bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIF-1α is upregulated in human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Palomäki Sami , Pietilä Mika , Laitinen Saara , Pesälä Juha , Sormunen Raija , Lehenkari Petri , Koivunen Peppi
Published: June 2013

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are multipotent cells that have aroused great expectations in regenerative medicine. They are assumed to originate from hypoxic stem cell niches, especially in the bone marrow. This suggests that O2 is of importance in their regulation. In order to characterize regulation of the oxygen sensing pathway in these cells, we studied hMSCs isolated from three origins, adult and pediatric bone marrow and umbilical cord blood (UCB). Surprisingly, pediatric bone marrow and UCB MSCs showed normoxic stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) that is normally degraded completely by HIF prolyl 4-hydroxylases in the presence of oxygen. This was due to a high expression level of HIF-1α mRNA rather than inappropriate post-translational degradation of HIF-1α protein. HIF-1α mRNA was also induced in normoxic adult bone marrow MSCs, but 40% less than in the pediatric cells, and this was apparently not enough to stabilize the protein. The high normoxic HIF expression in all the hMSCs studied was accompanied by increased expression of a large number of glycolytic HIF target genes and increased glycolysis. Osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived hMSCs reduced HIF-1α mRNA and protein expression and the expression of glycolytic mRNAs, resulting in decreased glycolysis and induction of oxidative metabolism. Induced mitochondrial biogenesis, changes in mitochondrial morphology and size indicative of increased oxidative phosphorylation, and induction of extracellular matrix synthesis were observed following osteogenic differentiation. Altogether, these data suggest that HIF-1α is a general regulator controlling the metabolic fate and multipotency of the hMSCs.
SDF-1 fused to a fractalkine stalk and a GPI anchor enables functional neovascularization
Authors: Stachel Georg , Trenkwalder Teresa , Götz Franziska , El Aouni Chiraz , Muenchmeier Niklas , Pfosser Achim , Nussbaum Claudia , Sperandio Markus , Hatzopoulos Antonis K. , Hinkel Rabea , Nelson Peter J. , Kupatt Christian
Published: June 2013

The facilitated recruitment of vascular progenitor cells (VPCs) to ischemic areas might be a therapeutic target for neovascularization and repair. However, efficient and directed attraction of VPCs remains a major challenge in clinical application. To enhance VPC homing, we developed a fusion protein (S1FG), based on the biology of stroma-derived factor-1/CXCL12 and the mucin backbone taken from fractalkine/CXCL12. A GPI-anchor was included to link the fusion-protein to the cell surface. HUVECs transfected with S1FG were capable of increasing firm adhesion of CXCR4+-mononuclear cells (THP-1) under shear stress conditions in vitro. In an in vivo rabbit model of chronic hind limb ischemia, local S1FG application enhanced the recruitment of adoptively transferred embryonic EPCs (eEPCs) to the ischemic muscles 2.5-fold. S1FG combined with eEPClow (2 × 106) yielded similar capillary growth as eEPChigh (5 × 106) alone. Compared to controls, collateral formation was increased in the S1FG eEPClow group, but not the eEPChigh group without S1FG, whereas perfusion was found enhanced in both groups. In addition, S1FG also increased collateral formation and flow when combined with AMD3100 treatment, to increase circulating levels of endogenous VPC. These data demonstrate that the fusion protein S1FG is capable of enhancing the recruitment of exogenously applied or endogenously mobilized progenitor cells to sites of injury. Recombinant versions of S1FG applied via catheters in combination with progenitor cell mobilization may be useful in the treatment of chronic ischemic syndromes requiring improved perfusion.
Using delimiting surveys to characterize the spatiotemporal dynamics facilitates the management of an invasive non‐native insect
Authors: Tobin Patrick C. , Blackburn Laura M. , Gray Rebecca H. , Lettau Christopher T. , Liebhold Andrew M. , Raffa Kenneth F.
Published: June 2013

The ability to ascertain abundance and spatial extent of a nascent population of a non‐native species can inform management decisions. Following initial detection, delimiting surveys, which involve the use of a finer network of samples around the focal point of a newly detected colony, are often used to quantify colony size, spatial extent, and the location of the population core. Despite the widespread use of pheromone‐baited traps in delimitation surveys to manage invading populations of Lymantria dispar (L.) in North America, there has been no prior comprehensive attempt to analytically determine the adequacy of these surveys. We used data from 2,190 delimiting grids collected from 2000 to 2010 in the United States to quantify the information gained from delimiting surveys. The use of delimiting surveys revealed that ≈53 % of populations of low initial abundance persisted as detectable populations in the following year; however, when trap data from delimiting surveys were excluded, only ≈16 % of these low density populations were detected in the following year. Measurements of abundance and spatial extent of a detected population were affected by the increased use of delimiting traps after accounting for initial abundance, the distance from an infested area, and colony area. The use of delimiting traps had a lesser effect on the estimation of the spatial location of the population core, indicating that initial detection of a population often reflects the population core. The need to prioritize resources in efforts to manage non‐native species is paramount, and early detection is a key in invasive species management.
A Community's Response to Suicide Through Public Art: Stakeholder Perspectives from the Finding the Light Within Project
Authors: Mohatt Nathaniel V. , Singer Jonathan B. , Evans Arthur C. , Matlin Samantha L. , Golden Jane , Harris Cathy , Burns James , Siciliano Catherine , Kiernan Guy , Pelleritti Margaret , Tebes Jacob Kraemer
Published: June 2013

