bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimality Conditions and Duality for Nonsmooth Multiobjective Continuous-Time Problems
Authors: Nobakhtian S. , R. Pouryayevali M.
Published: November 2012

In this chapter we present some classes of nonsmooth continuous-time problems.
Optimality conditions under certain structure of generalized convexity are derived for
these classes. Subsequently, two dual models are formulated and weak and strong
duality theorems are established.
Oscillation of partial difference equations with deviating arguments
Authors: J. Y. Wong Patricia
Published: November 2012

Full text available.
Partial difference equations and their application in systems theory
Authors: Gregor Jifri , Hekrdla Josef
Published: November 2012

This paper is a survey of basic results of the theory of partial difference equations (PDE's) and its application in multi dimensional systems theory. Existence and uniqueness theorems of solutions of initial value problems, some boundary value problems, fundamental solutions for linear PDE's are presented. Most results are extended to systems of linear PDE's. Recursive solutions play an important role not only in these theorems but can also be used to fnd grow the estimates and formulate further qualitative properties of PDE's. Application of these results to input output relations of linear multidimensional systems (called also nD-systems) enables to introduce concepts analogous to time invariane, ausality, weight functions, impulse response and similar ones, well known from (one dimensional) systems theory. In this paper fundamental results concerning some PDE are described. Some generalizations of earlier published results are introduced.
Sleep Testing and Monitoring
Authors: Kumar S. Budur
Published: November 2012

Sleep testing has evolved over the years and today sleep testing is considered among some of the most sophisticated medical testing modalities. Although the most common sleep test used today is diagnostic polysomnogram, which is generally employed to diagnose sleep apnea, sleep testing today is much more than just-a-tool to diagnose sleep disordered breathing. Various sophisticated tests, with highly standardized processes and technologies, in association with precise diagnostic criteria backed by extensive scientific data, are conducted every day in various sleep centers across the country and the world. The fast pace of technological advancements in this field continues to provide new breakthroughs in the acquisition of various sleep-related physiological variables every day.

Although a nocturnal polysomnogram (PSG) is often used synonymously with the term “sleep test“, well-staffed and competent sleep centers are capable of performing a wide array of sleep studies, including: diagnostic PSGs (typically to diagnose sleep apnea), titration studies (e.g., to obtain optimal positive airway pressure setting to treat sleep apnea), PSGs with extended EEG montages (e.g., to diagnose co-existent seizures), PSGs with extended limb leads and video monitoring (e.g., to diagnose REM sleep behavior disorder, etc), nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT, to diagnose erectile impotence), actigraphy tests, etc.
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
Authors: Stephen W. Littleton  , Babak Mokhlesi
Published: November 2012

Obesity Hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is defined as the triad of obesity, daytime hypoventilation, and sleep disordered breathing in the absence of an alternative explanation for hypoventilation. Among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), those who are more obese and have more severe OSA are more likely to have the syndrome. It is unclear why some patients with OSA develop OHS and others do not. It is important to identify the syndrome early, as these patients may have a significantly increased risk of mortality if left untreated. The authors describe current understanding of the pathogenesis of the disorder and optimal treatment modalities.
Insomnia
Authors: Lina Fine  , Boris Dubrovsky  , Arthur J. Spielman
Published: November 2012

Insomnia is a common health complaint that produces a significant impairment in quality of life and involves difficulty in initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, waking too early, non-restorative sleep, and daytime functional deficits. Insomnia is associated with a disturbance in one or more of the three systems that regulate sleep: homeostatic, circadian and arousal. A disturbance may result from genetic/dispositional issues, from acute life events, from habitual behaviors and attitudes, or from any combination of these three types of issues. A number of treatment methods have been developed that use behavior modification and cognitive restructuring to facilitate homeostatic and circadian mechanisms of sleep, and to reduce arousal during bedtime. These methods actively engage the patient to implement life style changes, attitudes and beliefs that promote sleep.
Sleep and Cardiovascular Disorders
Authors: J. Shirine Allam
Published: November 2012

Sleep has always been associated with the overall concept of health. Over the past decades, the association between sleep and cardiovascular diseases has been emerging. Several sleep disorders are now known to be associated with cardiovascular disease. One of the most notorious associations is with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA has been linked to a higher incidence of hypertension, with up to 50% of patients with OSA having an elevated blood pressure. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment has been shown to improve blood pressure. The pathogenesis of hypertension in OSA is related to the sympathetic nervous system activation (SNA) that occurs following each apneic episode and that requires the presence of intermittent hypoxia. OSA is similarly linked to an increased risk of cardiac ischemia as well as congestive heart failure.

