bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety of exenatide once weekly for 52 weeks in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Onishi Yukiko , Koshiyama Hiroyuki , Imaoka Takeshi , Haber Harry , Scism‐Bacon Jamie , Boardman Marilyn K
Published: October 2012

Aims/Introduction

An initial 26‐week, randomized, open‐label study compared the efficacy and safety of exenatide 10 mcg twice daily with exenatide 2 mg once weekly in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes who experienced inadequate glycemic control with oral antidiabetes medications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of exenatide once weekly in Japanese patients, a subset of the initial patient population, who continued into this extension study for an additional 26 weeks of therapy on exenatide once weekly, followed by 10 weeks without exenatide once weekly.

Materials and Methods

Japanese patients initially assigned to exenatide twice daily (n = 62) switched to exenatide once weekly for the extended 26 weeks, and patients initially assigned to exenatide once weekly (n = 74) continued on this regimen for the remainder of the study (total treatment of 52 weeks).

Results

A total of 68% of patients reported one or more treatment‐emergent adverse events during the extension period; the most common of these were nasopharyngitis (14%) and vomiting (6%). No major hypoglycemic episodes were reported. Improvements in glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and postprandial glucose were maintained over 52 weeks of treatment. At week 52, bodyweight remained reduced from baseline.

Conclusions

Exenatide once weekly added to oral antidiabetes medication was well tolerated in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, and was associated with glycemic control and weight loss through to 52 weeks, supporting the use of exenatide once weekly as an adjunctive treatment for type 2 diabetes in this patient population. The initial 26‐week portion of this trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (no. NCT00917267).
Comparison of effects of cilnidipine and azelnidipine on blood pressure, heart rate and albuminuria in type 2 diabetics with hypertension: A pilot study
Authors: Abe Hiroko , Mita Tomoya , Yamamoto Risako , Komiya Koji , Kawaguchi Minako , Sakurai Yuko , Shimizu Tomoaki , Ohmura Chie , Ikeda Fuki , Kawamori Ryuzo , Fujitani Yoshio , Watada Hirotaka
Published: October 2012

Previous studies reported that both cilnidipine and azelnidipine have a renoprotective effect compared with amlodipine. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cilnidipine and azelnidipine on blood pressure, heart rate and albuminuria. An open‐label prospective crossover trial was carried out. We recruited 19 type 2 diabetics treated with amlodipine (5 mg/day) at least for 12 weeks. At study entry, amlodipine was changed to cilnidipine (10 mg/day) or azelnidipine (16 mg/day) and each administered for 16 weeks. Then, the drugs were switched and the treatment was continued for another 16 weeks. Despite no differences in 24‐h blood pressure and heart rate between cilnidipine and azelnidipine, treatment with cilnidipine resulted in a greater reduction in urinary albumin:creatinine ratio than azelnidipine. Our results suggested that cilnidipine is more efficient in reducing albuminuria than azelnidipine independent of its blood pressure lowering effect in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension. This trial was registered with UMIN (no. 000007201).
Resin Bonding to Zirconia
Authors: PIASCIK JEFFREY R. , SWIFT EDWARD J.
Published: October 2012

The use of zirconia for dental applications has increased substantially over the past decade. This is evident from the wide variety of commercial products available on today's market and the wealth of information in the scientific literature. Its uses range from single‐unit crowns and fixed‐partial dentures to entire dental implant systems and nanoparticle fillers in composite resins. Zirconia, sometimes described as “ceramic steel,” possesses the ideal properties for dental use: superior strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance, excellent wear properties, and biocompatibility. However, the nonreactive surface of zirconia presents a consistent issue of poor adhesion to other materials (synthetic or tissue). Here, we look at several research manuscripts that describe approaches and pretreatments to increase zirconia surface reactivity for enhanced adhesion with resin cements.
Uncertainty, Specialization and Government Intervention
Authors: Di Maio Michele , Valente Marco
Published: October 2012

We use a one‐factor two‐sector model of comparative advantage with uncertainty to compare the effects of different specialization levels on growth under various scenarios. We derive the static and dynamic optimal level of specialization under the centralized and the decentralized economy. We identify the conditions under which the socially optimal specialization level entails positive investment in the comparatively disadvantaged sector. We show that in this case the socially optimal solution cannot be reached by the decentralized economy which is in fact characterized by over‐specialization. We conclude presenting a simple tax‐based redistributive mechanism able to achieve the optimal level of specialization in a decentralized economic system.
Multiple Large Shareholder Structure and Governance: The Role of Shareholder Numbers, Contest for Control, and Formal Institutions in Chinese Family Firms
Authors: Luo Jin-hui , Wan Di-fang , Cai Di , Liu Heng
Published: October 2012

