bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fishing top predators indirectly affects condition and reproduction in a reef‐fish community
Authors: Walsh S. M. , Hamilton S. L. , Ruttenberg B. I. , Donovan M. K. , Sandin S. A.
Published: January 2012

To examine the indirect effects of fishing on energy allocation in non‐target prey species, condition and reproductive potential were measured for five representative species (two‐spot red snapper Lutjanus bohar, arc‐eye hawkfish Paracirrhites arcatus, blackbar devil Plectroglyphidodon dickii, bicolour chromis Chromis margaritifer and whitecheek surgeonfish Acanthurus nigricans) from three reef‐fish communities with different levels of fishing and predator abundance in the northern Line Islands, central Pacific Ocean. Predator abundance differed by five to seven‐fold among islands, and despite no clear differences in prey abundance, differences in prey condition and reproductive potential among islands were found. Body condition (mean body mass adjusted for length) was consistently lower at sites with higher predator abundance for three of the four prey species. Mean liver mass (adjusted for total body mass), an indicator of energy reserves, was also lower at sites with higher predator abundance for three of the prey species and the predator. Trends in reproductive potential were less clear. Mean gonad mass (adjusted for total body mass) was high where predator abundance was high for only one of the three species in which it was measured. Evidence of consistently low prey body condition and energy reserves in a diverse suite of species at reefs with high predator abundance suggests that fishing may indirectly affect non‐target prey‐fish populations through changes in predation and predation risk.
Rapid exhumation of basement rocks along the northern margin of the North China craton in the early Jurassic: evidence from the Xiabancheng Basin, Yanshan Tectonic Belt
Authors: Liu Jian , Zhao Yue , Liu Xiaoming , Wang Yu , Liu Xiaowen
Published: January 2012

Early Mesozoic Basins in the Yanshan Fold–Thrust Belt (YFTB), located along the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), record significant intraplate deformation of unknown age. In this article, we present evidence for the rapid exhumation of high‐grade basement rocks along the northern margin of the NCC in the Early Mesozoic. U–Pb geochronology of detrital zircons constrains the maximum depositional ages of syntectonic sedimentary units that formed during the unroofing of basement rocks and plutons in the Xiabancheng Basin. In the Early Mesozoic, the Xiabancheng Basin recorded a dramatic transformation in depositional environments, related to a significant change in the regional tectonic setting. In this study, the tectonic evolution of the YFTB is established from paleocurrent data and U–Pb zircon ages of sandstone and granitic gravels of the Xingshikou Formation, Xiabancheng Basin. The paleocurrent direction of meandering fluvial facies in the Triassic Liujiagou and Ermaying Formations are from east to west. In contrast, the overlying Xingshikou Formation consists of alluvial fan facies with paleocurrent directions from north‐northwest to south‐southeast. The lower and middle segments of the Xingshikou Formation record rapid exhumation of basement rocks along the northern margin of the NCC. U‐Pb ages of detrital zircons within the Xingshikou Formation are characterized by three major U–Pb age groups: 2.2–2.5 Ga, 1.7–1.8 Ga and 193–356 Ma. From 193 Ma to 356 Ma, a subsidiary peak occurs at 198 ± 5 Ma, constraining the sedimentation age of the Xingshikou Formation to the Early Jurassic. Zircon from the Wangtufang pluton in the northern portion of the Xiabancheng Basin yields U–Pb ages of 191 ± 1 Ma and 207 ± 1 Ma. Within error, these crystallization ages are identical to detrital zircon ages of 206 ± 1 Ma and 206 ± 2 Ma obtained for granitic gravel clasts in the Xingshikou Formation. Thus, the Wangtufang pluton and surrounding basement rocks must have experienced rapid uplift and exhumation during the Early Jurassic. The onset of exhumation along the northern margin of the NCC occurred at ca. 198–180 Ma.
Accuracy in skin cancer diagnosis: A retrospective study of an Australian public hospital dermatology department
Authors: Rolfe Heidi M
Published: January 2012

Background/Objectives:  Accurate identification of skin lesions is vital in ensuring malignancies are not missed and that they are treated early to avoid mortality. It is also important that appropriate lesions are submitted for biopsy to decrease the costs and morbidity associated with the unnecessary removal of benign lesions. This study attempted to assess current accuracy in skin cancer diagnosis.

Methods:  Histology reports for all biopsies and excisions performed in an 18‐month period at a public hospital dermatology department were reviewed. Dermatology registrars and consultants were involved in assessing lesions for biopsy. Calculations were made to quantify the sensitivity of melanoma diagnosis; naevi to melanoma ratio (NMR); biopsy to treatment ratio (BTR), and number needed to treat for melanoma (NNT). NNT was calculated as the number of pigmented lesions (seborrhoeic keratoses, naevi and melanoma) removed to identify one melanoma.

Results:  6546 biopsies/excisions were performed, identifying 55 melanomas. The sensitivity of melanoma diagnosis was 76% and 11% of melanomas were thought to be dysplastic naevi. The NMR was 6.4. The BTR was 1.97, indicating that one in every 1.97 biopsies was identified as a non‐melanoma skin cancer. The NNT was 11.9. All dysplastic naevi and 91% of melanomas were biopsied using either shave or excision biopsy.

