bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Framing in the
Conte
: From Theoretical Debate to Oral Story Performance
Authors: Carruthers Janice
Published: September 2011

This article explores ‘temporal framing’ in the oral
conte
. The starting point is a recent theoretical debate around the temporal structure of narrative discourse which has highlighted a fundamental tension between the approaches of two of the most influential current theoretical models, one of which is ‘framing theory’. The specific issue concerns the role of temporal adverbials appearing at the head of the clause (e.g. dates, relative temporal adverbials such as
le lendemain
) versus that of temporal ‘connectives’ such as
puis
,
ensuite
, etc. Through an analysis of a corpus of
contes
performed at the Conservatoire contemporain de Littérature Orale, I shall explore temporal framing in the light of this theoretical debate, and shall argue that, as with other types of narrative discourse, framing is primarily a structural rather than a temporal device in oral narrative. In a final section, I shall further argue, using Kintsch's construction-integration model of narrative processing, that framing is fundamental to the cognitive processes involved in oral story performance.
Streptomyces shaanxiensis sp. nov., a blue pigment-producing streptomycete from sewage irrigation soil
Authors: Lin Yan Bing , Wang Xin Ye , Fang Hui , Ma Ya Nan , Tang Jing , Tang Ming , Wei Ge Hong
Published: September 2011

A novel isolate belonging to the genus

Streptomyces

, strain CCNWHQ 0031T, was isolated from soil in a sewage irrigation area in Shaanxi province, China. The isolate produced light greyish-blue aerial mycelium and dark blue diffusible pigment on Gause’s synthetic agar. Strain CCNWHQ 0031T formed Spirales-type chains with spiny spores. Chemotaxonomic data confirmed that strain CCNWHQ 0031T belonged to the genus

Streptomyces

. Analysis of the almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain CCNWHQ 0031T in the genus

Streptomyces

where it formed a distinct phyletic line with recognized

Streptomyces

species. Strain CCNWHQ 0031T exhibited highest sequence similarities to

Streptomyces caeruleatus

GIMN4.002T (99.3 %),

Streptomyces coeruleorubidus

NBRC 12855T (98.9 %),

Streptomyces curacoi

NBRC 12761T (98.8 %) and

Streptomyces lincolnensis

NBRC 13054T (98.0 %). DNA–DNA hybridization studies of strain CCNWHQ 0031T with these four closest relatives showed relatedness values of 56.6±0.4, 50.3±0.6, 49.8±0.7 and 36.9±0.9 %, respectively. On the basis of its molecular and physiological properties, it is evident that strain CCNWHQ 0031T represents a novel species of the genus

Streptomyces

, for which the name Streptomyces shaanxiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CCNWHQ 0031T ( = CCNWTJ 0031T = JCM 16925T = ACCC 41873T).
Georgenia daeguensis sp. nov., isolated from 4-chlorophenol enrichment culture
Authors: Woo Sung-Geun , Cui Yingshun , Kang Myung-Suk , Jin Long , Kim Kwang Kyu , Lee Sung-Taik , Lee Myungjin , Park Joonhong
Published: September 2011

During screening for 4-chlorophenol-degrading micro-organisms in activated sludge from industrial wastewater treatment, a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated 2C6-43T, was isolated and characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 2C6-43T belongs to the family

Bogoriellaceae

, class

Actinobacteria

, and is related most closely to

Georgenia soli

CC-NMPT-T3T (98.8 % sequence similarity),

Georgenia muralis

1A-CT (97.6 %),

Georgenia thermotolerans

TT02-04T (96.8 %),

Georgenia ruanii

YIM 004T (96.6 %) and

Georgenia halophila

YIM 93316T (96.0 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain 2C6-43T was 66.2 mol%. Sugars from whole-cell hydrolysates found in strain 2C6-43T were rhamnose, ribose and galactose. The menaquinone MK-8(H4) was detected as the predominant quinone. Polar lipid analysis of 2C6-43T revealed diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol. An aromatic compound ring cleavage enzyme of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase was detected but catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was not detected in 2C6-43T. A fatty acid profile with anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0 as the major components supported the affiliation of strain 2C6-43T to the genus

Georgenia

. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness between strain 2C6-43T and the type strains of five species of the genus

Georgenia

ranged from 17 to 40 %, clearly showing that the isolate constitutes a new genospecies. Strain 2C6-43T could be clearly differentiated from its phylogenetic neighbours on the basis of some phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain 2C6-43T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Georgenia

, for which the name Georgenia daeguensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is 2C6-43T ( = KCTC 19801T = JCM 17459T).
Lysinimicrobium mangrovi gen. nov., sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of a mangrove
Authors: Hamada Moriyuki , Tamura Tomohiko , Yamamura Hideki , Suzuki Ken-ichiro , Hayakawa Masayuki
Published: September 2011

