bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiproliferative and Antiangiogenic Properties of Horse Chestnut Extract
Authors: Mojžišová Gabriela , Mojžiš Ján , Pilátová Martina , Varinská Lenka , Ivanová Lenka , Strojný Ladislav , Richnavský Ján
Published: March 2012

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antiproliferative effect of the horse chestnut extract (HCE) on cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we have investigated the in vitro effect of HCE on some angiogenic events by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The cell proliferation was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and anchorage‐independent growth by colony‐forming assay. To understand the growth inhibitory effects, carcinoma cell lines (Jurkat, CEM, HeLa, and MCF‐7) were treated with various concentrations of HCE. Incubation of Jurkat, CEM, HeLa, and MCF‐7 cancer cells with HCE at 125 µg/mL for 72 h caused 93.7%, 32.3%, 20.4% and 40.4% reduction in cell survival. Colony‐forming assay also confirmed growth‐inhibitory effects of the compound studied. In HeLa HCE‐treated cells, we found a significant increase in cells having sub‐G0/G1 DNA content which is considered to be a marker of apoptotic cell death. Apoptosis was also further confirmed by DNA fragmentation analysis.Furthermore, HCE inhibited migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells as well as decreased secretion of matrix metalloproteinase and vascular endothelial growth factor.In conclusion, the present study has assessed the in vitro antiproliferative/antiangiogenic potential of HCE. These results generate a rationale for in vivo efficacy studies with horse chestnut in preclinical cancer models. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxygen activation and dissociation on h‐BN supported Au atoms
Authors: Gao Min , Lyalin Andrey , Taketsugu Tetsuya
Published: March 2012

Molecular and dissociative adsorption of O2on Au atoms supported on the regular and defected hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) surface has been studied theoretically using density functional theory. It is shown that even weak interaction of Au with the defect‐free h‐BN support has an unusually strong influence on the binding and catalytic activation of the molecular oxygen. The strong interaction of Au with vacancy point defects on the h‐BN surface is accompanied by the large charge transfer to/from the adsorbate which can considerably affect the catalytic activity of the supported Au. It is demonstrated that activation of the molecular O2and barriers for O2dissociation on the supported Au atom can be affected by the interaction of Au with the pristine or defected h‐BN support. Therefore, the h‐BN surface cannot be considered as an absolutely inert support for Au. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automatic scanning of large tissue areas in neurosurgery using optical coherence tomography
Authors: Finke M. , Kantelhardt S. , Schlaefer A. , Bruder R. , Lankenau E. , Giese A. , Schweikard A.
Published: March 2012

Background

With its high spatial and temporal resolution, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an ideal modality for intra‐operative imaging. One possible application is to detect tumour invaded tissue in neurosurgery, e.g. during complete resection of glioblastoma. Ideally, the whole resection cavity is scanned. However, OCT is limited to a small field of view (FOV) and scanning perpendicular to the tissue surface.

Methods

We present a new method to use OCT for scanning of the resection cavity during neurosurgical resection of brain tumours. The main challenges are creating a map of the cavity, scanning perpendicular to the surface and merging the three‐dimensional (3D) data for intra‐operative visualization and detection of residual tumour cells.

Results

Our results indicate that the proposed method enables creating high‐resolution maps of the resection cavity. An overlay of these maps with the microscope images provides the surgeon with important information on the location of residual tumour tissue underneath the surface.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that it is possible to automatically acquire an OCT image of the complete resection cavity. Overlaying microscopy images with depth information from OCT could lead to improved detection of residual tumour cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of [BMIM]HSO4 on electrodeposition and corrosion behavior of Zn coatings from acidic sulfate bath
Authors: Zhang Qibo , Hua Yixin
Published: March 2012

The effect of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate‐[BMIM]HSO4 on the nucleation and growth of zinc from acidic sulfate bath was investigated at a glassy carbon (GC) electrode using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometric and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Dimensionless chronoamperometric current‐time transients for the electrodeposition of zinc on GC from the bath free of [BMIM]HSO4 were in good accord with the theoretical transients for the limiting case of instantaneous three‐dimensional nucleation with diffusion‐controlled growth of the nuclei. The addition of [BMIM]HSO4 was found to have a blocking effect on the electrodeposition of zinc and led to decrease of the nucleation and growth rate of nuclei. In addition, the instantaneous nucleation mechanism observed in the additive‐free bath was changed to a more progressive one when [BMIM]HSO4 was present in the bath. Surface morphology analysis indicated that [BMIM]HSO4 can induce the formation of finer grained deposits by the adsorption of additive in the first stages of deposition. The corrosion behavior of Q235 steel with coating by a thin layer of zinc in the absence and presence of [BMIM]HSO4 was examined in 3.5% NaCl solution. The Zn coating obtained from the additive‐containing baths exhibited more excellent protection of the base metal in comparison to the additive‐free one. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoresponsive Coumarin‐Stabilized Polymeric Nanoparticles as a Detectable Drug Carrier
Authors: Chung Jae Woo , Lee KangAe , Neikirk Colin , Nelson Celeste M. , Priestley Rodney D.
Published: March 2012

