bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of extreme cold and aridity on soils and habitability: McMurdo Dry Valleys as an analogue for the Mars Phoenix landing site
Authors: Tamppari L.K. , Anderson R.M. , Archer P.D. , Douglas S. , Kounaves S.P. , Mckay C.P. , Ming D.W. , Moore Q. , Quinn J.E. , Smith P.H. , Stroble S. , Zent A.P.
Published: January 2012

The McMurdo Dry Valleys are among the driest, coldest environments on Earth and are excellent analogues for the Martian northern plains. In preparation for the 2008 Phoenix Mars mission, we conducted an interdisciplinary investigation comparing the biological, mineralogical, chemical, and physical properties of wetter lower Taylor Valley (TV) soils to colder, drier University Valley (UV) soils. Our analyses were performed for each horizon from the surface to the ice table. In TV, clay-sized particle distribution and less abundant soluble salts both suggested vertical and possible horizontal transport by water, and microbial biomass was higher. Alteration of mica to short-order phyllosilicates suggested aqueous weathering. In UV, salts, clay-sized materials, and biomass were more abundant near the surface, suggesting minimal downward translocation by water. The presence of microorganisms in each horizon was established for the first time in an ultraxerous zone. Higher biomass numbers were seen near the surface and ice table, perhaps representing locally more clement environments. Currently, water activity is too low to support metabolism at the Phoenix site, but obliquity changes may produce higher temperatures and sufficient water activity to permit microbial growth, if the populations could survive long dormancy periods (∼106years).
‘Endowed by Their Creator’?
Authors: Bingham Lord
Published: January 2012

Mainstream religion has little more than an indirect concern with the fundamental nature of human rights. Scripture provides no basis for any systematic code, albeit it espouses the virtues of equality, non-discrimination, and respect for others. There remains within regligious organisations an uncritical respect for authority and repeated emphasis on the dominance of the male. Rather, the articulation of human rights as a coherent and justiciable entity was the product of political turmoil, rebellion and war. That the expression of such rights is consistent with Christian teaching, however, is to be welcomed and valued. This article is an edited version of the Warburton Lecture delivered by Lord Bingham in Lincoln's Inn, London, on 15 June 2003. It is reproduced with permission.
New insights on an old rivalry: Thepassé simpleand thepassé composéin spoken Acadian French
Authors: COMEAU PHILIP , KING RUTH , BUTLER GARY R.
Published: January 2012

This study investigates the expression of past temporal reference in a highly conservative variety of Acadian French spoken in the Baie Sainte-Marie region of Nova Scotia, Canada. Variationist analysis of data from a sociolinguistic corpus for the village of Grosses Coques reveals a split between narrative and conversational discourse, with variation mainly between use of thepassé simpleand theimparfaitin the former and between thepassé composéand theimparfaitin the latter. Thepassé simpleremains in robust use in this variety and is constrained in a manner similar to that found in 17th-century representations of colloquial speech involving narration.
Tolerability of antipsychotic drugs: does patients perspective deserve consideration?
Authors: Nosè Michela
Published: January 2012

This contribution initially describes some traditional tools that are commonly used to measure drug tolerability, including measures that take into considerations both clinicians’ and patients’ views. Subsequently, it highlights a few studies that compared the patient and clinician's perspective in the evaluation of drug tolerability, trying to understand whether health care providers and patients perceive antipsychotic tolerability in different ways, and whether these different ways may have implica-tions in terms of treatment adherence and outcome. Finally, some clinical and research implications are suggested and discussed.
What is a systematic review?
Authors: Cipriani Andrea , Barbui Corrado
Published: January 2012

Starting from this issue of Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale a new Section, called ABC of Methodology, will regularly cover methodological aspects related to the design, conduct, reporting and interpretation of clinical and epidemiological studies. We hope that these articles will help develop a more critical attitude towards research findings published in the international literature and, additionally, we wish to help promote the implementation of original research projects with higher standards in terms of design, conduct and reporting.
Social deprivation and mental health. Replicability and applicability in the Italian context of the resource allocation methods developed in the United Kingdom
Authors: Tibaldi Giuseppe , Glover Gyles , Costa Giuseppe , Petrelli Alessio , Munizza Carmine
Published: January 2012

Aims— Most of the available evidence on the relationship between socioeconomic indicators of social deprivation and patterns of use of mental health services has been produced in the United Kingdom, where the Ministry of Health has developed a resource allocation formula based upon the results of those studies. The main aim of the paper is to evaluate the replicability in the Italian context of such research, and of the resulting allocation strategies.Methods— Detailed description of the resource allocation method currently adopted in the United Kingdom, whose main purpose consists in reaching the best balance between available funding and patterns of need. Detailed description of resource allocation processes in Italy; discussion of the main methodological and statistical limitations restraining the replicability of the British formula in the Italian context.Conclusions— There is a growing interest in Italy towards the introduction of evidence-based methods in health decision making, in order to correct the overwhelming influence of political issues. What is needed is a better understanding of the relationship between higher levels of equity in health services access, and their effects in terms of better outcomes.

