bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and distribution of trulli constructions in the area of the site of community importance Murgia of Trulli
Authors: Ruggiero Giuseppe , Dal Sasso Stefano , Loisi Rosa Viviana , Verdiani Giuseppe
Published: October 2013

The agro-forestry territory in the Region of Apulia, southern Italy, is characterised by a widespread and diversified presence of dry stone constructions, including trulli, rural buildings with a characteristic a conical shape. The trulli are mainly to be found in the central and eastern part of the region, called Murgia of Trulli. Trulli are perfectly integrated with the agro-environment specificity of the area, creating a unique landscape and establishing themselves as a testimony of tradition and rural culture. In fact, in this area, from the 17th until the mid-20th century, the trulli accompanied the development of agricultural activities. According to the number of cones they had, they were used as temporary shelters, places of support for primary production, or comfortable houses for the rural population. In recent decades, for several social and economic reasons, this heritage of rural buildings has been affected by abandonment and degradation phenomena. Interventions aimed at recovery and re-use have not always respected the origin of the buildings, their design characteristics or the landscape in which they had been built. In order to reduce the impact that this situation has had on environmental and territorial quality it is, therefore, necessary to develop initiatives to protect and valorise the trulli while respecting the identity of place, the architectural elements, and the agricultural and environmental characteristics of the territory. For this purpose, we need to analyse and characterise the heritage of the existing trulli and its relationship with the local reality. The present paper analyses the typology and distribution of the trulli located on the site of community importance Murgia of Trulli, a protected area with high environmental value in the central-eastern area of the Region of Apulia. Specifically, we analysed the relationship between the trulli buildings and the agro-environment context to acquire a basic interpretative knowledge in order to define strategies for recovery and re-use.
Review: Industry levy-funded pulse crop research in Canada: Evidence from the prairie provinces
Authors: Carew R. , Florkowski W. J. , Zhang Yu (Rachel)
Published: October 2013

Carew, R., Florkowski, W. J. and Zhang, Y. 2013. Review: Industry levy-funded pulse crop research in Canada: Evidence from the prairie provinces. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 1017–1028. Since the 1970s the prairies provinces have become a major producer of pulse crops, attributed to diversified cropping systems and the adoption of improved cultivars. This article reviews pulse production trends and research funding for pulse crop research, emphasizing both the contribution of governments and public research institutions/industry arrangements in shaping the growth of the pulse sector. The expansion of pulse production has not been associated with rapid increases in publicly funded research. The study found that industry-/producer-funded research as a share of pulse farm cash receipts has been larger in Saskatchewan and Manitoba than in Alberta. Moreover, the unique consortium arrangement of funding pulse research in Alberta by the provincial government has resulted in larger research intensities than for provincial government funding in Saskatchewan or Manitoba. Furthermore, the intellectual property protection of pulse cultivars since the enactment of the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act in 1990 has increased Canadian producers’ access to field pea cultivars developed by foreign seed companies.
Some integral inequalities for convex functions
Authors: Ozdemir M. Emin , Kavurmaci Havva , Avci Merve
Published: October 2013

In this paper, by using some classical inequalities from the Theory of Inequality and integral identity, we establish two new general inequalities. Our results have some relationships with certain integral inequalities obtained by Sarikaya and Aktan.
A new subclass of meromorphic function with positive and fixed second coefficients
Authors: Srikandan Sivasubramanian , Magesh N. , Darus Maslina
Published: October 2013

In this paper we introduce and study a subclass $\mathcal{M}_{P}(\alpha, \lambda, c)$ of meromorphic univalent functions. We obtain coefficient estimates, extreme points, growth and distortion bounds, radii of meromorphically starlikeness and meromorphically convexity for the class $\mathcal{M}_{P}(\alpha, \lambda, c)$ by fixing the second coefficient. Further, it is shown that the class $\mathcal{M}_{P}(\alpha, \lambda, c)$ is closed under convex linear combination.
Cognitive Human-Machine Interface Applied in Remote Support for Industrial Robot Systems
Authors: Kosicki Tomasz , Thomessen Trygve
Published: October 2013

An attempt is currently being made to widely introduce industrial robots to Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Since the enterprises usually employ too small number of robot units to afford specialized departments for robot maintenance, they must be provided with inexpensive and immediate support remotely. This paper evaluates whether the support can be provided by means of Cognitive Info-communication – communication in which human cognitive capabilities are extended irrespectively of geographical distances. The evaluations are given with an aid of experimental system that consists of local and remote rooms, which are physically separated – a six-degree-of-freedom NACHI SH133-03 industrial robot is situated in the local room, while the operator, who supervises the robot by means of audio-visual Cognitive Human-Machine Interface, is situated in the remote room. The results of simple experiments show that Cognitive Info-communication is not only efficient mean to provide the support remotely, but is probably also a powerful tool to enhance interaction with any data-rich environment that require good conceptual understanding of system's state and careful attention management. Furthermore, the paper discusses data presentation and reduction methods for data-rich environments, as well as introduces the concepts of Naturally Acquired Data and Cognitive Human-Machine Interfaces.
Neuro-Based Thumb-Tip Force and Joint Angle Modelling for Development of Prosthetic Thumb Control
Authors: Jalaludin Nor Anija , Sidek Shahrul Na'im , Shamsudin Abu Ubaidah
Published: October 2013

