bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stumbling on the threshold: a reply to Gwiazda on threshold obligations
Authors: DANAHER JOHN
Published: February 2012

Bayne and Nagasawa have argued that the properties traditionally attributed to God provide an insufficient grounding for the obligation to worship God. They do so partly because the same properties, when possessed in lesser quantities by human beings, do not give rise to similar obligations. In a recent paper, Jeremy Gwiazda challenges this line of argument. He does so because it neglects the possible existence of a threshold obligation to worship, i.e. an obligation that only kicks in when the value of a parameter has crossed a certain threshold. This article argues that there is a serious flaw in Gwiazda's proposal. Although thresholds may play an important part in how we think about our obligations, their function is distinct from that envisaged by Gwiazda. To be precise, this article argues that thresholds are only relevant to obligations to the extent that they transform a pre-existing imperfect obligation or act of supererogation into a perfect obligation. Since it is not clear that there is an imperfect obligation to worship any being, and indeed since on a certain conception of moral agency it is highly unlikely that there could be, the search for a rational basis for the obligation to worship must continue.
Detachments of Hypergraphs I: The Berge–Johnson Problem
Authors: BAHMANIAN M. A.
Published: February 2012

A detachment of a hypergraph is formed by splitting each vertex into one or more subvertices, and sharing the incident edges arbitrarily among the subvertices. For a given edge-coloured hypergraph , we prove that there exists a detachment such that the degree of each vertex and the multiplicity of each edge in (and each colour class of ) are shared fairly among the subvertices in (and each colour class of , respectively).

Let $(\lambda_1,\ldots,\lambda_m) K^{h_1,\ldots,\, h_m}_{p_1,\ldots,\, p_n}$ be a hypergraph with vertex partition {V1,. . .,Vn}, |Vi| = pi for 1 ≤ i ≤ n such that there are λi edges of size hi incident with every hi vertices, at most one vertex from each part for 1 ≤ i ≤ m (so no edge is incident with more than one vertex of a part). We use our detachment theorem to show that the obvious necessary conditions for $(\lambda_1\dots,\lambda_m) K^{h_1,\ldots,h_m}_{p_1,\ldots,p_n}$ to be expressed as the union 1 ∪ ··· ∪ k of k edge-disjoint factors, where for 1 ≤ i ≤ k, i is ri-regular, are also sufficient. Baranyai solved the case of h1 = ··· = hm, λ1 = ··· = λm = 1, p1 = ··· = pm, r1 = ··· = rk. Berge and Johnson (and later Brouwer and Tijdeman, respectively) considered (and solved, respectively) the case of hi = i, 1 ≤ i ≤ m, p1 = ··· = pm = λ1 = ··· = λm = r1 = ··· = rk = 1. We also extend our result to the case where each i is almost regular.
THE EQUITY PREMIUM IN CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION MODELS
Authors: Akdeniz Levent , Dechert W. Davis
Published: February 2012

In this paper we use a simple model with a single Cobb–Douglas firm and a consumer with a CRRA utility function to show the difference between the equity premia in the production-based Brock model and the consumption-based Lucas model. With this simple example we show that the equity premium in the production-based model exceeds that of the consumption-based model with probability 1.
Possibility of Scanning Electron Microscope Observation and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis in Microscale Region of Insulating Samples Using Diluted Ionic Liquid
Authors: Imashuku Susumu , Kawakami Tetsuo , Ze Long , Kawai Jun
Published: February 2012

The possibility of scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry analysis in microscale regions of insulating samples using diluted ionic liquid was investigated. It is possible to obtain clear secondary electron images of insulating samples such as a rock and mineral at 5,000 times magnification by dropping 10 μL of 1 wt% of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMI-CH3COO) diluted with ethanol onto the samples. We also obtained EDX spectra of the samples in microscale regions (∼5 μm2) without overlapping EDX spectra of other minerals with different composition. It might be possible to perform quantitative analysis of the samples if a method that does not need standard samples is applied or an X-ray detector sensitive for light elements was attached. The method of dropping 1 wt% EMI-CH3COO diluted with ethanol onto insulating samples is useful for SEM observation, EDX analysis in microscale regions, and the preservation of scarce rock and mineral samples because ionic liquid can be easily removed with acetone.
Spatially variable stage‐driven groundwater‐surface water interaction inferred from time‐frequency analysis of distributed temperature sensing data
Authors: Mwakanyamale Kisa , Slater Lee , Day‐Lewis Frederick , Elwaseif Mehrez , Johnson Carole
Published: February 2012

