bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonholonomic jet deformations, exact solutions for modified Ricci soliton and Einstein equations
Authors: Rajpoot Subhash , Vacaru Sergiu I.
Published: November 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be a pseudo-Riemannian metric of arbitrary signature on a manifold [Formula: see text] with conventional [Formula: see text]-dimensional splitting, [Formula: see text] determined by a nonholonomic (nonintegrable) distribution [Formula: see text] defining a generalized (nonlinear) connection and associated nonholonomic frame structures. We work with an adapted linear metric compatible connection [Formula: see text] and its nonzero torsion [Formula: see text], both completely determined by [Formula: see text]. Our first goal is to prove that there are certain generalized frame and/or jet transforms and prolongations with [Formula: see text] into explicit classes of solutions of some generalized Einstein equations [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], encoding various types of (nonholonomic) Ricci soliton configurations and/or jet variables and symmetries. The second goal is to solve additional constraint equations for zero torsion, [Formula: see text], on generalized solutions constructed in explicit forms with jet variables and extract Levi-Civita configurations. This allows us to find generic off-diagonal exact solutions depending on all space time coordinates on [Formula: see text] via generating and integration functions and various classes of constant jet parameters and associated symmetries. Our third goal is to study how such generalized metrics and connections can be related by the so-called “half-conformal” and/or jet deformations of certain subclasses of solutions with one, or two, Killing symmetries. Finally, we present some examples of exact solutions constructed as nonholonomic jet prolongations of the Kerr metrics, with possible Ricci soliton deformations, and characterized by nonholonomic jet structures and generalized connections.
The history of volcanology in Costa Rica: from the Amerindian legends to the beginning of the twenty-first century
Authors: Alvarado Guillermo E. , Patino Lina C.
Published: November 2016

We divide the narrative history of legends on volcanoes, descriptions of volcanic landscape, eruptions and products, and the gradual development of volcanology in Costa Rica as a formal science, into several periods or stages. Each stage is discussed in detail in the text: (a) pre-Columbian period (11 500 BC–AD 1502); (b) colonization period (1502–1718); (c) first period (1719–1887); (d) second period (1888–1925); (e) third period (1926–62), and (f) fourth period (1963–present). The social and economic contribution of volcanology research is also discussed.
Bimodal dynamics of granular organelles in primary renin-expressing cells revealed using TIRF microscopy
Authors: Buckley Charlotte , Dun Alison R. , Peter Audrey , Bellamy Christopher , Gross Kenneth W. , Duncan Rory R. , Mullins John J.
Published: November 2016

Renin is the initiator and rate-limiting factor in the renin-angiotensin blood pressure regulation system. Although renin is not exclusively produced in the kidney, in nonmurine species the synthesis and secretion of the active circulatory enzyme is confined almost exclusively to the dense core granules of juxtaglomerular (JG) cells, where prorenin is processed and stored for release via a regulated pathway. Despite its importance, the structural organization and regulation of granules within these cells is not well understood, in part due to the difficulty in culturing primary JG cells in vitro and the lack of appropriate cell lines. We have streamlined the isolation and culture of primary renin-expressing cells suitable for high-speed, high-resolution live imaging using a Percoll gradient-based procedure to purify cells from RenGFP+ transgenic mice. Fibronectin-coated glass coverslips proved optimal for the adhesion of renin-expressing cells and facilitated live cell imaging at the plasma membrane of primary renin cells using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). To obtain quantitative data on intracellular function, we stained mixed granule and lysosome populations with Lysotracker Red and stimulated cells using 100 nM isoproterenol. Analysis of membrane-proximal acidic granular organelle dynamics and behavior within renin-expressing cells revealed the existence of two populations of granular organelles with distinct functional responses following isoproterenol stimulation. The application of high-resolution techniques for imaging JG and other specialized kidney cells provides new opportunities for investigating renal cell biology.
ENaC and ROMK activity are inhibited in the DCT2/CNT of TgWnk4PHAII mice
Authors: Zhang Chengbiao , Wang Lijun , Su Xiao-Tong , Zhang Junhui , Lin Dao-Hong , Wang Wen-Hui
Published: November 2016

