bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethanol Extract ofLepidium apetalumSeed Elicits Contractile Response and Attenuates Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Secretion in Beating Rabbit Atria
Authors: Kim Seung Ju , Kim Hye Yoom , Lee Yun Jung , Cui Hao Zhen , Jang Ji Yeon , Kang Dae Gill , Lee Ho Sub
Published: October 2013

The seeds ofLepidium apetalumWilldenow (called “Tinglizi” in China and “Jungryukza” in Korea) have been used to discharge phlegm and improve dropsy in Oriental medicine. The present study investigated the effects of ethanol extract of the seeds ofLepidium apetalum(ELA) on atrial dynamics and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion in beating rabbit atria. ELA increased atrial stroke volume, pulse pressure, and cAMP efflux, concomitantly attenuating ANP secretion in a dose-dependent manner. ELA-induced increases in atrial stroke volume, pulse pressure, and cAMP levels and decrease in ANP secretion were not inhibited by pretreatment with staurosporine, a nonspecific protein kinase inhibitor, or diltiazem and verapamil, the L-type Ca2+channel blockers, respectively. Helveticoside, a well-known digitalis-like cardiac glycosidic constituent of ELA, also increased atrial dynamics, including stroke volume and pulse pressure, without changing cAMP efflux and ANP secretion, and the effects of helveticoside were not inhibited by pretreatment with staurosporine, diltiazem, and verapamil. These results suggest that the ELA-induced positive inotropic activity in beating rabbit atria might, at least partly, be due to the digitalis-like activity of helveticoside rather than an increase in cAMP efflux.
Crocus sativusL. (Saffron) Stigma Aqueous Extract Induces Apoptosis in Alveolar Human Lung Cancer Cells through Caspase-Dependent Pathways Activation
Authors: Samarghandian Saeed , Borji Abasalt , Farahmand Seyed Kazem , Afshari Reza , Davoodi Saeideh
Published: October 2013

Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common form of cancer. Saffron has been used in folk medicine for centuries. We investigated the potential of saffron to induce cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in lung cancer cells (A549). We also examined the caspase-dependent pathways activation of saffron-induced apoptosis against the A549 cells. A549 cells were incubated with different concentrations of saffron extract; then cell morphological changes, cell viability, and apoptosis were determined by the normal invertmicroscope, MTT assay, Annexin V and propidium iodide, and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Activated caspases were detected by treatment of saffron in lung cancer cells using fluorescein-labeled inhibitors of polycaspases. The proliferation of the A549 cells were decreased after treatment with saffron in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased with saffron concentrations. Saffron induced morphological changes, decreased percentage of viable cells, and induced apoptosis. Saffron could induce apoptosis in the A549 cells and activate caspase pathways. The levels of caspases involved in saffron-induced apoptosis in the A549 cells indicating caspase-dependent pathway were induced by saffron. The anticancer activity of the aqueous extract of saffron could be attributed partly to its inhibition of the cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells through caspase-dependent pathways activation.
Unsupervised Performance Evaluation Strategy for Bridge Superstructure Based on Fuzzy Clustering and Field Data
Authors: Jiao Yubo , Liu Hanbing , Zhang Peng , Wang Xianqiang , Wei Haibin
Published: October 2013

Performance evaluation of a bridge is critical for determining the optimal maintenance strategy. An unsupervised bridge superstructure state assessment method is proposed in this paper based on fuzzy clustering and bridge field measured data. Firstly, the evaluation index system of bridge is constructed. Secondly, a certain number of bridge health monitoring data are selected as clustering samples to obtain the fuzzy similarity matrix and fuzzy equivalent matrix. Finally, different thresholds are selected to form dynamic clustering maps and determine the best classification based on statistic analysis. The clustering result is regarded as a sample base, and the bridge state can be evaluated by calculating the fuzzy nearness between the unknown bridge state data and the sample base. Nanping Bridge in Jilin Province is selected as the engineering project to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Light Reduction Capabilities of Homemade and Commercial Incubator Covers in NICU
Authors: Ludington-Hoe Susan M. , Abouelfettoh Amel
Published: October 2013

Reduction of high-risk neonates’ exposure to aversive light stimulation is an important component of developmentally supportive care. In neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), usually light is reduced by reducing the room’s light level or by using incubator covers. Many types of incubator covers are in use, including homemade and commercial covers. A comparative study was used to determine the light reducing capabilities of 19 homemade incubator covers, 2 commercial covers, and 1 receiving blanket. The covers were tested by covering and uncovering an incubator and an oxygen hood in the NICU during daytime and nighttime lightings. The light reducing capabilities value was determined for each cover using an Extech light dosimeter when the cover was placed over and removed from an oxyhood, and an incubator. The study showed that the light reducing capability of the commercial covers was 91.2%, the homemade covers capability was 72.1%, and the receiving blankets capability was 55.1%. A significant difference between the commercial and homemade covers was found (F=452.50,P<0.00). Commercial incubator covers are the most effective covers to achieve light reduction; homemade covers can be effective if made large enough so that they completely cover all sides of the incubator.
Best Proximity Points of Generalized Semicyclic Impulsive Self-Mappings: Applications to Impulsive Differential and Difference Equations
Authors: De la Sen M. , Karapinar E.
Published: October 2013

