bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Turbulent boundary-layer noise: direct radiation at Mach number 0.5
Authors: Gloerfelt Xavier , Berland Julien
Published: May 2013

Boundary layers constitute a fundamental source of aerodynamic noise. A turbulent boundary layer over a plane wall can provide an indirect contribution to the noise by exciting the structure and a direct noise contribution. The latter part can play a significant role even if its intensity is very low, explaining why it is difficult to measure. In the present study, the aerodynamic noise generated by a spatially developing turbulent boundary layer is computed directly by solving the compressible Navier–Stokes equations. This numerical experiment aims at giving some insight into the noise radiation characteristics. The acoustic wavefronts have a large wavelength and are oriented in the direction opposite to the flow. Their amplitude is only 0.7 % of the aerodynamic pressure for a flat-plate flow at Mach 0.5. The particular directivity is mainly explained by convection effects by the mean flow, giving an indication about the compactness of the sources. These vortical events correspond to low frequencies and thus have a large lifetime. They cannot be directly associated with the main structures populating the boundary layer such as hairpin or horseshoe vortices. The analysis of the wall pressure can provide a picture of the flow in the wavenumber–frequency space. The main features of wall pressure beneath a turbulent boundary layer as described in the literature are well reproduced. The acoustic domain, corresponding to supersonic wavenumbers, is detectable but can hardly be separated from the convective ridge at this relatively high speed. This is also due to the low frequencies of sound emission as noted previously.
Divergence-driven oscillations in a flexible-channel flow with fixed upstream flux
Authors: Xu Feng , Billingham John , Jensen Oliver E.
Published: May 2013

We consider flow in a finite-length channel, one wall of which contains a membrane under longitudinal tension. The upstream flux and downstream pressure are prescribed and an external linear pressure distribution is applied to the membrane such that the system admits uniform Poiseuille flow as a steady solution. The system is described using a one-dimensional model that accounts for viscous and inertial effects. A linear stability analysis reveals that the uniform state is unstable to static (or divergent) and oscillatory instabilities. Asymptotic analysis in the neighbourhood of a Takens–Bogdanov bifurcation point shows how, when the downstream rigid section of the channel is not substantially longer than the membrane, an oscillatory mode arises through an interaction between two static eigenmodes. Perturbations to the uniform state exhibit the dynamics of a weakly dissipative Hamiltonian system for which low-frequency self-excited oscillations are forced by the divergent instability of two nearby steady solutions, before ultimately growing to large amplitudes. Simulations show that the subsequent dynamics can involve slamming motion in which the membrane briefly comes into near-contact with the opposite rigid wall over short length scales.
Numerical Investigation of the Ground Effect for a Small Bird
Authors: Tang J.-H. , Su J.-Y. , Wang C.-H. , Yang J.-T.
Published: May 2013

An investigation with computational fluid dynamics of the ground effect on a small bird revealed quantitatively the obstruction of the vortex expansion resulting from the presence of the ground at varied distance. Preceding authors focused mainly on the bird's wings, generally neglecting the bird's body; we discuss specifically the distinction of the aerodynamic effect between cases with and without the presence of the bird's body. The results of simulation show that, considering only two wings, for a distance between the wing model and the ground smaller than a semi-span, the smaller is the ground clearance, the more significant is the ground effect. At clearance 0.37 times a semi-span, the drag is decreased 11%, and the lift is increased 5.6%. The ground effect for an intact bird model composed of both wings and body is less effective than that for a simplified model with body omitted, because a suction was observed on the lower surface of the intact bird's trunk at clearance 0.37 times a semi-span; for this reason the intact bird model benefits less from the ground effect than the model with body excluded, but increased lift and decreased drag remain observable. This research treating the ground effect on a gliding bird reveals the importance of the presence of the bird's body in both computational and experimental models.
Hall Effects on Unsteady Couette Flow in a Rotating System
Authors: Maji S. L. , Das S. , Jana R. N.
Published: May 2013

Hall effects on the unsteady Couette flow between two infinite horizontal parallel plates in a rotating system under the boundary layer approximations have been studied. One of the plate is at rest and the other oscillates in its own plane with the velocityU(t). An exact solution of the governing equations has been obtained by the use of the Laplace transform technique. The numerical results for the velocity components and the shear stresses are depicted graphically. Asymptotic behavior of the solution has analyzed for large values of magnetic parameter, rotation parameter and frequency parameter to gain some physical insight into the flow pattern. It is observed that there exists thin boundary layer (s) is formed near the stationary plate for large values of rotation parameter, magnetic parameter and frequency parameter.
Beam Patterns of the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope
Authors: Dong B. , Han J. L.
Published: May 2013

The Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is being constructed in China. With an illuminated aperture of 300-m diameter, it will be the most sensitive single-dish radio telescope in the world. We calculate the beam patterns, gains, and efficiencies of the FAST at 200 MHz, 1.4 GHz, and 3 GHz. A program is developed to calculate the structural parameters and construct the FAST models. The three-dimensional beam patterns are calculated by utilising the shooting and bouncing ray method. We show that, with a coaxial horn feed, the FAST has a beam pattern of high gain and reasonably low first sidelobe over the frequency range of 200 MHz to 3 GHz. Compared with an ideal 300-m parabolic reflector, the un-illuminated spherical part of the FAST would make the power level near both sides of the main beam rise by at least 20 dB and the efficiency tends to decrease at high frequencies. At a zenith angle of 0°, its efficiencies at 200 MHz, 1.4 GHz, and 3 GHz are 71.72%, 66.94%, and 57.55%, respectively. We conclude that the FAST is an excellent telescope at low frequencies. At high frequencies, the triangular spherical panels and the gaps between panels are important factors that affect the performance of the FAST.
Metabolomic profiling of urine: response to a randomised, controlled feeding study of select fruits and vegetables, and application to an observational study
Authors: May Damon H. , Navarro Sandi L. , Ruczinski Ingo , Hogan Jason , Ogata Yuko , Schwarz Yvonne , Levy Lisa , Holzman Ted , McIntosh Martin W. , Lampe Johanna W.
Published: May 2013

Metabolomic profiles were used to characterise the effects of consuming a high-phytochemical diet compared with a diet devoid of fruits and vegetables (F&V) in a randomised trial and cross-sectional study. In the trial, 8 h fasting urine from healthy men (n 5) and women (n 5) was collected after a 2-week randomised, controlled trial of two diet periods: a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables, citrus and soya (F&V), and a fruit- and vegetable-free (basal) diet. Among the ions found to differentiate the diets, 176 were putatively annotated with compound identifications, with forty-six supported by MS/MS fragment evidence. Metabolites more abundant in the F&V diet included markers of the dietary intervention (e.g. crucifers, citrus and soya), fatty acids and niacin metabolites. Ions more abundant in the basal diet included riboflavin, several acylcarnitines and amino acid metabolites. In the cross-sectional study, we compared the participants based on the tertiles of crucifers, citrus and soya from 3 d food records (n 36) and FFQ (n 57); intake was separately divided into the tertiles of total fruit and vegetable intake for FFQ. As a group, ions individually differential between the experimental diets differentiated the observational study participants. However, only four ions were significant individually, differentiating the third v. first tertile of crucifer, citrus and soya intake based on 3 d food records. One of these ions was putatively annotated: proline betaine, a marker of citrus consumption. There were no ions significantly distinguishing tertiles by FFQ. The metabolomic assessment of controlled dietary interventions provides a more accurate and stronger characterisation of the diet than observational data.
Dietary fibre affects intestinal mucosal barrier function and regulates intestinal bacteria in weaning piglets
Authors: Chen Hong , Mao Xiangbing , He Jun , Yu Bing , Huang Zhiqing , Yu Jie , Zheng Ping , Chen Daiwen
Published: May 2013

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of fibre source on intestinal mucosal barrier function in weaning piglets. A total of 125 piglets were randomly allotted on the basis of their body weight and litters to one of five experimental diets, i.e. a control diet without fibre source (CT), and diets in which expanded maize was replaced by 10 % maize fibre (MF), 10 % soyabean fibre (SF), 10 % wheat bran fibre (WBF) or 10 % pea fibre (PF). The diets and water were fedad libitumfor 30 d. Piglets on the WBF and PF diets had lower diarrhoea incidence compared with the MF- and SF-fed animals. A higher ratio of villous height:crypt depth in the ileum of WBF-fed piglets and higher colonic goblet cells in WBF- and PF-fed piglets were observed compared with CT-, MF- and SF-fed piglets. In the intestinal digesta, feeding WBF and PF resulted in increasedLactobacilluscounts in the ileum andBifidobacteriumcounts in the colon. LowerEscherichia colicounts occurred in the ileum and colon of WBF-fed piglets than in SF-fed piglets. Tight junction protein (zonula occludens 1;ZO-1) and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) gene mRNA levels were up-regulated in the ileum and colon of pigs fed WBF; however, feeding MF and SF raisedIL-1αandTNF-αmRNA levels. Furthermore, higher diamine oxidase activities, transforming growth factor-α, trefoil factor family and MHC-II concentration occurred when feeding WBF and PF. In conclusion, the various fibre sources had different effects on the ileal and colonic barrier function. Clearly, WBF and PF improved the intestinal barrier function, probably mediated by changes in microbiota composition and concomitant changes inTLR2gene expression.
Dietary arginine affects energy metabolism through polyamine turnover in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Andersen Synne M. , Holen Elisabeth , Aksnes Anders , Rønnestad Ivar , Zerrahn Jens-Erik , Espe Marit
Published: May 2013

