bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Délocalisations, rotation de la main‐d'œuvre, salaires et gestion des ressources humaines: le cas des maquiladoras au Mexique
Authors: LOESS Kurt , MILLER Van V. , YOSKOWITZ David 
Published: September 2008

Résumé.Les théories du salaire d'efficience et de la formation du capital humain peuvent expliquer la forte rotation de la main‐d'œuvre dans les activités délocalisées. Cette hypothèse est vérifiée à partir d'un échantillon aléatoire stratifié de maquilas du nord du Mexique, site de délocalisation leplus ancien du monde. Les tests statis‐tiques indiquent une forte association inverse entre la rotation du personnel de production et le niveau de rémunération, ainsi que la formation du capital humain, cette dernière variable dépendant de la «génération de la maquiladora». Les auteurs exa‐minent ensuite les méthodes de gestion des ressources humaines selon les générations de maquiladoras.
N‐Acetylcysteine Improves the Clinical Conditions of Mustard Gas‐Exposed Patients with Normal Pulmonary Function Test
Authors: Ghanei Mostafa , Shohrati Majid , Jafari Mehrdad , Ghaderi Soleyman , Alaeddini Farshid , Aslani Jafar 
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  Administration of N‐acetylcysteine may be effective in diseases caused by oxidative–antioxidative imbalance. We aimed to determine the effect administration for 4 months of N‐acetylcysteine (1200 mg daily) on sulfur mustard‐induced bronchiolitis obliterans in patients with normal pulmonary function test. In a double‐blind clinical trial, 144 patients with bronchiolitis obliterans due to sulfur mustard and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome class 0, randomly entered to group 1 (n = 72, N‐acetylcysteine) and group 2 (n = 72, placebo). The changes in dyspnoea, wake‐up dyspnoea, cough and sputum were measured after 4 months using a ‘delta value’ (i.e. symptom score after 4 months – symptom score before the trial). Spirometric findings were measured at the beginning of the trial, 2 months later and 4 months later. Dyspnoea (delta value: –0.78 (0.61), P < 0.001), wake‐up dyspnoea (delta value: –0.57 (0.64), P < 0.001), and cough (delta value: –0.86 (0.63), P < 0.001) improved after 4 months of N‐acetylcysteine administration compared to the control group. N‐acetylcysteine reduced sputum from 76.9% (n = 40) of cases before the trial to 9.6% (n = 5) of cases after the trial. Spirometric components were significantly improved in N‐acetylcysteine group compared to the placebo group: FEV1 (P < 0.0001), FVC (P = 0.014) and FEV1/FVC (P = 0.003). A 4‐month trial with 1200 mg oral N‐acetylcysteine per day can be used for treating bronchitis, but is also effective in treating bronchiolitis. It also prevents sulfur mustard‐induced oxidative stress, and can be used in the treatment of sulfur mustard‐induced pulmonary disease.
Analysis of Methods to Estimate Spring Flows in a Karst Aquifer
Authors: Sepúlveda Nicasio 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHydraulically and statistically based methods were analyzed to identify the most reliable method to predict spring flows in a karst aquifer. Measured water levels at nearby observation wells, measured spring pool altitudes, and the distance between observation wells and the spring pool were the parameters used to match measured spring flows. Measured spring flows at six Upper Floridan aquifer springs in central Florida were used to assess the reliability of these methods to predict spring flows. Hydraulically based methods involved the application of the Theis, Hantush‐Jacob, and Darcy‐Weisbach equations, whereas the statistically based methods were the multiple linear regressions and the technology of artificial neural networks (ANNs). Root mean square errors between measured and predicted spring flows using the Darcy‐Weisbach method ranged between 5% and 15% of the measured flows, lower than the 7% to 27% range for the Theis or Hantush‐Jacob methods. Flows at all springs were estimated to be turbulent based on the Reynolds number derived from the Darcy‐Weisbach equation for conduit flow. The multiple linear regression and the Darcy‐Weisbach methods had similar spring flow prediction capabilities. The ANNs provided the lowest residuals between measured and predicted spring flows, ranging from 1.6% to 5.3% of the measured flows. The model prediction efficiency criteria also indicated that the ANNs were the most accurate method predicting spring flows in a karst aquifer.