This paper is devoted to the study of convergence properties of distances between points and the existence and uniqueness of best proximity and fixed points of the so-called semicyclic impulsive self-mappings on the union of a number of nonempty subsets in metric spaces. The convergences of distances between consecutive iterated points are studied in metric spaces, while those associated with convergence to best proximity points are set in uniformly convex Banach spaces which are simultaneously complete metric spaces. The concept of semicyclic self-mappings generalizes the well-known one of cyclic ones in the sense that the iterated sequences built through such mappings are allowed to have images located in the same subset as their pre-image. The self-mappings under study might be in the most general case impulsive in the sense that they are composite mappings consisting of two self-mappings, and one of them is eventually discontinuous. Thus, the developed formalism can be applied to the study of stability of a class of impulsive differential equations and that of their discrete counterparts. Some application examples to impulsive differential equations are also given.
Distributed Adaptive Synchronization for Complex Dynamical Networks with Uncertain Nonlinear Neutral-Type Coupling
Authors: Miao Shi , Junmin Li
Published: October 2013

Distributed adaptive synchronization control for complex dynamical networks with nonlinear derivative coupling is proposed. The distributed adaptive strategies are constituted by directed connections among nodes. By means of the parameters separation, the nonlinear functions can be transformed into the linearly form. Then effective distributed adaptive techniques are designed to eliminate the effect of time-varying parameters and made the considered network synchronize a given trajectory in the sense of square error norm. Furthermore, the coupling matrix is not assumed to be symmetric or irreducible. An example shows the applicability and feasibility of the approach.
Induction of Th17 Lymphocytes and Treg Cells by Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Estrada-Capetillo Lizbeth , Hernández-Castro Berenice , Monsiváis-Urenda Adriana , Alvarez-Quiroga Crisol , Layseca-Espinosa Esther , Abud-Mendoza Carlos , Baranda Lourdes , Urzainqui Ana , Sánchez-Madrid Francisco , González-Amaro Roberto
Published: October 2013

Dendritic cells (DCs) have a key role in the regulation of immune response. We herein explored, in patients with inflammatory diseases, the role of monocyte derived DC’s (mo-DCs) on the generation of Th17 and T regulatory (Treg) lymphocytes. Peripheral blood was obtained from thirty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), twelve with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and twenty healthy subjects. Mo-DCs were generated under standard (IL-4/GM-CSF) or tolerogenic (IL-4/GM-CSF plus recombinant P-selectin or PD-1 or IL-10) conditions, and their ability to induce Th17 and Treg lymphocytes was tested. We detected that mo-DCs from patients with RA showed an enhanced release of IL-6 and IL-23 as well as an increased capability to induce Th17 cells. Although mo-DCs from SLE patients also released high levels of IL-6/IL-23, it did not show an increased ability to induce Th17 lymphocytes. In addition, mo-DCs, from patients with RA and SLE generated under the engagement of PSGL-1, showed a defective capability to induce Foxp3+ Treg cells. A similar phenomenon was observed in SLE, when DC’s cells were generated under PDL-1 engagement. Our data indicate that DCs from patients with rheumatic inflammatory disease show an aberrant function that may have an important role in the pathogenesis of these conditions.
The Impact of Price Comparison Service on Pricing Strategy in a Dual-Channel Supply Chain
Authors: Xu Qi , Liu Zheng , Shen Bin
Published: October 2013

Recently, price comparison service (PCS) websites are more and more popular due to its features in facilitating transparent price and promoting rational purchase decision. Motivated by the industrial practices, in this study, we examine the pricing strategies of retailers and supplier in a dual-channel supply chain influenced by the signals of PCS. We categorize and discuss three situations according to the signal availability of PCS, under which the optimal pricing strategies are derived. Finally, we conduct a numerical study and find that in fact the retailers and supplier are all more willing to avoid the existence of PCS with the objective of profit maximization. When both of retailers are affected by the PCS, the supplier is more willing to reduce the availability of price information. Important managerial insights are discussed.
Effect of Subgrains on the Performance of Mono-Like Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Zhou Su , Zhou Chunlan , Wang Wenjing , Tang Yehua , Chen Jingwei , Yan Baojun , Zhao Yan
Published: October 2013

