bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlating impact related residual microstructures through 2D computer simulations and microindentation hardness mapping: Review
Authors: Murr L. E.
Published: September 2012

Impact and penetration studies for a wide variety of projectile/penetrator compositions and geometries along with target compositions have demonstrated reasonable if not revealing correlations between two-dimensional (2D) computer simulations of these events and corresponding microindentation measurements and maps. Residual target microstructures have also been related to residual microindentation hardness measurements along the impact axis (in the target) as well as maps corresponding to impact crater or target penetration geometries. The impacts of soda lime glass, aluminium, steel and tungsten carbide projectiles impacting aluminium, steel and copper targets at velocities ranging from 0·6 to 6 km s−1 are examined using optical metallography and transmission electron microscopy, microindentation hardness measurements and mapping and 2D computer simulation (Autodyn/Johnson–Cook constitutive relationship). These studies permit computer simulation validation allowing for extrapolations from the recovered target regime. Dynamic recrystallisation is observed to characterise all cratering and penetration events, facilitating crater/target penetration (channel) excavation as well as projectile erosion.
Neuroglobin-overexpression reduces traumatic brain lesion size in mice
Authors: Zhao Song , Yu Zhanyang , Zhao Gang , Xing Changhong , Hayakawa Kazuhide , Whalen Michael J , Lok Josephine M , Lo Eng H , Wang Xiaoying
Published: September 2012

Background

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that over-expression of Neuroglobin (Ngb) is neuroprotective against hypoxic/ischemic brain injuries. In this study we tested the neuroprotective effects of Ngb over-expression against traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice.

Results

Both Ngb over-expression transgenic (Ngb-Tg) and wild-type (WT) control mice were subjected to TBI induced by a controlled cortical impact (CCI) device. TBI significantly increased Ngb expression in the brains of both WT and Ngb-Tg mice, but Ngb-Tg mice had significantly higher Ngb protein levels at the pre-injury baseline and post-TBI. Production of oxidative tissue damage biomarker 3NT in the brain was significantly reduced in Ngb-Tg mice compared to WT controls at 6 hours after TBI. The traumatic brain lesion volume was significantly reduced in Ngb Tg mice compared to WT mice at 3 weeks after TBI; however, there were no significant differences in the recovery of sensorimotor and spatial memory functional deficits between Ngb-Tg and WT control mice for up to 3 weeks after TBI.

Conclusion

Ngb over-expression reduced traumatic lesion volume, which might partially be achieved by decreasing oxidative stress.
Topography-specific spindle frequency changes in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Schönwald Suzana V , Carvalho Diego Z , de Santa-Helena Emerson L , Lemke Ney , L Gerhardt Günther J
Published: September 2012

Background

Sleep spindles, as detected on scalp electroencephalography (EEG), are considered to be markers of thalamo-cortical network integrity. Since obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a known cause of brain dysfunction, the aim of this study was to investigate sleep spindle frequency distribution in OSA. Seven non-OSA subjects and 21 patients with OSA (11 mild and 10 moderate) were studied. A matching pursuit procedure was used for automatic detection of fast (≥13Hz) and slow (<13Hz) spindles obtained from 30min samples of NREM sleep stage 2 taken from initial, middle and final night thirds (sections I, II and III) of frontal, central and parietal scalp regions.

Results

Compared to non-OSA subjects, Moderate OSA patients had higher central and parietal slow spindle percentage (SSP) in all night sections studied, and higher frontal SSP in sections II and III. As the night progressed, there was a reduction in central and parietal SSP, while frontal SSP remained high. Frontal slow spindle percentage in night section III predicted OSA with good accuracy, with OSA likelihood increased by 12.1%for every SSP unit increase (OR 1.121, 95% CI 1.013 - 1.239, p=0.027).

Conclusions

These results are consistent with diffuse, predominantly frontal thalamo-cortical dysfunction during sleep in OSA, as more posterior brain regions appear to maintain some physiological spindle frequency modulation across the night. Displaying changes in an opposite direction to what is expected from the aging process itself, spindle frequency appears to be informative in OSA even with small sample sizes, and to represent a sensitive electrophysiological marker of brain dysfunction in OSA.
Expression and significance of the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in ovarian epithelial cancers
Authors: Kim Ki Hyung , Jo Moo Sung , Suh Dong Soo , Yoon Man Soo , Shin Dong Hun , Lee Jeong Hee , Choi Kyung Un
Published: September 2012

Background

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a family of pattern recognition receptors that constitutes a major part of the innate immune system. The TLR4/(Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway has been shown to have oncogenic effects.

Methods

To demonstrate the role of TLR4/MyD88 signaling in ovarian epithelial cancers (OECs), we examined the expression of TLR4, MyD88 and nuclear factor- κB (NF-κB) in OECs. The expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the relationships between these and clinicopathologic features in 123 cases of OECs were also analyzed.

