bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant Effects of Sesamol Released from Polymeric Films on Lipid Oxidation in Linoleic Acid and Oat Cereal
Authors: Zhu Xuntao , Schaich Karen , Chen Xi , Yam Kit
Published: March 2012

The antioxidant effects of sesamol films were evaluated using a food simulant (linoleic acid) and a real food (oat cereal). Sesamol was melt blended with high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene and ethylene‐vinyl acetate resins using co‐extrusion to produce sesamol films of multilayer structure; for comparison, films containing butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or no additive (as control) were also produced. At least 60% of the initial amount of sesamol remained in the films after extrusion. The release of sesamol from the sesamol films was about six times faster at 30°C than at 10°C. The antioxidant effectiveness of sesamol and BHT was evaluated on the basis of induction period of lipid oxidation, conjugated dienes (for linoleic acid), hexanal (for oat breakfast) and sensory evaluation. Compared with the control film, the sesamol films extended the induction period of linoleic acid by five and eight times at 40°C and 23°C, respectively. After 12 month storage at 23°C, hexanal formation was 59% less in cereal packaged with sesamol films than that packaged with control film. Rancid odours were detected in cereal packaged with control films, but not with sesamol or BHT films. The incorporation of sesamol had only slight effects on tensile properties and transparency. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust half‐metallicity of AlCoN and AlNiN
Authors: Arif S. , Ahmad Iftikhar , Amin B. , Maqbool M.
Published: March 2012

Theoretical investigations of Al1‐xCoxN and Al1‐xNixN (x = 0.25) in the zinc blende phase are presented. The robustness of half metallicity of these compounds with correlation to their lattice compressions is discussed. The results show that both compounds retain their half‐metallic nature (conductor for spin up state and semiconductor for spin down state) with their lattice compressions up to certain critical lattice constants. Abrupt changes in the electronic and magnetic properties are observed at these robust transition lattice constants (RTLCs). These compounds lose their integer magnetic moments of 4μβ for Al1‐xCoxN and 3 μβ for Al1‐xNixN at RTLCs. The calculated RTLC for Al0.75Co0.25N is 4.4 Å and for Al0.75Ni0.25N is 4.2 Å. The possible compression in the lattice constants from their relaxed states while maintaining their half‐metallic nature is up to 4% for both compounds. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generation of mineral density distribution maps from subject‐specific models of mandibles – a preliminary study
Authors: Alister Francisco , Ramos‐Grez Jorge Andrés , Vargas Alex Patricio
Published: March 2012

Background

Determination of the mineral content of bone and its distribution by computed tomography (CT) enables one to define the insertion points for prosthetic devices, or determine the degree of healing in cases of fracture or surgical intervention. The use of subject‐specific models allows mapping of the spatial structure and the mineral content of the bone graphically and quantitatively.

Methods

Subject‐specific models and mineral density maps from pig jaws were developed using segmentation, transcription tools and finite element analysis software. This study considered six frozen heads from pigs aged 10–12 months, and phantom solutions of K2HPO4. The predicted bone mass of each jaw was compared with its respective ash mass after incineration.

Results

The tridimensional maps show highest density values at the molar cusp and within the symphysis. The average percentage error relative to the mineral density maps was −18.4%. The radiation dose was reduced by a factor of eight from the recommended maximum without compromising the precision of the models.

Conclusions

The computed tridimensional mineral density maps illustrate, numerically and graphically, the spatial distribution of the density field within the mandibular bone. These maps could facilitate the location of insertion points or determine the evolution of the mineralization level of a patient's bone tissue. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flagging clinical adverse experiences: reducing false discoveries without materially compromising power for detecting true signals
Authors: Mehrotra Devan V. , Adewale Adeniyi J.
Published: March 2012

Comparative analyses of safety/tolerability data from a typical phase III randomized clinical trial generate multiple p‐values associated with adverse experiences (AEs) across several body systems. A common approach is to ‘flag’ any AE with a p‐value less than or equal to 0.05, ignoring the multiplicity problem. Despite the fact that this approach can result in excessive false discoveries (false positives), many researchers avoid a multiplicity adjustment to curtail the risk of missing true safety signals. We propose a new flagging mechanism that significantly lowers the false discovery rate (FDR) without materially compromising the power for detecting true signals, relative to the common no‐adjustment approach. Our simple two‐step procedure is an enhancement of the Mehrotra–Heyse–Tukey approach that leverages the natural grouping of AEs by body systems. We use simulations to show that, on the basis of FDR and power, our procedure is an attractive alternative to the following: (i) the no‐adjustment approach; (ii) a one‐step FDR approach that ignores the grouping of AEs by body systems; and (iii) a recently proposed two‐step FDR approach for much larger‐scale settings such as genome‐wide association studies. We use three clinical trial examples for illustration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of cluster size imbalance and covariates on the estimation performance of quadratic inference functions
Authors: Westgate Philip M. , Braun Thomas M.
Published: March 2012

