bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Production–Inventory Model for a Push–Pull Manufacturing System with Capacity and Service Level Constraints
Authors: Cheng* Feng , Ettl Markus , Lu Yingdong , Yao David D.
Published: January 2012

We study a hybrid push–pull production system with a two‐stage manufacturing process, which builds and stocks tested components for just‐in‐time configuration of the final product when a specific customer order is received. The first production stage (fabrication) is a push process where parts are replenished, tested, and assembled into components according to product‐level build plans. The component inventory is kept in stock ready for the final assembly of the end products. The second production stage (fulfillment) is a pull‐based assemble‐to‐order process where the final assembly process is initiated when a customer order is received and no finished goods inventory is kept for end products. One important planning issue is to find the right trade‐off between capacity utilization and inventory cost reduction that strives to meet the quarter‐end peak demand. We present a nonlinear optimization model to minimize the total inventory cost subject to the service level constraints and the production capacity constraints. This results in a convex program with linear constraints. An efficient algorithm using decomposition is developed for solving the nonlinear optimization problem. Numerical results are presented to show the performance improvements achieved by the optimized solutions along with managerial insights provided.
Workload Control and Order Release: A Lean Solution for Make‐to‐Order Companies
Authors: Thürer Matthias , Stevenson Mark , Silva Cristovao , Land Martin J. , Fredendall Lawrence D.
Published: January 2012

Protecting throughput from variance is the key to achieving lean. Workload control (WLC) accomplishes this in complex make‐to‐order job shops by controlling lead times, capacity, and work‐in‐process (WIP). However, the concept has been dismissed by many authors who believe its order release mechanism reduces the effectiveness of shop floor dispatching and increases work center idleness, thereby also increasing job tardiness results. We show that these problems have been overcome. A WLC order release method known as “LUMS OR” (Lancaster University Management School order release) combines continuous with periodic release, allowing the release of work to be triggered between periodic releases if a work center is starving. This paper refines the method based on the literature (creating “LUMS COR” [Lancaster University Management School corrected order release]) before comparing its performance against the best‐performing purely periodic and continuous release rules across a range of flow directions, from the pure job shop to the general flow shop. Results demonstrate that LUMS COR and the continuous WLC release methods consistently outperform purely periodic release and Constant WIP. LUMS COR is considered the best solution in practice due to its excellent performance and ease of implementation. Findings have significant implications for research and practice: throughput times and job tardiness results can be improved simultaneously and order release and dispatching rules can complement each other. Thus, WLC represents an effective means of implementing lean principles in a make‐to‐order context.
Genome Sequence of Enterobacter cloacae subsp. dissolvens SDM, an Efficient Biomass-Utilizing Producer of Platform Chemical 2,3-Butanediol
Authors: Xu Youqiang , Wang Ailong , Tao Fei , Su Fei , Tang Hongzhi , Ma Cuiqing , Xu Ping
Published: January 2012

Enterobacter cloacae
subsp.
dissolvens
SDM has an extraordinary characteristic of biomass utilization for 2,3-butanediol production. Here we present a 4.9-Mb assembly of its genome. The key genes for regulation and metabolism of 2,3-butanediol production were annotated, which could provide further insights into the molecular mechanism of high-yield production of 2,3-butanediol.
Draft Genome Sequence of Probiotic Strain Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5M
Authors: Barreau Guillaume , Tompkins Thomas A. , de Carvalho Vanessa G.
Published: January 2012

Pediococcus acidilactici
MA18/5M is a commercially available probiotic that is widely used in swine, poultry, aquaculture feeds, and human dietary supplements. We prepared a genome sequence for this strain consisting of 2 scaffolds totaling 1,992,928 bases including gaps for a total of 3,346 bases and a G+C content of 42%.
Genome Sequence of the Arsenite-Oxidizing Strain Agrobacterium tumefaciens 5A
Authors: Hao Xiuli , Lin Yanbing , Johnstone Laurel , Liu Guanghui , Wang Gejiao , Wei Gehong , McDermott Timothy , Rensing Christopher
Published: January 2012

Microbial transformations of arsenic influence its mobility and toxicity. We report the draft genome sequence of the arsenite-oxidizing strainAgrobacterium tumefaciens5A isolated from an As-contaminated soil in the Madison River Valley, MT. A large number of metal (or metalloid) resistance genes, especially contributing to arsenite oxidation, were identified.
Impaired body calcium metabolism with low bone density and compensatory colonic calcium absorption in cecectomized rats
Authors: Jongwattanapisan Prapaporn , Suntornsaratoon Panan , Wongdee Kannikar , Dorkkam Nitita , Krishnamra Nateetip , Charoenphandhu Narattaphol
Published: January 2012

