bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward an Improved Understanding of Isolated Upright Reflux: Positional Effects on the Lower Esophageal Sphincter in Patients with Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux
Authors: Hoppo Toshitaka , Komatsu Yoshihiro , Nieponice Alejandro , Schrenker Joan , Jobe Blair A.
Published: March 2012

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of body position on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) structure and function.

Methods

Symptomatic patients underwent high‐resolution manometry in the supine and upright positions followed by pH testing. Regardless of whether there was a positive DeMeester score, isolated upright reflux patterns were considered present when the supine fraction of time pH <4 = 0%. Predominant‐upright and predominant‐supine bipositional reflux (SBR) patterns were considered present when the supine fraction of time was <upright fraction of time pH <4 and the supine fraction was >upright fraction of time pH <4, respectively.

Results

Of 128 patients, 35 isolated upright, 55 predominant‐upright bipositional, and 27 SBR patients were identified. When supine, LES pressure/length was higher in upright compared to bipositional reflux patients. When upright, there was no difference in LES pressure/length between groups. The LES in isolated upright reflux patients became defective when moved from supine to upright position compared to bipositional patients, where the LES was defective regardless of position. Although the incidence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) events was comparable between groups, isolated upright patients commonly had a normal DeMeester score.

Conclusion

Position impacts LES competency in those with upright reflux and would not be detected with supine manometry. Upright reflux can be associated with GERD and LPR despite negative pH testing.
Intensification of β-poly(l-malic acid) production by Aureobasidium pullulans ipe-1 in the late exponential growth phase
Authors: Cao Weifeng , Luo Jianquan , Zhao Juan , Qiao Changsheng , Ding Luhui , Qi Benkun , Su Yi , Wan Yinhua
Published: March 2012

β-Poly(malic acid) (PMLA) has attracted industrial interest because this polyester can be used as a prodrug or for drug delivery systems. In PMLA production by Aureobasidium pullulans ipe-1, it was found that PLMA production was associated with cell growth in the early exponential growth phase and dissociated from cell growth in the late exponential growth phase. To enhance PMLA production in the late phase, different fermentation modes and strategies for controlling culture redox potential (CRP) were studied. The results showed that high concentrations of produced PMLA (above 40 g/l) not only inhibited PMLA production, but also was detrimental to cell growth. Moreover, when CRP increased from 57 to 100 mV in the late exponential growth phase, the lack of reducing power in the broth also decreased PMLA productivity. PMLA productivity could be enhanced by repeated-batch culture to maintain cell growth in the exponential growth phase, or by cell-recycle culture with membrane to remove the produced PMLA, or by maintaining CRP below 70 mV no matter which kind of fermentation mode was adopted. Repeated-batch culture afforded a high PMLA concentration (up to 63.2 g/l) with a productivity of 1.15 g l−1 h−1. Cell-recycle culture also confirmed that PMLA production by the strain ipe-1 was associated with cell growth.
Surface Activities, Foam Properties, HLB, and Krafft Point of Some n‐Alkanesulfonates (C14–C18) with Different Isomeric Distributions
Authors: Fekarcha Latifa , Tazerouti Amel
Published: March 2012

A homologue series of sodium secondary n‐alkanesulfonates (C14, C16 and C18) were obtained by photosulfochlorination process with two different reaction conditions. Different length chains with different isomeric distributions of n‐alkanesulfonates are expected to present variations in physicochemical properties. In this investigation, the relationships between their isomeric distribution and their chain length and micellar behaviors were thoroughly explored. Their CMC at different temperatures were determined using specific conductivity and surface tension measurements. Through surface tension isotherms, the surface activities (γCMC) were obtained. The surface absorption amounts (Γmax) and the molecular areas (Amin) were calculated using Gibb's equation. As expected, these surfactants exhibit good surface properties. It was shown that the CMC values increase with increasing the percentage of secondary isomers, with a surface tension decrease. It was also shown that the CMC values decrease with increasing chain length. The HLB values were calculated for each surfactant and the results obtained suggest that they are O/W emulsifiers. The foam properties of synthesized surfactants were evaluated and compared to those obtained for commercial samples. It was shown that the foamability is influenced both by the length of the hydrophobic moiety and the percentage of secondary isomers. It can be easily concluded that the C14 sulfonates show the best foaming properties independently of their isomeric distribution. The Krafft point values obtained indicate that the micellization and the surfactant solubility mainly depend on the proportion of secondary isomers and the length of hydrophobic moiety.
Effects of exogenous 17β‐estradiol on follicular development in the neonatal and immature mouse in vivo
Authors: Wei Quanwei , Shi Fangxiong , He Jianwen , Xie Chong , Xu Ke , Zhang Wei , Sun Siyu , Fedail Jaafar , Watanabe Gen , Taya Kazuyoshi
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The study was aimed to examine the effects of exogenous 17β‐estradiol (E2) on oocyte nest breakdown and follicular growth in the ovary of neonatal and immature mice.

