bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Pirmenol Elimination by Rifampin
Authors: Stringer Kathleen A. , Cetnarowski Anne B. , Goldfarb Allen , Lebsack M. E. , Chang Tsun , Sedman Allen J.
Published: March 2013

The potential for drug‐drug interaction between pirmenol, an extensively metabolized antiarrhythmic agent, and rifampin, a potent inducer of hepatic drug‐metabolizing enzymes, was evaluated in 12 healthy adults. After administration of a single 150‐mg oral dose of pirmenol on day 1, pirmenol plasma and urine concentrations were determined for 72 hours postdose. On days 4 through 17, subjects received 600 mg of rifampin once daily. On day 15, subjects were given a second single 150‐mg oral dose of pirmenol concomitantly with rifampin, and plasma and urine concentrations were again determined. Coadministration of rifampin with pirmenol resulted in significant (P < .005) changes in pirmenol pharmacokinetic parameters. A sixfold decrease in pirmenol AUC and sevenfold increase in the apparent plasma clearance of pirmenol were found. Elimination half‐life decreased more than twofold. Based on these findings, pirmenol dosage adjustment will he required when pirmenol is given to patients concurrently receiving rifampin. These results suggest that the administration of pirmenol with other agents that induce hepatic enzymes may result in accelerated pirmenol clearance.
Suppression of Pentylenetetrazol‐Elicited Seizure Activity by Intraosseous Propranolol in Pigs
Authors: Jim Kam F. , Lathers Claire M. , Spivey William H. , Matthews William D. , Kahn Clare , Dolce Kathleen
Published: March 2013

The intraosseous (IO) route provides a rapid and effective alternative venous access in the pediatric population when the conventional intravenous (IV) route cannot be easily obtained. DL‐propranolol, a beta‐adrenoceptor antagonist, exhibits antiepileptic activity in various animal seizure models. This study assessed the efficacy of IO propranolol in suppressing pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)‐induced seizure activity in pigs. Domestic swine (13–20 kg) were prepared for recordings of arterial blood pressure, ECG and electrocortical activity. Seizure activity was induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 100 mg/kg; IV). Sixty seconds after the onset of seizure activity, the animals either received no drug (control) or propranolol (IV or IO via an 18‐gauge spinal needle placed in the right proximal tibia). A transient increase (16.3–50.0%) in the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was observed following PTZ administration. Both IO and IV propranolol significantly suppressed the seizure duration (SD) (sec/min interval) at 1 min following drug administration; SD control, 36.3 ± 4.8; IV propranolol, 12.3 ± 5.1; IO propranolol, 18.3 ± 6.0. In addition, both IV and IO propranolol produced a maximal decrease of 32–38% in the basal heart rate; and reduced the transient increase in MAP elicited by PTZ, with no significant effect on the basal MAP. The data demonstrate that 1) propranolol possesses anticonvulsant activity against PTZ‐induced seizure in the pig, and 2) the intraosseous route is a rapid and effective alternative venous access for propranolol administration in swine.
A Survey of Clinical Experience with Ciprofloxacin, a New Quinolone Antimicrobial
Authors: Arcieri George , Griffith Elizabeth , Gruenwaldt Gert , Heyd Allen , O'Brien Barbara , Screen Phillip , Becker Nancy , August Rita
Published: March 2013

Ciprofloxacin is a new quinolone antimicrobial agent with activity against a broad spectrum of gram‐negative and gram‐positive organisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin‐resistant strains of staphylococci. The efficacy and safety results of 80 clinical studies of the oral form of ciprofloxacin are reported. Drug safety was assessed in 2236 courses in 2203 adult patients treated primarily in the Unites States. Data from 1676 courses were suitable for analysis of drug efficacy. The unit dose for most patients ranged from 250 mg to 750 mg (median, 500 mg), usually given every 12 hours. The duration of treatment ranged from 3 to 231 days (median, 10 days). Predominant among 1722 infections were those of the urinary tract (43%), skin structures (29%), and respiratory tract (19%); the remainder were bone and joint infections (5%), bacteremias (2%), and intra‐abdominal (1%), gastrointestinal (1%), and pelvic infections (<1%). Signs and symptoms of infection resolved in 79% of all cases; a further 15% improved, and 5% failed to improve. Pathogens were eradicated in 89% of urinary tract infections and persisted in 5%; 80% of patients still had sterile urine at the 3‐ to 6‐week follow‐up. In 81% of nonurinary tract infections, pathogens were eradicated; they persisted in 11%, and superinfection occurred in less than 5%. After treatment, 89% of the 2253 causative organisms were eradicated and 2% were reduced to clinically insignificant counts; 8% persisted. Of 411 isolates of P. aeruginosa, 77% were eradicated, as were 97% of 421 Escherichia coli and 80% of 248 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Also eradicated were 95% of 166 Klebsiella, 96% of 139 Proteus mirabilis, 100% of 20 other Proteus, 94% of 123 Enterobacter, 100% of 68 Haemophilus influenzae, 96% of 49 Citrobacter, 89% of 45 Serratia, 95% of 41 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 91% of 43 Salmonella, 100% of 38 Morganella morganii, and 100% of 35 Providencia isolates. Adverse reactions were judged probably or possibly drug‐related in 14.8% of courses; drug treatment had to be stopped prematurely in 3.5%. The most frequent reactions were gastrointestinal complaints (chiefly nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting), metabolic disorders (elevated SGOT, SGPT, serum creatinine, or blood urea nitrogen), and nervous system effects (dizziness, light‐headedness, restlessness, tremor, and headache). Crystalluria, judged to be related to ciprofloxacin, occurred in two patients. In controlled trials, oral ciprofloxacin proved to be at least as effective and safe a treatment as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in urinary tract infection, ampicillin in lower respiratory tract infection, and intravenously administered cefotaxime in skin structure infection.
Pharmacokinetics of Cetamolol in Hypertensive Patients with Normal and Compromised Renal Function
Authors: Skoutakis V. A. , Acchiardo S. A. , Carter C. A. , Ingebretsen C. G. , Klausner M. A. , Lee D. K. H. , Kraml M.
Published: March 2013

The efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic parameters of a 30‐mg oral dose of cetamolol hydrochloride (Betacor), a new synthetic cardioselective beta‐adrenoceptor antagonist, with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, were evaluated by studying 32 hypertensive patients with normal renal function or different degrees of renal impairment. After administration of cetamolol, serial blood and urine sample collections, as well as vital sign determinations for the next 48 hours, were performed in all patients (with the exception of urine collection, which was not possible in hemodialysis patients). Results indicate that cetamolol's pharmacokinetic parameters are significantly changed in patients who have moderate or severe renal impairment. Specifically, as the severity of renal impairment increased, the maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and the area under the serum concentration‐time curve (AUC) increased, whereas the renal clearance (CLR), urinary excretion, and total body clearance (CL) decreased. Additionally, significant direct or inverse correlations for AUC, CL, CLR, and urinary excretion with creatinine clearance (CLCR) were demonstrated. In the subjects with mild renal impairment, the trends toward changes in the cetamolol pharmacokinetic parameters were evident, though small and not statistically significant. Although anuric, patients on hemodialysis still retained the ability metabolically to clear cetamolol at a rate of about one‐third of that found in normal subjects. Reductions in blood pressure and heart rate also were found to be greater and more prolonged as the severity of renal impairment increased. There were no adverse drug or toxic effects noted in any of the study patients. Based on these findings, dosing recommendations are suggested for patients who have compromised renal function because of the effects of renal function on the pharmacokinetics of cetamolol.
Variability and Similarity of Manual Office and Automated Blood Pressures
Authors: Bottini P. B. , Carr A. A. , Prisant L. M. , Rhoades R. B.
Published: March 2013

The evaluation and management of hypertension is based on indirect blood pressures obtained in the office (COBPs) using the mercury sphygmomanometer. The usefulness of COBPs is limited by factors such as observer bias, which confound the ability to discern the true blood pressure value. Automated portable monitors have been marketed, which also measure blood pressure (ABP) indirectly throughout 24 hours, but without human intervention. Acceptance of a new device that indirectly records blood pressure depends largely on its the agreement with the established method of blood pressure measurement. This review compares the variability of blood pressures collected indirectly by standard mercury sphygmomanometer and by an auscultatory automated portable blood pressure monitor. The results indicate that blood pressure, when measured indirectly in a hypertensive patient, is quite variable. Automated blood pressures were lower and demonstrated less within‐subject variability during repeated measures than COBPs. The agreement between ABPs and COBPs was better than the agreement between COBPs alone on successive visits. In addition, the mean hourly blood pressure profiles recorded throughout 24 hours by automated and manual methods from ten hypertensive patients were nearly identical. These data suggest that blood pressures measured by auscultatory automated methods are similar to and representative of those obtained manually.
Effect of Multiple Doses of Rifampin on the [14C N‐methyl] Erythromycin Breath Test in Healthy Male Volunteers
Authors: Gharaibeh Munir N. , Gillen Lisa P. , Osborne Barbara , Schwartz Jules I. , Waldman Scott A.
Published: March 2013

The erythromycin breath test (EBT), which measures 14CO2 produced from [14C N‐methyl] erythromycin, is one of the most frequently employed measures to examine drug interactions involving cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A). However, the reproducibility and reliability of this test, and the effects of drugs that alter CYP3A activity, continue to be defined. In this study, the reproducibility of the EBT was evaluated in eight healthy volunteers before and after oral administration of 600 mg of rifampin daily for 8 days. Two sequential EBT determinations performed 5 days apart before rifampin administration were highly reproducible. Rifampin induced CYP3A, reflected in a mean percent (± standard deviation) increase in EBT values of 86 ± 30%. Recovery of enzyme function after discontinuation of rifampin for 17 days was manifested as a return of EBT values to preinduction levels. These results support the utility of EBT as a valid, reproducible, and reliable measure of CYP3A activity in vivo.
Pharmacokinetics of Rifapentine in Patients with Varying Degrees of Hepatic Dysfunction
Authors: Keung Anther C. F. , Eller Mark G. , Weir Scott J.
Published: March 2013

