bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POWER AND EFFICIENCY OF F1-ATPase MOLECULAR MOTOR
Authors: SANCHO J. M. , PEREZ-CARRASCO RUBEN
Published: April 2012

We present the study of the energetics of the F1-ATPase rotatory molecular motor. The dynamics of this machine are described by a overdamped Langevin equation with a dichotomous flashing ratchet potential whose transition rates are controlled by an analysis of the chemical and physical steps. The model predictions on the observable angular velocity are in good agreement with the experimental data. Inspired by these results we extend our approach to study the energetics of this motor. Power and efficiency are analyzed for different experimental situations which can be tested in experiments.
IS THE REGIME WITH SHOT NOISE SUPPRESSION BY A FACTOR 1/3 ACHIEVABLE IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES WITH MESOSCOPIC DIMENSIONS?
Authors: MARCONCINI P. , MACUCCI M. , LOGOTETA D. , TOTARO M.
Published: April 2012

We discuss the possibility of diffusive conduction and thus of suppression of shot noise by a factor 1/3 in mesoscopic semiconductor devices with two-dimensional and one-dimensional potential disorder, for which existing experimental data do not provide a conclusive result. On the basis of our numerical analysis, we conclude that it is quite difficult to achieve diffusive transport over a reasonably wide parameter range, unless the device dimensions are increased up to the macroscopic scale where, however, shot noise disappears because the device length exceeds the Debye length. In addition, in the case of one-dimensional disorder, some mechanism capable of mode-mixing has to be present in order to reach or even approach the diffusive regime.
ROLE OF MOLYBDENUM TRIOXIDE ON THERMAL STABILITY OF POLYANILINE NANOCOMPOSITE
Authors: RAJINI P. SUJA PREMA , MURUGESAN R. , PERUMAL S.
Published: April 2012

Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) grains were coated with conducting organic polymer of polyaniline. The as-prepared nanocomposite samples were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Thermogravimetry (TGA). The XRD curves shows that, [Formula: see text] have high crystallinity due to the presence of large number of sharp peaks. From the XRD pattern the particle size is evaluated by using Debye-Scherrer's formula and the average particle size of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] nanocomposites are found to be 46 and 32 nm, respectively. This is clearly observed that the condensed particle size of nanocomposite materials is due to the insertion of metal oxide of molybdenum. The incorporation of metal oxide of MoO3in polyaniline (Pani) is confirmed by FTIR spectral studies. After de-doping, the characteristic peaks of Pani for all the Pani materials are almost same. This is due to the leaching of metal oxide of MoO3from Pani. From these observations it is noted that doping–dedoping can also take place in inorganic metal oxides. The thermogram showed a three-step degradation process. The first weight loss step was due to the removal of physisorbed water molecules and moisture. The second minor weight loss step was associated with the removal of dopant from Pani backbone and the slight degradation of benzenoid structure of Pani and their thermal stability is enhanced. The third weight loss step was ascribed to the degradation of quinoid form of Pani. This confirmed the thermal stability of [Formula: see text] nanocomposite system. After degradation above 1000°C, the Pani with MoO3showed a remaining weight of 8%. This confirmed that incorporation of metal oxide in the Pani nanocomposites is 8%. The enhancement of thermal stability is due to the intercalation of Pani chains into MoO3in first two step degradation, which is further supported by FTIR and XRD reports. The third step degradation of Pani with MoO3nanocomposite is loosely bound in organic and inorganic part. Therefore, the organic part is easily decomposed.
The hibernating 13-lined ground squirrel as a model organism for potential cold storage of platelets
Authors: Cooper Scott T. , Richters Karl E. , Melin Travis E. , Liu Zhi-jian , Hordyk Peter J. , Benrud Ryan R. , Geiser Lauren R. , Cash Steve E. , Simon Shelley C. , Howard David R. , Ereth Mark H. , Sola-Visner Martha C.
Published: April 2012

Hibernating mammals have developed many physiological adaptations to extreme environments. During hibernation, 13-lined ground squirrels ( Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) must suppress hemostasis to survive prolonged body temperatures of 4–8°C and 3–5 heartbeats per minute without forming lethal clots. Upon arousal in the spring, these ground squirrels must be able to quickly restore normal clotting activity to avoid bleeding. Here we show that ground squirrel platelets stored in vivo at 4–8°C were released back into the blood within 2 h of arousal in the spring with a body temperature of 37°C but were not rapidly cleared from circulation. These released platelets were capable of forming stable clots and remained in circulation for at least 2 days before newly synthesized platelets were detected. Transfusion of autologous platelets stored at 4°C or 37°C showed the same clearance rates in ground squirrels, whereas rat platelets stored in the cold had a 140-fold increase in clearance rate. Our results demonstrate that ground squirrel platelets appear to be resistant to the platelet cold storage lesions observed in other mammals, allowing prolonged storage in cold stasis and preventing rapid clearance upon spring arousal. Elucidating these adaptations could lead to the development of methods to store human platelets in the cold, extending their shelf life.
Interaction ofHelicobacter pyloriwith C-Type Lectin Dendritic Cell-Specific ICAM Grabbing Nonintegrin
Authors: Miszczyk Eliza , Rudnicka Karolina , Moran Anthony P. , Fol Marek , Kowalewicz-Kulbat Magdalena , Druszczyńska Magdalena , Matusiak Agnieszka , Walencka Maria , Rudnicka Wiesława , Chmiela Magdalena
Published: April 2012

