bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recording of auditory brainstem response at high stimulation rates using randomized stimulation and averaging
Authors: Valderrama Joaquin T. , Alvarez Isaac , de la Torre Angel , Carlos Segura Jose , Sainz Manuel , Luis Vargas Jose
Published: December 2012

The recording of auditory brainstem response (ABR) at high stimulation rates is of great interest in audiology. It allows a more accurate diagnosis of certain pathologies at an early stage and the study of different mechanisms of adaptation. This paper proposes a methodology, which we will refer to as randomized stimulation and averaging (RSA) that allows the recording of ABR at high stimulation rates using jittered stimuli. The proposed method has been compared with quasi-periodic sequence deconvolution (QSD) and conventional (CONV) stimulation methodologies. Experimental results show that RSA provides a quality in ABR recordings similar to that of QSD and CONV. Compared with CONV, RSA presents the advantage of being able to record ABR at rates higher than 100 Hz. Compared with QSD, the formulation of RSA is simpler and allows more flexibility on the design of the pseudorandom sequence. The feasibility of the RSA methodology is validated by an analysis of the morphology, amplitudes, and latencies of the most important waves in ABR recorded at high stimulation rates from eight normal hearing subjects.
Effects of habitat and urbanization on the active space of brown-headed cowbird song
Authors: Gall Megan D. , Ronald Kelly L. , Bestrom Eric S. , Lucas Jeffrey R.
Published: December 2012

The ability of a receiver to detect a signal is a product of the signal characteristics at the sender, habitat-specific degradation of the signal, and properties of the receiver's sensory system. Active space describes the maximum distance at which a receiver with a given sensory system can detect a signal in a given habitat. Here the effect of habitat structure and urbanization on brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) perched song active space was explored. The active space of the cowbird song was affected by both habitat type and level of urbanization. High frequency (4 to 6 kHz) portions of song resulted in the maximum active space. Surprisingly, the active space was the largest in open urban environments. The hard surfaces found in open urban areas (e.g., sidewalks, buildings) may provide a sound channel that enhances song propagation. When the introductory phrase and final phrase were analyzed separately, the active space of the introductory phrase was found to decrease in open urban environments but the active space of the final phrase increased in open urban environments. This suggests that different portions of the vocalization may be differentially influenced by habitat and level of urbanization.
On the possibility of a place code for the low pitch of high-frequency complex tones
Authors: Santurette Sébastien , Dau Torsten , Oxenham Andrew J.
Published: December 2012

Harmonics are considered unresolved when they interact with neighboring harmonics and cannot be heard out separately. Several studies have suggested that the pitch derived from unresolved harmonics is coded via temporal fine-structure cues emerging from their peripheral interactions. Such conclusions rely on the assumption that the components of complex tones with harmonic ranks down to at least 9 were indeed unresolved. The present study tested this assumption via three different measures: (1) the effects of relative component phase on pitch matches, (2) the effects of dichotic presentation on pitch matches, and (3) listeners' ability to hear out the individual components. No effects of relative component phase or dichotic presentation on pitch matches were found in the tested conditions. Large individual differences were found in listeners' ability to hear out individual components. Overall, the results are consistent with the coding of individual harmonic frequencies, based on the tonotopic activity pattern or phase locking to individual harmonics, rather than with temporal coding of single-channel interactions. However, they are also consistent with more general temporal theories of pitch involving the across-channel summation of information from resolved and/or unresolved harmonics. Simulations of auditory-nerve responses to the stimuli suggest potential benefits to a spatiotemporal mechanism.
Individual differences in cue weights are stable across time: The case of Japanese stop lengths
Authors: Idemaru Kaori , Holt Lori L. , Seltman Howard
Published: December 2012

Speech categories are defined by multiple acoustic dimensions, and listeners give differential weighting to dimensions in phonetic categorization. The informativeness (predictive strength) of dimensions for categorization is considered an important factor in determining perceptual weighting. However, it is unknown how the perceptual system weighs acoustic dimensions with similar informativeness. This study investigates perceptual weighting of two acoustic dimensions with similar informativeness, exploiting the absolute and relative durations that are nearly equivalent in signaling Japanese singleton and geminate stop categories. In the perception experiments, listeners showed strong individual differences in their perceptual weighting of absolute and relative durations. Furthermore, these individual patterns were stable over repeated testing across as long as 2 months and were resistant to perturbation through short-term manipulation of speech input. Listeners own speech productions were not predictive of how they weighted relative and absolute duration. Despite the theoretical advantage of relative (as opposed to absolute) duration cues across contexts, relative cues are not utilized by all listeners. Moreover, examination of individual differences in cue weighting is a useful tool in exposing the complex relationship between perceptual cue weighting and language regularities.
Shear wave velocity and attenuation in the upper layer of ocean bottoms from long-range acoustic field measurements
Authors: Zhou Ji-Xun , Zhang Xue-Zhen
Published: December 2012