Mice transgenic for genomic segments harboring PHAII (pseudohypoaldosteronism type II) mutant Wnk4 (with-No-Lysine kinase 4) (TgWnk4PHAII) have hyperkalemia which is currently believed to be the result of high activity of Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC). This leads to decreasing Na+ delivery to the distal nephron segment including late distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and connecting tubule (CNT). Since epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and renal outer medullary K+ channel (ROMK or Kir4.1) are expressed in the late DCT and play an important role in mediating K+ secretion, the aim of the present study is to test whether ROMK and ENaC activity in the DCT/CNT are also compromised in the mice expressing PHAII mutant Wnk4. Western blot analysis shows that the expression of βENaC and γENaC subunits but not αENaC subunit was lower in TgWnk4PHAII mice than that in wild-type (WT) and TgWnk4WT mice. Patch-clamp experiments detected amiloride-sensitive Na+ currents and TPNQ-sensitive K+ currents in DCT2/CNT, suggesting the activity of ENaC and ROMK. However, both Na+ and ROMK currents in DCT2/CNT of TgWnk4PHAII mice were significantly smaller than those in WT and TgWnk4WT mice. In contrast, the basolateral K+ currents in the DCT were similar among three groups, despite higher NCC expression in TgWnk4PHAII mice than those of WT and TgWnk4WTmice. An increase in dietary K+ intake significantly increased both ENaC and ROMK currents in the DCT2/CNT of all three groups. However, high-K+ (HK) intake-induced stimulation of Na+ and K+ currents was smaller in TgWnk4PHAII mice than those in WT and TgWnk4WT mice. We conclude that ENaC and ROMK channel activity in DCT2/CNT are inhibited in TgWnk4PHAII mice and that Wnk4PHAII-induced inhibition of ENaC and ROMK may contribute to the suppression of K+ secretion in the DCT2/CNT in addition to increased NCC activity.
Parietal area BA7 integrates motor programs for reaching, grasping, and bimanual coordination
Authors: Le Ada , Vesia Michael , Yan Xiaogang , Crawford J. Douglas , Niemeier Matthias
Published: November 2016

Skillful interaction with the world requires that the brain uses a multitude of sensorimotor programs and subroutines, such as for reaching, grasping, and the coordination of the two body halves. However, it is unclear how these programs operate together. Networks for reaching, grasping, and bimanual coordination might converge in common brain areas. For example, Brodmann area 7 (BA7) is known to activate in disparate tasks involving the three types of movements separately. Here, we asked whether BA7 plays a key role in integrating coordinated reach-to-grasp movements for both arms together. To test this, we applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to disrupt BA7 activity in the left and right hemispheres, while human participants performed a bimanual size-perturbation grasping task using the index and middle fingers of both hands to grasp a rectangular object whose orientation (and thus grasp-relevant width dimension) might or might not change. We found that TMS of the right BA7 during object perturbation disrupted the bimanual grasp and transport/coordination components, and TMS over the left BA7 disrupted unimanual grasps. These results show that right BA7 is causally involved in the integration of reach-to-grasp movements of the two arms.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our manuscript describes a role of human Brodmann area 7 (BA7) in the integration of multiple visuomotor programs for reaching, grasping, and bimanual coordination. Our results are the first to suggest that right BA7 is critically involved in the coordination of reach-to-grasp movements of the two arms. The results complement previous reports of right-hemisphere lateralization for bimanual grasps.
Postural threat influences vestibular-evoked muscular responses
Authors: Lim Shannon B. , Cleworth Taylor W. , Horslen Brian C. , Blouin Jean-Sébastien , Inglis J. Timothy , Carpenter Mark G.
Published: November 2016

Standing balance is significantly influenced by postural threat. While this effect has been well established, the underlying mechanisms of the effect are less understood. The involvement of the vestibular system is under current debate, and recent studies that investigated the effects of height-induced postural threat on vestibular-evoked responses provide conflicting results based on kinetic (Horslen BC, Dakin CJ, Inglis JT, Blouin JS, Carpenter MG. J Physiol 592: 3671–3685, 2014) and kinematic (Osler CJ, Tersteeg MC, Reynolds RF, Loram ID. Eur J Neurosci 38: 3239–3247, 2013) data. We examined the effect of threat of perturbation, a different form of postural threat, on coupling (cross-correlation, coherence, and gain) of the vestibulo-muscular relationship in 25 participants who maintained standing balance. In the “No-Threat” conditions, participants stood quietly on a stable surface. In the “Threat” condition, participants' balance was threatened with unpredictable mediolateral support surface tilts. Quiet standing immediately before the surface tilts was compared to an equivalent time from the No-Threat conditions. Surface EMG was recorded from bilateral trunk, hip, and leg muscles. Hip and leg muscles exhibited significant increases in peak cross-correlation amplitudes, coherence, and gain (1.23–2.66×) in the Threat condition compared with No-Threat conditions, and significant correlations were observed between threat-related changes in physiological arousal and medium-latency peak cross-correlation amplitude in medial gastrocnemius ( r = 0.408) muscles. These findings show a clear threat effect on vestibular-evoked responses in muscles in the lower body, with less robust effects of threat on trunk muscles. Combined with previous work, the present results can provide insight into observed changes during balance control in threatening situations.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to show increases in vestibular-evoked responses of the lower body muscles under conditions of increased threat of postural perturbation. While robust findings were observed in hip and leg muscles, less consistent results were found in muscles of the trunk. The present findings provide further support in the ongoing debate for arguments that vestibular-evoked balance responses are influenced by fear and anxiety and explain previous threat-related changes in balance.
Comparison of Two Base Materials Regarding Their Effect on Root Canal Treatment Success in Primary Molars with Furcation Lesions
Authors: Arikan Volkan , Sonmez Hayriye , Sari Saziye
Published: November 2016