In this study we asked whetherHelicobacter pyloriwhole cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) utilize sugar moieties of Lewis (Le) antigenic determinants to interact with DC-SIGN (dendritic cell specific ICAM grabbing nonintegrin) receptor on dendritic cells (DCs). For this purpose the soluble DC-SIGN/Fc adhesion assay and the THP-1 leukemia cells with induced expression of DC-SIGN were used. We showed that the binding specificity of DC-SIGN withH. pyloriLeX/Ypositive whole cells andH. pyloriLPS of LeX/Ytype was fucose dependent, whereas in LeXYnegativeH. pyloristrains and LPS preparations without Lewis determinants, this binding was galactose dependent. The binding of soluble synthetic LeXand LeYto the DC-SIGN-like receptor on THP-1 cells was also observed. In conclusion, the LeXYdependent as well as independent binding ofH. pyloriwhole cells andH. pyloriLPS to DC-SIGN was described. Moreover, we demonstrated that THP-1 cells may serve as anin vitromodel for the assessment ofH. pylori-DC-SIGN interactions mediated by LeXand LeYdeterminants.
Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis for Yemen
Authors: Mohindra Rakesh , Nair Anand K. S. , Gupta Sushil , Sur Ujjwal , Sokolov Vladimir
Published: April 2012

A stochastic-event probabilistic seismic hazard model, which can be used further for estimates of seismic loss and seismic risk analysis, has been developed for the territory of Yemen. An updated composite earthquake catalogue has been compiled using the databases from two basic sources and several research publications. The spatial distribution of earthquakes from the catalogue was used to define and characterize the regional earthquake source zones for Yemen. To capture all possible scenarios in the seismic hazard model, a stochastic event set has been created consisting of 15,986 events generated from 1,583 fault segments in the delineated seismic source zones. Distribution of horizontal peak ground acceleration (PGA) was calculated for all stochastic events considering epistemic uncertainty in ground-motion modeling using three suitable ground motion-prediction relationships, which were applied with equal weight. The probabilistic seismic hazard maps were created showing PGA and MSK seismic intensity at 10% and 50% probability of exceedance in 50 years, considering local soil site conditions. The resulting PGA for 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years (return period 475 years) ranges from 0.2 g to 0.3 g in western Yemen and generally is less than 0.05 g across central and eastern Yemen. The largest contributors to Yemen’s seismic hazard are the events from the West Arabian Shield seismic zone.
Distributed Model Predictive Control of the Multi-Agent Systems with Improving Control Performance
Authors: Shanbi Wei , Yi Chai , Penghua Li
Published: April 2012

This paper addresses a distributed model predictive control (DMPC) scheme for multiagent systems with improving control performance. In order to penalize the deviation of the computed state trajectory from the assumed state trajectory, the deviation punishment is involved in the local cost function of each agent. The closed-loop stability is guaranteed with a large weight for deviation punishment. However, this large weight leads to much loss of control performance. Hence, the time-varying compatibility constraints of each agent are designed to balance the closed-loop stability and the control performance, so that the closed-loop stability is achieved with a small weight for the deviation punishment. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Bifurcation Analysis for a Kind of Nonlinear Finance System with Delayed Feedback and Its Application to Control of Chaos
Authors: Zhang Rongyan
Published: April 2012

A kind of nonlinear finance system with time‐delayed feedback is considered.
Firstly, by employing the polynomial theorem to analyze the distribution
of the roots to the associate characteristic equation, the conditions
of ensuring the existence of Hopf bifurcation are given. Secondly, by using
the normal form theory and center manifold argument, we derive the explicit
formulas determining the stability, direction, and other properties of bifurcating
periodic solutions. Finally, we give several numerical simulations, which
indicate that when the delay passes through certain critical values, chaotic
oscillation is converted into a stable steady state or a stable periodic orbit.
Action Planning for Daily Mouth Care in Long-Term Care: The Brushing Up on Mouth Care Project
Authors: McNally Mary E. , Martin-Misener Ruth , Wyatt Christopher C. L. , McNeil Karen P. , Crowell Sandra J. , Matthews Debora C. , Clovis Joanne B.
Published: April 2012