Characterization of groundwater‐surface water exchange is essential for improving understanding of contaminant transport between aquifers and rivers. Fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing (FODTS) provides rich spatiotemporal datasets for quantitative and qualitative analysis of groundwater‐surface water exchange. We demonstrate how time‐frequency analysis of FODTS and synchronous river stage time series from the Columbia River adjacent to the Hanford 300‐Area, Richland, Washington, provides spatial information on the strength of stage‐driven exchange of uranium contaminated groundwater in response to subsurface heterogeneity. Although used in previous studies, the stage‐temperature correlation coefficient proved an unreliable indicator of the stage‐driven forcing on groundwater discharge in the presence of other factors influencing river water temperature. In contrast, S‐transform analysis of the stage and FODTS data definitively identifies the spatial distribution of discharge zones and provided information on the dominant forcing periods (≥2 d) of the complex dam operations driving stage fluctuations and hence groundwater‐surface water exchange at the 300‐Area.
Mining PubMed for Biomarker-Disease Associations to Guide Discovery
Authors: Jessen Walter , Landschulz Katherine , Turi Thomas , Reams Rachel
Published: February 2012

Biomedical knowledge is growing exponentially; however, meta-knowledge around the data is often lacking. PubMed is a database comprising more than 21 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE and additional life science journals dating back to the 1950s. To explore the use and frequency of biomarkers across human disease, we mined PubMed for biomarker-disease associations. We then ranked the top 100 linked diseases by relevance and mapped them to medical subject headings (MeSH) and, subsequently, to the Disease Ontology. To identify biomarkers for each disease, we queried Covance BioPathways, an online data resource that maps commercial biomarker assays to biological and disease pathways. We then integrated pathways-based information to describe both known and potential biomarkers as well as disease-associated genes/proteins for select diseases. This approach identifies therapeutic areas with candidate or validated biomarkers, and highlights those areas where a paucity of biomarkers exists.
A study of hybrid bonded magnets of Sm-Co and Sr-ferrite using a mixture design
Authors: Sharma Puneet
Published: February 2012

The present paper deals with the study of hybrid polymer bonded magnets of strontium ferrite and samarium cobalt. A three-component constrained mixture design, employing ten runs for the experiment, was used. The magnetic properties such as remanence (Br), coercivity (Hc), and energy product (B.H)max were used as the response. The results are modeled in the form of mathematical equations to predict the response as a function of the samarium cobalt and strontium ferrite permanent magnet powders percentage and polymer content. The predicted results from the obtained mathematical equation are compared with the experimentally measured values.
Interplay between magnetism and charge transport in antiperovskite manganese nitrides: Extremely low temperature coefficient of resistance due to strong magnetic scattering
Authors: Hadano M. , Ozawa A. , Takenaka K. , Kaneko N. , Oe T. , Urano C.
Published: February 2012

The recently discovered low temperature coefficient of resistance (low TCR) in Mn3Ag1-xCuxN exemplifies the peculiar magnetic and electronic states of this class of manganites. Despite its overall metallic character, a broad maximum appears in the temperature–resistivity curve in the paramagnetic region, and extremely low TCR is achieved over a temperature window that includes room temperature. The peak temperature can be tuned via Cu content x. It is apparently related to the magnetic transition temperature. These peculiar behaviors are possibly a result of the collapse of coherent quasiparticle states by strong magnetic scattering. We discuss the interplay between magnetism and charge transport in terms of magnetoresistance.
Crystal structure of Tb5Ni2In4 and Y5Ni2In4, and magnetic properties of Dy5Ni2In4
Authors: Provino A. , Mudryk Y. , Paudyal D. , Smetana V. , Manfrinetti P. , Pecharsky V. K. , Gschneidner K. A. , Corbett J. D.
Published: February 2012

The crystal structure of the R5Ni2In4 intermetallic compounds was earlier reported for R = Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu (Lu5Ni2In4-type, oP22, Pbam); more recently the isostructural phases Dy5Ni2In4 and Sc5Ni2In4 have also been identified. Three inequivalent crystallographic sites are occupied by the R atoms in these compounds. We have synthesized and characterized Dy5Ni2In4 and the two new isotypic compounds Tb5Ni2In4 and Y5Ni2In4. So far, none of the physical properties have been reported on any of these phases; in this article we report on the physical properties of the Dy5Ni2In4 and the crystal structure of Tb5Ni2In4 and Y5Ni2In4 compounds. Measurements of the magnetic properties performed on Dy5Ni2In4 show a ferromagnetic-like ordering with a TC ≈105 K, followed by multiple magnetic orderings at lower temperatures. The fit of the inverse susceptibility in the paramagnetic state follows the Curie-Weiss law, where μeff. = 10.3 μB/Dy-atom (close to theoretical value of 10.64 μB for the free ion Dy3+) and a positive paramagnetic Curie temperature θp = 58 K. Ni atoms are most likely to be nonmagnetic. The heat capacity also shows three peaks: a large one at 103 K and two weaker at 12 and 8 K, respectively; the in-field heat capacity data corroborate these results, suggesting ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic orderings at the temperature of 103 and 12 K, respectively. Low temperature x-ray diffraction has shown that the compound does not undergo any structural change down to 5 K.
Vacancy analysis in a Ni-Nb-Zr-H glassy alloy by positron annihilation spectroscopy
Authors: Fukuhara Mikio
Published: February 2012