Suicide is a preventable public health problem and a leading cause of death in the United States. Despite recognized need for community‐based strategies for suicide prevention, most suicide prevention programs focus on individual‐level change. This article presents seven first person accounts of Finding the Light Within, a community mobilization initiative to reduce the stigma associated with suicide through public arts participation that took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 2011 through 2012. The stigma associated with suicide is a major challenge to suicide prevention, erecting social barriers to effective prevention and treatment and enhancing risk factors for people struggling with suicidal ideation and recovery after losing a loved one to suicide. This project engaged a large and diverse audience and built a new community around suicide prevention through participatory public art, including community design and production of a large public mural about suicide, storytelling and art workshops, and a storytelling website. We present this project as a model for how arts participation can address suicide on multiple fronts—from raising awareness and reducing stigma, to promoting community recovery, to providing healing for people and communities in need.
Further Examination of the Mechanism of Round Synthetic Jets in Delaying Turbulent Flow Separation
Authors: Zhong Shan , Zhang Shanying
Published: June 2013

This paper reports the findings from a further study of the 2D and stereo PIV data obtained in the interaction zone between the separated turbulent boundary layer over a 2D ramp and round synthetic jets by the authors. The synthetic jets are operated at two actuation frequencies with one being close to the natural frequency of the separated shear layer. Both the triple decomposition technique and Q-criterion are employed to investigate how the separated flow responds to the passage of different parts of the vortical structures produced by the synthetic jets during an actuation cycle at different synthetic jet operating conditions. An attempt is made to explain the observed differences in the ways that the separated flow responds to the actuation of synthetic jets at the two actuation frequencies. A better understanding of the mechanism of flow separation delay using round synthetic jets is obtained, leading to a more complete physical model describing the interaction mechanism.
Medical Genetics and Genetic Counseling in Chile
Authors: Margarit Sonia B. , Alvarado Mónica , Alvarez Karin , Lay‐Son Guillermo
Published: June 2013

In the South American Republic of Chile genetic counseling is not currently recognized as an independent clinical discipline, and in general is provided by physicians with training in clinical genetics. At present only one genetic counselor and 28 clinical geneticists practice in this country of over 16 million inhabitants. Pediatric dysmorphology constitutes the primary area of practice in clinical genetics. Although the country has a universal health care system and an adequate level of health care, genetic conditions are not considered a health care priority and there is a lack of clinical and laboratory resources designated for clinical genetics services. Multiple educational, cultural and financial barriers exist to the growth and development of genetic counseling services in Chile. However, during the last 10 years increased awareness of the importance of identifying individuals at risk for inherited cancer syndromes led to growing interest in the practice of cancer genetics.
On Being Attracted to the Possibility of a Win: Reward Sensitivity (via Gambling Motives) Undermines Treatment Seeking Among Pathological Gamblers
Authors: Sztainert Travis , Wohl Michael J. A. , McManus Justin F. , Stead John D. H.
Published: June 2013

Unfortunately, only a small percent of pathological gamblers seek the professional help they need. In the current study, we test the idea that individual differences in reward sensitivity should predict whether a pathological gambler has sought treatment—the odds of treatment seeking should decrease as reward sensitivity increases. This hypothesis rests on the proposition that reward sensitive pathological gamblers should find treatment seeking aversive because doing so would remove a route to reward. We also tested those motivations to gamble that are positively reinforcing (social affliction and self-enhancement) as a possible mechanism by which reward sensitivity undermines treatment seeking—we did not anticipate negatively reinforcing motivations (e.g., coping) to be a mechanistic variable. Ninety-two pathological gamblers completed a large-scale survey that contained the variables of interest. As predicted, pathological gamblers were less likely to have sought treatment as reward sensitivity increased. Moreover, this relationship was mediated by social affiliation motivations to gamble, but not self-enhancement or coping motives. Reward sensitive gamblers did not wish to seek treatment to the extent that they were motivated to gamble for the social interactions it provides—seeking treatment would cut this avenue of affiliation with others. In light of these results, we suggest health care professionals take reward sensitivity into account when trying to promote treatment seeking, to say nothing of the social affiliation motives that underlie the reward sensitivity-treatment seeking link.
Evaluating the Equal-Interval Hypothesis with Test Score Scales
Authors: Domingue Ben
Published: June 2013