An earlier study reported that cecal calcium absorption contributes less than 10% of total calcium absorbed by the intestine, although the cecum has the highest calcium transport rate compared with other intestinal segments. Thus, the physiological significance of the cecum pertaining to body calcium metabolism remains elusive. Herein, a 4-wk calcium balance study in cecectomized rats revealed an increase in fecal calcium loss with marked decreases in fractional calcium absorption and urinary calcium excretion only in the early days post-operation, suggesting the presence of a compensatory mechanism to minimize intestinal calcium wasting. Further investigation in cecectomized rats showed that active calcium transport was enhanced in the proximal colon but not in the small intestine, whereas passive calcium transport along the whole intestine was unaltered. Since apical exposure to calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) agonists similarly increased proximal colonic calcium transport, activation of apical CaSR in colonic epithelial cells could have been involved in this hyperabsorption. Calcium transporter genes, i.e., TRPV6 and calbindin-D9k, were also upregulated in proximal colonic epithelial cells. Surprisingly, elevated serum parathyroid hormone levels and hyperphosphatemia were evident in cecectomized rats despite normal plasma calcium levels, suggesting that colonic compensation alone might be insufficient to maintain normocalcemia. Thus, massive bone loss occurred in both cortical and trabecular sites, including lumbar vertebrae, femora, and tibiae. The presence of compensatory colonic calcium hyperabsorption with pervasive osteopenia in cecectomized rats therefore corroborates that the cecum is extremely crucial for body calcium homeostasis.
Detailed transcriptomics analysis of the effect of dietary fatty acids on gene expression in the heart
Authors: Georgiadi Anastasia , Boekschoten Mark V. , Müller Michael , Kersten Sander
Published: January 2012

Fatty acids comprise the primary energy source for the heart and are mainly taken up via hydrolysis of circulating triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. While most of the fatty acids entering the cardiomyocyte are oxidized, a small portion is involved in altering gene transcription to modulate cardiometabolic functions. So far, no in vivo model has been developed enabling study of the transcriptional effects of specific fatty acids in the intact heart. In the present study, mice were given a single oral dose of synthetic triglycerides composed of one single fatty acid. Hearts were collected 6 h thereafter and used for whole genome gene expression profiling. Experiments were conducted in wild-type and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α−/− mice to allow exploration of the specific contribution of PPARα. It was found that: 1) C18:3 had the most pronounced effect on cardiac gene expression. 2) The largest similarity in gene regulation was observed between C18:2 and C18:3. Large similarity was also observed between PPARα agonist Wy14643 and C22:6. 3) Many genes were regulated by one particular treatment only. Genes regulated by one particular treatment showed large functional divergence. 4) The majority of genes responding to fatty acid treatment were regulated in a PPARα-dependent manner, emphasizing the importance of PPARα in mediating transcriptional regulation by fatty acids in the heart. 5) Several genes were robustly regulated by all or many of the fatty acids studied, mostly representing well-described targets of PPARs (e.g., Acot1, Angptl4, Ucp3) but also including Zbtb16/PLZF, a transcription factor crucial for natural killer T cell function. 6) Deletion and activation of PPARα had a major effect on expression of numerous genes involved in metabolism and immunity. Our analysis demonstrates the marked impact of dietary fatty acids on gene regulation in the heart via PPARα.
mRNA-Seq reveals complex patterns of gene regulation and expression in the mouse skeletal muscle transcriptome associated with calorie restriction
Authors: Dhahbi Joseph M. , Atamna Hani , Boffelli Dario , Martin David I. K. , Spindler Stephen R.
Published: January 2012

Sarcopenia is an age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that increases the risk of disability. Calorie restriction (CR), the consumption of fewer calories while maintaining adequate nutrition, mitigates sarcopenia and many other age-related diseases. To identify potential mechanisms by which CR preserves skeletal muscle integrity during aging, we used mRNA-Seq for deep characterization of gene regulation and mRNA abundance in skeletal muscle of old mice compared with old mice subjected to CR. mRNA-Seq revealed complex CR-associated changes in expression of mRNA isoforms, many of which occur without a change in total message abundance and thus would not be detected by methods other than mRNA-Seq. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes reveals CR-associated upregulation of pathways involved in energy metabolism and lipid biosynthesis, and downregulation of pathways mediating protein breakdown and oxidative stress, consistent with earlier microarray-based studies. CR-associated changes not noted in previous studies involved downregulation of genes controlling actin cytoskeletal structures and muscle development. These CR-associated changes reflect generally healthier muscle, consistent with CR's mitigation of sarcopenia. mRNA-Seq generates a rich picture of the changes in gene expression associated with CR, and may facilitate identification of genes that are primary mediators of CR's effects.
Integrated Analysis Reveals Critical Genomic Regions in Prostate Tumor Microenvironment Associated with Clinicopathologic Phenotypes
Authors: Ashida Shingo , Orloff Mohammed S. , Bebek Gurkan , Zhang Li , Zheng Pan , Peehl Donna M. , Eng Charis
Published: January 2012

Purpose: Recent studies suggest that tumor microenvironment (stroma) is important in carcinogenesis and progression. We sought to integrate global genomic structural and expressional alterations in prostate cancer epithelium and stroma and their association with clinicopathologic features.

Experimental Design: We conducted a genome-wide LOH/allelic imbalance (AI) scan of DNA from epithelium and stroma of 116 prostate cancers. LOH/AI hot or cold spots were defined as the markers with significantly higher or lower LOH/AI frequencies compared with the average frequency for markers along the same chromosome. These data were then integrated with publicly available transcriptome data sets and our experimentally derived data. Immunohistochemistry on an independent series was used for validation.