Human fingers have a specific role that contributes to different hand functions. Among these fingers, the thumb plays the most special function as an anchor to many hand activities. As a result, the loss of the thumb due to traumatic accidents can be catastrophic as proper hand function will be severely limited. In order to solve this problem, a prosthetic thumb is developed to be worn in complementing the function of the rest of the fingers. The movement of the prosthetic device can be naturally controlled by using electromyogram (EMG) signals. In this work, the EMG signals from the human muscles were measured in different thumb configurations and thumb-tip forces in flexion movement. The muscles involved are the Adductor Pollicis (AP), Flexor Pollicis Brevis (FPB), Abductor Pollicis Brevis (APB) and First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI). The classification of the EMG signals based on different force and thumb configurations is performed using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). From a series of experiments, the results show that the neural network efficiently classified the signals and a unique set of EMG signals was generated for each thumb movement and force. Therefore, EMG signals were used to control the prosthetic movement with aid from the developed neural network.
An Autonomous UAV with an Optical Flow Sensor for Positioning and Navigation
Authors: Gageik Nils , Strohmeier Michael , Montenegro Sergio
Published: October 2013

A procedure to control all six DOF (degrees of freedom) of a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) without an external reference system and to enable fully autonomous flight is presented here. For 2D positioning the principle of optical flow is used. Together with the output of height estimation, fusing ultrasonic, infrared and inertial and pressure sensor data, the 3D position of the UAV can be computed, controlled and steered. All data processing is done on the UAV. An external computer with a pathway planning interface is for commanding purposes only. The presented system is part of the AQopterI8 project, which aims to develop an autonomous flying quadrocopter for indoor application. The focus of this paper is 2D positioning using an optical flow sensor. As a result of the performed evaluation, it can be concluded that for position hold, the standard deviation of the position error is 10cm and after landing the position error is about 30cm.
Developmental mapping of small‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channel expression in the rat nervous system
Authors: Gymnopoulos Marco , Cingolani Lorenzo A. , Pedarzani Paola , Stocker Martin
Published: October 2013

Early electrical activity and calcium influx regulate crucial aspects of neuronal development. Small‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium (SK) channels regulate action potential firing and shape calcium influx through feedback regulation in mature neurons. These functions, observed in the adult nervous system, make them ideal candidates to regulate activity‐ and calcium‐dependent processes in neurodevelopment. However, to date little is known about the onset of expression and regions expressing SK channel subunits in the embryonic and postnatal development of the central nervous system (CNS). To allow studies on the contribution of SK channels to different phases of development of single neurons and networks, we have performed a detailed in situ hybridization mapping study, providing comprehensive distribution profiles of all three SK subunits (SK1, SK2, and SK3) in the rat CNS during embryonic and postnatal development. SK channel transcripts are expressed at early stages of prenatal CNS development. The three SK channel subunits display different developmental expression gradients in distinct CNS regions, with time points of expression and up‐ or downregulation that can be associated with a range of diverse developmental events. Their early expression in embryonic development suggests an involvement of SK channels in the regulation of developmental processes. Additionally, this study shows how the postnatal ontogenetic patterns lead to the adult expression map for each SK channel subunit and how their coexpression in the same regions or neurons varies throughout development. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:1072–1101, 2014. © 2013 The Authors The Journal of Comparative Neurology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Postoperative Chyle Leak After Major Pancreatic Resections in Patients Who Receive Enteral Feed: Risk Factors and Management Options
Authors: Hilal Mohammed Abu , Layfield David M. , Di Fabio Francesco , Arregui‐Fresneda Irantzu , Panagiotopoulou Ioanna G. , Armstrong Thomas H. , Pearce Neil W. , Johnson Colin D.
Published: October 2013

Background

Chyle leak complicates 1.3–10.8 % of pancreatic resections. Universal use of parenteral nutrition following pancreatic resection may reduce the incidence of chyle leak. However, this denies the majority of patients who do not develop chyle leak the benefits of enteral nutrition (EN). The present study aimed to identify risk factors for chyle leak following pancreatic resection within a single institution where EN was used universally.

Methods

All patients who underwent pancreatic resection between January 2007 and December 2010 were identified retrospectively. The patients had been treated according to a common unit protocol of enteral feeding; those developing chyle leak were switched to a medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT) regimen. Clinical progress and recovery after surgery was evaluated. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with chyle leak.

