bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Archaeology and Pre‐Islamic Art
Authors: Litvinsky B.A.
Published: September 2011

Encyclopaedia Iranicais a Unique Work. Prof. Ehsan Yarshater and his colleagues have performed a colossal task in preparing and publishing volumes I-VIII. Archaeology, numismatics, pre-Islamic architecture, and art have all been dealt with comprehensively. I have divided the articles into the following groups: 1) Archaeology, architecture, and art; 2) archaeological periods; 3) material culture, architecture and art, and groups of artifacts; 4) monuments; and 5) varia. These articles were written by prominent specialists, many of whom participated personally in the excavations of the relevant monuments or examined them on site.
Representations of the past in the Estonian Russian-language press: “own” or diaspora memory?
Authors: Vihalemm Triin , Jakobson Valeria
Published: September 2011

The article discusses the much-debated issue of collective identity among the Estonian Russian-speaking population from a different prism – based on representations of the past in the local Russian-language press in 2009. Assuming that representations of the past offer references for present-day identity construction, the study is aimed at revealing which identity patterns were supported and which were rejected by journalists and other speakers in the press. The analysis suggests that the “memory divide” is not only connected with WWII, as is widely believed in Estonia, but runs further down at the imaginary time-scale. Although the analysis revealed a strong prevalence of local-scale events, the mode of representations could not help to develop “own” local identities, either in a civic or emancipatory form. By the evaluation of events, actors and the stylistic means, the Russian-language press rather constructed the identity of the imperial diaspora. The existing State Integration Program aims at strengthening civic identity and activity, but it does not have a say in history politics. However, the latter is needed in order to give more space for private memories, critical reflection and the search for ways to (re)define the group in relation to space, time and other groups.
DC mobilization from the skin requires docking to immobilized CCL21 on lymphatic endothelium and intralymphatic crawling
Authors: Tal Orna , Lim Hwee Ying , Gurevich Irina , Milo Idan , Shipony Zohar , Ng Lai Guan , Angeli Veronique , Shakhar Guy
Published: September 2011

Dendritic cells (DCs) must travel through lymphatics to carry skin antigens into lymph nodes. The processes controlling their mobilization and migration have not been completely delineated. We studied how DCs in live mice respond to skin inflammation, transmigrate through lymphatic endothelium, and propagate in initial lymphatics. At steady state, dermal DCs remain sessile along blood vessels. Inflammation mobilizes them, accelerating their interstitial motility 2.5-fold. CCR7-deficient BMDCs crawl as fast as wild-type DCs but less persistently. We observed discrete depositions of CCL21 complexed with collagen-IV on the basement membrane of initial lymphatics. Activated DCs move directionally toward lymphatics, contact CCL21 puncta, and migrate through portals into the lumen. CCR7-deficient DCs arrive at lymphatics through random migration but fail to dock and transmigrate. Once inside vessels, wild-type DCs use lamellipodia to crawl along lymphatic endothelium and, sensing lymph flow, proceed downstream. DCs start drifting freely only in collecting lymphatics. These results demonstrate in vivo that the CCL21–CCR7 axis plays a dual role in DC mobilization: promoting both chemotaxis and arrest of DCs on lymphatic endothelium. Intralymphatic crawling, in which DCs combine active adhesion-based migration and directional cues from lymph flow, represents a new step in DC mobilization which may be amenable to regulation.
Airborne lipid antigens mobilize resident intravascular NKT cells to induce allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Scanlon Seth T. , Thomas Seddon Y. , Ferreira Caroline M. , Bai Li , Krausz Thomas , Savage Paul B. , Bendelac Albert
Published: September 2011

Airborne exposure to microbial cell wall lipids such as lipopolysaccharide triggers innate immune responses that regulate susceptibility to allergic airway inflammation. α-Glycosylceramides represent another widespread class of microbial lipids that directly stimulate innate-like, IL-4– and IL-13–producing, CD1d-restricted NKT cells. In this study, we demonstrate that NKT cells constitutively accumulate and reside in the microvasculature of the mouse lung. After a single airborne exposure to lipid antigen, they promptly extravasate to orchestrate the formation of peribronchiolar and interstitial lymphohistiocytic granulomas containing numerous eosinophils. Concomitant airborne exposure to ovalbumin (OVA) induces the priming of OVA-specific Th2 cells and IgE antibodies by the same dendritic cell coexpressing CD1d and MHC class II. Although NKT cell activation remains confined to the lipid-exposed lung and draining lymph nodes, Th2 cells recirculate and seed the lung of a parabiotic partner, conferring susceptibility to OVA challenge months after the initial exposure, in a manner independent of NKT cells and CD1d. Thus, transient recruitment and activation of lung-resident intravascular NKT cells can trigger long-term susceptibility to allergic airway inflammation.
Where the Design Argument Goes Wrong: Auxiliary Assumptions and Unification
Authors: Boudry Maarten , Leuridan Bert
Published: September 2011