Conclusions:  These audits are important to ensure quality of care and could aid in identifying doctors and institutions that may benefit from further training in melanoma diagnostic algorithms. These figures can be used as a benchmark to measure the impact of new vectors in skin cancer diagnosis as they are introduced.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF (DE)REGULATION ON EMPLOYMENT DURATION AND EFFICIENCY: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Authors: BERNINGHAUS SIEGFRIED , BLEICH SABRINA , GÜTH WERNER
Published: January 2012

If the future market wage is uncertain, engaging in long‐term employment is risky, with the risk depending on how regulated the labor market is. In our experiment long‐term employment can result either from offering long‐term contracts or from repeatedly and mutually opting for rematching. Treatments differ in how regulations restrict the employer's flexibility in adapting the employment contract. All treatments allow for longer contract duration as well as for mutually opting to be rematched. Effort is chosen by employees after a contract is concluded. Treatments vary from no contract flexibility to no restriction at all. Will more (downward) flexibility be used in ongoing employment but reduce labor market efficiency? And will regulation crowd out long‐term employment, in the form of long‐term contracts or voluntary rematching? (JEL C72, C90, F16, J21, J24, L10)
GRAVITY REDUX: MEASURING INTERNATIONAL TRADE COSTS WITH PANEL DATA
Authors: NOVY DENNIS
Published: January 2012

Barriers to international trade are known to be large but because of data limitations it is hard to measure them directly for a large number of countries over many years. To address this problem, I derive a micro‐founded measure of bilateral trade costs that indirectly infers trade frictions from observable trade data. I show that this trade cost measure is consistent with a broad range of leading trade theories including Ricardian and heterogeneous firms models. In an application I show that U.S. trade costs with major trading partners declined on average by about 40 between 1970 and 2000, with Mexico and Canada experiencing the biggest reductions. (JEL F10, F15)
THE EFFECT OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT LAWS ON YOUTH SUICIDE
Authors: SABIA JOSEPH J. , REES DANIEL I.
Published: January 2012

Using state‐level data on suicides from the period 1987 to 2003, we find that the adoption of a law requiring a parent's notification or consent before a minor can obtain an abortion is associated with an 11%–21% reduction in the number of 15‐ through 17‐year‐old females who commit suicide. In contrast, the adoption of a parental involvement law is not associated with a reduction in the number of older females who commit suicide or in the number of 15‐ through 17‐year‐old males who commit suicide. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that parental involvement laws represent an increase in the expected cost of having unprotected sex, and, as a consequence, serve to protect young females from depression and what have been termed “stressful life events” such as conflict with a parent or an abortion. (JEL I18, I10, J13)
RETESTING THE UNCERTAINTY EFFECT USING LOTTERIES WITH REAL PRODUCTS AND MONEY
Authors: Benzion Uri , Shahrabani Shosh , Shavit Tal
Published: January 2012

In the current study, several experiments re‐examine the uncertainty effect using lotteries that include real products, monetary outcomes and electronic gift cards in a between‐subjects design. The study also takes the selling position into consideration, in addition to the buying position considered by all previous works on the uncertainty effect. The results indicate that for all types of lotteries, the bids are higher than the bids for the worst possible realization. These findings are consistent with the internality axiom and do not support the uncertainty effect.
Experiential metaphors in Latin: feelings were containers, movements and things possessed1
Authors: Fedriani Chiara
Published: January 2012

This paper is concerned with three metaphorical schemas frequently used in Latin to encode experiential situations:experiences are things possessed,states are containers, andevents are movements. Besides describing these metaphorical mappings, this paper also provides corpus‐based evidence for conceiving of metaphorical constructions not as sporadic forms motivated by communicative demands but rather as consistent parts of semantically‐related networks of concepts. Therefore, one of the results of the present work is a description of the regularities and extensions, as well as the relative frequency and the diachronic productivity, of different metaphorical options in Latin, together with some comparison with parallel structures in other Indo‐European languages.
Enveloping spectral surfaces: covariate dependent spectral analysis of categorical time series
Authors: Krafty Robert T. , Xiong Shuangyan , Stoffer David S. , Buysse Daniel J. , Hall Martica
Published: January 2012

Motivated by problems in Sleep Medicine and Circadian Biology, we present a method for the analysis of cross‐sectional categorical time series collected from multiple subjects where the effect of static continuous‐valued covariates is of interest. Towards this goal, we extend the spectral envelope methodology for the frequency domain analysis of a single categorical process to cross‐sectional categorical processes that are possibly covariate dependent. The analysis introduces an enveloping spectral surface for describing the association between the frequency domain properties of qualitative time series and covariates. The resulting surface offers an intuitively interpretable measure of association between covariates and a qualitative time series by finding the maximum possible conditional power at a given frequency from scalings of the qualitative time series conditional on the covariates. The optimal scalings that maximize the power provide scientific insight by identifying the aspects of the qualitative series which have the most pronounced periodic features at a given frequency conditional on the value of the covariates. To facilitate the assessment of the dependence of the enveloping spectral surface on the covariates, we include a theory for analysing the partial derivatives of the surface. Our approach is entirely non‐parametric, and we present estimation and asymptotics in the setting of local polynomial smoothing.
Individual experience, collective remembrance and the politics of monastic reform in high medieval Flanders
Authors: VANDERPUTTEN STEVEN
Published: January 2012

