bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical, structural, and digestibility properties of enzymatic modified plantain and mango starches
Authors: Casarrubias‐Castillo Maria G. , Hamaker Bruce R. , Rodriguez‐Ambriz Sandra L. , Bello‐Pérez Luis A.
Published: January 2012

The effect of two enzymatic treatments (increasing the branch density of starch and shortening of AP and amylose chains) on the fraction of slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) of plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) and mango (Mangifera indica L.) starches was investigated. The enzymatic modifications were carried out using β‐amylase (β‐AMY) and β‐amylase‐transglucosidase (β‐AMY‐TGs), in gelatinized starches. Plantain starch showed an increase from 10.9 to 18.5% of SDS, when it was modified by β‐AMY‐TGs, while the treatment with β‐AMY alone showed reduction from 10.9 to 7.1% in SDS. RS content increased with both treatments. On the other hand, mango starch showed an increase in SDS from 6.3 to 22.3% using β‐AMY treatment and from 6.3 to 11.7% using β‐AMY‐TGs treatment. The latter treatment also increased RS content. The enzyme modified starches showed a reduction in the values of molar mass and gyration radius compared with the native starch. The content of short chains of AP, particularly in the DP range 5–12, increased, the percentage of crystallinity decreased in treated starches, and 1H NMR spectra showed a significant increase of α‐(1 → 6) linkages in the starches modified with β‐AMY‐TGs. These characteristics were related to an increase in the slow and resistant digestion properties of plantain and mango starches.
Reflex contraction of the levator ani in women symptomatic for pelvic floor disorders
Authors: Dietz H. P. , Erdmann M. , Shek K. L.
Published: January 2012

Objective

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common health problem in women. Reflex activation of muscular pelvic floor structures may play a role in preserving continence. In this study we aimed to analyze reflex pelvic floor activity on coughing in women seen for urodynamic testing.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study we analyzed the data sets of 191 women who attended a tertiary referral service for multichannel urodynamic testing and four‐dimensional pelvic floor ultrasound scan between May 2009 and February 2010. Coughs were registered on volume ultrasound at a minimum of 16 Hz and analyzed by postprocessing at a later date, the operator being blinded against all clinical data.

Results

Of 175 analyzable cough volume datasets, a levator reflex was seen in 138 (79%), and clitoral reflex movement in 160 (91%). On multivariable analysis there was a significant relationship between urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) and the absence of a levator reflex (P = 0.045), and a negative relationship with the magnitude of such a reflex (P = 0.046). Reflex timing was not associated with SUI or USI.

Conclusion

Reflex contraction of the levator ani can be observed on translabial ultrasound during sudden increases in intra‐abdominal pressure. These reflex contractions are common, even in women with symptoms and signs of pelvic floor dysfunction. The observation of a levator reflex on coughing, and its magnitude, show a weak inverse association with the presence of USI. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Could antispasmodic drug reduce pain during hysterosalpingo‐contrast sonography (HyCoSy) in infertile patients? A randomized double‐blind clinical trial
Authors: Moro F. , Selvaggi L. , Sagnella F. , Morciano A. , Martinez D. , Gangale M. F. , Ciardulli A. , Palla C. , Uras M. L. , De Feo E. , Boccia S. , Tropea A. , Lanzone A. , Apa R.
Published: January 2012

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of an antispasmodic drug, hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide, in reducing pain during hysterosalpingo‐contrast sonography (HyCoSy).

Methods

Eight hundred and sixteen patients undergoing HyCoSy were randomized to receive 10 mg hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide (n = 408) or placebo (n = 408) per os, 30 min before the procedure, in a double‐blind randomized controlled trial. Immediately after the procedure, the patient was asked to describe any pain experienced in comparison with pain usually suffered during the menstrual cycle, and the operator assigned a pain score between 0 and 4 as follows: 0 (no reaction or discomfort), 1 (slight pain, less than menstrual pain), 2 (moderate pain, exceeding menstrual cramps but no vasovagal reaction), 3 (vasovagal reaction or pain requiring observation in a hospital) and 4 (vasovagal reaction or pain requiring resuscitation). The primary aim was to estimate the difference in pain score, considered as a categorical value, between the active arm of the trial and the control group. The secondary aim was to evaluate if pain is related to tubal patency.