Research focusing on the introduction of daily mouth care programs for dependent older adults in long-term care has met with limited success. There is a need for greater awareness about the importance of oral health, more education for those providing oral care, and organizational structures that provide policy and administrative support for daily mouth care. The purpose of this paper is to describe the establishment of an oral care action plan for long-term care using an interdisciplinary collaborative approach.Methods. Elements of a program planning cycle that includes assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation guided this work and are described in this paper. Findings associated with assessment and planning are detailed. Assessment involved exploration of internal and external factors influencing oral care in long-term care and included document review, focus groups and one-on-one interviews with end-users. The planning phase brought care providers, stakeholders, and researchers together to design a set of actions to integrate oral care into the organizational policy and practice of the research settings.Findings. The establishment of a meaningful and productive collaboration was beneficial for developing realistic goals, understanding context and institutional culture, creating actions suitable and applicable for end-users, and laying a foundation for broader networking with relevant stakeholders and health policy makers.
How Teachers Understand and Use Power in Alternative Assessment
Authors: Tan Kelvin H. K.
Published: April 2012

“Alternative assessment” is an increasingly common and popular discourse in education. The potential benefit of alternative assessment practices is premised on significant changes in assessment practices. However, assessment practices embody power relations between institutions, teachers and students, and these power relationships determine the possibility and the extent of actual changes in assessment practices. Labelling a practice as “alternative assessment does not guarantee meaningful departure from existing practice. Recent research has warned that assessment practices in education cannot be presumed to empower students in ways that enhance their learning. This is partly due to a tendency to speak of power in assessment in undefined terms. Hence, it would be useful to identify the types of power present in assessment practices and the contexts which give rise to them. This paper seeks to examine power in the context of different ways that alternative assessment is practiced and understood by teachers. Research on teachers’ conceptions of alternative assessment is presented, and each of the conceptions is then analysed for insights into teachers’ meanings and practices of power. In particular, instances of sovereign, epistemological and disciplinary power in alternative assessment are identified to illuminate new ways of understanding and using alternative assessment.
Overweight and Obesity: Risk Factors in Calcium Oxalate Stone Disease?
Authors: Wrobel Beate Maria , Schubert Gernot , Hörmann Markus , Strohmaier Walter Ludwig
Published: April 2012

Introduction. Several studies showed an association of overweight and obesity with calcium oxalate stone disease (CaOx). However, there are no sufficient data on the influence of body weight on the course of the disease and the recurrence rate.Patients and Methods.N=100consecutive stone formers with pure CaOx were studied. Different parameters were investigated. According to the BMI, patients were divided into three groups: (1)BMI≤25; (2) BMI 25.1–30; (3)BMI>30.Results.N=32patients showed aBMI≤25,n=42patients showed a BMI of 25.1–30 andn=26patients showed aBMI≥30. The groups differed significantly concerning BMI (by definition), urine pH, and urine citrate. The recurrence rate was not significantly different.Discussion. Our study demonstrated that body weight negatively influences single risk factors in CaOx, but obesity is not a predictor for the risk of recurrence in CaOx.
Modified Noor′s Extragradient Method for Solving Generalized Variational Inequalities in Banach Spaces
Authors: Fan Shunhou , Kang Shin Min , Noor Muhammad Aslam , Yao Yonghong
Published: April 2012

Motivated and inspired by Korpelevich′s and Noor′s extragradient methods, we suggest an extragradient method by using the sunny nonexpansive
retraction which has strong convergence for solving the generalized variational inequalities in Banach spaces.
Genetic Influence of Candidate Osteoporosis Genes in Saudi Arabian Population: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sadat-Ali Mir , Al-Turki Haifa A.
Published: April 2012

Background and Objectives. The purpose of the present study is to find the genes and SNP that influence BMD and postmenopausal Saudi women.Material and Methods. Two-hundred ethnic Saudi Arabian women with a diagnosis of postmenopausal osteoporosis were the subjects of this study. Baseline blood hematology, biochemistry, and bone panel were done. Blood was collected, and three TaqMan-MGB probes were used to analyze SNP variants in ALOX15 (rs7220870), LRP5 (C 25752205 10), and TNFRSF11B (C 11869235 10).Results. The variant of ALOX15 17p13 showed that the BMD of the spine was lower in the AA allele (Pvalue<0.002) and fractures were highest at 50% compared to CC allele. In the TNFRSF11B gene, BMD of the hip and spine was significantly higher in the GG allele and the history of fractures was significantly higher in GG group. With regard to the LRP5 (C 25752205 10) gene, there was no significant difference between allele groups.Conclusion(s). This study shows that the genetic influence of osteoporosis in the Caucasian and Saudi Arabians population is similar. We believe that the same genetic markers that influence osteoporosis in the Caucasian race could be used for further studies in the Saudi Arabian population.
Adaptive Synchronization of Nonlinearly Parameterized Complex Dynamical Networks with Unknown Time‐Varying Parameters
Authors: Wang Tengfei , Li Junmin , Tang Shu
Published: April 2012

