bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Softer soju in South Korea
Authors: Harkness Nicholas
Published: June 2013

This paper explores the ascendancy of ‘softness’ in South Korea as it is experienced through the qualia of one of Korea’s most important social rituals: drinking soju. I combine an analysis of ethnographic evidence with widely-distributed advertisements to show how the experience of an abstract quality, softness, is made concrete by the cultural-semiotic renderings – and genderings – of alcohol consumption in various sensory modalities, including gustation, audition, kinaesthesis, and states of overall drunkenness. I introduce the concept of ‘qualic transitivity’ to account for the cross-modal perception of qualia as instances of the same quality. I argue that dramatic shifts in the qualia of soju and its consumption are emblematic of a higher-order change in how the ideal relationship between liquor and gender is being reconceptualized in contemporary South Korean society.
The qualia of pain: How police torture shapes historical consciousness
Authors: Ralph Laurence
Published: June 2013

This article considers the relationship between the qualitative experience or the ‘qualia of pain’, enactments of violence, and the aggressive silences that obscure its recognition. I argue that by coming to terms with the qualia of pain, black urbanites transform experiences of injury into communal narratives. Nancy Munn’s ethnography, The Fame of Gawa, helps frame my analysis. On the island of Gawa, the circulation of objects and names creates the possibility of engaging in a relationship that extends and develops communal ties that go beyond ‘the self’: this process of extension turns out to be the precondition for social recognition, or ‘fame’. Like fame, a significant aspect of pain is its uncanny ability to travel through space and time, constituting a mode of historical consciousness – or a kind of politically-charged remembering. In Chicago, Jon Burge, a police commander infamous for his techniques of torture, allows us to understand how the qualia of pain are converted into narratives that shape community, and become the seedbed for historical consciousness. Not allowing your neighbor to forget what Burge has done – or how it is connected to the present forms of police abuse – is a way to remind the public of the government’s complicity with abuse, a way to let them know that urban Chicagoans will not forget this longer picture.
The decline and fall of Richmond Hill: Commodification and place-change in late 18th–early 19th century New York
Authors: Munn Nancy D
Published: June 2013

This essay focuses on the mutations of a place. It looks at some small disappearances involved in large urban transformations by examining how a notable New York place called ‘Richmond Hill’, an estate centered in an 18th-century Georgian-style mansion and the hill on which it stood, was embroiled over its lifetime in commodifying or monetizing practices. These practices worked their way through it over time via certain transformative (and potentially transformative) situations, acts, events and personal financial difficulties. The essay looks, in particular, at the role of Aaron Burr, a key resident of the house, in this process; it considers the objectification of his personalized social values in the place and tensions for him between holding Richmond Hill intact and extracting its wealth in the form of monetary value by releasing it or parts of it to others. However, the discussion is concerned more generally with place-change. Examining change along three complex dimensions – a place’s material-sensual features/qualities, identity and location – it explores how commodifications came to decimate Richmond Hill’s primary mode of existence as a place. An old question about sameness and difference arises: when, for those who have known a place, does it become a different place? In concluding, the essay considers how the problematics emerging in place-change are recast as a spatiotemporal disturbance in the consciousness of two partly fictive New Yorkers attempting to revisit the place about 1830.
Evaluation regimes and the qualia of quality
Authors: Chumley Lily Hope
Published: June 2013

This paper concludes this journal issue by examining the regimes of evaluation that link qualia to qualities. I examine the practices through which qualisigns of value emerge, looking specifically at practices of evaluation and ranking in Chinese art school. As Chinese art students matriculate from high school to college, they pass from a regime of standardized testing in which highly technical realist drawings are anonymously scored and compared, to a regime of ‘critique’ organized around small-scale face-to-face performances in which teachers and students discursively construct an art object as an indexical icon of the student. In the test, qualia are isolated and converted into quantitative scores; in the critique, qualia are integrated into indexical icons of personality. I regard the test and the critique as instances of the two evaluation regimes most widely used in contemporary institutions: the quantifying regime and the rhematizing regime (cf. Gal 2005 and this issue).
Management of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Coad Felicity
Published: June 2013

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by progressive and not fully reversible airflow obstruction. It is a common condition in the UK; it is associated with smoking and becomes more prevalent with age. Symptoms of COPD, such as breathlessness and sputum production, are made worse by acute exacerbations. Such exacerbations may be associated with underlying infection, air pollution or poor medication compliance. Early identification of an exacerbation and appropriate treatment in the community may help avoid unnecessary hospital admission or at least reduce the length of inpatient stay. As well as treating exacerbations appropriately, it is essential that emphasis be placed on prevention, which should include good healthcare advice around smoking cessation, and appropriate disease management for patients diagnosed with COPD.
Autoimmune connective tissue diseases
Authors: Patel Ishita , Ahmed Alia
Published: June 2013