The axioms of additive conjoint measurement provide a means of testing the hypothesis that testing data can be placed onto a scale with equal-interval properties. However, the axioms are difficult to verify given that item responses may be subject to measurement error. A Bayesian method exists for imposing order restrictions from additive conjoint measurement while estimating the probability of a correct response. In this study an improved version of that methodology is evaluated via simulation. The approach is then applied to data from a reading assessment intentionally designed to support an equal-interval scaling.
Effect of Tocopherols on the Anti‐Polymerization Activity of Oryzanol and Corn Steryl Ferulates in Soybean Oil
Authors: Winkler‐Moser Jill K. , Rennick Kathy A. , Hwang Hong‐Sik , Berhow Mark A. , Vaughn Steven F.
Published: June 2013

Steryl ferulates (SFs) are ferulic acid esters of phytosterols and/or triterpene alcohols which have potential as frying oil antioxidants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti‐polymerization and antioxidant activity at frying temperatures of corn steryl ferulates (CSFs), rice steryl ferulates (oryzanol), and a mixture of CSFs with oryzanol, alone and with tocopherols. Antioxidant activity was measured by the reduction of polymerized triacylglycerol formation, and loss of olefinic and bisallylic protons from fatty acid double bonds by 1H NMR. CSFs and oryzanol slowed the oxidation and polymerization of soybean oil triacylglycerols heated to 180 °C more effectively than a mixture of alpha and gamma tocopherols. CSFs were more effective at preventing polymerization than oryzanol, but when oryzanol was combined with tocopherols, they all had similar antioxidant activity. In addition, tocopherols had a protective effect on SFs. Corn SFs were degraded more quickly during heating than oryzanol, however, the phytosterol constituents of corn SFs, sitostanol and campestanol, were actually more resistant to degradation compared to the phytosterol constituents of rice SFs. Results demonstrate that corn and rice SFs may be effective antioxidants for use in frying oils, and that their activity is enhanced in the presence of tocopherols.
Protein–protein interactions between intermediate chains and the docking complex of Chlamydomonas flagellar outer arm dynein
Authors: Ide Takahiro , Owa Mikito , King Stephen M. , Kamiya Ritsu , Wakabayashi Ken-ichi
Published: June 2013

Outer arm dynein (OAD) is bound to specific loci on outer‐doublet‐microtubules by interactions at two sites: via intermediate chain 1 (IC1) and the outer dynein arm docking complex (ODA‐DC). Studies using Chlamydomonas mutants have suggested that the individual sites have rather weak affinities for microtubules, and therefore strong OAD attachment to microtubules is achieved by their cooperation. To test this idea, we examined interactions between IC1, IC2 (another intermediate chain) and ODA‐DC using recombinant proteins. Recombinant IC1 and IC2 were found to form a 1:1 complex, and this complex associated with ODA‐DC in vitro. Binding of IC1 to mutant axonemes revealed that there are specific binding sites for IC1. From these data, we propose a novel model of OAD‐outer doublet association.
miR‐150 promotes the proliferation of lung cancer cells by targeting P53
Authors: Zhang Ni , Wei Xiang , Xu Lijun
Published: June 2013

Lung cancer is one of the most common causes for cancer‐related death. Previous studies suggested that uncontrolled cell proliferation induced by activation of pro‐cancer genes or inhibition of cancer suppressor genes plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Here, we demonstrate that miR‐150 is aberrantly upregulated in lung cancer tissue and negatively correlates with the expression of the proapoptotic gene p53 but not EGR2. We show that miR‐150 specifically targets the 3′‐UTR of p53 and regulates its expression. Inhibition of miR‐150 effectively delays cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis, accompanied by increased p53 protein expression. Our data reveals the mechanisms underlying miR‐150 regulated lung cancer pathogenesis, which might be beneficial for lung cancer therapy.
Promoter identification and transcriptional regulation of the metastasis gene MACC1 in colorectal cancer
Authors: Juneja Manisha , Ilm Katharina , Schlag Peter M. , Stein Ulrike
Published: June 2013

MACC1, Metastasis associated in colon cancer 1, is a newly identified prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer metastasis and patient survival, when determined in the primary tumor or patient blood. MACC1 induces cell motility and proliferation in cell culture and metastasis in mouse models. MACC1 acts as a transcriptional regulator of the receptor tyrosine kinase gene Met via binding to its promoter. However, no information about the promoter of the MACC1 gene and its transcriptional regulation has been reported so far. Here we report the identification of the MACC1 promoter using a promoter luciferase construct that directs transcription of MACC1. To gain insights into the essential domains within this promoter region, we constructed 5′ truncated deletion constructs. Our results show that the region from −426 to −18 constitutes the core promoter and harbors functional motifs for the binding of AP‐1, Sp1, and C/EBP transcription factors as validated by site directed mutagenesis study. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we demonstrated the physical interaction of these transcription factors to a minimal essential MACC1 core promoter sequence. Knock down of these transcription factors using RNAi strategy reduced MACC1 expression (P < 0.001), and resulted in decrease of cell migration (P < 0.01) which could be specifically rescued by ectopic overexpression of MACC1. In human colorectal tumors, expression levels of c‐Jun and Sp1 correlated significantly to MACC1 (P = 0.0007 and P = 0.02, respectively). Importantly, levels of c‐Jun and Sp1 also showed significant correlation to development of metachronous metastases (P = 0.01 and P = 0.001, respectively). This is the first study identifying the MACC1 promoter and its transcriptional regulation by AP‐1 and Sp1. Knowledge of the transcriptional regulation of the MACC1 gene will implicate in enhanced understanding of its role in cancer progression and metastasis.
CEO Entrenchment and Corporate Hedging: Evidence from the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Rabinovitch Ramon
Published: June 2013