Results

The expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in OECs was observed in 46.3% (57/123), 36.6% (45/123) and 65% (80/123) of OEC cases, respectively. The TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB expressions were associated with the histologic type of OECs, particularly with the clear cell type of OEC. There was no significant correlation between TLR4 or NF-κB expression and histologic grade, tumor size, mitotic count, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage, disease recurrence. However, there was a significant correlation between MyD88 expression and FIGO stage, disease recurrence as well as histologic type. In univariate analysis, the expression of TLR4 and MyD88, and the coexpression of TLR4/MyD88 and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB had a significant impact on the survival of patients with OECs. Only MyD88 expression had an independent prognostic significance in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway is associated with the survival of patients with OECs, and that MyD88 is an independent prognostic predictor in patients with OECs. The TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway may be a mechanism responsible for poor prognosis in patients with clear cell type of OEC.
Missense mutations in ITPR1 cause autosomal dominant congenital nonprogressive spinocerebellar ataxia
Authors: Huang Lijia , Warman-Chardon Jodi , Carter Melissa T , Friend Kathie L , Dudding Tracy E , Schwartzentruber Jeremy , Zou Ruobing , Schofield Peter W , Douglas Stuart , Bulman Dennis E , Boycott Kym M
Published: September 2012

Background

Congenital nonprogressive spinocerebellar ataxia is characterized by early gross motor delay, hypotonia, gait ataxia, mild dysarthria and dysmetria. The clinical presentation remains fairly stable and may be associated with cerebellar atrophy. To date, only a few families with autosomal dominant congenital nonprogressive spinocerebellar ataxia have been reported. Linkage to 3pter was demonstrated in one large Australian family and this locus was designated spinocerebellar ataxia type 29. The objective of this study is to describe an unreported Canadian family with autosomal dominant congenital nonprogressive spinocerebellar ataxia and to identify the underlying genetic causes in this family and the original Australian family.

Methods and Results

Exome sequencing was performed for the Australian family, resulting in the identification of a heterozygous mutation in the ITPR1 gene. For the Canadian family, genotyping with microsatellite markers and Sanger sequencing of ITPR1 gene were performed; a heterozygous missense mutation in ITPR1 was identified.

Conclusions

ITPR1 encodes inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, type 1, a ligand-gated ion channel that mediates calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum. Deletions of ITPR1 are known to cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 15, a distinct and very slowly progressive form of cerebellar ataxia with onset in adulthood. Our study demonstrates for the first time that, in addition to spinocerebellar ataxia type 15, alteration of ITPR1 function can cause a distinct congenital nonprogressive ataxia; highlighting important clinical heterogeneity associated with the ITPR1 gene and a significant role of the ITPR1-related pathway in the development and maintenance of the normal functions of the cerebellum.
Association of IL-10, IL-4, and IL-28B gene polymorphisms with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus in a population from Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Ramos Juliene Antonio , Silva Rosane , Hoffmann Luísa , Ramos Ana Lucia Araújo , Cabello Pedro Hernan , Ürményi Turán Péter , Villella-Nogueira Cristiane Alves , Lewis-Ximenez Lia , Rondinelli Edson
Published: September 2012

Background

Cytokines play an important role in the regulation of the immune response. In hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, cytokine levels may influence the outcome of acute HCV infection. Polymorphisms in cytokine genes have been associated to different expression levels in response to infection. This study was carried out to investigate the association of several cytokine gene polymorphisms with disease outcome in HCV-infected patients.

Findings

Patients with chronic or spontaneously resolved HCV infection were included in a cross-sectional study. A comparative analysis was performed between the groups regarding frequency distribution of the following cytokines’ gene polymorphisms: IL-10 (−1082 A/G; -819 T/C; -592 A/C), IL-4 (+33C/T), IFN-γ (+874 T/A), TNF-α (−238 G/A and −308 G/A) and IL-28B (rs12979860 C/T and rs8099917 T/G). Results: Eighteen patients with spontaneous viral clearance and 161 with chronic HCV infection were included. In the comparative analysis, the GG genotype of the IL-10 polymorphism -1082A/G was more frequent in patients with spontaneous viral clearance when compared to patients with chronic HCV (41.2% vs 6.2%; p = 0.001). This association was also found for the CC genotype of the IL-4 polymorphism +33C/T (72.2% vs 36.7%; p = 0.017) and the CC and TT genotypes of the IL-28B polymorphisms rs 12979860 and rs 8099917 (88.9% vs 30.3%; p < 0.001 and 88.9% vs 49.6%; p = 0.002). The IL10 (A-1082 G) and IL-28B (Crs12979860T) gene polymorphisms showed odds ratios of 12.848 and 11.077, respectively, and thus may have a greater influence on HCV spontaneous viral clearance. The IFN-γ (+874 T/A), TNF-α (−238 G/A and −308 G/A) polymorphisms did not show significant association with spontaneous viral clearance or chronicity.

Conclusion

The G allele for IL-10 (−1082 A/G), the C allele for IL-4 (+3 C/T) and the C and T alleles for IL-28B (rs12979860 and rs8099917, respectively) are associated with spontaneous viral clearance in hepatitis C infection.
Comparative effects on glucose absorption of intragastric and post-pyloric nutrient delivery in the critically ill
Authors: Di Bartolomeo Anna E , Chapman Marianne J , V Zaknic Antony , Summers Matthew J , Jones Karen L , Nguyen Nam Q , Rayner Christopher K , Horowitz Michael , Deane Adam M
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Studies in the critically ill that evaluate intragastric and post-pyloric delivery of nutrient have yielded conflicting data. A limitation of these studies is that the influence in the route of feeding on glucose absorption and glycaemia has not been determined.

