bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On polynomial series expansions of Cliffordian functions
Authors: Saleem M.A. , Abul‐Ez M. , Zayed M.
Published: December 2011

Classical results on the expansion of complex functions in a series of special polynomials (namely inverse similar sets of polynomials) are extended to the Clifford setting. This expansion is shown to be valid in closed balls. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the well‐posedness for the heat flow of harmonic maps and the hydrodynamic flow of nematic liquid crystals in critical spaces
Authors: Lin Junyu , Ding Shijin
Published: December 2011

In recent paper, we prove the well‐posedness for the heat flow of harmonic maps with initial dataand for the hydrodynamic flow of nematic liquid crystals with initial data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectral method for vorticity‐stream function form of Navier–Stokes equations with slip boundary conditions
Authors: Yu‐jian Jiao , Ben‐yu Guo
Published: December 2011

In this paper, we propose a spectral method for the vorticity‐stream function form of the Navier–Stokes equations with slip boundary conditions. The numerical solutions fulfill the incompressibility and the physical boundary conditions automatically. The stability and convergence of the proposed methods are proven. Numeric results demonstrate the efficiency of suggested algorithm. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear wavelet density estimation with censored dependent data
Authors: Niu Si‐Li
Published: December 2011

In this paper, we provide an asymptotic expansion for the mean integrated squared error (MISE) of nonlinear wavelet estimator of survival density for a censorship model when the data exhibit some kind of dependence. It is assumed that the observations form a stationary and α‐mixing sequence. This asymptotic MISE expansion, when the density is only piecewise smooth, is same. However, for the kernel estimators, the MISE expansion fails if the additional smoothness assumption is absent. Also, we establish the asymptotic normality of the nonlinear wavelet estimator. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A singularly perturbed Dirichlet problem for the Laplace operator in a periodically perforated domain. A functional analytic approach
Authors: Musolino Paolo
Published: December 2011

Let Ω be a sufficiently regular bounded connected open subset of such that 0 ∈ Ω and that is connected. Then we take q11, … ,qnn ∈ ]0,+ ∞ [and
. If ε is a small positive number, then we define the periodically perforated domain
, where {e1, … ,en} is the canonical basis of . For ε small and positive, we introduce a particular Dirichlet problem for the Laplace operator in the set
. Namely, we consider a Dirichlet condition on the boundary of the set p + εΩ, together with a periodicity condition. Then we show real analytic continuation properties of the solution and of the corresponding energy integral as functionals of the pair of ε and of the Dirichlet datum on p + ε∂Ω, around a degenerate pair with ε = 0. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of fluid–solid interaction in granular media with coupled lattice Boltzmann/discrete element methods: application to piping erosion
Authors: Lominé Franck , Scholtès Luc , Sibille Luc , Poullain Philippe
Published: December 2011

In this article, we present a numerical method to deal with fluid–solid interactions and simulate particle–fluid systems as encountered in soils. This method is based on a coupling between two methods, now widely used in mechanics of granular media and fluid dynamics respectively: the discrete element (DE) method and the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method. The DE method is employed to model interactions between particles, whereas the LB method is used to describe an interstitial Newtonian fluid flow. The coupling presented here is a full one in the sense that particle motions act on fluid flow and reciprocally. This article presents in details each of the two methods and the principle of the coupling scheme. Determination of hydrodynamic forces and torques is also detailed, and the treatment of boundaries is explained. The coupled method is finally illustrated on a simple example of piping erosion, which puts in evidence that the combined LB–DE scheme constitutes a promising tool to study coupled problems in geomechanics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consolidation analysis of saturated multi‐layered soils with anisotropic permeability caused by a point sink
Authors: Ai Zhi Yong , Zeng Wen Ze
Published: December 2011

This paper presents the analytical layer‐element method to analyze the consolidation of saturated multi‐layered soils caused by a point sink by considering the anisotropy of permeability. Starting from the governing equations of the problem, the solutions of displacements and stresses for a single soil layer are obtained in the Laplace–Hankel transformed domain. Then, the analytical layer‐element method is utilized to further derive the solutions for the saturated multi‐layered soils in the transformed domain by combining with the boundary conditions of the soil system and continuity conditions between adjacent layers. The actual solutions in the physical domain can be acquired by the inversion of Laplace–Hankel transform. Numerical results are carried out to show the accuracy and stability of the proposed method and evaluate the influence of sink depth and anisotropic permeability on excess pore pressure and surface settlement. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication and electroactive responsive behavior of shape–memory nanocomposite incorporated with self‐assembled multiwalled carbon nanotube nanopaper
Authors: Lu Haibao , Gou Jihua
Published: December 2011

A novel shape–memory nanocomposite that exhibits electrical actuation capabilities was fabricated by incorporating a conductive multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanopaper into shape–memory polymer matrix. The self‐assembled MWCNT nanopaper was made on hydrophilic polycarbonate membrane. This process was based on well‐defined dispersion of the nanosized individual MWCNT and controlled traditional pressure vacuum deposition procedure. The self‐assembled MWCNTs in the nanopaper provided a percolating conductive network with a large interfacial area. It not only offered a high electrical conductivity but also simultaneously enhanced recovery speed by electrically resistive heating, with increasing the content of MWCNT nanopaper in nanocomposite. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of styrene–acrylamide copolymer by surfactant‐free sonicated dynamic interfacial polymerization
Authors: Suckeveriene Ran Y. , Rahman Ron , Shtein Irina , Kharlamova Nadia , Narkis Moshe
Published: December 2011