Using a unique data set with detailed information on the derivative positions of upstream oil and gas firms during 1996–2008, we find that hedging intensity is positively related to factors that amplify chief executive officer (CEO) entrenchment and free cash flow agency costs. There is also robust evidence that hedging is motivated by the reduction of financial distress and borrowing costs, and that it is influenced by both intrinsic cash flow risk and temporary spikes in commodity price volatility. We present a comprehensive perspective on the determinants of corporate hedging, and the results are consistent with the predictions of the risk management and agency costs literatures.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma in a lateral neck cyst: primary of ectopic thyroid tissue versus cystic metastasis
Authors: Xu J J , Kwan K , Fung K
Published: June 2013

Objective:

To review the diagnosis of primary papillary carcinoma of ectopic thyroid tissue within branchial cleft cysts, and to discuss the diagnostic challenge of differentiating this condition from metastatic disease when an occult microcarcinoma is found in the thyroid gland.

Methods:

These comprise a case report and a literature review. We present the case of a 75-year-old woman with papillary thyroid carcinoma within the wall of a recurrent, 15 cm, lateral neck cyst.

Results:

Histological examination of the patient's thyroid gland found a 0.5 mm papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Conclusion:

Our differential diagnosis was primary papillary carcinoma arising from ectopic thyroid tissue, or metastatic cystic degeneration of a lateral lymph node. We make an argument for the former.
Characteristics and prognostic factors for head and neck non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Chinese patients
Authors: Wang J , Cai C-P , He S-F , Wang S-L
Published: June 2013

Background and objectives:

The head and neck region is the second most frequent anatomical site of extranodal lymphomas. These tumours affect many individuals worldwide, justifying epidemiological studies in different countries. This study evaluated the characteristics, treatments and prognostic factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck in Chinese patients.

Method:

The clinical manifestations, clinicopathological characteristics, multidisciplinary treatment and prognostic factors for 102 patients with extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck were analysed retrospectively.

Result:

The tonsil was the most commonly involved primary site, followed by the nasal cavity. The most common histological subtype was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, followed by natural killer T-cell lymphoma. Patients receiving a combination of rituximab and chemotherapy did better than those receiving chemotherapy alone. Prognosis was significantly associated with both International Prognostic Index and histological subtype; the former was especially strongly associated with poor survival.

Conclusion:

In this group of Chinese patients, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was the most common pathological subtype, but the incidence of T-cell lymphomas was higher than that reported in the USA. Combined rituximab and chemotherapy led to better outcomes than chemotherapy alone. Prognosis depended on both International Prognostic Index and histological subtype.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome
Authors: Shilton H , Hodgson M , Burgess G
Published: June 2013

Introduction:

We report the first use in Australia of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden hearing loss following head trauma in a child with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.

Case report:

A 12-year-old boy with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome presented with significant hearing loss following head trauma. He was treated with steroids and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, with good improvement of hearing thresholds on audiography. This case represents the first reported use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for this indication in Australia, following a few previous reports of patients in Japan. We review the literature on management of acute sensorineural hearing loss in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. The reported case demonstrates a potentially beneficial therapy for a rare condition that usually results in an inevitable decline in hearing.

Conclusion:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be tolerated well by children, and may represent a potential treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in patients with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.
Cardiovascular fitness in early adulthood and future suicidal behaviour in men followed for up to 42 years
Authors: Åberg M. A. I. , Nyberg J. , Torén K. , Sörberg A. , Kuhn H. G. , Waern M.
Published: June 2013

Background

Cardiovascular fitness influences many aspects of brain function. However, the relationship between cardiovascular fitness and suicidal behaviour is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether cardiovascular fitness at age 18 years is associated with future risk of suicide attempt/death.

Method

We performed a population-based Swedish longitudinal cohort study of male conscripts with no previous or ongoing mental illness (n = 1 136 527). The conscription examination, which took place during 1968–2005, included the cycle ergonometric test and tests of cognitive performance. Future risk of suicide attempt/death over a 5- to 42-year follow-up period was calculated with Cox proportional hazards models controlling for several confounders including familial factors.

