bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tobacco-stained fingers: a clue for smoking-related disease or harmful alcohol use? A case–control study
Authors: John Gregor , Pasche Sephora , Rothen Nicole , Charmoy Alexia , Delhumeau-Cartier Cécile , Genné Daniel
Published: November 2013

Objective

Tobacco stain on fingers is frequent. However, there is scarce description of this clinical sign. We aimed to explore tobacco stain on fingers as a marker of tobacco-related disease independent of cumulative tobacco exposure, and to find behavioural and environmental characteristics associated with those stains.

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

A Swiss community hospital of 180 beds.

Participants

49 adults presenting tobacco-tars staining on fingers were matched to 49 control smokers by age, gender, height and pack-year (PY).

Outcome measures

Documented smoking-related carcinoma, ischaemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also determined by lung function, were compared between groups. Association between harmful alcohol use, mental disorders or unemployment and tar-staining was adjusted for smoking behaviour through conditional logistic regression.

Results

Overall cigarette-related disease was high in the case group (84%), and symptomatic peripheral arterial disease was more frequent compared to controls (OR 3.5, CI 95% 1.1 to 14.6). Smoking-related carcinoma, ischaemic heart disease, stroke and COPD were not statistically different for control smokers. Harmful alcohol use was strongly associated with stains and this association persists after adjustment for smoking unfiltered cigarettes, smoking more than one pack of cigarettes in a day and age at smoking onset (adjusted OR 4.6, CI 95% 1.2 to 17.2). Mental disorders and unemployment were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Patients with tobacco-tar-stained fingers frequently have cigarette-related disease, however statistically not more than control smokers matched for PY, except for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. This study suggests a link between stained fingers and addictive behaviour or concomitant high alcohol consumption.
‘I'd like to know what causes it, you know, anything I've done?’ Are we meeting the information and support needs of patients with macular degeneration? A qualitative study
Authors: Burton A E , Shaw R L , Gibson J M
Published: November 2013

Objective

To examine patients’ experiences of information and support provision for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the UK.

Study design

Exploratory qualitative study investigating patient experiences of healthcare consultations and living with AMD over 18 months.

Setting

Specialist eye clinics at a Birmingham hospital.

Participants

13 patients diagnosed with AMD.

Main outcome measures

Analysis of patients’ narratives to identify key themes and issues relating to information and support needs.

Results

Information was accessed from a variety of sources. There was evidence of clear information deficits prior to diagnosis, following diagnosis and ongoing across the course of the condition. Patients were often ill informed and therefore unable to self-advocate and recognise when support was needed, what support was available and how to access support.

Conclusions

AMD patients have a variety of information needs that are variable across the course of the condition. Further research is needed to determine whether these experiences are typical and identify ways of translating the guidelines into practice. Methods of providing information need to be investigated and improved for this patient group.
Experimental study on water evaporation from sand using environmental chamber
Authors: Song Wei-Kang , Cui Yu-Jun , Tang Anh Minh , Ding Wen-Qi , Tran Thanh Danh
Published: November 2013

Large-scale evaporation experiments were conducted on bare sand using an environmental chamber. Four different atmospheric conditions and various drying durations were imposed on the soil sample. Atmospheric parameters (air flow rate, relative humidity, and temperature) and response of the soil (volumetric water content, temperature, and soil suction) were both monitored simultaneously. Notably, the temperature and matric suction at the soil surface were monitored using an infrared thermometer and high-capacity tensiometer, respectively. The results show that the air and soil temperatures depend on the evaporation process and atmospheric conditions. In addition, volumetric water content in the near-surface zone is strongly affected by the evaporation process and changes linearly over depth. The evaporation rate is strongly dependent on the air conditions.
Integrating Eurocode 7 (load and resistance factor design) using nonconventional factoring strategies in slope stability analysis
Authors: Pantelidis Lysandros , Griffiths D.V.
Published: November 2013

In traditional allowable stress design, as known, the safety factor is calculated with respect to shear strength of soil(s) by dividing the available shear strength by the mobilized stresses. The limit-state method, on the other hand, compares — in the form of the inequality Ed≤ Rd— the effects of all the actions, Ed, with the corresponding resistance of the ground, Rd. Although this method considers different loading conditions by using suitable combinations of design values, it is still based on direct comparison of the available shear strength with the mobilized stresses. In the present paper, various factoring strategies (in addition to the traditional one with respect to shear strength of soils) are integrated into a limit-state method framework. Eurocode 7 has been chosen for this purpose. The whole procedure aims at giving a more comprehensive insight into the design of slopes and the sensitivity of safety level of slopes to the various parameters. In addition, the proposed methodology, as shown, may result in a safety level of slopes significantly lower than the respective one obtained using the limit-state method in its traditional form. As man-made slopes that conform to design standards often fail in practice, even though conservative input values are used, these failures must be treated with more skepticism by practitioners adopting supplementary design practices such the one presented herein.
Are Wilson Cycles preserved in Archean cratons? A comparison of the North China and Slave cratons
Authors: Kusky Timothy M. , Li Xiaoyong , Wang Zhensheng , Fu Jianmin , Ze Luo , Zhu Peimin
Published: November 2013

