bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers to systematic model transformation testing
Authors: Baudry Benoit , Ghosh Sudipto , Fleurey Franck , France Robert , Le Traon Yves , Mottu Jean-Marie
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Model Driven Engineering (MDE) techniques support extensive use of models in order to manage the increasing complexity of software systems. Appropriate abstractions of software system elements can ease reasoning and understanding and thus limit the risk of errors in large systems. Automatic model transformations play a critical role in MDE since they automate complex, tedious, error-prone, and recurrent software development tasks. Airbus uses automatic code synthesis from SCADE models to generate the code for embedded controllers in the Airbus A380. Commercial tools for model transformations exist. Objecteering and Together from Borland are tools that can automatically add design patterns in a UML class model. Esterel Technologies have a tool for automatic code synthesis for safety critical systems.

Other examples of transformations are refinement of a design model by adding details pertaining to a particular target platform, refactoring a model by changing its structure to enhance design quality, or reverse engineering code to obtain an abstract model. These software development tasks are critical and thus the model transformations that automate them must be validated.

A fault in a transformation can introduce a fault in the transformed model, which if undetected and not removed, can propagate to other models in successive development steps. As a fault propagates across transformations, it becomes more difficult to detect and isolate. Since model transformations are meant to be reused, faults present in them may result in many faulty models.

Model transformations constitute a class of programs with unique characteristics that make testing them challenging. The complexity of input and output data, lack of model management tools, and the heterogeneity of transformation languages pose special problems to testers of transformations. In this paper we identify current model transformation characteristics that contribute to the difficulty of systematically testing transformations. We present promising solutions and propose possible ways to overcome these barriers.
A shared-subspace learning framework for multi-label classification
Authors: Ji Shuiwang , Tang Lei , Yu Shipeng , Ye Jieping
Published: June 2010

Multi-label problems arise in various domains such as multi-topic document categorization, protein function prediction, and automatic image annotation. One natural way to deal with such problems is to construct a binary classifier for each label, resulting in a set of independent binary classification problems. Since multiple labels share the same input space, and the semantics conveyed by different labels are usually correlated, it is essential to exploit the correlation information contained in different labels. In this paper, we consider a general framework for extracting shared structures in multi-label classification. In this framework, a common subspace is assumed to be shared among multiple labels. We show that the optimal solution to the proposed formulation can be obtained by solving a generalized eigenvalue problem, though the problem is nonconvex. For high-dimensional problems, direct computation of the solution is expensive, and we develop an efficient algorithm for this case. One appealing feature of the proposed framework is that it includes several well-known algorithms as special cases, thus elucidating their intrinsic relationships. We further show that the proposed framework can be extended to the kernel-induced feature space. We have conducted extensive experiments on multi-topic web page categorization and automatic gene expression pattern image annotation tasks, and results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed formulation in comparison with several representative algorithms.
Data mining for discrimination discovery
Authors: Ruggieri Salvatore , Pedreschi Dino , Turini Franco
Published: June 2010

In the context of civil rights law, discrimination refers to unfair or unequal treatment of people based on membership to a category or a minority, without regard to individual merit. Discrimination in credit, mortgage, insurance, labor market, and education has been investigated by researchers in economics and human sciences. With the advent of automatic decision support systems, such as credit scoring systems, the ease of data collection opens several challenges to data analysts for the fight against discrimination. In this article, we introduce the problem of discovering discrimination through data mining in a dataset of historical decision records, taken by humans or by automatic systems. We formalize the processes of direct and indirect discrimination discovery by modelling protected-by-law groups and contexts where discrimination occurs in a classification rule based syntax. Basically, classification rules extracted from the dataset allow for unveiling contexts of unlawful discrimination, where the degree of burden over protected-by-law groups is formalized by an extension of the lift measure of a classification rule. In direct discrimination, the extracted rules can be directly mined in search of discriminatory contexts. In indirect discrimination, the mining process needs some background knowledge as a further input, for example, census data, that combined with the extracted rules might allow for unveiling contexts of discriminatory decisions. A strategy adopted for combining extracted classification rules with background knowledge is called an inference model. In this article, we propose two inference models and provide automatic procedures for their implementation. An empirical assessment of our results is provided on the German credit dataset and on the PKDD Discovery Challenge 1999 financial dataset.
Visual analytics
Authors: Keim Daniel A. , Mansmann Florian , Thomas Jim
Published: June 2010

The term Visual Analytics has been around for almost five years by now, but still there are on-going discussions about what it actually is and in particular what is new about it. The core of our view on Visual Analytics is the new enabling and accessible analytic reasoning interactions supported by the combination of automated and visual analysis. In this paper, we outline the scope of Visual Analytics using two problem and three methodological classes in order to workout the need for and purpose of Visual Analytics. By examples of analytic reasoning interaction, the respective advan- tages and disadvantages of automated and visual analysis methods are explained leading to a glimpse into the future of how Visual Analytics methods will enable us to go beyond what is possible when separately using the two methods.
Investigating and reflecting on the integration of automatic data analysis and visualization in knowledge discovery
Authors: Bertini Enrico , Lalanne Denis
Published: June 2010