Connective tissue diseases are a rare and diverse group of disorders that result in pathology of the connective tissues of the body. This article focuses on the systemic autoimmune connective tissue diseases, and aims to provide a practical overview of these conditions for use in primary care.
Sexual health and learning disability
Authors: Shiner Elizabeth , Skitt Anne-Marie , Mackintosh Will , Sacks Shawn
Published: June 2013

It is well recognised that the healthcare of those with learning disability (LD) has traditionally fallen behind the care received by the general population. It may be argued that sexual health is among the most difficult and challenging areas for healthcare professionals to address. Difficulties arise from unique communication problems, establishing consent and third party involvement from families and carers. GPs are ideally positioned to provide holistic sexual healthcare for those with learning disability; this article aims to set out some of the areas of difficulty and offer guidance to ensure the subject can be approached with confidence.
Patient decision aids – a tool for shared decision-making
Authors: Jardine Oliver , Robinson Louise
Published: June 2013

The 2010 NHS White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS proposed that the principle of ‘shared decision-making’ would become the norm so that patients could routinely participate in choices over their healthcare. In order to make decisions, both doctors and patients need information. Clinicians can draw on evidence-based guidelines, trials, books and personal experience, but not all these resources are suitable for the public and the constraints of a standard consultation can make explanations challenging. Traditionally, patient education materials have been used to describe diagnoses and treatments. However, some situations require patients to deliberate carefully on a range of different therapies, all of which carry risks and benefits. For these cases there are now specially designed ‘decision aids’ that assist patients to consider the options and come to an agreed plan with their doctor. Although widely available, these tools are not routinely used in clinical practice. The aims of this paper are to explain the ideas behind decision aids, how they may be used and where to access them. We will also review the evidence for their effectiveness and discuss challenges to incorporating them in consultations.
Lymphoma
Authors: Sammut Rebecca , Arumainathan Arvind
Published: June 2013

Lymphomas are a diverse group of malignant disorders of lymph nodes, extranodal organs and the bone marrow. Lymphomas can broadly be divided into Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The World Health Organisation's classification, created in 2008, recognises over 30 separate clinical entities, each with defined clinical, histological, immunophenotypic and genetic characteristics. Consequently, though lymphadenopathy and classic ‘B’ symptoms are common presenting features, the variety of clinical presentations can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Many lymphomas are curable, and refinements in treatment have significantly improved survival for patients with incurable lymphomas. This review aims to provide a broad overview of lymphomas, and outline a practical approach to symptom recognition, diagnosis, supportive care and the psycho-social aspects of management. These are important in the primary care setting as prompt diagnosis, continuity and good supportive care are crucial elements of high-quality treatment.
What does a GP need to know about chemotherapy?
Authors: Cosh Ayla , Carslaw Helen
Published: June 2013

In the UK, cancer accounted for 30% of all deaths registered in 2011, with a rate of 2083 deaths per million population for males and 1513 deaths per million population for females. At some point in their journey, many of these patients will receive treatment with chemotherapy. As the survival rates for cancer increase, GPs will see increased numbers of patients suffering from long term side effects of treatment, some of which are currently unknown. There are hundreds of different chemotherapy agents and agents are administered in many different combinations. Although it would be impossible to know the mechanism of action and side effect profile of each one, GPs need to be aware of the general principles of chemotherapy treatment, the potentially dangerous side effects and how to manage them. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of chemotherapy treatment, the common side effects, the management of these and the role of the GP in relation to the care given by the oncology team.
Reliability of Circumplex Axes
Authors: Strack Micha , Jacobs Ingo , Grosse Holtforth Martin
Published: June 2013

We present a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) procedure for computing the reliability of circumplex axes. The tau-equivalent CFA variance decomposition model estimates five variance components: general factor, axes, scale-specificity, block-specificity, and item-specificity. Only the axes variance component is used for reliability estimation. We apply the model to six circumplex types and 13 instruments assessing interpersonal and motivational constructs—Interpersonal Adjective List (IAL), Interpersonal Adjective Scales (revised; IAS-R), Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP), Impact Messages Inventory (IMI), Circumplex Scales of Interpersonal Values (CSIV), Support Action Scale Circumplex (SAS-C), Interaction Problems With Animals (IPI-A), Team Role Circle (TRC), Competing Values Leadership Instrument (CV-LI), Love Styles, Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI), Customer Orientation Circle (COC), and System for Multi-Level Observation of Groups (behavioral adjectives; SYMLOG)—in 17 German-speaking samples (29 subsamples, grouped by self-report, other report, and metaperception assessments). The general factor accounted for a proportion ranging from 1% to 48% of the item variance, the axes component for 2% to 30%; and scale specificity for 1% to 28%, respectively. Reliability estimates varied considerably from .13 to .92. An application of the Nunnally and Bernstein formula proposed by Markey, Markey, and Tinsley overestimated axes reliabilities in cases of large-scale specificities but otherwise works effectively. Contemporary circumplex evaluations such as Tracey’s RANDALL are sensitive to the ratio of the axes and scale-specificity components. In contrast, the proposed model isolates both components.
Disconnectedness of the subgraph "Equation missing" for the group "Equation missing"
Authors: Akbaş Mehmet , Kör Tuncay , Kesicioğlu Yavuz
Published: June 2013