Results

A total of 245 patients underwent major pancreatic resection (231 pancreatoduodenectomy, 14 total pancreatectomy). Chyle leak complicated 40 cases (16.3 %). After multivariate analysis, both extensive lymphadenectomy (P = 0.002) and postoperative portal/mesenteric venous thrombosis (PVT) (P = 0.009) were independently linked with a higher incidence of chyle leak. The development of chyle leak was not associated with poorer survival or prolonged duration of hospital stay. It was associated with a significantly increased duration of abdominal drainage and reduced likelihood of early hospital discharge (P = 0.026).

Conclusions

Universal use of enteral feeding is associated with a high rate of chyle leak following pancreatic resection. Patients undergoing extensive lymphadenectomy or those who develop PVT postoperatively are at increased risk. Development of chyle leak was not associated with additional morbidity or mortality following implementation of an MCT regimen. The implication is that reactive management of chyle leak with conversion to a MCT predominant diet is safe.
“Cherry Picking”, a Multiple Non‐anatomic Liver Resection Technique, as a Promising Option for Diffuse Liver Metastases in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumours
Authors: Krausch Markus , Raffel Andreas , Anlauf Martin , Schott Matthias , Lehwald Nadja , Krieg Andreas , Topp Stefan Andreas , Cupisti Kenko , Knoefel Wolfram Trudo
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Liver metastases of GEP‐NETs are a known major prognostic factor with a strong effect on patients’ survival. To date, various treatment options are available, whereas surgery remains the only curative option. Because large liver resections often cannot be performed due to insufficient remnant liver volume, a special operative technique, “cherry picking” (multiple nonanatomic liver resections), can be used as a tissue‐preserving procedure.

Methods

Of 91 patients with various GEP‐NETs, 16 patients were identified with synchronous or metachronous multifocal, bilobular liver metastases (>10). All were treated with “cherry picking.” Patient records were reviewed retrospectively and clinical data and pathology results were analyzed.

Results

Mean survival after primary tumour resection was 82.8 versus 41.2 months after liver surgery. All 16 patients are still alive. Mean recurrence‐free survival after primary tumour operation was 49.8 versus 24.6 months after liver surgery. Complications of cherry picking included two postoperative biliary leakages and three small hepatic abscesses (conservative/interventional approach 25 % (n = 4), surgical approach 6.25 % (n = 1). There was no postoperative mortality. Initial hormonal symptoms (5/16 patients) completely disappeared postoperatively in 2 patients and were significantly decreased in 3 patients.

Conclusions

The tissue‐preserving surgical technique “cherry picking” has developed due to improved imaging techniques and increased knowledge in liver anatomy, which has helped to make this approach safer and easier. Highly selected patients with multiple bilobular liver metastases of GEP‐NET can benefit from this special surgical approach, also applicable for recurrent metastases.
Muscle Function Is Impaired in Patients With “Asymptomatic” Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Rolighed Lars , Amstrup Anne Kristine , Jakobsen Niels Frederik Breum , Sikjaer Tanja , Mosekilde Leif , Christiansen Peer , Rejnmark Lars
Published: October 2013

Background

Patients with “asymptomatic” primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) often describe improvement after surgery.

Methods

We evaluated muscle and balance function, quality of life (QoL), and well‐being in 58 PHPT patients and 58 population‐based matched controls in a cross‐sectional study. We tested whether patients considered “asymptomatic” according to international guidelines have functional impairment.

Results

Mean age of the patients and controls was 59 years, and 47 (81 %) were women. Patients had higher levels of plasma PTH and ionized calcium. Creatinine and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels did not differ between groups. Altogether, 16 (28 %) patients were “asymptomatic.” Compared with controls, PHPT was associated with significantly lower QoL in all eight domains of the short form‐36 questionnaire, lower well‐being (WHO Five Well‐Being Index; p < 0.001), and impaired postural stability during normal standing with eyes open (p < 0.05) or closed (p < 0.001). Maximum isometric muscle strength was reduced in both upper (p < 0.01) and lower (p < 0.001) extremities. Physical performance was decreased during 10 repeated chair stands (p < 0.001) and time to walk 3 m forward and back (p < 0.05). Restricting analyses to “asymptomatic” patients showed significantly lower muscle strength at knee extension and flexion and impaired postural stability than in matched controls.

Conclusions

PHPT is associated with deleterious effects on muscles and QoL. Impairments also apply to patients with mild disease, normally considered “asymptomatic.” This may explain why “asymptomatic” patients report improvements following surgery. The impaired muscle function may contribute to increased fracture risk independent of bone mineral density.
Interplay between polymerase II‐ and polymerase III‐assisted expression of overlapping genes
Authors: Lukoszek Radoslaw , Mueller-Roeber Bernd , Ignatova Zoya
Published: October 2013

Up to 15% of the genes in different genomes overlap. This architecture, although beneficial for the genome size, represents an obstacle for simultaneous transcription of both genes. Here we analyze the interference between RNA‐polymerase II (Pol II) and RNA‐polymerase III (Pol III) when transcribing their target genes encoded on opposing strands within the same DNA fragment in Arabidopsis thaliana. The expression of a Pol II‐dependent protein‐coding gene negatively correlated with the transcription of a Pol III‐dependent, tRNA‐coding gene set. We suggest that the architecture of the overlapping genes introduces an additional layer of control of gene expression.
Prolyl isomerase Pin1 enhances osteoblast differentiation through Runx2 regulation
Authors: Lee Sung Ho , Choi You Hee , Kim Yeon-Jin , Choi Hong Seok , Yeo Chang-Yeol , Lee Kwang Youl
Published: October 2013