This paper summarizes a study on emulsifier‐free ultrasonically assisted in situ dynamic interfacial emulsion copolymerization process of acrylamide and styrene. The resulting emulsions are stable and uniform for several months. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves and reaction conversion measurements have provided an important knowledge regarding the emulsifier‐free polymerization method. Solvent extractions (water, methanol, and xylene) have shown that the polymerization product is essentially a styrene–acrylamide copolymer. The copolymer produced is a block copolymer, PS‐b‐PAM, where each block contains small amounts of the other comonomer. The produced emulsions are film forming at room temperature in spite of the very high block Tgs, owing to a unique water plasticization effect of the polyacrylamide blocks. Some films prepared from the PS‐b‐PAM have resulted in clear and transparent films. The presented interfacial dynamic polymerization process is fast, reaching 81% conversion within 2 hr of sonication at 4°C (low temperature owing to molecular weight and kinetic considerations), and produces very stable PS‐b‐PAM emulsions. TGA was extensively used as an analytical tool for determination of the reaction parameters and composition of the acrylamide–styrene copolymers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound initiated maleic anhydride grafted onto a novel polypropylene copolymer
Authors: Peng Bo , Wu Hong , Bao Wenting , Guo Shaoyun , Chen Yong , Huang Hua , Lai Shih‐Yaw , Jow Jinder
Published: December 2011

The reaction of maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted onto propylene‐based copolymer (DP) without adding any initiator was conducted through ultrasound assisted extrusion in this article. The effects of ultrasound power, die temperature, and MAH content on the grafting degree and efficiency were studied. With increasing ultrasound power, the grafting degree and efficiency of DP‐g‐MAH increase. The presence of ultrasound with higher power and lower die temperature is beneficial to increase the grafting degree and efficiency. The increase of MAH content can increase the grafting degree but reduce the grafting efficiency. Based on the results of melt flow index, dynamical rheological, gel permeation chromatograph (GPC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests, the mechanisms of the grafting reaction were proposed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
The role of filler network in nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of vapor grown carbon nanofiber filled polystyrene: A strain dependent rheological behavior and electrical conductivity study
Authors: Zhao Li , Yang Hongmei , Song Yihu , Tan Yeqiang , Hu Guo‐Hua , Zheng Qiang
Published: December 2011

Influence of filler network on Payne effect and modulus recovery for vapor grown carbon nanofiber (VGCF)/polystyrene (PS) composites with VGCF content above electrical percolation threshold was studied by using simultaneous measurements of viscoelasticity and electrical conductivity. The strain softening seems to be closely related to breakdown of filler network. Recovery tests of modulus and electrical conductivity by means of time sweep indicate that the reformation of deformed VGCF network structure could not be completed in several hours. Compared with recovery behavior of carbon black (CB) and silica (SiO2) network, the reformation of VGCF network appears more difficult. Moreover, solidification of composites exerts some effect on modulus recovery. The filler network disrupted by small strain can be perfectly recovered by matrix solidification while the initial filler structure collapsing at large strain is only partially restored. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Water spray cooling of polymers
Authors: Tan S.B. , Hornsby P.R. , McAfee M.B. , Kearns M.P. , McCourt M.P.
Published: December 2011

The cooling process in conventional rotomolding is relatively long due to poor thermal conductivity of plastics. The lack of internal cooling is a major limitation although rapid external cooling is possible. Various internal cooling methodologies have been studied to reduce the cycle time. These include the use of compressed air, cryogenic liquid nitrogen, chilled water coils, and cryogenic liquid carbon dioxide, all of which have limitations. However, this article demonstrates the use of water spray cooling of polymers as a viable and effective method for internal cooling in rotomolding. To this end, hydraulic, pneumatic, and ultrasonic nozzles were applied and evaluated using a specially constructed test rig to assess their efficiency. The effects of nozzle type and different parametric settings on water droplet size, velocity, and mass flow rate were analyzed and their influence on cooling rate, surface quality, and morphology of polymer exposed to spray cooling were characterized. The pneumatic nozzle provided highest average cooling rate while the hydraulic nozzle gave lowest average cooling rate. The ultrasonic nozzle with medium droplet size traveling at low velocity produced satisfactory surface finish. Water spray cooling produced smaller spherulites compared to ambient cooling whilst increasing the cooling rate decreases the percentage crystallinity. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
A novel method for preparing nanoparticle‐coated additives used in polypropylene composites
Authors: Qian Zheng , Wang Peng , Gogos Costas G.
Published: December 2011