Generalized estimating equations (GEE) are commonly used for the analysis of correlated data. However, use of quadratic inference functions (QIFs) is becoming popular because it increases efficiency relative to GEE when the working covariance structure is misspecified. Although shown to be advantageous in the literature, the impacts of covariates and imbalanced cluster sizes on the estimation performance of the QIF method in finite samples have not been studied. This cluster size variation causes QIF's estimating equations and GEE to be in separate classes when an exchangeable correlation structure is implemented, causing QIF and GEE to be incomparable in terms of efficiency. When utilizing this structure and the number of clusters is not large, we discuss how covariates and cluster size imbalance can cause QIF, rather than GEE, to produce estimates with the larger variability. This occurrence is mainly due to the empirical nature of weighting QIF employs, rather than differences in estimating equations classes. We demonstrate QIF's lost estimation precision through simulation studies covering a variety of general cluster randomized trial scenarios and compare QIF and GEE in the analysis of data from a cluster randomized trial. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A restricted mixture model for dietary pattern analysis in small samples
Authors: Rita Gaio A. , Costa Joaquim Pinto da , Santos Ana Cristina , Ramos Elisabete , Lopes Carla
Published: March 2012

Multivariate finite mixture models have been applied to the identification of dietary patterns. These models are known to have many parameters, and consequently large samples are usually required. We present a special case of a multivariate mixture model that reduces the number of parameters to be estimated and seems adequate for small to moderately sized samples.

We illustrate our approach with an analysis of Portuguese data from a food‐frequency questionnaire and with a simulation study. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deaths observed in Medicare beneficiaries: average attributable fraction and its longitudinal extension for many diseases
Authors: Murphy T. E. , McAvay G. , Carriero N. J. , Gross C. P. , Tinetti M. E. , Allore H. G. , Lin H.
Published: March 2012

Calculating the longitudinal extension of the average attributable fraction (LE‐AAF) for many risk factors (RFs) requires a two‐stage computational process using only those combinations of RFs observed in the dataset. We first screen candidates RFs in a Cox Model, and assuming piecewise constant hazards, use pooled logistic regression to model the probability of death as a function of combinations of selected RFs. We average the iterative differencing of the attributable fractions calculated for all overlapping subsets of co‐occurring RFs to obtain a LE‐AAF for each RF that is additive and symmetrical. We illustrate by partitioning the additive proportions of death from 10 different groupings of acute and chronic diseases, on a national sample of older persons from the US (Medicare Beneficiary Survey) over a 4‐year period and compare with results reported by the National Center for Healthcare Statistics. We conclude that careful screening of RFs with analysis restricted to extant combinations greatly reduces computational burden. LE‐AAF accounted for a cumulative total of 66% of the deaths in our sample, compared with the 83% accounted for by the National Center for Healthcare Statistics. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical Properties and Microstructure Evolution During Deformation of Fe–Mn–C TWIP Steel
Authors: Zhenli Mi , Di Tang , Aimin Zhao , Haitao Jiang
Published: March 2012

The mechanical and deformation microstructure properties of the Fe–Mn–C TWIP steel was investigated by means of tensile experiment, in situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM).The results showed that the sample has excellent mechanical with tensile strength of the steel is about 1140 MPa and the yield strength is higher than 480 MPa, while the elongation is above 57%, the true stress–strain curve from tension tests exhibited repeated serrations and its strain‐hardening rate is constantly changing. It is found that there were different deformation mechanisms at different deformation stages result in the unique true stress–strain curve. Dislocation slip dominated the initial deformation and with the accumulation of deformation stress concentration reached the twin shear stress resulting in twin shear, which lead to TWIP effect. As the strain capacity increased continually, the parallel twins can no longer rotate and shear deformation occurred, which lead to the forming of shear bands. The intercoordination of slip deformation, twin deformation, and shear deformation mechanism make the TWIP steel show high strength and high plasticity.
Human Embryonic Stem Cells Exhibit Increased Propensity to Differentiate During the G1 Phase Prior to Phosphorylation of Retinoblastoma Protein
Authors: Sela Yogev , Molotski Natali , Golan Saar , Itskovitz-Eldor Joseph , Soen Yoav
Published: March 2012

While experimentally induced arrest of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in G1 has been shown to stimulate differentiation, it remains unclear whether the unperturbed G1 phase in hESCs is causally related to differentiation. Here, we use centrifugal elutriation to isolate and investigate differentiation propensities of hESCs in different phases of their cell cycle. We found that isolated G1 cells exhibit higher differentiation propensity compared with S and G2 cells, and they differentiate at low cell densities even under self-renewing conditions. This differentiation of G1 cells was partially prevented in dense cultures of these cells and completely abrogated in coculture with S and G2 cells. However, coculturing without cell-to-cell contact did not rescue the differentiation of G1 cells. Finally, we show that the subset of G1 hESCs with reduced phosphorylation of retinoblastoma has the highest propensity to differentiate and that the differentiation is preceded by cell cycle arrest. These results provide direct evidence for increased propensity of hESCs to differentiate in G1 and suggest a role for neighboring cells in preventing differentiation of hESCs as they pass through a differentiation sensitive, G1 phase.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Non‐uniform velocity distribution effect on the Betz–Joukowsky limit
Authors: Chamorro Leonardo P. , A Arndt R.E.
Published: March 2012

