bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ON EQUILIBRIUM REFINEMENT FOR DISCONTINUOUS GAMES
Authors: CARBONELL-NICOLAU ORIOL
Published: June 2012

In moving from finite-action to infinite-action games, standard refinements of the Nash equilibrium concept cease to satisfy certain "natural" properties. For instance, perfect equilibria in compact, continuous games need not be admissible. This paper highlights additional properties of two standard refinement specifications that are not inherited by supersets of the set of finite games. The analysis reveals the following about the behavior of perfectness and strategic stability within a class of (possibly) discontinuous games: (1) Equilibria that assign positive probability to the interior of the set of strategies weakly dominated for some player can be chosen; (2) nonadmissible equilibria need not be ruled out when they are weakly dominated by admissible perfect equilibria; and (3) nonadmissible equilibria may be selected when admissible equilibria are ruled out.
UNIONS AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: SOME INSIGHTS FROM A SIMPLE THREE-PLAYER EXAMPLE
Authors: WIESE HARALD
Published: June 2012

The aim of this paper is to analyze the interconnections between employment and unionization. We will also see how unemployment benefits drive the interplay of employment and unionization. The basic input into our model stems from cooperative game theory. Building on the Shapley value, several values for TU games with coalition structures have been presented in the literature, most notably by Aumann and Drèze and Owen. We present a value that is capable of dealing with unemployment and unionization. We show that unemployment benefits increase wages but contribute to unemployment, that unemployment can be voluntary, and that unions tend to be beneficial for employed workers if there is overstaffing.
COORDINATION IN GAMES WITH INCOMPLETE INFORMATION: EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Authors: MCDANIEL TANGA MORAE
Published: June 2012

We use experiments to study coordination in games with incomplete information. In the games, one player knows the payoffs, while the other player knows the probability of payoffs forming a prisoner's dilemma or a stag-hunt. When payoffs form a stag-hunt there are two Pareto ranked pure strategy equilibria. We ask whether cheap talk aids coordination on the socially optimal equilibrium and whether the informed player can use cheap talk to engineer her preferred outcome. Consistent with previous literature, the benefit of cheap talk depends on the relationship between payoffs and risks, and in the games we study; cheap talk benefits informed players only when the stag-hunt payoffs exhibit low risks.
A COMPLEMENTARY NOTE ON THE ISSUE OF TIME INCONSISTENCY REVISITED AS AN EXTENDED GAME
Authors: KEMPF HUBERT , GRAZIOSI GRGOIRE ROTA
Published: June 2012

Cellini and Lambertini endogenize through a timing game the moves of the central bank and the private sector in a model of monetary policy la Barro and Gordon. They find a multiplicity of equilibria, as the two Stackelberg outcomes emerge as the solutions of the timing game, with different inflation levels. By using the risk-dominance criterion to select the equilibrium we prove that there is a discontinuity in the inflation bias, depending on the inflation aversion of the private sector.
ALTRUISTIC BEHAVIOR AND CORRELATED EQUILIBRIUM SELECTION
Authors: DE MARCO GIUSEPPE , MORGAN JACQUELINE
Published: June 2012

This paper studies new refinement concepts for correlated equilibria based on altruistic behavior of the players and generalizes some refinement concepts previously developed by the authors for Nash equilibria. Effectiveness of the concepts, relations with the corresponding notions for Nash equilibria and with other correlated equilibrium refinements are investigated. The analysis of the topological properties of the set of solutions concludes the paper.
PRODUCT INNOVATION TOOL ADOPTION BEHAVIOUR IN TECHNOLOGY-BASED NEW VENTURES
Authors: DE WAAL GERRIT A. , KNOTT PAUL
Published: June 2012

Despite the attention it gives to innovation tools, the product innovation literature does not address the behavioural motivation behind practitioners' adoption of particular tools, or relate this to new venture development. This paper focuses on technology-based new ventures executing their first projects and presents insights into how their innovation tool adoption evolves over time. The paper synthesises case study findings into a hierarchy of tool adoption states encapsulating how new venture teams started with an exclusive focus on effectiveness, and over time progressively attended to problem solving, efficiency, and finally resource management. They often progressed to the next state only in response to costly mistakes and delays, whereas the experienced team in our comparison well-established firm operated within all four states from project initiation. Knowledge of this hierarchy of tool adoption states could help new venture teams to optimise the time they invest in product innovation tools.
WHICH UNIVERSITY TO PARTNER WITH: AN INVESTIGATION INTO PARTNER SELECTION MOTIVES AMONG SMALL INNOVATIVE FIRMS
Authors: KARLSON BRIAN , CALLAGHER LISA
Published: June 2012

The paper explores small innovative firms' motives for selecting university partners. As well as risk-reducing, cost-reducing, and value creating motives that are established in the literature, "enabling" is proposed as a fourth motive, which asserts that firms select university partners that enable the firm to remain flexible and adaptable in commercialising early-stage innovations.
HARNESSING THE VALUE OF OPEN INNOVATION: THE MODERATING ROLE OF INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
Authors: SALGE TORSTEN OLIVER , BOHNÉ THOMAS MARC , FARCHI TOMAS , PIENING ERK PETER
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we develop and test a firm-level contingency model of inbound open innovation in an attempt to contribute to explaining the substantial disparities in open innovation payoff that exist between firms. Integrating elements from the resource- and knowledge-based views and the absorptive capacity literature, we propose that specific innovation management activities can play an important moderating role as they are likely to enhance firms' capacity to identify, assimilate and utilise external knowledge inputs. Drawing on longitudinal data from 1,170 German manufacturing and service firms, econometric analyses reveal that returns from open innovation are greatest when firms maintain their internal research capacity, employ a dedicated incentive system for innovation and advocate strong cross-functional collaboration. Decision-makers are thus well advised not to take positive returns from open innovation for granted. Rather, they need to achieve excellence in key innovation management activities, if their firm is to fully harness the value of openness.
ON THE FULL RATIONALITY OF FUZZY CHOICE FUNCTIONS ON BASE DOMAIN
Authors: DESAI S. S. , CHAUDHARI S. R.
Published: June 2012