Peptidyl‐prolyl isomerase 1 (Pin1) is the only enzyme known to catalyze isomerization of the pSer/Thr‐Pro peptide bond. Pin1 induces conformational change of substrates and subsequently regulates diverse cellular processes. However, its role in osteoblast differentiation is not well understood. Here we show that Pin1 enhances osteoblast differentiation. Pin1 interacts and affects the protein stability and transcriptional activity of an important osteogenic transcriptional factor Runx2. Our results indicate that this regulation is likely due to suppression of poly‐ubiquitination‐mediated proteasomal degradation of Runx2. Our current finding suggests that Pin1 is a novel regulator of osteoblast differentiation that acts through the regulation of Runx2 function.
Test‐Retest Reliability of the ABILHAND Questionnaire in Persons With Chronic Stroke
Authors: Ekstrand Elisabeth , Lindgren Ingrid , Lexell Jan , Brogårdh Christina
Published: October 2013

Background

Reliable and valid outcome measures are needed to be able to evaluate recovery, effects of rehabilitation interventions, and changes over time. The ABILHAND Questionnaire is a measure of a patient's self‐reported ability to perform complex daily activities involving use of the hand. This instrument is commonly used in stroke rehabilitation settings, but data about the measurement variability are missing.

Objective

To assess the test‐retest reliability of the ABILHAND Questionnaire in persons with chronic stroke and to define limits for the smallest change that indicates a real change, both for a group of individuals and for a single individual.

Design

A test‐retest reliability study.

Settings

University hospital.

Participants

A convenience sample of 43 persons (11 women and 32 men; mean age 64 years) with mild to moderate impairments of hand function 6‐48 months after sustaining a stroke.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measurements

The ABILHAND Questionnaire is Rasch analyzed, enabling ordinal data to be converted into an interval scale (logits) and the use of parametric statistical analyses. The participants responded to 23 items in the ABILHAND Questionnaire on 2 occasions, 2 weeks apart. Reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC22.1), the mean difference between the test sessions (đ) together with the 95% confidence intervals for đ, the standard error of measurement (SEM and SEM%), the smallest real difference (SRD and SRD%), and a Bland and Altman graph.

Results

Four outliers with high mean logit scores (>4.0) were identified in the sample. The results therefore are presented both for the entire sample (n = 43) and without the 4 outliers (n = 39). The test‐retest agreement was high: ICC2,1 = 0.85 (n = 43) and 0.91 (n = 39). The SEM%, which represents the smallest change that indicates a real improvement for a group of individuals, was 21% (n = 43) and 15% (n = 39). The SRD%, which represents the smallest change that indicates a real clinical improvement for a single individual, was 59% (n = 43) and 42% (n = 39), respectively.

Conclusion

The ABILHAND Questionnaire is reliable in persons with chronic stroke and can be recommended to evaluate recovery, rehabilitation interventions, and changes over time in a group of individuals but is less suitable for a single individual.
Down-regulation of hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) expression after weaning is associated with hyperphagia-induced obesity in JCR rats overexpressing neuropeptide Y
Authors: Diané Abdoulaye , Pierce W. David , Russell James C. , Heth C. Donald , Vine Donna F. , Richard Denis , Proctor Spencer D.
Published: October 2013

We hypothesised that hypothalamic feeding-related neuropeptides are differentially expressed in obese-prone and lean-prone rats and trigger overeating-induced obesity. To test this hypothesis, in the present study, we measured energy balance and hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA expressions in male JCR:LA-cp rats. We compared, in independent cohorts, free-feeding obese-prone (Obese-FF) and lean-prone (Lean-FF) rats at pre-weaning (10 d old), weaning (21–25 d old) and early adulthood (8–12 weeks). A group of Obese-pair-feeding (PF) rats pair-fed to the Lean-FF rats was included in the adult cohort. The body weights of 10-d-old Obese-FF and Lean-FF pups were not significantly different. However, when the pups were shifted from dams' milk to solid food (weaning), the obese-prone rats exhibited more energy intake over the days than the lean-prone rats and higher body and fat pad weights and fasting plasma glucose, leptin, insulin and lipid levels. These differences were consistent with higher energy consumption and lower energy expenditure. In the young adult cohort, the differences between the Obese-FF and Lean-FF rats became more pronounced, yielding significant age effects on most of the parameters of the metabolic syndrome, which were reduced in the Obese-PF rats. The obese-prone rats displayed higher NPY expression than the lean-prone rats at pre-weaning and weaning, and the expression levels did not differ by age. In contrast, POMC expression exhibited significant age-by-genotype differences. At pre-weaning, there was no genotype difference in POMC expression, but in the weanling cohort, obese-prone pups exhibited lower POMC expression than the lean-prone rats. This genotype difference became more pronounced at adulthood. Overall, the development of hyperphagia-induced obesity in obese-prone JCR rats is related to POMC expression down-regulation in the presence of established NPY overexpression.
Effects of a magnetic field applied during electroplating on the texture and magnetic properties of Ni nanowire arrays
Authors: Liu Z. , Li W. , Xu D. , Fei W.-D. , Jin P.P.
Published: October 2013