Sober has reconstructed the biological design argument in the framework of likelihoodism, purporting to demonstrate that it is defective for intrinsic reasons. We argue that Sober’s restriction on the introduction of auxiliary hypotheses is too restrictive, as it commits him to rejecting types of everyday reasoning that are clearly valid. Our account shows that the design argument fails, not because it is intrinsically untestable but because it clashes with the empirical evidence and fails to satisfy certain theoretical desiderata (in particular, unification). Likewise, Sober’s critique of the arguments from imperfections and from evil against design is off the mark.
Small‐scale Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus fisheries in Canada's Nunavut: management challenges and options
Authors: Roux M. J. , Tallman R. F. , Lewis C. W.
Published: September 2011

The Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus is a diverse and abundant resource in Canada's Nunavut. The anadromous form is primarily targeted by exploitation in small‐scale fisheries. The continued importance of subsistence fisheries and growing interest in further developing commercial fisheries underline the need for proper management of S. alpinus in northern Canada. This paper presents the current state of S. alpinus fisheries in Nunavut and related management challenges. An alternate framework for assessment using life‐history information as it determines stock productivity and resilience to harvesting is presented. This framework combines (1) a risk assessment tool [productivity–susceptibility analysis (PSA)] to evaluate the relative vulnerability of S. alpinus stocks to harvest and (2) a conceptual model for quantitative assessment to determine sustainable harvest levels. Diversity in S. alpinus life history and contrast in vulnerability scores derived from PSA assessment are demonstrated for a sample of 86 anadromous stocks from throughout Nunavut. These data provide evidence in support of an alternate strategy for assessment permitting to integrate diversity in S. alpinus life history for improved generalization and representativeness. Salvelinus alpinus fisheries in Arctic regions exemplify the need for stock assessment and management alternatives to ensure fish conservation in remote, sensitive ecosystems and in data‐poor circumstances.
Applicability of radiocolloids, blue dyes and fluorescent indocyanine green to sentinel node biopsy in melanoma
Authors: UHARA Hisashi , YAMAZAKI Naoya , TAKATA Minoru , INOUE Yuji , SAKAKIBARA Akihiro , NAKAMURA Yasuhiro , SUEHIRO Keisuke , YAMAMOTO Akifumi , KAMO Riei , MOCHIDA Kosuke , TAKENAKA Hideya , YAMASHITA Toshiharu , TAKENOUCHI Tatsuya , YOSHIKAWA Shusuke , TAKAHASHI Akira , UEHARA Jiro , KAWAI Mikio , IWATA Hiroaki , KADONO Takafumi , KAI Yoshitaka , WATANABE Shoichi , MURATA Satoru , IKEDA Tetsuya , FUKAMIZU Hidekazu , TANAKA Toshihiro , HATTA Naohito , SAIDA Toshiaki
Published: September 2011

Patients with primary cutaneous melanoma underwent sentinel node (SN) mapping and biopsy at 25 facilities in Japan by the combination of radiocolloid with gamma probe and dye. Technetium‐99m (99mTc)‐tin colloid, 99mTc‐phytate, 2% patent blue violet (PBV) and 0.4% indigo carmine were used as tracers. In some hospitals, 0.5% fluorescent indocyanine green, which allows visualization of the SN with an infrared camera, was concomitantly used and examined. A total of 673 patients were enrolled, and 562 cases were eligible. The detection rates of SN were 95.5% (147/154) with the combination of tin colloid and PBV, 98.9% (368/372) with the combination of phytate and PBV, and 97.2% (35/36) with the combination of tin colloid or phytate and indigo carmine. SN was not detected in 12 cases by the combination method, and the primary tumor was in the head and neck in six of those 12 cases. In eight of 526 cases (1.5%), SN was detected by PBV but not by radiocolloid. There were 13 cases (2.5%) in which SN was detected by radiocolloid but not by PBV. In 18 of 36 cases (50%), SN was detected by radiocolloid but not by indigo carmine. Concomitantly used fluorescent indocyanine green detected SN in all of 67 cases. Interference with transcutaneous oximetry by PVB was observed in some cases, although it caused no clinical trouble. Allergic reactions were not reported with any of the tracers. 99mTc‐tin colloid, 99mTc‐phytate, PBV and indocyanine green are useful tracers for SN mapping.
CO2‐caused change in plant species composition rivals the shift in vegetation between mid‐grass and tallgrass prairies
Authors: Polley H. Wayne , Jin Virginia L. , Fay Philip A.
Published: September 2011

Atmospheric CO2 enrichment usually changes the relative contributions of plant species to biomass production of grasslands, but the types of species favored and mechanisms by which change is mediated differ among ecosystems. We measured changes in the contributions of C3 perennial forbs and C4 grasses to aboveground biomass production of tallgrass prairie assemblages grown along a field CO2 gradient (250–500 μmol mol−1) in central Texas USA. Vegetation was grown on three soil types and irrigated each season with water equivalent to the growing season mean of precipitation for the area. We predicted that CO2 enrichment would increase the forb contribution to community production, and favor tall‐grasses over mid‐grasses by increasing soil water content and reducing the frequency with which soil water fell below a limitation threshold. CO2 enrichment favored forbs over grasses on only one of three soil types, a Mollisol. The grass fraction of production increased dramatically across the CO2 gradient on all soils. Contribution of the tall‐grass Sorghastrum nutans to production increased at elevated CO2 on the two most coarse‐textured of the soils studied, a clay Mollisol and sandy Alfisol. The CO2‐caused increase in Sorghastrum was accompanied by an offsetting decline in production of the mid‐grass Bouteloua curtipendula. Increased CO2 favored the tall‐grass over mid‐grass by increasing soil water content and apparently intensifying competition for light or other resources (Mollisol) or reducing the frequency with which soil water dipped below threshold levels (Alfisol). An increase in CO2 of 250 μmol mol−1 above the pre‐industrial level thus led to a shift in the relative production of established species that is similar in magnitude to differences observed between mid‐grass and tallgrass prairies along a precipitation gradient in the central USA. By reducing water limitation to plants, atmospheric CO2 enrichment may alter the composition and even structure of grassland vegetation.
Local and landscape influences on plant communities in playa wetlands
Authors: Tsai Jo‐Szu , Venne Louise S. , McMurry Scott T. , Smith Loren M.
Published: September 2011

