bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Steganalysis of least significant bit matching using multi‐order differences
Authors: Xia Zhihua , Wang Xinhui , Sun Xingming , Wang Baowei
Published: August 2013

This paper presents a learning‐based steganalysis/detection method to attack spatial domain least significant bit (LSB) matching steganography in grayscale images, which is the antetype of many sophisticated steganographic methods. We model the message embedded by LSB matching as the independent noise to the image, and theoretically prove that LSB matching smoothes the histogram of multi‐order differences. Because of the dependency among neighboring pixels, histogram of low order differences can be approximated by Laplace distribution. The smoothness caused by LSB matching is especially apparent at the peak of the histogram. Consequently, the low order differences of image pixels are calculated. The co‐occurrence matrix is utilized to model the differences with the small absolute value in order to extract features. Finally, support vector machine classifiers are trained with the features so as to identify a test image either an original or a stego image. The proposed method is evaluated by LSB matching and its improved version “Hugo”. In addition, the proposed method is compared with state‐of‐the‐art steganalytic methods. The experimental results demonstrate the reliability of the new detector. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Large‐scale testing facility for cyclic axially loaded piles
Authors: Baeßler Matthias , Rücker Werner , Cuéllar Pablo , Georgi Steven , Karabeliov Krassimire
Published: August 2013

Offshore piles have to withstand predominantly cyclic axial loads when they are installed in multi‐pile configurations, as in jacket foundations. The dimensions of the pile are governed by both the internal capacity and the fatigue behaviour of the steel cross‐section as well as by its external capacity in the pile‐soil interaction. Owing to the large numbers of piled foundations required for current and future offshore wind farms, there is an urgent need to optimize the dimensions and related costs of single piles. With regard to the pile capacity, two major topics of research are the determination of possible capacity gains due to pile ageing effects and proper consideration of cyclic degradation. In order to investigate both effects, a large‐scale testing facility has been constructed at the BAM TTS site in Horstwalde near Berlin. This open‐air facility allows large tubular driven piles to be loaded cyclically in both tension and compression while studying the ageing effects by introducing delays between the testing campaigns. First results already show a moderate increase in pile capacity over time. Concerning the anticipated capacity degradation of cyclically loaded piles, preliminary results show an unexpected behaviour. Additional tests are currently being conducted for further clarification.
Costimulation-adhesion blockade is superior to Cyclosporine A and prednisone immunosuppressive therapy for preventing rejection of differentiated human embryonic stem cells following transplantation
Authors: Huber Bruno C. , Ransohoff Julia D. , Ransohoff Katherine J. , Riegler Johannes , Ebert Antje , Kodo Kazuki , Gong Yongquan , Sanchez-Freire Veronica , Dey Devaveena , Kooreman Nigel G. , Diecke Sebastian , Zhang Wendy Y. , Odegaard Justin , Hu Shijun , Gold Joseph D. , Robbins Robert C. , Wu Joseph C.
Published: August 2013

Rationale: Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derivatives are attractive candidates for therapeutic use. The engraftment and survival of hESC derivatives as xenografts or allografts require effective immunosuppression to prevent immune cell infiltration and graft destruction. Objective: To test the hypothesis that a short-course, dual-agent regimen of two costimulation-adhesion blockade agents can induce better engraftment of hESC derivatives compared to current immunosuppressive agents. Methods and Results: We transduced hESCs with a double fusion reporter gene construct expressing firefly luciferase (Fluc) and enhanced green fluorescent protein, and differentiated these cells to endothelial cells (hESC-ECs). Reporter gene expression enabled longitudinal assessment of cell engraftment by bioluminescence imaging. Costimulation-adhesion therapy resulted in superior hESC-EC and mouse EC engraftment compared to cyclosporine therapy in a hind limb model. Costimulation-adhesion therapy also promoted robust hESC-EC and hESC-derived cardiomyocyte survival in an ischemic myocardial injury model. Improved hESC-EC engraftment had a cardioprotective effect after myocardial injury, as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Mechanistically, costimulation-adhesion therapy is associated with systemic and intragraft upregulation of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3) and a reduced proinflammatory cytokine profile. Conclusions: Costimulation-adhesion therapy is a superior alternative to current clinical immunosuppressive strategies for preventing the post-transplant rejection of hESC derivatives. By extending the window for cellular engraftment, costimulation-adhesion therapy enhances functional preservation following ischemic injury. This regimen may function through a TIM3-dependent mechanism.
Plurilingualism and Curriculum Design: Toward a Synergic Vision
Authors: Piccardo Enrica
Published: August 2013

