bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFICIENT NON‐PARAMETRIC ESTIMATION OF THE SPECTRAL DENSITY IN THE PRESENCE OF MISSING OBSERVATIONS
Authors: Efromovich Sam
Published: April 2014

The problem of non‐parametric spectral density estimation for discrete‐time series in the presence of missing observations has a long history. In particular, the first consistent estimators of the spectral density have been developed at about the same time as consistent estimators for non‐parametric regression. On the other hand, while for now, the theory of efficient (under the minimax mean integrated squared error criteria) and adaptive nonparametric regression estimation with missing data is well developed, no similar results have been proposed for the spectral density of a time series whose observations are missed according to an unknown stochastic process. This article develops the theory of efficient and adaptive estimation for a class of spectral densities that includes classical causal autoregressive moving‐average time series. The developed theory shows how a missing mechanism affects the estimation and what penalty it imposes on the risk convergence. In particular, given costs of a single observation in time series with and without missing data and a desired accuracy of estimation, the theory allows one to choose the cost‐effective time series. A numerical study confirms the asymptotic theory.
Papers with John
Authors: Savin Nathan E. (Gene)
Published: April 2014

This is a revision of a paper that I presented at the John Nankervis Memorial Conference in July 2013. The purposes are to describe the research produced jointly by John and I and to give some personal comments.
Shakespeare, Time, Theory
Authors: Lewis Sarah
Published: April 2014

This article charts the range of ways in which literary scholars from the 1960s to the present day have approached Shakespeare's dramatic works through considerations of time. Time in the plays, as both subject matter (narrative theme) and as a key element of dramatic form (time scheme) has, with varying intensity, been a popular consideration in the field of Shakespeare criticism since the middle of the twentieth century. Time or temporality are also, however, important ordering principles for the majority of the theoretical approaches to early modern literary culture that have dominated modes of enquiry into Shakespeare's works in this period. This article considers the ways in which scholars' conceptualisations of time and the temporal in the plays have both shaped and been shaped by the increased popularity of critical temporal studies across the humanities, and more specifically by the range of theoretical frameworks – historicism, cultural materialism, new historicism, new materialism, presentism, new formalism, cognitivism – which have, to differing degrees, transformed the field of Shakespeare criticism over the last 50 years.
Literary Brains: Neuroscience, Criticism, and Theory
Authors: Hogan Patrick Colm
Published: April 2014

The “neurohumanities” are largely traditional fields of humanistic study – prominently including literature and related arts, such as film – that have taken up findings or methods of neuroscience to advance their research. Despite some (perhaps premature) media attention (see, for example, Quart), the body of work in neurohumanities is limited. It is therefore probably too early to undertake a survey of research in neuroscientific literary criticism and theory. However, there is considerable interest among literary scholars in the possibilities for such criticism and theory, and there are many areas of neuroscientific research that have begun to be incorporated into literary study or are likely to do so in the near future. The following essay first overviews some basic principles of neuroscience, selecting aspects of neuroscientific research that are particularly germane to literary study. It then considers the main tasks of literary criticism and theory and some of the ways in which neuroscience bears on those tasks. The essay ends with a brief comment on the relation between literary study that draws on neuroscience and neuroscience that takes literature as its object.
Involvement of H1 and H2 Receptors and Soluble Guanylate Cyclase in Histamine‐Induced Relaxation of Rat Mesenteric Collecting Lymphatics
Authors: Kurtz Kristine H. , Moor Andrea N. , Souza‐Smith Flavia M. , Breslin Jerome W.
Published: April 2014

Objective

This study investigated the roles of the H1 and H2 histamine receptors, NO synthase, and sGC cyclase in histamine‐induced modulation of rat mesenteric collecting lymphatic pumping.

Methods

Isolated rat mesenteric collecting lymphatics were treated with 1‐ to 100‐μM histamine. Histamine receptors were blocked with either the H1 antagonist mepyramine or the H2 antagonist cimetidine. The role of NO/sGC signaling was tested using the arginine analog l‐NAME, the sGC inhibitor ODQ, and SNP as a positive control.

Results

Histamine applied at 100 μM decreased tone and CF of isolated rat mesenteric collecting lymphatics. Pharmacologic blockade of either H1 or H2 histamine receptors significantly inhibited the response to histamine. Pretreatment with ODQ, but not l‐NAME, completely inhibited the histamine‐induced decrease in tone. ODQ pretreatment also significantly inhibited SNP‐induced lymphatic relaxation.