A review and comparison of the tectonic history of the North China and Slave cratons reveal that the two cratons have many similarities and some significant differences. The similarities rest in the conclusion that both cratons have a history of a Wilson Cycle, having experienced rifting of an old continent in the late Archean, development of a rift to passive margin sequence, collision of this passive margin with arcs within 100–200 Ma of the formation of the passive margin, reversal of subduction polarity, then eventual climactic collision with another arc terrane, microcontinental fragment, or continent. This cycle demonstrates the operation of Paleozoic-style plate tectonics in the late Archean. The main differences lie in the later tectonic evolution. The Slave’s post-cratonization history is dominated by subduction dipping away from the interior of the craton, and later incorporation into the interior of a larger continent, whereas the North China Craton has had a long history of subduction beneath the craton, including presently being located above the flat-lying Pacific slab resting in the mantle transition zone, placing it in a broad back-arc setting, with multiple mantle hydration events and collisions along its borders. The hydration enhances melting in the overlying mantle, and leads to melts migrating upwards to thermochemically erode the lithospheric root. This major difference may explain why the relatively small Slave craton preserves its thick Archean lithospheric root, whereas the eastern North China Craton has lost it.
Self-refraction of acoustic pulses with shock fronts in some nonequilibrium media
Authors: Perelomova Anna
Published: November 2013

The nonlinear self-refraction of acoustic pulsed beams, which include shock fronts, is studied. The medium of sound propagation is a gas where thermodynamically nonequilibrium processes take place, such as exothermic chemical reaction or excitation of vibrational degrees of a molecule’s freedom. Comparative analysis of the features of sound propagation over gases where pure nonlinear attenuation of the shock wave occurs, and gases with nonequilibrium and equilibrium processes, is performed.
Constructing physical systems with dynamical symmetry
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Fu-Lin , Gu Rui-Juan , Chen Jing-Ling , Kwek L.C.
Published: November 2013

An approach to constructing quantum systems with dynamical symmetry is proposed. As examples, we construct generalized systems of the hydrogen atom and harmonic oscillator, which can be regarded as the systems with position-dependent mass. They have symmetries that are similar to the corresponding ones, and can be solved by using the algebraic method. We also exhibit an example of the method applied to the noncentral field.
EFFECTS OF EXTREMELY LOW-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS ON THE RESPONSE OF A CONDUCTANCE-BASED NEURON MODEL
Authors: YI GUOSHENG , WANG JIANG , WEI XILE , DENG BIN , TSANG KAI-MING , CHAN WAI-LOK , HAN CHUNXIAO
Published: November 2013

To provide insights into the modulation of neuronal activity by extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic field (MF), we present a conductance-based neuron model and introduce ELF sinusoidal MF as an additive voltage input. By analyzing spike times and spiking frequency, it is observed that neuron with distinct spiking patterns exhibits different response properties in the presence of MF exposure. For tonic spiking neuron, the perturbations of MF exposure on spike times is maximized at the harmonics of neuronal intrinsic spiking frequency, while it is maximized at the harmonics of bursting frequency for burst spiking neuron. As MF intensity increases, the perturbations also increase. Compared with tonic spiking, bursting dynamics are less sensitive to the perturbations of ELF MF exposure. Further, ELF MF exposure is more prone to perturb neuronal spike times relative to spiking frequency. Our finding suggests that the resonance may be one of the neural mechanisms underlying the modulatory effects of the low-intensity ELF MFs on neuronal activities. The results highlight the impacts of ELF MFs exposure on neuronal activity from the single cell level, and demonstrate various factors including ELF MF properties and neuronal spiking characteristics could determine the outcome of exposure. These insights into the mechanism of MF exposure may be relevant for the design of multi-intensity magnetic stimulus protocols, and may even contribute to the interpretation of MF effects on the central nervous systems.
ORBIT CLOSURES IN THE WITT ALGEBRA AND ITS DUAL SPACE
Authors: MYGIND MARTIN
Published: November 2013

Working over an algebraically closed field of characteristic p > 3, we calculate the orbit closures in the Witt algebra W under the action of its automorphism group G. We also outline how the same techniques can be used to determine closures of orbits of all heights except p - 1 (in which case we only obtain a conditional statement) in the dual space W* under the induced action of G. As a corollary we prove that the algebra of invariants k[W*]G is trivial.
YOUNG MODULE MULTIPLICITIES, DECOMPOSITION NUMBERS AND THE INDECOMPOSABLE YOUNG PERMUTATION MODULES
Authors: GILL CHRISTOPHER C.
Published: November 2013

We study the multiplicities of Young modules as direct summands of permutation modules on cosets of Young subgroups. Such multiplicities have become known as the p-Kostka numbers. We classify the indecomposable Young permutation modules, and, applying the Brauer construction for p-permutation modules, we give some new reductions for p-Kostka numbers. In particular, we prove that p-Kostka numbers are preserved under multiplying partitions by p, and strengthen a known reduction corresponding to adding multiples of a p-power to the first row of a partition.
FINITE GROUPS ALL OF WHOSE MAXIMAL SUBGROUPS OF EVEN ORDER ARE ℋp-GROUPS
Authors: MENG WEI , LU JIAKUAN
Published: November 2013

Let G be a finite group. A subgroup H of G is called an ℋ-subgroup of G if NG(H) ∩ Hg ≤ H for all g ∈ G; G is said to be an ℋp-group if every cyclic subgroup of G of prime order or order 4 is an ℋ-subgroup of G. In this paper, the structure of the finite groups all of whose maximal subgroups of even order are ℋp-subgroups have been characterized.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SEARCH FOR COMPTON-THICK AGN
Authors: GEORGANTOPOULOS I.
Published: November 2013