Contemporary globalized society is characterized by mobility and change, two phenomena that have a direct impact on the broad linguistic landscape. Language proficiency is no longer seen as a monolithic phenomenon that occurs independently of the linguistic repertoires and trajectories of learners and teachers, but rather shaped by uneven and ever‐changing competences, both linguistic and cultural. In the European context, research conducted over the past 20 years in multilingual realities of local communities and societies has brought to the forefront the notion ofplurilingualism, which is opening up new perspectives in language education. In North American academia, the paradigm shift from linguistic homogeneity and purism to heteroglossic and plurilingual competence in applied linguistics has been observed in the emergence of such concepts asdisinventing languages,translanguaging, andcode‐meshing. Starting from a historical perspective, this article examines the shared principles upon which such innovative understandings of linguistic competence are based. In particular, it investigates the specificity of plurilingualism as an individual characteristic clearly distinct from multilingualism in the light of different theoretical lenses. The author discusses the potential of such vision together with its implications. Finally, this article offers pedagogical implications for English language education in the North American context, and suggests ways to investigate the new active role that English language learners and teachers can adopt in shaping their process of learning English.
2B or Not 2B Plurilingual? Navigating Languages Literacies, and Plurilingual Competence in Postsecondary Education in Canada
Authors: Marshall Steve , Moore Danièle
Published: August 2013

In this article, the researchers employ the framework of plurilingualism and plurilingual competence in a field that has traditionally been dominated by reified conceptualizations of multilingualism that view bi/multilingualism as balanced and complete competence in discrete codes. They present data from a qualitative, longitudinal study of the interplays between the social, cultural, and linguistic in the multiple languages and literacy practices of transnational students at a university in Vancouver, Canada. Their findings question the role of academic English as the sole conduit to success for participants in higher education. They suggest that this relates back to how plurilingualism is defined and integrates the key idea that learning skills, multilingual literacies, (inter)cultural experiences, and different forms of knowledge are transferable and thus constitute assets and tools for better learning (Castellotti & Moore, 2010; Coste, Moore, & Zarate, 1997). Participants revealed a considerable degree of fluidity in their languages and literacy practices as well as shifts in perceptions and practice that change according to context. They proved to be highly plurilingual, reflexively and knowledgeably (Giddens, 1984) moving from contexts in which they mixed different languages and scripts freely to contexts in which they adhered to more normative senses of discrete monolingual practices in English and community languages.
Plurilingual Pedagogical Practices in a Policy‐Constrained Context: A Northern Ugandan Case Study
Authors: Abiria Doris Maandebo , Early Margaret , Kendrick Maureen
Published: August 2013

Uganda is a linguistically diverse nation where plurilingualism is common. Its language education policy dictates that, except in large urban areas, one local language be selected as the medium of instruction (MoI), to Primary 3, transitioning to English MoI, in Primary 4. Yet, as Ramanathan and Morgan () argue, “thepracticeof policy encourages us, as researchers and teachers, to read between and behind the lines (cf. Cooke,), to interpret the ambiguities and gaps … that open up moments and spaces for transformative pedagogical interventions” (p. 448). The purpose of this study, conducted in Uganda with five Primary 4 teachers and their coordinator, was to explore such possibilities. It asks: How do subject‐area primary teachers in northern Uganda use local linguistic and multimodal cultural resources as plurilingual pedagogical tools to enhance students' learning in English MoI/TESOLclassrooms? What are the challenges and constraints in employing locally available linguistic and multimodal cultural resources to become plurilingual pedagogical tools in English MoI/TESOLprimary school classrooms? Three themes emerged: the teachers' exploratory plurilingual practices, students as plurilingual peer tutors, and integrated multimodal and plurilingual instruction. Challenges related to the larger educational cultural context and to local school and classroom conditions are also discussed.
The ESL Teacher as Plurilingual: An Australian Perspective
Authors: Ellis Elizabeth
Published: August 2013

This article reports a study on a little‐researched area: the linguistic repertoires of teachers of English as a second language (ESL) to adults. It proposes that, to heed recent calls to recognise learners' plurilingualism and to incorporate learners' languages in the ESL classroom, teachers' plurilingualism must be acknowledged and valued. This study investigated the language biographies of plurilingual and monolingual teachers of ESL in Australia and found them to be characterised by a wide range of circumstantial and elective language learning experiences. The effect of different experiences on teachers' knowledge and beliefs about language learning and teaching are presented and discussed, drawing upon literature from language teacher cognition. Plurilingual teachers were found to see language learning as challenging but possible, whereas monolingual teachers associated language learning with their own unsuccessful experiences and saw it as difficult and potentially humiliating. Circumstantial plurilinguals were found to have a wide range of language experiences which contribute to their understanding of familial language use and issues arising from child and adult migration. All the plurilinguals were found to have gained useful insights about language teaching from their own experiences, and the article argues that these should be seen as a resource for systematic reflection in teacher education.
Profit maximization for secondary users in dynamic spectrum auction of cognitive radio networks
Authors: Sun Gaofei , Tian Xiaohua , Xu Youyun , Wang Xinbing
Published: August 2013