The aim of this work is to survey and reflect on the various ways visualization and data mining can be integrated to achieve effective knowledge discovery by involving the best of human and machine capabilities. Following a bottom-up bibliographic research approach, the article categorizes the observed techniques in classes, highlighting current trends, gaps, and potential future directions for research. In particular it looks at strengths and weaknesses of information visualization (infovis) and data mining, and for which purposes researchers in infovis use data mining techniques and reversely how researchers in data mining employ infovis techniques. The article then proposes, on the basis of the extracted patterns, a series of potential extensions not found in literature. Finally, we use this information to analyze the discovery process by comparing the analysis steps from the perspective of information visualization and data mining. The comparison brings to light new perspectives on how mining and visualization can best employ human and machine strengths. This activity leads to a series of reflections and research questions that can help to further advance the science of visual analytics.
Trading expressivity for efficiency in statistical relational learning
Authors: Landwehr Niels
Published: June 2010

Statistical Relational Learning (SRL) is concerned with building statistical models for relational data. While SRL approaches have shown much potential in complex real-world application domains, their computational complexity remains a major issue and often limits their practical applicability. This thesis is concerned with relatively simple yet efficient SRL techniques. We show how expressivity and generality can be traded for efficiency by restricting model complexity and developing special-purpose inference and learning algorithms that take advantage of such restrictions, as well as by tailoring models to specific application domains.
A report on the human computation workshop (HComp 2009)
Authors: Ipeirotis Panagiotis G. , Chandrasekar Raman , Bennett Paul
Published: June 2010

The first Human Computation Workshop (HComp2009) was held on June 28th, 2009, in Paris, France, collocated with SIGKDD 2009. This report summarizes the workshop, with details of the papers, demos and posters presented. The report also includes common themes, issues, and open questions that came up in the workshop.
Knowledge discovery from sensor data (SensorKDD)
Authors: Omitaomu Olufemi A. , Vatsavai Ranga Raju , Ganguly Auroop R. , Chawla Nitesh V. , Gama Joao , Gaber Mohamed Medhat
Published: June 2010

Wide-area sensor infrastructures, remote sensors, RFIDs, and wireless sensor networks yield massive volumes of disparate, dynamic, and geographically distributed data. As such sensors are becoming ubiquitous, a set of broad requirements is beginning to emerge across high-priority applications including adaptability to climate change, electric grid monitoring, disaster preparedness and management, national or homeland security, and the management of critical infrastructures. The raw data from sensors need to be efficiently managed and transformed to usable information through data fusion, which in turn must be converted to predictive insights via knowledge discovery, ultimately facilitating automated or human-induced tactical decisions or strategic policy based on decision sciences and decision support systems.

Keeping in view the requirements of the emerging field of knowledge discovery from sensor data, we took initiative to develop a community of researchers with common interests and scientific goals, which culminated into the organization of SensorKDD series of workshops in conjunction with the prestigious ACM SIGKDD International Conference of Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining. In this report, we summarize events at the Third ACM-SIGKDD International Workshop on Knowledge Discovery form Sensor Data (SensorKDD 2009).
Online mass flow prediction in CFB boilers with explicit detection of sudden concept drift
Authors: Pechenizkiy M. , Bakker J. , Žliobaitė I. , Ivannikov A. , Kärkkäinen T.
Published: June 2010

Fuel feeding and inhomogeneity of fuel typically cause fluctuations in the circulating fluidized bed (CFB) process. If control systems fail to compensate the fluctuations, the whole plant will suffer from dynamics that is reinforced by the closed-loop controls. This phenomenon causes reducing efficiency and the lifetime of process components. In this paper we address the problem of online mass flow prediction, which is a part of control. Particularly, we consider the problem of learning an accurate predictor with explicit detection of abrupt concept drift and noise handling mechanisms. We emphasize the importance of having domain knowledge concerning the considered case and constructing the ground truth for facilitating the quantitative evaluation of different approaches. We demonstrate the performance of change detection methods and show their effect on the accuracy of the online mass flow prediction with real datasets collected from the experimental laboratory-scale CFB boiler.
Gallstone Ileus of the Sigmoid Colon: An Unusual Cause of Large-Bowel Obstruction
Authors: Osman Nadir , Subar Daren , Loh Mong-Yang , Goscimski Andrzej
Published: May 2010

Gallstone ileus of the colon is an exceedingly rare cause of large-bowel obstruction. It is usually the result of fistula formation between the gallbladder and large bowel facilitating entry of the stone into gastrointestinal tract. Contrast enhanced abdominal computed tomography is an important diagnostic aid. Surgical management is the treatment of choice to prevent the disastrous complications of large-bowel obstruction. We describe the case of a 92-year-old man who presented with symptoms and signs of large-bowel obstruction. Radiological investigation showed a large gallstone impacted in the sigmoid colon. Open enterolithotomy was undertaken relieving the obstruction and the patient made a full recovery.
Skew-Laplace and Cell-Size Distribution in Microbial Axenic Cultures: Statistical Assessment and Biological Interpretation
Authors: Julià Olga , Vidal-Mas Jaume , Panikov Nicolai S. , Vives-Rego Josep
Published: June 2010