Methods

The effect of E2 on primordial follicle formation and differentiation were examined by treating neonatal mice with E2 in mineral oil at a dose of 10 mg/kg by sc injection each day from postnatal days 1 (PND1) to 10 (PND10). This investigation was conducted by using histological observation and immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA); the numbers of follicles at each stage were examined to assess the follicular development.

Results

The results indicated that such dose of E2 inhibited oocyte nest breakdown from PND1 to PND10 significantly and enhanced the oocyte staining intensity of PCNA in the ovary by PND3, 5 and 10. PCNA staining was mainly detected on growing follicles (stages later than primary follicle). Our results also revealed that E2 decreased the size of the reproductive tract at PD10.

Conclusions

This dose of E2 treatment inhibits oocyte nest breakdown and primordial follicle assembly, and causes follicle losses after PND5. Effects of exogenous E2 on follicular development in the neonatal and immature mouse may through a PCNA‐dependent pathway.
Abdominal Hemangiomas: A Pictorial Review of Unusual, Atypical, and Rare Types
Authors: Ojili Vijayanadh , Tirumani Sree Harsha , Gunabushanam Gowthaman , Nagar Arpit , Surabhi Venkateswar Rao , Chintapalli Kedar N. , Ryan John
Published: March 2012

Hemangiomas are a radiologist's dream lesions because they allow a confident diagnosis most of the time. However, within the abdomen, hemangiomas may occur in such atypical locations and can have such unusual features that they cause significant diagnostic dilemma and may end up being excised surgically. The literature is replete with isolated case reports of atypical hemangiomas in the abdominal cavity, and, to our knowledge, so far, there is no comprehensive review. We present, in this article, a pictorial review of a gamut of uncommon hemangiomas and hemangiomatosis syndromes. Knowledge of these rare types can help in limiting diagnostic errors and increase the confidence of radiologists, thus avoiding unnecessary surgeries.
Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Optic Neuritis
Authors: Fatima Zareen , Motosugi Utaroh , Muhi Ali , Hori Masaaki , Ishigame Keiichi , Araki Tsutomu
Published: March 2012

Purpose

To evaluate imaging characteristics of optic nerves by using magnetic resonance imaging, especially diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient measurements in acute and chronic phases of optic neuritis (ON).

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted by using records of 14 patients with clinically suspected acute ON (15 nerves), 5 chronic ON (7 nerves), and 11 normal volunteers with no eye symptoms were used as controls. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed by a 1.5T scanner. Affected nerves were evaluated for sizes, signal characteristics on DWI and T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), contrast enhancement, and apparent diffusion coefficient values. Visually assessed characteristics were compared between the acute and chronic, whereas apparent diffusion coefficient values were assessed among acute ON, chronic ON, and the control groups by using the Fisher exact test and Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

There were significant differences in the diameter of the optic nerves, hyperintensity on DWI, and enhancement characteristics on post-enhanced images in acute and chronic phases of ON ( P = .0001, P < .0001, and P = .0022, respectively), apparent diffusion coefficient values of the optic nerves in acute ON, chronic ON, and control groups also differed significantly from each other.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DWI can add valuable information in assessment of damage to nerve and neuronal barriers and thus in predicting recovery in cases of ON.
Activating cardiac E2F1 induces up‐regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 in mice on a short term of high fat feeding
Authors: Zhang Liyan , Mori Jun , Wagg Cory , Lopaschuk Gary D.
Published: March 2012

A high fat diet (HFD) induces substantial cardiac metabolic alteration(s), but the initiating molecular events remain unclear. We assessed the early cardiac energy metabolic changes in C57/BJ mice fed a HFD for 10 days. Carbohydrate oxidation was markedly decreased in mice on a HFD, in which up‐regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) was evident. Concurrently, E2F1, a transcription factor controlling PDK4 expression, was activated, as was cyclin D1, an upstream‐molecule of E2F1, and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), a modulator of cyclinD1 translation. Hence, HFD may initiate early cardiac metabolic alterations through the eIF4E/cyclin D1/E2F1/PDK4 axis.
Atomic resolution of the crystal structure of the hyperthermophilic family 12 endocellulase and stabilizing role of the DxDxDG calcium‐binding motif in Pyrococcus furiosus
Authors: Kim Han-Woo , Kataoka Misumi , Ishikawa Kazuhiko
Published: March 2012

Hyperthermophilic glycoside hydrolase family 12 endocellulase (EGPf) from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of β‐1,4‐glucosidic linkage in β‐glucan cellulose. A truncated EGPf (EGPfΔN30) mutant lacking the proline and hydroxyl‐residue rich region at the N terminus was constructed, and its crystal structure was resolved at an atomic resolution of 1.07 Å. Our results indicate that the structure of EGPf, which consists of a β‐jelly roll, exhibits structural similarity with the endocellulase of Thermotoga maritima. Additionally, we further determined that the thermostability of EGPf is maintained in part by the binding of
urn:x-wiley:00145793:media:feb2s0014579312001524:feb2s0014579312001524-math-si21
in a DxDxDG
urn:x-wiley:00145793:media:feb2s0014579312001524:feb2s0014579312001524-math-si22
‐binding motif, atypical of most archaeal proteins.
Brands as intentional agents: Our response to commentaries
Authors: Fiske Susan T. , Malone Chris , Kervyn Nicolas
Published: March 2012