As a powerful economic theory, auction mechanism has been extensively studied in dynamic spectrum allocation for cognitive radio networks (CRNs) recently. Different from most of existing works that focused on the mechanism design from the spectrum owner's side, we study from a new perspective on profit maximization of the secondary users (SUs). Because the spectrum auction mechanism has already been designed by the spectrum owner, we derive SUs' optimal bid strategies, which maximize their profits. First, we relax the limitation of SU's value on spectrum band, which is formerly defined as the transmission rate on channel, and introduce the affiliated value considering the impacts from other SUs. Further, the optimal value determination function is derived, which maximizes SU's expected profit; second, we analyze the auctioneer cheating issue, which has great influence on SU's profit, and the Nash equilibrium strategies for both spectrum owner and SUs are derived. Moreover, the repeated auction game mechanism is proposed that resists the auctioneer cheating effectively. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vortex‐induced vibrations of a DU96‐W‐180 airfoil at 90° angle of attack
Authors: Skrzypiński Witold , Gaunaa Mac , Sørensen Niels , Zahle Frederik , Heinz Joachim
Published: August 2013

This work presents an analysis of vortex‐induced vibrations of a DU96‐W‐180 airfoil in deep stall at a 90° angle of attack, based on 2D and 3D Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes and 3D Detached Eddy Simulation unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics computations with non‐moving, prescribed motion and elastically mounted airfoil suspensions. Stationary vortex‐shedding frequencies computed in 2D and 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics differed. In the prescribed motion computations, the airfoil oscillated in the direction of the chord line. Negative aerodynamic damping, found in both 2D and 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics computations with moving airfoil, showed in the vicinity of the stationary vortex‐shedding frequency computed by 2D Computational Fluid Dynamics. A shorter time series was sufficient to verify the sign of the aerodynamic damping in the case of the elastic computations than the prescribed motion. Even though the 2D computations seemed to be capable of indicating the presence of vortex‐induced vibrations, the 3D computations seemed to reflect the involved physics more accurately. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Weather radars – the new eyes for offshore wind farms?
Authors: Trombe Pierre‐Julien , Pinson Pierre , Vincent Claire , Bøvith Thomas , Cutululis Nicolaos A. , Draxl Caroline , Giebel Gregor , Hahmann Andrea N. , Jensen Niels E. , Jensen Bo P. , Le Nina F. , Madsen Henrik , Pedersen Lisbeth B. , Sommer Anders
Published: August 2013

Offshore wind fluctuations are such that dedicated prediction and control systems are needed for optimizing the management of wind farms in real‐time. In this paper, we present a pioneer experiment – Radar@Sea – in which weather radars are used for monitoring the weather at the Horns Rev offshore wind farm, in the North Sea. First, they enable the collection of meteorological observations at high spatio‐temporal resolutions for enhancing the understanding of meteorological phenomena that drive wind fluctuations. And second, with the extended visibility they offer, they can provide relevant inputs to prediction systems for anticipating changes in the wind fluctuation dynamics, generating improved wind power forecasts and developing specific control strategies. However, integrating weather radar observations into automated decision support systems is not a plug‐and‐play task, and it is important to develop a multi‐disciplinary approach linking meteorology and statistics. Here, (i) we describe the settings of the Radar@Sea experiment, (ii) we report the experience gained with these new remote sensing tools, (iii) we illustrate their capabilities with some concrete meteorological events observed at Horns Rev and (iv) we discuss the future perspectives for weather radars in wind energy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of genes in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway by RNA processing and RNA‐mediated mechanisms
Authors: Lutz Carol S. , Cornett Ashley L.
Published: August 2013

Arachidonic acid (AA) is converted by enzymes in an important metabolic pathway to produce molecules known collectively as eicosanoids, 20 carbon molecules with significant physiological and pathological functions in the human body. Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes work in one arm of the pathway to produce prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxanes (TXs), while the actions of 5‐lipoxygenase (ALOX5 or 5LO) and its associated protein (ALOX5AP or FLAP) work in the other arm of the metabolic pathway to produce leukotrienes (LTs). The expression of the COX and ALOX5 enzymes that convert AA to eicosanoids is highly regulated at the post‐ or co‐transcriptional level by alternative mRNA splicing, alternative mRNA polyadenylation, mRNA stability, and microRNA (miRNA) regulation. This review article will highlight these mechanisms of mRNA modulation. WIREs RNA 2013, 4:593–605. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1177

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing

RNA Processing > 3' End Processing

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
The First Phosphates of Heptavalent Rhenium
Authors: Islam Saiful M. , Glaum Robert , Pelka Axel , Daniels Jörg , Hoffbauer Wilfried
Published: August 2013

