bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systemic Inflammatory Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury, Femur Fracture, and Shock: An Experimental Murine Polytrauma Model
Authors: Probst C. , Mirzayan M. J. , Mommsen P. , Zeckey C. , Tegeder T. , Geerken L. , Maegele M. , Samii A. , van Griensven M.
Published: March 2012

Objective. Despite broad research in neurotrauma and shock, little is known on systemic inflammatory effects of the clinically most relevant combined polytrauma. Experimental investigation in an animal model may provide relevant insight for therapeutic strategies. We describe the effects of a combined injury with respect to lymphocyte population and cytokine activation.Methods. 45 male C57BL/6J mice (mean weight 27 g) were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine. Animals were subjected to a weight drop closed traumatic brain injury (WD-TBI), a femoral fracture and hemorrhagic shock (FX-SH). Animals were subdivided into WD-TBI, FX-SH and combined trauma (CO-TX) groups. Subjects were sacrificed at 96 h. Blood was analysed for cytokines and by flow cytometry for lymphocyte populations.Results. Mortality was 8%, 13% and 47% for FX-SH, WD-TBI and CO-TX groups (P<0.05). TNFα (11/13/139 for FX-SH/WD-TBI/CO-TX;P<0.05), CCL2 (78/96/227;P<0.05) and IL-6 (16/48/281;P=0.05) showed significant increases in the CO-TX group. Lymphocyte populations results for FX-SH, WD-TBI and CO-TX were: CD-4 (31/21/22;P=n.s.), CD-8 (7/28/34,P<0.05), CD-4-CD-8 (11/12/18;P=n.s.), CD-56 (36/7/8;P<0.05).Conclusion. This study shows that a combination of closed TBI and femur-fracture/ shock results in an increase of the humoral inflammation. More attention to combined injury models in inflammation research is indicated.
The Effect of Timing of Grassland Management on Plant Reproduction
Authors: Lennartsson Tommy , Wissman Jörgen , Bergström Hanna-Märtha
Published: March 2012

Seminatural grasslands are maintained by regular anthropogenic disturbance, usually grazing or mowing. Management action late in the growing season was historically more common than today. Two experimental grazing regimes, continuous stocking from May to September and late-onset grazing from mid-July, were compared in two Swedish grasslands. Effects on flowering and fruit production were studied and related to plant functional traits. Change in vegetation composition over six years was analysed in one grassland. Delayed onset of grazing enhanced fruit production up to four times. Phenology of reproduction was the most important plant trait explaining differences in reproduction among species. Diversity of vascular plant species was higher after six years of late-onset grazing. No differences in vegetation height or proportion of grazed shoots were found by the end of the season. The results suggest that early reproduction may function as an escape from damage and that late onset of grazing may be used as a substitute for labour-intense traditional mowing.
Genome Signature Difference between Deinococcus radiodurans and Thermus thermophilus
Authors: Nishida Hiromi , Abe Reina , Nagayama Taishi , Yano Kentaro
Published: March 2012

The extremely radioresistant bacteria of the genus Deinococcus and the extremely thermophilic bacteria of the genus Thermus belong to a common taxonomic group. Considering the distinct living environments of Deinococcus and Thermus, different genes would have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer after their divergence from a common ancestor. Their guanine-cytosine (GC) contents are similar; however, we hypothesized that their genomic signatures would be different. Our findings indicated that the genomes of Deinococcus radiodurans and Thermus thermophilus have different tetranucleotide frequencies. This analysis showed that the genome signature of D. radiodurans is most similar to that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, whereas the genome signature of T. thermophilus is most similar to that of Thermanaerovibrio acidaminovorans. This difference in genome signatures may be related to the different evolutionary backgrounds of the 2 genera after their divergence from a common ancestor.
Rayleigh′s, Stoneley′s, and Scholte′s Interface Waves in Elastic Models Using a Boundary Element Method
Authors: Flores-Mendez Esteban , Carbajal-Romero Manuel , Flores-Guzmán Norberto , Sánchez-Martínez Ricardo , Rodríguez-Castellanos Alejandro
Published: March 2012

This work is focused on studying interface waves for three canonical models, that is, interfaces formed by vacuum‐solid, solid‐solid, and liquid‐solid. These interfaces excited by dynamic loads cause the emergence of Rayleigh′s, Stoneley′s, and Scholte′s waves, respectively. To perform the study, the indirect boundary element method is used, which has proved to be a powerful tool for numerical modeling of problems in elastodynamics. In essence, the method expresses the diffracted wave field of stresses, pressures, and displacements by a boundary integral, also known as single‐layer representation, whose shape can be regarded as a Fredholm′s integral representation of second kind and zero order. This representation can be considered as an exemplification of Huygens′ principle, which is equivalent to Somigliana′s representation theorem. Results in frequency domain for the three types of interfaces are presented; then, using the fourier discrete transform, we derive the results in time domain, where the emergence of interface waves is highlighted.
Improved Visualization ofAlphitobius diaperinus(Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)—Part I: Morphological Features for Sex Determination of Multiple Stadia
Authors: Esquivel J. F. , Crippen T. L. , Ward L. A.
Published: March 2012