The aim of this paper is to discuss the full rationality of fuzzy choice functions defined on base domain. For this purpose, we introduce weak fuzzy T-congruence axiom. We characterize full rationality of fuzzy choice functions in terms of this axiom and the fuzzy Chernoff axiom. Also, we prove that G-rational fuzzy choice functions with transitive rationalizations satisfying fuzzy Chernoff axiom characterizes their full rationality.
NEW REVEALED PREFERENCE INDICATORS OF FUZZY CHOICE FUNCTIONS
Authors: GEORGESCU IRINA
Published: June 2012

The axioms WAFRP, SAFRP (resp. WFCA, SFCA) are fuzzy versions of the axioms of revealed preference WARP, SARP (resp. of the congruence axioms WCA, SCA) of classic theory of revealed preference. The revealed preference indicators WAFRP(C), SAFRP(C), WFCA(C) and SFCA(C) of a fuzzy choice function C were introduced in a previous paper in order to express the degree to which C verifies the axioms WAFRP, SAFRP, WFCA, SFCA. In this paper, we shall define the new revealed preference indicators WAFRP°(C), HAFRP(C) corresponding to the axioms WAFRP°, HAFRP from fuzzy revealed preference theory. We shall prove two main results: (1) WAFRP°(C) = WFCA(C); (2) HAFRP(C) = SFCA(C). They extend in terms of numerical indicators two known theorems of Hansson and Suzumura of classic theory of choice functions.
NON-MANIPULABLE PARTITIONING
Authors: DUDDY CONAL , PEROTE-PEÑA JUAN , PIGGINS ASHLEY
Published: June 2012

Consider the following social choice problem. A group of individuals seek to classify the elements of X as belonging in one of two sets. The individuals may disagree as to how the elements of X should be classified, and so an aggregation rule is applied to determine a compromise outcome. We require that the social classification should not be imposed, nor should it be manipulable. We prove that the only aggregation rules satisfying these properties are dictatorships.
GENETIC PROGRAMMING AND NEURAL NETWORKS FORECASTING OF MONTHLY SUNSPOT NUMBERS
Authors: KABOUDAN MAK
Published: June 2012

A three-stage computational intelligence strategy is used to forecast the unsmoothed monthly sunspot number. The strategy employs agents that use two computational techniques, genetic programming (GP) and neural networks (NN), in a sequence of three stages. In the first, two agents fit the same set of observed monthly data. One employs GP, while the other employs NN. In the second, residuals (= differences between observed and solution values) from the first stage are fitted employing a different technique. The NN fitted-residuals are added to the GP first-stage solution while the GP fitted-residuals are added to the NN first-stage solution. In the third, outputs from the first and second stages become inputs to use in producing two new solutions that reconcile differences. The fittest third stage solution is then used to forecast 48 monthly sunspot numbers (September 2009 through August 2013). This modeling scheme delivered lower estimation errors at each stage. The next sunspot number peak is predicted to be around the middle of 2012.
DYNAMICS AND EMISSION OF MILDLY RELATIVISTIC PLASMA
Authors: AKSENOV A. G. , RUFFINI R. , SIUTSOU I. A. , VERESHCHAGIN G. V.
Published: June 2012

Initially optically thick (with τ = 3⋅107) spherically symmetric outflow consisting of electron-positron pairs and photons is considered. We do not assume thermal equilibrium, and include the two-body processes that occur in such plasma: Möller and Bhabha scattering of pairs, Compton scattering, two-photon pair annihilation, two-photon pair production, together with their radiative three-body variants: bremsstrahlung, double Compton scattering, and three-photon pair annihilation, with their inverse processes. We solve numerically the relativistic Boltzmann equations in spherically symmetric case for distribution functions of pairs and photons. Three epochs are considered in details: a) the thermalization, which brings initially nonequilibrium plasma to thermal equilibrium; b) the self-accelerated expansion, which we find in agreement with previous hydrodynamic studies and c) decoupling of photons from the expanding electron-positron plasma. Photon spectra are computed, and appear to be non thermal near the peak of the luminosity. In particular, the low energy part of the spectrum contain more power with respect to the black body one.
DYNAMICAL EVOLUTION OF SPECTRAL AND TIMING PROPERTIES OF COMPACT OBJECTS: SOME EXAMPLES
Authors: CHAKRABARTI SANDIP K. , PAL PARTHA S.
Published: June 2012

We present examples of rapid changes in spectral and timing properties in accretion flows around compact objects and discuss what could be going on in these systems. We find a new way of quantifying the variation of the flow geometry. We show the evolution of the variation of the Comptonization efficiency computed from the ratio of the Comptonized photons and the injected seed photons. The time evolution is a direct consequence of the variation of the accretion rates which changes the hydrodynamic and radiative properties of the flow and therefore the flow geometry.
LARGE SCALE STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSE — A POWERFUL PROBE FOR FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS
Authors: EINASTO JAAN
Published: June 2012

