bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Satellite Cells and the Muscle Stem Cell Niche
Authors: Yin Hang , Price Feodor , Rudnicki Michael A.
Published: January 2013

Adult skeletal muscle in mammals is a stable tissue under normal circumstances but has remarkable ability to repair after injury. Skeletal muscle regeneration is a highly orchestrated process involving the activation of various cellular and molecular responses. As skeletal muscle stem cells, satellite cells play an indispensible role in this process. The self-renewing proliferation of satellite cells not only maintains the stem cell population but also provides numerous myogenic cells, which proliferate, differentiate, fuse, and lead to new myofiber formation and reconstitution of a functional contractile apparatus. The complex behavior of satellite cells during skeletal muscle regeneration is tightly regulated through the dynamic interplay between intrinsic factors within satellite cells and extrinsic factors constituting the muscle stem cell niche/microenvironment. For the last half century, the advance of molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics has greatly improved our understanding of skeletal muscle biology. Here, we review some recent advances, with focuses on functions of satellite cells and their niche during the process of skeletal muscle regeneration.
Marine Nematodes from the Shallow Subtidal Coast of the Adriatic Sea: Species List and Distribution
Authors: Semprucci F.
Published: January 2013

This study is the first attempt aiming to assess the composition and number of free-living marine nematode species on the coasts of the Marches region, Italy. A high number of putative species of nematodes were recognized (84), these belonging to 52 genera in 22 families. Fifty-one taxa have been identified to the species level increasing the number of known nematode species for the Adriatic Sea from 283 to 310 and for the Mediterranean Sea from 700 to 723. The highest diversity and abundance were registered for the nematode families typically of intertidal zones characterized as medium-fine sands. The majority of the species found in the present study are known to occur in the North European coasts or the North Atlantic Sea, the best known regions for nematode distribution. Inferences on the biogeography of marine nematodes are preliminary since most Biodiversity literature concerning the Mediterranean of the basin is very out of date. Considering the great importance of nematodes in the assessment of ecosystem health conditions, an intensification of sampling efforts should be pursued in other regions in order to improve our current knowledge of the distribution pattern of marine nematode species as well as clarify their biogeographical patterns.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis in Pancreatic Cancer: A Prospective Pilot Study of Safety Using 10 mL versus 20 mL Alcohol
Authors: LeBlanc Julia K. , Rawl Susan , Juan Michelle , Johnson Cynthia , Kroenke Kurt , McHenry Lee , Sherman Stuart , McGreevy Kathy , Al-Haddad Mohammad , DeWitt John
Published: January 2013

Background. The dose of alcohol used in EUS-CPN is not standardized. The objective was to compare the safety of 20 mL alcohol versus 10 mL alcohol during EUS-CPN for patients with pancreatic cancer-related pain. Methods. 20 patients were selected to receive 10 mL or 20 mL of alcohol during EUS-CPN. Followup was done at baseline, 24 hours, and weekly. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed at baseline, week 2, week 4, and every 4 weeks thereafter until pain returned. Results. There were no major complications in both groups. Minor self-limited adverse effects were seen in 6 (30%) subjects and included lightheadedness in 1 (5%), transient diarrhea in 2 (10%), and transient nausea and vomiting in 3. Pain relief was similar in both groups: 80% in the 10 mL group and 100% in the 20 mL group (). The mean (± SD) duration of pain relief in the 10 mL and 20 mL groups was and weeks, respectively. 30% of patients in each group had complete pain relief. Conclusions. EUS-CPN using 20 mL of alcohol is safe. Similar clinical outcomes were seen in both groups. Further investigations to confirm these findings are warranted.
Helminths: Immunoregulation and Inflammatory Diseases—Which Side AreTrichinellaspp. andToxocaraspp. on?
Authors: Aranzamendi Carmen , Sofronic-Milosavljevic Ljiljana , Pinelli Elena
Published: January 2013

Macropathogens, such as multicellular helminths, are considered masters of immunoregulation due to their ability to escape host defense and establish chronic infections. Molecular crosstalk between the host and the parasite starts immediately after their encounter, which influences the course and development of both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. Helminths can modulate dendritic cells (DCs) function and induce immunosuppression which is mediated by a regulatory network that includes regulatory T (Treg) cells, regulatory B (Breg) cells, and alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs). In this way, helminths suppress and control both parasite-specific and unrelated immunopathology in the host such as Th1-mediated autoimmune and Th2-mediated allergic diseases. However, certain helminths favour the development or exacerbation of allergic responses. In this paper, the cell types that play an essential role in helminth-induced immunoregulation, the consequences for inflammatory diseases, and the contrasting effects ofToxocaraandTrichinellainfection on allergic manifestations are discussed.
Does Propolis Help to Maintain Oral Health?
Authors: Więckiewicz Włodzimierz , Miernik Marta , Więckiewicz Mieszko , Morawiec Tadeusz
Published: January 2013