Declaration of Interest: the current paper has been developed within a Research Programme funded by the Agenzia Regionale per i Servizi Sanitari, Regione Piemonte (Deliberazione n. 54 del 31.07.02). None of the authors received any additional source of funding for the development of this paper as well as for the related research activities.
Spatial distribution of the risk for metabolic complications: an application in south-east Brazil, 2006–2007
Authors: Nucci Luciana B , Zangirolani Lia TO , Mafra Ana Carolina CN , de Medeiros Maria Angélica T , Cordeiro Ricardo
Published: January 2012

Objective

To identify spatial variation in the risk for metabolic complications (RMC) by means of a semi-parametric approach for multinomial data.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

We visited 730 households selected in the first of a two-stage sample in South health district in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, 2006–2007.

Subjects

We interviewed 651 individuals and obtained their respective anthropometric measures and geographical coordinates of their house location. They were classified according to a combination of BMI and abdominal circumference as having no risk, increased, high or very high RMC.

Results

Gender, age and schooling were associated with RMC. Crude spatial risk for the three levels of RMC in relation to the absence of risk suggested different patterns in each level. Adjusted spatial risk for the RMC showed smaller significant areas, but the pattern remained similar to crude risk.

Conclusions

Spatial point analysis with a multinomial approach improves the understanding of differences in RMC found, as we could identify specific areas in which to intervene. The public health significance of these findings may lie in the additional evidence provided that spatial location and its features can influence patterns of RMC.
Comparative analysis of genetic similarity among sorghum (Sorghumbicolor (L.) Moench) lines as revealed by morphological and molecular markers
Authors: Chandrasekara Reddy D. , Audilakshmi S. , Madhusudhana R. , Seetharama N.
Published: January 2012

The stagnation of sorghum grain yields worldwide and utilization of inbred lines by public and private organizations (multinational seed companies) warrant the understanding of genetic diversity present in inbred lines. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare morphological and molecular diversity analysis and (2) to identify heterotic pools from the genotypes evaluated. Sixty-five rainy-season elite lines were evaluated during the 2006 and 2007 rainy seasons, and 15 post-rainy-season genotypes in the 2003 and 2004 post-rainy seasons for their distinctiveness, uniformity and stability at the Directorate of Sorghum Research, Hyderabad, India. Ninety-three genotypes (ten rainy-season B lines, 13 rainy-season R lines, 36 rainy-season varieties, seven rainy-season hybrids, ten forage varieties and 17 post-rainy-season genotypes) were evaluated using 48 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers that are uniformly distributed over the sorghum genome. From the 93 genotypes analysed, 310 alleles were observed, with an average of 6.5 alleles per locus. A high level of polymorphism (mean 97%) was detected. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.463; P = 0.001) between genetic similarities and morphological similarities was obtained. Unlike previous reports, both methods clearly distinguished B lines, R lines, rainy-season varieties, post-rainy-season varieties and forage varieties. Forage and post-rainy-season varieties present a higher diversity of 60%. This could be because the post-rainy-season varieties are developed from local landraces and forage genotypes from crosses such as Sorghum bicolor × Sudan grass. Herein, we further discuss the grouping of elite genotypes into different heterotic pools.
Fear of Enemies and Collective Action. By Ioannis D. Evrigenis. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. 256p. $85.00.
Authors: Ermakoff Ivan
Published: January 2012

This book may be read from two complementary and enlightening perspectives: as a history of political thought centered on the role played by fear in group formation, and as a theoretical treatise on “negative association,” that is, collective action based on a principle of identification in opposition to others. Both perspectives sustain each other. The first draws attention to a rich and insightful reinterpretation of classical and lesser-known texts. The peculiarity of this history of political thought is that it records not inflection points but continuity and resilience. The second perspective is intended to bring about positive knowledge. This conflation of genres is an appealing facet of the book. In tracing a continuity of thought, Ioannis Evrigenis purports to demonstrate the validity of a theoretical claim about the centrality of negative association. By the same token, the historical exposé lays bare the set of premises that sustains the claim.
Overcoming fragmentation in health care: chronic care in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands
Authors: Nolte Ellen , Knai Cécile , Hofmarcher Maria , Conklin Annalijn , Erler Antje , Elissen Arianne , Flamm Maria , Fullerton Brigit , Sönnichsen Andreas , Vrijhoef Hubertus J. M.
Published: January 2012

The growing recognition of care fragmentation is causing many countries to explore new approaches to healthcare delivery that can bridge the boundaries between professions, providers and institutions and so better support the rising number of people with chronic health problems. This paper examines the role of the regulatory, funding and organisational context for the development and implementation of approaches to chronic care, using examples from Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. We find that the three countries have implemented a range of policies and approaches to achieve better coordination within and across the primary and secondary care interface and so better meet the needs of patients with chronic conditions. This has involved changes to the regulatory framework to support more coordinated approaches to care (Austria, Germany), coupled with financial incentives (Austria, Germany) or changes in payment systems (the Netherlands). What is common to the three countries is the comparative ‘novelty’ of policies and approaches aimed at fostering coordinated care; however, the evidence of their impact remains unclear.
Analysis of RF power amplifiers in LINC systems
Authors: Montesinos Ronald , Berland Corinne , Abi Hussein Mazen , Venard Olivier , Descamps Philippe
Published: January 2012

