bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-volatile high-speed resistance switching nanogap junction memory
Authors: Kumaragurubaran Somu , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Masuda Yuichiro , Furuta Shegio , Sumiya Torou , Ono Masatoshi , Shimizu Tetsuo , Suga Hiroshi , Horikawa Masayo , Naitoh Yasuhisa
Published: December 2011

Different voltage pulses were applied to Au nanogap junction to study the resistance switching characteristics. Consistent switching from a low to high resistance state was accomplished even at 20 ns pulse. Instead of setting current compliance for the reverse switching, we introduced a series resistance to the nanogap junction to limit the tunneling current and effectively performed the switching. The parasitic capacitance is shown to affect the programming speed. Upon reducing the capacitance, ns regime switching speed is achieved which indicates the potentiality of nanogap junction for high-speed random access memory.
Targeting protein-trafficking pathways alters melanoma treatment sensitivity
Authors: Huang Zhi-ming , Chinen Milka , Chang Philip J. , Xie Tong , Zhong Lily , Demetriou Stephanie , Patel Mira P. , Scherzer Rebecca , Sviderskaya Elena V. , Bennett Dorothy C. , Millhauser Glenn L. , Oh Dennis H. , Cleaver James E. , Wei Maria L.
Published: December 2011

Protein-trafficking pathways are targeted here in human melanoma cells using methods independent of oncogene mutational status, and the ability to up-regulate and down-regulate tumor treatment sensitivity is demonstrated. Sensitivity of melanoma cells to
cis
-diaminedichloroplatinum II (cDDP,
cis
-platin), carboplatin, dacarbazine, or temozolomide together with velaparib, an inhibitor of poly (ADP ribose) polymerase 1, is increased by up to 10-fold by targeting genes that regulate both protein trafficking and the formation of melanosomes, intracellular organelles unique to melanocytes and melanoma cells. Melanoma cells depleted of either of the protein-trafficking regulators vacuolar protein sorting 33A protein (VPS33A) or cappuccino protein (CNO) have increased nuclear localization of cDDP, increased nuclear DNA damage by platination, and increased apoptosis, resulting in increased treatment sensitivity. Depleted cells also exhibit a decreased proportion of intracellular, mature melanosomes compared with undepleted cells. Modulation of protein trafficking via cell-surface signaling by binding the melanocortin 1 receptor with the antagonist agouti-signaling protein decreased the proportion of mature melanosomes formed and increased cDDP sensitivity, whereas receptor binding with the agonist melanocyte-stimulating hormone resulted in an increased proportion of mature melanosomes formed and in
decreased
sensitivity (i.e.,
increased resistance
) to cDDP. Mutation of the protein-trafficking gene
Hps6
, known to impair the formation of mature melanosomes, also increased cDDP sensitivity. Together, these results indicate that targeting protein-trafficking molecules markedly increases melanoma treatment sensitivity and influences the degree of melanosomes available for sequestration of therapeutic agents.
An investigation of the performance consequences of alignment and adaptability: contingency effects of decision autonomy and shared responsibility
Authors: Thongpapanl Narongsak (Tek) , De Clercq Dirk , Dimov Dimo
Published: December 2011

This research investigates the moderating role of organizations’ structural context on the performance outcomes of the firm's alignment and adaptability pursuits. It focuses in particular on the role of decision autonomy and shared responsibility, and posits that these structural features exert opposing influences on the effect of alignment and adaptability on performance. Using a sample of more than 200 Canadian‐based firms, this study finds that at higher levels of decision autonomy, the positive relationship between alignment and performance becomes weaker, and the positive relationship between adaptability and performance becomes stronger. Furthermore, at higher levels of shared responsibility, the positive relationship between adaptability and performance strengthens. Thus, the study offers structure‐based explanations for the challenge that organizations face when they attempt to reap the benefits of alignment and adaptability simultaneously.
Comparison of Two Methods for Isolating DNA from Human Skeletal Remains for STR Analysis
Authors: Rucinski Cynthia , Malaver Ayda L. , Yunis Emilio J. , Yunis Juan J.
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  The quality and efficiency of a standard organic DNA isolation method and a silica‐based method using the QIAGEN Blood Maxi Kit were compared to obtain human DNA and short tandem repeats (STRs) profiles from 39 exhumed bone samples for paternity testing. DNA samples were quantified by real‐time PCR, and STR profiles were obtained using the AmpFlSTR® Identifiler® PCR amplification kit. Overall, the silica‐based method recovered less DNA ranging from 0 to 147.7 ng/g (average 7.57 ng/g, median = 1.3 ng/g) than did the organic method ranging from 0 to 605 ng/g (average 44.27 ng/g, median = 5.8 ng/g). Complete profiles (16/16 loci tested) were obtained from 37/39 samples (95%) using the organic method and from 9/39 samples (23%) with the silica‐based method. Compared with a standard organic DNA isolation method, our results indicate that the published silica‐based method does not improve neither the quality nor the quantity of DNA for STR profiling.
Fatigue-Life Prediction Method Based on Small-Crack Theory in an Engine Material
Authors: Newman James C. , Annigeri Balkrishna S.
Published: December 2011