I present a review of X-ray and mid-IR surveys for Compton-thick Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). These are the most highly obscured sources having hydrogen column densities > 1.5 × 1024 cm-2. Key surveys in the local Universe are presented including the high energy SWIFT/BAT and INTEGRAL surveys, mid-IR and also optical surveys. Recently, deep X-ray surveys with Chandra and XMM-Newton have produced a number of candidate Compton-thick AGN at higher redshift primarily in the Chandra Deep Field South region. In addition, mid-IR surveys with Spitzer have helped to develop novel complementary techniques for the selection of Compton-thick AGN. The mid-IR techniques used to identify Compton-thick AGN include: a) 24 μm excess sources relative to their optical emission b) Spitzer spectroscopy for the detection of high optical depth Si 9.7μm absorption features c) low X-ray to 6μm luminosity ratio.
LAUE LENSES FOR HARD X–/SOFT γ–RAYS: NEW PROTOTYPE RESULTS
Authors: LICCARDO V. , VIRGILLI E. , FRONTERA F. , VALSAN V. , CARASSITI V. , EVANGELISTI F. , SQUERZANTI S.
Published: November 2013

The results obtained with the new Laue lens prototype built in the LARIX facility in the Physics Department of University of Ferrara will be present. Thanks to the methods adopted for improving the first prototype (SPIE conference in San Diego, Ferrari et al. 2009) here we present the results of the new prototype with improved performances in terms of point spread function (PSF) and spectral response.
THE ANNULAR GAP: GAMMA-RAY & RADIO EMISSION OF PULSARS
Authors: QIAO G. J. , DU Y. J. , HAN J. L. , XU R. X.
Published: November 2013

Pulsars have been found more than 40 years. Observations from radio to gamma-rays present abundant information. However, the radiation mechanism is still an open question. It is found that the annular gap could be formed in the magnetosphere of pulsars (neutron stars or quark stars), which combines the advantages of the polar cap, slot gap and outer gap models. It is emphasized that observations of some radio pulsars, normal and millisecond gamma-ray pulsars (MSGPs) show that the annular gap would play a very important role. Here we show some observational and theoretical evidences about the annular gap. For example, bi-drifting sub-pulses; radio and gamma-ray millisecond pulsars and so on.
HIGH ENERGY ASTROPHYSICAL MISSIONS IN JAPAN
Authors: TSUNEMI HIROSHI
Published: November 2013

There are five X-ray astronomy satellites launched from Japan. The latest satellite, Suzaku, was launched in 2005. MAXI is an all sky survey mission in X-ray that was attached to the ISS in 2009. These two are functioning at present.

ASTRO-H is the only approved mission in X-ray that will be launched in 2014. There are four X-ray detectors on board ASTRO-H, SXS, SXI, HXI and SGD as well as X-ray telescopes made of thin foil mirrors. Most of the future missions heavily depend on them both in technology and in science. From this point of view, we have to concentrate on ASTRO-H so that we can expand our activities in future.

In Japan, the small scientific satellite project is now on-going. Two missions are already allocated while no X-ray mission is approved. DIOS, PolariS, CAST and FFAST are proposed. Here we explain FFAST in detail that will study the evolution of the universe.
MULTIPLE SIGNAL CLASSIFICATION FOR GRAVITATIONAL WAVE BURST SEARCH
Authors: CAO JUNWEI , HE ZHENGQI
Published: November 2013

This work is mainly focused on the application of the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm for gravitational wave burst search. This algorithm extracts important gravitational wave characteristics from signals coming from detectors with arbitrary position, orientation and noise covariance.

In this paper, the MUSIC algorithm is described in detail along with the necessary adjustments required for gravitational wave burst search. The algorithm's performance is measured using simulated signals and noise. MUSIC is compared with the Q-transform for signal triggering and with Bayesian analysis for direction of arrival (DOA) estimation, using the Ω-pipeline. Experimental results show that MUSIC has a lower resolution but is faster. MUSIC is a promising tool for real-time gravitational wave search for multi-messenger astronomy.
THE SINO-GERMAN λ6 CM POLARIZATION SURVEY OF THE GALACTIC PLANE: A SUMMARY
Authors: HAN J. L. , REICH W. , SUN X. H. , GAO X. Y. , XIAO L. , SHI W. B. , REICH P. , WIELEBINSKI R.
Published: November 2013

We have finished the λ6 cm polarization survey of the Galactic plane using the Urumqi 25 m radio telescope. It covers 10° ≤ l ≤ 230° in Galactic longitude and |b| ≤ 5° in Galactic latitude. The new polarization maps not only reveal new properties of the diffuse magnetized interstellar medium, but also are very useful for studying individual objects such as HII regions, which may act as Faraday screens with strong regular magnetic fields inside, and supernova remnants for their polarization properties and spectra. The high sensitivity of the survey enables us to discover two new SNRs G178.2–4.2 and G25.3–2.1 and a number of HII regions.
USE OF SINGULAR-VALUE DECOMPOSITION IN GRAVITATIONAL-WAVE DATA ANALYSIS
Authors: KEPPEL DREW
Published: November 2013

Singular-value decomposition is a powerful technique that has been used in the analysis of matrices in many fields. In this paper, we summarize how it has been applied to the analysis of gravitational-wave data analysis. These include producing basis waveforms for matched filtering, decreasing the computational cost of searching for many waveforms, improving parameter estimation, and providing a method of waveform interpolation.
PRINCIPLES OF GRAVITATIONAL WAVES DETECTION THROUGH ATOM INTERFEROMETRY
Authors: VETRANO FLAVIO , GUIDI GIANLUCA M. , VICERÉ ANDREA , BODART QUENTIN , LIEN YU-HUNG , PREVEDELLI MARCO , ROSI GABRIELE , SORRENTINO FIODOR , TINO GUGLIELMO M.
Published: November 2013