We report a skew-Laplace statistical analysis of both flow cytometry scatters and cell size from microbial strains primarily grown in batch cultures, others in chemostat cultures and bacterial aquatic populations. Cytometry scatters best fit the skew-Laplace distribution while cell size as assessed by an electronic particle analyzer exhibited a moderate fitting. Unlike the cultures, the aquatic bacterial communities clearly do not fit to a skew-Laplace distribution. Due to its versatile nature, the skew-Laplace distribution approach offers an easy, efficient, and powerful tool for distribution of frequency analysis in tandem with the flow cytometric cell sorting.
Real-Time 3-Dimensional Ultrasound-Assisted Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Catheter Placement: Implications of a New Technology
Authors: Clendenen Steven R. , Robards Christopher B. , Clendenen Nathan J. , Freidenstein James E. , Greengrass Roy A.
Published: June 2010

Background. There are a variety of techniques for targeting placement of an infraclavicular blockade; these include eliciting paresthesias, nerve stimulation, and 2-dimensional (2D) ultrasound (US) guidance. Current 2D US allows direct visualization of a “flat” image of the advancing needle and neurovascular structures but without the ability to extensively analyze multidimensional data and allow for real-time manipulation. Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography has gained popularity and usefulness in many clinical specialties such as obstetrics and cardiology. We describe some of the potential clinical applications of 3D US in regional anesthesia.Methods. This case represents an infraclavicular catheter placement facilitated by 3D US, which demonstrates 360-degree spatial relationships of the entire anatomic region.Results. The block needle, peripheral nerve catheter, and local anesthetic diffusion were observed in multiple planes of view without manipulation of the US probe.Conclusion. Advantages of 3D US may include the ability to confirm correct needle and catheter placement prior to the injection of local anesthetic. The spread of local anesthetic along the length of the nerve can be easily observed while manipulating the 3D images in real-time by simply rotating the trackball on the US machine to provide additional information that cannot be identified with 2D US alone.
Investigation of Low-Cost Surface Processing Techniques for Large-Size Multicrystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Cheng Yuang-Tung , Ho Jyh-Jier , Lee William J. , Tsai Song-Yeu , Lu Yung-An , Liou Jia-Jhe , Chang Shun-Hsyung , Wang Kang L.
Published: May 2010

The subject of the present work is to develop a simple and effective method of enhancing conversion efficiency in large-size solar cells using multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) wafer. In this work, industrial-type mc-Si solar cells with area of125×125 mm2were acid etched to produce simultaneouslyPOCl3emitters and silicon nitride deposition by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited (PECVD). The study of surface morphology and reflectivity of different mc-Si etched surfaces has also been discussed in this research. Using our optimal acid etching solution ratio, we are able to fabricate mc-Si solar cells of 16.34% conversion efficiency with double layers silicon nitride (Si3N4) coating. From our experiment, we find that depositing double layers silicon nitride coating on mc-Si solar cells can get the optimal performance parameters. Open circuit (Voc) is 616 mV, short circuit current (Jsc) is 34.1 mA/cm2, and minority carrier diffusion length is 474.16 μm. The isotropic texturing and silicon nitride layers coating approach contribute to lowering cost and achieving high efficiency in mass production.
Head and Neck Cancer with Dermatomyositis: A Report of Two Clinical Cases
Authors: Yamauchi Kohichi , Kogashiwa Yasunao , Nagafuji Hiroshi , Kohno Naoyuki
Published: May 2010

Dermatomyositis is well known to be associated with several types of malignancy and patients with dermatomyositis have higher rates of mortality from cancer. Although rare in Japan, head and neck cancer, especially nasopharyngeal cancer, is the predominant type of cancer associated with dermatomyositis in several areas in Asia, including Hong Kong and Singapore. Here we report two cases of head and neck cancer with dermatomyositis as well as a literature review. Both cases were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although the patients were immunosuppressed due to dermatomyositis treatment, no grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred.
A Loosely Coupled Planar Wireless Power Transfer System Supporting Multiple Receivers
Authors: Low Zhen Ning , Casanova Joaquin Jesus , Lin Jenshan
Published: June 2010