The lesser mealworm,Alphitobius diaperinus(Panzer), is a perennial pest of poultry facilities and known to transmit pathogens of poultry and humans. Ongoing research examining reservoir potential ofA. diaperinusrevealed the need for a comprehensive, user-friendly guide for determining sex ofA. diaperinusat different stadia. This paper is unique in providing a comprehensive illustrated guide of characters used for differentiation of sexes inA. diaperinus.
Polymorphisms inHSD17B1: Early Onset and Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in Women with Down Syndrome
Authors: Lee Joseph H. , Gurney Susan , Pang Deborah , Temkin Alexis , Park Naeun , Janicki Sarah C. , Zigman Warren B. , Silverman Wayne , Tycko Benjamin , Schupf Nicole
Published: March 2012

Background/Aims. Genetic variants that affect estrogen activity may influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In women with Down syndrome, we examined the relation of polymorphisms in hydroxysteroid-17beta-dehydrogenase (HSD17B1) to age at onset and risk of AD.HSD17B1encodes the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD1), which catalyzes the conversion of estrone to estradiol.Methods. Two hundred and thirty-eight women with DS, nondemented at baseline, 31–78 years of age, were followed at 14–18-month intervals for 4.5 years. Women were genotyped for 5 haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in theHSD17B1gene region, and their association with incident AD was examined.Results. Age at onset was earlier, and risk of AD was elevated from two- to threefold among women homozygous for the minor allele at 3 SNPs in intron 4 (rs676387), exon 6 (rs605059), and exon 4 inCOASY(rs598126). Carriers of the haplotype TCC, based on the risk alleles for these three SNPs, had an almost twofold increased risk of developing AD (hazard ratio = 1.8, 95% CI, 1.1–3.1).Conclusion. These findings support experimental and clinical studies of the neuroprotective role of estrogen.
Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy in the Study of Colonic Mucosa in IBD Patients: A Review
Authors: Salvatori Francesca , Siciliano Saverio , Maione Francesco , Esposito Dario , Masone Stefania , Persico Marcello , De Palma Giovanni D.
Published: March 2012

Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is one of several novel methods that provide real-time, high-resolution imaging at a micronscale via endoscopes. CLE and related technologies are often termed “virtual biopsy” as they simulate the images seen in traditional histology. Recently, the use of CLE was reported in the study of colonic mucosa in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and in particular in patients affected by ulcerative colitis. CLE has the potential to have an important role in management of IBD patients as it can be used to assess the grading of colitis and in detection of microscopic colitis in endoscopically silent segments. Moreover, CLE can be used in surveillance programs especially in high-risk patients. This report aims to evaluate the current data on the application of confocal endomicroscopy in clinical gastroenterology and particularly in the study of colonic mucosa in UC patients.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Patterns and Their Implications for Intervention Strategies in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Quang Ngoc , Pham Son Thai , Do Loi Doan , Nguyen Viet Lan , Wall Stig , Weinehall Lars , Bonita Ruth , Byass Peter
Published: March 2012

Background. Data on cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRFs) in Vietnam are limited. This study explores the prevalence of each CVDRF and how they cluster to evaluate CVDRF burdens and potential prevention strategies.Methods. A cross-sectional survey in 2009 (2,130 adults) was done to collect data on behavioural CVDRF, anthropometry and blood pressure, lipidaemia profiles, and oral glucose tolerance tests. Four metabolic CVDRFs (hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, and obesity) and five behavioural CVDRFs (smoking, excessive alcohol intake, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and stress) were analysed to identify their prevalence, cluster patterns, and social predictors. Framingham scores were applied to estimate the global 10-year CVD risks and potential benefits of CVD prevention strategies.Results. The age-standardised prevalence of having at least 2/4 metabolic, 2/5 behavioural, or 4/9 major CVDRF was 28%, 27%, 13% in women and 32%, 62%, 34% in men. Within-individual clustering of metabolic factors was more common among older women and in urban areas. High overall CVD risk (≥20% over 10 years) identified 20% of men and 5% of women—especially at higher ages—who had coexisting CVDRF.Conclusion. Multiple CVDRFs were common in Vietnamese adults with different clustering patterns across sex/age groups. Tackling any single risk factor would not be efficient.
Dengue Virus Entry as Target for Antiviral Therapy
Authors: Alen Marijke M. F. , Schols Dominique
Published: March 2012

Dengue virus (DENV) infections are expanding worldwide and, because of the lack of a vaccine, the search for antiviral products is imperative. Four serotypes of DENV are described and they all cause a similar disease outcome. It would be interesting to develop an antiviral product that can interact with all four serotypes, prevent host cell infection and subsequent immune activation. DENV entry is thus an interesting target for antiviral therapy. DENV enters the host cell through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Several cellular receptors have been proposed, and DC-SIGN, present on dendritic cells, is considered as the most important DENV receptor until now. Because DENV entry is a target for antiviral therapy, various classes of compounds have been investigated to inhibit this process. In this paper, an overview is given of all the putative DENV receptors, and the most promising DENV entry inhibitors are discussed.
The Second‐Order Born Approximation in Diffuse Optical Tomography
Authors: Kwon Kiwoon
Published: March 2012