Results

There was no difference in pain score between the hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide group and the placebo group (P = 0.807). There was a negative correlation between pain and tubal patency, regardless of treatment group (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Administration of 10 mg antispasmodic drug hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide does not reduce pain in patients undergoing HyCoSy. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The editing of statistical data: methods and techniques for the efficient detection and correction of errors and missing values
Authors: De Waal Ton , Pannekoek Jeroen , Scholtus Sander
Published: January 2012

In order to produce official statistics of sufficient quality, statistical institutes carry out an extensive process of checking and correcting the data that they collect. This process is called statistical data editing. In this article, we give a brief overview of current data editing methodology. In particular, we discuss the application of selective and automatic editing procedures to improve the efficiency and timeliness of the data editing process. WIREs Comput Stat 2012, 4:204–210. doi: 10.1002/wics.1194

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Data Reduction, Smoothing, and Filtering

Software for Computational Statistics > Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems

Data: Types and Structure > Data Preparation and Processing
In vivo imaging of the systemic delivery of small interfering RNA
Authors: Ifediba Marytheresa A. , Moore Anna
Published: January 2012

Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have emerged as a potent new class of therapeutics, which regulate gene expression through sequence‐specific inhibition of mRNA translation. Human trials of siRNAs have highlighted the need for robust delivery and detection techniques that will enable the application of these therapeutics to increasingly complex disease and organ systems. Efforts to monitor the in vivo trafficking and efficacy of siRNAs have routinely involved bioluminescence imaging of naked siRNA molecules. More recently, siRNAs have been incorporated into a variety of molecular imaging probes to promote their detection with clinically relevant imaging modalities. Lipid‐, polymer‐, and nanoparticle‐based siRNA delivery vehicles have proven effective in improving the stability, bioavailability, and target specificity of siRNAs following systemic administration in vivo. Additionally, these methods provide a platform to modify siRNAs with a variety of contrast agents and have enabled nuclear and magnetic resonance imaging of siRNA delivery in preclinical studies. These image‐guided delivery approaches represent a crucial step in the transition of siRNA therapeutics to the clinic. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2012, 4:428–437. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1158

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
A Simple Method for Calculation of the Composition of Type I Clathrate Hydrates
Authors: Kótai László , Bálint Szabolcs , Gács István , Lakatos Györgyi , Angyal András , Mehrotra Raj N.
Published: January 2012

A simple and generalized method for calculating the composition of the Type I clathrate gas hydrates is discussed. It is suggested that the use of additive terms in the known temperature dependent molar volume values of hexagonal ice is useful in calculating the molar volume of the empty clathrate cage. Since the molecular weight of the gas hydrate is dependent on the occupation, the degree of occupation can be expressed by using the experimental density values of each hydrate. The results so obtained are in fair agreement with the results calculated from experimental density and X‐ray lattice constants, and with the values of the experimentally measured compositions.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Metal‐Organic Coordination Polymer
Authors: Wu Rui‐Feng , Zhang Tong‐Lai
Published: January 2012

A novel energetic microporous metal‐organic coordination polymer {[Ni(tnbpdc)(bpy)(H2O)2]·1.5(DMF)}n (1) (tnbpdc = 2, 2′,6, 6′‐tetranitro‐4, 4′‐biphenyl dicarboxylate, bpy = 4, 4′‐bipyridine) was prepared solvothermally and characterized by elemental, IR spectroscopic, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses. The X‐ray crystal structure of 1 revealed a rectangular‐shaped grid constructed with tnbpdc linkers and bpy linkers, with the free tunnel size estimated as 11 × 15 Å2. The thermal stability of the compound was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Such complexes may find application as novel heat‐resistant energetic materials.
Communication about DTC Testing: Commentary on a ‘Family Experience of Personal Genomics’
Authors: Middleton Anna
Published: January 2012

This paper provides a commentary on ‘Family Experience of Personal Genomics’ (Corpas 2012). An overview is offered on the communication literature available to help support individuals and families to communicate about genetic information. Despite there being a wealth of evidence, built on years of genetic counseling practice, this does not appear to have been translated clearly to the Direct to Consumer (DTC) testing market. In many countries it is possible to order a DTC genetic test without the involvement of any health professional; there has been heated debate about whether this is appropriate or not. Much of the focus surrounding this has been on whether it is necessary to have a health professional available to offer their clinical knowledge and help with interpreting the DTC genetic test data. What has been missed from this debate is the importance of enabling customers of DTC testing services access to the abundance of information about how to communicate their genetic risks to others, including immediate family. Family communication about health and indeed genetics can be fraught with difficulty. Genetic health professionals, specifically genetic counselors, have particular expertise in family communication about genetics. Such information could be incredibly useful to kinships as they grapple with knowing how to communicate their genomic information with relatives.
High-Impact Articles in Hand Surgery
Authors: Eberlin Kyle R. , Labow Brian I. , Upton Joseph , Taghinia Amir H.
Published: January 2012

Background

There have been few attempts to identify classic papers within the hand surgery literature. This study used citation analysis to identify and characterize the top 50 highly cited hand surgery articles published in six peer-reviewed journals.

Methods

The 50 most highly cited hand surgery articles were identified in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) American, JBJS British, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal of Hand Surgery (JHS) American, JHS British/European, and Hand. Articles were evaluated for citations per year, surgical/anatomical topic, and type of study. Clinical studies were further sub-categorized by level of evidence. The distribution of topics was compared with all indexed hand surgery articles. The educational relevance was assessed via comparison with lists of “classic” papers.