Results

At least one suicide attempt was recorded for 12 563 men. Death by suicide without a prior attempt was recorded in 4814 additional individuals. In fully adjusted models low cardiovascular fitness was associated with increased risk for future attempt/death by suicide [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64–1.94]. The HR changed only marginally after exclusion of persons who received in-patient care for depression (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.61–1.94). Poor performance on both the cardiovascular fitness and cognitive tests was associated with a fivefold increased risk of suicide attempt or suicide death (HR 5.46, 95% CI 4.78–6.24).

Conclusions

Lower cardiovascular fitness at age 18 years was, after adjustment for a number of potential confounders, associated with an increased risk of attempt/death by suicide in adulthood. It remains to be clarified whether interventions designed to improve fitness in teens can influence the risk of suicidal behaviour later in life.
To be or not to be? Public archaeology as a tool of public opinion and the dilemma of intellectuality
Authors: Sánchez Jaime Almansa
Published: June 2013

Stating the value of archaeology for contemporary society is a very difficult task hardly undertaken by archaeologists. Work with a contemporary record directly linked to local communities, and the approach of public archaeology, have helped to bring society and archaeology closer together. However, the role of a public intellectual goes beyond archaeology, delving into current social worries. Is it possible to play this game from archaeology? The multiple and complex relations between archaeology and society open the door to participation in public debates, but we stand to lose our essence. We face a Shakespearean dilemma, a choice between having an influential voice in the present, or just an expert opinion.
The need and potential for an archaeology orientated towards the present
Authors: Holtorf Cornelius
Published: June 2013

The question ‘Can an archaeologist be a public intellectual?’ appears to express both an unfulfilled desire and a secret hope of an entire professional corps to count among them at least a few public intellectuals. I suggest that the state of the discipline of archaeology makes it harder, compared with other disciplines, for its professional representatives to address present-day issues and relate to public debates. I also suggest that maybe the most significant effect of the fact that society's public intellectuals generally do not have degrees in archaeology is that participants in public debates and policy makers are unaware of how various applications of archaeology and cultural heritage can benefit contemporary society. This potential will therefore have to be realized in different ways.
Exerting influence? Responsibility and the public role of archaeology in divided societies
Authors: Horning Audrey
Published: June 2013

Can, or should, archaeologists adopt the mantle of the public intellectual and bring archaeology to bear on contemporary issues within divided societies? The line between the archaeologist and the citizen is never clear-cut. How do we balance the recognition that our knowledge and expertise allow us to exert influence with the necessity to act as responsible members of our own societies? I define a public intellectual as one who is not afraid to step outside professional circles and comfort zones and to engage, challenge and comment on issues of broad relevance in the present. Employing Northern Ireland as a case study, I argue that archaeologists have a responsibility to provide leadership and commentary regarding the fraught relationship between past and present.
The dead and their public. Memory campaigns, issue networks and the role of the archaeologist in the excavation of mass graves
Authors: Renshaw Layla
Published: June 2013

This contribution will consider how the practice of archaeology ‘brings a public into being’. Drawing on examples of the excavation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War and the First World War, particularly those cases resulting from activism on the part of memory campaign groups, this paper considers how the act of excavation can serve as a catalyst for members of the public to coalesce and deliberate the complex and far-reaching questions associated with the post-mortem treatment and commemoration of the dead. The necessity to fulfil the aims of particular constituencies, such as the relatives of the dead, or the need to maintain a position of impartiality, may militate against the archaeologist's full intellectual engagement with these questions, resulting in the archaeologist's role being defined primarily by their technical or practical contribution. The concept of the issue network is explored as a way to understand the formation of memory campaigns and the archaeologist's relationship with the public. The idea of the network underlines the potential for the archaeologist to make an intellectual contribution that develops and democratizes the debate surrounding an excavation, even if their position is contested, and so bring a wider public into being.
Entering history? Archaeologists as intellectualsà la recherche du temps perdu
Authors: Schlanger Nathan
Published: June 2013

Following some comments on the notion of ‘public’ intellectuals (can they be otherwise?), this brief paper focuses on the intellectual roles that could be played by archaeologists today. Exposure to the media, usually following some spectacular discovery, serves to confirm the romantico-empirical image of the discipline, but should also lead to an engagement with key public debates. Three such debates are indicated: the idea that ‘African man has yet to enter history’ as expressed by the former French president; the creation of a Maison de l'histoire de France under the tutelage of the Ministry of National Identity; and, across the Channel, the Localism Bill, which pushes decision making to an untenably low level while promoting a historically and archaeologically questionable view of local communities.
Towards a post-colonial artefact analysis
Authors: Van Oyen Astrid
Published: June 2013