Conclusions

H1 and H2 histamine receptors are both involved in histamine‐induced relaxation of rat mesenteric collecting lymphatics. NO synthesis does not appear to contribute to the histamine‐induced response. However, sGC is critical for the histamine‐induced decrease in tone and contributes to the drop in CF.
Role of NADPH Oxidase in Total Salvianolic Acid Injection Attenuating Ischemia‐Reperfusion Impaired Cerebral Microcirculation and Neurons: Implication of AMPK/Akt/PKC
Authors: Tang Hao , Pan Chun‐Shui , Mao Xiao‐Wei , Liu Yu‐Ying , Yan Li , Zhou Chang‐Man , Fan Jing‐Yu , Zhang Shuang‐Yan , Han Jing‐Yan
Published: April 2014

Objective

TSI is a new drug derived from Chinese medicine for treatment of ischemic stroke in China. The aim of this study was to verify the therapeutic effect of TSI in a rat model of MCAO, and further explore the mechanism for its effect.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to right MCAO for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion. TSI (1.67 mg/kg) was administrated before reperfusion via femoral vein injection. Twenty‐four hours after reperfusion, the fluorescence intensity of DHR 123 in, leukocyte adhesion to and albumin leakage from the cerebral venules were observed. Neurological scores, TTC staining, brain water content, Nissl staining, TUNEL staining, and MDA content were assessed. Bcl‐2/Bax, cleaved caspase‐3, NADPH oxidase subunits p47phox/p67phox/gp91phox, and AMPK/Akt/PKC were analyzed by Western blot.

Results

TSI attenuated I/R‐induced microcirculatory disturbance and neuron damage, activated AMPK, inhibited NADPH oxidase subunits membrane translocation, suppressed Akt phosphorylation, and PKC translocation.

Conclusions

TSI attenuates I/R‐induced brain injury in rats, supporting its clinic use for treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The role of TSI may benefit from its antioxidant activity, which is most likely implemented via inactivation of NADPH oxidase through a signaling pathway implicating AMPK/Akt/PKC.
Capturing a More Complete View of Employees’ Lives Outside of Work: The Introduction and Development of New Interrole Conflict Constructs
Authors: Wilson Kelly Schwind , Baumann Heidi M.
Published: April 2014

This research introduces 4 new constructs that reflect interrole conflict (i.e., work‐to‐personal, personal‐to‐work, family‐to‐personal, and personal‐to‐family conflict) and provide a more complete view of the roles and responsibilities employees experience outside of work. An integration of interrole conflict literature and research on work and nonwork roles or domains highlights the importance of considering an individual's personal domain, which includes activities one pursues because of his or her own interests (e.g., friends, hobbies, community). Unfortunately, without conflict measures pertaining to this new role, researchers cannot clearly understand how roles other than family interfere with individuals’ work role including how interrole conflict impacts employees who do not have significant responsibilities in the family domain. Five phases of research across 4 separate samples were conducted in order to develop measures for the 4 new conflict constructs and to examine relationships with important work, family, life, and health outcomes. Findings from multisource data, including self‐rated, coworker‐rated, as well as single and nonsingle participants, show that the 4 new forms of interrole conflict have significant implications for employees and organizations.
A Field Guide to Mechanisms: Part II
Authors: Andersen Holly
Published: April 2014

In this field guide, I distinguish five separate senses with which the term ‘mechanism’ is used in contemporary philosophy of science. Many of these senses have overlapping areas of application but involve distinct philosophical claims and characterize the target mechanisms in relevantly different ways. This field guide will clarify the key features of each sense and introduce some main debates, distinguishing those that transpire within a given sense from those that are best understood as concerning two distinct senses. The ‘new mechanisms’ sense is the primary sense from which other senses will be distinguished. In part II of this field guide, I consider three further senses of the term that are ontologically ‘flat’ or at least not explicitly hierarchical in character: equations in structural equation models of causation, causal‐physical processes, and information‐theoretic constraints on states available to systems. After characterizing each sense, I clarify its ontological commitments, its methodological implications, how it figures in explanations, its implications for reduction, and the key manners in which it differs from other senses of mechanism. I conclude that there is no substantive core meaning shared by all senses, and that debates in contemporary philosophy of science can benefit from clarification regarding precisely which sense of mechanism is at stake.
A Field Guide to Mechanisms: Part I
Authors: Andersen Holly
Published: April 2014

In this field guide, I distinguish five separate senses with which the term ‘mechanism’ is used in contemporary philosophy of science. Many of these senses have overlapping areas of application but involve distinct philosophical claims and characterize the target mechanisms in relevantly different ways. This field guide will clarify the key features of each sense and introduce some main debates, distinguishing those that transpire within a given sense from those that are best understood as concerning distinct senses. The ‘new mechanisms’ sense is at the center of most of these contemporary debates and will be treated at greater length; subsequent senses of mechanism will be primarily distinguished from this one. In part I of this paper, I distinguish two senses of the term ‘mechanism’, both of which are explicitly hierarchical and nested in character, such that any given mechanism is comprised of smaller sub‐mechanisms, in turn comprised of yet smaller sub‐sub‐mechanisms and so on. While both of the senses discussed here are anti‐reductive, they differ in their focus on scientific practice versus metaphysics, in the degree of regularity they attribute to mechanisms, and in terms of their relationships to the discussions of mechanisms in the history of philosophy and science.
Painting and Philosophy
Authors: Newall Michael
Published: April 2014