The application of Czochralski (Cz) monocrystalline silicon material in solar cells is limited by its high cost and serious light-induced degradation. The use of cast multicrystalline silicon is also hindered by its high dislocation densities and high surface reflectance after texturing. Mono-like crystalline silicon is a promising material because it has the advantages of both mono- and multicrystalline silicon. However, when mono-like wafers are made into cells, the efficiencies of a batch of wafers often fluctuate within a wide range of >1% (absolute). In this work, mono-like wafers are classified by a simple process and fabricated into laser doping selective emitter cells. The effect and mechanism of subgrains on the performance of mono-like crystalline silicon solar cells are studied. The results show that the efficiency of mono-like crystalline silicon solar cells significantly depends on material defects that appear as subgrains on an alkaline textured surface. These subgrains have an almost negligible effect on the optical performance, shunt resistance, and junction recombination but significantly affect the minority carrier diffusion length and quantum efficiency within a long wavelength range. Finally, an average efficiency of 18.2% is achieved on wafers with hardly any subgrain but with a small-grain band.
Classifying Human Voices by Using Hybrid SFX Time-Series Preprocessing and Ensemble Feature Selection
Authors: Fong Simon , Lan Kun , Wong Raymond
Published: October 2013

Voice biometrics is one kind of physiological characteristics whose voice is different for each individual person. Due to this uniqueness, voice classification has found useful applications in classifying speakers’ gender, mother tongue or ethnicity (accent), emotion states, identity verification, verbal command control, and so forth. In this paper, we adopt a new preprocessing method named Statistical Feature Extraction (SFX) for extracting important features in training a classification model, based on piecewise transformation treating an audio waveform as a time-series. Using SFX we can faithfully remodel statistical characteristics of the time-series; together with spectral analysis, a substantial amount of features are extracted in combination. An ensemble is utilized in selecting only the influential features to be used in classification model induction. We focus on the comparison of effects of various popular data mining algorithms on multiple datasets. Our experiment consists of classification tests over four typical categories of human voice data, namely, Female and Male, Emotional Speech, Speaker Identification, and Language Recognition. The experiments yield encouraging results supporting the fact that heuristically choosing significant features from both time and frequency domains indeed produces better performance in voice classification than traditional signal processing techniques alone, like wavelets and LPC-to-CC.
The Use of Nanoscaled Fibers or Tubes to Improve Biocompatibility and Bioactivity of Biomedical Materials
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Cui Rongrong , Liu Wei , Sun Lianwen , Yu Bo , Fan Yubo , Feng Qingling , Cui Fuzhai , Watari Fumio
Published: October 2013

Nanofibers and nanotubes have recently gained substantial interest for potential applications in tissue engineering due to their large ratio of surface area to volume and unique microstructure. It has been well proved that the mechanical property of matrix could be largely enhanced by the addition of nanoscaled fibers or tubes. At present, more and more researches have shown that the biocompatibility and bioactivity of biomedical materials could be improved by the addition of nanofibers or nanotubes. In this review, the efforts using nanofibers and nanotubes to improve biocompatibility and bioactivity of biomedical materials, including polymeric nanofibers/nanotubes, metallic nanofibers/nanotubes, and inorganic nanofibers/nanotubes, as well as their researches related, are demonstrated in sequence. Furthermore, the possible mechanism of improving biocompatibility and bioactivity of biomedical materials by nanofibers or nanotubes has been speculated to be that the specific protein absorption on the nanoscaled fibers or tubes plays important roles.
Synthesis and Characterization of Single‐Crystalline SnO2 Nanowires
Authors: Wei Dezhou , Shen Yanbai , Li Mingyang , Liu Wengang , Gao Shuling , Jia Lijun , Han Cong , Cui Baoyu
Published: October 2013

Tin oxide (SnO2) nanowires were synthesized on oxidized silicon substrates by thermal evaporation of tin grains at 900°C in Ar flow at ambient pressure. Structural characterization using X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy shows that SnO2 nanowires have a single crystal tetragonal structure. Scanning electron microscopy observation demonstrates that SnO2 nanowires are 30–200 nm in diameter and several tens of micrometers in length. The surface vibration mode resulting from the nanosize effect at 565.1 cm−1 was found from the Fourier transform infrared spectrum. The formation of SnO2 nanowires follows a vapour‐solid (VS) growth mechanism. The gas sensing measurements indicate that SnO2 nanowire gas sensor obtains peak sensitivity at a low operating temperature of 150°C and shows reversible response to H2 gas (100–1000 ppm) at an operating temperature of RT‐300°C.
Some New Algebraic and Topological Properties of the Minkowski Inverse in the Minkowski Space
Authors: Zekraoui Hanifa , Al-Zhour Zeyad , Özel Cenap
Published: October 2013

We introduce some new algebraic and topological properties of the Minkowski inverse A⊕ of an arbitrary matrix A ∈ Mm,n (including singular and rectangular) in a Minkowski space μ. Furthermore, we show that the Minkowski inverse A⊕ in a Minkowski space and the Moore‐Penrose inverse A+ in a Hilbert space are different in many properties such as the existence, continuity, norm, and SVD. New conditions of the Minkowski inverse are also given. These conditions are related to the existence, continuity, and reverse order law. Finally, a new representation of the Minkowski inverse A⊕ is also derived.
Microvesicle Cargo of Tumor-Associated MUC1 to Dendritic Cells Allows Cross-presentation and Specific Carbohydrate Processing
Authors: Rughetti Aurelia , Rahimi Hassan , Belleudi Francesca , Napoletano Chiara , Battisti Federico , Zizzari Ilaria G. , Antonilli Morena , Bellati Filippo , Wandall Hans H. , Benedetti Panici Pierluigi , Burchell Joy M. , Torrisi Mara R. , Nuti Marianna
Published: October 2013