Methods

In 68 mechanically ventilated critically ill patients, liquid nutrient (100 ml; 1 kcal/ml containing 3 g of 3-O-Methyl-D-glucopyranose (3-OMG), as a marker of glucose absorption), was infused into either the stomach (n = 24) or small intestine (n = 44) over six minutes. Blood glucose and serum 3-OMG concentrations were measured at regular intervals for 240 minutes and the area under the curves (AUCs) calculated for 'early' (AUC60) and 'overall' (AUC240) time periods. Data are presented as mean (95% confidence intervals).

Results

Glucose absorption was initially more rapid following post-pyloric, when compared with intragastric, feeding (3-OMG AUC60: intragastric 7.3 (4.3, 10.2) vs. post-pyloric 12.5 (10.1, 14.8) mmol/l.min; P = 0.008); however, 'overall' glucose absorption was similar (AUC240: 49.1 (34.8, 63.5) vs. 56.6 (48.9, 64.3) mmol/l.min; P = 0.31). Post-pyloric administration of nutrients was also associated with greater increases in blood glucose concentrations in the 'early' period (AUC60: 472 (425, 519) vs. 534 (501, 569) mmol/l.min; P = 0.03), but 'overall' glycaemia was also similar (AUC240: 1,875 (1,674, 2,075) vs. 1,898 (1,755, 2,041) mmol/l.min; P = 0.85).

Conclusions

In the critically ill, glucose absorption was similar whether nutrient was administered via a gastric or post-pyloric catheter. These data may have implications for the perceived benefit of post-pyloric feeding on nutritional outcomes and warrant further investigation.
4D seismic-to-well tying, a key step towards 4D inversion
Authors: Thore Pierre , Hubans Christian
Published: September 2012

Calibrating the 4D signal at the well with information obtained from production data is essential for it to be used quantitatively. We have developed a model-based inversion method to estimate the changes of elastic parameters in the reservoir due to production at the well. Our scheme is based on the observation that flow behavior is constrained by the dynamic properties of the layer (i.e., permeability), and, therefore, a layered model should be used to parameterize the inversion. The inversion scheme considers traveltime (inside and below the reservoir, but not in the overburden) and impedance effects implied by the change of elastic parameters (inside the reservoir). Therefore, even at zero offset, we can separate changes in density from changes in P-velocity. When using multiple offset data, we can use an exact formulation for the reflectivity if the base logs (density, P-velocity, and S-velocity) are available, otherwise, an approximation to the exact form can be used. Theoretical and practical analyses have shown that P-velocity is the best resolved parameter followed by density and, finally, S-velocity. Compared to classical data-driven inversion, our procedure introduces fewer artifacts and is less sensitive to tuning because the layered model parameterization introduces the missing low and high frequencies (although the seismic bandwidth plays an essential role in the resolution). This 4D inversion at the well is part of a larger scheme that uses the results obtained by this scheme to extend the inversion to the whole data set.
Model Program to Improve Care for a Unique Cancer Population: Young Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Partridge Ann H. , Ruddy Kathryn J. , Kennedy Jamie , Winer Eric P.
Published: September 2012

This program may improve care for young women with breast cancer and serve as a paradigm to overcome barriers to delivering optimal care for unique groups of patients in other settings.
Survey of Bereavement Practices of Cancer Care and Palliative Care Physicians in the Pacific Northwest United States
Authors: Kusano Aaron S. , Kenworthy-Heinige Tawni , Thomas Charles R.
Published: September 2012

Efforts to identify available resources and address bereavement activities in postgraduate training may contribute to improved multidisciplinary treatment of patients with cancer and their families.
Structure of the Ca2+-saturated C-terminal domain of scallop troponin C in complex with a troponin I fragment
Authors: Kato Yusuke S. , Yumoto Fumiaki , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Miyakawa Takuya , Miyauchi Yumiko , Takeshita Daijiro , Sawano Yoriko , Ojima Takao , Ohtsuki Iwao , Tanokura Masaru
Published: September 2012

Troponin C (TnC) is the Ca2+-sensing subunit of troponin that triggers the contraction of striated muscles. In scallops, the striated muscles consume little ATP energy in sustaining strong contractile forces. The N-terminal domain of TnC works as the Ca2+ sensor in vertebrates, whereas scallop TnC uses the C-terminal domain as the Ca2+ sensor, suggesting that there are differences in the mechanism of the Ca2+-dependent regulation of muscles between invertebrates and vertebrates. Here, we report the crystal structure of Akazara scallop (Chlamys nipponensis akazara) adductor muscle TnC C-terminal domain (asTnCC) complexed with a short troponin I fragment (asTnIS) and Ca2+. The electron density of a Ca2+ ion is observed in only one of the two EF-hands. The EF-hands of asTnCC can only be in the fully open conformation with the assistance of asTnIS. The number of hydrogen bonds between asTnCC and asTnIS is markedly lower than the number in the vertebrate counterparts. The Ca2+ modulation on the binding between asTnCC and asTnIS is weaker, but structural change of the complex depending on Ca2+ concentration was observed. Together, these findings provide a detailed description of the distinct molecular mechanism of contractile regulation in the scallop adductor muscle from that of vertebrates.
Molecular determinants of human dipeptidyl peptidase III sensitivity to thiol modifying reagents
Authors: Karačić Zrinka , Špoljarić Jasminka , Rožman Marko , Abramić Marija
Published: September 2012