A novel simultaneous, in situ milling and coating method carried out in a fluid energy mill (FEM) is applied for the first time to prepare nanoparticle‐coated CaCO3 (CC) additives for polymer composite materials. Simply milled (without coating) CC particles and as‐received CC particles were used as references for comparison. The effects of the grinding pressure and the fraction of the nanoparticles on the size and flowability of CC particles were studied. The composites made with polypropylene (PP) and this specially prepared CC have higher elongation at break, elastic modulus, and impact strength, compared with the PP filled with uncoated CC. The thermal and thermo‐oxidative stabilities of PP are improved as well by introducing the milled and nanoparticle‐coated CC. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Improved photochromic and fatigue performance of (E)‐dicyclopropylmethylene‐(2,5‐dimethyl‐3‐furylethylidene)‐succinicanhydride doped in polyurethane thin film
Authors: Asiri Abdullah Mohamed
Published: December 2011

Improved photochromic properties and fatigue performance of (E)‐dicyclopropylmethylene‐(2,5‐dimethyl‐3‐furylethylidene)‐succinicanhydride doped in polyurethane thin film were discussed in this study. Fulgide 1‐E doped in polyurethane polymer films was heated at various annealing temperatures. Upon irradiation with UV light (366 nm), fulgide 1‐E undergoes a conrotatory ring closure to the pink‐colored closed form 1‐C. The latter color was switched back to the original color when the films were irradiated with white light. The kinetics of photocoloration and photobleaching processes was followed spectrophotometrically by monitoring the absorbance of the ring‐closed product 1‐C at its λmax of 525 nm. The first‐order plots of photocoloration reaction show distinct linear line and the slope of which corresponding to the first‐order rate constants k. It was found that for photocoloration reaction, the rate constant of the photocoloration reaction is slower than the photobleaching reaction, and both reactions decrease with increasing the annealing temperatures. It was found that there was almost complete loss of photochemical fatigue resistance of fulgide 1 doped in polyurethane polymer film irrespective of the annealing temperature. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Uniaxial compression and combined compression‐and‐shear response of amorphous polycarbonate at high loading rates
Authors: Prakash Vikas , Mehta Namit
Published: December 2011

We present results of a study conducted to better understand the yield and flow response of amorphous poly(bisphenol A carbonate), PC‐Lexan® (PC), under uniaxial compression and combined compression‐and‐shear impact loading. A split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) is utilized to obtain nearly adiabatic uniaxial compression response of the PC in the strain‐rate range of 1000–2000 s−1. Since temperature is expected to play an important role in governing the dynamic response of PC, nearly isothermal SHPB tests are also conducted and compared with the adiabatic response. In order to investigate the coupling of shear behavior and dilatation in PC at high loading rates, combined compression‐and‐shear plate impact experiments are conducted at strain‐rates in the range of 105–106 s−1. In addition, novel plate impact experiments are conducted to better understand the evolution of the shearing resistance of PC in response to sudden alterations (drop) in hydrostatic pressure under extremely high shearing rates. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Resveratrol Inhibits Mucin Gene Expression, Production and Secretion From Airway Epithelial Cells
Authors: Lee Su Yel , Lee Hyun Jae , Sikder Md. Asaduzzaman , Shin Hyun‐Dae , Kim Jang‐Hyun , Chang Gyu Tae , Seok Jeong Ho , Lee Choong Jae
Published: December 2011

The study investigated whether resveratrol significantly affects mucin gene expression, production and secretion from airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI‐H292 cells were pretreated with resveratrol for 30 min and then stimulated with EGF (epidermal growth factor), PMA (phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate) and TNF‐α (tumor necrosis factor‐α) for 24 h, respectively. The MUC5AC gene expression and mucin protein production were measured by RT‐PCR and ELISA. The effect of resveratrol on TNF‐α‐ or PMA‐induced activation of NF‐κB p65 was also examined. Confluent primary rat tracheal surface epithelial (RTSE) cells were pretreated with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for 5 min and then treated for 30 min in the presence of resveratrol to assess the effect on mucin secretion using ELISA. The results were as follows: (1) resveratrol inhibited the expression of MUC5AC gene induced by EGF or PMA or TNF‐α from NCI‐H292 cells; (2) resveratrol also inhibited the production of MUC5AC mucin protein induced by the same inducers from NCI‐H292 cells; (3) resveratrol inhibited the activation of NF‐κB p65 by TNF‐α or PMA in NCI‐H292 cells; (4) resveratrol significantly decreased ATP‐induced mucin secretion from cultured RTSE cells. This result suggests that resveratrol can regulate mucin gene expression, production and secretion, by directly acting on airway epithelial cells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical studies of ground and excited electronic states in a series of heteroleptic iridium complexes using density functional theory
Authors: Su Yan , Kang Li‐Hua
Published: December 2011