A new adaptive learning control approach is proposed for a class of nonlinearly parameterized complex dynamical networks with unknown time‐varying parameters. By using the parameter separation and reparameterization technique, the adaptive learning laws of periodically time‐varying and constant parameters and an adaptive control strategy are designed to ensure the asymptotic convergence of the synchronization error in the sense of square error norm. Then, a sufficient condition of the synchronization is given by constructing a composite energy function. Finally, an example of the complex network is used to verify the effectiveness of proposed approach.
Frequent Detection of Anti-Tubercular-Glycolipid-IgG and -IgA Antibodies in Healthcare Workers with Latent Tuberculosis Infection in the Philippines
Authors: Siddiqi Umme Ruman , Leano Prisca Susan A. , Chagan-Yasutan Haorile , Shiratori Beata , Saitoh Hiroki , Ashino Yugo , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Hattori Toshio , Telan Elizabeth Freda O.
Published: April 2012

Anti-tubercular-glycolipid-IgG (TBGL-IgG) and -IgA (TBGL-IgA) antibodies, and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT) were compared in healthcare workers (HCWs,n=31) and asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-carriers (HIV-AC,n=56) in Manila. In HCWs, 48%, 51%, and 19% were positive in QFT, TBGL-IgG, and -IgA, respectively. The TBGL-IgG positivity was significantly higher (P=0.02) in QFT-positive than QFT-negative HCWs. Both TBGL-IgG- and -IgA-positive cases were only found in QFT-positive HCWs (27%). The plasma IFN-γ levels positively correlated with TBGL-IgA titers (r=0.74,P=0.005), but not TBGL-IgG titers in this group, indicating that mucosal immunity is involved in LTBI in immunocompetent individuals. The QFT positivity in HIV-AC was 31% in those with CD4+ cell counts >350/μL and 12.5% in low CD4 group (<350/μL). 59 % and 29% were positive for TBGL-IgG and -IgA, respectively, in HIV-AC, but no association was found between QFT and TBGL assays. TBGL-IgG-positive rates in QFT-positive and QFT-negative HIV-AC were 61% and 58%, and those of TBGL-IgA were 23% and 30%, respectively. The titers of TBGL-IgA were associated with serum IgA (P=0.02) in HIV-AC. Elevations of TBGL-IgG and -IgA were related to latent tuberculosis infection in HCWs, but careful interpretation is necessary in HIV-AC.
An Optimization Scheme for M2M-Based Patient Monitoring in Ubiquitous Healthcare Domain
Authors: Jung Sungmo , Ahn Jae Young , Hwang Dae-Joon , Kim Seoksoo
Published: April 2012

In ubiquitous healthcare systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication promises large opportunities as it utilizes rapidly developing technologies of large-scale networking of devices for patient monitoring without dependence on human interaction. With the emergence of wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs), M2M communications improve continuous monitoring and transmission and retrieval of multimedia content such as video and audio streams, images, and sensor data from the patient being monitored. This research deploys WMSN for continuous monitoring of target patients and reports tracking for preventive ubiquitous healthcare. This study performs optimization scheme movement coordination technique and data routing within the monitored area. A movement tracking algorithm is proposed for better patient tracking techniques and aids in optimal deployment of wireless sensor networks. Results show that our optimization scheme is capable of providing scalable and reliable patient monitoring results.
Effectiveness of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy after Traumatic Brain Injury in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Hellweg Stephanie
Published: April 2012

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy are frequently administered in intensive care units (ICUs) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) to promote recovery. The increasing economic pressure and the growing need for evidence of therapeutic effectiveness are reasons for reviewing the currently available scientific data. The databases of OTseeker, PEDro, Medline, and Cochrane were searched for studies on frequently applied therapeutic procedures in the ICU following a TBI. It becomes evident that the currently available data on physiotherapy and occupational therapy are very limited. Consequently, it is not possible to give conclusive recommendations within an evidence-based context. Studies of other neurological disorders indicate that early mobilisation positively influences outcome parameters such as the ability to walk. It can be concluded from three studies that physiotherapy for the prevention or treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia is not effective. The proof of effectiveness for other physiotherapeutic and occupational therapy interventions must still be demonstrated.
Update on the Role of Cannabinoid Receptors after Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Capettini Luciano S. A. , Savergnini Silvia Q. , da Silva Rafaela F. , Stergiopulos Nikos , Santos Robson A. S. , Mach François , Montecucco Fabrizio
Published: April 2012

Cannabinoids are considered as key mediators in the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. In particular, they have been shown to reduce the ischemic injury after acute cardiovascular events, such as acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. These protective and anti-inflammatory properties on peripheral tissues and circulating inflammatory have been demonstrated to involve their binding with both selective cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) transmembrane receptors. On the other hands, the recent discoveries of novel different classes of cannabinoids and receptors have increased the complexity of this system in atherosclerosis. Although only preliminary data have been reported on the activities of novel cannabinoid receptors, several studies have already investigated the role ofCB1andCB2receptors in ischemic stroke. WhileCB1receptor activation has been shown to directly reduce atherosclerotic plaque inflammation, controversial data have been shown on neurotransmission and neuroprotection after stroke. Given its potent anti-inflammatory activities on circulating leukocytes, theCB2activation has been proven to produce protective effects against acute poststroke inflammation. In this paper, we will update evidence on different cannabinoid-triggered avenues to reduce inflammation and neuronal injury in acute ischemic stroke.
Toxic Bradycardias in the Critically Ill Poisoned Patient
Authors: Givens Melissa L.
Published: April 2012