Ni nanowire arrays were prepared by electroplating using anodic aluminum oxide templates, and a magnetic field was applied during the electroplating process. The effects of an applied magnetic field on the texture and magnetic properties of the Ni nanowire arrays were studied. The results show that the (110) texture is formed in the nanowires prepared in different magnetic fields. However, the applied magnetic field during electroplating can affect the texture degree, and there exists a suitable magnetic field for small diffusion degree of the (110) texture. On the basis of texture characterization, the effects of applied magnetic field on the magnetic properties of Ni nanowire arrays are discussed.
Study of temperature-dependent crystalline state evolution of β-SiC nanorods by X-ray diffraction
Authors: Zhang M. , Li Z.J. , Meng A.L.
Published: October 2013

Investigations into the morphology and structural evolvement of nanomaterials are essential for understanding the growth process. Herein, we present meaningful results on crystallinity transformation of β-SiC nanorods at different preparation temperatures using X-ray diffraction. Results of the characterization indicated that both crystallinity and yield of the as-prepared β-SiC nanostructures were enhanced with increasing reaction temperature. Scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscope were further employed to understand detailed structural information of the SiC nanorods obtained at specific temperature. The results may shed light on structural evolvement for fabrication of nanomaterials.
Bloodstream infection as a predictor for mortality in severe burn patients: an 11-year study
Authors: EGOZI D. , HUSSEIN K. , FILSON S. , MASHIACH T. , ULLMANN Y. , RAZ-PASTEUR A.
Published: October 2013

In this study we collected and analysed data of the severe burn patients at our institution over an 11-year period in order to shed light on the controversial role of bloodstream infection (BSI) as a predictive factor for mortality in this burn population. The factors examined were age, total body surface area, smoke inhalation, presence of BSI, and BSI with resistant bacteria. In total 1081 burn patients were hospitalized from 2001 to 2011, of whom 4% died. We focused here on 158 severe burn patients, 74 of whom developed BSI, and 35 who died. Using univariate analysis, it appeared that the BSI group had a threefold greater chance of mortality compared to the non-BSI group. Patients with a Ryan score 3 had a 100% chance of mortality and those with a score 0 had 0%. Thus, focusing only on Ryan score 1 and score 2 patients, BSI did not contribute to mortality, nor was it shown to contribute to mortality in a multivariate analysis in which the score and BSI were included together. When BSI did occur, it predicted longer hospitalization periods. We conclude that BSI predicts longer length of hospitalization stay but does not contribute to the prediction of mortality beyond that offered by the Ryan score in a severe burn population.
Near-Optimal Separators in String Graphs
Authors: MATOUŠEK JIŘÍ
Published: October 2013

Let G be a string graph (an intersection graph of continuous arcs in the plane) with m edges. Fox and Pach proved that G has a separator consisting of $O(m^{3/4}\sqrt{\log m})$ vertices, and they conjectured that the bound of $O(\sqrt m)$ actually holds. We obtain separators with $O(\sqrt m \,\log m)$ vertices.
New Support for the Big Sort Hypothesis: An Assessment of Partisan Geographic Sorting in California, 1992–2010
Authors: Sussell Jesse
Published: October 2013

This article empirically examines the “Big Sort hypothesis”—the notion that, in recent years, liberal and conservative Americans have become increasingly spatially isolated from one another. Using block group-, tract-, and county-level party registration data and presidential election returns, I construct two formal indices of segregation for 1992–2010 in California and evaluate those indices for evidence of growth in the segregation of Californians along ideological lines. Evidence of rising geographic segregation between Democrats and Republicans for measures generated from both party registration and presidential vote data is found. This growth is statistically significant for 10 of the 12 segregation measures analyzed. In addition, many of the increases are practically significant, with estimates of growth in segregation during the observation period ranging from 2% to 23%.
APSA Centennial Center: A Look Back and Ahead
Authors: Biggs Jeff
Published: October 2013

On the 10th anniversary of the APSA Centennial Center for Political Science and Public Affairs, it seems appropriate to go back to the genesis—to the decisions made by the 1998 APSA Council—to remind ourselves of their expectations.
Kant on the Law of Marriage
Authors: Beever Allan
Published: October 2013