A high-efficiency wireless power transfer system which is capable of supporting more than one receiver using class E operation for transmitter via inductive coupling has been designed and fabricated. The design approach of the system is also presented in this paper. The system requires no complex external control system but relies on its natural impedance response to achieve the desired power delivery profile across a wide range of load resistances while maintaining high efficiency to prevent any heating issues. A switch circuit is used to decouple the fully charged receiver from the system so that power delivery to the other receiver can be improved. The fabricated system at 12 V supply voltage is compact and capable of approximately 2.5 W of power delivery to each of the two receivers in a dual receiver setup and 5 W to a single receiver alone or when the other receiver is decoupled by the receiver switch. During high-power delivery state, the system efficiency is between 67.5% and 77.5%.
Silica‐Coated Liposomes for Insulin Delivery
Authors: Dwivedi Neelam , Arunagirinathan M. A. , Sharma Somesh , Bellare Jayesh
Published: May 2010

Liposomes coated with silica were explored as protein delivery vehicles for their enhanced stability and improved encapsulation efficiency. Insulin was encapsulated within the fluidic phosphatidylcholine lipid vesicles by thin film hydration at pH 2.5, and layer of silica was formed above lipid bilayer by acid catalysis. The presence of silica coating and encapsulated insulin was identified using confocal and electron microscopy. The native state of insulin present in the formulation was evident from Confocal Micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Silica coat enhances the stability of insulin‐loaded delivery vehicles. In vivo study shows that these silica coated formulations were biologically active in reducing glucose levels.
Incomplete Synapsis and Chiasma Localization: The Chicken or the Egg?
Authors: Viera A. , Santos J.L. , Parra M.T. , Calvente A. , Gómez R. , de la Fuente R. , Suja J.Á. , Page J. , de la Vega C.G. , Rufas J.S.
Published: May 2010

In the present study, and as a sincere tribute from the Cytogenetics teams from Madrid to Professor Máximo Drets on his 80th birthday, we have analyzed and compared 3 different grasshopper species with different synaptic patterns, a standard pattern, a second pattern with synapsis restricted to the proximal regions, and a third pattern with synapsis restricted to the distal regions. In the 3 species we have thoroughly analyzed the relationships among cohesin axis morphogenesis, formation of double strand breaks (DSBs) and recombination initiation. Our results demonstrate that in every case recombination initiation precedes synapsis, and that there is a direct relationship between the absence of meiotic recombination and the existence of particular unsynapsed chromosomal regions during prophase I. Based on our results we propose and discuss the mechanisms underlying the existence of incomplete synapsis and the localization of chiasma in wild species.
Genomics and Evolution – A Personal Appraisal
Authors: Salzano F.M.
Published: May 2010

After a brief introduction about present approaches in evolutionary thinking and systems biology, I present a review about the most recent research of our group, with special reference to the genomics of Amerindians. This information was integrated with the present knowledge and concepts in this area. Human microevolutionary approaches are faced with special challenges, and proper interpretation demands the consideration of our unique specificity: culture.
Karyological Features of Achyrocline (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae): Stable Karyotypes, Low DNA Content Variation and Linkage of rRNA Genes
Authors: Mazzella C. , Rodríguez M. , Vaio M. , Gaiero P. , López-Carro B. , Santiñaque F.F. , Folle G.A. , Guerra M.
Published: May 2010

Many Achyrocline (Asteraceae, tribe Gnaphalieae) species are widely used in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay as popular medicinal and aromatic plants. Achyrocline flaccida, A. satureioides, A. alata, and A. crassiuscula are distributed in Uruguay and popularly known as ‘marcelas’. In order to characterize them, we performed chromosome counts, compared the karyotypes, mapped the 5S and 45S rDNA sites by fluorescent in situ hybridization, and estimated their DNA content. All species were diploid with 2n = 28 chromosomes, this being the first report for A. flaccida and A. crassiuscula. All species showed symmetrical karyotypes composed exclusively of biarmed chromosomes. DNA content estimated by flow cytometry revealed 2C values ranging from 5.73 to 6.03 pg, the amounts for A. alata and A. crassiuscula being higher than those for the other species. Cytogenetic mapping of 5S and 45S rDNA sequences in three species, A. flaccida, A. satureioides and A. alata, showed that in these species both sites co-localized in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10. This site corresponds to the only DAPI– and CMA+ band of their genomes. Southern blot hybridization of 5S and 45S rDNA on BamHI digested genomic DNA confirmed the tight linkage of these rDNA families into a single unit. Cytological data indicate that Achyrocline species are karyologically poorly differentiated, whereas the uncommon distribution of 5S and 45S rDNA suggests a close relationship with other genera of the Anthemidae tribe.
Candidate Biomarkers for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Inflammation: A Pathway for Novel Translational Therapeutics
Authors: Mastronardi C.A. , Licinio J. , Wong M.-L.
Published: May 2010