In this paper we show that the subgraph

F
3

is disconnected and that for all integers m, we find all integers a and b such that

(
9

m
2

−
4
)

a
2

+
4

and

5

b
2

±
4

are square. It turns out that the set of numbers b comprises the Fibonacci numbers.
Predictors of consistent condom use based on the Information-Motivation-Behavior Skill (IMB) model among senior high school students in three coastal cities in China
Authors: Cai Yong , Ye Xiuxia , Shi Rong , Xu Gang , Shen Lixiao , Ren Jia , Huang Hong
Published: June 2013

Background

High prevalence of risky sexual behaviors and lack of information, skills and preventive support mean that, adolescents face high risks of HIV/AIDS. This study applied the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model to examine the predictors of consistent condom use among senior high school students from three coastal cities in China and clarify the relationships between the model constructs.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess HIV/AIDS related information, motivation, behavioral skills and preventive behaviors among senior high school students in three coastal cities in China. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess the IMB model.

Results

Of the 12313 participants, 4.5% (95% CI: 4.2–5.0) reported having had premarital sex and among them 25.0% (95% CI: 21.2–29.1) reported having used a condom in their sexual debut. Only about one–ninth of participants reported consistent condom use. The final IMB model provided acceptable fit to the data (CFI = 0.981, RMSEA = 0.014). Consistent condom use was significantly predicted by motivation (β = 0.175, P < 0.01) and behavioral skills (β = 0.778, P < 0.01). Information indirectly predicted consistent condom use, and was mediated by behavioral skills (β = 0.269, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results highlight the importance of conducting HIV/AIDS preventive health promotion among senior high school students in China. The IMB model could predict consistent condom use and suggests that future interventions should focus on improving motivation and behavioral skills.
Traffic medicine–related research: a scientometric analysis
Authors: Groneberg-Kloft Beatrix , Klingelhoefer Doris , Zitnik Simona E , Scutaru Cristian
Published: June 2013

Objective

Traffic crashes and related injuries are important causes of morbidity and mortality and impose insofar an important burden on public health. However, research in this area is often under-funded. The aim of this study was to analyse quantity, evolution and geographic distribution of traffic medicine-related research. This multi-sectorial field covers both transport and health care sectors.

Design

A scientometric approach in combination with visualizing density equalizing mapping was used to analyse published data related to the field of traffic medicine between 1900 and 2008 within the “Web of Science” (WoS) database.

Results

In total, 5,193 traffic medicine-associated items were produced between 1900 and 2008. The United States was found to have the highest research activity with a production of n = 2,330 published items, followed by Germany (n = 298) and Canada (n = 219). Cooperation analyses resulted in a peak of published multilateral cooperations in the year of 2003. The country with the highest multilateral activity was the USA. The average number of cited references per publication varied heavily over the last 20 years with a maximum of 27.67 in 1995 and a minimum of 15.08 in 1998. Also, a further in-depth analysis was performed with a focus solely on public health aspects which revealed similar trends.

Conclusions

Summarizing the present data it can be stated traffic medicine-related research productivity grows annually. Also, an active networking between countries is present. The data of the present study may be used by scientific organisations in order to gain detailed information about research activities in this field which is extremely important for public health.
Comparative study and meta-analysis of meta-analysis studies for the correlation of genomic markers with early cancer detection
Authors: Lanara Zoi , Giannopoulou Efstathia , Fullen Marta , Kostantinopoulos Evangelos , Nebel Jean-Christophe , Kalofonos Haralabos P , Patrinos George P , Pavlidis Cristiana
Published: June 2013

A large number of common disorders, including cancer, have complex genetic traits, with multiple genetic and environmental components contributing to susceptibility. A literature search revealed that even among several meta-analyses, there were ambiguous results and conclusions. In the current study, we conducted a thorough meta-analysis gathering the published meta-analysis studies previously reported to correlate any random effect or predictive value of genome variations in certain genes for various types of cancer. The overall analysis was initially aimed to result in associations (1) among genes which when mutated lead to different types of cancer (e.g. common metabolic pathways) and (2) between groups of genes and types of cancer. We have meta-analysed 150 meta-analysis articles which included 4,474 studies, 2,452,510 cases and 3,091,626 controls (5,544,136 individuals in total) including various racial groups and other population groups (native Americans, Latinos, Aborigines, etc.). Our results were not only consistent with previously published literature but also depicted novel correlations of genes with new cancer types. Our analysis revealed a total of 17 gene-disease pairs that are affected and generated gene/disease clusters, many of which proved to be independent of the criteria used, which suggests that these clusters are biologically meaningful.
Bupropion, methylphenidate, and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone antagonize methamphetamine-induced efflux of dopamine according to their potencies as dopamine uptake inhibitors: implications for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence
Authors: Simmler Linda D , Wandeler Rebecca , Liechti Matthias E
Published: June 2013

