication and fabricate graphene platelets (GnPs) with a thickness of 2.51 ± 0.39 nm that contain only 7 at% oxygen; ii) grafting these GnPs with a commercial, long‐chain surfactant, which is able to create molecular entanglement with polymer matrixes by taking advantage of the reactions between the epoxide groups of the platelets and the end amine groups of the surfactant, to produce chemically modified graphene platelets (m‐ GnPs); and iii) solution‐mixing m‐GnPs with a commonly used polymer to fabricate nanocomposites. These m‐GnPs are well dispersed in a polymer with highly improved mechanical properties and a low percolation threshold of electrical conductivity at 0.25 vol%. This novel approach could lead to the future scalable production of graphene and its nanocomposites.
An Electrical Rectifier Based on Au Nanoparticle Array Fabricated Using Direct‐Write Electron Beam Lithography
Authors: Radha Boya , Kulkarni Giridhar U. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractClose‐packed arrays of Au nanoparticles are produced in patterned regions by electron beam (e‐beam) lithography using a highly sensitive direct–write resist, N+AuCl4−(C8H17)4Br. While the e–beam causes dewetting of the resist to nucleate Au nanoparticles, the following step of thermolysis aids particle growth and removal of the organic part. Thus formed arrays contain Au nanoparticles. Such arrays are patterned into ≈10 μm wide stripes between Au contact pads on SiO2/Si substrates to realize electrical rectification. Under forward bias, the device exhibits a threshold voltage of +4.3 V and a high current rectification ratio of 3 × 105, which are stable over many repetitive measurements. The threshold voltage of the rectifier can be reduced by applying an electric stress or by varying the electron dosage used for array formation. The nanoparticle rectifier element could be transferred onto flexible substrates such as PDMS, where the nanoparticle coupling is influenced by swelling of the substrate. Obviously, the nanoparticle size, shape, and the spacing in array are all important for the rectifier device performance. Based on the electrical measurements the mechanism of rectification is found to be due to switching of electrical conduction with applied bias, from short–distance tunneling to F–N type tunneling followed by transient filament formation.
Amino N‐Oxide Functionalized Conjugated Polymers and their Amino‐Functionalized Precursors: New Cathode Interlayers for High‐Performance Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Guan Xing , Zhang Kai , Huang Fei , Bazan Guillermo C. , Cao Yong 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA series of amino N‐oxide functionalized polyfluorene homopolymers and copolymers (PNOs) are synthesized by oxidizing their amino functionalized precursor polymers (PNs) with hydrogen peroxide. Excellent solubility in polar solvents and good electron injection from high work‐function metals make PNOs good candidates for interfacial modification of solution processed multilayer polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) and polymer solar cells (PSCs). Both PNOs and PNs are used as cathode interlayers in PLEDs and PSCs. It is found that the resulting devices show much better performance than devices based on a bare Al cathode. The effect of side chain and main chain variations on the device performance is investigated. PNOs/Al cathode devices exhibit better performance than PNs/Al cathode devices. Moreover, devices incorporating polymers with para‐linkage of pyridinyl moieties exhibit better performance than those using polymers with meta‐linked counterparts. With a poly[(2,7‐(9,9‐bis(6‐(N,N‐diethylamino)‐hexyl N‐oxide)fluorene))‐alt‐(2,5‐pyridinyl)] (PF6NO25Py) cathode interlayer, the resulting device exhibits a luminance efficiency of 16.9 cd A−1 and a power conversion efficiency of 6.9% for PLEDs and PSCs, respectively. These results indicate that PNOs are promising new cathode interlayers for modifying a range of optoelectronic devices.
The Piezotronic Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanowires Studied by In Situ TEM
Authors: Yang Shize , Wang Lifen , Tian Xuezeng , Xu Zhi , Wang Wenlong , Bai Xuedong , Wang Enge 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPiezotronics is a new field integrating piezoelectric effect into nanoelectronics, which has attracted much attention for the fundamental research and potential applications. In this paper, the piezotronic effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires, including the response of the electrical transport and photoconducting behaviors on the nanowire bending, has been investigated by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), where the crystal structure of ZnO nanowires were simultaneously imaged. Serials of consecutively recorded current‐voltage (I–V) curves along with an increase of nanowire bending show the striking effect of bending on their electrical behavior. With increasing the nanowire bending, the photocurrent of ZnO nanowire under ultraviolet illumination (UV) drops dramatically and the photo response time becomes much shorter. In addition, the dynamic nanomechanics of ZnO nanowires were studied inside TEM. These phenomena could be attributed to the piezoelectric effect of ZnO nanowires, and they suggest the potential applications of ZnO nanowires on piezotronic devices.
Functional Fibers with Unique Wettability Inspired by Spider Silks
Authors: Bai Hao , Ju Jie , Zheng Yongmei , Jiang Lei 
Published: April 2012

AbstractSpider silk has been an attractive biopolymer since ancient times. Learning from both its excellent properties and spinning process, silk provides people with inspiration to develop functional fibers. Recently, inspired by shiny water droplets on a spider's web, we revealed that the capture silk of the cribellate spider would deform to have a special periodic spindle‐knots structure and hence displayed unique wettability, making it efficient at directional water‐collecting. This provides insights in designing functional fibers with unique wettability, by either creating special structures on the fiber surface, or modifying it with responsive molecules. These bioinspired functional fibers may find applications in many fields, such as water collection, smart catalysis, filtration, and sensing.
Technology evaluation and decision making for sustainability enhancement of industrial systems under uncertainty
Authors: Liu Zheng , Huang Yinlun 
Published: April 2012

AbstractTechnology‐based sustainability enhancement is a key approach for industrial sustainability realization. However, identification of effective technologies for any industrial system could be very challenging. If the available data and information about the industrial system and technologies are incomplete, imprecise, and uncertain, then technology identification could be very difficult. In this article, the authors introduce a simple, yet systematic interval‐parameter‐based methodology for identifying quickly superior solutions under uncertainty for sustainability performance improvement. The methodology is general enough for the study of sustainability enhancement problems of any size and scope. A case study on sustainable development of biodiesel manufacturing demonstrates methodological efficacy. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 1841–1852, 2012