Objective: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) causes 200,000 deaths/year in the USA and has central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral components. Our aim was to identify candidate biomakers for SIRS and inflammation by studying the molecular pathways implicated in the CNS and the periphery, in order to facilitate translation into conceptually novel treatments. Methods: We used systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria to cause SIRS in rodents. We compared the transcriptional pattern of gene expression observed in the brain and heart of rodents after intraperitoneal LPS. Results: Only 10 out of 30 transcripts were commonly activated in the brain and the heart, which could be explained by variability of response, dilution effect in the CNS and lack of representation in both microarray platforms. Distinct temporal patterns of transcriptional expression suggest the presence of a tissue-specific inflammatory cascade during SIRS. We found that in the heart there were 240 upregulated transcripts, the majority of which was upregulated at 24 h (n = 154). There were also differences between the total number of transcripts that were upregulated in each ventricle: 209 in the right ventricle (RV) and 114 in the left ventricle; the RV was a site of delayed exacerbated inflammatory response. Conclusions: Given the striking cellular and tissue differences between the mouse brain and the rat heart, the 10 transcripts with shared regulation may be potential candidate biomarkers for SIRS, as they withstand intertissue and interspecies expression variability. We identified two types of temporal transcriptional patterns: (1) transitory activation with a peak around 6 or 24 h and (2) sustained activation. Detailed understanding of specific spatial-temporal patterns in various sites will lead to the identification of candidate biomarkers that can guide future translational efforts towards novel therapeutic strategies for SIRS and related conditions.
Nuclear Bud Formation: A Novel Manifestation of Zidovudine Genotoxicity
Authors: Dutra A. , Pak E. , Wincovitch S. , John K. , Poirier M.C. , Olivero O.A.
Published: May 2010

Normal diploid somatic mammalian cell division generates 2 daughter cells as a result of a strict and well-controlled mitotic process. However, some defects during the progression of that process could generate an unbalanced distribution of chromosomes, aneuploidy and eventually, a malignant phenotype. Previous observations using a transgenic mouse model with diminished DNA repair capacity revealed the presence of nuclear buds (NBs) induced in vitro by the nucleoside analog zidovudine (Retrovir®, 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine, AZT). Here we used bone marrow mesenchymal cells, taken from mice with the Xpa–/–Trp53+/– genotype, that were cultured and exposed to 0 and 100 µM AZT for 24 hours. Fixed and denatured cells were processed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with whole chromosome painting probes used to identify chromosomes in cells growing on glass chamber slides (2 probes/slide). A variety of sizes and shapes of NBs were observed. Some NBs had a large connection with the main nucleus (>¼ of the NB diameter), others hada smaller connection (<¼ of the NB diameter), some were circular and positioned close to the nucleus, while some resided in the cytoplasm separated from the nucleus or connected by a thin chromatin strand. We had hypothesized that NBs would progress in the process of budding until separation occurred, but this was not proven by time-lapse photography studies performed for 20 hours. From 1,126 cells scored in the unexposed cultures, 10.39 % of cells carried NBs, while from 1,108 cells scored in the AZT-exposed cultures 29.16% of cells carried NBs (p = 0.001). In AZT-exposed cells there were a total of 322 NBs scored; 46.6% or 150 NBs contained positive signals for one or both probes used, while 53% or 172 NBs had no probe signal. In addition, FISH analysis showed no preferential localization of any chromosome within the NBs. Among the NBs that carried no probe signal, the presence of positive signals with inversion of DAPI imaging demonstrated centromeric content. It has been hypothesized that NBs occur as a result of expulsion of amplified DNA from the main nucleus; however, this data demonstrates that NBs may contain any chromosome, suggesting that NBs do not consist of just amplified DNA.
Elucidating the Evolution of the Red Brocket Deer Mazama americana Complex (Artiodactyla; Cervidae)
Authors: Abril V.V. , Carnelossi E.A.G. , González S. , Duarte J.M.B.
Published: May 2010

The red brocket deer Mazama americana is a neotropical species that exhibits extensive karyotype variation under an unvarying morphotype. In order to deduce red brocket deer genetic units for conservation, gene flow between populations, and genetic variation, we initiated a cytogenetic and molecular genetic study based on representative samples from throughout their Brazilian geographic range. These data represent the first cytotaxonomical and molecular systematics, and although sample sizes are limited, our results clearly suggest that red brocket deer populations are significantly differentiated with respect to karyotypes and the mitochondrial sequences analyzed. We clearly recognized 2 independent species, and we will be focusing further research in analyzing the meiotic dynamic to determine the existence of other evolutionarily significant units under the red brocket complex.
Synaptonemal Complex Protein SYCP3 Exists in Two Isoforms Showing Different Conservation in Mammalian Evolution
Authors: Alsheimer M. , Baier A. , Schramm S. , Schütz W. , Benavente R.
Published: May 2010

Meiosis-specific protein SYCP3 is a major structural component of synaptonemal complex (SC) lateral elements. SYCP3 is rather well conserved in vertebrates. However, some differences in SYCP3 expression have been shown among mammals. To clarifiy these differences, we have investigated SYCP3 expression with the aid of bioinformatic, biochemical and cell biological methods. Here we show that, in contrast to other vertebrates, rat and mouse SYCP3 exist in 2 isoforms. The short isoform is conserved among vertebrates. However, the longer isoform, which represents an N-terminal extension of the shorter one, most likely appeared about 15 million years ago in a common ancestor of rat and mouse and after separation from the hamster branch.
Influence of a Totally Open Oval Window on Bone Conduction in Otosclerosis
Authors: Arnold Andreas , Fawzy Tamer , Steinhoff Hans-Joachim , Kiefer Jan , Arnold Wolfgang
Published: May 2010