Results: Overall, we identified 43 LOH/AI hot/cold spots, 17 in epithelium and stroma (P < 0.001), 18 only in epithelium (P < 0.001), and eight only in stroma (P < 0.001). Hierarchical clustering of expression data supervised by genes within LOH/AI hot/cold spots in both epithelium and stroma accurately separated samples into normal epithelium, primary cancer, and metastatic cancer groups, which could not be achieved with data from only epithelium. Importantly, our experimental expression data of the genes within the LOH/AI hot/cold spots in stroma accurately clustered normal stroma from cancer stroma. We also identified 15 LOH/AI markers that were associated with Gleason score, which were validated functionally in each compartment by transcriptome data. Independent immunohistochemical validation of STIM2 within a stromal significant LOH marker (identified as associated with Gleason grade) confirmed its downregulation in the transition from moderate to high Gleason grade.

Conclusions: Compartment-specific genomic and transcriptomic alterations accurately distinguish clinical and pathologic outcomes, suggesting new biomarkers for prognosis and targeted therapeutics. Clin Cancer Res; 18(6); 1578–87. ©2012 AACR.
The Stress Oncoprotein LEDGF/p75 Interacts with the Methyl CpG Binding Protein MeCP2 and Influences Its Transcriptional Activity
Authors: Leoh Lai Sum , van Heertum Bart , De Rijck Jan , Filippova Maria , Rios-Colon Leslimar , Basu Anamika , Martinez Shannalee R. , Tungteakkhun Sandy S. , Filippov Valeri , Christ Frauke , De Leon Marino , Debyser Zeger , Casiano Carlos A.
Published: January 2012

The lens epithelium–derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75) is a transcription coactivator that promotes resistance to oxidative stress- and chemotherapy-induced cell death. LEDGF/p75 is also known as the dense fine speckles autoantigen of 70 kDa (DFS70) and has been implicated in cancer, HIV-AIDS, autoimmunity, and inflammation. To gain insights into mechanisms by which LEDGF/p75 protects cancer cells against stress, we initiated an analysis of its interactions with other transcription factors and the influence of these interactions on stress gene activation. We report here that both LEDGF/p75 and its short splice variant LEDGF/p52 interact with MeCP2, a methylation-associated transcriptional modulator, in vitro and in various human cancer cells. These interactions were established by several complementary approaches: transcription factor protein arrays, pull-down and AlphaScreen assays, coimmunoprecipitation, and nuclear colocalization by confocal microscopy. MeCP2 was found to interact with the N-terminal region shared by LEDGF/p75 and p52, particularly with the PWWP-CR1 domain. Like LEDGF/p75, MeCP2 bound to and transactivated the Hsp27 promoter (Hsp27pr). LEDGF/p75 modestly enhanced MeCP2-induced Hsp27pr transactivation in U2OS osteosarcoma cells, whereas this effect was more pronounced in PC3 prostate cancer cells. LEDGF/p52 repressed Hsp27pr activity in U2OS cells. Interestingly, siRNA-induced silencing of LEDGF/p75 in U2OS cells dramatically elevated MeCP2-mediated Hsp27pr transactivation, whereas this effect was less pronounced in PC3 cells depleted of LEDGF/p75. These results suggest that the LEDGF/p75–MeCP2 interaction differentially influences Hsp27pr activation depending on the cellular and molecular context. These findings are of significance in understanding the contribution of this interaction to the activation of stress survival genes. Mol Cancer Res; 10(3); 378–91. ©2012 AACR.
Transcriptional Regulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE/PPE Genes: A Molecular Switch to Virulence
Authors: Mohareer Krishnaveni , Tundup Smanla , Hasnain Seyed E.
Published: January 2012

The PE/PPE family of proteins, which constitute 10% of the coding capacity of the mycobacterial genome, comprises a unique set of genes which have no known homologs and have expanded throughout their evolution. Their association with virulence has been implicated by several researchers in tuberculosis, but the molecular basis of their virulence is yet to be completely explored. PE/PPE genes are mostly associated with the pathogenic strains of mycobacteria as many of them are known to be deleted in non-pathogenic ones. The non-essentiality of these genes for their in vitrogrowth but essentiality during infection highlights their active role in the host-pathogen interaction and consequently virulence. Even within the different strains of pathogenic mycobacteria and clinical isolates, many of the PE/PPE genes show sequence variation, pointing to their importance in providing antigenic variations, and have also been speculated to perform varied roles by differential expression during host-pathogen interaction. The transcriptional regulators of these genes could therefore act as a molecular switch for the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This review focuses on the expression and regulation of PE/PPE genes in the context of infection and pathogenicity and discusses the potential of these proteins as drug targets.
Overexpression of the Key Virulence Proteases Bace16 and Bae16 in Bacillus nematocida B16 to Improve Its Nematocidal Activity
Authors: Niu Qiuhong , Tian Yunxia , Zhang Lin , Xu Xiao’e , Niu Xuemei , Xia Zhenyuan , Lei Liping , Zhang Ke-Qin , Huang Xiaowei
Published: January 2012