This article is primarily concerned with the philosophical problems that arise out of a consideration of painting. By painting I mean of course not any kind of application of paint to a surface – house painting for instance – but painting as an art, to use Richard Wollheim's phrase. Since Plato, philosophy has intermittently been concerned with these problems, and over the past 30 years, painting has come under a new focus as philosophy of art has increasingly turned its attention to the issues that arise from particular art forms. I will also draw on some ideas developed in art history and theory, which have a suitably philosophical, that is, general or foundational, character. There are many philosophical issues that arise equally from painting and other art forms, but for just this reason, they are best addressed in a broader cross‐art‐form context, and I will mostly avoid dealing with them here. Instead, I will focus on issues that arise solely or with a special force from a consideration of painting. It will be helpful to roughly arrange these in two categories. The first is representation; the second is form. We shall see that these categories are difficult to keep separate with regard to painting and overlap at various points.
Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma with malignant features: Histological evaluation and novel immunohistochemical findings
Authors: Konosu‐Fukaya Sachiko , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Fujishima Fumiyoshi , Kasajima Atsuko , McNamara Keely M , Takahashi Yayoi , Joh Kensuke , Saito Hideo , Ioritani Naomasa , Ikeda Yoshihiro , Arai Yoichi , Watanabe Mika , Sasano Hironobu
Published: April 2014

Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) is a potentially malignant tumor type whose characteristics and biomarkers predictive of malignant behavior have not been elucidated. Here, we report three cases of renal EAML with malignant features but without histories of tuberous sclerosis complex. Case 1 involved a 29‐year‐old man with a 12‐cm solid mass in the right kidney who underwent radical right nephrectomy. Case 2 involved a 22‐year‐old woman with a retroperitoneal mass who underwent radical right nephrectomy and retroperitoneal tumorectomy. Local recurrence was detected 7 years post‐surgery. Case 3 involved a 23‐year‐old man with a 14‐cm solid mass in the left kidney who underwent radical left nephrectomy. Microscopically, the tumors in all cases demonstrated proliferation of epithelioid cells with atypia, mitotic activity, necrosis, hemorrhage, and vascular invasion. Epithelioid cells in all cases were immunohistochemically positive for melanocytic and myoid markers and weakly positive for E‐cadherin and β‐catenin. Immunohistochemistry revealed activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Here, we report the morphological and immunohistochemical features of clinically or histologically malignant renal EAML.
De novo hairy cell leukemia with a major BCR/ABL1 rearrangement: A case report with a literature review
Authors: Won Young‐Woong , Kim Sung Jong , Park Tae Sung , Oh Seung Hwan , Wan Thomas S.K. , Baek Eun Jung
Published: April 2014

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a very rare mature B‐cell neoplasm and its simultaneous occurrence with chronic myeloid leukemia has been reported in only three cases. The pathogenesis and relationship of the two diseases are not clear. Here we report a case of HCL expressing a BCR/ABL1 clone, which showed molecular remission of the fusion clones and achieved partial remission over nine months of cladribine therapy. After a thorough analysis of previous studies and the results of this patient, we speculate that a subclone evolved to have an additional genetic BCR/ABL1 rearrangement. We also review all published literature on HCL with BCR/ABL1 rearrangement and discuss the pathophysiology of these unusual cases.
MUC expression in adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck regions of Japanese patients: Immunohistochemical analysis
Authors: Kusafuka Kimihide , Muramatsu Koji , Iida Yoshiyuki , Mori Keita , Miki Tomoko , Suda Toshihito , Fuke Tomohito , Kamijo Tomoyuki , Onitsuka Tetsuro , Nakajima Takashi
Published: April 2014

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the head and neck regions. We elucidated the relationship between ASC and MUC molecule expression. We selected 14 cases of ASC in the head and neck, and examined them immunohistohcmically. Seven cases of tongue, 3 cases of larynx and 4 cases of hypopharynx carcinoma were selected. Nine (64.3%) of 14 cases showed lymph node metastasis at the diagnosis. Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cases showed a higher stage. Six cases (66.7%), all of which showed lymph node metastases, died of disease. Immunohistochemical examinations showed that ASC was positive for both markers of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. ASC showed positivity for MUC1 (13 cases: 92.3%), MUC1core (12 cases: 85.2%) and MUC4 (12 cases: 85.7%). In rare ASC of the head and neck region, it was revealed that MUC1 and MUC4 expression might be associated with its nodal status.
Adenocarcinoma arising in small sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSA/P) of the colon: Clinicopathological study of eight lesions
Authors: Ban Shinichi , Mitomi Hiroyuki , Horiguchi Hisashi , Sato Hideaki , Shimizu Michio
Published: April 2014

We reviewed the clinicopathological findings of eight cases of sessile serrated adenoma/polyps (SSA/Ps) with carcinoma, the largest diameter of which was 10 mm or less. All lesions were polyps located in the right side of the colon. Four lesions showed submucosal invasion and one lesion invaded the proper muscle layer. The depth of invasion, however, did not seem to be related to the carcinoma area size. Most carcinomas were well to moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinomas focally showing some serrated appearances, and the predominant component of one carcinoma was a poorly differentiated medullary growth with inflammatory stroma. Rapid progression to invasive carcinoma from SSA/P was suggested for the carcinoma with proper muscle invasion whereas one submucosally invasive carcinoma was considered to progress over 7 years. Immunohistochemically, it was suggested that with or without hMLH1 protein loss, alterations of p53 and/or Wnt signaling pathway can be involved in the cancerization through SSA/Ps. The carcinomas irregularly imitated the mucin expression of the SSA/Ps (positive for MUC5AC and MUC2, and MUC6 expression in crypt bases), which was lost with progression of the carcinomas. Analyses of small SSA/P lesions with cancerization would facilitate the understanding of the mode of progression of SSA/Ps and their early detection.
Gross Pathology and Endocrinology of Ovarian Cysts in Bitches
Authors: Knauf Y , Bostedt H , Failing K , Knauf S , Wehrend A
Published: April 2014