Human dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPP III) is a member of the metallopeptidase family M49, involved in protein metabolism and oxidative stress response. DPP III crystal structure shows the two lobe-like domains separated by a wide cleft. The human enzyme has a total of six cysteines, three in the lower (Cys19, Cys147, and Cys176) and three in the upper (Cys509, Cys519, and Cys654), catalytic, domain containing the active-site zinc ion. To elucidate the molecular basis of this enzyme’s susceptibility to sulfhydryl reagents, biochemical analysis of a set of Cys to Ala mutants was used, supported by mass spectrometry. Cys176, a residue 44 Å apart from the catalytic center of the ligand-free enzyme, was found responsible for the inactivation with the submicromolar concentration of an organomercurial compound, and three additional cysteines contri\xadbuted to sensitivity to aromatic disulfides. Upon treatment with oxidized glutathione [glutathione disulfide (GSSG)], cysteine residues at positions 147, 176, and 654 were found glutathionylated. The mutational analysis confirmed the involvement of Cys176 and Cys654 in human DPP III inactivation by GSSG. Observation that Cys176, a residue quite distant from the active center, contributes to enzyme inactivation, indicates that the substrate-binding site of human DPP III comprises both lower and upper protein domain.
Cerebral cavernous malformation is a vascular disease associated with activated RhoA signaling
Authors: Richardson Bryan T. , Dibble Christopher F. , Borikova Asya L. , Johnson Gary L.
Published: September 2012

Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) involves the homozygous inactivating mutations of one of three genes, ccm1, -2, or -3 resulting in hyperpermeable blood vessels in the brain. The CCM1, -2, and -3 proteins form a complex to organize the signaling networks controlling endothelial cell physiology including actin dynamics, tube formation, and adherens junctions. The common biochemical defect with the loss of CCM1, -2, or -3 is increased RhoA activity leading to the activation of Rho-associated coiled coil-forming kinase (ROCK). Inhibition of the ROCK rescues CCM endothelial cell dysfunction, suggesting that the inhibition of RhoA-ROCK signaling may be a therapeutic strategy to prevent or arrest the progression of the CCM lesions.
Nitrate Flux into the Sediments of a Shallow Oligohaline Estuary during Large Flood Pulses of Mississippi River Water
Authors: Roy Eric D. , White John R.
Published: September 2012

Lake Pontchartrain is a large, oligohaline estuary located in coastal Louisiana that receives episodic diversions of nitrogen‐rich Mississippi River water via the Bonnet Carré Spillway to alleviate flood threats to the city of New Orleans. These events may be linked to expressions of eutrophication, and it is therefore important to investigate pathways of nitrate (NO3−) loss. Nitrate flux into the sediments of Lake Pontchartrain was investigated using two independent methods: (i) simulating high NO3− flood events under aerobic and anaerobic incubations in intact sediment cores collected during 2010 and (ii) in situ field measurements of the vertical profiles of dissolved inorganic nitrogen species at the sediment–water interface during the 2011 Bonnet Carré Spillway opening. Mean rates of NO3− flux into sediments based on mass transfer in intact cores collected in 2010 and in situ porewater measurements in 2011 were −17.4 and −1.4 mg NO3–N m−2 d−1, respectively, for water column NO3− concentrations observed in situ in 2011. During the laboratory incubations, there was no significant difference in NO3− flux between oxygen treatments. We estimate that NO3− flux into sediments accounted for up to 3.1% (309 Mg NO3–N) of water column NO3− loss during the 2008 Bonnet Carré Spillway event. Sediment characteristics, field measurements, and results from the laboratory experiment suggest that denitrification is the primary pathway for NO3− reduction. Even though there is significant NO3− reduction occurring in Lake Pontchartrain sediments during Mississippi River diversion events, this pathway of NO3− loss from the water column plays a relatively minor role in the transformation of the very large amount of NO3− received during these times.
Dairy Heifer Manure Management, Dietary Phosphorus, and Soil Test P Effects on Runoff Phosphorus
Authors: Jokela William E. , Coblentz Wayne K. , Hoffman Patrick C.
Published: September 2012