Several physics-based seabed geoacoustic models (including the Biot theory) predict that compressional wave attenuation α2 in sandy marine sediments approximately follows quadratic frequency dependence at low frequencies, i.e., α2≈kfn  (dB/m), n=2. A recent paper on broadband geoacoustic inversions from low frequency (LF) field measurements, made at 20 locations around the world, has indicated that the frequency exponent of the effective sound attenuation n≈1.80 in a frequency band of 50–1000 Hz [Zhou et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 125, 2847–2866 (2009)]. Carey and Pierce hypothesize that the discrepancy is due to the inversion models' neglect of shear wave effects [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 124, EL271–EL277 (2008)]. The broadband geoacoustic inversions assume that the seabottom is an equivalent fluid and sound waves interact with the bottom at small grazing angles. The shear wave velocity and attenuation in the upper layer of ocean bottoms are estimated from the LF field-inverted effective bottom attenuations using a near-grazing bottom reflection expression for the equivalent fluid model, derived by Zhang and Tindle [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 98, 3391–3396 (1995)]. The resultant shear wave velocity and attenuation are consistent with the SAX99 measurement at 25 Hz and 1000 Hz. The results are helpful for the analysis of shear wave effects on long-range sound propagation in shallow water.
Neural Basis of a Pollinator’s Buffet: Olfactory Specialization and Learning in
Manduca sexta
Authors: Riffell Jeffrey A. , Lei Hong , Abrell Leif , Hildebrand John G.
Published: December 2012

A Varied Bouquet

Pollinators display innate attractions to odor, but can also learn to associate odor with a nectar reward.

Riffell
et al.

(p.
200
, published online 6 December; see the Perspective by

Knaden and Hansson

) characterized the odor profile for flowers to which hawkmoths are innately attracted and found that the majority contain a distinct chemical profile, which is uniquely represented on their olfactory lobe. The moths could also be trained to associate nonattractive odors with a reward and thus learn novel odor attractions. Though learning altered neurons within the antennal lobe, the innate preferences were not changed.
Familial normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: is there a phenotypic marker for each genetic mutation? Report of three cases and review of literature
Authors: Shekhar Shashank
Published: December 2012

Normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (nIHH) is familial in one-third of cases and multiple modes of inheritance have been described. Phenotypic spectrum ofGNRHRmutations has been found to be widest without any pathognomonic phenotypic feature. However, in subjects of nIHH withTAC3/TAC3Rmutations preservation of follicle stimulating hormone secretion is a characteristic feature and has been suggested as phenotypic marker. Despite a paucity of subjects with homozygous frame shift mutations ofGNRH, there is remarkable similarity in the phenotypic features and neuroendocrine profile of these few subjects withGNRHmutations. We describe here three members of a family with nIHH and autosomal mode of inheritance with remarkably similar phenotypes.
Transient cortical blindness as a manifestation of solitary cysticercus granuloma
Authors: Hussain Shabbir , Hussain Kosar , Hussain Sahar
Published: December 2012

Neurocysticercosis is recognised as a significant cause of neurological morbidity in endemic regions. The wide range of pleomorphic and non-specific neurological manifestations of neurocysticercosis must be kept in mind by physicians, as the disease has shown resurgence in developed countries. When an atypical presentation of an unusual tropical disease occurs in non-endemic regions, the diagnosis is often missed. We describe a case of a 4-year-old girl who presented with a history of transient bilateral loss of vision with headache and vomiting. Brain MRI revealed the presence of a single cysticercus granuloma in the occipital lobe. A diagnosis of symptomatic occipital lobe seizure secondary to neurocysticercosis was made. She was given a course of albendazole. There was no recurrence of symptoms at 3 years follow-up. Occipital seizures that are associated with ictal amaurosis closely mimic basilar migraine. Such cases benefit from neuroimaging in order to rule out the underlying structural causes.
WASK to WATOK – why, what and when?
Authors: Williams Nathan Rhys
Published: December 2012

A new European Regulation to protect the welfare of animals at the time of killing comes into force across the European Union on January 1, 2013. Much of the debate during the development of legislation to implement this Regulation in the UK has concerned the issue of slaughter without stunning. However, as Nathan Rhys Williams of the Humane Slaughter Association explains, the new rules will introduce important changes in other areas that vets need to be aware of.
Phenotypic alteration of limbal niche–associated limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency by ultraviolet-B exposure–induced phototoxicity in mice
Authors: Das Prosun , Pereira Jacintha Archana , Chaklader Malay , Law Aditya , Bagchi Ketaki , Bhaduri Gautam , Chaudhuri Samaresh , Law Sujata
Published: December 2012

Good vision requires a healthy cornea, and a healthy cornea needs healthy stem cells. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are a traditional source of corneal epithelial cells and are recruited for the continuous production of epithelium without seizing throughout an animal's life, which maintains corneal transparency. Like the maintenance of other adult somatic stem cells, the maintenance of LESCs depends on the specific microenvironmental niche in which they reside. The purpose of this study was to determine the microenvironmental damage associated with LESCs fate due to ultraviolet (UV)-B exposure in a mouse model. Structural alteration and deregulation of the stem cell and its neighboring niche components were observed by using clinical, morphological, explant culture study, and flowcytometric analysis, which demonstrated that the limbal microenvironment plays an important role in cornea-related disease development. In UV-exposed mice, overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 indicated neovascularization, decreased CD38 expression signified the alteration of limbal epithelial superficial cells, and the loss of limbal stem cell marker p63 indicated limbal stem cell deficiency in the limbal vicinity. We concluded that LESC deficiency diseases (LESCDDs) are associated with pathophysiological changes in the LESC niche, with some inhibitory interception such as UV-B irradiation, which results in corneal defects.
Limited effects of simulated acidic deposition on seedling survivorship and root morphology of endemic plant taxa of the Athabasca Sand Dunes in well-watered greenhouse trials
Authors: Guy Amanda L. , Mischkolz Jenalee M. , Lamb Eric G.
Published: December 2012