Propolis, known also as bee glue, is a wax-cum-resin substance which is created out of a mix of buds from some trees with the substance secreted from bee's glands. Its diverse chemical content is responsible for its many precious salubrious properties. It was used in medicine already in ancient Egypt. Its multiple applications during the centuries have been studied and described in details. The purpose of this study is to present the possible use of propolis in treatment of various diseases of oral cavity in their dental aspect. The paper presents properties and possible applications of bee glue depending on dental specialities. An overview of publications which appeared during the recent years will allow the reader to follow all the possibilities to apply propolis in contemporary dentistry.
Late Prosthetic Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty after Failed Management of Complex Proximal Humeral Fractures
Authors: Panagopoulos A. , Tsoumpos P. , Evangelou K. , Georgiou Christos , Triantafillopoulos I.
Published: January 2013

Background. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with shoulder hemiarthroplasty in the context of old trauma.Methods. 33 patients with failed treatment for a complex proximal humeral fracture underwent prosthetic hemiarthroplasty. There were 15 men and 18 women with a mean age of 58.1 years. The average period from initial treatment was 14.9 months. Sequelae included 11 malunions, 4 nonunions, 15 cases with avascular necrosis (AVN) and 3 neglected posterior locked dislocations. Follow up investigation included radiological assessment and clinical evaluation using the Constant score and a visual analogue pain scale.Results. After a mean follow up of 82.5 months the median Constant score was 75.7 points, improved by 60% in comparison to preoperative values. Greater tuberosity displacement, large cuff tears and severe malunion were the factors most affected outcome. No cases of stem loosening or severe migration were noted. 60% of the patients were able to do activities up to shoulder level compared with 24% before reconstruction.Conclusions. Late shoulder hemiarthroplasty is technically difficult and the results are inferior to those reported for acute humeral head replacement, nonetheless remains a satisfactory reconstructive option when primary treatment fails.
Renal Abscess in a Patient Presenting with Persistent Hiccups
Authors: Flanagan Mark , Jennings Katie , Krywko Diann
Published: January 2013

Hiccups are common, typically limited, and rarely present with adverse complications. In the context of persistent or intractable episodes, however, hiccups may signal a more serious underlying cause. Here, we present an unexpected and pathologic case of hiccups in a patient who was ultimately diagnosed with renal abscesses.
On Minimal Fuzzy Ideals of Semigroups
Authors: Khan Madad , Feng Feng , Khan M. Nouman Aslam
Published: January 2013

The present paper contains the sufficient condition of a fuzzy semigroup to be a fuzzy group using fuzzy points. The existence of a fuzzy kernel in semigroup is explored. It has been shown that every fuzzy ideal of a semigroup contains every minimal fuzzy left and every minimal fuzzy right ideal of semigroup. The fuzzy kernel is the class sum of minimal fuzzy left (right) ideals of a semigroup. Every fuzzy left ideal of a fuzzy kernel is also a fuzzy left ideal of a semigroup. It has been shown that the product of minimal fuzzy left ideal and minimal fuzzy right ideal of a semigroup forms a group. The representation of minimal fuzzy left (right) ideals and also the representation of intersection of minimal fuzzy left ideal and minimal fuzzy right ideal are shown. The fuzzy kernel of a semigroup is basically the class sum of all the minimal fuzzy left (right) ideals of a semigroup. Finally the sufficient condition of fuzzy kernel to be completely simple semigroup has been proved.
Separation of Functionalized 5,6‐Disubstituted‐1,10‐Phenanthroline for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Shahroosvand Hashem , Abbasi Parisa , Notash Behrouz , Najafi Leyla
Published: January 2013

5,6‐Epoxy‐1,10‐phenanthroline is used as a convenient starting material for 5‐hydroxy‐6‐Aryl‐1,10‐phenanthroline ligands containing carboxylic and sulfonic groups useful for further anchoring of the sensitizer on TiO2 for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Based on the crystal growth of the mixture of products, a convenient separation route for the extension of the p‐system on 5,6‐disubstituted‐1,10‐phenanthroline was used to develop a novel series of functionalized 1,10‐phenanthroline ligands with electron‐withdrawing end‐capping group. Also, we report the epoxy opening of 5,6‐epoxy‐1,10‐phenanthroline by aromatic amines stoichiometrically in refluxing water and ethanol in the absence of any catalyst. The dyes were characterized by 1H‐NMR, FT‐IR, UV‐Vis, and X‐ray single crystal diffraction analyses. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C 2/c, a = 20.920(4) Å, b = 10.340(2) Å, c = 16.187(3) Å, β = 92.30(3)°, V = 3498.6(12) Å3, and Z = 8. The reaction details and features were described in detail.
The Angiotensin-Melatonin Axis
Authors: Campos Luciana A. , Cipolla-Neto Jose , Amaral Fernanda G. , Michelini Lisete C. , Bader Michael , Baltatu Ovidiu C.
Published: January 2013