In the present study, quadruplicate groups of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were fed plant protein-based diets with increasing arginine inclusions (range 28·8–37·4 g/kg DM) to investigate whether arginine supplementation affects growth and lipid accumulation through an elevated polyamine turnover. Dietary lysine was held at a constant concentration, just below the requirement. All other amino acids were balanced and equal in the diets. Arginine supplementation increased protein and fat accretion, without affecting the hepatosomatic or visceralsomatic indices. Dietary arginine correlated with putrescine in the liver (R 0·78, P= 0·01) and with ornithine in the muscle, liver and plasma (P= 0·0002, 0·003 and 0·0002, respectively). The mRNA of ornithine decarboxylase, the enzyme producing putrescine, was up-regulated in the white adipose tissue of fish fed the high-arginine inclusion compared with those fed the low-arginine diet. Concomitantly, spermidine/spermine-(N1)-acetyltransferase, the rate-limiting enzyme for polyamine turnover that consumes acetyl-CoA, showed an increased activity in the liver of fish fed the arginine-supplemented diets. In addition, lower acetyl-CoA concentrations were observed in the liver of fish fed the high-arginine diet, while ATP, which is used in the process of synthesising spermidine and spermine, did not show a similar trend. Gene expression of the rate-limiting enzyme for β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1, was up-regulated in the liver of fish fed the high-arginine diet. Taken together, the data support that increased dietary arginine activates polyamine turnover and β-oxidation in the liver of juvenile Atlantic salmon and may act to improve the metabolic status of the fish.
Associations of dietary glycaemic index and glycaemic load with food and nutrient intake and general and central obesity in British adults
Authors: Murakami Kentaro , McCaffrey Tracy A. , Livingstone M. Barbara E.
Published: May 2013

Inconsistent associations between dietary glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) and body fatness may be partly due to differences in the underlying dietary patterns or energy under-reporting. In the present study, we examined the cross-sectional associations of dietary GI and GL with food and nutrient intake and general and central obesity, accounting for energy under-reporting. The subjects were 1487 British adults aged 19–64 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a 7 d weighed dietary record. Breads and potatoes were the positive predictive foods for dietary GI, while fruit, other cereals and dairy products were the negative predictors. These foods were similarly identified in the analysis of only acceptable reporters (AR; ratio of reported energy intake:estimated energy requirement within 0·665–1·335) and under-reporters (UR; ratio < 0·665). Dietary GL was closely correlated with carbohydrate intake. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that dietary GI was independently associated with a higher risk of general obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and central obesity (waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in men and ≥ 88 cm in women). Dietary GL was also associated with general (only women) and central obesity. Similarly, in the analysis of AR, the GI showed positive associations with general and central obesity, and, only in women, the GL showed positive associations with general and central obesity. Conversely, in the analysis of UR, the associations were generally weaker and many of them failed to reach statistical significance. In conclusion, we found independent positive associations of dietary GI and GL with general and central obesity in British adults.
Trichinella britovi in the jackal Canis aureus from south-west Iran
Authors: Mirjalali H. , Rezaei S. , Pozio E. , Naddaf S.R. , Salahi-Moghaddam A. , Kia E.B. , Shahbazi F. , Mowlavi Gh.
Published: May 2013

Trichinellosis is an important helminthic food-borne zoonosis, which is caused by nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Although, Trichinella spp. has been detected frequently in Iranian wildlife, this parasitic infection is not considered a major public health problem. This is largely because Islamic codes forbid consumption of pork meat in this country. However, knowledge about this zoonotic pathogen is important because human trichinellosis has been documented in countries where most of the population is Muslim. The aims of the present work were to investigate whether Trichinella spp. was still circulating in wildlife of the Khuzestan Province (south-west Iran) about 30 years after the first investigation, to identify the aetiological agent at the species level by molecular analyses, and to review the literature on Trichinella spp. in animals of Iran. During the winter 2009–2010, muscle samples from 32 road-killed animals (14 dogs and 18 jackals, Canis aureus) were collected. Muscle samples were digested and Trichinella sp. larvae were isolated from two jackals. The Trichinella sp. larvae have been identified as Trichinellabritovi by molecular analyses. These results confirm that T. britovi is the prevalent species circulating in wild animals of Iran.
The quantum plasma lens concept: A preliminary investigation
Authors: TANJIA FATEMA , FEDELE RENATO , DE NICOLA SERGIO , JOVANOVIĆ DUSAN , MANNAN ABDUL
Published: May 2013

Recently, a theoretical investigation of the collective and nonlocal quantum effects has been carried out within the framework of a quantum approach to the relativistic charged particle beam travelling in a cold, collisionless, strongly magnetized plasma. This has been done taking into account both the plasma wake field excitation and the quantum paraxial approximation. On the basis of this theory, here we carry out a preliminary study of the transverse effects experienced by a cold relativistic beam through a thin plasma slab (plasma lens). In the strongly nonlocal regime, in which the beam experiences a very strong focusing effect, the scheme of plasma lens is reviewed in terms of the wave description provided by the above quantum theory.
Post-pinch generation of electron beam in a low energy Mather-type plasma focus device
Authors: BEHBAHANI R. A. , AGHAMIR F. M.
Published: May 2013

The post-pinch generation of electron beam in a low energy Mather-type plasma focus (PF) device has been investigated. A fast-calibrated Rogowski coil was used to monitor the emission of electron beam. A two-channel diode X-ray spectrometer along with suitable filters provided the records of energy spectrum of X-ray radiation. Single time-period emissions of electron beam with duration of 100 to 20 ns were recorded in the high range of the device operating pressure (0.8–2 mbar). However, in the low range regime (0.2–0.8 mbar), occurrence of single spike electron beam with duration of 150 ± 50 ns, as well as multi-emission of electrons with duration of 400 ± 50 ns, was visible. A multi-peak of tube voltage along with multi-time-period radiation of X-rays dominated by copper lines (Cukα and Cukβ) was noticeable in the low-pressure range. The generated electron beam during the post-pinch phase of anomalous resistances is suspected to be the main source of X-ray radiation. This can also be related to the turbulence of the plasma column during the occurrence of anomalous resistances.
Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) observed during land-based surveys in The Minch, north-west Scotland
Authors: Dolman Sarah J. , Hodgins Nicola K. , MacLeod Colin D. , Pierce Graham J. , Weir Caroline R.
Published: May 2013