Cardiovascular drugs are a common cause of poisoning, and toxic bradycardias can be refractory to standard ACLS protocols. It is important to consider appropriate antidotes and adjunctive therapies in the care of the poisoned patient in order to maximize outcomes. While rigorous studies are lacking in regards to treatment of toxic bradycardias, there are small studies and case reports to help guide clinicians’ choices in caring for the poisoned patient. Antidotes, pressor support, and extracorporeal therapy are some of the treatment options for the care of these patients. It is important to make informed therapeutic decisions with an understanding of the available evidence, and consultation with a toxicologist and/or regional Poison Control Center should be considered early in the course of treatment.
Effectiveness and Safety of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Children with Musculoskeletal Conditions: What Is the Current State of Evidence?
Authors: Dahan-Oliel Noémi , Kasaai Bahar , Montpetit Kathleen , Hamdy Reggie
Published: April 2012

Children with musculoskeletal conditions experience muscle weakness, difficulty walking and limitations in physical activities. Standard treatment includes physiotherapy, casting, and surgery. The use of botulinum toxins appears as a promising treatment on its own, but usually as an adjunct to other treatment modalities and as an alternative to surgery. The objectives were to establish the evidence on the effectiveness, safety and functional outcome of BTX-A in children with musculoskeletal conditions. A literature search using five electronic databases identified 24 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Two randomized clinical trials were included; most studies were case studies with small sample sizes and no control group. Improvements in gait pattern, function, range of motion, reduction of co-contractions, and avoidance of surgical procedures were found following BTX-A injections. Adverse events were not reported in 10 studies, minor adverse events were reported in 13 children and there were no severe adverse events. Additional doses appear safe. BTX-A is a promising treatment adjunct in improving functional outcomes in children with musculoskeletal conditions. Future studies including larger samples, longer follow-up periods and a comparison group are required to provide evidence on the effectiveness and safety of this drug in children with musculoskeletal conditions.
GFDL’s ESM2 Global Coupled Climate–Carbon Earth System Models. Part I: Physical Formulation and Baseline Simulation Characteristics
Authors: Dunne John P. , John Jasmin G. , Adcroft Alistair J. , Griffies Stephen M. , Hallberg Robert W. , Shevliakova Elena , Stouffer Ronald J. , Cooke William , Dunne Krista A. , Harrison Matthew J. , Krasting John P. , Malyshev Sergey L. , Milly P. C. D. , Phillipps Peter J. , Sentman Lori T. , Samuels Bonita L. , Spelman Michael J. , Winton Michael , Wittenberg Andrew T. , Zadeh Niki
Published: April 2012

The physical climate formulation and simulation characteristics of two new global coupled carbon–climate Earth System Models, ESM2M and ESM2G, are described. These models demonstrate similar climate fidelity as the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory’s previous Climate Model version 2.1 (CM2.1) while incorporating explicit and consistent carbon dynamics. The two models differ exclusively in the physical ocean component; ESM2M uses Modular Ocean Model version 4p1 with vertical pressure layers while ESM2G uses Generalized Ocean Layer Dynamics with a bulk mixed layer and interior isopycnal layers. Differences in the ocean mean state include the thermocline depth being relatively deep in ESM2M and relatively shallow in ESM2G compared to observations. The crucial role of ocean dynamics on climate variability is highlighted in El Niño–Southern Oscillation being overly strong in ESM2M and overly weak in ESM2G relative to observations. Thus, while ESM2G might better represent climate changes relating to total heat content variability given its lack of long-term drift, gyre circulation, and ventilation in the North Pacific, tropical Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, and depth structure in the overturning and abyssal flows, ESM2M might better represent climate changes relating to surface circulation given its superior surface temperature, salinity, and height patterns, tropical Pacific circulation and variability, and Southern Ocean dynamics. The overall assessment is that neither model is fundamentally superior to the other, and that both models achieve sufficient fidelity to allow meaningful climate and earth system modeling applications. This affords the ability to assess the role of ocean configuration on earth system interactions in the context of two state-of-the-art coupled carbon–climate models.
Influence of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea on the Early Summer (Baiu) Rain
Authors: Sasaki Yoshi N. , Minobe S. , Asai T. , Inatsu M.
Published: April 2012

Influence of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea on the baiu rainband is examined using satellite observations, a reanalysis dataset, and a regional atmospheric model from 2003 to 2008. Satellite observations and reanalysis data reveal that precipitation over the Kuroshio is the highest in early summer (June), when the baiu rainband covers the East China Sea. The high rainfall is collocated with the warm sea surface temperature (SST) tongue of the Kuroshio. This locally enhanced precipitation is embedded in the large-scale baiu rainband, so that the amplitude of precipitation over the Kuroshio is twice as large as that in its surrounding area. The Kuroshio is also accompanied by high surface wind speed, energetic evaporation, and wind convergence. This wind convergence likely results from the SST influence on atmospheric pressure through not only temperature changes, but also humidity changes. Furthermore, the Kuroshio anchors the ascent motion and large diabatic heating with a peak in the midtroposphere, suggesting that the influence of the Kuroshio extends to the upper troposphere. It is also found that the East China Sea in June is the region of the strongest deep atmospheric response to western boundary currents along with the Gulf Stream region in summer.