The output of a simple Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer (with light field beam splitters) is studied in order to obtain sensitivity curves for GW signals in the paraxial approximation by using the ABCD matrices techniques and first order perturbation theory for mirroratom interaction; order of magnitude of relevant physical parameters for a realistic GW detector through atom interferometry is deduced, both for single- and coupled-interferometers configurations. Finally a synthetic overview of ongoing activities of the Florence-Urbino group in this field is presented.
STATISTICS OF TWIN kHz QPOs IN NEUTRON STARS
Authors: WANG JING , WANG DE-HUA , CHEN LI
Published: November 2013

We collect the recently published data of twin kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in neutron stars (NSs), and analyze two kinds of samples for five Atoll sources and five Z sources. We study the the relation between the quality factor and the peak frequency of upper frequency. We take three possible models, i.e. linear, power-law and exponential models to fit the data and find that the power-law and the exponential models can reflect the relation better than the linear model.
MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OF NEUTRON STAR MASSES
Authors: CHENG ZHENG , ZHANG CHENGMIN , TAANI ALI
Published: November 2013

We perform a Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the distribution and evolution of 66 mass measured pulsars. We get the best fits to the distribution at 1.35 ± 0.27M⨀ (1σ confidence level). In addition, we notice bimodal distributions in 1.34 ± 0.15M⨀ and 1.48 ± 0.53M⨀, this can be led to the idea that radio pulsars in binary systems have recycled. Thus we divide the data according to the characteristic spin period into two groups, millisecond pulsars (MSPs), P Spin ≤ 20 ms and less recycled pulsars P Spin ≥ 20 ms , respectively. We show that the distributions of MSPs at 1.42 ± 0.36M⨀, and 1.32 ± 0.18M⨀ for less recycled pulsars. As such, the mass of MSPs are heavier than those in less recycled pulsars by ~ 0.1M⨀, since they accreting material from their companions. On the other hand, the formation of heavier pulsars from the accretion induced collapse of accreting white dwarfs, must be invoked.
PULSAR DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE MAGNETIC AND SPIN PERIOD DIAGRAM
Authors: ZHANG CHENGMIN , PAN YUANYUE , TAANI ALI
Published: November 2013

The various types of pulsars are classified in the magnetic and spin period (B-P) diagram, by which one can recognize their properties there. We also investigate the relation of radio pulsars and X-ray neutron stars, and their distribution characteristics, implying their evolution links. B-P diagram is divided by the special lines, e.g. spin-up line and "death line", which indicate the evolution information of pulsars. Like Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram of showing the stellar evolution or "lives of stars", we try to develop B-P diagram as a function of representing the evolution track of neutron star.
A SUMMARY OF RADIO PULSAR POLARIZATION
Authors: ZHU C. , YAN W. M. , WANG N.
Published: November 2013

Pulsars are one of the most polarized radio sources in the universe. Polarization measurements of pulsars provide us a lot of information, not only about the emission process itself, but also about the interstellar medium. This article describes the polarization properties of radio pulsars in general and discusses the observed rotation measure variations with time in pulsars.
ON THE MAXIMUM MASS AND MINIMUM ROTATION PERIOD OF RELATIVISTIC UNIFORMLY ROTATING WHITE DWARFS
Authors: BOSHKAYEV KUANTAY , RUEDA JORGE , RUFFINI REMO
Published: November 2013

We investigate the stability of general relativistic uniformly rotating white dwarfs against secular and dynamical instabilities. We determine the minimum rotation period of stable white dwarfs depending on chemical composition of the white dwarf matter taking into account the Coulomb interactions as well as the nuclear interactions and the electroweak equilibrium at high densities, within the relativistic Feynman-Metropolis-Teller equation of state.
THERMAL EMISSION IN GRBS: THE CASE OF GRB 090618
Authors: IZZO LUCA , BIANCO CARLO LUCIANO , MUCCINO MARCO , PENACCHIONI ANA VIRGINIA , RUFFINI REMO
Published: November 2013

The identification of thermal signatures in the spectra of Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) has become possible now, thanks especially to the modern space missions dedicated to their observations. There are several models in literature that take into account the presence of a thermal emission, in particular in the early emission of a GRB. In this work we discuss the case of GRB 090618, where thermal signatures in the early γ and X-rays have been observed.
ON GRB PHYSICS REVEALED BY FERMI/LAT
Authors: LI ZHUO
Published: November 2013

We discuss the implications of Fermi/LAT observations on several aspects of gamma-ray burst (GRB) physics, including the radiation process, the emission sites, the bulk Lorentz factor, and the pre-shock magnetic field: (1) MeV-range emission favors synchrotron process but the highest energy (> 10 GeV) emission may not be synchrotron origin, more likely inverse Compton origin; (2) GRB should have multi-zone emission region, with MeV emission produced at smaller radii while optical and > 100 MeV emission at larger radii; (3) the bulk Lorentz factor can be a few 100's, much lower than 103, in multi-zone model; (4) the upstream magnetic field of afterglow shock is strongly amplified to be at least in mG scale.
THE RELATIVISTIC FEYNMAN METROPOLIS TELLER THEORY AT ZERO AND FINITE TEMPERATURES
Authors: DE CARVALHO SHEYSE MARTINS , RUEDA JORGE A. , ROTONDO M. , ARGÜELLES CARLOS , RUFFINI REMO
Published: November 2013