A simple analytic correction is derived for the maximum efficiency of an ideal wind turbine rotor, the Betz–Joukowsky limit. The analytic correction accounts for the effect that the non‐uniform atmospheric boundary layer velocity distribution has on the Betz–Joukowsky derivation. The maximum power coefficient predicted by using the atmospheric boundary layer velocity profile is slightly higher than that predicted by using a uniform velocity distribution. The application of the correction to a 100 m rotor diameter at 80 m hub height in a neutrally stratified boundary layer flow predicts a maximum power increase of 1–2%, depending on the approach terrain. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early Experience for the Robotic Duodenum‐preserving Pancreatic Head Resection
Authors: Peng Cheng‐Hong , Shen Bai‐Yong , Deng Xia‐Xing , Zhan Qian , Han Bo , Li Hong‐Wei
Published: March 2012

Background

The duodenum‐preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) has been accepted as a valid surgical alternative to more extensive standard resections for the treatment of benign and low malignant tumors at the head of the pancreas. In this article, a new minimally invasive operation, the robot‐assisted laparoscopic technique, is introduced for this procedure.

Methods

From March 2010 to Dec 2010, four patients (three women and one man), with a mean age of 42.3 years (range: 21–62 years), underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic DPPHR at the Hepato‐Bilio‐Pancreatic Surgical Department of Rui Jin Hospital in Shanghai, China. The preoperative symptoms include two cases of repeated upper abdominal pain, one case with no obvious preoperative symptoms, and one case of repeated hypoglycemia. The da Vinci Surgical System was used to perform the main steps of the operation. All patients underwent a pancreaticogastrostomy for pancreaticoenteric reconstruction to the distal stump.

Results

All four surgeries were successfully performed. There were no deaths. The mean operative time was 298.8 (270–335) min, average blood loss was 425 ml (range: 100–600 ml). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 26.8 days (range: 20–30 days). The one patient with an islet cell tumor has had normal blood glucose levels since the operation, and the other three patients have had no hyperglycemia. Three of the patients developed a pancreatic fistula that was cured by conservative treatment.

Conclusions

The robotic surgical system is technically fully capable of performing the complex DPPHR procedure with an acceptable range of surgical complications. It breaks through the bottleneck of the traditional laparoscopic technology and expands the range of its applications. However, this new technology is still at an exploratory stage, and the long‐term effect remains to be validated by additional clinical data.
Underutilization of Genetics Services for Autism: The Importance of Parental Awareness and Provider Recommendation
Authors: Vande Wydeven Kimberly , Kwan Andrea , Hardan Antonio Y. , Bernstein Jonathan A.
Published: March 2012

Reasons for the underutilization of genetics services by families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are not well understood. We report the identification of factors associated with this underuse. Survey‐based study of parents and/or guardians of children with ASD. One hundred fifty‐five families completed the questionnaire. Thirty‐one of 155 (20%) children had seen a genetics professional. Forty‐nine of 154 (32%) children had undergone genetic testing. Parents whose child saw a genetics professional were more likely to 1) Have a primary provider refer for or suggest a genetics evaluation 2) Have asked for a referral, and/or 3) Know another person with a genetic cause of ASD. amilies of children with ASD who have not received genetics services are less aware of their availability and utility. They are also less likely to have their provider recommend a clinical genetics evaluation. Efforts should be taken to increase awareness of both health providers and parents regarding the usefulness of genetics services for ASD.
The Adsorption Layer in the System: Carboxymethylcellulose/Surfactants/NaCl/MnO2
Authors: Grządka Elżbieta
Published: March 2012

The influence of surfactants (anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate, and nonionic tert‐octylphenol ethoxylate with 9.5EO) and their mixtures on the adsorption of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in the presence of 0.001 M NaCl on the manganese dioxide surface (MnO2) was studied. The increase in CMC adsorption was observed in all measured systems in the presence of surfactants. The reason for this is the formation of complexes between polymer macromolecules and surfactants. Moreover, the dependence between the amount of surfactants adsorption and the CMC initial concentration was also studied. It proves that surfactant adsorption does not depend on the initial concentration of CMC. Another observation is that the increase in pH caused the decrease in CMC adsorption. The explanation of this phenomenon is connected with the influence of pH on the dissociation degree of the polyelectrolyte, kind and concentration of the surface active groups of the adsorbent. To characterize the compact and diffuse adsorption layer the surface charge density and the zeta potential of MnO2 in the presence of CMC and surfactants were measured. The surface charge density of MnO2 decreases in the presence of CMC or CMC/surfactant complexes. This is due to the presence of negatively charged groups in the compact part of the electric double layer. The zeta potential of MnO2 is also lower in the presence of CMC and the CMC/surfactants complexes. The main reason for that is the shift of the slipping plane towards the bulk solution.
The Composition of the Cuticular and Internal Free Fatty Acids and Alcohols from Lucilia sericata Males and Females
Authors: Gołębiowski Marek , Boguś Mieczysława I. , Paszkiewicz Monika , Wieloch Wioletta , Włóka Emilia , Stepnowski Piotr
Published: March 2012