Background

Methamphetamine-abuse is a worldwide health problem for which no effective therapy is available. Inhibition of methamphetamine-induced transporter-mediated dopamine (DA) release could be a useful approach to treat methamphetamine-addiction. We assessed the potencies of bupropion, methylphenidate, and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) to block DA uptake or to inhibit methamphetamine-induced DA release in HEK-293 cells expressing the human DA transporter.

Findings

Bupropion, methylphenidate, and MDPV inhibited methamphetamine-induced DA release with relative potencies corresponding to their potencies to block DA uptake (potency ranks: MDPV > methylphenidate > bupropion).

Conclusions

Bupropion and methylphenidate antagonize the effects of methamphetamine in vitro and may be potential candidates for the treatment of stimulant addiction. However, drugs that very potently antagonize the effect of methamphetamine are likely to also exhibit considerable abuse liability (MDPV > methylphenidate > bupropion).
Aldose reductase from Schistosoma japonicum: crystallization and structure-based inhibitor screening for discovering antischistosomal lead compounds
Authors: Liu Jian , Dyer David H , Cheng Jingdong , Wang Jipeng , Wang Shuqi , Yang Zhong , Wang Xiaoning , Hu Wei
Published: June 2013

Background

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease with high morbidity and mortality in the world. Currently, the treatment of this disease depends almost exclusively on praziquantel (PZQ); however, the emergence of drug resistance to PZQ in schistosomes makes the development of novel drugs an urgent task. Aldose reductase (AR), an important component that may be involved in the schistosome antioxidant defense system, is predicted as a potential drug target.

Methods

The tertiary structure of Schistosoma japonicum AR (Sj AR) was obtained through X-ray diffraction method and then its potential inhibitors were identified from the Maybridge HitFinder library by virtual screening based on this structural model. The effects of these identified compounds on cultured adult worms were evaluated by observing mobility, morphological changes and mortality. To verify that Sj AR was indeed the target of these identified compounds, their effects on recombinant Sj AR (rSj AR) enzymatic activity were assessed. The cytotoxicity analysis was performed with three types of human cell lines using a Cell Counting Kit-8.

Results

We firstly resolved the Sj AR structure and identified 10 potential inhibitors based on this structural model. Further in vitro experiments showed that one of the compounds, renamed as AR9, exhibited significant inhibition in the activity of cultured worms as well as inhibition of enzymatic activity of rSj AR protein. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed that AR9 had relatively low toxicity towards host cells.

Conclusions

The work presented here bridges the gap between virtual screening and experimental validation, providing an effective and economical strategy for the development of new anti-parasitic drugs. Additionally, this study also found that AR9 may become a new potential lead compound for developing novel antischistosomal drugs against parasite AR.
Impact of neuroradiologist second opinion on staging and management of head and neck cancer
Authors: Lysack John T , Hoy Monica , Hudon Mark E , Nakoneshny Steven C , Chandarana Shamir P , Matthews T Wayne , Dort Joseph C
Published: June 2013

Objective

Patients with head and neck cancer frequently present to academic tertiary referral centers with imaging studies that have been performed and interpreted elsewhere. At our institution, these outside head and neck imaging studies undergo formal second opinion reporting by a fellowship-trained academic neuroradiologist with expertise in head and neck imaging. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of this practice on cancer staging and patient management.

Methods

Our institutional review board approved the retrospective review of randomized original and second opinion reports for 94 consecutive cases of biopsy proven or clinically suspected head and neck cancer in calendar year 2010. Discrepancy rates for staging and recommended patient management were calculated and, for the 32% (30/94) of cases that subsequently went to surgery, the accuracies of the reports were determined relative to the pathologic staging gold standard.

Results

Following neuroradiologist second opinion review, the cancer stage changed in 56% (53/94) of cases and the recommended management changed in 38% (36/94) of patients with head and neck cancer. When compared to the pathologic staging gold standard, the second opinion was correct 93% (28/30) of the time.