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in bone conduction thresholds before, during and after total stapedectomy. Study Design: Prospective clinical study. Methods: In 27 ears of 26 patients undergoing stapedectomy under local anesthesia, bone conduction was measured before surgery, during surgery under open oval window conditions, and after the insertion of a steel wire connective tissue prosthesis. Statistical data analysis was performed on the audiometric results. Results: Under open oval window conditions, bone conduction hearing was found to be improved between 500 and 2000 Hz, but not at 4000 Hz. After insertion of the prosthesis, an additional improvement was evident at 500 and 1000 Hz, but a loss was seen at 2000 and 4000 Hz. Conclusion: This is the first investigation reported in which audiometry was performed under open oval window conditions during stapes surgery. Our results demonstrate that at least part of the preoperative bone conduction hearing loss in otosclerosis must be of mechanical, but not of sensorineural origin, as already suspected by Carhart. The fixed footplate suppresses cochlear micromechanics mainly at frequencies between 500 to 2000 Hz. Furthermore, the loss in bone conduction hearing at 2000 and 4000 Hz after insertion of the prosthesis indicates that rather than the surgical procedure of total removal of the footplate, other factors such as the handling of the prosthesis or its mechanical properties after insertion cause high-frequency hearing loss after stapes surgery.
The Annex C Fallacy: Why Unscreened Databases Are Usually Preferable for Comparison of Industrially Exposed Groups
Authors: Dobie Robert A. , Agrawal Yuri
Published: May 2010

One can study occupational noise exposure by comparing hearing thresholds of exposed people to control data from national or international standards. ANSI S3.44 (1996) offers Annex C – thresholds for people without occupational noise exposure – as appropriate control data for such comparisons. Annex C is based on the false assumption that people who have had occupational noise exposure are similar in all other important ways to those without such exposures. In fact, people with noisy jobs are more likely than others to be smokers, diabetics, poorly educated, white and exposed to non-occupational noise. Taking these other risk factors into account, the appropriate thresholds for comparison to industrial study populations are closer to those of the unscreened population than to an ‘Annex C’ population that simply excludes occupationally noise-exposed persons.
Poverty and Racial Disparities in Kidney Disease: The REGARDS Study
Authors: McClellan William M. , Newsome Britt B. , McClure Leslie A. , Howard George , Volkova Nataliya , Audhya Paul , Warnock David G.
Published: May 2010

There are pronounced disparities among black compared to white Americans for risk of end-stage renal disease. This study examines whether similar relationships exist between poverty and racial disparities in chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence. Methods: We studied 22,538 participants in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study. We defined individual poverty as family income below USD 15,000 and a neighborhood as poor if 25% or more of the households were below the federal poverty level. Results: As the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declined from 50–59 to 10–19 ml/min/ 1.73 m2, the black:white odds ratio (OR) for impaired kidney function increased from 0.74 (95% CI 0.66, 0.84) to 2.96 (95% CI 1.96, 5.57). Controlling for individual income below poverty, community poverty, demographic and comorbid characteristics attenuated the black:white prevalence to an OR of 0.65 (95% CI 0.57, 0.74) among individuals with a GFR of 59–50 ml/min/1.73 m2 and an OR of 2.21 (95% CI 1.25, 3.93) among individuals with a GFR between 10 and 19 ml/min/ 1.73 m2. Conclusion: Household, but not community poverty, was independently associated with CKD and attenuated but did not fully account for differences in CKD prevalence between whites and blacks.
Subjectivity and Intersubjectivity in Psychiatric Diagnosis
Authors: Fuchs Thomas
Published: May 2010

The establishment of criteriological diagnostic systems since the 1980s has increased the reliability of psychiatric diagnosis. On the other hand, the limits of this approach for clinicians and researchers are becoming increasingly apparent. In particular, the assessment of subjective experience is nearly excluded on the theoretical level and undervalued on the pragmatic level, with detrimental consequences for the validity of psychiatric diagnosis, empirical research and therapeutic purposes. To correct this unfavourable development, three major approaches to the assessment of mental illness should be equally taken into account: (1) the positivistic, objectifying or 3rd-person approach as endorsed by DSM-IV and ICD-10, focusing mainly on observable behavioural symptoms; (2) the phenomenological, subject-oriented or 1st-person approach, focusing on the patient’s self-experience and exploring its basic structures, and (3) the hermeneutic, intersubjective or 2nd-person approach, mainly aiming at the co-construction of narratives and interpretations regarding the patient’s self-concept, relationships and conflicts. These three approaches will be compared regarding their respective values for psychopathological description, diagnosis, research and therapeutic purposes.
Two Distinct Neuronal Networks Mediate the Awareness of Environment and of Self
Authors: Vanhaudenhuyse Audrey , Demertzi Athena , Schabus Manuel , Noirhomme Quentin , Bredart Serge , Boly Melanie , Phillips Christophe , Soddu Andrea , Luxen Andre , Moonen Gustave , Laureys Steven
Published: June 2010