ReVIIO2(PO4) and (ReVII2O5)Sio2[Sit2O(PO4)6] were obtained from Re2O7 and P4O10 in sealed silica tubes (250 ≤ ϑ ≤ 400 °C). The crystal structures were solved and refined from X‐ray single crystal data (ReVIIO2(PO4): C2/c, Z = 24, a = 14.403(1) Å, b = 8.414(1) Å, c = 20.647(3) Å, β = 93.165(8)°, T = 123 K, 10352 ind. refl., 218 variables, 24 atoms in asymmetric unit, R1 = 0.041, wR2 = 0.106; (ReVII2O5)Sio2[Sit2O(PO4)6]: P$\bar{1}$, Z = 1, a = 7.8589(3) Å, b = 7.8609(3) Å, c = 10.8311(4) Å, α = 85.312(2)°, β = 73.078(2)°, γ = 60.075(2)°, T = 298 K, 2551 ind. reflections, 174 variables, 22 atoms in asymmetric unit, R1 = 0.078, wR2 = 0.208). The complex crystal structure of ReO2(PO4) can be derived from the ReO3 structure type. The crystal structure of the silicophosphate consists of distorted [Re2O11] dioctahedra (1.69 Å ≤ d(Re–O) ≤ 2.08 Å), [SiIVO6] octahedra, and [Sit2O(PO4)6]12– heteropolyanions. In ReO2(PO4) monomeric perrhenyl ions (ReO2)3+ (∠(Ot,Re, Ot) ≈ 101.5°) are formed. The silicophosphate (Re2O5)Sio2[Sit2O(PO4)6] contains dinuclear (Re2O5)4+ cations. 31P‐MAS‐NMR studies on ReO2(PO4) are in accordance with three independent sites of phosphorus. The results of 31P‐ and 29Si‐MAS‐NMR studies on (Re2O5)Sio2[Sit2O(PO4)6] are in agreement with three crystallographically independent sites for phosphorus and two sites for silicon.
Synthesis and Phase Relations of Single‐Phase Fibrous Phosphorus
Authors: Eckstein Nadine , Hohmann Andrea , Weihrich Richard , Nilges Tom , Schmidt Peer
Published: August 2013

Fibrous phosphorus is one of the known crystalline allotropes under standard pressure conditions. It has been predicted prior to its successful synthesis and structural characterization. The allotrope consists of parallel, tubular double strands of phosphorus, in contrast to the violet form of Hittorf's phosphorus, where the same strands are arranged in a perpendicular orientation towards each other. This structural similarity results in an almost identical energetic stability leading to a somehow problematic realization of single‐phase materials. We herein report on the successful synthesis route to single phase fibrous phosphorus and the in situ characterization of its formation via the gas phase applying CuCl2 as a mineralizer. The sublimation pressure of fibrous phosphorus is slightly lower than the one of the black allotrope. This behavior indicates thermodynamic stability of fibrous phosphorus.
Assessment of the stromal contribution to Sonic Hedgehog‐dependent pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Damhofer Helene , Medema Jan Paul , Veenstra Veronique L. , Badea Liviu , Popescu Irinel , Roelink Henk , Bijlsma Maarten F.
Published: August 2013

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies. It is typically detected at an advanced stage, at which the therapeutic options are very limited. One remarkable feature of PDAC that contributes to its resilience to treatment is the extreme stromal activation seen in these tumors. Often, the vast majority of tumor bulk consists of non‐tumor cells that together provide a tumor‐promoting environment. One of the signals that maintains and activates the stroma is the developmental protein Sonic Hedgehog (SHH). As the disease progresses, tumor cells produce increasing amounts of SHH, which activates the surrounding stroma to aid in tumor progression. To better understand this response and identify targets for inhibition, we aimed to elucidate the proteins that mediate the SHH‐driven stromal response in PDAC. For this a novel mixed‐species coculture model was set up in which the cancer cells are human, and the stroma is modeled by mouse fibroblasts. In conjunction with next‐generation sequencing we were able to use the sequence difference between these species to genetically distinguish between the epithelial and stromal responses to SHH. The stromal SHH‐dependent genes from this analysis were validated and their relevance for human disease was subsequently determined in two independent patient cohorts. In non‐microdissected tissue from PDAC patients, in which a large amount of stroma is present, the targets were confirmed to associate with tumor stroma versus normal pancreatic tissue. Patient survival analysis and immunohistochemistry identified CDA, EDIL3, ITGB4, PLAUR and SPOCK1 as SHH‐dependent stromal factors that are associated with poor prognosis in PDAC patients. Summarizing, the presented data provide insight into the role of the activated stroma in PDAC, and how SHH acts to mediate this response. In addition, the study has yielded several candidates that are interesting therapeutic targets for a disease for which treatment options are still inadequate.
Sanctuary in Action
Authors: Clarke Annaley
Published: August 2013

The Sanctuary Model (Sanctuary) is a trauma-informed model of care for human services. The model is made up of tools, norms and theoretical underpinnings that form the basis of building safety and promoting recovery from adversity within the context of communities. Sanctuary focuses on healing those who have experienced trauma, by being purposeful and deliberate about the well-being of the system as a whole, including the client, staff, the organisation and more broadly the community. Churches of Christ Care Pathways have been implementing this model within the Australian out-of-home care context including Foster and Kinship Care, Intensive Foster Care, Residential, Supported Independent Living and Intervention Services for the past three years. This article provides a brief description of components of the model, including the SELF model, Community Meetings, Safety Plans, Psycho-Educational Group Work, Self Care Plans, Red Flag Meetings and Team Meetings; detailing practice examples from its use within an Australian context. This article aims to make the link between the model and practice.
Issues and Challenges for Service Agencies in Monitoring Educational Outcomes for Children in Out-of-home Care
Authors: Joanne Smith Lisa , McLean Sara
Published: August 2013