This paper argues that material culture should be brought even more to the forefront in post-colonial archaeology. At present, post-colonial analyses start from a baseline of pinned-down, delineated things as processed through artefact analysis, to proceed to interpretations of how these things were used in fluid, multidirectional, ambivalent social and cultural interactions. But what if thingsthemselvescan be fluid rather than bounded? Can we look into the various ways in which things were defined in the past, and the various relations they enabled? Such a change of perspective can also help redress the imbalance within post-colonial studies between, on the one hand, consumption as the field in which meaning is negotiated and, on the other hand, production as offering merely a template for the inscription of that meaning. A case study of so-called pre-sigillata production in southern Gaul articulates the benefit to be gained from considering these issues.
New Welfare in Health Insurances? Trends in Risk-Coverage and Self-Responsibility in Four European Countries
Authors: Fenger Menno , Qaran Weys
Published: June 2013

In the current economic and financial crisis, many European governments are debating cuts in healthcare costs. These debates, on the one hand, have a financial perspective, with cutting healthcare costs the highest ambition. On the other hand, they also have a moral perspective, for example when dealing with the coverage of lifestyle related health risks like binge drinking or smoking. Increasingly, the ideas of ‘positive’ or ‘new’ welfare are included in this discussion. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is stimulated or even financially rewarded in many domains of European welfare states, including healthcare (Department of Health, 2004; Jochelson, 2007; Fenger, 2009, 2011; Oliver and Brown, 2011; English, 2012).
The sportification of judo: global convergence and evolution
Authors: Sato Shohei
Published: June 2013

This article re-examines our understanding of modern sport. Today, various physical cultures across the world are practised under the name of sport. Almost all of these sports originated in the West and expanded to the rest of the world. However, the history of judo confounds the diffusionist model. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, a Japanese educationalist amalgamated different martial arts and established judo not as a sport but as ‘a way of life’. Today it is practised globally as an Olympic sport. Focusing on the changes in its rules during this period, this article demonstrates that the globalization of judo was accompanied by a constant evolution of its character. The overall ‘sportification’ of judo took place not as a diffusion but as a convergence – a point that is pertinent to the understanding of the global sportification of physical cultures, and also the standardization of cultures in modern times.
Playing to the ‘imaginary grandstand’: sport, the ‘British world’, and an Australian colonial identity
Authors: van Duinen Jared
Published: June 2013

This article argues for the importance of an exploration of sporting interactions in the British world. In addition, it presents the case for the adaptation of borderlands theory to the British world framework. Such study of British world borderlands is capable of more accurately capturing the spatial and regional variety of this British world and, in particular, the nascent national identities of dominions such as Australia. Sport is a particularly apt vehicle for the examination of such issues in an Australian context, since playing to the ‘imaginary grandstand’ of international spectators has always occupied a central role in the construction of an Australian national identity. This article uses three brief case studies – cricket, swimming, and Australian Rules football – to explore these theoretical claims.
Challenges of Multiple Airport Control
Authors: Oehme Astrid , Leitner Rodney , Wittbrodt Nora
Published: June 2013

Recent developments in avionics and ground-sensor technology have led to multiple approaches toward remote traffic control for small, regional airports. We investigated a new operational concept considering the simultaneous control of several airports from a single remote location in an experimental setup. The number of airports and the control principle – that is, the control of one versus several aircraft at a time – were compared applying a multiple-task paradigm. The impact of both variables on relevant performance indicators was assessed. While performance in issuing clearances was excellent in all conditions, mental effort increased and detection performance deteriorated with the number of controlled airports. Surprisingly, the several-at-a-time principle enhanced detection performance for unexpected events and reduced response times to situational awareness queries.
Quantifying community assembly processes and identifying features that impose them
Authors: Stegen James C , Lin Xueju , Fredrickson Jim K , Chen Xingyuan , Kennedy David W , Murray Christopher J , Rockhold Mark L , Konopka Allan
Published: June 2013

Spatial turnover in the composition of biological communities is governed by (ecological) Drift, Selection and Dispersal. Commonly applied statistical tools cannot quantitatively estimate these processes, nor identify abiotic features that impose these processes. For interrogation of subsurface microbial communities distributed across two geologically distinct formations of the unconfined aquifer underlying the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State, we developed an analytical framework that advances ecological understanding in two primary ways. First, we quantitatively estimate influences of Drift, Selection and Dispersal. Second, ecological patterns are used to characterize measured and unmeasured abiotic variables that impose Selection or that result in low levels of Dispersal. We find that (i) Drift alone consistently governs ∼25% of spatial turnover in community composition; (ii) in deeper, finer-grained sediments, Selection is strong (governing ∼60% of turnover), being imposed by an unmeasured but spatially structured environmental variable; (iii) in shallower, coarser-grained sediments, Selection is weaker (governing ∼30% of turnover), being imposed by vertically and horizontally structured hydrological factors;(iv) low levels of Dispersal can govern nearly 30% of turnover and be caused primarily by spatial isolation resulting from limited exchange between finer and coarser-grain sediments; and (v) highly permeable sediments are associated with high levels of Dispersal that homogenize community composition and govern over 20% of turnover. We further show that our framework provides inferences that cannot be achieved using preexisting approaches, and suggest that their broad application will facilitate a unified understanding of microbial communities.
Planar ultra‐wideband antenna with five notched stop bands
Authors: Liu J.J. , Esselle K.P. , Hay S.G. , Zhong S.S.
Published: June 2013