Proteases Bace16 and Bae16, an alkaline serine protease and a neutral protease, respectively, in the nematocidal bacterium Bacillus nematocida B16, have been identified as two key virulence factors and shown to have remarkable nematotoxic activities against the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivius and the plant parasite nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. To facilitate the successful biological control application of this organism in the field, we genetically altered the strain B. nematocida B16 and optimized its growth condition to overexpress these two pathogenic proteases. The recombinant integration vectors of pAX01-Bace16 and pAX01-Bae16 for overexpressing the two proteases were constructed and successfully transformed into competent cells of the bacterium B. nematocida B16. The optimal induction condition for overexpressing Bace16 is 2% xylose at 37°C for 48 h. Our analyses showed that the proteolytic activity and nematocidal activity of the strain overexpressing Bace16 increased by about 62 and 80%, respectively, over the wild-type strain. However, our tested induction conditions could not significantly improve either the proteolytic activity or the nematocidal activity of the Bae16 overexpression mutant.
Effect of Angiotensin II on Inflammation Pathways in Human Primary Bone Cell Cultures in Otosclerosis
Authors: Rudić Milan , Nguyen Christine , Nguyen Yann , Milković Lidija , Žarković Neven , Sterkers Olivier , Ferrary Evelyne , Bozorg Grayeli Alexis
Published: January 2012

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the expression and production of inflammation mediators in basal condition and after angiotensin II (AngII) in otosclerosis. Materials and Methods: Human stapedial cell cultures (6 otosclerosis and 6 controls) were incubated with AngII (10–7M, 24 h) or vehicle. Cytokines and their mRNA expression were assessed by antibody and cDNA arrays. Results: In basal conditions, otosclerotic cultures produced higher amounts of interleukin (IL)-1β and interferon-inducible protein 10, and smaller amounts of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2. AngII promoted inflammation by increasing interferon γ and IL-10, and by decreasing macrophage inflammatory protein 1α and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II. Conclusions: Otosclerotic cultures produced higher proinflammatory cytokines in basal condition. AngII appeared to promote inflammation via these mediators in otosclerosis.
Evidence of Bacillus thuringiensis Intra-Serovar Diversity Revealed by Bacillus cereus Group-Specific Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic Sequence-Based PCR Genomic Fingerprinting
Authors: Sauka Diego H. , Basile Juan I. , Benintende Graciela
Published: January 2012

Bacillus thuringiensis is classified into serovars on the basis of H-flagellar antigens. Several alternative typing methods have been described. Among them, a B. cereus group-specific repetitive extragenic palindromic (Rep)-PCR fingerprinting technique was shown to be discriminative and able to identify B. thuringiensis serovars. The aim of this study was to investigate the genomic diversity and relationship among B. thuringiensis strains collected from different Argentinean ecosystems. Thirty-seven B. thuringiensis reference strains and 131 Argentinean isolates were analyzed using a B. cereus group-specific Rep-PCR. Fourteen different patterns were identified among the Argentinean isolates. Eight could not be associated to any pattern obtained from a reference strain. The pattern identical to the serovar kurstaki HD-1 strain was the most frequently identified in 68 native isolates. The profiles allowed tracing a single dendrogram with two groups and eight main lineages. Some strains showed distinctive patterns despite belonging to the same serovar. An intraspecific diversity resulted from this analysis that was highlighted by this technique since strains from a given serovar showed distinct profiles. This study may help to establish a system of B. thuringiensis classification with a higher discrimination level than established by the H antigen serotyping.
Prevalence of poor biological response to clopidogrel
Authors: Labruyère Carine , Reny Jean-Luc , Chapelle Céline , Piot Michèle , Fontana Pierre , Gris Jean-Christophe , Delavenne Xavier , Mismetti Patrick , Laporte Silvy , Mallouk Nora
Published: January 2012

The existence of poor biological response to clopidogrel has been shown in some patients. Despite the increasing number of studies, this phenomenon remains difficult to quantify. We performed a systematic review to estimate the prevalence of poor biological response to clopidogrel and investigate the factors known to modulate this. An exhaustive search was performed. Altogether 171 publications were identified, providing data for a total of 45,664 subjects. The estimated prevalence of poor biological response to clopidogrel ranged from 15.9% to 49.5% according to the platelet function assay employed. The assays most frequently used were light transmittance aggregometry (LTA), the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) assay and the Verify -now® assay. For all these assays, higher cut-off values were associated with a lower prevalence of poor biological response to clopidogrel. However, when choosing a fixed cut-off point for each assay, the prevalence of poor biological response to clopidogrel was highly variable suggesting that other factors could modulate poor biological response to clopidogrel. Finally, none of the studied factors could apparently explain the variability of poor biological response to clopidogrel. This meta-analysis shows that the prevalence of poor biological response depends on the assay employed, the cut-off value and on various unidentified additional factors.
Thrombotic microangiopathy: A role for magnesium?
Authors: Nagler Evi V. T. , Vanholder Raymond , Van Laecke Steven
Published: January 2012