The positron lifetimes of Ni36Nb24Zr40 and (Ni0.36Nb0.24Zr0.40)90H10 glassy alloys are almost the same but longer than those of pure Zr, Nb, and Ni crystals, indicating that they have higher density of vacancies with smaller size than in crystals. The coincidence Doppler broadening spectrum for both specimens shows that the contribution of Ni around the vacancies is lower than that of Zr and Nb, suggesting that hydrogen atoms favour to exist between Ni atoms comprising neighboring distorted icosahedral Zr5Ni5Nb3 clusters. Thus, these results provide a substitute model of quantum dot tunneling along Ni–H–Ni atomic bond arrays among the clusters.
Overcoming hermit-crab interference during rodent-baiting operations: a case study from Henderson Island, South Pacific
Authors: Cuthbert R. J. , Brooke M. de L. , Torr N.
Published: February 2012

Context
Rat (Rattus spp.) eradication operations in the tropics are often put at risk by the presence of land crabs, in particular hermit crabs (Coenobitidae), which consume toxic bait and thereby render it unavailable to rats.

Aims
We estimated hermit-crab densities in areas of high abundance, assessed crab bait consumption rates and determined the required baiting application rate to ensure that 100% of Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) consumed bait in areas with high crab densities on Henderson Island, South Pacific.

Methods
Crab densities and rat densities were estimated through Distance sampling of crabs and mark–recapture of rats. Non-toxic rhodamine-dyed cereal bait pellets were spread by hand at varying densities within four study plots and rats were captured 12 days later and examined for the presence of rhodamine biomarker dye.

Key results
Crab densities (primarily Coenobita perlatus) varied between beaches from 130 crabs ha–1 to 1370 crabs ha–1, with rats occurring at respective densities of 28 and 7 rats ha–1 on these beaches. Estimated bait consumption rate of C. perlatus was 3.8 g crab–1 day–1. In total, 100% of rats were positive for rhodamine-dyed bait, despite the high densities of crabs present.

Conclusions
The results support the prospects for a successful rat eradication on Henderson Island, although careful consideration must be given to the potential impact of an eradication on non-target species. The estimated bait consumption rate by C. perlatus found in the present study may allow other eradication operations to make initial calculations of the required baiting densities to overcome interference from this species.
A review of the evidence for potential impacts of black rats (Rattus rattus) on wildlife and humans in Australia
Authors: Banks Peter B. , Hughes Nelika K.
Published: February 2012

The black rat (Rattus rattus) is among the world’s worst invasive species, having spread across the globe in close association with the spread of human settlement. It is the source of some of the worst diseases affecting humans and is thought to have had a devastating impact on native wildlife, especially in island ecosystems. Black rat is likely to have arrived in Australia with the first European settlers, making it among the first of many alien species to invade the continent, and it is now widespread. Yet, its impacts on local wildlife have largely been overlooked. Here, we review the potential for black rat impacts in Australia in terms of its role as a source of disease and threats to wildlife and humans. We first summarise the global evidence for black rat impacts as background to the potential threats it poses and then focus specifically on emerging evidence available for Australian systems. We found a significant gap in our understanding of the ecology of black rats and the ecological role that it plays in Australia. This is despite its role as a source of a diverse range of diseases affecting humans and wildlife and its actions as a predator and competitor of native wildlife in Australia and elsewhere.
Selectivity filter gating in large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels
Authors: Thompson Jill , Begenisich Ted
Published: February 2012

Membrane voltage controls the passage of ions through voltage-gated K (Kv) channels, and many studies have demonstrated that this is accomplished by a physical gate located at the cytoplasmic end of the pore. Critical to this determination were the findings that quaternary ammonium ions and certain peptides have access to their internal pore-blocking sites only when the channel gates are open, and that large blocking ions interfere with channel closing. Although an intracellular location for the physical gate of Kv channels is well established, it is not clear if such a cytoplasmic gate exists in all K+ channels. Some studies on large-conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels suggest a cytoplasmic location for the gate, but other findings question this conclusion and, instead, support the concept that BK channels are gated by the pore selectivity filter. If the BK channel is gated by the selectivity filter, the interactions between the blocking ions and channel gating should be influenced by the permeant ion. Thus, we tested tetrabutyl ammonium (TBA) and the Shaker “ball” peptide (BP) on BK channels with either K+ or Rb+ as the permeant ion. When tested in K+ solutions, both TBA and the BP acted as open-channel blockers of BK channels, and the BP interfered with channel closing. In contrast, when Rb+ replaced K+ as the permeant ion, TBA and the BP blocked both closed and open BK channels, and the BP no longer interfered with channel closing. We also tested the cytoplasmically gated Shaker K channels and found the opposite behavior: the interactions of TBA and the BP with these Kv channels were independent of the permeant ion. Our results add significantly to the evidence against a cytoplasmic gate in BK channels and represent a positive test for selectivity filter gating.
Surface plasmon polaritons: physics and applications
Authors: Zhang Junxi , Zhang Lide , Xu Wei
Published: February 2012