The waters off north-west Scotland are known to provide important habitat for the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Between October 2008 and April 2011, systematic land-based surveys were carried out to assess the seasonal occurrence, group size and group behaviours of both species in a study area located off Melvaig, near Gairloch. Data were collected on 47 separate days, with a total of 4543 minutes of survey effort (in sea states ≤3) recorded during the spring months and 8204 minutes of effort during the autumn. A total of 189 sightings of marine fauna were recorded, comprising 126 cetacean sightings, 50 seal sightings and 13 sightings of basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus). Six species of cetacean were identified, with most sightings comprising harbour porpoise (N = 72) or minke whale (N = 38). Harbour porpoise abundance was higher in autumn than in spring and there was a variation between years in numbers of minke whales sighted. In porpoises, sea state and cloud cover both influenced sightings and increasing sea state influenced survey area. Foraging behaviour was exhibited in 13% of harbour porpoise sightings and 34% of minke whale sightings. Results demonstrate a regular occurrence of harbour porpoises and minke whales in nearshore waters off Gairloch. Densities are comparable to boat surveys in the region and so support the use of land-based watches as a potential longer-term monitoring method for these species in coastal waters. Given the regular use of this area by these two European Protected Species, as well as the occurrence of a range of human activities potentially affecting them in the region, it may be appropriate to consider protecting this area for their conservation.
A new approach to marine fish otoliths study: electron paramagnetic resonance
Authors: Franco Roberto Weider De Assis , Sampaio Juraci Aparecido , Medina Antônio , Di Beneditto Ana Paula Madeira
Published: May 2013

The biocrystallization process and the prescence of manganese in sagitta otoliths is described for the first time via electron paramagnetic spectroscopy. Spectra of Mn2+ are applied to verify inter-species differences in 12 Sciaenidae species and geographic variations among three stocks of banded croaker Paralonchurus brasiliensis and rake stardrum Stellifer rastrifer. Similar spectra shape and zero-field splitting D (22.4 mT) indicated that the biocrystallization process is the same for all fish species, at any stage of development and under different environmental conditions, corresponding to Mn2+ in the aragonite (CaCO3). Inter-species differences in Mn2+ concentration were detected regarding the otolith shape. Elongated otoliths have higher manganese concentrations compared to rounded otoliths. Geographic variations among stocks of P. brasiliensis and S. rastrifer could be detected. Fish stocks under riverine influence have less Mn2+ concentration than ones under marine influence. Manganese detection via electron paramagnetic spectroscopy is a non-destructive approach that can be useful in fish stocks studies.
A new species ofFarranula(Copepoda, Cyclopoida, Corycaeidae) and a redescription ofFarranula carinatafrom off Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Wi Jin Hee , Soh Ho Young
Published: May 2013

Two species ofFarranula, including a new species, are described from off Jeju Island, Korea (East China Sea).Farranula orbisasp. nov. can be distinguished from its congenersF. curta(Farran, 1911) andF. rostrata(Claus, 1863) by a combination of morphological characteristics as follows: in females, (1) eyes located on the frontal part of prosome adhered to each other, (2) second urosomal somite distinctly rounded from the anterior to mid-region in lateral and dorsal view, (3) second urosomal somite ornamented with fine spinules on anteroventral margin; in males, (4) sharply contracted portion of second somite located at two-thirds distance from anterior margin, (5) caudal rami relatively longer compared to width at its base. The new speciesF. orbisawas erroneously identified asF. rostrata(Claus, 1863) from the East China Sea and asF. curta(Farran, 1911) from the Indian Ocean. The poorly describedF. carinata(Giesbrecht, 1891) from the East China Sea is redescribed here based on both sexes of specimens and compared to its morphological variability with specimens from other regions.
The Myths Refugees Live By: Memory and history in the making of Bengali refugee identity
Authors: SEN UDITI
Published: May 2013