The Athabasca Sand Dunes of northern Saskatchewan support 10 endemic vascular plant taxa listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The Athabasca Sand Dunes are subject to acidic deposition; the potential impacts of which are a significant knowledge gap to a comprehensive reassessment of the conservation status of these taxa. We used a greenhouse experiment to assess the potential effects of acidic deposition on the root system morphology of the following three endemic species: Armeria maritima (P. Mill) Willd. ssp. interior (Raup) Porsild, Deschampsia mackenzieana Raup, and Stellaria arenicola Raup. We found limited effects of three pH treatments on root diameter, root length, surface area, and branching. Although acidic deposition is likely not a short-term threat, current and future deposition still may be a significant long-term threat. The Athabasca Sand Dune soils are considered highly sensitive, and acidification and nutrient leaching can take several decades to manifest. This should be considered when assessing the conservation status of these endemic taxa, particularly A. maritima, as this species may be more sensitive than the other species to acidic deposition owing to a small population size and limited habitat breadth.
Detrital muscovite geochronology and the Cretaceous tectonics of the inner Scotian Shelf, southeastern Canada 1This article is one of a series of papers published in this CJES Special Issue on the theme of Mesozoic–Cenozoic geology of the Scotian Basin. 2Geological Survey of Canada Contribution 20120142.
Authors: Reynolds Peter H. , Pe-Piper Georgia , Piper David J.W.
Published: December 2012

Geochronology of detrital muscovite from the Lower Cretaceous of the central Scotian Basin has shown predominant supply of Meguma terrane detritus, including muscovite with Alleghanian (mid-Carboniferous to Permian) ages from the inner Scotian Shelf. In this study, 87 detrital muscovite grains from five wells in the eastern Scotian Basin, representing depositional ages from Tithonian to Early Albian, were dated by single-grain 40Ar/39Ar techniques. Previous work shows that the provenance of this sediment was different from wells in the central Scotian Basin. Compared with the central Scotian Basin, the muscovite age populations from the eastern Scotian Basin have more (20% versus 7%) pre-Devonian ages, derived from inboard terranes of the Appalachians. In both the central and eastern Scotian Basin, most old grains are found in the Tithonian and the Aptian–Albian, with fewer in the Valanginian and almost none in the Kimmeridgian and the Hauterivian–Barremian. These data suggest rapid unroofing of the Meguma terrane in the Kimmeridgian and Hauterivian–Barremian and greater supply of sediment from Newfoundland to the eastern Scotian Basin in the Tithonian and Aptian–Albian. Compared with the central Scotian Basin, which has most ages in the range 340–300 Ma, the muscovite age populations from the eastern Scotian Basin have a higher proportion of 420–340 Ma and in particular 300–260 Ma ages. Such late Alleghanian overprinting of argon ages is very rare on land in Nova Scotia, but in the Maritimes Basin, this was the time of uplift and erosion of strata.
Plate tectonic reconstructions and paleogeographic maps of the central and North Atlantic oceans1This article is one of a series of papers published in this CJES Special Issue on the theme ofMesozoic–Cenozoic geology of the Scotian Basin.2Earth Sciences Sector Contribution 20120172.
Authors: Sibuet Jean-Claude , Rouzo Stéphane , Srivastava Shiri
Published: December 2012

We have established a new plate kinematic model of the central and North Atlantic oceans between North America, Africa, Meseta, Iberia, Flemish Cap, and Galicia Bank from Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous to better understand the nature and timing of rifting of Nova Scotia and Morocco conjugate continental margins since Late Triassic. The maps of salt distributions at the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian limit (190 Ma; after salt deposition) and in middle Bajocian (170 Ma) show that an area of the Nova Scotia margin is devoid of allochthonous salt and that an area of similar size located oceanward of the West African Coast Magnetic Anomaly shows salt deposits, suggesting that a portion of the Nova Scotia margin with its overlying salt deposits could have been transferred onto the Moroccan side right after the formation of the conjugate East Coast Magnetic Anomaly and West African Coast Magnetic Anomaly. Seven paleogeographic maps, from Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous, are presented with structural elements and magnetic lineations. They show that the connection between the Central Atlantic and the Tethys, with an aborted rift between Iberia and North America ending in the north against the Flemish Cap – Galicia Bank dam, started to deepen at the end of the first rifting phase (190 Ma ago) after the rupture of the thinned continental crust. It is only during the Early Cretaceous, after the rupture of the Flemish Cap – Galicia Bank dam, that the deep connection around Iberia was finally established between the Central and North Atlantic, the Tethys, and the Bay of Biscay.
“Riverscape” genetics: river characteristics influence the genetic structure and diversity of anadromous and freshwater Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations in northwest Russia
Authors: Ozerov Mikhail Yu. , Veselov Alexey E. , Lumme Jaakko , Primmer Craig R.
Published: December 2012