GC, GC–MS, and HPLC–LLSD analyses were used to identify and quantify cuticular and internal lipids in males and females of the blow‐fly (Lucilia sericata). Sixteen free fatty acids, seven alcohols and cholesterol were identified and quantitatively determined in the cuticular lipids of L. sericata. Cuticular fatty acids ranged from C6 to C20 and included unsaturated entities such as 16:1n‐9, 18:1n‐9, 20:4n‐3 and 20:5n‐3. Cuticular alcohols (only saturated and even‐numbered) ranged from C12 to C20 in males and C10 to C22 in females. Only one sterol was found in the cuticular lipids of both males and females. 23 free fatty acids, five alcohols and cholesterol were identified in the internal lipids. Internal fatty acids were present in large amounts—7.4 mg/g (female) and 10.1 mg/g (male). Only traces of internal alcohols (from C14 to C26 in males, from C14 to C22 in females) were found in L. sericata. Large amounts of internal cholesterol were identified in L. sericata males and females (0.49 and 0.97 mg/g of the insect body, respectively).
Structured reporting: if, why, when, how—and at what expense? Results of a focus group meeting of radiology professionals from eight countries
Authors: Bosmans J. M. L. , Peremans L. , Menni M. , De Schepper A. M. , Duyck P. O. , Parizel P. M.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

To determine why, despite growing evidence that radiologists and referring physicians prefer structured reporting (SR) to free text (FT) reporting, SR has not been widely adopted in most radiology departments.

Methods

A focus group was formed consisting of 11 radiology professionals from eight countries. Eight topics were submitted for discussion. The meeting was videotaped, transcribed, and analyzed according to the principles of qualitative healthcare research.

Results

Perceived advantages of SR were facilitation of research, easy comparison, discouragement of ambiguous reports, embedded links to images, highlighting important findings, not having to dictate text nobody will read, and automatic translation of teleradiology reports. Being compelled to report within a rigid frame was judged unacceptable. Personal convictions appeared to have high emotional value. It was felt that other healthcare stakeholders would impose SR without regard to what radiologists thought of it. If the industry were to provide ready-made templates for selected examinations, most radiologists would use them.

Conclusion

If radiologists can be convinced of the advantages of SR and the risks associated with failing to participate actively in its implementation, they will take a positive stand. The industry should propose technology allowing SR without compromising accuracy, completeness, workflows, and cost-benefit balance.

Main Messages

• Structured reporting offers radiologists opportunities to improve their service to other stakeholders.

• If radiologists can be convinced of the advantages of structured reporting, they may become early adopters.

• The healthcare industry should propose technology allowing structured reporting.

• Structured reporting will fail if it compromises accuracy, completeness, workflows or cost-benefit balance.
Adolescents’ financial literacy: The role of financial socialization agents, financial experiences, and money attitudes in shaping financial literacy among South Korean youth
Authors: Sohn Sang‐Hee , Joo So‐Hyun , Grable John E. , Lee Seonglim , Kim Minjeung
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this study was to test the relationships between financial socialization agents, financial experiences, money attitudes, demographic characteristics, and the financial literacy of Korean adolescents. Using the 2006 Korean National Financial Literacy Test Survey for Adolescents (N = 1185), a series of regression analyses were performed to determine the factors related to financial literacy. It was found that those who chose media as their primary financial socialization agent, and those who had a bank account, exhibited higher levels of financial literacy. Among the sample, those who saw money as good or as a reward for efforts tended to report higher levels of financial literacy, while those perceiving money in terms of avoidance or achievement had lower levels of financial literacy. Students with mid‐range monthly allowances showed higher levels of financial literacy compared to the highest allowance group. Implications for financial educators, policy makers, and researchers are provided.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography as an Adjunct to Performance of Percutaneous Cementoplasty of the Acetabulum
Authors: Munk Peter L. , Heran Manraj K. , Liu David M. , Ouellette Hugue A. , Clarkson Paul W.
Published: March 2012

Acetabuloplasty is a valuable palliative adjunct for the treatment of patients with painful metastatic disease to the pelvis in selected cases. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman with morbid obesity and with breast carcinoma who was technically difficult to treat under fluoroscopic guidance due to very poor visualization secondary to her body habitus. It was possible to perform radiofrequency ablation and acetabuloplasty with the use of cone-beam computed tomography for guidance.
Vasohibin induces prolyl hydroxylase‐mediated degradation of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Kozako Tomohiro , Matsumoto Noriko , Kuramoto Yukako , Sakata Akira , Motonagare Rie , Aikawa Akiyoshi , Imoto Masumi , Toda Akihisa , Honda Shin-ichiro , Shimeno Hiroshi , Soeda Shinji
Published: March 2012