Contents

A total of 73 bitches with ovarian cysts were ovariohysterectomized. Cysts were characterized by gross pathology and endocrine parameters. Therefore, oestradiol‐17ß and progesterone concentrations were assessed in cyst‐fluid and corresponding blood plasma in each bitch. Our data demonstrated that multiple cysts were often present in a single individual (82%) and that cysts were commonly found on both ovaries (77%). The number of cysts per individual varied from 1 to 35. Most cysts were small in size (range 0.2–4.0 cm in diameter). No cyst was found to produce solely oestradiol‐17ß or progesterone. Plasma levels of oestradiol‐17ß and progesterone for a given individual were positively correlated with levels of these same hormones in their cyst‐fluid (r = 0.334 and p = 0.001 for oestradiol‐17ß;r = 0.419 and p < 0.001 for progesterone). Our study is the first to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the gross pathology and endocrinology of ovarian cysts in a larger number of bitches.
Is Globalization Weakening the Inflation–Output Relationship?
Authors: López‐Villavicencio Antonia , Saglio Sophie
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates whether trade and financial openness has weakened the inflation–output trade‐off and caused a shift in the preferences of monetary authorities. Based on the backward‐looking Phillips curve and a Taylor‐type interest rate rule, our results for France, the UK and the USA for the 1970–2012 period do not provide support for the relevance of globalization in making inflation less responsive to output expansions. Moreover, the change of preferences of Central Banks towards growth‐oriented objectives is neither due to higher trade nor to financial globalization.
Sample Path Asymmetries in Non‐Gaussian Random Processes
Authors: Baxevani Anastassia , Podgórski Krzysztof , Wegener Jörg
Published: April 2014

We tackle an important although rarely addressed question of accounting for a variety of asymmetries frequently observed in stochastic temporal/spatial records. First, we review some measures intending to capture such asymmetries that have been introduced on various occasions in the past and then propose a family of measures that is motivated by Rice's formula for crossing level distributions of the slope. We utilize those asymmetry measures to demonstrate how a class of second‐order models built on the skewed Laplace distributions can account for sample path asymmetries. It is shown that these models are capable of mimicking not only distributional skewness but also more complex geometrical asymmetries in the sample path such as tilting, front‐back slope asymmetry and time irreversibility. Simple moment‐based estimation techniques are briefly discussed to allow direct application to modelling and fitting actual records.
A New Model for Multivariate Markov Chains
Authors: Nicolau João
Published: April 2014

We propose a new model for multivariate Markov chains of order one or higher on the basis of the mixture transition distribution (MTD) model. We call it the MTD‐Probit. The proposed model presents two attractive features: it is completely free of constraints, thereby facilitating the estimation procedure, and it is more precise at estimating the transition probabilities of a multivariate or higher‐order Markov chain than the standard MTD model.
Image Correlation to Evaluate the Influence of Hygrothermal Loading on Wood
Authors: Gauvin C. , Jullien D. , Doumalin P. , Dupré J.‐C. , Gril J.
Published: April 2014

Many wooden objects from cultural heritage consist in wooden panels, painted on one face. Some of these panels show permanent cupping, micro‐cracks of the painted layer, and cracks of the painted support itself. Different physical and mechanical phenomena are at the origin of these damages: wood is a hygroscopic material (its dimensions vary with humidity), it is highly anisotropic, the paint layer on one face has properties of permeability different from those of raw wood of the back face, and a rigid frame possibly restrained the deformation of the panel.

Experimentations on our mock‐up panels combined with numerical simulations of these panels in real situations of hygrothermal fluctuations will allow us to test specific situations and eventually to make suggestions to conservators and restorers and guide them in their interventions.

Hygrothermal treatments are often used to improve wood durability thanks a reduction of its hygroscopicity. They have been considered as means to reproduce the physical properties of ancient wood. We intend to model the mechanisms involved in mechanical and chemical effects of wooden painted panels exposed to climatic variations.

To develop such conservation tool, we need to work on mock‐up, which replicate panel painting. So we will investigate the process of hygroscopic ageing and compression set generation of the back of painted panels to explain their permanent cupping and replicate their ageing state.

For this purpose, digital image correlation is used to evaluate the strain field of the section of a wood piece submitted to variations of relative humidity.
Predictors of hemoglobin recovery or deferral in blood donors with an initial successful donation
Authors: Custer Brian , Bravo Marjorie , Bruhn Roberta , Land Kevin , Tomasulo Peter , Kamel Hany
Published: April 2014

Background

Donation eligibility is based on hemoglobin (Hb) level among other factors. This study assesses factors that influence Hb levels among first‐time (FT) donors returning for a second donation.