Plasticity effects and crack-closure modeling of small fatigue cracks were used on a Ti-6Al-4V alloy to calculate fatigue lives under various constant-amplitude loading conditions (negative to positive stress ratios, R) on notched and un-notched specimens. Fatigue test data came from a high-cycle-fatigue study by the U.S. Air Force and a metallic materials properties handbook. A crack-closure model with a cyclic-plastic-zone-corrected effective stress-intensity factor range and equivalent-initial-flaw-sizes (EIFS) were used to calculate fatigue lives using only crack-growth-rate data. For un-notched specimens, EIFS values were 25-μm; while for notched specimens, the EIFS values ranged from 6 to 12 μm for positive stress ratios and 25-μm for R = −1 loading. Calculated fatigue lives under a wide-range of constant-amplitude loading conditions agreed fairly well with the test data from low- to high-cycle fatigue conditions.
Oxygen Enhanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation for Compression Ignition Engines
Authors: Salt T. , Tree D. R. , Kim C.
Published: December 2011

The benefits of oxygen enhancement in conjunction with EGR on emissions were investigated in a single-cylinder direct injection diesel engine. Cylinder pressure, NOx, and particulate were measured for EGR sweeps with and without oxygen enhancement. In all cases, the total flow of oxygen to the cylinder was maintained constant. This was achieved by increasing cylinder pressure for typical EGR (N-EGR) and by adding oxygen to the intake stream for oxygen-enhanced EGR (O-EGR). The results show that O-EGR produced a substantially better combination of NOx and particulate than N-EGR. In the N-EGR cases, the EGR dilutes the oxidizer causing lower NOx and higher particulate. In O-EGR, flame temperature reduction leading to lower NOx is achieved by a combination of higher molar specific heats of CO2 and H2O and dilution. Particulate emissions decreased or remain constant with increasing O-EGR. In addition to the obvious challenge of providing a source of oxygen to an engine, two operational challenges were encountered. First, as O-EGR was increased, the ratio of specific heats (Cp/Cv) of the cylinder intake charge decreased and decreased the compression temperature, causing significant changes in ignition delay. These changes were compensated for in the experiments by increasing intake temperature but would be challenging to manage in transient engine operation. Second, the increased water concentration in the exhaust created difficulties in the exhaust system and was suspected to have produced a water emulsion in the oil.
Ocular Distribution, Spectrum of Activity, and
In Vivo
Viral Neutralization of a Fully Humanized Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus IgG Fab Fragment following Topical Application
Authors: Berdugo Marianne , Larsen Inna V. , Abadie Claire , Deloche Catherine , Kowalczuk Laura , Touchard Elodie , Dubielzig Richard , Brandt Curtis R. , Behar-Cohen Francine , Combette Jean-Marc
Published: December 2011

Herpes simplex ocular infection is a major cause of corneal blindness. Local antiviral treatments exist but are associated with corneal toxicity, and resistance has become an issue. We evaluated the biodistribution and efficacy of a humanized anti-herpes simplex virus (anti-HSV) IgG FAb fragment (AC-8; 53 kDa) following repeated topical administration. AC-8 was found in the corneal epithelium, anterior stroma, subepithelial stromal cells, and retinal glial cells, with preferential entry through the ocular limbus. AC-8 was active against 13 different strains of HSV-1, with 50% and 90% mean effective concentrations (MEC
50
and MEC
90
, respectively) ranging from 0.03 to 0.13 μg/ml, indicating broad-spectrum activity. The
in vivo
efficacy of AC-8 was evaluated in a mouse model of herpes-induced ocular disease. Treatment with low-dose AC-8 (1 mg/ml) slightly reduced the ocular disease scores. A greater reduction of the disease scores was observed in the 10-mg/ml AC-8-treated group, but not as much as with trifluridine (TFT). AC-8 treatment reduced viral titers but less than trifluridine. AC-8 did not display any toxicity to the cornea or other structures in the eye. In summary, topical instillation of an anti-HSV FAb can be used on both intact and ulcerated corneas. It is well tolerated and does not alter reepithelialization. Further studies to improve the antiviral effect are needed for AC-8 to be considered for therapeutic use.
Observational Estimates of the Horizontal Eddy Diffusivity and Mixing Length in the Low-Level Region of Intense Hurricanes
Authors: Zhang Jun A. , Montgomery Michael T.
Published: December 2011

This study examines further the characteristics of turbulent flow in the low-level region of intense hurricanes using in situ aircraft observations. The data analyzed here are the flight-level data collected by research aircraft that penetrated the eyewalls of category-5 Hurricane Hugo (1989), category-4 Hurricane Allen (1980), and category-5 Hurricane David (1979) between 1 km and the sea surface. Estimates of horizontal eddy momentum flux, horizontal eddy diffusivity, and horizontal mixing length are obtained. It is found that the horizontal momentum flux and horizontal diffusivity increase with increasing wind speed. The horizontal mixing length increases slightly with wind speed also, but the mixing length is not significantly dependent on the wind speed. The magnitude of the horizontal momentum flux is found to be comparable to that of the vertical momentum flux, indicating that horizontal mixing by turbulence becomes nonnegligible in the hurricane boundary layer, especially in the eyewall region.