Accumulating evidence indicates that various biological and neuroendocrine circadian rhythms may be disrupted in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. These circadian alterations may contribute to the progression of disease. Our studies direct to an important role of angiotensin II and melatonin in the modulation of circadian rhythms. The brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may modulate melatonin synthesis, a hormone with well-established roles in regulating circadian rhythms. Angiotensin production in the central nervous system may not only influence hypertension but also appears to affect the circadian rhythm of blood pressure. Drugs acting on RAS have been proven effective in the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders including hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM). On the other hand, since melatonin is capable of ameliorating metabolic abnormalities in DM and insulin resistance, the beneficial effects of RAS blockade could be improved through combined RAS blocker and melatonin therapy. Contemporary research is evidencing the existence of specific clock genes forming central and peripheral clocks governing circadian rhythms. Further research on the interaction between these two neurohormones and the clock genes governing circadian clocks may progress our understanding on the pathophysiology of disease with possible impact on chronotherapeutic strategies.
Gas Phase Growth of Wurtzite ZnS Nanobelts on a Large Scale
Authors: Wang Jing , Jiao Yang , Liu Yang , Zhang Zhenglin , Qu Fengyu , Wu Xiang
Published: January 2013

We showed large‐scale synthesis of ZnS nanobelts by simply thermal evaporation of ZnS powder in the presence of Au catalysts at 1020°C. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses demonstrated that the as‐obtained ZnS nanobelts possess hexagonal wurtzite structures. The nanobelts have lengths ranging from tens to hundreds of micrometers, thicknesses of tens of nanometers, and widths ranging from hundreds of nanometers to the order of micrometers. The growth process was proposed on the basis of known vapor‐liquid‐solid (VLS) mechanism. Room temperature photoluminescence measurements showed that the as‐synthesized ZnS nanostructures had a strong green emission bands at a wavelength of 427 nm, which can be attributed to deep‐level emissions induced by defects or impurities.
Outage Analysis of Train-to-Train Communication Model over Nakagami-mChannel in High-Speed Railway
Authors: Liu Pengyu , Zhou Xiaojuan , Zhong Zhangdui
Published: January 2013

This paper analyzes the end-to-end outage performance of high-speed-railway train-to-train communication model in high-speed railway over independent identical and nonidentical Nakagami-mchannels. The train-to-train communication is inter-train communication without an aid of infrastructure (for base station). Source train uses trains on other rail tracks as relays to transmit signals to destination train on the same track. The mechanism of such communication among trains can be divided into three cases based on occurrence of possible-occurrence relay trains. We first present a new closed form for the sum of squared independent Nakagami-mvariates and then derive an expression for the outage probability of the identical and non-identical Nakagami-mchannels in three cases. In particular, the problem is improved by the proposed formulation that statistic for sum of squared Nakagami-mvariates with identicalmtends to be infinite. Numerical analysis indicates that the derived analytic results are reasonable and the outage performance is better over Nakagami-mchannel in high-speed railway scenarios.
Approaching Neighborhood Democracy from a Longitudinal Perspective: An Eighteen-Year Case Study of a Homeowner Association in Beijing
Authors: Lo Kevin
Published: January 2013

Neighborhood democracy was introduced into urban China in the early 1990s as a way to manage the social conflicts associated with the housing reform. Based on a case study of Dragon Villas, Beijing, this paper explores the causes, processes, and consequences of neighborhood democracy at the microlevel from a longitudinal perspective. Three insights are particularly noteworthy. First, the decrease in rental revenue and occupancy rate and the arrival of Chinese owner-occupiers contributed to the emergence of neighborhood democracy in Dragon Villas. Second, the establishment of a homeowner association, far from ending in the conclusion of neighborhood democratization, was only a first step. Furthermore, conflicts between the developer and the homeowners, and among homeowners, played a crucial role in lengthening the process of neighborhood democratization. Third, democratic self-governance resulted in improved governance, a more diverse built form that articulates individuation through consumption, and changes that reflect the importance of privacy and exclusivity.
Development of a SoC for Digital Television Set-Top Box: Architecture and System Integration Issues
Authors: Soares André Borin , Bonatto Alexsandro Cristóvão , Susin Altamiro Amadeu
Published: January 2013

This work presents the integration of several IPs to generate a system-on-chip (SoC) for digital television set-top box compliant to the SBTVD standard. Embedded consumer electronics for multimedia applications like video processing systems require large storage capacity and high bandwidth memory. Also, those systems are built from heterogeneous processing units, designed to perform specific tasks in order to maximize the overall system efficiency. A single off-chip memory is generally shared between the processing units to reduce power and save costs. The external memory access is one bottleneck when decoding high-definition video sequences in real time. In this work, a four-level memory hierarchy was designed to manage the decoded video in macroblock granularity with low latency. The use of the memory hierarchy in the system design is challenging because it impacts the system integration process and IP reuse in a collaborative design team. Practical strategies used to solve integration problems are discussed in this text. The SoC architecture was validated and is being progressively prototyped using a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA board.
A Note on Generalized Hardy-Sobolev Inequalities
Authors: Anoop T. V.
Published: January 2013