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are electromagnetic excitations existing at the interface between a metal and a dielectric material. Remarkable progress has been made in the field of SPPs in recent years. Control and manipulation of light using SPPs on the nanometre scale exhibit significant advantages in nanophotonics devices with very small elements, and SPPs open a promising way in areas involving environment, energy, biology and medicine. This paper presents an overview of current research activities on SPPs, including fundamental physics and applications. We first discuss the excitation of SPPs based on the SPP dispersion relation, coupling to SPPs by momentum matching between photons and SPPs, and propagation behaviour of SPPs. Based on the physical mechanism and the peculiar properties of SPPs, we demonstrate the major applications of SPPs, such as waveguides, sources, near-field optics, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, data storage, solar cells, chemical sensors and biosensors.
Performance of a surface dielectric barrier discharge based reactor for destruction of naphthalene in an air stream
Authors: Abdelaziz Ayman A , Seto Takafumi , Abdel-Salam M , Otani Yoshio
Published: February 2012

A surface dielectric barrier discharge reactor is used to investigate the destruction of naphthalene, as an example of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compound, in an air stream. The characteristics of the reactor including the current–voltage and the power consumed are examined to evaluate its effectiveness in destroying naphthalene. The effects of different operational parameters including applied voltage, frequency, flow rate and initial concentration of naphthalene on the destruction process are studied. The results indicated that the destruction efficiency decreases with increasing flow rate and increases with an increase in the applied voltage and frequency. Although the destruction efficiency is independent of the initial concentration, the energy efficiency is increased with increasing initial concentration. The study shows that naphthalene is totally destroyed in the reactor, but not completely transformed to CO and CO2. Ozone generated as a byproduct in the reactor did not play a role in the destruction process.
Dynamic colour and utilizable white fluorescence from Eu/Tb ions codoped lithium-yttrium-aluminium-silicate glasses
Authors: Shen Lifan , Liu Xiao , Chen Baojie , Pun Edwin Yue Bun , Lin Hai
Published: February 2012

A group of dynamic-colour white fluorescences with various colour temperatures that can be applied to circadian lighting are achieved in Eu/Tb-codoped lithium-yttrium-aluminium-silicate (LYAS) glasses, which can be attributed to the simultaneous generation of three primary colours emitting from Eu3+ (red), Eu2+ (blue) and Tb3+ (green) by varying the ultraviolet (UV) radiation wavelength. Fluorescence colour coordinates pass through the whole white region of the CIE x, y chromaticity diagram when the UV excitation wavelength is increased from 300 to 370 nm. A favourable white light with colour coordinates (0.338, 0.298) close to the equal energy white is obtained under 360 nm excitation. These results indicate that the Eu/Tb-codoped LYAS glasses are a promising candidate to develop white lighting devices under the excitation of commercial UV light-emitting diodes, and a smart lighting system based on rare-earth doped glasses will be a potential illumination source offering controllability of the colour temperature that can adjust to specific environments and requirements, and benefit human health, well-being and productivity.
Safe high‐pressure freezing of infectious micro‐organisms
Authors: VANHECKE D. , ZUBER B. , BRUGGER S. D. , STUDER D.
Published: February 2012

We describe how high‐pressure freezing of infectious biological material can safely be accomplished with the help of membrane carriers. The method described is easy to perform; however, careful manipulations are required. Existing safety regulations must still be followed. However, the procedure reduces the risk of dissemination of infectious material.
Combined Effect of Zinc and Cadmium Levels on Root Antioxidative Responses in Three Different Zinc‐Efficient Wheat Genotypes
Authors: Sanaeiostovar A. , Khoshgoftarmanesh A. H. , Shariatmadari H. , Afyuni M. , Schulin R.
Published: February 2012

This work was undertaken to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn) nutrition on root antioxidative responses to cadmium (Cd) toxicity of three wheat genotypes differing in Zn efficiency. A hydroponic experiment was carried out in which two bread wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L. cvs. ‘Rushan’ and ‘Cross’) and one durum wheat genotype (Triticum durum L. cv. Durum) were exposed to three Zn2+ (10−11.11, 10−9.11 and 10−8.81 μm) and two Cd2+ (10−11.21 and 10−10.2 μm) activity levels. ‘Durum’ showed the highest root sulfhydryl (‐SH) groups content and activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the lowest root membrane permeability among the studied wheat genotypes. In ‘Durum’, Zn nutrition increased root ‐SH groups concentration of seedlings in Cd‐free nutrient solution. In ‘Cross’, as Zn2+ activity increased from 10−11.11 to 10−9.11 μm, root ‐SH groups concentration was increased while decreased with increasing Zn2+ to 10−8.81 μm. Cadmium increased root membrane permeability at both 10−11.11 and 10−9.11 μm Zn2+ levels. Activity of CAT and APX increased in roots of ‘Durum’ plants exposed to Cd at Zn2+ = 10−9.11 μm and thereafter decreased with increasing Zn2+ activity. In contrast, CAT and APX activity in roots of ‘Cross’ and ‘Rushan’ genotypes exposed to Cd decreased by increasing Zn activity to 10−9.11 μm and then increased at Zn2+ = 10−8.81μm. The results showed an increase in activities of antioxidative enzymes in Cd‐treated plants, although this increase was dependent on the crop genotype and Zn levels in the media.
Linguistic transfer in bilingual children with specific language impairment
Authors: Verhoeven Ludo , Steenge Judit , van Balkom Hans
Published: February 2012

Abstract  Background: In the literature so far the limited research on specific language impairment (SLI) in bilingual children has concentrated on linguistic skills in the first language (L1) and/or the second language (L2) without paying attention to the relations between the two types of skills and to the issue of linguistic transfer.