Diffuse optical tomography is used to find the optical parameters
of a turbid medium with infrared red light. The problem is mathematically formulated as a nonlinear problem to find the solution for the diffusion operator mapping the optical coefficients to the photon
density distribution on the boundary of the region of interest, which
is also represented by the Born expansion with respect to the unperturbed
photon densities and perturbed optical coefficients. We suggest a new
method of finding the solution by using the second‐order Born approximation of the operator. The error analysis for the suggested method
based on the second‐order Born approximation is presented
and compared with the conventional linearized method based on the first‐order Born approximation. The suggested method has better convergence order than the linearized method, and this is verified in the numerical implementation.
ArraySearch: A Web-Based Genomic Search Engine
Authors: Wilson Tyler J. , Ge Steven X.
Published: March 2012

Recent advances in microarray technologies have resulted in a flood of genomics data. This large body of accumulated data could be used as a knowledge base to help researchers interpret new experimental data. ArraySearch finds statistical correlations between newly observed gene expression profiles and the huge source of well-characterized expression signatures deposited in the public domain. A search query of a list of genes will return experiments on which the genes are significantly up- or downregulated collectively. Searches can also be conducted using gene expression signatures from new experiments. This resource will empower biological researchers with a statistical method to explore expression data from their own research by comparing it with expression signatures from a large public archive.
Behavior ofPaussus favieri(Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussini): A Myrmecophilous Beetle Associated withPheidole pallidula(Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Authors: Maurizi Emanuela , Fattorini Simone , Moore Wendy , Di Giulio Andrea
Published: March 2012

Several specimens of the myrmecophilous beetlePaussus favieriwere reared in ant nests ofPheidole pallidula. Their interactions were recorded and all behaviors observed are described. Duration and frequency of five behaviors ofP. favieriwere analyzed with ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests; these comprised rewarding, antennal shaking, antennation, escape, and “no contact”. Significant differences both in duration and in frequency among behaviors were detected. The main result is that the rewarding behavior, during which the beetle provides attractive substances to the host, is performed significantly more frequently than all others. This result strongly supports the hypothesis that the chemicals provided by the beetles and licked by the ants are of great importance for the acceptance and the full integration ofP. favieriin the ant society. This result also suggests that, contrary to previous findings and interpretations, the myrmecophilous strategy ofP. favieriis very similar to the symphilous strategy described forP. turcicus. The occasional interactions of some beetle specimens with theP. pallidulaqueen were recorded, illustrated, and discussed, indicating the possibility of a more complex strategy ofP. favieriinvolving a chemical mimicry with the queen. In addition, the courtship performed by the beetle is described for the first time, together with a peculiar “cleaning” behavior, which we hypothesize functions to spread antennal chemicals over the body surfaces.
Thalassemic DNA-Containing Red Blood Cells Are under Oxidative Stress
Authors: Dana Mutaz , Prus Eugenia , Fibach Eitan
Published: March 2012

We studied the nature of enucleated RBCs containing DNA remnants, Howell-Jolly (HJ) RBCs and reticulocytes (retics), that are characteristically present in the circulation of thalassemic patients, especially after splenectomy. Using flow cytometry methodology, we measured oxidative status parameters of these cells in patients withβ-thalassemia. In each patient studied, these cells had higher content of reactive oxygen species and exposed phosphatidylserine compared with their DNA-free counterparts. These results suggest that oxidative stress in thalassemic developing erythroid precursors might, through DNA-breakage, generate HJ-retics and HJ-RBCs and that oxidative stress-induced externalization of phosphatidylserine is involved in the removal of these cells from the circulation by the spleen, a mechanism similar to that of the removal of senescent RBCs.
Inhibition of OCTN2-Mediated Transport of Carnitine by Etoposide
Authors: Hu Chaoxin , Lancaster Cynthia S. , Zuo Zhili , Hu Shuiying , Chen Zhaoyuan , Rubnitz Jeffrey E. , Baker Sharyn D. , Sparreboom Alex
Published: March 2012

OCTN2 is a bifunctional transporter that reabsorbs filtered carnitine in a sodium-dependent manner and secretes organic cations into urine as a proton antiport mechanism. We hypothesized that inhibition of OCTN2 by anticancer drugs can influence carnitine resorption. OCTN2-mediated transport inhibition by anticancer drugs was assessed using cells transfected with human OCTN2 (hOCTN2) or mouse Octn2 (mOctn2). Excretion of carnitine and acetylcarnitine was measured in urine collected from mice and pediatric patients with cancer before and after administration of etoposide. Five of 27 tested drugs (50–100 μmol/L) inhibited hOCTN2-mediated carnitine uptake by 42% to 85% (P < 0.001). Of these inhibitors, etoposide was itself a transported substrate of hOCTN2 and mOctn2. Etoposide uptake by hOCTN2 was reversed in the presence of excess carnitine. This competitive inhibitory mechanism was confirmed in an in silico molecular docking analysis. In addition, etoposide inhibited the transcellular apical-to-basolateral flux of carnitine in kidney cells. Etoposide was also associated with a significant urinary loss of carnitine in mice (∼1.5-fold) and in patients with cancer (∼2.4-fold). Collectively, these findings indicate that etoposide can inhibit hOCTN2 function, potentially disturb carnitine homeostasis, and that this phenomenon can contribute to treatment-related toxicities. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(4); 921–9. ©2012 AACR.
Virtual Sources and Sinks During Extracellular Field Shocks in Cardiac Cell Cultures
Authors: Kondratyev Aleksandar A. , Didon Jean-Philippe , Hinnen-Oberer Helene , Lemay Mathieu , Kucera Jan P. , Kleber Andre G.
Published: March 2012