The ability to create aqueous suspended stable nanoparticles of the hydrophobic homopolymer poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) end‐functionalized with coumarin moieties (CPCL) is demonstrated. Nanoparticles of CPCL are prepared in a continuous manner using nanoprecipitation. The resulting nanoparticles are spherical in morphology, about 40 nm in diameter, and possess a narrow size distribution and excellent stability over 4 months by repulsive surface charge. Nanoparticle size can be easily controlled by manipulating the concentration of CPCL in the solution. The interparticle assembly between the nanoparticles can be reversibly adjusted with photoirradiation due to photoinduced [2 + 2] cyclodimerization and cleavage between the coumarin molecules. In addition, the CPCL nanoparticles show significant cellular uptake without cytotoxicity, and the intrinsic fluorescence of the coumarin functional group permits the direct detection of cellular internalization.
Software modernization by recovering Web services from legacy databases
Authors: Pérez‐Castillo Ricardo , García‐Rodríguez de Guzmán Ignacio , Caballero Ismael , Piattini Mario
Published: March 2012

Databases are considered to be a valuable asset for organizations because they contain all those organizations’ persistent pieces of data. Both databases and the information systems that use them undergo erosion as a consequence of uncontrolled maintenance over time. However, when information systems evolve to become modernized versions of them, existing databases must not be discarded because they contain much valuable business knowledge that is not present anywhere else. Some of the software industry's current demands, such as time‐to‐market developments and the provision of software as services entail additional challenges in the reuse of legacy systems during software modernization. This paper addresses this problem and proposes a reengineering process that follows model‐driven development principles to recover Web services from legacy databases. The Web services that are mined manage access to legacy databases without discarding them. Legacy databases can thus be used by modernized information systems in service‐oriented environments. The adoption of this process is facilitated by the implementation of a support tool, which is used to conduct an industrial case study involving a real‐life legacy database. The study demonstrates that the proposal reduces development efforts and improves the return of investment by extending the lifespan of legacy databases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blast Furnace Operating Conditions Manipulation for Reducing Coke Consumption and CO2 Emission
Authors: Bahgat Mohamed , Abdel Halim Khaled S. , El‐Kelesh Heba Ali , Nasr Mahmoud I.
Published: March 2012

A comparative reduction behavior of wüstite samples prepared from iron ore sinter was investigated to find the optimum way for reducing coke consumption and CO2 emission in blast furnace technology. A series of wüstite reduction experiments was carried out using different gas mixtures. A correlation between the experimental results and real data of blast furnaces at Egyptian Iron and Steel Company (EISCO) was demonstrated in order to optimize the coke consumption inside blast furnaces. Different theoretical models were applied on real data of blast furnaces to calculate the effect of operation parameters on the coke consumption. It was found that the wüstite reducibility can be controlled and enhanced using certain ratio of H2 and CO gases. Such kind of enhancement decreases the remaining quantity of unreduced wüstite which descends to the high temperature region of blast furnace. The theoretical analysis of real data using certain values of H2 and CO shows that increasing the amount of natural gas injection in blast furnace of EISCO will decrease the degree of direct reduction of iron oxide and consequently will decrease the amount of coke consumption.
Automatic finding of optimal image processing for extracting concrete image cracks using features ACTIT
Authors: Bai Haiying , Yata Noriko , Nagao Tomoharu
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we autonomously define an optimal, efficient image‐processing tree for extracting the cracks from concrete images using genetic programming (GP)‐oriented evolutionary image processing known as Automatic Construction of Tree‐structural Image Transformation (ACTIT). We propose the use of automatic finding feature from input and internal transformation images to optimize image‐processing filters. These alternative solutions show significant improvements and can be performed by extracting small areas through our experimentation. This can possibly be used with an optimal image‐processing system based on feature filters. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A study on the transverse edge effect of an eddy current brake with a solid steel secondary
Authors: Sakamoto Yasuaki , Kashiwagi Takayuki , Hasegawa Hitoshi , Sasakawa Takashi , Fujii Nobuo
Published: March 2012

The eddy current brake is a type of braking system used for railway vehicles. Because rail heating is a problem in this type of brakes, they have not been put to practical use in Japan. Therefore we proposed using a linear induction motor (LIM) for dynamic braking in the eddy current brake systems. In this paper, we investigate the transverse edge effect on an eddy current brake using an LIM with the solid steel rail as a secondary conductor. The objectives of this investigation are to clarify the transverse edge effect on a rail and to make it easier to determine the characteristics of such an eddy current brake. We find that the lateral surface of a solid steel rail must be considered as an electromagnetic overhang, and that the transverse edge effect of the rail is approximately the same as that of a simple U‐shaped steel plate or a wide, flat steel plate. These findings enable us to apply a simplified analysis method using a traditional modifying coefficient of the transverse edge effect, but from a new perspective. Because this simplified analysis method can easily evaluate the performance of eddy current brakes, it is useful in the early development stages of such brakes. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Detecting the vehicle direction changes for routing algorithms and applications of vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Bohlooli Ali , Jamshidi Kamal
Published: March 2012