A novel strain of Gram-staining-positive bacterium, designated HI08-69T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of a mangrove on Iriomote Island, Japan, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. The strain had peptidoglycan of the A4α type, with lysine as the diagnostic diamino acid. The predominant menaquinone was demethylmenaquinone DMK-9(H4) and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unidentified polar lipid but minor amounts of other polar lipids were also detected. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain HI08-69T was 71.7 mol%. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the novel strain and members of the genus

Demequina

formed a monophyletic cluster, with pairwise sequence similarities of 95.6–96.8 %. However, strain HI08-69T was clearly distinguishable from all established members of the genus

Demequina

in terms of several chemotaxonomic characteristics. On the basis of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain HI08-69T represents a novel species in a new genus for which the name Lysinimicrobium mangrovi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is HI08-69T ( = NBRC 105856T = DSM 24868T).
The influence of flume length and group size on swimming performance in shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum
Authors: Deslauriers D. , Kieffer J. D.
Published: September 2011

The main objectives of this study were to determine optimal methodologies to assess the general swimming performance of juvenile shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum. Swimming densities (group v. individual swimming) and flume length (2 v. 1 m) were altered to verify if any of those variables affected performance (i.e. time to fatigue) during critical swimming (Ucrit) and endurance tests. Results for both Ucrit and endurance swimming were not significantly different between fish swum in groups of five or fish swum individually. The Ucrit values, however, were c. 22% higher for fish swum in a longer flume. Although swimming fish in groups did not improve swimming performance, group swimming lowered the variance of the data. Results also reveal that juvenile A. brevirostrum may not possess an ability to swim at high speeds (i.e. burst phase) for long periods.
Transfemoral aortic valve implantation under sedation and monitored anaesthetic care – a feasibility study
Authors: Bergmann L. , Kahlert P. , Eggebrecht H. , Frey U. , Peters J. , Kottenberg E.
Published: September 2011

Surgical aortic valve replacement is the conventional treatment for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis; however, the technique of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation has recently been developed for older patients at high risk for surgery. We assessed whether this procedure could be safely performed under sedation in 100 patients. Their predicted surgical mortality was 21.6% and mean (SD) age 80 (6.6) years. Sedation was provided by remifentanil infusion (0–0.2 μg.kg−1.min−1) and midazolam (1–3 mg), as required. All patients were closely haemodynamically monitored throughout by an anaesthetist and inotropic drugs administered as indicated by invasive monitoring. Sedation alone was required in 83 patients; in 17 patients sedation had to be converted to general anaesthesia, mainly because of interventional complications (n = 12). All conversions to general anaesthesia occurred after successful valve implantation. Mean (SD) anaesthesia time was 31 (12) min and procedural time 107 (77) min; 30‐day and 1‐year all‐cause mortality were 6% and 13%, respectively. In the majority of patients, transcatheter valve implantation can safely be facilitated by sedation, provided monitoring and drug administration are carried out by an experienced cardiac anaesthetist.

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‐linked mutant VAPB enhances TDP‐43‐induced motor neuronal toxicity
Authors: Suzuki Hiroaki , Matsuoka Masaaki
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 1099–1107.

Transactive response DNA‐binding protein‐43 (TDP‐43) has been thought to be generally involved in the pathogenesis of most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients although it remains undefined how TDP‐43 is involved in the ALS pathogenesis. In this study, we found that a P56S mutant of vesicle‐associated membrane protein‐associated protein B (VAPB), which has been identified to be a familial ALS‐causative protein, potentiated the TDP‐43‐induced motor neuronal cell death, while wild‐type VAPB conversely inhibited it. The P56S‐VAPB‐induced potentiation of the TDP‐43‐induced death was mediated by the up‐regulation of Bim expression at the mRNA level and other undefined mechanisms that leads to the enhancement of Bim and Bax activity. These observations suggest that TDP‐43 and P56S‐VAPB may co‐operate to involve the pathogenesis of ALS.
Do Firms Adjust Their Timely Loss Recognition in Response to Changes in the Banking Industry?
Authors: GORMLEY TODD A. , KIM BONG HWAN , MARTIN XIUMIN
Published: September 2011

This paper investigates the impact of changes in the banking sector on firms’ timely recognition of economic losses. In particular, we focus on the entry of foreign banks into India during the 1990s, which likely causes an exogenous increase in lender demand for timely loss recognition. Analyzing variation in both the timing and the location of the new foreign banks’ entries, we find that foreign bank entry is associated with more timely loss recognition and this increase is positively related to a firm's subsequent debt levels. The change appears driven by a shift in firms’ incentives to supply additional information to lenders and lenders seem to value this information. The increase in timely loss recognition is also concentrated among firms more dependent on external financing: private firms, smaller firms, and nongroup firms. Overall, our evidence suggests that a firm's accounting choices respond to changes in the banking industry.
An evaluation of the global potential of bioenergy production on degraded lands
Authors: Nijsen Michiel , Smeets Edward , Stehfest Elke , van Vuuren Detlef P.
Published: September 2011