1. Hydroperiod, wetland size and land use of watersheds surrounding wetlands have important individual influences on plant communities in wetlands. Our objectives were to determine the effect and relative importance of local and landscape factors on plant species richness, diversity and composition of different functional groups (i.e. total, wetland‐dependent, perennial, annual and exotic species) in recently inundated playa wetlands.

2. We surveyed plant communities in 80 wet playas in the Southern High Plains, USA, and measured local factors: water depth, playa volume loss, sediment depth and playa area. We included landscape variables within 3 km: number of playas, edge density, percentage urban area and percentage Conservation Reserve Program area (CRP; conversion from highly erodible cropland to mostly introduced perennial grassland). We also recorded dominant land use as native grassland or cropland.

3. Water depth negatively influenced all plant community metrics (i.e. richness, diversity and cover) while playa volume loss (sediment eroded from watershed filling the basin) had a negative influence on total, wetland‐dependent and perennial richness and cover. Playas with more cropland within their watersheds had greater annual and exotic richness and cover, suggesting that agricultural activities within playa watersheds have changed plant composition and facilitated biological invasion.

4. Playa area was less important in predicting plant community metrics in playas. Although not as dominant as local variables, edge density had a positive influence on species richness. Other landscape factors such as number of playas, percentage urban area and percentage CRP area were less important and consistent among different plant community metrics.

5. Synthesis and applications. Our results show that continued unsustainable sedimentation will result in loss of perennial species and promotion of exotic and annual species in playas. Watershed management to limit unsustainable sedimentation has the potential to maintain original playa plant communities dominated by perennial/native species and should also reduce the loss of playa functionality.
From broadscale patterns to fine‐scale processes: habitat structure influences genetic differentiation in the pitcher plant midge across multiple spatial scales
Authors: RASIC GORDANA , KEYGHOBADI NUSHA
Published: September 2011

The spatial scale at which samples are collected and analysed influences the inferences that can be drawn from landscape genetic studies. We examined genetic structure and its landscape correlates in the pitcher plant midge, Metriocnemus knabi, an inhabitant of the purple pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, across several spatial scales that are naturally delimited by the midge’s habitat (leaf, plant, cluster of plants, bog and system of bogs). We analysed 11 microsatellite loci in 710 M. knabi larvae from two systems of bogs in Algonquin Provincial Park (Canada) and tested the hypotheses that variables related to habitat structure are associated with genetic differentiation in this midge. Up to 54% of variation in individual‐based genetic distances at several scales was explained by broadscale landscape variables of bog size, pitcher plant density within bogs and connectivity of pitcher plant clusters. Our results indicate that oviposition behaviour of females at fine scales, as inferred from the spatial locations of full‐sib larvae, and spatially limited gene flow at broad scales represent the important processes underlying observed genetic patterns in M. knabi. Broadscale landscape features (bog size and plant density) appear to influence oviposition behaviour of midges, which in turn influences the patterns of genetic differentiation observed at both fine and broad scales. Thus, we inferred linkages among genetic patterns, landscape patterns and ecological processes across spatial scales in M. knabi. Our results reinforce the value of exploring such links simultaneously across multiple spatial scales and landscapes when investigating genetic diversity within a species.
Single nut or total nut avoidance in nut allergic children: outcome of nut challenges to guide exclusion diets
Authors: Ball Heidi , Luyt David , Bravin Kristian , Kirk Kerrie
Published: September 2011

To cite this article: Ball H, Luyt D, Bravin K, Kirk K. Single nut or total nut avoidance in nut allergic children: outcome of nut challenges to guide exclusion diets. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011: 22: 808–812.

Background:  Children with diagnosed nut allergy are typically advised by health professionals to exclude all nuts from their diets, irrespective of the outcome of allergy testing, to avoid inadvertent contact through contamination or the possible development of new allergies.

Methods:  In our service, as we feel greater diagnostic accuracy prevents dietary risk taking, we provide the facility for children with nut allergy the opportunity of controlled exposure to ‘other’ nuts irrespective of whether their allergy prick test (PT) results are positive or negative. We performed open food challenges on our paediatric day ward. The challenge food was administered by way of a homemade biscuit containing 8 g of each nut challenged and given in increasing visually measured doses.