We are concerned with finding a class of weight functions g so that the following generalized Hardy-Sobolev inequality holds: ∫Ωgu2≤C∫Ω|∇u|2,   u∈H01(Ω), for some C>0, where Ω is a bounded domain in ℝ2. By making use of Muckenhoupt condition for the one-dimensional weighted Hardy inequalities, we identify a rearrangement invariant Banach function space so that the previous integral inequality holds for all weight functions in it. For weights in a subspace of this space, we show that the best constant in the previous inequality is attained. Our method gives an alternate way of proving the Moser-Trudinger embedding and its refinement due to Hansson.
Compression of Meanders
Authors: Panayotopoulos A. , Vlamos P.
Published: January 2013

This paper refers to the algorithmic transformation of a meander to its uniquely defined compression. We obtain this directly from meandric permutations, thus creating representations of large classes of meanders of different orders. We prove basic properties, give arithmetic results, and produce generating procedures.
Arms Lift in a Case of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum
Authors: Panettiere P. , Marchetti L. , Accorsi D.
Published: January 2013

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare hereditary disorder of elastin fibers, characterized by yellowish coalescent papules in flexural surfaces with abnormally lax and corrugated skin. It can be associated to systemic manifestations mostly regarding eyes and vessels. Aesthetic surgery of cutaneous hyperlaxity was described in the international literature only in few cases, mostly as neck lift. A 40-year-old woman presented with cutaneous signs of PXE, demanding brachioplasty. Results after a nine-month followup are quite satisfying, and no signs of local recurrence or scar alterations are present.
Risky Behaviors among HIV-Positive Female Sex Workers in Northern Karnataka, India
Authors: Jadhav Apoorva , Bhattacharjee Parinita , Raghavendra T. , Blanchard James , Moses Stephen , Isac Shajy , Halli Shiva S.
Published: January 2013

Purpose. Little is known about the risky sexual behaviors of HIV-positive female sex workers (FSWs) in the developing world, which is critical for programmatic purposes. This study aims to shed light on their condom use with regular clients as well as husband/cohabiting partner, a first in India.Methods. Multivariate logistic regression analyses for consistent condom use with regular clients and husband/cohabiting partner are conducted for the sample of 606 HIV-positive FSWs.Results. Older FSWs are 90% less likely and nonmobile FSWs are 70% less likely to consistently use condoms. FSWs on ART are 3.84 times more likely to use condoms. Additionally, FSWs who changed their occupation after HIV diagnosis are 70% less likely to use condoms. FSWs who are currently cohabiting are more likely to consistently use condoms with repeat clients and are 3.22 times more likely to do so if they have felt stigma associated with being HIV-positive. FSWs who have multiple repeat clients, and who do not know the sexual behavior of these clients, are more likely to use condoms consistently.Conclusion. This study would help inform programs to target the following particularly vulnerable HIV-positive FSWs: those who are older, those who changed their occupation post-HIV diagnosis, and those who are nonmobile.
Transplant Coordinators' Perceived Impact of Availability of Multiple Generic Immunosuppression Therapies on Patients, Workload, and Posttransplant Maintenance Therapy
Authors: Parker K. , Zagadailov E. A. , Bruno A. S. , Wiland A. M.
Published: January 2013

Background. No studies have evaluated the impact of multiple generic immunosuppression medications on transplant coordinators (TCs) and patients.Methods. A cross-sectional, multicenter online survey of TCs managing transplant recipients' outpatient immunosuppression was undertaken to assess TCs' perceptions of the impact of multiple generic immunosuppression therapies on patients and workload.Results. Forty-six of 106 transplant centers contacted (43%) completed the survey, with usable information from 34 TCs (53% in centers performing >100 solid organ transplants annually, 82% registered nurses, and 68% with >5-year experience working with transplant patients). TCs indicated that “change in strength,” “switching from branded to generics,” “heavy pill burden,” and “switching from one generic to another” were the four most frequent reasons for patient confusion regarding immunosuppression. TCs reported increased patient confusion over the previous year for patients on generic immunosuppression therapy: 44% answered ≥3 patient calls/day regarding confusion over immunosuppression therapy. Most TCs indicated increased workload since the introduction of generic immunosuppression therapy. TCs perceived “acute rejection rates,” “rate of graft loss,” and “poor patient adherence” as the three most likely consequences of multiple generic immunosuppression therapy.Conclusion. TCs associated availability of multiple generic immunosuppression therapy with increased patient confusion and time spent addressing patient concerns.
Unmasking Snake Venom ofBothrops leucurus: Purification and Pharmacological and Structural Characterization of New PL Bleu TX-III
Authors: Marangoni Fábio André , Ponce-Soto Luis Alberto , Marangoni Sergio , Landucci Elen Cristina Teizem
Published: January 2013