In this article the global potential of energy crop production on degraded lands was estimated using detailed, spatially explicit data about the area, type and extent of degradation derived from the Global Assessment of Land Degradation Dataset, and by combining this dataset with various spatially explicit data sets. Next, an estimate was made of the possible yield of perennial energy crops on the degraded areas as a function of the type and degree of degradation. Lightly degraded areas were not included, as these areas might be suitable for conventional food production. The total global potential energy production on degraded lands was assessed to be slightly above 150 and 190 EJ yr−1, for grassy and woody energy crops, respectively. Most of this potential, however, is on areas currently classified as forest, cropland or pastoral land, leaving a potential of around 25 and 32 EJ yr−1 on other land cover categories. Most of the potential energy crop production on degraded land is located in developing regions. China has a total potential of 30 EJ yr−1, of which 4 EJ yr−1 from areas classified as other land. Also USA, Brazil, West Africa, East Africa, Russia and India have substantial potentials of 12–18 EJ yr−1, with up to 30% of the potential from areas classified as other land.
Numerical and Experimental Research on Warm Tension-Rotation Bending of Extruded AZ31 Profile
Authors: Zhang Shi-hong , Xiao Han , Liu Jin-song , Cheng Ming
Published: September 2011

Magnesium alloy profiles have attracted more and more attention in automobile and aerospace industries. The rotary draw bending process is suitable to form profiles. A bending test machine is developed to conduct AZ31 profile bending experiment. A 3D elastic-plastic thermo-mechanical coupled finite element model is established and validated by experiment. The effects of process parameters on the geometric dimension of the profile were analyzed by using experimental and numerical methods. The results indicate that the pretension amount is the main parameter which influences the geometric dimension of the bent profile, then the forming temperature, following the bending angle. The dimensional variation of the middle-rib is relatively little, and the dimensional variations of the inside and the outside of the bent profile are large.
Tube Press Hardening for Lightweight Design
Authors: Neugebauer Reimund , Schieck Frank , Werner Markus
Published: September 2011

Press hardening is an innovative technology being applied to meet the growing demands for both lightweight and crash performance qualities. To further increase the lightweight potential, closed profiles are being used. As a result, a method has been developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU which allows the integration of press hardening of tubes and closed profiles into the media-based forming process. Using this press hardening technology, the original material strength of 500 MPa can be increased to between 1200 and 1900 MPa, depending on the chosen material. The engineering of tube press hardening is more complex than other forming processes, specifically the time dependence in combination with heat management makes it difficult. Therefore the use of FEA is indispensible when dealing with aspects such as heat treatment, the forming process itself, the cooling caused by the gaseous forming media and the general heat management of the tooling. To control and improve the process and therefore the part quality and process reliability, all these factors and their dependencies have to be taken into account. In addition to 22MnB5, other manganese-boron alloyed steels and different heating strategies have been tested. Based on these experiments the process capability was successfully proven and technological limits were obtained. Current investigations are focused on realizing tailored properties thus creating areas with varied strength and ductility in a single part.
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of a Hybrid Composite Wind Turbine Blade
Authors: Lee Jin Woo , Gangadharan Sathya N. , Mirmirani Maj , Raffa Amanda
Published: September 2011

A multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) process of a large scale hybrid composite wind turbine blade is developed. Multiple objectives are considered in this design optimization: maximize length of blade, minimize weight and manufacturing cost. A wind turbine blade is divided into regions and the layup sequences for each region are considered as design variables. Applied load due to extreme wind condition for rotor rotation and rotor stop condition are considered for finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate the structural strength. The structural stiffness is designed and illustrated so that the natural frequency of the blade does not coincidence with the excitation frequency of the wind turbine. A process of obtaining an optimum hybrid composite laminate layup and an optimum length of wind turbine blade is developed in this research.
Comparative Assessment of the Laser Induced Plasma Micro-Machining (LIP-MM) and the Micro-EDM Processes
Authors: Pallav Kumar , Han Peidong , Ramkumar J. , Nagahanumaiah  , Ehmann Kornel F.
Published: September 2011

The paper introduces the LIP-MM process and compares its micro-machining capabilities with micro-EDM in the machining of micro-channels. While, micro-EDM is a well-established micro-manufacturing process and has been at the center of research for the last 15 years, the LIP-MM is a newly developed micro-machining process. Although both processes utilize plasma to perform micro-machining, differences in their plasma generation mechanism and hence differences in their plasma characteristics lead to differences in their micro-machining capabilities. For comparative assessment of their micro-machining capabilities, micro-channels were machined by the two processes at similar pulse energy levels, while other process parameters were maintained at their optimal values, depending on the respective experimental setups used. The comparative assessment was based on the geometric characteristics of the micro-channels, material removal rate (MRR), productivity in the machining of micro-channels, effect of tool wear, and the range of machinable materials for the two processes.
COMBUSTION INSTABILITY ANALYSIS OF A MODEL GAS TURBINE COMBUSTOR WITH CLOSED ACOUSTIC BOUNDARIES AT BOTH ENDS
Authors: CHA DONG-JIN
Published: September 2011