Manure application to cropland can contribute to runoff losses of P and eutrophication of surface waters. We conducted a series of three rainfall simulation experiments to assess the effects of dairy heifer dietary P, manure application method, application rate, and soil test P on runoff P losses from two successive simulated rainfall events. Bedded manure (18–21% solids) from dairy heifers fed diets with or without supplemental P was applied on a silt loam soil packed into 1‐ by 0.2‐m sheet metal pans. Manure was either surface‐applied or incorporated (Experiment 1) or surface‐applied at two rates (Experiment 2) to supply 26 to 63 kg P ha−1. Experiment 3 evaluated runoff P from four similar nonmanured soils with average Bray P1‐extractable P levels of 11, 29, 51, and 75 mg kg−1. We measured runoff quantity, total P (TP), dissolved reactive P (DRP), and total and volatile solids in runoff collected for 30 min after runoff initiation from two simulated rain events (70 mm h−1) 3 or 4 d apart. Manure incorporation reduced TP and DRP concentrations and load by 85 to 90% compared with surface application. Doubling the manure rate increased runoff DRP and TP concentrations an average of 36%. In the same experiment, P diet supplementation increased water‐extractable P in manure by 100% and increased runoff DRP concentration threefold. Concentrations of solids, TP, and DRP in runoff from Rain 2 were 25 to 75% lower than from Rain 1 in Experiments 1 and 2. Runoff DRP from nonmanured soils increased quadratically with increasing soil test P. These results show that large reductions in P runoff losses can be achieved by incorporation of manure, avoiding unnecessary diet P supplementation, limiting manure application rate, and managing soils to prevent excessive soil test P levels.
Modeling Virus Transport and Remobilization during Transient Partially Saturated Flow
Authors: Zhang Qiulan , Hassanizadeh S. Majid , Raoof Amir , van Genuchten M.Th. , Roels Saskia M.
Published: September 2012

Virus transport in porous media is affected by the water flow regime. During transient, variably saturated flow, fluctuating flow regimes can enhance virus detachment from both solid–water interfaces (SWIs) and air–water interfaces (AWIs). The objective of this study was to simulate the influence of drainage and imbibition events on the remobilization of attached viruses. Three different modeling approaches were examined. In the first approach, all attachment and detachment coefficients were assumed to be constant, but the values of the detachment coefficients were increased drastically for the duration of transient, unsaturated flow. The second and third modeling approaches involved extensions of the model of Cheng and Saiers, who assumed enhanced detachment of viruses to be proportional to the time rate of change in the water content. Their model was extended to include separate terms for virus attachment–detachment on SWIs and AWIs. In our second approach, we assumed kinetic sorption onto the AWI, with the desorption rate being described as a function of temporal changes in the air content. This approach did not explicitly account for the specific air–water interfacial area. Thus, in our third approach we explicitly included the presence and variation of air–water interfaces and assumed AWI attachment–detachment to be an equilibrium sorption process. The available air–water interfacial area was assumed to be a function of fluid saturation. The models were used to simulate a series of saturated–unsaturated virus transport experiments reported in the literature for conditions of both drainage and imbibition. The most promising results were obtained with the third approach, which explicitly accounts for adsorption to air–water interfaces and assumes equilibrium sorption on the available air–water interfacial area.
Transport by Oscillatory Flow in Soils with Rate‐Limited Mass Transfer: 1. Theory
Authors: Neeper Donald A. , Stauffer Philip H.
Published: September 2012

Oscillatory flow of fluid in a porous medium can generate a one‐way transport of heat or chemicals if there is a gradient of temperature or chemical concentration and a rate‐limited heat or mass transfer between the moving fluid and an immobile phase. For chemical transport in soils, the immobile phase can occur in stagnant porosity, by sorption, or by dissolution of a vapor in the pore water. As a function of oscillation frequency, the transport rate has a broad peak near the value ωτc = 1, where ω is the angular frequency of oscillation and τc is the characteristic equilibration time of the mobile phase. The transport rate is proportional to the gradient and to the square of the amplitude of periodic fluid displacement. A unique diffusivity derived from the analysis enables prediction of the long‐term transport by a diffusion calculation without fluid flow, thereby providing a tool for estimating the removal of contaminant vapors by passive soil vapor extraction (PSVE). We compared predictions of the analytic theory with numerical simulations of PSVE. The mobile–immobile model is also applicable to transport in other cases of oscillatory flow in porous media, including cyclic motion of water or gas due to tidal aquifers or earth tides.
Review: Le Retour de Martin Guerre by Daniel Vigne
Authors: Benson Edward
Published: September 2012

Only by understanding the historical context can we see why Bertrande de Rols first took an imposter as her long-lost husband and then joined the suit against him.
Charge and Counter-Charge: Coherence and Incoherence in Gance's "Napoléon"
Authors: Abel Richard
Published: September 2012

After the overwhelming visual effects wear off, does sober analysis show more in the old master's melange of styles than the mystification it was accused of in its time?
Writing with Light: An Interview with Vittorio Storaro
Authors: Schaefer Dennis , Salvato Larry , Storaro Vittorio
Published: September 2012

The director of photography for "One from the Heart, Reds", and "Last Tango in Paris" reveals his theory of the effect of colors on our emotions.
Chaplin: The Antagonism of the Comic Hero
Authors: Ingrao Pietro
Published: September 2012

Comedy and the reaffirmation of human dignity.
Review: Confidence (Bizalom) by István Szabó
Authors: Jaehne Karen
Published: September 2012

In the film that preceded "Mephisto", Szabó examined how the bizarre political situations during World War II made trust more impossible than love.
Review: So Is This by Michael Snow
Authors: MacDonald Scott
Published: September 2012