Within the context of simple K theory, the results suggest that the average horizontal eddy diffusivity and mixing length are approximately 1500 m2 s−1 and 750 m, respectively, at about 500 m in the eyewall region corresponding to the mean wind speed of approximately 52 m s−1. It is recalled also that the mixing length is a virtual scale in numerical models and is quantitatively smaller than the energy-containing scale of turbulent eddies. The distinction between these two scales is a useful reminder for the modeling community on the representation of small-scale turbulence in hurricanes.
Prolyl Carboxypeptidase Regulates Energy Expenditure and the Thyroid Axis
Authors: Jeong Jin Kwon , Szabo Gyorgyi , Kelly Kaitlin , Diano Sabrina
Published: December 2011

Hypothalamic α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) plays a central role in regulating energy uptake and expenditure. Prolyl carboxypeptidase (PRCP), a protease expressed in the hypothalamus, is responsible for the degradation of α-MSH. PRCP null animals (PRCPgt/gt mice) display elevated α-MSH in the hypothalamus, lower body weight, and are protected from diet induced obesity. Here, we report that PRCPgt/gt mice have a significant decrease in fat mass, although an increase in lean mass was also observed. In agreement with low fat accumulation, reduced leptin levels were found. Consistent with the effect of α-MSH on energy metabolism, PRCPgt/gt mice had increased energy expenditure with elevated circulating thyroid hormone levels and brown adipose tissue uncoupling protein 1 mRNA levels compared with control mice when exposed to regular diet. TRH mRNA levels in the PVN were significantly higher in fed PRCPgt/gt animals compared with fed wild-type controls. Fasting significantly decreased TRH mRNA levels in both PRCPgt/gt and wild-type (WT) mice. However, TRH mRNA levels in fasted PRCPgt/gt animals were significantly higher than those of fasted WT mice. Refeeding analysis after fasting showed a reduced food intake in PRCPgt/gt compared with WT mice. Finally, TRH mRNA levels in T3-treated hypothyroid PRCPgt/gt mice showed a non significant reduction compared with those of hypothyroid PRCPgt/gt mice, supporting the impairment of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis in PRCPgt/gt mice. All together, these data confirm that PRCP plays a role in the regulation of energy metabolism.
Study of mechanical properties and performance of aging hemp fibers
Authors: Jin Shuai , Gong Xiaolu
Published: December 2011

The weathering of hemp fiber influences their appearance and mechanical properties. The aim of this study is to better understand the mechanism of aging of hemp fiber exposed to different conditions (moisture, heat and UV aging). A xenon aging test machine was used to simulate and accelerate the natural ageing. The influence of each aging condition on the mechanical properties of hemp fiber is investigated by micro tensile tests. The microstructures and water absorption of these natural fibers were analyzed by means of SEM and gravimetric methods. Humidity absorption of hemp fibers depends on the relative humidity, not concerning the temperature. Temperature accelerates the saturation of fibers. All aging process reduced the mechanical properties of hemp fibers. After 4 weeks exposure, fibers aged by UV has the worst mechanical properties compared to humidity and temperature aging.
Effect of rebars length above inner supports of continuous RC slabs
Authors: Matešan D. , Radnić J. , Grgić N. , Čamber V.
Published: December 2011

The paper first presents the results of experimental tests of limit strength capacity of a continuous reinforced concrete slab with two spans. The slab was loaded with point load in the middle of each span. The effect of the tensile rebars length above the inner support on the limit strength capacity of the slab was analyzed. Already developed numerical model by the authors for the analysis of reinforced and prestressed concrete slabs and shells, was additionally tested on the obtained experimental test results. The limit strength capacity of a one-way continuous reinforced concrete slab with two spans and different tensile reinforcement arrangements above the middle support, loaded by a uniformly distributed load, were analyzed by the model. The length of tensile reinforcement above the inner supports of one-way continuous slabs affects the limit strength capacity and deflection of slabs.
Fire Resistance of Connections Using Steel Plates and Mechanical Fasteners in Timber Structures
Authors: Moss P. , Buchanan A. , Nilsen T. , Fragiacomo M.
Published: December 2011

This paper describes a series of experiments to obtain the embedment strength of wood at elevated temperatures. The results will be used in Johansen's yield equations to predict the fire resistance of nailed, screwed, and bolted timber connections. To date, Johansen's yield equations have only been used at ambient temperatures. Embedment strength varies with temperature. Recent studies have proposed a tri-linear relationship for bolted connections in LVL and this research extends the investigation to determine if the model is accurate for other types of connections. Bolts, nails and screws were tested by loading in shear through exposed steel side plates. Two different heating regimes were used. The results from short-term heating tests (Part 1) and longer-term heating tests (Part 2) show very different answers. The two hour heating tests (Part 1) showed a tri-linear decline of the embedment strength, as found by earlier experiments, while the longer-term oven tests (Part 2) shows a more linear decline. The difference is attributed to different moisture profiles in the wood. Afire test (Part 3) was carried out on a screwed connection and the results compared with predictions using the experimentally determined embedment strengths in Johansen's equations. The paper shows how this information can be used in design of timber fasteners for fire resistance. A proposal for the degradation of the embedment strength of bolted, screwed and nailed connections is made based on the results of the longer-term oven tests. Such proposal could be included in current codes of practice such as the Eurocode 5 Part 1-2 which do not explicitly provide any relationship for the embedment strength under fire conditions.
New metrics to differentiate species ofStenopterygius(Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Lower Jurassic of southwestern Germany
Authors: Maxwell Erin E.
Published: December 2011