Combustion instability is a major issue in designing gas turbine combustors for an efficient operation with low emissions. Combustion instability is induced by the interaction of the unsteady heat release of the combustion process and changes in the acoustic pressure in the combustion chamber. In an effort to develop a technique to predict self-excited combustion instability of gas turbine combustors, a new stability analysis method based on the transfer matrix method was developed. The method views the combustion system as a one-dimensional acoustic system with a side branch and describes the heat source as the input to the system. This approach makes it possible to use not only the advantages of the transfer matrix method but also well established classic control theories. The approach is applied to a gas turbine combustion system, which shows the validity and effectiveness of the approach.
Transversal Stiffness and Beta‐Actin and Alpha‐Actinin‐4 Content of the M. Soleus Fibers in the Conditions of a 3‐Day Reloading after 14‐Day Gravitational Unloading
Authors: Ogneva I. V.
Published: September 2011

The aim of the work was to analyze the structural changes in different parts of the sarcolemma and contractile apparatus of muscle fibers by measuring their transversal stiffness by atomic force microscopy in a three‐day reloading after a 14‐day gravity disuse, which was carried out by hind‐limbs suspension. The object of the study was the soleus muscle of the Wistar rat. It was shown that after 14 days of disuse, there was a reduction of transversal stiffness of all points of the sarcolemma and contractile apparatus. Readaptation for 3 days leads to complete recovery of the values of the transversal stiffness of the sarcolemma and to partial value recovery of the contractile apparatus. The changes in transversal stiffness of sarcolemma correlate with beta‐actin and alpha‐actinin‐4 in membrane protein fractions.
Biological Behavior of Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid Including Squamous Cell Carcinoma Components and Prognosis of Patients Who Underwent Locally Curative Surgery
Authors: Ito Yasuhiro , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Higashiyama Takuya , Kihara Minoru , Tomoda Chisato , Takamura Yuuki , Kobayashi Kaoru , Miya Akihiro , Miyauchi Akira
Published: September 2011

Thyroid carcinoma showing squamous differentiation throughout the entire lesion is diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (SCCT) in the WHO classification. This entity is a rare disease and shows a dire prognosis; however, squamous differentiation is more frequently detected in only a portion of papillary thyroid carcinoma. In this paper, we present our experience of 10 patients (8 primary lesions and 2 with recurrence in the lymph nodes) with papillary thyroid carcinoma having an SCC component (PTC-SCC). Only 3 of 8 primary lesions (38%) and none of the 2 recurrent nodes were preoperatively diagnosed as or suspected of having SCC components. All 10 patients underwent locally curative surgery. To date, 3 patients have died of carcinoma, and 2 had distant metastasis at diagnosis or had an undifferentiated carcinoma component. The other 7 are currently alive 5 to 43 months after diagnosis. Systemic adjuvant therapy after the detection of recurrence was effective for 2 patients. It is possible that some PTC-SCC patients without distant metastasis who undergo locally curative surgery can survive for a prolonged period and adjuvant therapies can be effective for local and distant recurrences.
Traffic Dynamics on Complex Networks: A Survey
Authors: Chen Shengyong , Huang Wei , Cattani Carlo , Altieri Giuseppe
Published: September 2011

Traffic dynamics on complex networks are intriguing in recent years due to their practical implications in real communication networks. In this survey, we give a brief review of studies on traffic routing dynamics on complex networks. Strategies for improving transport efficiency, including designing efficient routing strategies and making appropriate adjustments to the underlying network structure, are introduced in this survey. Finally, a few open problems are discussed in this survey.
Safety of Early Carotid Artery Stenting after Systemic Thrombolysis: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Sallustio Fabrizio , Koch Giacomo , Rocco Alessandro , Rossi Costanza , Pampana Enrico , Gandini Roberto , Meschini Alessandro , Diomedi Marina , Stanzione Paolo , Di Legge Silvia
Published: September 2011