The observational results are well reproduced by the regional atmospheric model. The model indicates that when the SST tongue of the Kuroshio is smoothed, the enhanced precipitation, the energetic evaporation, and the wind convergence over the Kuroshio disappear, although the large-scale structure of the baiu rainband is not essentially changed.
Verification and Calibration of Neighborhood and Object-Based Probabilistic Precipitation Forecasts from a Multimodel Convection-Allowing Ensemble
Authors: Johnson Aaron , Wang Xuguang
Published: April 2012

Neighborhood and object-based probabilistic precipitation forecasts from a convection-allowing ensemble are verified and calibrated. Calibration methods include logistic regression, one- and two-parameter reliability-based calibration, and cumulative distribution function (CDF)-based bias adjustment. Newly proposed object-based probabilistic forecasts for the occurrence of a forecast object are derived from the percentage of ensemble members with a matching object. Verification and calibration of single- and multimodel subensembles are performed to explore the effect of using multiple models.

The uncalibrated neighborhood-based probabilistic forecasts have skill minima during the afternoon convective maximum. Calibration generally improves the skill, especially during the skill minima, resulting in positive skill. In general all calibration methods perform similarly, with a slight advantage of logistic regression (one-parameter reliability based) calibration for 1-h (6 h) accumulations.

The uncalibrated object-based probabilistic forecasts are, in general, less skillful than the uncalibrated neighborhood-based probabilistic forecasts. Object-based calibration also results in positive skill at all lead times. For object-based calibration the skill is significantly different among the calibration methods, with the logistic regression performing the best and CDF-based bias adjustment performing the worst.

For both the neighborhood and object-based probabilistic forecasts, the impact of using 10 or 25 days of training data for calibration is generally small and is most significant for the two-parameter reliability-based method. An uncalibrated Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting Model (ARW-WRF) subensemble is significantly more skillful than an uncalibrated WRF Nonhydrostatic Mesoscale Model (NMM) subensemble. The difference is reduced by calibration. The multimodel subensemble only shows an advantage for the neighborhood-based forecasts beyond 1-day lead time and shows no advantage for the object-based forecasts.
It’s Gang Life, But Not As We Know It
Authors: Densley James A.
Published: April 2012

Based on fieldwork with gangs and interviews with gang members in London, United Kingdom, this article illustrates how recreation, crime, enterprise, and extralegal governance represent sequential actualization stages in the evolutionary cycle of street gangs. Gangs evolve from adolescent peer groups and the normal features of street life in their respective neighborhoods. In response to external threats and financial commitments, they grow into drug-distribution enterprises. In some cases, gangs then acquire the necessary special resources of violence, territory, secrecy, and intelligence that enable them to successfully regulate and control the production and distribution of one or more given commodities or services unlawfully. Territory is first claimed then controlled. Likewise, violence is first expressive then instrumental. With each step, gangs move further away from “crime that is organized” and closer to “organized crime.”
Moving forward in childhood obesity treatment: A call for translational research
Authors: Watson PM , Dugdill L , Murphy R , Knowles Z , Cable NT
Published: April 2012

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious challenges of the 21st century and it is vital that evidence-based treatment approaches can be translated into practice to meet public health needs. Yet policy-makers cannot afford to wait for the results of lengthy trials before ‘probably efficacious’ interventions are made available to the public, and the need for a continuous improvement methodology has been highlighted. In this discussion paper, we draw on our experiences of developing and evaluating a family-based childhood obesity treatment intervention to discuss the challenges of meeting research appraisal standards, public health needs and delivery practicalities. Recommendations are made for a shift towards a translational approach that brings together the strengths of hypothesis-driven research and high-quality service evaluation to create reciprocal links between evidence, policy and practice.
Polarization in access to work-related training in Great Britain
Authors: Lindsay Colin , Canduela Jesus , Raeside Robert
Published: April 2012