Results:  Over the 5‐year period from 2006, we challenged 145 children diagnosed as peanut allergic or tree nut allergic. In those with peanut allergy challenged to tree nuts, none of the 72 with negative PTs to tree nuts reacted on challenge whilst 7 of 22 (31.2%) with positive PTs did. In patients with tree nut allergy challenged to peanuts and/or other tree nuts, 3 of 38 (7.9%) with negative PT results and 5 of 13 (38.4%) with positive PT results reacted.

Conclusion:  Children allergic to peanuts with negative allergy tests to tree nuts had no co‐existing allergy, but were at risk of tree nut allergy where PTs were positive. Children with tree nut allergy were at risk of co‐existing peanut or other tree nut allergy whether PTs were positive or negative. Oral challenges to clarify allergy status in all nuts show co‐existing allergies even in young children and in so doing may reduce anxiety, minimize unnecessary dietary restrictions and prevent later episodes of anaphylaxis through uninformed exposure.
Taurine suppresses oxidative stress‐potentiated expression of lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor and restenosis in balloon‐injured rabbit iliac artery
Authors: Gokce G , Ozsarlak‐Sozer G , Oran I , Oktay G , Ozkal S , Kerry Z
Published: September 2011

1. In endothelial cells, the major receptor for the binding and internalization of oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) is the lectin‐like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX‐1). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of taurine on intimal thickening and LOX‐1 expression under normal and oxidative conditions.

2. The iliac artery of rabbits were subjected to balloon injury and oxidative stress was induced by 14 days treatment of rabbits with 75 mg/kg, s.c., buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. Taurine was administered in drinking water (1%, w/v) for 14 days in the presence (BSO + Taurine group) and in the absence of BSO treatment (Taurine group). In taurine and placebo groups, rabbits were injected with 4 mL, s.c., 0.9% NaCl (vehicle for BSO) for 14 days.

3. Taurine (1% in drinking water, w/v) preserved plasma levels of anti‐oxidants and lowered the increased blood pressure induced by BSO. The stenosis rate of 29.92% in the placebo group increased to 72.20% in the BSO group, which was significantly reduced to 42.21% by taurine (P < 0.001; n = 5). Localization of LOX‐1 to the intima and media of the iliac artery was demonstrated in the present study. Taurine treatment reduced the BSO‐induced increase in LOX‐1 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).

4. The results demonstrate that the stenosis rate and LOX‐1 expression correlate well with oxidative status. Manipulation of LOX‐1 expression by taurine may have therapeutic benefits in preventing restenosis.
A prospective, randomized pilot study evaluating the effects of metformin and lifestyle intervention on patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Nobes Jenny P. , Langley Stephen E.M. , Klopper Tanya , Russell‐Jones David , Laing Robert W.
Published: September 2011

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)

Level of Evidence 1b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Men with prostate cancer have higher rates of non‐cancer mortality and CV morbidity and some of that excess risk has been attributed to the treatment they receive. ADT is an established treatment option for men with locally‐advanced and metastatic prostate cancer and, although it has been shown to confer a disease‐free survival advantage, it has also been associated with an increased incidence of CV disease and the metabolic syndrome (characterized by a cluster of CV risk factors, including insulin resistance). The benefits of the insulin sensitizer metformin and lifestyle intervention for reducing the incidence of metabolic syndrome have been shown in patients with impaired glucose tolerance.

At the time of writing, the present study is the first to use metformin and lifestyle intervention in men with prostate cancer with the aim of reducing the risk of developing ADT‐related CV morbidity and the metabolic syndrome. The study shows that lifestyle changes and metformin may indeed reduce the complications of androgen suppression in these men. Although further investigations are needed to establish which of the two interventions may be most beneficial, the favourable effects of a combination of these interventions on patients' quality of life and the potential for improved overall survival are of clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of metformin and lifestyle changes on the development of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)‐related metabolic syndrome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Men with prostate cancer due to receive ADT were recruited and randomized.

Controls received ADT alone.

Men in the intervention arm received ADT with 6 months of metformin, a low glycaemic index diet and an exercise programme.

All patients were investigated pretreatment and at 6 months for the metabolic syndrome, as well as for related biochemical and physical parameters.

RESULTS

In total, 40 men were recruited and randomized (20 to each arm).

After 6 months, significant improvements in abdominal girth (P= 0.05), weight (P < 0.001), body mass index (P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (P= 0.01) were seen in the intervention arm compared to controls.

Biochemical markers of insulin resistance did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows the potential benefits of metformin and lifestyle changes in ADT‐treated men.

Further studies will aim to determine which intervention is most important, and may show that overall survival can be improved.
Characterization of Sialic Acid Index of Plasma Apolipoprotein J and Phosphatidylethanol During Alcohol Detoxification—A Pilot Study
Authors: Wurst Friedrich M. , Thon Natasha , Weinmann Wolfgang , Tippetts Scott , Marques Paul , Hahn Judith A. , Alling Christer , Aradottir Steina , Hartmann Susanne , Lakshman Raj
Published: September 2011

Background:  Apolipoprotein J (ApoJ) is a component of plasma high‐density lipoproteins. Previous studies have shown progressive recovery of ApoJ sialic acid content with increased duration of alcohol abstinence. Therefore, the sialic acid index of plasma apolipoprotein J (SIJ) seems to be a promising alcohol biomarker. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct ethanol metabolite and has recently attracted attention as a biomarker of prolonged intake of higher amounts of alcohol. The aim of the pilot study was to explore sensitivity, specificity, and normalization of SIJ and PEth in comparison with traditional and emerging biomarkers.