The principal–principal (PP) perspective of corporate governance shows that multiple large shareholder (MLS) structure has competing monitoring and entrenchment governance effects. We argue that the dominant effect depends on contest for control among large shareholders and the number of large shareholders involved. Using data from Chinese family listed companies from 2004 to 2007, this study shows inverse U-shaped relationships between contest for control and corporate market value, as measured by Tobin's Q, and between the number of large shareholders and corporate market value. Findings indicate that at low to medium levels of contest for control or number of large shareholders, formal institutions can strengthen MLS structure's monitoring effect and can help this effect last longer. As a whole, the findings extend the institution-based view in the context of family corporate governance by showing that formal institutions can shape the ability of MLS structure to exert governance.
From Personal Relationship to Psychological Ownership: The Importance of Manager–Owner Relationship Closeness in Family Businesses
Authors: Zhu Hang , Chen Chao C. , Li Xinchun , Zhou Yinghui
Published: October 2012

Integrating theories of psychological ownership and stewardship, and taking a relational perspective, we examine key antecedents and outcomes of professional managers' psychological ownership in Chinese owner-managed family businesses. We tested the model using a survey of 166 Chinese professional managers (one from each of 166 family businesses). We find that owner–manager relationship closeness at work mediates the effect of both the owner's benevolent leadership and owner–manager friendship ties on the manager's psychological ownership. Psychological ownership, in turn, is positively related to the manager's intention to stay and to stewardship behaviour. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Unidentified Candidates for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Guideline Adherence in a Large Academic Outpatient Clinic in the Netherlands
Authors: de GROOT JORIS R. , KRUL SÉBASTIEN P. J. , KROON SEM , KNOPS REINOUD E. , PETERS RON J. G. , WILDE ARTHUR A. M.
Published: October 2012

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure, diminished left ventricular function, and prolonged QRS duration. We investigated adherence to the CRT guidelines and screened for unidentified CRT candidates.

Methods

Every unique patient visiting the outpatient clinic during three months was analyzed. In patients with QRS duration ≥120 ms or a paced QRS duration ≥200 ms on the electrocardiogram (ECG), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and New York Heart Association functional class were retrieved from hospital records and compared with the institutional implantable cardioverter defibrillator/pacemaker implantation database. The appropriateness of CRT indication was studied in patients who previously received CRT.

Results

QRS duration was <120 ms in 2,609 out of 3,053 patients screened. LVEF was ≤35% in 28 out of 282 patients with a QRS duration ≥120 ms or a paced QRS duration ≥200 ms. Of those, 11 patients were potential CRT candidates. During follow‐up, three patients received a CRT device, two patients died, one patient improved, and one refused implantation, leaving four potential CRT candidates. Forty‐six patients previously implanted with a CRT device visited the outpatient clinic, of whom 42 (91.3%) fulfilled the guideline criteria. Hence, 45 out of 49 patients (91.8%) qualifying for CRT had received CRT or were implanted during follow‐up, and four (8.2%) CRT candidates were unidentified.

Conclusion

In a large, tertiary academic hospital, >91% of patients fulfilling guideline criteria received CRT, and 8.2% of patients were unidentified. Systematic ECG screening of every patient may prove a simple tool to detect CRT candidates who were otherwise unrecognized.

(PACE 2013; 36:69–75)
Deactivation of Ni-YSZ Material in Dry Methane and Oxidation of Various Forms of Deposited Carbon
Authors: Novosel Barbara , Marinšek Marjan , Maček Jadran
Published: October 2012

Carbon deposits are the most probable mode of deactivation for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) using methane or higher hydrocarbons as fuel. The deposition of various carbon allotropes on the anode material was studied under dynamic and isothermal conditions. The results show methane dissociation on Ni-YSZ (nickel-yttrium stabilized zirconia) under the temperature-programmed mode in three general steps. Under isothermal conditions, various carbon species formed depending on the temperature. The presence of amorphous, filamentous, pyrolitic, and graphitic carbon allotropes was determined by quadrupole mass spectroscopy (QMS), X-ray crystallography, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Carbon allotropes were subsequently oxidized in the atmosphere with 20.0 vol% and 0.5 vol% of oxygen in argon. Complex oxidation mechanisms were detected and discussed.
Tilting Pad Journal Bearings—A Discussion on Stability Calculation, Frequency Dependence, and Pad and Pivot
Authors: Wilkes Jason C. , Childs Dara W.
Published: October 2012