Introduction.The aim of this study was to compare MTA with another base material, IRM, which is generally used on pulpal floor after root canal treatment, regarding their effect on the success of root canal treatment of primary teeth with furcation lesions.Materials and Methods.Fifty primary teeth with furcation lesions were divided into 2 groups. Following root canal treatment, the pulpal floor was coated with MTA in the experimental group and with IRM in the control group. Teeth were followed up considering clinical (pain, pathological mobility, tenderness to percussion and palpation, and any soft tissue pathology and sinus tract) and radiographical (pathological root resorption, reduced size or healing of existing lesion, and absence of new lesions at the interradicular or periapical area) criteria for 18 months. For the statistical analysis, Fisher’s exact test and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used and apvalue of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results.Although there were no statistically significant differences between two groups in terms of treatment success, lesions healed significantly faster in the MTA group.Conclusion.In primary teeth with furcation lesions, usage of MTA on the pulpal floor following root canal treatment can be a better alternative since it induced faster healing.
The Protective Effect of Testosterone on Indomethacin Induced Gastric Ulcer in Female Sprague Dawley Rats
Authors: Akpamu U. , Otamere H. O. , Ernest-Nwoke I. O. , Ekhator C. N. , Osifo U. C.
Published: November 2016

Gastric ulcer has shown association with changes in sex hormones, with impact exacerbated in males. Also, males are known to be more exposed to ulcer risk factors. This study investigates the effect of testosterone on indomethacin induced gastric ulcers in adult female rats. Eighteen female rats (225 ± 25 g body weight) were randomly assigned to 3 groups under standard laboratory condition. After acclimatization, animals fasted for 40 hrs but were given waterad libitum. Group A served as control while group B served as the ulcer control, in which ulcer was induced without treatment using indomethacin (40 mg/kg single orally dose). Group C was pretreated with testosterone (1 mg/kg IM) eight hours before ulcer induction. Eight hours after ulcer induction, animals were sacrificed and the stomach was harvested for analysis. Results showed a significant reduction in mucus content in groups C (0.79±0.11 g) and B (0.87±0.02 g) compared to A (1.11±0.03 g). Gastric mucus pH was significantly acidic in group B (4.40±0.55) compared to C (5.20±0.45) and A (5.80±0.45). There was a significantly higher ulcer index in group B (4.60±0.55 mm) compared to C (3.60±0.89 mm) and testosterone pretreatment resulted in a 21.74% ulcer inhibition. Although weak, the findings suggest that testosterone might protect the gastric mucosa against NSAIDs in females.
Modelling and Numerical Simulations of Heat Distribution for LED Heat Sink
Authors: Zhu Jianxin , Sun Lixia
Published: November 2016

Light-emitting diode (LED) has higher efficiency and longer lifetime when compared with the conventional lighting. However, the efficiency and lifetime will be degraded greatly when it is operated at a high temperature. Now, both previous simulation and experimental results have already indicated that the heat transfer in vertical direction of the LED lamp by conduction is the most critical component. In this paper, a simplified numerical simulation model is built to estimate the heat distribution of the LED heat sink in the spherical coordinate system, which would be useful for its shape optimization design. With this model, some mathematical treatments are provided to a heat conduction equation, in order to rapidly compute the static heat distribution and the temperature of different designs of LED heat sinks. The built rapid heat sink evaluation method, implicit finite difference method (IFDM), is unconditionally stable. Several heat distribution simulations could demonstrate that our built mathematical model conforms well to the reality and our method is full of feasibility and effectiveness.
Radioactive Source Specification of Bushehr’s VVER-1000 Spent Fuels
Authors: Rezaeian Mahdi , Kamali Jamshid
Published: November 2016

Due to high radioactivity and significant content of medium- and long-lived radionuclides, different operations with spent nuclear fuels (e.g., handling, transportation, and storage) shall be accompanied by suitable radiation protections. On the other hand, determination of radioactive source specification is the initial step for any radiation protection design. In this study, radioactive source specification of the spent fuels of Bushehr nuclear power plant, which is a VVER-1000 type pressurized water reactor, was determined. For the depletion and decay calculations, ORIGEN code was utilized. The results are presented for burnups of 30 to 49 GWd/MTHM and different cooling times up to 100 years. According to these results, total activity of a spent fuel assembly with initial enrichment of 3.92%, burnup of 49 GWd/MTHM, and cooling time of 3 years is 1.92 × 1016 Bq. The results can be utilized specifically in transportation/storage cask design for spent fuel management of Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Development of Vacuum Vessel Design and Analysis Module for CFETR Integration Design Platform
Authors: Zhu Chen , Ye Minyou , Liu Xufeng , Wang Shenji , Mao Shifeng , Wang Zhongwei , Yu Yi
Published: November 2016