Treatment with CPAP can improve cardiovascular mortality and left ventricular ejection fraction. OSA is also associated with arrhythmias and strokes. Central sleep apnea and Cheyne Stokes respiration have been described in patients with congestive heart failure and their presence could lead to a worse prognosis. CPAP treatment improves ejection fraction but the effect on mortality has not been proven. Other sleep disorders are linked to increased cardiovascular risk. These include insomnia, short and long sleep duration, circadian rhythm disorders and possibly restless leg syndrome. Sympathetic activation in the form of elevated norepinephrine levels has been documented in patients with OSA. Other markers studied include inflammatory markers and markers of oxidative stress. Although a lot of progress has been made, a specific molecular signature for OSA is yet to be found.
Pediatric Sleep Issues
Authors: Paul R. Carney  , Sachin S. Talathi  , James D. Geyer
Published: November 2012

Pediatric sleep disorders are quite common and often disturbing to either the patient or the child's family. As the patient matures into adult, sleep disorders continue to be common and an important factor in development, both social and cognitive. Sleep disorders can adversely impact physical and mental health. Nonrestorative sleep can hamper a child's ability to concentrate and control emotions and behavior. Sleep disorders vary among age groups, but most can occur with varying frequency at any age.

Several disorders are typically seen only during the first few years of life, including colic, excessive nighttime feedings, and sleep onset association disorder. A number of conditions are common during childhood but begin to improve as the child ages. The non-REM sleep parasomnias, including sleepwalking, confusional arousals, and night terrors, are the most common in the pediatric category. Nightmares are also common in childhood but can occur at any age.

Sleep-related breathing disorders including obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome, and Cheyne-Stokes respirations are not found only in adults but are, in fact, quite common in the pediatric population. While these disorders can occur at any age, treatment options vary substantially by age.
Noise Reduction
Authors: Bosco A. , Rizzo R.
Published: November 2012

Among the many factors contributing to image quality degradation, noise is one of the
most recurrent and difficult elements to deal with. Smart filters capable to remove noise without
affecting the tiny details of a digital image are of primary importance to produce pleasant pictures.
Different noise sources, having different characteristics, are superimposed to the image signal;
consequently, the design of effective filters capable to discriminate and remove unwanted signal
from useful data, requires analysis and understanding of the whole image formation process. This
Chapter is devoted to the analysis of the main noise sources that contaminate the ideal image
signal, providing an overview of noise estimation and filtering techniques.
Image Categorization
Authors: M. Farinella G. , Ravi D.
Published: November 2012

Vision is perhaps the most important sense for humans. Among the different complex
tasks accomplished by the Human Visual System, the categorization is a fundamental process that
allows humans to effectively interpret their surroundings efficiently and rapidly. Computer Vision
researchers are increasingly using algorithms from Machine Learning to build robust and reusable
machine vision systems that act taking into account the visual content of images. Since learning
is a key component of biological vision systems, the design of artificial vision systems that learn
and adapt represent one of the most important trend in modern Computer Vision research. Despite
the advances in the context of single sensor imaging devices, this technology is still quite far
from the ability of automatically categorize and exploit the visual content of the scene during (or
after) acquisition time. Different constraints should be considered in order to transfer the ability
of inferring the category of a scene in imaging devices domain. Indeed, these devices have limited
resources in terms of memory and computational power, and the image data format change over
time through the imaging pipeline (i.e., from Bayer Pattern at acquisition time to JPEG format
after acquisition time). This Chapter presents Computer Vision and Machine Learning techniques
within the application contexts of scene recognition and red-eye detection. The techniques introduced
here could be used in building complex imaging pipeline in which image categorization
(e.g., scene recognition, red-eye detection) is exploited to drive other tasks (e.g., white balance,
red eye removal).
Electron Microscopy of Mammalian Oocyte Development, Maturation and Fertilization
Authors: Hyttel Poul
Published: November 2012

The ultrastructure of the oocyte and zygote reveals in great details the processes of oocyte growth,
maturation and fertilization. In this Chapter these details are addressed in cattle in comparison with pig, horse, fox,
mouse and man. In the growing oocyte a variety of common and oocyte-specific organelles and inclusions are build
up resulting in the complex ultrastructure of the oocyte; one of the largest cells of the mammalian body. During
development, the oocyte is surrounded by cumulus cells of which the innermost establish gap junctions with the
oolemma. However, when oocyte maturation is initiated and meiosis resumed, this intimate contact is broken and
the cytoplasm of the oocyte is restructured towards a more independent fate allowing for cytoplasmic oocyte
maturation. As one important aspect, cortical granules migrate to solitary positions along the oolemma immediately
prior to ovulation. The fertilizing spermatozoon completes acrosome reaction on the surface of the zona pellucida,
penetrates the zona, and fuses with the oolemma at the equatorial segment. Consequently, the oocyte is activated
resulting in exocytosis of the cortical granules, establishing the block against polyspermic fertilization, and in
resumption of meiosis from metaphase II. The maternal and paternal chromatin is gradually surrounded by nuclear
envelope developed from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum to form pronuclei that later swell to their typical
spherical shape. Later, the pronuclei appose each other, the nuclear envelopes are dissolved, and the maternal and
paternal chromosomes are arranged in the center of the zygote forming the metaphase of the first mitosis.
Genomic Regulation through RNA in Oocyte Maturation of Large Mammals
Authors: Sirard Marc-Andre
Published: November 2012