Evidence from functional neuroimaging studies on resting state suggests that there are two distinct anticorrelated cortical systems that mediate conscious awareness: an “extrinsic” system that encompasses lateral fronto-parietal areas and has been linked with processes of external input (external awareness), and an “intrinsic” system which encompasses mainly medial brain areas and has been associated with internal processes (internal awareness). The aim of our study was to explore the neural correlates of resting state by providing behavioral and neuroimaging data from healthy volunteers. With no a priori assumptions, we first determined behaviorally the relationship between external and internal awareness in 31 subjects. We found a significant anticorrelation between external and internal awareness with a mean switching frequency of 0.05 Hz (range: 0.01–0.1 Hz). Interestingly, this frequency is similar to BOLD fMRI slow oscillations. We then evaluated 22 healthy volunteers in an fMRI paradigm looking for brain areas where BOLD activity correlated with “internal” and “external” scores. Activation of precuneus/posterior cingulate, anterior cingulate/mesiofrontal cortices, and parahippocampal areas (“intrinsic system”) was linearly linked to intensity of internal awareness, whereas activation of lateral fronto-parietal cortices (“extrinsic system”) was linearly associated with intensity of external awareness.
Israel's 1993 Decision to Make Peace with the PLO or How Political Losers (this Time) Became Winners
Authors: Doron Gideon , Rosenthal Maoz
Published: June 2010

Political losers' theory claims that political losers can move to a winning position if they turn the tables and change the situation completely. Our analysis shows that political losers can become winners by maintaining their favored option on the agenda. If the alternatives promoted by the political winners collapse and the losers have access to the winners' agenda, then there can be a situation in which the losers' favored alternative might be adopted. The 1993 Oslo Agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) illustrates this. We show how a team of political losers facilitated an alternative that the political winner – Israel's Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin – eventually had to adopt when his more favored options for negotiations became irrelevant. Thus, this narrative offers a complementary explanation to existing explanations of the Oslo Agreement, applies political losers' theory and provides further insight into the influence of domestic politics on international negotiations.
The Women and Peace Hypothesis? The Effect of Opponent Negotiators' Gender on the Evaluation of Compromise Solutions in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Authors: Maoz Ifat
Published: June 2010

The "women and peace" hypothesis refers to the tendency of women to hold more peaceful and compromising attitudes than men. We hypothesized that common gender stereotypes that portray women as less aggressive and as more cooperative and considerate than men will cause a gendered evaluation effect, in which: (1) a compromise proposal offered by female opponents in peace negotiations will be valued more favorably, as more beneficial to ones' own side and as less beneficial to the opponents' side, in comparison to the same proposal when offered by male opponents; (2) female opponent negotiators offering the compromise proposal will be perceived as significantly higher in warmth and trustworthiness and as significantly lower in assertiveness than male opponent negotiators offering the same proposal. These effects were researched in the context of the protracted conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. An experimental study examined the effect of national identity (Israeli vs. Palestinian) and gender (female vs. male) of negotiators offering a compromise proposal – aimed at resolving the conflict – on Jewish-Israeli evaluations of the proposal. The findings were consistent with the hypothesized gendered evaluation effect.
Competitiveness, Gender and Ethics in Legal Negotiations: Some Empirical Evidence
Authors: Tsaoussi Aspasia , Feidakis Andreas
Published: June 2010

The role of gender in negotiation has been extensively explored and documented in a now rich body of literature. A main strand of empirical evidence suggests that women, largely due to their gender socialization, tend to be weaker negotiators relative to men and consequently, less effective in pursuing their economic, social or family interests in diverse bargaining settings. We present findings from a Greek setting that paint a different picture, in which gender does not have a strong impact on the negotiating process when the negotiating parties are members of a competitive profession. We selected three different groups (Greek attorneys-at-law, Greek business students and a control group comprised of young employees in public and private organizations) and distributed self-assessment questionnaires to test for negotiating style and gender-specific negotiation behavior. Our findings suggest that differences which may be attributed to gender are less pronounced for Greek legal practitioners. Stronger determinants of successful outcomes in negotiations are negotiators' individual characteristics (competitive negotiating style, persuasion, social and emotional intelligence) and the conformity of Greek lawyers of both sexes to the competitive group norms of their profession. Therefore, the shared norms and values of professional culture play a critical role in how lawyers negotiate. We discuss these findings in the context of a larger social setting, especially by reference to the changing hierarchies and shifts in power in a legal profession increasingly populated by women.
Glacial geomorphology: Towards a convergence of glaciology and geomorphology
Authors: Bingham Robert G. , King Edward C. , Smith Andrew M. , Pritchard Hamish D.
Published: June 2010