Children in out-of-home care (OOHC) experience a number of adverse educational outcomes, including lower attainment and fewer years of schooling; and they are less likely than their peers to remain in education and training after 16 years of age. Children in OOHC are being left behind in educational settings. This is worrying as education can provide the gateway to future life opportunities and a way for them to escape the adverse circumstances which brought them into care. Agencies supporting children in OOHC aim to ameliorate these negative outcomes. The barriers to good educational outcomes for children in OOHC are well documented and include systemic factors over which a support agency has little control. In order to monitor the effectiveness of an agency in supporting children in OOHC, it is essential to monitor the elements of service provision that are influenced by agency inputs rather than systemic or institutional factors. This article will outline potential ways in which agencies can effectively monitor their impact on children's lives.
Integrating a Behavioural Sleep Intervention into Smoking Cessation Treatment for Smokers with Insomnia: A Randomised Pilot Study
Authors: Fucito Lisa M. , Redeker Nancy S. , Ball Samuel A. , Toll Benjamin A. , Ikomi Jolomi T. , Carroll Kathleen M.
Published: August 2013

Introduction: Sleep disturbance is common among cigarette smokers and predicts smoking cessation failure. Aims: The purpose of this study was to conduct a pilot test of whether provision of a sleep intervention might bolster smoking cessation outcomes among this vulnerable group. Methods: Smokers with insomnia (N = 19) seeking smoking cessation treatment were randomly assigned to receive 8 sessions over 10 weeks of either: (1) cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia + smoking cessation counselling (CBT-I+SC; n = 9) or (2) smoking cessation counselling alone (SC; n = 10). Counselling commenced 4 weeks prior to a scheduled quit date, and nicotine patch therapy was also provided for 6 weeks starting on the quit date. Results: There was no significant effect of counselling condition on smoking cessation outcomes. Most participants had difficulty initiating and maintaining smoking abstinence in that 7-day point prevalence abstinence rates at end of treatment (CBT-I+SC: 1/7, 14%; SC: 2/10, 20%) and follow-up (CBT-I+SC: 1/7, 14%; SC: 0/10, 0%) were low for both conditions. CBT-I+SC participants reported improvements in sleep efficiency, quality, duration and insomnia symptoms. Sleep changes were not associated with the likelihood of achieving smoking abstinence. Conclusions: This randomised pilot study suggests that behavioural interventions may improve sleep among smokers with insomnia, but a larger sample is needed to replicate this finding and evaluate whether these changes facilitate smoking cessation.
Do New Zealand Māori and Pacific ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to stopping smoking? A qualitative study of motivation to quit
Authors: Glover Marewa , Nosa Vili , Gentles Dudley , Watson Donna , Paynter Janine
Published: August 2013

Introduction: In March 2011, the New Zealand government committed to the goal of reducing the prevalence of current smokers to less than 5% by 2025. Smoking prevalence is significantly higher for Māori and Pacific peoples. To ensure a proportionately larger decrease in smoking prevalence for Māori and Pacific peoples by 2025, more effective strategies for prompting cessation among these groups are needed. Aim: This study aimed to identify what motivates Māori and Pacific people to quit smoking so that communications and mass media quit campaigns can be more effective at triggering quitting among them. Method: A qualitative approach utilising focus groups (N = 168) was used to ask participants to rank reasons why people say they should quit smoking (the ‘talk’) which we compared with participants’ reasons for actually quitting (the ‘walk’). The results were plotted on a scatter graph using a method devised by the authors. Results: Health, children and pregnancy were perceived to be strong motivating reasons to quit and they were frequently cited as triggering past quit attempts. Cost was plotted high for Pacific but low for Māori especially for talk. ‘It stinks’ was cited as triggering past quit attempts, but was not perceived as a reason to quit. Conclusion: Emotionally important reasons and more immediate reasons for quitting are likely to be more effective at prompting Māori and Pacific peoples to stop smoking.
Cultural Development of Mathematical Ideas: Papua New Guinea Studies
Authors: Owens Kay
Published: August 2013

This review highlights the strengths of Geoffrey Saxe's latest book on cultural development of mathematical ideas. His research was undertaken in a remote area of Papua New Guinea. This book is important for it brings together Saxe's critical thinking on genetic development within the field of cognitive psychology as it relates to mathematics. This is an important contribution to ethnomathematics.
THE NATURAL PARTIAL ORDER ON SOME TRANSFORMATION SEMIGROUPS
Authors: CHAOPRAKNOI SUREEPORN , PHONGPATTANACHAROEN TEERAPHONG , RAWIWAN PATTANACHAI
Published: August 2013