The oocyte is a unique cell amongst the 212 cell types that makes an individual. This cell does not
divide until it resumes meiosis and remains in a special chromatin status during the dictiate stage of the prophase
from oocyte formation in the gonad in the female fetus until it dies through apoptosis or proceeds to ovulation.
This status requires unique features to allow transcription to be active during oocyte growth and an automatic
pilot system to drive the transition from tetraploidy to haploidy during maturation and fertilization and back to
diploidy, all this in a few days in large mammals. Therefore, the regulatory program for all the transformations
required for chromosome separation, cell cycle progression, response to sperm entry, and embryonic genome
activation must be stored in the oocyte prior to ovarian release or even prior to final chromatin condensation as it
inhibits further transcription. The data related to gene regulation during this period is limited for two main
reasons: limited amount of material to study in mammals and differences with somatic tissues where gene
pathways are much better characterized. Nevertheless, using the genomic amplification approaches and the
increasing amount of information in somatic tissues and in oocytes from lower species, it is becoming possible to
study this automatic pilot system that drives the mammalian oocyte through maturation-fertilization and
embryonic genome activation. This chapter will focus on the progression of our understanding of the oocyte using
proteomic and transcriptomic tools.
Meiotic Regulation by Maturation Promoting Factor and Cytostatic Factor in the Oocyte
Authors: Luigi Russo Gian , Bilotto Stefania , Silvestre Francesco
Published: November 2012

In most of vertebrates, mature oocytes arrest at the metaphase of the II meiotic division, while some
invertebrates arrest at metaphase-I, others at prophase-I. Fertilization induces completion of meiosis and entry
into the first mitotic division. Several experimental models have been considered from both vertebrates and
invertebrates in order to shed light on the peculiar aspects of meiotic division, such as the regulation of the
cytostatic factor (CSF) and the maturation promoting factor (MPF) in metaphase I or II. Here, we reviewed the
role of CSF and MPF and their biochemical pathways in regulating meiosis completion. Differences and
similarities existing within several model systems of invertebrates, such as ascidians, cnidarians, mollusks,
starfish, will be analyzed and compared to meiotic regulation in Xenopus. Data will be analyzed at the light of the
phylogenetic conservation of MPF and CSF functions, accordingly to the position of these organisms in the
evolutionary tree.
Recent Advances in the Understanding of the Molecular Effectors of Mammalian Egg Activation
Authors: Malcuit Christopher , A. Fissore Rafael
Published: November 2012

Fertilization is the process by which male and female gametes, and their respective haploid genomes,
fuse to form a single cell (the zygote) containing a complete diploid complement of genetic material
representative of each parent. The male gamete, the sperm, transduces an activation stimulus to the awaiting
female gamete, the egg (also, oocyte or ova), initiating a cascade of events collectively referred to as egg
activation. The mechanisms of this process are both complex and tightly coordinated in order to impart a high
level of fidelity necessary for initiation of embryonic development and propagation of the species. Although
mechanistic discrepancies of this event exist even between species of the same phyla, calcium is the predominant
driving force of egg activation in all species studied to date, and is responsible for promoting the resumption and
exit of meiosis and the initiation of the developmental program. This chapter will focus on recent discoveries of
the molecular mechanisms of egg activation with specific regard to the regulation of calcium signaling as it
appears in the oscillatory mammalian system.
miRNAs in Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Authors: Wang Zhiguo
Published: November 2012

This chapter aims to discuss the regulation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis by miRNAs. Apoptosis is an
active process that leads to cell death. Unlike necrosis, apoptosis is a complex endogenous gene-controlled event
that requires an exogenous signal–stimulated or inhibited by a variety of regulatory factors, such as formation of
oxygen free radicals, ischemia, hypoxia, reduced intracellular K+ concentration, and generation of nitric oxide.
Apoptosis has been implicated in a variety of human disease including heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer,
etc. To date, no less than 30 individual miRNAs are known to regulate apoptosis. The number in the list is
expected to expand quickly with more studies. A number of miRNAs including miR-1, miR-29, and miR-320 are
considered proapoptotic miRNAs. The miRNAs identified to date possessing antiapoptotic action include miR-
133, miR-21 and miR-199a. In addition, miR-21 has also been shown to produce proproliferative and antiapoptotic
effects in vascular smooth muscle cells. This chapter provides detailed description of these individual
miRNAs for their role in cardiomyocyte apoptosis
miRNAs in Cardiac Metabolism
Authors: Wang Zhiguo
Published: November 2012