A printed ultra‐wideband (UWB) antenna with five notched stop bands is presented. By introducing a pair of arc‐shaped slots, two defected ground structures and an open‐loop resonator, five sharp notches are achieved at frequencies of 2.4, 3.2, 5.2, 5.8 and 7.5 GHz. The proposed antenna has been fabricated and tested. The measured results indicate that the proposed design not only supports UWB bandwidth requirements but rejects five narrow bands to avoid possible interference with existing communication systems. In addition, the proposed antenna has relatively omnidirectional radiation patterns in passbands.
Precession feature extraction of warhead with empennages
Authors: Yao H.Y. , Sun W.F. , Ma X.Y. , Li X.X. , Qian L.C.
Published: June 2013

To investigate micro‐Doppler signatures of precession for a warhead with empennages, the model of precession is built and mathematical formulas of a micro‐Doppler induced by different scattering centres are derived. The relationship between the micro‐Doppler appearing frequency of empennages and micro‐motion frequencies is first acquired, then two important precession features, namely coning frequency and spinning frequency, are extracted based on the micro‐Doppler. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Analysis of singular values PDF and CCDF on receiver‐side antennas correlated MIMO channels
Authors: Benavente‐Peces C. , Cano‐Broncano F. , Ahrens A. , Ortega‐González F.J. , Pardo‐Martín J.M.
Published: June 2013

Antennas proximity produces the antennas correlation effect which impacts MIMO systems performance. This reported work analyses the singular values complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) to evaluate the receiver‐side antennas correlation effect and the outcomes of the appropriate antennas usage, showing some results for a 4 × 4 MIMO channel with linearly and uniformly spaced antennas.
Analogue circuit design methodology using self‐cascode structures
Authors: Baek K.‐J. , Gim J.‐M. , Kim H.‐S. , Na K.‐Y. , Kim N.‐S. , Kim Y.‐S.
Published: June 2013

A new analogue circuit design methodology using independently optimised self‐cascode (SC) structures is proposed. Based on the concept of the dual‐workfunction‐gate structures, which are equivalent to SC structures, transconductance and output resistance optimised SC MOSFETs were used in the differential input and output stages, respectively. An operational amplifier (opamp) with the proposed design methodology using standard 0.18 µm CMOS technology was designed to provide better performance. The measured DC gain of the fabricated opamp with independently‐optimised SC MOSFETs was approximately 12 dB higher than that of the conventional opamp.
Analysis and optimisation of link‐layer protocol in Gb/s infrared links
Authors: Yiannopoulos Konstantinos , Boucouvalas Anthony Christos
Published: June 2013

A combined analytical and simulation framework is presented for study of the link‐layer protocol that is currently used to control the operation of Gb/s infrared links in optical‐wireless‐based personal communication systems. The analytical and simulation methods are utilised to evaluate protocol efficiency and demonstrate that protocol performance is strongly affected by physical layer parameters including the bit‐error‐rate and the link turnaround time. The networking parameters, such as the protocol window and frame size, that optimise the protocol operation against any given physical layer arrangement are also determined.
Generalised proportional fairness scheduler for broadband orthogonal frequency‐division multiple access systems with heterogeneous traffics
Authors: Kuo Yaw‐Wen , Hsueh Nai‐Wei
Published: June 2013

The popular proportional fairness (PF) scheduler is very suitable for achieving a trade‐off between system throughput and fairness, but the authors observed two issues while applying it to broadband networks with heterogeneous traffics. As the PF scheduler only considers average throughput and channel quality, it favours users with low‐data rates. In addition, the credits of idle users accumulate because their average throughputs decrease with time during their idle periods. This study proposes a generalised PF scheduler that considers profit instead of average throughput, and it integrates a new mechanism for updating the utility functions to mitigate the issue of credit accumulation. Simulation results show that the proposed PF scheduler outperforms the traditional algorithms in terms of fairness and transient behaviour.
Timing‐delay and frequency‐offset estimations for initial synchronisation on time‐varying Rayleigh fading channels
Authors: Lin Jia‐Chin , Hsu Heng‐Yuan
Published: June 2013

A technique for timing‐delay and frequency‐offset estimations that takes advantage of a single dual‐chirp preamble burst operating in frequency‐non‐selective fading environments is proposed. As the shape of the autocorrelation function of the dual‐chirp signal does not essentially change by different values of frequency offset, the proposed technique provides a maximum‐likelihood (ML) timing‐delay estimation by exploiting only one pair of pseudo‐noise matched filters (PN MFs), instead of conventionally exploiting a continuum of MFs, therefore approaching the Miller‐Chang bound (MCB) in the timing‐delay estimation with a channel gain and an initial phase error as nuisance parameters. Using the transform invariance property of the dual‐chirp signal, the proposed technique estimates a frequency offset by exploiting frequency‐domain PN MFs, therefore approaching the MCB in the frequency‐offset estimation. The proposed technique accomplishes ML timing‐delay and frequency‐offset estimations to attain the performance bounds. The advantages of the proposed technique are verified by rigorous statistical analysis in conjunction with comprehensive computer simulations.
Relativity‐based access strategy for frequency hopping system
Authors: Bao Nan , Shen Lianfeng
Published: June 2013