In this open‐label investigation, the pharmacokinetics of rifapentine and its active metabolite, 25‐desacetyl‐rifapentine, were characterized in patients with varying degrees of hepatic dysfunction. Eight patients with mild‐to‐moderate chronic, stable hepatic dysfunction and seven patients with moderate‐to‐severe hepatic dysfunction received single oral 600‐mg doses of rifapentine. Maximum plasma concentration of rifapentine was lower, time to maximum plasma concentration (tmax) was greater, and elimination half‐life (t1/2) was longer in the patients with moderate‐to‐severe hepatic dysfunction than in those with mild‐to‐moderate dysfunction. However, mean area under the concentration—time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC0–∞) for the two groups was similar. AUC0–∞ values in patients with hepatic dysfunction were 19% to 25% higher than values previously reported for healthy volunteers. The 25‐desacetyl metabolite appeared in plasma slowly after the single oral dose of rifapentine. Similar to findings for the parent drug, comparable plasma exposures of 25‐desacetyl‐rifapentine based on AUC0–∞ were found in the two groups of patients with mild‐to‐moderate and moderate‐to‐severe hepatic dysfunction. Rifapentine was well tolerated in this patient population, irrespective of the etiology or severity of hepatic dysfunction. These safety and pharmacokinetic results suggest that no dosage adjustments for rifapentine are needed in patients with hepatic impairment.
Impact of DNA Sequence and Oligonucleotide Length on a Polythiophene‐Based Fluorescent DNA Biosensor
Authors: Charlebois Isabelle , Gravel Catherine , Arrad Naoual , Boissinot Maurice , Bergeron Michel G. , Leclerc Mario
Published: March 2013

DNA hybridization is a universal and specific mechanism for the recognition of biological targets. Some cationic polythiophene transducers sensitive to DNA structure have been previously utilized to detect such biomolecules. Further characterization of these systems indicates that both DNA sequence composition and length modulate the biosensor performance. It appears that different repeated sequence patterns cause different conformational changes of the polythiophene, from a more relaxed form to an extremely rigid one. A length difference between the DNA oligonucleotide probe and target has a detrimental effect on the fluorescent signal, but it can be attenuated by changing the sequence composition of the protruding target sequence. This demonstrates that the nature of DNA can be critical for hybridization‐based detection systems.

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Role of Phase Morphology on the Damage Initiated Self‐healing Behavior of Ionomer Blends
Authors: Rahman Mohammed Arifur , Spagnoli Gloria , Grande Antonio Mattia , Di Landro Luca
Published: March 2013

The development of self‐healing materials, based on polymer blends, is an important issue either from a scientific or a technological point of view. The application of such materials can be remarkably extended if healing effects can be maintained even in polymers that are modified in order to tune their physical and mechanical behavior. In this research the self‐healing behavior of blends made of ionomers (sodium and zinc salts of poly(ethyelene‐co‐methacrylic acid)—EMNa and EMZn) with functionalized elastomers (epoxidized natural rubber with different epoxidation levels—ENR50 and ENR25, polyisoprene—PISP) of different compositions is investigated. The role of processing conditions, phase morphology, functionalization level, polymers compatibility over self‐healing response are discussed. Rubber functionality and phase dispersion are recognized as crucial factors affecting the healing efficiency of blends. Results of ballistic tests, DSC thermal analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, optical and electron (SEM and TEM) microscopy observations, rheological and mechanical tests are presented as supporting evidences.
Identification of an O‐antigen chain length regulator, WzzP, in Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Shoji Mikio , Yukitake Hideharu , Sato Keiko , Shibata Yasuko , Naito Mariko , Aduse‐Opoku Joseph , Abiko Yoshimitsu , Curtis Michael A. , Nakayama Koji
Published: March 2013

The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis has two different lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) designated O‐LPS and A‐LPS, which are a conventional O‐antigen polysaccharide and an anionic polysaccharide that are both linked to lipid A‐cores, respectively. However, the precise mechanisms of LPS biosynthesis remain to be determined. In this study, we isolated a pigment‐less mutant by transposon mutagenesis and identified that the transposon was inserted into the coding sequence PGN_2005, which encodes a hypothetical protein of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277. We found that (i) LPSs purified from the PGN_2005 mutant were shorter than those of the wild type; (ii) the PGN_2005 protein was located in the inner membrane fraction; and (iii) the PGN_2005 gene conferred Wzz activity upon an Escherichia coli wzz mutant. These results indicate that the PGN_2005 protein, which was designated WzzP, is a functional homolog of the Wzz protein in P. gingivalis. Comparison of amino acid sequences among WzzP and conventional Wzz proteins indicated that WzzP had an additional fragment at the C‐terminal region. In addition, we determined that the PGN_1896 and PGN_1233 proteins and the PGN_1033 protein appear to be WbaP homolog proteins and a Wzx homolog protein involved in LPS biosynthesis, respectively.
Ultra‐high aspect ratio Ni nanowires in single‐crystalline InP membranes as multiferroic composite
Authors: Gerngross M.‐D. , Chemnitz S. , Wagner B. , Carstensen J. , Föll H.
Published: March 2013