Despite advances in more recent years, the pathophysiology and especially treatment modalities of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) largely remain enigmatic. Disruption of endothelial homeostasis plays an essential role in TMA. Considering the proven causal association between magnesium and both endothelial function and platelet aggreg-ability, we speculate that a magnesium deficit could influence the course of TMA and the related haemolytic uraemic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. A predisposition towards TMA is seen in many conditions with both extracellular and intracellular magnesium deficiency. We propose a rationale for magnesium supplementation in TMA, in analogy with its evidence-based therapeutic application in pre-eclampsia and suggest, based on theoretical grounds, that it might attenuate the development of TMA, minimise its severity and prevent its recurrence. This is based on several lines of evidence from both in vitro and in vivo data showing dose-dependent effects of magnesium supplementation on nitric oxide production, platelet ag-gregability and inflammation. Our hypothesis, which is further amenable to assessment in animal models before therapeutic applications in humans are implemented, could be explored both in vitro and in vivo to decipher the potential role of magnesium deficit in TMA and of the effects of its supplementation.
Postprandial cell inflammatory response to a standardised fatty meal in subjects at different degree of cardiovascular risk
Authors: Tamburrelli Chiara , Gianfagna Francesco , D’Imperio Marco , De Curtis Amalia , Rotilio Domenico , Iacoviello Licia , de Gaetano Giovanni , Donati Maria , Cerletti Chiara
Published: January 2012

A fatty meal may represent a challenge of in vivo acute inflammatory reaction. We evaluated the acute effects of a standardised fatty meal administration on leukocytes and platelets and on their interactions on 61 subjects at different degree of cardiovascular risk, without any clinical event. Before and 2 hours after a fatty meal, blood cells were counted and markers of leukocyte (intracellular myeloperoxidase [MPO] and Mac-1) and platelet (P-selectin and microparticles) activation and mixed platelet-leukocyte conjugates measured by flow-cytometry. After the fatty meal, both white blood cell and platelet count significantly increased, more markedly in subjects with lower cardiovascular risk score. Mac-1 expression too increased (from 32.2 ± 27.2% to 45.6 ± 29.0%, p=0.0016), while MPO decreased (from 83.1 ± 16.3% to 64.5 ± 23.1%, p<0.0001). A trend for increased platelet activation and interaction with leukocytes was also observed. Women were more markedly susceptible to fatty meal challenge, as compared to men, while age did not seem to affect any cell response to fatty meal. Waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index influenced polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) degranulation and platelet count increase, respectively. Cellular responses to the fatty meal, in particular PMN degranulation, were attenuated in subjects at higher degree of cardiovascular risk, who showed a basal mild inflammatory activation status. In conclusion, a fatty meal consumption may represent a model of acute inflammatory response and appears to be modulated by different demographic and cardiovascular risk degree. This model could be applied to study the effect of food-derived antioxidants or nutritional supplements, but its relevance remains to be demonstrated.
Focusing on plasma glycoprotein VI
Authors: Arthur Jane F. , Gardiner Elizabeth E. , Andrews Robert K. , Al-Tamimi Mohammad
Published: January 2012

New methods for analysing both platelet and plasma forms of the platelet-specific collagen receptor, glycoprotein VI (GPVI) in experimental models or human clinical samples, and the development of the first therapeutic compounds based on dimeric soluble GPVI-Fc or anti-GPVI antibody-based constructs, coincide with increased understanding of the potential pathophysiological role of GPVI ligand binding and shedding. Platelet GPVI not only mediates platelet activation at the site of vascular injury where collagen is exposed, but is also implicated in the pathogenesis of other diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coagulopathy, rheumatoid arthritis and tumour metastasis. Here, we describe some of the critical mechanisms for generating soluble GPVI from platelets, and future avenues for exploiting this unique platelet-specific receptor for diagnosis and/or disease prevention.
Endocardial Autonomic Denervation of the Left Atrium to Treat Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: Yao Yan , Shi Rui , Wong Tom , Zheng Lihui , Chen Wensheng , Yang Long , Huang Wen , Bao Jingru , Zhang Shu
Published: January 2012

Background—

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most common cause of recurrent syncope that can be debilitating despite optimal conventional therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of selective endocardial autonomic denervation in left atrium (LA) as an alternative treatment strategy in patients with highly symptomatic VVS.

Methods and Results—

Ten consecutive patients (mean age, 50.4±6.4 years; 7 women) with a medium of 3.5 (range, 2–20) recurrent episodes of VVS during the preceding year and positive head-up tilt testing in whom standard therapies were ineffective or poorly tolerated were enrolled. Ganglionated plexi (GP) in the LA, identified by high-frequency stimulation, was targeted by radiofrequency catheter ablation. The patients were then followed up at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, including repeated head-up tilt testing and Holter at 3 and 12 months. Radiofrequency energy was applied at the left superior GP in 10 patients, right anterior GP in 5, and left inferior GP in 3, using an 8-mm ablation catheter. Vagal response, defined as transient ventricular asystole, atrioventricular block, or an increase in R-R interval by 50%, was observed during ablation in all GP sites. The end point of procedure was the inhibition of the vagal response at target sites. At 30±16 (range, 13–55) months of follow-up, no patient had any recurrence of syncope and all patients had significant improvement in symptoms, but 5 of 10 patients reported transient prodromes. No complications occurred.