Combining population genetic and landscape ecology approaches provides an understanding of how environmental factors affect individual dispersal, population size, and structure. We first generated a set of predictions of the expected effect of “riverscape” characteristics on salmonid genetic diversity and divergence, based on the results of earlier research on this topic in salmonid fishes. We then tested these predictions in a data set consisting of the microsatellite data and riverscape characteristics of 39 Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) populations from northwest Russia. The carrying capacity of the river was an important factor shaping the genetic diversity and differentiation of Atlantic salmon populations in the region: salmon in rivers with a larger carrying capacity tended to have higher genetic diversity and lower genetic differentiation. The importance of other riverscape characteristics often varied between anadromous and freshwater populations. Taken together, these associations demonstrate a high and complex level of river landscape influence on the genetic diversity and structure of Atlantic salmon populations and highlight the importance of spawning and nursery area maintenance for the conservation of salmonids.
Structure of marine predator and prey communities along environmental gradients in a glaciated fjord
Authors: Renner Martin , Arimitsu Mayumi L. , Piatt John F.
Published: December 2012

Spatial patterns of marine predator communities are influenced to varying degrees by prey distribution and environmental gradients. We examined physical and biological attributes of an estuarine fjord with strong glacier influence to determine the factors that most influence the structure of predator and prey communities. Our results suggest that some species, such as walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), and glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens), were widely distributed across environmental gradients, indicating less specialization, whereas species such as capelin (Mallotus villosus), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), and Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) appeared to have more specialized habitat requirements related to glacial influence. We found that upper trophic level communities were well correlated with their mid trophic level prey community, but strong physical gradients in photic depth, temperature, and nutrients played an important role in community structure as well. Mid-trophic level forage fish communities were correlated with the physical gradients more closely than upper trophic levels were, and they showed strong affinity to tidewater glaciers. Silica was closely correlated with the distribution of fish communities, the mechanisms of which deserve further study.
Performance of farmed, hybrid, and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) families in a natural river environment
Authors: Skaala Øystein , Glover Kevin A. , Barlaup Bjørn T. , Svåsand Terje , Besnier Francois , Hansen Michael M. , Borgstrøm Reidar
Published: December 2012

Survival, growth, and diet were compared for farmed, hybrid, and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) families from the eyed egg to the smolt stage in River Guddalselva, Hardangerfjord, Norway. All individuals that survived until the smolt stage were captured in a Wolf trap and identified to one of the 69 experimental families using microsatellite markers. Survival of farmed salmon progeny was significantly lower than that of hybrids and wild progeny. However, survival varied considerably, from 0.17% to 6.4%, among farmed families. Egg size had an important influence on survival. Half-sib hybrid families with a farmed mother had higher survival when fathered by wild salmon than by farmed salmon. The overall relative survival of farmed families compared with that of their hybrid half-sib families fell from 0.86 in the second cohort to 0.62 in the last cohort with increasing fish density. Smolts of farmed parents showed significantly higher growth rates than wild and hybrid smolts. The overlap in diet among types of crosses demonstrates competition, and farm and hybrid progeny therefore will reduce the river’s capacity for production of wild salmon.
A supersymmetric Lagrangian for fermionic fields with mass dimension one
Authors: Wunderle K.E. , Dick R.
Published: December 2012

We present the derivation of a supersymmetric model for fermionic fields with integer-valued mass dimension based on a general superfield with one free spinor index. First, we develop a formalism based on a general superfield with one free spinor index. Then, we systematically derive all associated chiral and antichiral superfields up to third order in covariant derivatives. Using this formalism we are able to construct a supersymmetric on-shell Lagrangian that contains a kinetic term for the fermionic fields with mass dimension one. We then derive the corresponding on-shell supercurrent and succeed in formulating a consistent second quantization for the component fields. Finally, we present our result for a supersymmetric Hamiltonian. As the Lagrangian is by construction supersymmetric and the Hamiltonian was derived from the Lagrangian using supersymmetry algebra the Hamiltonian must be positive definite.
Self-consistent and complete field theory of relativistic travelling wave tube amplifier with plasma loaded tape helix
Authors: Saviz S.
Published: December 2012

The dispersion relation was derived for electromagnetic wave propagation through a plasma-loaded helix travelling wave tube (TWT). The analysis is based on field theory for a configuration in which a magnetized pencil-type beam propagates through cold plasma in the helix enclosed with a loss-free wall. The obtained dispersion relation implicitly includes azimuthal variations and all spatial harmonics of the tape helix. The characteristics of the growth rate were studied numerically. The results show that the phase velocity increases with increasing plasma density and axial magnetic field. By numerical computation, the dispersion characteristic of plasma-loaded helix TWT analyzed in different cases of various plasma densities, beam energy, beam density, and axial guide magnetic field. The results show that the presence of plasma significantly increases the growth rate and bandwidth. The enhancement in beam energy and density cause an increase in growth rate and frequency. The growth rate increases with increasing axial field until is reaches a maximum; further increases in the axial guide field lead to a relatively constant growth rate.
Energy spectrum for trigonometric Pöschl–Teller potential
Authors: Falaye Babatunde James
Published: December 2012