By a combination of chemical etching, atomic layer deposition (ALD) and galvanic deposition it became possible to produce Ni nanowires (NWs) with ultra‐high aspect ratio (∼1000), embedded in a semi‐insulating, piezoelectric, single‐crystalline InP matrix. This Letter discusses the structural and magnetic properties of these Ni NWs. They are crystalline with a preferential growth direction of the grains in 〈111〉. For H ⊥ z, they show a very narrow hysteresis loop with a low coercivity (about 100 Oe) and a very low remanence squareness S of 0.08. So the combination of piezoelectric InP and magnetostrictive Ni forms a very promising multiferroic composite. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Panel zone evaluation of direct connection to box column subjected to bidirectional loading
Authors: Saneei Nia Z. , Ghassemieh M. , Mazroi A.
Published: March 2013

As an effective factor for force‐controlled components, in special moment frames, the main advantage of using box column is high biaxial bending strength. Most research studies have been concentrated on the box column performance subjected to unidirectional loading. On the other hand, seismic provisions given so far in codes are limited to beam to wide flange column connections with planar webs. In the research work presented, the bidirectional loading configurations are adopted to better simulate the actual response of the box column subjected to a ground motion excitation. The connection used in the article is welded unreinforced flange–welded web, being the direct connection that was introduced in the American Institute of Steel Construction as one of the prequalified connection. Analytical results from finite element method indicate that when the structure is subjected to bidirectional loading, the level of shear and flexural strength capacity of the box column reduces. Because of the yielding of the panel zone and the inner diaphragm, the distribution of stress and strain in the finite element models reveals that the design criteria presented in most seismic codes seem not to place the plastic hinge out of the panel zone region and therefore need to be modified. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
T-cell Responses in Oiled Guillemots and Swans in a Rehabilitation Setting
Authors: Troisi Gera M.
Published: March 2013

Aquatic birds are commonly affected by oil spills. Despite rehabilitation efforts, the majority of rehabilitated common guillemots (Uria aalge) do not survive, whereas mute swans (Cygnus olor) tend to have higher postrelease survival. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in crude oil and diesel are immunotoxic in birds affecting cell-mediated responses to immunogens. Because it is a target of PAH toxicity, T-lymphocyte response to controlled mitogen administration (phytohemagglutinnin test) was investigated in a scoping study as a potentially useful minimally invasive in vivo test of cell-mediated immunity. The test was performed on 69 mute swans and 31 common guillemots stranded on the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coastline and inland waterways in England (UK) either due to injury or to contamination with crude or diesel oil. T-lymphocyte response was significantly decreased in swans with greater oil scores. T-lymphocyte responses were also decreased in guillemots, but this finding was not statistically significant.
An explicit algebraic model for the subgrid-scale passive scalar flux
Authors: Rasam Amin , Brethouwer Geert , Johansson Arne V.
Published: March 2013

In Marstorpet al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 639, 2009, pp. 403–432), an explicit algebraic subgrid stress model (EASSM) for large-eddy simulation (LES) was proposed, which was shown to considerably improve LES predictions of rotating and non-rotating turbulent channel flow. In this paper, we extend that work and present a new explicit algebraic subgrid scalar flux model (EASSFM) for LES, based on the modelled transport equation of the subgrid-scale (SGS) scalar flux. The new model is derived using the same kind of methodology that leads to the explicit algebraic scalar flux model of Wikströmet al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 12, 2000, pp. 688–702). The algebraic form is based on a weak equilibrium assumption and leads to a model that depends on the resolved strain-rate and rotation-rate tensors, the resolved scalar-gradient vector and, importantly, the SGS stress tensor. An accurate prediction of the SGS scalar flux is consequently strongly dependent on an accurate description of the SGS stresses. The new EASSFM is therefore primarily used in connection with the EASSM, since this model can accurately predict SGS stresses. The resulting SGS scalar flux is not necessarily aligned with the resolved scalar gradient, and the inherent dependence on the resolved rotation-rate tensor makes the model suitable for LES of rotating flow applications. The new EASSFM (together with the EASSM) is validated for the case of passive scalar transport in a fully developed turbulent channel flow with and without system rotation. LES results with the new model show good agreement with direct numerical simulation data for both cases. The new model predictions are also compared to those of the dynamic eddy diffusivity model (DEDM) and improvements are observed in the prediction of the resolved and SGS scalar quantities. In the non-rotating case, the model performance is studied at all relevant resolutions, showing that its predictions of the Nusselt number are much less dependent on the grid resolution and are more accurate. In channel flow with wall-normal rotation, where all the SGS stresses and fluxes are non-zero, the new model shows significant improvements over the DEDM predictions of the resolved and SGS quantities.
The Institutional Turn in Comparative Authoritarianism
Authors: Pepinsky Thomas
Published: March 2013

The institutional turn in comparative authoritarianism has generated wide interest. This article reviews three prominent books on authoritarian institutions and their central theoretical propositions about the origins, functions and effects of dominant party institutions on authoritarian rule. Two critical perspectives on political institutions, one based on rationalist theories of institutional design and the other based on a social conflict theory of political economy, suggest that authoritarian institutions are epiphenomenal on more fundamental political, social and/or economic relations. Such approaches have been largely ignored in this recent literature, but each calls into question the theoretical and empirical claims that form the basis of institutionalist approaches to authoritarian rule. A central implication of this article is that authoritarian institutions cannot be studied separately from the concrete problems of redistribution and policy making that motivate regime behavior.
Extended seasonal occurrence of humpback whales in Massachusetts Bay
Authors: Murray Anita , Rice Aaron N. , Clark Christopher W.
Published: March 2013