Vasohibin is thought to be an important negative feedback regulator of angiogenesis that is selectively induced in endothelial cells by VEGF. Here, we assessed the role of vasohibin on HIF‐1α expression under oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in HUVEC. VEGF induced significant cell growth that was associated with an increase in vasohibin expression. Following H2O2‐pretreatment, VEGF further increased cell growth but this was contrastingly associated with a decrease in vasohibin expression when compared with VEGF alone. Interestingly, vasohibin inhibited cell proliferation through degradation of HIF‐1α expression during H2O2‐pretreatment. Furthermore, vasohibin elevated the expression of prolyl hydroxylase (PHD). These results suggest that vasohibin plays crucial roles as a negative feedback regulator of angiogenesis through HIF‐1α degradation via PHD.
Uncoupling proteins (UCP) in unicellular eukaryotes: True UCPs or UCP1‐like acting proteins?
Authors: Luévano-Martínez Luis Alberto
Published: March 2012

Uncoupling proteins belong to the superfamily of mitochondrial anion carriers. They are apparently present throughout the Eukarya domain in which only some members have an established physiological function, i.e. UCP1 from brown adipose tissue is involved in non‐shivering thermogenesis. However, the proteins responsible for the phenotype observed in unicellular organisms have not been characterized. In this report we analyzed functional evidence concerning unicellular UCPs and found that true UCPs are restricted to some taxonomical groups while proteins conferring a UCP1‐like phenotype to fungi and most protists are the result of a promiscuous activity exerted by other mitochondrial anion carriers. We describe a possible evolutionary route followed by these proteins by which they acquire this promiscuous mechanism.
Stable isotopes reflect the ecological stability of two high-elevation mammals from the late Quaternary of Colorado
Authors: McLean Bryan S. , Emslie Steven D.
Published: March 2012

The vertebrate fossil record of Cement Creek Cave, Colorado, spans from ≫ 45,000 yr ago to the present and represents the richest stratified series of high-elevation (≫ 2900 m) mammal remains known from the late Quaternary of North America. Stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses of tooth enamel were used to assess potential ecological responses of two species found commonly throughout the cave, Yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) and Bushy-tailed woodrats (Neotoma cinerea), to late Quaternary climate and environmental changes of the Southern Rocky Mountains. Results indicate that despite such perturbations, the dietary ecologies of both species were maintained across this period. Neither taxon shifted to consuming C4taxa or different C3functional groups; similarly, no significant shifts in surface water use were detected. Variations in enamel δ13C were observed, however, that represent the physiological responses of high-elevation plants to changing levels of late Quaternary atmospheric CO2. While our findings extend both the geographic and elevational record of this plant CO2response, they simultaneously highlight the ecological stability of high-elevationM. flaviventrisandN. cinereaduring climate changes of late Quaternary magnitude.
Diagnostic potential ofFasciola gigantica-derived 14.5 kDa fatty acid binding protein in the immunodiagnosis of bubaline fascioliasis
Authors: Allam G. , Bauomy I.R. , Hemyeda Z.M. , Diab T.M. , Sakran T.F.
Published: March 2012

The 14.5 kDa fatty acid binding protein (FABP) was isolated from the crude extract of adultFasciola giganticaworms. Polyclonal anti-FABP IgG was generated in rabbits immunized with prepared FABP antigen. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect coproantigen in stools and circulatingFasciolaantigen (CA) in sera of 126 water buffaloes by using purified and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated anti-FABP IgG. Sandwich ELISA sensitivity was 96.97% and 94.95%; while specificity was 94.12% and 82.35% for coproantigen and CA detection, respectively. However, sensitivity and specificity of the Kato–Katz technique was 73.74% and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of sandwich ELISA was 96.55% and 93.1% for coproantigen and CA detection, respectively. In contrast, the diagnostic efficacy of the Kato–Katz technique was 77.59%. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the purified 14.5 kDa FABP provides a more suitable antigen for immunodiagnosis of early and current bubaline fascioliasis by using sandwich ELISA.
Ectoparasites of the blackspot seabreamPagellus bogaraveo(Teleostei: Sparidae) from Portuguese waters of the north-east Atlantic
Authors: Hermida Margarida , Cruz Cristina , Saraiva Aurélia
Published: March 2012