The account of marriage Kant presents in theRechtslehrestrikes most readers as cold, legalistic and obsessed with sex. It seems to ignore at least nearly all of the morally valuable aspects of marriage. Consequently, most have felt that this is a feature of Kant's theory best ignored. Against this view, this article argues that Kant's focus is appropriate, that his understanding of marriage is much more romantic than is commonly thought and that it presents a thought-provoking alternative to the picture of marriage found in the modern law.
Translating the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist model of schizophrenia to treatments for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia
Authors: Meltzer Herbert Y. , Rajagopal Lakshmi , Huang Mei , Oyamada Yoshihiro , Kwon Sunoh , Horiguchi Masakuni
Published: October 2013

The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, phencyclidine (PCP), dizocilpine (MK-801), or ketamine, given subchronically (sc) to rodents and primates, produce prolonged deficits in cognitive function, including novel object recognition (NOR), an analog of human declarative memory, one of the cognitive domains impaired in schizophrenia. Atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs) have been reported to improve declarative memory in some patients with schizophrenia, as well as to ameliorate and prevent the NOR deficit in rodents following scNMDAR antagonist treatment. While the efficacy of AAPDs to improve cognitive impairment in schizophrenia (CIS) is limited, at best, and controversial, single doses of all currently available AAPDs so far tested transiently restore NOR in rodents following scNMDAR antagonist treatment. Typical antipsychotic drugs (APDs), e.g. haloperidol and perphenazine, are ineffective in this rodent model, and may be less effective as treatments of some domains of CIS. Serotonergic mechanisms, including, but not limited to serotonin (5-HT)2A and 5-HT7 antagonism, 5-HT1A, and GABA(A) agonism, contribute to the efficacy of the AAPDs in the scNMDAR antagonist rodent models, which are relevant to the loss of GABA interneuron/hyperglutamate hypothesis of the etiology of CIS. The ability of sub-effective doses of the atypical APDs to ameliorate NOR in the scNMDAR-treated rodents can be restored by the addition of a sub-effective dose of the 5-HT1A partial agonist, tandospirone, or the 5-HT7 antagonist, SB269970. The mGluR2/3 agonist, LY379268, which itself is unable to restore NOR in the scNMDAR-treated rodents, can also restore NOR when given with lurasidone, an AAPD. Enhancing cortical and hippocampal dopamine and acetylcholine efflux, or both, may contribute to the restoration of NOR by the atypical APDs. Importantly, co-administration of lurasidone, tandospirone, or SB269970, with PCP, to rodents, at doses 5–10 fold greater than those acutely effective to restore NOR following scNMDAR treatment, prevents the effect of scPCP to produce an enduring deficit in NOR. This difference in dosage may be relevant to utilizing AAPDs to prevent the onset of CIS in individuals at high risk for developing schizophrenia. The scNMDAR paradigm may be useful for identifying possible means to treat and prevent CIS.
Comparing Public Perceptions of the Necessities of Life across Two Societies: Japan and the United Kingdom
Authors: Abe Aya , Pantazis Christina
Published: October 2013

Establishing what constitutes ‘need’ has been a long-standing tradition in empirical investigations of poverty. In their pioneering Poor Britain study, Joanna Mack and Stewart Lansley (1985) developed the ‘consensual’ or ‘socially perceived deprivation’ approach. This sought the views of ordinary people (as opposed to academics or professional experts) in determining the necessities of life. Their approach subsequently provided the basis for further UK poverty surveys, as well as studies in other counties in Europe, Australasia, Africa and Asia. Despite this international proliferation, comparative analyses examining public perceptions of need across different societies and cultures remain sparse. This article presents findings from the first Japanese–UK comparative study based on nationally representative surveys informed by Mack and Lansley's approach. It compares the necessities of life in the two societies, examining differences as well as common socially perceived needs, and explores two possible explanations accounting for the variations found. In doing this, the article seeks to contribute to international debates on public attitudes towards the necessities of life.
Ice nucleation by electric surface fields of varying range and geometry
Authors: Yan J. Y. , Patey G. N.
Published: October 2013

Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to show that electric field bands acting only over a portion of a surface can function as effective ice nuclei. Field bands of different geometry (rectangular, triangular, and semicircular cross sectional areas are considered) all nucleate ice, provided that the band is sufficiently large. Rectangular bands are very efficient if the width and thickness are ≳0.35 nm, and ≳0.15 nm, respectively, and the necessary dimensions are comparable for other geometries. From these simulations we also learn more about the ice nucleation and growth process. Careful analysis of different systems reveals that ice strongly prefers to grow at (111) planes of cubic ice. This agrees with an earlier theoretical deduction based on considerations of water-ice interfacial energies. We find that ice nucleated by field bands usually grows as a mixture of cubic and hexagonal ice, consistent with other simulations of ice growth, and with experiment. This contrasts with simulations carried out with nucleating fields that span the entire surface area, where cubic ice dominates, and hexagonal layers are very rarely observed. We argue that this discrepancy is a simulation artifact related to finite sample size and periodic boundary conditions.
Characterization of a dielectric/GaN system using atom probe tomography
Authors: Mazumder Baishakhi , Esposto Michele , Hung Ting H. , Mates Tom , Rajan Siddharth , Speck James S.
Published: October 2013