Conclusion

In a majority of patients with head and neck cancer, neuroradiologist second opinion review of their outside imaging studies resulted in an accurate change in their cancer stage and this frequently led to a change in their management plan.
Mass spectrometry for the detection of potential psychiatric biomarkers
Authors: Ngounou Wetie Armand G , Sokolowska Izabela , Wormwood Kelly , Beglinger Katherine , Michel Tanja Maria , Thome Johannes , Darie Costel C , Woods Alisa G
Published: June 2013

The search for molecules that can act as potential biomarkers is increasing in the scientific community, including in the field of psychiatry. The field of proteomics is evolving and its indispensability for identifying biomarkers is clear. Among proteomic tools, mass spectrometry is the core technique for qualitative and quantitative identification of protein markers. While significant progress has been made in the understanding of biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, psychiatric disorders have not been as extensively investigated. Recent and successful applications of mass spectrometry-based proteomics in fields such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative disorders suggest a similar path for psychiatric disorders. In this brief review, we describe mass spectrometry and its use in psychiatric biomarker research and highlight some of the possible challenges of undertaking this type of work. Further, specific examples of candidate biomarkers are highlighted. A short comparison of proteomic with genomic methods for biomarker discovery research is presented. In summary, mass spectrometry-based techniques may greatly facilitate ongoing efforts to understand molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders.
Source country characteristics and immigrants’ optimal migration duration decision
Authors: Kırdar Murat G
Published: June 2013

This paper examines how immigrants’ optimal migration duration in the host country responds to the purchasing power parity (ppp) and relative wages between the host and source countries. A theoretical model of joint migration duration and saving decisions reveals that the optimal migration duration decreases in ppp unless the elasticity of intertemporal substitution of consumption is well above typical estimated values for this parameter. In fact, empirical results from immigrants in Germany reveal that optimal migration duration decreases in ppp. The empirical findings also imply that—holding individual immigrant characteristics constant— immigrants from poorer source countries have shorter predicted migration duration than immigrants from wealthier source countries. In addition, this paper shows that longitudinal data on intentions can be informative by examining how observed event realizations lead to revisions to intentions.

JEL classification codes

F22, J61
Resolving complex structure in near-surface refraction seismology with common-offset gathers
Authors: Palmer Derecke
Published: June 2013

Common-offset gathers (COG) have been usefully employed in the processing of seismic reflection data (Fulton and Darr, 1984). COG methods have also been employed to a lesser extent with the processing of seismic refraction data (Coppens, 1985), but their wider application has yet to be fully exploited. This study describes novel COG adaptations of the generalized reciprocal method (GRM) (Palmer, 1981, 2010b). Initially, the COG GRM methods (Palmer, 2012) were developed as simple and convenient methods for the quality assurance of the large volumes of refraction data, which are characteristic of statics computations for high-fold CMP reflection data processing. However, their application to a variety of sets of data has demonstrated a number of additional unanticipated benefits.
3,5-T2 Is an Alternative Ligand for the Thyroid Hormone Receptor β1
Authors: Mendoza A. , Navarrete-Ramírez P. , Hernández-Puga G. , Villalobos P. , Holzer G. , Renaud J.P. , Laudet V. , Orozco A.
Published: June 2013

Several liganded nuclear receptors have alternative ligands acting in a tissue-specific fashion and playing important biological roles. We present evidence that 3,5-diiodothyronine (T2), a naturally occurring iodothyronine that results from T3 outer-ring deiodination, is an alternative ligand for thyroid hormone receptor β1 (TRβ1). In tilapia, 2 TRβ isoforms differing by 9 amino acids in the ligand-binding domain were cloned. Binding and transactivation studies showed that T2 activates the human and the long tilapia TRβ1 isoform, but not the short one. A chimeric human TRβ1 (hTRβ1) that contained the 9–amino-acid insert showed no response to T2, suggesting that the conformation of the hTRβ1 naturally allows T2 binding and that other regions of the receptor are implicated in TR activation by T2. Indeed, further analysis showed that the N terminus is essential for T2-mediated transactivation but not for that by T3 in the long and hTRβ1, suggesting a functional interaction between the N-terminal domain and the insertion in the ligand-binding domain. To establish the functional relevance of T2-mediated TRβ1 binding and activation, mRNA expression and its regulation by T2 and T3 was evaluated for both isoforms. Our data show that long TRβ1expression is 106-fold higher than that of the short isoform, and T3 and T2 differentially regulate the expression of these 2 TRβ1 isoforms in vivo. Taken together, our results prompted a reevaluation of the role and mechanism of action of thyroid hormone metabolites previously believed to be inactive. More generally, we propose that classical liganded receptors are only partially locked to very specific ligands and that alternative ligands may play a role in the tissue-specific action of receptors.
What’s REALLY HAPPENING TO Short-aBEFORELIN Philadelphia?
Authors: Dinkin Aaron J.
Published: June 2013