A series of new heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes [Ir(C⁁N)2(N⁁N)]PF6 (1‐6) (each with two cyclometalating C⁁N ligands and one neutral N⁁N ancillary ligand, where C⁁N = 2‐phenylpyridine (ppy), 5‐methyl‐2‐(4‐fluoro)phenylpyridine (F‐mppy), and N⁁N = 2,2′‐dipyridyl (bpy), 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), 4,4′‐diphenyl‐2,2′‐dipyridy (dphphen) were found to have rich photophysical properties. Theoretical calculations are employed for studying the photophysical and electrochemical properties. All complexes are investigated using density functional theory. Excited singlet and triplet states are examined using time‐dependent density functional theory. The low‐lying excited‐state geometries are optimized at the ab initio configuration interaction singles level. Then, the excited‐state properties are investigated in detail, including absorption and emission properties, photoactivation processes. The excited state of complexes is complicated and contains triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer, triplet ligand‐to‐ligand charge transfer simultaneously. Importantly, the absorption spectra and emission maxima can be tuned significantly by changing the N⁁N ligands and C⁁N ligands. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
The distribution of height and diameter in random non‐plane binary trees
Authors: Broutin Nicolas , Flajolet Philippe
Published: December 2011

This study is dedicated to precise distributional analyses of the height of non‐plane unlabelled binary trees (“Otter trees”), when trees of a given size are taken with equal likelihood. The height of a rooted tree of size n is proved to admit a limiting theta distribution, both in a central and local sense, and obey moderate as well as large deviations estimates. The approximations obtained for height also yield the limiting distribution of the diameter of unrooted trees. The proofs rely on a precise analysis, in the complex plane and near singularities, of generating functions associated with trees of bounded height. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2012
Hydrogen absorption and emission characteristics of Pt/Li4SiO4/Pt hydrogen storage materials exposed to air at room temperature
Authors: Tsuchiya Bun , Morita Kenji , Nagata Shinji
Published: December 2011

Hydrogen storage and emission characteristics of Pt/Li4SiO4/Pt composite materials exposed to normal air at room temperature have been studied by means of elastic recoil detection analysis, RBS, and weight gain measurement techniques. The thermal annealing curves of Pt/Li4SiO4/Pt sandwich specimens with Pt layers of 1 and 10 nm in thickness measured by elastic recoil detection technique indicate that the hydrogen emission of residual hydrogen takes place in the two stages, and 70% of hydrogen retained is emitted at the first stage, which finishes at a temperature of ~350 K. The hydrogen storage curves at the first run indicate that the saturation storage levels of the specimens of 1 and 10‐nm Pt layers pre‐heated at 423 K are 12 wt.% and 14 wt.%, respectively. The hydrogen storage curve of the specimen with 10 nm Pt layers annealed at temperature of 773 K indicates that the initial slope of the weight gain is considerably larger than that at the first run. This fact seems to indicate that the high temperature annealing brings about enhancement in the absorption rate caused by formation of Pt‐Si‐Li‐O complex oxides through the interfacial reaction between the Pt layer and Li4SiO4. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model of Blast Furnace Hearth Drainage
Authors: Shao Lei , Saxén Henrik
Published: December 2011

The hearth plays an important role in the operation of the ironmaking blast furnace (BF). A simplified simulation model of the hearth based on the general principles of liquid drainage has been extended to make the model more practical and comprehensive. The tap rates of the liquids are determined by production and taphole conditions, including taphole diameter and length, and the tap‐end conditions are iteratively calculated to yield a quasi‐stationary tap cycle. The model, which considers both a sitting and a (partially) floating dead man, is illustrated with the use of a set of examples, where the effect of variables on the drainage behavior is studied. The model is finally validated by applying it to short‐term data from an industrial BF.
Metastatic disease to the pancreas: an imaging challenge
Authors: Triantopoulou Charikleia , Kolliakou E. , Karoumpalis I. , Yarmenitis S. , Dervenis C.
Published: December 2011

Metastatic lesions of the pancreas are uncommon, accounting for approximately 2% of pancreatic malignancies. Many tumours involve the pancreas secondarily and may manifest with different clinical and imaging characteristics. Although many patients have widespread disease, isolated metastases can be found. Surgical management is associated with improved survival in these cases. The experience of the pancreatic surgery unit and imaging department of our hospital in many patients presenting with pancreatic metastases is presented, and a review of the recent literature is undertaken.

Main Messages

• The early recognition of secondary pancreatic tumours on US, CT and MRI is extremely important.

• Pancreatic metastases may mimic primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma or induce acute pancreatitis.

• Most pancreatic metastases are discovered on a CT examination performed for follow-up.
The interaction of PKN3 with RhoC promotes malignant growth
Authors: Unsal-Kacmaz Keziban , Ragunathan Shoba , Rosfjord Edward , Dann Stephen , Upeslacis Erik , Grillo Mary , Hernandez Richard , Mack Fiona , Klippel Anke
Published: December 2011