An overview is given on properties of the Large Scale Structure (LSS) using recent sky surveys (SDSS Main sample). LSS evolves very slowly, thus it contains imprints of physical conditions in the early Universe, as well as processes during its evolution. Present physical experiments are still unable to reproduce conditions in the very early Universe, thus the study of the properties of the LSS yields valuable information for fundamental physics.
A PROPOSED ITALIAN CONTRIBUTION FOR THE MIRAX SCIENTIFIC PAYLOAD
Authors: EVANGELISTA Y. , FEROCI M. , ARGAN A. , CAMPANA R. , COSTA E. , DEL MONTE E. , DONNARUMMA I. , LAZZAROTTO F. , MULERI F. , PACCIANI L. , RAPISARDA M. , RUBINI A. , SOFFITTA P. , AMATI L. , LABANTI C. , FUSCHINO F. , MAIORANO E. , MARISALDI M. , MASETTI N. , MORELLI E. , NICASTRO L. , ORLANDINI M. , PALAZZI E. , TRACI A. , FRONTERA F. , DRAGO A. , FARINELLI R. , TITARCHUK L. , VACCHI A. , RASHEVSKI A. , ZAMPA G. , ZAMPA N. , RUFFINI R. , BERTUCCIO G. , BOMBACI I. , GHISELLINI G. , GRASSI M. , MALCOVATI P. , PICOLLI L. , LAZZATI D. , PIAN E. , SALVATERRA R. , BRAGA J.
Published: June 2012

Recent scientific cooperation between Italy and Brazil has opened the possibility of a significant Italian contribution to the scientific payload of the Brazilian mission MIRAX. MIRAX is a small scientific mission for X-ray astronomy, programmed for launch on 2015 on-board the Lattes satellite. The MIRAX scientific objectives include the broad-band study - inclusive of arcminute localisation - of the GRBs prompt emission, and the All Sky monitoring in the 2–50 keV energy band with a source location accuracy of a few arcmin and a daily sensitivity of 3 mCrab. The proposed configuration is composed of a coded-mask X-ray Monitor, equipped with Silicon Drift Detectors (2–50 keV), and a phoswich High Energy Spectrometer, sensitive in the 15–5000 keV energy band.
NONLINEAR EVOLUTION OF COSMIC BARYON FLUID
Authors: FANG LI-ZHI
Published: June 2012

Although the gravitational field in the universe is dominated by dark matter, observations show that the statistical properties of cosmic baryonic matter are significantly and systematically decoupled from that of the underlying dark matter. This is because the cosmic baryon fluid in highly nonlinear regime is in a state of fully developed turbulence, of which the velocity field consists of shocks, vortices and complex structures. This scenario provides a coherent explanation of various phenomena referring to the decoupling of the IGM from dark matter, including the log-Poisson non-Gaussianity of Ly-alpha transmitted flux fluctuations; turbulent broadening; abnormal scaling; baryon missing in halos etc.
TIME RESOLVED SPECTRA OF GRBs SIMULTANEOUSLY DETECTED WITH BATSE andBeppoSAX WFCs
Authors: FRONTERA FILIPPO , AMATI LORENZO , FARINELLI RUBEN , GUIDORZI CRISTIANO , LANDI RAFFAELLA , TITARCHUK LEV , IN 'T ZAND JEAN J.M.
Published: June 2012

We will discuss preliminary results of a systematic investigation devoted to study the time resolved broad-band spectra of the prompt emission of a sample of GRBs. These events were simultaneously detected with the BeppoSAX WFCs and the BATSE instrument aboard CGRO. We will discuss the fit of these spectra with the Band function, with a blackbody plus a power–law model, and with a Comptonization model developed by Titarchuk & Farinelli (2011, to be submitted).
A GENERAL RELATIVISTIC THOMAS FERMI TREATMENT OF NEUTRON STAR CORES II: GENERALIZED FERMI ENERGIES AND BETA EQUILIBRIUM
Authors: PUGLIESE D. , RUEDA JORGE A. , RUFFINI R. , XUE S.S.
Published: June 2012

We formulate the set of self-consistent ground-state equilibrium equations of a system of degenerate neutrons, protons and electrons in beta equilibrium taking into account quantum statistics, electro-weak, and strong interactions, within the framework of general relativity. The strong interaction between nucleons is modeled through sigma-omega-rho meson exchange in the context of the extended Walecka model, all duly expressed in general relativity. We demonstrate that, as in the non-interacting case, the thermodynamic equilibrium condition given by the constancy of the Fermi energy of each particle-specie can be properly generalized to include the contribution of all fields.
ON DEGENERATE COMPRESSED ATOMS AND COMPRESSED NUCLEAR MATTER CORES OF STELLAR DIMENSIONS
Authors: ROTONDO MICHAEL , RUEDA JORGE A. , RUFFINI REMO , XUE SHE-SHENG
Published: June 2012

The relativistic generalization of the Feynman, Metropolis and Teller treatment of compressed atoms is obtained. Each atomic configuration is confined by a Wigner-Seitz cell and is characterized by a positive electron Fermi energy. There exists a limiting configuration, reached when the Wigner-Seitz cell radius equals the radius of the nucleus, with a maximum value of the electron Fermi energy [Formula: see text], here expressed analytically in the ultra-relativistic approximation. The treatment is then extrapolated to compressed nuclear matter cores of stellar dimensions with A ≃ (m Planck /mn)3 ~ 1057 or Mcore ~ M⊙. A new family of equilibrium configurations exists for selected values of the electron Fermi energy varying in the range [Formula: see text]. Such configurations fulfill global but not local charge neutrality. They have electric fields on the core surface, increasing for decreasing values of the electron Fermi energy reaching values much larger than the critical value [Formula: see text], for [Formula: see text].
PRIMORDIAL MAGNETIC FIELDS BY COSMIC INFLATION
Authors: CHENG SHU-LIN , LEE WO-LUNG , NG KIN-WANG
Published: June 2012