Ichthyosaurs represent one of the most highly specialized lineages of marine reptiles, but our understanding of the evolution of this group is based on specimens found at a surprisingly small number of stratigraphic intervals and localities. The Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) Posidonia Shale of southwestern Germany is one of the richest ichthyosaur-bearing formations in the world and has produced thousands of skeletons, including specimens with preserved soft tissue, and fetal remains inside the body cavity. The most abundant ichthyosaur genus in the Posidonia Shale isStenopterygius. In spite of almost 200 years of research effort, the number of species in this genus is still a point of active disagreement in the literature. Here, bivariate and multivariate analyses are used to classify both articulated and disarticulated skeletons to the level of species, using measurement data from individual cranial and postcranial elements. Unlike previous classification attempts, this technique pinpoints ontogenetically conserved differences in size and proportion between the species, and so can be applied to adult, subadult, and neonatal specimens. Using this method, three species ofStenopterygius, S. quadriscissus, S. triscissus, andS. uniterare differentiated.
A Re-Examination of the Effects of Personal Deductions, Tax Credits and the Tax Rate Schedule on Income Tax Progressivity and Income Inequality
Authors: Young James C. , Nutter Sarah E. , Wilkie Patrick J.
Published: December 2011

We refine and extend Seetharaman (1994) using tax-return-level Statistics of Income data that represent the population of 1992 federal individual income tax returns. Our results indicate that while the standard deduction, exemptions and tax rate schedule continue to contribute the most to progressivity, the rate schedule plays a much greater role (and the standard deduction and exemptions a much lesser role) than previously reported. In addition, consistent with Dunbar (1996), we find that tax credits, in particular the earned income credit, have a substantial effect on overall tax progressivity. Although itemized deductions continue to reduce overall progressivity, with housing costs (mortgage interest and real estate taxes) and state and local income tax deductions being the dominant items, our results indicate that their effect on tax progressivity is smaller than indicated in the earlier study. Finally, we find that the effect of the income tax system on income inequality is more pronounced than previously reported, especially when the data are partitioned by filing status.
Tax-Based Saving Incentives and Qualified Partial Exclusion Plans
Authors: Calegari Michael J.
Published: December 2011

This study examines the effect of two types of qualified partial exclusion (QPE) plans on saving incentives, government revenues, and progressivity. In a “pure” QPE Plan, individual taxpayers who do not deduct any interest expenses on their tax returns can partially exclude their interest, dividend, and capital gain income, subject to a maximum exclusion. In an “expansive” QPE Plan, taxpayers can partially exclude their net investment income (reduced by deductible interest other than home mortgage interest and trade or business interest), subject to a maximum exclusion. The paper considers three alternative exclusion ceilings: $10,000, $15,000, and $20,000 for joint returns and $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000, respectively, for other taxpayers. Depending on the size of the maximum exclusion, the percentage of taxpayers who would be eligible to exclude all of their investment income varies between 77 and 81 percent under a pure QPE Plan and 92 and 96 percent under an expansive QPE Plan.
Toward a Better Measure of Horizontal Equity
Authors: Westort Peter J. , Wagner Janet M.
Published: December 2011

The coefficient of variation (CV), a commonly used measure of horizontal equity, has several important limitations. First, comparing CV for income groups with different average incomes is problematic because groups with larger incomes, by construction, will have lower CV values. Second, groups of unequal width are not comparable because standard deviation can be affected by the interval width. These two limitations make summary measures such as average CV or weighted average CV inadvisable for comparing overall changes in horizontal equity between tax regimes. To remedy these limitations, we propose the ratio of the CV of tax liability to the CV of expanded total income (CV Ratio) for groups of equal width. The advantages of using CV Ratio are demonstrated in an analysis comparing the current tax system and the proposed Armey flat tax system. We observe, using CV Ratio, that there is less horizontal equity at the higher income levels of the current tax system. This is contrary to prior studies using the traditional CV measure.
Equity Price Pressure from the 1998 Reduction in the Capital Gains Holding Period
Authors: Blouin Jennifer L. , Raedy Jana Smith , Shackelford Douglas A.
Published: December 2011

This paper provides evidence consistent with shareholders' personal tax incentives affecting stock prices and trading volume. On June 24, 1998, the marginal tax rate on capital gains was reduced from 28 percent to 20 percent for individual investors holding shares between 12 and 18 months. This study compares firms whose initial public shareholders immediately benefited from the reduction to other IPO firms. The sample of immediately affected firms recorded mean, incremental, one-day stock price declines of −1.3 percent amid heavy trading. The results are consistent with capital gains tax planning constraining investment portfolio management. When the constraint was lifted, enough shareholders sold that prices moved. The results imply that despite increasingly liquid capital markets, transaction costs remain large enough to prevent investors from entering the market immediately and fully offsetting downward price pressure from individual capital gains tax management.
Assay of lercanidipine hydrochloride in dosage forms using nucleophilic substitution reaction
Authors: Sastry Thuttagunta , Ramakrishna Karipeddi
Published: December 2011