LInear amplification using Non-linear Components (LINC) is an architecture that achieves linear power amplification for radio-frequency (RF) transmitters. This paper describes the impact of RF power amplifiers (PAs) class on the overall system performances. The linearity and efficiency of the LINC transmitter with different PA classes (AB, B, C, D, E, F, F−1, and J) are evaluated and compared, in terms of error vector magnitude (EVM), adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR), and power added efficiency (PAE), for a 16QAM modulation having 5.6 dB peak to average power ratio. Simulations are performed using a gallium-nitride high electron mobility transistor (GaN HEMT) for a power amplifier with an output power of 10 W at 900 MHz.
Relative measurements of ozone absorption cross‐sections at three wavelengths in the Hartley band using a well‐defined UV laser beam
Authors: Petersen M. , Viallon J. , Moussay P. , Wielgosz R. I.
Published: January 2012

New measurements of absorption cross sections of ozone are reported using a photometer with a well‐defined UV laser beam at three different wavelengths in the Hartley band, by comparison with the conventional cross‐section value at the mercury line wavelength of 253.65 nm. Reported measurement results and uncertainties are dependent on the value of the cross section used at 253.65 nm. Using the value determined by Hearn (1961), ozone absorption cross‐section values of 9.64 × 10−18, 10.61 × 10−18, and 11.26 × 10−18 cm2 molecule−1 are reported at wavelengths of 244.06, 248.32, and 257.34 nm, respectively; whereas, use of the Malicet (1995) value leads to ozone absorption cross‐section values of 9.50 × 10−18, 10.45 × 10−18, and 11.12 × 10−18 cm2 molecule−1, respectively. In all cases, the uncertainty of the results is dominated by the contribution from the cross‐section value at 253.65 nm. The experimental setup described in this article not only provides a minor contribution to the entire reported measurement uncertainties but also confirms the internal consistency of previously published ozone absorption cross‐section data sets and demonstrates the biases that can be introduced by changing data sets. The results are important for the accurate measurement of ozone concentrations in the troposphere by UV absorption methods and also for all measurements of ozone concentration in the atmosphere by spectroscopic methods for which the values of the absorption cross sections have been scaled to measured values in the Hartley band.
A robust framework for probabilistic precipitations downscaling from an ensemble of climate predictions applied to Switzerland
Authors: Beuchat X. , Schaefli B. , Soutter M. , Mermoud A.
Published: January 2012

Rainfall is poorly modeled by general circulation models (GCMs) and requires appropriate downscaling for local‐scale hydrological impact studies. Such downscaling methods should be robust and accurate (to handle, e.g., extreme events and uncertainties), but the noncontinuous and highly nonlinear nature of rainfall makes this task particularly challenging. This paper brings together and extends state‐of‐the‐art methods into an integrated and robust probabilistic methodology to downscale local daily rainfall series from an ensemble of climate simulations. The downscaling is based on generalized linear models (GLMs) that relate monthly GCM‐scale atmospheric variables to local‐scale daily rainfall series. A cross‐validation step ensures that the fitted models are correctly conditioned by the climate variables, and a statistical procedure is proposed to test whether the statistical relationships identified for the reference period also hold in a future perturbed climate (i.e., to test the stationarity assumption). Additionally, we propose a strategy to downweigh poorly performing GCM‐GLM couples. The methodology is assessed at 27 locations covering Switzerland and is shown to perform well in reproducing historical rainfall statistics including extremes and interannual variability. Furthermore, the projections are consistent with the simulations of physically based dynamical models. Using an original visualization method based on heat maps, we show that although the downscaling models were fitted at each of the 27 sites independently, their projections follow a spatially coherent pattern and that regions exhibiting different climate change impacts can be identified.
Partitioning of cloud water and rainwater content by ground‐based observations with the Advanced Microwave Radiometer for Rain Identification (ADMIRARI) in synergy with a micro rain radar
Authors: Saavedra Pablo , Battaglia Alessandro , Simmer Clemens
Published: January 2012

Cloud and rain liquid water path and total water vapor are retrieved simultaneously from passive microwave observations with the multifrequency dual‐polarized Advanced Microwave Radiometer for Rain Identification (ADMIRARI). A data set of linearly polarized brightness temperatures has been collected at 30° elevation angle together with slant radar reflectivity profiles at 24.1 GHz from a micro rain radar (MRR) pointing into the same viewing direction. The slant path integrated values are retrieved via a Bayesian inversion approach, the quality of which is evaluated by a simulation‐based retrieval sensitivity study. The algorithm includes a physical constraint by taking into account the rain column structural information from the MRR observations. Measurements and derived path‐integrated water component estimates from 23 August to 12 November 2008, obtained in Cabauw, Netherlands, are analyzed. During raining cloud conditions the zenith‐normalized root‐mean‐square error for water vapor, cloud liquid water path, and rain liquid water path are, on average, estimated to 1.54 kg m−2, 144 g m−2, and 52 g m−2, respectively. On the basis of these results, long‐term estimated distributions of cloud water–rainwater partitioning for midlatitude precipitating clouds are presented for the first time as obtained by a ground‐based radiometer.
Evidence for control of black carbon and sulfate relative mass concentrations on composite aerosol radiative forcing: Case of a coastal urban area
Authors: Niranjan K. , Anjana Devi T. , Spandana B. , Sreekanth V. , Madhavan B. L.
Published: January 2012