Bleu TX-III was isolated fromBothrops leucurussnake venom on one-step analytical chromatography reverse phase HPLC, was homogeneous on SDS-PAGE, and was confirmed by Q-Tof Ultima API ESI/MS (TOF MS mode) mass spectrometry in 14243.8 Da. Multiple alignments of Bleu TX-III show high degree of homology with basic PLA2myotoxins from otherBothropsvenoms. Our studies on local and systemic myotoxicity “in vivo” reveal that Bleu TX-III is myotoxin with local but not systemic action due to the decrease in the plasmatic CK levels when Bleu TX-III is administrated by intravenous route in mice (dose 1 and 5 μg). And at a dose of 20 μg myotoxin behaves like a local and systemic action. Bleu TX-III induced moderate marked paw edema, evidencing the local increase in vascular permeability. The inflammatory events induced in the mice (I.M.) were investigated. The increase in the levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-αwas observed in the plasma. It is concluded that Bleu TX-III induces inflammatory events in this model. The enzymatic phospholipid hydrolysis may be relevant to these phenomena.Bothrops leucurusvenom is still not extensively explored, and the knowledge of its toxins separately through the study of structure/function will contribute for a better understanding of its action mechanism.
A Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model of Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients Treated with Flavopiridol
Authors: Ji Jia , Mould Diane R. , Blum Kristie A. , Ruppert Amy S. , Poi Ming , Zhao Yuan , Johnson Amy J. , Byrd John C. , Grever Michael R. , Phelps Mitch A.
Published: January 2013

Purpose: Flavopiridol, the first clinically evaluated cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, shows activity in patients with refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but prevalent and unpredictable tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) presents a major barrier to its broad clinical use. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between pretreatment risk factors, drug pharmacokinetics, and TLS.

Experimental Design: A population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model linking drug exposure and TLS was developed. Plasma data of flavopiridol and its glucuronide metabolite (flavo-G) were obtained from 111 patients treated in early-phase trials with frequent sampling following initial and/or escalated doses. TLS grading was modeled with logistic regression as a pharmacodynamic endpoint. Demographics, baseline disease status, and blood chemistry variables were evaluated as covariates.

Results: Gender was the most significant pharmacokinetic covariate, with females displaying higher flavo-G exposure than males. Glucuronide metabolite exposure was predictive of TLS occurrence, and bulky lymphadenopathy was identified as a significant covariate on TLS probability. The estimated probability of TLS occurrence in patients with baseline bulky lymphadenopathy less than 10 cm or 10 cm or more during the first 2 treatments was 0.111 (SE% 13.0%) and 0.265 (SE% 17.9%), respectively, when flavo-G area under the plasma concentration versus time curve was at its median value in whole-patient group.

Conclusions: This is the first population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model of TLS. Further work is needed to explore potential mechanisms and to determine whether the associations between TLS, gender, and glucuronide metabolites are relevant in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with other cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res; 19(5); 1269–80. ©2012 AACR.
Reliability (Inter-rater Agreement) of the Barthel Index for Assessment of Stroke Survivors
Authors: Duffy Laura , Gajree Shelley , Langhorne Peter , Stott David J. , Quinn Terence J.
Published: January 2013

Background and Purpose—

The Barthel Index (BI) is a 10-item measure of activities of daily living which is frequently used in clinical practice and as a trial outcome measure in stroke. We sought to describe the reliability (interobserver variability) of standard BI in stroke cohorts using systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies.

Methods—

Two assessors independently searched various multidisciplinary electronic databases from inception to April 2012 inclusive. Inclusion criteria comprised: original research, human stroke participants, and inter-rater reliability data on equivalent methods of BI administration. Manuscripts were reviewed against prespecified inclusion criteria. Primary outcome for meta-analysis was reliability, measured by weighted κ (κw).

Results—

From 20 210 titles, 306 abstracts were reviewed, 12 studies met inclusion criteria, and 10 were included in meta-analysis (n=543 participants; range of participants in studies, 7–21). There was substantial clinical heterogeneity with respect to method of BI application; population studied and assessors. Two papers were graded high quality. Overall interobserver reliability of standard administration of the BI was excellent (κw, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.90–0.96 random effects modeling).

Conclusions—

The BI has excellent inter-rater reliability for standard administration after stroke. However, included studies were modest in size, with clinical heterogeneity and variable methodological quality. Despite these limitations, standard BI seems an appropriate outcome measure for stroke trials and practice.
Distributing Pollution Rights in Cap-and-Trade Programs: Are Outcomes Independent of Allocation?
Authors: Fowlie Meredith , Perloff Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2013

Standard economic theory predicts that if property rights to pollute are clearly established, equilibrium outcomes in an efficient emissions permit market will be independent of how the emissions permits are initially distributed. This so-called independence property has important implications for policy design and implementation. Past studies document a strong positive correlation between the initial permit allocation and firm-level emissions, raising concerns that the independence property is failing to hold in real-world settings. We exploit the random assignment of firms to different permit allocation cycles in Southern California's RECLAIM program in order to test the independence of permit allocation and emissions. Our results lend empirical support to the independence hypothesis.
Employment Protection Legislation, Multinational Firms, and Innovation
Authors: Griffith Rachel , Macartney Gareth
Published: January 2013

The theoretical effects of labor regulations, such as employment protection legislation (EPL), on innovation is ambiguous. EPL increases job security, and the greater enforceability of job contracts may increase worker investment in innovative activity. But EPL increases firms' adjustment costs, which may lead to underinvestment in activities that are likely to require adjustment, including technologically advanced innovation. In this paper, we find empirical evidence that these effects are at work—in particular, a higher share of multinational enterprise innovative activity in countries with high EPL is technologically advanced.
Migrant Transnationality and Its Evolving Nature: A Case Study of Mainland Chinese Migrants in Australia
Authors: Gao Jia
Published: January 2013