The phonemic split of short-a into low, lax /æ/ and raised, tense /æh/ is one of the distinctive phonological features of the Philadelphia dialect. Studies over the past 25 years have argued that /æ/ is in the process of being replaced by /æh/ in words in which it appears before /l/, such as alley and personality, via a process of lexical diffusion. However, this article argues that the foregoing is a misinterpretation of the changes affecting /æ/ before /l/. A quantitative analysis of phonetic data in the Philadelphia Neighborhood Corpus, containing sociolinguistic interviews covering 40 years in real time and 100 years in apparent time, shows that /æ/ before /l/ is better described as having merged with /aw/; the raising of /aw/ toward the phonetic vicinity of /æh/ then creates the illusion that /æ/ is being replaced by /æh/ in these words. This can be taken as evidence against the proposition that lexical diffusion is a common mechanism by which regular sound changes go to completion, since a regular sound change that was thought to be an example of lexical diffusion is shown not to be.
Effects of intraspecific variation in reproductive traits, pectoral fin use and burst swimming on metabolic rates and swimming performance: a study on the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulataPeters)
Authors: Svendsen Jon C. , Banet Amanda I. , Christensen Rune H. B. , Steffensen John F. , Aarestrup Kim
Published: June 2013

There is considerable intraspecific variation in metabolic rates and locomotor performance in aquatic ectothermic vertebrates, however, the mechanistic basis remains poorly understood. Using pregnant Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata Peters), a live-bearing teleost, we examined effects of reproductive traits, pectoral fin use, and burst-assisted swimming on the swimming metabolic rate, standard metabolic rate (MO2std) and prolonged swimming performance (Ucrit). Reproductive traits (RT) included reproductive allocation and pregnancy stage; the former defined as the mass of the reproductive tissues divided by the total body mass. Results showed that the metabolic rate increased curvilinearly with swimming speed. The slope of the relationship was used as an index of swimming cost. There was no evidence that RT correlated with the swimming cost, MO2std, or Ucrit. In contrast, data revealed strong effects of pectoral fin use on swimming cost and Ucrit. P. reticulata employed body-caudal fin (BCF) swimming at all tested swimming speeds, however, fish with a high simultaneous use of the pectoral fins exhibited increased swimming cost and decreased Ucrit. These data indicated that combining BCF swimming and pectoral fin movement over a wide speed range, presumably to support swimming stability and control, is an inefficient swimming behaviour. Finally, transition to burst-assisted swimming was associated with an increase in aerobic metabolic rate. Our study highlights other factors than swimming speed affecting swimming cost and suggests that intraspecific diversity in biomechanical performance, such as pectoral fin use, is an important source of variation in both locomotor cost and maximal performance.
Wind induces variations in spider web geometry and sticky spiral droplet volume
Authors: Wu Chao-Chia , Blamires Sean J. , Wu Chung-Lin , Tso I-Min
Published: June 2013

Trap building by animals is rare because it comes at substantial costs. Using materials with properties that vary across environments maintains trap functionality. The sticky spiral silks of spider orb webs are used to catch flying prey. Web geometry, accompanied by compensatory changes in silk properties, may change across environments to sustain web functionality. We exposed the spider Cyclosa mulmeinensis to wind to test if wind-induced changes in web geometry are accompanied by changes in aggregate silk droplet morphology, axial thread width or spiral stickiness. We compared: (i) web catching area, (ii) length of total silks, (iii) mesh height, (iv) number of radii, (v) aggregate droplet morphology and (vi) spiral thread stickiness, between webs made by spiders exposed to wind with those not exposed to wind. We interpreted co-variation in droplet morphology or spiral stickiness with web capture area, mesh height or spiral length as the silk properties functionally compensating for changes in web geometry to reduce wind drag. Wind-exposed C. mulmeinensis built webs with smaller capture areas, shorter capture spiral lengths, and more widely spaced capture spirals, resulting in the expenditure of less silk. Individuals that were exposed to wind also deposited larger droplets of sticky silk but the stickiness of the spiral threads remained unchanged. The larger droplets may be a product of greater investment in water, or low molecular weight compounds facilitating atmospheric water uptake. Either way droplet dehydration in wind is likely to be minimized.
Selective Addition of P(O)–H Bonds to Alkynes Catalyzed by Transition Metals Immobilized on Polystyrene-bound Triphenylphosphine
Authors: Chen Tieqiao , Zhou Yongbo , Guo Cancheng , Han Li-Biao
Published: June 2013

Addition of P(O)–H bonds to alkynes catalyzed by transition metals (Rh, Pd, and Ni) immobilized on polystyrene-bound triphenylphosphine proceeded efficiently to afford high yields of the addition products with high regioselectivity. The immobilized catalysts were easily recovered from the reaction mixture via simple centrifugal separation and could be reused several times without severe deactivation.
Investigation on Pore Structures of a Medium Volatile Bituminous Coal with Solvent Extraction Tests
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Miao Shulei , Wang Geoff X. , Qin Yong , Sang Shuxun
Published: June 2013