Background—

One mechanism by which extracellular field shocks (ECFSs) defibrillate the heart is by producing changes in membrane potential (V
m
) at tissue discontinuities. Such virtual electrodes may produce new excitation waves or affect locally propagating action potentials. The rise time of V
m
determines the required duration of a single defibrillation pulse to reach a critical threshold for activation or for the modification of ion channel function, and depends on the electric and microstructural characteristics of the tissue.

Methods and Results—

We used optical mapping of V
m
in patterned cultures of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes to assess the relationship between cardiac structure and the early time course of V
m
during ECFSs. At monolayer boundaries, the time course of V
m
showed a close fit to the theoretical change predicted by theory, with a membrane time constant of 2.65±0.19 ms (n=13) and a length constant of 159±6 μm (n=10). Experiments in patterned strands, mimicking the resistive boundaries that occur naturally in the heart, explained the observation that the rate of rise and the maximal amplitudes of the V
m
changes are inversely related because of electrotonic interactions between structural boundaries. Interrupting ECFSs by very short intervals diminished V
m
, but did not cause major changes in its overall time course.

Conclusions—

Interaction between virtual sinks and sources decreases the magnitude of the changes in V
m
but accelerates its time course. For efficient defibrillation, short ECFSs are needed, with an amplitude adapted to match the boundary interaction.
Activation of CD4
+
T Lymphocytes Improves Wound Healing and Survival After Experimental Myocardial Infarction in Mice
Authors: Hofmann Ulrich , Beyersdorf Niklas , Weirather Johannes , Podolskaya Anna , Bauersachs Johann , Ertl George , Kerkau Thomas , Frantz Stefan
Published: March 2012

Background—

The role of adaptive immunity, especially CD4
+
T-helper cells, has not yet been systematically investigated in wound healing and remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, we studied whether CD4
+
T cells become activated and influence wound healing after experimental MI in mice.

Methods and Results—

When we compared sham versus MI in wild-type (WT) mice, T-cell receptor–dependent activation of both conventional Foxp3
−
and regulatory Foxp3
+
CD4
+
T cells could be demonstrated in heart-draining lymph nodes within the first week after MI. Concomitantly, we found infiltration of CD4
+
T cells in infarcted myocardium. To study the role of CD4
+
T cells in wound healing and remodeling, CD4
+
T-cell–deficient mice (CD4 knockout [KO], MHCII
Δ/Δ
) and T-cell receptor–transgenic OT-II mice recognizing an irrelevant ovalbumin-derived peptide were studied. Serial echocardiography up to day 56 after MI revealed increased left ventricular dilation in CD4 KO compared with WT mice. Within the infarcted myocardium, CD4 KO mice displayed higher total numbers of leukocytes and proinflammatory monocytes (18.3±3.0 10
4
/mg WT versus 75.7±17.0 10
4
/mg CD4 KO,
P
<0.05). MHCII
Δ/Δ
and OT-II mice displayed significantly greater mortality (21% WT versus 48% OT-II,
P
<0.05, and WT 22% versus 52% MHCII
Δ/Δ
,
P
<0.05) and myocardial rupture rates than WT mice. Collagen matrix formation in the infarct zone was severely disturbed in CD4 KO and MHCII
Δ/Δ
mice, as well as in OT-II mice.

Conclusions—

The present study provides the first evidence that CD4
+
T cells become activated after MI, presumably driven by recognition of cardiac autoantigens, and facilitate wound healing of the myocardium.
Auto-Antigenic Protein-DNA Complexes Stimulate Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells to Promote Atherosclerosis
Authors: Döring Yvonne , Manthey Helga D. , Drechsler Maik , Lievens Dirk , Megens Remco T.A. , Soehnlein Oliver , Busch Martin , Manca Marco , Koenen Rory R. , Pelisek Jaroslav , Daemen Mat J. , Lutgens Esther , Zenke Martin , Binder Christoph J. , Weber Christian , Zernecke Alma
Published: March 2012

Background—

Inflammation has been closely linked to auto-immunogenic processes in atherosclerosis. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are specialized to produce type-I interferons in response to pathogenic single-stranded nucleic acids, but can also sense self-DNA released from dying cells or in neutrophil extracellular traps complexed to the antimicrobial peptide Cramp/LL37 in autoimmune disease. However, the exact role of pDCs in atherosclerosis remains elusive.