Background. Patients with acute ischemic stroke due to internal carotid artery (ICA) disease are at high risk of early stroke recurrence. A combination of IV thrombolysis and early carotid artery stenting (CAS) may result in more effective secondary stroke prevention.Objective. We tested safety and durability of early CAS following IV thrombolysis in stroke patients with residual stenosis in the symptomatic ICA.Methods. Of consecutive patients treated with IV rtPA, those with residual ICA stenosis ≥70% or <70% with an ulcerated plaque underwent early CAS (>24 hours). The protocol included pre-rtPA MRI and MR angiography, and post-rtPA carotid ultrasound and CT angiography. Stroke severity was assessed by the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Three- and twelve-month stent patency was assessed by ultrasound. Twelve-month functional outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).Results. Of 145 consecutive IV rtPA-treated patients, 6 (4%) underwent early CAS. Median age was 76 (range 67–78) years, median NIHSS at stroke onset was 12 (range 9–16) and 7 (range 7-8) before CAS. Median onset-to-CAS time was 48 (range 30–94) hours. A single self-expandable stent was implanted to cover the entire lesion in all patients. The procedure was uneventful in all patients. After 12 months, all patients had stent patency, and the functional outcome was favourable (mRS ≤ 2) in all but 1 patient experiencing a recurrent stroke for new-onset atrial fibrillation.Conclusion. This small case series of a single centre suggests that early CAS may be considered a safe alternative to CEA after IV rtPA administration in selected patients at high risk of stroke recurrence.
Cost-Effectiveness of Community-Based Strategies for Blood Pressure Control in a Low-Income Developing Country
Authors: Jafar Tazeen H. , Islam Muhammad , Bux Rasool , Poulter Neil , Hatcher Juanita , Chaturvedi Nish , Ebrahim Shah , Cosgrove Peter
Published: September 2011

Background—

Evidence on economically efficient strategies to lower blood pressure (BP) from low- and middle-income countries remains scarce. The Control of Blood Pressure and Risk Attenuation (COBRA) trial randomized 1341 hypertensive subjects in 12 randomly selected communities in Karachi, Pakistan, to 3 intervention programs: (1) combined home health education (HHE) plus trained general practitioner (GP); (2) HHE only; and (3) trained GP only. The comparator was no intervention (or usual care). The reduction in BP was most pronounced in the combined group. The present study examined the cost-effectiveness of these strategies.

Methods and Results—

Total costs were assessed at baseline and 2 years to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios based on (1) intervention cost; (2) cost of physician consultation, medications, diagnostics, changes in lifestyle, and productivity loss; and (3) change in systolic BP. Precision of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio estimates was assessed by 1000 bootstrapping replications. Bayesian probabilistic sensitivity analysis was also performed. The annual costs per participant associated with the combined HHE plus trained GP, HHE alone, and trained GP alone were $3.99, $3.34, and $0.65, respectively. HHE plus trained GP was the most cost-effective intervention, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $23 (95 confidence interval, 6–99) per mm Hg reduction in systolic BP compared with usual care, and remained so in 97.7 of 1000 bootstrapped replications.

Conclusions—

The combined intervention of HHE plus trained GP is potentially affordable and more cost-effective for BP control than usual care or either strategy alone in some communities in Pakistan, and possibly other countries in Indochina with similar healthcare infrastructure.

Clinical Trial Registration—

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00327574.
Using the WRF Model in an Operational Streamflow Forecast System for the Jordan River
Authors: Givati Amir , Lynn Barry , Liu Yubao , Rimmer Alon
Published: September 2011

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was employed to provide precipitation forecasts during the 2008/09 and 2009/10 winters (wet season) for Israel and the surrounding region where complex terrain dominates. The WRF precipitation prediction has been coupled with the Hydrological Model for Karst Environment (HYMKE) to forecast the upper Jordan River streamflow. The daily WRF precipitation forecasts were verified against the measurements from a dense network of rain gauges in northern and central Israel, and the simulation results using the high-resolution WRF indicated good agreement with the actual measurements. The daily precipitation amount calculated by WRF at rain gauges located in the upper parts of the Jordan River basin showed good agreement with the actual measurements. Numerical experiments were carried out to test the impact of the WRF model resolution and WRF microphysical schemes, to determine an optimal model configuration for this application. Because of orographic forcing in the region, it is necessary to run WRF with a 4–1.3-km grid increment and with sophisticated microphysical schemes that consider liquid water, ice, snow, and graupel to produce quality precipitation predictions. The hydrological modeling system that ingests the high-resolution WRF forecast precipitation produced good results and improved upon the operational streamflow forecast method for the Jordan River that is now in use. The modeling tools presented in this study are used to support the water-resource-assessment process and studies of seasonal hydroclimatic forecasting in this region.
Effects of Urban Surfaces and White Roofs on Global and Regional Climate
Authors: Jacobson Mark Z. , Ten Hoeve John E.
Published: September 2011

Land use, vegetation, albedo, and soil-type data are combined in a global model that accounts for roofs and roads at near their actual resolution to quantify the effects of urban surface and white roofs on climate. In 2005, ~0.128% of the earthrsquo;s surface contained urban land cover, half of which was vegetated. Urban land cover was modeled over 20 years to increase gross global warming (warming before cooling due to aerosols and albedo change are accounted for) by 0.06–0.11 K and population-weighted warming by 0.16–0.31 K, based on two simulations under different conditions. As such, the urban heat island (UHI) effect may contribute to 2%–4% of gross global warming, although the uncertainty range is likely larger than the model range presented, and more verification is needed. This may be the first estimate of the UHI effect derived from a global model while considering both UHI local heating and large-scale feedbacks. Previous data estimates of the global UHI, which considered the effect of urban areas but did not treat feedbacks or isolate temperature change due to urban surfaces from other causes of urban temperature change, imply a smaller UHI effect but of similar order. White roofs change surface albedo and affect energy demand. A worldwide conversion to white roofs, accounting for their albedo effect only, was calculated to cool population-weighted temperatures by ~0.02 K but to warm the earth overall by ~0.07 K. White roof local cooling may also affect energy use, thus emissions, a factor not accounted for here. As such, conclusions here regarding white roofs apply only to the assumptions made.
Evaluating measurement and process capabilities using tabular algorithm procedure with three quality measures
Authors: Al-Refaie Abbas
Published: September 2011