Michael Snow experiments with a film made of nothing but words - seen one at a time - with unexpected results.
Review: Eraserhead by David Lynch
Authors: Godwin K. George
Published: September 2012

David Lynch's first work has become a cult film, but its bizarre imagery has never before received a cogent interpretation.
Why Has Incest Always Been Repressed? A Conversation with Alberto Moravia
Authors: Moravia Alberto , Bachmann Gideon
Published: September 2012

Curious relations between taboos and pleasure are implicit in "The Life", now being filmed by Giovanni Soldati.
Review: Se Permuta by Juan Carlos Tabío
Authors: Aufderheide Pat
Published: September 2012

Juan Carlos Tabío has welded sit-com to commedia dell'arte in this charming farce about Cuba's housing shortage.
The Liberation of Echo: A New Hearing for Film Sound
Authors: Johnson William
Published: September 2012

Easy assumptions about the "dominance" of the image are breaking down, and hard new thinking is in order.
You Can Go Home Again: An Interview with Edgar Reitz
Authors: Birgel Franz A. , Reitz Edgar
Published: September 2012

"Heimat", Reitz's 15-hour epic of a German family from 1919 to 1982, has stirred up intense controversy about its implicit politics.
Review: Brazil by Terry Gilliam
Authors: Glass Fred
Published: September 2012

Terry Gilliam's devastating film combines Brecht and Freud, with results that outclass Orwell.
Construction of a Shinkansen viaduct using high-performance lightweight concrete
Authors: Amarume Shouichi , Taniguchi Shunnichi , Koizumi Kazuhito , Kondou Tomoyuki , Arita Hiroyuki , Itou Akio
Published: September 2012

Numakunai Bi is a 395 m long Shinkansen girder viaduct, located 527.980 km from Tokyo. Its superstructure is composed of 11-span continuous prestressed concrete box girders and a reinforced concrete simple T-girder. For the box girders, a large amount of high-performance artificial lightweight aggregate was used as coarse aggregate in the concrete. This is the first attempt in Japan. The substructure of the section crossing over the Tohoku Honsen conventional railway was designed with portal steel rigid frame piers. These piers were made of CFTs (concrete filled steel tubes). The other piers were constructed with steel and reinforced concrete, using ribbed wide flange beams, to shorten the work period. The foundations are large-diameter caisson type piles for all the piers. This paper reports the design of the superstructure and substructure, and the construction of the superstructure.
Effect of rapid quenching and severe plastic deformation on silver
Authors: Lussana Danilo , Castellero Alberto , Ripamonti Dario , Angella Giuliano , Vedani Maurizio , Zambon Andrea , Baricco Marcello
Published: September 2012

Pure silver has been rapidly quenched (RQ) in ribbon form by means of planar flow casting with different cooling rates, obtained with different velocities of the cooling wheel. Ingots of pure silver have been subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) using constrained groove pressing and equal-channel angular pressing. The grain size of RQ and SPD samples has been analysed using electron microscopy, showing that the higher the solidification rate and plastic deformation, the finer the microstructure. Preferred orientations and quenched-in defect concentration have been determined from X-ray diffraction analysis, showing a correlation between density of defects and cooling rate. Higher defect concentration was found in the samples processed via SPD. Vickers hardness numbers range from 135 for SPD, 70 for RQ and 45 for annealed samples. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed multi-step coarsening of the microstructure at various temperatures for all samples.
Crystallization control in highly undercooled liquids and glasses
Authors: Perepezko John H. , Imhoff Seth D.
Published: September 2012

Crystallization of highly undercooled materials either from the melt during cooling or from an amorphous phase during heating can yield novel phases with useful properties, but a reliable control of phase selection has been elusive. In bulk volumes fluxing is a common method to promote high undercooling due to nucleant removal or deactivation, but the mechanism is not defined clearly. From experiments on Au with well controlled conditions the operation of fluxing has been identified as a nucleant refining process. Moreover, structural studies have discovered that fluxing can also affect the melt structure and dynamics in multicomponent alloys. During primary nanocrystallization of amorphous Al alloys, solute substitution has a significant effect on the glass forming ability and crystallization kinetics primarily through the change in diffusion that impacts the crystal nucleation rate through transient effects.
Magnetic properties and microwave absorption properties of carbon fibers coated with FeCo alloy
Authors: Deng Xiaoyan , Qiang Chengwen
Published: September 2012

FeCo alloy coatings were successfully prepared on carbon fiber surfaces by means of electroplating at 25 °C for 480 s. The structures and morphologies of the composite were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The coercivity (H
c) and saturation magnetization (H
s) of the FeCo/CF composites are 141.9 Oe and 100.5 emu · g−1. The reflectivity of FeCo/CF composites is less than–5 dB over the range of 1.1 to 5.4 GHz. The reflectivity of FeCo/CF composites is less than–10 dB over the range of 1.6–2.1 GHz. The lowest reflectivity of the FeCo/CF composites is −14.7 dB at 2.0 GHz and the corresponding thickness is 3.3 mm.
Processing and characterization of up-converting Er3+ doped (Lu0.5Y0.5)2O3 nanophosphor
Authors: Antić Željka , Krsmanović Radenka M. , Nikolić Marko G. , Đorđević Vesna , Dramićanin Miroslav D.
Published: September 2012