Assay of lercanidipine hydrochloride in dosage forms using nucleophilic substitution reaction

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the assay of lercanidipine hydrochloride (LER) in bulk and in formulations. The method is based on the formation of coloured species between the drug and 1,2-naphthaquinone-4-sulphonic acid sodium salt (NQS) by means of nucleophilic substitution reaction. Absorbance was measured at λmax= 460 nm. The method was analyzed statistically. The system obeyed the Beer's law in the range 20-100 μg mL-1. Molar absorptivity value was found to be 4.79 × 103L mol-1cm-1. Limits of detection and quantification were found to be as low as 0.04 and 0.13 μg mL-1. Precision (RSD, 0.4 %) and accuracy (recovery 99.2 ± 0.6 to 101.1 ± 0.8 %) of the developed method were evaluated.
Synthesis, in vitro anticancer screening and radiosensitizing evaluation of some new 4-[3-(substituted)thioureido]-N-(quinoxalin-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide derivatives
Authors: Ghorab Mostafa , Ragab Fatma , Heiba Helmy , El-Gazzar Marwa , El-Gazzar Mostafa
Published: December 2011

Synthesis, in vitro anticancer screening and radiosensitizing evaluation of some new 4-[3-(substituted)thioureido]-N-(quinoxalin-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide derivatives

Sulfonamides and quinoxaline derivatives possess many types of biological activities and have been recently reported to show substantial antitumor activity. This paper reports the synthesis of novel thioureido sulfaquinoxaline derivatives. All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity against a human liver cell line (HEPG2) and showed higher activity than the reference drug doxorubicin. 4-(3-(4-Ethylbenzoate) thioureido)-N-(quinoxalin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (9) (IC50 = 15.6 μmol L-1), N-(pyridin-2-yl)-4-(3-(4-(N-quinoxalin-2-yl-sulfamoyl)phenyl)thioureido)benzenesulfonamide (10) (IC50 = 26.8 μmol L-1) and N-(quinoxalin-2-yl)-4-(3-(4-(N-thiazol-2-ylsulfamoyl)phenyl)thioureido)benzenesulfonamide (11) (IC50 = 24.4 μmol L-1) were the most potent compared to doxorubicin (IC50 = 71.8 μmol L-1). The most potent compounds 9, 10 and 11 were evaluated as radiosensitizing agents by subjecting the compounds to γ-irradiation (8 kGy).
The Kinematics of Trunk and Upper Extremities in One-Handed and Two-Handed Backhand Stroke
Authors: Stępień Adam , Bober Tadeusz , Zawadzki Jerzy
Published: December 2011

The Kinematics of Trunk and Upper Extremities in One-Handed and Two-Handed Backhand Stroke

The aim of this study was to present kinematics of trunk and upper extremities in tennis players who perform one-handed and two-handed backhand strokes. The study aimed to address the question of whether one of those techniques has some important advantage over the other. If so, what makes it superior?

The study included 10 tennis coaches with average coaching experience of 9 years. The coaches were asked to hit 15 one-handed and two-handed backhands. The tests were carried out in a laboratory. A sponge ball was used in order to protect the measurement equipment. Video motion analysis was carried out using BTS SMART system; images were recorded with 6 cameras with a rate of 120 frames per second. The analysis of both backhand strokes focused on the second phase of the stroke (acceleration).

The use of an eight-element model of human body for description of upper body motion in both techniques revealed kinematic differences in how both backhands are performed. The two-handed backhand was performed in closed kinetic chain with 8 degrees of freedom, whereas the one-handed backhand involved an open kinetic chain with 7 degrees of freedom. Higher rigidity of upper extremities which are connected with trunk in the two-handed backhand, contributes to an elevated trunk effect in this stroke. This is confirmed by higher component velocities for racket handle, which result from trunk rotation in the two-handed backhand and a negative separation angle in the two-handed backhand at the moment of contact of the racket with the ball.

The study does not provide a clear-cut answer to the question of advantages of one technique over the other; however, it reveals dissimilar patterns of driving the racket in both techniques, which suggests the need for extending the analysis of techniques of both backhands with additional kinematics of tennis racket in consideration of measurements of ball velocities.
The Ethical Duality in Sports: Social and Psychological Aspects of Transgender Participation
Authors: Bal Baljinder
Published: December 2011

The Ethical Duality in Sports: Social and Psychological Aspects of Transgender Participation