Study Design and Methods

Allogeneic FT donors who successfully donated a red blood cell (RBC)‐containing donation on their index presentation and returned to donate at least once more between August 1, 2009, and July 31, 2012, were included. Interdonation intervals and delta Hb (subsequent donation – index donation value) were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression and survival analysis methods were used to determine factors associated with 1) Hb recovery to preindex donation value or 2) deferral at the second presentation.

Results

During the study, 135,040 FT donors returned to donate. Overall, 44% of donors returned with a Hb level at or above their index value (defined as recovery for this study), 48.1% for males and 39.9% for females. Logistic regression revealed that the factor most strongly associated with Hb recovery was index Hb, with lower Hb having much higher odds of recovery. Shorter interdonation intervals were associated with decreased likelihood of recovery. Certain demographic characteristics were also associated with higher odds of recovery. Factors associated with deferral were similar to the factors associated with recovery, except for donor sex.

Conclusions

As early as the second blood donation, allogeneic donors can be differentiated into two subpopulations: those who recover to index Hb levels and those who do not. Current data routinely collected by US blood centers cannot reliably distinguish between the two groups.
Quantifying Uncertainty in Multiscale Heat Conduction Calculations
Authors: Marepalli Prabhakar , Murthy Jayathi Y. , Qiu Bo , Ruan Xiulin
Published: April 2014

In recent years, there has been interest in employing atomistic computations to inform macroscale thermal transport analyses. In heat conduction simulations in semiconductors and dielectrics, for example, classical molecular dynamics (MD) is used to compute phonon relaxation times, from which material thermal conductivity may be inferred and used at the macroscale. A drawback of this method is the noise associated with MD simulation (here after referred to as MD noise), which is generated due to the possibility of multiple initial configurations corresponding to the same system temperature. When MD is used to compute phonon relaxation times, the spread may be as high as 20%. In this work, we propose a method to quantify the uncertainty in thermal conductivity computations due to MD noise, and its effect on the computation of the temperature distribution in heat conduction simulations. Bayesian inference is used to construct a probabilistic surrogate model for thermal conductivity as a function of temperature, accounting for the statistical spread in MD relaxation times. The surrogate model is used in probabilistic computations of the temperature field in macroscale Fourier conduction simulations. These simulations yield probability density functions (PDFs) of the spatial temperature distribution resulting from the PDFs of thermal conductivity. To allay the cost of probabilistic computations, a stochastic collocation technique based on generalized polynomial chaos (gPC) is used to construct a response surface for the variation of temperature (at each physical location in the domain) as a function of the random variables in the thermal conductivity model. Results are presented for the spatial variation of the probability density function of temperature as a function of spatial location in a typical heat conduction problem to establish the viability of the method.
Investigation on dielectric properties of atomic layer deposited Al2O3 dielectric films
Authors: Yıldız Dilber Esra , Yıldırım Mert , Gökçen Muharrem
Published: April 2014

Al/Al2O3/p-Si Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) were fabricated using atomic layer deposition technique in order to investigate dielectric properties of SBDs. For this purpose, admittance measurements were conducted at room temperature between −1 V and 3 V in the frequency range of 10 kHz and 1 MHz. In addition to the investigation of Al2O3 morphology using atomic force microscope, dielectric parameters; such as dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), dielectric loss tangent (tan δ), and real and imaginary parts of dielectric modulus (M′ and M″, respectively), were calculated and effect of frequency on these parameters of Al/Al2O3/p-Si SBDs was discussed. Variations in these parameters at low frequencies were associated with the effect of interface states in low frequency region. Besides dielectric parameters, ac electrical conductivity of these SBDs was also investigated.
Exploring Narratives of Boyhood Sexual Subjection in Male-Sport
Authors: Hartill Mike
Published: April 2014

While little attention has been paid to stories of boyhood sexual abuse in sport, in recent years autobiographical accounts from male “survivors” have emerged in relatively quick succession. This paper argues that this is a significant development for the sports community which requires further attention. More specifically, it argues that the use of narrative analysis is vital to the development of this field of study and illustrates this through the presentation and analysis of two stories of boyhood sexual subjection in male-sport. It is argued that some stories of sexual subjection in male-sport may be well-received while others may not and that social science must be alert to those stories which may transgress dominant notions of the “survivor” story and may be silenced as a result.
Women’s Experiences in the Mixed Martial Arts: A Quest for Excitement?
Authors: Mierzwinski Mark , Velija Philippa , Malcolm Dominic
Published: April 2014

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), like the majority of relatively violent sports, has mainly been organized around the capabilities of the male body. However various indices suggest that women’s engagement with MMA is growing. The purpose of this paper is to offer an analysis of women’s involvement in MMA using a figurational sociological approach. In doing so, we draw on interview data with “elite” female mixed martial artists to explore the extent to which females within MMA experience a specifically gendered “quest for excitement.” The paper further illustrates how the notion of “civilized bodies” can be used to interpret the distinctly gendered experiences of shame in relation to fighting in combat sports, the physical markings incurred as a consequence, and perceptions of sexual intimacy in the close physical contact of bodies. In so doing this paper provides the first figurationally-informed study of female sport involvement to focus explicitly on the role of violence in mediating social relations, while refining aspects of the figurational sociological approach to provide a more adequate framework for the analysis of gender relations.
Emergent Space-Time Supersymmetry at the Boundary of a Topological Phase
Authors: Grover Tarun , Sheng D. N. , Vishwanath Ashvin
Published: April 2014

Hope for SUSY?