Results

The most common subjects were distal radius fracture, carpal tunnel syndrome, and flexor tendon repair. There was moderate correlation between the distribution of these topics and all indexed hand surgery articles (rho=0.71). There were 31 clinical studies, of which 16 were therapeutic, ten were prognostic, and five were diagnostic. These articles assessed the outcomes of an intervention, described an anatomical/functional observation, introduced an innovation, presented a discovery/classification, or validated a questionnaire. There were only three randomized trials. Using citations per year to control for the influence of time since publication, 36 articles were consistently highly cited. Twenty-three articles were on Stern's Selected Readings in Hand Surgery, considered important in education.

Conclusions

The top 50 highly cited articles in hand surgery reflect the most common clinical, scientific, and educational efforts of the field.
Maternal obesity in the rat programs male offspring exploratory, learning and motivation behavior: prevention by dietary intervention pre‐gestation or in gestation
Authors: Rodriguez J.S. , Rodríguez‐González G.L. , Reyes‐Castro L.A. , Ibáñez C. , Ramírez A. , Chavira R. , Larrea F. , Nathanielsz P.W. , Zambrano E.
Published: January 2012

We studied the effects of maternal high fat diet (HFD, 25% calories from fat administered before and during pregnancy and lactation) and dietary intervention (switching dams from HFD to control diet) at different periconceptional periods on male offspring anxiety related behavior, exploration, learning, and motivation. From weaning at postnatal day (PND) 21, female subjects produced to be the mothers in the study received either control diet (CTR – 5% calories from fat), HFD through pregnancy and lactation (MO), HFD during PNDs 21–90 followed by CTR diet (pre‐gestation (PG) intervention) or HFD from PND 21 to 120 followed by CTR diet (gestation and lactation (G) intervention) and bred at PND 120. At 19 days of gestation maternal serum corticosterone was increased in MO and the PG and G dams showed partial recovery with intermediate levels. In offspring, no effects were found in the elevated plus maze test. In the open field test, MO and G offspring showed increase zone entries, displaying less thigmotaxis; PG offspring showed partial recuperation of this behavior. During initial operant conditioning MO, PG and G offspring displayed decreased approach behavior with subsequent learning impairment during the acquisition of FR‐1 and FR‐5 operant conditioning for sucrose reinforcement. Motivation during the progressive ratio test increased in MO offspring; PG and G intervention recuperated this behavior. We conclude that dietary intervention can reverse negative effects of maternal HFD and offspring outcomes are potentially due to elevated maternal corticosterone.
The Jew, the Cathedral and the Medieval City
Authors: Rowe Nina
Published: January 2012

In the thirteenth century, sculptures of Synagoga and Ecclesia – paired female personifications of the Synagogue defeated and the Church triumphant – became a favoured motif on cathedral façades in France and Germany. Throughout the preceding centuries, the Jews of northern Europe prospered financially and intellectually, a trend that ran counter to the long-standing Christian conception of Jews as relics of the prehistory of the Church. In this book, Nina Rowe examines the sculptures as defining elements in the urban Jewish-Christian encounter. She locates the roots of the Synagoga-Ecclesia motif in antiquity and explores the theme's public manifestations at the cathedrals of Reims, Bamberg, and Strasbourg, considering each example in relation to local politics and culture. Ultimately, she demonstrates that royal and ecclesiastical policies to restrain the religious, social, and economic lives of Jews in the early thirteenth century found a material analog in lovely renderings of a downtrodden Synagoga, placed in the public arena of the city square.
My Diary in India, in the Year 1858–9
Authors: Russell William Howard
Published: January 2012

William Howard Russell was sent to India by The Times to report on the conflict of 1857–1859 known as the Indian Mutiny. His previous work was in the Crimean War and his exposés of conditions there led to the sending of Florence Nightingale and her nurses, improvements to supplies and conditions, and to the demand for military and administrative reform. It was largely because of his contributions that war correspondence emerged as a branch of journalism. In his Indian diary, Russell criticises British snobbery as well as treatment of the Indians, and advocates leniency and conciliation. Volume 1 covers his journey to India and first impressions. It also contains some fascinating examples of first-hand coverage of the conflict and the reprisals following Lucknow and Cawnpore. Russell was horrified by such events, and concludes that only law reforms and non-military rule can ensure the prosperity of the Empire.
Advanced Data Converters
Authors: Manganaro Gabriele
Published: January 2012

Need to get up to speed quickly on the latest advances in high performance data converters? Want help choosing the best architecture for your application? With everything you need to know about the key new converter architectures, this guide is for you. It presents basic principles, circuit and system design techniques and associated trade-offs, doing away with lengthy mathematical proofs and providing intuitive descriptions upfront. Everything from time-to-digital converters to comparator-based/zero-crossing ADCs is covered and each topic is introduced with a short summary of the essential basics. Practical examples describing actual chips, along with extensive comparison between architectural or circuit options, ease architecture selection and help you cut design time and engineering risk. Trade-offs, advantages and disadvantages of each option are put into perspective with a discussion of future trends, showing where this field is heading, what is driving it and what the most important unanswered questions are.
A Journey from Madras through the Countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar
Authors: Buchanan Francis
Published: January 2012