Within the popular memory of the partition of India, the division of Bengal continues to evoke themes of political rupture, social tragedy, and nostalgia. The refugees or, more broadly speaking, Hindu migrants from East Bengal, are often the central agents of such narratives. This paper explores how the scholarship on East Bengali refugees portrays them either as hapless and passive victims of the regime of rehabilitation, which was designed to integrate refugees into the socio-economic fabric of India, or eulogizes them as heroic protagonists who successfully battled overwhelming adversity to wrest resettlement from a reluctant state. This split image of the Bengali refugee as both victim and victor obscures the complex nature of refugee agency. Through a case-study of the foundation and development of Bijoygarh colony, an illegal settlement of refugee-squatters on the outskirts of Calcutta, this paper will argue that refugee agency in post-partition West Bengal was inevitably moulded by social status and cultural capital. However, the collective memory of the establishment of squatters’ colonies systematically ignores the role of caste and class affiliations in fracturing the refugee experience. Instead, it retells the refugees’ quest for rehabilitation along the mythic trope of heroic and masculine struggle. This paper interrogates refugee reminiscences to illuminate their erasures and silences, delineating the mythic structure common to both popular and academic refugee histories and exploring its significance in constructing a specific cultural identity for Bengali refugees.
An assessment of the distribution and conservation status of hornbill species in Thailand
Authors: Trisurat Yongyut , Chimchome Vijak , Pattanavibool Anak , Jinamoy Sitthichai , Thongaree Siriporn , Kanchanasakha Budsabong , Simcharoen Saksit , Sribuarod Kriangsak , Mahannop Narong , Poonswad Pilai
Published: May 2013

Many hornbill species in Thailand are categorized as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The objectives of this research were to predict hornbill distributions in Thailand and to assess the national conservation status of the species using extent of occurrence. We employed maximum entropy modelling, using 10 environmental variables that were believed to directly or indirectly influence hornbill distributions across Thailand, to predict the habitats potentially suitable for 10 of the country's 13 hornbill species. Data on the presence of hornbills were gathered from the Thailand Hornbill Project and additional field surveys in protected area complexes during 2004–2006. The results indicated that patch size is the most important factor affecting distribution, followed by latitude, ecoregion and distance to villages. All hornbill species were predicted to occur primarily in intact protected area complexes. The total extent of all hornbill habitats covers 9.3% of the country's land area. Seven of the 10 modelled species are at risk and the current distribution pattern is expected to reflect stochastic extinctions because of small population size. We recommend that the conservation status of Austen's brown hornbill Anorrhinus austeni and Tickell's brown hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli should be changed from Vulnerable to Endangered. The model identified five protected area complexes as hornbill hotspots in Thailand. These findings will help guide conservation management.
Genetics and the last stand of the Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis
Authors: Goossens Benoît , Salgado-Lynn Milena , Rovie-Ryan Jeffrine J. , Ahmad Abdul H. , Payne Junaidi , Zainuddin Zainal Z. , Nathan Senthilvel K. S. S. , Ambu Laurentius N.
Published: May 2013

The Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis is on the brink of extinction. Although habitat loss and poaching were the reasons of the decline, today's reproductive isolation is the main threat to the survival of the species. Genetic studies have played an important role in identifying conservation priorities, including for rhinoceroses. However, for a species such as the Sumatran rhinoceros, where time is of the essence in preventing extinction, to what extent should genetic and geographical distances be taken into account in deciding the most urgently needed conservation interventions? We propose that the populations of Sumatra and Borneo be considered as a single management unit.
Cognitive subtypes in non-affected siblings of schizophrenia patients: characteristics and profile congruency with affected family members
Authors: Quee P. J. , Alizadeh B. Z. , Aleman A. , van den Heuvel E. R. ,   GROUP Investigators
Published: May 2013

Background

Although cognitive subtypes have been suggested in schizophrenia patients, similar analyses have not been carried out in their non-affected siblings. Subtype classification may provide more insight into genetically driven variation in cognitive function. We investigated cognitive subtypes in siblings.

Method

Cluster analyses were performed in 654 non-affected siblings, on a cognitive battery that included tests of attention, intellectual function and episodic memory. Resulting subtypes in the siblings were analyzed for cognitive, demographic and clinical characteristics and compared with those of their probands.

Results

Three sibling subtypes of cognitive function were distinguished: ‘normal’, ‘mixed’ and ‘impaired’. Normal profile siblings (n = 192) were unimpaired on cognitive tests, in contrast to their proband (n = 184). Mixed profile siblings (n = 228) and their probands (n = 222) had a more similar performance pattern. Impaired profile siblings had poorer functional outcomes (n = 234) and their profile was almost identical to that of their proband (n = 223). Probands with cognitively impaired siblings could be distinguished from other schizophrenia patients by their own cognitive performance. They also had poorer clinical characteristics, including achievement of symptomatic remission.

Conclusions

Unaffected siblings of patients with schizophrenia are heterogeneous with respect to cognitive function. The poorer the cognitive profile of the sibling, the higher the level of correspondence with the proband. The sibling's cognitive subtype was predictive for disease course in the proband. Distinguishing cognitive subtypes of unaffected siblings may be of relevance for genetic studies.
Everyday Approaches to Food Safety in Kunming
Authors: Klein Jakob A.
Published: May 2013

The article explores how people in Kunming have interpreted and acted upon food-related environmental health threats, particularly within the contexts of everyday food shopping. It is argued that an increasingly intensified, delocalized food supply system and a state-led emphasis on individual responsibility and choice have produced growing uncertainties about food. However, the article takes issue with the claim that new forms of risk and institutional changes have produced “individualized” responses, arguing that many of the practices Kunmingers have developed to handle food-related risks and their understandings of what constitutes “safe” food have been developed within the frameworks of family ties and regional cuisine. Further, shoppers and purveyors of food have forged new ties of trust and re-emphasized connections between people, food and place. Nevertheless, concerns about the food supply are a source of discontent which is feeding into wider ambivalences towards modernization. This is particularly acute among the economically disadvantaged.
Questioning calls to consensus in conservation: a Q study of conservation discourses on Galápagos
Authors: CAIRNS ROSE , SALLU SUSANNAH M. , GOODMAN SIMON
Published: May 2013