Characterization of Al2O3 gate dielectric on GaN using pulsed laser Atom Probe Tomography is reported. Atomic layer deposition was used to grow 5 nm of aluminum oxide on Ga-polar GaN. No oxidation of the surface of the semiconductor was observed and the interface was found to be non-abrupt. A significant amount of carbon impurities (1019/cm3) were detected in the dielectric film that matches well with the estimated bulk trap density from C–V measurements. Our experiments suggest possible correlation between trap-related electrical hysteresis and the observed impurity concentration in these films.
Three-dimensional imaging of targets buried in a cluttered semi-infinite medium
Authors: Zhang Ting , Chaumet Patrick C. , Sentenac Anne , Belkebir Kamal
Published: October 2013

The present contribution deals with the detection and characterization of targets embedded in a highly cluttered environment using an electromagnetic wave probing. The targets are buried in a semi-infinite host medium with a flat interface and random permittivity. A two-dimensional antenna array is located in air above the random medium for illuminating and detecting the scene. The poor impedance matching between the antennas and the host medium limits significantly the effective numerical aperture of the imaging system. To reconstruct the targets, we propose to combine the DORT (french acronym for Décomposition de l'Opérateur de Retournement Temporel) method with an iterative inversion technique and a frequency hopping procedure. Numerical experiments show that this approach permits the reconstruction of the targets even when they are located in a highly cluttered medium.
Local ferroelectric properties in polyvinylidene fluoride/barium lead zirconate titanate nanocomposites: Interface effect
Authors: Silibin M. V. , Solnyshkin A. V. , Kiselev D. A. , Morozovska A. N. , Eliseev E. A. , Gavrilov S. A. , Malinkovich M. D. , Lupascu D. C. , Shvartsman V. V.
Published: October 2013

The local piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric composites consisting of P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer matrix with barium lead zirconate titanate ceramic inclusions were addressed both experimentally using piezoresponse force microscopy technique and theoretically applying the Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire formalism. A transient region with a width of approximately 40 nm has been found at the interface between the two constituents. It is shown that the piezoresponse in the vicinity of the interface is strongly affected by inhomogeneous stresses originating from an incompatibility of thermal expansion coefficients of PVDF and lead zirconate titanate.
Fiber-optic in-line magnetic field sensor based on the magnetic fluid and multimode interference effects
Authors: Lin Wei , Miao Yinping , Zhang Hao , Liu Bo , Liu Yange , Song Binbin
Published: October 2013

A compact magnetic field sensor has been proposed based on multimode interference effects. It consists of typical multimode interferometer (MMI) immersed into the magnetic fluid (MF) which is formed by a section of square no-core fiber (NCF) spliced between two single-mode fibers. The transmission spectral characteristics of this MMI have been analyzed, and the spectral magnetic response of the proposed sensor has been investigated by immersing the NCF into the MF environment. The transmission response of the interference maxima exhibits a sensitivity of −0.01939 dB/Oe in the relatively linear range. Due to its low cost and compactness, this sensor would find potential applications in the measurement of magnetic field.
Interface effect in Nb-Bi2Te3 hybrid structure
Authors: Liu Hong-Chao , He Hong-Tao , Li Bai-Kui , Liu Shi-Guang , Lin He Qing , Wang Gan , Sou Iam-Keong , Wang Jiannong
Published: October 2013

An array of Nb strips was fabricated on a Bi2Te3 thin film. Transport measurements show that an upturn of the resistance occurs below the Nb superconducting transition temperature. Corresponding to this resistance upturn, a differential resistance peak around zero bias and a prominent negative magnetoresistance at low magnetic fields are observed. The resistance upturn, differential resistance peak, and negative magnetoresistance can be suppressed by increasing measurement current, temperature, and applied magnetic field. We explain these phenomena in terms of an energy barrier effect induced by the Nb superconducting gap and the suppression of Andreev reflection due to the low transparency at the Nb-Bi2Te3 interface.
Persian Studies and the Military in Late Imperial Russia (1863–1917): State Power in the Service of Knowledge?
Authors: Volkov Denis V.
Published: October 2013

This article pursues the goal of going beyond Saidian notions of Orientalism and Said's assumption of the “complicity of knowledge with power” to reach back to Foucault's initial postulations on the role of institutions and the intellectual in the interplay of power/knowledge relations. The article concentrates on the role of Russian military Oriental studies institutions and Orientologists in the context of discourses (the promotion of Russkoe Delo, the juxtaposition of Russia with the West and the Orient, etc.) that existed in late Imperial Russia and influenced the accumulation and development of scholarly knowledge on the Orient. Therefore, the significant contribution of the military domain to Russian Oriental studies on both the institutional and individual levels are examined from the angle of intra-Russian discourses in the period from the establishment of the Asiatic Section of the General Staff in 1863 up to 1917.
Knowledge is power? The role of experiential knowledge in genetically ‘risky’ reproductive decisions
Authors: Boardman Felicity K.
Published: October 2013