Methods and Results—

Here we demonstrate that pDCs can be detected in murine and human atherosclerotic lesions. Exposure to oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein enhanced the capacity of pDCs to phagocytose and prime antigen-specific T cell responses. Plasmacytoid DCs can be stimulated to produce interferon-α by Cramp/DNA complexes, and we further identified increased expression of Cramp and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in atherosclerotic arteries. Whereas Cramp/DNA complexes aggravated atherosclerotic lesion formation in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice, pDC depletion and Cramp-deficiency in bone marrow reduced atherosclerosis and anti–double-stranded DNA antibody titers. Moreover, the specific activation of pDCs and interferon-α treatment promoted plaque growth, associated with enhanced anti–double-stranded–DNA antibody titers. Accordingly, anti–double-stranded DNA antibodies were elevated in patients with symptomatic versus asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Conclusions—

Self-DNA (eg, released from dying cells or in neutrophil extracellular traps) and an increased expression of the antimicrobial peptide Cramp/LL37 in atherosclerotic lesions may thus stimulate a pDC-driven pathway of autoimmune activation and the generation of anti–double-stranded-DNA antibodies, critically aggravating atherosclerosis lesion formation. These key factors may thus represent novel therapeutic targets.
The Polyphenols Resveratrol and S17834 Prevent the Structural and Functional Sequelae of Diet-Induced Metabolic Heart Disease in Mice
Authors: Qin Fuzhong , Siwik Deborah A. , Luptak Ivan , Hou Xiuyun , Wang Lei , Higuchi Akiko , Weisbrod Robert M. , Ouchi Noriyuki , Tu Vivian H. , Calamaras Timothy D. , Miller Edward J. , Verbeuren Tony J. , Walsh Kenneth , Cohen Richard A. , Colucci Wilson S.
Published: March 2012

Background—

Diet-induced obesity is associated with metabolic heart disease characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Polyphenols such as resveratrol and the synthetic flavonoid derivative S17834 exert beneficial systemic and cardiovascular effects in a variety of settings including diabetes mellitus and chronic hemodynamic overload.

Methods and Results—

We characterized the structural and functional features of a mouse model of diet-induced metabolic syndrome and used the model to test the hypothesis that the polyphenols prevent myocardial hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet or a diet high in fat and sugar (HFHS) with or without concomitant treatment with S17834 or resveratrol for up to 8 months. HFHS diet–fed mice developed progressive left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction with preservation of systolic function in association with myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. In HFHS diet–fed mice, there was increased myocardial oxidative stress with evidence of oxidant-mediated protein modification via tyrosine nitration and 4-OH-2-nonenol adduction. HFHS diet–fed mice also exhibited increases in plasma fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance indicative of insulin resistance. Treatment with S17834 or resveratrol prevented left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. For S17834, these beneficial effects were associated with decreases in oxidant-mediated protein modifications and hyperinsulinemia and increased plasma adiponectin.

Conclusions—

Resveratrol and S17834 administered concurrently with a HFHS diet prevent the development of left ventricular hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and diastolic dysfunction. Multiple mechanisms may contribute to the beneficial effects of the polyphenols, including a reduction in myocardial oxidative stress and related protein modifications, amelioration of insulin resistance, and increased plasma adiponectin. The polyphenols resveratrol and S17834 may be of value in the prevention of diet-induced metabolic heart disease.
Borg: An Auto-Adaptive Many-Objective Evolutionary Computing Framework
Authors: Hadka David , Reed Patrick
Published: March 2012

This study introduces the Borg multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) for many-objective, multimodal optimization. The Borg MOEA combines [Formula: see text]-dominance, a measure of convergence speed named [Formula: see text]-progress, randomized restarts, and auto-adaptive multioperator recombination into a unified optimization framework. A comparative study on 33 instances of 18 test problems from the DTLZ, WFG, and CEC 2009 test suites demonstrates Borg meets or exceeds six state of the art MOEAs on the majority of the tested problems. The performance for each test problem is evaluated using a 1,000 point Latin hypercube sampling of each algorithm's feasible parameteri- zation space. The statistical performance of every sampled MOEA parameterization is evaluated using 50 replicate random seed trials. The Borg MOEA is not a single algorithm; instead it represents a class of algorithms whose operators are adaptively selected based on the problem. The adaptive discovery of key operators is of particular importance for benchmarking how variation operators enhance search for complex many-objective problems.
Internet Surfing in Jordan: Overviews and Monitoring
Authors: Madi Ramzi
Published: March 2012

Abstract

This article discusses Jordanian legislation concerning Instructions for Regulating the Work of the Internet Centers and Cafés and the Bases for their Licensing for the year 2001 and its amendments.
The Arab Revolts, Islam and Postmodernity
Authors: Adib-Moghhaddam Arshin
Published: March 2012

The article deals with the political and cultural context of the Arab revolts and the representation of Muslim politics in the ‘west’. It evaluates the changes that the current events have already brought about and how Islam as politics and imaginary has entered a new phase and trajectory that is very different from Islamist concepts in the Qutbian tradition. What we are experiencing, it is argued, is the emergence of a ‘post-modern’ Islam that is diffuse, decentred and almost post-ideological in its political syntax.
Optimal Initial Perturbations for Ensemble Prediction of the Madden–Julian Oscillation during Boreal Winter
Authors: Ham Yoo-Geun , Schubert Siegfried , Chang Yehui
Published: March 2012

An initialization strategy, tailored to the prediction of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), is evaluated using the Goddard Earth Observing System Model, version 5 (GEOS-5), coupled general circulation model (CGCM). The approach is based on the empirical singular vectors (ESVs) of a reduced-space statistically determined linear approximation of the full nonlinear CGCM. The initial ESV, extracted using 10 years (1990–99) of boreal winter hindcast data, has zonal wind anomalies over the western Indian Ocean, while the final ESV (at a forecast lead time of 10 days) reflects a propagation of the zonal wind anomalies to the east over the Maritime Continent—an evolution that is characteristic of the MJO.