In 1800 Lord Wellesley, the British Governor General of India, appointed the surgeon and botanist Francis Buchanan (1762–1829) to conduct a survey of the kingdom of Mysore in the south of the country, which had recently been annexed by the East India Company. In the resulting three-volume report, first published in 1807, Buchanan (later known as Francis Hamilton) records the physical and human geography of this large area of southern India. He describes the agriculture, arts and commerce, indigenous religions and customs, natural history and society and antiquities of the regions through which he travelled, and illustrates his text with a map and engravings. Volume 3 describes Buchanan's travels through the western coastal region of Canara, and his return across central Mysore to Madras. It contains an appendix on the state of commercial manufacturing in the region, the destinations of exports, and details of imports by land and sea.
Ethnicity and Nationalism in Post-Imperial Britain
Authors: Goulbourne Harry
Published: January 2012

Harry Goulbourne's theme is how post-imperial Britain has come to define the national community in terms of ethnic affinity, instead of a traditional multi-ethnic/multi-racial understanding of the nation. He argues that the continuing 'reception-experience' of non-white groups in post-war Britain not only arose out of an ethnic perception of the British nation by the indigenous population, as expressed through state action, but has also, in turn, encouraged an equally ethnic awakening or mobilisation among non-white minorities. The result is a failure to construct a common national ground or sense of community by all those claiming a formal British identity. Goulbourne draws upon a diverse literature, including race relations, politics and history. His two case studies of the Khalistan question in the Punjab and democracy in Guyana are examples of how exilic politics may affect Britain's ethnic minorities, partly as a result of the experience of exclusion from British society.
Ecology and Conservation of the Sirenia
Authors: Marsh Helene , O'Shea Thomas J. , Reynolds III John E.
Published: January 2012

Dugongs and manatees, the only fully aquatic herbivorous mammals, live in the coastal waters, rivers and lakes of more than 80 subtropical and tropical countries. Symbols of fierce conservation battles, sirenian populations are threatened by multiple global problems. Providing comparative information on all four surviving species, this book synthesises the ecological and related knowledge pertinent to understanding the biology and conservation of the sirenia. It presents detailed scientific summaries, covering sirenian feeding biology; reproduction and population dynamics; behavioural ecology; habitat requirements and threats to their continued existence. Outlining the current conservation status of the sirenian taxa, this unique study will equip researchers and professionals with the scientific knowledge required to develop proactive, precautionary and achievable strategies to conserve dugongs and manatees. Supplementary material is available online at: www.cambridge.org/9780521888288.
Performing Operas for Mozart
Authors: Woodfield Ian
Published: January 2012

The Italian opera company in Prague managed by Pasquale Bondini and Domenico Guardasoni played a central role in promoting Mozart's operas during the final years of his life. Using a wide range of primary sources which include the superb collections of eighteenth-century opera posters and concert programmes in Leipzig and the Indice de' teatrali spettacoli, an almanac of Italian singers and dancers, this study examines the annual schedules, recruitment networks, casting policies and repertoire selections of this important company. Woodfield shows how Italian-language performances of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte and La clemenza di Tito flourished along the well-known cultural axis linking Prague in Bohemia to Dresden and Leipzig in Saxony. The important part played by concert performances of operatic arias in the early reception of Mozart's works is also discussed and new information is presented about the reception of Josepha Duschek and Mozart in Leipzig.
Semiconductor Quantum Optics
Authors: Kira Mackillo , Koch Stephan W.
Published: January 2012

The emerging field of semiconductor quantum optics combines semiconductor physics and quantum optics, with the aim of developing quantum devices with unprecedented performance. In this book researchers and graduate students alike will reach a new level of understanding to begin conducting state-of-the-art investigations. The book combines theoretical methods from quantum optics and solid-state physics to give a consistent microscopic description of light-matter- and many-body-interaction effects in low-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures. It develops the systematic theory needed to treat semiconductor quantum-optical effects, such as strong light-matter coupling, light-matter entanglement, squeezing, as well as quantum-optical semiconductor spectroscopy. Detailed derivations of key equations help readers learn the techniques and nearly 300 exercises help test their understanding of the materials covered. The book is accompanied by a website hosted by the authors, containing further discussions on topical issues, latest trends and publications on the field. The link can be found at www.cambridge.org/9780521875097.
The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States
Authors: Adams John
Published: January 2012

John Adams (1735–1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850–6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 1 contains a biography by Adams' son, John Quincy Adams, the sixth President. It begins by establishing the pedigree of the Adams family, and goes on to give an account of Adams' life that includes extracts from letters to his friends and colleagues and passages from his diary which reveal his political, moral and social concerns.
Human Rights as Social Construction
Authors: Gregg Benjamin
Published: January 2012