We are grateful for the stimulating and hospitable welcome to us as guests in consumer psychology. As sojourners, we share a keen interest, but know that we come to visit without knowing the territory intimately. Granted, Chris Malone is an experienced, senior marketing practitioner who now owns a research‐based consulting firm with a particular interest and specialization in this area. In addition, Nicolas Kervyn, trained as an experimental social psychologist, has worked and consulted in marketing. Susan Fiske, trained as an experimental social psychologist, had kibitzed in consumer psychology since she first served on the JCP board as an assistant professor. However, none of us has imperialist ambitions in consumer psychology. We are happy nonetheless to offer our framework as what seems to us a potentially useful complement to prior and ongoing related work. These exceptionally thoughtful commentaries broaden and inform our framework (Kervyn, Fiske, & Malone, 2012‐‐this issue). In return, we offer some responses regarding our own view of the Brands as Intentional Agents Framework (BIAF), its parent, the Stereotype Content Model (SCM), and relationships with the commentators’ own contributions.
Same destination, different paths: When and how does observing others' choices and reasoning alter confidence in our own choices?
Authors: Lamberton Cait Poynor , Naylor Rebecca Walker , Haws Kelly L.
Published: March 2012

Seeing others make the same decision we do does not always increase choice confidence or tell the whole story of social influence when consumers expect to have to publically discuss their choice and reasoning. Instead, consumers' confidence in their publically stated choices can be diminished if observed others make the same choice but justify the choice using different reasoning. This effect occurs because confidence in one's own reasoning is thrown into doubt, rather than due to a desire to affiliate with the observed other. These effects are eliminated in both private choice contexts and in rejection versus selection tasks.
Discovery of small molecule cancer drugs: Successes, challenges and opportunities
Authors: Hoelder Swen , Clarke Paul A. , Workman Paul
Published: March 2012

The discovery and development of small molecule cancer drugs has been revolutionised over the last decade. Most notably, we have moved from a one‐size‐fits‐all approach that emphasized cytotoxic chemotherapy to a personalised medicine strategy that focuses on the discovery and development of molecularly targeted drugs that exploit the particular genetic addictions, dependencies and vulnerabilities of cancer cells. These exploitable characteristics are increasingly being revealed by our expanding understanding of the abnormal biology and genetics of cancer cells, accelerated by cancer genome sequencing and other high‐throughput genome‐wide campaigns, including functional screens using RNA interference. In this review we provide an overview of contemporary approaches to the discovery of small molecule cancer drugs, highlighting successes, current challenges and future opportunities. We focus in particular on four key steps: Target validation and selection; chemical hit and lead generation; lead optimization to identify a clinical drug candidate; and finally hypothesis‐driven, biomarker‐led clinical trials. Although all of these steps are critical, we view target validation and selection and the conduct of biology‐directed clinical trials as especially important areas upon which to focus to speed progress from gene to drug and to reduce the unacceptably high attrition rate during clinical development. Other challenges include expanding the envelope of druggability for less tractable targets, understanding and overcoming drug resistance, and designing intelligent and effective drug combinations. We discuss not only scientific and technical challenges, but also the assessment and mitigation of risks as well as organizational, cultural and funding problems for cancer drug discovery and development, together with solutions to overcome the ‘Valley of Death’ between basic research and approved medicines. We envisage a future in which addressing these challenges will enhance our rapid progress towards truly personalised medicine for cancer patients.
Paying for personalized care: Cancer biomarkers and comparative effectiveness
Authors: Thariani Rahber , Veenstra David L. , Carlson Josh J. , Garrison Louis P. , Ramsey Scott
Published: March 2012

Genomic‐based diagnostics can play a key role in creating a more efficient healthcare system by directing patients toward beneficial therapies and away from therapies that pose substantial risk or are unlikely to improve outcomes for the patient. We outline how the value provided by diagnostics is closely linked to a range of factors including magnitude of health outcome improvement, avoiding adverse effect, diagnostic parameters, process of care, resource utilization, and costs. Comparative effectiveness approaches to evidence generation, including health outcome measurements, quality of life, economic analyses, decision modeling, and pragmatic clinical trials, can be used to provide stakeholders with a range of information to inform treatment, guidelines, coverage, and reimbursement decisions. Evidence of comparative effectiveness can also help support value‐based reimbursement of cancer biomarkers and treatment strategies as means of paying for personalized medicine.
The OSL chronology of eolian sand deposition in a perched dune field along the northwestern shore of Lower Michigan
Authors: Blumer Bradley E. , Arbogast Alan F. , Forman Steven L.
Published: March 2012