We summarize the recently accomplished relativistc Feynman Metropolis Teller theory of compressed atoms and its application to the description of white dwarfs and the crust of neutron stars. We briefly show also the extension of the treatment to the case of finite temperatures.
GRAVITATIONAL RADIATIONS FROM THE PRECESSION CENTRAL ENGINE IN GAMMA-RAY BURSTS
Authors: SUN MOU-YUAN , LIU TONG , GU WEI-MIN , LU JU-FU
Published: November 2013

The ultra-relativistic precessing jet in gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) may be responsible for the complex structure in GRBs' light curves. In this work, we study the gravitational radiations of jet precession induced by neutrino-dominated accretion disks around black holes. In our model, the jet and the inner part of the disk may precess along with the black hole, which is driven by the outer part of the disk. Gravitational radiations are therefore expected to be significant from this precession system. Based our numerical results, we find that it is possible for DECIGO and BBO to detect such gravitational radiations regardless of GRBs' black hole masses, particularly for GRBs in the Local Group.
ON THE POSSIBILITY OF FORMING ACCRETION INDUCED COLLAPSE IN MASSIVE CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES
Authors: TAANI ALI , AL-WARDAT MASHHOOR , ZHAO YONGHENG
Published: November 2013

We investigate the process of Accretion Induced Collapse (AIC) during the evolution of massive Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) type binaries, which possibly to occur in our galaxy. The relation between spin periods and orbital periods in different nature of compact objects in binaries, is investigated. We study also the implication and application of the AIC process of the MSPs population. We conclude that a significant fraction of MSPs may originate from AIC (4 - 40%). Hence, massive CVs are of key importance for the formation and evolution of binary MSPs, once they reach the Chandrasekhar limit then collapse to becomes an NS, or blow as apart in a supernova, consequently impart significant kick to the companion and creating long orbital periods. In some cases, this process disrupts the system and creates a single MSP.
DISTANCE INDICATORS OF GAMMA-RAY PULSARS
Authors: WANG WEI
Published: November 2013

Distance measurements of gamma-ray pulsars are challenging questions in present pulsar studies. The Large Area Telescope (LAT) aboard the Fermi gamma-ray observatory discovered more than 100 gamma-ray pulsars including 24 new gamma-selected pulsars which nearly have no distance information. We study the relation between gamma-ray emission efficiency (η = Lγ/Ė) and pulsar parameters for young radio-selected gamma-ray pulsars with known distance information in the first gamma-ray pulsar catalog reported by Fermi/LAT. We have introduced three generation order parameters to describe gamma-ray emission properties of pulsars, and find the strong correlation of η – ζ3 a generation order parameter which reflects γ-ray photon generations in pair cascade processes induced by magnetic field absorption in pulsar magnetosphere. A good correlation of η – B LC the magnetic field at the light cylinder radius is also found. These correlations would be the distance indicators in gamma-ray pulsars to evaluate distances for gamma-selected pulsars. Distances of 25 gamma-selected pulsars are estimated, which could be tested by other distance measurement methods. Physical origin of the correlations may be also interesting for pulsar studies.
A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION OF ENERGY DEPENDENCE OF GRB PULSE WIDTH
Authors: ZHAO XIAO-HONG , PENG ZHAO-YANG
Published: November 2013

Previous studies have found that the width of gamma-ray burst (GRB) pulse is energy dependent1-2 and its origin keeps unknown. Here we find combining the curvature effect and the intrinsic Band spectrum could naturally result in the energy dependence of GRB pulse width. Our result suggests that the GRB decay phase is indeed related to the so-called curvature effect. A natural expectation of our study is for bursts with single power law, not Band spectrum, pulse width will not be energy dependent in our consideration.
NEW CONSTRAINTS ON FEATURES IN THE PRIMORDIAL SPECTRUM
Authors: BENETTI MICOL
Published: November 2013

We study a particular inflation models with a small-amplitude step-like feature in the inflaton potential as introducted by Adams et al. and we constraints it with data from the WMAP7 and ACT Cosmic Microwave Background experiments. Also we show that the possibility of a step in the inflationary potential like the one preferred by current data will soon be tested by the forthcoming temperature and polarization data from the Planck satellite mission.
MAXWELL SYMMETRIES AND SOME APPLICATIONS
Authors: DE AZCÁRRAGA JOSÉ A. , KAMIMURA KIYOSHI , LUKIERSKI JERZY
Published: November 2013

The Maxwell algebra is the result of enlarging the Poincaré algebra by six additional tensorial Abelian generators that make the fourmomenta non-commutative. We present a local gauge theory based on the Maxwell algebra with vierbein, spin connection and six additional geometric Abelian gauge fields. We apply this geometric framework to the construction of Maxwell gravity, which is described by the Einstein action plus a generalized cosmological term. We mention a Friedman-Robertson-Walker cosmological approximation to the Maxwell gravity field equations, with two scalar fields obtained from the additional gauge fields. Finally, we outline further developments of the Maxwell symmetries framework.
EVOLUTION OF DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION FOR COSMOLOGICAL NEUTRINO
Authors: LEE HYUNG WON , KIM KYOUNG YEE , RUFFINI REMO
Published: November 2013