Tumor-associated glycoproteins are a group of antigens with high immunogenic interest: The glycoforms generated by the aberrant glycosylation are tumor-specific and the novel glycoepitopes exposed can be targets of tumor-specific immune responses. The MUC1 antigen is one of the most relevant tumor-associated glycoproteins. In cancer, MUC1 loses polarity and becomes overexpressed and hypoglycosylated. Changes in glycan moieties contribute to MUC1 immunogenicity and can modify the interactions of tumor cells with antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells that would affect the overall antitumor immune response. Here, we show that the form of the MUC1 antigen, i.e., soluble or as microvesicle cargo, influences MUC1 processing in dendritic cells. In fact, MUC1 carried by microvesicles translocates from the endolysosomal/HLA-II to the HLA-I compartment and is presented by dendritic cells to MUC1-specific CD8+ T cells stimulating IFN-γ responses, whereas the soluble MUC1 is retained in the endolysosomal/HLA-II compartment independently by the glycan moieties and by the modality of internalization (receptor-mediated or non–receptor mediated). MUC1 translocation to the HLA-I compartment is accompanied by deglycosylation that generates novel MUC1 glycoepitopes. Microvesicle-mediated transfer of tumor-associated glycoproteins to dendritic cells may be a relevant biologic mechanism in vivo contributing to define the type of immunogenicity elicited. Furthermore, these results have important implications for the design of glycoprotein-based immunogens for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(2); 177–86. ©2013 AACR.
Subdural Hemorrhage in Two High-School Football Players: Post-Injury Helmet Testing
Authors: Forbes Jonathan A. , Zuckerman Scott L. , He Lucy , McCalley Elizabeth , Lee Young M. , Solomon Gary S. , Halstead P. David , Sills Allen K.
Published: October 2013

The incidence of catastrophic head injury in American football is at a 30-year high; over 90% of these injuries are secondary to subdural hemorrhage (SDH). At the present time, it is unknown why the incidence of this devastating injury complex continues to rise. Because previous investigations have documented deficiencies in the process of equipment certification at youth and high-school levels, we sought to investigate the adequacy of headgear worn by two athletes who suffered contact-related SDH on the football field and presented to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital between 2009 and 2011. Helmets worn by the struck players at the time of collision (Medium Schutt Air Advantage 7888 and Large Schutt Air XP 7890) were obtained for formal biomechanical testing at a National Operating Committee on the Safety of Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)-certified facility. Both helmets were found to be compliant with a modified version of the NOCSAE standard ND002-11m12. Based on the aforementioned tests, it can be concluded that headgear worn by both players who suffered SDH was not substandard, as defined by contemporary helmet quality assurance criteria. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of helmet testing following sports-related helmeted collisions resulting in severe traumatic intracranial injuries.
Changes in Clinical and Microbiological Periodontal Profiles Relate to Progression of Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness: The Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study
Authors: Desvarieux Moïse , Demmer Ryan T. , Jacobs David R. , Papapanou Panos N. , Sacco Ralph L. , Rundek Tatjana
Published: October 2013

Background

No prospective studies exist on the relationship between change in periodontal clinical and microbiological status and progression of carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results

The Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study examined 420 participants at baseline (68±8 years old) and follow‐up. Over a 3‐year median follow‐up time, clinical probing depth (
PD
) measurements were made at 75 766 periodontal sites, and 5008 subgingival samples were collected from dentate participants (average of 7 samples/subject per visit over 2 visits) and quantitatively assessed for 11 known periodontal bacterial species by
DNA
‐
DNA
checkerboard hybridization. Common carotid artery intima‐medial thickness (
CCA
‐
IMT
) was measured using high‐resolution ultrasound. In 2 separate analyses, change in periodontal status (follow‐up to baseline), defined as (1) longitudinal change in the extent of sites with a ≥3‐mm probing depth (Δ%
PD
≥3) and (2) longitudinal change in the relative predominance of bacteria causative of periodontal disease over other bacteria in the subgingival plaque (Δetiologic dominance), was regressed on longitudinal
CCA
‐
IMT
progression adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, diabetes, smoking status, education, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Mean (
SE
)
CCA
‐
IMT
increased during follow‐up by 0.139±0.008 mm. Longitudinal
IMT
progression attenuated with improvement in clinical or microbial periodontal status. Mean
CCA
‐
IMT
progression varied inversely across quartiles of longitudinal improvement in clinical periodontal status (Δ%
PD
≥3) by 0.18 (0.02), 0.16 (0.01), 0.14 (0.01), and 0.07 (0.01) mm (
P
for trend<0.0001). Likewise, mean
CCA
‐
IMT
increased by 0.20 (0.02), 0.18 (0.02), 0.15 (0.02), and 0.12 (0.02) mm (
P
<0.0001) across quartiles of longitudinal improvement in periodontal microbial status (Δetiologic dominance).