Policy-makers across industrialized nations have sought to increase participation in work-related training as a route to improved competitiveness. However, research conducted in Britain during the 1990s identified significant differences in participation, suggesting that processes of labour market polarization were being played out in unequal access to training. This article updates and builds upon this work through an analysis of British Labour Force Survey data. The analysis sought to assess continuing inequalities in work-related training, comparing the experiences of samples of public and private sector employees, in order to identify evidence of polarized access to skills development opportunities. The study also sought to establish if union representation increased participation and reduced inequalities in access to training. It was found that older workers, the lower skilled and unqualified, part-timers and temporary workers (among others) remained disadvantaged. Trade union presence had powerful positive effects on participation and reduced some inequalities, especially in the private sector.
Hypothyroidism maintained reactive oxygen species–steady state in the kidney of rats intoxicated with ethylene glycol: effect related to an increase in the glutathione that maintains the redox environment
Authors: Estévez-Carmona María Mirian , Meléndez-Camargo Estela , Ortiz-Butron Rocio , Pineda-Reynoso Marisol , Franco-Colin Margarita , Cano-Europa Edgar
Published: April 2012

Our objective was to determine whether hypothyroidism protects against ethylene glycol (EG)-induced renal damage and whether the redox environment participates in the protection process. We used 36 male Wistar rats divided into four groups: (1) euthyroid, (2) euthyroid + 0.75% EG, (3) hypothyroid, and (4) hypothyroid + 0.75% EG. Hypothyroidism occurred 2 weeks after thyroidectomy. The parathyroid gland was reimplanted. EG was administrated for 21 days in drinking water. On day 21, the renal function was assessed and then the rats were decapitated. The left kidney was processed for histology, and the right kidney was used to determine the redox environment, oxidative stress, and the testing of the antioxidant enzymatic system. EG in euthyroid rats reduced the hydric and electrolytic balance and it also caused oxidative stress and renal damage. Hypothyroidism per se modifies the renal function causing a low osmolal and potassium clearance and the filtered load of potassium and sodium. In addition, there was an enhanced redox state because hypothyroidism increases the reduced glutathione concentration caused by a high activity of γ-glutamylcysteine synthase. Hypothyroidism is a protective state against EG because the changes in the renal function were smaller than in the euthyroid state. The oxidative stress and cellular damage were ameliorated by the hypothyroid condition. Also, the hypothyroidism-enhanced redox environment protects against EG-induced oxidative stress, renal damage, and renal dysfunction.
What Puts Women at Risk of Violence From Their Husbands? Findings From a Large, Nationally Representative Survey in Turkey
Authors: Yüksel-Kaptanoğlu İlknur , Türkyılmaz Ahmet Sinan , Heise Lori
Published: April 2012

A large, nationally representative, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Turkey in 2008. In this survey, which used the WHO (World Health Organization) study module on violence, information about lifetime and current violence (past 12 months) was obtained using weighted, stratified, and multistage cluster sampling. This article describes factors associated with physical or sexual violence experienced by ever-married women, aged 15 to 49, from their current or most recent husbands in the 12 months before the survey. Logistic regression analysis is used to describe the risk and protective factors from a considerable range of explanatory variables. The findings confirm that many factors are similar to the experiences of other countries. The physical or sexual violence experienced by ever-married women from their husbands was 15.1%. The violence experienced by women is significantly positively associated with early childhood abuse experiences of both women and their husbands; marriages decided by families or others; husband’s behaviors such as drunkenness, adultery, controlling women’s behavior, and preventing contact with women’s family and friends. The age of the women, their contribution to the household income, support from women’s families, women’s acceptance of male authority, and nonpartner violence experience as well as regional differentials also affect the risk of violence. No significant associations were found with the employment status of women and men or education difference. This study, as one of the largest surveys ever conducted on the issue of domestic violence using face-to-face interviews, demonstrated how the patriarchal family structure still affects women’s lives in Turkey. This is particularly significant, given Turkey’s setting between traditional and modern values.
Variations in Wounding by Relationship Intimacy in Homicide Cases
Authors: Trojan Carrie , Krull Amy C.
Published: April 2012

There are numerous examples in the homicide literature of a presumed connection between the victim–offender relationship and the manner, extent, and body location of wounds inflicted in homicides. The current study examined variations in wounding patterns according to the intimacy of the victim–offender relationship in a sample of urban homicides to explore the investigative utility of this information in an average homicide event. The findings demonstrated that victims who had a current or former intimate relationship with their offender were more likely to receive wounds to the face and be injured with a weapon from the scene compared with all other relationship groups, whereas injury to the head and use of manual violence were more likely among intimates and family/friends compared with acquaintances or strangers. However, the groups did not significantly differ in terms of the overall amount of wounds inflicted. Implications of the findings and suggested areas of future research are discussed.
What About the Host Agency? Nonprofit Perspectives on Community-Based Student Learning and Volunteering
Authors: Gazley Beth , Littlepage Laura , Bennett Teresa A.
Published: April 2012