For several years, researchers have presented predictions showing that using a full tilting-pad journal bearing (TPJB) model (retaining all of the pad degrees of freedom) is necessary to accurately perform stability calculations for a shaft operating on TPJBs. This paper will discuss this issue, discuss the importance of pad and pivot flexibility in predicting impedance coefficients for the tilting-pad journal bearing, present measured changes in bearing clearance with operating temperature, and summarize the differences between measured and predicted frequency dependence of dynamic impedance coefficients. The current work presents recent test data for a 100 mm (4 in.) five-pad TPJB tested in load on pad (LOP) configuration. Measured results include bearing clearance as a function of operating temperature, pad clearance and radial displacement of the loaded pad (the pad having the static load vector directed through its pivot), and frequency-dependent stiffness and damping. Measured hot-bearing clearances are approximately 30% smaller than measured cold-bearing clearances and are inversely proportional to pad surface temperature; predicting bearing impedances with a rigid pad and pivot model using these reduced clearances results in overpredicted stiffness and damping coefficients that are several times larger than previous comparisons. The effect of employing a full bearing model versus a reduced bearing model (where only journal degrees of freedom are retained) in a stability calculation for a realistic rotor-bearing system is assessed. For the bearing tested, the bearing coefficients reduced at the frequency of the unstable eigenvalue (subsynchronously reduced) predicted a destabilizing cross-coupled stiffness coefficient at the onset of instability within 1% of the full model, while synchronously reduced coefficients for the lightly loaded bearing required 25% more destabilizing cross-coupled stiffness than the full model to cause system instability. The same stability calculation was performed using measured stiffness and damping coefficients at synchronous and subsynchronous frequencies. These predictions showed that both the synchronously measured stiffness and damping and predictions using the full bearing model were more conservative than the model using subsynchronously measured stiffness and damping, an outcome that is completely opposite from conclusions reached by comparing different prediction models. This contrasting outcome results from a predicted increase in damping with increasing excitation frequency at all speeds and loads; however, this increase in damping with increasing excitation frequency was only measured at the most heavily loaded conditions.
Operation and Simulation of Hybrid Wind and Gas Turbine Power System Employing Wind Power Forecasting
Authors: Xia Junrong , Zhao Pan , Dai Yiping
Published: October 2012

Due to the intermittence and fluctuation of wind resource, the integration of large wind farms in a power grid always brings challenges to maintain the stability of a power system. Integrating gas turbine units with wind farms can compensate for their output fluctuation. A methodology for the operation scheduling of a hybrid power system that consists of a large wind farm and gas turbine units is presented. A statistical model based on numerical weather prediction is used to forecast power output of the wind farm. Forecasts of wind power are used for optimizing the operation scheduling. Dynamic modeling of this hybrid power system is addressed. Simulation studies are carried out to evaluate the system performance using real weather data. The simulation results show that the proposed hybrid power system can compensate fluctuating wind power effectively and make wind power more reliable.
A Linear Relaxation Method for Computing Workspace Slices of the Stewart Platform
Authors: Bohigas Oriol , Manubens Montserrat , Ros Lluís
Published: October 2012

The workspace of a Stewart platform is a complex six-dimensional volume embedded in the Cartesian space defined by six pose parameters. Because of its large dimension and complex shape, this volume is difficult to compute and represent, and comprehension on its structure is being gained by studying its three-dimensional slices. While successful methods have been given to determine the constant-orientation slice, the computation and appropriate visualization of the constant-position slice (also known as the orientation workspace) has proved to be a challenging task. This paper presents a unified method for computing both of such slices, and any other ones defined by fixing three pose parameters, on general Stewart platforms possibly involving mechanical limits on the active and passive joints. Advantages over existing methods include, in addition to the previous, the ability to determine all connected components of the workspace, and any motion barriers present in its interior.
Analytical Formulae for Potential Integrals on Triangles
Authors: Carley Michael J.
Published: October 2012

The problem of evaluating potential integrals on planar triangular elements has been addressed using a polar coordinate decomposition, giving explicit formulae for the regular and for the principal value and finite part integrals used in hypersingular formulations. The resulting formulae are general, exact, easily implemented, and have only one special case, that of a field point lying in the plane of the element. Results are presented for the evaluation of the potential and its gradients, where the integrals must be treated as principal values or finite parts, for elements with constant and linearly varying source terms. These results are tested by application to a single triangular element, and to the evaluation of a potential gradient outside the unit cube. In both cases, the method is shown to be accurate and convergent.
Optimization and Control of a Spatial Compliant Manipulator
Authors: Canfield Stephen L. , Beard James W. , Stefanick Matthew , Bennett David , Lobontiu Nic , Paine Jeffrey
Published: October 2012

This paper will present a model for force and motion control appropriate for spatial compliant manipulators that will characterize the elastic nature of these devices. This model will be applicable to a class of such compliant manipulators that combine the characteristics of parallel manipulators with the low cost, small-scale capabilities resulting from a compliant structure design. This model will be applied to a specific compliant three-degree-of-freedom manipulator topology and its use will be demonstrated as a design tool to perform size optimization of the dimensional parameters of the selected compliant manipulator. A general discussion towards future implementation of this model in control of micro positioning manipulators is given. The work is then demonstrated through development and fabrication of several miniature compliant manipulators (MCM) designed for pointing and precision motion control applications.
On Multiple-Material Optimal Compliant Topologies: Discrete Variable Parameterization Using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Saxena Anupam
Published: October 2012