A new set of ensemble hindcasts are produced for the boreal winter season from 1990 to 1999 in which the leading ESV provides the initial perturbations. The results are compared with those from a set of control hindcasts generated using random perturbations. It is shown that the ESV-based predictions have a systematically higher bivariate correlation skill in predicting the MJO compared to those using the random perturbations. Furthermore, the improvement in the skill depends on the phase of the MJO. The ESV is particularly effective in increasing the forecast skill during those phases of the MJO in which the control has low skill (with correlations increasing by as much as 0.2 at 20–25-day lead times), as well as during those times in which the MJO is weak.
Causal Discovery for Climate Research Using Graphical Models
Authors: Ebert-Uphoff Imme , Deng Yi
Published: March 2012

Causal discovery seeks to recover cause–effect relationships from statistical data using graphical models. One goal of this paper is to provide an accessible introduction to causal discovery methods for climate scientists, with a focus on constraint-based structure learning. Second, in a detailed case study constraint-based structure learning is applied to derive hypotheses of causal relationships between four prominent modes of atmospheric low-frequency variability in boreal winter including the Western Pacific Oscillation (WPO), Eastern Pacific Oscillation (EPO), Pacific–North America (PNA) pattern, and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The results are shown in the form of static and temporal independence graphs also known as Bayesian Networks. It is found that WPO and EPO are nearly indistinguishable from the cause–effect perspective as strong simultaneous coupling is identified between the two. In addition, changes in the state of EPO (NAO) may cause changes in the state of NAO (PNA) approximately 18 (3–6) days later. These results are not only consistent with previous findings on dynamical processes connecting different low-frequency modes (e.g., interaction between synoptic and low-frequency eddies) but also provide the basis for formulating new hypotheses regarding the time scale and temporal sequencing of dynamical processes responsible for these connections. Last, the authors propose to use structure learning for climate networks, which are currently based primarily on correlation analysis. While correlation-based climate networks focus on similarity between nodes, independence graphs would provide an alternative viewpoint by focusing on information flow in the network.
Intraseasonal Variability in MERRA Energy Fluxes over the Tropical Oceans
Authors: Robertson Franklin R. , Roberts Jason B.
Published: March 2012

This paper investigates intraseasonal variability as represented by the recent NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) reanalysis, the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA). The authors examine the behavior of heat, moisture, and radiative fluxes emphasizing their contribution to intraseasonal variations in heat and moisture balance integrated over the tropical oceans. MERRA successfully captures intraseasonal signals in both state variables and fluxes, though it depends heavily on the analysis increment update terms that constrain the reanalysis to be near the observations. Precipitation anomaly patterns evolve in close agreement with those from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) though locally MERRA may occasionally be smaller by up to 20%. As in the TRMM observations, tropical convection increases lead tropospheric warming by approximately 7 days. Radiative flux anomalies are dominated by cloud forcing and are found to replicate the top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) energy loss associated with increased convection found by other observationally based studies. However, MERRA’s convectively produced clouds appear to deepen too soon as precipitation increases. Total fractional cloud cover variations appear somewhat weak compared to observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Evolution of the surface fluxes, convection, and TOA radiation is consistent with the “discharge–recharge” paradigm that posits the importance of lower-tropospheric moisture accumulation prior to the expansion of organized deep convection. The authors conclude that MERRA constitutes a very useful representation of intraseasonal variability that will support a variety of studies concerning radiative–convective–dynamical processes and will help identify pathways for improved moist physical parameterization in global models.
The Logic of Process Tracing Tests in the Social Sciences
Authors: Mahoney James
Published: March 2012

This article discusses process tracing as a methodology for testing hypotheses in the social sciences. With process tracing tests, the analyst combines preexisting generalizations with specific observations from within a single case to make causal inferences about that case. Process tracing tests can be used to help establish that (1) an initial event or process took place, (2) a subsequent outcome also occurred, and (3) the former was a cause of the latter. The article focuses on the logic of different process tracing tests, including hoop tests, smoking gun tests, and straw in the wind tests. New criteria for judging the strength of these tests are developed using ideas concerning the relative importance of necessary and sufficient conditions. Similarities and differences between process tracing and the deductive-nomological model of explanation are explored.
The Proteus Effect in Dyadic Communication
Authors: Van Der Heide Brandon , Schumaker Erin M. , Peterson Ashley M. , Jones Elizabeth B.
Published: March 2012