We present analytical solutions of the Schrödinger equation for the trigonometric Pöschl–Teller molecular potential by using a proper approximation to the centrifugal term within the framework of the asymptotic iteration method. We obtain analytic forms for the energy eigenvalues and the bound state eigenfunction solutions are obtained in terms of the generalized hypergeometric functions. Energy eigenvalues for a few diatomic molecules are calculated for arbitrary quantum numbers n and ℓ with various values of parameter α. We also studied special case ℓ = 0 and found that the results are in good agreement with findings of other methods for short-range potential.
NET BUNDLES OVER POSETS AND K-THEORY
Authors: ROBERTS JOHN E. , RUZZI GIUSEPPE , VASSELLI EZIO
Published: December 2012

We continue studying net bundles over partially ordered sets (posets), defined as the analogues of ordinary fiber bundles. To this end, we analyze the connection between homotopy, net homology and net cohomology of a poset, giving versions of classical Hurewicz theorems. Focusing our attention on Hilbert net bundles, we define the K-theory of a poset and introduce functions over the homotopy groupoid satisfying the same formal properties as Chern classes. As when the given poset is a base for the topology of a space, our results apply to the category of locally constant bundles.
SOME NON-DISSIPATIVITY CONDITION FOR EVOLUTION EQUATIONS
Authors: LIN CHIN-YUAN
Published: December 2012

Of concern is the nonlinear evolution equation [Formula: see text] in a real Banach space X, where the nonlinear, time-dependent, multi-valued operator [Formula: see text] has a time-dependent domain D(A(t)). It will be shown that, under some non-dissipativity condition, the equation has a strong solution. Illustrations are given of solving quasi-linear partial differential equations of parabolic type.
REFRACTION OF NONLINEAR LIGHT BEAMS IN NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTALS
Authors: ASSANTO GAETANO , SMYTH NOEL F. , XIA WENJUN
Published: December 2012

We use modulation theory to analyze the interaction of optical solitons and vortices with a dielectric interface between two regions of nematic liquid crystals. In the analysis we consider the role of nonlocality, anisotropy and nonlinear reorientation and compare modulation theory results with numerical results. Upon interacting with the interface, nematicons undergo transverse distortion but remain stable and eventually return to a steady state, whereas vortices experience an enhanced instability and can break up into bright beams or solitary waves.
DESIGN OF AN ULTRA-FAST ALL-OPTICAL DARK SOLITON SWITCH IN A THREE-CORE NONLINEAR DIRECTIONAL COUPLER (TNLDC) MADE OF CHALCOGENIDE GLASSES
Authors: HATAMI MOHSEN , ATTARZADEH ROYA , GHARAATI ABDOLRASOUL
Published: December 2012

We designed and simulated a three-core nonlinear directional coupler (TNLDC) dark soliton switch. We have optimized the optical properties of chalcogenide glasses such as their high nonlinear refractive index and negative group velocity dispersion and designed a switch having a length of 7 cm and an ultra-fast pulse width of 10 fs with a 100 W power input pulse. The switching characteristic shows that complete switching is possible for different ranges of lengths and pulse widths, and by using the result of the simulation we find a relation between the length and the pulse width with respect to the necessary power for complete dark soliton switching. Also the effect of two photon absorption (2PA) on dark soliton switching was studied and it was shown that 2PA puts some limitations on the switching action but, because of the low value of the 2PA figure of merit for chalcogenide glasses, it did not have any considerable effect on dark soliton switching.
A MODEL WITH A PRECIPITOUS IDEAL, BUT NO NORMAL PRECIPITOUS IDEAL
Authors: GITIK MOTI
Published: December 2012

Starting with a measurable cardinal κ of the Mitchell order κ++ we construct a model with a precipitous ideal on ℵ1 but without normal precipitous ideals. This answers a question by T. Jech and K. Prikry. In the constructed model there are no Q-point precipitous filters on ℵ1, i. e. those isomorphic to extensions of Cubℵ1.
Electron self-exchange of cytochrome c measuredvia13Cdetected protonless NMR
Authors: Cacciatore Stefano , Piccioli Mario , Turano Paola
Published: December 2012

The use of protonless13C′–13C′ EXSY (COCO-EXSY) is proposed here to measure electron self-exchange rates. The experiment is compared to the commonly employed1H and15N EXSY experiments using as a reference system human cytochrome c. In COCO-EXSY, the exchange peaks are stronger than in the other experiments with respect to the self peaks and their intensity is less dependent on the choice of the EXSY mixing time. The use of13C directed detection may be essential for all those cases where T2relaxation is detrimental, as in the case of proteins containing highly paramagnetic metal centers, or rotating slowly in solution, or where the amide signals are difficult to detect due to chemical or conformational exchange. The proposed experiment has a general applicability and can be used to monitor exchange phenomena different from electron self-exchange.
COMPASS RESULTS ON TMD OBSERVABLES
Authors:   On behalf of the COMPASS Collaboration, MARTIN ANNA
Published: December 2012