Vehicular ad hoc networks will enable a variety of applications for safety, traffic efficiency, driver assistance, and infotainment in modern automobile designs. For many of these applications as well as for improving the stability of vehicular ad hoc network routing algorithms, it is necessary to know whether a steering wheel rotation has led to a change in the vehicle motion path. The problem is that some steering wheel rotations are temporary and do not lead to a change in the vehicle motion path. In this paper, a GPS‐free fuzzy sensor is designed for detecting the change of vehicle motion paths. The implementation results show acceptable precision. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Movement activity estimation and forwarding effects for opportunistic networking based on urban mobility traces
Authors: Hummel Karin Anna , Hess Andrea
Published: March 2012

Opportunistic, mobility‐assisted, or encounter networking is a method based on ad hoc networking and introduced to disseminate data in a store‐and‐forward manner by means of spontaneously connecting mobile devices. Although, in many networked systems, mobility is treated as a challenge requiring additional management, in opportunistic networks, movement facilitates networking as it creates additional contacts between devices. These new networking opportunities can be exploited in addition to traditional wireless infrastructure networks or in absence of these networks. Hereby, algorithms for opportunistic data dissemination make use of information about social ties, regularities in movement, and the future path of mobile entities. The availability of this information is reasonable for areas such as campuses or conference venues, where social or professional ties are strong or when traveling by, for example, public transport lines or vehicles following a navigation system. Other movement activities of humans in larger areas often lack this information, and new techniques are required to derive similar useful movement information. By observing movement characteristics of network users such as average velocities or revisiting patterns, estimates about the likelihood of getting in contact with other devices can be estimated. Our approach goes one step further by introducing users’ movement activities derived from movement patterns typical in, for example, tourist movement, shopping activities, or evening activities. Movement activities are notions summarizing a particular movement situation that is meaningful to users and can be used to further estimate user needs and user‐generated network traffic. In case movement patterns are uncertain or fragmentary, knowledge about activities may help to faster estimate average movement characteristics. The main objective of this paper is to detail the approach of relating activities to observed multivariate mobility characteristics on the basis of the Naïve Bayes classifier. The approach is applied to four typical urban movement use case activities including pedestrian and vehicular movement. Results are presented on the basis of two different experimental training sets consisting of GPS outdoor traces: first, a training set of emulated movement activities and, second, a training set consisting of labeled real‐world daily activities over one month tracked by volunteers. The results of the classification study confirm that movement can be characterized as proposed. By using mobility activities and corresponding distributions of movement characteristics, the impact of activities on opportunistic forwarding performance in terms of contact and inter‐contact time, forwarding distance and coverage of an area, and predictability of the future path of a moving device is investigated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Greedy construction of load‐balanced virtual backbones in wireless sensor networks
Authors: He Jing (Selena) , Ji Shouling , Pan Yi , Li Yingshu
Published: March 2012

Inspired by the backbone concept in wired networks, a virtual backbone is expected to bring substantial benefits to routing in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). A connected dominating set (CDS) is used as a virtual backbone for efficient routing and broadcasting in WSNs. Most existing works focus on constructing a minimum CDS, a k‐connect m‐dominating CDS, a minimum routing cost CDS, or a bounded‐diameter CDS. However, the load‐balance factor is not considered for CDSs in WSNs. In this paper, a greedy‐based approximation algorithm is proposed to construct load‐balanced CDS in a WSN. More importantly, we propose a new problem: the Load‐balanced Allocate Dominatee problem. Consequently, we propose an optimal centralized algorithm and an efficient probability‐based distributed algorithm to solve the Load‐balanced Allocate Dominatee problem. For a given CDS, the upper and lower bounds of the performance ratio of the distributed algorithm are analyzed in the paper. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that our proposed methods extend network lifetime by up to 80% compared with the most recently published CDS construction algorithm. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation of variable power collective pitch control for load mitigation of floating offshore wind turbines
Authors: Lackner Matthew A.
Published: March 2012

This paper investigates the loads on offshore floating wind turbines and a new control method that can be used to reduce these loads. In this variable power collective pitch control method, the rated generator speed, which is the set point that the collective pitch control attempts to drive the actual generator speed towards, is no longer a constant value but instead is a variable that depends on the platform pitch velocity. At a basic physical level, this controller achieves the following: as the rotor of a floating turbine pitches upwind, the controller adjusts so as to extract more energy from the wind by increasing the rated generator speed and thus damps the motion; as the rotor pitches downwind, less energy is extracted because the controller reduces the rated generator speed and again damps the motion. This method is applied to the NREL 5 MW wind turbine model, in above rated conditions where the platform motion is most problematic. The results indicate significant load reductions on key structural components, at the expense of minor increases in power and speed variability. The loads on the blades and tower are investigated more generally, and simple dynamic models are used to gain insight into the behavior of floating wind turbine systems. It is clear that for this particular design, aerodynamic methods for reducing platform motion and tower loads are likely inadequate to allow for a viable design, so new designs or possibly new control degrees of freedom are needed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organogels: An Alternative Edible Oil‐Structuring Method
Authors:   Edmund Daniel Co, Marangoni Alejandro G.
Published: March 2012