Collocated measurements on optical and chemical properties made at a coastal urban location Visakhapatnam on the east coast of India were used to assess the relative contribution of different chemical species to composite aerosol radiative forcing. At such a location, the dominant species that decide the atmospheric forcing are the relative mass fractions of Black Carbon (BC) and sulfate. It is observed that the composite forcing at top of the atmosphere follows the BC mass concentration during all the seasons except for some days. In such cases the hypothesis on the role of mixing state of aerosol in deciding the net aerosol radiative forcing is examined to conclude that the BC either independently or in the internal mixture state during winter months would decide the aerosol composite forcing over this coastal urban location. Though the conditions for the formation of such mixtures and their seasonal dependence however remain unclear, drier weather conditions with abundance of sulfate seem to favor the formation of well mixed aerosol.
Modeling Compatible Single-Tree Aboveground Biomass Equations of Masson Pine (Pinus massoniana) in South China
Authors: Zeng Wei Sheng , Tang Shou Zheng
Published: January 2012

In the background of facing up to the global climate change, it is becoming the inevitable demand to add forest biomass estimation to national forest resource monitoring. The biomass equations to be developed for forest biomass estimation should be compatible with volume equations. Based on the tree volume and aboveground biomass data of Masson pine (Pinus Massoniana Lamb.) in south China, the one, two and three-variable aboveground biomass equations and biomass conversion functions compatible with tree volume equations were constructed using the error-in-variable simultaneous equations in this paper. The results showed: (i) the prediction precision of aboveground biomass estimates from one variable equation was more than 95%; (ii) the regressions of aboveground biomass equations improved slightly when tree height and crown width were used together with diameter on breast height, although the contributions to regressions were statistically significant; (iii) for biomass conversion function on one variable, the conversion factor was decreased with growing diameter, but for conversion function on two variables, the factor was increased with growing diameter while decreased with growing tree height.
Laminated piezoelectric phononic crystal with imperfect interfaces
Authors: Lan Man , Wei Peijun
Published: January 2012

Dispersive characteristics of elastic waves propagating through laminated piezoelectric phononic crystal with imperfect interfaces are studied in this paper. First, the transfer matrix method and the Bloch theorem are used to derive the dispersion equation. Next, the imperfect interfaces with the jump of mechanical quantity across interface are considered. In the spring model of imperfect interface, the tractions are continuous, but displacements are discontinuous across the interface. In the mass model of imperfect interface, displacements are continuous, but tractions are discontinuous. In the spring-mass model, both traction and displacement are discontinuous. The effect of imperfect interface is introduced by inserting an additional interface transfer matrix in the calculation of total transfer matrix. Finally, the dispersion equation is solved numerically and the dispersive curves are shown in the Brillouin zone. Band gaps of phononic crystal with imperfect interface are compared with that of phononic crystal with perfect interface. The influences of the imperfect interface on the dispersive curves and the band gaps of periodic laminated piezoelectric composite are discussed.
Investigation on a nonisospectral fifth-order Korteweg-de Vries equation generalized from fluids
Authors: Yu Xin , Gao Yi-Tian , Sun Zhi-Yuan , Liu Ying
Published: January 2012

In this paper, a nonisospectral fifth-order Korteweg-de Vries equation generalized from fluids is investigated. With symbolic computation, such equation is transformed into its bilinear form through a proposed dependent variable transformation with one more parameter than those in the existing literature. N-soliton solutions, Bäcklund transformation, and Lax pair in the explicit forms are constructed. Based on the above results, the characteristic-line method is applied to discuss the features of the solitons for the nonisospectral problem, i.e., the controllable solitonic velocities and widths. Four types of solitonic structures with the different solitonic velocities, widths, amplitudes, and backgrounds are also illustrated.
A thermodynamical model for stress-fiber organization in contractile cells
Authors: Foucard Louis , Vernerey Franck J.
Published: January 2012

Cell mechanical adaptivity to external stimuli is vital to many of its biological functions. A critical question is therefore to understand the formation and organization of the stress fibers from which emerge the cell’s mechanical properties. By accounting for the mechanical aspects and the viscoelastic behavior of stress fibers, we here propose a thermodynamic model to predict the formation and orientation of stress fibers in contractile cells subjected to constant or cyclic stretch and different substrate stiffness. Our results demonstrate that the stress fibers viscoelastic behavior plays a crucial role in their formation and organization and shows good consistency with various experiments.
Thermoelectric performance of Zn-substituted type-VIII clathrate Ba8Ga16Sn30 single crystals
Authors: Du Baoli , Saiga Yuta , Kajisa Kousuke , Takabatake Toshiro
Published: January 2012