This paper examines why Simon (d. 1148), the chronicler of the abbey of Saint‐Bertin in Flanders, designated all of the remaining evidence for sixty years of the communal past as ‘unmemorable’. An analysis of the chronicler's sources and context of writing reveals that his rejection of these memories was determined both by personal experience and the desire to advocate the legitimacy of the then current reforms. To these factors he subordinated the need to provide his fellow monks with a sense of historical continuity and the opportunity to present a troubled but significant part of the abbey's history.
What's Wrong with the Experience Machine?
Authors: Belshaw Christopher
Published: January 2012

Nozick's thought experiment is less effective than is often believed. Certainly, there could be reasons to enter the machine. Possibly, life there might be among the best of all those available. Yet we need to distinguish between two versions. On the first, I retain my beliefs, memories, dispositions, some knowledge. On the second, all these too are determined by the scientists. Nozick alludes to both versions. But only on the first will machine life have appeal.
Joined‐Up Government and the Challenges to Accounting and Accountability Researchers
Authors: Hodges Ron
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Collaborative working between public sector bodies in the UK, sometimes involving partnerships with private sector and not‐for‐profit organisations, was promoted heavily by the Labour Government (1997–2010) under what is sometimes labelled ‘Joined‐Up Government’. The Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition Government, elected in 2010, appears likely to continue to promote such policies. The objective of this paper is to raise awareness of what may be seen as an important and developing agenda in public services in which accounting and accountability researchers are barely visible. The paper reviews the meanings and motivations of joined‐up government and its development in the UK. A number of challenges are presented, including the need to refocus research from an entity to a network perspective; to assess whether joined‐up government delivers value‐for‐money services; to join the debate on the development of related accounting techniques; to seek precision in specifying accountability mechanisms and to adapt our research methods.
Zinc alpha‐2 glycoprotein is implicated in dyslipidaemia in HIV‐1‐infected patients treated with antiretroviral drugs
Authors: Ceperuelo‐Mallafré V , Escoté X , Viladés C , Peraire J , Domingo P , Solano E , Sirvent J‐J , Pastor R , Tinahones F , Leal M , Richart C , Vendrell J , Vidal F ,   on behalf of the HIV‐1 Lipodystrophy Study Group
Published: January 2012

Objectives

Treated HIV‐1‐infected patients with lipodystrophy often develop insulin resistance and proatherogenic dyslipidaemia. Zinc alpha‐2 glycoprotein (ZAG) is a recently characterized adipokine which has been shown to be involved in the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome in uninfected subjects. We assessed the relationship between circulating ZAG levels and metabolic derangements in HIV‐1‐infected patients receiving antiretroviral drugs.

Methods

Plasma ZAG levels were assessed in 222 individuals: 166 HIV‐1‐infected patients treated with antiretroviral drugs (77 with lipodystrophy and 89 without lipodystrophy) and 56 uninfected controls. Plasma ZAG levels were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and were correlated with fat distribution abnormalities and metabolic parameters.

Results

HIV‐1‐infected patients had lower plasma ZAG levels compared with uninfected controls (P < 0.001). No differences were found in ZAG plasma levels according to the presence of lipodystrophy, components of the metabolic syndrome or type of antiretroviral treatment regimen. Circulating ZAG levels were strongly determined by high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) in men (B = 0.644; P < 0.001) and showed a positive correlation with total cholesterol (r = 0.312; P < 0.001) and HDLc (r = 0.216; P = 0.005).

Conclusions

HIV‐1‐infected patients have lower plasma ZAG levels than uninfected controls. In infected patients, plasma ZAG levels are in close relationship with total cholesterol and HDLc.
Molecular characteristics and alterations during early development of the human vagina
Authors: Fritsch Helga , Richter Elisabeth , Adam Nadia
Published: January 2012

Unresolved questions remain concerning the derivation of the vagina with respect to the relative contributions from the Müllerian ducts, the urogenital sinus, and the Wolffian ducts. Recent molecular and cellular studies in rodents have opened up a large gap between the level of understanding of vaginal development in mice and understanding of human vaginal development, which is based on histology. To compare the findings in mice with human vaginal development and to address this gap, we analysed molecular characteristics of the urogenital sinus, Wolffian ducts, and Müllerian ducts in 8–14‐week‐old human specimens using immunohistochemical methods. The monoclonal antibodies used were directed against cytokeratin (CK) 14, CK19, vimentin, laminin, p63, E‐cadherin, caspase‐3, Ki67, HOX A13, and BMP‐4. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that, during weeks 8–9, the epithelium of the Müllerian ducts became positive for p63 as p63‐positive cells that originated from the sinus epithelium reached the caudal tip of the fused Müllerian ducts via the Wolffian ducts. The lumen of the fused Müllerian ducts was closed by an epithelial plug that contained both vimentin‐positive and vimentin‐negative cells. Subsequently, the resulting epithelial tube enlarged by proliferation of basal p63‐positive cells. The first signs of squamous differentiation were detected during week 14, with the appearance of CK14‐positive cells. According to our results, all three components, namely, the urogenital sinus, Wolffian ducts, and Müllerian ducts, interacted during the formation of the human vagina. The sinus epithelium provided p63‐positive cells, the Wollfian ducts acted as a ‘transporter’, and the Müllerian ducts contributed the guiding structure for the vaginal anlagen. Epithelial differentiation began at the end of the period studied and extended in a caudo‐cranial direction. The present study is one of the first to provide up‐to‐date molecular correlates for human vaginal development that can be compared with the results of cell biological studies in rodents.
Preparation and Optical Properties of Free‐Standing Transparent Aluminum Nitride Film Assembled by Aligned Nanorods
Authors: Li Jia‐Jie , Song Bo , Wu Rong , Li Jin , Jian Ji‐Kang
Published: January 2012