Historically the notion about the understanding of women has been patriarchal in nature. The postmodern world has an inclination to redefine social mores. The prevailing thought in the 20th and 21st centuries supports the same thesis. The transformation of attitudes appears to be a regular phenomenon in the understanding of the issue at hand, thereby enlivening the motif of unity between the two. Gender, transgender, sexuality, etc., are in a state of transformation, so that to interpret and reinterpret a state of understanding and re-understanding of the issue of participation in sports has multiple significations. Sport in the 21st century constructs inimitable challenges for trans-athletes. A broad spectrum of identities is included under the umbrella of transgender identity. Transsexual or transitioned athletes may pose the greatest challenge to equity in sex-segregated sport competition. The subject under deliberation has a large number of interpretations, all of which center on a need to ‘deconstruct’ the present structuration of acceptance of sex and gender terminology. There is certainly a need to think and contemplate in broader terms about the meanings that assess the well-defined boundaries between disciplines of research. The present thesis highlights a deconstructive stance.
Czech and Polish Table Tennis Players of Jewish Origin in International Competition (1926-1957)
Authors: Pięta Wiesław , Pięta Aleksandra
Published: December 2011

Czech and Polish Table Tennis Players of Jewish Origin in International Competition (1926-1957)

The beginnings of the 18th century marked the birth of Jewish sport. The most famous athletes of those days were boxers, such as I. Bitton, S. Eklias, B. Aaron, D. Mendoga. Popular sports of this minority group included athletics, fencing and swimming. One of the first sport organizations was the gymnastic society Judische Turnverein Bar Kocha (Berlin - 1896).

Ping-pong as a new game in Europe developed at the turn of the 20th century. Sport and organizational activities in England were covered by two associations: the Ping Pong Association and the Table Tennis Association; they differed, for example, in the regulations used for the game. In 1902, Czeski Sport (a Czech Sport magazine) and Kurier Warszawski (Warsaw's Courier magazine) published first information about this game. In Czech Republic, Ping-pong became popular as early as the first stage of development of this sport worldwide, in 1900-1907. This was confirmed by the Ping-pong clubs and sport competitions. In Poland, the first Ping-pong sections were established in the period 1925-1930. Czechs made their debut in the world championships in London (1926). Poles played for the first time as late as in the 8th world championships in Paris (1933). Competition for individual titles of Czech champions was started in 1927 (Prague) and in 1933 in Poland (Lviv).

In the 1930s, Czechs employed an instructor of Jewish descent from Hungary, Istvan Kelen (world champion in the 1929 mixed games, studied in Prague). He contributed to the medal-winning success of Stanislaw Kolar at the world championships. Jewish players who made history in world table tennis included Trute Kleinowa (Makkabi Brno) - world champion in 1935-1937, who survived imprisonment in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp, Alojzy Ehrlich (Hasmonea Lwów), the three-time world vice-champion (1936, 1937, 1939), also survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Ivan Andreadis (Sparta Praga), nine-time world champion, who was interned during World War II (camp in Kleinstein near Krapkowice).

Table tennis was a sport discipline that was successfully played by female and male players of Jewish origins. They made powerful representations of Austria, Hungary, Romania and Czech Republic and provided the foundation of organizationally strong national federations.
Potentiation of Anticancer Drugs: Effects of Pentoxifylline on Neoplastic Cells
Authors: Barancik Miroslav , Bohacova Viera , Gibalova Lenka , Sedlak Jan , Sulova Zdena , Breier Albert
Published: December 2011

The drug efflux activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp, a product of the mdr1 gene, ABCB1 member of ABC transporter family) represents a mechanism by which tumor cells escape death induced by chemotherapeutics. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms involved in the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on P-gp-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in mouse leukemia L1210/VCR cells. Parental sensitive mouse leukemia cells L1210, and multidrug-resistant cells, L1210/VCR, which are characterized by the overexpression of P-gp, were used as experimental models. The cells were exposed to 100 μmol/L PTX in the presence or absence of 1.2 μmol/L vincristine (VCR). Western blot analysis indicated a downregulation of P-gp protein expression when multidrug-resistant L1210/VCR cells were exposed to PTX. The effects of PTX on the sensitization of L1210/VCR cells to VCR correlate with the stimulation of apoptosis detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide apoptosis necrosis kit and proteolytic activation of both caspase-3 and caspase-9 monitored by Western blot analysis. Higher release of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-2, which could be attenuated by PTX, was found in L1210/VCR than in L1210 cells by gelatin zymography in electrophoretic gel. Exposure of resistant cells to PTX increased the content of phosphorylated Akt kinase. In contrast, the presence of VCR eliminated the effects of PTX on Akt kinase phosphorylation. Taken together, we conclude that PTX induces the sensitization of multidrug-resistant cells to VCR via downregulation of P-gp, stimulation of apoptosis and reduction of MMPs released from drug-resistant L1210/VCR cells. These facts bring new insights into the mechanisms of PTX action on cancer cells.
A Theoretical Model to Predict Both Horizontal Displacement and Vertical Displacement for Electromagnetic Induction-Based Deep Displacement Sensors
Authors: Shentu Nanying , Zhang Hongjian , Li Qing , Zhou Hongliang , Tong Renyuan , Li Xiong
Published: December 2011