Both transnationality and its evolving nature have been the persistent themes of many studies. However, they have often been considered separately, producing insufficient evidence to explain why migrants and their communities have acted in transnational ways and how transnationality repeatedly acts on diasporic identity. This article will use the data collected in the Chinese community in Australia to explore the correlation between the transnationality of individual migrants and the evolving nature of their diasporic identities. The discussion will outline and analyze various transnational activities that have taken place in the community since the early 1990s, focusing on their form, content and trajectory, as well as their organizational structures and meaning. The article will conclude with an explanation about why community members initiate the transnational activities, what goals they have set for their transnational lives and how transnationality and their identity are correlated.
Transnationalism as a New Mode of Immigrant Labor Market Incorporation: Preliminary Evidence from Chinese Transnational Migrants
Authors: Yang Philip
Published: January 2013

Extending the three now well-known modes of immigrant labor market incorporation formulated by sociologist Alejandro Portes in 1981, this article proposes that transnationalism can be viewed as a new mode of immigrant labor market incorporation in the age of globalization. The article conceptualizes this new mode of immigrant incorporation and illustrates it with data from unstructured interviews of Chinese transnational migrants in the US and in China. It is found that the transnational mode of incorporation often offers Chinese transnational migrants business and career opportunities and rewards not available in other modes of incorporation, although it sometimes involves risks, uncertainties, and difficulties. Chinese transmigrants with a higher initial social standing, an advanced training, and a dense network are more likely to experience upward social mobility than those without such advantages. Implications of the arguments and findings are also discussed.
Expanding the Cantonese Diaspora: Sojourners and Settlers in the West River Basin
Authors: Miles Steven
Published: January 2013

This article describes Cantonese migrants along the West River basin linking the two southern Chinese provinces of Guangxi and Guangdong during Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) times. Based primarily on genealogies of Pearl River delta lineages, the article examines a range of interconnected activities — including land settlement, commerce, and temporary sojourning in order to win civil service examination degrees — that Cantonese sojourners and settlers pursued outside the delta. These delta genealogies also prove to be valuable sources for the study of Cantonese overseas migration. In fact, many of the families discussed in this article sent sojourners both upriver along the West River basin and abroad to Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Thus, the author argues that the West River trajectory was an important component of the larger Cantonese diaspora.
Kung Pao Kosher: Jewish Americans and Chinese Restaurants in New York
Authors: Liu Haiming
Published: January 2013

Since c.1900, eating Chinese food has become a weekly routine, a Christmas tradition, and a childhood memory for many Jewish American families. In their adaptation to American society, Jewish Americans made eating Chinese part of their American identity. The evolution and change in Chinese food and Jewish eating habits took place almost simultaneously. While Chinese immigrants invented chopsuey and other popular Americanized Chinese dishes, Jewish residential proximity to New York Chinatown allowed many Jewish immigrants and their families to frequent Chinese restaurants and become familiar with Chinese food. Based on a review of articles published in newspapers and popular journals in New York and scholarly writings on food history, this article explains how and why Jewish customers were attracted to Chinese food, and describes the dynamic interaction between the two cultures in an attempt to addresses the complexity of American ethnic identity.
The Chinese of São Paulo: A Case Study
Authors: Stenberg Josh
Published: January 2013

Abstract

São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, is also home to one of the largest Chinese populations in Latin America, with only Lima being indubitably larger. This paper briefly describes the history and present situation of the Chinese community in São Paulo, with a focus on the contemporary mainland Chinese who make up the majority. The fieldwork for this research was conducted in the months of March to June 2011, and the findings are based on the accounts provided by Brazilian, Chinese and Sino-Brazilian respondents supplemented by the existing Brazilian, Chinese and international scholarship on the subject, as well as Brazilian and Chinese press reports and internet publications. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the respondents.
Die Untersicht als ein Gestaltungsmittel in Rembrandts Frühwerk
Authors: Guratzsch Herwig
Published: January 2013