An integration design platform is under development for the design of the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR). It mainly includes the integration physical design platform and the integration engineering design platform. The integration engineering design platform aims at performing detailed engineering design for each tokamak component (e.g., breeding blanket, divertor, and vacuum vessel). The vacuum vessel design and analysis module is a part of the integration engineering design platform. The main idea of this module is to integrate the popular CAD/CAE software to form a consistent development environment. Specifically, the software OPTIMUS provides the approach to integrate the CAD/CAE software such as CATIA and ANSYS and form a design/analysis workflow for the vacuum vessel module. This design/analysis workflow could automate the process of modeling and finite element (FE) analysis for vacuum vessel. Functions such as sensitivity analysis and optimization of geometric parameters have been provided based on the design/analysis workflow. In addition, data from the model and FE analysis could be easily exchanged among different modules by providing a unifying data structure to maintain the consistency of the global design. This paper describes the strategy and methodology of the workflow in the vacuum vessel module. An example is given as a test of the workflow and functions of the vacuum vessel module. The results indicate that the module is a feasible framework for future application.
Photoluminescence Response in Carbon Films Deposited by Pulsed Laser Deposition onto GaAs Substrates at Low Vacuum
Authors: Caballero-Briones F. , Santana G. , Flores T. , Ponce L.
Published: November 2016

Carbon films were deposited onto GaAs substrates by pulsed laser deposition at low vacuum (10–15 mTorr) from a graphite target. Films were prepared at different number of pulses (1500 to 6000) with fixed fluence (32 J/cm2), target-to-substrate distance, and pulse frequency using a Q:Switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm operating at a frequency of 10 Hz and producing burst-mode pulses with total duration per shot of 49 ns. Films were characterized by optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Deposited films were visually smooth and adherent but on the other hand evidence of splashing was observed in all the films. Thickness varied linearly with the number of pulses from 8 to 42 μm with maximum height differences around 700 nm. Hexagonal and orthorhombic carbon was found in all the films and there was no evidence of nitrogen or oxygen incorporation during ablation process. Broad photoluminescence bands were observed and, particularly, emission peaks at 475–480 nm, 540–550 nm, 590 nm, and 625 nm. Bands tend to shift to lower wavelength with film thickness, suggesting that luminescence comes from splashed nanostructures influenced by the semiconducting substrate. This particular substrate effect is vanished as thickness of the films increases.
Analysis of Wireless Energy Harvesting Relay Throughput in Rician Channel
Authors: Hu Yifan , Cao Ning , Chen Yunfei
Published: November 2016

Cooperative communication uses idle nodes to achieve performance gains. Energy harvesting allows cooperative communication to be less dependent on batteries. In this paper, the performance of energy harvesting (EH) amplify-and-forward relaying is analyzed for Rician fading channels, in contrast to previous works that focused on Rayleigh fading channels. Continuous time EH protocol and discrete time EH protocol are considered. Analytical expressions for the average throughput are derived. Numerical results are presented to show the good performance of the system in Rician fading channels by examining various system parameters using the analytical expressions.
Vibration Sideband Modulations and Harmonics Separation of a Planetary Helicopter Gearbox with Two Different Configurations
Authors: Sawalhi Nader
Published: November 2016

This paper examines the spectrum and cepstrum content of vibration signals taken from a helicopter gearbox with two different configurations (3 and 4 planets). It presents a signal processing algorithm to separate synchronous and nonsynchronous components for complete shafts’ harmonic extraction and removal. The spectrum and cepstrum of the vibration signal for two configurations are firstly analyzed and discussed. The effect of changing the number of planets on the fundamental gear mesh frequency (epicyclic mesh frequency) and its sidebands is discussed. The paper explains the differences between the two configurations and discusses, in particular, the asymmetry of the modulation sidebands about the epicyclic mesh frequency in the 4 planets arrangement. Finally a separation algorithm, which is based on resampling the order-tracked signal to have an integer number of samples per revolution for a specific shaft, is proposed for a complete removal of the shafts harmonics. The results obtained from the presented separation algorithms are compared to other separation schemes such as discrete random separation (DRS) and time synchronous averaging (TSA) with clear improvements and better results.
Increased Cerebral Tff1 Expression in Two Murine Models of Neuroinflammation
Authors: Znalesniak Eva B , Fu Ting , Guttek Karina , Händel Ulrike , Reinhold Dirk , Hoffmann Werner
Published: November 2016

Background/Aims: The trefoil factor family (TFF) peptide TFF1 is a typical secretory product of the gastric mucosa and a very low level of expression occurs in nearly all regions of the murine brain. TFF1 possesses a lectin activity and binding to a plethora of transmembrane glycoproteins could explain the diverse biological effects of TFF1 (e.g., anti-apoptotic effect). It was the aim to test whether TFF expression is changed during neuroinflammation. Methods: Expression profiling was performed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses in two murine models of neuroinflammation, i.e. Toxoplasma gondii-induced encephalitis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the latter being the most common animal model of multiple sclerosis. Tff1 expression was also localized using RNA in situ hybridization histochemistry. Results: We report for the first time on a significant transcriptional induction in cerebral Tff1 expression in both T. gondii-induced encephalitis and EAE. In contrast, Tff2 and Tff3 expression were not altered. Tff1 transcripts were predominantly localized in the internal granular layer of the cerebellum indicating neuronal expression. Furthermore, also glial cells are expected to express Tff1. Characterization of both experimental models by expression profiling (e.g., inflammasome sensors, inflammatory cytokines, microglial marker Iba1, ependymin related protein 1) revealed differences concerning the expression of the inflammasome sensor Nlrp1 and interleukin 17a. Conclusion: The up-regulated expression of Tff1 is probably the result of a complex inflammatory process as its expression is induced by tumor necrosis factor α as well as interleukins 1β and 17. However on the transcript level, Tff1KO mice did not show any significant signs of an altered immune response after infection with T. gondii in comparison with the wild type animals.
Salvage of Herniated Flow Diverters Using Stent and Balloon Anchoring Techniques: A Technical Note
Authors: Jagadeesan Bharathi D. , Sandhu Divyajot , Hong Kim Jae , Roshan Khanipour Sara , Grande Andrew W. , Tummala Ramachandra P.
Published: November 2016