Most conceptions of human rights rely on metaphysical or theological assumptions that construe them as possible only as something imposed from outside existing communities. Most people, in other words, presume that human rights come from nature, God, or the United Nations. This book argues that reliance on such putative sources actually undermines human rights. Benjamin Gregg envisions an alternative; he sees human rights as locally developed, freely embraced, and indigenously valid. Human rights, he posits, can be created by the average, ordinary people to whom they are addressed, and that they are valid only if embraced by those to whom they would apply. To view human rights in this manner is to increase the chances and opportunities that more people across the globe will come to embrace them.
A Historical and Descriptive Narrative of Twenty Years' Residence in South America
Authors: Stevenson W. B.
Published: January 2012

In 1804 when W. B. Stevenson (fl. 1803–25) arrived on the small island of Mocha, just off the coast of South America, he stepped onto a continent on the brink of mass revolution. Over the next twenty years, he had an extraordinary range of experiences: as a traveller, a Spanish government official, a prisoner, and as secretary to an ex-Royal Navy admiral turned revolutionary. In this three-volume work, published in 1825, Stevenson gives a dramatic, fascinating account of life and society in South America as it began to break free from Spanish colonial rule. Volume 2 continues Stevenson's description of the culture and customs of Chile, Colombia and Peru. It also covers Stevenson's arrival in the province of Esmeraldas, where he became governor in 1810.
Ruling Class, Ruling Culture
Authors: Connell R. W.
Published: January 2012

This is a study of the Australian ruling class - the main companies, the leading political groups and the links and conflicts among them. The author also analyses class inequalities in education, the development of children's ideas about class, the role of the mass media and the way class relations are cemented culturally and psychologically. He introduces his book with a brief discussion of the literature on class theory, and a critical evaluation of Australian writing on class. Professor Connell's major aims are to describe and analyse Australia in the 1970s, to show how class theory is a useful tool in understanding the situation and to develop the theory by working through some practical cases. Apart from its obvious importance for Australian readers, this book should be of interest in other countries, both for comparison and for its original ideas on a number of important issues, such as conflict in the ruling class, and class consciousness in young people.
Direct numerical simulations of roughness-induced transition in supersonic boundary layers
Authors: Muppidi Suman , Mahesh Krishnan
Published: January 2012

Direct numerical simulations are used to study the laminar to turbulent transition of a Mach 2.9 supersonic flat plate boundary layer flow due to distributed surface roughness. Roughness causes the near-wall fluid to slow down and generates a strong shear layer over the roughness elements. Examination of the mean wall pressure indicates that the roughness surface exerts an upward impulse on the fluid, generating counter-rotating pairs of streamwise vortices underneath the shear layer. These vortices transport near-wall low-momentum fluid away from the wall. Along the roughness region, the vortices grow stronger, longer and closer to each other, and result in periodic shedding. The vortices rise towards the shear layer as they advect downstream, and the resulting interaction causes the shear layer to break up, followed quickly by a transition to turbulence. The mean flow in the turbulent region shows a good agreement with available data for fully developed turbulent boundary layers. Simulations under varying conditions show that, where the shear is not as strong and the streamwise vortices are not as coherent, the flow remains laminar.
Asymptotic theory of resonant flow in a spheroidal cavity driven by latitudinal libration
Authors: Zhang Keke , Chan Kit H. , Liao Xinhao
Published: January 2012

We consider a homogeneous fluid of viscosity $\nu $ confined within an oblate spheroidal cavity, ${x}^{2} / {a}^{2} + {y}^{2} / {a}^{2} + {z}^{2} / ({a}^{2} (1\ensuremath{-} {\mathscr{E}}^{2} ))= 1$, with eccentricity $0\lt \mathscr{E}\lt 1$. The spheroidal container rotates rapidly with an angular velocity ${\mbit{\Omega} }_{0} $, which is fixed in an inertial frame and defines a small Ekman number $E= \nu / ({a}^{2} \vert {\mbit{\Omega} }_{0} \vert )$, and undergoes weak latitudinal libration with frequency $\hat {\omega } \vert {\mbit{\Omega} }_{0} \vert $ and amplitude $\mathit{Po}\vert {\mbit{\Omega} }_{0} \vert $, where $\mathit{Po}$ is the Poincaré number quantifying the strength of Poincaré force resulting from latitudinal libration. We investigate, via both asymptotic and numerical analysis, fluid motion in the spheroidal cavity driven by latitudinal libration. When $\vert \hat {\omega } \ensuremath{-} 2/ (2\ensuremath{-} {\mathscr{E}}^{2} )\vert \gg O({E}^{1/ 2} )$, an asymptotic solution for $E\ll 1$ and $\mathit{Po}\ll 1$ in oblate spheroidal coordinates satisfying the no-slip boundary condition is derived for a spheroidal cavity of arbitrary eccentricity without making any prior assumptions about the spatial–temporal structure of the librating flow. In this case, the librationally driven flow is non-axisymmetric with amplitude $O(\mathit{Po})$, and the role of the viscous boundary layer is primarily passive such that the flow satisfies the no-slip boundary condition. When $\vert \hat {\omega } \ensuremath{-} 2/ (2\ensuremath{-} {\mathscr{E}}^{2} )\vert \ll O({E}^{1/ 2} )$, the librationally driven flow is also non-axisymmetric but latitudinal libration resonates with a spheroidal inertial mode that is in the form of an azimuthally travelling wave in the retrograde direction. The amplitude of the flow becomes $O(\mathit{Po}/ {E}^{1/ 2} )$ at $E\ll 1$ and the role of the viscous boundary layer becomes active in determining the key property of the flow. An asymptotic solution for $E\ll 1$ describing the librationally resonant flow is also derived for an oblate spheroidal cavity of arbitrary eccentricity. Three-dimensional direct numerical simulation in an oblate spheroidal cavity is performed to demonstrate that, in both the non-resonant and resonant cases, a satisfactory agreement is achieved between the asymptotic solution and numerical simulation at $E\ll 1$.
The Fate of Nationalism in the New States: Southeast Asia in Comparative Historical Perspective
Authors: Sidel John T.
Published: January 2012