Contrary to the conventional wisdom, we find that it is plausible to generate primordial magnetic seed fields via spinodal instability efficiently during cosmic inflation provided that a fast-roll stage is involved before the inflaton entering into the slow-roll phase. Moreover, the primordial magnetic field produced in such a mechanism can be used to constrain the low quadrupole moment of Cosmic Microwave Background.
EFFECTS OF BLACK HOLES ON INFLATON PERTURBATION
Authors: CHO HING-TONG , NG KIN-WANG , WANG I-CHIN
Published: June 2012

We calculate quantum fluctuations of a free scalar field in the Schwarzschild-de Sitter space-time, adopting the planar coordinates that is pertinent to the presence of a black hole in an inflationary universe. In a perturbation approach, doing expansion in powers of a small black hole event horizon compared to the de Sitter cosmological horizon, we obtain the scalar power spectrum.
PROBING THE VACUUM STRUCTURE OF SPACETIME
Authors: KIM SANG PYO
Published: June 2012

We explore the question of how to probe the vacuum structure of space time by a massive scalar field through interaction with background gravitons. Using the Γ-regularization for the in-/out-state formalism, we find the effective action of a scalar field in a conformally, asymptotically flat spacetime and a four-dimensional de Sitter space, which is a gravitational analog of the Heisenberg-Euler and Schwinger effective action for a charged scalar in a constant electric field. The effective action is nonperturbative in that it sums all one-loop diagrams with arbitrary number of external lines of gravitons. The massive scalar field becomes unstable due to particle production, the effective action has an imaginary part that determines the decay rate of the vacuum, and the out-vacuum is unitarily inequivalent to the in-vacuum.
NUCLEATION OF VACUUM BUBBLES OF A SELF-GRAVITATING SCALAR FIELD
Authors: LEE CHUL H. , LEE WONWOO
Published: June 2012

The case of a self-gravitating scalar field under-going the first-order phase transition is studied. Particularly the effects of self gravity on the nucleation of vacuum bubbles is investigated. We also investigate what modifications are induced by the introduction of nonminimal coupling of the scalar field. The possibility of nucleation of false vacuum bubbles within the true vacuum background in the case of a nonminimally coupled scalar field is discussed.
STRUCTURE OF COMPACT STARS WITH DENSE HADRONIC MATTER AT THE CORE
Authors: LEE HYUN KYU
Published: June 2012

For a dense stellar matter, it is generally expected that as density increases, new degrees of freedom will emerge as the electron chemical potential becomes comparable to their energy scales. We discuss the nature of symmetry energy, which measures the energy relevant to the neutron-proton asymmetry and more importantly determines the electron chemical potential in weak equilibrium. The possible structure of compact stars with strangeness is briefly discussed for the case of kaon condensation.
NEW LIMITS ON THE NEUTRINO MASS FROM COSMOLOGY
Authors: MELCHIORRI ALESSANDRO , DE BERNARDIS FRANCESCO , MENEGONI ELOISA
Published: June 2012

We place a nre upper limit on the sum of neutrino masses by using measurements of luminosity-dependent galaxy bias at several different redshifts, SDSS at z = 0.05, DEEP2 at z = 1 and LBGs at z = 3.8, combined with WMAP five-year cosmic microwave background anisotropy data and SDSS Red Luminous Galaxy survey three-dimensional clustering power spectrum. We obtain the upper limit of ∑ mν < 0.28 eV at the 95% confidence level for a ΛCDM + mν model, with a σ8 equal to σ8 = 0.759 ± 0.025 (1σ). When we allow the dark energy equation of state parameter w to vary we find w = -1.30 ± 0.19 for a general wCDM + mν model with the 95% confidence level upper limit on the neutrino masses at ∑ mν < 0.59 eV . Finally, we have investigated the ability of the future Euclid mission to constrain differences in the mass of individual neutrino species.
PRE INFLATION MATTER ERA AND CMB ANOMALY
Authors: SCARDIGLI FABIO , GRUBER CHRISTINE , CHEN PISIN
Published: June 2012

We consider the production of primordial micro black holes (MBH) remnants in the early universe. These objects induce the universe to be in a matter-dominated era before the onset of inflation. Effects of such an epoch on the CMB power spectrum are discussed and computed both analytically and numerically. By comparison with the latest observational data from the WMAP collaboration, we find that our model appears to explain the quadrupole anomaly of the CMB power spectrum.
kHz QPO OBSERVATIONS AND PULSAR PARAMETERS
Authors: ZHANG C. M. , PAN Y. Y. , WANG J. , TAANI A. , ZHAO Y. H.
Published: June 2012

Neutron star parameters, e.g. mass, radius and magnetic field, can be constrained by the observations of kHz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), which show the information close to the surface of neutron stars (NSs) in the accreting binary systems. The high QPO frequency will leak out the physics around the inner disk boundary, where the physics in a strong gravity regime will effect. By means of the twin kHz QPO detections, which are interpreted as the Keplerian orbital motions near NSs, the methods of determining NS mass and radius are introduced.
Design of Nanomaterial Synthesis by Aerosol Processes
Authors: Buesser Beat , Pratsinis Sotiris E.
Published: June 2012