Methods:  Five male alcohol‐dependent patients (International Classification of Diseases 10, F 10.25) were included (median: 40 years old; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test value, 30; alcohol consumption in the previous 7 days, 1,680 g). SIJ, PEth, urinary ethyl glucuronide (UEtG), urinary ethyl sulfate (UEtS), and gamma glutamyl‐transpeptidase (GGT) were determined at days 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28.

Results:  At study entry, SIJ, PEth, UEtG, and UEtS were positive in all subjects, whereas GGT and mean corpuscular volume were positive in 3 of 5 (60%) of the subjects.

Individual SIJ levels increased between day 1 and 28 between 13.7 and 44.3%, respectively. For SIJ and PEth, the ANOVA (p < 0.005) showed a significant trend with the average subject’s SIJ and PEth changing 1.22 and 1.02, respectively, per week.

Conclusions:  Our preliminary data suggest that SIJ and PEth might hold potential as markers of heavy ethanol intake.
Continued Efficacy and Safety of Flibanserin in Premenopausal Women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD): Results from a Randomized Withdrawal Trial
Authors: Goldfischer Evan R. , Breaux Jeffery , Katz Molly , Kaufman Joel , Smith William B. , Kimura Toshio , Sand Michael , Pyke R.b.
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Flibanserin is a 5-HT1A agonist/5-HT2A antagonist that has been shown to increase sexual desire and reduce distress in premenopausal women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD).

Aim

To assess the efficacy and safety of flibanserin over 24 weeks of double-blind treatment vs. placebo in premenopausal women with HSDD who showed a predefined response after 24 weeks of open-label treatment with flibanserin.

Methods

Women (N = 738) were treated with open-label, flexible-dose flibanserin (50 mg or 100 mg/day) for 24 weeks. At week 24, women who showed a predefined response, measured using an eDiary, were randomized to 24 weeks of continued flibanserin therapy at optimized dosage (N = 163) or placebo (N = 170). The criteria for entering the double-blind phase were an increase from baseline to weeks 21–24 of ≥2 satisfying sexual events (SSE) and/or ≥4 “desire days.” A “desire day” was one in which a woman reported more than “no” desire.

Main Outcome Measures

Coprimary endpoints were change from randomization to study end in SSE and desire score. Secondary measures included change in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) total and desire domain scores and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R) total and Item 13 scores.

Results

During the open-label period, mean SSE and desire score approximately doubled, and FSFI, FSDS-R total, and Item 13 scores improved. At the end of the double-blind period, flibanserin was superior to placebo in change from randomization in SSE, desire score, FSFI desire domain and total scores, and FSDS-R total and Item 13 scores (P < 0.05, for all). Flibanserin was well tolerated, and withdrawal reactions were not observed.

Conclusion

old> At the end of the 24-week randomized withdrawal phase of a 48-week trial in premenopausal women with HSDD, flibanserin was superior to placebo on measures of SSE, sexual desire, overall sexual function, and sexual distress. Flibanserin was well tolerated, and no withdrawal reactions were observed following discontinuation.
Gamma-ray bursts afterglows in magnetized stellar winds
Authors: Lemoine Martin , Pelletier Guy
Published: September 2011

Recent analytical and numerical work argue that successful relativistic Fermi acceleration requires a weak magnetization of the unshocked plasma, all the more so at high Lorentz factors. The present Letter tests this conclusion by computing the afterglow of a gamma-ray burst outflow propagating in a magnetized stellar wind using ‘ab initio’ principles regarding the microphysics of relativistic Fermi acceleration. It is shown that in magnetized environments, one expects a drop-out in the X-ray band on subday scales as the synchrotron emission of the shock-heated electrons exits the frequency band. At later times, Fermi acceleration becomes operative when the blast Lorentz factor drops below a certain critical value, leading to the recovery of the standard afterglow light curve. Interestingly, the observed drop-out bears resemblance with the fast decay found in gamma-ray bursts early X-ray afterglows.
Social preferences and economic valuation for water quality and river restoration: the Segura River, Spain
Authors: Perni Ángel , Martínez‐Paz José , Martínez‐Carrasco Federico
Published: September 2011

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims at improving the ecological status of the water bodies in Europe. In this context, some rivers are currently being restored and, in accordance with this Directive, the restoration actions have to be evaluated from a socio‐economic approach. This work applies the Choice Modelling method to the WFD provisions for river restoration. This method proves to be useful for the economic valuation of the restoration measures, as well as a very important tool for people's public participation. In this sense, the water quality improvement has been defined as a priority action from a social point of view. Moreover, the method used has provided answers to both basic questions included in the WFD: the calculation of the economic value of the Segura River's ecological flow, the decrease of which would pose an environmental cost, and the estimation of the environmental income generated by this river.
Carbon monoxide exposure during exercise performance: muscle and cerebral oxygenation
Authors: Keramidas M. E. , Kounalakis S. N. , Eiken O. , Mekjavic I. B.
Published: September 2011

Aim:  To investigate the effect of carbon monoxide (CO) in the inspired air as anticipated during peak hours of traffic in polluted megalopolises on cerebral, respiratory and leg muscle oxygenation during a constant‐power test (CPT). In addition, since O2 breathing is used to hasten elimination of CO from the blood, we examined the effect of breathing O2 following exposure to CO on cerebral and muscle oxygenation during a subsequent exercise test under CO conditions.