Supersymmetry (SUSY), the symmetry between fermions, particles that form matter, and bosons, which mediate the interactions between them, has been proposed as one of the more likely extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics; however, it has so far received little experimental support. Condensed matter systems, such as the superfluid helium-3, may save the concept. In preparation for experimentation,

Grover
et al.

(p.
280
, published online 3 April) develop a theoretical approach that suggests SUSY describes the quantum phase transition on the boundary of a topological superconductor between a magnetic phase characterized by a bosonic order parameter and a neighboring phase hosting Majorana fermions.
Li and Me
Authors: McNutt Marcia
Published: April 2014

During a week-long trip to China in January this year, I was invited to meet with Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing to discuss science. At first, I was in disbelief. After all, China is a nation of 1.3 billion people. Li, as Premier and Party Secretary of the State Council, has many pressing issues of national and international concern to attend to. In all my years as a scientist, including heading a billion-dollar U.S. research agency, this was the most significant invitation I had ever received to meet with a sitting national leader to hear his vision for science and discuss important global science matters. The fact that the Chinese Premier wanted to meet with me sent strong signals as to how China is seeing science as critical to its future well being.
Wafer-Scale Growth of Single-Crystal Monolayer Graphene on Reusable Hydrogen-Terminated Germanium
Authors: Lee Jae-Hyun , Lee Eun Kyung , Joo Won-Jae , Jang Yamujin , Kim Byung-Sung , Lim Jae Young , Choi Soon-Hyung , Ahn Sung Joon , Ahn Joung Real , Park Min-Ho , Yang Cheol-Woong , Choi Byoung Lyong , Hwang Sung-Woo , Whang Dongmok
Published: April 2014

Smoothing Graphene

Several methods have been reported for the growth of monolayer graphene into areas large enough for integration into silicon electronics. However, the electronic properties of the graphene are often degraded by grain boundaries and wrinkles.

Lee
et al.

(p.
286
, published online 3 April) showed that flat, single crystals of monolayer graphene can be grown by chemical-vapor deposition on silicon wafers covered by a germanium layer that aligns the grains. The graphene can be dry-transferred to other substrates, and the germanium layer can be reused for further growth cycles.
Genome Sequence and Methylome of Soil Bacterium
Gemmatirosa kalamazoonensis
KBS708
T
, a Member of the Rarely Cultivated
Gemmatimonadetes
Phylum
Authors: DeBruyn Jennifer M. , Radosevich Mark , Wommack K. Eric , Polson Shawn W. , Hauser Loren J. , Fawaz Mariam N. , Korlach Jonas , Tsai Yu-Chih
Published: April 2014

Bacteria belonging to the phylum
Gemmatimonadetes
are found in a wide variety of environments and are particularly abundant in soils. Here, we present the complete genome sequence and methylation pattern of the newly described
Gemmatirosa kalamazoonensis
type strain.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain YL84, a Quorum-Sensing Strain Isolated from Compost
Authors: Chan Kok-Gan , Yin Wai-Fong , Lim Yan Lue
Published: April 2014

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strain YL84, which was isolated from compost. This strain was found to be a chitinase-producing quorum-sensing bacterium.
Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium bovis Strain AN5, Used for Production of Purified Protein Derivative
Authors: Canevari Castelão Ana Beatriz , Nishibe Christiane , Moura André , de Alencar Andrea Padilha , de Azevedo Issa Mariana , Hodon Mikael Arrais , Mota Pedro Moacyr Pinto Coelho , Sales Érica Bravo , Fonseca Júnior Antônio Augusto , Almeida Nalvo Franco , Araújo Flábio Ribeiro
Published: April 2014

Mycobacterium bovis
strain AN5 has been used to produce purified protein derivative (PPD) for the intradermal test for bovine tuberculosis since it was introduced in 1948. This work reports the draft genome sequence of
M. bovis
AN5, which is used for the production of bovine PPD in Brazil, as well as comparisons to other strains of
M. bovis
and
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
.
Male Zuska's disease
Authors: Johnson Shepard P , Kaoutzanis Christodoulos , Schaub George A
Published: April 2014

Subareolar abscess of the male breast is a rare condition, which can be complicated by a fistula from the areolar skin into a lactiferous duct. In 1951, Zuskaet alfirst characterised this entity in women. Literature on mammillary fistulas in men is scarce and therefore standardisation of treatment does not exist. We present two cases of recurrent subareolar abscesses with draining fistulas. Both patients were successfully treated by complete excision of the lactiferous duct fistula, and continue to do well with no evidence of disease recurrence. When male patients present with a draining subareolar abscess, one should have a high index of suspicion for a mammillary fistula. Failure to identify and surgically excise the fistula may lead to recurrence of the abscess and prolonged morbidity. The most effective management of this uncommon entity includes complete excision of the lactiferous duct fistula.
A dysmorphic newborn with petechiae and a ‘Big Heart’
Authors: Oh Ling Zhi Bernice , Ng Peng Mei Yvonne , Quah Thuan Chong
Published: April 2014