This chapter aims to provide an implicit introduction to the role of miRNAs in regulating cardiac
metabolism. The homeostasis of glucose, lipid, protein, and energy, which is critical for normal cardiovascular
function, is maintained by cellular metabolism. Metabolic perturbation occurs in various types of cardiac disease,
including myocardial ischemia, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, diabetic cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, etc.
The depletion of high-energy-phosphate metabolites may contribute to heart failure, and a decreased PCr/ATP
ratio has been found in cardiac muscle of heart failure patients and animal models of heart failure. A major
determinant of glycolytic flux is glucose transport; glucose enters cardiac cells via the facilitative glucose
transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4. Several miRNAs have been demonstrated to produce regulatory effects on
GLUT4, cellular ATP level, and the pleiotropic factor IGF-1. A succinct summary on these studies is given in this
chapter.
Challenges In Stellar Pulsation
Authors: A. Balona L.
Published: November 2012

Ever since some stars were found to pulsate in the early 20th century, stellar pulsation has been a major topic in astronomy and astrophysics. The huge amount of data recently available from observational surveys, new discoveries from space missions and studies of pulsating stars in low-metallicity environments have opened new perspectives and challenges. Nevertheless, progress in finding the holy grail of stellar pulsation - the use of pulsation to study stellar interiors (asteroseismology) - has been slow. The realization that a problem exists with the current stellar opacities is a major setback. CURRENT CHALLENGES IN STELLAR PULSATION describes the search for solutions to these problems over the last few years. It summarizes recent research in all fields of stellar pulsation, providing valuable guidelines to both students and researchers in the field.
Solar-like oscillations in stars
Authors: Luis A. Balona
Published: November 2012

The theory of stochastically driven oscillations usually predicts amplitudes which are smaller than actually observed. This could be due to the adoption of an incorrect distribution of the eddy time correlation. Predictions of the amplitudes, frequencies and mode lifetimes are usually made on the basis of scaling relations based on the Sun and are only crude approximations. The modes have short lifetimes and relatively high frequencies, which means that the asymptotic approximation is generally a good description. Since rotation is low, these are ideal stars for asteroseismology. About 40 stars of this type have been identi ed from ground-based high precision radial velocities. In most cases only a hump of excess power is seen in the frequency spectrum, but the large and small separations can sometimes be determined. In some cases there is no agreement in frequencies between di erent observation sets. High precision photometric observations from space are rapidly changing the situation, but problems exist even here. Red giants have the largest solar-like oscillation amplitudes, but the frequencies may not be in the asymptotic region. The modes are not well resolved due to the short lifetimes. Future progress for solar-like oscillations is likely to rest almost entirely on space observations. Recent space observations have conclusively demonstrated that the the pulsations in red giants are indeed global eigenfrequencies.
MIMO Transmit Diversity: Theoretical Analyses and Practical Applications
Authors: Mao Jian , Xiao Pei , Lin Zihuai
Published: November 2012

In this chapter, we study transmit diversity scheme employed in multipleinput,
multiple-output (MIMO) systems and analyze its performance theoretically in
random fading channels under different conditions, e.g. with and without spatial correlations,
with and without transmit antenna selection. The transmit diversity scheme
in its original form does not take the frequency selectivity of the channel into account,
therefore it has to be modified in order to be applicable for real life applications. To
this end, we introduce two solutions to combat the intersymbol interference caused by
frequency selective channels and in the meantime, exploit the spatial and multi-path diversities
with simple linear processing at the receiver. We aim at providing readers with
a comprehensive view on different aspects of MIMO transmit diversity and a practical
guideline on how to design a wireless communication system with transmit diversity.
Performance of Linear Diversity with Multiple Antenna Techniques in OFDM Systems
Authors: Peng Mugen , Song Xiaoshi , Wang Wenbo , Zhang Jie , Chen Hsiao-Hwa
Published: November 2012

The multiple antenna techniques can be used to increase transmission data rates through multiplexing or to improve the transmission quality through diversity. When multiple antennas are utilized in OFDM systems, models such as SISO-OFDM, SIMO-OFDM, MISOOFDM, and MIMO-OFDM are formed and their performances are strictly related to linear diversity. For the transmit linear diversity, schemes such as Delay Diversity (DD), Cyclic Delay Diversity (CDD), Alamouti and phase based precoding are analyzed for MISO-OFDM systems in this chapter. While in the single-stream and multi-stream MIMO-OFDM systems, linear receive diversity techniques such as maximal ratio combing (MRC), minimum mean square error (MMSE) and MMSE-SIC (successive interference cancellation) are introduced and discussed. Simulation results show that the OFDM system configuring with the linear diversity scheme achieves a great improvement.
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC)
Authors: AT Gomes Tania , Gonzalez-Pedrajo Bertha
Published: November 2012