The study of the transverse spin and transverse momentum structure of the nucleon is an important part of the scientific program of COMPASS, a fixed target experiment taking data at the CERN SPS since 2002. In these ten years COMPASS has produced a number of interesting results by measuring the forward going hadrons produced in deep inelastic scattering of a 160 GeV muon beam off polarized deuteron and proton targets. The COMPASS contribution to the understanding of the transverse structure of the nucleon, and the possible future contributions, are briefly reviewed here.
QCD EVOLUTION AND RESUMMATION FOR TRANSVERSE MOMENTUM DISTRIBUTION
Authors: KANG ZHONG-BO
Published: December 2012

We review the relation between the QCD perturbative resummation and evolution. Particularly we emphasize briefly the idea on how to use the evolution equation to resum the important double logarithms appeared in the perturbative QCD expansion when the process involves two distinctive scales Q1 ≫ Q2. We present the resummation formalism for the single transverse spin asymmetry for both semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering and Drell-Yan production processes.
SINGLE SPIN ASYMMETRY IN HIGH ENERGY QCD
Authors: KOVCHEGOV YURI V. , SIEVERT MATTHEW D.
Published: December 2012

We present the first steps in an effort to incorporate the physics of transverse spin asymmetries into the saturation formalism of high energy QCD. We consider a simple model in which a transversely polarized quark scatters on a proton or nuclear target. Using the light-cone perturbation theory the hadron production cross section can be written as a convolution of the light-cone wave function squared and the interaction with the target. To generate the single transverse spin asymmetry (STSA) either the wave function squared or the interaction with the target has to be T-odd. In this work we use the lowest-order q → q G wave function squared, which is T-even, generating the STSA from the T-odd interaction with the target mediated by an odderon exchange. We study the properties of the obtained STSA, some of which are in qualitative agreement with experiment: STSA increases with increasing projectile xF and is a non-monotonic function of the transverse momentum kT. Our mechanism predicts that the quark STSA in polarized proton–nucleus collisions should be much smaller than in polarized proton–proton collisions. We also observe that the STSA for prompt photons due to our mechanism is zero within the accuracy of the approximation.
HIGH-ENERGY QCD FACTORIZATION FROM DIS TO pA COLLISIONS
Authors: CHIRILLI GIOVANNI ANTONIO
Published: December 2012

The high-energy QCD factorization for Deep Inelastic Scattering and for proton-nucleus collisions using Wilson line formalism and factorization in rapidity is discussed. We show that in DIS the factorization in rapidity reduces to the k T -factorization when the 2-gluon approximation is applied, provided that the composite Wilson line operator is used in the high-energy Operator Product Expansion. We then show that the inclusive forward cross-section in proton-nucleus collisions factorizes in parton distribution functions, fragmentation functions and dipole gluon distribution function at one-loop level.
SINGULARITIES OF GENERALIZED PARTON DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: RADYUSHKIN ANATOLY V.
Published: December 2012

We discuss recent developments in building models for GPDs that are based on the formalism of double distributions (DDs). A special attention is given to a careful analysis of the singularity structure of DDs. The DD formalism is applied to construction of a model GPDs with a singular Regge behavior. Within the developed DD-based approach, we discuss the structure of GPD sum rules. It is shown that separation of DDs into the so-called "plus" part and the D-term part may be treated as a renormalization procedure for the GPD sum rules. This approach is compared with an alternative prescription based on analytic regularization.
THE STRONG COUPLING CONSTANT FROM HADRON STRUCTURE PHENOMENOLOGY
Authors: COURTOY A. , LIUTI SIMONETTA
Published: December 2012

We present recent developments on the role of the running coupling constant at the intersection of perturbative and nonperturbative QCD. A number of experiments show a smooth transition from small to large scales given by the four-momentum transfer in the reactions. This is at variance with perturbative QCD where the running coupling constant becomes infinite when the scale equals ΛQCD. Approaches using an effective coupling constant could help interpret the opposite trend of data as compared to standard perturbative QCD predictions. We give an overview of the role of the coupling constant in the procedure to match nonperturbative hadronic model to perturbative QCD and we propose an extraction of an effective coupling constant from inclusive electron proton scattering data at large Bjorken x.
The cost of transport of human running is not affected, as in walking, by wide acceleration/deceleration cycles
Authors: Minetti Alberto E. , Gaudino Paolo , Seminati Elena , Cazzola Dario
Published: December 2012

Although most of the literature on locomotion energetics and biomechanics is about constant-speed experiments, humans and animals tend to move at variable speeds in their daily life. This study addresses the following questions: 1) how much extra metabolic energy is associated with traveling a unit distance by adopting acceleration/deceleration cycles in walking and running, with respect to constant speed, and 2) how can biomechanics explain those metabolic findings. Ten males and ten females walked and ran at fluctuating speeds (5 ± 0, ± 1, ± 1.5, ± 2, ± 2.5 km/h for treadmill walking, 11 ± 0, ± 1, ± 2, ± 3, ± 4 km/h for treadmill and field running) in cycles lasting 6 s. Field experiments, consisting of subjects following a laser spot projected from a computer-controlled astronomic telescope, were necessary to check the noninertial bias of the oscillating-speed treadmill. Metabolic cost of transport was found to be almost constant at all speed oscillations for running and up to ±2 km/h for walking, with no remarkable differences between laboratory and field results. The substantial constancy of the metabolic cost is not explained by the predicted cost of pure acceleration/deceleration. As for walking, results from speed-oscillation running suggest that the inherent within-stride, elastic energy-free accelerations/decelerations when moving at constant speed work as a mechanical buffer for among-stride speed fluctuations, with no extra metabolic cost. Also, a recent theory about the analogy between sprint (level) running and constant-speed running on gradients, together with the mechanical determinants of gradient locomotion, helps to interpret the present findings.
The effects of chronic muscle use and disuse on cardiolipin metabolism
Authors: Ostojić Olga , O'Leary Michael F. N. , Singh Kaustabh , Menzies Keir J. , Vainshtein Anna , Hood David A.
Published: December 2012