Background: The pipeline embolization device (PED; Medtronic, MN, USA) can sometimes herniate into the aneurysmal sac in an unexpected manner during or shortly after its deployment due to device foreshortening. In this report, we describe 2 endovascular techniques, which can be used to reposition a herniated PED construct into a more favorable alignment. Summary: In a 67-year-old patient who had an intraprocedural herniation of a PED device into a giant cavernous aneurysm, a stent anchor technique was used to reverse the herniation, reorient the PED construct, and achieve successful flow diversion. In a different patient with a giant superior hypophyseal aneurysm, a balloon anchor technique followed by deployment of an LVIS Jr (Microvention, Tustin, CA, USA) stent was used to reverse the herniation into the aneurysmal sac. Key Messages: Stent anchor and balloon anchor techniques as described here can be used to reposition PED constructs, which have unexpectedly herniated into the aneurysm sac during attempted flow diversion for the treatment of giant aneurysms.
Comparing the Diagnostic Accuracy of RTE and SWE in Differentiating Malignant Thyroid Nodules from Benign Ones: a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tian Wuguo , Hao Shuai , Gao Bo , Jiang Yan , Zhang Xiaohua , Zhang Shu , Guo Lingji , Yan Jie , Luo Donglin
Published: November 2016

Background: Approximately 10-20 million Americans have been clinically diagnosed with thyroid nodules. Shear wave elastography (SWE) and real-time elastography (RTE) are two primary forms of elastography for identifying the status of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study is to assess the performance of RTE and SWE in identifying malignant thyroid nodules. Methods: Relevant articles were systematically retrieved from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. In order to evaluate the overall diagnostic accuracy, we have considered pooled sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), area under the curve (AUC) and partial AUC with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Stratified analyses by ethnicity (Caucasian, Asian), the number of malignant nodules (> 50, < 50), score system (elasticity scores: ES and strain ration: SR) and ES (> 4, < 4) were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. All statistical tests were performed using the R 3.2.1 software package. Results: We analyzed 80 trials from 71 studies with 16,624 subjects (12,348 for SWE, 4,276 for RTE). The pooled results suggested that RTE is more accurate than SWE in diagnosing malignant cases (RTE: SEN= 0.829, 95%CI = 0.799-0.855, SPE = 0.828, 95%CI = 0.789-0.862, AUC = 0.889; SWE: SEN = 0.784, 95%CI = 0.732-0.828, SPE = 0.824, 95%CI = 0.766-0.871, AUC = 0.859). No significant difference was found in the subgroup analyses. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that RTE is superior to SWE in differentiating malignant and benign thyroid nodules. Nevertheless, more studies focusing on the diagnostic accuracy of RTE and SWE during different stages of thyroid nodules development should be carried out in the future.
The anti-inflammatory vasostatin-2 attenuates atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice and inhibits monocyte/macrophage recruitment
Authors: Xiong Weixin , Wang Xiaoqun , Dai Daopeng , Zhang Bao , Lu Lin , Tao Rong
Published: November 2016

We showed previously that reduced level of vasostatin-2 (VS-2) correlates to the presence and severity of coronary artery disease. In this study, we aimed to figure out the role of chromogranin A (CGA) derived VS-2 in the development of atherosclerosis and monocyte/macrophage recruitment. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet exhibited attenuated lesion size by 65 % and 41 % in En face and aortic root Oil red O staining, MOMA-2 positive area by 64 %, respectively, in VS-2 treatment group compared with PBS group. Proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were all remarkably reduced in aortic tissues after VS-2 treatment. Mechanistically, in adhesion assay using intravital microscopy in vivo, VS-2 suppressed the number of leukocytes adhering to the wall of apoE-/- mice mesenteric arteries. In chemotactic assay, flow cytometry analysis of peritoneal lavage exudate from C57BL/6 mice showed VS-2 significantly decreased the recruiment number of inflammatory monocytes/macrophages in a thioglycollate-induced peritonitis model. Furthermore, fewer fluorescent latex beads labelled Ly-6Chi monocytes accumulated in aortic sinus lesions of apoE-/- mice after VS-2 treatment. In addition, according to the microarray of human monocyte/macrophage, we found VS-2 stimulation caused a dose-dependent decrease of Rac1 expression and inactivation of Pak1 in mice primary monocytes as well as THP-1 cells and inhibited MCP-1/CCL-5 induced transmigration in vitro. In conclusion, the Chromogranin A-derived VS-2 attenuates atherosclerosis in apoE-/- mice and, in addition to its anti-inflammatory property, also acts as an inhibitor in monocyte/macrophage recruitment.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Bargaining Away Justice: India, Pakistan, and the International Politics of Impunity for the Bangladesh Genocide
Authors: Bass Gary J.
Published: November 2016