The ectoparasite community of the blackspot seabream,Pagellus bogaraveo, was studied in different locations in Portuguese waters of the north-east Atlantic Ocean. This is the first study to focus on the ectoparasites of this commercially important sparid fish. Nine ectoparasite species were detected.Gnathiasp.,Aega deshaysiana, A. antillensis, Rocinela danmoniensisandArgulussp. are reported for the first time on this host. Significant differences were detected among the sampling locations, with monogeneans being more prevalent in mainland waters, and crustaceans being more prevalent in the Atlantic islands of Madeira and Azores. Fish from Madeira showed significantly higher infection levels of all ectoparasites, especially crustaceans, and particularly high prevalence ofHatschekia pagellibogneravei. The potential impact of the species detected on captive fish is also discussed, since the blackspot seabream is a promising new species for marine aquaculture.
Temporal distribution of phytoplankton in the south-western Caspian Sea during 2009–2010: a comparison with previous surveys
Authors: Bagheri Siamak , Mansor Mashhor , Turkoglu Muhammet , Makaremi Marzieh , Babaei Hadi
Published: March 2012

This study focuses on spatial and temporal distribution and species composition of phytoplankton in the south-western Caspian Sea between July 2009 and March 2010. Samples were collected from 11 stations along three transects: Lisar, Anzali and Sefidrood. Among 44 identified phytoplankton species, diatoms (70.2%) and cyanophytes (25.0%) were dominant. The average phytoplankton abundance was calculated as 1.085E + 05 cells l−1. Among the phytoplankton groups, diatom density was higher (70.2%) than two out of three of total abundance in density of 1.085E + 05 cells l−1. Cyanophytes were the second important group (25.0%) contributing to total phytoplankton. Dinoflagellates, chlorophytes and euglenoids were other contributors to total phytoplankton. DiatomsDactyliosolen fragilissimusandSkeletonema costatumand cyanophyteOscillatoriasp. numerically dominated in the system. There were major changes in phytoplankton composition and average phytoplankton density was higher than those documented in 1996–1997 and 2005. The average concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and dissolved inorganic silicate were 14.5 ± 6.32, 1.14 ± 0.44 and 5.10 ± 3.98 μM, respectively, and these concentrations were strikingly high. Increases in DIN and DIP concentrations were more than twofold compared to recorded values during the last 2 decades due to the eutrophication. Fluctuations in nutrients played an important role in the variation of phytoplankton composition and abundance. Chlorophyll-aconcentrations varied between 3.22 and 16.1 μg l−1and there was a significant increase in chlorophyll-a(8.13 ± 5.72 μg l−1) compared to the values in 1996–1997 (1.44 ± 1.48 μg l−1), 2001 (2.62 ± 1.48 μg l−1) and 2005 (2.14 ±1.94 μg l−1).
Light emission from particle beam induced plasma: An overview
Authors: Ulrich Andreas
Published: March 2012

Experiments to study the light emission from plasma produced by particle beams are presented. Fundamental aspects in comparison with discharge plasma formation are discussed. It is shown that the formation of excimer molecules is an important process. This paper summarizes various studies of particle beam induced light emission and presents the first results of a direct comparison of light emission induced by electron- and ion beam excitation. Both high energy heavy ion beam and low energy electron beam experiments are described and an overview over applications in the form of light sources, lasers, and ionization devices is given.
William Lyndwood and the Provinciale: Canon Law in an Undivided Western Church
Authors: Ferme B. E.
Published: March 2012

Anyone coming across the fourteenth-century church of St Cornelius in Lyndewode, now Linwood, a short distance from the Lincolnshire town of Market Rasen, is struck by its stark isolation—it virtually stands alone in fields. Anyone entering the church will most likely be struck by two interesting objects which have some bearing on this lecture. The first, at the west end of the north aisle, are two fine excellently preserved brasses, both of wool men. They had clearly prospered in the economic development of Lincolnshire in the later middle ages. One of these brasses is of John Lyndwood, who died in 1419, with his wife, four sons and three daughters under smaller canopies. The other represents another John Lyndwood, the son of the former, who died in 1421.
Discipline of The Clergy: Medieval and Modern
Authors: Helmholz R. H.
Published: March 2012

Discipline of the clergy is a subject of perennial interest—both in the popular press whenever something sensational takes place, and among the clergy and thoughtful lawyers when they are confronted either with the general problem of how best to fashion the church's law or the more immediate problem of how to deal with offenders against the church's law. The subject also has a long history. The purpose of this article is to bring to light a chapter from the century or so before the Reformation. Evidence taken from the medieval canon law and from the court records of the later Middle Ages may be of interest—and perhaps even relevance—to members of the Ecclesiastical Law Society. It has been my pleasure and good fortune to discover that many of them are not immune to the claims of history.
Dynamic Asset Allocation Techniques
Authors: Jarvis S. , Lawrence A. , Miao S.
Published: March 2012

Investment strategy is often static, punctuated by infrequent reviews. For most long-term investors, this practice results in large risks being taken that could otherwise be managed with a more dynamic investment policy. The bulk of this paper is aimed at analysing and describing two multi-period investment strategy problems — in order to derive potential dynamic strategies. Along the way, we show how static investment strategies can fail to deliver an investor's long-term objectives and describe the relationship of our work to other areas of the finance literature. This paper does not cover trading strategies such as Tactical Asset Allocation.