PKN3 is an AGC‐family protein kinase implicated in growth of metastatic prostate cancer cells with phosphoinositide 3‐kinase pathway deregulation. The molecular mechanism, however, by which PKN3 contributes to malignant growth and tumorigenesis is not well understood. Using orthotopic mouse tumor models, we now show that inducible knockdown of PKN3 protein not only blocks metastasis, but also impairs primary prostate and breast tumor growth. Correspondingly, overexpression of exogenous PKN3 in breast cancer cells further increases their malignant behavior and invasiveness in‐vitro. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that PKN3 physically interacts with Rho‐family GTPases, and preferentially with RhoC, a known mediator of tumor invasion and metastasis in epithelial cancers. Likewise, RhoC predominantly associates with PKN3 compared to its closely related PKN family members. Unlike the majority of Rho GTPases and PKN molecules, which are ubiquitously expressed, both PKN3 and RhoC show limited expression in normal tissues and become upregulated in late‐stage malignancies. Since PKN3 catalytic activity is increased in the presence of Rho GTPases, the co‐expression and preferential interaction of PKN3 and RhoC in tumor cells are functionally relevant. Our findings provide novel insight into the regulation and function of PKN3 and suggest that the PKN3–RhoC complex represents an attractive therapeutic target in late‐stage malignancies.
The Late Triassic Kataev volcanoplutonic association in western Transbaikalia, a fragment of the active continental margin of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean
Authors: Donskaya T.V. , Gladkochub D.P. , Mazukabzov A.M. , De Waele B. , Presnyakov S.L.
Published: December 2011

The Kataev volcanoplutonic association has been recognized in western Transbaikalia. It unites the volcanosedimentary rocks of the Kataev Formation and associated granites localized within the lower plates of the Buteel-Nuur and Zagan metamorphic-core complexes. The rocks of the Kataev association are dynamometamorphosed to different degrees, which is due to the tectonic exposure of metamorphic-core complexes in the Early Cretaceous. The U-Pb zircon dating of the Kataev Formation rhyolites yielded an age of 226 ± 3 Ma. The U-Pb zircon age of the granites intruding the Kataev Formation rocks is 223.4 ± 5.0 Ma. The volcanics of the Kataev Formation belong to the subalkalic basalt-andesite-dacite-rhyolite series. The trachybasalts and trachyandesite-basalts of the Kataev Formation have geochemical characteristics of igneous rocks formed as a result of subduction, e.g., they show distinct negative Nb and Ti and positive Ba and Sr anomalies on multielemental patterns. The specific composition of mafic volcanics points to their formation through the melting of a mantle source resulted from the mixing of depleted mantle and subduction components. Trachyandesites have higher Th and U contents than basaltoids. They can result from the contamination of a mantle source, similar in composition to the Kataev Formation basaltoids, with crustal material. The felsic volcanics of the Kataev Formation and granites intruding them show nearly identical geochemical characteristics corresponding to both A-and I-type granites. These rocks might have formed through the melting of a moderately water-saturated magmatic source of diorite-tonalite composition at 742–833°C. We have established that the rocks of the Kataev volcanoplutonic association in western Transbaikalia and Northern Mongolia formed in the Late Triassic synchronously with the calc-alkaline granitoids of the Henteyn–Daurian batholith and the alkali granites and bimodal volcanic associations of the Kharitonovo and Tsagaan-Hurtey volcanoplutonic associations. The synchronous formation of volcanoplutonic associations of normal and high alkalinity agrees with the geodynamic setting of the Andean-type active continental margin existing in the area of present-day western Transbaikalia and Northern Mongolia in the Early Mesozoic. This setting was the result of the subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic plate beneath the Siberian continent.
Cambrian paleomagnetism in the Bateni Ridge: evolution of the Kuznetsk Alatau island arc (southern Siberia)
Authors: Metelkin D.V. , Koz’min D.G.
Published: December 2011

We present paleomagnetic data on the Cambrian volcanosedimentary complexes of the Bateni Ridge, which correspond to the evolution of the Kuznetsk Alatau island arc. The paleomagnetic poles which served as the basis for the apparent polar-wander path (APWP) were determined. The paleomagnetic data were compared with those on the Cambrian poles for other fragments of the Kuznetsk Alatau island arc. For example, the APWP of the Bateni fragment corresponds to that of the Kiya (Martaiga) fragment of the eastern slope of the Kuznetsk Alatau. The distribution of the paleomagnetic poles suggests that the relative drift of the Kuznetsk Alatau arc fragments and the entire island arc system resulted from large-amplitude strike-slips. In the Cambrian, this paleoarc moved from ∼10° N to ∼10° S and rotated more than 50° clockwise. In the paleomagnetic record, its accretion is reflected in the coincidence of the Late Cambrian–Early Ordovician poles on the eastern slope of the Kuznetsk Alatau with one another and the coeval poles for the Siberian craton. This coincidence also suggests that the general structure of the present Kuznetsk Alatàu formed as early as the Early Caledonian. Nevertheless, the differences in the position of the poles on the western and eastern slopes of the Kuznetsk Alatau suggest that strike-slip activity along the Kuznetsk–Altai deep fault (the major one in the region) continued in the Late Paleozoic and, probably, in the Mesozoic.
Rethinking Missionaries and Medicine in China: The Miracles of Assunta Pallotta, 1905–2005
Authors: Harrison Henrietta
Published: December 2011

This paper uses the cult of Assunta Pallotta, an Italian Catholic nun who died in a north China village in 1905, to critique the existing literature on missionary medicine in China. She was recognized as holy because of the fragrance that accompanied her death, and later the incorrupt state of her body, and her relics were promoted as a source of healing by the Catholic mission hospital, absorbed into local folk medicine, and are still in use today. By focusing on Catholics, not Protestants, and women, not men, the paper suggests similarities between European and Chinese traditional religious and medical cultures and argues that instead of seeing a transfer of European biomedicine to China, we need to think of a single globalized process in which concepts of science and religion, China and the West were framed.
Reflections on Situating Taiwan in Modern Chinese Cultural Studies
Authors: Lupke Christopher
Published: December 2011