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) comprise two groups of distinct organisms classified as
typical EPEC (tEPEC) and atypical EPEC (aEPEC). tEPEC were leading infantile diarrheal agents in developing
countries, whereas aEPEC prevailed in developed countries. Nowadays, tEPEC are less frequent while aEPEC are
emerging enteropathogens of children and adults (including HIV-infected patients) in developing countries.
EPEC infections can lead to severe secretory acute and persistent diarrheal diseases. Both EPEC groups contain
the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), which encodes a Type Three Secretion System and various effector
proteins that alter several signaling mechanisms of intestinal cells, leading to the development of attaching and
effacing (A/E) lesions. The distinction between tEPEC and aEPEC strains is based on the expression of the
bundle-forming pilus (BFP) adhesive-structure, which is restricted to tEPEC. Both EPEC groups lack the Shiga
toxin genes of another A/E lesion-producing pathogen, enterohemorrhagic E. coli. aEPEC are much more
heterogeneous than tEPEC in terms of phenotypic characteristics and virulence determinants. Humans are the
only reservoir of tEPEC, whereas aEPEC strains may be found in humans and diverse animal species. Diagnosis
is currently performed in research laboratories that use molecular methods to detect specific virulence properties
that distinguish tEPEC from aEPEC strains. Antibiotics are indicated to treat more severe or persistent diarrheal
cases, but resistance has been detected worldwide. Prophylactic measures are common to other diarrheal
infections and vaccines based on surface or secreted proteins that were shown to induce antibodies (IgG and
SIgA) responses in endemic areas are under development.
Host Responses to Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Ibarra Cristina , Palermo Marina
Published: November 2012

Pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, including enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterohemorrhagic
E. coli (EHEC), and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), are responsible for a broad spectrum of diseases, which
include local (intestinal) and systemic syndromes. In particular, infection with EHEC strains is also the leading
cause of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a systemic complication that affects to 5-10 % of EHEC infected
children. These extracellular bacteria have the ability to intimately attach to the intestinal epithelium, flatten
absorptive microvilli (effacement), and cause intestinal damage characterized by cellular necrosis, disruption of
the epithelium, diarrhea and occasionally bleeding. The induction of these lesions depends on a type III secretion
system (T3SS) encoded within the loci of enterocyte effacement (LEE). In case of EHEC strains, the expression
of Shiga toxins (Stx) is one of the major pathogenic factors, which can modulate the severity of the intestinal
damage, but also is responsible for HUS development. In thischapter we present and discuss new data helping to
understand the role of Stx and the other bacterial pathogenic factors, as well as the involvement of host responses,
in the evolution from gastrointestinal disease to systemic HUS complication.
Structural Biology of Fungal Multicopper Oxidases
Authors: J. Enguita Francisco
Published: November 2012

Copper containing proteins are widespread in nature, ranging from humans to simple prokaryotes.
They are involved in several functions related with copper homeostasis, transport and energy metabolism.
Multicopper oxidases are a well characterized group of copper-containing proteins, characterized by their ability
to employ the redox properties of the copper atoms to catalyze substrate oxidations. The multicopper oxidases
have been classified in three distinct families according to their fold and properties: (I) nitrite reductase-type, (II)
laccase-type and (III) ceruloplasmin-type. In fungi, multicopper oxidases showed versatile metabolic properties,
being involved in reactions such as polymerization of phenolic acids to constitute lignin, and the oxidative
degradation of xenobiotic compounds. In this review we will analyze in detail the structural properties of two
main groups of fungal multicopper oxidases, laccases and tyrosinases, in order to establish solid structure-activity
relationships among all their members. Structural features of multicopper oxidases from fungal origin will be also
related with the substrate specificity of the enzymes and their possible applications in biotechnological processes.
Causality - When do we have Sufficient Evidence to Mark a Risk Factor for Prophylactic Purposes Against Cardiovascular Disease?
Authors: Haheim Lise  L.
Published: November 2012

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now considered to be a multi causal disease.
Numerous studies have focused on major risk factors as hypertension, smoking, cholesterol,
genes, biomarkers, sex, and family history. Yet they do not explain all CVD events and the
associated patophysiology. Mounting evidence is being published on the association of oral
infections, periodontal infections in particular, to the disease processes of the cardiovascular
system leading to myocardial infarction, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases. Different
causal pathways are being explored. The question arises as to when we have sufficient
evidence of causality to mark a factor amenable to prophylactic measures against
cardiovascular disease. Causality is the term for studying the association between different
factors and the development of a disease or health condition and the disease occurrence and
its trends. Causal inference involves making conclusions from current knowledge. Which
theoretical framework is available when studying disease and risk factors? Causality is
discussed in the context of epidemiology, statistics, philosophy, and evidence based
medicine.
Economic Impacts of Expanded Woody Biomass Utilization for Electric Power Generation in Florida
Authors: W. Hodges Alan , J. Stevens Thomas , Rahmani Mohammad
Published: November 2012