For a semigroup $S$, let ${S}^{1} $ be the semigroup obtained from $S$ by adding a new symbol 1 as its identity if $S$ has no identity; otherwise let ${S}^{1} = S$. Mitsch defined the natural partial order $\leqslant $ on a semigroup $S$ as follows: for $a, b\in S$, $a\leqslant b$ if and only if $a= xb= by$ and $a= ay$ for some $x, y\in {S}^{1} $. In this paper, we characterise the natural partial order on some transformation semigroups. In these partially ordered sets, we determine the compatibility of their elements, and find all minimal and maximal elements.
Duddingtonia flagranschlamydospores in nutritional pellets: effect of storage time and conditions on the trapping ability againstHaemonchus contortuslarvae
Authors: Fitz-Aranda J.A. , Mendoza-de-Gives P. , Torres-Acosta J.F.J. , Liébano-Hernández E. , López-Arellano M.E. , Sandoval-Castro C.A. , Quiroz-Romero H.
Published: August 2013

The study evaluated the effect of storage time and conditions of nutritional pellets (NP) containingDuddingtonia flagranschlamydospores on itsin vitrotrapping ability againstHaemonchus contortusL3 larvae. The treated batch (200 NP) contained 4 ×  106chlamydospores of the FTH0-8 strain, whereas the control batch (200 NP) was produced without spores. Both NP batches were exposed to four experimental storage conditions: (T1) shelves (indoors); (T2) refrigeration (4°C); (T3) outdoors under a roof; and (T4) 100% outdoors. Each group comprised 48 NP with spores and 48 NP without spores (control). The ability ofD. flagransspores to trapH. contortusL3 larvae was evaluated for 8 weeks for each storage condition. For that purpose, six randomly selected NP with spores were compared to their respective control NP. Each NP was individually crushed. The crushed material (1 g) was placed on the surface of a 2% water agar plate with 200H. contortusL3 larvae. Plates were sealed and were incubated at room temperature for 8 days. The whole content of every plate was transferred to a Baermann apparatus to recover the remaining larvae. There was a clear larval reduction in the NP with spores, compared to the respective control NP in the four storage conditions (P< 0.05). The mean reductions ( ± SEM) of the storage conditions were 67 ± 4.9 (T2), 77 ± 6.1 (T1), 81.5 ± 3.8 (T4) and 82.1 ± 2.5 (T3). Larval reductions were similar at all times and were not affected by storage conditions or storage time (R2< 0.2;P>0.05). The long-term shelf-life of the chlamydospores in the NP suggests that this spore dosage technology is a viable option.
The 2012 Presidential Election and What It Reveals about Mexican Voters
Authors: CAMP RODERIC AI
Published: August 2013

The 2012 presidential election in Mexico is significant for many reasons, not least of which is that it returned the Partido Revolucionario Institucional to power after two Partido Acción Nacional administrations. This essay reviews more than 50 surveys taken before and during the election to determine significant patterns among Mexican voters, comparing the most influential traditional and non-traditional demographic variables, as well as other variables such as partisanship and policy issues in this election, with those of the two previous presidential races. It also analyses other influential variables in the 2012 presidential race, including social media and the application of new electoral legislation. It identifies significant differences and similarities among voters today in contrast to the two prior elections, and suggests long-term patterns among Mexican voters which are likely to influence voting behaviour in future elections, ranging from regionalism and gender to partisanship and social media.
‘These Industrial Forests’: Economic Nationalism and the Search for Agro-Industrial Commodities in Nineteenth-Century Brazil
Authors: CRIBELLI TERESA
Published: August 2013

In the nineteenth century, members of the Rio de Janeiro-based Sociedade Auxiliadora da Industria Nacional promoted the development of new agro-industrial commodities from Brazil's native forests as substitutes for expensive foreign imports. Influenced by late colonial scientists and reformers who followed the political economy of Carl Linnaeus, the society turned a Portuguese imperial project of economic revitalisation into a vision for developing the nation's post-independence economy. For society members, Brazil's ‘industrial forests’ were essential for economic independence and defined the new nation's place in an emerging global capitalist system.
Cutting Off the Dictator: The United States Arms Embargo of the Pinochet Regime, 1974–1988
Authors: BAWDEN JOHN R.
Published: August 2013

In 1976, the US Congress halted arms sales to Chile. This paper examines the congressional debate over arms sales to Chile and the political and military consequences of the action. Recent scholarship has largely overlooked the embargo and its implications for regional security dynamics in South America. Initially US sanctions increased Chile's diplomatic isolation and military vulnerability, which made regional conflict more likely. However, Chile's ability to surmount the effects of the embargo eventually increased Augusto Pinochet's independence vis-à-vis Washington. When the Reagan administration began pushing for a transition to democracy, it lacked two key instruments for influencing a military government: weapons sales and security assistance.
Pre- and perinatal hypoxia associated with hippocampus/amygdala volume in bipolar disorder
Authors: Haukvik U. K. , McNeil T. , Lange E. H. , Melle I. , Dale A. M. , Andreassen O. A. , Agartz I.
Published: August 2013

Background

Pre- and perinatal adversities may increase the risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Hypoxia-related obstetric complications (OCs) are associated with brain anatomical abnormalities in schizophrenia, but their association with brain anatomy variation in bipolar disorder is unknown.