This paper sets out two main approaches to the multi-period problem. The first approach optimises a utility function. The second approach uses partial differential equation (PDE) technology to optimise a target statistic (in this case, TailVaR) subject to return and long-only constraints.
The U.K. With-Profits Life Insurance Industry: A Market Analysis
Authors: O'Brien C. D.
Published: March 2012

This paper reviews the market structure of the U.K. with-profits life insurance market and the potential effect on how life insurers operate. We consider the competitiveness of the market, quantifying the increase in the degree of concentration since 2000, and establishing that inherited estates may offer some protection from competition for incumbent firms. However, there is a significant degree of mobility in market positions of leading firms. Analysis of costs indicates some large differences between firms, with larger firms experiencing lower cost ratios, indicative of economies of scale. There are some marked differences in insurers' prices, the data showing that charges tend to be lower on unit-linked than on with-profits policies. The paper suggests that while there are potential concerns about how the market operates for consumers, the impact is limited by the dramatic reduction in new with-profits business.
Enterprise risk management for health insurance from an actuarial perspective
Authors: Orros G. C. , Smith J.
Published: March 2012

This paper focuses on Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and strategic business management for health insurance companies in our world of ‘unknown unknowns’ and the emergence of unexpected risks over time. It illustrates how Chief Risk Officers (CROs) can focus on ‘risk and opportunity management’ through an ERM framework, and thereby balance risks against opportunities, whilst being resilient against ‘unknown unknowns’ and their emergence over time as ‘known unknowns’ and ‘known knowns’. The paper has been designed to meet the broad requirements of health insurers that would like to implement an ERM framework for the effective risk management of their health insurance lines of business. Risk management for health insurers in the context of Solvency II and broader European Commission regulatory requirements is also discussed. The authors discuss how insurers can develop and apply risk management to build resilience in the face of the storms and shocks that may lie ahead.
Bioconjugated and Cross-Linked Bionanostructures for Bifunctional Immunohistochemical Labeling
Authors: Say Rıdvan , Kılıç Gözde Aydoğan , Özcan Ayça Atılır , Hür Deniz , Yılmaz Filiz , Denizli Adil , Ersöz Arzu
Published: March 2012

The present study describes the development and use of a new bioconjugate combining targeted quantum dot labeling with an immunoperoxidase method and explores whether these bioconjugates could specifically and effectively label Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). The new bioconjugate is designed for the examination of samples both under fluorescent and bright-field microscopy at the same time. For this purpose chlorobis(2-2′-bipyridyl) methacryloyl tyrosine-ruthenium(II) and bis (2-2′-bipyridyl) methacryloyltyrosine-methacryloyltryptophan-ruthenium (II) photosensitive monomers and photosensitive poly(Bis (2-2′-bipyridyl)) methacryloyltyrosine-methacryloyltryptophan-ruthenium(II) were synthesized and characterized. The anti-SOD1 antibody and horseradish peroxidase (HRD) conjugated quantum dots were prepared by using this polymer. The anti-SOD1 antibody and HRD conjugated quantum dots were used in labeling and imaging of SOD1 in rat liver sections. Quantum dot particles were observed as a bright fluorescence in their specific binding locations inside the hepatocytes. The HRD-diaminobenzidine reaction product was observed as brown-colored particles at the same locations under bright-field microscopy. Structural details of the tissue sections could be examined at the same time. The conjugation protocol is simple; the bioconjugate is applicable for efficient cell labeling and can be adapted for imaging of other targets in different tissues. Also, the prepared nanobioconjugates have mechanic stability and can be used for a long period.
AGONIES OF THE REAL: ANTI-REALISM FROM KUHN TO FOUCAULT
Authors: GORDON PETER E.
Published: March 2012

When did historians begin to put quotation marks around the wordreal? There are many examples of this habit and some of them will be set forth as evidence in what follows. But before doing so we might ask a preliminary question: What are the quotation marksthemselvessupposed to mean? Today we find them so familiar they hardly need to be written and they are more frequently consigned to the everyday repertoire of silent gesture: two fingers on either hand clutch at the air as if they meant to tickle the flanks of the invisible beast between them. The popular term is “scare-quotes,” a pun on the word “scarecrow.” Its etymology is revealing: just as a mere representation of a body in a field may scare off birds, so too scare-quotes permit someone to deploy a word without sincere commitment to what it normally means. But further reflection tells us that the effects are not so similar after all: To use a term without sincerity robs it of its original meaning and holds up its lifeless corpse to ridicule. The more knowing sort of crow can settle on the shoulder of the figure on the pole precisely because it recognizes that such a sorry excuse for a man can in fact harm no one. Similarly when one putsrealityin quotation marks (thus: “reality”) we are put in mind of the living concept but we are immediately alerted to the fact that, for the user at least, the new term enjoys no metaphysical prestige. How did this happen? When and why did the single most privileged word in the entire lexicon of metaphysics begin to lose its authority such that in certain spheres of intellectual sophistication its sincere use would only seem an embarrassment and a sign of naïveté?
FORUM: THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL HISTORY INTRODUCTION
Authors: BENDER THOMAS
Published: March 2012