In a normal quality improvement activity, the measurement system analysis (MSA) is assessed prior to process capability analysis (PCA). The tabular algorithm is widely applied for MSA. This research extends the use of the tabular algorithm for concurrent MSA and PCA. In practice, several indices are used to judge the capability of the measurement system, including precision-to-tolerance ( PTR), percentage repeatability, and repeatability and reproducibly (% R& R), number of distinct categories ( NDC), whereas the most common index for assessing the capability of manufacturing process is the potential process capability index, C p. In order to assess the capabilities of a measurement system and manufacturing concurrently, these indices are combined into two proposed capabilities assessment procedures. The first procedure adopts the PTR, % R& R and C p, while the second procedure employs the PTR, NDC and C p. Three previously conducted case studies are utilized for illustration. The results showed that the tabular algorithm with either capabilities assessment procedure effectively judged the capabilities of the measurement system and manufacturing process, which may save considerable engineering efforts. In conclusion, the tabular algorithm combined with the proposed assessment procedures can provide valuable guidelines that can be easily understood and applied by practitioners in a wide range of industrial applications.
Modelling of biogas extraction at an Italian landfill accepting mechanically and biologically treated municipal solid waste
Authors: Calabrò Paolo S. , Orsi Sirio , Gentili Emiliano , Carlo Meoni
Published: September 2011

This paper presents the results of the modelling of the biogas extraction in a full-scale Italian landfill by the USEPA LandGEM model and the Andreottola–Cossu approach. The landfill chosen for this research (‘Il Fossetto’ plant, Monsummano Terme, Italy) had accepted mixed municipal raw waste for about 15 years. In the year 2003 a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) was implemented and starting from the end of the year 2006, the recirculation in the landfill of the concentrated leachate coming from the internal membrane leachate treatment plant was put into practice. The USEPA LandGEM model and the Andreottola–Cossu approach were chosen since they require only input data routinely acquired during landfill management (waste amount and composition) and allow a simplified calibration, therefore they are potentially useful for practical purposes such as landfill gas management. The results given by the models are compared with measured data and analysed in order to verify the impact of MBT on biogas production; moreover, the possible effects of the recirculation of the concentrated leachate are discussed. The results clearly show how both models can adequately fit measured data even after MBT implementation. Model performance was significantly reduced for the period after the beginning of recirculation of concentrated leachate when the probable inhibition of methane production, due to the competition between methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria, significantly influenced the biogas production and composition.
Two-step based sampling method for maximizing the capacity of V-belt driving in polymorphic uncertain environment
Authors: Wan Z , Zhang S J , Teo K L
Published: September 2011

In this article, a two-step based sampling method is developed to solve the problem of maximizing the power transmission capacity in a system of V-belt driving with polymorphic uncertainties. The problem is first formulated as an optimization model, where there are a non-linear objective function and some linear or non-linear constraints associated with some parameters which are of uncertain nature. These uncertain parameters are interval parameters, random interval parameters, fuzzy parameters, or fuzzy interval parameters. To find a robust solution of the problem, the model of polymorphic uncertainty is converted into a non-linear interval programming problem; then, for a given satisfaction level, an interval solution for the original model is found by the developed two-step based sampling method. The proposed method is applied into a real-world design problem of V-belt driving, and numerical results indicate that both the model and the developed algorithm are useful to solve the maximization problem of the capacity in the system of V-belt driving.
Advanced concepts for multi-objective evolutionary optimization in aircraft industry
Authors: Naujoks B , Trautmann H , Wessing S , Weihs C
Published: September 2011

Evolutionary (multi-objective optimization) algorithms (EMOAs) are widely accepted to be competitive optimization methods in industry today. However, normally only standard techniques are employed by the engineering experts. Here, it is shown how these standard techniques can be completed and improved with respect to interactivity to other tools, runtime, and parameterization. The coupling with metamodels serves as an example for the interactivity to other tools, while the online convergence detection relates to runtime, i.e. stopping criteria. Finally, sequential parameter optimization improves results focussing on parameter tuning. We show that invoking all these methods on their own already enhances EMOAs for aerodynamic applications. It is concluded with an outlook on how these methods might come together to foster aerospace applications and, at a time, widen the application area to multi-disciplinary optimization tasks.
Enoxaparin once daily vs. twice daily dosing for the treatment of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients: A literature summary
Authors: Diaz Amber H , Rodgers George M , Gilreath Jeffrey A
Published: September 2011