A male fetus was noted to have an isolated pericardial effusion. At birth, he had dysmorphic features of Down syndrome and extensive petechiae. He was diagnosed to have transient myeloproliferative disorder. The large pericardial effusion and TMD spontaneously resolved. At 4 years of age, he was diagnosed with acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia, underwent chemotherapy and achieved complete remission.
Self-perceived health status following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a cohort study
Authors: Quinn Audrey C , Bhargava Deepti , Al-Tamimi Yahia Z , Clark Matthew J , Ross Stuart A , Tennant Alan
Published: April 2014

Objective

The objective of the study was to assess the long-term self-reported health status and quality of life (QoL) of patients following an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (ASAH) using a self-completed questionnaire booklet.

Design

A two-cohort study.

Setting

A regional tertiary neurosurgical centre.

Participants

2 cohorts of patients with ASAH treated between 1998 and 2008 and followed up at approximately 1 year.

Interventions

Routine care.

Primary and secondary outcomes

A range of standardised scales included: AKC Short Sentences Test, the Barthel Index, the Self-Report Dysexecutive Questionnaire, the Everyday Memory Questionnaire, Stroke Symptom Checklist, Wimbledon Self-Report Scale, Modified Rankin Score (MRS) and a new Stroke-QoL. The data from summated scales were fit to the Rasch measurement model to validate the summed score.

Results

214 patients (48%) returned the questionnaires; the majority (76%) had a World Federation of Neurosurgeons grade of 1 or 2. The most frequent aneurysm type was that of the anterior communicating artery (28%) with approximately 90% of aneurysms of the anterior circulation. Of those previously in full or part-time employment, 48.9% were unemployed at follow-up. All summated scales satisfied the Rasch measurement model requirements, such that their summed scores were a sufficient statistic. Given this, one-third of patients were noted to have a significant mood disorder and 25% had significant dysexecutive function. Patients with an MRS of 3, 4 or 5 had significantly worse scores on most outcome measures, but a significant minority of those with a score of zero had failed to return to work and displayed significant mood disorder.

Conclusions

A range of self-reported cognitive and physical deficits have been highlighted in a cohort of patients with ASAH. While the MRS has been shown to provide a reasonable indication of outcome, in routine clinical follow-up it requires supplementation by instruments assessing dysexecutive function, memory and mood.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection and its potential role in the management of early colorectal neoplasia in UK
Authors: Hayward Christopher , Uraoka Toshio , Yahagi Naohisa
Published: April 2014

In Europe, colorectal cancer is the most common newly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths, accounting for approximately 436 000 incident cases and 212 000 deaths in 2008. National screening programmes will increase the number of early (pT1) cancers detected. pT1 cancers are those showing invasion through the muscularis mucosae into the submucosa but not into the muscularis propria. Microstaging of pT1 cancer is crucial in predicting those cases less likely to cause nodal disease and that will be cured with endoscopic resection alone. The submucosal extent and other histological features predict the risk of nodal disease, and for this reason, en bloc resection is highly desirable. Endoscopic submucosal dissection enables en bloc resection of mucosal and submucosal disease and could reduce the need for surgery in some cases by definitive initial resection.
Willingness to engage in peer-delivered HIV voluntary counselling and testing among people who inject drugs in a Canadian setting
Authors: Markwick Nicole , Ti Lianping , Callon Cody , Feng Cindy , Wood Evan , Kerr Thomas
Published: April 2014

Background

People who inject drugs (IDU) face unique systemic, social and individual barriers to conventional HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) programmes. Peer-delivered approaches represent a possible alternative to improve rates of testing among this population.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from a prospective cohort of IDU in Vancouver, Canada, were collected between December 2011 and May 2012. Bivariate statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify the prevalence of and factors associated with willingness to receive peer-delivered VCT.

Results

Of 600 individuals, 51.5% indicated willingness to receive peer-delivered pretest counselling, 40.7% to receive peer-delivered rapid HIV testing and 42.8% to receive peer-delivered post-test counselling. Multivariate analyses found significant positive associations between willingness for pretest counselling and having used Vancouver's supervised injection facility, Insite, or being a member of VANDU (a local drug user organisation) (all p<0.05). Daily crack smoking and having used Insite were positively associated with willingness to receive peer-delivered HIV testing (p<0.05). Willingness to receive peer-delivered post-test counselling was positively associated with male gender, daily crack smoking, having used Insite and being a member of VANDU (p<0.05).

Conclusions

While not universally acceptable, peer-delivered VCT approaches may improve access to HIV testing among IDU.
Demonstrating the effectiveness of body armour: a pilot prospective computerised surface wound mapping trial performed at the Role 3 hospital in Afghanistan
Authors: Breeze Johno , Allanson-Bailey L S , Hepper A E , Midwinter M J
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Modern body armour clearly reduces injury incidence and severity, but evidence to actually objectively demonstrate this effect is scarce. Although the Joint Theatre Trauma Registry (JTTR) alone cannot relate injury pattern to body armour coverage, the addition of computerised Surface Wound Mapping (SWM) may enable this utility.