The following essays present six distinct but broadly compatible narratives of scholarship in United States intellectual history over the past half-century: postwar dominance, a season of despair, and then the field's rise, transformation, and expansion. The essays are a feast of erudition; any reader will come away from them with a list of “must-read” books. But there is much more here. These are rigorous and sophisticated explorations—at once historical and prescriptive—of a flourishing field. The writers span different generations, with authors representative of older, middling, and younger scholars. These appraisals are various yet they are unambiguously within the mainstream, tracking the current understandings of the somewhat fuzzy boundaries of the field. While additional writers might have further enriched the coverage, these writers together offer a fair representation of current practice in the field.
Contingency Learning With Evaluative Stimuli
Authors: Schmidt James R. , De Houwer Jan
Published: March 2012

In two experiments, we tested the generality of the learning effects in the recently-introduced color-word contingency learning paradigm. Participants made speeded evaluative judgments to valenced target words. Each of a set of distracting nonwords was presented most often with either positive or negative target words. We observed that participants responded faster on trials that respected these contingencies than on trials that contradicted the contingencies. The contingencies also produced changes in liking: in a subsequent explicit evaluative rating task, participants rated positively-conditioned nonwords more positively than negatively-conditioned nonwords. Interestingly, contingency effects in the performance task correlated with this explicit rating effect in both experiments. In Experiment 2, all effects reported were independent of subjective and objective contingency awareness (which was completely lacking), even when awareness was measured at the item level. Our results reveal that learning in this type of performance task extends to nonword-valence contingencies and to responses different from those emitted during the performance task. We discuss the implications of these findings for theories about the processes that underlie contingency learning in performance tasks and for research on evaluative conditioning.
A Comparison of Transfer-Appropriate Processing and Multi-Process Frameworks for Prospective Memory Performance
Authors: McBride Dawn M. , Abney Drew H.
Published: March 2012

We examined multi-process (MP) and transfer-appropriate processing descriptions of prospective memory (PM). Three conditions were compared that varied the overlap in processing type (perceptual/conceptual) between the ongoing and PM tasks such that two conditions involved a match of perceptual processing and one condition involved a mismatch in processing (conceptual ongoing task/perceptual PM task). One of the matched processing conditions also created a focal PM task, whereas the other two conditions were considered non-focal ( Einstein & McDaniel, 2005 ). PM task accuracy and ongoing task completion speed in baseline and PM task conditions were measured. Accuracy results indicated a higher PM task completion rate for the focal condition than the non-focal conditions, a finding that is consistent with predictions made by the MP view. However, reaction time (RT) analyses indicated that PM task cost did not differ across conditions when practice effects are considered. Thus, the PM accuracy results are consistent with a MP description of PM, but RT results did not support the MP view predictions regarding PM cost.
Enhancing the Comparability Between Part-List Cueing and Collaborative Recall
Authors: Garrido Margarida V. , Garcia-Marques Leonel , Hamilton David L.
Published: March 2012

The effects of part-list cueing and of collaborative recall in memory performance have been recently addressed as parallel phenomena. Notably they both impair recall (and boost frequency estimates) and they have been explained by the same underlying mechanisms. However, the comparability between the two paradigms is hindered by a number of procedural differences. The main contribution of this paper is the introduction of a new paradigm that makes standard part-list cueing and collaborative recall more comparable. In our study we compared free recall and frequency estimates of participants in a non-cueing condition with the same performance in a standard part-list cueing condition and in a condition in which part-list cues were gradually presented during recall (as it occurs in collaborative recall). Results indicate that the effects of part-list cueing continued to be reliable in both cueing conditions. Namely, recall was impaired and frequency estimates were boosted relatively to a non-cueing condition. The results obtained with this new method that enhances the direct comparability of the two paradigms provide further evidence for the parallel between the two effects.
Geostationary magnetic field response to solar wind pressure variations: Time delay and local time variation
Authors: Jackel Brian J. , McKiernan Breege , Singer Howard J.
Published: March 2012

The relationship between solar wind dynamic pressure changes and geosynchronous magnetic field response is studied using 15 years of OMNI2 and GOES data at 1‐minute resolution. Significant magnetospheric response to solar wind‐forcing is found to be most frequent near noon (30% of all intervals), and virtually absent on the night‐side. The strongest response occurs when IMF Bz is strongly northward and the effect of reducing IMF Bz is most pronounced in the dusk sector. Approximately 25% of dayside Bz variance for related intervals can be attributed to direct response from solar wind dynamic pressure forcing. Time lag between changes in the solar wind at the bow shock nose and similar fluctuations in the magnetosphere at geosynchronous orbit (6.6 Re) is typically 2 to 4 minutes, with responses occurring first in the post‐noon sector and approximately 2 minutes later near dawn. The OMNI2 HRO time‐shifting algorithm appears to be quite effective, with a slight (2 minute) systematic increase in lag and no increased scatter for the most distant upstream solar wind satellite location.