Deep displacement observation is one basic means of landslide dynamic study and early warning monitoring and a key part of engineering geological investigation. In our previous work, we proposed a novel electromagnetic induction-based deep displacement sensor (I-type) to predict deep horizontal displacement and a theoretical model called equation-based equivalent loop approach (EELA) to describe its sensing characters. However in many landslide and related geological engineering cases, both horizontal displacement and vertical displacement vary apparently and dynamically so both may require monitoring. In this study, a II-type deep displacement sensor is designed by revising our I-type sensor to simultaneously monitor the deep horizontal displacement and vertical displacement variations at different depths within a sliding mass. Meanwhile, a new theoretical modeling called the numerical integration-based equivalent loop approach (NIELA) has been proposed to quantitatively depict II-type sensors’ mutual inductance properties with respect to predicted horizontal displacements and vertical displacements. After detailed examinations and comparative studies between measured mutual inductance voltage, NIELA-based mutual inductance and EELA-based mutual inductance, NIELA has verified to be an effective and quite accurate analytic model for characterization of II-type sensors. The NIELA model is widely applicable for II-type sensors’ monitoring on all kinds of landslides and other related geohazards with satisfactory estimation accuracy and calculation efficiency.
DNA‐based assays to distinguish date palm (Arecaceae) gender
Authors: Al‐Mahmoud Maryam E. , Al‐Dous Eman K. , Al‐Azwani Eman K. , Malek Joel A.
Published: December 2011

• Premise of the study: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is one of the oldest cultivated trees and is critical to the development of arid land. The date palm is a dioecious monocot with separate male and female trees. This presents a challenge in development as it is impossible to distinguish trees until they flower approximately five to eight years after planting.

• Methods and Results: We have developed PCR‐based assays capable of sex differentiation in multiple date palm cultivars. The primers are designed across gender‐specific polymorphisms and demonstrated greater than 90% accuracy in distinguishing date palm gender across multiple varieties.

• Conclusions: These results indicate that the primers should be helpful in rapidly distinguishing date palm gender from the earliest stages that DNA can safely be collected. This is a vast savings in time over present approaches.
Role of open innovation in the short- and long-term market success of new products: evidence from the Dutch food and beverages industry
Authors: Enzing Christien , Pascucci Stefano , Janszen Felix , Omta Onno
Published: December 2011

Innovative companies increasingly use resources from outside the company in order to speed up the innovation process. Building and maintaining an external network has become vital to an innovative company's strategy for survival and growth. The study takes a new approach by not only investigating the role of the innovation network on the product's performance soon after market launch, but also after seven years. We focus on the external network involved in the innovation process of a product, and not of the company as a whole. We analysed the role of technology-related and market-related actors in the networks for new and improved products separately as we expected significant differences between the two product groups. Based on an analysis of data on 129 products in the Dutch food and beverages industry we found that the involvement of specific technology-related actors (research institutes, companies providing training, companies supplying machinery and equipment) and market-related actors (customers, competitors, marketing companies) related significantly positively to both short- and long-term market performance of new products, but not of improved products.
Supply management and corporate social responsibility: the challenge of global chain traceability
Authors: Merminod Nathalie , Paché Gilles
Published: December 2011

The sustainable supply chain has become a major research topic and has given rise to a large number of academic works. These studies focus on how supply management integrates environmental, social and economic criteria allowing a network of interlinked organizations to achieve long-term economic viability. The objective of this research is to explore the paradigm shift that buyers must undergo when adopting a sustainable development approach. This new vision extends and surpasses the traditional dyadic buyer-supplier relationship that has historically dominated the field leading to a new global supply chain dynamic. The case of the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris is used to question the ability of a hub firm to ensure component traceability from first-tier and second-tier suppliers and thus consolidate their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. Indeed, second-tier supplier failure to comply with CSR requirements, even if the first-tier suppliers meet these requirements, may damage customer perception of the hub firm's strategic positioning. This research mobilizes the agency theory conceptual framework to illustrate that hub firms tend to trust first-tier suppliers with verifying CSR requirements in the upstream supply chain to reduce direct agency costs (monitoring and bonding expenditures). If this approach becomes widespread, it is highly likely that CSR expansion along the global supply chain will be ineffective.
Implementing and Managing Public Library Networks, Connectivity, and Partnerships to Promote E-Government Access and Education
Authors: Bertot John Carlo , Jaeger Paul T.
Published: December 2011

This chapter explores the implementation and management issues faced by public libraries in the provision of e-government access and education to their patrons and communities. Due to a complex set of factors – policy decisions, widespread trust of libraries, and a lack of social institutions that play similar roles – public libraries now stand as the social guarantor of public access to and education about e-government in the United States. Drawing from data collected through a 2009 national survey of public libraries, a 2009 series of site visits of public libraries, and previous research by the authors, this chapter examines the challenges of implementing public library networks and connectivity to support e-government access and education, as well as the numerous management issues raised by providing these services. The primary focus of this chapter is examining the dual role of public libraries as providers of public Internet access and education and as partners with government agencies to collaborate effectively in the provision of e-government.
An Innovative Open Source Middleware for Managing Virtual Resources in Federated Clouds
Authors: Tusa Francesco , Paone Maurizio , Celesti Antonio , Villari Massimo , Puliafito Antonio
Published: December 2011