Conclusion

Longitudinal improvement in clinical and microbial periodontal status is related to a decreased rate of carotid artery
IMT
progression at 3‐year average follow‐up.
How We Learn to Make Decisions: Rapid Propagation of Reinforcement Learning Prediction Errors in Humans
Authors: Krigolson Olav E. , Hassall Cameron D. , Handy Todd C.
Published: October 2013

Our ability to make decisions is predicated upon our knowledge of the outcomes of the actions available to us. Reinforcement learning theory posits that actions followed by a reward or punishment acquire value through the computation of prediction errors—discrepancies between the predicted and the actual reward. A multitude of neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that rewards and punishments evoke neural responses that appear to reflect reinforcement learning prediction errors [e.g., Krigolson, O. E., Pierce, L. J., Holroyd, C. B., & Tanaka, J. W. Learning to become an expert: Reinforcement learning and the acquisition of perceptual expertise. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 21, 1833–1840, 2009; Bayer, H. M., & Glimcher, P. W. Midbrain dopamine neurons encode a quantitative reward prediction error signal. Neuron, 47, 129–141, 2005; O'Doherty, J. P. Reward representations and reward-related learning in the human brain: Insights from neuroimaging. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 14, 769–776, 2004; Holroyd, C. B., & Coles, M. G. H. The neural basis of human error processing: Reinforcement learning, dopamine, and the error-related negativity. Psychological Review, 109, 679–709, 2002]. Here, we used the brain ERP technique to demonstrate that not only do rewards elicit a neural response akin to a prediction error but also that this signal rapidly diminished and propagated to the time of choice presentation with learning. Specifically, in a simple, learnable gambling task, we show that novel rewards elicited a feedback error-related negativity that rapidly decreased in amplitude with learning. Furthermore, we demonstrate the existence of a reward positivity at choice presentation, a previously unreported ERP component that has a similar timing and topography as the feedback error-related negativity that increased in amplitude with learning. The pattern of results we observed mirrored the output of a computational model that we implemented to compute reward prediction errors and the changes in amplitude of these prediction errors at the time of choice presentation and reward delivery. Our results provide further support that the computations that underlie human learning and decision-making follow reinforcement learning principles.
Multiple Aspects of Neural Activity during Reaching Preparation in the Medial Posterior Parietal Area V6A
Authors: Breveglieri Rossella , Galletti Claudio , Dal Bò Giulia , Hadjidimitrakis Kostas , Fattori Patrizia
Published: October 2013

The posterior parietal cortex is involved in the visuomotor transformations occurring during arm-reaching movements. The medial posterior parietal area V6A has been shown to be implicated in reaching execution, but its role in reaching preparation has not been sufficiently investigated. Here, we addressed this issue exploring the neural correlates of reaching preparation in V6A. Neural activity of single cells during the instructed delay period of a foveated Reaching task was compared with the activity in the same delay period during a Detection task. In this latter task, animals fixated the target but, instead of performing an arm reaching movement, they responded with a button release to the go signal. Targets were allocated in different positions in 3-D space. We found three types of neurons: cells where delay activity was equally spatially tuned in the two tasks (Gaze cells), cells spatially tuned only during reaching preparation (Set cells), and cells influenced by both gaze and reaching preparation signals (Gaze/Set cells). In cells influenced by reaching preparation, the delay activity in the Reaching task could be higher or lower compared with the Detection task. All the Set cells and a minority of Gaze/Set cells were more active during reaching preparation. Most cells modulated by movement preparation were also modulated with a congruent spatial tuning during movement execution. Present results highlight the convergence of visuospatial information, reach planning and reach execution signals on V6A, and indicate that visuospatial processing and movement execution have a larger influence on V6A activity than the encoding of reach plans.
A new species of Erythroxylum (Erythroxylaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Costa-Lima James Lucas , ALVES MARCCUS
Published: October 2013

Erythroxylum umbrosum, a new species of Erythroxylum sect. Archerythroxylum (Erythroxylaceae) of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which occurs in submontane forests in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. It is characterized by having non-striated, reduced stipules that are shortly 3–setose at the apex, a staminal cup longer than the calyx lobes, and an endocarp with cylindrical cross-section. The morphological differences of the new species with related and sympatric species are discussed.
Evaluation of Global Monsoon Precipitation Changes based on Five Reanalysis Datasets
Authors: Lin Renping , Zhou Tianjun , Qian Yun
Published: October 2013