Efforts to frame conservation interventions in terms of idealized outcomes that benefit both human well-being and biodiversity, and the rhetoric of consensus that often accompanies these, have been criticized. Acknowledgement of trade–offs between often incommensurable interests and perspectives, has been argued to be more democratic and transparent. This paper critically examines calls to consensus in conservation on the Galápagos Islands, where the population has been urged to unite around a shared vision of conservation in order to secure a sustainable future. Q methodology was used to examine the discourses of conservation on the islands, and to assess whether a shared vision of Galápagos is either achievable or desirable. Thirty-three participants carried out Q sorts about Galápagos conservation. Three discourses emerged from the analysis: conservation of Galápagos as an international/global concern; conservation linked with sustainable development; and social welfare and equitable development. The results highlight the subjective and political nature of the different discourses, and the paper concludes that calls to consensus or shared visions, while seductive in their promise of harmonious cooperation for conservation, can be read as attempts to depoliticize debates around conservation, and as such should be treated with caution.
Military ecology more fitting than warfare ecology
Authors: MARLER THOMAS E.
Published: May 2013

Environmental damage during warfare is generally accepted as an unavoidable form of collateral damage. Military operations should be included in discussions of environmental conservation. The subdiscipline warfare ecology was recently proposed to integrate such discussion. However, environmental damage may also be caused by peacetime military operations, and, in such cases, relevant stakeholders may not realize that warfare ecology has relevance for peacetime environmental disaster. This comment proposes that the epithet warfare ecology does little to attract the participation of the groups affected by military operations, however the term ‘military ecology’ would also patently include peacetime military activities and may thus enhance engagement. Military ecology embraces all environmental conservation issues related to military activity during peacetime, preparation for war, warfare and post-war restoration operations. The established term warfare ecology could be subsumed within military ecology, by accurately constricting its application to ecological issues directly tied to armed conflict.
Estimating the prevalence of hepatitis C infection in New York City using surveillance data
Authors: BALTER S. , STARK J. H. , KENNEDY J. , BORNSCHLEGEL K. , KONTY K.
Published: May 2013

Hepatitis C virus is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the USA. Based on results of a serosurvey, national prevalence is estimated to be 1·3% or 3·2 million people. Sub-national estimates are not available for most jurisdictions. Hepatitis C surveillance data was adjusted for death, out-migration, under-diagnosis, and undetectable blood RNA, to estimate prevalence in New York City (NYC). The prevalence of hepatitis C infection in adults aged ⩾20 years in NYC is 2·37% (range 1·53–4·90%) or 146 500 cases of hepatitis C. This analysis presents a mechanism for generating prevalence estimates using local surveillance data accounting for biases and difficulty in accessing hard to reach populations. As the cohort of patients with hepatitis C age and require additional medical care, local public health officials will need a method to generate prevalence estimates to allocate resources. This approach can serve as a guideline for generating local estimates using surveillance data that is less resource prohibitive.
Deriving session and union types for objects
Authors: BETTINI LORENZO , CAPECCHI SARA , DEZANI-CIANCAGLINI MARIANGIOLA , GIACHINO ELENA , VENNERI BETTI
Published: May 2013

Guaranteeing that the parties of a network application respect a given protocol is a crucial issue.Session typesoffer a method for abstracting and validating structured communication sequences (sessions).Object-oriented programmingis an established paradigm for large scale applications.Union types, which behave as the least common supertypes of a set of classes, allow the implementation of unrelated classes with similar interfaces without additional programming. We have previously developed an integration of the features above into a class-based core language for building network applications, and this successfully amalgamated sessions and methods so that data can be exchanged flexibly according to communication protocols (session types).

The first aim of the work reported in this paper is to provide a full proof of the type safety property for that core language by renewing syntax, typing and semantics. In this way, static typechecking guarantees that after a session has started, computation cannot get stuck on a communication deadlock.

The second aim is to define a constraint-based type system that reconstructs the appropriate session types of session declarations instead of assuming that session types are explicitly given by the programmer. Such an algorithm can save programming work, and automatically presents an abstract view of the communications of the sessions.
Cross t-Intersecting Integer Sequences from Weighted Erdős–Ko–Rado
Authors: TOKUSHIGE NORIHIDE
Published: May 2013

Let m,n and t be positive integers. Consider [m]n as the set of sequences of length n on an m-letter alphabet. We say that two subsets A⊂[m]n and B⊂[m]n cross t-intersect if any two sequences a∈A and b∈B match in at least t positions. In this case it is shown that if $m > (1-\frac 1{\sqrt[t]2})^{-1}$ then |A||B|≤(mn−t)2. We derive this result from a weighted version of the Erdős–Ko–Rado theorem concerning cross t-intersecting families of subsets, and we also include the corresponding stability statement. One of our main tools is the eigenvalue method for intersection matrices due to Friedgut [10].
Expression levels of mRNA for insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2, IGF receptors and IGF binding proteins in in vivo and in vitro grown bovine follicles
Authors: Rebouças Emanuela L. , Costa José J.N. , Passos Maria J. , Silva Anderson W.B. , Rossi Rodrigo O.D.S. , van den Hurk Robert , Silva José R.V.
Published: May 2013