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are known to utilize Massachusetts Bay as a feeding ground in the spring and summer, during the annual migration of the Gulf of Maine sub-population. However, there is a limited understanding of the pattern of humpback whale occurrence in this region outside of the feeding period. Passive acoustic monitoring of Massachusetts Bay over a two-year period, revealed an extended presence of acoustically active humpback whales throughout a majority of the study period (87%; 633 days of presence out of 725 days of acoustic monitoring). Humpback whale presence oscillated between lengthy periods of consistent presence (April to December) and relatively shorter periods of variable presence (December to March). Seasonal variation in presence was evident during three distinct phases: (1) maximum-presence from spring to early winter; (2) variable-presence in early winter and early spring; and (3) minimum-presence mid-winter. The variation in seasonal presence was concurrent with coarse migratory patterns of humpback whales, and yearly variations in presence presumably reflect a shift in the influx and efflux of whales between years. The extended presence of humpbacks in this area suggests that Massachusetts Bay is an important, year-round habitat for the Gulf of Maine sub-population, and may warrant revision of management and regulatory practices to reflect this presence.
Relative growth, sexual maturity, and breeding season of three species of the genusPersephona(Decapoda: Brachyura: Leucosiidae): a comparative study
Authors: Almeida Ariádine Cristine , Hiyodo Célia Mary , Cobo Valter José , Bertini Giovana , Fransozo Vivian , Teixeira Gustavo Monteiro
Published: March 2013

The relative growths ofPersephona lichtensteinii,P. mediterranea, andP. punctatawere investigated on the south-eastern Brazilian coast, focusing on differences in the growth rates between immature and mature phases, the onset of morphological sexual maturity, and the breeding seasons of these species. Crabs were collected every two months from January 1991 through to November 1992, from a shrimp fishing boat equipped with two otter-trawl nets. Significant differences in the patterns of body growth were observed between immature and mature phases of all three species. Changes in the growth rates of the chelipeds (males) and abdomen (females) observed forP. lichtensteinii,P. mediterranea, andP. punctata, seem to be related to the puberty moult for both sexes. Males ofP. mediterraneaandP. punctatareached larger mean sizes of carapace width than females, whereas no difference was recorded forP. lichtensteinii. The body size at which 50% of males attained sexual maturity was also larger inP. mediterraneaandP. punctata, and smaller inP. lichtensteinii. The absence of a pronounced sexual dimorphism and the size at the onset of sexual maturity observed only forP. lichtensteiniimight be explained by distinct reproductive strategies of males. The presence of ovigerous females during the entire sampling period suggests that all three species have a continuous reproduction pattern at the Ubatuba region. Future studies on the population structure, functional maturity, and mating system should improve the understanding of factors driving the biology and ecology of these species at a subtropical region.
The gametogenic cycle and spawning in Mytilus edulis in two fjords in north-western Iceland
Authors: Thorarinsdóttir Gudrun G. , Gudfinnsson Hafsteinn G. , Egilsdóttir Svanhildur , Pálsson Jón Örn
Published: March 2013

The annual gametogenic cycle in the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis L. was investigated from May 2010 to May 2011 in two locations in north-western Iceland. Food availability (chlorophyll-a) was high in early spring at both sites, with a summer maximum in July in Steingrimsfjördur but an autumn maximum in September in Patreksfjördur. Gonad development started in November at both sites, with ripe gametes still visible in the follicles, and continued throughout the year, except for a very short time prior to spawning in Steingrimsfjördur. Gametes developed mostly between November and May. Spawning was protracted, lasting from July to early winter at both sites. The main spawning events occurred from August (11.7°C) to October (9.4°C) in Patreksfjördur, but from July (9.8°C) to October (8.6°C) in Steingrimsfjördur
Is Truth Valuable?
Authors: Christensen Ryan
Published: March 2013

This paper examines a puzzle about whether truth is a valuable property: Valuable properties, like beauty and moral goodness, come in degrees; but truth does not come in degrees. Hence, the argument concludes, truth is not valuable. This result is puzzling since it seems to conflict with a deep intuition that truth is valuable. It is suggested that a roughly Platonic theory, on which truth is distinguished into two different concepts, gives a satisfying answer to the puzzle. One of these concepts can be had in degrees, which, it is suggested, may be determined by the true proposition's explanatory power.
Why theTractatus, like the Old Testament, is ‘Nothing but a Book’
Authors: Evans K.L.
Published: March 2013

InThe Education of the Human Race, G. E. Lessing helps his readers understand why the propositions of the Old Testament are pseudo-propositions, or why they do not resemble the significant propositions of natural science but thetautologicalpropositions of mathematics and of logic. That is, the so-called propositions of the Old Testament do not teach readers whether what actually happens is this or that; rather what they teach us is to imagine expressions by substitution in such a way as to throw their structure into relief. One of Lessing's most attentive readers was Wittgenstein. Or perhaps only Wittgenstein would have been able to grasp so immediately Lessing's insight that the tautological or pseudo-propositions of the Old Testament invite thinkingonlywhen readers use them to understand ‘what is the case’ in the pictures (the thoughts) the propositions have – logically – constructed. Thus in this essay I use Wittgenstein's reading of Lessing to throw light on his work in theTractatus. Rather than take up the new logician's interest in completely analyzing expressions (which would include settling the way a referent is referred to in an expression), Wittgenstein insists in theTractatusthat the expressions we use, even those that seem to be propositions or that contain assertions, are in fact designed to be elucidatorywithoutsaying anything about the nature of the subjects that figure in them. Wittgenstein's great insight was to see that the propositional signs of our language are able to bring something to mindwithoutsaying what is a representation of what.
Does Regulation Matter? an Analysis of Corporate Charters in a Laissez-Faire Environment
Authors: Rojas Gonzalo Islas
Published: March 2013