Conclusions—

Comprehensive endocardial autonomic denervation of the LA demonstrates the feasibility of treating VVS in medium-term follow-up.
Sociolinguistic Remarks on the Indo-Iranian *-ka-Suffix: A Marker of Colloquial Register
Authors: Jamison Stephanie W.
Published: January 2012

The widespread Indo-Iranian *-ka suffix (also widely distributed elsewhere in Indo-European) is generally characterized as a diminutive or deprecatory marker, shading into pleonastic meaninglessness. However, it is easier to account for its extremely varied distribution and diverse functions by interpreting it as a sociolinguistic marker of colloquial or informal speech. The explosive growth of the suffix in the "middle" period languages of both Iranian and Indo-Aryan results in part from the greater representation of vernacular speech in those languages, but also from the convenience of the suffix as a means of staving off word-final phonological erosion. The suffix is also associated with speech by and about women from the ancient period (Vedic Sanskrit and Avestan) onwards. is association results from the fact that women are typed as colloquial speakers throughout these texts, lacking access to high-register grammatical forms and styles, and therefore paying attention to women's speech in ancient texts may give us a window on the colloquial register that is otherwise unavailable to us in these elite products.
Aśvaghosa's Saundarananda IV–VI: A Study in the Poetic Structure of Buddhist Kāvya
Authors: Salomon
Published: January 2012

A careful reading of the Buddhist epic Saundarananda shows that the poet Aśvaghosa strategically repeated and manipulated key words, phrases, and images from the love scene in sarga IV in the scene of Sundarī's despair in sarga VI. The earlier images of love and pleasure are transformed into symbols of despair and misery, illustrating the fundamental Buddhist principles of suffering and impermanence.
Moving Targets? Texts, language, archaeology and history in the Late Vedic and early Buddhist periods
Authors: Witzel Michael
Published: January 2012

The Late Vedic and earliest Buddhist texts are investigated to indicate their relative historical layering. Besides the texts themselves, their language, place names, archaeological and inherent historical background are brought to bear. These data and those on some historical contemporaries of the Buddha do not indicate a correlation with late Vedic personalities and texts. A certain period of time separates both corpora.
Two Dated Sātavāhana Epigraphs
Authors: Falk Harry
Published: January 2012

The length of reign of the individual Sātavāhana kings is often defined on the basis of the records of the Purānas. Contradictory as these records are, more reliable evidence is provided by dated documents of their time, which are, unfortunately, rare. A sealing re-interpreted here, shows that Sātakanni, starting the dynasty, lived for at least 30 years, in line with the Purānas who allot him 56 years. A dedicatory plaque from Kanganhalli is dated to the 35th year of Śrī-Pulumāvi, a date supported by a single line in the Matsyapurāna, which, however, has mixed several accounts into one, so that up to now a much shorter life-span for Vāsisthīputra Pulimāvi was expected. In addition, this epigraph presents evidence for a place otherwise only known through Ptolemy's list of Indian cities, and for the habit of buying in favour of the sangha by spreading out coins, as known from the much older story of Anāthapindada.
The dialogue of Yama and Yamī (RV. 10, 10)
Authors: Bodewitz
Published: January 2012

In this paper after a short discussion of the Rigvedic dialogue hymns and their general interpretations focusing on the ākhyāna theory and "Legendenzauber" one special hymn (10, 10) dealing with the famous dialogue between the twins Yama and Yamī has been translated with an elaborate commentary. Here especially its treatment in a recent book of Susanne Knaus on the Rigvedic dialogue hymns forms the starting-point. One of the problems of this hymn is the interpretation of the erotic aspects of this dialogue and the situation of the beginning of the human race, which mostly is associated with unavoidable incest.
Once Again on the Identity of Candésvara in Early Śaivism: A rare Candeśvara in the British Museum?
Authors: Bisschop Peter
Published: January 2012

The figure of Candeśa (Candeśvara) in early Śaivism has been the subject of two recent studies by Diwakar Acharya and Dominic Goodall. The present article proposes to identify a sculpture in the British Museum, hitherto identified as Lakulīśa, as representing Candeśvara. Attention is drawn to the iconographical similarities to a Śaiva deity depicted on the Cālukya shrines of Mahākūta and Pattadakal. A passage from the lay Śivadharma proves crucial in understanding the identity of Candésvara in early Śaivism, which leads to a renewed consideration of the deity invoked in the final line of the Mathurā Pillar Inscription of Candragupta. Finally the Śivadharma's descriptions of two other Ganas, Bhrngiriti and Vināyaka (Ganésa), are briefly analyzed in the light of the significant fact that both Ganas are referred to as 'son of Rudra'.
Kids and Colts in Pahlavi
Authors: Khoroche Peter
Published: January 2012

The occurrence in a fragmentary text in Manichaean Middle Persian of the word twštr 'goat' provides the meaning for the corresponding word in Zoroastrian Middle Persian, which, because of its rarity, has hitherto not been recognized. This in turn suggests a slight emendation, giving better sense, to a page in the Dēnkard.
On the Making of the Tibetan Translation of Laksmī's Sahajasiddhipaddhati: 'Bro Lotsā ba Shes rab Grags and his Translation Endeavors. (Materials for the Study of the Female Tantric Master Laksmī of Uddiyāna, part I)
Authors: Kragh Ulrich Timme
Published: January 2012