Cardiolipin (CL) is a phospholipid that maintains the integrity of mitochondrial membranes. We previously demonstrated that CL content increases with chronic muscle use, and decreases with denervation-induced disuse. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we measured the mRNA expression of 1) CL synthesis enzymes cardiolipin synthase (CLS) and CTP:PA-cytidylyltransferase-1 (CDS-1); 2) remodeling enzymes tafazzin and acyl-CoA:lysocardiolipin acyltransferase-1 (ALCAT1); and 3) outer membrane CL enzymes, mitochondrial phospholipase D and phospholipid scramblase 3 (Plscr3), during chronic contractile activity (CCA)-induced mitochondrial biogenesis and denervation. With CCA, CDS-1 expression increased by 128%, parelleling CL levels. Surprisingly, denervation also led to large increases in CDS-1 and CLS, despite a decrease in mitochondria, possibly due to a compensatory mechanism to restore lost CL. ALCAT1 decreased by 32% with CCA, but increased by 290% following denervation, indicating that both CCA and denervation alter CL remodeling. CCA and denervation also elicited 60–90% increases in Plscr3, likely to facilitate CL movement to the outer membrane. The expression of these genes was not affected by aging, but changes due to CCA and denervation were attenuated compared with young animals. The absence of PPARγ coactivator-1α in knockout animals led to a decrease in CDS-1 and an increase in ALCAT1 mRNA levels, implicating PGC-1α in regulating both CL synthesis and remodeling. These data suggest that chronic muscle use and disuse modify the expression of mRNAs encoding CL metabolism enzymes. Our data also illustrate, for the first time, that PPARγ coactivator-1α regulates the CL metabolism pathway in muscle.
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome: A Newborn with Imperforate Anus and aNIPBLMutation
Authors: Mende Rose H. , Drake David P. , Olomi Raimos M. , Hamel Ben C. J.
Published: December 2012

Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a dominantly inherited, genetically heterogeneous and clinically variable syndrome with multiple congenital anomalies and developmental delay. Gastrointestinal anomalies are common and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. We report on a newborn with a molecularly confirmed Cornelia de Lange syndrome who had an imperforate anus. This is the third report of Cornelia de Lange syndrome and imperforate anus.
Effect of Combining Therapy with Traditional Chinese Medicine-Based Psychotherapy and Herbal Medicines in Women with Menopausal Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Yang Hongyan , Yang Jing , Wen Zehuai , Zha Qinglin , Nie Guangning , Huang Xuchun , Zhang Chunlin , Lu Aiping , Jiang Miao , Wang Xiaoyun
Published: December 2012

This multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical study was designed to address the effectiveness of combined traditional-Chinese-medicine- (TCM-) based psychotherapy and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in the treatment of menopausal syndrome. Altogether 424 eligible women diagnosed as menopausal syndrome and categorized as Kidney-Yin/Kidney-Yang deficiency pattern in TCM were randomly assigned into 4 groups and accepted TCM-based psychotherapy (PSY), CHM, PSY + CHM, or placebo therapies, respectively, for 12 weeks, and another 12 weeks were taken as the followup. Kupperman Index (KI) and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) with its four subscales (vasomotor, physical, psychosocial, and sexual) were employed for efficacy assessment. Results showed that 400 participants completed 12-week treatment, of which 380 finished the record of KI and MENQOF at week 24. The average adjusted number of KI score decreased between baseline and 12 weeks in all groups. Statistically significant differences were detected in the average adjusted change between the PSY + CHM group and placebo at overall time points (P<0.05). No severe adverse events occurred in each group and no significant differences were indicated between any of the three groups and placebo in adverse event proportion. We concluded that TCM psychotherapy combined with CHM has a favorable outcome in treating menopausal syndrome.
Caregivers' Barriers to Disclosing the HIV Diagnosis to Infected Children on Antiretroviral Therapy in a Resource-Limited District in South Africa: A Grounded Theory Study
Authors: Madiba Sphiwe , Mokwena Kebogile
Published: December 2012