Structuring liquid oils has become an active area of research in the past decade, mainly due to pressures to reduce saturated fat intake and eliminate trans fats from our diets. However, replacing hard fats with liquid oil can lead to major changes in the quality of food products. Recent strategies to impart solid‐fat functionality to liquid oils include the addition of unusual compounds to oil, leading to its gelation. These include small‐molecule organogelators such as phytosterols and 12‐hydroxystearic acid, which self‐assemble into crystalline fibers which trap oil. Other crystalline additives include waxes, ceramides, monoacylglycerides, and other surfactants. Recently, the polymer ethyl cellulose was reported to form a polymer gel in triacylglyceride (TAG) oils. Other non‐conventional strategies also include the formation of protein‐stabilized cellular solids with oil trapped within the cells. In this review, we summarize the research on each one of these components in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the area in oleogel research and provide future perspectives.
Taking Students to the Museum: Interview with Warren D. Allmon, Judy Diamond, and Martin Weiss
Authors: Branch Glenn , Meikle W. Eric
Published: March 2012

Three museum professionals with extensive expertise in informal science education about evolution—Warren D. Allmon, Judy Diamond, and Martin Weiss—are interviewed about the interaction of teachers and natural history museums and science centers in improving the effectiveness of evolution education.
Academic motivation, self‐concept, engagement, and performance in high school: Key processes from a longitudinal perspective
Authors: Green Jasmine , Liem Gregory Arief D. , Martin Andrew J. , Colmar Susan , Marsh Herbert W. , McInerney Dennis
Published: March 2012

The study tested three theoretically/conceptually hypothesized longitudinal models of academic processes leading to academic performance. Based on a longitudinal sample of 1866 high‐school students across two consecutive years of high school (Time 1 and Time 2), the model with the most superior heuristic value demonstrated: (a) academic motivation and self‐concept positively predicted attitudes toward school; (b) attitudes toward school positively predicted class participation and homework completion and negatively predicted absenteeism; and (c) class participation and homework completion positively predicted test performance whilst absenteeism negatively predicted test performance. Taken together, these findings provide support for the relevance of the self‐system model and, particularly, the importance of examining the dynamic relationships amongst engagement factors of the model. The study highlights implications for educational and psychological theory, measurement, and intervention.
Expression, purification and assembly of soluble multimeric MHC class II–invariant chain complexes
Authors: Majera Dušana , Kristan Katarina Črnigoj , Neefjes Jacques , Turk Dušan , Mihelič Marko
Published: March 2012

Major histocompatibility class (MHC) II molecules are essential for running adaptive immune response. They are produced in the ER and targeted to late endosomes with the help of invariant chain (Ii) trimers. Ii trimerization may be induced by the Ii TM domain. To enable mechanistic and structural studies of MHC class II–Ii assembly, soluble forms of the complexes were expressed. We show that Ii trimerizes in the absence of the transmembrane part, prior to binding of α/β chains. The biochemical analysis supports the suggestion that the MHC class II–Ii complexes are not necessarily trimers of trimers, but that the Ii trimer can also be occupied by one or two MHC class II complexes.
Disruption of redox homeostasis in cerebral cortex of developing rats by acylcarnitines accumulating in medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Tonin Anelise M. , Grings Mateus , Knebel Lisiane A. , Zanatta Ângela , Moura Alana P. , Ribeiro César A.J. , Leipnitz Guilhian , Wajner Moacir
Published: March 2012

Medium‐chain fatty acids and acylcarnitines accumulate in medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD), the most frequent fatty acid oxidation defect clinically characterized by episodic crises with vomiting, seizures and coma. Considering that the pathophysiology of the neurological symptoms observed in MCADD is poorly known and, to our knowledge, there is no report on the involvement of acylcarnitines in the brain damage presented by the affected patients, the objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of hexanoylcarnitine (HC), octanoylcarnitine, decanoylcarnitine (DC) and cis‐4‐decenoylcarnitine (cDC) at concentrations varying from 0.01 to 1.0 mM on important oxidative stress parameters in cerebral cortex of young rats. HC, DC and cDC significantly induced lipid peroxidation, as determined by increased thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBA‐RS) values. In addition, carbonyl formation was significantly augmented and sulfhydryl content diminished by DC, reflecting induction of protein oxidative damage. HC, DC and cDC also decreased glutathione (GSH) levels, the most important brain antioxidant defense. Furthermore, DC‐induced elevation of TBA‐RS values and decrease of GSH levels were prevented by the free radical scavengers melatonin and α‐tocopherol, indicating the involvement of reactive oxygen species in these effects. We also found that l‐carnitine itself did not induce lipid and protein oxidative damage, neither reduced the antioxidant defenses. Our present data show that the major medium‐chain acylcarnitines accumulating in MCADD elicit oxidative stress in rat brain. It is therefore presumed that these compounds may be involved to a certain extent in the pathogenesis of the neurologic dysfunction of MCADD.
Detailed analysis of a randomized, multicenter, comparative trial of dienogest versus leuprolide acetate in endometriosis
Authors: Strowitzki Thomas , Marr Joachim , Gerlinger Christoph , Faustmann Thomas , Seitz Christian
Published: March 2012