The medieval Tantric literature entails many uncertainties about authorship and dating. The line between authentic and pseudepigraphical in this genre has traditionally been very fluid, and every Tantric text needs to be treated with due caution. In the case of the Sahajasiddhipaddhati, the Tibetan tradition maintains its author to be the 9th–10th century female master Laksmī from Uddiyāna. Given this work's significance, its possible female authorship and its inclusion of hitherto unresearched hagiographies of twelve Uddiyāna Tantric teachers including four women, it is most crucial to examine its provenance. If its authenticity can be established, the text would become one of the earliest hagiographical collections of the Indian Tantric tradition, predating by two to three centuries Abhayadattaśrī's standard anthology, Caturaśītisiddhapravrtti, which differs considerably from Laksmī's work. The Sahajasiddhipaddhati is only extant in a Tibetan translation by the Kashmirian scholar Somanātha and the Tibetan translator 'Bro Lotsā ba Shes rab Grags. Since the translated work is undated, the investigation of its provenance must begin with ascertaining the date of its Tibetan witness. Through a wide-ranging reading of medieval Tibetan historical sources and colophons of 11th-century Tantric works, it will be concluded that the translation was produced in Nepal somewhere between the years 1070 and 1090. The discovery sets a terminus ante quem for the Sanskrit original, placing its composition at least a century earlier than Abhayadattaśr¯ı's compilation.
Introduction: Modern Western Magic
Authors: Bogdan Henrik
Published: January 2012

Man kann verteidigen, dass das Konzept der Magie als Antithese zur westlichen Kultur auf vier polemischen Diskursen basiert. Zunächst gibt es die Annahme, dass Magie eine Form von 'primitivem' abergläubischem (oder nicht-rationalem) Denken ist. Zweitens gibt es die Ansicht, dass Magie etwas aus anderen Teilen der Welt und daher ein fremdes Element in der westlichen Kultur ist. Drittens gibt es den Diskurs über Magie als etwas, das im Gegensatz zum christlichen Glauben steht. Der vierte und letzte Diskurs ist die bezüglich der inhärent böse Natur der Magie. Die Dialektik zwischen polemischen und apologetischen Diskursen über Magie und die bedeutende Rolle der wissenschaftlichen Literatur in dieser dialektischen Beziehung sind wichtig, um Konstruktionen der modernen westlichen Magie zu verstehen.
Scanlon on Permissibility and Double Effect
Authors: Elster Jakob
Published: January 2012

In his book Moral Dimensions. Permissibility, Meaning, Blame, T.M. Scanlon proposes a new account of permissibility, and argues, against the doctrine of double effect (DDE), that intentions do not matter for permissibility. I argue that Scanlon's account of permissibility as based on what the agent should have known at the time of action does not sufficiently take into account Scanlon's own emphasis on permissibility as a question for the deliberating agent. A proper account of permissibility, based on the agent's actual beliefs, will allow us to revise the principle Scanlon proposes for regulating the use of violence in war, and to show that, while the DDE as such might be invalid, its focus on intentions does point toward an important element which Scanlon's proposal lacks, viz. the requirement that the agent believes that her actions will have certain consequences and can be justified for that reason.
Zum Datum der persischen Eroberung Ägyptens unter Kambyses
Authors: Quack Joachim F.
Published: January 2012

Abstract

There is a long-standing consensus of historians that Cambyses conquered Egypt in 525 BCE. This seemed very convenient as long as the reign of Amasis was supposed to have begun in 569 and to have lasted for 44 years. However, a lunar date shows that his accession has to be dated one year earlier. Up to now, the normal process was to ascribe to him an (unattested) 45th year in order to keep the following dates in their places. A study of the Egyptian sources shows that there is strong evidence against such a 45th year and that, given the maximum length of the reign of Psammetichus III, the Persian conquest has to be set in 526 BCE. Relevant texts and the question of dating praxis in Egypt under Cambyses are discussed. Also, a new translation of the decree of Dareios concerning the codification of the laws of Egypt is given, including several new readings.
На перекрестках историографии и политики эпохи Великих реформ: уроки «школы федералистов»
Authors: Боярченков Владислав Викторович
Published: January 2012

Рубеж 1850-1860-х гг. отмечен выступлением ряда историков – таких, как Н.И. Костомаров, А.П. Щапов, П.В. Павлов – с идеями федерализма, истоки которых они пытались отыскать в Древней Руси. Эти поиски, совпавшие, а отчасти продиктованные атмосферой повышенных общественных ожиданий, присущих эпохе Великих реформ, дали повод для публичной постановки вопроса о зарождающейся «школе федералистов». Наметившаяся историографическая общность оказалась, однако, хрупкой и недолговечной. Историкам-федералистам не удалось предложить научному сообществу убедительную и непротиворечивую версию российского прошлого с позиций органицизма, которых они придерживались. События середины 1860-х гг., с одной стороны Польское восстание, а с другой – политическая инертность русской провинции, вызвали сомнения публики в отношении жизнеспособности федералистских построений. В этих условиях отход их авторов от федерализма был более или менее предопределен. Вместе с тем, поиски Н.И. Костомарова, А.П. Щапова и их единомышленников открыли путь широкому научному изучению местной истории в России, а также стали важной вехой в процессе утверждения позитивистских стандартов историописания, заменив господствовавшую прежде романтическую парадигму.
S. F. Platonov, P. N. Miliukov and the Theory of “Two Schools” in Russian Historiography
Authors: Hamburg G. M.
Published: January 2012