Method

Surface wound locations of all UK and NATO coalition soldiers, Afghan National Army and Police and local nationals injured by explosively propelled fragments and treated in the Role 3 UK-led Field Hospital in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, between 8 July and 20 October 2012 were prospectively recorded. The Abbreviated Injury Scores (AIS) and relative risk of casualties sustaining injuries under a type of body armour were compared with those that did not wear that armour.

Results

Casualties wearing a combat helmet were 2.7 times less likely to sustain a fragmentation wound to the head than those that were unprotected (mean AIS of 2.9 compared with 4.1). Casualties wearing a body armour vest were 4.1 times less likely to sustain a fragmentation wound to the chest or abdomen than those that were unprotected (mean AIS of 2.9 compared with 3.9). Casualties wearing pelvic protection were 10 times less likely to sustain a fragmentation wound to the pelvis compared with those that were unprotected (mean AIS of 3.4 compared with 3.9).

Discussion

Computerised SWM has objectively demonstrated the ability of body armour worn on current operations in Afghanistan to reduce wound incidence and severity. We recognise this technique is limited in that it only records the surface wound location and may be specific to this conflict. However, gathering electronic SWM at the same time as recording injuries for the JTTR was simple, required little extra time and therefore we would recommend its collection during future conflicts.
Decreased rate of protein synthesis, caspase-3 activity, and ubiquitin–proteasome proteolysis in soleus muscles from growing rats fed a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet
Authors: Batistela Emanuele , Pereira Mayara Peron , Siqueira Juliany Torres , Paula-Gomes Silvia , Zanon Neusa Maria , Oliveira Eduardo Brandt , Navegantes Luiz Carlos Carvalho , Kettelhut Isis C. , Andrade Claudia Marlise Balbinotti , Kawashita Nair Honda , Baviera Amanda Martins
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the rates of both protein synthesis and breakdown, and the activation of intracellular effectors that control these processes in soleus muscles from growing rats fed a low-protein, high-carbohydrate (LPHC) diet for 15 days. The mass and the protein content, as well as the rate of protein synthesis, were decreased in the soleus from LPHC-fed rats. The availability of amino acids was diminished, since the levels of various essential amino acids were decreased in the plasma of LPHC-fed rats. Overall rate of proteolysis was also decreased, explained by reductions in the mRNA levels of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1, ubiquitin conjugates, proteasome activity, and in the activity of caspase-3. Soleus muscles from LPHC-fed rats showed increased insulin sensitivity, with increased levels of insulin receptor and phosphorylation levels of AKT, which probably explains the inhibition of both the caspase-3 activity and the ubiquitin–proteasome system. The fall of muscle proteolysis seems to represent an adaptive response that contributes to spare proteins in a condition of diminished availability of dietary amino acids. Furthermore, the decreased rate of protein synthesis may be the driving factor to the lower muscle mass gain in growing rats fed the LPHC diet.
A NEURON-BASED TIME-OPTIMAL CONTROLLER OF HORIZONTAL SACCADIC EYE MOVEMENTS
Authors: GHAHARI ALIREZA , ENDERLE JOHN D.
Published: April 2014

A neural network model of biophysical neurons in the midbrain for controlling oculomotor muscles during horizontal human saccades is presented. Neural circuitry that includes omnipause neuron, premotor excitatory and inhibitory burst neurons, long lead burst neuron, tonic neuron, interneuron, abducens nucleus and oculomotor nucleus is developed to investigate saccade dynamics. The final motoneuronal signals drive a time-optimal controller that stimulates a linear homeomorphic model of the oculomotor plant. To our knowledge, this is the first report on modeling the neural circuits at both premotor and motor stages of neural activity in saccadic systems.
Higgs and the cosmos
Authors: Huang Kerson
Published: April 2014

The Higgs field is a complex field that fills all space. Its phase dynamics on a cosmic scale makes the entire universe a superfluid. The energy of this cosmic superfluid can be identified with dark energy, and the fluctuations of the superfluid density lead to dark matter. This is a transcription of a talk as a series of slides, some of which have been combined for reading convenience.
HUMAN FACIAL COMPLEXION RECOGNITION OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE BASED ON UNIFORM COLOR SPACE
Authors: ZHUO LI , YANG YUNCONG , ZHANG JING , CAO YAN
Published: April 2014

Face diagnosis of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is carried out by observing the human facial complexion to obtain the disease diagnostic results. The morbidity of the organs can be revealed by the human facial complexion, so the color space based on human visual system will be more conducive to facial complexion recognition. It is much suitable to measure and distinguish facial complexion by uniform Lab color space, as it has the characteristic of isometry and high resolving power. First, the skin blocks in the human facial region are extracted by locating the eye position and mouth corner accurately. Second, the statistical characteristic of color histogram and the characteristic of aberration chromatic in Lab color space are introduced to extract the facial complexion feature. At last, the support vector machine (SVM) is used to evaluate the performance of facial complexion recognition. The experimental results show the complexion feature proposed in this paper can achieve the better performance, with the facial complexion recognition rate up to 81%.