We have grown single-crystalline samples of Zn-substituted type-VIII clathrate Ba8Ga16Sn30 with n-type carriers by Sn-flux method. The actual compositions of the single crystals were found to be described as Ba8Ga15.8−2yZnySn30.2+y (y = 0 ∼ 0.54), where the charge balance is well maintained. As y goes from 0 to 0.42, the resistivity at 300 K decreases from 5.3 to 3.0 mΩ cm gradually, but the effective mass is essentially constant at 1.2 ∼ 1.5m0, indicating intact band structure near the conduction band minima upon Zn substitution for Ga. At elevated temperatures, the ambipolar effect on the thermal conductivity becomes less pronounced upon Zn doping, and the dimensionless figure of merit ZT for y = 0.07 and 0.42 remains at rather high values compared with the nondoped sample.
Electron acceleration via high contrast laser interacting with submicron clusters
Authors: Zhang Lu , Chen Li-Ming , Wang Wei-Ming , Yan Wen-Chao , Yuan Da-Wei , Mao Jing-Yi , Wang Zhao-Hua , Liu Cheng , Shen Zhong-Wei , Faenov Anatoly , Pikuz Tatiana , Li Da-Zhang , Li Yu-Tong , Dong Quan-Li , Lu Xin , Ma Jing-Long , Wei Zhi-Yi , Sheng Zheng-Ming , Zhang Jie
Published: January 2012

We experimentally investigated electron acceleration from submicron size argon clusters-gas target irradiated by a 100 fs, 10 TW laser pulses having a high-contrast. Electron beams are observed in the longitudinal and transverse directions to the laser propagation. The measured energy of the longitudinal electron reaches 600 MeV and the charge of the electron beam in the transverse direction is more than 3 nC. A two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation of the interaction has been performed and it shows an enhancement of electron charge by using the cluster-gas target.
Probing dusty-plasma/surface interactions with a heat flux microsensor
Authors: Abolmasov S. N. , Cormier P. A. , Torres Rios A. , Dussart R. , Semmar N. , Thomann A. L. , Roca i Cabarrocas P.
Published: January 2012

Heat flux microsensor—a thermopile with millisecond response time—was employed for direct measurements of total energy flux to a floated surface in a dusty rf discharge. The measurements were performed in silane-hydrogen plasmas at discharge conditions close to those used for the growth of polymorphous silicon films. At rf power between 10 and 50 W, the measured energy flux was in the range of 20-250 mW/cm2. Due to fast time response, the thermopile was also capable of tracing the dynamics of nanoparticle growth. A significant decrease (about 30%) in the energy flux was observed during the agglomeration phase.
Robust unipolar resistive switching of Co nano-dots embedded ZrO2 thin film memories and their switching mechanism
Authors: Wu Ming-Chi , Wu Tsung-Han , Tseng Tseung-Yuen
Published: January 2012

The preparation and electrical properties of Ti/Co Embedded (Co-E) ZrO2/Pt resistive switching memories are investigated. The Co nano-dots are formed in ZrO2 thin film after the memory device is annealed at 600 °C in N2 ambient for 60 s without any chemical reaction between Co and ZrO2, which is confirmed from the transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analyzer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy observations. The devices exhibit low forming voltage of −1.5∼−2.8 V and robust negative bias unipolar resistive switching behaviors with small negative set voltage of −1.1∼−1.6 V. A physical model based on a filament mechanism is employed to explain the switching behaviors. It has a high potential for ultra high density nonvolatile memory applications.
The effect of interfacial charge transfer on ferromagnetism in perovskite oxide superlattices
Authors: Yang F. , Gu M. , Arenholz E. , Browning N. D. , Takamura Y.
Published: January 2012

The structural, magnetic, and electrical properties of superlattices composed of the ferromagnetic/metal La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and non-magnetic/metal La0.5Sr0.5TiO3 grown on (001)-oriented SrTiO3 substrates have been investigated. Using a combination of bulk magnetometry, soft x-ray magnetic spectroscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that robust ferromagnetic properties can be maintained in this superlattice system where charge transfer at the interfaces is minimized. Therefore, ferromagnetism can be controlled effectively through the chemical identity and the thickness of the individual superlattice layers.
Scanning Behaviour in Natural Scenes is Influenced by a Preceding Unrelated Visual Search Task
Authors: Thompson Catherine , Crundall David
Published: January 2012

Three experiments explored the transference of visual scanning behaviour between two unrelated tasks. Participants first viewed letters presented horizontally, vertically, or as a random array. They then viewed still images (experiments 1 and 2) or video clips (experiment 3) of driving scenes, under varying task conditions. Despite having no relevance to the driving images, layout of stimuli in the letter task influenced scanning behaviour in this subsequent task. In the still images, a vertical letter search increased vertical scanning, and in the dynamic clips, a horizontal letter search decreased vertical scanning. This indicated that (i) models of scanning behaviour should account for the influence of a preceding unrelated task; (ii) carry-over is modulated by demand in the current task; and (iii) in situations where particular scanning strategies are important for primary task performance (eg driving safety), secondary task information should be displayed in a manner likely to produce a congruent scanning strategy.
When Can an Object Feel Heavier Than itself? Perceived Heaviness of a Wielded Object Depends on Grasp Position
Authors: Wagman Jeffrey B , Aspel Samantha J
Published: January 2012