This chapter describes the CLEVER architecture, focusing on its design process and highlighting the communication mechanisms employed by its entities. The last part of the chapter discusses how CLEVER could be easily integrated with higher-level cloud middleware for managing service deployment according to the cloud users’ requests.
Information Security for Situational Awareness in Computer Network Defense
Authors: Blumenthal Uri , Haines Joshua , Streilein William , O’Leary Gerald
Published: December 2011

Situational awareness – the perception of “what is going on” – is crucial in every field of human endeavor, especially so in the cyber world where most of the protections afforded by physical time and distance are taken away. Since ancient times, military science emphasized the importance of preserving your awareness of the battlefield and at the same time preventing your adversary from learning the true situation for as long as possible. Today cyber is officially recognized as a contested military domain like air, land, and sea. Therefore situational awareness in computer networks will be under attacks of military strength and will require military-grade protection. This chapter describes the emerging threats for computer SA, and the potential avenues of defense against them.
On Situational Aware En-Route Filtering against Injected False Data in Cyber Physical Systems
Authors: Yang Xinyu , Lin Jie , Yu Wei , Fu Xinwen , Chen Genshe , Blasch Erik P.
Published: December 2011

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are systems with a tight coupling of the cyber aspects of computing and communications with the physical aspects of dynamics and engineering that abide by the laws of physics. The real-time monitoring provided by wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is essential for CPS, as it provides rich and pertinent information on the condition of physical systems. In WSNs, the attackers could inject false measurements to the controller through compromised sensor nodes, which not only threaten the security of the system, but also consume significant network resources and pose serious threats to the lifetime of sensor networks. To mitigate false data injection (FDI) measurement attacks, a number of situation aware en-route filtering schemes to filter false data inside the networks have been developed. In this book chapter, the authors first review those existing situation aware en-route filter mechanisms such as: Statistical En-route Filtering (SEF), Location-Based Resilient Secrecy (LBRS), Location-ware End-to-end Data Security (LEDS), and Dynamic En-route Filtering Scheme (DEFS). The authors then compare the performance of those schemes via both the theoretical analysis and simulation study. These extensive simulations validate findings that most of the schemes can filter out false data within few hops, and the filtering efficiency increases as the number of hops increases and the filtering efficiency of most schemes decreases rapidly as the number of compromised nodes increases.
PITWALL
Authors: Acharya Subrata
Published: December 2011

The continuous growth in the Internet’s size, the amount of data traffic, and the complexity of processing this traffic give rise to new challenges in building high performance network devices. Such an exponential growth, coupled with the increasing sophistication of attacks, is placing stringent demands on the performance of network Information Systems. These challenges require new designs, architecture, and algorithms for raising situational awareness, and hence, providing performance improvements on current network devices and cyber systems. In this research, the author focuses on the design of architecture and algorithms for optimization of network defense systems, specifically firewalls, to aid not only adaptive and real-time packet filtering but also fast content based routing (differentiated services) for today’s data-driven networks.
Effect of zinc and orthophosphate corrosion inhibitors on cement‐based pipes
Authors: Parks Jeffrey L. , Kashyap Anusha , Atassi Amrou , Schneider Orren , Edwards Marc
Published: December 2011

Many water utilities add zinc orthophosphate to treated water to reduce corrosion of plumbing materials within their distribution systems. The significance of zinc as a corrosion inhibitor was examined in bench‐scale tests of concrete corrosion. In waters with low hardness and low alkalinity, zinc orthophosphate provided better corrosion inhibition for concrete or cement‐based pipes than either zinc or orthophosphate alone. Addition of orthophosphate alone was beneficial in reducing the amount of scaling in waters with high hardness and high alkalinity.
High performance HTLNR/epoxy blend—Phase morphology and thermo‐mechanical properties
Authors: Mathew Viju Susan , Jyotishkumar P. , George Soney.C. , Gopalakrishnan Preetha , Delbreilh Laurent , Saiter Jean Marc , Saikia Prakash J. , Thomas Sabu
Published: December 2011

An attempt was made to toughen diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) type epoxy resin with liquid natural rubber possessing hydroxyl functionality (HTLNR). Epon 250 epoxy monomer is cured using nadic methyl anhydride as hardener in presence of N, N dimethyl benzyl amine as accelerator. HTLNR of different concentrations up to 20 wt % is used as modifier for epoxy resin. The addition HTLNR to an anhydride hardener/epoxy monomer mixture has given rise to the formation of phase‐separated structure, consisting of small spherical liquid natural rubber particles bonded to the surrounding epoxy matrix. The particle size increased with increase in rubber content. The viscoelastic properties of the blends were analyzed using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The Tg corresponding to epoxy rich phase was evident from the dynamic mechanical spectrum, while the Tg of the rubber phase was overlapped by the β relaxation of epoxy phase. Glass transition of the epoxy phase decreased linearly as a function of the amount of rubber. The mechanical properties such as impact and fracture toughness were also carefully examined. The impact and fracture toughness increase with HTLNR content. A threefold increase in impact strength was observed with 15 wt % HTLNR/epoxy blend. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012