Are laws that protect minority investors a necessary condition for the development of stock markets? This paper attempts to answer this question using data on the origins of the corporate sector in Chile to construct an empirical analysis of the contractual provisions included in charters of corporations in the 19th century. Our findings indicate that, even though corporate law at the time was silent with respect to governance rules and investor protection, a significant number of corporations were created and their shares traded. The empirical analysis of the corporate charters reveals that these contracts frequently included provisions favourable to outside investors and the use of these provisions is consistent with the predictions of a simple agency model.
La Bolsa De La Habana, El Mercado Mundial De Azúcar Y Las Fluctuaciones De La Economía Cubana, 1910-1959
Authors: Lázaro Javier Moreno
Published: March 2013

This paper presents the course taken by the Cuban economy from the early twentieth century until the outbreak of the Revolution, seen from the perspective of what happened in the stock market. I have therefore prepared an index of Havana Stock Exchange listings which shows strong dependence on what happened in the sugar market, particularly in sugar exports. However, my research highlights the weakness of this institution, conceived more as an instrument of speculative enrichment rather than one of financing, the evolution of which reveals the fragility of the Cuban economy and particularly the poor development of its capital markets.
Can a fast-growing early-successional tree (Ochroma pyramidale, Malvaceae) accelerate forest succession?
Authors: Vleut Ivar , Levy-Tacher Samuel Israel , de Boer Willem Frederik , Galindo-González Jorge , Ramírez-Marcial Neptalí
Published: March 2013

Species-specific traits of trees affect ecosystem dynamics, defining forest structure and understorey development. Ochroma pyramidale is a fast-growing tree species, with life-history traits that include low wood density, short-lived large leaves and a narrow open thin crown. We evaluated forest succession in O. pyramidale-dominated secondary forests, diverse secondary forests, both 10–15 y since abandonment, and rain forests by comparing height, density and basal area of all trees (> 5 cm dbh). Furthermore, we compared species richness of understorey trees and shrubs, and basal area and density of trees of early- and late-successional species (< 5 cm dbh) between forest types. We found that tree basal area (mean ± SD: 32 ± 0.9 m2 ha−1) and height (12.4 ± 1.8 m) of canopy trees were higher, and density (1450 ± 339 ha−1) lower in O. pyramidale forests than in diverse forests, and more similar to rain forest. Understorey shrub diversity and tree seedling density and diversity were lower in O. pyramidale forests than in diverse forests, but these forest types had a similar density of early- and late-successional trees. Canopy openness (> 15%) and leaf litter (> 10 cm) were both highest in O. pyramidale forests, which positively affected density of understorey trees and shrubs and negatively affected density of late-successional trees. In conclusion, O. pyramidale forests presented structural features similar to those of rain forest, but this constrained the establishment of understorey tree species, especially late-successional species, decreasing successional development.
Arithmetic Progressions in Sumsets and Lp-Almost-Periodicity
Authors: CROOT ERNIE , ŁABA IZABELLA , SISASK OLOF
Published: March 2013

We prove results about the Lp-almost-periodicity of convolutions. One of these follows from a simple but rather general lemma about approximating a sum of functions in Lp, and gives a very short proof of a theorem of Green that if A and B are subsets of {1,. . .,N} of sizes αN and βN then A+B contains an arithmetic progression of length at least

\begin{equation}
\exp ( c (\alpha \beta \log N)^{1/2} - \log\log N).
\end{equation}

Another almost-periodicity result improves this bound for densities decreasing with N: we show that under the above hypotheses the sumset A+B contains an arithmetic progression of length at least

\begin{equation}
\exp\biggl( c \biggl(\frac{\alpha \log N}{\log^3 2\beta^{-1}} \biggr)^{1/2} - \log( \beta^{-1} \log N) \biggr).
\end{equation}
Regulating the Helping Hand: Improving Legal Preparedness for Cross-Border Disaster Medicine
Authors: Fisher David
Published: March 2013

Medical care is a highly regulated field in nearly every country. Therefore, it is not surprising that legal issues regularly arise in cross-border disaster operations that have with the potential to profoundly impact the effectiveness of international assistance. Little attention has been paid to preparing for and addressing these kinds of issues. This paper will report on research by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on International Disaster Response Law, and discuss new developments in the international legal framework for addressing these issues.

For seven years, the IFRC has studied legal issues in cross-border disaster assistance. Its activities have included several dozen case studies, a global survey of governments and humanitarian stakeholders, and a series of meetings and high-level conferences.