Androgen replacement therapy improves function in male rat muscles independently of hypertrophy and activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway
Authors: Hourdé C. , Jagerschmidt C. , Clément‐Lacroix P. , Vignaud A. , Ammann P. , Butler‐Browne G. S. , Ferry A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim:  We analysed the effect of physiological doses of androgens following orchidectomy on skeletal muscle and bone of male rats, as well as the relationships between muscle performance, hypertrophy and the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway involved in the control of anabolic and catabolic muscle metabolism.Methods:  We studied the soleus muscle and tibia from intact rats (SHAM), orchidectomized rats treated for 3 months with vehicle (ORX), nandrolone decanoate (NAN) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT).Results:  Orchidectomy had very little effect on the soleus muscle. However, maximal force production by soleus muscle (+69%) and fatigue resistance (+35%) in NAN rats were both increased when compared with ORX rats. In contrast, DHT treatment did not improve muscle function. The relative number of muscle fibres expressing slow myosin heavy chain and citrate synthase activity were not different in NAN and ORX rats. Moreover, NAN and DHT treatments did not modify muscle weights and cross‐sectional area of muscle fibres. Furthermore, phosphorylation levels of downstream targets of the Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, Akt, ribosomal protein S6 and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E‐binding protein 1 were similar in muscles of NAN, DHT and ORX rats. In addition, trabecular tibia from NAN and DHT rats displayed higher bone mineral density and bone volume when compared with ORX rats. Only in NAN rats was this associated with increased bone resistance to fracture.Conclusion:  Physiological doses of androgens are beneficial to muscle performance in orchidectomized rats without relationship to muscle and fibre hypertrophy and activation of the Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Taken together our data clearly indicate that the activity of androgens on muscle and bone could participate in the global improvement of musculoskeletal status in the context of androgen deprivation induced by ageing.
The Mathematical Assessment of Long‐Range Linguistic Relationships
Authors: Kessler Brett 
Published: September 2008

AbstractLanguage classification differs from biological cladistics in that monogenesis cannot be assumed. Before a cladogram or family tree can be accepted, linguists must be convinced that the languages are related at all. Morpheme tables, or word lists, provide a good framework for investigating relatedness, but methodologies for quantifying and assessing the data statistically are still being developed. The comparative method furnished a viable statistic, recurrent sound correspondences, but by no means to see whether they exceeded levels expected by chance. Organizing correspondences into contingency tables permitted hypothesis testing, with Monte Carlo resampling methods providing the flexibility to support a wide variety of test statistics, including different ways of computing sound recurrences and phonetic similarity. Thus, techniques from both the comparative method and multilateral comparison can be deployed with rigorous numeric assessment. Experiments seek to increase the power of the tests to explore new hypotheses and verify long‐range language relationships.
Khoisan Languages
Authors: König Christa 
Published: September 2008

AbstractKhoisan is not a genetic unit. It consists of at least five independent lineages. Typologically, the Khoisan languages show the following dichotomy. The Khoe languages (formerly Central Khoisan) share features such as verb‐final constituent order, an amalgamated marking of person–gender–number (called pgn), and a case‐like object .marker. The remaining South African Khiosan languages (formerly Northern and Southern Khoisan) again share salient features such as a noun‐class system, and a serial verb construction of a contiguous, asymmetrical type, and a distinctly more complex phonological system.
The Authenticity of Self: Conceptualization, Personal Experience, and Practice
Authors: Vannini Phillip , Franzese Alexis 
Published: September 2008

AbstractScholars across the social sciences often use the concept of authenticity to refer to such different things as sincerity, truthfulness, originality, and the feeling and practice of being true to one's self or others. Whereas the concept of authenticity refers to all of these things, a careful employment of this concept requires a clear understanding of it. By reviewing theory and empirical research on authenticity, we aim at a more precise conceptualization of authenticity. We argue that authenticity is about being true to one's self. When one is true to one's self, one experiences authenticity. This conceptualization views authenticity as a self‐reflective and emotional experience. In order to understand authenticity, a researcher must then take into consideration at least two things: people's emotional experiences of being true or untrue to one's self and people's ideas about what their true self is.