Recent experimental evidences show that the universe is accelerating. There are many modified cosmological models to explain this accelerating phase including ΛCDM, quintessence model, Brans-Dicke, f(R) gravity, and others. In this talk we want to check the possibility of explaining the current accelerating phase using standard cosmological model with degenerate neutrino. We will study the evolution of distribution function of degenerate neutrinos with standard Friedmann-Lemaître-Roberston-Walker(FLRW) background.
THE UNSOLVED PROBLEM OF THE EMERGENCE OF COSMIC STRUCTURE DURING INFLATION
Authors: SUDARSKY DANIEL
Published: November 2013

We briefly review the conceptual problems afflicting our understanding of the general framework which supposedly addresses the emergence of structure during inflation. We then describe an approach that attempt to deal with this problem in a manner that concepts it with problematic issues afflicting the quantum theory and gravitation interface and which in the inflationary context not acquire a sharpened importance but remarkably turn out to become susceptible to empirical studies.
FINDING MISSING QUASARS IN THE 'REDSHIFT DESERT'
Authors: WU XUE-BING
Published: November 2013

Quasars at high redshift can help us to probe the nature of the early universe. Current quasar sample is incomplete in the redshift range from 2.2 to 3 because of the similar quasar colors as stars in the optical band. The main objective of the Chinese LAMOST spectroscopic quasar survey is to discover these missing quasars and provide a quasar sample consisting of 0.3million new quasars brighter than the magnitude limit i = 20.5 in the next 5 years. This will hopefully provide the largest quasar sample for the further studies of AGN physics and cosmology. The improved quasar selection criteria based on the UKIDSS near-IR and SDSS optical colors are introduced, and their advantages in uncovering the missing quasars in the quasar 'redshift desert' (z=2.2 to 3) are demonstrated. We also present some recent discoveries of new quasars from the LAMOST commissioning and other spectroscopic observations. The implications of our study to the ongoing and upcoming large optical and near-IR sky surveys are discussed.
ANALYTICAL SPECTRA OF CMB ANISOTROPIES AND POLARIZATION
Authors: ZHANG YANG , CAI ZHENG
Published: November 2013

We briefly present the results of our analytical studies on CMB anisotropies and polarizations generated by scalar metric perturbations in synchronous gauge, parallel to the previous work with RGW as a generating source. The analytical the spectra [Formula: see text] are explicitly given and the influences of various cosmological processes are examined.
THE SOURCE REGIONS OF CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS
Authors: ZHOU GUIPING
Published: November 2013

Coronal Mass Ejection is an entire process leading to the ejection of mass and magnetic flux into interplanetary space. Its source is studied by analyzing the associated surface activity. Analysis results show that CMEs have large-scale magnetic source structures, which provide their energy, initiation, and final angular width. This paper review the studies of CME source regions with laying emphasis on their large-scale source structures.
GERBERT OF AURILLAC: ASTRONOMY AND GEOMETRY IN TENTH CENTURY EUROPE
Authors: SIGISMONDI COSTANTINO
Published: November 2013

Gerbert of Aurillac was the most prominent personality of the tenth century: astronomer, organ builder and music theoretician, mathematician, philosopher, and finally pope with the name of Silvester II (999–1003). Gerbert introduced firstly the arabic numbers in Europe, invented an abacus for speeding the calculations and found a rational approximation for the equilateral triangle area, in the letter to Adelbold here discussed. Gerbert described a semi-sphere to Constantine of Fleury with built-in sighting tubes, used for astronomical observations. The procedure to identify the star nearest to the North celestial pole is very accurate and still in use in the XII century, when Computatrix was the name of Polaris. For didactical purposes the Polaris would have been precise enough and much less time consuming, but here Gerbert was clearly aligning a precise equatorial mount for a fixed instrument for accurate daytime observations. Through the sighting tubes it was possible to detect equinoxes and solstices by observing the Sun in the corresponding days. The horalogium of Magdeburg was probably a big and fixed-mount nocturlabe, always pointing the star near the celestial pole.
3D interpretation by integrating seismic and potential field data in the vicinity of the proposed COSC-1 drill site, central Swedish Caledonides
Authors: Hedin Peter , Malehmir Alireza , Gee David G. , Juhlin Christopher , Dyrelius Dan
Published: November 2013

The scientific drilling project COSC (Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides), designed to study key questions concerning orogenic processes, aims to drill two fully cored boreholes to depths of
c.
2.5 km each at carefully selected locations in west-central Sweden. The first of these, COSC-1, is scheduled for start late spring 2014 and will target the Seve Nappe Complex, characterized by inverted metamorphism and with parts that have evidently been subjected to hot ductile extrusion. In this study available seismic sections have been combined with surface geology to produce a 3D interpretation of the tectonic structures in the vicinity of the COSC-1 borehole. Constrained 3D inverse gravity modelling over the same area supports the interpretation, and the high-density Seve Nappe Complex stands out clearly in the model. Interpretation and models show that the maximum depth extent of the Seve Nappe Complex is less than 2.5 km, consistent with reflection seismic data. The gravity modelling also requires underlying units to comprise low-density material, consistent with the Lower Allochthon, but the modelling is unable to discern the décollement separating the allochthons from the crystalline Precambrian basement.
Irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea: characterization of genotype by exome sequencing, and phenotypes of bile acid synthesis and colonic transit
Authors: Camilleri Michael , Klee Eric W. , Shin Andrea , Carlson Paula , Li Ying , Grover Madhusudan , Zinsmeister Alan R.
Published: November 2013