This article expands the study of the politics of international criminal justice, restoring the crucial but overlooked case of Bangladesh, today the largest population confronting the aftermath of genocide. Bangladesh is one of the most important cases where the prosecution of war criminals was foiled, resulting in a disturbing impunity for one of the bloodiest incidents of the Cold War. Using unexplored declassified Indian government documents from archives in Delhi, this article uses detailed process-tracing to reveal for the first time why India and Bangladesh abandoned their plans to put accused Pakistani war criminals on trial after the 1971 war between India and Pakistan. In the face of Pakistani defiance, the Indian and Bangladeshi governments reluctantly bargained away justice in order to pursue their national security, with peacemaking with Pakistan proving more important than war crimes trials. This episode furthers the general understanding of both the causes and results of impunity for mass atrocities, while extending the study of international justice into Asia. Bangladesh's tragic experience shows the primacy of international security, while also tentatively suggesting that even when amnesty is necessary for peacemaking, it can leave a toxic legacy for future politics.
Shining Futures, Imminent Dangers
Authors: Schulte Nordholt Henk
Published: November 2016

After a brief period of optimism that accompanied the emergence of new nation-states, Southeast Asian politics experienced the impact of the Cold War which turned the region into a hotbed of mass violence. An estimated number of seven million people lost their lives, while fragile democracies were replaced by authoritarian regimes, postponing further democratization to the end of the 20th century.
The Psychology of Human Risk Preferences and Vulnerability to Scare-Mongers: Experimental Economic Tools for Hypothesis Formulation and Testing
Authors: Harrison Glenn W. , Ross Don
Published: November 2016

The Internet and social media have opened niches for political exploitation of human dispositions to hyper-alarmed states that amplify perceived threats relative to their objective probabilities of occurrence. Researchers should aim to observe the dynamic “ramping up” of security threat mechanisms under controlled experimental conditions. Such research necessarily begins from a clear model of standard baseline states, and should involve adding treatments to established experimental protocols developed by experimental economists. We review these protocols, which allow for joint estimation of risk preferences and subjective beliefs about probabilities and their distributions. Results we have obtained on such estimates, from populations in various countries, are gathered for comparison. Most people show moderate risk aversion in non-alarmed states. We also find universal heterogeneity in risk preference structures, with substantial sub-samples weighting probabilities in such a way as to display “probability pessimism” (rank dependent utility), while others make risky choices in accordance with expected utility theory.
Common Currencies, Multiple Systems and Risk Cognition: Evolutionary Trade-offs and the Problem of Efficient Choices
Authors: Spurrett David
Published: November 2016

There is an enduring tension in thinking about the architecture of systems that select behaviours, including evolved organisms. One line of reasoning supports convergence in control systems and conversion of the values of all options into a common currency, in part because this seems the best or only way of trading off costs and benefits associated with outcomes of varying types. A competing consideration supports parallelism or other forms of fragmentation, because of inefficiencies associated with integration, and suspicion towards general-purpose cognitive systems. In addition, recent neuroscience has given particular attention to the question of how partly independent ‘habit based’ and ‘planning based’ decision-systems might interact. The issues here are, at least in part, a special case of the more general integration versus parallelism tension. This tension provides a useful framework for thinking about the implementation of different kinds of sensitivity to risks of various types, the variety of mechanisms by means of which risk sensitivity might be modulated, and how risk might be traded off against other components of value or disincentive. I describe the tension, briefly survey some of the relevant empirical evidence, and conclude with tentative observations on the topic of risk.
The Efficient Breach Theory under Jordanian Civil Law
Authors: Obeidat Yusuf Mohammed Gassim
Published: November 2016

This study examined the ‘efficient breach’ theory and its possible application under Jordanian Civil Law. The theory says the promisor has the right to breach a contract and pay damages whenever his profit from breach exceeds his expected profits from performance. As a prerequisite for its application, the theory requires the general remedy for breach to be the payment of damages, rather than forced performance. Thus, the main area for its application is the common law system, since it favours damages as a primary remedy. This study reached the conclusion that the theory cannot work under Jordanian Civil Law, where the primary remedy for breach of contract is specific performance, that forces the promisor to complete the contract. In addition, it contradicts the good faith principle that Jordanian law is based upon, amongst other principles, and goes against the history of Jordanian legal rules.
Resolution of Islamic Banking Disputes by Way of Arbitration in Sri Lanka
Authors: Nafees Seeni Mohamed , Ayub Zainal A.
Published: November 2016