Knowledge of the condition being tested for is increasingly acknowledged as an important factor in prenatal testing and screening decisions. An analysis of the way in which family members living with an inheritable condition use and value this knowledge has much to add to debates about whether and how this type of knowledge could be made available to prospective parents facing screening decisions. This article reports on in‐depth interviews (conducted between 2007 and 2009) with 61 people with a genetic condition, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in their family. Many participants reported that their intimate familial knowledge of SMA offered them valuable insights with which they could imagine future lives. Other participants, however, found themselves trapped between their experiential knowledge of SMA and their (often) competing responsibility to maintain the wellbeing of their family. Still, others established a hierarchy of knowledge to rank the authenticity of different family member's accounts of SMA in order to discredit or justify their decisions. This article highlights the way in which experiential knowledge of the condition being tested for cannot be unproblematically assumed to be a useful resource in the context of prenatal testing decisions and may actually constrain reproductive decisions.
Control Constraint of Underactuated Aerospace Systems
Authors: Masarati Pierangelo , Morandini Marco , Fumagalli Alessandro
Published: October 2013

This paper discusses the problem of control constraint realization applied to the design of maneuvers of complex underactuated systems modeled as multibody problems. Applications of interest in the area of aerospace engineering are presented and discussed. The tangent realization of the control constraint is discussed from a theoretical point of view and is used to determine feedforward control of realistic underactuated systems. The effectiveness of the computed feedforward input is subsequently verified by applying it to more detailed models of the problems, in the presence of disturbances and uncertainties in combination with feedback control. The problems are solved using a free general-purpose multibody software that writes the constrained dynamics of multifield problems formulated as differential-algebraic equations. The equations are integrated using unconditionally stable algorithms with tunable dissipation. The essential extension to the multibody code consisted of the addition of the capability to write arbitrary constraint equations and apply the corresponding reaction multipliers to arbitrary equations of motion. The modeling capabilities of the formulation could be exploited without any undue restriction on the modeling requirements.
Treatable Leigh-like encephalopathy presenting in adolescence
Authors: Fassone Elisa , Wedatilake Yehani , DeVile Catherine J , Chong W Kling , Carr Lucinda J , Rahman Shamima
Published: October 2013

Wernicke's encephalopathy is a triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and confusion seen in alcoholics with dietary vitamin B1(thiamine) deficiency. A rare genetic defect of thiamine transporter-2 may lead to similar clinical features, biotin-thiamine responsive basal ganglia disease (BTBGD). A 15-year-old girl developed rapid onset ptosis and ophthalmoplegia evolving into a subacute encephalopathy. Neuroimaging demonstrated symmetrical basal ganglia and mid-brain lesions reminiscent of Leigh's subacute necrotising encephalomyelopathy. Oral biotin and thiamine were started, and symptoms improved dramatically the next day. The therapeutic response suggestedSLC19A3, encoding thiamine transporter-2, as a strong candidate gene and Sanger sequencing revealed a novel homozygous c.517A>G;p.Asn173Asp mutation, which segregated with disease within the family. BTBGD is a potentially treatable neurological disorder and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Leigh syndrome and Wernicke's encephalopathy. Since delayed treatment results in permanent neurological dysfunction or death, prompt diagnosis and early initiation of biotin and thiamine therapy are essential.
Genetic parameters and correlations between stem size, forking, and flowering in teak (Tectona grandis)
Authors: Callister Andrew N.
Published: October 2013

The genetic improvement of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.), a high value tropical hardwood, has been hindered by a paucity of genetic parameter estimates. In particular, an association between flowering age and forking height has been suggested but never before quantified. In this study, 3- to 6-year data from a cloned progeny test were used to estimate heritability and genetic correlations among stem size, forking, and flowering traits. Mean narrow-sense heritability estimates [Formula: see text] were 0.09–0.10, and mean broad-sense heritability estimates ([Formula: see text]) were 0.38–0.45 for stem size traits. There were no age trends in [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]. Age–age additive and nonadditive genetic correlations were strong and were not related to the time interval between measurements. Forking height and forking age were under weak to moderate genetic control. Flowering age was under substantially greater genetic control, with [Formula: see text] of 0.21 and [Formula: see text] of 0.46. Additive and nonadditive genetic correlations between forking height and flowering age were estimated to be 0.84 and 0.55, respectively. Improvement of forking height was calculated to be almost twice as efficient by indirect selection on late flowering. These results suggest that within-provenance selection for teak stem size need not be delayed beyond 3 years and that indirect selection on flowering age will improve forking height.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell – Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant
Authors: Henke Moritz , Willich Caroline , Steilen Mike , Kallo Josef , Friedrich K. Andreas
Published: October 2013

A model of a hybrid power plant consisting of SOFC and a gas turbine is presented. Simulations are carried out for a different number of SOFC stacks while keeping the output power of the SOFC constant. Results show that the effect of stack number on system performance is only marginal within the investigated range. Operating conditions of the SOFC, however, are strongly influenced.