Free‐standing nanostructured Aluminum nitride (AlN) film with high transparence in visible light has been prepared by direct reaction of AlCl3 and NH3 through a thermal chemical vapor deposition method. The structural and morphological examinations reveal that the film is composed of a large number of well aligned wurtzite‐structured AlN nanorods with growth direction along the c‐axis. Raman scattering spectrum indicates the high alignment of the AlN nanorods, too. At room temperature, the nanostructured AlN film exhibits a sharp ultraviolet emission at 358 nm and a broad blue emission peak centered at 471 nm, which suggests its potentials in short‐wavelength optoelectronic applications.
Processing Relative Clauses in Supportive Contexts
Authors: Fedorenko Evelina , Piantadosi Steve , Gibson Edward
Published: January 2012

Results from two self‐paced reading experiments in English are reported in which subject‐ and object‐extracted relative clauses (SRCs and ORCs, respectively) were presented in contexts that support both types of relative clauses (RCs). Object‐extracted versions were read more slowly than subject‐extracted versions across both experiments. These results are not consistent with a decay‐based working memory account of dependency formation where the amount of decay is a function of the number of new discourse referents that intervene between the dependents (Gibson, 1998; Warren & Gibson, 2002). Rather, these results support interference‐based accounts and decay‐based accounts where the amount of decay depends on the number of words or on the type of noun phrases that intervene between the dependents. In Experiment 2, presentation in supportive contexts was directly contrasted with presentation in null contexts. Whereas in the null context the extraction effect was only observed during the RC region, in a supportive context the extraction effect was numerically larger and persisted into the following region, thus showing that extraction effects are enhanced in supportive contexts. A sentence completion study demonstrated that the rate of SRCs versus ORCs was similar across null and supportive contexts (with most completions being subject‐extractions), ruling out the possibility that an enhanced extraction effect in supportive contexts is due to ORCs being less expected in such contexts. However, the content of the RCs differed between contexts in the completions, such that the RCs produced in supportive contexts were more constrained, reflecting the lexical and semantic content of the preceding context. This effect, which we discuss in terms of expectations/lexico‐syntactic priming, suggests that the enhancement of the extraction effect in supportive contexts is due to the facilitation of the subject‐extracted condition.
Symmetry Breaking Analysis of Prism Adaptation’s Latent Aftereffect
Authors: Frank Till D. , Blau Julia J. C. , Turvey Michael T.
Published: January 2012

The effect of prism adaptation on movement is typically reduced when the movement at test (prisms off) differs on some dimension from the movement at training (prisms on). Some adaptation is latent, however, and only revealed through further testing in which the movement at training is fully reinstated. Applying a nonlinear attractor dynamic model (Frank, Blau, & Turvey, 2009) to available data (Blau, Stephen, Carello, & Turvey, 2009), we provide evidence for a causal link between the latent (or secondary) aftereffect and an additive force term that is known to account for symmetry breaking. The evidence is discussed in respect to the hypothesis that recalibration aftereffects reflect memory principles (encoding specificity, transfer‐appropriate processing) oriented to time‐translation invariance—when later testing conserves the conditions of earlier training. Forgetting or reduced adaptation effects follow from the loss of this invariance and are reversed by its reinstatement.
Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation using the dome advancement technique: A case series and review of the literature
Authors: Tsu James Hok‐Leung , Kan Chi‐Fai , Man Chi‐Wai , Chan Steve Wai‐Hee
Published: January 2012

Aim:  Ureteral resection and reimplantation is one of the treatment options for pathology in the middle and distal ureter. Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation has been shown to be a feasible alternative to the open approach. Among the various techniques of laparoscopic reimplantation, the dome advancement technique has been reported as a simple and effective method.

Patients and Methods:  Five patients were found to have distal ureteric stricture necessitating partial ureterectomy and ureteral reimplantation. Their results are reviewed and compared to published results.

Results:  Laparoscopic distal ureterectomy and ureteral reimplantation was successfully performed in all five patients using the dome advancement technique. All patients made good postoperative recovery without evidence of obstruction on follow‐up imaging.