Aims: To examine the first and second language proficiency of 75 Turkish–Dutch bilingual children with SLI in the age range between 7 and 11 years living in the Netherlands. A multidimensional perspective on language proficiency was taken in order to assess children's Turkish and Dutch proficiency levels, whereas equivalent tests were used in order to determine language dominance. A second aim was to find out to what extent the children's proficiency in L2 can be predicted from their L1 proficiency, while taking into account their general cognitive abilities.

Methods & Procedures: The children's performance on a battery of equivalent language ability tests in Turkish and Dutch was compared at three age levels. By means of analyses of variance, it was explored to what extent the factors of language and grade level as well as their interactions were significant. Bivariate correlations and partial correlations with age level partialled out were computed to examine the relationships between L1 and L2 proficiency levels. Moreover, regression analysis was conducted to find out to what extent the variance in general L2 proficiency levels could be explained by children's L1 proficiency, short‐term memory and non‐verbal intelligence.

Outcomes & Results: Repeated measures analyses showed that the children had generally higher scores on L1 as compared with L2 and that with progression of age the children's scores in L1 and L2 improved. Medium to high correlations were found between phonological memory, phonological awareness, grammatical skills and story comprehension in the two languages. Regression analysis revealed that children's L2 proficiency levels could be explained by their proficiency levels in L1, even after controlling for children's non‐verbal intelligence and working memory.

Conclusions & Implications: It is concluded that children's formal linguistic skills in L1 and L2 tend to be related and that their level of L1 proficiency may help to develop linguistic skills in L2.
The Autonomy of Morality from Religion. The End of Religion and of Relativism. Howard Mounce on Peter Winch
Authors: Pinzauti Piero
Published: February 2012

My aim is to defend Winch's view that morality must be autonomous from religion. I defend him from Mounce's criticism, who claims that unless morality is supported by divine law, moral relativism cannot be avoided. Winch considers the Samaritan's behaviour and says (i) that the background of divine law is irrelevant to the parable; (ii) that we do not need divine law to understand the Samaritan's impossibility to ignore the victim; (iii) and that the absolute moral ought requires no external support provided by religion. Winch adds that God cannot make any moral demand on humans, and thus He cannot reward them with salvation or punish them, without turning Himself into a means of moral corruption. All this spells the end of religion at least as far as the relation between God and man's moral and spiritual life is concerned; while relativism is shown to be morally corrupt and internally inconsistent.
Measuring International Trade Costs
Authors: Sourdin Patricia , Pomfret Richard
Published: February 2012

The costs of international trade have become an increasingly important item in trade negotiations (under the heading ‘trade facilitation’) and element of trade theory, but definition and measurement of trade costs remain in their infancy. This paper argues that the most conceptually appropriate measure is the gap between cost‐insurance‐freight (cif) and free‐on‐board (fob) values of traded goods, but that this must be measured on a consistent volume of trade. Such data are only available for a few countries. We calculate cif–fob gap values for the three largest trading nations that report such data (Australia, Brazil and the USA). These values provide plausible estimates of ad valorem trade costs for the three importing countries and for all countries’ exports. The estimates indicate that although trade costs have fallen over the last two decades, average trade costs now exceed the average tariff rate on imports into the USA and Australia. Country rankings by the cif–fob gap values differ significantly from those by commonly used proxies for trade costs, such as the indicators of time and cost in the World Bank’s Doing Business database, and analysis based on such proxies is likely to produce misleading results.
COULD GOD CREATE DARWINIAN ACCIDENTS?
Authors: Wilkins John S.
Published: February 2012

Abstract Charles Darwin, in his discussions with Asa Gray and in his published works, doubted whether God could so arrange it that exactly the desired contingent events would occur to cause particular outcomes by natural selection. In this paper, I argue that even a limited or neo‐Leibnizian deity could have chosen a world that satisfied some arbitrary set of goals or functions in its outcomes and thus answer Darwin's conundrum. In more general terms, this supports the consistency of natural selection with providentialism, and makes “theistic evolutionism” a coherent position to hold.
HUMAN UNIQUENESS, THE OTHER HOMINIDS, AND “ANTHROPOCENTRISM OF THE GAPS” IN THE RELIGION AND SCIENCE DIALOGUE
Authors: Moritz Joshua M.
Published: February 2012

Abstract.  The concept of human uniqueness has long played a central role within key interpretations of the hominid fossil record and within numerous theological understandings of the imago Dei. More recently, the status of humans as evolutionarily unique has come under strong criticism owing to the discovery of certain nonhuman hominids who, as language and culture‐bearing beings, lived as contemporaries with early anatomically modern humans. Nevertheless, many scholars, including those in the field of religion and science, continue to interpret the remains of these other hominids in light of empirically ungrounded implicit assumptions about human uniqueness, which the author calls “anthropocentrism of the gaps.” This paper argues that “anthropocentrism of the gaps” is philosophically unwarranted and thus should not be assumed by scholars in religion and science when evaluating contemporary findings in paleoanthropology.
LOCATION CHOICE AND PATENT LICENSING*
Authors: LIN YAN‐SHU , HU JIN‐LI , XIA PENG‐CHIAO
Published: February 2012