Islamic banking is a new, rapidly growing business, which is competing with its counterpart in Sri Lanka. As in any other area of business, emergence of disputes arising among stakeholders of Islamic banking is quite natural. However, the ability to resolve such disputes without destroying the business relationship is quite important. Many disadvantages inherent in the process of litigation may prompt those involved to seek an alternative way of dispute resolution (adr), offering less formality, lower costs and protection of privacy. Hence, in this respect, adr could be proposed as an ideal mechanism. This article strives to examine the possibility to apply arbitration for Islamic banking dispute resolution in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s Arbitration Act No. 11 of 1995 may play a significant role in this sense.
A Demotic Parallel to the Aramaic hnṣl of Elephantine
Authors: Simonson Brandon
Published: November 2016

This article examines the appearance of the Aramaic hnṣl clause in the Elephantine legal corpus in order to establish the specific legal function of the clause and explore its origins in ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian legal material. In the end, a Demotic equivalent to hnṣl reveals a strong parallel in legal function, which is to protect property from being reclaimed by former owners or those who may have a claim to ownership, especially between those of unequal status in society. It is concluded that the equivalent terms, the Aramaic hnṣl and the Demotic ṯꜣy, demonstrate the local development of a technical legal term at Elephantine, illustrating how locally prevailing law was able to thrive in Persian Egypt.
Water During and After Armed Conflicts
Authors: Tignino Mara
Published: November 2016

Armed conflicts damage water installations and limit access to the resource. It was only in the 1970s, however, that international humanitarian law (ihl) established norms to limit the impact of armed conflicts on water resources. This monograph contends that the protection provided byihlnorms should be expanded to take into account the wide range of existing principles and rules relating to water enshrined in human rights law and international water law. Although these rules are designed for distinct purposes, ranging from regulation of hostilities and the uses, management and protection of water, they are not distinct legal regimes to be interpreted and applied independently. Accordingly, the monograph argues and concludes that protection of water resources in times of armed conflict must be assessed against an extensive and holistic set of principles and rules of international law.
Two new Saxifraga species (Saxifragaceae) endemic to Tuscan Archipelago (central-northern Mediterranean, Italy)
Authors: MANNOCCI MAIRO , FERRETTI GIULIO , MAZZONCINI VIVIANO , FIORINI GRAZIANA , FOGGI BRUNO , LASTRUCCI LORENZO , LAZZARO LORENZO , VICIANI DANIELE
Published: November 2016

We investigated the populations of Saxifraga ser. Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae) on the islands of Capraia, Elba and Montecristo. These Italian islands form part of the Tuscan Archipelago group, in the north-central Mediterranean. The plant populations we report lie on the boundary between the ranges of the two species: S. granulata and S. corsica. We analysed specimens from the islands of Capraia, Montecristo and Elba, together with specimens from the Italian Apennines, and others from the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. The study focused on both the qualitative and quantitative morphological and karyological traits of these plants. The populations from the Tuscan Archipelago can be assigned to two distinct groups. The Elba population is morphologically close to S. granulata subsp. granulata. On the other hand, Capraia and Montecristo populations belong to the group of S. granulata s.l. and are indeed very similar to S. corsica but, at the same time, they show some distinctive morphological characters. The karyological studies show low chromosome counts (2n = 20–22) for the Elba and Apennine populations and higher chromosome counts (2n = 44–56) for the Capraia and Montecristo ones - similar to S. corsica. Based on these results, and on the geographical isolation of these populations, we describe two new taxa for Capraia and Montecristo, S. caprariae and S. montis-christi, respectively. The Elba population can be attributed to S. granulata subsp. granulata. Lastly, we provide an identification key for the Italian taxa belonging to S. ser. Saxifraga.
Notes on the identity and typification of Zehneria thwaitesii (Schweinf.) C.Jeffrey and Zehneria tridactyla (Hook.f.) R. Fern. & A. Fern. (Cucurbitaceae)
Authors: BRÄUCHLER C. , DWIVEDI MAYANK D. , SCHAEFER H.
Published: November 2016

In Zehneria thwaitesii long standing uncertainties persisted with respect to taxonomic delimitation. This study is a first step in clarifying the case using both morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. We here provide a complete overview on the nomenclatural history of Z. thwaitesii. For the African plants hitherto included in the broadly circumscribed species the name Z. tridactyla is reinstated and a lectotype is designated. Diagnostic features distinguishing both taxa are summarised. Z. thwaitesii is now considered restricted to Asia.
Review of Frigitilla Williams in Bartholomay et al., 2015, with description of a new species from Panama (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)
Authors: CAMBRA ROBERTO A. , BROTHERS DENIS J. , QUINTERO DIOMEDES
Published: November 2016

Frigitilla panamensis Cambra, Brothers & Quintero sp. nov., from Panama, based on females, is described and illustrated. This new species represents the northernmost distribution record for the Neotropical genus Frigitilla Williams in Bartholomay et al., 2015. New synonymy and combination are proposed for Frigitilla simulatrix (F. Smith, 1879), comb. nov. =Mutilla frigidula Cresson, 1902, syn. nov. A lectotype is designated for Mutilla simulatrix F. Smith, 1879. The differentiating characters for the genus are briefly discussed.
Descriptions of three larvae of Osmylus species from Japan (Neuroptera: Osmylidae), with a proposed naming system for the larval sclerites
Authors: MATSUNO SHIGETOMI , YOSHITOMI HIROYUKI
Published: November 2016