This review presents a perspective on recent trends in glacial geomorphological research, which has seen an increasing engagement with investigating glaciation over larger and longer timescales facilitated by advances in remote sensing and numerical modelling. Remote sensing has enabled the visualization of deglaciated landscapes and glacial landform assemblages across continental scales, from which hypotheses of millennial-scale glacial landscape evolution and associations of landforms with palaeo-ice streams have been developed. To test these ideas rigorously, the related goal of imaging comparable subglacial landscapes and landforms beneath contemporary ice masses is being addressed through the application of radar and seismic technologies. Focusing on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, we review progress to date in achieving this goal, and the use of radar and seismic imaging to assess: (1) subglacial bed morphology and roughness; (2) subglacial bed reflectivity; and (3) subglacial sediment properties. Numerical modelling, now the primary modus operandi of ‘glaciologists’ investigating the dynamics of modern ice sheets, offers significant potential for testing ‘glacial geomorphological’ hypotheses of continental glacial landscape evolution and smaller-scale landform development, and some recent examples of such an approach are presented. We close by identifying some future challenges in glacial geomorphology, which include: (1) embracing numerical modelling as a framework for testing hypotheses of glacial landform and landscape development; (2) identifying analogues beneath modern ice sheets for landscapes and landforms observed across deglaciated terrains; (3) repeat-surveying dynamic subglacial landforms to assess scales of formation and evolution; and (4) applying glacial geomorphological expertise more fully to extraterrestrial cryospheres.
Tectonics and geomorphology
Authors: Brocklehurst Simon H.
Published: June 2010

The field of tectonic geomorphology is in a state of tension. The widespread availability of high-quality, high-resolution digital topographic data encourages the development of simple morphological ‘tools’ which can be used to deduce recent tectonic evolution. Meanwhile, process geomorphologists recognize that current models have a significant empirical basis, and lack insight into the underlying physics of erosion processes. Most tectonic geomorphology research is concerned with rivers, but glaciers, debris flows and hillslope processes also play a key role in hypotheses linking climate to tectonics, via surface processes, while submarine geomorphology has barely been investigated in a tectonic context. Studies combining field data collection, exposure, burial and low-temperature thermochronologic dating, digital topographic analysis, laboratory experiments and numerical models are successfully incorporating physics into geomorphic process ‘laws’, and demonstrating key tectonic geomorphology hypotheses. The approaches required for further progress have been outlined, but many exciting challenges remain.
Deconstructing Gender in Trans-Gender Identities
Authors: Hakeem Az
Published: June 2010

In this theoretically informed clinical study the author draws upon the psychoanalytic and group therapeutic literature in addition to the works of Judith Butler and his own clinical group analytic work with trans-gender in order to discuss the author’s hypothesis that binary gender rigidity stands at the core of trans-gender states. The author suggests that the analytic task is to deconstruct gender and trans-gender constructions in working with these patients. In addition to working towards greater analytic understanding such an endeavour may also be considered as a social, political and cultural exercise in working towards shifts in our societal foundation matrix.

Small group psychotherapy is used as a medium for these observations and as the basis for this study.
Treating and Training: A 30 Year Experience of a Team with a Group-Analytic Framework: Part II
Authors: Manso Neto Isaura , Fialho Teresa , Godinho Paula , Centeno Maria João
Published: June 2010

Part II

Part II will incorporate the results of a survey that was carried out with the aim of evaluating the training received at the Psychiatric Day Hospital of Santa Maria’s Hospital in Lisbon during its first 30 years. This was accomplished by sending a questionnaire to all the professionals who trained at this unit during the period between 1977 and 2007.

The conclusions of this research have highlighted the importance of the group analytic model in training professionals in psychiatry and mental health.
SAARC in a Globalised Era—Imperatives and Opportunities
Authors: Ram Amar Nath
Published: June 2010

Arguably, SAARC so far has not been able to meaningfully respond to the aspirations of the people of South Asia. Many believe that it is a story of missed opportunities, compounded by the absence of political cohesion and a shared vision. Being excessively government driven, it has substantially failed to impact positively on the life of the common man. Yet, South Asia is perceived by many to be a region of hope and opportunity if meaningful and pragmatic regional cooperation initiatives could be implemented, purely on economic considerations. What SAARC needs most is to circumvent the entrenched mindsets of the past and to reinvent itself so as to become a purposeful instrument of regional cooperation and change. For this to happen a fresh approach is needed, premised on the socio–economic imperative of the region and driven by the ground reality. Sound economics can never be bad politics. An integrated South Asia, with India as the pivot, offers the best hope for win–win partnership benefiting all members of SAARC. All encompassing connectivity, it is believed, will unleash the forces of development and prosperity and create a vested interested in it. Intra-regional trade, though important, cannot be the sole propellant of growth; trade is not the only cause of regional cooperation but rather its consequence. A much broader approach is needed for success to be achieved and to optimise opportunities in a globalised era. This essay endeavours to outline such an approach.