Aerosol synthesis of materials is a vibrant field of particle technology and chemical reaction engineering. Examples include the manufacture of carbon blacks, fumed SiO2, pigmentary TiO2, ZnO vulcanizing catalysts, filamentary Ni, and optical fibers, materials that impact transportation, construction, pharmaceuticals, energy, and communications. Parallel to this, development of novel, scalable aerosol processes has enabled synthesis of new functional nanomaterials (e.g., catalysts, biomaterials, electroceramics) and devices (e.g., gas sensors). This review provides an access point for engineers to the multiscale design of aerosol reactors for the synthesis of nanomaterials using continuum, mesoscale, molecular dynamics, and quantum mechanics models spanning 10 and 15 orders of magnitude in length and time, respectively. Key design features are the rapid chemistry; the high particle concentrations but low volume fractions; the attainment of a self-preserving particle size distribution by coagulation; the ratio of the characteristic times of coagulation and sintering, which controls the extent of particle aggregation; and the narrowing of the aggregate primary particle size distribution by sintering.
Density of States–Based Molecular Simulations
Authors: Singh Sadanand , Chopra Manan , de Pablo Juan J.
Published: June 2012

One of the central problems in statistical mechanics is that of finding the density of states of a system. Knowledge of the density of states of a system is equivalent to knowledge of its fundamental equation, from which all thermodynamic quantities can be obtained. Over the past several years molecular simulations have made considerable strides in their ability to determine the density of states of complex fluids and materials. In this review we discuss some of the more promising approaches proposed in the recent literature along with their advantages and limitations.
Electrochemistry of Mixed Oxygen Ion and Electron Conducting Electrodes in Solid Electrolyte Cells
Authors: Chueh William C. , Haile Sossina M.
Published: June 2012

Mixed ion and electron conductors (MIECs) have garnered increased attention as active components in the electrodes of solid oxide electrolyzers (for electricity to fuel conversion) and especially of solid oxide fuel cells (for fuel to electricity conversion). Although much of the work in the literature is directed toward the understanding of oxygen electroreduction on the surfaces of MIECs, more recent studies also explore the role of these materials in fuel electrooxidation. In both cases, the rich chemical and electronic behaviors of MIECs imply a broad range of possible reaction pathways. We highlight the significant progress that has been made in elucidating these pathways through well-designed experimental and computational studies. At the macroscopic level, patterned electrode studies enable identification of active sites, whereas at the microscopic level, surface-sensitive techniques in combination with atomistic-level simulations are beginning to reveal the nature of the rate-determining step(s) and enable rational design of materials with enhanced activity.
High insulin levels are required for FAT/CD36 plasma membrane translocation and enhanced fatty acid uptake in obese Zucker rat hepatocytes
Authors: Buqué Xabier , Cano Ainara , Miquilena-Colina María E. , García-Monzón Carmelo , Ochoa Begoña , Aspichueta Patricia
Published: June 2012

In myocytes and adipocytes, insulin increases fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36 translocation to the plasma membrane (PM), enhancing fatty acid (FA) uptake. Evidence links increased hepatic FAT/CD36 protein amount and gene expression with hyperinsulinemia in animal models and patients with fatty liver, but whether insulin regulates FAT/CD36 expression, amount, distribution, and function in hepatocytes is currently unknown. To investigate this, FAT/CD36 protein content in isolated hepatocytes, subfractions of organelles, and density-gradient isolated membrane subfractions was analyzed in obese and lean Zucker rats by Western blotting in liver sections by immunohistochemistry and in hepatocytes by immunocytochemistry. The uptake of oleate and oleate incorporation into lipids were assessed in hepatocytes at short time points (30–600 s). We found that FAT/CD36 protein amount at the PM was higher in hepatocytes from obese rats than from lean controls. In obese rat hepatocytes, decreased cytoplasmatic content of FAT/CD36 and redistribution from low- to middle- to middle- to high-density subfractions of microsomes were found. Hallmarks of obese Zucker rat hepatocytes were increased amount of FAT/CD36 protein at the PM and enhanced FA uptake and incorporation into triglycerides, which were maintained only when exposed to hyperinsulinemic conditions (80 mU/l). In conclusion, high insulin levels are required for FAT/CD36 translocation to the PM in obese rat hepatocytes to enhance FA uptake and triglyceride synthesis. These results suggest that the hyperinsulinemia found in animal models and patients with insulin resistance and fatty liver might contribute to liver fat accumulation by inducing FAT/CD36 functional presence at the PM of hepatocytes.
NFE2L2 pathway polymorphisms and lung function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Sandford Andrew J. , Malhotra Deepti , Boezen H. Marike , Siedlinski Mateusz , Postma Dirkje S. , Wong Vivien , Akhabir Loubna , He Jian-Qing , Connett John E. , Anthonisen Nicholas R. , Paré Peter D. , Biswal Shyam
Published: June 2012

An oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the lung contributes to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors. Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2 or NRF2) is a critical molecule in the lung's defense mechanism against oxidants. We investigated whether polymorphisms in the NFE2L2 pathway affected the rate of decline of lung function in smokers from the Lung Health Study (LHS)( n = 547) and in a replication set, the Vlagtwedde-Vlaardingen cohort ( n = 533). We selected polymorphisms in NFE2L2 in genes that positively or negatively regulate NFE2L2 transcriptional activity and in genes that are regulated by NFE2L2. Polymorphisms in 11 genes were significantly associated with rate of lung function decline in the LHS. One of these polymorphisms, rs11085735 in the KEAP1 gene, was previously shown to be associated with the level of lung function in the Vlagtwedde-Vlaardingen cohort but not with decline of lung function. Of the 23 associated polymorphisms in the LHS, only rs634534 in the FOSL1 gene showed a significant association in the Vlagtwedde-Vlaardingen cohort with rate of lung function decline, but the direction of the association was not consistent with that in the LHS. In summary, despite finding several nominally significant polymorphisms in the LHS, none of these associations were replicated in the Vlagtwedde-Vlaardingen cohort, indicating lack of effect of polymorphisms in the NFE2L2 pathway on the rate of decline of lung function.
Is There a Link between Mitochondrial Reserve Respiratory Capacity and Aging?
Authors: Desler Claus , Hansen Thomas Lau , Frederiksen Jane Bruun , Marcker Maiken Lise , Singh Keshav K. , Juel Rasmussen Lene
Published: June 2012

Oxidative phosphorylation is an indispensable resource of ATP in tissues with high requirement of energy. If the ATP demand is not met, studies suggest that this will lead to senescence and cell death in the affected tissue. The term reserve respiratory capacity or spare respiratory capacity is used to describe the amount of extra ATP that can be produced by oxidative phosphorylation in case of a sudden increase in energy demand. Depletion of the reserve respiratory capacity has been related to a range of pathologies affecting high energy requiring tissues. During aging of an organism, and as a result of mitochondrial dysfunctions, the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation declines. Based on examples from the energy requiring tissues such as brain, heart, and skeletal muscle, we propose that the age-related decline of oxidative phosphorylation decreases the reserve respiratory capacity of the affected tissue, sensitizes the cells to surges in ATP demand, and increases the risk of resulting pathologies.
Control of Fusarium Wilt of Tomato Caused byFusarium oxysporumF. Sp. Radicis-Lycopersici Using Mixture of Vegetable andPosidonia oceanicaCompost
Authors: Kouki S. , Saidi N. , Ben Rajeb A. , Brahmi M. , Bellila A. , Fumio M. , Hefiène A. , Jedidi N. , Downer J. , Ouzari H.
Published: June 2012

A compost of vegetable waste andPosidonia oceanicamixture (70 : 30% vol : vol) was testedin vitroandin vivofor its efficacy againstFusarium oxysporumf.spradicis-lycopersici(Forl), the causal agent of Fusarium wilt of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumcv. chourouk).The incorporation of non-sterilized VPC in the culture medium showed potent antifungal activity against Forl and complete inhibition of mycelium growth was observed for all the tested compost rates (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20%). However, only the highest rates (15 and 20%) of a sterilized suspension of VPC were effective in preventing mycelial growth. Nine indigenous bacterial strains isolated from VPC exhibited antagonism against Forl. Based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the isolates were assigned toBacillus sphaericus(B12 and BS2),Pseudomonas putidaPPS7 andBurkholderia gladioliBuC16. Under green house condition, seed inoculation by B12, BS2, PP7 and BuC16 strains protected significantly tomato againstFusarium oxysporumf.spradicis-lycopersici(Forl) attacks.
A Simulation Approach to Statistical Estimation of Multiperiod Optimal Portfolios
Authors: Shiraishi Hiroshi
Published: June 2012

This paper discusses a simulation-based method for solving discrete-time multiperiod portfolio choice problems under AR(1) process. The method is applicable even if the distributions of return processes are unknown. We first generate simulation sample paths of the random returns by using AR bootstrap. Then, for each sample path and each investment time, we obtain an optimal portfolio estimator, which optimizes a constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) utility function. When an investor considers an optimal investment strategy with portfolio rebalancing, it is convenient to introduce a value function. The most important difference between single-period portfolio choice problems and multiperiod ones is that the value function is time dependent. Our method takes care of the time dependency by using bootstrapped sample paths. Numerical studies are provided to examine the validity of our method. The result shows the necessity to take care of the time dependency of the value function.
Therapeutic Effect of Yi-Chi-Tsung-Ming-Tang on Amyloidβ1−40-Induced Alzheimer's Disease-Like Phenotype via an Increase of Acetylcholine and Decrease of Amyloidβ
Authors: Yeh Chung-Hsin , Hsieh Ming-Tsuen , Hsueh Chi-Mei , Wu Chi-Rei , Huang Yi-Chun , Liao Jiunn-Wang , Chow Kuan-Chih
Published: June 2012

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid accumulation, neuronal death, and cognitive impairments. Yi-Chi-Tsung-Ming-Tang (YCTMT) is a traditional Chinese medicine and has never been used to enhance cognitive function and treat neurodegenerative disorders such as senile dementia. Whether YCTMT has a beneficial role in improving learning and memory in AD patients remains unclear. The present study showed that oral administration of YCTMT ameliorated amyloid-β- (Aβ1−40) injection-induced learning and memory impairments in rats, examined using passive avoidance and Morris water-maze tests. Immunostaining and Western Blot results showed that continuous Aβ1−40infusion caused amyloid accumulation and decreased acetylcholine level in hippocampus. Oral administration of medium and high dose of YCTMT 7 days after the Aβ1−40infusion decreased amyloid accumulation area and reversed acetylcholine decline in the Aβ1−40-injected hippocampus, suggesting that YCTMT might inhibit Aβplague accumulation and rescue reduced acetylcholine expression. This study has provided evidence on the beneficial role of YCTMT in ameliorating amyloid-induced AD-like symptom, indicating that YCTMT may offer an alternative strategy for treating AD.
Preceptorship and Affirmation in the Intergenerational World of Nursing Practice
Authors: Foley Vicki , Myrick Florence , Yonge Olive
Published: June 2012