Methods:  Nine men participated in three trials: (i) 3‐h air exposure followed by a control CPT, (ii) 1‐h air and 2‐h CO (18.9 ppm) exposure succeeded by a CPT under CO conditions (CPTCOA), and (iii) 2‐h CO and 1‐h 100% normobaric O2 exposure followed by a CPT under CO conditions (CPTCOB). All exercise tests were performed at 85% of peak power output to exhaustion. Oxygenated (Δ[O2Hb]), deoxygenated (Δ[HHb]) and total (Δ[tHb]) haemoglobin in cerebral, intercostal and vastus lateralis muscles were monitored with near‐infrared spectroscopy throughout the CPTs.

Results:  Performance time did not vary between trials. However, the vastus lateralis and intercostal Δ[O2Hb] and Δ[tHb] were lower in CPTCOA than in CPT. During the CPTCOB, the intercostal Δ[O2Hb] and Δ[tHb] were higher than in the CPTCOA. There were no differences in cerebral oxygenation between the trials.

Conclusion:  Inspiration of 18.9 ppm CO decreases oxygenation in the vastus lateralis and serratus anterior muscles, but does not affect performance. Breathing normobaric O2 moderates the CO‐induced reductions in muscle oxygenation, mainly in the intercostals, but does not affect endurance.
Chemical Bonding of Chlorophylls and Plant Aminic Axial Ligands Impact Harvesting of Visible Light and Quenching of Fluorescence
Authors: Ioannidis Nikolaos E. , Tsiavos Theodoros , Kotzabasis Kiriakos
Published: September 2011

In the present work, we tested the mode of interaction of all three polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) with chlorophyll a and b, as well as pheophytin a and b. The results showed that all three polyamines bind to the Mg ion of chlorophyll ring as probed by Raman spectroscopy. The coordination of spermine with Chl b has the most interesting features from all pigments tested. Spermine induces reversible increases and decreases of the fluorescence yield of Chl b at about 661 nm. Interestingly, equilibrium between a high‐fluorescence yield conformation and a low yield is feasible by the interaction of chlorophyll b and aminic ligands. Furthermore, absorption data for the diagnostic regions of 518 and 535 nm are provided for all combinations of pigments and ligands. The significance and consistence of these results with respect to photochemical and bioenergetic principles are discussed.
Abandonment of grazing in a mediterranean grassland area: consequences for ant assemblages
Authors: AZCÁRATE FRANCISCO M. , PECO BEGOÑA
Published: September 2011

Abstract. 1. Abandonment of traditional activities in the rural areas is widespread in the developed world, and in the case of grazing, it is known to have negative consequences on the diversity of plant communities. Few studies have examined the impact of grazing abandonment on fauna, which in the case of ants is of considerable interest, given their usefulness as an indicator for monitoring environmental change.

2. Here, we present the results of a study conducted in Mediterranean grasslands of central Spain. Using pitfall traps, ants were sampled from 10 40 m× 20 m plots; five of them located in grazed systems and five in abandoned grazing systems. Descriptors used for the ant assemblage were ant species composition, ant species richness, ant functional groups, and subguilds of granivores. We used a seed bait test to discriminate between granivorous and non‐granivorous ant species.

3. Our results show that abandoned grazing systems have more ant species and more heterogeneous ant assemblages. Changes in ant species composition and ant functional groups are more pronounced in habitats where woody encroachment progresses more rapidly (i.e. dry sectors and tree islands). Specialised granivores have reduced importance in the same habitat types. Conversely, facultative granivores increase their presence in abandoned grazing systems.

4. The increased functional and species ant diversity observed with grazing abandonment can be explained by the generation of a more heterogeneous environment at the smaller scales, in spite of being more homogenous at the larger scales, because the latter are less significant for the organisms studied.
Positive cascade effects of forest fragmentation on acorn weevils mediated by seed size enlargement
Authors: BONAL RAÚL , HERNÁNDEZ MARISA , ORTEGO JOAQUÍN , MUÑOZ ALBERTO , ESPELTA JOSEP M.
Published: September 2011

Abstract.  1. Today, forest fragmentation is one of the major threats to biodiversity worldwide. In this context, fragmented populations of specialised forest organisms face an increasing risk of extinction because of factors such as local food scarcity. Nonetheless, the role of food availability may differ depending on organism size, which is expected to determine the energy requirements and mobility between fragments.

2. A field study was carried out on Curculio elephas, a forest beetle with low dispersal potential, whose larval development takes place in oak Quercus spp. acorns.

3. For a similar seed crop per tree, acorn size was larger in isolated oaks than in trees located in forest patches. Thus, fragmentation increased local food availability for C. elephas. Larger acorns enabled larval size to increase, a key fitness proxy associated with individual survival, adult size, and potential female fecundity. Indeed, the number of both adults and larvae was higher in isolated trees than in forest patches.