An original experiment explored the differing predictions of the Proteus effect (Yee & Bailenson) and behavioral compensation processes (Bond) in dyadic computer-mediated interaction. The experiment randomly assigned male dyad members to see an attractive, unattractive, or no avatar representation of his female partner, while female dyad members were assigned to see either attractive, unattractive, or no avatar representation of themselves. Results supported the hypothesized behavioral compensation effect such that both partner and naïve observer reports of relational communication suggested that females who saw unattractive avatars of themselves behaved more positively toward their partners than those who saw no avatar or saw an attractive avatar. These results, their theoretical implications, and future directions are discussed.
Social Influences and the Physical Activity Intentions of Parents of Young-Children Families
Authors: Hamilton Kyra , White Katherine M.
Published: March 2012

Evidence within Australia and internationally suggests parenthood as a risk factor for inactivity; however, research into understanding parental physical activity is scarce. Given that active parents can create active families and social factors are important for parents’ decision making, the authors investigated a range of social influences on parents’ intentions to be physically active. Parents ( N = 580; 288 mothers and 292 fathers) of children younger than 5 years completed an extended Theory of Planned Behavior questionnaire either online or paper based. For both genders, attitude, control factors, group norms, friend general support, and an active parent identity predicted intentions, with social pressure and family support further predicting mothers’ intentions and active others further predicting fathers’ intentions. Attention to these factors and those specific to the genders may improve parents’ intentions to be physically active, thus maximizing the benefits to their own health and the healthy lifestyle practices for other family members.
Gay and Lesbian Individuals’ Attitudes Toward the Death Penalty
Authors: Worthen Meredith G. F. , Sharp Susan F. , Rodgers Forrest R.
Published: March 2012

Research examining attitudes toward the death penalty has led to a variety of theoretical and practical implications that continue to inform both research and policy. While many studies have examined how race, class, and gender are related to attitudes toward the death penalty, there is a complete lack of literature regarding sexual orientation and attitudes toward the death penalty. This is quite surprising since demographic research suggests that gay and lesbian individuals (compared to heterosexual individuals) have significantly higher levels of education and may be much more likely to align with liberal politics (two things that have been found to be correlated with a lack of support for the death penalty). Furthermore, studies suggest that gender differences in attitudes toward capital punishment can be related to the fact that women are socialized to be more empathic than men; however, it is unclear how these gender differences in empathic concern may be related to death penalty attitudes among gay and lesbian individuals. In this exploratory analysis using the General Social Survey (years 2002 and 2004), the authors investigate gay and lesbian individuals’ attitudes toward the use of the death penalty. Preliminary findings indicate that similar to heterosexuals, the majority of gay and lesbian individuals support the death penalty; however, being a gay man exerts a significant negative effect on death penalty support. Furthermore, both empathic concern and political beliefs entirely mediate the effects of gender and sexual orientation on attitudes toward the death penalty.
Optoelectrical properties of polymer composite
Authors: Zihlif AM , Faduos Ashraf S , Ragosta G
Published: March 2012

The physical properties of polystyrene composites containing different concentrations of iron (0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 wt.%) were studied as a function of ultraviolet (UV) wavelength, iron concentration, temperature, and applied field frequency. The absorption spectra were collected using the UV-spectrophotometry, and the electrical results were determined using the alternating current (AC) impedance method. Analysis of the optical absorption spectra results showed that the transition of energy electrons is direct in k-space and the optical energy gap decreases with iron content. The impedance was measured in the frequency range 50 kHz–1 MHz and temperature range 30–110 C. It was found that the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss of the composites increase with iron concentration and decrease with the applied frequency. The AC conductivity of the composites increases with frequency, temperature, and iron concentration. The low value of the activation energies indicates that the composite of 30 wt.% of iron nearly becomes a conductive material.
Viscous dissipation effects on the limiting value of Nusselt numbers for a shear-driven flow through an asymmetrically heated annulus
Authors: Mondal Pranab Kumar , Mukherjee Sanchayan
Published: March 2012

In this study, an analytical investigation for analyzing the effects of viscous dissipation on the limiting Nusselt number for a hydro-dynamically fully developed laminar shear-driven flow through an asymmetrically heated annulus of two infinitely long concentric cylinders has been made, where the inner cylindrical rod is moving in an axial direction at a constant speed. On the basis of some common assumptions, an analytical framework has been devised to explore the effects of viscous dissipation on the heat transfer characteristics for the flow of Newtonian fluid, and, consequently, closed-form expressions for the limiting Nusselt numbers are evaluated. In the analysis, focus has been given on the viscous dissipative effect due to the shear produced by the movable inner cylindrical rod apart from the viscous dissipation due to internal fluid friction for the flow of a Newtonian fluid. The interactive effects of the Brinkman number and degree of asymmetry on the limiting Nusselt number are analytically investigated. It is observed from this study that the limiting Nusselt number becomes independent of Brinkman number when both the walls of the annulus are kept at an equal temperature. Moreover, the temperature profile in the conduction limit obtained with the consideration of viscous dissipation effect provides a boundary condition required for solving energy equation including the axial conduction in the fluid.
Acoustic characterisation of a rectangular rocket combustor with liquid oxygen and hydrogen propellants
Authors: Hardi Justin S , Oschwald Michael , Dally Bassam
Published: March 2012