The IFRC has found a consistent set of regulatory problems in major disaster relief operations related to the entry and regulation of international relief. These include some issues specific to the health field, such as the regulation of drug donations and the recognition of foreign medical qualifications. To address the gaps in domestic and international regulatory structures, the IFRC spearheaded the development of new international guidelines.

The legal risks for international health providers in disaster settings are real and should be better integrated into program planning. Governments must become more proactive in ensuring that legal frameworks are flexible enough to mitigate these problems.
The Path to 2020: A Vision for Change. Personal Reflections on the PLL (Private Law Libraries) Summit Held at the 105th Annual Meeting and Conference of the American Association of Law Libraries
Authors: Hayes Kathryn
Published: March 2013

Kathryn Hayes reflects on the PLL (Private Law Libraries) Summit at the 2012 AALL Annual Meeting and Conference in Boston, which focussed on what law libraries and information services will look like in 2020 and what we should be doing now to advance that vision.
Response to Justin Crowe's review of Politicized Justice in Emerging Democracies: A Study of Courts in Russia and Ukraine
Authors: Popova Maria
Published: March 2013

I want to thank Justin Crowe for his thorough and generous review of my book. I wish our paths had crossed when I was still at the revision stage of the manuscript. I could have used his fresh perspective to strengthen the book's message to a wider audience.
EGFR tyrosine kinase regulates human small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (hSKCa1) channels expressed in HEK-293 cells
Authors: Wu Wei , Sun Hai-Ying , Deng Xiu-Ling , Li Gui-Rong
Published: March 2013

SKCa (small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+) channels are widely distributed in different tissues, including the brain, pancreatic islets and myocardium and play an important role in controlling electrical activity and cellular functions. However, intracellular signal modulation of SKCa channels is not fully understood. The present study was designed to investigate the potential regulation of hSKCa1 (human SKCa1) channels by PTKs (protein tyrosine kinases) in HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells expressing the hSKCa1 (KCNN1) gene using approaches of whole-cell patch voltage-clamp, immunoprecipitation, Western blotting and mutagenesis. We found that the hSKCa1 current was inhibited by the broad-spectrum PTK inhibitor genistein, the selective EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) kinase inhibitors T25 (tyrphostin 25) and AG556 (tyrphostin AG 556), but not by the Src-family kinases inhibitor PP2. The inhibitory effect of these PTK inhibitors was significantly antagonized by the PTP (protein tyrosine phosphatase) inhibitor orthovanadate. The tyrosine phosphorylation level of hSKCa1 channels was reduced by genistein, T25 or AG556. The reduced tyrosine phosphorylation was countered by orthovanadate. Interestingly, the Y109F mutant hSKCa1 channel lost the inhibitory response to T25 or AG556, and showed a dramatic reduction in tyrosine phosphorylation levels and a reduced current density. These results demonstrate the novel information that hSKCa1 channels are inhibited by genistein, T25 and AG556 via EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition, which is related to the phosphorylation of Tyr109 in the N-terminus. This effect may affect electrical activity and cellular functions in brain, pancreatic islets and myocardium.
Proteolytic activation of prochemerin by kallikrein 7 breaks an ionic linkage and results in C-terminal rearrangement
Authors: Schultz Stephan , Saalbach Anja , Heiker John T. , Meier Rene , Zellmann Tristan , Simon Jan C. , Beck-Sickinger Annette G.
Published: March 2013

The excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in obesity is associated with multiple inflammatory dermatological diseases. Chemerin, a chemoattractant adipokine, dependent on proteolytical activation, is highly expressed in skin. Different proteases have been reported to activate prochemerin, but none is inherently expressed in human skin. In the present study, we identified a tissue-specific protease and investigated the underlying mechanism of activation at the molecular level. We characterized human KLK7 (kallikrein 7) as a prochemerin processing protease in vitro converting prochemerin into active chemerinF156. The activating truncation by the protease might trigger a structural rearrangement leading to an increased affinity of chemerin to CMKLR1 (chemokine-like receptor 1). Molecular modelling and experimental data suggest an underlying ionic interaction in prochemerin C-terminal domains. These findings provide a general molecular basis for the necessity of C-terminal processing of prochemerin. Moreover, immunohistochemistry was used to investigate prochemerin, KLK7 and the recently identified KLK7 inhibitor vaspin expression in human skin biopsies, and distinct co-localization in psoriatic biopsies was observed. On the basis of these results, it is hypothesized that KLK7 activity may contribute to the development of psoriatic lesions as a consequence of excessive chemerin activation and impaired protease activity regulation by vaspin. Therefore this interaction represents an interesting target for psoriasis therapy and treatment of other obesity-related diseases.
Generation of high-voltage pulses with subnanosecond front rise times in open discharge
Authors: Bokhan P. A. , Gugin P. P. , Lavrukhin M. A. , Zakrevsky Dm. E.
Published: March 2013

The investigation results for plasma switching devices of high-voltage pulses with pulse rise times less than 1 ns are presented. The approach is based on using conditions suitable for bringing a gas discharge chamber in a state with high conductivity due to generation of an electron beam owing to photoelectron emission from the device cathode. It is shown that in co-axial geometry pulses, switching time 0.45 ns on an active load RL = 50 Ω at voltage U = 20 kV can be achieved. It is shown with the method of doubled impulses that such a device can regenerate the acceptable electric strength during 10 μs. It is indicated of the principle possibility of working in the pulse-periodical regime to the repetition rate of 100 kHz.
Perturbation bounds for quantum Markov processes and their fixed points
Authors: Szehr Oleg , Wolf Michael M.
Published: March 2013