Extensive coastal dunes occur in the Great Lakes region of North America, including northwestern Michigan where some are perched on high (~ 100 m) bluffs. This study focuses on such a system at Arcadia Dunes and is the first to systematically generate optical ages from stratigraphic sections containing buried soils. Dune growth began ca. 4.5 ka during the Nipissing high lake stand and continued episodically thereafter, with periods of increased sand supply at ca. 3.5 ka and ca. 1.7 ka. The most volumetrically dominant phase of dune growth began ca. 1.0 ka and continued intermittently for about 500 years. It may have begun due to the combined effects of a high lake phase, potential changes in lake hydrodynamics with final isostatic separation of Lake Superior from Lakes Michigan and Huron, and increased drought and hydrologic variability associated with the Medieval Warm Period. Thus, this latest eolian phase likely reflects multiple processes associated with Great Lakes water level and climate variability that may also explain older eolian depositional events. Comparison of Arcadia ages and calendar corrected 14C ages from previous studies indicate broad chronological agreement between events at all sites, although it appears that dune growth began later at Arcadia.
Energy dissipation rate surrogates in incompressible Navier–Stokes turbulence
Authors: Almalkie Saba , de Bruyn Kops Stephen M.
Published: March 2012

High-resolution direct numerical simulations of isotropic homogeneous turbulence are used to understand the differences between the effects of spatial intermittency on the energy dissipation rate and on surrogates for the dissipation rate that are based on measurements of a subset of the strain rate tensor. In particular, the one-dimensional longitudinal and transverse surrogates, as well as a surrogate based on the asymmetric part of the strain rate tensor, are considered. The instantaneous surrogates are studied locally, locally averaged in space and conditionally averaged to see what statistics of the dissipation rate might accurately be inferred given measurements of the surrogates. The simulations with the Reynolds numbers based on the Taylor microscale of 102–235 are highly resolved for accurate evaluation of higher-order statistics. The probability densities of the local and locally averaged surrogates are significantly different from the corresponding statistics for the dissipation rate itself. All of the surrogates are more intermittent than the dissipation rate, the transverse surrogate is more intermittent than the longitudinal and these trends are still prominent even when the fields are spatially averaged at length scales close to the integral length scale. As a consequence, the intermittency exponent computed from the moments of the locally averaged longitudinal and transverse surrogates is approximately 1.5 and 2.2 times higher, respectively, than that computed by the same method from the dissipation rate field. In addition, while different methods of computing intermittency exponent from the dissipation rate field yield the same result, different methods applied to a surrogate are inconsistent.
Explicit filtering to obtain grid-spacing-independent and discretization-order-independent large-eddy simulation of compressible single-phase flow
Authors: Radhakrishnan Senthilkumaran , Bellan Josette
Published: March 2012

In large-eddy simulation (LES), it is often assumed that the filter width is equal to the grid spacing. Predictions from such LES are grid-spacing dependent since any subgrid-scale (SGS) model used in the LES equations is dependent on the resolved flow field which itself varies with grid spacing. Moreover, numerical errors affect the flow field, especially the smallest resolved scales. Thus, predictions using this approach are affected by both modelling and numerical choices. However, grid-spacing-independent LES predictions unaffected by numerical choices are necessary to validate LES models through comparison with a trusted template. First, such a template is created here through direct numerical simulation (DNS). Then, simulations are conducted using the conventional LES equations and also LES equations which are here reformulated so that the small-scale-producing nonlinear terms in these equations are explicitly filtered (EF) to remove scales smaller than a fixed filter width; this formulation is called EFLES. First, LES is conducted with four SGS models, then EFLES is performed with two of the SGS models used in LES; the results from all these simulations are compared to those from DNS and from the filtered DNS (FDNS). The conventional LES solution is both grid-spacing and spatial discretization-order dependent, thus showing that both of these numerical aspects affect the flow prediction. The solution from the EFLES equations is grid independent for a high-order spatial discretization on all meshes tested. However, low-order discretizations require a finer mesh to reach grid independence. With an eighth-order discretization, a filter-width to grid-spacing ratio of two is sufficient to reach grid independence, while a filter-width to grid-spacing ratio of four is needed to reach grid independence when a fourth- or a sixth-order discretization is employed. On a grid fine enough to be utilized in a DNS, the EFLES solution exhibits grid independence and does not converge to the DNS solution. The velocity-fluctuation spectra of EFLES follow those of FDNS independent of the grid spacing used, in concert with the original concept of LES. The reasons for the different predictions of conventional LES or EFLES according to the SGS model used, and the different characteristics of the EFLES predictions compared to those from conventional LES are analysed.
SPARSE SETS ON THE PLANE AND DENSITY POINTS DEFINED BY FAMILIES OF SEQUENCES
Authors: HORBACZEWSKA GRAŻYNA
Published: March 2012

A condition equivalent to sparseness of a set on the plane is formulated and used as a motivation for a new concept of density point on the plane. This is investigated and compared with known previous versions.
ON SOME REFINEMENTS AND CONVERSES OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL HILBERT-TYPE INEQUALITIES
Authors: KRNIĆ MARIO
Published: March 2012