This paper studies the patent licensing decision when firms can endogenously choose their locations. If the insider patentee is the location leader, the royalty is not necessarily the best method of licensing. No licensing can be the best method for an insider patentee with a sufficiently high degree of innovation, but fixed‐fee is always the worst. However, if the non‐innovating firm is the location leader, the royalty licensing is always the best method; moreover, the fixed‐fee licensing (no licensing) is the second best method if the degree of innovation is relatively small (sufficiently large).
THE ROLE OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE TRANSMISSION OF MONETARY POLICY EFFECTS ON BANK LENDING*
Authors: BAUM CHRISTOPHER , CAGLAYAN MUSTAFA , OZKAN NESLIHAN
Published: February 2012

In this paper we re‐examine commercial banks' lending behavior taking into account changes in the stance of monetary policy in conjunction with changes in financial sector uncertainty. Our empirical findings, gathered from a very large data set covering all banks in the USA between 1986 and 2000, cast substantial doubt on the presence of a bank lending channel for the USA. We also show that financial uncertainty has an important and significant role in the monetary policy transmission mechanism which varies considerably across bank categories and the strength of banks' balance sheets.
USING DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES TO REVISIT THE CONSUMPTION–REAL EXCHANGE RATE ANOMALY*
Authors: CHEN SHIU‐SHENG
Published: February 2012

I use a panel data set covering 26 OECD countries between 1960 and 2004 to revisit the consumption–real exchange rate anomaly. After using demographic variables (in particular, the fertility rate) as instruments, I document a new empirical regularity that higher real exchange rates are associated with higher relative consumption. This positive relationship is statistically significant and has been shown to be robust. Such a finding may suggest that the theoretical prediction in Backus and Smith (Journal of International Economics, Vol. 35 (1993), pp. 297–316) is no longer at odds with the data.
A Modified Provisional Stenting Approach to Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: Clinical Application of the “Jailed‐Balloon Technique”
Authors: SINGH JASVINDAR , PATEL YOGESH , DEPTA JEREMIAH P. , MATHEWS SANTHOSH J. , CYRUS TILLMANN , ZAJARIAS ALAN , KURZ HOWARD I. , LASALA JOHN M. , BACH RICHARD G.
Published: February 2012

Objectives:

To demonstrate the application of a novel provisional side branch (SB) stenting strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions using a “jailed‐balloon” technique (JBT).

Background:

Adverse cardiac events are higher for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of bifurcation lesions. Recent studies support the use of provisional SB stenting, but a risk of SB closure and a higher rate of target lesion revascularization (TLR) remain important limitations.

Methods:

From December 2007 to August 2010, 100 patients with 102 bifurcation lesions underwent PCI using the JBT. Baseline and postprocedural quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) analysis were performed. Procedural and immediate clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Results:

The majority of patients presented with acute coronary syndrome (68%) and had Medina class 1,1,1 bifurcation lesions (91%). TIMI 3 flow was established in 100% of main branch and 99% of SB lesions. QCA revealed preservation of the bifurcation angle after PCI (pre‐PCI: 59.6 ± 30.0; post‐PCI: 63.3 ± 26.8, P = 0.41). Nine patients (9%) had lesions that required rewiring and two patients (2%) required provisional stenting of the SB. SB loss occurred in one patient (1%). The jailed‐balloon or wire was not entrapped during any PCI. One patient (1%) suffered a periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI).

Conclusions:

Provisional stenting of complex coronary bifurcation lesions using a JBT is associated with a high procedural success rate, improved SB patency, and a low rate of immediate cardiac events. Further study is warranted to evaluate the role of JBT in improving long‐term clinical outcomes in PCI of complex bifurcation lesions. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:289–296)
Travelling down the road to postdisciplinarity? Reflections of a tourism geographer
Authors: Gill Alison
Published: February 2012

Like many other forms of scholarship in geography, tourism geography has evolved as a distinct subfield of inquiry within the discipline, although the contributions of tourism geographers are perhaps more readily acknowledged in the multidisciplinary realm of tourism studies. I trace the evolving relationship of tourism geography to both the discipline of geography and to the field of tourism studies. In doing so, I reflect on such influences as the role of institutions, paradigm shifts, technology, and other factors that affect the creation and management of geographic knowledge in the twenty‐first century. The intent of this article is two‐fold: first, to appeal to geographers for greater recognition of the importance of tourism as a quintessential component of geographic study that in today's world warrants integration into core aspects of geographic enquiry; second, to use current debates within both tourism studies and geography to reflect on issues of disciplinarity, interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, and even postdisciplinarity.
EPG waveform characteristics of solenopsis mealybug stylet penetration on cotton
Authors: Huang Fang , Tjallingii W. Freddy , Zhang Pengjun , Zhang Jinming , Lu Yaobin , Lin Jintian
Published: February 2012