In two landmark essays published in 1973, the eminent anthropologist Clifford Geertz offered an early assessment of what he termed “The Fate of Nationalism in the New States,” referring to the newly independent nation-states of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Ranging with characteristic ease and flair across Burma, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, and Nigeria, Geertz argued that an “Integrative Revolution” was under way, but one complicated and compromised by the inherent tension between “essentialism” and “epochalism,” between “Primordial Sentiments and Civil Politics in the New States.” Geertz argued:

The peoples of the new states are simultaneously animated by two powerful, thoroughly interdependent, yet distinct and often actually opposed motives—the desire to be recognized as responsible agents whose wishes, acts, hopes, and opinions “matter,” and the desire to build an efficient, dynamic modern state. The one aim is to be noticed: it is a search for identity, and a demand that the identity be publicly acknowledged as having import, a social assertion of the self as “being somebody in the world.” The other aim is practical: it is a demand for progress, for a rising standard of living, more effective political order, greater social justice, and beyond that of “playing a part in the larger arena of world politics,” of “exercising influence among the nations.”
The Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service
Authors: van Loghem J. J.
Published: January 2012

The Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, the origin of which dates from 1939, is guided by a foundation in which participate the Dutch Government, the Netherlands Red Cross and the Municipality of Amsterdam.

A staff of physicians, chemists, pharmacists and biologists is charged with the leading of the different departments and laboratories. The Central Laboratory which is operating on a non-profit basis, is the medico-technical centre of the blood transfusion organization in the Netherlands.
Max Huber
Authors: Guggenheim Paul
Published: January 2012

At the time of Max Huber's death, the Revue internationale paid a succession of moving tributes to someone who had given so much of himself to the Red Cross cause. His work as a thinker, jurist and man of action, first as a member, then as President and Honorary President of the ICRC, has been evoked. Reference will also shortly be made to this when we publish other contributions concerning personalities belonging to our movement.
The ICRC Tracing Service in the Congo
Authors: L. J.
Published: January 2012

As soon as the ICRC had set up a delegation in Leopoldville (July 1960), it was seen that a Tracing Service similar to the Central Agency in Geneva was urgently required. The disturbances had led to an abrupt exodus, and it was impossible to keep check of whole families leaving to seek asylum in the former French Congo, Angola, Northern Rhodesia, Tanganyika or the newly formed Central African Republic. These unexpected events, for which the host countries were not prepared (especially as far as a systematic registration of the refugees was concerned), and the disruption or complete break-down of means of communication, transport and postal services, had resulted in great and in many cases justifiable anxiety on the part of those obliged to leave, and their relatives.
Eighteenth Award of the Florence Nightingale Medal
Authors: Boissier Léopold
Published: January 2012

In its Circular No. 430 of August 23, 1960, the International Committee of the Red Cross had the honour to invite the Central Committees of National Societies to send in the names of nurses and voluntary aids whom they judged qualified to receive the Florence Nightingale Medal. This invitation, which quoted Article I of the Regulations, was accompanied by questionnaires bearing various headings for the candidatures.
What the Japanese Junior Red Cross is doing about Disseminating the Geneva Conventions
Authors: Hashimoto Sachiko
Published: January 2012

Japan owes all the credit of possessing a high rate of literacy to the school-teacher, to whom people look for any kind of guidance, sometimes too much. Parents go to teachers even for child guidance in the home and so do community leaders for help in community problems. It was been a tradition ever since the modern school system was introduced into this country 80 years ago to enlighten the people to such an extent as to be counted one of the best educated countries in the world within a short time.
The urgent need to apply the rules of humanitarian law to so-called internal armed conflicts
Authors: Jakovljevlć Boško , Patrnogić Jovica
Published: January 2012