Research has shown that while preceptorship offers a reality-oriented learning environment and facilitates competence of students, there are inherent rewards and stressors associated with the experience. Students and preceptors can be from different generations, and as such, they may often come to the learning space with differing values and expectations. The nature of the preceptorship experience in this intergenerational context was explored in a recent phenomenological study with seven preceptors and seven nursing students in an undergraduate nursing program in Eastern Canada. Overall the experience was found to be inclusive of three main themes:being affirmed, being challenged, andbeing on a pedagogical journey. In this paper we explore the first of these themes,being affirmed. Highlighting the positive aspects of the preceptorship experience in the intergenerational context is necessary to promote a culture of openness and respect for generational differences within clinical nursing practice settings and to improving the overall quality of the educational experience.
Neutrinos from Cosmic Accelerators including Magnetic Field and Flavor Effects
Authors: Winter Walter
Published: June 2012

We review the particle physics ingredients affecting the normalization, shape, and flavor composition of astrophysical neutrinos fluxes, such as different production modes, magnetic field effects on the secondaries (muons, pions, and kaons), and flavor mixing, where we focus onpγinteractions. We also discuss the interplay with neutrino propagation and detection, including the possibility to detect flavor and its application in particle physics, and the use of the Glashow resonance to discriminatepγfromppinteractions in the source. We illustrate the implications on fluxes and flavor composition with two different models: (1) the target photon spectrum is dominated by synchrotron emission of coaccelerated electrons and (2) the target photon spectrum follows the observed photon spectrum of gamma-ray bursts. In the latter case, the multimessenger extrapolation from the gamma-ray fluence to the expected neutrino flux is highlighted.
Spinal Cord Stroke: Acute Imaging and Intervention
Authors: Lynch Karen , Oster Joel , Apetauerova Diana , Hreib Kinan
Published: June 2012

Spinal cord infarction is an uncommon disease and as such is often a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. It can vary in its onset, severity, outcome, and recovery from patient to patient. Treatment options for this relatively rare condition also remain elusive. Current consensus recommendations are antiplatelet therapy and the symptomatic management of associated complications such as paraplegia and thromboembolic disease. There are multiple studies in surgical literature of a variety of interventions and adjuncts used for reducing the risk of ischemic spinal cord neurological injury, seen most often in the setting of thoracoabdominal aortic repair operations. We report two cases of acute non-surgical-related spinal cord infarcts, where early diagnosis was made and aggressive, early treatments instituted. With often devastating outcomes, we highlight the need for early detection and that interventions, commonly used in preventing neurological injury after high-risk aneurysm repairs, may be beneficial in treating and reducing the severity of disability in acute spinal cord stroke.
Quantitation of Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamide in Rat Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with UV Detection
Authors: Kamei Tomonori , Aoyama Takahiko , Tanaka Chihiro , Nagashima Takafumi , Aoyama Yukio , Hayashi Hiroyuki , Nagase Hiroki , Ueno Takahiro , Fukuda Noboru , Matsumoto Yoshiaki
Published: June 2012

A simple and robust method using high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was developed and validated for the determination of six pyrrole-imidazole (PI) polyamides (HN.49, TGF-β1f, TGF-β1t, HN.50f, HN.50t, and LOX-1) in rat plasma. After the plasma proteins were precipitated with methanol containing phenacetin as an internal standard, the analytes were separated on a Luna C18 (2) (5 μm,4.6×150 mm). Calibration curves were linear over the range of 0.5 to 200 μg/mL for HN.49, 0.25 to 200 μg/mL for TGF-β1f, TGF-β1t, HN.50t, and LOX-1, 1 to 200 μg/mL for HN.50f in rat plasma. The inter- and intraday precision were below 15%, and the accuracy was within 15% at the quality controls. The validated method was successfully applied to sample analysis for the pharmacokinetic study.
Laser Acupuncture Reduces Body Fat in Obese Female Undergraduate Students
Authors: Liu Xiao-Guang , Zhang Juan , Lu Jian-Liang , Liu Timon Cheng-Yi
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacies of laser acupunctures with different laser irradiation doses for body weight loss and body fat reduction in obese persons. Twentyeight subjects with simple obesity were divided into four groups receiving laser acupunctures at 0, 358, 478, and 597 J/cm2, respectively, which were applied to the acupoints of Cv 8, St 25, and Sp 15, six times per week for four weeks. Body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM), body fat percent, waist girth, hip girth, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were measured before and after treatment. The laser groups receiving 358 and 597 J/cm2showed significant reductions in BW, BMI, BFM, waist girth, hip girth, and WHR after treatment compared with the placebo group. The percent reductions of BFM in the laser groups receiving 358 and 597 J/cm2were 4.29% and 3.94%, respectively, and the corresponding values of BW were 1.99% and 1.63%, respectively. In conclusion, laser acupuncture could reduce body fat mass and lower body weight in a dose-dependent manner in obese persons. Among the doses of 358, 478, and 597 J/cm2, both the 358 and 597 J/cm2doses were effective in the 4-week trial.
Highly Ordered TiO2 Macropore Arrays as Transparent Photocatalysts
Authors: Dong Yuan , Chao Junfeng , Xie Zhong , Xu Xin , Wang Zhuoran , Chen Di
Published: June 2012