The main objective of this paper is a study of some new refinements and converses of multidimensional Hilbert-type inequalities with nonconjugate exponents. Such extensions are deduced with the help of some remarkable improvements of the well-known Hölder inequality. First, we obtain refinements and converses of the general multidimensional Hilbert-type inequality in both quotient and difference form. We then apply the results to homogeneous kernels with negative degree of homogeneity. Finally, we consider some particular settings with homogeneous kernels and weighted functions, and compare our results with those in the literature.
22 : 6n-3 DHA inhibits differentiation of prostate fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and tumorigenesis
Authors: Bianchini Francesca , Giannoni Elisa , Serni Sergio , Chiarugi Paola , Calorini Lido
Published: March 2012

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men. Epidemiological and experimental studies have revealed that stromal cells of the tumour microenvironment contribute to the development of prostate cancers, while long-chainn-3 PUFA-enriched diets reduce the risk of this tumour histotype. These findings prompted us to investigate whether DHA, ann-3 PUFA, may abrogate differentiation of prostate fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, the activated form of fibroblasts generally involved in prostate cancer progression. We used the human prostate carcinoma cell line (PC3) as a prostate adenocarcinoma model and found that DHA (1) inhibits α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, a typical marker of myofibroblast differentiation, in prostate fibroblasts stimulatedin vitrowith transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), (2) blocks the matrix metalloproteinase-2-dependent enhanced invasiveness of PC3 prostate adenocarcinoma cells migrated in a medium conditioned by TGF-β-stimulated prostate fibroblasts, (3) prevents epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasiveness of PC3 cells promoted by a medium conditioned by TGF-β-stimulated prostate fibroblasts, and (4) reduces the growth rate of tumours obtained in immunodeficient animals injected with PC3 cells plus TGF-β-stimulated prostate fibroblasts. Moreover, DHA was found to revert α-SMA expression and the invasiveness-promoting activity exerted in PC3 cells by tumoral-activated fibroblasts. Thus, DHA represents a suitable agent to inhibit prostate myofibroblast differentiation, invasiveness and EMT, two most important tumour-promoting activities involved in the progression of prostate cancer cells.
Costly Adjustments, Markets and International Reassurance
Authors: Urpelainen Johannes
Published: March 2012

Two leaders engaged in international co-operation must each build trust by credibly signalling that they will not exploit the other by defecting at the implementation stage. Previous research does not reveal the difficulty and cost of such international reassurance. The role that costly adjustments by markets play in international reassurance is analysed, showing that fully efficient information revelation can be achieved when market actors under intense competitive pressures undergo sufficiently costly adjustments in expectation of international co-operation. ‘Nice’ leaders can reveal their true preferences simply by saying they intend to co-operate, because ‘mean’ leaders are unwilling to mislead market actors into undergoing futile costly adjustments. However, market imperfections prevent full information revelation unless market actors prefer international co-operation to the status quo.
Interplay of early-life nutritional programming on obesity, inflammation and epigenetic outcomes
Authors: Martínez J. Alfredo , Cordero Paúl , Campión Javier , Milagro Fermín I.
Published: March 2012

The huge health burden accompanying obesity is not only attributable to inadequate dietary and sedentary lifestyle habits, since a predisposing genetic make-up and other putative determinants concerning easier weight gain and fat deposition have been reported. Thus, several investigations aiming to understand energy metabolism and body composition maintenance have been performed considering the participation of perinatal nutritional programming and epigenetic processes as well as inflammation phenomena. The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis and inheritance-oriented investigations concerning gene–nutrient interactions on energy homoeostasis and metabolic functions have suggested that inflammation could be not only a comorbidity of obesity but also a cause. There are several examples about the role of nutritional interventions in pregnancy and lactation, such as energetic deprivation, protein restriction and excess fat, which determine a cluster of disorders affecting energy efficiency in the offspring as well as different metabolic pathways, which are mediated by epigenetics encompassing the chromatin information encrypted by DNA methylation patterns, histone covalent modifications and non-coding RNA or microRNA. Epigenetic mechanisms may be boosted or impaired by dietary and environmental factors in the mother, intergenerationally or transiently transmitted, and could be involved in the obesity and inflammation susceptibility in the offspring. The aims currently pursued are the early identification of epigenetic biomarkers concerned in individual's disease susceptibility and the description of protocols for tailored dietary treatments/advice to counterbalance adverse epigenomic events. These approaches will allow diagnosis and prognosis implementation and facilitate therapeutic strategies in a personalised ‘epigenomically modelled’ manner to combat obesity and inflammation.
Do possible worlds compromise God's beauty? A reply to Mark Ian Thomas Robson
Authors: ROBSON JON
Published: March 2012

In a recent article Mark Ian Thomas Robson argues that there is a clear contradiction between the view that possible worlds are a part of God's nature and the theologically pivotal, but philosophically neglected, claim that God is perfectly beautiful. In this article I show that Robson's argument depends on several key assumptions that he fails to justify and as such that there is reason to doubt the soundness of his argument. I also demonstrate that if Robson's argument were sound then this would be a problem for all classical theists and not just those who hold the possible worlds view.
The logic of deflective action: US energy shocks and the US policy process
Authors: Grossman Peter Z.
Published: March 2012