Perceived heaviness is a function of how an object resists being moved, and such resistance is determined by object mass and the distribution of that mass relative to the wrist. Whereas mass is independent of grasp position on an object, distribution of mass relative to the wrist is not. Therefore, perceived heaviness should vary with grasp position. Blindfolded participants wielded internally weighted cylindrical objects while grasping them at different distances from the centre of mass. They rated how heavy each object felt at each location relative to a standard object. The results show that objects felt heavier as they were grasped farther from the centre of mass, highlighting the role of the touch system in controlling movement.
On Identifying Background-Structure in Classical Field Theories
Authors: Samaroo Ryan
Published: January 2012

This article concerns the concept of background-structure in a classical field theory. I propose and evaluate three ways of fixing the extension of the concept, giving particular attention to the bearing of the Anderson-Friedman definition of an absolute object on that task. I attempt to show that, though that task cannot end with the Anderson-Friedman definition, that definition sharpens—–and does not blur—–the particular feature of general relativity that is the basis of nearly all attempts to fix the extension of the concept.
From Arbuthnot to Boltzmann: The Past Hypothesis, the Best System, and the Special Sciences
Authors: Frisch Mathias
Published: January 2012

In recent work on the foundations of statistical mechanics and the arrow of time, Barry Loewer and David Albert have developed a view that defends both a best system account of laws and a physicalist fundamentalism. I argue that there is a tension between their account of laws, which emphasizes the pragmatic element in assessing the relative strength of different deductive systems, and their reductivism or fundamentalism. If we take the pragmatic dimension in their account seriously, then the laws of the special sciences should be part of our best explanatory system of the world, as well.
Expanding the Scope of Explanatory Idealization
Authors: Wayne Andrew
Published: January 2012

Many explanations in physics rely on idealized models of physical systems. These explanations fail to satisfy the conditions of standard accounts of explanation. Recently, some philosophers have claimed that idealizations can be used to underwrite explanation nonetheless but only when they are what have variously been called representational, Galilean, controllable, or harmless idealizations. This article argues that such a half-measure is untenable and that idealizations not of this sort can have explanatory capacities.
The Pitfalls of Microphysical Realism
Authors: Khalidi Muhammad Ali
Published: January 2012

Microphysical realism is the position that the only real entities and properties are found at the most fundamental level of nature. In this article, I challenge microphysical realism concerning properties and natural kinds. One argument for microphysical realism about entities, the “nothing-but argument,” does not apply to properties and kinds. Another argument, the “causal exclusion argument,” cannot be sustained in light of modern physics. Moreover, this argument leads to an objection against microphysical realism, based on the “illusoriness of macroproperties.” Another objection is based on the possibility that there is no fundamental level but a “bottomless pit.”
The Prospective Stance in Realism
Authors: Votsis Ioannis
Published: January 2012

Scientific realists endeavor to secure inferences from empirical success to approximate truth by arguing that, despite the demise of empirically successful theories, the parts of those theories responsible for their success do, in fact, survive theory change. If, as some antirealists have recently suggested, successful theory parts are only identifiable in retrospect, namely, as those that have survived, then the realist approach is trivialized, for now success and survival are guaranteed to coincide. The primary aim of this article is to counter this argument by identifying successful theory parts independently from their survival.
On Jaynes's Unbelievably Short Proof of the Second Law
Authors: Parker Daniel
Published: January 2012

This article investigates Jaynes's “unbelievably short proof” of the second law of thermodynamics. It assesses published criticisms of the proof and concludes that these criticisms miss the mark by demanding results that either import expectations of a proof not consistent with an information-theoretic approach or would require assumptions not employed in the proof itself, as it looks only to establish a weaker conclusion. Finally, a weakness in the proof is identified and illustrated. This weakness stems from the fact the Jaynes's assumption of unitary evolution is too strong given his perspective, rather than too weak to provide the desired results.
Style, but Substance: An Epistemology of Visual versus Numerical Representation in Scientific Practice
Authors: Irving Zachary C.
Published: January 2012

In practice, scientists must convey data in a “representational style” (e.g., as a numerical array or visual representation). Various authors seek to explain the epistemic role of scientific visual representation in terms of formal conventions (e.g., Goodman, Perini, and Kulvicki). Goodman also tends to dismiss the epistemic relevance of human cognition. My position is that visual conventions are nonarbitrary, in that they play to scientists’ cognitive abilities and limitations. My account draws on Perini's formal analysis, scientific case studies, and empirical literature on global pattern detection in neurotypicals, autistics, and dyslexics.
Forecasting Food Inflation in Developing Countries with Inflation Targeting Regimes
Authors: Gómez Miguel I. , González Eliana R. , Melo Luis F.
Published: January 2012