Ideally, topology design problems are posed in binary form wherein density-like parameters, that model material properties, assume values corresponding to either no material or material state at a point in the continuum. However, to facilitate the use of calculus-based algorithms, which rely on gradient information for their search, the densities are often relaxed and posed as continuous interpolating functions between the two states. An alternative is to employ an algorithm that uses only the function information as its search criteria while strictly maintaining the original binary form. Genetic algorithm, which simulates nature’s mechanism of natural selection and survival of the fittest, is employed in this paper for topology optimization of compliant mechanisms. The algorithm is capable of converging to a global optimum, and therefore, is additionally beneficial as the design spaces for compliant mechanisms are often multi-modal. During the search, a barrier assignment approach is employed for densities to assume values corresponding only to the material or no material states. A cardinal advantage is the generalization to multiple-material modeling that enables suitable juxtaposition of flexible and stiff material in optimal compliant topology design and is supplemented well by modern manufacturing techniques. Numerous synthesis examples are solved, both with two and multiple material models, to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed method for the design of compliant continua. The approach is generic and can be employed to any topology design problem at hand and with any finite element approximation to the continuum.
Design and Test of an Articulated Mechanism for a 1 DOF Anthropomorphic Finger
Authors: Carbone Giuseppe , Civitillo Roberto , Ceccarelli Marco
Published: October 2012

The aim of this paper is the design of a new low-cost and easy operation 1 dof finger prototype, which can be used as a module for an anthropomorphic hand. The human cylindrical grasp has been analyzed in order to design a suitable articulated mechanism for the power transmission to the phalanges. Numerical computations have been carried in order to verify the feasibility of the proposed design. Five force sensors and an accelerometer have been installed on the built prototype in order to experimentally validate its operation.
Structure Synthesis of Parallel Manipulators With 3-Dimension Translation and 1-Dimension Rotation
Authors: Jin Qiong , Yang Ting-Li
Published: October 2012

Based on the units of single-opened-chains, some topological characteristics of rank-degenerated parallel manipulators are revealed, and a systematic and effective new method for structure synthesis of parallel manipulators with 3-dimension translation and 1-dimension rotation is put forward in this paper. As a result, 50 new mechanisms are synthesized and classified. The method proposed in this paper is of universal significance and has been used for the structure synthesis of rank-degenerated parallel manipulators with other kinematics output types.
A DBB-Based Kinematic Calibration Method for In-Parallel Actuated Mechanisms Using a Fourier Series
Authors: Takeda Yukio , Shen Gang , Funabashi Hiroaki
Published: October 2012

For kinematic calibration of robots, we proposed using a low order Fourier series obtained by transforming the data for circular measurements paths. The paths were measured using a Double-Ball-Bar (DBB) system. Two nondimensional indices were proposed for evaluating the orthogonalities of the measurement paths and calibration parameters. An index was also proposed to evaluate the accuracy of the calibration with regard to measurement error. An algorithm for determining adequate measurement paths and an optimal set of a specified number of paths using these indices was also proposed. The effectivenesss of the porposed method, indices, and algorithm was investigated through simulations and experiments of kinematic calibration with an experimental in-parallel actuated worktable which we developed.
Computer-Aided Design of a Mechanism for the Continuous, Automated Assembly of Two Parts at High Speed: A Case Study
Authors: Churchill W. L. , Gilman E. , Gow C. , Yamartino D. , Norton R. L.
Published: October 2012

Various computer-aided design tools were used to develop alternate designs for mechanisms to assemble two subassemblies of a consumer product on a fully-automated, continuous motion, high speed assembly line. The product geometry required a snap fit and the assembly motion had to be such as to avoid product damage. Four different mechanisms out of a larger number of concepts were developed in some detail and the most promising of those designed for production. All designs involved some combination of linkages and/or cams. This paper describes their design and the use of various CAD/CAE tools in the process.
TOPAS: An innovative proton Monte Carlo platform for research and clinical applications
Authors: Perl J. , Shin J. , Schümann J. , Faddegon B. , Paganetti H.
Published: October 2012

Purpose:

While Monte Carlo particle transport has proven useful in many areas (treatment head design, dose calculation, shielding design, and imaging studies) and has been particularly important for proton therapy (due to the conformal dose distributions and a finite beam range in the patient), the available general purpose Monte Carlo codes in proton therapy have been overly complex for most clinical medical physicists. The learning process has large costs not only in time but also in reliability. To address this issue, we developed an innovative proton Monte Carlo platform and tested the tool in a variety of proton therapy applications.

Methods:

Our approach was to take one of the already‐established general purpose Monte Carlo codes and wrap and extend it to create a specialized user‐friendly tool for proton therapy. The resulting tool, TOol for PArticle Simulation (TOPAS), should make Monte Carlo simulation more readily available for research and clinical physicists. TOPAS can model a passive scattering or scanning beam treatment head, model a patient geometry based on computed tomography (CT) images, score dose, fluence, etc., save and restart a phase space, provides advanced graphics, and is fully four‐dimensional (4D) to handle variations in beam delivery and patient geometry during treatment. A custom‐designed TOPAS parameter control system was placed at the heart of the code to meet requirements for ease of use, reliability, and repeatability without sacrificing flexibility.