This chapter evaluates the potential impacts on the Florida economy of substituting woody biomass
fuels for fossil fuels to generate electricity. The analysis uses a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model
coupled to an Input-Output/Social Accounting Matrix (IO/SAM), representing the Florida economy in 2007. At a
biomass supply of 40 million tons (green basis), representing approximately 13 percent of the energy needs for
current electric generation in Florida, GDP would increase 0.32 percent (US$2.2 billion) above the current level.
The forestry sector output would increase 69 percent above the base to meet new demands for woody biomass
fuels, while the electric power sector output would decrease 0.33 percent and the forest products manufacturing
sector output would decrease 6.7 percent due to higher costs for woody biomass fuels. Prices for timber would
increase by up to 43 percent if the economic model were modified to limit capital investment and disaggregate
timber production and logging/forestry support services. Annual imports of fossil fuels would decrease 2.5
percent ($1.14 billion). The policies and incentives for bioenergy development could have an overall positive
impact on Florida's economy. Overall, the forestry sector would benefit from increased demand and prices.
Subject Index
Authors: Schmitz Andrew , Wilson Norbert , Moss Charles , Zilberman David
Published: November 2012

Full Text Available.
Consumer Knowledge of Animal Welfare Standards
Authors: Vecchio Riccardo , Annunziata Azzurra
Published: November 2012

European Union (EU) directives identify specific quality and quantity characteristics of the spaces
where animals are kept and detailed breeder behaviour aimed at minimizing animal suffering. The development
of European legislation over the years has been characterized by broadening of the scope of action and by an
increase in the number of species covered by definitive rules. However, while EU legislation has progressively
focused on granting animals better possibilities to express their behavioural repertoire, recent analysis shows that
consumer knowledge of animal welfare compulsory standards is still quite limited. This is particularly true for the
farming conditions of layer hens even though animal welfare in poultry production systems in the EU has
received great legislative attention. Drawing on the results of a direct survey on 300 Italian food shoppers, our
research analyzes consumer knowledge of the welfare standards of laying hens. Our findings show that, although
the majority of the sample (79%) expressed concern on hen husbandry systems, 67% of respondents were
unaware of the current mandatory labelling system for eggs. Through cluster analysis three segments were found:
the inactive consumer cluster (39%) that groups respondents claiming not to take animal welfare into account in
their food purchasing decisions, the so-called conflicted consumer cluster (48%) including individuals that are
reluctant to accept responsibility for animal welfare through their demand for animal-friendly food products, and
the ethically competent consumer cluster (13%) consisting of respondents very concerned about animal welfare.
Our findings highlight important market opportunities and policy implications.
Measuring Labor Productivity and Market Viability of Rural Tourism Activities in Japan
Authors: Ohe Yasuo
Published: November 2012

This paper evaluated diversified rural tourism activities from the perspectives of economic viability and
endogenous utilization of rural resources and investigated labour productivity of eight rural tourism activities. First, we
presented a conceptual framework on how to evaluate economic viability and the endogenous mobilization of rural
resources. Second, we empirically evaluated economic viability, the supply shift effect of endogenous utilization of
rural resources and labour productivity with regard to rural tourism. The main findings are as follows. First,
examination of the three main activities, i.e. accommodation, restaurant operation and direct selling of farm products,
showed that both full-time and part-time labour input contributed more effectively to better annual sales in those three
activities than in the other activities examined, such as farm experience services. This means that those activities are
viable whereas activities that provide farming experience services did not show evidence of a viable farm business.
Second, we could not confirm the supply shift effect of endogenous innovative use of rural resources. Overall, we
found that rural tourism in this country is undersupplied at a social optimal level. In the long run, institutional
conditions for market formation and management skills for endogenous innovation in utilization of rural resources
should be more intensely developed as a part of rural resource management policy.
Revisiting Water and Hominin Evolution
Authors: Phillip V. Tobias
Published: November 2012

For many investigators, the rôle of water in the evolution of the Hominini refers to the development of a number of anatomical and physiological features, which hominins are thought to share with water-adapted animals. However, in the last dozen years, there has been emphasis on other ways in which water, and the proximity to water, have been probable influences in hominin evolution. This chapter reviews each of five ways in which water has influenced or might have affected human evolution. This pentapartite analysis singles out water for drinking, for keeping cool, for global dispersal, as a basis for aquatic adaptations and for the ingesting of aquatic foods. In contrast with the heavy, earth-bound view of hominin evolution, which has predominated hitherto, an appeal is made here for students of hominin evolution to buoy up, lighten and leaven their strategy by adopting a far greater emphasis upon the role of water and waterways in hominin phylogeny, diversification, and dispersal from one water-girt milieu to others. Some evidence is adduced to show the value and potential of this course of action.
Early Hominoids: Orthograde Aquarboreals in Flooded Forests?
Authors: Marc Verhaegen  , Stephen Munro  , Pierre-Francois Puech  , Mario Vaneechoutte
Published: November 2012

The great (orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees) and lesser apes (siamangs and gibbons) are significantly different to monkeys, yet the evolution of the apes is rarely discussed in detail, especially from a human evolutionary perspective. Assuming that the early primates were arboreal and that human ancestors were semi-aquatic, human predecessors in the intermediary phase must have been aquarboreal, i.e., spent significant time in both trees (Latin arbor) and water (Latin aqua). Here we describe a number of independent indications that early apes – possibly as early as 20 Ma (million years ago) – were vertical aquarboreal frugi-omnivores in swamp forests.