With the motivation to identify whether a reasonably simulated atmospheric circulation would necessarily lead to a successful reproduction of monsoon precipitation, the performances of five sets of reanalysis data [NCEP–U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project II (AMIP-II) reanalysis (NCEP-2), 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40), Japanese 25-yr Reanalysis Project (JRA-25), Interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim), and Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA)] in reproducing the climatology, interannual variation, and long-term trend of global monsoon (GM) precipitation are comprehensively evaluated. To better understand the variability and long-term trend of GM precipitation, the authors also examined the major components of water budget, including evaporation, water vapor convergence, and the change in local column water vapor, based on the five reanalysis datasets. Results show that all five reanalysis datasets reasonably reproduce the climatology of GM precipitation. ERA-Interim (NCEP-2) shows the highest (lowest) skill among the five datasets. The observed GM precipitation shows an increasing tendency during 1979–2011 along with a strong interannual variability, which is reasonably reproduced by five reanalysis datasets. The observed increasing trend of GM precipitation is dominated by contributions from the Asian, North American, Southern African, and Australian monsoons. All five datasets fail in reproducing the increasing tendency of the North African monsoon precipitation. The wind convergence term in the water budget equation dominates the GM precipitation variation, indicating a consistency between the GM precipitation and the seasonal change of prevailing wind.
Assessment of Roughness Length Schemes Implemented within the Noah Land Surface Model for High-Altitude Regions
Authors: Zheng Donghai , van der Velde Rogier , Su Zhongbo , Booij Martijn J. , Hoekstra Arjen Y. , Wen Jun
Published: October 2013

Current land surface models still have difficulties with producing reliable surface heat fluxes and skin temperature (Tsfc) estimates for high-altitude regions, which may be addressed via adequate parameterization of the roughness lengths for momentum (z0m) and heat (z0h) transfer. In this study, the performance of various z0h and z0m schemes developed for the Noah land surface model is assessed for a high-altitude site (3430 m) on the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau. Based on the in situ surface heat fluxes and profile measurements of wind and temperature, monthly variations of z0m and diurnal variations of z0h are derived through application of the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. These derived values together with the measured heat fluxes are utilized to assess the performance of those z0m and z0h schemes for different seasons. The analyses show that the z0m dynamics are related to vegetation dynamics and soil water freeze–thaw state, which are reproduced satisfactorily with current z0m schemes. Further, it is demonstrated that the heat flux simulations are very sensitive to the diurnal variations of z0h. The newly developed z0h schemes all capture, at least over the sparse vegetated surfaces during the winter season, the observed diurnal variability much better than the original one. It should, however, be noted that for the dense vegetated surfaces during the spring and monsoon seasons, not all newly developed schemes perform consistently better than the original one. With the most promising schemes, the Noah simulated sensible heat flux, latent heat flux, Tsfc, and soil temperature improved for the monsoon season by about 29%, 79%, 75%, and 81%, respectively. In addition, the impact of Tsfc calculation and energy balance closure associated with measurement uncertainties on the above findings are discussed, and the selection of the appropriate z0h scheme for applications is addressed.
Bain & Political Capital in the 2012 GOP Primary Debates
Authors: Borchers Tyler , Miller Jerry L.
Published: October 2013

Mitt Romney’s work at Bain Capital became a centerpiece of the primary campaign in January, 2012. Because its portfolio and practices are so diverse, talking points about Bain were at first unpolished. Such inconsistent and haphazard discussion provided an excellent opportunity to study the refinement of campaign messages to their most politically effective and palatable forms. Furthermore, because private equity is so complex, its net effect is fairly debated—among economists, politicians, and voters alike. Thus, conversations about Bain Capital were often disjointed, allowing politicians a great deal of freedom to frame the issue however they wanted regardless of their opponents’ statements. Value appeal strategies of reconstructing, bypassing, counterblocking, overriding, and undermining, as defined by Cook, are central to this study, which examines the Republican primary debates and the deliberations surrounding Bain Capital as a representation of free market enterprise. The goal of the article is to explore the dynamics of politic debates within primary contests in which there are shared common values.
Body Mass Index as a Predictive Factor of Periodontal Therapy Outcomes
Authors: Suvan J. , Petrie A. , Moles D.R. , Nibali L. , Patel K. , Darbar U. , Donos N. , Tonetti M. , D’Aiuto F.
Published: October 2013

Body mass index (BMI) and obesity are associated with the prevalence, extent, and severity of periodontitis. This study investigated the predictive role of overweight/obesity on clinical response following non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with severe periodontitis. Two hundred sixty adults received an intensive course of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Periodontal status at baseline and 2 months was based upon probing pocket depths (PPD), clinical attachment levels (CAL), and whole-mouth gingival bleeding (FMBS) as assessed by two calibrated examiners. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to estimate the impact of BMI and overweight/obesity on periodontal treatment response while controlling for baseline status, age, smoking status (smoker or non-smoker), and full-mouth dental plaque score. BMI (continuous variable) and obesity ( vs. normal weight) were associated with worse mean PPD ( p < .005), percentage of PPD > 4 mm ( p = .01), but not with FMBS ( p > .05) or CAL ( p > .05) at 2 months, independent of age, smoking status, or dental plaque levels. The magnitude of this association was similar to that of smoking, which was also linked to a worse clinical periodontal outcome ( p < .01). BMI and obesity appear to be independent predictors of poor response following non-surgical periodontal therapy.
A developing world perspective on homicide and personality disorder
Authors: Mela Mansfield , Audu Moses , Tesfaye Markos , Gurmu Samson
Published: October 2013