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the changes of pore structures, pore morphology of a medium volatile bituminous coal through solvent extraction under ultrasonic irradiation. The solvent extraction experiments, carried out using four non- or weak-polarity solvents with the twice- and thorough-extraction methods, provided a series of extract residues for comparison study on the coal pore structure with reference to the coal sample. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and mercury injection porosimetry (MIP) were used to study the morphological and structural changes of pores both the coal samples and the residues. The results show that most solvable organic components can be extracted from coal through twice-extraction method with the solvents used in this study; under the ultrasonic irradiation, the solvent extraction makes the surfaces of coal particles grow loose and thus come to pieces forming many intergranular pores. And the numbers of intergranular pores have a tendency to increase as the extraction degree increases; the solvent extraction produced the “pore expansion” effect and increased opening pores, and hence can improve the connectivity among pores and make the pore distribution more uniform.
Characteristics of Coalbed Methane Reservoirs in Faer Coalfield, Western Guizhou
Authors: Li Ming , Jiang Bo , Lin Shoufa , Lan Fengjuan , Zhang Guishan
Published: June 2013

Based on analysis of the geological background and gas content data in Faer coalfield, we discuss the occurrence characteristics of coalbed methane (CBM) and its distribution along the stratigraphic sequence and in coal seams. We analyze the methane adsorption isotherm experiments, reservoir deformations and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and further discuss the reservoir physical properties. The results show that gas content and gas content gradient of CBM fluctuate with stratigraphic sequence that is mainly caused by the difference in absorption capacity of each coal seam and distributions of CBM reservoir pressure systems. The relatively low gas content gradients of those coal seams buried below 500 m depth result from the dissipation of CBM into the surrounding rocks of thin and unstable Nos. 28 to 34 coal seams and the lateral migration of CBM along the strata in high-elevation area. The Yangmeishu syncline and topography are the main controlling factors that affect the current distribution pattern of CBM content, which is higher in the north than in the south and has a northeastern trend. The theoretical gas saturation is generally lower than 60%, combined with well-developed brittle fractures and macropores, formed by structural deformation. The exploration prospects for CBM in Faer coalfield is good.
Accumulation Mechanism of Complicated Deep Carbonate Reservoir in the Tazhong Area, Tarim Basin
Authors: Zhou Xinyuan
Published: June 2013

The Tazhong area is located in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert, where abundant hydrocarbon resources are contained in the deep Ordovician carbonate rocks. Great exploration results have been obtained in the Middle and Lower Ordovician Yingshan formation over recent years, and a large layered oil/gas field has been proven. The fluid properties of this reservoir are complicated, and it can be divided into condensate gas reservoir, volatile oil reservoir and oil reservoir in accordance with fluid component and PVT phase behavior. These reservoirs distribute in alternation horizontally, without apparent boundaries vertically. Based on the study and analysis on test, exploration and production data, it is believed that the diversity of fluid properties results from the multi-phase uneven infusion action of oil and gas, especially the severity of gas cut at late stage: the reservoir suffered from severe gas cut became condensate gas reservoir, the one suffered from weak gas cut became volatile oil reservoir, and the one free from gas cut still keeps the original oil reservoir state. It is discovered through study that the strike-slip fault plays an important role in the occurrence of gas cut at late stage: it not only acted as the pathway of gas migration at late stage, but also had an important impact on the reformation of reservoir. The impact of reservoir nature on gas cut mainly finds expression in the difference of combination of reservoir space: the mutually connected large pore/cavity and fracture system was favorable for gas charge at late stage, where condensate gas reservoir was mostly formed; while the isolated pore/cavity where the tectoclase developed weakly was relatively sealed, was unfavorable for the sufficient infusion of natural gas at late stage, and usually keeps the original oil reservoir state or formed volatile oil reservoir. Based on the discussion to the factors that affect the severity of gas cut in the paleo-reservoir at late stage, this paper clarifies the accumulation mechanisms and controlling factors of different kinds of reservoirs, establishes the accumulation mode of 3 types of reservoirs, and this is very significant to the effective prediction of hydrocarbon distribution in the deep carbonate rocks of the Tazhong area.
Sedimentary Facies and Coal-Accumulation of the Early-Middle Jurassic in Toksun Coalfield Northwestern China
Authors: Xiao Lin , Zhao Cunliang , Tang Shuheng , Liu Zhanyong , Yang Wen , Yuan Tongxing
Published: June 2013