Overshadowed by its massive cousin just to the west, the island and civilization of Taiwan is easily overlooked but has long been a bastion of great intellectual activity on all disciplinary fronts. Many of us in Chinese studies visit Taiwan regularly, use its resources, mingle with Taiwan-based academics, present our research there, and take time to enjoy what it offers in cuisine, art, music, and natural beauty. A much smaller number of us focus our research on Taiwan itself, and the way that research is carried out is fraught with the problems of a contested epistemological geography. Some center their research solely on Taiwan. Others take a comparative approach. In my opinion, both of these ways of organizing and presenting ones findings are acceptable, and the litmus test for judging research on Taiwan should be the intrinsic quality of that work and not based upon whether one is a “pure” Taiwan studies scholar or not. All this stems from Taiwan's continued ambiguous and indeterminate status in the world politically and ethnically. This problem will not go away soon, but that does not mean we should shrink from it. The motivation for writing this short piece came from my reading of Emily Baum's (2011) review of Yomi Braester's new bookPainting the City Red: Chinese Cinema and the Urban Conflict(2010).
Subject States and Tribute Provinces: The Aztec Empire in the Northern Valley of Mexico
Authors: Hicks Frederic
Published: December 2011

The Aztec empire was composed of at least two kinds of entities, subject states and tribute provinces, and these were administered through at least two separate hierarchies. Imperial tribute, which was extracted from the common people, was not delivered through the same channels as those through which subject rulers interacted with their imperial overlords. This arrangement enabled the latter to deal with the subject rulers not as tribute-givers, but as allies and colleagues, while extracting a heavy tribute from their commoner subjects. In the core area of the Aztec empire, which included the northern Valley of Mexico, the boundaries of the subject states and tribute provinces did not coincide, and this contributed to the economic and political integration of the core area. The tribute provinces consisted only of those communities within a region that gave tribute to the empire, and the elimination of such obligations after the Spanish conquest effectively liquidated the tribute provinces.
Prehistoric Political Change on the Southeast Mesoamerican Periphery
Authors: Dixon Boyd
Published: December 2011

Recent archaeological settlement pattern research in the 550 sq km Comayagua Valley in central Honduras has documented considerable variation in the political structure of one ranked society over a 2,500-year period of prehistory. Data presented suggest that this Lenca and proto-Lenca culture group underwent at least five major political restructurings during this time as a response to the local, regional, and interregional political climate on the southeast Mesoamerican periphery. Such variability calls into question traditional models postulating a lack of complexity or adaptive flexibility for indigenous cultures of lower Central America.
Continuity and Change in a Royal Maya Residential Complex at Copan
Authors: Andrews V E. Wyllys , Fash Barbara W.
Published: December 2011

Excavation of the large elite structures around the Structure 10L-32 plaza at the northeast corner of Group 10L-2, at the south edge of the Acropolis at Copan, supports the view that this group was the residence of the royal family during the Late and Terminal Classic Coner phase. During the hundred years of construction at the uppermost plaza level, structure change and growth follows two patterns: (1) a tendency for subsequent buildings in one place to retain a similar form and probably function, and (2) a trend away from domestic structures to ritual or public buildings. As the buildings around the plaza grew, access to the complex was increasingly limited. The largest two, Structures 10L-32 and 10L-30, were built late in the eighth century by a noble named Chac, who was a close associate, relative, or sibling of Yax Pac. The older Structure 10L-29, on the terrace above the plaza, was dedicated to the worship of royal lineage ancestors. The collapse of this group occurred in two stages, a decline of the nobility early in the ninth century, followed by violent destruction of buildings and monuments sometime before that century ended. This sequence of events may apply to the entire Principal Group and adjacent elite residential areas.
The Hieroglyphic Stairway and its Ancestors:Investigations of Copan Structure 10L-26
Authors: Fash William L. , Williamson Richard V. , Larios Carlos Rudy , Palka Joel
Published: December 2011

The investigation of Structure 10L-26 has revealed a series of sequent monumental constructions underlying the elaborate final phase temple/pyramid made famous by the Maya area's largest hieroglyphic stairway. The meticulous recording and analysis of the archaeological, architectural, hieroglyphic, and iconographic materials from this sequence of sculpture-adorned buildings provides the opportunity for a diachronic view of the nature of the historical record and political symbolism. Investigations conducted to date provide hieroglyphic and archaeological evidence in support of the sequence of rulers documented in the official histories of the last four rulers of Copan, and evidence of a dramatic shift in the use of this space, and of political symbolism in general, by the fifteenth king, Smoke Shell. While the lack of evidence for “re-writing of history” will be encouraging to many, the evidence also shows the need for a careful assessment of official histories by archaeological excavations. Just as important, the Copan Acropolis research demonstrates the usefulness of incorporating ideas and data derived from the careful scrutiny of the public monuments in ongoing archaeological investigations and model building.
The Founders of Lineages at Copan and other Maya Sites
Authors: Schele Linda
Published: December 2011