This article uses the correspondence between Sergei Platonov and Pavel Miliukov to show that, before 1900, there was no clear delineation between Russian historical writing in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The theory of the “two schools,” one in St. Petersburg and its rival in Moscow, was an early twentieth century “invention,” retrospectively applied to the late nineteenth century.
Subtropical Dipole Modes Simulated in a Coupled General Circulation Model
Authors: Morioka Yushi , Tozuka Tomoki , Masson Sebastien , Terray Pascal , Luo Jing-Jia , Yamagata Toshio
Published: January 2012

The growth and decay mechanisms of subtropical dipole modes in the southern Indian and South Atlantic Oceans and their impacts on southern African rainfall are investigated using results from a coupled general circulation model originally developed for predicting tropical climate variations. The second (most) dominant mode of interannual sea surface temperature (SST) variations in the southern Indian (South Atlantic) Ocean represents a northeast–southwest oriented dipole, now called subtropical dipole mode. The positive (negative) SST interannual anomaly pole starts to grow in austral spring and reaches its peak in February. In austral late spring, the suppressed (enhanced) latent heat flux loss associated with the variations in the subtropical high causes a thinner (thicker) than normal mixed layer thickness that, in turn, enhances (reduces) the warming of the mixed layer by the climatological shortwave radiation. The positive (negative) pole gradually decays in austral fall because the mixed layer cooling by the entrainment is enhanced (reduced), mostly owing to the larger (smaller) temperature difference between the mixed layer and the entrained water. The increased (decreased) latent heat loss due to the warmer (colder) SST also contributes to the decay of the positive (negative) pole. Although further verification using longer observational data is required, the present coupled model suggests that the South Atlantic subtropical dipole may play a more important role in rainfall variations over the southern African region than the Indian Ocean subtropical dipole.
Declining Oxygen in the Northeast Pacific*
Authors: Pierce Stephen D. , Barth John A. , Shearman R. Kipp , Erofeev Anatoli Y.
Published: January 2012

Climate models predict a decrease in oceanic dissolved oxygen and a thickening of the oxygen minimum zone, associated with global warming. Comprehensive observational analyses of oxygen decline are challenging, given generally sparse historical data. The Newport hydrographic (NH) line off central Oregon is one of the few locations in the northeast Pacific with long oxygen records. Good quality data are available here primarily in two time blocks: 1960–71 and 1998–present. Standard sampling extends from midshelf (bottom depth of 58 m) to 157 km offshore (bottom depth of 2880 m). Shipboard measurements have been supplemented in recent years (2006–present) with data from autonomous underwater gliders. Oxygen declines significantly over this 50-yr period across the entire NH line. In addition to decrease in the vicinity of the oxygen minimum depth (~800 m), oxygen decreases across a range of density surfaces σθ = 26–27 within the thermocline, in the depth range 100–550 m. A core of decreasing oxygen (0.7 ± 0.2 μmol kg−1 yr−1 or 0.016 ± 0.005 ml l−1 yr−1) is also found over the upper slope at 150–200-m depths, within the region of average northward flow associated with the poleward undercurrent. During the summer upwelling season, the largest decline is observed near bottom on the shelf: the dissolved oxygen of upwelled water, already low, is further reduced by shelf processes, leading to near-bottom hypoxia (<60 μmol kg−1) on the Oregon shelf.
Using time stream Petri nets for workflow modelling analysis and enactment
Authors: Cicirelli Franco , Furfaro Angelo , Nigro Libero
Published: January 2012

Timing requirements are important aspects in workflow modelling, analysis and enactment. In the last few years, though, many workflow languages and tools have been proposed but only few of them address timing issues during enactment. This paper shows that time stream Petri nets (TSPNs), originally designed for multimedia/hypermedia modelling and analysis, are a well-suited formalism also for supporting the whole lifecycle of workflow processes with timing constraints. A novel approach to modelling, analysis and distributed enactment of workflow processes specified by TSPNs is proposed. Functional and temporal properties of a TSPN model can be checked using exhaustive verification or a DEVS-based simulation tool. Enactment rests on PN-Engine, a decentralized enactment engine based on the service-oriented computing paradigm, which enables execution of workflow processes where the coordinated activities may involve cross-boundary organizations. The approach is illustrated by means of a modelling example concerned with a wine-production process.
Analysis and control of a high-purity distillation column system
Authors: Mazinan AH , Kazemi MF
Published: January 2012

This research work looks at methods for controlling a two-phase distillation column system. The present system consists of a vertical column with a number of trays used for component separation. It also has a reboiler and a condenser; these are used to provide heating and cooling for vaporization and condensation, respectively. The proposed control scheme uses the model-based predictive control (MBPC) scheme with the internal model being produced by a set of Takagi Sugeno Kang (TSK) fuzzy-based models. The internal set of TSK fuzzy-based models are developed from a linear models predictive approach. That is, it makes a prediction of the present system using a set of TSK fuzzy-based models identified, at each instant of time. The control scheme is then evaluated using simulation and compared with a benchmark fuzzy-based PI control scheme. The novelty of the present research is to propose a new organization in system modeling and its control scheme by combining the MBPC scheme and artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques for the purpose of improving the system performance results.