4. In the current scenario of increasing forest fragmentation, the survival likelihood of specialist insects may strongly depend on their ability to adapt to altered environmental conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report on how some forest insects may take advantage of fragmentation‐mediated changes to survive in isolated trees.

5. From a conservation perspective, management policies should preserve isolated trees as a source of seeds and fauna for the natural regeneration of forest ecosystems after unproductive farmlands have been abandoned.
Singular Spectrum Analysis for Bearing Defect Detection
Authors: Kilundu Bovic , Chiementin Xavier , Dehombreux Pierre
Published: September 2011

In this work, singular spectrum analysis is employed to process vibration signals resulting from rolling bearings. A monitoring indicator is defined from the fact that the structure of a signal recorded from a bearing becomes more complex when the bearing becomes defective. This can be explained by the nonstationarity and the nonlinearity induced by the defect. The effects of operating parameters such as load and speed on the indicator are studied. Results demonstrate that the indicator defined in this paper is less sensitive to these parameters than the rms value, a traditional vibratory indicator.
Analysis of Bloch’s Method in Structures with Energy Dissipation
Authors: Farzbod Farhad , Leamy Michael J.
Published: September 2011

Bloch analysis was originally developed to solve Schrödinger’s equation for the electron wave function in a periodic potential field, such as found in a pristine crystalline solid. In the context of Schrödinger’s equation, damping is absent and energy is conserved. More recently, Bloch analysis has found application in periodic macroscale materials, such as photonic and phononic crystals. In the vibration analysis of phononic crystals, structural damping is present together with energy dissipation. As a result, application of Bloch analysis is not straightforward and requires additional considerations in order to obtain valid results. It is the intent of this paper to propose a general framework for applying Bloch analysis in such systems. Results are presented in which the approach is applied to example phononic crystals. These results reveal the manner in which damping affects dispersion and the presence of band gaps in periodic systems.
Hydrodynamic In-Line Force Coefficients of Oscillating Bluff Cylinders (Circular and Square) at Low Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Barrero-Gil A.
Published: September 2011

An attempt to measure indirectly the hydrodynamic drag (cD) and inertia (cM) coefficients on oscillating bluff cylinders (circular and square) in quiescent fluid at low Reynolds numbers (low Stokes number) is presented. The Keulegan–Carpenter number was below 15. The experimental approach is based on performing free-decay tests of a spring-mounted cylinder submerged in a water tank. The identification of the instantaneous modal parameters (damping and frequency), via Hilbert transform, of the decaying oscillations allows the determination of (cD) and (cM) by direct comparison with the damping and natural frequency of the system in still air (tank without water). Advantages and shortcomings of this novel experimental approach are presented along the paper.
A Roadmap for STEP-NC Enabled Interoperable Manufacturing
Authors: Hardwick Martin , Zhao Fiona , Proctor Fred , Venkatesh Sid , Odendahl David , Xu Xun
Published: September 2011

STEP-NC is the result of a ten-year international effort to replace the RS274D (ISO 6983) G and M code standard with a modern associative language. The new standard connects CAD design data to CAM process data so that smart applications can understand both the design requirements for a part and the manufacturing solutions developed to make that part. STEP-NC builds on a previous ten-year effort to develop the STEP standard for CAD to CAD and CAD to CAM data exchange, and uses the modern geometric constructs in that standard to specify device independent tool paths, and CAM independent volume removal features. This paper reviews a series of demonstrations carried out to test and validate the STEP-NC standard. These demonstrations were an international collaboration between industry, academia and research agencies. Each demonstration focused on testing and extending the STEP-NC data model for a different application.
Cold Drawing of Magnesium Alloy Tubes for Medical
Authors: Yoshida Kazunari , Koiwa Akinobu
Published: September 2011

Magnesium alloy is the lightest in practical metals, and it is used for housing small home appliance products and automobile parts. It is also expected to be a new material for stents, because of its possibility of systemic absorption. Fineness, thinness, adequate strength and high-quality surface are required for the medical tube. It is known that cold-plastic working of magnesium alloy is very difficult. In this study, fabrication of a magnesium-alloys medical fine tube by cold fluid-mandrel drawing was attempted. Fineness, thinness, adequate strength and high-quality surface are required for the medical tube. Firstly, plug drawing was carried out, because it was thought to be one of the methods for satisfying the requirements. After all it was found to be impossible to apply this method, because magnesium alloy is too brittle for plug drawing. Secondly, soft-metal mandrel drawing was tried. Drawing was possible, but it was difficult to extract the mandrel, because there is a possibility that the tube might break due to its high drawing stress. So newly-processed fluid-mandrel drawing was carried out. As a result, it was found that the fabrication of medical tubes by fluid-mandrel drawing was possible. It is easy to extract mandrel after drawing, as the mandrel is fluid. And it is possible to prevent tube break during drawing, because drawing stress is lower than that of soft-metal mandrel drawing.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Fluconazole in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration: Using Monte Carlo Simulations To Predict Doses for Specified Pharmacodynamic Targets
Authors: Patel Kashyap , Roberts Jason A. , Lipman Jeffrey , Tett Susan E. , Deldot Megan E. , Kirkpatrick Carl M.
Published: September 2011