Results:

We built and tested the TOPAS code. We have shown that the TOPAS parameter system provides easy yet flexible control over all key simulation areas such as geometry setup, particle source setup, scoring setup, etc. Through design consistency, we have insured that user experience gained in configuring one component, scorer or filter applies equally well to configuring any other component, scorer or filter. We have incorporated key lessons from safety management, proactively removing possible sources of user error such as line‐ordering mistakes. We have modeled proton therapy treatment examples including the UCSF eye treatment head, the MGH stereotactic alignment in radiosurgery treatment head and the MGH gantry treatment heads in passive scattering and scanning modes, and we have demonstrated dose calculation based on patient‐specific CT data. Initial validation results show agreement with measured data and demonstrate the capabilities of TOPAS in simulating beam delivery in 3D and 4D.

Conclusions:

We have demonstrated TOPAS accuracy and usability in a variety of proton therapy setups. As we are preparing to make this tool freely available for researchers in medical physics, we anticipate widespread use of this tool in the growing proton therapy community.
Receptor Scientists to Receive Chemistry Nobel
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: October 2012

Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka have won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for tracking down a diverse family of proteins on the surface of cells and revealing the atomic details of how they work.
Terminology and classification of muscle injuries in sport: The Munich consensus statement
Authors: Mueller-Wohlfahrt Hans-Wilhelm , Haensel Lutz , Mithoefer Kai , Ekstrand Jan , English Bryan , McNally Steven , Orchard John , van Dijk C Niek , Kerkhoffs Gino M , Schamasch Patrick , Blottner Dieter , Swaerd Leif , Goedhart Edwin , Ueblacker Peter
Published: October 2012

Objective

To provide a clear terminology and classification of muscle injuries in order to facilitate effective communication among medical practitioners and development of systematic treatment strategies.

Methods

Thirty native English-speaking scientists and team doctors of national and first division professional sports teams were asked to complete a questionnaire on muscle injuries to evaluate the currently used terminology of athletic muscle injury. In addition, a consensus meeting of international sports medicine experts was established to develop practical and scientific definitions of muscle injuries as well as a new and comprehensive classification system.

Results

The response rate of the survey was 63%. The responses confirmed the marked variability in the use of the terminology relating to muscle injury, with the most obvious inconsistencies for the termstrain. In the consensus meeting, practical and systematic terms were defined and established. In addition, a new comprehensive classification system was developed, which differentiates between four types:functional muscle disorders(type 1: overexertion-related and type 2: neuromuscular muscle disorders) describing disorders without macroscopic evidence of fibre tear andstructural muscle injuries(type 3: partial tears and type 4: (sub)total tears/tendinous avulsions) with macroscopic evidence of fibre tear, that is, structural damage. Subclassifications are presented for each type.

Conclusions

A consistent English terminology as well as a comprehensive classification system for athletic muscle injuries which is proven in the daily practice are presented. This will help to improve clarity of communication for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and can serve as the basis for future comparative studies to address the continued lack of systematic information on muscle injuries in the literature.

What are the new things

Consensus definitions of the terminology which is used in the field of muscle injuries as well as a new comprehensive classification system which clearly defines types of athletic muscle injuries.

Level of evidence

Expert opinion, Level V.
Genetic variation and structure in endangered populations ofSphagnum palustreL. in Italy: a molecular approach to evaluate threats and survival ability
Authors: Terracciano Stefano , Giordano Simonetta , Bonini Ilaria , Miserere Luca , Spagnuolo Valeria
Published: October 2012

The conservation status of endangered Italian populations of the peatmoss Sphagnum palustre L. was evaluated through the study of their intraspecific genetic variation and structure. One-hundred-thirty-eight shoots from four populations were analyzed by 35 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) loci. Molecular diversity indices highlight a general low level of variation, which is higher in centre-northern populations than in the southernmost one. AMOVA indicates that most variation is partitioned among populations, supporting a low level of gene flow and a severe isolation among them (FST= 0.7071–0.9198; Nm = 0.106). Mantel test gave a significant correlation (0.8634, P = 0.0083) between genetic and geographical distances. A strong association among loci suggests that recombination due to sexual reproduction contributes poorly to genetic variation observed, supported by the lack of sporophytes in the study areas. Both experimental results and theoretical predictions suggest a concrete risk of local extinction for the studied populations, further increased by fragile habitats hosting the species in Italy. The southernmost population is the most threatened, due to combined effects of lower genetic variation and geographic isolation.
Shared mycorrhizal networks of forest herbs: Does the presence of conspecific and heterospecific adult plants affect seedling growth and nutrient acquisition?
Authors: Burke David J.
Published: October 2012