High frequency combustion instabilities have plagued the development of liquid propellant rocket engines since their invention. Continuing research efforts aim to understand the mechanisms by which the oscillating combustion chamber pressure of self-sustaining combustion instabilities is driven. To this end, a rectangular combustor with acoustic forcing, designated ‘BKH’, was developed to study flame-acoustic interaction under conditions which are representative of real rocket engines. This article describes the acoustic characterisation of the BKH combustor using high frequency dynamic pressure measurements from the first hot-fire tests using liquid oxygen and ambient temperature or cryogenic hydrogen injectants. Analysis of the resulting high frequency pressure measurements shows excellent agreement with the predicted acoustic properties of the system which were calculated using finite element methods.
Displaying and developing team identity in workplace meetings – a multimodal perspective
Authors: Djordjilovic Olga
Published: March 2012

This article addresses the issue of how team identity is constructed between two people during a series of regular meetings of a work group in Serbia. Using conversation analysis to investigate (multimodal) social actions, this study looks at the recurrent construction of an implicit team identity by focusing on management of speaking rights and co-construction of units, and displays of knowledge and accountability. With its longitudinal perspective, the article contributes to the existing body of research on teams in interaction in general, as it builds upon previous research on interactional parties and conjoined participation. The results are especially relevant for the investigations of teams in meetings, as they provide evidence of how formal features of interaction are recurrently employed to display institutionally relevant epistemics and accountability.
Using artifacts in brainstorming sessions to secure participation and decouple sequentiality
Authors: Nielsen Mie Femø
Published: March 2012

This article discusses ‘brainstorm’ interaction in a multimodal perspective. It shows how an innovation workshop facilitator is ‘doing facilitation’ by not only organizing group activities and managing turn-taking, but also drawing each group member out to participate actively and contribute to the group process. Institutional goals are transformed to individual conversational participation. Participants are helped to express their thoughts and engage in a social process of clarifying, developing and refining ideas. In the process the facilitator is socializing the participants into a particular participation framework, letting them collaborate in shaping a local community of practice. The facilitator is separating phases of activities to afford decoupling actions, creating specific local sequential environments for participants to produce particular kinds of talk, thus engaging a group of participants in a social process of collaborative idea development. The article will show how multimodal orientation to a range of semiotic resources (whiteboard, colored cards, speed markers, re-usable adhesive putty, body posture, gestures, gazes, pauses and talk) is used to manage topical talk, elicit talk from a particular person, manage speaker transition, secure progression and shifts, perform shift in participant identity and elicit talk performing particular social actions, explanations and accounts. A process is shaped in which collaboratively produced underspecified ideas are turned into ‘noticings’ in order to create slots for them to be explained and accounted for so that individual cognitive processes are made available for treatment in a social process of idea development, and selection of ideas is prioritized over discussion/rejection.
Negotiation of entitlement in proposal sequences
Authors: Asmuß Birte , Oshima Sae
Published: March 2012

Meetings are complex institutional events at which participants recurrently negotiate institutional roles, which are oriented to, renegotiated, and sometimes challenged. With a view to gaining further understanding of the ongoing negotiation of roles at meetings, this article examines one specific recurring feature of meetings: the act of proposing future action. Based on microanalysis of video recordings of two-party strategy meetings, the study shows that participants orient to at least two aspects when making proposals: 1) the acceptance or rejection of the proposal; and 2) questions of entitlement: who is entitled to launch a proposal, and who is entitled to accept or reject it? The study argues that there is a close interrelation between questions of entitlement, aligning and affiliating moves, and the negotiation of institutional roles. The multimodal analysis also reveals the use of various embodied practices by participants for the local negotiation of entitlement and institutional roles.
Lipid and protein oxidation products, antioxidant status and vascular complications in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bigagli E , Raimondi L , Mannucci E , Colombi C , Bardini G , Rotella CM , Lodovici M
Published: March 2012

The inter-relationships between glycaemic control, the progression of diabetes-related vascular complications, oxidative/antioxidative status and inflammation, have not been fully understood. We measured malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl residues, C-reactive protein (CRP) and antioxidant systems by means of ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, in well controlled and poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients without complications (NC) and in poorly controlled patients with microvascular (MicroVC) and with both micro- and macrovascular complications (Micro+Macro VC). All poorly controlled diabetic patients showed higher MDA and carbonyl residues compared to well controlled NC, as did those with Micro+Macro VC compared to poorly controlled NC. The higher CRP and SOD activity levels reached significance in Micro VC and Micro+Macro VC groups. FRAP decreased only in poorly controlled NC compared to well controlled NC (p<0.05). Glycated hamemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were positively correlated with MDA (p<0.05) and CRP (p<0.001) and inversely associated with FRAP (p<0.05) and SOD (p=0.06). An increase in MDA or carbonyl residues could be a marker of high risk for complications in patients with poorly controlled diabetes and they should be considered for monitoring the effectiveness of drug treatment.