The study objectives were: to mine the complete exome to identify putative rare single nucleotide variants (SNVs) associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-diarrhea (IBS-D) phenotype, to assess genes that regulate bile acids in IBS-D, and to explore univariate associations of SNVs with symptom phenotype and quantitative traits in an independent IBS cohort. Using principal components analysis, we identified two groups of IBS-D ( n = 16) with increased fecal bile acids: rapid colonic transit or high bile acids synthesis. DNA was sequenced in depth, analyzing SNVs in bile acid genes ( ASBT, FXR, OSTα/β, FGF19, FGFR4, KLB, SHP, CYP7A1, LRH-1, and FABP6). Exome findings were compared with those of 50 similar ethnicity controls. We assessed univariate associations of each SNV with quantitative traits and a principal components analysis and associations between SNVs in KLB and FGFR4 and symptom phenotype in 405 IBS, 228 controls and colonic transit in 70 IBS-D, 71 IBS-constipation. Mining the complete exome did not reveal significant associations with IBS-D over controls. There were 54 SNVs in 10 of 11 bile acid-regulating genes, with no SNVs in FGF19; 15 nonsynonymous SNVs were identified in similar proportions of IBS-D and controls. Variations in KLB (rs1015450, downstream) and FGFR4 [rs434434 (intronic), rs1966265, and rs351855 (nonsynonymous)] were associated with colonic transit (rs1966265; P = 0.043), fecal bile acids (rs1015450; P = 0.064), and principal components analysis groups (all 3 FGFR4 SNVs; P < 0.05). In the 633-person cohort, FGFR4 rs434434 was associated with symptom phenotype ( P = 0.027) and rs1966265 with 24-h colonic transit ( P = 0.066). Thus exome sequencing identified additional variants in KLB and FGFR4 associated with bile acids or colonic transit in IBS-D.
Structural and functional analysis of the related transcriptional enhancer factor-1 and NF-κB interaction
Authors: Ma Jieliang , Zhang Li , Tipton Aaron R. , Wu Jiaping , Messmer-Blust Angela F. , Philbrick Melissa J. , Qi Yajuan , Liu Song-Tao , Liu Hongsheng , Li Jian , Guo Shaodong
Published: November 2013

The related transcriptional enhancer factor-1 (RTEF-1) increases gene transcription of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and enhances angiogenesis in endothelium. Both hypoxia and inflammatory factor TNF-α regulate gene expression of HIF-1α, but how RTEF-1 and TNF-α coordinately regulate HIF-1α gene transcription is unclear. Here, we found that RTEF-1 interacts with p65 subunit of NF-κB, a primary mediator of TNF-α. RTEF-1 increased HIF-1α promoter activity, whereas expression of p65 subunit inhibited the stimulatory effect. By contrast, knockdown of p65 markedly enhanced RTEF-1 stimulation on the HIF-1α promoter activity (7-fold). A physical interaction between RTEF-1 and p65 was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation experiments in cells and glutathione S-transferase (GST)-pull-down assays. A computational analysis of RTEF-1 crystal structures revealed that a conserved surface of RTEF-1 potentially interacts with p65 via four amino acid residues located at T347, Y349, R351, and Y352. We performed site-directed mutagenesis and GST-pull-down assays and demonstrated that Tyr352 (Y352) in RTEF-1 is a key site for the formation of RTEF-1 and p65-NF-κB complex. An alanine mutation at Y352 of RTEF-1 disrupted the interaction of RTEF-1 with p65. Moreover, expression of RTEF-1 decreased TNF-α-induced HIF-1α promoter activity, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA levels in cells; however, the effect of RTEF-1 was largely lost when Y352 was mutated to alanine. These results indicate that RTEF-1 interacts with p65-NF-κB through Y352 and that they antagonize each other for HIF-1α transcriptional activation, suggesting a novel mechanism by which RTEF-1 regulates gene expression, linking hypoxia to inflammation.
Integrated rate-dependent and dual pathway AV nodal functions: principles and assessment framework
Authors: Billette Jacques , Tadros Rafik
Published: November 2013

The atrioventricular (AV) node conducts slowly and has a long refractory period. These features sustain the filtering of atrial impulses and hence are often modulated to optimize ventricular rate during supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. The AV node is also the site of a clinically common reentrant arrhythmia. Its function is assessed for a variety of purposes from its responses to a premature protocol (S1S2, test beats introduced at different cycle lengths) repeatedly performed at different basic rates and/or to an incremental pacing protocol (increasingly faster rates). Puzzlingly, resulting data and interpretation differ with protocols as well as with chosen recovery and refractory indexes, and are further complicated by the presence of built-in fast and slow pathways. This problem applies to endocavitary investigations of arrhythmias as well as to many experimental functional studies. This review supports an integrated framework of rate-dependent and dual pathway AV nodal function that can account for these puzzling characteristics. The framework was established from AV nodal responses to S1S2S3 protocols that, compared with standard S1S2 protocols, allow for an orderly quantitative dissociation of the different factors involved in changes in AV nodal conduction and refractory indexes under rate-dependent and dual pathway function. Although largely based on data from experimental studies, the proposed framework may well apply to the human AV node. In conclusion, the rate-dependent and dual pathway properties of the AV node can be integrated within a common functional framework the contribution of which to individual responses can be quantitatively determined with properly designed protocols and analytic tools.
The human thoracic duct is functionally innervated by adrenergic nerves
Authors: Telinius Niklas , Baandrup Ulrik , Rumessen Jüri , Pilegaard Hans , Hjortdal Vibeke , Aalkjaer Christian , Boedtkjer Donna Briggs
Published: November 2013