The solenopsis mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a polyphagous insect known to cause severe damage to cotton (especially transgenic varieties) in South Asia, and currently poses a serious threat in Asia and potentially elsewhere. Stylet penetration behavior of P. solenopsis on cotton was monitored using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique (DC system) and the EPG characteristics were compared with those previously published from Phenacoccus manihoti Matile‐Ferrero and Planococcus citri (Risso). We identified and further characterized typical waveforms of A, B, C, and pd (together pathway), E1 and E2 (phloem), F (derailed stylet mechanics), and G (xylem). Five novel EPG aspects were distinguished in the EPG waveforms from P. solenopsis: (1) obvious B waveforms occurred following waveform A, (2) during waveform C, some aphid‐like E1e waveforms were observed, (3) prolonged potential drops (pd) up to >1 h occurred with two continuously alternating sub‐phases pd1 and pd2, (4) the pd1 waveform always occurred as the first waveform related to phloem sieve elements, preceding the other phloem waveforms (E), the labeling of which we changed to achieve a better comparison to the aphid E waveforms, and (5) waveform F, related to derailed stylet mechanics occurred but was not reported from other mealybugs so far. This is mainly a waveform morphology study to extend existing knowledge on mealybug EPGs to investigate mealybug‐host plant interactions. Further experimental verification of waveform correlations with plant tissue positions of stylet tips and insect activities is still needed.
Dealing with misclassification and missing data when estimating prevalence and incidence of caries experience
Authors: Mutsvari Timothy , García‐Zattera María J. , Declerck Dominique , Lesaffre Emmanuel
Published: February 2012

Mutsvari T, García‐Zattera MJ, Declerck D, Lesaffre E. Dealing with misclassification and missing data when estimating prevalence and incidence of caries experience. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012; 40 (Suppl. 1): 28–35. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract – 
Objectives:  The aim of this research was to estimate the prevalence and incidence of caries experience (CE) in first permanent molars while dealing with misclassification and missing of data.

Methods:  CE was modeled as a Hidden Markov Model in which the response variable is subject to misclassification and missingness. The proposed analysis extends that of García‐Zattera et al. (Stat Med 2010;29:3103) by allowing for various patterns of missing data. Findings were illustrated using data from the Signal Tandmobiel® study that is a longitudinal oral health intervention study.

Results:  Differences in the parameter estimates were noted between models that take into account misclassification and missing data and those that do not. Unbiased parameter estimates of prevalence and incidence were obtained without the use of validation data. Models that include subjects with missing data have smaller standard deviations than models that do not.

Conclusions:  It is important to account for misclassification to obtain less biased estimates of prevalence and incidence. For a proper estimation of prevalence and incidence in a longitudinal study subject to misclassification, validation data are not needed but when internal they can increase the efficiency in estimating the model. Also, including subjects with missing data increases the efficiency of estimating the parameters.
The signaling mechanism of ambient pH sensing and adaptation in yeast and fungi
Authors: Maeda Tatsuya
Published: February 2012

The four protein complexes termed endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) are key mediators of multivesicular body sorting/formation, retroviral budding and cell abscission, which share a membrane deformation process with the same topological change: vesicles budding away from the cytoplasm. Independent studies of the signal transduction pathways that mediate ambient pH sensing and adaptation in yeast and fungi revealed that these pathways share a conserved signaling mechanism that utilizes ESCRT complexes for its activation. This pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, termed the Rim101 pathway, consists of both a sensing complex, which senses ambient alkaline pH, and a proteolytic complex, which proteolyzes and thereby activates the key transcription factor Rim101. Since the proteolytic complex is thought to be formed and activated on a platform of a multimerized ESCRT‐III component Snf7, the organization, regulation and function of this pathway are dependent on the function of ESCRT complexes.
Introduction to Symposium on “Critical Legal Histories”: Robert W. Gordon. 1984. Critical Legal Histories. Stanford Law Review 36:57–125
Authors: Hartog Hendrik
Published: February 2012

This introduction to a symposium on Robert Gordon's classic article “Critical Legal Histories” (1984) suggests that the article should be read in the first instance as a response to the distinctive historical and jurisprudential currents of the 1980s, even as it also remains a work that continues to challenge legal historians working today, a generation later.
FOCUSED CLINICAL CAMPAIGN IMPROVES MINERAL AND BONE DISORDER OUTCOMES
Authors: Benner Debbie , Nissenson Allen R. , Wyck David Van
Published: February 2012