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can colonize the roots of a large number of plant species and individuals, simultaneously creating a network of hyphae connecting the roots of many plants. In this study, I examined the effect of the mycorrhizal network produced by conspecific and heterospecific adult plants on growth and nutrient content of seedlings of Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Schott. and Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum. Seedlings of both plant species were planted so that they could become colonized by the mycorrhizal network or remain uncolonized, and were planted in the presence of a conspecific or heterospecific adult plant. After 2 years of growth, seedlings were harvested and biomass and nutrient content were determined. Biomass of A. triphyllum seedlings was not affected by the identity of the adult plant or colonization by mycorrhizal fungi. Biomass of M. racemosum seedlings was significantly affected by adult plant identity and mycorrhizal colonization. Maianthemum racemosum seedlings grown near a conspecific adult were significantly larger than when grown near a heterospecific adult, and mycorrhizal M. racemosum seedlings grown near a heterospecific adult had significantly less biomass than nonmycorrhizal seedlings. This suggests that the mycorrhizal network of some plants may confer positive or negative effects on mycorrhizal seedlings as compared to nonmycorrhizal seedlings.
Architectural strategies ofRhamnus cathartica(Rhamnaceae) in relation to canopy openness
Authors: Charles-Dominique Tristan , Edelin Claude , Brisson Jacques , Bouchard André
Published: October 2012

While phenotypic plasticity is considered the major means that allows plant to cope with environmental heterogeneity, scant information is available on phenotypic plasticity of the whole-plant architecture in relation to ontogenic processes. We performed an architectural analysis to gain an understanding of the structural and ontogenic properties of common buckthorn ( Rhamnus cathartica L., Rhamnaceae) growing in the understory and under an open canopy. We found that ontogenic effects on growth need to be calibrated if a full description of phenotypic plasticity is to be obtained. Our analysis pointed to three levels of organization (or nested structural units) in R. cathartica. Their modulation in relation to light conditions leads to the expression of two architectural strategies that involve sets of traits known to confer competitive advantage in their respective environments. In the understory, the plant develops a tree-like form. Its strategy here is based on restricting investment in exploitation structures while promoting major vertical exploration and is probably key to species survival in the understory. Under an open canopy, the second strategy leads the plant to adopt a shrub-like shape. It develops densely branched exploitation structures and flowers abundantly and rapidly. This strategy perfectly matches its aggressive behaviour observed in full sunlight. We propose, as hypotheses, that these two light-related strategies are implicated in the ability of R. cathartica to outcompete the surrounding vegetation in a range of environmental conditions.
Long-term stress induced by nitrate deficiency, sodium chloride, and high light on photosystem II activity and carotenogenesis of green alga Scenedesmus sp.
Authors: Pirastru Laura , Perreault François , Chu Fong Lam , Oukarroum Abdallah , Sleno Lekha , Popovic Radovan , Dewez David
Published: October 2012

The green alga Scenedesmus sp. was exposed to a long-term physiological stress of 40 days induced by the combination of nitrate deficiency, different concentrations of sodium chloride, and high light irradiance. Under these conditions, the change of photosystem II (PSII) photochemical reactions of photosynthesis and cellular growth were investigated along with the synthesis of secondary carotenoids, including astaxanthin and canthaxanthin. From 10 to 40 days, the biosynthesis of these secondary carotenoids was highly induced after the deterioration of PSII complexes when chlorophyll synthesis and cell division were inhibited. In this long term study, the highest induction of carotenoid synthesis happened after the deterioration of PSII reaction centers. There was no direct relationship between the induction of secondary carotenoids and the decline of PSII photochemical efficiency, although it may contribute to carotenogenesis. Under this stressful condition, viability of cells was noted by the small change of unbleached cell density compared with control after 40 days. Therefore, Scenedesmus sp. was tolerant to the long-term chronic stress condition caused by the production of secondary carotenoids, such as astaxanthin and cantaxanthin, participating in antioxidative mechanisms to protect algal cellular system.
Poly(o-aminophenol) film electrodes: synthesis and characterization and formation mechanisms — A review article
Authors: Tucceri R. , Arnal P.M. , Scian A.N.
Published: October 2012

This review, which is divided into three parts, concerns electrochemical synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and formation mechanisms of poly(o-aminophenol) (POAP) film electrodes. The first part of this review is devoted to describing the electropolymerization process of o-aminophenol (o-AP) on different electrode materials and in different electrolyte media by employing both potentiodynamic and potentiostatic methods. The evolution of the voltammogram during the electrosynthesis of POAP and the assignation of the voltammetric peaks to different species, according to the formation mechanism formulated by each author, are described. The effects of some chemical substances and electrochemical pretreatments of the electrode surface, on the electropolymerization process of o-AP, are also considered in this part of the review. The synthesis of POAP in neutral media, which yields a nonconducting polymer, and its use as component of biosensors and protective layer in corrosion processes, are analyzed at the end of the first part. The second part of this review refers to spectroscopic studies carried out by different authors to both identify the products of the o-AP electro-oxidation and elucidate the chemical structure of POAP film electrodes. This second part of the review also describes the different spectroscopic methods employed to study the redox process of POAP, which allows the demonstration of the existence of transient species during the transition of the completely oxidized form of POAP to the completely reduced one. The third part of this review shows the different mechanisms formulated to interpret the POAP film formation from both acid and basic solutions of o-AP. Also, some electrochemical and spectroscopic data which allowed to propos the corresponding formation mechanisms, especially in basic media, are described.
Independent regulation of physiological and behavioral maturation of reproduction in female sand crickets (Gryllus firmus)
Authors: Pyenson B.C. , Pollack G.S.
Published: October 2012