The naming system of sclerites on osmylid larvae is proposed by observation of three Japanese osmylid species, Osmylus (Osmylus) hyalinatus McLachlan, 1875, O. (O.) pryeri McLachlan, 1875, and O. (Plesiosmylus) tessellatus McLachlan, 1875. The last instar larvae of the genus and species are described with biological notes and a key to the species. Osmylus kisoensis Iwata, 1928 is synonymized with O. (O.) pryeri McLachlan, 1875.
Revisiting the Relationship between Observed Warming and Surface Pressure in the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: You Qinglong , Jiang Zhihong , Moore G. W. K. , Bao Yuntao , Kong Lei , Kang Shichang
Published: November 2016

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) has an average elevation of over 4000 m and with its surrounding mountains is regarded as Earth’s “third pole.” As a result of its size and height, climate change in the TP has its own unique characteristics that include a proposed positive correlation between the surface temperature and pressure. This study examines the trends and relationships between the surface pressure and temperature in the TP through the examination of monthly mean data from 71 stations during 1961–2013. On annual, seasonal, and monthly time scales, the TP exhibits a statistically significant warming trend that attains a rate of 0.30°C decade−1 for annual means over the period 1961–2013. The most pronounced warming occurs in winter, in agreement with previous studies, with evidence of acceleration in the rate after the mid-1980s and the global warming slowdown period. For the entire period of 1961–2013, the surface pressure in the TP has a positive trend of 0.08 hPa decade−1 on an annual basis, again with the largest trends occurring in winter. However, unlike what occurred with the surface temperature, the trend in surface pressure, in most cases, reversed sign after the mid-1980s. The trend in the geopotential height at 500 hPa from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis is consistent with the observed surface pressure trends. Over the period 1961–2013, there is a seasonal shift in the nature of the relationship between the surface temperature and pressure with a negative correlation during summer and autumn, and a positive correlation during winter. This suggests that the nature of the relationship between these two climate elements reflects the changing nature of the seasonal snow cover (land surface property) and cloud in the region.
The role of Xhosa traditional circumcision in constructing masculinity
Authors: Magodyo Tapiwa , Andipatin Michelle , Jackson Kyle
Published: November 2016

Ulwaluko is a Xhosa word that refers to an initiation ritual. The purpose is to transform boys into men. Circumcision is one of the rituals performed. The ritual aims to instil good moral and social values. Due to socio-cultural shifts, the practice of Ulwaluko has changed and this has culminated in instances of criminal activity, drug abuse, risky sexual behaviours, and inhumane behaviours among some of the initiates. There has been a recent upsurge in research on Ulwaluko in South Africa. While many studies examined Ulwaluko from a constructionist framework, very few have focused on subject positions and how Ulwaluko contributes to the construction of masculinity in Xhosa men. Using social constructionist theory, the study employed a qualitative exploratory design and semi-structured interviews that were analysed using thematic decomposition analysis and positioning theory. Seven participants, from a university in Cape Town, aged from 19 to 32 were recruited using purposive sampling. The results of the study reflect the fluidity of masculinity as reported in literature. First, in some of the participants, Ulwaluko created an idealised masculine identity that was chiefly characterised by upholding ritual teachings and yet the same men were burdened by a prescriptive set of masculine role expectations. Second, through self-reflection and critical engagement, some men contested Ulwaluko resulting in the creation of rival masculinities and thus the study created spaces to rethink masculine identities.
Fixed-time traffic signal optimization using a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm and microsimulation of urban networks
Authors: Costa Breno C , Leal Samara S , Almeida Paulo EM , Carrano Eduardo G
Published: November 2016

Large cities have been facing serious problems in the management of traffic, owing to the increasing number of vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic engineering is essential in managing traffic and improving urban mobility. This paper deals with the problem of fixed-time signal programming on traffic networks. A new bi-objective optimization model is proposed to maximize the average and minimize the variance of the vehicle speeds in the network. Although the first function is commonly discussed in the literature, the second one is novel, and its aim is to provide flow balance along the network. This combination of functions is optimized by the Memory-Based Variable-Length Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm 2 (MBVL-NSGA2), which avoids the revaluation of candidate solutions. This approach was validated through experiments using the microscopic simulator GISSIM, in a multi-intersection real network, using measured data from Belo Horizonte traffic engineering company (BHTRANS). The practical results of MBVL-NSGA2 were compared with four approaches: (1) current BHTRANS solutions; (2) a genetic algorithm optimizing the first function; (3) a genetic algorithm optimizing the second function, and; (4) the traditional NSGA2. Analysis showed that this proposal is able to generate better traffic signal plans, at the same time that it generates a diversified set of efficient candidate solutions.