Resisting the Neo‐liberal Poverty Discourse: On Constructing Deadbeat Dads and Welfare Queens
Authors: Cassiman Shawn A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis article describes the impact of both neo‐liberal and conservative discourse upon poverty policy and welfare reform. In it, I summarize the discursive construction of welfare queens and deadbeat dads and the influence upon welfare reform while incorporating globalization in the discursive critique. This paper also describes the resistance to the discourse evidenced by those most affected by the poverty or welfare reform discourse. I suggest ways of critically examining our own discourse as well as the welfare reform discourse and our participation in it or resistance to it. The conclusion questions assumptions about dependency, welfare receipt and justice.
Ultraviolet wavebands and melanoma initiation
Authors: Bennett Dorothy C. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryIn view of claims that ultraviolet radiation‐emitting sunbeds are safe, or safe when they emit only longer wavelengths, research findings are reviewed here on the effects of ultraviolet wavebands A and B (UVA, 315–400 nm and UVB, 290–315 nm) on mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in skin, with particular reference to melanocytes and melanoma. Both UVA and UVB radiation have been shown to induce mutations, as well as mutagenic photoproducts such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, in human skin. UVB can induce melanoma in susceptible mice and in xenografted human skin engineered to express melanocyte growth factors. There is evidence for photosensitization of melanocytes by melanin, especially pheomelanin. UVA can induce melanoma in pigmented fish, and melanocytic hyperplasia in pigmented opossums, but has not generally been tested for melanoma induction in pigmented mammals or in human skin. There is no experimental basis for a claim that UVA is safe, and recreational exposure to this known mutagen should be discouraged.
Long‐term biomechanical properties of rabbit sclera after collagen crosslinking using riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UVA)
Authors: Wollensak Gregor , Iomdina Elena 
Published: September 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  Scleral crosslinking by the photosensitizer riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UVA) has been shown to increase significantly the scleral biomechanical rigidity and might therefore become a possible sclera‐based treatment modality for progressive myopia. In the present study, the long‐term effect of the new crosslinking method on biomechanical properties was investigated in the rabbit sclera.Methods:  A 10 × 10 mm sector of the equatorial sclera of nine Chinchilla rabbit eyes was treated in vivo using a UVA double diode of 370 nm with a surface irradiance of 3 mW/cm2 and application of 0.1% riboflavin‐5‐phosphate drops as photosensitizer for 30 min. Three days, 4 months and 8 months postoperatively, biomechanical stress–strain measurements of the treated scleral strips were performed and compared to contralateral control sclera using a microcomputer‐controlled biomaterial tester. In addition, routine histological controls were performed.Results:  Following the crosslinking treatment, Young’s modulus was increased by 320% after 3 days, 277% after 4 months and 502% after 8 months, and ultimate stress by 341% after 3 days, 131% after 4 months and 213.8% after 8 months versus the controls. The decrease in ultimate strain was between 24% and 44.8%. On histology, no tissue damage was detected.Conclusion:  Our new method of scleral collagen crosslinking proved very effective and constant over a time interval of up to 8 months in increasing the scleral biomechanical strength. Therefore, the new treatment might become an option for strengthening scleral tissue in progressive myopia and other conditions associated with weakened sclera. There were no side‐effects on the retina or retinal pigment epithelium. The new crosslinking treatment could now be tested in a suitable myopia model (like the tree shrew) and finally in human eyes.
Evaluation of Leptospiral Recombinant Antigens MPL17 and MPL21 for Serological Diagnosis of Leptospirosis by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays
Authors: Oliveira Tatiane R. , Longhi Mariana T. , de Morais Zenaide M. , Romero Eliete C. , Blanco Roberta M. , Kirchgatter Karin , Vasconcellos Silvio A. , Nascimento Ana L. T. O. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of multisystem involvement caused by pathogenic strains of the genus
Leptospira
. In the last few years, intensive studies aimed at the development of a vaccine have provided important knowledge about the nature of the immunological mechanisms of the host. The purpose of this study was to analyze the immune responses to two recombinant proteins, MPL17 and MPL21 (encoded by the genes LIC10765 and LIC13131, respectively) of
Leptospira interrogans
serovar Copenhageni in individuals during infection. The recombinant proteins were expressed in
Escherichia coli
as six-His tag fusion proteins and were purified from the soluble bacterial fraction by affinity chromatography with Ni
2+
-charged resin. The recombinant proteins were used to evaluate their ability to bind to immunoglobulin G (IgG) (and IgG subclass) or IgM antibodies in serum samples from patients in the early and convalescent phases of leptospirosis (
n
= 52) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The prevalences of total IgG antibodies against MPL17 and MPL21 were 38.5% and 21.2%, respectively. The titers achieved with MPL17 were statistically significantly higher than those obtained by the reference microscopic agglutination test. The specificity of the assay was estimated to be 95.5% for MPL17 and 80.6% for MPL21 when serum samples from individuals with unrelated febrile diseases and control healthy donors were tested. The proteins are conserved among
Leptospira
strains that cause human and animal diseases. MPL17 and MPL21 are most likely new surface proteins of leptospires, as revealed by liquid-phase immunofluorescence assays with living organisms. Our results demonstrate that these recombinant proteins are highly immunogenic and, when they are used together, might be useful as a means of diagnosing leptospirosis.