Exogenous shocks may lead to policies that seem extreme and even “irrational”. This paper argues that, in the event of a major energy shock in the US that persists, such legislation is an inevitable response to the demand from constituents that political actors “do something”. Since shocks by their nature are unanticipated and are often highly technical and complex, boundedly rational legislators cannot generally understand all of the ramifications of the shock, much less hope to craft well-considered and precise legislation to deal with it. But the demand to “do something” means that a range of actions is politically necessary. The “shock” policy process is modelled as a stepwise legislative decision problem. If the crisis persists, legislation that promises a solution is likely to be the result, even if this “solution” is infeasible. The model is applied to five US energy shocks.
Conflict and Revolt: The Bishop of Ely and his Peasants at the Manor of Brandon in Suffolk c. 1300-81
Authors: MÜLLER MIRIAM
Published: March 2012

Using the evidence of manorial court records, this paper examines in detail the developments in the relationship between the Bishop of Ely and his peasants at the manor of Brandon leading up to the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. Increasing levels of discontent among the peasantry can be observed across the period. This is expressed in rising reported numbers of various cases in the court rolls, such as non-compliance with the court, labour refusals, trespasses and cases of foot-dragging. This rising level of conflict, some open, some more hidden, can be seen as evidence both for increasing seigniorial concern to assert various jurisdictional rights, and the peasants’ increasing willingness to test the boundaries of seigniorial dominion, leading eventually to their participation in the Rising in East Anglia.
‘Come All and Bring Your Spades’: England and Arbor Day, c.1880 – 1914
Authors: HIPPERSON JULIE
Published: March 2012

In February 1897, villagers in the small Kentish town of Eynsford celebrated their first Arbor Day by planting a row of trees in acrostic form to spell out the proverb MY SON, BE WISE. By 1910 Arbor Day had featured in the discussions of a Parliamentary Select Committee and the House of Commons, and was enjoying national press coverage as the event spread under the auspices of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Garden City Movement. Proponents positioned the ceremony as a prism through which to address the pressing social and economic concerns of rural depopulation, unemployment and deforestation, and by promoting the event as part of the educational experience of children, offered it up as a contribution towards the amelioration of these ills. Although the establishment of the Forestry Commission in 1919 ushered in the increasingly inflexible belief that the state rather than individuals was the only competent custodian of English woodland, Arbor Day can tell us much about how humankind's affective response to nature was conditioned, shored up and survived this increasingly scientific approach from the late nineteenth century.
The small-community phenomenon in networks
Authors: LI ANGSHENG , PENG PAN
Published: March 2012

We investigate several geometric models of networks that simultaneously have some nice global properties, including the small-diameter property, the small-community phenomenon, which is defined to capture the common experience that (almost) everyone in society also belongs to some meaningful small communities, and the power law degree distribution, for which our result significantly strengthens those given in van den Esker (2008) and Jordan (2010). These results, together with our previous work in Li and Peng (2011), build a mathematical foundation for the study of both communities and the small-community phenomenon in various networks.

In the proof of the power law degree distribution, we develop the method of alternating concentration analysis to build a concentration inequality by alternately and iteratively applying both the sub- and super-martingale inequalities, which seems to be a powerful technique with further potential applications.
Transaortic Fallot repair in a grown-up patient: advantages in a situs inversus setting
Authors: Gil-Jaurena Juan-Miguel , Cano Joaquín , Cuenca Victorio
Published: March 2012

We present the case studies of two adult patients with tetralogy of Fallot who were scheduled for surgery. After addressing the right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, the aorta was opened and the ventricular septal defect was approached in a straightforward manner as it was located just under the overriding aortic valve. The second patient presented with was a situs inversus, dextroapex Fallot. In this setting, the aortic approach simplified the repair expeditiously. After 2 years, both patients are in New York Heart Association class I, with no residual ventricular septal defect, no aortic regurgitation, and complete relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
Hb level in relation to vitamin D status in healthy infants and toddlers
Authors: Abdul-Razzak Khalid K , Khoursheed Abeer M , Altawalbeh Shoroq M , Obeidat Bayan A , Ajlony Mohammed-Jafar A
Published: March 2012

Objective

To assess the presence of an association between vitamin D deficiency and anaemia in Jordanian infants and toddlers, in whom both vitamin D deficiency and anaemia have previously been proved to be common separately.

Design

Cross-sectional prospective study.

Setting

Department of Paediatrics, Princess Rahma Teaching Hospital, Jordan.

Subjects

Healthy infants and children aged 6–36 months who were seen for primary care.

Results

Out of 203 infants and toddlers included in the study, the anaemia prevalence was 40·4 %. The prevalence of anaemia among infants (n 110) was 51·8 %, whereas it was 26·9 % among toddlers (n 93). No association between vitamin D status and anaemia was found.