High rates of psychotic disorder among special populations of homicide offenders, females, youth and the mentally disordered, have received much investigation. Personality disorder, especially antisocial personality disorder, augments the relative risk ratio of violence, especially in combination with substance use disorder. Few studies of these correlates of violence and especially homicide have been reported in low- and medium-income countries (LMIC). Using the structured clinical interview for DSM diagnosis (SCID), personality disorders were identified in a cross sectional study involving 546 homicide offenders in Jimma prison, Ethiopia. Predictors of personality disorder were determined using multivariate analysis of various demographic and clinical variables, for example, age, psychiatric history and substance use. Out of the 316 offenders who completed the SCID, only 16% fulfilled DSM IV criteria for personality disorder. The rationale for killing, self-defence, anger and revenge (52% of offenders), planning involved in offending (50%) and reasonably high level of relationship functioning (57% married) were different from most data from the high-income countries. Diagnostically relevant cultural factors in LMIC, not in play in high-income countries, may explain the differences in personality disorders similar to other mental disorders and the underlying mediators of homicide.
Tracing Processes in Poverty Dynamics: A Tale of Peri-urban Small-scale Farmers in Mexico City
Authors: Méndez-Lemus Yadira , Vieyra Antonio
Published: October 2013

Many peri-urban areas in developing regions are associated with poverty. The poor peri-urban resident may have moved in and established in precarious conditions, or may have resided in the area before the urban encroachment and so have a rural background. Former poor rural residents living on the fringes of cities are considered to be very vulnerable since they are subjected to a livelihood transmutation while they try to escape from poverty. Drawing on longitudinal quantitative and qualitative data from three communities in the periphery of Mexico City, this paper traces the vicious and enabling processes by which peri-urban small farmers change their poverty status over time. The findings support the importance of multidisciplinary explanatory frameworks for understanding poverty dynamics in peri-urban areas. Micro-level process-based analysis may help to support more appropriate and inclusive social and poverty reduction policies in (peri-)urban areas in developing regions.
(Re)triggering Backlash: Responses to News About Wikipedia’s Gender Gap
Authors: Eckert Stine , Steiner Linda
Published: October 2013

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit, has been enormously successful. But while it is read nearly equally by women and men, women are only 8.5 to 12.6% of those who edit or write Wikipedia articles. We analyzed coverage of Wikipedia’s gender gap by 42 U.S. news organizations and blogs as well as 1,336 comments posted online by readers. We also interviewed Wikimedia Foundation executive director Sue Gardner. Commentators questioned Wikipedia’s epistemology and culture and associated the gap with societal issues and/or (perceived) gender differences regarding time management, self-confidence, and expertise, as well as personality and interests. Yet, many commentators denied the gap was a problem; they blamed women for not joining, suggested it was women’s choice, or mocked girly interests. The belittling of the disparity as feminist ideology arguably betrays an antifeminist backlash.
Shear strength of sandwich core materials subjected to loading rates relevant to water slamming
Authors: Battley Mark A , Clark Alison M , Allen Tom D , Cameron Christopher J
Published: October 2013

Sandwich composite materials are widely used within the marine industry, particularly as hull panels. Water impact loads, known as slamming, can be very significant for these structures, particularly for high-speed craft. The transient nature of slamming loads means that the loads are applied very quickly, which can cause stress and strain rates that are high enough to affect the resulting strength of the core material, particularly for polymeric foams. The aim of this paper is to characterise the shear strength of cores at slamming relevant loading rates. Two testing approaches are used: a custom servo-hydraulic beam testing system and a drop-weight impact testing machine. Core materials studied included aramid honeycomb, cross-linked and linear polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate and styrene acrylonitrile foams, representing a range of different levels of ductility and maximum elongation. For the moderate and high elongation core materials, there were significant increases in shear strength for dynamic loads; however, the strength of most of the materials does not appear to be sensitive to the exact loading rate.
Using Evidence-Based Multimedia to Improve Vocabulary Performance of Adolescents With LD
Authors: Kennedy Michael J. , Thomas Cathy Newman , Meyer J. Patrick , Alves Kat D. , Lloyd John Wills
Published: October 2013

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that is commonly used for guiding the construction and delivery of instruction intended to support all students. In this study, we used a related model to guide creation of a multimedia-based instructional tool called content acquisition podcasts (CAPs). CAPs delivered vocabulary instruction during two concurrent social studies units to 32 SWD and 109 students without disabilities. We created CAPs using a combination of evidence-based practices for vocabulary instruction, UDL, and Mayer’s instructional design principles. High school students with and without learning disabilities completed weekly curriculum-based measurement (CBM) probes (vocabulary matching) over an 8-week period along with two corresponding posttests. Students were nested within sections of world history and randomly assigned to alternating treatments (CAPs and business as usual) that were administered sequentially to each group. Results revealed that students with and without disabilities made significant growth on CBMs and scored significantly higher on the posttests when taught using CAPs.
Effects of the dimensional and geometrical tolerances on the kinematic and dynamic performances of the Rzeppa ball joint
Authors: Valentini Pier Paolo
Published: October 2013