Specificity of L1 Peptides versus Virus-Like Particles for Detection of Human Papillomavirus-Positive Cervical Lesions in Females Attending Engativa Hospital, Bogota, Colombia
Authors: Urquiza Mauricio , Sánchez Ricardo , Amaya Jairo , León Sandra , Acosta Jenny , Patarroyo Manuel A. , Camargo Milena , Patarroyo Manuel E. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT
A serological test for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in females at risk of developing cervical cancer could be based on conserved L1 peptides with low levels of antigenicity specifically recognized by antibodies from patients with cervical lesions infected with high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types. The aim was to assess the ability of L1 peptides 18283, 18294, and 18301 compared with the ability of virus-like particles (VLPs) to identify these infections in females. A total of 391 HPV-infected female volunteers were interviewed, and peripheral blood and cervical cells were obtained for detection of anti-HPV antibodies and HPV DNA; all of the patients had a Pap smear test; 287 patients were referred for colposcopy or biopsy, according to gynecological criteria. The level of agreement, as determined by the use of the Lin coefficient (rho value), showed that 75 to 83% of females with HR-HPV DNA-positive cervical lesions had antibodies that recognized VLPs and peptide 18283, 18294, or 18301, while 15 to 23% of the HPV DNA-negative females with a normal cytology had antibodies that recognized these three peptides and 45% had antibodies that recognized VLPs. The rate of agreement between peptides and VLPs for antibody detection was higher for patients with HPV DNA-positive cervical lesions. Peptides 18283, 18294, and 18301 showed similar sensitivities for the detection of HR-HPV DNA-positive cervical lesions and were more specific than VLPs. Peptide 18301 might be detecting protective antibodies in HPV DNA-negative females with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. These peptides could be useful for the design of a serology test for the detection of HR-HPV infection in females with cervical lesions and at risk of cervical cancer.
Differences between Two Real-Time PCR-Based Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Assays (RealTime HCV and Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan) and One Signal Amplification Assay (Versant HCV RNA 3.0) for RNA Detection and Quantification
Authors: Vermehren Johannes , Kau Annika , Gärtner Barbara C. , Göbel Reinhild , Zeuzem Stefan , Sarrazin Christoph 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA detection and quantification are the key diagnostic tools for the management of hepatitis C. Commercially available HCV RNA assays are calibrated to the HCV genotype 1 (gt1)-based WHO standard. Significant differences between assays have been reported. However, it is unknown which assay matches the WHO standard best, and little is known about the sensitivity and linear quantification of the assays for non-gt1 specimens. Two real-time reverse transcriptase PCR-based assays (RealTime HCV and Cobas Ampliprep/Cobas TaqMan HCV [CAP/CTM]) and one signal amplification-based assay (the Versant HCV RNA, version 3.0, branched DNA [bDNA] assay) were compared for their abilities to quantify HCV RNA in clinical specimens (
n
= 65) harboring HCV isolates of gt1 to g5. The mean differences in the amounts detected by RealTime HCV in comparison to those detected by the bDNA assay and CAP/CTM were −0.02 and 0.72 log
10
IU/ml HCV RNA, respectively, for gt1; −0.22 and 0.03 log
10
IU/ml HCV RNA, respectively, for gt2; −0.27 and −0.22 log
10
IU/ml HCV RNA, respectively, for gt3; −0.19 and −1.27 log
10
IU/ml HCV RNA, respectively, for gt4; and −0.03 and 0.09 log
10
IU/ml HCV RNA, respectively, for gt5. The lower limits of detection for RealTime HCV and CAP/CTM were 16.8 and 10.3 IU/ml, respectively, for the WHO standard and in the range of 4.7 to 9.0 and 3.4 to 44.4 IU/ml, respectively, for clinical specimens harboring gt1 to gt6. Direct comparison of the two assays with samples of the WHO standard (code 96/798) with high titers yielded slightly smaller amounts by RealTime HCV (−0.2 log
10
at 1,500 IU/ml and −0.3 log
10
at 25,000 IU/ml) and larger amounts by CAP/CTM (0.3 log
10
at 1,500 IU/ml and 0.2 log
10
at 25,000 IU/ml). Finally, all three tests were linear between 4.0 × 10
3
and 1.0 × 10
6
IU/ml (correlation coefficient, ≥0.99). In conclusion, the real-time PCR based assays sensitively detected all genotypes and showed comparable linearities for the quantification of HCV RNA, with the exception of gt1 and gt4. The previously reported differences in the absolute quantification of samples harboring gt1 were confirmed and may be explained by different calibrations to the WHO standard.