Developing countries that employ inflation‐targeting monetary policy regimes require accurate short‐run food inflation forecasts. We develop a systematic approach to improve food inflation forecasts, apply it to Colombian monthly data from December 1989 to April 2006, and show its relevance for inflation targeting regimes. Forecast accuracy can be improved by: disaggregating food products into away‐from‐home, processed and fresh foods; employing econometric methods to combine forecasts from individual models; and using flexible least squares methods in the presence of structural changes. We also show the importance of accurate food inflation forecasts in models simulating monetary policy transmission.
Accumulation of β-Conglycinin in Soybean Cotyledon through the Formation of Disulfide Bonds between α′- and α-Subunits
Authors: Wadahama Hiroyuki , Iwasaki Kensuke , Matsusaki Motonori , Nishizawa Keito , Ishimoto Masao , Arisaka Fumio , Takagi Kyoko , Urade Reiko
Published: January 2012

β-Conglycinin, one of the major soybean (Glycine max) seed storage proteins, is folded and assembled into trimers in the endoplasmic reticulum and accumulated into protein storage vacuoles. Prior experiments have used soybean β-conglycinin extracted using a reducing buffer containing a sulfhydryl reductant such as 2-mercaptoethanol, which reduces both intermolecular and intramolecular disulfide bonds within the proteins. In this study, soybean proteins were extracted from the cotyledons of immature seeds or dry beans under nonreducing conditions to prevent the oxidation of thiol groups and the reduction or exchange of disulfide bonds. We found that approximately half of the α′- and α-subunits of β-conglycinin were disulfide linked, together or with P34, prior to amino-terminal propeptide processing. Sedimentation velocity experiments, size-exclusion chromatography, and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis, with blue native PAGE followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE, indicated that the β-conglycinin complexes containing the disulfide-linked α′/α-subunits were complexes of more than 720 kD. The α′- and α-subunits, when disulfide linked with P34, were mostly present in approximately 480-kD complexes (hexamers) at low ionic strength. Our results suggest that disulfide bonds are formed between α′/α-subunits residing in different β-conglycinin hexamers, but the binding of P34 to α′- and α-subunits reduces the linkage between β-conglycinin hexamers. Finally, a subset of glycinin was shown to exist as noncovalently associated complexes larger than hexamers when β-conglycinin was expressed under nonreducing conditions.
Molecular characterization and tissue‐specific gene expression of Dermacentor variabilis α‐catenin in response to rickettsial infection
Authors: Sunyakumthorn P. , Petchampai N. , Kearney M. T. , Sonenshine D. E. , Macaluso K. R.
Published: January 2012

Alpha catenin is a cytoskeleton protein that acts as a regulator of actin rearrangement by forming an E‐cadherin adhesion complex. In Dermacentor variabilis, a putative α‐catenin (Dvα‐catenin) was previously identified as differentially regulated in ovaries of ticks chronically infected with Rickettsia montanensis. To begin characterizing the role(s) of Dvα‐catenin during rickettsial infection, the full‐length Dvα‐catenin cDNA was cloned and analysed. Comparative sequence analysis demonstrates a 3069‐bp cDNA with a 2718‐bp open reading frame with a sequence similar to Ixodes scapularisα‐catenin. A portion of Dvα‐catenin is homologous to the vinculin‐conserved domain containing a putative actin‐binding region and β‐catenin‐binding and ‐dimerization regions. Quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR analysis demonstrated that Dvα‐catenin is predominantly expressed in tick ovaries and is responsive to tick feeding. The tissue‐specific gene expression analysis of ticks exposed to Rickettsia demonstrates that Dvα‐catenin expression was significantly downregulated 12 h after exposure to R. montanensis, but not in Rickettsia amblyommii‐exposed ovaries, compared with Rickettsia‐unexposed ticks. Studying tick‐derived molecules associated with rickettsial infection will provide a better understanding of the transmission dynamics of tick‐borne rickettsial diseases.
High‐yield Platelet units revealed immediate pH decline and delayed mitochondrial dysfunction during storage in 100% plasma as compared with storage in SSP+
Authors: Sandgren P. , Stjepanovic A.
Published: January 2012

Background and Objectives  Initial elevated and prolonged high carbon dioxide levels related to mitochondrial dysfunction are recently being suggested as a contributing factor to rapid pH decline in platelet (PLT) units. The use of different storage environments may influence this phenomenon. This study has two objectives (i) to investigate the relationship of mitochondrial function and apoptotic events with different storage environments capability of pH control and (ii) to examine the cause and relationship between pH decline in PLT units, carbon dioxide levels and mitochondrial function.

Materials and Methods  Platelet units were prepared for storage in (A) 70% SSP+, 300–400 × 109/unit, (B) 70% SSP+, 550–600 × 109/unit, (C) 100% plasma, 550–600 × 109/unit, and (D) additional 100% plasma, >600 × 109/unit. In vitro variables including mitochondrial function (JC‐1), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase 3 activity were analysed on days 2, 5 and 7.

Results  Glucose/lactate was higher, pH, ATP, Hypotonic shock response (HSR) and extent of shape change (ESC) decreased (P < 0·001 on day 7), CD62P (P < 0·001 on day 7) increased, the JC‐1‐positive PLTs were lower (P < 0·001 on day 7), and ROS was higher (P < 0·001 days 2–7) in the plasma (C) units as compared with the SSP+ (A) and (B) units. All plasma (D) units showed rapid pH and pCO2 decline from day 2 but by means of >80% maintenance of mitochondrial function until day 7.