Current anticoagulation guidelines for cancer patients are largely based upon studies done in the general population. Anticoagulation studies in cancer patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) have compared varying doses of different low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) to warfarin or unfractionated heparin (UFH) regimens, and most guidelines recommend LMWH as the preferred agent over vitamin K antagonists. However, very few studies compare different dosing regimens of the LMWH itself. As a result, practitioners attempt to extrapolate results from studies done in the general medicine population and apply them to cancer patients with VTE. Considering the differences in risk factors and hypercoagulability between these populations, such generalizations may compromise outcomes or safety for cancer patients. Currently, no study to date has compared the safety and efficacy of enoxaparin 1.5 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) once daily vs. 1 mg/kg SC twice daily in a prospective, randomized fashion, for the longterm treatment of VTE in patients with cancer. The purpose of this article is to review currently available literature utilizing these dosing schemes in order to risk-stratify cancer patients who may better qualify for one dosing regimen as compared to the other. Our analysis suggests that enoxaparin dosed at 1.5 mg/kg SC once daily may be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of VTE in cancer patients with both a low risk of recurrent VTE and bleeding. In the absence of additional studies, the dosing of enoxaparin for cancer patients should be based on patient-specific risk factors.
Refined theory for linearly elastic plates: Laminae and laminates
Authors: Steigmann David J
Published: September 2011

It is well known that bending and stretching modes of deformation in linearly-elastic plates decouple at leading order in thickness provided that the mid-plane is a plane of reflection symmetry of the three-dimensional material properties. This situation being the exception rather than the norm, it is important to have a model that accommodates coupling in a manner consistent with the three-dimensional nature of the problem while retaining the analytical tractability of conventional engineering plate theory. Here, this is achieved through an expansion of the potential energy of the plate in powers of its thickness to derive an optimal approximate two-dimensional model for equilibria. The variables are the displacement field of a surface parallel to the lateral surfaces of the plate and associated director fields that emerge naturally in the expansion procedure. To achieve a model that is as accurate as possible, the directors are constrained in accordance with necessary conditions arising in the exact three-dimensional theory. These are incorporated at the level of the energy functional, yielding a model accurate to third order in the small thickness.
Framing Rural Fashion: Observations from Badminton Horse Trials
Authors: Goodrum Alison L. , Hunt Kevin J.
Published: September 2011

This visual essay offers a perspective designed to extend and complicate the dialogue surrounding rural fashion through a consideration of just one of the spaces it (recognizably) inhabits. As a case study, the spectacle of Badminton Horse Trials provides a multitude of associations: an internationally renowned sporting event, geographically and culturally located within the English countryside; an affiliated and substantial ‘pop-up’ shopping village, which makes the Trials a retail and fashion event as much as an equestrian event; a landscape setting that supports a temporarily constructed space, embracing aspects of both the rural and the urban(e); and a frame/stage for a series of socially codified interactions informed by dress and communicated through visible appearance and self-presentation. The combination of word and image presented here invites interrogation of the field of fashion and the overlapping contingencies of visual/verbal communication, with a view towards opening up a discourse within fashion to a wider theoretical and practice-led visual community.
Fluctuating hyperglycaemia increases oxidative stress response in lean rats compared to sustained hyperglycaemia despite lower glycaemic exposure
Authors: Rakipovski Günaj , Raun Kirsten , Lykkesfeldt Jens
Published: September 2011

Objective: To compare the effect of fluctuating glucose with sustained hyperglycaemia on systemic oxidative stress during 72 h of glucose infusion.

Methods: Catheterised male Sprague–Dawley rats were given either a continuous high (CHG), low (CLG) or pulsatile (FLU) infusion of glucose or saline (VEH) for 72 h. Plasma ascorbate oxidation ratio (AOR) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were used as biomarkers of oxidative stress and damage.

Results: The FLU group showed significant increases in both plasma AOR and MDA at 48 and 72 h ( p < 0.05 all cases), whereas the CHG group, despite being infused with three times the amount of glucose, only showed increased MDA levels at 72 h time point ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our data suggests that fluctuating glucose levels lead to oxidative stress similar to that of sustained hyperglycaemia despite a much lower total glycaemic exposure. Thus, our data supports the notion that fluctuating glucose may be relatively more deleterious than sustained hyperglycaemia.
Preculture of PBMCs at high cell density increases sensitivity of T-cell responses, revealing cytokine release by CD28 superagonist TGN1412
Authors: Römer Paula S. , Berr Susanne , Avota Elita , Na Shin-Young , Battaglia Manuela , ten Berge Ineke , Einsele Hermann , Hünig Thomas
Published: September 2011