The 12th of August 1949 is without doubt one of the most important dates in humanitarian law and in the development of the idea of the protection of man. It was then that four new Conventions were adopted in Geneva relative to the protection of victims of armed conflicts. In so far as they express general condemnation of war crimes committed during the Second World War, as well as the determination to prevent their recurrence in any possible sort of future conflict, the Geneva Conventions must be regarded as a bastion for the protection of all victims of armed conflict as well as a serious warning to all those who might be disposed to make a misuse of force or violate humanitarian principles. This great victory of the humanitarian spirit and of the principles which it inspires, by virtue of which one should not only avoid inflicting suffering on those who are deprived of protection or on non-combatants, but one should also accord them assistance and care for them if necessary, is due to a large extent to the Red Cross. The forces of progress have given their support to this idea and have made possible its realization within the framework of the International Conventions of the Red Cross. The new Geneva Conventions, which in the evolution of humanitarian law at present represent a decisive phase in a given sector, constitute an extremely solid and complete legal code which has been meticulously drawn up and which is both logical and coherent.
The Augusta Fund
Authors: Iconomow M.
Published: January 2012

The Red Cross movement has been singularly fortunate in having been supported from the start by leading personalities of the day, who gave such effective service. Outstanding amongst these who devoted themselves to this great cause was the Empress and Queen of Germany, Augusta.
Core dynamics of a strained vortex: instability and transition
Authors: PRADEEP D. S. , HUSSAIN F.
Published: January 2012

We study the instability of a laminar vortex column (in an external orthogonal strain
field) to an axisymmetric core size perturbation, and the resulting transition to fine-scale
turbulence. The perturbation, which evolves as a standing wave oscillation (i.e.
core dynamics, CD), is inviscidly amplified by the external strain. Analysis of a weakly
strained Rankine vortex explains the physical mechanism of instability: resonant
interaction between the perturbation – the azimuthal wavenumber m = 0 wave – and
m = ±2 waves. The CD instability (CDI) – a type of elliptic instability – experiences
the fastest growth when the CD oscillation frequency equals vortex column's fluid
angular velocity, such matching occurring only at specific discrete values of the axial
wavenumber k. At this resonant frequency, the net effect of the swirl-induced tilting
of perturbation vorticity and the CD-induced tilting of base flow vorticity is such
that perturbation vorticity is continually aligned with the stretching direction of
the external strain. Such strain–vorticity locking occurs for all m; hence all waves
are unstable, the instability oscillation frequency being dependent on m. In a viscous
Gaussian-like vortex, CDI has low-strain, low-Re and high-k cutoffs – consequences of
the competing effects of inviscid amplification and viscous damping. Direct numerical
simulation reveals two physical-space mechanisms of transition: (i) formation of a thin
annular vortex sheath surrounding a low-enstrophy ‘bubble’ (similar to axisymmetric
vortex breakdown) and the sheath's subsequent roll-up into smaller ‘vortexlets’; and
(ii) folding and reconnection of core vortex filaments giving rise to additional fine-grained
random vorticity within the bubble – both mechanisms caused by CD-induced
intense axial flow within the vortex column. The resulting finer tubular vortices (similar
to ‘worms’) have in turn their own CD, and thus this transition scenario suggests
a physical-space cascade process in developed turbulence (as well as a concomitant
anti-cascade process during the bubble's collapse phase). Additionally, we show that
bending waves, in spite of their faster growth, effect surprisingly much slower transfer
of energy into fine scales than CDI does, and hence are less effective than CDI in
vortex transition and in turbulence cascade.
On the miscible Rayleigh–Taylor instability: two and three dimensions
Authors: YOUNG Y.-N. , TUFO H. , DUBEY A. , ROSNER R.
Published: January 2012

We investigate the miscible Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instability in both two and three
dimensions using direct numerical simulations, where the working fluid is assumed
incompressible under the Boussinesq approximation. We first consider the case of
randomly perturbed interfaces. With a variety of diagnostics, we develop a physical
picture for the detailed temporal development of the mixed layer: we identify three
distinct evolutionary phases in this development, which can be related to detailed
variations in the growth of the mixing zone. Our analysis provides an explanation
for the observed differences between two- and three-dimensional RT instability; the
analysis also leads us to concentrate on the RT models which (i) work equally well for
both laminar and turbulent flows, and (ii) do not depend on turbulent scaling within
the mixing layer between fluids. These candidate RT models are based on point sources
within bubbles (or plumes) and their interaction with each other (or the background
flow). With this motivation, we examine the evolution of single plumes, and relate our
numerical results (for single plumes) to a simple analytical model for plume evolution.
A fast method for fully nonlinear water-wave computations
Authors: CLAMOND DIDIER , GRUE JOHN
Published: January 2012