Decipherments and interpretations presented by Peter Mathews and Bertold Riese a decade ago led to the identification of numbered-successor titles that list individual rulers according to their numerical position in a historical succession of kings. Work on the inscriptions of Copan has shown that the “counts of successors” there began with a single founding ancestor, who has been identified archaeologically. Since the rulers of other kingdoms calculated their descent from different founding ancestors, the evidence suggests that Maya kingdoms were ruled by lineages or dynasties of males who calculated their descent for a single anchoring ancestor, who was very probably a historical individual. Evidence from Naranjo also suggests that alternative descent lines were calculated from supernatural anchoring ancestors. The metaphorical term for these lineages was “spout-tree-house.” All of the people in the lineage descending from these founders were called “sprouts,” while the ruling patriarch was the ahau of the descent line.
PILGRIMAGES AND PERSISTENT SOCIAL MEMORY IN SPITE OF VOLCANIC DISASTERS IN THE ARENAL AREA, COSTA RICA
Authors: Sheets Payson
Published: December 2011

Ancient Costa Ricans in the Arenal area exhibited extraordinary persistence in landscape use and social memory, in spite of repeated catastrophes caused by explosive volcanic eruptions. The Cañales village on the south shore of Lake Arenal was struck by two large explosive eruptions during the Arenal phase (500b.c.–a.d.600). Following ecological recovery, the village was reoccupied after each of these eruptions. I argue that the people who reoccupied the village were direct descendants of pre-disaster villagers due to the fact that they reinstated use of the same path to the village cemetery. While previous interpretations emphasized ecological reasons for village reoccupation, I suggest that a dominating reason for reoccupation was to re-establish contact with the spirits of deceased ancestors in the cemetery. The living and the spirits of the deceased constituted the functioning community. The refugees re-established processional access to their cemetery as soon as possible, perhaps even before the village was reoccupied. Archaeologists rarely discover evidence of ancient pilgrimages. However, the combination of remote sensing and detailed stratigraphic analyses allow them to be detected in the Arenal area. Villagers created and perpetuated social memory by regular linear ritual processions along precisely the same path, in spite of challenging topography and occasional regional disasters obscuring the path. This recognition has implications for the arguments of sedentism versus residential mobility during the Arenal phase.
POWER MATERIALIZED: THE DART-THROWER AS A PAN-MESOAMERICAN STATUS MARKER
Authors: Slater Donald A.
Published: December 2011

Throughout the deep history of Mesoamerica, the dart-thrower (a.k.a. atlatl) played a vital utilitarian and symbolic role. Although it was a highly effective tool exploited for practical purposes such as hunting and warfare, ample evidence exists which reveals its association with themes of authority, power, and prestige. The survival of ornamented dart-throwers, as well as the context in which the implement appears in Mesoamerican material culture and forms of graphic communication, reveal its role in the production and assertion of high social status. This argument will be supported by archaeological and ethnographic evidence which demonstrates that the dart-thrower served as a pan-Mesoamerican symbol of power beginning no later than the Middle to Late Formative period and continuing through the Conquest.
REINTERPRETING THE PLAZA DE LOS GLIFOS, LA VENTILLA, TEOTIHUACAN
Authors: Nielsen Jesper , Helmke Christophe
Published: December 2011

We present a reinterpretation of the unique group of painted glyphs of the Plaza de los Glifos, in the La Ventilla residential area (ca.a.d.300–450) situated in the ancient central Mexican metropolis of Teotihuacan. Based on a careful review of previous interpretations of the glyphic La Ventilla floor, the writing system, and the possible language(s) of Teotihuacan, we suggest that the majority of the 42 glyphs are not references to toponyms or titles, but are related to disease-causing entities and curing rituals. Crucial to this proposal is the identification of two glyphic representations of a ‘deer-snake,’ a supernatural creature closely tied to diseases and ailments known throughout most of Mesoamerica and beyond, before and after the conquest. We further argue that contemporary and colonial concepts and practices concerning illness and curing offer ways of understanding several other glyphs from La Ventilla and may serve to account for the unusual placement of the signs.
THE SACRED MOUNTAIN IN SOCIAL CONTEXT. SYMBOLISM AND HISTORY IN MAYA ARCHITECTURE: TEMPLE 22 AT COPAN, HONDURAS
Authors: von Schwerin Jennifer
Published: December 2011

Did Mesoamerican temples really symbolize sacred mountains? If so, what accounts for their varying forms across space and time? Through a socio-historical and iconographic approach, it is now becoming possible to explain the social and historical factors for why design in ancient Maya temples varied. Using these methods, this paper reconstructs and reinterprets one famous “sacred mountain” in the Maya region: Temple 22, at Copan, Honduras, dedicated by king Waxaklajuun Ub'aah K'awiil ina.d.715. Since 1998, the author has led a project to conserve, document, analyze, and hypothetically reconstruct thousands of sculptures from the building's collapsed façades. In design and symbolism, the building probably represented not just a mountain, but the Maya universe. In its more specific historical context, Temple 22 was designed as royal rhetoric to affirm order at a disorderly moment, and used both traditional and innovative forms to assert Copan's leading role on the boundary of the Maya world.
Effects of Marathi-Hindi Bilingualism on Neuropsychological Performance
Authors: Kamat Rujvi , Ghate Manisha , Gollan Tamar H. , Meyer Rachel , Vaida Florin , Heaton Robert K. , Letendre Scott , Franklin Donald , Alexander Terry , Grant Igor , Mehendale Sanjay , Marcotte Thomas D. ,   the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) Group
Published: December 2011