Conclusion:  Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation is a feasible minimally‐invasive option for patients requiring ureteral reconstruction. The dome advancement technique is simple and reproducible, with a good functional outcome.
Ranking the value of germplasm: new oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) breeding stocks as a case study
Authors: Wening S. , Croxford A.E. , Ford C.S. , Thomas W.T.B. , Forster B.P. , Okyere‐Boateng G. , Nelson S.P.C. , Caligari P.D.S. , Wilkinson M.J.
Published: January 2012

Plant breeders constantly need to introduce desirable new alleles to refresh breeding stocks. This first requires an assessment of potential new sources of material and then identification of genotypes most able to augment existing stocks. Genetic distance analysis is widely used for both purposes, although it measures both haplotype diversity and novel allele abundance. Here, we present a more tailored approach to address these problems. Using oil palm as an exemplar, simple metrics of allelic and genetic richness, graphical genotyping and multivariate analysis were deployed to determine the overall value of Ghanaian germplasm to supplement Sumatra Bioscience (SumBio) breeding material. We next compared three methods to rank individuals. The first was based on multivariate genetic distance. However, we also developed two new systems: Global Allelic Divergence (GAD), based on novel allele abundance, and Genome Scan Allelic (GSA) divergence, which additionally considers genome context. Ghanaian material exhibited increased allelic richness, higher heterozygosity and a higher proportion of private alleles than extant SumBio breeding stocks. Graphical genotyping revealed Ghanaian material as allele‐rich in genomic regions that were allele‐poor in SumBio breeding stocks. Multivariate analysis showed a collective distinctness and increased variability of Ghanaian plants. Ranks of individuals varied between GSA, GAD and genetic distance. The GAD and GSA ranks correlated strongly with each other but only poorly with the genetic distance‐based ranks. We conclude that GSA and GAD are superior ranking systems to identify individuals most likely to introduce valuable new alleles, whilst genetic distance analysis identifies individuals likely to require least backcrossing.
Effect on time in quarantine of the choice of program for eradication of footrot from 196 sheep flocks in southern New South Wales
Authors: Mills K , McClenaughan P , Morton A , Alley D , Lievaart J , Windsor PA , Egerton JR
Published: January 2012

Objective  To identify and compare programs for eradicating virulent footrot (VFR) chosen by owners of quarantined sheep flocks in southern New South Wales.

Method  Data from 196 sheep flocks in the Wagga Wagga and Young Rural Lands Protection Boards were used to determine the program chosen, the influence of flock size on the program chosen and the effects of the program chosen and the use of contractors on the time in quarantine.

Results  The most popular programs in flocks using a single program were: total destocking (61/173; 35.3%) and inspection and culling of affected animals (71/173; 41.0%). Treatment of known infected animals was chosen in 41 flocks and of those, 10 (5.8%) used antibiotics for treatment and 31 (17.9%) used foot‐bathing. Combined programs were used in 23 flocks and in 10 flocks a change of program occurred before eradication was achieved. The choice of program was, to some extent, affected by flock size, with owners of small flocks (<500 sheep) more likely to destock. The chosen program strongly influenced the time in quarantine, the shortest time being for destocking (mean 284 days), followed by culling of infected sheep (395 days), treatment with antibiotics (433 days) and finally foot‐bathing (502 days). Time in quarantine was significantly shorter when contractors were used.

Conclusion  All the options chosen led to the eradication of VFR. However, in this sample both the choice of program and the use of contractors influenced the time taken to achieve eradication and therefore the time in quarantine. Based on time in quarantine, foot‐bathing was the least desirable option for the eradication of VFR because of the significantly greater time involved, perpetuation of risk to neighbours and increased cost of inspections. These findings were derived from flocks that were quarantined, but they are relevant to all flock owners considering eradication of VFR.
Four forms of ‘offender’ rehabilitation: Towards an interdisciplinary perspective
Authors: McNeill Fergus
Published: January 2012

This paper aims to advance the case for a more fully interdisciplinary understanding of offender rehabilitation, partly as a means of shedding light upon and moving beyond contemporary ‘paradigm conflicts’. It begins with a review of current arguments about what a credible ‘offender’ rehabilitation theory requires and by exploring some aspects of current debates about different theories. It goes on to locate this specific kind of contemporary theory building in the context of historical arguments about and critiques of rehabilitation as a concept and in practice. In the third part of the paper, I explore the nature of the relationship between desistance theories and rehabilitation theories, so as to develop my concluding argument; that is, that debates about psychological rehabilitation have been hampered by a failure to engage fully with debates about at least three other forms of rehabilitation (legal, moral, and social) that emerge as being equally important in the process of desistance from crime.
Extension of Fatigue Exemption Rules in Section VIII, Division 2 Slightly Into the Creep Regime
Authors: Becht Charles , Becht Charles
Published: January 2012

A number of alloys have applications slightly into the creep range that are in cyclic service, such as process reactors. The 2007 edition of Section VIII, Division 2 (2007, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 2, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) provides allowable stresses for these materials, which may be controlled by creep properties. However, the fatigue design rules and fatigue exemption rules are not applicable, precluding the construction of vessels using these materials at temperatures above 370∘C (700∘F). This paper provides a simplified approach for the exemption of low chrome alloys that are slightly into the creep range from fatigue analysis. Part 1 of this paper (Becht, C., 2009, “Elevated Temperature Shakedown Concepts,” ASME J. Pressure Vessel Technol. 133, p. 051203) describes shakedown concepts, which are the basis for the criteria evaluated in this paper.
Flexibility Factors for High Density Polyethylene Elbows
Authors: Scavuzzo Rudolph J. , Papadelis Charles N. , Hall Siegrid
Published: January 2012