In the first days of adulthood, ovary size and sexual receptivity increase in female sand crickets ( Gryllus firmus Scudder, 1902). We tested whether these are mechanistically linked by juvenile hormone (JH), which has been implicated in gonadal development and sexual behavior in other insects. Treatment of young females with the JH analog, methoprene, accelerates oocyte maturation and triggers flight-muscle histolysis, but does not affect sexual receptivity. These results are consistent with earlier studies which suggest that physiological and behavioral components of sexual maturation in crickets are separately regulated.
Interaction of atrial natriuretic peptide and ouabain in the myocardium
Authors: Nesher Maoz , Bai Yan , Li Daxiang , Rosen Haim , Lichtstein David , Liu Lijun
Published: October 2012

Natriuretic peptides and digitalis-like compounds serve as regulators of homeostasis, including control of volume expansion and blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to explore possible interactions between atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and ouabain in the heart. ANP (1 nmol/L) had no effect in papillary muscle preparations from guinea pigs. Ouabain (1 µmol/L) induced positive inotropic effect. The addition of ANP prior to ouabain resulted in a significant decrease in the ouabain-induced positive inotropic effect, manifested as an attenuated increase in twitch maximal upward force slope and resting muscular tension. In addition, ANP caused an increase in Na+–K+-ATPase activity in heart microsomal preparations. The effect of ouabain on Na+–K+-ATPase activity was shown in a biphasic manner. Ouabain (0.01–1 nmol/L) had a small but significant increase on pump activity, but higher doses of ouabain inhibited activity. ANP attenuated ouabain-induced Na+–K+-ATPase activity. Furthermore, ouabain (50 nmol/L) or ANP (10 nmol/L) alone induced Akt activation in cardiomyocytes. However, ANP blocked ouabain-induced Akt activation. These results point to the existence of interactions between ANP and ouabain on Na+–K+-ATPase signaling and function in the heart, which may be mediated by regulation of Na+–K+-ATPase activity and (or) signal transduction mechanisms.
Impaired phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis does not attenuate liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy in hepatic CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase-α deficient mice
Authors: Ling Ji , Zhu Lin Fu , Vance Dennis E. , Jacobs René L.
Published: October 2012

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the major component of mammalian membranes, and the induction of PC biosynthesis has been shown to be an essential step in cell proliferation in various cell lines. Cytidine triphosphate (CTP):phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase α (CTα) regulates the primary pathway of PC biosynthesis in the liver. The targeted disruption of CTα in murine liver (LCTα−/−mice) decreases hepatic PC mass and the number of cells in the liver, suggesting CTα as an important factor for hepatocyte proliferation. To elucidate the role of CTα in hepatic cell division in vivo, we monitored liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy in LCTα−/−and loxP flanked (floxed) LCTα (control) mice. To our surprise, liver re-growth, DNA synthesis, and PC mass after surgery were not impaired in LCTα−/−mice, despite reduced total PC synthesis. Furthermore, PC synthesis in the control mice was not induced after 70% partial hepatectomy. We conclude that CTα is not essential for proliferation of hepatocytes in vivo, and that basal hepatic PC biosynthesis is sufficient to sustain regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy.
POSSIBLE $D\bar{D}$ AND $B\bar{B}$ MOLECULAR STATES IN A CHIRAL QUARK MODEL
Authors: LI M. T. , WANG W. L. , DONG Y. B. , ZHANG Z. Y.
Published: October 2012

We perform a systematic study of the bound state problem of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] systems by using effective interaction in our chiral quark model. Our results show that both the interactions of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] states are attractive, which consequently result in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] bound states.
THERMAL AND MAGNETIC RESPONSE OF DIVALENT Sr DOPED HEXAGONAL YMnO3
Authors: THAKUR RAJESH K. , THAKUR RASNA , BHARATHI A. , GANESAN V. , GAUR N. K.
Published: October 2012

Strontium doped polycrystalline YMnO 3 multiferroic ceramics prepared by using conventional solid state reaction method are examined for their structural, thermodynamic and magnetic properties. The observed pointed kinks in the specific heat study are indicative of the probable coupling between the electric and magnetic orders in this class of materials. The reported systematic specific heat studies show that the antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition temperature (TN) shifts to higher value with increasing concentration of Sr 2+ ion in the YMnO 3. The reported compounds show the independence of specific heat behavior and magnetic transition temperature with applied magnetic field of 8 T and 12 T. Our systemic magnetization studies of " Sr " doped YMnO 3 compounds indicated a weak ferromagnetic characteristic in the temperature lower than the AFM transition temperature.
PHASE TRANSITION OF THE DISSIPATIVE DOUBLE-WELL QUANTUM MECHANICS
Authors: AOKI KEN-ICHI , KOBAYASHI TAMAO
Published: October 2012