Conclusions

Vitamin D deficiency is not a risk for anaemia in infants and toddlers.
INDISPENSABILITY ARGUMENTS AND INSTRUMENTAL NOMINALISM
Authors: PETTIGREW RICHARD
Published: March 2012

In the philosophy of mathematics, indispensability arguments aim to show that we are justified in believing that mathematical objects exist on the grounds that we make indispensable reference to such objects in our best scientific theories (Quine, 1981a; Putnam, 1979a) and in our everyday reasoning (Ketland, 2005). I wish to defend a particular objection to such arguments calledinstrumental nominalism. Existing formulations of this objection are either insufficiently precise or themselves make reference to mathematical objects or possible worlds. I show how to formulate the position precisely without making any such reference. To do so, it is necessary to supplement the standard modal operators with two new operators that allow us to shift the locus of evaluation for a subformula. I motivate this move and give a semantics for the new operators.
Isoflavone exposure throughout suckling results in improved adult bone health in mice
Authors: Dinsdale E. C. , Kaludjerovic J. , Ward W. E.
Published: March 2012

Exposure to isoflavones (ISO), abundant in soy protein infant formula, for the first 5 days of life results in higher bone mineral density (BMD), greater trabecular connectivity and higher peak load of lumbar vertebrae (LV) at adulthood. The effect of lengthening the duration of exposure to ISO on bone development has not been studied. This study determined if providing ISO for the first 21 days of life, which more closely mimics the duration that infants are fed soy protein formula, results in higher BMD, improved bone structure and greater strength in femurs and LV than a 5-day protocol. Female CD-1 mice were randomized to subcutaneous injections of ISO (7 mg/kg body weight/day) or corn oil from postnatal day 1 to 21. BMD, structure and strength were measured at the femur and LV at 4 months of age, representing young adulthood. At the LV, exposure to ISO resulted in higher (P < 0.05) BMD, trabecular connectivity and peak load compared with control (CON). Exposure to ISO also resulted in higher (P < 0.05) whole femur BMD, higher (P < 0.05) bone volume/total volume and lower (P < 0.05) trabecular separation at the femur neck, as well as greater (P < 0.05) peak load at femur midpoint and femur neck compared with the CON group. Exposure to ISO throughout suckling has favorable effects on LV outcomes, and, unlike previous studies using 5-day exposure to ISO, femur outcomes are also improved. Duration of exposure should be considered when using the CD-1 mouse to model the effect of early life exposure of infants to ISO.
Empirical evidence of climate's role in Rocky Mountain landscape evolution
Authors: Riihimaki Catherine A. , Reiners Peter W.
Published: March 2012

Climate may be the dominant factor affecting landscape evolution during the late Cenozoic, but models that connect climate and landscape evolution cannot be tested without precise ages of landforms. Zircon (U‐Th)/He ages of clinker, metamorphosed rock formed by burning of underlying coal seams, provide constraints on the spatial and temporal patterns of Quaternary erosion in the Powder River basin of Wyoming and Montana. The age distribution of 86 sites shows two temporal patterns: (1) a bias toward younger ages because of erosion of older clinker and (2) periodic occurrence of coal fires likely corresponding with particular climatic regimes. Statistical t tests of the ages and spectral analyses of the age probability density function indicate that these episodes of frequent coal fires most likely correspond with times of high eccentricity in Earth's orbit, possibly driven by increased seasonality in the region causing increased erosion rates and coal exhumation. Correlation of ages with interglacial time periods is weaker. The correlations between climate and coal fires improve when only samples greater than 50 km from the front of the Bighorn Range, the site of the nearest alpine glaciation, are compared. Together, these results indicate that the interaction between upstream glaciation and downstream erosion is likely not the dominant control on Quaternary landscape evolution in the Powder River basin, particularly since 0.5 Ma. Instead, incision rates are likely controlled by the response of streams to climate shifts within the basin itself, possibly changes in local precipitation rates or frequency‐magnitude distributions, with no discernable lag time between climate changes and landscape responses. Clinker ages are consistent with numerical models in which stream erosion is driven by fluctuations in stream power on thousand year timescales within the basins, possibly as a result of changing precipitation patterns, and is driven by regional rock uplift on million year timescales.
Modeling the hydrological cycle on Mars
Authors: Machtoub G.
Published: March 2012

The study provides a detailed analysis of the hydrological cycle on Mars simulated with a newly developed microphysical model, incorporated in a spectral Mars General Circulation Model. The modeled hydrological cycle is compared well with simulations of other global climate models. The simulated seasonal migration of water vapor, circulation instability, and the high degree of temporal variability of localized water vapor outbursts are shown closely consistent with recent observations. The microphysical parameterization provides a significant improvement in the modeling of ice clouds evolved over the tropics and major ancient volcanoes on Mars. The most significant difference between the simulations presented here and other GCM results is the level at which the water ice clouds are found. The model findings also support interpretation of observed thermal anomalies in the Martian tropics during northern spring and summer seasons.
Comparison of propagation predictions and measurements for midlatitude HF near‐vertical incidence sky wave links at 5 MHz
Authors: Walden Marcus C.
Published: March 2012