A method is proposed to calculate Flexibility Factors for molded and mitered 90 deg polyethylene elbows for both in-plane and out-of-plane loading based on Code Case N-319-3, January 17, 2000. Displacement measurements in the direction of the applied forces were made during the testing of each elbow in addition to measuring the applied forces. By making use of Code Case equations, Flexibility Factors can be directly developed. Appendices to the paper show how these factors can be added to the deformation and rotation equation from curved Euler beam theory. One of the basic assumptions used in the Code Case and in this derivation is that there is no ovalization from torsion. Thus, the Flexibility Factor for the torsional displacement (twisting) of an elbow is one. Results show that an exact solution for Flexibility Factors based on the definition in Section III of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code can be obtained for in-plane loading. However, for out-of-plane loading, the Flexibility Factors are geometry dependent if the values are based on measured elbow deflections. The difference is associated with the contributions of both torsion and bending to elbow deflections.
Vibration Reduction Index of a T-Junction With a Flexible Interlayer
Authors: Alba J. , Escuder E. , Ramis J. , Del Rey R. , Segovia E.G.
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the procedure followed to evaluate the vibration reduction index for T-junctions with inserted flexible elements and proposes new equations to complement the standard EN 12354-1:2000. The experiment described in this work is based on a 1:3 scale model of a T-junction with a flexible interlayer. It was used to obtain a significant reduction in the cost of the configurations under study. We chose to carry out vibration measurements by near-field acoustic holography (NAH) in order to avoid the risk of accelerometer interference. Flanking transmission was determined for different elastic layers with the objective of quantifying the effect of the flexible interlayer and to compare the results obtained with predictive formulas. The results enabled us to propose new equations to complement EN 12354-1:2000 for the reliable prediction of the apparent sound reduction index. The uncertainty associated with the different average velocity levels is determined according to the Guide for the Expression of Uncertainty of Measurement (GUM).
Destruction of Sun-Grazing Comet C/2011 N3 (SOHO) Within the Low Solar Corona
Authors: Schrijver C. J. , Brown J. C. , Battams K. , Saint-Hilaire P. , Liu W. , Hudson H. , Pesnell W. D.
Published: January 2012

Star Grazing

Some comets come perilously close to the Sun.

Schrijver
et al.

(p.
324
; see the Perspective by

Lisse

) describe observations made by the Solar Dynamics Observatory of one such Sun-grazing comet, which penetrated into, fragmented, and completely sublimated within the solar atmosphere. More than 2000 Sun-grazing comets have been observed in the past 15 years but none could be followed into the Sun's atmosphere. By showing that comets can be observed at such small distances from the Sun, this study opens up new ways to study comets and also the solar atmosphere.
What Next for Agriculture After Durban?
Authors: Beddington J. R. , Asaduzzaman M. , Clark M. E. , Fernández Bremauntz A. , Guillou M. D. , Howlett D. J. B. , Jahn M. M. , Lin E. , Mamo T. , Negra C. , Nobre C. A. , Scholes R. J. , Van Bo N. , Wakhungu J.
Published: January 2012

Despite obstacles in the UN climate talks, modest progress and opportunities for scientific input on agriculture arose.
Persistence of Immunogenicity of a Monovalent Influenza Virus A/H1N1 2009 Vaccine in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Lai Yi-Chun , Yang Kuen-Cheh , Hsieh Szu-Min , Yao Chien-An , Lee Long-Teng , Huang Kuo-Chin
Published: January 2012

After WHO declared H1N1 pandemic, global vaccination was carried out immediately after much research. However, the data on long-term immunogenicity were lacking. We aimed to investigate the long-term immunogenicity of different H1N1 vaccine dosage groups 24 weeks after vaccination by a randomized clinical trial. A total of 218 participants were stratified into adult (≤60 years old) and elderly (>60 years old) groups. The adults were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio. The first group received a single dose of vaccine with 15 μg hemagglutination antigen (HA). The other two groups received two doses with 15 μg or 30 μg HA triweekly. The elderly were randomized 1:1 for two doses of 15 or 30 μg HA. We evaluated serologic responses at prevaccination and weeks 3, 6, and 24. We also examined possible associated factors of immunogenicity by multivariate logistic regression analyses. At week 24, seroprotection (anti-HA antibody level ≥ 1:40) remained at 76.8% and 46.2% in the adult and elderly groups, respectively. The adult group had a higher seroprotection rate (odds ratio of 2.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21 to 7.36) than the elderly group. There was no statistical difference in seroprotection and seroconversion rates between different adult and elderly dosage groups. Lower immunogenicity in the elderly than in the adults 24 weeks after the vaccination was observed. However, there was no statistically significant difference among different dose groups. Therefore, we suggest only a single vaccination dose of 15 μg HA for adults and two doses of 15 μg HA for the elderly in the future.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays Based on Neospora caninum Dense Granule Protein 7 and Profilin for Estimating the Stage of Neosporosis
Authors: Hiasa Jun , Nishimura Maki , Itamoto Kazuhito , Xuan Xuenan , Inokuma Hisashi , Nishikawa Yoshifumi
Published: January 2012