Objective

To analyze the secondary efficacy and safety outcomes from a recent trial comparing dienogest (DNG) with leuprolide acetate (LA) in women with endometriosis.

Methods

A 24‐week, open‐label, randomized, multicenter study of DNG versus LA in women with endometriosis‐related pain was assessed for outcomes such as responder rates (using predefined thresholds of pain relief), changes in single symptoms/signs and sum scores from the Biberoglu and Behrman (B&B) scale, clinical laboratory parameters, and measures of quality of life.

Results

Dienogest was non‐inferior to LA for treatment response using all predefined thresholds of pain relief and provided equivalent improvements in B&B symptoms and signs. No clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters were observed during DNG treatment, whereas estrogen levels decreased in the LA group. Compared with LA, DNG was associated with pronounced improvements in specific quality‐of‐life measures.

Conclusion

The analyses provide supportive evidence that the efficacy of DNG is equivalent to that of LA for treating endometriosis symptoms, with specific quality‐of‐life benefits and a favorable safety profile.
Diuretic use is associated with better learning and memory in older adults in the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory study
Authors: Yasar Sevil , Lin Fu‐Mei , Fried Linda P. , Kawas Claudia H. , Sink Kaycee M. , DeKosky Steven T. , Carlson Michelle C. ,   Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study Investigators
Published: March 2012

Background

To investigate the association between diuretics, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE‐I), angiotensin II receptor blockers (AT2RB), and cognitive function.

Methods

This post hoc analysis of the randomized controlled Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study trial focuses on 3069 nondemented community‐dwelling participants aged >75 years. At baseline visit, detailed information about medication use was collected and five cognitive domains were assessed. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to assess cross‐sectional associations between medication use and cognitive function.

Results

In all, 36% of participants reported history of hypertension and 53% reported antihypertensive medication use, with 17% reporting diuretic, 11% ACE‐I, and 2% AT2RB use. Potassium‐sparing diuretic use (N = 192) was associated with better verbal learning and memory measured by California Verbal Learning Test as compared with no antihypertensive medication users (β = 0.068, P = .01; β = 0.094, P < .001) and other antihypertensive medication users (β = 0.080, P = .03; β = 0.153, P < .001). Use of ACE‐I or AT2RB was not associated with better cognitive function.

Conclusion

Results warrant further investigation into possible protective effects of potassium‐sparing diuretics and the role of potassium in mitigating cognitive decline.
A late pleistocene human presence at Huaca Prieta, Peru, and early Pacific Coastal adaptations
Authors: Dillehay Tom D. , Bonavia Duccio , Goodbred Steve L. , Pino Mario , Vásquez Victor , Tham Teresa Rosales
Published: March 2012

Archaeological excavations in deep pre-mound levels at Huaca Prieta in northern Peru have yielded new evidence of late Pleistocene cultural deposits that shed insights into the early human occupation of the Pacific coast of South America. Radiocarbon dates place this occupation between ~ 14,200 and 13,300 cal yr BP. The cultural evidence shares certain basic technological and subsistence traits, including maritime resources and simple flake tools, with previously discovered late Pleistocene sites along the Pacific coast of Peru and Chile. The results help to expand our knowledge of early maritime societies and human adaption to changing coastal environments.
A case of pilomatrixoma in the cheek in a 7‐year‐old girl
Authors: Kashima Koji , Igawa Kaori , Takamori Koichi , Yoshioka Izumi , Sakoda Sumio
Published: March 2012

Pilomatrixoma, also known as a calcifying epithelioma, is a benign tumor originating from a hair follicle. We present a case of pilomatrixoma in a 7‐year‐old girl complaining of swelling in the cheek. Clinical examination disclosed a mass 10 mm in diameter and it was totally removed. The microscopic examination showed encapsulated tumors mainly composed of eosinophilic ghost cells and partly with basophilic portions in hyalinized fibrous stroma with calcification. Preoperative ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging gave us useful information for complete tumor excision that the tumor existed just under the skin and the risk of facial palsy would be relatively low.
Energy spectra of stably stratified turbulence
Authors: Kimura Y. , Herring J. R.
Published: March 2012