Human volunteers receiving TGN1412, a humanized CD28-specific monoclonal antibody, experienced a life-threatening cytokine release syndrome during a recent trial. Preclinical tests using human PBMCs had failed to announce the rapid release of TNF, IFN-γ, and other toxic cytokines in response to this CD28 “superagonist” (CD28SA). CD28SA activate T-lymphocytes by ligating CD28 without overt engagement of the TCR. They do, however, depend on “tonic” TCR signals, which they amplify. Here we show that short-term preculture of PBMCs at high, but not at low, cell density results in massive cytokine release during subsequent stimulation with soluble TGN1412. Restoration of reactivity was cell-contact dependent, involved functional maturation of both monocytes and T cells, was sensitive to blockade by HLA-specific mAb, and was associated with TCR polarization and tyrosine phosphorylation. CD4 effector memory T cells were identified as the main source of proinflammatory cytokines. Importantly, responses to other T-cell activating agents, including microbial antigens, were also enhanced if PBMCs were first allowed to interact under tissue-like conditions. We provide a protocol, which strongly improves reactivity of circulating T cells to soluble stimulants, thereby allowing for more reliable preclinical testing of both activating and inhibitory immunomodulatory drugs.
Dysgerminoma in a case of 46, XY pure gonadal dysgenesis (swyer syndrome): a case report
Authors: Han Yang , Wang Yan , Li Qingchang , Dai Shundong , He Anguang , Wang Enhua
Published: September 2011

Simple 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis syndrome, also called Swyer syndrome, is known as pure gonadal dysgenesis. Individuals with the syndrome are characterized by 46, XY karyotype and phenotypically female with female genital appearance, normal Müllerian structures and absent testicular tissue. The condition usually first becomes apparent in adolescence with delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea due to the gonads have no hormonal or reproductive potential. Herein, we report a case of dysgerminoma diagnosed in a dysgenetic gonad of a 21-year-old patient with Swyer syndrome.
Amyand's hernia-a vermiform appendix presenting in an inguinal hernia: a case series
Authors: Psarras Kyriakos , Lalountas Miltiadis , Baltatzis Minas , Pavlidis Efstathios , Tsitlakidis Anastasios , Symeonidis Nikolaos , Ballas Konstantinos , Pavlidis Theodoros , Sakantamis Athanassios
Published: September 2011

Introduction

A vermiform appendix in an inguinal hernia, inflamed or not, is known as Amyand's hernia. Here we present a case series of four men with Amyand's hernia.

Case presentations

We retrospectively studied 963 Caucasian patients with inguinal hernia who were admitted to our surgical department over a 12-year period. Four patients presented with Amyand's hernia (0.4%). A 32-year-old Caucasian man had an inflamed vermiform appendix in his hernial sac (acute appendicitis), presenting as an incarcerated right groin hernia, and underwent simultaneous appendectomy and Bassini suture hernia repair. Two patients, Caucasian men aged 36 and 43 years old, had normal appendices in their sacs, which clinically appeared as non-incarcerated right groin hernias. Both underwent a plug-mesh hernia repair without appendectomy. The fourth patient, a 25-year-old Caucasian man with a large but not inflamed appendix in his sac, had a plug-mesh hernia repair with appendectomy.

Conclusion

A hernia surgeon may encounter unexpected intraoperative findings, such as Amyand's hernia. It is important to be prepared and apply the appropriate treatment.
The effect of murine cytomegalovirus IE-3 specific shRNA is dependent on intragenic target site due to multiple transcription initiation sites
Authors: Marshall Brendan , Zhang Ming , Atherton Sally S
Published: September 2011

Background

Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is closely related to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) which is responsible for a variety of diseases, including retinitis, in immunocompromised individuals. Small inhibitory RNA molecules directed against essential viral regulatory genes may prove clinically useful.

Methods

Small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) directed against the essential MCMV immediate early-3 gene (IE-3) were designed and tested in vitro at m.o.i.'s of 2 and 0.2 to determine if virus replication could be inhibited.

Results

At m.o.i. = 2, a MCMV IE-3 specific shRNA specific for sequences at the beginning of exon 5 inhibited virus replication with a maximum decrease in virus titer of approximately two logs at day 5 p.i. Surprisingly, however, at m.o.i. = 0.2, the same shRNA enhanced virus replication. In the latter case, the main IE-3 product observed in infected cells was not the expected 88 kd full length IE-3 protein observed at high m.o.i. but rather a truncated 45 kd form of this protein. Rapid analysis of 5' cDNA ends (5' RACE) indicated that substantial differences exist in the transcript profile produced by the IE-3 gene at low and high m.o.i. early after infection and that multiple transcripts are produced under both conditions. One such transcript, which originated in exon 5 of the IE-3 gene, was located outside the region targeted by our shRNA and was the major transcript produced at low m.o.i. Targeting of this exon 5 transcript with a second shRNA resulted in inhibition of virus replication at both low and high m.o.i.

Conclusions

These studies indicate that IE-3 has a complex transcriptional profile and that shRNA targeting of this and other viral regulatory genes which produce multiple transcripts may have unexpected effects on virus replication.