Neospora caninumis an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes bovine and canine neosporosis, characterized by fetal abortion and neonatal mortality and by neuromuscular paralysis, respectively. Although many diagnostic methods to detect parasite-specific antibodies or parasite DNA have been reported, to date no effective serodiagnostic techniques for estimating pathological status have been described. Our study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the parasite-specific antibody response, parasite activation, and neurological symptoms caused byN. caninuminfection by using a recombinant antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among experimentally infected mice, anti-N. caninumprofilin (NcPF) antibody was only detected in neurologically symptomatic animals. Parasite numbers within the brains of the symptomatic mice were significantly higher than those in asymptomatic animals. In addition, anti-NcPF and anti-NcGRA7 antibodies were mainly detected at the acute stage in experimentally infected dogs, while anti-NcSAG1 antibody was produced during both acute and chronic stages. Furthermore, among anti-NcSAG1 antibody-positive clinical dogs, the positive rates of anti-NcGRA7 and anti-NcPF antibodies in the neurologically symptomatic dogs were significantly higher than those in the non-neurologically symptomatic animals. Our results suggested that the levels of anti-NcGRA7 and anti-NcPF antibodies reflect parasite activation and neurological symptoms in dogs. In conclusion, antibodies against NcGRA7 and NcPF may have potential as suitable indicators for estimating the pathological status of neosporosis.
Three Cases of Post-Cataract Surgery Endophthalmitis Due to Rhizobium (Agrobacterium) radiobacter
Authors: Moreau-Gaudry Viviane , Chiquet Christophe , Boisset Sandrine , Croize Jacques , Benito Yvonne , Cornut Pierre Loïc , Bron Alain , Vandenesch François , Maurin Max ,   for the French Institutional Endophthalmitis Study (FRIENDS) Group
Published: January 2012

We present three unrelated post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis cases caused by
Rhizobium radiobacter
, hospitalized in three different hospitals. Early diagnosis was obtained in two cases by bacterial DNA detection in vitreous samples. All patients recovered from infection, but pars plana vitrectomy was needed in two patients due to rapid clinical deterioration.
Current Trends in Culture-Based and Molecular Detection of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Harboring and Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Gazin Muriel , Paasch Fabienne , Goossens Herman , Malhotra-Kumar Surbhi
Published: January 2012

The ever-expanding role of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-harboring and carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
in causing serious infections poses a grave public health threat because these organisms also tend to be multidrug resistant, for which very few (if any) antibiotic options remain available. Rapid detection of such panresistant organisms offers one of the best solutions to improve patient screening and hospital infection control practices as well as curb inappropriate antibiotic use. This review discusses and compares primarily the current state-of-the-art culture-based and molecular methods that are commercially available for detection or screening of ESBL-harboring and carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
.
Regulation of CHMP4/ESCRT-III Function in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Budding by CC2D1A
Authors: Usami Yoshiko , Popov Sergei , Weiss Eric R. , Vriesema-Magnuson Christie , Calistri Arianna , Göttlinger Heinrich G.
Published: January 2012

The detachment of human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) virions depends on CHPM4 family members, which are late-acting components of the ESCRT pathway that mediate the cleavage of bud necks from the cytosolic side. We now show that in human cells, CHMP4 proteins are to a considerable extent bound to two high-molecular-weight proteins that we have identified as CC2D1A and CC2D1B. Both proteins bind to the core domain of CHMP4B, which has a strong propensity to polymerize and to inhibit HIV-1 budding. Further mapping showed that CC2D1A binds to an N-terminal hairpin within the CHMP4 core that has been implicated in polymerization. Consistent with a model in which CC2D1A and CC2D1B regulate CHMP4 polymerization, the overexpression of CC2D1A inhibited both the release of wild-type HIV-1 and the CHMP4-dependent rescue of an HIV-1 L domain mutant by exogenous ALIX. Furthermore, small interfering RNA against CC2D1A or CC2D1B increased HIV-1 budding under certain conditions. CC2D1A and CC2D1B possess four
Drosophila melanogaster
14 (DM14) domains, and we demonstrate that these constitute novel CHMP4 binding modules. The DM14 domain that bound most avidly to CHMP4B was by itself sufficient to inhibit the function of ALIX in HIV-1 budding, indicating that the inhibition occurred through CHMP4 sequestration. However, N-terminal fragments of CC2D1A that did not interact with CHMP4B nevertheless retained a significant level of inhibitory activity. Thus, CC2D1A may also affect HIV-1 budding in a CHMP4-independent manner.
Structural Changes in Influenza Virus at Low pH Characterized by Cryo-Electron Tomography
Authors: Fontana Juan , Cardone Giovanni , Heymann J. Bernard , Winkler Dennis C. , Steven Alasdair C.
Published: January 2012