We investigate homogeneous incompressible turbulence subjected to a range of degrees of stratification. Our basic method is pseudospectral direct numerical simulations at a resolution of $102{4}^{3} $. Such resolution is sufficient to reveal inertial power-law ranges for suitably comprised horizontal and vertical spectra, which are designated as the wave and vortex mode (the Craya–Herring representation). We study mainly turbulence that is produced from randomly large-scale forcing via an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process applied isotropically to the horizontal velocity field. In general, both the wave and vortex spectra are consistent with a Kolmogorov-like ${k}^{\ensuremath{-} 5/ 3} $ range at sufficiently large $k$. At large scales, and for sufficiently strong stratification, the wave spectrum is a steeper ${ k}_{\perp }^{\ensuremath{-} 2} $, while that for the vortex component is consistent with ${ k}_{\perp }^{\ensuremath{-} 3} $. Here ${k}_{\perp } $ is the horizontally gathered wavenumber. In contrast to the horizontal wavenumber spectra, the vertical wavenumber spectra show very different features. For those spectra, a clear ${ k}_{z}^{\ensuremath{-} 3} $ dependence for small scales is observed while the large scales show rather flat spectra. By modelling the horizontal layering of vorticity, we attempt to explain the flat spectra. These spectra are linked to two-point structure functions of the velocity correlations in the horizontal and vertical directions. We can observe the power-law transition also in certain of the two-point structure functions.
The influence of surfactant on the propagation of a semi-infinite bubble through a liquid-filled compliant channel
Authors: Halpern David , Gaver III Donald P.
Published: March 2012

We investigate the influence of a soluble surfactant on the steady-state motion of a finger of air through a compliant channel. This study provides a basic model from which to understand the fluid–structure interactions and physicochemical hydrodynamics of pulmonary airway reopening. Airway closure occurs in lung diseases such as respiratory distress syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome as a result of fluid accumulation and surfactant insufficiency. This results in ‘compliant collapse’ with the airway walls buckled and held in apposition by a liquid occlusion that blocks the passage of air. Airway reopening is essential to the recovery of adequate ventilation, but has been associated with ventilator-induced lung injury because of the exposure of airway epithelial cells to large interfacial flow-induced pressure gradients. Surfactant replacement is helpful in modulating this deleterious mechanical stimulus, but is limited in its effectiveness owing to slow surfactant adsorption. We investigate the effect of surfactant on micro-scale models of reopening by computationally modelling the steady two-dimensional motion of a semi-infinite bubble propagating through a liquid-filled compliant channel doped with soluble surfactant. Many dimensionless parameters affect reopening, but we primarily investigate how the reopening pressure ${p}_{b} $ depends upon the capillary number $\mathit{Ca}$ (the ratio of viscous to surface tension forces), the adsorption depth parameter $\lambda $ (a bulk concentration parameter) and the bulk Péclet number ${\mathit{Pe}}_{b} $ (the ratio of bulk convection to diffusion). These studies demonstrate a dependence of ${p}_{b} $ on $\lambda $, and suggest that a critical bulk concentration must be exceeded to operate as a low-surface-tension system. Normal and tangential stress gradients remain largely unaffected by physicochemical interactions – for this reason, further biological studies are suggested that will clarify the role of wall flexibility and surfactant on the protection of the lung from atelectrauma.
SOME GROUPS WITH COMPUTABLE CHERMAK–DELGADO LATTICES
Authors: BREWSTER BEN , WILCOX ELIZABETH
Published: March 2012

Let G be a finite group and let H≤G. We refer to |H||CG(H)| as the Chermak–Delgado measure ofH with respect to G. Originally described by Chermak and Delgado, the collection of all subgroups of G with maximal Chermak–Delgado measure, denoted 𝒞𝒟(G), is a sublattice of the lattice of all subgroups of G. In this paper we note that if H∈𝒞𝒟(G) then H is subnormal in G and prove that if K is a second finite group then 𝒞𝒟(G×K)=𝒞𝒟(G)×𝒞𝒟(K) . We additionally describe the 𝒞𝒟(G≀Cp) where G has a nontrivial centre and p is an odd prime and determine conditions for a wreath product to be a member of its own Chermak–Delgado lattice. We also examine the behaviour of centrally large subgroups, a subset of the Chermak–Delgado lattice.
Effect of a novel proteoglycan PTP1B inhibitor fromGanoderma lucidumon the amelioration of hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia indb/dbmice
Authors: Wang Chen-Dong , Teng Bao-Song , He Yan-Ming , Wu Jia-Sheng , Pan Deng , Pan Luan-Feng , Zhang Dan , Fan Zhao-Hua , Yang Hong-Jie , Zhou Ping
Published: March 2012