In this paper we demonstrate visible up-conversion emission of Er3+ doped (Lu0.5Y0.5)2O3 nanophosphor and discuss possible mechanisms for pumping the upper energy levels of Er3+ ions. Polymer complex solution synthesis yields well crystalline, pure-phase cubic nanopowder with particle size in the 20–50 nm range. Red, green and blue up-conversion emission is measured under near-infrared excitation (1 540 nm), over the temperature range 10–300 K. The red/green intensity ratio indicates that the mechanism responsible for populating red up-conversion is temperature dependent. Decay times are found to be around 0.25 ms for red and green, and around 70 μs for blue emission.
Cancer statistics for Hispanics/Latinos, 2012
Authors: Siegel Rebecca , Naishadham Deepa , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: September 2012

Hispanics/Latinos are the largest and fastest growing major demographic group in the United States, accounting for 16.3% (50.5 million/310 million) of the US population in 2010. In this article, the American Cancer Society updates a previous report on cancer statistics for Hispanics using incidence data from the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2012, an estimated 112,800 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed and 33,200 cancer deaths will occur among Hispanics. In 2009, the most recent year for which actual data are available, cancer surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death among Hispanics. Among US Hispanics during the past 10 years of available data (2000‐2009), cancer incidence rates declined by 1.7% per year among men and 0.3% per year among women, while cancer death rates declined by 2.3% per year in men and 1.4% per year in women. Hispanics have lower incidence and death rates than non‐Hispanic whites for all cancers combined and for the 4 most common cancers (breast, prostate, lung and bronchus, and colorectum). However, Hispanics have higher incidence and mortality rates for cancers of the stomach, liver, uterine cervix, and gallbladder, reflecting greater exposure to cancer‐causing infectious agents, lower rates of screening for cervical cancer, differences in lifestyle and dietary patterns, and possibly genetic factors. Strategies for reducing cancer risk among Hispanics include increasing utilization of screening and available vaccines, as well as implementing effective interventions to reduce obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use. CA Cancer J Clin 2012;. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Mannose-decorated cyclodextrin vesicles: The interplay of multivalency and surface density in lectin–carbohydrate recognition
Authors: Kauscher Ulrike , Ravoo Bart Jan
Published: September 2012

Cyclodextrin vesicles are versatile models for biological cell membranes since they provide a bilayer membrane that can easily be modified by host–guest interactions with functional guest molecules. In this article, we investigate the multivalent interaction of the lectin concanavalin A (ConA) with cyclodextrin vesicles decorated with mannose–adamantane conjugates with one, two or three adamantane units as well as one or two mannose units. The carbohydrate–lectin interaction in this artificial, self-assembled glycocalyx was monitored in an agglutination assay by the increase of optical density at 400 nm. It was found that there is a close relation between the carbohydrate density at the cyclodextrin vesicle surface and the multivalent interaction with ConA, and the most efficient interaction (i.e., fastest agglutination at lowest concentration) was observed for mannose–adamantane conjugates, in which both the cyclodextrin–adamantane and the lectin–mannose interaction is inherently multivalent.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND THE PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Cheun Sai On , Wong Peter S. P. , Lam Anna L.
Published: September 2012

The operation of organizations is very much influenced by their culture. Organizational culture (OC) has been defined as a pattern of basic assumptions that are manifested by the behavior of an organization. Positive OC is considered to be catalytic to performance enhancement. As construction aspires to be an efficient industry, this study aims to contribute in this regard by examining the relationship between organizational culture and the performance of construction organizations. Artifacts corresponding to OC identifiers and Performance indicators are short-listed from a literature review. These artifacts are arranged into constructs. The eight OC constructs are: Goal Clarity, Coordination and Integration, Conflict Resolution, Employee Participation, Innovation Orientation, Performance Emphasis, Reward Orientation and Team orientation. The performance indicator constructs are; Financial, Internal Business Process, Custom and Innovation & Learning. The artifacts were elaborated and operationalized for data collection. The constructs, as well as the OC-Performance relationship framework, were then analyzed and tested using Structural Equation Modeling. Innovation was found to be the most critical OC as far as performance of construction organizations is concerned. In today's knowledge based society, innovative organizations have proved to be the performers. This timely finding highlights the need for a culture that fosters creativity and supports innovation.
La République, l'école et les élèves en difficulté ou handicapés : une histoire française
Authors: Mazereau Philippe
Published: September 2012

À la suite de la loi de 2005 « pour l’égalité des chances et la participation sociale des personnes handicapées », l’inclusion sociale et scolaire s’impose comme nouvel objectif éducatif. Loin d’être réservée aux seuls élèves réputés handicapés, l’inclusion scolaire vise à refonder les ambitions démocratiques de l’école ; elle relève en cela d’une nouvelle rhétorique de l’égalité. Cette mutation est l’occasion de revisiter les différents référentiels de l’action publique en faveur des élèves en difficulté ou handicapés, depuis la fondation républicaine de l’école. Souvent occultée par le cloisonnement de l’action administrative, l’analyse conjointe des politiques sociales et scolaires vis-à-vis du handicap fait apparaitre des cohérences que signalent la coïncidence chronologique des grandes réformes (1975, 1989, 2005). Compte tenu de l’ampleur de la période abordée, l’article se limite à une mise en perspective, du point de vue du système scolaire, des relations complexes et contradictoires entre principes politiques, organisation scolaire et orientations pédagogiques quant à la difficulté scolaire.
Oralité, littératie et production des inégalités scolaires
Authors: Laparra Marceline , Margolinas Claire
Published: September 2012