The present study aimed to examine if bilingualism affects executive functions and verbal fluency in Marathi and Hindi, two major languages in India, with a considerable cognate (e.g., activity is actividad in Spanish) overlap. A total of 174 native Marathi speakers from Pune, India, with varying levels of Hindi proficiency were administered tests of executive functioning and verbal performance in Marathi. A bilingualism index was generated using self-reported Hindi and Marathi proficiency. After controlling for demographic variables, the association between bilingualism and cognitive performance was examined. Degree of bilingualism predicted better performance on the switching (Color Trails-2) and inhibition (Stroop Color-Word) components of executive functioning; but not for the abstraction component (Halstead Category Test). In the verbal domain, bilingualism was more closely associated with noun generation (where the languages share many cognates) than verb generation (which are more disparate across these languages), as predicted. However, contrary to our hypothesis that the bilingualism “disadvantage” would be attenuated on noun generation, bilingualism was associated with an advantage on these measures. These findings suggest distinct patterns of bilingualism effects on cognition for this previously unexamined language pair, and that the rate of cognates may modulate the association between bilingualism and verbal performance on neuropsychological tests. (JINS, 2012, 18, 305–313)
POLICY SWITCH AND THE GREAT MODERATION: THE ROLE OF EQUILIBRIUM SELECTION
Authors: Castelnuovo Efrem
Published: December 2011

“Good policy” and “good luck” have been identified as two of the possible drivers of the “Great Moderation,” but their relative importance is still widely debated. This paper investigates the role played by equilibrium selection under indeterminacy in the assessment of their relative merits. We contrast the outcomes of counterfactual simulations conditional on the “continuity” selection strategy–largely exploited by the literature–with those obtained with a novel “sign restriction” based strategy. Our results suggest that conclusions achieved under “continuity” are not necessarily robust to the selection of different–still economically sensible–equilibria. According to our simulations, the switch to a hawkish systematic monetary policy may very well induce anincreasein output volatility. Hence, our sign restriction–selection strategy “resurrects” the inflation–output policy tradeoff.
OIL PRICE SHOCKS AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION: IS THE RELATIONSHIP LINEAR?
Authors: Herrera Ana María , Lagalo Latika Gupta , Wada Tatsuma
Published: December 2011

This paper tests the three leading specifications of asymmetric and possibly nonlinear feedback from the real price of oil to U.S. industrial production and its sectoral components. We show that the evidence for such feedback is sensitive to the estimation period. Support for a nonlinear model is strongest for samples starting before 1973. Instead, using post-1973 data only, the evidence against symmetry becomes considerably weaker. For example, at the aggregate level, there is no evidence against the hypothesis of symmetric responses to oil price innovations of typical magnitude, consistent with results of Kilian and Vigfusson [Quantitative Economics, 2(3), 419–453 (2011)] for U.S. real GDP. There is strong evidence of asymmetries at the disaggregate level, however, especially for industries that are energy-intensive in production (such as chemicals) or that produce goods that are energy-intensive in use (such as transportation equipment). Our analysis suggests that these asymmetries may be obscured in the aggregate data and highlights the importance of developing multisector models of the transmission of oil price shocks.
BOUNDING TAIL PROBABILITIES IN DYNAMIC ECONOMIC MODELS
Authors: Stachurski John
Published: December 2011

This paper provides conditions for bounding tail probabilities in stochastic economic models in terms of their transition laws and shock distributions. Particular attention is given to conditions under which the tails of stationary equilibria have exponential decay. By way of illustration, the technique is applied to a threshold autoregression model of exchange rates.
Reasoning with Forest Logic Programs and f-hybrid knowledge bases
Authors: FEIER CRISTINA , HEYMANS STIJN
Published: December 2011

Open Answer Set Programming (OASP) is an undecidable framework for integrating ontologies and rules. Although several decidable fragments of OASP have been identified, few reasoning procedures exist. In this paper, we provide a sound, complete, and terminating algorithm for satisfiability checking w.r.t. Forest Logic Programs (FoLPs), a fragment of OASP where rules have a tree shape and allow for inequality atoms and constants. The algorithm establishes a decidability result for FoLPs. Although believed to be decidable, so far only the decidability for two small subsets of FoLPs, local FoLPs and acyclic FoLPs, has been shown. We further introduce f-hybrid knowledge bases, a hybrid framework whereknowledge bases and FoLPs coexist, and we show that reasoning with such knowledge bases can be reduced to reasoning with FoLPs only. We note that f-hybrid knowledge bases do not require the usual (weakly) DL-safety of the rule component, thus providing a genuine alternative approach to current integration approaches of ontologies and rules.