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is implicated in the negative regulation of the insulin signalling pathway by dephosphorylating the insulin receptor (IR) and IR substrates.Ganodermalucidumhas traditionally been used for the treatment of diabetes in Chinese medicine; however, its anti-diabetic potency and mechanismin vivois still unclear. Our previously published study reported a novel proteoglycan PTP1B inhibitor, named Fudan-Yueyang-Ganoderma lucidum(FYGL) fromG. lucidum, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 5·12 (sem0·05) μg/ml, a protein:polyglycan ratio of 17:77 and 78 % glucose in polysaccharide, and dominant amino acid residues of aspartic acid, glycine, glutamic acid, alanine, serine and threonine in protein.FYGLis capable of decreasing plasma glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with a high safety of median lethal dose (LD50) of 6 g/kg. In the present study, C57BL/6db/dbdiabetic mice were trialed further usingFYGLas well as metformin for comparison. Oral treatment withFYGLindb/dbdiabetic mice for 4 weeks significantly (P < 0·01 or 0·05) decreased the fasting plasma glucose level, serum insulin concentration and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance.FYGLalso controlled the biochemistry indices relative to type 2 diabetes-accompanied lipidaemic disorders. Pharmacology research suggests thatFYGLdecreases the plasma glucose level by the mechanism of inhibiting PTP1B expression and activity, consequently, regulating the tyrosine phosphorylation level of the IR β-subunit and the level of hepatic glycogen, thus resulting in the improvement of insulin sensitivity. Therefore,FYGLis promising as an insulin sensitiser for the therapy of type 2 diabetes and accompanied dyslipidaemia.
Explication et pertinence : du sel ensorcelé à la loi des aires
Authors: Imbert Cyrille
Published: March 2012

RÉSUMÉ : À rebours des discussions sur l’explication, qui semblent faire de la pertinence explicative un problème unique, plusieurs critères de pertinence explicative sont ici distingués. Est en particulier soulignée l’importance de la notion de pertinence intra-scientifique, qui est analysée de façon précise sur la base de l’explication de la loi des aires. Les conceptions traditionnelles de l’explication, et notamment la théorie causale ainsi que la théorie unificationiste de Kitcher, sont évaluées à l’aune de ces différentes critères. Il est en particulier montré quils ne fournissent pas d’outils suffisants pour identifier les explications qui satisfont la condition de pertinence intra-scientifique.
DOUBLES OF KLEIN SURFACES
Authors: COSTA ANTONIO F. , HALL WENDY , SINGERMAN DAVID
Published: March 2012

Historical note. A non-orientable surface of genus 2 (meaning 2 cross-caps) is popularly known as the Klein bottle. However, the term Klein surface comes from Felix Klein's book “On Riemann's Theory of Algebraic Functions and their Integrals” (1882) where he introduced such surfaces in the final chapter.
THE HOMOTOPY TYPE OF THE SPACE OF GRADIENT VECTOR FIELDS ON THE TWO-DIMENSIONAL DISC
Authors: BARTŁOMIEJCZYK PIOTR , NOWAK-PRZYGODZKI PIOTR
Published: March 2012

We prove that the inclusion of the space of gradient vector fields into the space of all vector fields on D2 non-vanishing in S1 is a homotopy equivalence.
Predicting the potential threat of Casuarina equisetifolia to three endemic plant species on the Turks and Caicos Islands
Authors: Hardman Chloe J. , Williams Sophie , Manco Bryan Naqqi , Hamilton Martin A.
Published: March 2012

Invasive species are one of the main threats to the loss of global biodiversity. Controlling such species requires a high input of effort and resources and therefore it is important to focus control on areas that will maximize gains for conservation. We present a spatial modelling approach that will help target control efforts. We used presence-only data to develop habitat suitability models for the invasive tree Casuarina equisetifolia and three endemic plant species on the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. Substantial overlap was found between suitable areas for the endemics and C. equisetifolia. Evidence for the potential harm that C. equisetifolia could cause to native vegetation was assessed using paired areas with and without invasion. Areas with C. equisetifolia present had lower native plant species richness than areas where it was absent, which suggests a negative effect of invasion on the growth of native plants. No endemic plants were found in areas where C. equisetifolia was present. Based on the data collected we recommend that the three endemic species be categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. By highlighting areas where the endemic plants are found and demonstrating a potential threat to these habitats, we provide a plan for the designation of six Important Plant Areas to promote conservation of these endemic species.
The development of RNA interference (RNAi) in gastrointestinal nematodes
Authors: SELKIRK MURRAY E. , HUANG STANLEY C. , KNOX DAVID P. , BRITTON COLLETTE
Published: March 2012

Despite the utility of RNAi for defining gene function inCaenorhabditis elegansand early successes reported in parasitic nematodes, RNAi has proven to be stubbornly inconsistent or ineffective in the animal parasitic nematodes examined to date. Here, we summarise some of our experiences with RNAi in parasitic nematodes affecting animals and discuss the available data in the context of our own unpublished work, taking account of mode of delivery, larval activation, site of gene transcription and the presence/absence of essential RNAi pathway genes as defined by comparisons toC. elegans. We discuss future directions briefly including the evaluation of nanoparticles as a means to enhance delivery of interfering RNA to the target worm tissue.
The Theology of Poems on the Lord's Supper by the Dutch Calvinist, Constantijn Huygens (1596–1687)
Authors: Joby Christopher
Published: March 2012