In this study, two relativity‐based access strategies are proposed for frequency hopping system with cognitive ability (C‐FH). Sensing module is added in the receiver to perform real‐time measurement of channel states. The first access strategy is studied in consideration of partial relative FH pattern. The spectrum band is divided into several groups and each C‐FH user can only jump over the channel group authorised by the active user. In the second access strategy, the C‐FH user will adaptively choose an active user as the scheduler to apply for access. The application users may be rejected because of lack of resources or accepted to access the available channels in order of arranged sequence. The chosen scheduler will accept applications according to number of available channels and the spectrum resource will be shared in condition of being temporally correlated. With relativity‐based strategies, FH patterns of users have the minimum Hamming correlation, even to zero. Markov chains are built to model the access processes. The performance analysis and the simulation results show that the relativity‐based access strategy brings lower collision probability, higher bandwidth utilisation and higher normalised average throughput.
Delay‐limited throughput analysis of cooperative hybrid automatic repeat request in asymmetric fading channels
Authors: Yang Jing , Fan Pingzhi , Chen Qingchun , Lei Xianfu
Published: June 2013

This study analyses the delay‐limited throughput performance of an uplink cellular relay network utilising hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocol in which one mobile station (MS) communicates with one base station (BS) with the aid of one amplify‐and‐forward relay station (RS). The authors’ analysis allows for a practical fading scenario where MS → RS and RS → BS channels undergo independent Rayleigh and Rician fading, respectively. Delay‐limited throughput expressions for two HARQ protocols are derived, respectively, namely Repetition Time Diversity and Incremental Redundancy. Furthermore, the impact of different parameters on the achievable throughput, such as the maximum HARQ round number L, line‐of‐sight signal K, information rate R etc., is analysed. The authors’ analysis unveils that, for the presumed dual‐hop cooperation model with the specified tolerable delay requirement and given channel condition, there exists an optimal information rate R* that achieves the maximum delay‐limited throughput for the two HARQ protocols. Moreover, it is disclosed that, both HARQ protocols with the adaptive optimised information rate outperform the counterpart with the fixed information rate in low and moderate SNR regions, suggesting that an adaptive transmission scheme should be employed to achieve a better throughput performance.
Nakagami‐m approximations for multiple‐input multiple‐output singular value decomposition transmissions
Authors: Rosas Fernando , Oberli Christian
Published: June 2013

The multiple‐input multiple‐output singular value decomposition (MIMO SVD) modulation is an efficient way of sending data through a multi‐antenna communications link in which the transmitter has knowledge of the channel state. Despite its importance, no simple formula for its symbol error rate (SER) has been found, and hence no intuitive characterisation of the quality of this technique for data transmission is available at the present. In this study, the authors present a method for approximating the statistics of each eigenchannel of MIMO SVD using the Nakagami‐m fading model. Using the proposed method, it is seen that the SER of the entire MIMO SVD link can be approximated by the average of the SER of Nakagami‐m channels. The expression found is simple and yet accurate. This leads to characterise the eigenchannels of N × N MIMO channels with N larger than 14, showing that the smallest eigenchannel distributes as a Rayleigh channel, the next four eigenchannels closely distributes as Nakagami‐m channels with m = 4, 9, 25 and 36, and the N − 5 remaining eigenchannels have statistics similar to an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel within 1 dB signal‐to‐noise ratio. It is also shown that 75% of the total mean power gain of the MIMO SVD channel goes to the top third of all the eigenchannels.
Joint design of sensing and transmission in energy‐efficient cognitive radio systems over fading channels
Authors: Shi Zhiping , Chan Teh Kah , Hung Li Kwok
Published: June 2013

In this study, the authors focus on energy efficiency of a cognitive radio (CR) system, in which a secondary user (SU) senses periodically and accesses opportunistically a specific band authorised to a primary user (PU). Based on a generalised expression of energy consumption, we jointly optimise sensing, transmission and frame durations to maximise the energy efficiency for a CR system and investigate the performance of the proposed design over Rayleigh fading channels. The problem of energy efficiency is formulated as a function of sensing and transmission durations with the constraints on the interference to the PU. To protect the PU, we limit the detection probability as well as restrict the interference caused by the SU because of the re‐occupancy of the PU. In a generalised model, energy consumptions of sensing, transmission and idling state need to be considered for the SU. The optimal sensing and transmission durations are obtained by a sub‐optimal iterative algorithm. The performance of energy efficiency and duration of the SU over a Rayleigh‐faded channel is investigated. Numerical results show that the proposed reduced‐complexity approach performs comparably with that of the exhaustive search algorithm.