A fast computational method for fully nonlinear non-overturning water waves is
derived in two and three dimensions. A corresponding time-stepping scheme is developed
in the two-dimensional case. The essential part of the method is a fast
converging iterative solution procedure of the Laplace equation. One part of the
solution is obtained by fast Fourier transform, while another part is highly nonlinear
and consists of integrals with kernels that decay quickly in space. The number of
operations required is asymptotically O(N log N), where N is the number of nodes at
the free surface. While any accuracy of the computations is achieved by a continued
iteration of the equations, one iteration is found to be sufficient for practical computations,
while maintaining high accuracy. The resulting explicit approximation of
the scheme is tested in two versions. Simulations of nonlinear wave fields with wave
slope even up to about unity compare very well with reference computations. The
numerical scheme is formulated in such a way that aliasing terms are partially or
completely avoided.
Collimation of laser-driven energetic protons in a capillary
Authors: CHEN D.-P. , YIN Y. , GE Z.-Y. , XU H. , ZHUO H.-B. , MA Y.-Y. , SHAO F.-Q. , TIAN C.-L.
Published: January 2012

Energetic divergent proton beams can be generated in the interaction of ultra-intense laser pulses with solid-density foil targets via target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA). In this paper, a scheme using a capillary to reduce the proton beam divergence is proposed. By two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, it is shown that strong transverse electric and magnetic fields rapidly grow at the inner surface of the capillary when the laser-driven hot electrons propagate through the target and into the capillary. The spontaneous magnetic field collimates the electron flow, and the ions dragged from the capillary wall by hot electrons neutralize the negative charge and thus restrain the transverse extension of the sheath field set up by electrons. The proton beam divergence, which is mainly determined by the accelerating sheath field, is therefore reduced by the transverse limitation of the sheath field in the capillary.
Marine alien Mollusca in Italy: a critical review and state of the knowledge
Authors: Crocetta Fabio
Published: January 2012

The state of the knowledge about the marine alien molluscan species from Italy is provided based on a critical review of records compiled from an extensive literature survey and from unpublished data obtained from 2005 to 2010. Based on the IUCN definition of ‘alien’, 35 molluscan taxa (18 Gastropoda, 16 Bivalvia and 1 Cephalopoda) are reported here, for each of which the following data (collected up to December 2010) are provided: published and unpublished records from the coastal and offshore territorial seawaters of Italy, including lagoons, within the 14 biogeographical sea divisions covering the Italian shores, date of first record, most plausible vector(s) of introduction and establishment status. The southern Ionian Sea, the northern Adriatic Sea and the eastern-central Tyrrhenian Sea resulted to be the areas most affected by alien molluscan introductions. The rate of records of new alien species (evaluated on the basis of live findings) is quite uniform over five decades, with six to eight species recorded per decade. The analysis of the vectors showed shipping/maritime transport to be the most common vector of introduction (40%), followed by trade (24%). Nineteen alien molluscan species (54%) were considered as established in Italy.
Evaluating State-promoted Civic Engagement and Participation of Vulnerable Groups: The Paradoxical Policies of the Social Support Act in the Netherlands
Authors: LUB VASCO , UYTERLINDE MATTHIJS
Published: January 2012

This article reports on the effects of the Social Support Act (Wmo) in the Netherlands, implemented in 2007. The Dutch Act resembles the current European political interpretation of citizenship: stressing self-responsibility in one's personal life, fighting against elements of the welfare state that are believed to be invasive and implying a shared responsibility of government and civil society for the care of socially vulnerable groups. Data were collected on the basis of two surveys evaluating the effects of the Wmo for voluntary organisations and professional non-profit institutions in social care and welfare (2007: N = 383 and 2009–10: N = 389). In addition, in-depth interviews with stakeholders and qualitative case studies were carried out. The study yields several paradoxical policy outcomes. Contrary to the objectives of the Social Support Act, a ‘revitalisation’ of the Dutch civil society – in terms of a greater contribution to social goals and policies – remains problematic, whilst professional entities thrive under the new governmental élan. Other paradoxical outcomes stem from a too-dogmatic approach to the social participation of people with severe mental disabilities. Instigating the socialisation of these groups through mandatory measures can in practice increase their isolation. To reduce unintended effects, the Social Support Act should take into account the divergent capacities of vulnerable groups and prioritise the psychological safety of clients over political and administrative policy objectives.
Generation of pre-formed plasma and its reduction for fast-ignition
Authors: Sunahara Atsushi , Johzaki Tomoyuki , Nagatomo Hideo , Mima Kunioki
Published: January 2012

We investigated generation of pre-formed plasma on plates and inside cone targets due to a pre-pulse before the arrival of the main ultra-intense laser pulse in the fast-ignition scheme of the inertial confinement fusion. We estimated the pre-pulse level to be 130 mJ for LFEX laser used in the 2009 FIREX experiment, and the density gradient scale length of the pre-formed plasma inside the cone target to be 27–47 microns between the critical and 1/10 of the critical density, based on the two-dimensional radiation hydrodynamic simulations. In order to reduce the generation of pre-formed plasma, we investigated a thin CH foil pre-pulse absorber, and proposed using a cone target with a pointed tip. We simulated CH plasma expansion to show that the CH foils works as a pre-pulse absorber. We also show the aluminum pointed tip of the cone target can delay the shock arrival time by 20 ps, much longer than the delay for the 10 micron thickness gold tip used in the typical implosion of GXII at Osaka University.