We investigate the stability of quantum Markov processes with respect to perturbations of their transition maps. In the first part, we introduce a condition number that measures the sensitivity of fixed points of a quantum channel to perturbations. We establish upper and lower bounds on this condition number in terms of subdominant eigenvalues of the transition map. In the second part, we consider quantum Markov processes that converge to a unique stationary state and we analyze the stability of the evolution at finite times. In this way we obtain a linear relation between the mixing time of a quantum Markov process and the sensitivity of its fixed point with respect to perturbations of the transition map.
Relationships between magnetization and dynamic stress for Galfenol rod alloy and its application in force sensor
Authors: Weng Ling , Wang Bowen , Dapino M. J. , Sun Ying , Wang Li , Cui Baozhi
Published: March 2013

Magnetization versus dynamic stress of Fe81.6Ga18.4 is measured at 4.0 kA/m bias magnetic field and −7.0 MPa compressive pre-stress. The magnetization and stress curves show that magnetization decreases with increasing compressive stress. Magnetization increases with increasing stress frequency at −20 MPa compounded stress. The output voltage from the pickup coil of a Galfenol force sensor is measured when the frequency and amplitude of dynamic force vary. The measurements show that the output voltage increases proportionally with increasing force frequency and amplitude. When the bias magnetic field is 4.0 kA/m, a maximum output voltage of 57 mV is measured at −7.0 MPa compressive pre-stress.
Room temperature synthesis of Mn2+ doped ZnS d-dots and observation of tunable dual emission: Effects of doping concentration, temperature, and ultraviolet light illumination
Authors: Kole A. K. , Tiwary C. S. , Kumbhakar P.
Published: March 2013

Mn2+ doped (0–50.0 molar %) ZnS d-dots have been synthesized in water medium by using an environment friendly low cost chemical technique. Tunable dual emission in UV and yellow-orange regions is achieved by tailoring the Mn2+ doping concentration in the host ZnS nanocrystal. The optimum doping concentration for achieving efficient photoluminescence (PL) emission is determined to be ∼1.10 (at. %) corresponding to 40.0 (molar %) of Mn2+ doping concentration used during synthesis. The mechanism of charge transfer from the host to the dopant leading to the intensity modulated tunable (594-610 nm) yellow-orange PL emission is straightforwardly understood as no capping agent is used. The temperature dependent PL emission measurements are carried out, viz., in 1.10 at. % Mn2+ doped sample and the experimental results are explained by using a theoretical PL emission model. It is found that the ratio of non-radiative to radiative recombination rates is temperature dependent and this phenomenon has not been reported, so far, in Mn2+ doped ZnS system. The colour tuning of the emitted light from the samples are evident from the calculated chromaticity coordinates. UV light irradiation for 150 min in 40.0 (molar %) Mn2+ doped sample shows an enhancement of 33% in PL emission intensity.
Role of graphene defects in corrosion of graphene-coated Cu(111) surface
Authors: Wlasny I. , Dabrowski P. , Rogala M. , Kowalczyk P. J. , Pasternak I. , Strupinski W. , Baranowski J. M. , Klusek Z.
Published: March 2013

Protection of Cu(111) surface by chemical vapor deposition graphene coating is investigated. The X-ray photoemission spectroscopy results do not reveal any signs of corrosion on graphene-coated Cu(111), and suggest perfect protection of copper surface against interaction with atmospheric gases. However, the scanning tunneling spectroscopy results show that cracks in the graphene sheet open up windows for nanoscale corrosion. We have shown also that such local corrosions are not only limited to the discontinuities but may also progresses underneath the graphene cover.
Phosphorylation of TPP1 regulates cell cycle-dependent telomerase recruitment
Authors: Zhang Yi , Chen Liuh-Yow , Han Xin , Xie Wei , Kim Hyeung , Yang Dong , Liu Dan , Songyang Zhou
Published: March 2013

Telomere maintenance is essential for organisms with linear chromosomes and is carried out by telomerase during cell cycle. The precise mechanism by which cell cycle controls telomeric access of telomerase and telomere elongation in mammals remains largely unknown. Previous work has established oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding (OB) fold-containing telomeric protein TPP1, formerly known as TINT1, PTOP, and PIP1, as a key factor that regulates telomerase recruitment and activity. However, the role of TPP1 in cell cycle-dependent telomerase recruitment is unclear. Here, we report that human TPP1 is phosphorylated at multiple sites during cell cycle progression and associates with higher telomerase activity at late S/G
2
/M. Phosphorylation of Ser111 (S111) within the TPP1 OB fold appears important for cell cycle-dependent telomerase recruitment. Structural analysis indicates that phosphorylated S111 resides in the telomerase-interacting domain within the TPP1 OB fold. Mutations that disrupt S111 phosphorylation led to decreased telomerase activity in the TPP1 complex and telomere shortening. Our findings provide insight into the regulatory pathways and structural basis that control cell cycle-dependent telomerase recruitment and telomere elongation through phosphorylation of TPP1.