This study investigated mRNA levels for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) IGF1 (IGF-I) and IGF2 (IGF-II), IGF receptors (IGF1R and IGF2R), and binding proteins (IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2. IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, IGFBP-5 and IGFBP-6) in bovine follicles of 0.2, 0.5 or 1.0 mm in diameter. mRNA expression levels in in vitro cultured follicles that reached approximately 0.5 mm were compared with that of in vivo grown follicles. IGF1R and IGF2R expression levels in 0.5 mm in vivo follicles were higher than in 1.0 or 0.2 mm follicles, respectively. IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2. IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, IGFBP-5 and IGFBP-6 showed variable expression in the follicular size classes analyzed. In vitro grown follicles had significantly reduced expression levels for IGF1, IGF1R, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-5 and IGFBP-6 mRNA when compared with 0.2 mm follicles, but, when compared with in vivo grown follicles (0.5 mm), only IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-6 showed a reduction in their expression. In conclusion, IGFs, their receptors and IGFBPs showed variable expression of mRNA levels in the follicular size classes analyzed.
Akt/PKB plays role of apoptosis relay on entry into first mitosis of mouse embryo
Authors: Baran Vladimir , Fabian Dusan , Rehak Pavol
Published: May 2013

The cell-cycle regulators that control meiotic divisions also regulate the events that accompany the oocyte-to-zygote transition. Thus, the meiotic machinery functions as an internal pacemaker that propels the oocyte toward embryogenesis. The preimplantation embryo expresses a number of receptors that are important for initial activity of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt/PKB) pathway. The complete PI3K-Akt/PKB-CDK1 cascade is implicated as a key regulator of a number of cellular functions. Selective inhibition of protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) with inhibitor SH6 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) with inhibitor roscovitine arrest development of the 1-cell preimplantation mouse embryo before entry into the first mitosis. The pronuclei of these inhibited embryos migrate to one another, but do not progress to pronuclei envelope breakdown and pronuclear fusion running immediately before the onset of mitosis. SH6-treated 1-cell mouse embryos showed a high occurrence of apoptosis features (nuclear fragmentation, positive terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL), active caspase-3 in both cytoplasm and nucleoplasm). In the Akt/PKB-inhibited embryos, the active phosphorylated form Ser473Akt/PKB was not detected in pronuclear areas when compared with inhibitor-free controls. Although CDK1-inhibited 1-cell embryos also failed to enter into the first mitosis, the presence of apoptotic cell death features was not observed. In the roscovitine-treated embryos, Ser473Akt/PKB was detected in the pronuclei independently of CDK1 activity. We conclude that Akt/PKB plays an important role during entry of the 1-cell mouse embryo into the first mitosis, and probably functions as a relay in the cell-cycle stage. We assume that Akt/PKB is the primary target responsible for mediating anti-apoptotic signals in the 1-cell mouse embryo.
Dynamics of Carbon Nanotube Tipped Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid
Authors: Korayem Moharam Habibnejad , Ebrahimi Nazila
Published: May 2013

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are proper tips for atomic force microscopes (AFMs) as a result of their small tip diameter, high aspect ratio, and high flexibility. For nanoscale imaging of soft biological specimens, a CNT tipped AFM is an ideal tool. In this article we review the application of CNTs as AFM tips and present related research about the forces applied from liquids on nanotubes. Then a dynamic mode CNT tipped AFM in liquid is modeled and simulated. The simulation results are compared with experimental results. For modeling and simulation, a continuous beam model and a forward-time simulation method are used. The simulation results show that when a CNT tip vibrates in liquid, the oscillation amplitude and resonance frequency are changed compared to the state of oscillation in air. The small structure of CNTs reduces the hydrodynamic forces, and the liquid environment reduces the adhesive forces between the CNT tip and the sample. These two factors make CNTs a good choice as an AFM tip.
Insight into the Compositional and Structural Nano Features of AlN/GaN DBRs by EELS-HAADF
Authors: Eljarrat Alberto , López-Conesa Lluís , Magén César , Gačević Žarko , Fernández-Garrido Sergio , Calleja Enrique , Estradé Sónia , Peiró Francesca
Published: May 2013

III-V nitride (AlGa)N distributed Bragg reflector devices are characterized by combined high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in the scanning transmission electron microscope. Besides the complete structural characterization of the AlN and GaN layers, the formation of AlGaN transient layers is revealed using Vegard law on profiles of the position of the bulk plasmon peak maximum. This result is confirmed by comparison of experimental and simulated HAADF intensities. In addition, we present an advantageous method for the characterization of nano-feature structures using low-loss EELS spectrum image (EEL-SI) analysis. Information from the materials in the sample is extracted from these EEL-SI at high spatial resolution.The log-ratio formula is used to calculate the relative thickness, related to the electron inelastic mean free path. Fitting of the bulk plasmon is performed using a damped plasmon model (DPM) equation. The maximum of this peak is related to the chemical composition variation using the previous Vegard law analysis. In addition, within the context of the DPM, information regarding the structural properties of the material can be obtained from the lifetime of the oscillation. Three anomalous segregation regions are characterized, revealing formation of metallic Al islands.
Variation of PTV dose distribution on patient size in prostate VMAT and IMRT: a dosimetric evaluation using the PTV dose–volume factor
Authors: Chow James C. L. , Jiang Runqing , Markel Daniel
Published: May 2013