Conclusions  The use of SSP+ instead of plasma may reduce the risk of triggering pro‐apoptotic events in high‐yield PLT units. A rapid decline in pH in PLT units cannot be explained with initial elevated and prolonged high carbon dioxide levels and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Predictive value of resistive index, detrusor wall thickness and ultrasound estimated bladder weight regarding the outcome after transurethral prostatectomy for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction
Authors: Huang Tao , Qi Jun , Yu Yong Jiang , Xu Ding , Jiao Yang , Kang Jian , Chen Ya Qin , Zhu Yun Kai
Published: January 2012

Objectives: To evaluate the value of three parameters from preoperative ultrasonography in predicting the outcome of transurethral prostatectomy in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction.

Methods: A total of 239 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction entering our department for surgical therapy were prospectively recruited. All of them underwent both ultrasound and urodynamics before receiving standard transurethral prostatectomy by the same team of surgeons. For 202 patients, 6‐month follow‐up data were available after the surgery, including the International Prostate Symptom Score, the Quality of Life score and the maximum flow rate. Preoperative data stratified by different degree of recovery were compared and the influence of ultrasound parameters on the surgical outcome was analyzed by using logistic regression and receiver–operator characteristic curve analyses.

Results: Baseline transitional zone index, intravesical prostatic protrusion, resistive index, detrusor wall thickness and ultrasonic estimation of bladder weight were significantly different between patients with an effective outcome and those with an ineffective outcome (P < 0.05). Resistive index, detrusor wall thickness and ultrasonic estimation of bladder weight were selected as independent factors correlated with the efficacy of transurethral prostatectomy by logistic regression (P < 0.05). All three factors had adequate area under receiver–operator characteristic curve with resistive index having the largest area (0.816, 95% CI 0.759–0.874). The combined positive predictive value in effective surgical outcome of resistive index, detrusor wall thickness and ultrasonic estimation was 96.3%.

Conclusions: Resistive index, detrusor wall thickness and ultrasonic estimation adequately predict the outcome of transurethral prostatectomy. Measuring these parameters by preoperative ultrasound might aid in determining the need for surgical intervention.
The value of urinary prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) scores in predicting pathological features at radical prostatectomy
Authors: Durand Xavier , Xylinas Evanguelos , Radulescu Camelia , Haus‐Cheymol Rachel , Moutereau Stephane , Ploussard Gillaume , Forgues Aurelien , Robert Grégoire , Vacherot Francis , Loric Sylvain , Allory Yves , Ruffion Alain , de la Taille Alexandre
Published: January 2012

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

PCA3 scores correlate to numerous histoprognostic factors, specifically tumour volume and positive surgical margins. These results may have a clinical impact in the near future on the selection of patients eligible to undergo active surveillance and nerve‐sparing surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To assess correlations between Prostate CAncer gene 3 (PCA3) levels and pathological features of radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens, which define cancer aggressiveness.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After digital rectal examination (DRE), first‐catch urine was collected from 160 patients with localized prostate cancer. The PCA3 score was calculated using the Gene Probe Progensa™ assay.

PCA3 scores were then correlated to the pathological features of the RP specimens.

RESULTS

PCA3 scores correlated significantly with tumour volume (r= 0.34, P < 0.01). A PCA3 score of >35 was an independent predictor in a multivariate analysis of a tumour volume >0.5 mL (odds ratio [OR] 2.7, P= 0.04).

It was also an independent predictor of positive surgical margins (OR 2.4, P= 0.04). Receiver–operator characteristic curves indicated PCA3 as the most accurate predictor of positive margins (area under the curve [AUC] 0.62), in addition to a positive biopsy percentage (AUC 0.52).

There was also a significant difference in the mean PCA3 score between Gleason score patient groups (6 vs ≥7) and pathological stage groups (pT0/2 vs pT3/4).

CONCLUSIONS

PCA3 scores correlate to numerous histoprognostic factors, specifically tumour volume and positive surgical margins.

These results may have a clinical impact in the near future on the selection of patients eligible to undergo active surveillance and nerve‐sparing surgery.
Heat‐shock protein 70 from plant biofactories of recombinant antigens activate multiepitope‐targeted immune responses
Authors: Buriani Giampaolo , Mancini Camillo , Benvenuto Eugenio , Baschieri Selene
Published: January 2012

Although a physiological role of heat‐shock proteins (HSP) in antigen presentation and immune response activation has not been directly demonstrated, their use as vaccine components is under clinical trial. We have previously demonstrated that the structure of plant‐derived HSP70 (pHSP70) can be superimposed to the mammalian homologue and similarly to the mammalian counterpart, pHSP70–polypeptide complexes can activate the immune system. It is here shown that pHSP70 purified from plant tissues transiently expressing the influenza virus nucleoprotein are able to induce both the activation of major histocompatibility complex class I–restricted polyclonal T‐cell responses and antibody production in mice of different haplotypes without the need of adjuvant co‐delivery. These results indicate that pHSP70 derived from plants producing recombinant antigens may be used to formulate multiepitope vaccines.