Method

Magnetic resonance imaging brain scans, clinical examinations and data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway were obtained for 219 adults, including 79 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar disorder (age 29.4 years,s.d. = 11.8 years, 39% male) and 140 healthy controls (age 30.8 years,s.d. = 12.0 years, 53% male). Severe hypoxia-related OCs throughout pregnancy/birth and perinatal asphyxia were each studied in relation toa prioriselected brain volumes (hippocampus, lateral ventricles and amygdala, obtained with FreeSurfer), using linear regression models covarying for age, sex, medication use and intracranial volume. Multiple comparison adjustment was applied.

Results

Perinatal asphyxia was associated with smaller left amygdala volume (t = −2.59,p = 0.012) in bipolar disorder patients, but not in healthy controls. Patients with psychotic bipolar disorder showed distinct associations between perinatal asphyxia and smaller left amygdala volume (t = −2.69,p = 0.010), whereas patients with non-psychotic bipolar disorder showed smaller right hippocampal volumes related to both perinatal asphyxia (t = −2.60,p = 0.015) and severe OCs (t = −3.25,p = 0.003). No associations between asphyxia or severe OCs and the lateral ventricles were found.

Conclusions

Pre- and perinatal hypoxia-related OCs are related to brain morphometry in bipolar disorder in adulthood, with specific patterns in patients with psychoticversusnon-psychotic illness.
A synthesizer for gigawatt class high power microwaves
Authors: Fang Jinyong , Huang Huijun , Sun Jing , Zhang Zhiqiang , Liang Tiezhu , Huang Wenhua , Huang Puming
Published: August 2013

The high power microwave (HPM) synthesis method is presented in this paper for gigawatt level. The gigawatt level HPM could be synthesized from two separate input wave-guides according to the coupled-wave and orthogonal polarization theory. The synthesizer is used by two back to back circular wave-guides. The main channel is the circular wave-guide connected to the output port, which transmits horizontal polarization TE011mode. The operating bandwidth is only limited by the barrier wave-lengthλcof circular wave-guide. The sub-channel transmits vertical polarization TE011mode and the operating bandwidth is up to several hundred MHz. The energy of sub-channel could be coupled into main channel through continuous long-slit coupling structure. The synthesizer can be analyzed using numerical simulation method, which focuses on the power capability. The simulation results indicate that the transmission efficiency of the main channel is above 99%, the coupling efficiency of the sub-channel is above 96%, which also validates the reasonability of synthesizer design. At the same time, the prototype of synthesizer is designed and the HPM experiment system is established. The transmitting and coupling efficiency are both greater than 95% in cold test condition and they are also greater than 90% in gigawatt class test condition, the power capability of the synthesizer reaches about 1.2GW. The test results validate the feasibility of synthesizer for gigawatt class HPM.
Heterogeneity of Letter Fluency Impairment and Executive Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Pettit Lewis , McCarthy Martina , Davenport Richard , Abrahams Sharon
Published: August 2013

Letter fluency deficits are commonly detected in non-demented Parkinson's disease (PD) patients but the underlying cause remains uncertain. We investigated the role of slowed processing speed and executive dysfunction. Eighteen non-demented PD participants and nineteen controls were compared on letter fluency using a fluency index (Fi); the average time to “think” of each word, a measure independent of motor speed. Video analyses produced thinking times to switch between word clusters and generate a word within a cluster. Correlational and regression analyses were undertaken with tests of processing speed and executive functioning. The PD group exhibited significantly longer fluency indices than controls across all components. Performance on tests of executive functioning explained a significant proportion of variance whereas performance in processing speed tests did not. Moreover, PD participants with an executive functioning impairment showed significantly worse switching fluency indices only compared with Controls and PD participants without executive dysfunction. PD participants with executive dysfunction exhibited a disproportionate impairment in the time taken to switch between clusters than to think of words within clusters. Executive functioning contributed to fluency performance more than processing speed. Cognitive heterogeneity and motor slowing, may mask the profile of cognitive dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–9)
Association of eating speed and energy intake of main meals with overweight in Chinese pre-school children
Authors: Lin Ming , Pan Liping , Tang Lixia , Jiang Jingxiong , Wang Yan , Jin Runming
Published: August 2013

Objective

To investigate the association between eating behaviours (eating speed and energy intake of main meals) and overweight in pre-school children.

Design

Cross-sectional study. Data consisted of measurements (height and weight), questionnaire information (eating behaviours of eating speed and overeating) and on-site observation data (meal duration and energy intake of main meals).

Setting

Seven kindergartens in Beijing, China.

Subjects

Pre-school children (n1138; age range 3·1–6·7 years old) from seven kindergartens participated in the study.

Results

The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of overweight in participants with parent-reported ‘more than needed food intake’ was 3·02 (95 % CI 2·06, 4·44) compared with the ‘medium food intake’ participants, and higher eating speed was associated with childhood overweight. For the two observed eating behaviours, each 418·7 kJ (100 kcal) increase of lunch energy intake significantly increased the likelihood for overweight by a factor of 1·445, and each 5-min increase in meal duration significantly decreased the likelihood for overweight by a factor of 0·861. Increased portions of rice and cooked dishes were significantly associated with overweight status (OR = 2·274; 95 % CI 1·360, 3·804 and OR = 1·378; 95 % CI 1·010, 1·881, respectively).