An einigen Frühwerken Rembrandts läßt sich nachweisen, daß der Künstler das Gestaltungsmittel der Untersicht ganz absichtsvoll verwandt hat (vgl. Anm. 7). Es diente ihm offensichtlich dazu, Darstellungen in ihrer Wirkung zu dramatisieren. Er wählt für bestimmtc Zentralfiguren (meist eine einzelne Gipfelfigtir) eine tiefere Anschauungshöhc, um den Betrachter direkter an der Ungleichheit menschlicher Begegnungen teilnehmen zu lassen, um die verbildlichten Spannungen intensiver auf ihn zu übertragen. Das Auge, das von der Dominanz einer figürlichen Erscheinung im Bilde betroffen werden soll, hat an ihr emporzublicken. - Dabei fällt auf, daß Rembrandt vorzugsweise die Anschauung aus der Perspektive der 'Untergebenen', der im Bild tiefer Gestellten entwickelt. Auf diese Weise wird der Betrachter selbst in ihre Rolle gedrängt, wenngleich offen bleibt, inwieweit Rembrandt sich mit ihnen identifiziert. In seiner Anwendung der Untersicht bezieht sich Rembrandt auf Lastman, der sie mit einigen gestalterischen Mitteln veräußerlicht (vgl. Anm. 20). Mehr und mehr löst er sich von dessen Formensprache und läßt eine Entwicklung erkennen: Bei einzelnen (früheren) Werken wirken auf ein und demselben Bild mehrere Blickpunkte. Dabei fällt die Gesamtkomposition nicht auseinander 27. Der Augen-punkt liegt in der Regel tiefer als bei späteren Beispielen. Allmählich geht die Anschauung in eine vereinheitlichte Blickhöhe über, die zunehmend zur Normalsicht findet 28. Auch die im Zusammenhang mit der Untersicht erwähnten Kompositionsmittel Rembrandts, wie der mächtige Figurentypus, die psychologische Differenzierung von Blick und Haltung in einzelnen Darstellungen, verlieren an Bedeutung und kehren in späterer Zeit nicht mehr in dieser Form wieder.
On the distribution of Dolichopus humilis Van Duzee in the Palaearctic Region and a new synonym (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Dolichopus latipennis species group)
Authors: NEGROBOV OLEG P. , GRICHANOV IGOR YA.
Published: January 2013

Dolichopus humilis Van Duzee, 1921 was described from the Alaska-Yukon Territory boundary (Van Duzee et al. 1921), and later recorded from Alaska, Northwest Territories and Greenland (J.R. Vockeroth in Pollet et al. 2004). This species was redescribed and illustrated by Pollet and Böcher (2005). It was never associated with the Dolichopus latipennis species group (= Hygroceleuthus Loew, 1857). Recently Negrobov et al. (2009) reviewed the Dolichopus latipennis species group in the Palaearctic Region and described D. lantsovi Negrobov, Grichanov et Barkalov from the Taimyr and Yamal peninsulas of Siberia. At the time of description the differences in leg setation and coloration between D. lantsovi and D. humilis were considered to be important to distinguish a new species. Recently the junior author examined a long series of D. humilis from Thule (northwest side of the island of Greenland) found in the Zoological Museum of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark (ZMUC). IYG also recently examined new material of D. lantsovi from the arctic region of Eurasia deposited in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg (ZIN). Study of this material has revealed variability in leg setation, coloration and thickness (see below) among the Siberian D. lantsovi and northern American D. humilis specimens that overlaps the two species concepts. Therefore, we do not see any justification in recognizing two separate species.
Stratégies des communautés évangéliques face aux contraintes des réglementations des lieux de cultes en France et au Québec
Authors: Koussens David , Dejean Frédéric
Published: January 2013

Based on legal data analyses and semi-directed interviews with pastors of Evangelical and Pentecostal communities, this article addresses the strategies framed by these communities in dealing with the constraints of the regulations to control places of worship both in France and in Quebec. First, it presents the legal systems with regard to the places of worship in the two national contexts. Then, it inquires into the different strategies the Evangelical communities work out in order to compensate for the effects of a legal system that is often blind to their claims, and political considerations that are sometimes unfavourable.
Compression after impact strength of thin laminates with various percentage of 0° plies
Authors: Nettles Alan Tate , Sabo Stosch
Published: January 2013

Conventional wisdom dictates that adding more 0° plies in the load-bearing direction of a laminate will increase its stiffness and strength. While this is true for undamaged laminates, the compression strength of laminates with impact damage may not be as straightforward. In this study, compression after impact strengths of relatively thin laminates with 25%, 33% or 50% of plies aligned in the 0° load-bearing direction were measured for three different damage severity levels. Results show that the increase in compression strength of the laminates with a higher percentage of plies in the 0° direction is lessened as impact damage severity increases indicating that a laminate that is stronger in compression when undamaged may not be stronger in compression when impact damage is accounted for.
Geometrical model for a newly designed three-dimensional functional rib-knitted cord
Authors: Kurbak Arif , Soydan Ali Serkan
Published: January 2013

A functional rib-knitted cord and the knitting machine for its production were designed having Turkish Patent Institute Applications No: 2011/00438 and No: 2011/00483 respectively. Functions such as mechanical, thermal etc. can be cultivated using the designed cord. Our interest here is to introduce this newly designed cord and to give a geometrical model for this cord. The model is created and drawn to scale by using the 3DS-Max computer graphical program. The model is the general one and can be applied to various applications of the structure of various tightness values; therefore, the direct comparison of the model with any set of experimental findings, depending on the application area of the cord, is left for the future. However, the assumptions about obtaining spirally connected loops of the model are observed to be correct, as the loop shapes are similar when we compare them with the real cord knitted as samples.
Collective bargaining unity and fragmentation in Germany: Two concepts of trade unionism?
Authors: Burgess Pete , Symon Graham
Published: January 2013