Influenza virus enters host cells by endocytosis. The low pH of endosomes triggers conformational changes in hemagglutinin (HA) that mediate fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes. We have used cryo-electron tomography to visualize influenza A virus at pH 4.9, a condition known to induce fusogenicity. After 30 min, when all virions are in the postfusion state, dramatic changes in morphology are apparent: elongated particles are no longer observed, larger particles representing fused virions appear, the HA spikes become conspicuously disorganized, a layer of M1 matrix protein is no longer resolved on most virions, and the ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) coagulate on the interior surface of the virion. To probe for intermediate states, preparations were imaged after 5 min at pH 4.9. These virions could be classified according to their glycoprotein arrays (organized or disorganized) and whether or not they have a resolved M1 layer. Employing subtomogram averaging, we found, in addition to the neutral-pH state of HA, two intermediate conformations that appear to reflect an outwards movement of the fusion peptide and rearrangement of the HA1 subunits, respectively. These changes are reversible. The tomograms also document pH-induced changes affecting the M1 layer that appear to render the envelope more pliable and hence conducive to fusion. However, it appears desirable for productive infection that fusion should proceed before the RNPs become coagulated with matrix protein, as eventually happens at low pH.
Cytoplasmic Utilization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Genomic RNA Is Not Dependent on a Nuclear Interaction with Gag
Authors: Grewe Bastian , Hoffmann Bianca , Ohs Inga , Blissenbach Maik , Brandt Sabine , Tippler Bettina , Grunwald Thomas , Überla Klaus
Published: January 2012

In some retroviruses, such as Rous sarcoma virus and prototype foamy virus, Gag proteins are known to shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and are implicated in nuclear export of the viral genomic unspliced RNA (gRNA) for subsequent encapsidation. A similar function has been proposed for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag based on the identification of nuclear localization and export signals. However, the ability of HIV-1 Gag to transit through the nucleus has never been confirmed. In addition, the lentiviral Rev protein promotes efficient nuclear gRNA export, and previous reports indicate a cytoplasmic interaction between Gag and gRNA. Therefore, functional effects of HIV-1 Gag on gRNA and its usage were explored. Expression of
gag
in the absence of Rev was not able to increase cytoplasmic gRNA levels of subgenomic, proviral, or lentiviral vector constructs, and gene expression from genomic reporter plasmids could not be induced by Gag provided in
trans
. Furthermore, Gag lacking the reported nuclear localization and export signals was still able to mediate an efficient packaging process. Although small amounts of Gag were detectable in the nuclei of transfected cells, a Crm1-dependent nuclear export signal in Gag could not be confirmed. Thus, our study does not provide any evidence for a nuclear function of HIV-1 Gag. The encapsidation process of HIV-1 therefore clearly differs from that of Rous sarcoma virus and prototype foamy virus.
Study of a tachyonic field and its statefinder diagnostics in various scenarios of the anisotropic universe
Authors: Ranjit Chayan , Chattopadhyay Surajit
Published: January 2012

In the present work, we have considered N-dimensional Einstein field equations in which four-dimensional space–time is described by a Friedmann–Robertson–Walker metric and the extra d-dimensions by an Euclidean metric. By considering the universe to be filled with a tachyonic field we have reconstructed the potential V([Formula: see text]) corresponding to the field reconstructions in an anisotropic universe under emergent – power law, emergent–intermediate, emergent–logamediate, and logamediate–intermediate scenarios. The statefinder parameters have been investigated in all of said scenarios.
SYNTHESIS OF TITANATE/POLYPYRROLE COMPOSITE ROD-LIKE PARTICLES AND THE ROLE OF CONDUCTING POLYMER ON ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL EFFICIENCY
Authors: MRLIK MIROSLAV , PAVLINEK VLADIMIR , CHENG QILIN , SAHA PETR
Published: January 2012

In this paper, we study the preparation of titanate/polypyrrole core-shell rod-like composite particles. The mere titanate rod-like particles were prepared as core material and PPy was polymerized on their surface in different amounts. Rheological measurements showed that under an applied external electric field, shear stress of these materials significantly increased with amount of PPy in the shell layer. The yield stresses obtained from the Cho-Choi-Jhon model were correlated with dielectric properties of suspensions. Polarizability as a measure of particle polarization obtained from Havriliak–Negami model of dielectric spectra increases with the content of PPy in the samples. Furthermore, role of particle concentration and silicone oil viscosity was also investigated.
MAGNETIC FIELD DEPENDENCE OF ENTROPY AND SPECIFIC HEAT OF YBa2Cu3O7-δ SUPERCONDUCTORS
Authors: KALTA B. , NAYAK P. , NANDA K. K.
Published: January 2012

The change in thermodynamic quantities (e.g., entropy, specific heat etc.) by the application of magnetic field in the case of the high-Tc superconductor YBCO system is examined phenomenological by the Ginzburg–Landau theory of anisotropic type-II superconductors. An expression for the change in the entropy (ΔS) and change in specific heat (ΔC) in a magnetic field for any general orientation of an applied magnetic field Ba with respect to the crystallographic c-axis is obtained. The observed large reduction of specific heat anomaly just below the superconducting transition and the observed variation of entropy with magnetic field are explained quantitatively.
PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF THE RELATIVISTIC SHOCK WAVES IN GRBs: THE CASE OF 30 GRBs
Authors: SIMIĆ SAŠA , Č. POPOVIĆ LUKA
Published: January 2012

Using the modified internal shock wave model, we fit the gamma ray burst (GRB) light and spectral curves of 30 GRBs observed with BATSE. From the best fitting, we obtain basic parameters of the relativistic shells which are in good agreement with predictions given earlier. We compare measured GRB parameters with those obtained from the model and discuss connections between them in the frame of the physical processes laying behind GRB events.