Apes differ from monkeys in having a below-branch locomotion, with larger and broader bodies and thoraxes, very long arms that can easily be extended above the head, and tail loss. Whereas most mammals and monkeys predominantly move pronogradely (with horizontal spine and trunk), the remarkably humanlike lumbar vertebra of Morotopithecus suggests that by about 20 Ma the early apes were already orthograde (with a generally vertical spine). According to the palaeo-environmental data, the fossils of Mio-Pliocene apes typically lay in coastal and swamp forest sediments around the Tethys Sea (the ancient Mediterranean Sea). The Miocene (23.0 to 5.3 Ma) and the Pliocene (5.3 to 2.6 Ma) epochs were generally hotter and wetter than the Pleistocene Ice Ages (2.6 to 0.01 Ma). Recently, the highest population densities of orangutans as well as gorillas have been discovered in extremely hot and wet swamp forests.

Since all great apes can make and use tools, and most fossil great apes had thick enamel, the ancestral great ape diet in flooded forests might have included durophagy of hard-shelled foods (e.g., palm nuts or molluscs). Locomotor requirements for flooded forest dwelling could arguably have included a bigger body with vertical climbing abilities, including with arms overhead and arm-hanging. Lowland gorillas employ an orthograde posture and locomotion when they climb, wade through shallow swamps, and sit and feed in shallow water.
Seafood, Diving, Song and Speech
Authors: Mario Vaneechoutte  , Stephen Munro  , Marc Verhaegen
Published: November 2012

In this paper we present comparative data, suggesting that the various elements of human speech evolved at different times, and originally had different functions. Recent work by Nishimura [1-6] shows that what is commonly known as the laryngeal descent actually evolved in a mosaic way in minimally two steps: (a) a descent of the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple) relative to the hyoid (tongue bone), a descent which is also seen in non-human hominoids, and (b) a descent of the hyoid bone relative to the palate, which is less obvious in non-human hominoids, and which is accentuated by the absence of prognathism in the short and flat human face. Comparisons with other animals suggest that (a) the first descent might be associated with loud and/or varied sound production, and that (b) the second might be part of an adaptation to eating seafoods such as shell fish, which can be sucked into the mouth and swallowed without chewing, even under water. We argue that the origin of human speech is based on different pre-adaptations that were present in human ancestors, such as (a) sound production adaptations related to the descent of the thyroid cartilage associated with the territorial calls of apes, (b) transformation of the oral and dentitional anatomy including the descent of the hyoid, associated with reduced biting and chewing, and (c) diving adaptations, leading to voluntary control of the airway entrances and voluntary breath control. Whereas chimpanzee ancestors became frugivores in tropical forests after they split from human ancestors about 5 Ma (million years ago), human ancestors became littoral omnivores. This might help explain why chimpanzees did not evolve language skills, why human language is a relatively recent phenomenon, and why it is so strongly dependent upon the availability of voluntary breath control, not seen in other hominoids, but clearly present in diving mammals.
Chemically Induced Experimental Models of Absence Epilepsy
Authors: Aker Rezzan Gulhan , Onat Filiz Yilmaz , Kinay Demet
Published: November 2012

Absence epilepsy is a group of syndromes with generalized non-convulsive seizures that are characterized by synchronous spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) on the electroencephalogram (EEG). Animal models of absence epilepsy generally mimic this non-convulsive type of the absence seizure with SWDs on the EEG. In the literature, there are several experimental in vitro and in vivo models of the absence epilepsy displaying the spike-and-wave activity induced by different approaches (electrical, chemical, genetic manipulations). All these models have provided valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and treatment of the disease. The aim of this chapter is to review commonly used in vivo animal models of absence seizures that are induced by the administration of chemicals. In these chemical models, SWD activity is induced in an otherwise normal brain.
References
Authors: V. Arabadzhi Vladimir
Published: November 2012

Full text available.
Counteracting Dominant Discourses: Using Poststructuralist Theory to Bring about Change
Authors: Davies Bronwyn , Laws Cath
Published: November 2012

As detailed in Chapter 1, Researching special schools: a poststructuralist approach, this
work explores the capacity to apply poststructuralism, in theory and in practice, in a setting where other
discourses are dominant. I focus on my own work as principal in the context of a special education
school where I worked with students categorised as ‘emotionally/behaviourally disordered’. I analyse
the discourses that inform this kind of work, both from the position of one who inevitably took them up,
even becoming expert in them, and from a Foucauldian position of critique which sets out to render
these discourses less able to be taken up.