In this article, I provide a detailed analysis of the poems on the Lord's Supper by the Dutch statesman and man of letters, Constantijn Huygens (1596–1687). Between 1642 and 1684, he wrote eighteen poems on this subject, sixteen in Dutch and two in Latin. The type of poem varies from pithy epigrams to sonnets, through to longer poems over fifty lines in length, replete with well-conceived poetic tropes. To date, these poems have received little scholarly attention. Huygens was a lifelong member of the Reformed church and his poetry considers themes which are central to Reformed theology, such as human sin, divine grace and human gratitude. In his poetry, he recognises that he is a sinner and that it is not sufficient merely to ask for divine forgiveness, and then sin again. He acknowledges the need to intend to change his ways, but also recognises that he can only do this with divine assistance. Huygens published most of these poems and although such a public acknowledgement of sin may seem strange to us, there is a sense in which he was performing a public act of confession, to make common cause with his fellow believers, and also perhaps to encourage them to do the same. Much of the poetry considers the ontology and efficacy of the Lord's Supper. As well as exploring familiar tropes such as the sacrament as a feast and a pledge for God's promises, Huygens also asks about the very nature of the bread and wine of the sacrament. We might expect him to ascribe little or no value to the elements themselves, beyond, to use Brian Gerrish's phrase, ‘presenting what they represent’. poetry. However, at some points, the language Huygens uses to refer to the elements, such as ‘holy bread’ and ‘healing dew’, suggests something more is at stake. Some may dismiss such phrases as mere lyrical flourish, but I argue that they point to a central tension inherent within Reformed eucharistic theology between sign and signified and, furthermore, that this poetry offers us the opportunity to explore that tension. Huygens’ poems bear comparison with the best English-language religious poetry of the seventeenth century, and remind us that poetry as well as prose can offer us valuable theological insight.
Possible Worlds and God's Creative Process: How a Classical Doctrine of Divine Creation Can Understand Divine Creativity
Authors: Bawulski Shawn , Watkins James
Published: March 2012

In this article we will argue this thesis: even with classical theism and meticulous providence, one can properly sayGod exercises creativity. This is not merely to say that God is creative – which is perhaps tautologous given that God is the Creator – but further, it is to say that God's activity in relation to the cosmos displayscreativity. We will examine open theism, which resides at the other end of the spectrum, in order to provide contrast with the position defended in this article. There are three aspects we intend to affirm in sayingGod exercises creativity.First, theproduct(the cosmos which God made) exhibits creativity. This should not be particularly contentious and we will not pursue this aspect here. Second, theagent(God) exhibits creativity. Third, theprocessexhibits creativity. Both of these latter aspects will be defended. In this article we argue that God's freedom, creation's contingency, creation's reality and actuality, and considerations from the incarnation all enable meaningful ways in which one can speak of divine creativity while still affirming classical theism and meticulous providence. First, in support of our thesis we will use possible world talk as a heuristic device. Possible world talk involves modal claims, modal logic and counterfactuals. We use this conceptual device, operating within a theistic framework, to approach with clarity theological issues such as the divine decree, creationex nihiloand providence. Second, we will utilise a two-nature christology to speak meaningfully about divine creativity. Against those who describe God's creativity in terms of divine attributes, we suggest that it is possible to understand God's creativity in terms of the incarnation. Drawing upon the work of Thomas Weinandy, we suggest that it is possible to speak about God experiencing something genuinely new in the person of Christ. As such, one can hold to a classical doctrine of divine creation and use language associated with human creativity, such as ‘risk’, ‘process’ and ‘discovery’, to speak about God. We hope to demonstrate that the affirmation of divine creativity need not be exclusive to positions such as open theism.
‘The Essential Theatricality of Virtue’: A Review of Jennifer Herdt's Putting on Virtue
Authors: Perry John
Published: March 2012

One of Alasdair MacIntyre's colleagues at Notre Dame once told me that of all the passages in all his books, there is one of which MacIntyre is most proud. It is found, of course, in After Virtue:

Consider the example of a highly intelligent seven-year-old child whom I wish to teach to play chess, although the child has no particular desire to learn the game. The child does however have a very strong desire for candy and little chance of obtaining it . . .
Input frequency and lexical variability in phonological development: a survival analysis of word-initial cluster production
Authors: OTA MITSUHIKO , GREEN SAM J.
Published: March 2012

Although it has been often hypothesized that children learn to produce new sound patterns first in frequently heard words, the available evidence in support of this claim is inconclusive. To re-examine this question, we conducted a survival analysis of word-initial consonant clusters produced by three children in the Providence Corpus (0 ; 11–4 ; 0). The analysis took account of several lexical factors in addition to lexical input frequency, including the age of first production, production frequency, neighborhood density and number of phonemes. The results showed that lexical input frequency was a significant predictor of the age at which the accuracy level of cluster production in each word first reached 80%. The magnitude of the frequency effect differed across cluster types. Our findings indicate that some of the between-word variance found in the development of sound production can indeed be attributed to the frequency of words in the child's ambient language.