Highly ordered transparent TiO2 macropore arrays were synthesized via a simple glass‐clamping method at room temperature. The as‐synthesized TiO2 macropore arrays show high transmittance in the visible light region and can be used as transparent photocatalysts for degradation of organic dyes.
Mother-Offspring Relations: Prey Quality and Maternal Size Affect Egg Size of an Acariphagous Lady Beetle in Culture
Authors: Riddick Eric W. , Wu Zhixin
Published: June 2012

We investigated mother-offspring relations in a lady beetleStethorus punctillumWeise that utilizes spider mites as prey. Our objectives were to determine if (1) prey quality affects egg size, (2) maternal size correlates with egg size, and (3) egg size affects hatching success. We fed predators spider mitesTetranychus urticaeKoch from lima beanPhaseolus lunatusL. foliage in the laboratory. Mothers of unknown body size offered high rather than low quality spider mites since birth produced larger eggs. Mothers of known body size offered only high quality spider mites, produced eggs of variable size, but mean egg size correlated positively with hind femur length. Mothers laid their eggs singly, rather than in batches, and eggs were large relative to femur size. Egg size did not affect hatch success; mean hatch rate exceeded 95% regardless of egg size. In conclusion, the quality of prey consumed byS. punctillummothers while in the larval stage can affect their size as adults and, consequently, the size of their eggs. The behavior of laying eggs singly, the positive relationship between maternal size and mean egg size, and the high rate of egg hatch suggest thatS. punctillummothers invest heavily in offspring.
Steroid-Responsive Encephalopathy Associated with Autoimmune Thyroiditis Presenting as Confusion, Dysphasia, and Myoclonus
Authors: Ryan S. A. , Kennedy C. , Harrington H. J.
Published: June 2012

Steroid response encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT), or Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, is a rare disorder believed to be immune-mediated. It is most often characterized by a subacute onset of confusion with altered level of consciousness, seizures, and myoclonus. We describe the case of a 48-year-old gentleman who presented with confusion and dysphasia. Specific clinical features and laboratory results led to a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy. This case highlights the core features of this condition and the potential for complete response to steroid therapy.
The Synthesis of Peculiar Structure of Springlike Multiwall Carbon Nanofibers/Nanotubes via Mechanothermal Method
Authors: Manafi Sahebali , Rahimipour Mohammad Reza , Mobasherpour Iman , Soltanmoradi Atefeh
Published: June 2012

Mechanothermal (MT) method is one of the methods used for large‐scale production of carbon nanotubes/nanofibers. The different peculiar morphologies of carbon allotropes are introduced with an extraordinary structure for the first time by MT method. In this paper, the influence of milling time and annealing temperature on the crystallinity and morphology of the synthesized nanopowders was investigated. Surprisingly, in this investigation, we report the synthesis of springlike multiwalled carbon nanofibers (S‐MWCNFs) by a two‐step annealing of milled graphite in an Ar atmosphere. On the other hand, the MT method could be used for the preparation of suitable structures with applications in nanocomposite materials, which is an important task in the era of nanotechnology.
Effectiveness of Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography Quantitative Analysis during Adenosine Stress versus Visual Analysis before Percutaneous Therapy in Acute Coronary Pain: A Coronary Artery TIMI Grading Comparing Study
Authors: Yang Lixia , Mu Yuming , Quaglia Luiz Augusto , Tang Qi , Guan Lina , Wang Chunmei , Shih Ming Chi
Published: June 2012

The study aim was to compare two different stress echocardiography interpretation techniques based on the correlation with thrombosis in myocardial infarction (TIMI ) flow grading from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Forty-one patients with suspected ACS were studied before diagnostic coronary angiography with myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) at rest and at stress. The correlation of visual interpretation of MCE and TIMI flow grade was significant. The quantitative analysis (myocardial perfusion parameters:A,β, andA×β) and TIMI flow grade were significant. MCE visual interpretation and TIMI flow grade had a high degree of agreement, on diagnosing myocardial perfusion abnormality. If one considers TIMI flow grade <3 as abnormal, MCE visual interpretation at rest had 73.1% accuracy with 58.2% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity and at stress had 80.4% accuracy with 76.6% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity. The MCE quantitative analysis has better accuracy with 100% of agreement with different level of TIMI flow grading. MCE quantitative analysis at stress has showed a direct correlation with TIMI flow grade, more significant than the visual interpretation technique. Further studies could measure the clinical relevance of this more objective approach to managing acute coronary syndrome patient before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Is the Antiproteinuric Effect of Cyclosporine A Independent of Its Immunosuppressive Function in T Cells?
Authors: Zhang Bin , Shi Wei
Published: June 2012

The antiproteinuric effect of cyclosporine A(CsA) has been believed to result from its immunosuppressive effect on the transcription factor NFAT in T cells. However, current evidences supporting this hypothesis are missing. A recent study showed that CsA has a direct antiproteinuric effect on podocytes, suggesting a novel non-immunosuppressive mechanism for CsA's antiproteinuric effect. Conditional NFATc1 activation in podoyctes per se is sufficient to induce proteinuria in mice, indicating that NFAT activation in podocytes is a critical pathogenic molecular event leading to podocyte injury and proteinuria. Meanwhile, evidence showed that TRPC6-mediated Ca2+influx stimulates NFAT-dependent TRPC6 expression. Altogether, these advances in podocyte research indicate that calcineurin-NFAT signal or calcineurin-synaptopodin axis has a direct proteinuric effect on podocytes which raises the possibility of developing specific antiproteinuric drugs that lack the unwanted effects of calcineurin or NFAT inhibition.