By working in a poststructuralist framework, this chapter explores how there might be moments when
students and staff at the special school are able to recognise students and themselves as already subjected
and as having the kind of power that comes from that subjection. I examine the ways agency derives both
from reading discursive practices ‘correctly’ and against the grain. These strategies contain the
possibilities of resistance and of taking up positions other than those made inevitable within dominant
discourses. The possibilities are explored in the context of students’ everyday lives, at the special school,
playing sport and away on camps. Finally, I discuss both the binds and the possibilities of agency.
Index
Authors: Davies Bronwyn , Laws Cath
Published: November 2012

Full text available
Association Between Urinary Markers of Nucleic Acid Oxidation and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Broedbaek Kasper , Siersma Volkert , Henriksen Trine , Weimann Allan , Petersen Morten , Andersen Jon T. , Jimenez-Solem Espen , Hansen Lars J. , Henriksen Jan Erik , Bonnema Steen J. , de Fine Olivarius Niels , Poulsen Henrik E.
Published: November 2012

OBJECTIVE

We recently showed that RNA oxidation, estimated by urinary excretion of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo), independently predicted mortality in a cohort of 1,381 treatment-naive patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. In the present investigation, we analyzed urine collected 6 years after the diagnosis to assess the association between urinary markers of nucleic acid oxidation and mortality in patients with established and treated diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used data from the 970 patients who attended the screening for diabetes complications 6 years after the diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the relationship between urinary markers of DNA oxidation (8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine [8-oxodG] [n = 938]) and RNA oxidation (8-oxoGuo [n = 936]) and mortality.

RESULTS

During a median of 9.8 years of follow-up, 654 patients died. Urinary 8-oxoGuo assessed 6 years after the diagnosis was significantly associated with mortality. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause and diabetes-related mortality of patients with 8-oxoGuo levels in the highest quartile compared with those in the lowest quartile were 1.86 (95% CI 1.34–2.58) and 1.72 (1.11–2.66), respectively. Conversely, 8-oxodG was not associated with mortality. In addition, we found an association between changes in 8-oxoGuo from diagnosis to 6-year follow-up and mortality, with increased risk in patients with an increase and decreased risk in patients with a decrease in 8-oxoGuo.

CONCLUSIONS

The RNA oxidation marker 8-oxoGuo is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with established and treated type 2 diabetes, and changes in 8-oxoGuo during the first 6 years after diagnosis are associated with mortality.
Knowledge Base and Effectiveness of Online Continuing Education about Foreign Animal Diseases for Equine Veterinarians
Authors: Wiedenheft Alyson M. , Traub-Dargatz Josie L. , Gillette Shana C. , O'Keefe Garrett J. , Rao Sangeeta , Salman M. D.
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two different methods of online education using the knowledge base of African horse sickness (AHS) among US equine veterinarians as a model. An e-mail was sent to US veterinary members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), inviting them to participate in a complementary online educational opportunity. We determined participants' baseline knowledge of AHS by their responses in an AHS case scenario. Participants were then randomly assigned to either a Webinar module or a text-formatted module, followed by an educational assessment quiz. Educational effectiveness was measured by considering the difference between the educational assessment quiz score and the baseline knowledge score. Of the 5,394 members from the AAEP list, 309 veterinarians agreed to participate, but only 211 completed the entire study. The median baseline knowledge score from the case scenario was 20 out of a perfect score of 100 points. The median assessment quiz score after the participants had access to the AHS educational material was 90, which was significantly higher than the baseline knowledge score (p=.01). Educational effectiveness in the module formats showed no significant difference (p=.81). Results from this study suggest that online education modules, once accessed, may improve participants' knowledge of veterinary diseases.
The precipitation of η phase in an Fe-Ni-based superalloy with different Ti/Al ratios
Authors: Seifollahi Masoumeh , Kheirandish Shahram , Razavi Seyed Hossein , Abbasi Seyed Mahdi
Published: November 2012

In this research, the formation and transformation mechanisms of η (Ni3Ti) phase in an Fe-Ni-based superalloy at different Ti/Al ratios were investigated. In addition to Ti content, Ti/Al ratio also affects the η phase. So alloys with different Ti/Al ratios were prepared and the microstructures were analysed using optical and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The alloy with lower Ti but higher Ti/Al ratio has a higher η volume fraction. Time-temperature-precipitation diagrams of η phase in the superalloys with different Ti/Al ratios are also presented. Based on the experimental results, when the Ti/Al ratio was decreased from 20 to 3, the time and temperature of η precipitation shifted to longer and higher values, respectively, and the η volume fraction decreased. Ti/Al of 3 could significantly retard the formation of η phase. Depending on the Ti/Al ratio, and the time and temperature of ageing, η was precipitated at twin and grain boundaries or inside the grains, either by γ′ → η transformation or directly by formation of austenite. It was also shown that a high Ti/Al ratio in the alloy would reduce the fraction of twin boundaries after solution annealing which affects the η phase nucleation.