Conclusions

Eating speed and excess energy intake of main meals are associated with overweight in pre-school children.
Water Exclusion Layers Probed by Depth Scan Confocal Raman Microscopy
Authors: Teschke Omar , Bonugli Luiz O. , dos Santos Marcus V.P.
Published: August 2013

Depth scan confocal Raman microscopy was employed to map water and air spatial distributions in immersed superhydrophobic films. Due to the lack of visible nanobubbles on flat surfaces, we have probed heterogeneous surfaces where solid–liquid, liquid–vapor, and vapor–solid coexist. Depth scan profiles show liquid exclusion (vapor) layers inside the fiber arrangement and water in contact only at the fiber apex.
Mental models of organic weed management: Comparison of New England US farmer and expert models
Authors: Jabbour Randa , Zwickle Sarah , Gallandt Eric R. , McPhee Katherine E. , Wilson Robyn S. , Doohan Doug
Published: August 2013

Weeds are a major challenge for organic farmers, yet we know little about the factors influencing organic farmers’ weed management decisions. We hypothesized that farmers and scientist ‘experts’ differ in fundamental areas of knowledge and perceptions regarding weeds and weed management. Moreover, these differences prevent effective communication, outreach programming and research prioritization. An expert mental model, constructed primarily from interviews with research scientists and extension professionals, revealed expert emphasis on knowledge of ecological weed management as crucial for successfully implementing such strategies. We interviewed 23 organic farmers in northern New England, yielding an aggregate farmer mental model to compare with the expert model. Farmers demonstrated knowledge of the major concepts discussed by experts, but differed in emphasis. Farmers placed less emphasis on ecological complexity than experts. One-third of farmers interviewed discussed the potential role of weeds as indicators of soil nutrient status, a concept of which experts were skeptical. Farmer beliefs about the weed seedbank highlighted potential misconceptions regarding seed persistence, with one-fourth of farmers focusing on the concept that seeds can live for an exceptionally long time in the soil, while experts focused on the concept of the seed half-life. Farmers emphasized the role of experience, both their own and that of other farmers, rather than knowledge derived from scientific research. Farmers considered yield and the cost of time and labor as equally at risk because of weeds, whereas experts predominantly discussed yield loss. During discussions of management, both farmers and experts most emphasized risks associated with cultivation and benefits associated with cover cropping. These results have prompted us, first, to develop new educational materials focused on weed seed longevity and management of the weed seedbank, and, second, to conduct regional focus groups with farmers who prioritize fertility management in their efforts to control weeds, especially manipulations of soil calcium and magnesium.
The role of early life nutrition in programming of reproductive function
Authors: Chadio S. , Kotsampasi B.
Published: August 2013

Accumulating evidence suggest that the concept of programming can also be applied to reproductive development and function, representing an ever expanding research area. Recently issues such as peri- or even preconceptional nutrition, transgenerational effects and underlying mechanisms have received considerable attention. The present chapter presents the existed evidence and reviews the available data from numerous animal and human studies on the effects of early life nutritional environment on adult reproductive function. Specific outcomes depend on the severity, duration and stage of development when nutritional perturbations are imposed, while sex-specific effects are also manifested. Apart from undernutrition, effects of relative overnutrition as well as the complex interactions between pre- and postnatal nutrition is of high importance, especially in the context of our days obesity epidemic. Mechanisms underlying reproductive programming are yet unclear, but may include a role for epigenetic modifications. Epigenetic modulation of critical genes involved in the control of reproductive function and potential intergenerational effects represent an exciting area of interdisciplinary research toward the development of new nutritional approaches during pre- and postnatal periods to ensure reproductive health in later life.
Locus of Backward Crosstalk Effects on Task 1 in a Psychological Refractory Period Task
Authors: Ko Yao-Ting , Miller Jeff
Published: August 2013

Our performance on a task decreases when the task is in a dual-task situation than when it is in isolation. An important experimental setting for dual-task situation is the psychological refractory period (PRP) paradigm, and the dual-task performance decrements in the PRP paradigm are referred to as PRP interference. The standard response-selection bottleneck (RSB) models state that the response-selection stage of the second task (T2) cannot start until the response-selection stage of the first task (T1) finishes, resulting in the PRP interference. Contrary to the prediction of RSB models, several researchers have found T2’s modulations on T1’s performance, and have suggested that T1’s selection-related processes are affected by T2’s selection-related processes, referred to as backward crosstalk effects. The locus of backward crosstalk effects is not clear, however, because RTs were measured in most previous studies. By using semantically unrelated stimuli and responses and by measuring T1’s lateralized readiness potential, we examined the locus of backward crosstalk effects. We found that the interval between T1’s stimulus onset and the stimulus-locked LRP onset was affected, suggesting T2’s response selection starts before T1’s selection is complete. The present result provided electrophysiological evidence focusing on T1’s changes in favor of the hypothesis of parallel response selection in the PRP paradigm.