Highly Sensitive Amperometric Immunosensor for Detection of
Plasmodium falciparum
Histidine-Rich Protein 2 in Serum of Humans with Malaria: Comparison with a Commercial Kit
Authors: Sharma Mukesh K. , Rao Vepa K. , Agarwal Gauri S. , Rai Ganga P. , Gopalan N. , Prakash Shri , Sharma S. K. , Vijayaraghavan R. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

A disposable amperometric immunosensor was developed for the detection of
Plasmodium falciparum
histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP-2) in the sera of humans with
P. falciparum
malaria. For this purpose, disposable screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) were modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Au nanoparticles. The electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. In order to study the immunosensing performances of modified electrodes, a rabbit anti-PfHRP-2 antibody (as the capturing antibody) was first immobilized on an electrode. Further, the electrode was exposed to a mouse anti-PfHRP-2 antibody from a serum sample (as the revealing antibody), followed by a rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulin G-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. The immunosensing experiments were performed on bare SPEs, MWCNT-modified SPEs, and Au nanoparticle- and MWCNT-modified SPEs (Nano-Au/MWCNT/SPEs) for the amperometric detection of PfHRP-2 in a solution of 0.1 M diethanolamine buffer, pH 9.8, by applying a potential of 450 mV at the working electrode. Nano-Au/MWCNT/SPEs yielded the highest-level immunosensing performance among the electrodes, with a detection limit of 8 ng/ml. The analytical results of immunosensing experiments with human serum samples were compared with the results of a commercial Paracheck Pf test, as well as the results of microscopy. The specificities, sensitivities, and positive and negative predictive values of the Paracheck Pf and amperometric immunosensors were calculated by taking the microscopy results as the “gold standard.” The Paracheck Pf kit exhibited a sensitivity of 79% (detecting 34 of 43 positive samples; 95% confidence interval [CI], 75 to 86%) and a specificity of 81% (correctly identifying 57 of 70 negative samples; 95% CI, 76 to 92%), whereas the developed amperometric immunosensor showed a sensitivity of 96% (detecting 41 of 43 positive samples; 95% CI, 93 to 98%) and a specificity of 94% (correctly identifying 66 of 70 negative samples; 95% CI, 92 to 99%). The developed method is more sensitive and specific than the Paracheck Pf kit.
Real-Time Reverse-Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Rapid Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus
Authors: Peyrefitte Christophe N. , Boubis Laetitia , Coudrier Daniel , Bouloy Michèle , Grandadam Marc , Tolou Hugues J. , Plumet Sébastien 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT
The development and validation of a one-step, single-tube, real-time accelerated reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) for the detection of the L RNA segment of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) are described. The assay was performed at a constant temperature (63°C), with a real-time follow-up using a LightCycler and a double-stranded-DNA-intercalating fluorochrome. The assay is highly sensitive and comparable to real-time RT-PCR, with a detection limit of ∼10 RNA copies per assay. However, the RT-LAMP assay is much faster than traditional RT-PCR and generates results in <30 min for most diluted samples. The specificity of the primers was established using other, related arboviruses as well as virus-containing and virus-free sera. The RT-LAMP assay reported here is thus a valuable tool for the rapid detection of RVFV in field diagnostic laboratories.