As with other disease states, mineral and bone disorder (MBD) management is challenging and may benefit from more systematic management. To evaluate the effectiveness of a focused campaign to improve MBD outcomes, we compared the percentage of patients meeting 2003 Kidney Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI)‐recommended MBD targets between baseline and 18 months after programme initiation. The four components of the clinical campaign were: (1) a set of grids allowing simultaneous evaluation of MBD test results, (2) a weighted, facility‐level cumulative scoring system representing percent of patients within KDOQI‐recommended MBD targets, (3) team involvement and (4) patient education. Eighteen months after programme initiation, the percent of patients simultaneously meeting all 2003 KDOQI targets increased 7% and the percent meeting calcium and phosphorus targets increased 24% and 8%, respectively. These findings suggest that a coordinated clinical campaign with effective tools, outcome tracking and sharing and team involvement is an effective strategy to improve MBD outcomes.
ADHERING TO BEHAVIOUR CHANGE IN OLDER PRE‐DIALYSIS POPULATIONS—WHAT DO PATIENTS THINK? A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: Walker Rebecca , James Hayley , Burns Aine
Published: February 2012

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with the development of serious co‐morbidities. Patients with CKD are encouraged to adhere to regimens to lower this risk. This study aimed to explore the experiences of patients attempting to integrate lifestyle changes into their lives.

Method: Face‐to‐face recorded interviews were conducted with nine consenting patients with CKD Stage 4 under the care of a consultant nephrologist. Each recording was analysed by two independent investigators using thematic analysis.

Results: Five themes emerged: Self in relation to others, Control, Adherence, Beliefs about treatment and illness and Uncertainty. Participants highlighted the importance of personal support and recounted their sense of being a burden on close family. They described how they approached disclosure about their condition, their beliefs regarding treatment and their decision making processes and how these factors impacted on adherence to behaviour change.

Conclusion: Practical support from family and healthcare professionals, a willingness to disclose their condition and help to make good decisions in difficult circumstances were identified as important factors in supporting success with behaviour change.
NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT OF STAGE 5 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Pasticci Franca , Fantuzzi Anna Laura , Pegoraro Marisa , McCann Margaret , Bedogni Giorgio
Published: February 2012

Nutrition is a critical issue in the management of patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Malnutrition is common among these patients and affects their survival and quality of life. A basic knowledge of the nutritional management of stage 5 CKD is essential for all members of the nephrology team to improve patient care. This paper demonstrates that the needs of haemodialysis patients are more complex than those receiving peritoneal dialysis.
Clinical and biologic prognostic factors in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Ambrogi Vincenzo , Mineo Tommaso Claudio ,   for the Multidisciplinary Tor Vergata University Study Group for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Published: February 2012

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive neoplasm of the pleura mainly attributable to asbestos exposure. Conventional medical, physical, and surgical treatments and their combinations are basically ineffective and just a few subjects experience some benefit. No definite guidelines can be provided in patient selection and therapeutic strategies. Currently, malignant pleural mesothelioma therapy is guided by clinical stage and patient characteristics, which are quite unreliable, rather than by the histological or molecular features of the tumor. In the present review the impact on prognosis of classic (i.e. etiology, age, gender, histology, staging), as well as relatively new clinical factors such as quality of life, positron emission tomography assessment, and occult residual disease, are firstly evaluated. In the second section of the review several biological variables and genetic markers, which have been recently recognized as the bases of the disease onset and development, are listed and discussed. There are serum and tissue markers. The latter are mainly related to cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and growth factor pathways. These novel factors may play an important role in defining the prognosis of the disease and, subsequently, may have a place in addressing therapy.
Fault Monitoring of Wind Turbine Generator Brushes: A Data-Mining Approach
Authors: Verma Anoop , Kusiak Andrew
Published: February 2012

Components of wind turbines are subjected to asymmetric loads caused by variable wind conditions. Carbon brushes are critical components of the wind turbine generator. Adequately maintaining and detecting abnormalities in the carbon brushes early is essential for proper turbine performance. In this paper, data-mining algorithms are applied for early prediction of carbon brush faults. Predicting generator brush faults early enables timely maintenance or replacement of brushes. The results discussed in this paper are based on analyzing generator brush faults that occurred on 27 wind turbines. The datasets used to analyze faults were collected from the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems installed at the wind turbines. Twenty-four data-mining models are constructed to predict faults up to 12 h before the actual fault occurs. To increase the prediction accuracy of the models discussed, a data balancing approach is used. Four data-mining algorithms were studied to evaluate the quality of the models for predicting generator brush faults. Among the selected data-mining algorithms, the boosting tree algorithm provided the best prediction results. Research limitations attributed to the available datasets are discussed.
CONTOUR INTERPOLATION USING LEVEL-SET ANALYSIS
Authors: MUKHERJEE DIPTI PRASAD , RAY NILANJAN
Published: February 2012

We propose a novel approach to generate intermediate contours given a sequence of object contours. The proposal unifies shape features through contour curvature analysis and motion between the contours through optic flow analysis. The major contribution of this work is in integrating this shape and image intensity-based contour interpolation scheme in a level-set framework. The interpolated contours between an initial and a target contour act as missing link and establish a path along which contour deformation has taken place. We have shown that for different application domains such as 3D organ visualization (the generation of contours between two spatially apart contours of 2D slice images of a 3D organ), the meteorological applications of tracing, and the path of a developing cyclone (when satellite images are taken at distant time points and the shape of cyclone in between two consecutive satellite images are of interest), the proposal has outperformed the competing approaches.