Dès la maternelle, certains élèves réussissent moins bien que d’autres, alors même qu’ils ne manifestent pas de « besoins particuliers » au plan langagier pour réussir dans les activités scolaires. C’est pour résoudre cet apparent paradoxe que nous introduisons des distinctions entre les connaissances relevant des univers de l’oralité et de la littératie, qui se distinguent des simples différences entre oral et écrit. La familiarisation préconisée par l’institution avec certains usages de l’écrit s’effectue sans analyse des connaissances de l’oralité et de la littératie que ces usages impliquent, et dans l’ignorance de ce que sont les pratiques effectives des familles de milieu populaire en la matière. Elle doit être remplacée par la construction d’un nombre limité de savoirs oraux et littératiens. Parler de besoins particuliers à propos de certains élèves risque d’exonérer l’école de sa responsabilité dans l’échec et de rejeter celle-ci sur les élèves et leurs familles.
Legal Protection of the Web Page
Authors: Mula Davide , Lobina Mirko Luca
Published: September 2012

We start to analyze each component of database’s definition and to find them in a web page so that we can compare those juridical goods. After that we analyze present legislation concern database and in particular World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treatments and European Directive 96/92/CE, which we consider as the best legislation in this field. In the end, we outline future trends that seem to appreciate and apply our theory.
Intellectual Property Systems in Software
Authors: Rejas-Muslera Ricardo , Davara Elena , Abran Alain , Buglione Luigi
Published: September 2012

Support for research and development in information technology is considered today as critical by most governments in the industrially advanced countries. Traditionally the way of stimulating research has been to ensure to the investor the appropriability of the returns generated. Such appropriability is typically implemented by means of the Intellectual Property Rigths. Nevertheless the protection of such rights is heterogeneous worldwide. Today two different legal systems for the protection of software coexist: the system of patents and the system of author’s copyrights. This chapter explains these two main systems of ‘intellectual property’ to provide legal protection to software, including the licenses to transfer rights on software. The end of the chapter presents the most recent trends of the EU government to replace the current European software protection system, including a discussion onf the software patents and the legal initiatives on the subject. In addition, legal issues linked with new ways in software comercialization are presented.
Security in Service Oriented Architectures
Authors: Kayem Anne V.D.M.
Published: September 2012

Service Oriented Architectures (SOAs) have become the defacto standard for defining interoperable architectures on the web with the most common implementation of this concept being in the form of web services. Information exchange is an integral part of SOAs, so designing effective security architectures that ensure data confidentiality and integrity is important. However, selecting a security standard for the architecture is challenging because existing solutions are geared toward access control in relatively static scenarios rather than dynamic scenarios where some form of adaptability is needed. Moreover, when services interact across different domains interoperability becomes a problem because of the lack a consistent security model to handle service interactions. This chapter presents a comparative analysis of SOA security standards. The authors discuss the challenges SOA security architecture designers face, in relation to an example travel agent web services scenario, and outline potential mitigation strategies.
Hardware Implementations of Image/Video Watermarking Algorithms
Authors: Idris Fayez M.
Published: September 2012

Digital watermarking is a process in which a secondary pattern or signature, called a watermark, is hidden into a digital media (e.g., image and video) such that it can be detected or extracted later for different intentions. Digital watermarking has many applications including copyright protection, authentication, tamper detection, and embedding of electronic patient records in medical images. Various software implementations of digital watermarking algorithms can be built. While software implementations can address digital watermarking in off-line applications, they cannot meet the requirements of many applications. For example, in consumer electronic devices, a software solution would be very expensive. This has motivated the development of hardware implementations of digital watermarking. In this chapter, the authors present a detailed survey of existing hardware implementations of image and video watermarking algorithms. Fundamental design issues are discussed and special techniques exploited to enhance efficiency are identified. Future outlooks are also presented to address the challenges of hardware architecture design for image and video watermarking.
Ontology-Based Authorization Model for XML Data in Distributed Systems
Authors: Jain Amit , Farkas Csilla
Published: September 2012

This research work proposes a Semantic-Aware Authorization Framework, called SAAF, for applying syntax independent authorization on eXtensible Markup Language (XML) documents. Our model supports secure data sharing in an open environment without the need for a centralized authority and supports application flexibility. We propose the use of data and application semantics, expressed as Resource Description Framework (RDF) ontologies, to specify security requirements for XML documents. XML documents are associated with their semantics (RDF ontologies) via mappings. The authors use these mappings and the corresponding RDF authorizations models to generate access control permissions for the mapped XML documents. The SAAF ensures the preservation of authorization permissions on XML data even if the syntax and the structure of the data are changed. Their method also aids the detection and removal of inconsistent authorizations on structurally different but semantically similar XML data.