We used a grounded theory approach to explore how a sample of caregivers of children on antiretroviral treatment (ART) experience HIV disclosure to their infected children. This paper explores caregivers' barriers to disclosing HIV to infected children. Caregivers of children aged 6–13 years who were receiving ART participated in four focus-group interviews. Three main themes, caregiver readiness to tell, right time to tell, and the context of disclosure, emerged. Disclosure was delayed because caregivers had to first deal with personal fears which influenced their readiness to disclose; disclosure was also delayed because caregivers did not know how to tell. Caregivers lacked disclosure skills because they had not been trained on how to tell their children about their diagnosis, on how to talk to their children about HIV, and on how to deal with a child who reacts negatively to the disclosure. Caregivers feared that the child might tell others about the diagnosis and would be discriminated and socially rejected and that children would live in fear of death and dying. Health care providers have a critical role to play in HIV disclosure to infected children, considering the caregivers' expressed desire to be trained and prepared for the disclosure.
Evolution of Space Charges and Conductivity with DC Aging of Polyethylene‐Synthetic and Natural Clay Composites
Authors: Abou-Dakka Mahmoud
Published: December 2012

The evolution of the space charge and conductivity with DC poling of two types of polypropylene‐(PP‐) based nanocomposites (PNCs) was investigated. The PNCs were manufactured with different concentrations of synthetic and natural organoclays. The optimal concentrations of nanofiller that can efficiently mitigate the space charge with DC aging time were 2‐wt% for PP‐natural‐clay and between 2 and 4 wt% for the PP‐synthetic‐clay. Above these percentages charge transport through overlapping of nanoparticles can occur due to the interaction zone of double layers formed at the nanoparticle/host material interfaces. Under DC field the overlapping increases the conductivity of PNCs and minimizes the benefit of incorporating nanofillers into PP. The total charge stored in unfilled PP increased continuously with time reaching a maximum around 5000 h before decreasing but it also changed slightly in all filled specimens. It was perceived that the smaller the size of nanofiller platelets the more efficient the charge mitigation. The conductivity of specimens containing 6 wt% of natural clay and 8 wt% of synthetic clay reached ≈6 times the level of the unfilled PP. This observation could be related and due to the crossing of the percolation threshold for these composites.
Existence of Positive Solutions for Third‐Order m‐Point Boundary Value Problems with Sign‐Changing Nonlinearity on Time Scales
Authors: Tokmak Fatma , Karaca Ilkay Yaslan
Published: December 2012

A four‐functional fixed point theorem and a generalization of Leggett‐Williams fixed point theorem are used, respectively, to investigate the existence of at least one positive solution and at least
three positive solutions for third‐order m‐point boundary value problem on time scales with an increasing homeomorphism and homomorphism, which generalizes the usual p‐Laplacian operator. In particular,
the nonlinear term f(t, u) is allowed to change sign. As an application, we also give some examples to demonstrate our results.
True Giant Posterior Tibial Artery Aneurysm
Authors: Robaldo Alessandro , Di Iasio Giacomo , Testi Gabriele , Colotto Patrizio
Published: December 2012

We report an unusual case of true atherosclerotic posterior tibial artery (PTA) aneurysm without any apparent causative history. To our knowledge, in the English Literature only seven previously cases of true PTA aneurysms are reported. Due to its location, this lesion may require surgical intervention and removal. The presentation, the diagnostic evaluation, and the surgical management of the aneurysm are discussed.
An Anthropological Perspective: Another Dimension to Modern Dental Wear Concepts
Authors: Kaidonis John A. , Ranjitkar Sarbin , Lekkas Dimitra , Townsend Grant C.
Published: December 2012

For many years, research on tooth wear by dental academics has been diametrically opposite to that of anthropological research, with each discipline having a different understanding as to the nature of the wear processes. Dental focus revolved around preventive and restorative considerations while the anthropological focus was a biological understanding related to human evolution, diet, environment, form, and function and included all the craniofacial structures. Introducing the anthropological perspective into modern dentistry gives an insight into the “bigger picture” of the nature and extent of tooth wear. By combining anthropological evidence with clinical knowledge and experience, it is most likely to provide the best-informed and biologically based approach to the management of tooth wear in modern societies.
Antiviral Treatment Alters the Frequency of Activating and Inhibitory Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infected Patients
Authors: Lv Juan , Jin Qinglong , Sun Haibo , Chi Xiumei , Hu Xiaoli , Yan Hongqing , Pan Yu , Xiao Weihua , Tian Zhigang , Hou Jinlin , Xu Damo , Tu Zhengkun , Niu Junqi
Published: December 2012

Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in innate antiviral immunity, but little is known about the impact of antiviral therapy on the frequency of NK cell subsets. To this aim, we performed this longitudinal study to examine the dynamic changes of the frequency of different subsets of NK cells in CHB patients after initiation of tenofovir or adefovir therapy. We found that NK cell numbers and subset distribution differ between CHB patients and normal subjects; furthermore, the association was found between ALT level and CD158b+NK cell in HBV patients. In tenofovir group, the frequency of NK cells increased during the treatment accompanied by downregulated expression of NKG2A and KIR2DL3. In adefovir group, NK cell numbers did not differ during the treatment, but also accompanied by downregulated expression of NKG2A and KIR2DL3. Our results demonstrate that treatment with tenofovir leads to viral load reduction, and correlated with NK cell frequencies in peripheral blood of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. In addition, treatments with both tenofovir and adefovir in chronic HBV infected patients induce a decrease of the frequency of inhibitory receptor+NK cells, which may account for the partial restoration of the function of NK cells in peripheral blood following treatment.