Background

We propose to use the PTV dose–volume factor (PDVF) to evaluate treatment plans of prostate volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Purpose

PDVF was used to compare the variation of planning target volume (PTV) coverage between VMAT and IMRT because of weight loss of patient.

Materials and methods

VMAT and IMRT plans of five patients (prostate volume = 32–86·5 cm3) using the 6 MV photon beams were created with the external contour reduced by depths of 0·5–2 cm to reflect the weight loss. Moreover, integral doses (volume integral of the patient dose) and prostate tumour control probability (TCP) were calculated.

Results

We found that reduced depth resulted in PDVF decreasing 0·03 ± 4·7 × 10−4 (VMAT) and 0·04 ± 9·7 × 10−3 (IMRT) per cm for patients. The decrease of PDVF or degradation of PTV coverage was found more significant in IMRT plans than VMAT with patient size reduction. The integral dose did not change significantly between VMAT and IMRT, while the prostate TCP increased with an increase of reduced depth.

Conclusion

We concluded that PDVF can be successfully used to evaluate the variation of PTV coverage because of weight loss of patient in prostate VMAT and IMRT. Degradation of PTV coverage in prostate VMAT is less significant than IMRT regarding patient size reduction.
CNV Analysis in Monozygotic Twin Pairs Discordant for Urorectal Malformations
Authors: Baudisch Friederike , Draaken Markus , Bartels Enrika , Schmiedeke Eberhard , Bagci Soyhan , Bartmann Peter , Nöthen Markus M. , Ludwig Michael , Reutter Heiko
Published: May 2013

Early post-twinning mutational events can account for discordant phenotypes in monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs. Such mutational events may comprise genomic alterations of different sizes, ranging from single nucleotides to large copy-number variations (CNVs). Anorectal malformations (ARM) and the bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC) represent the most severe end of the urorectal malformation spectrum. Recently, CNV studies in patients with sporadic ARM and the BEEC have identified de novo events that occur in specific chromosomal regions. We hypothesized that early arising, post-twinning CNVs might contribute to discordance in MZ twin pairs with ARM or the BEEC; knowledge of such CNVs might help to identify additional chromosomal regions involved in the development of these malformations. We investigated four discordant MZ twin pairs (three ARM and one BEEC) using molecular karyotyping arrays comprising 1,140,419 markers with a median marker spacing of 1.5 kb. Filtering the coding regions for possible disease-causing post-twinning de novo CNVs present only in the affected twin, but not in the unaffected twin or the parents, identified a total of 136 CNVs. These 136 CNVs were then filtered against publicly available databases and finally re-evaluated visually. No potentially causative CNV remained after applying these filter criteria. Our results suggest that post-twinning CNV events that affect coding regions of the genome did not contribute to the discordant phenotypes in MZ twin pairs that we investigated. Possible causes for the discordant phenotypes include changes in regulatory elements or smaller genetic changes within coding regions which may be detectable by whole-exome sequencing.
Pivotal role of P450–P450 interactions in CYP3A4 allostery: the case of α-naphthoflavone
Authors: Davydov Dmitri R. , Davydova Nadezhda Y. , Sineva Elena V. , Kufareva Irina , Halpert James R.
Published: May 2013

We investigated the relationship between oligomerization of CYP3A4 (cytochrome P450 3A4) and its response to ANF (α-naphthoflavone), a prototypical heterotropic activator. The addition of ANF resulted in over a 2-fold increase in the rate of CYP3A4-dependent debenzylation of 7-BFC [7-benzyloxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)coumarin] in HLM (human liver microsomes), but failed to produce activation in BD Supersomes™ or Baculosomes® containing recombinant CYP3A4 and NADPH-CPR (cytochrome P450 reductase). However, incorporation of purified CYP3A4 into Supersomes™ containing only recombinant CPR reproduced the behaviour observed with HLM. The activation in this system was dependent on the surface density of the enzyme. Although no activation was detectable at an L/P (lipid/P450) ratio ≥750, it reached 225% at an L/P ratio of 140. To explore the relationship between this effect and CYP3A4 oligomerization, we probed P450–P450 interactions with a new technique that employs LRET (luminescence resonance energy transfer). The amplitude of LRET in mixed oligomers of the haem protein labelled with donor and acceptor fluorophores exhibited a sigmoidal dependence on the surface density of CYP3A4 in Supersomes™. The addition of ANF eliminated this sigmoidal character and increased the degree of oligomerization at low enzyme concentrations. Therefore the mechanisms of CYP3A4 allostery with ANF involve effector-dependent modulation of P450–P450 interactions.