In this paper the influences of some relevant dimensional and geometrical errors on both the kinematic performance and the dynamic performance of an automotive Rzeppa ball joint were investigated. The study focused on the development of a dedicated and improved multi-body three-dimensional model of the joint and the corresponding numerical simulations of different configurations. The model is able to manage the presence of the redundant constraints which are present in the joint architecture because of the use of spring connections between parts which replace most of the kinematic constraints or geometrical contact conditions. Three types of error were investigated, and both kinematic irregularities and dynamic irregularities are reported in graphs and discussed. The effects of different articulation angles between the inner ring and the outer ring were also investigated.
Two-stage stochastic programming based on the desirability function to optimize the performance of an internal-combustion engine
Authors: Hejazi Taha Hossein , Seyyed-Esfahani Mirmehdi , Badri Hossein
Published: October 2013

The performance of an engine is one of the major concerns in the automotive industry. Increased emission restrictions on motor vehicles have led to the necessity of more accurate control on the engine performance. The objective of this study is to optimize the injection and ignition system in an automobile internal-combustion engine. In this paper the engine torque, the fuel consumption and the hydrocarbon emissions are considered as the main performance metrics of the engine, and a mathematical model is proposed on the basis of response surface methodology and two-stage stochastic programming. The proposed model encompasses desirability functions with a maximum–minimum operator to convert several responses into a single response and also considers the probabilistic pattern of regression coefficients by some random scenarios. To illustrate application of the proposed approach, it was applied in a real case in an automotive company. The results of this test represent a reasonable performance of the proposed approach.
An analytical formulation of thermodynamic properties of dry and metastable steam suitable for computational fluid dynamics modelling of steam turbine flows
Authors: Hrubý Jan , Pátek Jaroslav , Duška Michal
Published: October 2013

Application of computational fluid dynamics to real steam flows including non-equilibrium condensing flows requires an accurate and, at the same time, computationally inexpensive formulation of thermodynamic properties of steam. The present formulation enables fast computation of all thermodynamic properties, using mass density and specific internal energy as independent variables. This choice of independent variables follows the needs of time-marching computational fluid dynamics computations of dry and metastable steam flows in steam turbines. The formulation comprises an ideal-gas part and a residual part. The residual part is expressed in a form analogous to the virial equation of state but the coefficients are functions of internal energy, rather than temperature. Here we present a variant retaining only one coefficient of the density series, corresponding to the second virial coefficient. The uncertainties of properties computed from the present formulation only slightly exceed those of the fundamental formulation IAPWS-95. The formulation is valid from 253.15 K to 1073.15 K. Up to pressures given by the isentrope 7.5 kJ/(kg K), the computed properties are within the experimental uncertainties. Beyond this limit, the accuracy continuously decreases as it can be determined from presented deviation plots.
Risk Factors for Posttraumatic Synostosis and Outcomes Following Operative Treatment of Ankle Fractures
Authors: Hinds Richard M. , Lazaro Lionel E. , Burket Jayme C. , Lorich Dean G.
Published: October 2013

Background:

Distal tibiofibular synostosis is a known but poorly described complication of ankle fractures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ankle fracture fixation method and other risk factors in the development of synostosis in posttraumatic operative ankle fractures. Outcomes of patients with no synostosis, incomplete bony bridging, or complete synostosis also were compared.

Methods:

All operative ankle fractures from a single surgeon’s prospectively collected clinical database were evaluated for the presence of distal tibiofibular synostosis not earlier than 3 months postoperatively. All fractures were treated in a fracture-specific and ligament-specific fashion. Syndesmotic screws, when used, were routinely removed no sooner than 4 months after operation. Patient demographic and medical history data as well as injury and fixation profile were evaluated. Incidence of complications was also reviewed. Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and range of motion (ROM) were compared between the groups.

Results:

Of the 564 ankle fractures included in the study, 91 demonstrated complete synostosis and 46 demonstrated incomplete bony bridging. Multivariate analysis revealed male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.82, P < .001), syndesmotic screw fixation (OR = 2.46, P < .001), and tibiotalar dislocation (OR = 1.74, P = .032) to remain significant independent risk factors for the development of incomplete bony bridging or complete synostosis while adjusting for confounding risk factors. Ankles with synostosis also demonstrated significant reduction in dorsiflexion ( P = .017), plantarflexion ( P = .024), and inversion ( P < .001), though patient-reported outcome measures were equivalent with patients without synostosis.

Conclusion:

Syndesmotic screw fixation, male sex, and tibiotalar dislocation were significant risk factors in the formation of postoperative distal tibiofibular synostosis, though patient-reported outcome measures seemed equivalent among patients with and without synostosis.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, case control study of prospectively collected registry data.