In recent years established collective bargaining arrangements in some sectors in Germany have been challenged by an upsurge of sectional union activity that has contested the status of industry-level incumbents. Gauging the impact of this development has proved difficult for both observers and insiders, with a range of responses from labour market actors and government. This article explores recent developments and actor responses and locates them in the wider context of the German political economy. It argues that of all these actors trade unions, in particular in organized forms of capitalism, are confronted by strategic dilemmas related to managing the difficult ‘variable geometry’ of mobilization and systemic accommodation.
New developments in the spatial scan statistic
Authors: Read Simon , Bath Peter A. , Willett Peter , Maheswaran Ravi
Published: January 2013

The quantity and variety of spatial data have increased over recent years, and the variety and sophistication of tools for analysing this type of data have also increased. One such tool is the spatial scan statistic, which is freely available ( www.satscan.org ) and has been the subject of much scholarly research since its introduction in 1995 owing to its numerous applications in epidemiology, criminology and other fields. This paper provides readers with a non-technical introduction to the spatial scan statistic, together with an overview of associated research, which focuses particularly on work conducted at the University of Sheffield’s Information School, in collaboration with the School of Health and Related Research. This work falls into three main areas. First, we provide an examination of the probability of obtaining false alerts when using the statistic, and ways in which this can be managed. Second, we describe the development of a definitive way of measuring the spatial accuracy of the statistic. Third, and potentially the most important in terms of impact, we discuss a means of substantially increasing the detection capability of the statistic by placing a realistic constraint on the strength of any cluster that is likely to be present in the data. The paper also provides a discussion of potential future research directions.
An assessment of the quality of information on stroke and speech and language difficulty web sites
Authors: Surman Ruth , Bath Peter A.
Published: January 2013

Online healthcare information is used by patients, their carers and families (PCF) experiencing speech and language difficulties (SLD) after a stroke. This information may be of variable quality. Tools have been designed to assess the risk of poor information quality, evaluating both generic and specific concepts, yet none focuses on stroke. The readability of information is also an issue when communication disorders are under consideration. The study investigated the quality and readability of information on 51 web sites pertaining to SLD following a stroke. These were assessed using two generic evaluation tools (DISCERN and the HON Code), readability tests (Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level) and a specifically designed Stroke Tool based on the reported information needs of stroke PCF experiencing SLD. The tools themselves were then evaluated for their feasibility, reliability and validity. In common with previous studies, the information quality of the selected web sites was found to be extremely variable with only 59% achieving a score of 50% or more using HON, only 37% using DISCERN, and 49% using the Stroke Tool. Readability is generally very poor with only 6% of web sites scoring below the recommended grade 7. The tools did not correlate well, suggesting that they measure different domains of quality. The Internet may be a valuable resource for stroke PCF; however, the variable quality of information means that cautious use is recommended. The readability of information is a more serious issue that needs addressing by web site developers.
Is corruption an enemy of civil society? The case of Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Zakaria Patty
Published: January 2013

In examining post-communist countries, it becomes apparent that civil society is durable in certain countries and fragile in others. One then asks: What factors contribute to this condition? Many of the theorists in the post-communist literature argue that socioeconomic factors and the communist legacy have weakened post-communist civil society. The article explores the following question: Has corruption replaced the legacy of communism as a factor undermining trust in others and government? The theory proposed in this article implies a break from previous studies on the weakness of post-communist civil society, arguing that corruption has been a major factor in undermining civil society in the region. The article presents a rigorous examination of the association between corruption and post-communist civil society by focusing on the impact of political corruption on trust and, hence, post-communist civil society.
How to Discriminate between Computer-Aided and Computer-Hindered Decisions
Authors: Povyakalo Andrey A. , Alberdi Eugenio , Strigini Lorenzo , Ayton Peter
Published: January 2013

Background. Computer aids can affect decisions in complex ways, potentially even making them worse; common assessment methods may miss these effects. We developed a method for estimating the quality of decisions, as well as how computer aids affect it, and applied it to computer-aided detection (CAD) of cancer, reanalyzing data from a published study where 50 professionals (“readers”) interpreted 180 mammograms, both with and without computer support. Method. We used stepwise regression to estimate how CAD affected the probability of a reader making a correct screening decision on a patient with cancer (sensitivity), thereby taking into account the effects of the difficulty of the cancer (proportion of readers who missed it) and the reader’s discriminating ability (Youden’s determinant). Using regression estimates, we obtained thresholds for classifying a posteriori the cases (by difficulty) and the readers (by discriminating ability). Results. Use of CAD was associated with a 0.016 increase in sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.003–0.028) for the 44 least discriminating radiologists for 45 relatively easy, mostly CAD-detected cancers. However, for the 6 most discriminating radiologists, with CAD, sensitivity decreased by 0.145 (95% CI, 0.034–0.257) for the 15 relatively difficult cancers. Conclusions. Our exploratory analysis method reveals unexpected effects. It indicates that, despite the original study detecting no significant average effect, CAD helped the less discriminating readers but hindered the more discriminating readers. Such differential effects, although subtle, may be clinically significant and important for improving both computer algorithms and protocols for their use. They should be assessed when evaluating CAD and similar warning systems.