Signal power measurements for a UK‐based network of three beacon transmitters and five receiving stations operating on 5.290 MHz were taken over a 23 month period between May 2009 and March 2011, when solar flux levels were low. The median signal levels have been compared with monthly median signal level predictions generated using VOACAP (Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program) and ASAPS (Advanced Stand Alone Prediction System) HF prediction software with the emphasis on the near‐vertical incidence sky wave (NVIS) links. Low RMS differences between measurements and predictions for September, October, November, and also March were observed. However, during the spring and summer months (∼April to August), greater RMS differences were observed that were not well predicted by VOACAP and ASAPS and are attributed to sporadicE and, possibly, deviative absorption influences. Similarly, the measurements showed greater attenuation than was predicted for December, January, and February, consistent with the anomalously high absorption associated with the “winter anomaly.” The summer RMS differences were generally lower for VOACAP than for ASAPS. Conversely, those for ASAPS were lower during the winter for the NVIS links considered in this analysis at the recent low point of the solar cycle. It remains to be seen whether or not these trends in predicted and measured signal levels on 5.290 MHz continue to be observed through the complete solar cycle.
Information flow in a landscape has a direction
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: March 2012

Sediment flux and other properties in a landscape are often influenced by landscape properties at points away from the point of interest. How does information flow from these distant points to the point of interest? Voller et al. developed a mathematical model of sediment transport that includes this nonlocal nature. They found that in erosional landscapes, information flows downstream—points upstream influence points downstream—whereas in depositional landscapes, information flows upstream—downstream points influence upstream ones. The study could be useful in providing a richer interpretation of features in the sedimentary record. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL050265, 2012) —EB
Arctic sea ice surface ponds due to saltwater impurities
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: March 2012

During the summer melt season the white surface of Arctic sea ice turns to a mixture of grays and blues as meltwater ponds come to dot the landscape. Rising temperatures in late spring melt ice and snow, and the meltwater pools in depressions left by drifting snow. In just a week, these meltwater ponds can come to dominate the ice surface, increasing their areal extent by up to 35% per day. But just as quickly as they appear, the pools can recede, the water flowing into the ocean. Surface ponds drastically reduce the ice's albedo, increasing the amount of light available for Arctic ecosystems and accelerating ice melt.
Plasma pressure generated auroral current system: A case study
Authors: Mende S. B. , England S. L. , Frey H. U.
Published: March 2012

An anti‐sunward directed azimuthal pressure gradient drives meridional currents perpendicular to the magnetic field in the dusk and dawn closed field line regions. These currents are closed through the auroral ionosphere consisting of a pair of upward and downward sheet field aligned currents cross connected in the ionosphere. Using a conjunction of FAST and Polar the intensity of the up‐down sheet FAC pair was measured in the dusk sector in typical auroral conditions. The T96 field model was used to define the geometry and it predicted that field lines at the satellites were stretched to 15 RE. The steady state pressure gradient current was calculated through a surface in the magnetosphere separating the upward and downward going FAC. With the field stretching predicted by the model a typical quiet time azimuthal pressure gradient of 0.01 nPa/Re generated sufficient current to be the source of the observed auroral current loops.
Impaired ability of burn patient neutrophils to stimulate β‐defensin production by keratinocytes
Authors: Kawasaki Takashi , Nakamura Kiwamu , Jeschke Marc G , Kogiso Mari , Kobayashi Makiko , Herndon David N , Suzuki Fujio
Published: March 2012

Immunosuppressive neutrophils (PMN‐II) appearing in association with burn injury have a role on the increased susceptibility of burn patients to various infections. In the present study, the role of PMN‐II on the production of human β‐defensins (HBDs), important molecules on host antimicrobial innate immunities, by human keratinocytes was studied. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) were cultured with neutrophils (PMNs) isolated from burn patients or healthy volunteers in dual‐chamber transwells. Culture fluids harvested 24 h after cultivation were assayed for HBDs using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Also, these culture fluids were assayed for their antimicrobial activities by a standard colony‐counting method using Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the results, PMNs isolated from peripheral blood of burn patients were confirmed as PMN‐II, because these cells produced CC‐chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), but not interleukin (IL)‐12 and CC‐chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3). Culture fluids of NHEK transwell‐cultured with healthy PMNs exhibited strong killing activities against P. aeruginosa (96% inhibition), however, the growth of bacteria was not dramatically inhibited by the culture fluids of NHEK transwell‐cultured with burn‐patient PMNs (36% inhibition). IL‐12 and CCL3 containing culture fluids of healthy PMNs stimulated with the bacterial antigen or rCCL3 and rIL‐12 enhanced the production of HBD2 and HBD3 by NHEK, whereas CCL2 containing culture fluids of burn‐patient PMN stimulated with the antigen or rCCL2 inhibited the HBD production by NHEK. These results indicate that PMN‐II appearing in association with burn injury contribute to the decreased production of HBDs in thermally injured patients.