We investigate the critical dissipation of the double-well quantum mechanics. We adopt two-state approximation to define effective Ising models and apply the block decimation renormalization group and the finite range scaling method recently proposed for the long range Ising model. We briefly report the numerical results of the critical dissipation for various model parameters.
A DESCRIPTION OF A CLASS OF FINITE SEMIGROUPS THAT ARE NEAR TO BEING MAL'CEV NILPOTENT
Authors: JESPERS E. , SHAHZAMANIAN M. H.
Published: October 2012

In this paper we continue the investigation on the algebraic structure of a finite semigroup S that is determined by its associated upper non-nilpotent graph [Formula: see text]. The vertices of this graph are the elements of S and two vertices are adjacent if they generate a semigroup that is not nilpotent (in the sense of Mal'cev). We introduce a class of semigroups in which the Mal'cev nilpotent property lifts through ideal chains. We call this the class of pseudo-nilpotent semigroups. The definition is such that the global information that a semigroup is not nilpotent induces local information, i.e. some two-generated subsemigroups are not nilpotent. It turns out that a finite monoid (in particular, a finite group) is pseudo-nilpotent if and only if it is nilpotent. Our main result is a description of pseudo-nilpotent finite semigroups S in terms of their associated graph [Formula: see text]. In particular, S has a largest nilpotent ideal, say K, and S/K is a 0-disjoint union of its connected components (adjoined with a zero) with at least two elements.
WAVE PROPAGATION IN LIPOSOMES
Authors: DONG KE , LU GUOXING
Published: October 2012

The general behavior of wave propagation in liposomes, including the effect of rotary inertia, is examined in this paper, based on a continuum cylindrical shell model. The disperse curves are obtained by solving an eigenvalue problem. The characteristics of wave propagation in liposomes are described using numerical examples. The results show that wave propagation in liposomes has a threshold critical frequency beyond which the wave speed drops dramatically and also a cut-off critical frequency below which the corresponding wave mode does not appear. The torsional wave speed is obtained for the symmetrical circumferential mode n = 0. The cut-off or threshold critical frequency decreases with the increase of liposomal radius, but the effect of radius on wave speed is not significant in the frequency region higher than the critical frequency. On the other hand, the wave number n leads to an increase in the critical frequency. For the first and second wave modes, the wave speed is insensitive to the wave number when the frequency is greater than the critical frequency. For the third wave mode in the low frequency region, the wave number leads to an increase in the wave speed. The rotary inertia has little influence on those wave modes which contain cut-off frequencies. For other wave modes, the rotary inertia results in a decrease in the wave speed in the high frequency region. This investigation may provide a useful guide in the applications of liposomes in ultrasound-based drug delivery and release.
STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PLLA/PEARL POWDER SCAFFOLDS
Authors: LIU Y. S. , HUANG Q. L. , FENG Q. L. , HU N. M. , ALBERT O.
Published: October 2012

In order to improve the mechanical properties of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, the present study aims to bring calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with signaling molecules, namely pearl powder, into poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA). PLLA/aragonite and PLLA/vaterite scaffolds were successfully fabricated by the freeze-drying method. Both composite scaffolds had a similar porous structure but a different saturated content of pearl powders. For both scaffolds, the porosity decreases and yield strength increases as pearl powder content increases. Introducing pearl powders into PLLA can improve the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. The porous structure plays a crucial role in the yield strength of pure PLLA scaffolds, whereas the yield strength of PLLA/pearl powder scaffolds mostly relies on pearl powder content.
ONTOLOGY-DRIVEN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING: BEYOND MODEL CHECKING AND TRANSFORMATIONS
Authors: KATASONOV ARTEM
Published: October 2012

This paper introduces a novel framework for Ontology-Driven Software Engineering. This framework is grounded on the prior related work that studied the interplay between the model-driven engineering and the ontological modeling. Our framework makes a contribution by incorporating a more flexible means for ontological modeling that also has a higher performance in processing, and by incorporating a wider range of ontology types into ODSE. As a result, it extends the power and speed of the classification and the model consistency checking ontological services enabled by the prior work, and brings new ontological services: semantic search in model repositories, three kinds of semi-automated model composition services: task-based, result-based, and opportunistic, and the policy enforcement service. The primary intended use for this framework is to be implemented as part of model-driven engineering tools to support software engineers. We describe our reference implementation of such a tool called Smart Modeller, and report on a performance evaluation of our framework carried out with the help of it.
National Internet Defense - Small States on the Skirmish Line
Authors: Stapleton-Gray Ross , Woodcock Bill
Published: October 2012

Despite the global and borderless nature of the Internet’s underlying protocols and driving philosophy, there are significant ways in which it remains substantively territorial. Nations have policies and laws that govern and attempt to defend "their Internet". This is far less palpable than a nation’s physical territory or even than "its air" or "its water". Cyberspace is still a much wilder frontier, hard to define and measure. Where its effects are noted and measurable, all too often they are hard to attribute to responsible parties.