This paper mainly discusses the sedimentary facies and coal accumulation of the Badaowan Formation and Xishanyao Formation in Toksun coalfield, Turpan- Hami Basin. Based on drill and well logging data, fan-delta facies, delta facies, lacustrine facies, swamp facies and flood plain facies were identified. Sangonghe Group and Xishanyao Group were the coal accumulating periods during the Early-Middle Jurassic, including three subgroups: Badaowan, Early Xishanyao and Late Xishanyao groups. The coal-accumulating patterns were different because of the different coal accumulating environments. The stable, simple structure and thick coal seams were formed in the meandering stream plain of the Late Xishanyao Formation.
Exploring the Feasibility of Solar Photo-Voltaic Power Plants in Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Mathew Sathyajith , Lim Chee Ming , Philip Geetha Susan
Published: June 2013

Aiming for a sustainable and secure energy future, policies are being formulated in Brunei Darussalam for supplementing the national energy base with renewable resources and technologies. Some preliminary studies in this direction indicated that solar energy could be a potential energy option for the country. Technical feasibility and economic viability of such grid integrated solar PV power plants, under the Bruneian environment, are investigated in this study.

The prevailing energy scenario is analyzed and future trends in electricity consumption are predicted based on the time series energy use data. The forecast indicates that the annual electricity consumption may reach up to 4.32 Billion kWh by the year 2020. The possibility of exploiting the available solar energy resource for meeting this growing electricity demand is investigated.

Five year's solar radiation data from Maura district were collected and analyzed under the study. The solar energy resource is characterized in terms of monthly averaged total daily global, beam and diffused radiations and hourly variations in solar intensity. Availability of solar energy in the region is also statistically modeled using Beta distribution.

Performance of a solar photovoltaic power plant under these levels of insolation was simulated using the RETScreen model. With a total panel area of 10,619 m2such a plant is expected to show a capacity factor of 18.1 per-cent and generate 1899.2 MWh electricity annually. This clearly indicates the technical feasibility of grid integrated solar power plants in Brunei Darussalam. Under the economic analysis, the unit cost of electricity generation was estimated to be BND 0.30/kWh. A detailed cost benefit analysis, over the life cycle of such power projects, is also presented.
Impact of Weather Conditions on the Windows of Opportunity for Operation of Offshore Wind Farms in Portugal
Authors: Silva Nuno , Estanqueiro Ana
Published: June 2013

The deployment of offshore wind parks face several challenges. Among them are the difficulties introduced by the atmospheric and sea conditions in accessing those wind parks. A window of opportunity is a timeframe when weather and sea conditions are acceptable and enable to perform specific tasks in the installation and operation/maintenance of the offshore wind park. This study identifies typical time periods of windows of opportunity to access three offshore Portuguese maritime regions. The accessibility conditions also take into account the system type transportation method for local access, namely, rubber boat, boat with OAS or helicopter. It was concluded that Portugal has adequate conditions for offshore site maintenance strategies, with a large number of windows of opportunity, but they are relatively short, therefore the installation of offshore wind parks must be carefully planned. This is an important factor in favor of the offshore wind farm deployments on the country.
A New Way for Access and Maintenance of Offshore Wind Farms: The Use of Cableway to Reduce Cost and Improve Accessibility
Authors: Gracchi Massimo , Meroni Luigi , Betteto Piergiorgio
Published: June 2013

This work proposes a new method in order to deploy an affordable and reliable way for maintenance when it is necessary to access to offshore wind farms. The new system, based on cableway infrastructure is aimed to allow a lower cost of maintenance compared to other system for the same kind of operation but also to improve the reactivity and accessibility compared to them. Maintenance activities are taken into consideration in term of cost, period, nature, accessibility of wind farm, kind of maintenance we want/need to use in order to ameliorate the availability/reliability of the wind farm. Five different configurations with related cableway system are analyzed in order to demonstrate that facing a reasonable increasing of Capital Cost, sizable saving and extra revenue can be obtained if projected on the expected life of wind farms
A New Configuration of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine for a Distributed and Efficient Wind Power Generation System
Authors: Chiarelli Mario R. , Massai Andrea , Russo Giovanni , Atzeni Davide , Bianco Francesco
Published: June 2013

Preliminary results obtained for a new configuration lift based vertical-axis wind turbine are shown. The turbine rotor is a cross flow fan type made with high curvature aerodynamic profiles. A reduced scale model of the turbine rotor has been designed and preliminary tested at the Department of Aerospace Engineering of the University of Pisa (rotor diameter = 250 mm, rotor height = 210 mm). The reduced scale model shows an efficiency of about 18%. The rotor is of a self-starting type. Two-dimensional CFD analyses have been performed applying both the Moving Reference Frame and the Moving Mesh conditions to the grid which surrounds the rotor blades (Fluent® Rel. 6.3 and STAR-CCM+® Rel. 6.04 have been used). Noticeable scale effects have been found numerically, so, the efficiency of a full scale lift based vertical axis multi-blades optimized wind turbine is expected to be comparable with lift based horizontal-axis wind turbines.