Fluconazole is a widely used antifungal agent that is extensively reabsorbed in patients with normal renal function. However, its reabsorption can be compromised in patients with acute kidney injury, thereby leading to altered fluconazole clearance and total systemic exposure. Here, we explore the pharmacokinetics of fluconazole in 10 critically ill anuric patients receiving continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). We performed Monte Carlo simulations to optimize dosing to appropriate pharmacodynamic endpoints for this population. Pharmacokinetic profiles of initial and steady-state doses of 200 mg intravenous fluconazole twice daily were obtained from plasma and CVVHDF effluent. Nonlinear mixed-effects modeling (NONMEM) was used for data analysis and to perform Monte Carlo simulations. For each dosing regimen, the free drug area under the concentration-time curve (fAUC)/MIC ratio was calculated. The percentage of patients achieving an AUC/MIC ratio greater than 25 was then compared for a range of MIC values. A two-compartment model adequately described the disposition of fluconazole in plasma. The estimate for total fluconazole clearance was 2.67 liters/h and was notably 2.3 times faster than previously reported in healthy volunteers. Of this, fluconazole clearance by the CVVHDF route (CL
CVVHDF
) represented 62% of its total systemic clearance. Furthermore, the predicted efficiency of CL
CVVHDF
decreased to 36.8% when filters were in use >48 h. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that a dose of 400 mg twice daily maximizes empirical treatment against fungal organisms with MIC up to 16 mg/liter. This is the first study we are aware of that uses Monte Carlo simulations to inform dosing requirements in patients where tubular reabsorption of fluconazole is probably nonexistent.
A TIME-STEPPING DRBEM FOR MAGNETO-THERMO-VISCOELASTIC INTERACTIONS IN A ROTATING NONHOMOGENEOUS ANISOTROPIC SOLID
Authors: FAHMY M. A.
Published: September 2011

A numerical model based on the dual reciprocity boundary element method (DRBEM) for studying the transient magneto-thermo-viscoelastic stresses in a nonhomogeneous anisotropic solid subjected to a heat source is presented. The formulation is tested through its application to the problem of a solid placed in a constant primary magnetic field acting in the direction of the z-axis and rotating about this axis with a constant angular velocity. In the case of plane deformation, a numerical scheme for the implementation of the method is presented and the numerical computations are carried out for the temperature, displacement components and stress components. The validity of DRBEM is examined by considering a magneto-thermo-viscoelastic solid occupies a rectangular region and good agreement is obtained with existent results. The results obtained are presented graphically to show the effects of inhomogeneity and heat source on the temperature, displacement components and thermal stress components.
Pushdown flow analysis of first-class control
Authors: Vardoulakis Dimitrios , Shivers Olin
Published: September 2011

Pushdown models are better than control-flow graphs for higher-order flow analysis. They faithfully model the call/return structure of a program, which results in fewer spurious flows and increased precision. However, pushdown models require that calls and returns in the analyzed program nest properly. As a result, they cannot be used to analyze language constructs that break call/return nesting such as generators, coroutines, call/cc,
etc
.

In this paper, we extend the CFA2 flow analysis to create the first pushdown flow analysis for languages with first-class control. We modify the abstract semantics of CFA2 to allow continuations to escape to, and be restored from, the heap. We then present a summarization algorithm that handles escaping continuations via a new kind of summary edge. We prove that the algorithm is sound with respect to the abstract semantics.
Set-theoretic foundation of parametric polymorphism and subtyping
Authors: Castagna Giuseppe , Xu Zhiwu
Published: September 2011

We define and study parametric polymorphism for a type system with recursive, product, union, intersection, negation, and function types. We first recall why the definition of such a system was considered hard "when not impossible" and then present the main ideas at the basis of our solution. In particular, we introduce the notion of "convexity" on which our solution is built up and discuss its connections with parametricity as defined by Reynolds to whose study our work sheds new light.
How to make ad hoc proof automation less ad hoc
Authors: Gonthier Georges , Ziliani Beta , Nanevski Aleksandar , Dreyer Derek
Published: September 2011

Most interactive theorem provers provide support for some form of user-customizable proof automation. In a number of popular systems, such as Coq and Isabelle, this automation is achieved primarily through
tactics
, which are programmed in a separate language from that of the prover's base logic. While tactics are clearly useful in practice, they can be difficult to maintain and compose because, unlike lemmas, their behavior cannot be specified within the expressive type system of the prover itself.

We propose a novel approach to proof automation in Coq that allows the user to specify the behavior of custom automated routines in terms of Coq's own type system. Our approach involves a sophisticated application of Coq's
canonical structures
, which generalize Haskell type classes and facilitate a flexible style of dependently-typed logic programming. Specifically, just as Haskell type classes are used to infer the canonical implementation of an overloaded term at a given type, canonical structures can be used to infer the canonical
proof
of an overloaded
lemma
for a given instantiation of its parameters. We present a series of design patterns for canonical structure programming that enable one to carefully and predictably coax Coq's type inference engine into triggering the execution of user-supplied algorithms during unification, and we illustrate these patterns through several realistic examples drawn from Hoare Type Theory. We assume no prior knowledge of Coq and describe the relevant aspects of Coq type inference from first principles.