Lymphatic vessels from animals have been shown to be innervated. While morphological studies have confirmed human lymphatic vessels are innervated, functional studies supporting this are lacking. The present study demonstrates a functional innervation of the human thoracic duct (TD) that is predominantly adrenergic. TDs harvested from 51 patients undergoing esophageal and cardia cancer surgery were either fixed for structural investigations or maintained in vitro for the functional assessment of innervation by isometric force measurements and electrical field stimulation (EFS). Electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry suggested scarce diffuse distribution of nerves in the entire vessel wall, but nerve-mediated contractions could be induced with EFS and were sensitive to the muscarinic receptor blocker atropine and the α-adrenoceptor blocker phentolamine. The combination of phentolamine and atropine resulted in a near-complete abolishment of EFS-induced contractions. The presence of sympathetic nerves was further confirmed by contractions induced by the sympathomimetic and catecholamine-releasing agent tyramine. Reactivity to the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, substance P, neuropeptide Y, acetylcholine, and methacholine was demonstrated by exogenous application to human TD ring segments. Norepinephrine provided the most consistent responses, whereas responses to the other agonists varied. We conclude that the human TD is functionally innervated with both cholinergic and adrenergic components, with the latter of the two dominating.
Cyclooxygenase-derived vasoconstriction restrains hypoxia-mediated cerebral vasodilation in young adults with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Harrell John W. , Schrage William G.
Published: November 2013

Poor cerebrovascular function in metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) likely contributes to elevated risk of cerebrovascular disease in this growing clinical population. Younger MetSyn adults without clinical evidence of cerebrovascular disease exhibit preserved hypercapnic vasodilation yet markedly impaired hypoxic vasodilation, but the mechanisms behind reduced hypoxic vasodilation are unknown. Based on data from rats, we tested the hypothesis that younger adults with MetSyn exhibit reduced cerebral hypoxic vasodilation due to loss of vasodilating prostaglandins. Middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) was measured with transcranial Doppler ultrasound in adults with MetSyn ( n = 13, 33 ± 3 yr) and healthy controls ( n = 15, 31 ± 2 yr). Isocapnic hypoxia was induced by titrating inspired oxygen to lower arterial saturation to 90% and 80% for 5 min each. Separately, hypercapnia was induced by increasing end-tidal CO2 10 mmHg above baseline levels. Cyclooxygenase inhibition (100 mg indomethacin) was conducted in a randomized double-blind, placebo controlled design. MCAv was normalized for group differences in blood pressure (healthy: 89 ± 2 mmHg vs. MetSyn: 102 ± 2 mmHg) as cerebrovascular conductance index (CVCi), and used to assess cerebral vasodilation. Hypoxia increased CVCi in both groups; however, vasodilation was ∼55% lower in MetSyn at SpO2 = 80% ( P < 0.05). Indomethacin tended to decrease hypoxic vasodilation in healthy controls, and unexpectedly increased dilation in MetSyn ( P < 0.05). In contrast to hypoxia, hypercapnia-mediated vasodilation was similar between groups, as was the decrease in vasodilation with indomethacin. These data indicate increased production of vasoconstrictor prostaglandins restrains hypoxic cerebral vasodilation in MetSyn, preventing them from responding appropriately to this important physiological stressor.
Long-term effects of carbon containing engineered nanomaterials and asbestos in the lung: one year postexposure comparisons
Authors: Shvedova Anna A. , Yanamala Naveena , Kisin Elena R. , Tkach Alexey V. , Murray Ashley R. , Hubbs Ann , Chirila Madalina M. , Keohavong Phouthone , Sycheva Lyudmila P. , Kagan Valerian E. , Castranova Vincent
Published: November 2013

The hallmark geometric feature of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and carbon nanofibers (CNF), high length to width ratio, makes them similar to a hazardous agent, asbestos. Very limited data are available concerning long-term effects of pulmonary exposure to SWCNT or CNF. Here, we compared inflammatory, fibrogenic, and genotoxic effects of CNF, SWCNT, or asbestos in mice 1 yr after pharyngeal aspiration. In addition, we compared pulmonary responses to SWCNT by bolus dosing through pharyngeal aspiration and inhalation 5 h/day for 4 days, to evaluate the effect of dose rate. The aspiration studies showed that these particles can be visualized in the lung at 1 yr postexposure, whereas some translocate to lymphatics. All these particles induced chronic bronchopneumonia and lymphadenitis, accompanied by pulmonary fibrosis. CNF and asbestos were found to promote the greatest degree of inflammation, followed by SWCNT, whereas SWCNT were the most fibrogenic of these three particles. Furthermore, SWCNT induced cytogenetic alterations seen as micronuclei formation and nuclear protrusions in vivo. Importantly, inhalation exposure to SWCNT showed significantly greater inflammatory, fibrotic, and genotoxic effects than bolus pharyngeal aspiration. Finally, SWCNT and CNF, but not asbestos exposures, increased the incidence of K-ras oncogene mutations in the lung. No increased lung tumor incidence occurred after 1 yr postexposure to SWCNT, CNF, and asbestos. Overall, our data suggest that long-term pulmonary toxicity of SWCNT, CNF, and asbestos is defined, not only by their chemical composition, but also by the specific surface area and type of exposure.