College student volunteerism and interest in community-based learning are on the rise. Are communities ready for them? This article examines the “supply side” of student engagement: nonprofit capacity to accommodate students. Our analysis of a large random sample of nonprofit managers in two contrasting communities finds that many of the volunteer management (VM) functions assumed to be important in any volunteer context also are important to student engagement. We also find role differentiation between interns, service learners, and general volunteers in the VM tools used to engage these students and the outcomes that can be expected. Despite variation in reported outcomes, nonprofit managers consider some aspects of VM to be essential to all campus–community partnerships. We find that each type of student involvement contributes to organizational capacity in specific ways and that student engagement depends on adequate VM capacity (VMC). Our conclusion discusses how the findings challenge service learning as presently formulated.
Positioning in pre-prepared and spontaneous parliamentary discourse: Choice of person in the Parliament of Montenegro
Authors: Vuković Milica
Published: April 2012

Pronominal choice in political talk reflects hidden ideologies, which is why it has been a much-studied phenomenon in the discourse analytic research of politics in western democracies. However, similar topics remain largely unexplored in eastern and transition countries. With this in mind, the aim of the present article is to explore the use of subject pronouns and the person of the verb in the Parliament of Montenegro. The budget debate conducted in December 2009 was chosen for the corpus and was later subdivided into 10-minute pre-prepared ‘Speeches’ and three-minute ‘Comments’, which represent spontaneous responses. The two subcorpora were then compared with respect to person deixis. The results of the study point to the fact that, when given the chance to carefully plan their talk in advance, the MPs used the first-person plural and positive self-campaign much more often. On the other hand, in their spontaneous talk, the MPs more often referred to themselves as individuals and resorted more readily to addressing others using negative presentation strategies. Their prepared talk was therefore crafted and tailored for political effect through the use of consciously employed persuasive strategies that relate to the choice of person. It is suggested that the comparison of pre-scripted and unscripted political talk can reveal underlying political ideologies.
The South Australia Health Chronic Disease Self-Management Internet Trial
Authors: Lorig Kate , Ritter Philip L. , Plant Kathryn , Laurent Diana D. , Kelly Pauline , Rowe Sally
Published: April 2012

Objectives. To evaluate the effectiveness of an online chronic disease self-management program for South Australia residents. Method. Data were collected online at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The intervention was an asynchronous 6-week chronic disease self-management program offered online. The authors measured eight health status measures, seven behaviors, and four utilization measures; self-efficacy; and health care satisfaction. Results. Two hundred fifty-four South Australian adults with one or more chronic conditions completed baseline data. One hundred forty-four completed 6 months and 194 completed 1 year. Significant improvements ( p < .05) were found at 6 months for four health status measures, six health behaviors, self-efficacy, and visits to emergency departments. At 12 months, five health status indicators, six health behaviors, self-efficacy, and visits to emergency departments remained significant. Satisfaction with health care trended toward significance. Discussion. The peer-led online program was both acceptable and useful for this population. It appeared to decrease symptoms, improve health behaviors, self-efficacy, and reduce health care utilization up to 1 year. This intervention also has large potential implications for the use of a public health education model for reaching large numbers of people. It demonstrates that an Internet self-management program, which includes social media, can reach rural and underserved people as well as be effective and reduce health care costs. If this intervention can be brought to scale, it has the potential for improving the lives of large numbers of people with chronic illness. It represents a way the medical care and public health sectors can interact.
Ethnographer location and the politics of translation: researching one’s own group in a host country
Authors: Kim Young Jeong
Published: April 2012

As public and academic attention to migration increases, methodological issues related to such research become increasingly important. Although previous efforts of scholars have provided excellent guidance concerning reflexivity and power relationships in research, these discussions have tended to assume a conventional hierarchy positioning and have been limited to the relationship between the researcher and the researched only. Yet, given the shift in the research environment stemming from the increasing mobility of scholars and the increasing interchange of knowledge, as well as emerging auto-ethnographic/auto-biographic research, it is now necessary to challenge these traditional assumptions. This article raises questions concerning the hierarchical relationship between researcher and researched and certain conceptions of the field of ethnography based on my own research experience regarding South Korean migrant women in the UK. Accordingly, with particular emphasis on the researcher’s role as a translator, this article suggests extending our consideration of such relationships to the readership, which constitutes an important, but under-considered, factor in the research process.
Variational Bayesian inference and complexity control for stochastic block models
Authors: Latouche P , Birmelé E , Ambroise C
Published: April 2012

It is now widely accepted that knowledge can be acquired from networks by clustering their vertices according to the connection profiles. Many methods have been proposed and in this paper we concentrate on the Stochastic Block Model (SBM). The clustering of vertices and the estimation of SBM model parameters have been subject to previous work, and numerous inference strategies such as variational expectation maximization (EM) and classification EM have been proposed. However, SBM still suffers from a lack of criteria to estimate the number of components in the mixture. To our knowledge, only one model-based criterion, Integrated Complete-data Likelihood (ICL), has been derived for SBM in the literature. It relies on an asymptotic approximation of the integrated complete-data likelihood and recent studies have shown that it tends to be too conservative in the case of small networks. To tackle this issue, we propose a new criterion that we call Integrated Likelihood Variational Bayes (ILvb), based on a non-asymptotic approximation of the marginal likelihood. We describe how the criterion can be computed through a variational Bayes EM algorithm.